#''i sure hope nothing happens to this child'' suspiciously evil-shaped rock:

[365daysofsasuhina]

[ 365 Days of SasuHina || Day Three Hundred Twenty-One: Whispering ] [ Uchiha Sasuke, Hyūga Hinata, Uchiha Itachi ] [ SasuHina ] [ Verse: Divine Light ] [ AO3 Link ]

“Did you hear…?”

“They say the princess was kidnapped.”

“By her own servant, no less!”

“I knew it was unwise to have a mage so close to the royal family…”

“There will surely be a ransom!”

“Whatever will the king do?”

“He has another daughter, you know…”

“You don’t mean to suggest…?”

“Shh, you never know who might be listening…!”

Pretending to fiddle the cinch of his horse’s saddle, Sasuke listens to the whispering. Ever since the princess disappeared, there have been all shades of rumors, and there’s no truly knowing just how much is fact, and how much fiction.

But he has a plan…

“Ready to go?”

“Of course. Just sampling the latest gossip.”

“Anything new?”

“No, the same old stories...kidnapping, ransom, magic…”

“Well, if it’s been repeated so often, there may be grains of truth to it.”

“Here’s hoping - I don’t know about you, but I don’t feel like rescuing a princess just for the fun of it. I’d much rather have a sack of gold than a king’s good graces.”

Itachi can’t help a chuckle as he mounts his horse. “In an ideal world, we’ll have both.”

“I prefer to keep my expectations low as not to be disappointed. What about you? Any leads?”

“Potentially. Rumor has it they may be headed northeast. Vaguely-matched descriptions.”

“Hm...makes sense. It’s the nearest border. If the mage wants to drag her out of the country, that would be the way to go. And yet…”

“What?”

Sasuke gathers his reins, the pair of them slowed by city crowds as they head toward the north gate. “...that almost sounds less like a kidnapping, and more like…”

“A getaway?”

“Precisely.”

“My thoughts, as well. Something tells me we may find this tale to be deeper than the tales tell. But there’s only one way to find out: we’ll have to catch them.”

“Then we’ve no time to lose…!”

As soon as they clear the gate, the brothers urge their mounts to a swift lope, wanting to whittle down the miles before sunset.

It’s an odd situation. The eldest daughter of the king Hiashi has been - according to most - kidnapped by her lady-in-waiting. Hinata, the princess, was given a mage a few years her senior as a child to serve as her protector and servant. The elder girl had been a gift: a prize from the conquered lands Hiashi had recently obtained.

Sasuke had always found the notion repellent: the gifting of a human being like an object. It doesn’t help that he and his brother as mages as well, remnants of a kingdom long lost.

Hinata was, for most of her life, kept contained within the castle grounds. But any rare glimpse of her always showed the mage in her shadow, hovering in what did indeed appear to be a defensive, protective manner.

So why, after all this time, would a loyal servant suddenly turn on her mistress, kidnapping her for reasons yet unknown?

...it makes only partial sense. True, she was originally introduced to the princess as a thing, a prize, a slave. Perhaps resentment has only built throughout the years. But something in Sasuke’s gut tells him otherwise.

But for now...the truth doesn’t matter. What does is that the brothers are expert trackers, and like so many, are in pursuit of the pair in hopes of a reward in glory and gold.

“They have a few days on us,” Itachi then offers, breaking Sasuke’s thoughts. “But we can’t assume they have horses - if they’re so sought after, surely they wouldn’t be foolish enough to barter in the open.”

“But we don’t know what arts the mage is learned in - perhaps she can cast illusions as we can. Use that to steal what she needs.”

“It’s possible...but I doubt it. Even that would leave a trail. If she’s truly serious, and at all cunning, she won’t run that risk. We can neither over nor underestimate her.”

“A bit limited then, don’t you think?”

“Precisely. We’ll have to be just as cunning.”

“Did you speak to the ravens?”

“Of course. They’re scouring as we speak. But even then, word will take time to reach us. For now, we keep moving.”

“And if your lead is wrong and we’re headed in the wrong direction?”

“It’s a risk we’ll have to take. Either way, they’ll be getting further from us if we do nothing. And I trust my sources.”

“...very well.”

