X'MAS 2014 Circe's Trials: Multi-week Contest

[Chrystali]

"Well, my dear..."

To begin this tale of sloughing through hell,
I must first be true and come clean -
I first fled from you,
fear took me, it's true,
to the farthest shore ever seen.

I couldn't quit you, that voodoo you do,
so instead, I procured a shell,
came back and reached high,
to clouds in the sky,
and missed! but it did turn out well

For in my upset, I huffed and I fret,
and produced a dragon smoke plume
and with tarot card
that see near and far
I made magic in my own room.

I grew tired then, the trek quite a span,
so I slept and fell into dreams;
I became aware
and searched for gift fair
a gift between worlds at the seams.

I then walked at night, the stars such a sight,
and again, I reached to the sky:
but grasp I could not,
stars beyond my lot,
and continued with open eye.

I tried for a soul and was on a roll,
but had to abandon it fast
trademark wont allow
as I know that now
mermaids and souls, they cannot last.

I beseeched the wind, northern, my breath dimmed:
he had interest, but could not come,
so I stole a wish
a future to squish --
ahem...not sure where that came from.

And to carry back, an infinite sack,
you can add to as you see fit.
It is all for you,
all this that I do,
for your presence...if you permit.

248 words  

[Atmadja]

Name: Looming Song
Brief Character Bio: Self-sufficient and confident, she is attractive until you notice the shrewd glint in her eyes. She has a knack for making you feel naked and docile -- you cannot escape the thought that Loom has somehow figured you out. But her actions -- she is always doing for others, so swimming and graceful, seemingly so beautiful and dutiful... why can't you believe in what she does and not how she looks?
Reply: I think you make a cat of lions, while you smile at me without guile or danger in your eyes.

Round 2: [link to your Round 2 entry post when applicable]
Round 3: [link to your Round 3 entry post when applicable]
Round 4: [link to your Round 4 entry post when applicable]  

[Atmadja]

"I found you things," I said to her, "But not all that I wanted..."

1. Stardust: FAILURE

"It seems that finding stardust takes more than seeing it in all things..."

2. Seashell Chimes: SUCCESS

"... but these glinting, singing chimes, I found and thought of your voice."

3. Golden Doubloons: SUCCESS

"These pieces of gold glinted like your laughter..."

4. Golden Fleece: FAILURE

"...and although I wanted to warm their coolness with a golden fleece, it seems the sheep was slaughtered long before I could find him."

5. Crystal Seafoam: FAILURE

"The seafoam in the waves, it seems, does not stay as I thought and hoped it might, to adorn your hair..."

6. Marble Statue: FAILURE

"... and no cold statues could exist in the darkness of the waters to keep you company."

7. Underwater Netflix: SUCCESS

"Strangely enough, though, it seems you get Netflix down here -- I made you an account, to keep up with all your favorite shows..."

8. String of Pearls: FAILURE

"... but the gift of a string of pearls seemed to be trite considering your wealth down here."

9. Light-catching Diamond: SUCCESS

"Instead, I found this diamond on the highest, brightest hill -- so clear that light seems to live within it, to bring light to you in these black depths..."

10. Sturdy Loom: SUCCESS

"... and I would be remiss if I did not find you a loom, of fragrant and sturdy wood, for you to weave your magic upon."  

[Atmadja]

#1. Stardust: FAILURE  

[Atmadja]

#2. Seashell chimes: SUCCESS  

[Atmadja]

#3. Golden Doubloons: SUCCESS  

[Atmadja]

#4. Golden Fleece: FAILURE  

[Atmadja]

#5. Crystal seafoam : FAILURE  

[Atmadja]

#6. Marble statue: FAILURE  

[Atmadja]

#7. Underwater Netflix: SUCCESS  

[Atmadja]

#8. String of Pearls: FAILURE  

[Atmadja]

#9. Light-catching Diamond: SUCCESS  

[Atmadja]

#10. Sturdy Loom: SUCCESS  

[cursedandwandering]

"Well, my dear..."

There was a lovely maiden
Alone, estranged by the sea
And into the depths I dove to find her
From under the waves she called to me

Her belongings could not match her splendor
With her beauty they could not compete
Her charm, her smile
They weighed me to her
I sunk in the ocean like concrete

I fell, fell into the ocean for her
And for what she told to me
A tale of seclusion
From which she wanted to be free

Running out of air I promised
With my return I’d bring an end to her agony
A set of comrades I would bring her
She’d finally have enduring company

To the land I returned for her
Dragged myself out of the waters, dripping
Dragged myself onto the sand
On the land I for her I was gasping
On the land I struggled to breath

I pulled myself on to my quest
I knew what I’d need to bring
To an old antique shop I managed
Eyes set on the most elegant thing

A hand painted doll I bought her
With beautiful copper curls
From there I spotted a statue
The kind that appealed to all girls


