#char: phoenix moreland

[abitscripturient]

The dust tickled my nose as I glanced up at the hole on our roof. My eyes then watched my best friend enter the doomed attic.

"Be careful, Michaela…I'm for real."

Mickey inched forward, caution all in her stance.

"Firebird, you worry too much. I'm sure there's noth-eek!"

My eyes followed hers to the furry brown head that popped out of a hole for a second before disappearing again. After hearing Mic's scream, that was all I saw…

If I was a track runner at that moment, I would have won gold!

[abitscripturient]

I watched Chaison go, my eyes instantly zeroing in on his ass encased in those tight blue jeans. I shake my head at the sight.

"Careful, Mrs. Kincannon. You're likely to set my Wranglers ablaze with where you're looking." He cautioned, without even looking back.

How did he always know?

[abitscripturient]

January

1. What does your character's name mean to her?

 Phoenix's parents named her after where she was born: Phoenix, AZ. It was a memorable city as they had their first date there and were also married there. Phoenix is proud of her name for that reason.

2. It's January 2nd. Where is your character today and what is she doing?

Cleaning out leftovers from the holidays out of the fridge and cleaning the house.

3. If your character could change one physical detail about herself, what would it be?

Her tummy after having six kids

4. Describe your character's hairstyle in detail. Why did she choose it? How much does she care about it?

Straight down with slight curls in certain places. She cares for her hair, but there are other things that are more important to her than her current hairstyle.

5. What is your character's favorite physical activity?

Horseback riding

6. When was the last time your character climbed a tree? Why and under what circumstances? If she has never climbed one, why not?

Phoenix climbed them as a child.

7. Your character comes face-to-face with her worst enemy. What is her first reaction?

She ignores them unless she’s bothered by them.

8. What is your character's least favorite physical activity?

Mucking out stalls

9. What is your character's favorite weather?

Sunny

10. What is your character's favorite season?

Summer

11. Your character keeps a photo album of memories from her life. If she could only keep one photo, what would it depict?

A picture of her and her parents.

12. Does your character keep any pets?

Phoenix has a large variety of pets. Horses and dogs are the majority, but her favorites are her Appaloosa/Thoroughbred stallion, Heaven, her Arabian mare, Aphrodite and her Australian Shepherd, Athena.

13. A very large centipede runs across your character's leg. What does she do?

She would brush it away but it wouldn’t scare her. It would annoy her more than anything.

14. What does your character eat for breakfast?

Because Phoenix is a natural cook, she is known for making big breakfasts. Eggs and bacon with pancakes, biscuits, and gravy or French toast. Just as long as there is coffee nearby.

15. What is your character's least favorite weather?

Arizona: Windy-too many dust storms.  Colorado: Icy

16. What is your character's fondest childhood memory?

Going to California with her family to see her mother in a show jumping competition with Legacy

17. What is your character's favorite piece of artwork?

Turn and Burn by Heather Rohde

• Describe any pieces of artwork found in your character's home or office.

Western art, flower pieces or cooking art in the kitchen

18. What is your character's least favorite season?

Summer-too hot

19. Someone asks your character to describe her family. How does she answer?

She first gets really happy and starts gushing about her sons and daughters, then she goes into a whole new section about Chaison, before telling out her parents.

20. Is your character a morning person, a night owl, or something else entirely?

Morning person to the first degree. She has to be up early to do chores and feed horses.

21. What is your character's least favorite color?

Beige or mud color

22. What does the color orange make your character think of? How does it make her feel?

Makes her feel like cooking.

23. Your character walks into her home and sees blood on the floor. What is her first reaction or thought?

Who hurt themselves?

24. Describe the outside of your character's home.

Big and wide wrap around porch with a swing and rocking chairs all around it.

25. Describe a typical birthday for your character.

Going out with friends and Chaison was how it usually was until she had children, then they were able to just have a cozy birthday dinner at home.

26. What mythological figure best personifies your character?

Demeter

27. What is your character's least favorite animal?

Skunk

28. A law enforcement officer stops your character for a minor violation. How does she react?

She would do everything that the officer told her. Her father always told her to be nice to law enforcement.

29. What does the color red make your character think of? How does it make her feel?

Cozy. Everything red seems to remind her of life when she was a child because of the name of her ranch is Redbird.

30. A stranger makes a crude comment to your character. How does she react?

Depending on how crude it is, they might get a punch in the face.

