Strings

It was a clear, warm day. The grass was softly swaying in the breeze to the rhythm of Daniel's footsteps. He could see them a short distance away, standing much to close for his comfort.
It wasn't like he was completely oblivious to what went on between Ithilden and Daedalus. He could see it, and Ithilden hadn't keep their history hidden the first night they'd met.

"I owe you a thank you," Daniel said, his face above the steaming cup of herbal tea that Ithilden had made. It was her secret recipe, just one of the many secrets he could see woven through her messy hair.
"That's unnecessary." She said, her voice smooth. It washed over him and captivated him in its sound.
Daniel let it go for now. "How do you suppose this happened?"
"I think it's more of a matter of why." She started. "But that remains a mystery. I suppose you could try to get in touch with one of the more...powerful faes."
"I don't know anything about this world. I only know you and me. It feels like I'm closed off from the rest."
"There's a lot more to see here. Much more than just me." Ithilden said, her voice sad. "Better and worse people. Maybe you should get back."
"How?"
Ithilden shrugged, not having thought that far. "I guess you could stay here until we figure this out." Ithilden looked around, searching for something to look at other than Daniel's powerful eyes. "Just...be careful."

Daniel didn't question her. He never had. He did not posses enough breath to let out the plethora of questions that seemed to constantly swirl in his brain. The questions didn't matter, but perhaps the answers did, but it did not make much difference to him. He was in too deep. Much too deep.
Ithilden didn't smile when she saw him lumbering over to them, like she usually did. Daedalus had his usual arrogant smirk on his face, his arm wrapped possessively around her waist. Another sign of who she was supposed to belong to.
She didn't belong with a creature like Daniel. Then again, was a vicious, manipulative vampire better suited for her?
When he was close enough he remembered the cup of coffee in his hand. Since he usually spent his time at the coffee shop he'd first materialized in, he had the habit of buying copious amounts of coffee. More for Ithilden than for himself.
Daedalus' smirk turned into a sneer. "Oh, how sweet. Your servant has thought to bring you that damned drink you're so obsessed with."
"Daedalus, be kind. There is no need for viciousness." Ithilden sighed, her semblance making her seem exhausted.
"Why don't we get to the point then." Daedalus sneered. "We are here. We are all aware of the events that have transpired. Ithilden, make your choice."
"She had made her choice before you came back to meddle." Daniel blurted. "We were happy. You decided you suddenly had a craving for company, Ithilden's specifically, and came around to make trouble. You are the root of this problem."
"You two shouldn't have gotten involved in the first place." Daedalus said offhandedly. "It's not natural."
"Nothing about any of us is natural!" Ithilden shrieked. "Forgive me, if I am brutally honest, but, I craved more stability than you, Daedalus. And Daniel," Ithilden's fiery eyes softened. "Sweet Daniel. I cannot deal with the monotony of calmness!"
Daniel flinched. "Well you are the one you twisted us in this whole mess! Either walk away from both of us for good. Stop playing with us like puppets. It may be different for you and Daedalus, but for me…" Daniel looked away, cleared his throat, before facing her again. "These strings tangled into my back are restricting my breathing. My life. I am not meant to be…In any case, I've met with the fae. I will be returning to my quaint, calm, monotous," he spat the word, "bookshop in my own universe. Do what you wish otherwise."
"I never meant to hurt anyone," Ithilden said, her voice sharp. Saltwater sat on the waterlines of her eyes. She possessed no emotional shield, as always. Daniel felt the urge to protect her from the tidal wave of her own emotions, but knew he couldn't, and that he shouldn't. Instead he turned away.
"Do not expect a return. Deal with your issues on your own. And start buying your own coffee again." The cup was on the ground before he was finished, the tan liquid seeping into the grass. Ithilden always took a lot of cream with her coffee.
There was nothing else Daniel could do. He'd given her his heart and his life, and allowed her to knot her puppet strings into his skin. She was still lured to Daedalus. He couldn't blame her for her emotions, but he could blame her for her lack of control over them.
But, he supposed he was guilty of the same fault. He could feel her eyes on his back, and knew he would return, waiting and ready for his new set of strings.
---

contest entry.

xxx

-Mari.

Just Don't

Don't tell me about your life.
Don't tell me how great one day is
And how the next is hell.

Don't try to brag
About how special you are
Don't tell me about
How great things are going.

The next day you tell
Everyone else about
How horrible it is,
How an object is your friend.

You can't just tell me
You can't have a million friends
And tell everyone else
Nobody cares.

Don't brag
Don't sob
Don't laugh
Don't cry...

You honestly don't know
The first thing about life.

I am u n i m p o r t a n t.

I am h e r e.

but i am alone. i stand here, waiting, watching, grasping the fragments of whispered promises. you'd told me to wait here and we'd face it together. i guess maybe you forgot to write a reminder in your post-it note journal to remember not to forget.

I am i n s i d e.

still alone. it's a blend of technicolor and masks and screams. the hired monsters pop out at me, their ghoulish faces inches away, hazy through the saltwater sitting on my waterlines.

I am t h r o u g h.

alone. permanence. i spot you at the entrance, arms around the epitome of a perfect girl who means more than nothing. i would confront you if i thought i could take seeing your adoration and preference any closer to my heart.

I am h o m e.

with the TV blaring and hot chocolate in hand, i hear you calling me, but I can't answer. my ears can barely hear the tone of your voice as you hurriedly apologize through the speakers. i hear screaming and talking in the background. it sounds like a good time. you don't need my secondary presence there to sully it.

I am g o n e.

my last thought before i left was a selfish unnerving "i hope you feel bad."
---------

deleted my blog.

xxxx

-Mari.