Life's Fairy Tales & Myths Options

[nas]

It's a really compact story, despite its length. It was an assignment... so there was a limit, and thus the reason for compressing it. I think it's a good idea, but not quite the best execution. You be the judge though. I'll be posting it piece by piece.
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“Finally,” the figure muttered, the barely audible words falling from quiet lips. The intent expression subdued into a calmer visage and an incipient light made its way into the eyes. It was a new day dawning, and golden light spread throughout the sky. The solitary figure stood and watched through the French windows before retreating back into the shadows.

skene pas ho bios
Achaia Heights, it was proudly named. The story is set here, a school-turned-chateau; a brand new, elite boarding school. Although, surprisingly, it houses not only the elite in society, but practically most everyone from top to bottom of the social ladder. Here we see our main characters come forth, Acacia from a lower, poorer class, while Kane and best friend Adrien come from rich and wealthy families. It begins in the typical fairy tale fashion; the poor Cinderella girl falls in love with the handsome prince. Kane, a ‘prince’ by our modern standards, is characterized as reserved, a handsome Adonis, excelled in the arts, sports, and well, mainly all aspects of school life. Not an outgoing character, though he does bear patience and kindness to anyone that happens to converse with him. And he’s rich and wealthy - a true prince indeed. It’s no wonder he has so many ladies at his feet, especially Acacia, or Ace (the preferred nickname). Coming from a small, poor, rural area, she gets her break when she is invited to join the school. Either it was her good grades and participation in various activities that rewarded her with a free tuition, or it may just have been the Fairy Godmother doing Ace a favor.

The story focuses on Ace’s ardent love for Kane. Surprisingly, she is in most of Kane’s classes, and by chance they eventually talk and get to know each other. Their friendship grows, and eventually Ace develops more than friendly feelings for Kane. Kane eventually opens up to her; perhaps he tired of his fancy elegant ways, and became intrigued by her rustic personality. He seems to reciprocate her feelings as well, albeit not as powerfully as hers.

* * *

Her grey eyes sought out the familiar strands of blonde hair among the morning rush at school. As she spotted her Adonis at the foot of the grand staircase, a few words were exchanged amongst her companions and a wave marked her absence. In the distance, Kane’s dark eyes, accentuated by pale blonde hair, held a distinct expression of amusement. He was immersed in conversation with Adrien, the only boy he seemed to really converse with. The crowd around Ace seemed to fade into the background, as she found herself lost in thought about the figure before her. Kane laughed, a joke had crossed between the two boys, and Ace nearly faulted in her steps. It was funny how a simple smile could all of a sudden cause her to miss a beat. She approached the two boys, “Ace… Good morning…” the two greeted her.

* * *

[nas]

Throughout the year, Ace found herself in a constant state of euphoria. She believed her feelings towards Kane were mutual, and regarded their relationship as one that went beyond the lines of friendship. Kane it seemed, played his parts. At moments in his subtle ways, would give the impression he reiterated her feelings. Though, Adrien, being the loyal companion, knew Kane’s affections were not quite so heartfelt. And even if they were, under their social circumstances, it was worth nothing more than a child’s game to Kane.

* * *

“Look, I think you should just drop it man…” Adrien cast a worried look at his best friend. “You know what’s happened before, and it’s never been good. It’s never good when you’re in this far, and yet not serious about it…” Adrien was rewarded with darkened eyes, and for a moment Adrien feared what lay behind the calm façade. The look left as quickly as it came and with a soft intake of breath, Adrian continued softly, “philandering around like this, you know it’s dangerous.”

“I’m aware of that.” The reply came quick, cold and steely. