Lady Earth
06-13-2008, 08:32 PM
Hey there. Well, after working for a while now, I have finally been able to post the first chapter of the novel I am writing. I hope that you all enjoy it and reviews are always welcomed. However, porting the chapter here has taken away the italics and the indentions for starting a paragraph; but I still know you will be able to tell when people are thinking or releaving a mamory. I did do my best to place italics in here as much as I could.
Chapter One: Concealed
“Noctem Aeternus…What does that mean?” the young woman asked herself while carefully examining the envelope in her hand.
Her long raven hair swayed with the gentle breeze, whilst the knee-length black and blue lace trim skirt she wore slowly joined in as the wind’s deceptive draft gain in strength. The royal blue t-shirt untucked and wrinkled made her look sloppy; as if she cared none of the way she dressed. She wore no shoes to protect her from the cold cement, her figure is plum and even though she seems delicate and as if she were ill, there is an inner beauty radiating from every part of her body.
However, what sets her apart from all the other girls her age in the south of France is her skin. Her pale-ash skin-for which many have created stories as to what the reason for the color-is the very first thing people notice. She has since long gotten used to the whispers of the townsfolk as she passes them by. She has even learned to use their fears as her advantage. And while others do frighten upon her sight, others like the children at her fathers Karate school have learned to see her as a friend.
Still, if the town’s people were top be asked by tourist to describe her in one word, this would most likely be something similar to: Spectral. But none of that matters to her.
“Hmm…Strange for there to be mail on such a gloomy day,” a cat the color of copper with big green eyes sat staring up. “After all, it does seem like it will snow.” The cat spoke without moving its mouth.
“Tell me, Zephyr, did you happen to see any one come near Rose Cottage during your morning hunt?”
“No, Master. I even took longer than usual leaving the cottage this morning!” Zephyr replies.
“I see,” the young woman whispered.
The golden letter upon the envelope slightly glowed with the fading light of the sun. The handwriting was quite comparable with someone who took great care of each letter.
Rustling from the near by forest caught their attention. Zephyr’s ears went up listening for any danger that could come at them. Her stance became one of warning as the rustling got closer and closer.
Zephyr hissed, “Master, stay back!”
Doing as told the young woman took a few steps toward the door, behind Zephyr.
Suddenly from among the brush three animals burst from different sides. The first an orange flame, the second was like a pale cold star, and the third dark as a moonless night. All three uncaring of the two they had scared.
Zephyr and her master exhaled at the sight of the other cats. “Seriously, don’t those three ever think!!?” Zephyr exclaimed kicking a pebble from the path connecting the main entrance and steps. Here I was already for a good fight and all I get is…ahhh man!!
“Admit it Zephyr, your just plain disappointed! I bet that just like the other Koia you were expecting one of the Utama.”
“Uh-huh…I mean NO WAY!!”
“Zephyr, it’s come to my attention that you and the other Koia have been leaving close to around midnight to petrol the town ever since your return two weeks ago.”
The cat’s jaw dropped open. I should have predicted as much! This is going to be hard to explain. “Master…We have not been patrolling the town at all! We all merely take a night stroll to lose weight. After all have you seen how much weight I’ve gained from hunting all those mice?”
“No it isn’t! And you’re not fat, just puffy and you know that. Zephyr I know you better than you think! Now what’s up with you?”
The cat blinked, “I don’t understand your question.”
Tucking the enveloped on the right side pocket of her skirt the young woman turned her attention to the other cats. “What’s wrong with you? Why have you and the other cats been acting on your guard all the time? Has something happen that I do not know about?”
The door to the cottage opened, “Morning!!”
Zephyr was the first to answer, “Morning, Master Fanell!!” THANK THE GODS OF OLYMPUS!!!
A draft of chilling air surrounded them all, entered the cottage so swiftly and angry that it caused the fire burning within the antique chimney to die. The man standing at the door although in a suit and ready for work could fill something in the wind that had not been there a month ago.
“God, it’s freezing out here!!” Fanell exclaimed rubbing his hands together in a gesture to warm them up. He took a quick glance at his daughter who had done nothing to admonish his presence. At the sight of her feet he had to grin and give her points for it. “You know Ari, you might want to act more like us normal humans and put on some shoes once in a while. Especially since the weather is changing.” Among other things…
Ari looked down at her bare feet, “Huh? I see nothing wrong with my feet.”
Fanell shook his head, “Do the words winter, cold, or snow make sense to you?”
Tranquil and staring at her feet, “Winter is when the sky’s hue becomes one of sorrow and tears. And even if some do enjoy it, it will always carry pain into one’s heart. Cold is just a word to describe something or someone who shows no emotion; a lack of humanity you might say. Snow. Snow is the memories of mountains elapsed by mankind and lost to the eyes. Soulless dreams floating above of us. That is winter, cold, and snow for me.”
