Larkspur’s chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJrIKar1aFz
The Hollow Where Wings Fell271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKEU9lni49e
I can’t believe it. I knew it was bad when she got the quietening, but I thought she had more years left. She’s gone. She’s really gone. The body itself? No wings, likely turned to dust. Eyes wide open, maybe in shock. Let me explain a bit more about the quietening.
***271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡagsCJHh0yT
The quietening is a disease that slowly makes you forget everything, like what I believe you humans call *diclencha* or something like that. First you stop speaking. Then, you forget words. Then, you forget life. Eventually, your soul literally leaves your body. This is the disease Mother Crystanna, my beautiful mother, suffered from, and I found her body this evening, just after I woke up, by the old sugarroot tree, where she was born. Oh, how will I tell the others?
Thistle’s chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsdqr30K9cv
Thistle’s Silence271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGTmKK4B7a
Father Larkspur came running into my home at around ten pm, so midmorning, screaming, “It’s happened! It’s happened!” He didn’t even have to tell me, I knew what he was talking about. It had actually been on my mind. Once he started trying to explain in fact, I stopped him. Grandmother Crystanna has died, and he went into greater detail describing the body than I care to know. Once I knew, all I could do was go up into my room to cry. And cry I did, my pillow looking like it just came out of an ocean, until midnight when I had to come down for lunch. Now about lunch. Here’s why lunch is such a big thing here.271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2qQoUUmzJX
***271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0UvTbwnSt
Full tribes tend to eat in a circle, all the same food, like a feast. Fae tend to need to eat a lot, especially after difficult emotions or long crying spells, so our meals often look enormous compared to what humans might expect at their tables. Today we were eating only mushroom dishes, what we ritualistically eat when one of our own dies.
Rue’s chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3NdScJvAGY
Saltroots And Sky Moths271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPcc2t3vuob
We were having a beautiful feast. It was mushroom dishes only however, which confused me because that is our traditional dish if someone passes away. Oh my god, did Mother-in-law Crystanna… no. No, it couldn’t be. Suddenly, darling little Daughter Thistle comes up to me crying. I ask what’s wrong. She says “Father Larkspur says Grandmother Crystanna is gone.” My heart drops. I’m in a cold sweat. I ask to go to the bathroom for a moment. I am excused. I sit in the bathroom, and just cry. When I’m out, someone is standing there, blocking the doorway with fearful eyes, holding a folded note. Silently, they press the note into my trembling hand, then vanish before I can utter a single word. I open the note. Blank. Odd. But wait! It was just faded writing! “FAE RITUAL STARTS NOW”. Well, better get to that. We always do rituals when someone dies.271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVxIy3Arz4a
***271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSowqdInVUR
We’re all in a circle. Our arms are joined. We are going in, then out, then up, then down with our arms. Even if I’m still upset, I love this ritual. This is where I’m meant to be.
Clover’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfrG1hrP2XC
The One Who Refuses271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEHrzzPHufD
I can’t believe Mother Crystanna’s gone. I can’t believe Sister-in-law Rue was the one to tell me. And even more, I can’t believe we’re doing some stupid dance around a stupid candle instead of mourning the normal way. I hate this ritual. I step away from frustration. Suddenly, everyone else does too. Why is my sister-in-law looking at me like that? It’s not my fault this ritual sucks. . My sister-in-law’s hands are shaking as she reaches out, eyes fixed on the floor. She’s reaching out to her mother Kori, who is next to her. And just like that, the ritual starts again. Later that night, I lay in bed. I can’t fall asleep. I’m thinking. Thinking of Mother Crystanna and her memories. Thinking of how much she loved me. Thinking of how much I loved her. Thinking of that beautiful dress she used to love and wore all the time. I wish he was here so I could tell her how good it looked on her.
Minnow’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7dvJ10A1XJ
A Dance We Never Finished271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6y7LaVGWOg
Hm. I wonder why Uncle Clover stepped away. I ask Sister Thistle that night. She says “Uncle Clover has never liked rituals, and he’s a grumpy old man.” I giggle. She starts giggling too. What people don’t get about me is even if I’m only seven, I’m not just some generic baby. I really liked that ritual, and rituals in general. It’s fun to feel so connected to everyone else. I’m also always connected to Uncle Clover, because of the rule. Here’s our order for all ritual circles:271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp8xv0r61ic
Parent to child271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2RI5jDdsBi
Child to parent271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ33algjsPAK
Sibling-in-law to sibling-in-law271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2IYvIP1r2z
Uncle/aunt to niece/nephew271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXrDKGrfmN
Grandchild to grandparent271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnG7oSDq8LX
Spouse to spouse271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡitSprXrzx7
Two people whose children are married to each other271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWbyNPW0WZx
Spouse to spouse again271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7MH2S9x0MH
A parent to their child’s first partner271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWOncuKORwd
Parent to child again271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNA7n1UeD3
My thoughts wander all the time. I wonder why.
