Drabble A Day - Beginning

Starting over is different than trying again. This is a truth that hits Rhiann in the middle of dicing garlic, the sauce on the stove simmering happily without her awareness needed. Somewhere to her left, Anann’s bent over, peering into the depths of the fridge for the lamb they tucked away the night before. The goddess hums a ditty heard on the radio that morning and sways along with the melody occupying her attention. Beyond the kitchen, Rhiann hears the quiet gossip of one of her other aspects and Vana, and further past that, Ann and Rhia plotting yet another one of their insane hijinks which would probably cause a conniption fit to fly about the household once discovered. If she strains her senses, she can hear Wuyi teaching one of the girls how to do some balancing game.

Anann keys into either the slowing of Rhiann’s movements with the knife, or she catches the surface of Rhiann’s wandering thoughts because her humming pauses in favor of her reclining back to catch Rhiann’s gaze. The question is in the arch of her brow and the soft purse of her lips. Rhiann’s returned smile is free of worry or stress and it sets Anann to ease. Within seconds she’s back in the fridge and out once more, the prized cuts of lamb within her grasp. She flashes a victorious smile Rhiann’s way and saunters over for a spoil of war, a kiss freely given before she turns and sets the meat on the counter. They fall into a comfortable rhythm, perfectly partnering the other until all that’s left is time to let the meat cook, the sauce simmer, and the drinks to cool in the fridge.

It’s a quiet moment different from the times before Elysium because when Anann’s abyssal gaze rises to meet hers, there’s not the layer of distance that used to be there. There’s still that burning desire that thrums in response to Anann’s secretive smirk, but underneath it is a core of affection that manages to steal Rhiann’s breath away whenever she least expects it. That wasn’t there before. Not as strong. Not as visible for her to take notice of and have it affect her so much. She still feels the same stir of interest when Anann, no longer distracted by a ritual of preparing a meal, stalks towards her with an intent obvious to even a blind man; she chuckles and does the same meld of her body against Anann’s, and tilts her head the exact way they’ve perfected in the slow, lingering kisses that are a teaser for later activities. Everything they once were and still are is still there; it’s just the intent is new. It’s not a rehash of the old, but a determination to start over from the beginning; a unspoken decision made up of ten years distance and seven years separation that what between them now was a new journey; made together.

Space Oddity

The meteor is a desolate warzone between the forces of Hades and a Titanic Force that I haven't been able to discern. There's divine biological warfare occuring all around us and although Wuyi, Rebecca, and Chloe can easily deal with the mooks I don't bring to our side, we're still in danger from whatever's flying through the air.

It hit Vana. Turned her from a sweet, caring woman into this vicious, dangerous beast who was willing to kill and be killed in order to assuage whatever darkness had taken over her. I  ... I broke one of my promises to myself and wove an engendered love into her mind. She's now devoted to me and though I think she still wants Chloe's head on a platter, she's ... on a leash. 

I hate saying that. I will beg on my knees for her forgiveness and understanding when it wears off. When it all wears off. If it ever wears off.

I -- well. Wuyi and I fought. Again. The Morrigan slapped her with a geas to die before me and that's turned her into this over-protective mess who's far too concerned over what I'm doing and not doing her job. I overreacted (when do I not?) but ... I can take care of myself. I have always taken care of myself and while I will happily take aid ... I refuse to be babied. 

I also refuse to die. Anann decided the best way to make sure I come home alive was to make me with child. Again. Fertility Gods. *sigh* Not to mention, if I die than the ... well... it's not a curse exactly ... but I refuse to have one of my daughters wind up the next Rhiannon and I'll leave it at that.

Moving on. We battled against a Fire Giant who had a love of fire and setting it off on Rebecca, who was near me and I have NO clue how I scrambled out of that one. Vana teleported to the chains and I made my way through the cloud which was a labyrinth. I managed to remember how the Crone would trap me in them, training me to never trust anything I see before me and I got out. Wuyi was trapped behind me but she made it out as well.

With a joint effort between Wuyi, myself, and Rebecca, we managed to stop the Fire Giant General from hopping from flame to flame and gave ourselves some breathing room. Now it's time to figure out what the hell we're going to do with the Horse.

A Farewell Letter

Everything ready to go. Vana's arriving in two minutes (she's always punctual). The ranch is set up for Da to take it easy for a few days recovery. I said goodbye to the girls; goodbye to the Morrigan and I'm ... nervous.

My Last Will and Testament is prepared, I had both my Da and Anna sign off as witnesses. If things go wrong, the girls will be taken care of; as will Anann. I slipped my goodbye letters where I knew they'd find them after I'm on the meteor so they can do nothing to stop it.

In Anann's, I told her about the lie I used to let her let me go. She'll be furious, but she'll have to understand why I did what I did.

The relic retrival wasn't too bad... I made brother giants fight eachother of the lack of seeing breasts... Anann came for a thrill because I may or may not have tricked her into believing the Giants defiled me. What? When she's jealous, the sex is incredible ok? Well, it's always incredible but she has to prove something to herself every time she thinks I've be claimed by another.