They ride until sundown, tethering their horses off the road and eating spare rations.

“So if this isn’t kidnapping...what do you think it is?”

“...I can’t afford to make assumptions. We’ll find the truth when we find them.”

“And if she lies?”

“The princess will surely tell us.”

“...unless she’s an accomplice.”

“A possibility, yes...but we’ll have to wait and see. I know patience isn’t always your foremost virtue, but we’re going to need it.”

The next morning, they leave at first light, coming across a simple mining town along the route. Itachi pauses to hear the gossip as Sasuke regathers their supplies.

“Have you had any women traveling alone? A pair of them, likely harried?”

Gathering his requested items, the shopkeep hums in thought. “...that does ring a distant bell, aye.”

“When?”

“Two days hence. Seemed rushed, hoods drawn. We see plenty a’ strange folk ‘round these parts, so I thought nothing of it. Friends of yours?”

“You could say that,” Sasuke mutters, handing over the proper coins with a nod. “My thanks.”

“Learn anything?” Itachi asks as they reunite.

“Sounds like they were here two days ago - the man at the general goods shop remembers a pair of suspicious women.”

“Well then, seems we’re on the right path. If that was only two days ago...they aren’t making good time. They must be on foot - or at least were when they arrived. I checked the livery - no horses have been sold.”

“Then we’ll soon catch them…!”

With a renewed vigor, the pair flee further north, pushing their horses as far as they dare. And then, midafternoon, a raven cries, swooping alongside them.

Sasuke’s heart leaps. “What news?”

“They’ve found them. Holed up in a cave...there’s a barrier at the fore.”

“A barrier…?”

“It’s not far - let’s go!”

Urging his mount, Sasuke keeps on his brother’s heels. They soon abandon the road heading toward a cliffside.

“See it?”

“...I think so. Dismount - we’ll go in on foot.”

They tether their horses, keeping weapons drawn - Itachi his sword, and Sasuke his bow. No matter their hypotheses, they can’t afford to assume anything.

“It’s just there...see it?”

A large crack in the cliff looks dark, but as Sasuke stares, he can see the faint glimmer of a barrier - otherwise unnoticeable. “...how are we going to get in?”

“By making another doorway...be ready. This is going to be loud, but they won’t have anywhere to flee.”

Nodding, Sasuke tightens his grip on the curve of his bow. An arrow rests, nocked and waiting to be drawn.

Sheathing his blade, Itachi presses a hand to the rock and soil near the barrier. Rather than dismantle it...he instead shifts the earth around it to make another entrance. And as promised, it’s loud. Stone grates and a faint rumbling builds.

...but no one comes.

Once there’s a slim but clear path, Itachi leads the way in, summoning a small lick of flame to his palm. The fire dances, casting shifting shadows against the walls of the cavern.

“Stay close…”

They creep forward, tense and ready for anything. It’s utterly silent save for their muted footsteps, leather boots quiet against the stone floor.

“...are you sure they’re here?”

“Yes, I’m s-”

With a flare of energy, another barrier blooms...and this time, it encases them both. Startled to a stop (and unable to flee), the brothers freeze.

Slowly, out of the darkness, comes a woman: hands raised and aglow with magic. Determination shapes her face. “...who are you?”

“I think the better question is who you are, rogue mage. Where is the princess?”

“She’s none of your concern. Did Hiashi send you?”

“No...we’re here of our own volition to get princess Hinata back.”

“She isn’t going anywhere...and certainly not back to that wretched man.”

The brothers exchange a look. “...you haven’t kidnapped her…?”

“No...she didn’t.”

Two pairs of dark eyes shift to look further back into the cave. Hinata emerges from the shadows, looking wary but calm. “...princess?”

“I wasn’t taken from my father. I was saved from him.”

“...well, isn’t that interesting…” Itachi muses.

“If you’re here to take me back...I won’t go. Not unless you force me…!”

“I won’t allow it, my lady,” the mage cuts in. Eyes narrowing, she in turn narrows the barriers around them. “We can’t trust them…”

“Wait! The king didn’t send us - we came seeking a reward!” Sasuke rebukes.

“Then you’re driven by greed rather than blind loyalty? Hardly better.”