31. What is your character's favorite animal?

Horse

365 Jan: Aija |  Honorée | Seren | Amila | Briseis | Anouhea 

[abitscripturient]

Mud Room

Prompt from @dailytextprompt

Everything was at a standstill. Chancellor and Chandler stood at the front door with mud covering their bodies while Phoenix stood with her hands on her hips staring back at them. When Chancellor made a move to enter, Phoenix nearly screeched in alarm pointing at him. “DON’T YOU DARE MAKE A STEP!”

Chancellor froze with wide eyes as Chandler tried to calm him down “Mom...it’s raining outside! We need to come in!”

Phoenix shook her head; her auburn ponytail flying this way and that. “I don’t think so, Chandler Ty! I spent all day mopping this damn mansion! You think you just going to come in here and wreck what progress I made? You must be out of your mind, son!”

The twins looked at each other then back at their mother in desperation but Phoenix still wouldn’t be swayed. “You guys want to be all cool in front of girls playing with motorbikes in the mud then you can be cool making your way to the backyard and the mudroom. Won’t take you but five minutes. Now get.”

Chandler sighed before turning and making his way to the backyard, holding his helmet but Chancellor took a look at the thundering sky, wincing from the lightning. Like his mother used to have, Chancellor had a fear of thunderstorms. “But mom, if you’ll let me hurry, I’ll clea...” He started.

“I said get!” 

Not wanting to risk his mother’s ire any longer, the thirteen-year-old leaped out into the rain, prompting Phoenix to shut the front door. She dusted her hands off feeling satisfied and she turned to go and start dinner only to hear the door open again. 

Chaison burst through the door, shaking his head free of the raindrops in his hair. “Damn! It’s raining cats and dogs out there, baby.”

Phoenix looked down at his feet, seeing the muddy prints on her floor and Chaison gulped seeing his wife’s murderous glare. Her voice was dangerously low,

“You better get the mop and you better get it now...

“Yes, ma’am!”

[abitscripturient]

Bit’s Doll Ladies (6/7)- Phoenix Aaliyah Moreland-Kincannon

[abitscripturient]

Phoenix: The Simple Life

Phoenix is age 12

The bright spring sunlight softly drifts into my windows through sheer white curtains. It softly comes over my face and wakes me up.  I ease up on my bed and stretched out my slender arms into the air. This was something I did every morning and like always, it gave me a sudden rush of energy. I sighed softly and moved my covers off of my legs.

“Hey, Phoenix! Are you awake? If you aren’t, then you need to because you have chores!” I heard my mother calling up to me from downstairs.

“Yeah, Mom! I’ll be down in a little bit!” I call back, standing up.

Afterward, I grab my clothing; a white t-shirt and tan overalls. As I put them on, I can hear the multiple whinnies coming from outside my window from our horses. My family lives on a ranch where we bred horses. My mother and my father named it Redbird Ranch after me a little after I was born.

For as long as I can remember, our life revolved around these wonderful animals. My mom has a thing for horses and my dad has been a rancher with my grandfather since he was twelve like me, probably even younger. We live in Prescott, Arizona, away from downtown on a vast acreage of land. It’s quite warm already at 7:30 in the morning and I can feel the bangs of my auburn hair sticking to my forehead. I wipe them to one side and after putting my hiking boots on, run downstairs to the kitchen to get some breakfast before I head off for school. As I walk down the hallway, I hear my parents softly talking to each other inside the kitchen.

“Ty, it’s going to be real soon. I know that Legacy is either going to have the baby today or tomorrow. The sooner she has it, the sooner she can go to show, right?”

There was silence and then I hear my dad answer. His voice was smooth, deep…caressing my heart with love.

“Well, all I can say right now is that we see how things go with her and the foal first, Carrie. Okay? Baby steps.”

“All right…” I can hear the moodiness inside Mom’s voice and wince. She’s a professional at show jumping and I knew that she is just itching to get back to the shows. Legacy’s pregnancy was a pleasant yet unwanted delay.

I turn the corner smoothly and walked into our warm kitchen.  “Good Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad.” My mom smiles, warming me all over. She sits in one of the kitchen chairs, drinking coffee. Her dark brown curly hair was pinned up in a bun and her light brown eyes regard me with emotion. She looks like cozy perfection; her bronze skin pairing just right with a white cotton blouse.

“Morning, Sweetheart.” She says back.

I smile then laugh with joy as my dad swings me around in his arms while exclaiming, “Firebird! Good Morning! Did you sleep well?”

Once my feet are planted on the ground again I hug my dad around his waist. “Yep, did you?”

