Saturday, August 30, 2008

Beastella...Inst5

"Shkrohhhk, Shkrohhhk, SHHHKROHHHHHHHHK" !!! Estella was jarred from dreamlands luring grasp by the exited shrieks of one of the animals,just on the other side of her screened window. It was 'Esther the Ebullient Emu', someone must have let her out in the yard. "Sorry Misstella, didnt mean to wake you", Melix said with a smirk. "That's ok, MissMelix. Perhaps i should put Frida in your bed, after you have fallen asleep", retorted Estella,playfully. Frida the Flatulent Fox had wandered onto their farm one hot and humid August night, perhaps three or four years back now. Justin LeBonte' had been playing with Esther the Ebullient Emu , trying to tire her out so she could retire in her 'run'. One of the most surefire ways of chilling her out came to mind. Let her nab a few leaves of 'wacky weed' , she would then want her music, she loved music, especially 'Donna Summer'. The former disco divas voice relaxed Esther, Maria had her "Honestly the last reworked versions of the same 8 songs : 8disc mechasupergreatesthits collection" in the barns sound system often, as she assisted the animals. Justin had installed a small speaker in Esthers sleeping area. He had it configured to a frequency that only she, and perhaps 'Otto, the Old Owl' could hear. Estellas father pulled one of the 5fingered herbal sprigs out of the baggie in his inner coat pocket, his 'treats' for Esther for polite behaviour. Justin waved it in front of her nose "Here girl, race u to the patch". Esther gently took the sprig from his hand, before racing off to the patch where her herbal nirvana grew. Just as they made it through the trail in the corn field, Esther let out an exited "Shkrohhhk". Justin nearly jumped out of his skin from the sudden loud sound. "Esther, relax, relax" He hummed a couple lines of "Macarthur Park", that caused her to momentarilly pause, and dance a couple steps. Only briefly though, then she resumed frantically running around in a circle,fastly. That was one of her most common ways of showing anxiety,Justin trusted her senses and was led to investigate. He walked a couple hesitant steps toward the 'wonder weed' patch,Esther followed suit. She got up the nerve to poke her head forward a bit to investigate. As she breached the outer rim of the patch,she poked her head into it, inquisitively,quickly withdrawing it with a "Shkrohhk". They both froze then,hearing a rustle a couple feet into the herbal utopia, they both smelled a foul smell neither one had produced. Esther stepped back as a black nose barely peeked thru the greenery,sniffing its new acquantences. The owner of the nose must have sensed it could venture out a tad more, an auburn and ivory snout followed its nose out. The light of the quarter moon softly illuminated the newcomers eyes, the rest of the creatures form emerged from its sweet herbal cloak. The two creatures just stared at each other,frozen in speculative queery. Justin hoped his new guest was friendly,he looked forward to greeting it. He wondered if the same treat would coax their new freind into a calming repose, as it did with Esther. As it stepped fully out of the shadows, Justin thought something looked odd on its rear end, some type of wounds perhaps. He and Esther calmly approached their guest, it appeared to be some kind of Fox,hence the red hued hair. The three seemed comfortable with each other, so Justin decided to coax it into his barn so he could check out the sores. Upon inspection, there looked to be fragments of some type of gauze affixed to freshly drying wounds. He treated the fox to a bowl of Chamomile,valerian root , and 'sweet herb' tea, hoping to gently anesthetize it into sleep with his wifes enhanced blend. It was working, she lapped it up quickly, then started to slowly turn around in a circle, matting down her chosen place of sleep. After the fox sank into deep slumber, Justin began the inspection. His experience as an animal doctor told him the bits of bloody gauze must have been some type of bandage, but for what purpose? She (as he could denote from its 'FoxHole' (lol) ) did not appear to have old wounds, these were relatively fresh. When he lifted her right cheek, there was a torn piece of gauze caught on a lower tooth. It seemed as if she had inflicted her own wounds, but why? Why was the gauze glued to her skin so harshly, before there were any injuries for it to cover? The fox opened its mouth in a contented yawn, sensing it was finally in safe haven, just prior to its posterior exherting a 'Phpppppphw' sound. The noxious odour that resulted made Justin start to gag. Esther let out her load noise, then leaned forward and proceeded to vomit from the putrescent smell. After running out into fresh air, Justin and Esther looked at each other oddly, they both laughed loudly, in their respective ways. He knew then what he would name the newest member of their animal family. "Frida, the Flatulent Fox" .