“But so too are we guided by our morals,” Itachi offers, giving Sasuke a warning glance. “If you were indeed fleeing for your safety...we won’t usurp that. But that does beg the question of what really happened, my lady. Perhaps we could be of help. We’re trackers by trade...which means we also know how to evade them.”

Sasuke’s brows furrow. ...what are you up to, now…?

“We still have no reason to trust you.”

“Wait…” Hinata cuts in, placing a gentle hand on her companion’s arm. “...perhaps we should explain. If they are men of their word...it would only help us.”

The mage glances to her, clearly torn. “...yes, my lady. As you wish.” Her magic fades, and the barriers fall. “...but if they make one wrong move...I’ll crush them.”

“I know you want only to protect me...but we need allies. Perhaps we’ve found some.”

“As I said,” Itachi offers, gesturing politely to try and ease suspicion. “If returning you would endanger you further, we’ll not do so. We were under the assumption you were taken by force.”

“No...I fled. We both did.”

“But...why?”

“...to escape my father’s plot to have me murdered...and to place the blame on my closest friend.”

                                                       .oOo.

     Welp, this is...super random, and also has a really evil cliffy, I'm sorry! But it's late and the piece was getting long ;;;;; I'll try to do more soon if y'all enjoy it!      But actually, this is based on one of my very earliest RPs...which actually helped me in the early stages of developing my original fantasy verse! It's been...gosh...a looong time since that RP, and a lot has changed, but it was very nostalgic to revisit this old plot. It was VERY extensive, but this is (sorta) how it began!      Anyway, I'd say more but I am EXHAUSTED. I DID get another prompt up earlier today since I skipped yesterday and had some time today. So I'm a lil wrote-out, lol - so I'm gonna call it a night. Thanks for reading~

[kurogabae]

TSUBASA: TRAINWRECK CHRONICLES

And Why Bee Train Are Officially Being Labeled, By Me, As The Boomers Of Animation

PART 1 – PART 2 – PART 3 -- Part 4

[Slim Shady’s “Guess Who’s Back” plays in the distance, muffled but threatening]

Look, I know I usually have something to say at the start of these, but honestly? Let’s just go because we’re starting knee-deep in some bullshit. 

Tsarastora (yes... fucking AGAIN):

Well, it didn’t take long for us to return to the land of the walking Not Dead Anymore. Rumor has it that Bee Train was ordered to retcon the S1 finale immediately because who do you think you are to break one of CLAMP’s cardinal rules like that?!? But I’ve never seen any proof of exactly what went down about this plot. But I’m forced to believe Ohkawa materialized behind the director one day and threatened to eat his spine or some shit. 

Anyway. We’re here. Again. And for some reason this is where they decide to have Sakura give Yuuko her White Day gift? Instead of in Piffle? Where she made it? With Tomoyo?

Stop stealing my moments Bee Train. It’s like you’re the crew who edited CCS for America back in the day and tried to market it towards boys so you pushed Syaoran as the main character and tried to remove all romance. Let Sakura have friends! Let her interact with people and have a story! LET HER BE BI!!!

So Yuuko has a dress and Fai makes a joke about being in heaven because the place is so pretty and Kurogane says not to, quote, “say such unlucky things” and it’s moments like this that make you wonder if they Knew and just didn’t care about Fai’s past or if they really were just as in the dark as the rest of us. I flip flop a lot between the two. 

Either way, now the dads are talking about the kids and how brave Syaoran is (why the bullshit in Piffle prompted this I do not know but whatever I guess?) and basically just about how badly they want them to succeed but without just saying it. Meanwhile Sakura is telling Syaoran about her latest memory and I could not for the life of me tell you which one it was and I refuse to go check. The important thing here is that the lazy animation trick that has given Mokona the power of flight is back and she’s hovering around the gang now. Not sitting on shoulders or anything. Just... flying around like she’s Kero. This is fine. I guess.

And then, after what has to be like a solid half hour of just dicking around Mokona Very Suddenly senses a feather. Why so suddenly? Because they wanted to get everything else out of the way first and it was convenient. No other reason. The feather isn’t moving. Neither are they really. She just decides to turn her sensors on now? IDK. Maybe she needs a tune up.