“Okay, fine, I get your heater,” Zephyr said sarcastically. Can you say DRAMA!?
“Not the answer I was expecting,” Fanell whispered scratching his head. Better change the subject here. “I got home pretty late last night. Sorry if I made too much noise.”
“Didn’t hear you come in. did you sleep at all?”
“Not really,” a faint smile and yawn added to his honesty.
“I as well found myself unable to sleep…”
Father and daughter exchanged a brief gaze. Their thoughts one and the same.
A cool draft mingled with the leafless branches of the tree forest. The cats which had been so playful, now sat motionless. Their eyes locked on their masters.
“So it appears they’ve perceived it too,” the orange flame cat communicated to the others.
“If that is so Neptune, the other members have picked up the vibrations as well,” the black cat added.
“Given the circumstances we have been informed of Hera, the attacks on two of the main families of the Brotherhood are due to the aura permeating the earth’s atmosphere.”
“But weren’t the males the ones mainly experiencing the attacks?” the pale cold star cat mussed. “It wasn’t later that the females began to experience the same symptoms.”
“Never the less Zeus, for now all we can do is keep an eye out. Our continuous patrol of the town has shown no sign of an enemy demon in sight.”
“I wonder,” Hera said, “do you think one of the Sixteen Homunculus could have been released?”
Neptune and Zeus stared at Hera. Neither of them wanted to acknowledge that she could be right for so many untold reasons. For more than six hundred years the dark spirits once under the power of the Methmui had been sealed within sacred barrels created by the founders of the Brotherhood.
“Neptune, Zeus, Hera!” Ari’s voice snapped them out from their reverie. “Time for breakfast you guys.”
Hera sprinted in the air, “About time!”
Ari followed her father inside halting just a minute to make sure the felines were in. Smiling she saw the uplifted tails and turned to look around the antique Victorian Cottage her father had restored as soon as he’d bought it. Ari had been six then. To her left the renovated Victorian drawing room, the chandelier exported from Italy after being fixed hung above the signs of the zodiac hidden in between the crystals sparkled with the glow of the candles she’d lit at five in the morning. The mantle on the chimney held a medium size clock carved into the wood, and on either side of it pictures. An oriental rug adorned with intriguing designs and patterns that only few would recognize covered the wooden floor. Two ruby sofas and table lamps at either side added to the comforting feeling of the room.
Pictures hung on both sides of the long foyer. Some from when her father was younger and in the military, others of friends, pets, herself, and places she and her father had visited. Everything one could imagine from any part of the Earth, cultures, and people. All except for one single thing…Her mother’s face.
Nowhere in the house can one find a photo of the woman who had loved, and marries William “Bill” Fanell. The woman who later gave birth to a baby girl! No evidence of such a living person. And that was understandable, for when her mother had passed away her father had gotten rid of her memories.
Finally as one neared the opening of the two way hall to the right is the kitchen were Ari catches a glimpse of Christine as the blonde cracks eggs and pours juice in glasses. While to the left, the other corridor leads to the library.
“Morning, Chris!”
“Morning, Mistress Arinayed,” Christine replied smiling at her. “Would you like to eat now?”
“Would I ever!” Zeus exclaimed.
“YO! She’s asking me you good for nothing flat eared RAT!”
The cat hissed, “What did you just call me!?”
Hera stepped in between the two fighting ‘idiots’ as she usually called them. Of course one couldn’t call it a normal day if this two did not shout at each other. “Come on you two! Can’t we ever just have a nice, calm, relaxing meal without you both killing one another? Is not that I have anything against Master Arinayed kicking your ass Zeus—”
Neptune and Zephyr hailed, “Alleluia sister!”
Zeus ****ed his head to the side and glared at them. “Pss. This puny-weak-miserable-human can’t beat a Koia like me!”
“COME CLOSERYOU ASS SNIFING CAT AND I’LL SHOW YOU JUST HOW THIS PUNNY-WEAK-MISERABLE-HUMAN CAN BEAT YOU—”
A grumbling sound cut her outburst short. Even Christine who had been happily shopping carrots stopped to listen. “Master Fanell appears to be hungrier than expected this morning.”
Blinking twice, “How did you know the noise came from him?” I’d sworn it was me.
“My internal sensors and hearing processors have been given a whole maintenance about a month ago. This, plus the new software added to my program gives me the capacity to detect every sound surrounding the state.”
Another growling emanated from her father’s stomach, as the rest of the group was left dumbfounded by the words that had been spoken by the cyborg.
Arinayed snapped out, “So, let me get this straight. Dad ran a full maintenance on you thus amplifying your programming and because of that you hear a lot better?”
“To put it in simpler words, you are correct.”
Boy for a cyborg the words simple and short sure aren’t in her vocabulary! “Dad, care to explain?”