He nods. “All right, I guess. Work in the barn is starting to make my shoulders ache some. I’m about to go to the barn. Do you want to help me with the horses before you leave?”

“Sure,” I answer, grabbing a small light green pear out of the fruit basket on the table and taking a bite. Once I start doing chores then I won’t have time to eat breakfast. Sometimes my mom makes both me and my dad sit to eat a big breakfast of pancakes, eggs, and bacon but this wasn’t one of those days. She must have errands to do today.

“Well hurry up and eat then. We have to feed the horses and muck the stalls.”

My nose wrinkled up in disgust at that statement but I relent with a nod. “Okie-Dokie, Dad.” Dad turns, walking off towards the barn. I watch him walk out the front door and then look over at my mother before I frown, noticing her wringing her hands. My mother is usually a pretty calm and determined woman so seeing her like this is pretty out of the ordinary.

“Mom, what’s up?” I ask with worry.

Mom looks up at me as if she’s surprised I’m still here then shakes her head. “Oh, it’s nothing, Phoe. You know Legacy’s going to give birth soon. I’m just anxious that’s all.” I let her know that I understand with a short nod, before thinking to myself.

Star of Legacy is my mother’s most prized horse; a bay Appaloosa mare who has been with us for about four years now. Legacy is a horse of good nature and quite a jumper who my mother and I love very much. She’s the pride and joy of Redbird. To change things up in the ranch a bit, she had been recently bred with an elegant black Thoroughbred stallion, Gladiator. We’re looking forward to what the foal will turn out to look like; Mom wants it to have the speed of a champion racing horse like its father or she wants it to be a jumper like its mother. My parents know that this matchup could probably make health complications for Legacy which is probably why Mom was worrying. This was a risky decision she had made to breed her horse.

I put a gentle hand on my mother’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mom. Legacy will be all right, the foal will be all right, everything will be all right. Okay?” I reassured her.

My mother stares in my eyes with her own amber orbs for a moment before smiling bright and saying, “You’re right. Now isn’t the time to be worrying. I need to busy myself. You know…what would I do without you, my little fire spark?”

I giggle and reply, “Hmm, I wonder… Going outside to do chores.” I put the half-eaten pear in the trash and walk out the front door, hearing my mother saying to me, “Okay, Firebird. If you don’t see me before you go to school, I’m out running errands.”

“All right!” I yell back.

Walking towards the barn, I begin thinking about my parents. Despite how common they look in their home, they both have pretty unique backgrounds. My mother, Caroline is half Arab and half African American, giving her a beautiful exotic look and those gorgeous silky locks of hair. She’s known around for town for her generosity and ambitious attitude. I didn’t know much about her background or her family; she said I was better off not knowing.

Tyler, my father is Australian born, complete with accent, but has been living in America since he came down here with his family when he was a young boy. He has dark green eyes and dusty brown hair. Dad‘s a very outgoing person who had everybody’s best interest at heart. If he isn’t cheering up people with his happy go lucky personality, he’s doing what he loves best; raising horses.

Back to myself; I have gotten my light green almost jade eyes from both of my parents but my hair color came from my dad’s mother. My skin is the light caramel brown color of my mother, giving me a striking appearance from all angles. When I look at myself sometimes, I just get proud of my background. I love the way my parents overcame the fact that their race didn’t matter and fell in love with each other.

Love shouldn’t matter with race. At least that’s the way I looked at it.

Our dark brown barn came into view and I noticed my dad waving at me from afar. He cupped his hands to his mouth. “Phoenix, can you grab a halter and fetch Jessica for me cause I didn’t get a chance to feed her yet!” I raise my eyebrows-my father was very loud.

“DAD! You don’t have to yell cause I’m right here!” I scoff with a smirk as Dad lowers his hands. His grin is sheepish.

“Sorry, Fire. It’s a habit-you know that. Anyway, you can leave Legacy in the corral. Your mother will grab her later.”

“All right, Dad.” I say back, grabbing a brown leather halter off the wall.

I walk into the nearest corral, locating the two horses easily. “Come on, Jessie! Time to eat! Let’s go!”

The two mares looked up at me and I watched as Jessica, a chestnut Quarter Horse mare hurries in a brisk trot toward me. Hunger is on the top of her list. Legacy trails behind her slowly from her newly added wait. When they come to me; Legacy on one side and Jessica on the other, I halter Jessica; fastening the straps as if it was second nature. I walk then to Legacy’s right side and put my head on the mare’s large stomach, trying in vain to hear the foal buried deep inside. Legacy turns her head to the side to look at me in observation.

