Simone’s lids fluttered open, white and blue light filtering through. She squinted at first, the bright light hurting her eyes. A slow, pushing pain throbbed behind her eyes, shifting between front of her and the base of her skull spending on the brightness of the light.
“Welcome back,” the soft voice right next to her startled Simone and her eyes flew open as she scrambled back, pressing herself back as far as she could.
IT took her a moment to realise the soft resistance pushing against her back was a pile of pillows, and she let out a flustered breath even a s a fresh burst of pain made it difficult to get her bearings.
“Ah, of course,” the voice said, and Simone her the sounding of fingers clicking. The light dimmed to soft greens and blues, as if someone had drawn the shutters closed.
Her eyes still closed, Simone gave a sigh of relief before opening them again. This time, the existing pain remained steady and a dull throb, but at least it didn’t flare up again. She blinked several times, the blurry silhouette next to her bed slowly coming into focus.
“Your— Your majesty,” Simone bobbed her head, dropping her gaze.
“Please, call me Trishia.” The Queen’s voice was light, dancing with laughter.
She placed a soft, cool cloth across Simone’s eyes and forehead. “I apologise for starting you. And for the light— It’s been a long time for me, I’ve forgotten what it’s like waking up after—“ She broke off and soft tinkling sounded as she shook her head, making her jewellery jangle together.
Leaving the cloth in place, she took Simone’s hand in both her own. Her touch was as soft and soothing as the cloth, and a feeling of relaxation came over Simone, seeping up from the Queen’s touch into her arms and body. The pain in Simone’s head dulled to a minor discomfort but she didn’t move, savouring the comments relief. She didn’t know how long they sat like that. Perhaps she had dozed off, because when Simone came to, the cloth had been removed. She looked around, startled to see the Queen asleep, her arms resting on the bed next to Simone’s legs. Simone hesitated, then reached out and touched the Queen’s arms. The Queen sat up with a start, then gave Simone a tired smile.
“I see you’re feeling better,” She patted Simone’s hand. Simone forced herself to smile back, choosing to say nothing of the Queen’s giant skin or the deep circle’s around her eyes.
“I— What happened? I was sure that was—“
“The end of the road for you? “ The Queen smiled, the gesture seeming slightly less tired this time. “It usually is… You’re different… Thank goodness we’ve finally found you. I don’t know if Alexis knew or thought he’d just bring us another offering, but either way…” Again, the Queen stopped herself, shaking her head. “I’m getting ahead of myself. All you need to know for now is that you’re safe and under my protection. “
Her voice turned fierce, her mouth set in a grim line. “None of them will be able to get to you here, “ The Queen added, her voice so soft Simone Barley made out the words.
The Queen smiled again and patted Simone’s hand. The sudden clank of metal against metal made Simone jerk back, the sound taking her back to the platform, the chains— She pushed the memories away, holding up her hand instead. Fear shot through her - her fingers, hands, arms, it was all wrapped in intricate vines wreathed from what looked like bronze metal. It glinted reddish gold in the muted light, the same metal as the cage that had dropped over her. Simone pushed herself back, huddling with her arms over her legs, and saw the same metal vines covering her legs too. Her hands moved to lift the shift she was wearing, but the Queen leaned forward and took both Simone’s hands in her own, her grip at once gentle yet insistent.
“Please, rest first. You’re not ready—“
Simone jerked her hand free, rolling off the opposite end of her bed. She scrambled to her feet, both hands held out in front of her, palms out.
“Get away from me,” she growled, feeling all reason and control slip away. A bright green life pulsed to life in the room, matching the rhythm of the pain that had flared up in Simone’s head again.
“Please, Simone, I promise I’ll explain. You need to calm down—“
“I will not CALM. DOWN!” Simone’s voices sounded like thunder in her own ears, and she felt the ground shake beneath her feet. She saw for the first time the closed door behind the Queen, and lunged for it, her mind focused on only one thing - escape. But the room was small and she brushed against the Queen in an attempt to get to the door. She felt the Queen’s cool, gentle touch against her temple, a sudden pressure as the Queen whispered “sleep” and then everything went black. Again.
* * * * *
“I thought you said you were going to pick a happy memory.”
Simone jerked around to the source of the new voice, it’s strange intonation somehow familiar. It was still pitch black around her - she could barely see her hands when she held them up, but she felt the vine bindings now, an ever present power that pulsed against her skin. And the ever-present headache… She pressed her fingers to her temple, groaning as she let herself collapse to the floor.
“Giving up now, are we? Our journey’s just begun.”
Simone looked up and saw Sir Time form as a mist from the darkness around her.
“You,” her voice shook. “You did this?”
Sir Time shrugged, making the broken cuckoo on his hat do a strange bouncing dance. “I started the journey back in time, but this this was all you Simone.” He sat down across from her , moving surprising well with his huge feet, and crossed his legs.
“I— I wanted to see the Gardens again, to smell the trees, fast the fruit… After this—“ she gestured with her hand to the previous memory-- “ after I cam to terms with what I’d become, I was happy for a time. Home.” Her shoulders sagged and she drew her knees to her chest, letting her forehead rest on them. “I just wanted to feel like I belonged.”
Silence hung between them, but it was oddly comfortable, as if they had all the time in the world to finish the conversation. Simone laughed to herself — she suppose they did. He was “Sir Time” after all, and apparently had the abilities to make her travel in time through her memories.
“So, what was it that you became?” When Sir Time finally spoke, his voice was soft, gentles, as if he knew the pain he caused her to speak of it. Simone looked up and met his gaze, looking again at the broken springs and shattered clock. She supposed he knew a little something about being broken too. She took a deep breath, bracing herself.
I hope I don’t regret this, she thought, then held out her hand to him.
“I think it’s better if I show you.”
I honestly was planning against writing by hand this day, but it just happened… The girls wanted to play at the gym’s play area, so I had some time to myself and couldn’t help but dive back into the story. It’s certainly the less “efficient” way time wise, but sure did enjoy the experience of writing by hand!
Sat down that evening while watching a movie to play with bronze colours and highlights while using only my new Neptune flat brush. Enjoyed that too and quite happy with how it turned out, given that I had no reference that I used at the time and was painting on my lap in dimmed light. Focused on starting with the lightest colour first, then layering over that to create that shimmering metal highlight.
Colours used: Hansa yellow light, Quinacridone Gold, Permanent Orange, Burnt Umber and Quinacridone Purple to mix the darker layers.