Bramble’s chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRdecHsHds
Oath in the River271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwPXDbmawve
Granddaughter Thistle came into my room at around 1:30 AM this morning, saying she just wanted to stop by. I, of course, made tea. That after-midnight I explained something I’ve never admitted since Wife Crysta died. When she first got sick, I made a promise to her. I looked down at her in her hospital bed, and admitted: “I don't know if I can keep going without you, but I swear I'll try for the family.” And try I will. Wife Crystanna, wherever you are, I will always keep that promise. Granddaughter Thistle is asking me tons of questions now. About what her life was like, questions I have never been asked before, especially by her. Finally, she asks one that hits me. “How much did you love each other?” “Too much even for you to understand,” I say tearing up. “I think I can understand, Grandfather Bramble.” This makes me full-on cry. Right in front of granddaughter thistle. She hugs me hard, her chin pressing into my shoulder. She’s really quiet, but that kid really understands.
Crystanna’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkbQt1sVnJI
Memory271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL6XxkXtwDb
Please, don’t cry for me. I may be gone now, but one only dies when they are forgotten. I see all. I am at peace now. I am in a better place. Besides, all of you will be gone someday. I’m just the only one who is gone today. I love you all. I’m sorry my death is tearing the family apart. One day, Granddaughter Thistle finds my old wedding ring on the windowsill. Not knowing what it is, she shows it to her mother, Daughter Rue. Daughter Rue says, teary-eyed, “This was Mother Crystanna’s wedding ring.” I wish they had a way of knowing I’m watching them somewhere, above. Daughter Rue glances out the window, half expecting a sign from beyond. I wish I could give it to her. They are a smart, emotionally and logically, branch of the family tree. And I think Granddaughter Thistle learned from her mother.
Fennel’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFA99rsVTVn
Ash And Wax271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsBO3xt7II
At noon, when everyone is sleeping, I pull out my lighter, even if it’s “unsafe” to use a lighter in the house. For God’s sake, I’m an old man. I light up a match, and then light up a candle. Then another candle. Then another. I have always liked faerie rituals, I just didn’t like how the rest did them. I feel so… at peace when I do the candle ritual. It’s far better than anything the other fae could ever come up with. I feel safe, like I'm both shielded from pain, invisibly cradled by warmth while the silent flames flicker blue. This is where I was meant to be. Suddenly, I see Daughter Rue coming out of bed and down the stairs. “Father Fennel, only do the rituals you’re meant to do, with the rest of us. Just because you read it in a book when you were younger doesn’t mean you can do it without the elder’s permission. In fact, we don’t even have an elder anymore, we still need to decide on the replacement for Mother-in-law Crystanna.
Kori’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOXeGZjWW7w
The Spiral Rite271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTHzYFtU1A8
We have a lot of death rituals. I enjoy them all. I just like standing in a circle, doing elaborate choreographed movements. However, I don’t enjoy the fact that Crystanna is dead. She was a good woman, even if I didn’t know her well. Now Granddaughter Mint insists I take Crystanna’s place in the rituals. She argues in front of everyone, raising her voice. I reluctantly agree. Later that day, I get taken to a vote the fae are having. “SHOULD WE GET RID OF RITUALS?” Immediately, I instinctively vote no. The results come out the next day. Almost none of us voted for some reason, but two yeses, and two nos. They pick a random one of us that didn’t vote. Son-in-law Larkspur’s brother Clover. They make him vote. To my horror, he picks yes. Daughter Rue gives him dirty looks as he walks away. He doesn’t notice. I can’t believe this. I loved our rituals. They can’t just do this, can they?