After that, we all, well, topped eachother off with  rousing speech to help Vana convince the Vanir to let us have the Saddle and that was a mindblowing experience. ... Charisma-drunk is...quite the night's activity. Heh. Well... after that Becky; a daughter of Anann's from a while back and I went off to rob the Vatican. She got a Pope Hat and I got to have some quickies with nuns. I'm an awesome step-mom.

Anywho. Anann and I fought about Wuyi, made up, had sex in my old childhood room ... and then I talked with Da about "Turning Anann into a Decent Person 101"

Right. Vana's here. ... if this is my last recording then.... oh please. What am I talking about. Motherfucker, I'm awesome and I'll be back here in no time.

...Excerpt from Runway, pg 131

 ...Excerpt from Runway, pg 131.


Sunset is fast approaching on the southwestern shoot and although it has been a long day no one seems eager to pack up and go home. There's even talk of staying after twilight and capturing a few night shots to try and capture a different mood.

This is the environment I finally catch up with fashion's rising star Rhiannon, a remarkably sensual woman with a brogue that somehow makes her exotic and grounded all at the same time. Despite having been in the media's eye for most of the past year there is surprisingly little known of Rhiannon and I think it was only by luck I caught her in a mood to finally reveal some of the enigma surrounding her. So as the photographers and designers, models and make-up artists mill about us we sit down with the setting sun as our backdrop.

Runway - So, first interview! Nervous?

Rhiannon - *laughing* Not really. The spotlight's been one of those things in life I've always craved.

Runway - Really?

Rhiannon - Yep. The past year's a rare moment for me. I made the choice early on though that I would devote my time to Mythic and my marriage; and once the girls came along I had to devote even more energy to them. I promised myself I'd reward me for all the hard work with interviews after I was sure things wouldn't go up in smoke.

Runway - Well congratulations then! Mythic's hitting it's tenth issue *she nods here* and from the outings it looks like everything's smooth sailing on the marriage front -- *Rhiannon laughs*

Rhiannon - Nothing is smooth sailing with Anann but I enjoy that. I enjoy the challenge of married life. It's not like with a lover, you know? When you fight, or when you're having the worst day of your life and you feel like you're scummier than dirt you can't just call them up and say you don't want to meet up that day. Instead, you're right next to them and they're looking just as miserable as you and you've got to suck it up and face the day together because that's the promise you made. I love it.

Runway - So the mystery woman does have a name! And the rumors are true? You're married?

Rhiannon - First anniversary coming up this May.

Runway - Any plans that our readers would love to catch a peek of?

Rhiannon - I think we agreed to a week or two out in the Bahamas? Then again, Anann prefers to surprise me so we may wind up somewhere else entirely. One year it was Tibet, another it was a small town on the coast of California.

Runway - You said that 'when the girls came along'. Does that mean children?

Rhiannon - They're my darlings.

Runway - Where are they now?

Rhiannon - At home with Anann. Once they're a little older though, Anann hopes they'll be proper little gypsy babies and we'll be able to take them wherever we're working. *at my confusion she explains* That's Anann's terms for being able to sleep and make a home anywhere you set down. It would be a blessing.

Runway - Speaking of where you're working; it's rare for an editor to actually be at the photoshoots! Not to mention taking her own shots.

Rhiannon - Well, you're seeing the majority of my staff. *At my look she just laughs* It's true! I prefer quality over quantity and the shoots we do require certain demands that I can't just ask of anyone. This keeps costs down on the personnel front so we can put more into the spreads. Also, I love being out here and seeing the magic happen. I'd wilt away being cooped up in the office and only able to see the finished spread.

Runway - Marriage, the magazine, children, and the charity events that you and your wife are constantly at. How do you maintain the energy for everything? Any secrets to overcoming jetlag?

Rhiannon - Clones. Lots and lots of clones.

Runway - *laughing* Well, if you're willing to share that secret, please give me a call. 

Rhiannon - *she winks at me before answering my earlier question* In all seriousness, I couldn't do much of anything without Anann helping me out. I'm this flighty little hummingbird of energy and ideas and it's through her patience and willpower that she actually gets me to focus on anything.

Runway - She's featured in every issue, hasn't she?

Rhiannon - She's my muse. On set, off set, she's very photogenic. Even in the ones she doesn't want me to take. *whispered* But I think those are my favorites.

Runway - Any other constants in your life?

Rhiannon - My friends. They're always busy and it feels like we all have the weight of the world on our shoulders but when push comes to shove they're always right there in the trenches with me. I'm blessed that they can put up with me even on the days Anann threatens to lock me in a closet.

Runway - Are they featured in Mythic? Do we know them?

Rhiannon - Oh, I've had a few of them pose but the rest are shy and not as needy for the limelight like I am. I'm hoping in a month or so I'll be able to just gather them all up and offer them a thank-you article. I wouldn't have got here without them.

Runway - Looking forward to it.

It's about this time that Rhiannon's attention is fully taken away from me as Anann herself strolls onto the shoot and literally claims the room for herself. Even I found myself wrapped up in this woman's aura and didn't leave the shoot until late in the night when the last rolls of film were spent and everything was deemed acceptable by the photographer's standards.

With a final goodbye, I leave Rhiannon and her wife underneath the Arizona night and find myself on a trip down into Mexico for a week-long venture that I'll showcase in the next article alongside the Fall fashion teasers.