“I can’t wait to see your new baby, Legs. I just know it's going to be fast and so beautiful.”

Legacy nickers and I pet her for a while before I frown. Was that my dad calling me?

“Phoenix, your bus is early today! Hurry up!”

I gasp and get into gear,  bringing Jessica back into her stall quick. I only have just enough time to give her her feed before running back to the house. I grab my backpack and kiss my mom and dad goodbye, before rushing out to the school bus that graciously waited for me.

School seems very long on this day, but I survive it like all the others. I hang out with my friends at lunch and tell them about Legacy to which they all wish me luck. The bulk of them had ranches and farms of their own and understood the risk of when Legs would give birth.

When I get back home in the afternoon, I see my dad talking to the vet, Dr. Torwudzo. Dad turned and smiled when he saw me looking at him and the vet in question. “Hiya, Firebird. How was your day?” I answer him telling him it was good, realizing that he’s still smiling. After a quick run around in my mind, it doesn’t take me long to figure out why.

“She had it? Legacy had the foal, didn’t she?”

My dad chuckles at my excitement explaining to me, “Yep, she went into labor an hour after you left for school. It’s a colt. He came earlier this morning. But that’s not all. There’s another surprise for you.”

I bounce up and down in excitement. Really?  I can only take one surprise at a time!

“Go. See the colt first. Get to know him.” I ran into the house, drop my backpack in the foyer and immediately run to the barn. When I get inside, I see my mom looking over Legacy’s stall. She glances over at me and replies, “Welcome home, baby. Come over here and see.” I obey, stopping beside my mom and looking into the stall. Legacy stands quietly looking at us, while a black bundle of fur lays asleep at her feet. I stare open-mouthed at this new wonder. I mean, I’m no stranger to foal, but this one…he’s something else.

“He’s wonderful. Good job, Legs!”

As the mare nickers her agreement, my mom puts her head on her hand with a dreamy expression on her face. “He was born this morning. Did your dad tell you?”

“I know. While I was at school! That sucks. I wish I would have seen when the baby came. That would have been awesome.” Mom turned around then hugged me close to her saying, "I wish you could have too." Looking back at him and Legs, my mother and I leaned on the stall gate. I had so much running through my mind about the newest addition to our ranch.

“Did you two name him already?”

“No. Your father and I want to give that honor to you.”

I can’t be happier. “Yes! Really, Mom? You don’t mind?”

“Sure! You’ve been waiting for him for a long time. Who knows? You could probably train him when he gets older.”

“I would love to!”

“Then it’s settled!”

We smile at each other, letting out a few laughs while watching mother and baby for a while. Mom pushes off the side of the stall with a sigh. "I'm going to start dinner. You can stay here if you want and I'll call you when it’s ready."

"Okay."

When she leaves, I stand there for a moment, clearly amazed at the new arrival. There is so much I could teach this little guy. My mom and dad taught me everything there is to know about horses. Since I was a baby I’ve been on horseback and my mom is in the process of teaching me how to tackle bigger hurdles with jumpers. The possibilities are endless. I sigh thinking about me and this baby as professional show jumpers. We’ll win every trophy there is!

A hand then covers my eyes. I jump slightly then smile, recognizing the whole "guess who" game. "Guess who?" A velvety deep voice asked. I thought about the voice. Dad's voice was deeper and throatier but this one...I gasped as I realized who it was. "Uncle Tommy!" I called out. The hands suddenly moved away, and when they did, I turned and looked straight into the deep brown eyes of my dad’s younger brother, Thomas.

"Hey, Uncle Tommy!" I exclaim, jumping into his arms for a close hug.

Uncle Tommy holds me tight to him then looks back at me with a huge grin. “Firebird! Wow, look at you! You are shooting like a weed! Last time I saw you were littler.”

After he puts me down, I roll my eyes slightly. “You saw me last summer! It wasn’t like years and years ago.”

Uncle Tommy crosses his arms, giving a smug smile. “I guess…if you say so, Fire.” I smile then proceed to lead him over to the stall. I want to share the happiness of the new arrival. “Look! Legacy had her foal today and I get to name him. Cool, right?”

My uncle’s wide grin matches my excitement as he looks at the baby. “Sure is.” He replies with a chuckle. I hold back a laugh of my own. Uncle Tommy is a self-made city boy who goes to school up north; horses aren’t really his thing. He and my dad are polar opposites, so I know he’s just amusing me.