They find the feather not far away just casually sitting inside a rock and everyone but Kurogane is like “Yay! Easy find! Go us!” because apparently no one can learn anything in this anime about what those fucking feathers do. Spoilers: it’s not a rock, it’s a dragon.

[Kurogane voice]: kin

The dragon fucks off and here we come to a Thing. Now, Kurogane is ready to slaughter this thing and wear its bones basically. He is Ready to Fight in a real way. I found that odd and really didn’t care for it. In Hanshin he seems in awe of Celes when it appears to him and even though it’s mostly fanon that Kurogane respects and likes dragons that makes sense. His family’s guardian was a dragon, his sword was modeled after a dragon. His whole motif is dragons! Why is he so ready to kill this one? Does it not count if it’s not a Nihon dragon? Does only Ginryuu get respect? It just feels bad???

But none of that matters because guess what! Dragon shaped as it might be, the thing is a demon? At least, that’s what they’re calling it. Sometimes. Fai says demon, Syaoran says dragon. They don’t.... agree on the term? Shut up. It’s a dragon.

So they soon realize that they are back in Should Be Very Dead-ville and oh no everyone is going to die again unless we get this OTHER feather because if one feather can buy us a month of living surely one more will fix our deaths forever right? ....right? (On a side note; Fai makes a comment about how weird it is that two feathers fell in the same world while he’s from Celes and knows damn well he found two and is unaware of a third!!!) 

Either way the family is gonna help because, you know. Feather. If memory serves, the dragon is hiding in a lake, so what does Kurogane (who is now in charge because of course) have them do? They set the lake on fucking fire. And it delights him. It do not, however, delight the dragon, who, understandably, goes apeshit. Luckily, no one dies and they just hack off the horn that the feather was stuck in. And then they... take it to God again because wow they really do think this will work. Sakura, honey, I know how sweet you are but it only got them one month last time. What good will this do?

The answer is no good!

God basically tells them it’s tough tits, the month long visitation was all they could manage and no matter how many super powered magic bird parts they bring the dead are dead and that’s that. Which sucks for those villagers but haha, bummer for FAi to have to hear. Again. After watching Sakura wish someone to life with a mere piece of her soul. Again. Wonder how that felt. (Short post about Kurogane and Fai’s possible feelings here.)

So to end the episode, Sakura gets her feather back and then the family leaves town but sticks around on the outskirts to watch everyone fucking die again like some sick ass fuckers!!!

I’m not even going to talk about the stupid memory she gets with papa!Clow and learning about how death is a Thing via her dead pet bunny. It happens. It’s inorganic. I hate it. Shut up Clow.

The episode is over and I’ll leave you with this to heal your souls.

I am a simple woman.

Portoria:

WE’RE ON A BOAT MOTHA FUCKER!

If you’re too young to recognize that joke, click the link for... an experience. Wear headphones. Everyone else, please join me in this not-a-Wind-Waker-AU. 

We’re gonna skip all of my bad sailor jokes and focus for a minute on Kurogane’s Sinbad cosplay here because yes good hello I am easily distracted. 

Anyway, the captain is this world’s version of Koryo’s shitty Ryanban and Kurogane and Fai have a moment to wax philosophical about whether or not souls are inherently good or evil, which is fine and I would hardly mention if, while they were doing this, the “camera” wasn’t stood still on an image of Syaoran and Sakura just... smiling at each other while the dads spoke. Like the kids aren’t even doing anything, they’re just smiling. It’s weird. It’s also almost like accidental foreshadowing because HAHA THOSE ARE CLONES! But I’m not gonna go into it for the sake of this joke.

On the ship everyone has to work, Kurogane is terrorizing his new shipmates into compliance under his leadership, Fai and Sakura are cooking fish, and Syaoran is in the engine room with a child version of Fujitaka AKA his father. Understandably, Syaoran is Feeling Emotions, not that the animation is any indicator of this. He also calls a ten year old daddy so things are going great. 

