Messages from Pluto
Been thinking of the concept of bargains with the Otherworld, and this piece came to mind. The premise is that of Fairy Brides, who get captured by mortals and forced to marry. I was thinking of the stories in which the fisherman keep and hide the skins of their Selkie lovers, to keep them tame. In the end they always reclaim their power, and disappear into the wild. My thought on this is that whatever one calls them, Fae, dragons, allies, these beings are all connected as Shifters. They are interested in creating alliances, but it is not wise to deal dishonestly. There will be a price.
The Pact
Hunting never bothered me, I learned to crawl and walk.
Hiding behind shadows, I slithered and I stalked.
I found what he had hidden, all those years ago.
My wings he ripped away from me, to keep me stuck and slow.
Reconnecting muscle takes a little time,
Sinew fused with cartilage to make a web divine.
I howled when they were complete, and quickly shed my fur.
The Shift came on me rapidly, my thoughts became a blur.
My form regained its glory, my blood is pure and cold.
My scales as tough as diamond, my horns are sharp and bold.
My claws and teeth are razors, shine with iridescent light.
My wings sound like thunder as I glide into the night.
I land with dexterity, and climb into my cave.
Laughing at the mortals convinced that they are brave.
I come from an ancient race, of which he never knew.
His kind think we are extinct, which simply is not true.
The stories claim we are unkind, and prey upon the young.
The truth is that we love mankind, our friendship is unsung.
We cherish those who honor us, and learn good ways to grow.
We eat the ones with hateful hearts, the arrogant and slow.
This is not an evil, but the result of ancient law.
Pride poisons the atmosphere, we bring about its fall.
We only rescue children who are crying from neglect.
We take them to our hearth and homes to treat them with respect.
For those who walk in wisdom, we grant blessings manifold.
Magic, wealth, good fortune, access to secrets yet untold.
For those who deal dishonestly, our curses become cruel.
Madness, despair, and loneliness are what we grant the fool.
The stories whisper some of this, for those with ears to hear.
For those who would claim our love, the logic is quite clear.
Yet some still seek to capture us, and then ignore the rule.
For those who use us banefully, they earn a wicked school.
Our lessons can be sharp, but are designed to teach.
Some students are quite impudent, and therefore hard to reach.
I devise the challenges that recognize their flaws.
Confess that I enjoy the chance to flex and stretch my claws.
By all means bite that apple, so red and sweet and new.
Please do touch that spindle, it’s been waiting there for you.
Sneer at that sad woman, so tattered and brought low.
Mistake her tears for weakness, no one else will ever know.
When your arrogant cruelty compels you to act,
You have struck the bargain, but I enforce the pact.
Surprise! My laughter echoes as the rags rip off of my back,
Your ignorance and fear become a welcome midnight snack.
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