W.R.T.D part 2 (draft)

               Despite being twins, Mashiah and Matt looked nothing alike. Mashiah was short, round in many every feature from her face to lower half. Her eyes were large and round, whiskey-colored pools. Her lips were like two rounded pillows stacked on top of each other, no points to her upper lip like most. Her hair was long and dark, almost black as the night sky. Her skin was pale and sickly looking at times. She burned easily in the sun and had learned to just avoid it over the years.

 She was often teased by other woman about being “bottom heavy” with rounded wide hips and thick thighs and round heart shaped rear end.  She was lacking in the chest area, so it did make her look like a wooden spoon at times.

               Matt on the other hand was tall, top heavy with his broad shoulders and thick chest. He was handsome with shark features, strawberry blond hair and bright blue eyes. He had a nice even complexion that tanned well in the sun. He resembled their mother where Mashiah looked more like their father. This was probably why he was their mother’s favorite.

Mashiah had always felt like a disappointment to their mother. She had studied to be a mage mostly so she and her mother would have something in common, however no matter how well Mashiah did in her craft, it was never skilled enough. She was not standing straight enough while reciting that spell, or she her voice was not clear enough, no wonder that spell didn’t have enough punk to it. The little blades that cut at Mashiah over the years had torn open gaping wounds that separated the two women.

Their father, however, loved both twins equally. He often reminded Matt to treat women with respect and not be like his asshole friends.

“You don’t want to piss off the wrong witch, mage or sorcerous. You’ll wake up one day as her pet and not in the fun sort of way” he warned.

He adored Mashiah and called her his little Fire Dragon. He would sneak her home books from work at the conservatory where he studied rare creatures and plants alongside other brilliant minds in their land. Sometimes he would bring home a creature for the kids to play with as a pet, or a baby creature he was working to raise up until it was of age and health to be set free.  The twins had had many pets over the years, but Mashiah’s pet Cragleaot had lived the longest. His name was Jasper.

Jasper now lives outside, too big for the house, but is still a loved member of the family with his own barn to sleep in.

*Fire Dragon- Best way to describe one of these large insects is that they look like out dragonflies, with fatter bodies, 2 heads, and lumines brightly, even in the daylight. They come in various colors of body and wings and found in swampy marshes and lakes all over the land. They do not bite but can sting with a mild irritating toxin.

*Cragleoat- These are creatures much like our modern goats, however their bodies look like they are made of earth. They blend in seamlessly with the ground to hide from predators. Their coats change with the seasons as well, adding to their camouflage capabilities. As The females of the species produce milk that is sweet and the male’s horns are shed each winter and can be sold for a lot of money, they resemble tree branches or small trees and are sought after for decoration.  

               Matt looked up from his book to Mashiah, cocking a brow at her. “You won’t last one night out there” he warned.

“Thanks so much for the confidence” she spat back.

Mashiah was packing a bag for her trip, back turned to her brother who was lounging in her bedroom window seat.

“You really should take a guide with you. I could go with…”

She cut him off sharply “And risk getting mommy’s baby boy eaten?” She laughed loudly. “I would rather eat a fire mouse*.”

“Ok then, but you should take a weapon. Your magic is great but you’re not a master of any deadly skills.”

“Sais you” smirking back at him. “I swiped one of the forbidden arts books from mom’s study years ago. I was only able to master 2 spells in it, but I think I can use them for self-defense in a pinch.

By now Matt had stood and set the book aside. “You make it sound like she hates you.” His voice was equal parts sadness and annoyance.

Mashiah groaned and turned to face him. “Sometimes I feel like she really does hate me. I’m the disappointment she didn’t want. If I had your features, I could do nothing wrong because I would be her exact copy. Instead, I look like dad, and we both know she tolerates him because of his position and wealth.”

Matt opened his mouth to say something but closed it quickly. She was right.

“I’ll be fine. I’ll be gone for maybe three days. If I’m stilling missing by the fourth, send help.”

*Fire Mouse- A small mouse like creature that looks like it is on fire on the inside. They glow from within and even admit smoke at times. They have a sharp temper and even sharper teeth.  They are known to attack the feet of travelers who get close to their dwellings, while squeaking loudly. Many larger creatures avoid fire mice, not sure it’s because they taste bad, are even edible or if it’s because they are just annoying and loud. They live mostly in the fire swamps of the Dark Forest but will on occasion end up in your garden, or worse, your home.

               Mashiah had begun to slip out into the darkness, on her way to look for a potential necromancer teacher. She had heard of a few dark magicians living out in the forest and had seen a few houses in the distance while attending a friend’s funeral once. Despite being of wealth, Mashiah conversed with people of all walks and statuses. She had maybe 2 friends in her life and one, Dorthy had passed away two years ago.

Her head was swimming with memories of Dorthy when a familiar voice came from the direction of the gate.

“Hey Bones, where are you heading?”  Klara had stepped out of the darkness, a bit closer so Mashiah could see her better.

Klara had permission to be a shameless flirt at her age. She had already been wed and widowed, so by society rules it was her right to be a slut. Or at least that’s how Mashiah thought of it. If Mashiah had flirted openly with so many men and even slept with them, she would shamed by the community at large. Meanwhile because Klara married some old pervert, knowing full well he had one leg in the grave, and he died of natural causes, she had sympathy and could do as she pleased.

“I’m running away to join the carnival. You want to come with?” Mashiah shot back in her best sarcastic tone. Deep down she was angry. “With that bit of stubble you got growing, they, might let you be the bearded lady.”

Klara shot a hand to her face for a quick feel and noticed the smirk on Mashiah’s face. At one point they were best friends. They knew each other’s secrets as children and Klara’s biggest insecurity is that she would grow facial hair like her mother and grandmother had.

“Fuck you Bones!” Klara spat back, dropping her hand back to her side. “

The nickname bones use to cut deep for Mashiah, but over the years, and others using the name like verbal stones to throw at her, she had learned to let it just roll off. If they don’t see you cry, it’s not fuel for their fires. This strategy worked on others, but Klara still used the name .

“I would have to get in line I guess” Mashiah smiled. “Seems you have a lot of fucking to do.”

Klara was the one to laugh at this time. “Jealous? I get knocked around just right and enjoy it. You had what, one sad one nightery and a shitty pretend boyfriend?”

Mashiah’s jaw clenched. She didn’t have time to fight with Klara.

“Yeah, I guess you got me there. You have fun getting knocked around until your knocked up or pussy falls out.” Mashiah turned to leave when she felt Klara’s sharp nails dig into her arm.

“You stupid little…” Klara was swiping the other hand at Mashiah’s face from the side.

In one quick move, Mashia ducked to avoid the swiping hand then raised back up, bringing the top of her head crashing into Klara’s chin,

Klara let go quickly and stumbled back. She was holding her chin and groaning, wet blood seeped out from between her lips.

“I got places to be.” Mashiah quickly scurried off inti the darkness, leaving Klara screaming at her in the distance.

Mashiah was laughing inside as she took off into the dark, while the top of her head throbbed. That bitch’s chin felt like it was made of stone.