Break Away 1 – Break Away

 

     Sunlight filled the spacious room. Lily woke up, her eyes fluttered and her mind went to work. She sorted her day and priorities: it was Budget Day. Budget Day took place on the third day of every third week since the inauguration of the new calendar, which were fancy words for: whenever the boss decides to get the budget sorted. There would be a meeting of a few students(including herself); those who held the requisite amount of sway to have any effect on the finical well-being of the school. But above all it would be a noisy and chaotic affair.

 

     Lily took a deep breath, completely filling her lungs, puffing out her chest, and exhaled slowly. This would be her last bit of peace for awhile.

 

     “What a beautiful day.”

 

     Her wings spread, she rose from her bed and made for the closet. Her family was wealthier then most, however Lily simply couldn't stand not owning her own wardrobe. Bought and purchased with her own coffers it contained everything from sun-dresses to night gowns, and it was her's and her's alone.

 

     Such is the peculiar nature of a born politician.

 

     The morning routine began by striping to her bare body and examining herself. In the full length mirror she checked her skin, portions, face, eyes, nose, horns, tail, wings, more sensitive areas then anyone would ever want to think about, and then considered the mystery. She knew her body was desirable, her breasts were supple and legs and thighs healthy, eyes focused and red, skin clear with a slight purple taint, lips subtle and youthful, hair silver and flowing, horns of good stature, tail vibrant and kept, and wings even greater then some adults. But she didn't get it, why men found her so desirable, she didn't understand lust.

 

     Most didn't of course. It could be boiled down to breeding instinct and for some this is satisfactory. Lily was one of the many people who looked for a deeper understanding. Again, her upbringing and entire species demanded it, the centuries long work of the Lilim Outcasts. What is love?

 

     She had never had someone for herself. Never been loved like a woman. Lilim are choosy in this, in fact, if a Lilim finds a mate and decides he's her destined then she would have no other. Which was quite weird because even though she's never been confessed to or courted, she has been kissed. And so The Mystery deepened. How could someone express their love like that, so openly and passionately and then turn around and run as if they were possessed and the spirit had left them?

 

     This annoyed her. So she put out feelers and saw that he was a loner. So she pulled him in, put him into the system just to see what he would do, and he melded with it, although working with people who's job was to put on a mask may have helped. And still he did his damnedest to stay away from her. As if she would hurt him for his expression, as if she would destroy his love.

 

     This hurt her. So she put on her own mask and acted dubiously, made herself out to what he thought her to be. And instead of cowering he stood his ground and threatened her life. Lily couldn't explain why, but this excited her.

 

     What would she to do if he came into her house one night, crept into her room, and found her sleeping? He'd move silently under the full moon, creeping to her sleeping form, to high on passion to use a pillow, Neil would strangle her with his own hands. She would wake immediately, struggle in his firm grasp to escape, unable to mutter any indication and to weak from the moon's light to resist him. She would cry certainly, that the first one to so honestly express his love to her would be her end. Lily would caress his cheek, so she could at least feel, for only just a moment how it feels to touch someone she loved. He'd stop, unstable and reckless, Neil would take her lips and pin her. Breathing into her life-saving air and then...and then...

 

     Lily clutched herself panting and absolutely flushed. She had gone to far.

 

     “To close.” She said though bated breathes. “To close.”

 

-

 

     Nobody was in the kitchen in the morning.

 

     More of a statement than an observation, Brother had already left for morning classes, Sister was on one of her runs, Mother had business, and Father would accompany her. So like every morning, the kitchen was empty. 

 

     It wasn't lonely of course, rather I felt calm. I would no doubt spend all day with people with all their various quirks and intricacies, why not have a moment to myself?

 

     What was to appreciate was the kindness that you felt from someone even when they weren't around, like these lunch boxes. They had been prepared every week-day by my brother for as long as I can remember, color coded to match our eyes and a menu which was rotated bi-weekly. He didn't have to do this, or even add any sort of variety, but he did it without even a word of thanks and a smile on his face. 

 

     From my mother I have this pendent which hangs around my neck, adorned with a small flower, it's a constant reminder of the times she would spend tutoring and advising me in matters of statecraft.

 

     Even my driver was this way, he would not say a word to me aside from the essential greetings and inquiries, not today, not tomorrow, or a thousand years in the future. Still, every day he would drive me were I needed to go, heed my every call, and see to my safety.

 

     Perhaps these things were a sense of duty, but I prefer to think of it as a part of love. Even if they're not around, if they love you, there's always evidence of it.

 

     Maybe I've overlooked something.

 

-

  

     “Big Bro! Wake up!”

 

     Emma kept banging on the door. She's been doing this ever since I started locking it. She knows I hate it.

 

     “Your going to miss breakfast bro!”

 

     I looked at my actual watch on my actual hand. In truth I'd been ready to go 5 minutes before she started this little tirade. I just wanted to listen to her be frustrated. Maybe I was a little grouchy.

