Hello everyone! Hope you're doing well.
A young man stood naked before a tall mirror encased in a frame of carved mahogany. Branches, vines, and leaves coiled and flowed about the edges of the glass, creating a maze of deep ridges and smooth rounds that glowed richly in the flickering light of a nearby hearth. Despite the beauty surrounding him, the boy had eyes only for the identical pair staring back at him from the glass.
Mayu.
The mirror—no, the entire room seemed to be calling to him. There was magic in the air. His fingertips prickled as hot energy began to bubble up from his core. The eyes that stared back at Mayu were deep and vivid in color; a stormy blue-grey with a burst of fire in the centers akin to the color of the glowing mahogany surrounding them. The young man in the mirror took a deep, slow breath, and began to take inventory of the body before him. His eyes followed the lines of a straight nose and the contours of high cheekbones, full lips, and a strong jaw line. Tousled jet black hair brushed shoulders that had not yet reached the full breadth of manhood. His torso was slim but well defined; the muscle hard and strong from chest to calf.
Mayu had been preparing for this day physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the moment he had taken his first step. He had been instructed by his elders the same way in which they had also been instructed, through tradition that had existed since the dawn of time. But was it enough?
Despite having been provided with the best training and advice possible, the eighteen-year-old was terrified. He had no idea what to expect. His palms were sweating, and his heart was pounding so ferociously against his chest that he thought his ribs might crack. The boy gazed at himself for what seemed like an eternity, sizing up his strength against some great and unknown entity. It was useless. The harder he tried to imagine what lay before him, the more tangled his resolve became.
Finally the youth’s thoughts were interrupted by a pair of strong hands on his shoulders. The mahogany eyes in the mirror shot up to meet a pair of indigo eyes that belonged to the man standing behind Mayu. The hands squeezed firmly and then lifted away, leaving a light robe draped across his shoulders. The aqua colored fabric was silky and flowed like water as Mayu slipped his arms through the sleeves and tied the robe securely at the waist. This garment would be his only protection.
Mayu.
There were murmured words that barely made it through to the boy’s subconscious, but it was okay. He understood. He would either come back alive, or he would not. Those were the only two options. He understood exceedingly well. Mayu drew his chin back and set his shoulders, gazing once more at the mahogany eyes in the mirror. The presence of another left him, and he found himself calmer than before. Now it was simply a matter of doing what must be done.
Chimes. The light tinkling noise of metal wind chimes filled the air. The black-haired boy stiffened. A heartbeat later, the deep, hollow sound of wooden chimes followed suit. It was time. Without so much as a steeling breath, Mayu tore his eyes away from the mirror and walked purposefully toward the door. A blast of cool wind whipped his hair as he strode outside and down a simple dirt path that ran through the woods. The uneven land was dotted with scraggly pine trees that grew thinner and more sparse as Mayu approached a rocky cliff edge. The wind buffeted against the silken robe as the boy walked out onto a bare outcropping of rock, threatening to whip the garment clean off of him. He took a deep breath and looked down.
Nearly a quarter of a mile below, and as far out as he could see there lay a great network of crystal clear springs. Some pools were larger than lakes, while others could barely hold five people. Some were a deep purple color, while others were cast in vivid hues of aqua and yellow. The pool directly beneath Mayu was a deep blue more intense than any sky he had yet beheld. He had no way of knowing exactly how deep the pool went, or where the tunnels connected. Much of what he was about to experience would be guided entirely by Kaa’s hand.
The sound of the chimes intensified, causing Mayu’s heart to swell uncomfortably. He spared a glance at his surroundings. Though he knew every last member of his tribe would be watching, he couldn’t see a single face. That was alright; it was meant to be this way. Mayu couldn’t afford any distractions. He fixed his eyes on the pool again and waited. He barely had time to take another breath before the chimes abruptly came to an end. It was as if some great hand had cut all of their strings at once. A heavy silence pressed in on Mayu from all sides, and he thought his chest would surely burst.
Mayu.
The voice resonated throughout every fiber of his being. Electricity coursed through his veins; his eyes became sightless. The boy with mahogany eyes crouched, and then launched himself out into space.
It's been awhile since I've gotten a chance to really sit down and write, so I thought I would do a little writing exercise to limber up that special part of my brain.