A yawn, “I created Christine when you were ten, dear, I thought it about time to upgrade her, plus connecting her with the new security system I installed in the cottage had been on my mind for a long time.” He stared at Ari, “You do remember when I gave you Christine, don’t you?”
Chapter One: Concealed
“Noctem Aeternus…What does that mean?” the young woman asked herself while carefully examining the envelope in her hand.
Her long raven hair swayed with the gentle breeze, whilst the knee-length black and blue lace trim skirt she wore slowly joined in as the wind’s deceptive draft gain in strength. The royal blue t-shirt untucked and wrinkled made her look sloppy; as if she cared none of the way she dressed. She wore no shoes to protect her from the cold cement, her figure is plum and even though she seems delicate and as if she were ill, there is an inner beauty radiating from every part of her body.
However, what sets her apart from all the other girls her age in the south of France is her skin. Her pale-ash skin-for which many have created stories as to what the reason for the color-is the very first thing people notice. She has since long gotten used to the whispers of the townsfolk as she passes them by. She has even learned to use their fears as her advantage. And while others do frighten upon her sight, others like the children at her fathers Karate school have learned to see her as a friend.
Still, if the town’s people were top be asked by tourist to describe her in one word, this would most likely be something similar to: Spectral. But none of that matters to her.
“Hmm…Strange for there to be mail on such a gloomy day,” a cat the color of copper with big green eyes sat staring up. “After all, it does seem like it will snow.” The cat spoke without moving its mouth.
“Tell me, Zephyr, did you happen to see any one come near Rose Cottage during your morning hunt?”
“No, Master. I even took longer than usual leaving the cottage this morning!” Zephyr replies.
“I see,” the young woman whispered.
The golden letter upon the envelope slightly glowed with the fading light of the sun. The handwriting was quite comparable with someone who took great care of each letter.
Rustling from the near by forest caught their attention. Zephyr’s ears went up listening for any danger that could come at them. Her stance became one of warning as the rustling got closer and closer.
Zephyr hissed, “Master, stay back!”
Doing as told the young woman took a few steps toward the door, behind Zephyr.
Suddenly from among the brush three animals burst from different sides. The first an orange flame, the second was like a pale cold star, and the third dark as a moonless night. All three uncaring of the two they had scared.
Zephyr and her master exhaled at the sight of the other cats. “Seriously, don’t those three ever think!!?” Zephyr exclaimed kicking a pebble from the path connecting the main entrance and steps. Here I was already for a good fight and all I get is…ahhh man!!
“Admit it Zephyr, your just plain disappointed! I bet that just like the other Koia you were expecting one of the Utama.”
“Uh-huh…I mean NO WAY!!”
“Zephyr, it’s come to my attention that you and the other Koia have been leaving close to around midnight to petrol the town ever since your return two weeks ago.”
The cat’s jaw dropped open. I should have predicted as much! This is going to be hard to explain. “Master…We have not been patrolling the town at all! We all merely take a night stroll to lose weight. After all have you seen how much weight I’ve gained from hunting all those mice?”
“No it isn’t! And you’re not fat, just puffy and you know that. Zephyr I know you better than you think! Now what’s up with you?”
The cat blinked, “I don’t understand your question.”
Tucking the enveloped on the right side pocket of her skirt the young woman turned her attention to the other cats. “What’s wrong with you? Why have you and the other cats been acting on your guard all the time? Has something happen that I do not know about?”
The door to the cottage opened, “Morning!!”
Zephyr was the first to answer, “Morning, Master Fanell!!” THANK THE GODS OF OLYMPUS!!!
A draft of chilling air surrounded them all, entered the cottage so swiftly and angry that it caused the fire burning within the antique chimney to die. The man standing at the door although in a suit and ready for work could fill something in the wind that had not been there a month ago.
“God, it’s freezing out here!!” Fanell exclaimed rubbing his hands together in a gesture to warm them up. He took a quick glance at his daughter who had done nothing to admonish his presence. At the sight of her feet he had to grin and give her points for it. “You know Ari, you might want to act more like us normal humans and put on some shoes once in a while. Especially since the weather is changing.” Among other things…
Ari looked down at her bare feet, “Huh? I see nothing wrong with my feet.”
Fanell shook his head, “Do the words winter, cold, or snow make sense to you?”
Tranquil and staring at her feet, “Winter is when the sky’s hue becomes one of sorrow and tears. And even if some do enjoy it, it will always carry pain into one’s heart. Cold is just a word to describe something or someone who shows no emotion; a lack of humanity you might say. Snow. Snow is the memories of mountains elapsed by mankind and lost to the eyes. Soulless dreams floating above of us. That is winter, cold, and snow for me.”
“Okay, fine, I get your heater,” Zephyr said sarcastically. Can you say DRAMA!?
“Not the answer I was expecting,” Fanell whispered scratching his head. Better change the subject here. “I got home pretty late last night. Sorry if I made too much noise.”