Now yes, Syaoran must miss his father terribly, not only has he been dead for who knows how long exactly (anywhere upwards of 5 years possibly) but Syaoran is far from home without any pictures or familiarity to remind him of Fujitaka, and now he’s got some savant elementary schooler who is an AU version of his dad basically sharing his deepest hopes and dreams.  It’s a weird episode. Oh, and there is no feather, but Mokona is sweet as can be and stays so Syaoran can get to know this version of Fujitaka. Which honestly seems more like a punishment than anything to me, but hey. 

Also, there’s a sea monster. And a haunted island. And something that sounds suspiciously like Piedmon from Digimon. 

Syaoran and Fujitaka get stranded on the island after getting yeeted overboard and the captain telling the rest of the family that his ancestors forbid people from going to the island is enough to stop a rescue mission? Like. Kurogane AND Sakura are sitting there, letting nothing happen. This is fine. Everything is fine. 

And it kinda is because the island if filled with old shit and Syaoran is geeking out like a kid surrounded by his special interest would be expected to. 

In the end, the creepy laughter was wind, the island isn’t haunted, the family tries to row out to save Syaoran and a sea monster is on screen for all of 30 seconds. This episode was boring. Dull. It wasn’t even particularly angsty because Bee Train has no concept of emotional DEPTH!! Their expressions and emotions are as flat as Fai’s ass and as dry as Clow’s deserts. This could have been a very moving and fascinating filler episode, but Bee Train remains in capable of doing ANYTHING AT ALL EVER! I’m bored. This is boring.

At least Sakura looked cute in her little sailor outfit. 

The next episode is “A Date With a Wizard” and that shitshow is getting its own post. Peace. 

PART 1 – PART 2 – PART 3 -- Part 4

[illuminating-dragons]

Mr. Trickster

Summary:  The Zanna are dedicated to helping the children who call on them, but sometimes they need help themselves. When that happens, they can always call on Mr. Trickster. Until one day, he doesn't answer. Someone else does.

Note:  Just a quick note on the spelling: I know the traditional spelling of Zanna is Zână, but the show uses the first. If anyone has any problems with that, let me know and I will change it.

Warning: ahead there is non-graphic discussion of child abuse in several forms.

Word Count: 2,931

Read it on AO3

         When the archangels were built, the first two were given power to shape, while the second two were given power to create. The oldest shaped a Heaven cold and orderly; the second tore into the designs of their Creator, perverted beings and laws down to their cores. The third, hoping to follow the first, created beings that would heal beyond any reason, whether the hurt one wanted it or not.

           The fourth wanted nothing to do with his role once the first two were finished, and not even the third was enough to make him stay. But the urge to create remained, and finally, in one last act of desperation to expunge the past, the fourth reached out and formed beings. His only wish was for these creatures to help, somewhere and somehow. But he gave them no mission beyond that. The fourth knew what the others had done, the pain they’d caused. He couldn’t risk making the same mistake.  

           So the creatures found their own mission, and in time forgot who their creator was. That was alright—the fourth had no need for thanks or prayer (at least not from them). But no matter how hard you try to walk away from something you built, it will call to you in need.

           And the fourth answered that call.

1786, Pennsylvania

           Alanna kept it together until she’d kissed Abigail goodnight and sang her a lullaby. She was grateful that the girl had imagined her the size of a brownie, like the stories from back in the Old Country. It made it easier for her to fit in the cramped closet.

           Once she went outside, hoping to see the father coming back and be able to move Abby in time, she flung herself on the ground and burst into tears.

           Alanna was young for a zanna, one of the first born in this new land. Abigail was her first child, and she’d been so excited. Her mother was retired now, but she’d taught Alanna everything she knew about taking care of lost children, helping them to find their own strength, and finally how to say goodbye.

           Full of hope, Alanna had obeyed Abigail’s call, shaping herself small, and found herself face to face with a child cowering under a table, bruises covering her small face.

           Abigail was five. Her mother was dead, the baby that killed her lying sobbing in a filthy cot. Sometimes in the day Abigail would try to take care of the baby, rock her tiny brother and feed him from the little they had.

           At night, when the father came home, Abigail would try to hide the baby. Hide herself.

           Alanna wanted to fight the man so badly, but she couldn’t. It was the rules. Zanna didn’t fight. They couldn’t affect the real world enough that the child would become suspicious. So Alanna tried to distract Abigail, find her food in the woods and bandages for her arms, but the berries were often stepped on and the bandages ripped off in the father’s drunken rage.

