I love him.

But

It's not the heart aching love I had for you

I love him.

But its not the same

I love him.

But I see every bit of you in him

I love him.

But

He's not you.

And that's the thing.

He's not you.

But

I love him.

I see every bit of you in him

But

I love him.

And its not the same

But

I love him.

And although it's not the heart aching love I had for you

I love him.

This chapter is part of "The Small Town Magic Arc." Links for prior chapters in this storyline can be found here: https://www.theprose.com/post/746871/the-small-town-magic-arc

Once the party finished their drinks, they thanked Raul and exited The Aplonica Coffee Bean & Brew for Tamma's tour of more of Aplonica's hotspots. Per her request, Mitch transformed into his Pirate form, Rick armored up with the use of his dark helmet, and Cerissa and Essie switched their outfits to their mage robes. Tamma hoped that the sight of the hired heroes would bring hope to the town that was being held hostage by Cyclo.

Tamma escorted the group to some of the businesses they drove by earlier to meet the locals that owned them. Their first stop was Eddie's Comic Expo. Rick was especially impressed with the shop's collection of comics and manga, along with a great selection of action figures that represented old and new comic and anime characters.

"Tamma, it's been too long!" Eddie grinned before embracing her. He appeared to be in his mid 30's. "And this must be the Pirate and his crew that are here to rescue us from Cyclo! They should get their own comic series and figures after this all works out!"

"Maybe when all of this is over, they will Eddie!" Tamma replied excitedly. "Just think, we will get our town back right in time for the upcoming convention too. Then any additional profits you get from that weekend will be yours, not Cyclo's!"

"Yeah, but I think I will try to help some of our other friends get back on their feet first." Eddie said warmly. "The influx of visitors from the convention crowd will help, but places like this comic shop will see more benefit than other businesses might."

"You're a good man Eddie." Rick responded. "I for one can't wait to come back and shop here. You have some great stuff!"

"Thank you sir, but your money will be no good here. If you guys free us from that monster though, any of my merch is on the house!"

The group said their goodbyes, then continued to Paula's Pizza Parlor, which Tamma hyped up as the best pizza ever made. Paula was a woman in her mid 60's that had the energy of someone in their 20's.

"Tamma, this is quite the impressive group you've summoned!" Paula exclaimed, embracing everyone else in the group after Tamma. She then gave everyone a free slice of pizza.

"You're right Tamma, this is the best pizza I have ever eaten!" Essie gushed.

"Thank you so much for treating us today Paula." The Pirate said kindly. "We promise to take your town back from Cyclo, and give you back the peaceful life you deserve."

"And thank you in advance for saving us." Paula said with deep gratitude. "When your work is done, please come back for a large pie - my treat of course!"

"Thanks Paula, looking forward to it." Cerissa beamed before they said their goodbyes once again. "Where to next, Tamma?"

"I want to show you the Aplonica Art Park. It is the focal point of not only our town, but also of our plan to defeat Cyclo once and for all."

To be continued....

╔════ஓ๑♡๑ஓ════╗

I've been flooded by a rainy cloud,

thoughts all scattered, ruined alive.

Word by word, they tear my face.

Scarred cheeks, no light trace.

So I stare cold, eyes upon,

looking at my picture place.

Trying not to shade the sun,

let them paint my sorrow gaze.

And I've been waiting thus all day,

for these words to die at bay.

Yet no one seems to cut the flame,

left to burn, in my own frame.

╚════ஓ๑♡๑ஓ════╝

I leapt above your silver mirror

Like a skimmer making waves...

My vault was high,

My precision placed

Just a perfectly laid pebble on

A stoney path to paradise...

Maybe life will throw this

Boy a raft

But for now I'm looseygoosing

Like an Autumn leaf unfurled...

Be kind to me my oyster pearl!...

Your mouth lays open in a pantomime

Of an extended gasp...

Don't take away my safety web...

This netting makes a pleasant bed

Like roses without thorns...

I leapt above your silver mirror

Like a skimmer making waves...

Maybe tonight I'll face that foe...

That bad seed, hard nosed,

Part-time pro

Who's planned a scam for ages

With a fool like me in mind...

I pray I can evade them

Just before the curtain fall...

For many moons

I've braved the spikes,

Heeding intrinsic call...

Taking names, and making tracks!....

I left a boot heel on their backs,

But still the noose swims wanton

Like a spotlight or a halo...

If I could only sit awhile and slip off

In deep thought

Where spiders weave their precious webs,

And tadpoles of loose dreams

Wriggle through the fingers of the

Conjurers of days

That come and go no matter what

The weather sends their way...

11/17/23

Bunny Villaire

Edit#2

We were thrust together by the catalysts that had broken our hearts.

Our souls inked in sable from our brokenness.

Love came with a grip so tight that it blinded us from the truth,

that their love was no longer the soft petal of a tulip

nor the sunrise that greeted us every morning.

Instead, we were falling down a dark cliff as our bodies collided against every rock,

causing bruises and open wounds on the way down to reality.

The tower moment.

We were beaten up by people who temporarily cared for us.

We didn't see ourselves staring back as we stood up from the cold concrete and looked at

our reflection in the mirror

Instead, we saw each other for the first time,

a reflection our eyes did not recognize, but our souls knew all along.

A soft flame danced in the backdrop of our reflections

and a song that vibrated the thin mirror between us.

I looked at you as you looked at me,

light against dark,

Ying and Yang.

We had to crawl our way through the shadows of our souls and

become the flame that pulsated with each breath.

The darkest night had cascaded over us for a long time,

until we found the fire beneath the darkness and wielded it

with grace and courage.

Who knew that light could be created from pain and brokenness?

They let me go. Four years of my life. Gone.

I didn't get to say goodbye, and no reason was given.

It's half past midnight now and I wander the maze of streets, ignoring the cars slowing down and the whispered propositions "How much for the night?" A dancer's craft is never respected.

'What's the difference?' you ask. The real-life pretty woman clad in 8-inch platform heels clanking the pavement and eyes seemingly longing for some solitary company.

I wanted to be in the ballet. Dreams of Giselle haunt my sleep, a tease of what could have been. Becoming the tease was the only resolve to cure what's deep inside.

When you can't dance, the only option is to fly by the wings of a needle, and I sought sweet salvation. Along the way, I was stopped by an old man "It's waiting there for you." He wrapped two bone-chilled wrinkled hands around one of mine and chuckled.

"No, I'm waiting for it," I sigh.

His face turned to stone. "What if you are it?"

Abruptly frightened of this thing that I've become, I yanked my hand away from his. I was falling, shot from the sky, bracing for an impact that I couldn't find, the abyss had no end.

I know that I must do what's right, but how could I do that when I was numb to what was wrong?

Upon landing, the rising sun brought rain, cleansing the sins of the night. I lay prone on the grass, free of all troubles. A new day. I pick up the needle again "It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you," I said aloud and sunk deeper, ready to fly once more.

Ice cream pairs well

with self-loathing

Sea salt

like tears

Complements and contrasts

the comfort

of chocolate