Album cover by Ryo Ishido |
Below you'll find my entry, a tale based on a story I wrote that required much love and massive amounts of editing. The inspiration I needed to transform this story and take it to the next level came from the phenomenal track: One by Ryo Ishido featuring Nik Kershaw.
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When Paper and Fire Fall in Love
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When Paper and Fire Fall in Love
The lines in the wizard’s face were deep, like
the folds of his velvet cloak. Every night his faded blue eyes gazed in
mournful meditation out the window. Tumultuous rains had befallen the land and
the future was being swept away. On the darkest of nights, the wizard concentrated
his magic to summon a noble light. The light resembled a tiny man made of fire
who was anchored to the wick of an enchanted candle. The wizard named the man,
Flame.
Flame was grateful for the life cast into him and
honored to provide a soothing light in return. But after several moons, the
wizard noticed his friend’s light was fading. A foreign emotion had begun to
fester in Flame’s heart, it was called melancholy. Worried, the wizard took
action and retrieved one of his finest sheets of paper vellum. He placed the paper on his desk and rolled up his sleeves. Aiming his
wand, he mumbled a few magical sounds into his long grey beard. The
tip of the wand glowed like molten lava, and released a bolt of magic that
electrified the paper vellum, infusing it with life. The delicate sheet began to
tremble. Flame looked on with glowing curiosity. Slowly, the sheet began to
fold upon itself. It twisted and creased. It folded and unfolded. It pleated
and opened until at last, a recognizable figure was created—a delicate paper girl
known simply as, Vellum.
The girl lay still on the table at the edge of
Flame’s light. Her eyes were closed but she was breathing. Captivated by what
he saw, Flame pushed his light a little further and wrapped the girl in his
warm glow. The warmth made Vellum stir. She stretched her arms and opened her
large round eyes, turning a delicate face to the source of the light. When she
met Flame’s gaze, she smiled for the first time. She couldn’t blush, but she
felt as if she could as she stared into the eyes of the man made of fire. Flame had never seen anything so beautiful and wished he could
reach out and touch her lovely face. Her smile alone was enough to cast out the
loneliness. He swelled with joy and the entire room filled with a magnificent
light.
Satisfied, the wizard put away his wand and gave
his creations a warning. He told Vellum should she get too close, Flame’s light
would burn her to ash and she would perish. But, the wizard also said the day
would come when they would be together as one. Their union would bring an end
to the rains and hope for a brighter future. The two nodded, heeding the
wizard’s cryptic words, and Vellum kept a safe distance from the enchanted
candle.
But distance proved powerless in keeping Flame
and Vellum from spending endless nights together. They shared their thoughts
and dreams, and soon the two became close in heart. One night, the paper girl
danced for her flame. It was an expression of love, and the only gift she could
give that could not be destroyed by fire. With music in her heart, she danced.
Her arms painted rainbows in the sky. Her heels kicked high as she twirled on
her toes. She was a delight to behold. Flame could have watched her for hours
but soon sadness unfolded. Watching her dance reminded him of everything he
could never do or ever touch. How he wished he could hold Vellum in his arms
and dance with her.
The wizard also watched Vellum as she pirouetted
across the room. A sad smile hung on his face. The outside world had long lost
all hope, but when he looked at Flame and Vellum he knew, their love could
bring it back. The time had arrived. The wizard glanced out the window, pausing for
a moment at the sound of despair that rained against the glass. Then, he placed
his head on his desk, and closed his eyes.
Sorrow fell upon the room. Vellum and Flame
realized their friend had closed his eyes for the last time. But something else
came over them—fear. Without magic, the candle was no longer enchanted, and
Flame knew he would soon burn to the end of the wick, disappearing forever.
Vellum raged against the thought. She searched the wizard’s books for answers,
but no answers could be found.
Then, the floods came.
Outside, the rains brought floodwaters that
rose with determination. Water forced its way into the room. It trickled
through cracks, and rushed in rivulets from under the door. The floor was soon
covered with water that never ceased to rise. When the water reached the
wizard’s waist, it pulled him from the desk, and his body disappeared beneath
the surface. Flame’s heart filled with despair. He cursed his body that
committed him to the candle. His forever was with Vellum. How could life be so
cruel?
Inevitably, water cold as death reached the
edge of the table. Vellum would be washed away and Flame’s light extinguished
forever. Yet despite this brutal fate, they still refused to succumb to the floods.
In an act of eternal love, as the water spilled over the surface of the desk,
Vellum turned towards Flame. She ran into his burning light. Then, she jumped. Responding
with the love he felt for her, Flame expanded his noble light, and received her
in his arms. For a fleeting moment he felt her, and held her, and watched her
smile one last time. As she smothered his light while his fire burned through
her body, the cold waters took them both and they became one.
When the rains had washed everything from the
land, the only thing that remained was a patch of soil nourished by ash, born of
love and hope. The sun returned, and warmed the land, and from the ashes, rose a
man. Flesh and bone replaced fire and wick, and at his side rose a woman. He
recognized her large round eyes and beautiful smile. It was Vellum. Flame looked at
her in awe and she blushed under his gaze. Reaching for her without fear, Vellum fell into his
arms. Hope had returned to the world and
finally, Flame and Vellum danced towards a brighter future.
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Thank you for stopping by and
Happy New Year!
:D
A lovely story and I'm so glad it had a happy ending. Very cleverly written.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year, Elise, to you and your family.
Such a great cause
ReplyDeleteMagical! A love story for all time - a beautiful collaboration! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a very Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Elise :)
ReplyDeleteMx
Enchanting story, Elise!
ReplyDeleteLove through time, great story and Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI was bewitched reading this...so lovely!
ReplyDeleteThis is really good, Elise! Unexpected & beautiful like the song you drew inspiration from. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
An enchanting and lyrical fantasy Elise!
ReplyDeleteThank you all for stopping by and for the kind comments.
ReplyDeleteI wish you all a magical 2014!
So well done, Elise. I loved reading your magical tale of love. As in your story, the words and music came together to create something more than each alone.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story and thank you so much for sharing it with us. The new year will soon be upon you so I hope it is a wonderful and happy one.
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love this story, every enchanting word and imaginative turn:) A stunning vision of Ryo's music, Elise! Happy New Year--may it hold many new adventures:)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely breathtaking, Elise! Wonderfully done.
ReplyDeleteHi Elise,
ReplyDeleteAh yes, superbly crafted, my good friend. A wonderful cause. A magical story. May well all dance to a brighter future.
Happy 2014.
Gary :)
Hi Elise - it is a great cause ... but your story is just stunning and very evoking - I loved it .. I think the images you created for me will live with me a long time ... very very cleverly written ..
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year .. cheers Hilary
I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteIt evokes such powerful images... a sensory delight!
Happy New Year my friend!
Such beautiful music. I love it! And the cause behind it, super awesome.
ReplyDeleteOh, and happy New Year!
Yay, I love this! It reminds me of the tin soldier and his ballerina, but better.
ReplyDeleteThe Warrior Muse
Such a unique, touching story. Thanks for sharing it with us. :-)
ReplyDeleteI do so love a happy ending! So sad what happened in the Phillipines and wonderful of all you guys to help out.
ReplyDeleteElise, You outdid yourself. Such a magical spin and a cool little love story. And it really went well with the music (thanks for having it handy). You are so clever. Have a great 2014!
ReplyDeleteM.L. Swift, Writer: The Best is Yet to Come
What a magical story. I loved it. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story! I thought for a moment it would have a bittersweet ending, but I'm glad it was a happy one :-)
ReplyDelete