           Alanna lifted her face to the sky. Unlike the humans, zanna knew that there were many gods, yet they belonged to none. Of course they were polite and gave thanks when it was due, but the gods treated the zanna like children themselves. Alanna had never minded. Now, though, she brought her hands together the way Abigail did.

           “Please,” she begged. “If anyone is listening, help me save these children. They need help; they’re just babies.”

           There was no answer; the stars were silent. Alanna bowed her head.

           “What’s the trouble, sweetheart?”

           Alanna spun around. A man—no, it was a god, he gave off power that felt like crackling lightning and smelled of spun sugar—stood not far from her. “What do you need?” he asked.

           Alanna immediately lowered herself to her knees, but the god just picked her up, holding her in his hands. He was only a little bit taller than her mother, with golden hair and eyes that sparkled in the starlight. “What do you need?” he repeated.

           “I need help,” Alanna whispered.

           “Tell me,” the god said firmly.

           So she told him everything.

           “Why can’t you run this monster off?” he asked when she was done.

           “I don’t have the power,” Alanna admitted. “Even if it wasn’t against our rules, I am not strong enough. I’m young, and Abigail is weak. She cannot imagine me powerful, because she doesn’t know what that feels like.”

           “No, and how could she?” The god murmured. He was still holding Alanna. “Tell you what—I’ll help the kids out, but you’ve got to promise to let me do it my way.”

           Alanna shivered. There was something dark in his voice, something that rang of vengeance…no. Of judgement. What if she was making a mistake?

           Then she heard the father’s horse, bearing its master back from the village tavern, and she knew that no mistake could be worse than doing nothing.

           “Don’t hurt the children,” she pleaded.

           The god smiled. “You have my word. Now take them and hide.” He put her gently down and cracked his knuckles. “This won’t be pretty.”

           Crouched in the bushes, Alanna perched on top of the sleeping baby. Abigail was curled up under the bush, also sleeping. Alanna listened, but there was only silence.

           Finally, the god came back, face expressionless. He took the baby from her with gentle hands, and the two of them walked back to the house. The god snapped his fingers, and the crib became clean and soft. Abigail’s closet bed changed too, big enough for a child of five to lie down. A doll was propped on the pillow.

           “Don’t worry, the people that are coming tomorrow will see this place for what it was,” the god said as Alanna tucked Abigail in. “These two deserve a soft bed tonight.”

           Alanna didn’t answer for a moment. “What will happen?”

           “Their mother has a sister out West,” the god answered. “They will take the children, raise them well. They’ve always wanted children of their own.”

           Alanna smiled. “Thank you so much.” She paused, heart sinking. “What may I offer you for payment?”

           The god’s smile flashed. “You kidding? This is kinda my gig, sweetheart. Happy to help.” He stood and walked to the door. “You know, there is one thing you could do for me.”

           “Name it,” Alanna answered instantly.

           “Tell the others about me. I won’t always be the solution, but I’ll help out if need be.” The god started to walk out.

           “Wait! Tell me your name.”

           The god turned, and for a minute Alanna swore she saw the shadows on the wall change, six large shapes appearing by the god’s shoulders. Then he winked, and they vanished.

           “Call me Trickster. That’s as good a name as any other.”

           True to the god’s word, the next day people took Abigail and her brother away. Alanna went with them, because Abigail was still scared of big people and trains and worried about the journey’s end. Alanna stayed until Abigail said Mommy and Daddy without fear and her brother was given the name Alexander, a real name for the first time. Then Alanna said goodbye, because Abigail was safe now.

           But she never forgot.

           And word spread among the zanna that there was a name you could call when your child couldn’t be soothed with words or protected with cheer. When the worst happened, you could call out for the god, and he would come. He always came, offered solutions when there were alternatives, and dealing out his own punishment when not.

           Mr. Trickster, they called him.

           Zanna were polite creatures.

2010, Ontario

           Eli paced the street nervously. He was frightened to call, worried that, like his friend, there would be no answer.

           The older zanna couldn’t understand it. Sure, they didn’t call on Mr. Trickster all that often, but he always came. He’d promised all those years ago, and he’d kept his word.