It's rough and unedited, but I thought I would share. I'm basically giving meat to a dream I had last night, so it doesn't make a lot of sense. Just a study in description without dialogue.
Enjoy!
Mahogany Eyes
A young man stood naked before a tall mirror encased in a frame of carved mahogany. Branches, vines, and leaves coiled and flowed about the edges of the glass, creating a maze of deep ridges and smooth rounds that glowed richly in the flickering light of a nearby hearth. Despite the beauty surrounding him, the boy had eyes only for the identical pair staring back at him from the glass.
Mayu.
The mirror—no, the entire room seemed to be calling to him. There was magic in the air. His fingertips prickled as hot energy began to bubble up from his core. The eyes that stared back at Mayu were deep and vivid in color; a stormy blue-grey with a burst of fire in the centers akin to the color of the glowing mahogany surrounding them. The young man in the mirror took a deep, slow breath, and began to take inventory of the body before him. His eyes followed the lines of a straight nose and the contours of high cheekbones, full lips, and a strong jaw line. Tousled jet black hair brushed shoulders that had not yet reached the full breadth of manhood. His torso was slim but well defined; the muscle hard and strong from chest to calf.
Mayu had been preparing for this day physically, emotionally, and spiritually from the moment he had taken his first step. He had been instructed by his elders the same way in which they had also been instructed, through tradition that had existed since the dawn of time. But was it enough?
Despite having been provided with the best training and advice possible, the eighteen-year-old was terrified. He had no idea what to expect. His palms were sweating, and his heart was pounding so ferociously against his chest that he thought his ribs might crack. The boy gazed at himself for what seemed like an eternity, sizing up his strength against some great and unknown entity. It was useless. The harder he tried to imagine what lay before him, the more tangled his resolve became.
Finally the youth’s thoughts were interrupted by a pair of strong hands on his shoulders. The mahogany eyes in the mirror shot up to meet a pair of indigo eyes that belonged to the man standing behind Mayu. The hands squeezed firmly and then lifted away, leaving a light robe draped across his shoulders. The aqua colored fabric was silky and flowed like water as Mayu slipped his arms through the sleeves and tied the robe securely at the waist. This garment would be his only protection.
Mayu.
There were murmured words that barely made it through to the boy’s subconscious, but it was okay. He understood. He would either come back alive, or he would not. Those were the only two options. He understood exceedingly well. Mayu drew his chin back and set his shoulders, gazing once more at the mahogany eyes in the mirror. The presence of another left him, and he found himself calmer than before. Now it was simply a matter of doing what must be done.
Chimes. The light tinkling noise of metal wind chimes filled the air. The black-haired boy stiffened. A heartbeat later, the deep, hollow sound of wooden chimes followed suit. It was time. Without so much as a steeling breath, Mayu tore his eyes away from the mirror and walked purposefully toward the door. A blast of cool wind whipped his hair as he strode outside and down a simple dirt path that ran through the woods. The uneven land was dotted with scraggly pine trees that grew thinner and more sparse as Mayu approached a rocky cliff edge. The wind buffeted against the silken robe as the boy walked out onto a bare outcropping of rock, threatening to whip the garment clean off of him. He took a deep breath and looked down.
Nearly a quarter of a mile below, and as far out as he could see there lay a great network of crystal clear springs. Some pools were larger than lakes, while others could barely hold five people. Some were a deep purple color, while others were cast in vivid hues of aqua and yellow. The pool directly beneath Mayu was a deep blue more intense than any sky he had yet beheld. He had no way of knowing exactly how deep the pool went, or where the tunnels connected. Much of what he was about to experience would be guided entirely by Kaa’s hand.
The sound of the chimes intensified, causing Mayu’s heart to swell uncomfortably. He spared a glance at his surroundings. Though he knew every last member of his tribe would be watching, he couldn’t see a single face. That was alright; it was meant to be this way. Mayu couldn’t afford any distractions. He fixed his eyes on the pool again and waited. He barely had time to take another breath before the chimes abruptly came to an end. It was as if some great hand had cut all of their strings at once. A heavy silence pressed in on Mayu from all sides, and he thought his chest would surely burst.
Mayu.
The voice resonated throughout every fiber of his being. Electricity coursed through his veins; his eyes became sightless. The boy with mahogany eyes crouched, and then launched himself out into space.