 

     Alright, she's had enough by now, time to open the door and face life-

 

     “Open up alrea-” Emma's small fist landed in the worse possible space. I felt the surge of pain, the horror which all men know, stacked up with my already mounting fatigue I wanted to break down and cry my eyes out.

 

     But because I'm a man I didn't do any of that.

 

     “I'm sorry big bro.” she said meekly retracting her fist.

 

     In one big scooping motion I took her into my arms.

 

     “I'M SORRY I'M SORRY! PLEASE DON'T THROW MY OUT THE WINDOW BIG BRO!” She squeaked frantically, begging for my mercy.

 

     I leaned in close to her twitching ear, as she hugged onto her tail for dear life and hid her terrified face in her mane, I leaned in real close and said:

 

     “Never again.”

 

     “I'm sorry.” She said again.

 

     “Never again.”

 

     I carried my spooked sister down the stairs and out of the house. Today was bright and sunny and all those things you think of when spring comes about, but it's fall so it feels awkward. I Added it to the stack of things that had gone wrong today.

 

     “Morning there Nelson!” an annoying voice called and the stack grew.

 

     It was Postman Hartley, who rode a bike to make deliveries and wore shorts year-round. Some people are complex individuals whom even an obsessive couldn't document, others, you could classify with a single sentence.

 

     “What little bundle of joy do you have for me today Mr. Hartley?” I said, as if the mail system didn't bring me anything but sorrow and spam.

 

     “Oh well it looks like you've already got one right there!” He said, pointing to the frightened mouse in my arms.

 

     “Now, Nelson, you didn't do anything that the law would frown upon did you? I am after all-” He said while switching hats “-a cop.” Bastard actually wasn't lying. If you wanted to find the world record for the guy who wears the most hats it would undoubtedly be Mr.Hearley. If it was a public service and you got to wear a hat, BAM, there he was.

 

     “Sir, this is my sister, whom may injure me both physically and emotionally, but I will never raise a hand against her and anyone who does, well someone will give you a call I'm sure. Oh hey there's your biggest fan right over that way.”

 

     “Like I'd fall for the first trick in the book, kids today think us adults are so easy to fool.” He said as he looked back around him at the blazing hell-beast chasing after him.

 

     “NOT AGAIN!” He shouted like a cartoon character before laying down rubber on his bike, simultaneously speeding away and still dutifully making his deliveries and polite conversation.

 

     “I hope she catches him someday.” I thought aloud. Maybe then we can get a normal, dead-in-the-eyes mail man like ever other neighborhood.

 

     I should be a mail-man.

 

-

 

     “Now what have you gone and done to your baby-sister this time?” My dear sweet mother so eloquently asked as I entered her household. 

 

     I merely meandered over to the coach, already fed up with today, set her down, and fell beside her. Even the smell of whatever My Dear Sweet Mother had cooked up with the fruits of my garden could not perk my spirits.

 

     “And to top It all off your moody, a man shouldn't be moody at your age. Is it that drama club? Making you cross-dress for the sake of performance, you have half a mind to quit.”

 

     “No, it's not the drama club, or my aching man-hood, I just don't feel well.”

 

     “Oh dear, you never feel well do you? When's the last time you smiled?”

 

     As a matter of fact, the last time I smiled was when I was at club activities for acting purposes. Other then that I really can't remember the last time I rocked a full on grin. My Dear Sweet Mother smiled every day, Emma has yet to smile today, but she certainly did yesterday during dinner, Izzy is smiling all the time, Tea smirks when she's with him(even if she thinks nobody notices), most of the club sports a wicked one whenever I try to say my lines, Lily...well she has a political one at least. Am I the only one who doesn't smile?

 

     “Leave it to you to leave me with the soul-rending questions.”

 

     “I've always had a knack for it, now eat your breakfast, and snap Emma out of that trance.” She said, with a flick of her tail.

 

     I always thought I should have sexual fantasies about My Dear Sweet Mother. I knew her motherly body, adorable looks, and regal mane should make any man's heart beat, but I didn't have so much as inkling of lust for her. Makes you wonder about the nature of love and all that junk. Oh but there's a foolish question. Love is something that grows over time, lust is a flash in the pan. I had lust for someone like Lily, I loved my Dear Sweet Mother.

 

     I poked Emma in the stomach once and the spell was undone.

 

     “Don't do that big bro!” she squeaked in anger.

 

     “Breakfast.” Was my response as I picked her up and brought her to the table.

 

     Before I left that day I snuggle my face into her mane for luck, she smiled. 

 

-

 

     The walk to school did not improve my mood as I began to notice the excessive amounts of courtship going on. It's as if the first thought about love causes the world to warp around you as around every corner there was holding hands, kissing, nervous blushing of all types and all verities. centaurs walking a few steps behind their mates, minotaurs carrying there's on their shoulder, and Our Fair Cities' favorite: a Nereid being carried like a princess. This semi-coastal-spring-in-the-middle-of-fall-town is really driving it home. How the hell was I supposed to smile when there was nothing to smile about? Never mind the phobia, oh yes, I have a phobia now.