           But in the last two months their prayers had gone unanswered.

           The word spread like wildfire, panicked zanna warning that something was wrong.

           Eli had never met the god, but his friend Umi had. And Umi, a seven-foot-tall bear, was terrified. “Something’s wrong,” he told Eli as he cradled his sobbing boy in his arms. “He always comes. He wouldn’t abandon us.”

           But Eli wasn’t so sure. Gods were capricious creatures, after all. Unlike the zanna, they heeded calls only for rewards of payment. Perhaps the god had gotten tired of pro bono work for children who didn’t truly believe in the zanna anyways.

           Eli stopped pacing and looked back at Michael’s house. The little boy grew more sickened by his own body every day, every day his father took him to his room for ‘father-son’ time. Eli couldn’t stop it. He had no choice.

           “Mr. Trickster?” he called. “Please, if you’re out there…we need you. The children need you.”

           The streetlight exploded.

           Eli turned, his antlers quivering (yes, Michael wanted a moose. Michael got a moose). The dim light made it hard to see, but he could just make out a tall dark lady in a white dress.

           “Hello?” he said nervously.

           “Are you a zanna?” The woman’s voice was powerful; Eli shrank back under her glowing eyes. Then he thought of Michael.

           “Y-yes. Who are you?”

           “My name is unimportant.” The woman raised her hand and the streetlight came back on. “What is your wish, zanna?”

           “I…my kid is being hurt by their father…he’s…” Eli’s mind whirled. “Wait, I prayed to Mr. Trickster.” Had he prayed the wrong way? Was this lady one of the gods who hated children?

           The woman’s eyes softened, and Eli was struck by the sadness in them. “He’s dead,” she whispered. “He died saving the world.”

           No.

           Eli swallowed the lump in his throat. Mr. Trickster couldn’t just be…gone. All those stories, all those kids rescued from the evils of the world…no.

           “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “Was he your friend?”

           The woman winced. “I would not use that word. We were…joined. Despite everything. Despite the lies, our…differences.”

           Eli bowed his head. The pain in the lady’s voice burned into him. “I’m sorry,” he said again. Like it helped at all.

           But the woman gave him a small smile. “Thank you. Now, what can I do?”

           “I beg your pardon?”

           “A few months before he died, he told me about you creatures. About what you do.” The woman’s eyes glowed. “I sympathize. I cherish children, and I am less…restrained than he about wreaking vengeance upon those that wrong them.”

           Eli took a step back. In the stories Mr. Trickster dealt with the harmful without causing them pain most of the time. Umi still laughed about the bullies who’d chased his Irene through the streets after school every day, only to be chased themselves by endless murders of crows.

           This lady, on the other hand…she meant something darker. Something more sure.

           “Did he ask you to help us?” Eli asked.

           “He did, in the event of his death.” Another flash of pain across his face. “I did not think it was so close.”

           Eli squared his shoulders as best he could. It was hard in this shape. “Then I ask you to protect Michael from his father.”

           The lady smiled. “Done.” She turned, then looked over her shoulder. “Go and get the boy first. Take him for a ride. He doesn’t need to hear this.”

           Eli scrambled to obey.

           And so a new era began for the zanna. The Lady came when you called, and she protected the children and the innocent, but her kindness was matched only by her brutality towards the guilty. Often the zanna who called upon her were frightened by her methods, but they could sense the same fierce love and protectiveness Mr. Trickster had once given, and they learned to love the Lady as they’d loved him.

           They still mourned the Trickster, and those who understood the significance of the Lady’s never changing dress knew that she mourned him as well.

           But there were always children to protect, and perhaps the best way to honour him was to continue his work.

           And if on occasion the zanna felt strangely, violently upset, as if they’d lost their parent, they didn’t understand.

The Future, Idaho

           Alanna shifted in her nest. She was old now, older than most.

           Zanna lived long lives, but she was over two hundred, and she was looking forward to rest. The young ones would miss her, and she them, but it was her time soon. She could feel it.

           Her youngest descendant had come to visit her earlier that day to say goodbye. Sully was a good child; he’d made a few mistakes but his heart was in the right place, and he loved his children so well. He’d told her that he had to call in the Lady on his girl’s teacher, and he was scared.