“Didn’t hear you come in. did you sleep at all?”
“Not really,” a faint smile and yawn added to his honesty.
“I as well found myself unable to sleep…”
Father and daughter exchanged a brief gaze. Their thoughts one and the same.
A cool draft mingled with the leafless branches of the tree forest. The cats which had been so playful, now sat motionless. Their eyes locked on their masters.
“So it appears they’ve perceived it too,” the orange flame cat communicated to the others.
“If that is so Neptune, the other members have picked up the vibrations as well,” the black cat added.
“Given the circumstances we have been informed of Hera, the attacks on two of the main families of the Brotherhood are due to the aura permeating the earth’s atmosphere.”
“But weren’t the males the ones mainly experiencing the attacks?” the pale cold star cat mussed. “It wasn’t later that the females began to experience the same symptoms.”
“Never the less Zeus, for now all we can do is keep an eye out. Our continuous patrol of the town has shown no sign of an enemy demon in sight.”
“I wonder,” Hera said, “do you think one of the Sixteen Homunculus could have been released?”
Neptune and Zeus stared at Hera. Neither of them wanted to acknowledge that she could be right for so many untold reasons. For more than six hundred years the dark spirits once under the power of the Methmui had been sealed within sacred barrels created by the founders of the Brotherhood.
“Neptune, Zeus, Hera!” Ari’s voice snapped them out from their reverie. “Time for breakfast you guys.”
Hera sprinted in the air, “About time!”
Ari followed her father inside halting just a minute to make sure the felines were in. Smiling she saw the uplifted tails and turned to look around the antique Victorian Cottage her father had restored as soon as he’d bought it. Ari had been six then. To her left the renovated Victorian drawing room, the chandelier exported from Italy after being fixed hung above the signs of the zodiac hidden in between the crystals sparkled with the glow of the candles she’d lit at five in the morning. The mantle on the chimney held a medium size clock carved into the wood, and on either side of it pictures. An oriental rug adorned with intriguing designs and patterns that only few would recognize covered the wooden floor. Two ruby sofas and table lamps at either side added to the comforting feeling of the room.
Pictures hung on both sides of the long foyer. Some from when her father was younger and in the military, others of friends, pets, herself, and places she and her father had visited. Everything one could imagine from any part of the Earth, cultures, and people. All except for one single thing…Her mother’s face.
Nowhere in the house can one find a photo of the woman who had loved, and marries William “Bill” Fanell. The woman who later gave birth to a baby girl! No evidence of such a living person. And that was understandable, for when her mother had passed away her father had gotten rid of her memories.
Finally as one neared the opening of the two way hall to the right is the kitchen were Ari catches a glimpse of Christine as the blonde cracks eggs and pours juice in glasses. While to the left, the other corridor leads to the library.
“Morning, Chris!”
“Morning, Mistress Arinayed,” Christine replied smiling at her. “Would you like to eat now?”
“Would I ever!” Zeus exclaimed.
“YO! She’s asking me you good for nothing flat eared RAT!”
The cat hissed, “What did you just call me!?”
Hera stepped in between the two fighting ‘idiots’ as she usually called them. Of course one couldn’t call it a normal day if this two did not shout at each other. “Come on you two! Can’t we ever just have a nice, calm, relaxing meal without you both killing one another? Is not that I have anything against Master Arinayed kicking your ass Zeus—”
Neptune and Zephyr hailed, “Alleluia sister!”
Zeus ****ed his head to the side and glared at them. “Pss. This puny-weak-miserable-human can’t beat a Koia like me!”
“COME CLOSERYOU ASS SNIFING CAT AND I’LL SHOW YOU JUST HOW THIS PUNNY-WEAK-MISERABLE-HUMAN CAN BEAT YOU—”
A grumbling sound cut her outburst short. Even Christine who had been happily shopping carrots stopped to listen. “Master Fanell appears to be hungrier than expected this morning.”
Blinking twice, “How did you know the noise came from him?” I’d sworn it was me.
“My internal sensors and hearing processors have been given a whole maintenance about a month ago. This, plus the new software added to my program gives me the capacity to detect every sound surrounding the state.”
Another growling emanated from her father’s stomach, as the rest of the group was left dumbfounded by the words that had been spoken by the cyborg.
Arinayed snapped out, “So, let me get this straight. Dad ran a full maintenance on you thus amplifying your programming and because of that you hear a lot better?”
“To put it in simpler words, you are correct.”
Boy for a cyborg the words simple and short sure aren’t in her vocabulary! “Dad, care to explain?”
A yawn, “I created Christine when you were ten, dear, I thought it about time to upgrade her, plus connecting her with the new security system I installed in the cottage had been on my mind for a long time.” He stared at Ari, “You do remember when I gave you Christine, don’t you?”