 

     I haven't been raped since I joined drama club. Astonishing really, that Tiger just leaves me alone now and I leave school and shoot the shit with Izzy like everyone else. It's like there's some sort of hit-gang the Drama club employs to remedy these types of things. There probably is. Besides the point right now, I'm eternally waiting for some imaginary shoe to drop and repercussions for my actions against the probably very evil Student Council President to hit me full force. Or I just have an ego. Yea, I probably just have a phobia, something else to add to the stack, which was quickly becoming a heap.

 

     You know it's bad when you get to school and you see a bunch of people crowding around and you think: “Oh yea, a fight. I hope someone dies.”

 

-

 

     “Oh dear. Charman, please drop me off here.” Lily spoke.

 

     “Of course young miss.”

 

     Lily slipped on her gloves. Touching people was out of the question for someone like her, but the effect could be culled by her will and avoiding direct contact.

 

     Getting out of the car Lily reminisced about all the fights she stopped throughout her career as a student. That food fight in kindergarten, the gym spat in middle school, and now it was high school where spry men and eager monsters could very literally kill each other. To her though, it was child's play.

 

     Speaking of which, one of the contenders was indeed a member of the budget committee, Marvin, Captain of General Athletics who had bullied his way into his position. Admirable seeing as he was one of the only two human's on the committee, but costly, as now everyone with something to prove was out for his head.

 

     Lily took a deep breathe and made her way into the crowd. Without a hint of hesitation, it parted for her.

 

-

 

     Oh come on, come on, Stop talking shit and hit each other already.

 

     “That's right faggot, I'll make mince meat out of your little brother when I'm done with you!” the dragon threatened.

 

     “Your gonna eat those words sour-breath!” Yelled Marvin.

 

     The two charged at each other fists barred and eyes fill with rage and then, they stopped.

 

     “Marvin, You won't be late to another budget meeting will you?”

 

     Both of the combatants fists were centimeters from Lily's face, but she didn't flinch, just stood there waiting for his answer.

 

     “No, no of course not.” Marvin retracted smoothly.

 

     “And Milda, I know your name is your pride and you should defend it. However a school-yard brawl is brutish and unfitting of your stature.

 

     “Y-yes Ma'am.”

 

     Quickly Lily took Marvin's hand and lead him into the building like a child. And as if by her command the crowd dispersed, except for me. I felt warm. Everything that was bothering me, oh I can't even remember it now, it just left me. What Lily preformed there, no, it was a miracle. To someone like me so unskilled in social interaction to be able to command such authority, so smoothly without arrogance or even coldness, it was as if she was a god.

 

     I fell back onto the grass and looked up at the sun. It's soft rays beating down on me. The crowd gone and classes beginning, I was alone now, and no longer did I mind the spring weather.

 

     “I love her.” I said aloud.

 

     “I love her faint purple skin, her angelic appearance, that daemonic force, that smooth demeanor” I said knowing I didn't have a chance in hell to be with her.

 

     “I love her gait, those clothes she wears, her name passing my lips.” I said as the wind swept by.

 

     “I love her.” And I let myself drift off, slowly to sleep, not a care in the world.

 

     “I want to see her smile.”

 

-

 

     The budget meeting had always been, now and forever, a war. It showed who was on top making decisions and who would be jousting for the right the next time one came up.

 

     Honestly, the largest threat was always Charles, the Drama Club president. Everyone else was manageable so long as they got a boon every once and awhile, but give Charles an apple and he'd take the hand with it. Not to say he'd ever take anyone's hand, perhaps it is his unfortunate disposition that leaves him so wanting, maybe I'm the same way.

 

     Everything else was manageable. I had done it for years, placating vicious monsters and protecting smaller ones and the men trapped in the middle. Of course my methods are questionable, I was not perfect. I couldn't bring a stop to the “After-School Festivities” that happened so often with some of our students. It was the shame of the school, letting monsters act on instinct for one moment of the day so that they acted civil for the rest of it.

 

     Regardless, a walk around the grounds always helps lift my spirits and settle my thoughts. It worries me sometimes that I might become a recluse. Being the idol of the student body was not an easy task and sometimes I needed not an escape, but a respite. So for these few moments, I'll be at peace.

 

     Oh dear, once again I've spoken to soon. My favorite knoll, occupied by a slumbering youth, Neil.

 

     Well I suppose it couldn't hurt to have a little company, may as well have a seat next to him.

 

     Neil was quite the curious one. The first one fool-Hardy enough to take my lips, yet run away in the same breath. From that day I thought him interesting, if he was just a toy, then he has yet to disappoint. Still, perhaps it may be that infernal Drama Club's magic, but he looks very peaceful, handsome even. I wonder, could I make him smile like that? I wanted to explore this feeling.

 

     Slowly I slipped the spade of my tail into the palm of his hand. He stirred a tad, but it quickly subsided. And I sat there, with this strange young man cupping my tail.

 

     I felt happy.