Larkspur’s Other Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡshWHzkWmDY
No One Saw The Red Moon271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK2zFE3lMzN
Am I the only one that doesn’t care about the rituals? It’s not a big deal either way. But so many fights are happening later that I need some time to go outside. When I’m outside, I like to watch the sun set and the moon rise before anyone wakes up. It makes me feel peace. But… is that a blood red moon? Wait… that’s not supposed to be there. THAT IS DEFINITELY NOT SUPPOSED TO BE THERE. OH MY GOD WHAT IS HAPPENING. I immediately run back and try to explain to Father Bramble that I saw the moon become blood red. He treats me like I’m crazy after I explain this to him. “Ok, Son Larkspur…” Speaking Of Father Bramble, it seems there’s always something on his mind lately. I wonder what. Almost like he’s keeping in a secret.
Mallow’s Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWfJIieJdoz
I Broke The Circle271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDCQYkTMMUs
God, if I hadn’t voted, we might have been doing a dumb ritual right now. It feels so freeing to not have to. I have so much more free time, it’s amazing. But suddenly, Daughter Mint bursts into the room with shaking hands, holding an old torn letter she claims was left by Ex-Mother-in-law Crystanna. It says the rituals are actually protecting us from something much worse hiding just outside the boundaries. It says we need to reverse the vote. It also says something about a blood red moon.
That’s odd. Why would there ever be a blood red moon? The others come running, shouting that a strange red light fills the woods. Shocked, I show them the letter. Now they are shocked as well.”How- what- why would-“ says Clover. “I’m as surprised as you are,” I say. I can’t believe this.
. Just then, a guttural howl echoes beyond the treeline, chilling everyone instantly. “What… was that?” “I— I don’t know.” “Daughter Thistle, honey, if I go out with you, will you check?” “Fine.” And just like that, Ex-wife Rue and her daughter Thistle disappear into the night. An hour later, they come back, saying “We found a talking wolf, with red eyes, that claimed it was reincarnated Crystanna!”
Thistle’s Other Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwwI2F4yEGe
The Hollow Again271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8StkQ7VAj
I can’t believe this. Do Mother Rue and I trust that wolf or not? It seemed the slightest bit unfriendly. For the first time in my life, I’m in a rush to get to speak. Normally I’m the quiet one, but I can’t be with what I saw.
Then I remember something we fae have. The ghostsenser. It’s a machine that can use DNA to test if something is the ghost of someone, and whom they’re the ghost of. So I grab the ghostsenser from under the floorboards, hastily stuffing it in my pocket as Mother Rue watches nervously. We go back out into the night. Paranoid, we’re running through the forest. A twig snaps. Suddenly, we see the wolf. Crystanna the wolf. We test it. Sure enough, that’s Grandmother Crystanna’s ghost. “Let me explain,” Grandmother Crystanna the Wolf says. “I was out walking when I had the quietening. A magical wolf body-swapped with me because it wanted to feel having a fae body. However, it didn’t know I had the quietening and died from it later in my body. That note was not written by me. Can you take me home please, darling?” And so, we walk home together.
Wren’s mini-Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxDeD3dndmQ
The One Who Left First271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9mAeQWeWn
My entire family doesn’t know me and Sister Mint very well at all because Mother Mallow and Mother Rue divorced and Mother Mallow got custody, and they only know Mother Rue well. They’re not passive-aggressive or anything, it’s just awkward with them.
Clover’s Other Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm6t1xR4TG2
We Eat The Moonlight271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5PlHlyk692
I can’t believe this. Sister-in-law Rue and Niece Thistle go out and bring a wolf home? The hell? But then, the wolf turns to me. “Son Clover, darling, do you know that I love you?” It’s not really much, but it opens up something in me. Something that’s been inexplicably covered up by anger for years. Something called love.271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡobKaBm1pNX
Suddenly, the wolf lays a paw over my hand, eyes glimmering with violet sparks, as if some last residue of fading magic is still around, waiting for a chance to shine. Because I may be annoyed that my Sister-in-law and my Niece brought in a wolf, but that wolf turned out to be Mother Crystanna. And I love Mother Crystanna. 271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNekn28XdF7
You know, I think I’m becoming just like her. The younger male version of her at least. Then, I realize it’s already morning, and put Niece Thistle and Nephew Minnow to bed. Because Brother Larkspur hasn’t yet. And for the first time ever, that’s ok.
Our Chapter271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC2AslvMxz6
The Wings We Make271Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19c4nUI3g2
Years later, all the fae have figured out how to give Crystanna an injection to reverse body swap. They do, and she’s perfectly alright. Turns out sometimes, what may look like a negative is a net positive. And that’s really all that life truly is, along with the moral of our story.
THE END
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