Monday, August 18, 2008

"Beastella" Inst.4 : "Ile de Serein"

Melix was the first to awake the following morning,a Saturday. The climate was to be an ideal that day, sunny, and upper 70's . Melix found that to barometrically beautiful. Add a moderate breeze and the fragrance of coconut trees, and he could close his eyes and be back at home,almost. 'Ile de Serein' was the only home he had known until that September, when he started his years exchange. The magnificence of his island homeland and its unique inhabitants seemed light years away, rather than the 6 hour plane ride it actually was(not including the necessary seaplane ride from Bermuda,to his island). Back home, he was usually awakened by his pet 'Vistrae',eager for a day of play. One of the once thriving 'Pahrpaetta' species saved from extinction by Melix's ancestors, now numbering in the dozens. Since the mating cycle of the average Pahrpaetta happens once every six years, the revitilization of its kind has been a slow process. Ile de Serein was formed from undersea volcanic eruptions, perhaps more unique than most other similarly formed islands. This particular land had a curious compostional history in what the ocean had spewed forth from its eruptive episodes. At the islands geographic central apex was the Magnificent 'MontMirage' , the sacred ground of Melix's people. 'Sereinaens' ,as his fellow islanders were known to the outside world, were blissfully self-sufficient. Although they were the epitome of hospitality when someone happended upon their habitat, they intentionally declined offers of going tourist. The best kept secrets exist because they are just that, well kept. Most of the island was like any other tropical paradise, but nothing was quite as stunning as Montmirage and its vicinity. When the volanic activity formed this atlantic isle, its creative fury culminated in a massive upward cleft,jutting skyward at a sharp incline. The summit held a placid pool,running deep down its shaft. (what a Hot word,Shaft) . The apex is so high that it is often shrouded amid clouds, its lowest point sloped into the floor of 'Etendu Canyon'. The canyon was so named due to its vastness,save for 'Pretaenama Pass', at its western edge. The canyons craggy corona consisited of countless crystalline shards. If any non-natives would ever foray this far inland, the craggy crown would surely discourage further inspection to the actual mount. The forest that grew amidst the upper rims vicinity was a multihued ocean of lush tropical greenery,its gentle juxtaposition to the crystalline forms was quite striking when the sun sparkled its glistening splendour. Many a warm afternoon found Melix under his favourite tree, relaxing with Vistrae. Pahrpaetta could be most closely compared to a monkey,mixed with a large canine. They are generally quite friendly creatures,playful and active. Initially their species kept to themselves in the central forest,loving to have a mad adventure under cover of night. Their tails were prehensile, and needed a lot of excercise to maintain maximum maneuverability. The islanders were so fond of these creatures that it was not uncommon to have them reside domestically. The animals were viewed as brethren to Melix's people, no one ever 'owned' another living being in his culture,including animals,they merely coexisted. Melix shook off his cloak of reminiscence, and remembered his task list for the day. He actually enjoyed his chores, since they involved spending time with animals. Since arriving here, the LeBonte's had welcomed him into their home,as if he were a long lost relation. Melix had grown very fond of Maria's healthy cuisine. Her Snozzberry pie had become so addictive, that she started baking Melix his own to eat. He and Estella planned on berry picking that afternoon, with the intent of making a few pies from them. Melix also had to remind himself,too often for his liking, that he had a purpose for being here that he must fulfill. The time was not yet right to tell them of his real reason for coming here,as close as they were growing. His mission was still in the freshman faze,the seeds had been planted,but not ready for harvesting, not quite yet. Estella was unaware of the wonders that lay before her,the abilities she would have bestowed upon her,and the awesome responsibility that came along with the gifts she would know.