We stand there still, staring at the foal and I hear my dad behind us. “You guys hungry cause dinner’s ready. Carrie’s made spaghetti.” My dad is leaning against the barn door with a soft crook of his mouth and arms crossed.

Uncle Tommy turns and said, “I sure am. Airplane snacks just don’t cut it.” He looks back at me and motions with his hand to grab mine. “Come on, Phoenix. I can hear your stomach growling like a wolf. Didn’t you eat lunch at school today?” I look down at my guilty body part and blush. He was partly right with his question; I haven’t eaten much at lunch and now that I think about it, I’m famished. I glance one more time over my shoulder at the foal and Legacy before making my way next to my dad and uncle.

I watch them walk in the house, but I stop at the porch looking to my left. My eyes take in everything with appreciation. The sun setting and the dark silhouettes of a few of our horses in a corral gave me a sudden comfort. I sigh-this is my world: Coming home from school to my horses, drinking iced tea on the porch with my mother on the weekends. Going with Dad to rodeos, horse racing with my best friend and having my uncle visit us on the ranch during his various breaks.

Everything was all in a place like a jigsaw puzzle in my life and that was all I ever knew.  Simple as that.

                                              <<<<<<   >>>>>

A couple weeks fly by and soon my dad had decided that he and Mom were going to finally show Legacy in California. She has been fine since the birth of the foal and my mother just didn’t want to wait any longer. They were both so excited and I for them. I’m not able to go with them as I still have school so Uncle Tommy agreed to stay a bit longer to watch over me and the ranch while they were gone. I promised to take care of the horses and Uncle Tommy.

One the day of their departure, we watch as Mom and Dad get ready to leave us. “Hey! Hey, come on! Legacy, the sooner we can leave, the sooner we will get there.” My dad persuades, leading the feisty Appaloosa mare into the silver horse trailer. She’s anxious and doesn’t like being away from her colt. In the chaos of getting his mother ready for the show, I haven’t gotten to name him. I make a mental note to do that as soon as possible. I look up; the name “STAR OF LEGACY” was graved into a slab of silver at the top of the trailer, gleaming in my eyes from the sunlight.

My dad closes the trailer locking it uptight. “All right, Legacy is settled in but she’s not happy.” He looks up at the front porch with a mock frown. “Are you finally ready to leave, Carrie? Or are you still packing your luggage full of makeup?” He asks.

I look back over my shoulder with an amused grin as my mother comes out with the rest of her bags. She gives them to a helpful Uncle Tommy saying, “Very funny, sweetheart. A girl has to be prepared.” I laugh and she winks at me. “In answer to your question, I’m not ready to go yet and you aren’t either.” At my father’s confused look, she motions towards me saying, “We still didn’t get to say goodbye to our fire spark yet.”

“Oh, shoot! How could I forget such an important thing?” Dad strolls over to me as my uncle makes his way to my side. I smile as he first hugs Uncle Tommy close.

“Take care of my little girl, Tom.”

“You got it, Ty.”

As my uncle gives my mom a hug, my dad’s dark green eyes then gaze into my own. “The ranch is yours now, Phoenix. Take care of it.” I admire the trust and sincerity inside of his eyes. “I will, Dad. Don’t worry about a thing.” My dad grins and embraces me tight saying, “My fire girl.” I smile inwardly at one of the many nicknames he lovingly bestowed upon me and then move into my mother’s arms.

“Phoenix.” My mother said, quietly as she holds me. I lay my head on her shoulder as I normally did, but frowned slightly feeling a difference. This hug is warm as always but tighter as if letting go would be a fatal mistake. I hold her tight as well, not wanting to let her go just yet. Then after we hug, my mother stares, her luminous hair softly blowing in the light breeze as she says to me, “I love you, Firebird. Don’t ever change cause I wouldn’t wish for another child.” Deep love pours into my heart and I declare, “I love you too, Mom.”

Mom smiles at me one last time as my dad’s microphone like voice echoes out. “Come on, Carrie! Let’s get a move on!”

“All right, Tyler! Keep your pants on!”

Mom shakes her head with a sigh, kisses my face and whispers, “Bye, baby. Wish me luck.”

I wave Mom went to the truck yelling, “Bye, Tommy!” “Bye!” We yell back. My uncle and I stand quietly watching the truck and the trailer roll out of sight as it does, I smirk knowing that Legacy would win first place and things will always be right in our lives……

I couldn’t have been more WRONG.