If you drive to the end of the superhighway, where it's dark and dirty, there is a secret glade with its own little lagoon. That is where the tiny fairy-like beings called Twisties congregate. Twisties go to drink and bathe and laugh and wrestle. For many of them, it's the first time they've encountered other Twisties. They stare at these delicate creatures, mirror images of themselves, stunned at first. Out of habit, they still hide their secrets; their curses, broken wings, odd flying patterns, silly thoughts. Eventually they see that the Twisties don't have to be ashamed of their secrets. They show them to each other, sometimes dancing for joy. Sometimes murmuring and nurturing, fanning their wings on a broken friend, like shy eyes slowly blinking.
Twisties love to mate, and when they do, they mate with Torts. Sometimes the Torts are attracted by the activity, sometimes drawn to serenity. Some toss pebbles to get the Twisties' attention. Some throw dirt. Some bring large gold carrots, offers of the magnificent things the Twistie may receive, someday.
One day, a Tort came to the glade. He wasn't looking to mate, he just enjoyed new scenery. He watched the Twisties playing and couldn't help but like one in particular. She was not the bravest, the prettiest, the cleverest, but was golden and radiant because she was having so much fun. She belched a rainbow. She vomited fireworks.
One day, he opened his mouth and sang a note to her, one perfect note which she saw from the corner of her eye. It was a glittering ruby and she picked it up, saving it in her pocket, laughing and clapping her hands. She whispered a song back, little winking amethysts that he picked up, and she noticed he saved those too. He took aim at dark asteroids and made them explode, just to see her fall backwards, laughing in delight. She squealed sparkly songs for him at the top of her lungs, with her eyes screwed shut.
The Tort got close enough to capture her in a gossamer net. The Twistie struggled to get away, but he could easily overpower her. They liked that. He carried her away, showing his strength, making them both believe for a moment that she could never get away and he would never let her go. He hurt his Twistie, badly, and she cried shimmery slippery tears for him. They both liked that very much.
She sang a symphony of meteor showers for him, for all the world to see. He told her not to be so loud. She whispered a nod, bowing her head, obeying him and was happy when he was happy. She coughed up a diamond for him and he said, Not Now, and she watched the stone land like a teardrop. She lost trust in her creations, sitting quietly.
The Tort went back to the glade, just to look. He watched the magnificent Twisties splashing and twirling. He felt angry that his Twistie couldn't be more like them. He opened his mouth and sent salt into her heart, that burned all of the wounds she ever had. He breathed fire like a dragon, and she hunched her shoulders, her back singed as she crawled away.
She found her way to the glade. Some Twisties were glad to see her, some were sad. Some gloated to see her diminished, some were uncomfortable and couldn't meet her eyes. Then, after a second of commotion, she was led to the blue water, sister twisties tenderly washing her, the water turning purple.
Twisties love to mate, and when they do, they mate with Torts. Sometimes the Torts are attracted by the activity, sometimes drawn to serenity. Some toss pebbles to get the Twisties' attention. Some throw dirt. Some bring large gold carrots, offers of the magnificent things the Twistie may receive, someday.
One day, a Tort came to the glade. He wasn't looking to mate, he just enjoyed new scenery. He watched the Twisties playing and couldn't help but like one in particular. She was not the bravest, the prettiest, the cleverest, but was golden and radiant because she was having so much fun. She belched a rainbow. She vomited fireworks.
One day, he opened his mouth and sang a note to her, one perfect note which she saw from the corner of her eye. It was a glittering ruby and she picked it up, saving it in her pocket, laughing and clapping her hands. She whispered a song back, little winking amethysts that he picked up, and she noticed he saved those too. He took aim at dark asteroids and made them explode, just to see her fall backwards, laughing in delight. She squealed sparkly songs for him at the top of her lungs, with her eyes screwed shut.
The Tort got close enough to capture her in a gossamer net. The Twistie struggled to get away, but he could easily overpower her. They liked that. He carried her away, showing his strength, making them both believe for a moment that she could never get away and he would never let her go. He hurt his Twistie, badly, and she cried shimmery slippery tears for him. They both liked that very much.
She sang a symphony of meteor showers for him, for all the world to see. He told her not to be so loud. She whispered a nod, bowing her head, obeying him and was happy when he was happy. She coughed up a diamond for him and he said, Not Now, and she watched the stone land like a teardrop. She lost trust in her creations, sitting quietly.
The Tort went back to the glade, just to look. He watched the magnificent Twisties splashing and twirling. He felt angry that his Twistie couldn't be more like them. He opened his mouth and sent salt into her heart, that burned all of the wounds she ever had. He breathed fire like a dragon, and she hunched her shoulders, her back singed as she crawled away.
She found her way to the glade. Some Twisties were glad to see her, some were sad. Some gloated to see her diminished, some were uncomfortable and couldn't meet her eyes. Then, after a second of commotion, she was led to the blue water, sister twisties tenderly washing her, the water turning purple.
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