Monday, August 11, 2008

Beastella, Inst.3 : Melix

"Estella,Wake up"...... She felt something tickling her nose,waking her from the sun lulled nap she had unwittingly taken. The dream she was having was a variation on a series of recurring dream themes she had been having for several weeks now. In her dream, she was ironically,waking from a dream. Except that dream was unsettling, she couldnt quite remember any details about it,but the feeling it imparted her with left her a bit odd. In the dreams 'waking' state, she felt a soothing and serene presence. It was a memory of her beloved paternal Grandmother,that was the tranquility she was experiencing,even upon awakening. Helaena Eve LaBonte' had died when her granddaughter was a mere six and a half years old. It was at least assumed that she had died. Estellas parents last contact with her was a phone call from Bermuda. She had managed to save enough to purchase a large sailboat,upon retirement. Helaena had flown to Bermuda with her companian, Mornu' , a quiet,shorter statured round fella. Estella remembered his infectious laugh,he delighted her young mind with many splendid tales. He barely spoke to anyone but the family,preferring not to be around strangers very much,except the animals. That final call, had made it seem like all was on schedule,and The twosome would be back home in a month or two. Their plans were to set out from Bermuda, and wind their way through the Bahamas,meandering back home. Estella had only gotten to speak to her grandmother for a few moments, then a quick minute with Mornu'. She remembered handing the phone to her father, he chatted awhile alone with his mother,in her parents bedroom. Several days later,Estellas father got an unexpected telephone call. He again took the phone into his room and closed the door. She assumed it was her Grandmother calling,and hoped her father would let her say hello. When he came out later, he had obviously been crying,and seemed quite upset. While her parents stepped into the kitchen for a bit, Estellas mother had left her with a favourite book to keep her occupied, "Miss Muggsly's Mysterious Moths", . When they came back in, Estellas parents gave her a giant bear hug,then each one took one of her hands in theirs. "StellaBea, lets all go sit on the sofa , Your Mommy and I need to chat with you". Her Father said, as he rubbed her hand in his. Her parents told her that her Grandmothers boat did not arrive at Lilac Island ,now 6 days since they were scheduled to. That was their next docking point, after Bermuda. The International Lilac Enthusiasts (I.L.E.) convention was being held on its namesake Island this year. They were her Grandmothers favourite flower, the smell of them still evoked her memory to Estella. Helaena was an avid naturalist, reknowned for her ultra horticultural 'green thumb'. The gardens she lovingly tended seemed to personify her, naturally lovely and serene. She knew what it was that had made her nose twitch so much that it had awoken her. She smelled the intoxicatingly fragrant bouquet of Lilacs, even before her eyes fully opened. Her rouser was the 'cultural exchange student' staying with she and her mother that school year. "Misstella, yoo-hoo,Sleeping Beauty, arise from thy slumber", Melix Le'Niais cajoled her,as he waved a handfull of Lilacs at her. She thought it was a very odd coincidence indeed,of his choice of flower to playfully roust her with. "Melix, what time is it?",Estella asked him, as she yawned. "Girrrl, your Momma is worried sick about you, so she drove me back to school to find you, since she checked everywhere else. ", Melix told her. "With all the treading ive done tonight, i should make u buy me a new pair of shoes. Hustle it 'Misstella' , your Moms waiting in the car for us". Melix liked to use his variation on her name,she didnt mind. Estella was glad to have finally found a good friend, in Melix. The 3 months since he arrived had flown rapidly by. They seemed to have an almost instant rapport,much to her mothers delight. As they drove the few miles to the farm,Estella filled both of them in on her dream, and the feelings it evoked in her. When they had arrived, Melix wanted to show Estella the feeding trough he had finished that evening. He was glad there was enough suitable wood left from the pile in the barn he had amassed since arriving. "Sweeeeeeeeet" , Estella elatedly shrieked. "Melix, stay here a sec. Im gonna run and bring mom back to show her, i have a feeling she might have a nice surprise to thank you with". After admiring his excellant craftsmanship, Maria LeBonte' produced a small metal container from her pocket. "Mom, is that what i think it is?" , Estella asked with a smile on her face,speculating on the tin's contents. Maria told the two teenagers to close their eyes,and tell her what they smelled. The teens thought they heard a match strike, then a warm billowing mass blown across their faces. Almost at the same time, Estella and Melix excitedly shrieked "Jamaican Gold !". Upon opening his eyes,Melix had a joint the size of a Gherkin pickle put up to his mouth by Maria. Mrs LaBonte' had a small, but flourishing crop of 'Mary Jane' in a slight dip in the cornfield. The recessed section of land helped to camouflage the botanical bounty,hidden by the taller surrounding corn stalks. The local authorities were aware of their crop of 'sweet green herb' , as well as the crops of numerous locals,but werent bothered by its existance. Melix knew she must reallllllllly like his handiwork,as the 'herb' was only allowed he and Estella on special occasions(and the occasional weekend evening,at home). The threesome had a marvelous time catching fireflies,housing them for the night in an ornate screened cage on the porch,then releasing them in the morning as la Luna bid her adieu. Maria had brought out a heaping platter of homemade cookies, she knew her daughter loved them that way,fresh from the 'fridge,and washed down with milk. After some tokin',tale trading and Tollhouse, Maria retired for the evening, snuggling up to her favourite pet,'Meppi, the Magnificent Mongoose'. He had become a great comfort on the many nights she had cried herself to sleep, since her husbands passing. Several rounds of Scrabble later, the tokin' twosome fell asleep on the screened porch, not before snubbing the spleef out, barely half smoked. Sleep that night held some interesting visions of far off lands for Estella,or were they actually memories that she had forgotten, perhaps. (end of Inst3, hope u enjoyed)