           Alanna told him not to worry. Hadn’t she been the first to call on Mr. Trickster? And then, when Eli had come running with the tale of the Lady, hadn’t she spoken to the goddess herself? Seen the goodness in her?

           “Don’t fret, Sully,” she soothed him. “The Lady is not Mr. Trickster, but the Lady will never harm the children.”

           Sully had met Mr. Trickster once, when he’d asked about a boy of his, a boy who wanted to be his own person in a family of hunters. Mr. Trickster had sympathized, but advised letting the boy make his own choice. Sully had been disappointed, but he’d liked the god and spent hours listening to stories about him. He, like the other zanna who’d met the god, missed Mr. Trickster for himself.

           But the Lady was powerful, and the Lady comforted the frightened children and took away their memories, and the Lady always answered their calls.

           No, Alanna wasn’t worried. She just wished that Mr. Trickster was still around. She missed him.

           The wind whistled overhead, high and clear, and Alanna looked up. To her surprise, the Lady stared down at her. “Hello, Alanna.”

           “Hello Lady,” Alanna replied. Her voice was weaker these days, but she knew the Lady could hear. “It’s an honour to see you one last time.”

           The Lady drew back, surprised. “You can die? Gabriel, is that right?”

           Alanna was about to explain that yes, she could, but it was natural and she really wasn’t upset at all, but then someone else peered into the nest.

           Mr. Trickster, looking older but with the same sparkle in his golden eyes, smiled down at her. “Hello Alanna,” he said gently. “Yes, Kali, they can. But don’t worry. They have their own part of Heaven.”

           Alanna’s eyes brimmed with tears, and she reached up. She’d never stopped being tiny, and her hands could barely hold his fingertip. “You’re alright, Mr. Trickster,” she whispered.

           Mr. Trickster gently picked her up, cradling her in his hands. “I am,” he answered, still speaking softly. “I need to tell your Sully that he does a good job. His kiddo helped get me back.”

           Alanna smiled. “I’m so glad.” For the first time, she noticed that the Lady was no longer wearing a white dress. She wore a white shawl around her shoulders, but her dress was now a deep, pure red.

           “And you are happy, Lady…Lady Kali?” Alanna’s eyes grew round. Could it be…

           The Lady reached out and touched Alanna’s head gently. “I am, little one.”

           Alanna smiled, then sank to her knees, bewildered by her sudden exhaustion. “I think…I think it’s time for me to go,” she said. “I am glad that I saw you together.”

           Mr. Trickster’s eyes were bright with tears now. He laid Alanna down tenderly, tucking her under a soft blanket. “Go to your rest, Alanna. You have done your work, and you have earned your reward.”

           “So have you both,” Alanna answered. She closed her eyes and took a breath.

           She never took another.

                                      *********************************

           As carefully as he’d once held his Father’s newborn son, Gabriel picked up Alanna’s body. He whispered a blessing, then lifted his hands, watching as the bright being of the zanna went up, up, up.

           Kali took his hand. “You made them well, Gabriel.”

           It still felt strange to hear her use his real name. “I didn’t mean to make them,” Gabriel answered. “I just wanted to make something that would help the weak, but I didn’t want to decide how. They did it all on their own.”

           “And they’ve helped thousands of the most vulnerable creatures on Earth,” Kali said. “And when they couldn’t do enough on their own, you answered their pleas.”

           “So did you, when the time came.”

           “I wish it hadn’t.”

           Gabriel squeezed her hand. “I couldn’t just leave them alone,” he answered. “They needed my help. That’s what creators should do.”

           “Even when you left, you made sure someone kept watch.” Kali looked up. They could just make out Alanna, finally entering Heaven’s pull. “It appears to run in your family.”

           “What?” Gabriel stared at her. “What do you—me? I didn’t—not really—”

           “You did,” Kali said, in a tone that meant no argument. “You’ve done well. Your father should be proud.”

           Gabriel looked away.

           “Are you ready to face him?”

           Gabriel took her other hand. “If you come with me. It’s about time you met him too.”

           Kali considered this. “I will not bow.”

           Gabriel laughed. “Älskling, I wouldn’t want you to.”