A tall horse of metal greeted me
And from the iron there was a gleam
And with a great struggle
I pulled it downstream

What happened next was a failure
From many escapades I had to flee
I thought you’d like a set of figures
But with the ocean they did not agree
The waves that crashed broke them
And their destruction broke me

With a cry I traveled to the nearest castle
To fetch a mask that could only befit a queen
I tiptoed to the place it rested
But was caught during a guard’s routine

To a school’s lab I wandered
In search of something to admire
Your looks for eternity
But the right pair of eyes I could not acquire
The chemical smell was paralyzing

My next thought was a modern one
Every girl needs a phone
Even the sea witch can call friends
If things weren’t so water prone

A spring-powered dancer
Was what was next to seek
In my arms it played happily
Losing it made the future seem bleak

A woman’s form clothed like a bride
The dress of every girl’s dreams
I sought to bring it with me
But my plans split at the seams

I’m so sorry to have failed you
My intentions were at their best
Oh watery maiden I’ll miss you
Down here I cannot rest

These things, so few, I could bring
Don’t be too disappointed in me
For you I brought something more precious
My hair for the lovely Circe

(word count 451. I CAN'T STOP RHYMING ALL MY ENTRIES. ;-; )  

[Fea Line]

"Well, my dear..."

It sort of went like this....

I had a plan for a great many a thing. So many things to bring the Marine Mystique. However, it seemed fate would conspire against me. For the first treasure I sought to get her was deemed unworthy for a Queen of the sea. My oysters failed to produce such a pearl befitting the Mystique.

Fate had won that day.

Nevertheless, I wasn't yet daunted. This time I sought a treasure that even fate could not deny me. Down to the watery depths where many ships rest, I bested the mighty guardian sharks and found a compass, though it worked not, it was still shining despite its many years beneath the waves.

I had bested Fate.

My next gift, inspired by what I had seen during my previous dive, was to give the Mystique a companion to call her own. To the pet store I went, and chose the most beautiful of angelfish they had in stock. Alas, as I left the shop, the fish rebelled, leaped from his bowl and met an untimely demise at the talons of a bird.

Fate had found its payback.

The next three gifts would come in succession, for Fate seemed to have vanished and Fortune smiled upon me.

Upon the beach, surrounded by a flock of gulls, rested a pristine conch shell, undisturbed by the pecking beaks searching for succulence. Able to distract the creatures with a hot dog, I retrieved the shell without much harm. Next, my journey took me back out to the open sea, into the heart of the Kraken's nest. She had just spawned, and was out to feed when I dove into the waters and stole away one of her young. But before she could catch me, my knight in flying helicopter lifted me from the waves and I finally had a pet for the Mystique to call her own. The last bit of Fortune I had seemed to be the easiest of them all. I had not to search long for the fabled Davy Jones, nor did I have to fight much to have him part with his infamous locker. The lonely man took quite a liking to a stack of 'Sexy Squids and Octopussy' magazines as I had suspected and handed over his treasure most willingly.

Four for me, Two for Fate......yet Fate still had tricks up it's sleeve.

The next two prizes I sought would fail miserably. It seemed Fate had decided that my string of successes should end. While rising back to the surface with Jones' locker, I was whisked aboard the finest pirate ship I had ever set my sights on. I had thought then that my lady should like a fine gentleman for her pleasure and sought what all men seek. A pirate's booty. But as I looked on the ship's crew, I found them hardly worthy of any lady, let alone the Mystique. I eventually left the ship in disarray, only to be met by the Greek god Adonis. I thought then, if not Pirate booty, perhaps a lock of the great god's hair? I had it all planned in my head how I would obtain it but the longer I stayed around the smokin' babe, the quicker my plans fled from my mind. I soon gave into my desires and though I had a night of true fantasy, I had not obtained a gift for the Mystique.

It was tied. Four on four, Fate vs Myself. But I was not done yet.

For the last two gifts, I sought simple yet effective treasures. Treasures surely not even Fate itself could deny me. A trip to the local Herbal Healing store found myself face to face with the most wondrous collection of incense anyone could ever imagine. Everyone knows a good witch always keeps a stock of incense for whatever occasion, so I built a bouquet of incense grand enough to please any witch and set off for my final gift. That of a real bra.

I had heard many tales of mermaids who complained of chafing. It seemed those shell bras were the farthest thing from comfortable, so I decided my lady deserved only the best of the best of chest supports. Into Victoria's Secret I went, where I was met almost instantly with the perfect choice for the Mystique. A real bra, fancy yet simple, push up, with maximum comfort cups.

I felt immortal, unstoppable from that moment on. I had bested Fate six out of ten times and had a rather impressive collection of gifts for my lady, if I did say so myself.

However, I would realize after, that ponies..... didn't really have breasts. Not even the mer kind. But I'm sure that wouldn't stop the Mystique from finding some kind of use for it!

Right.... ?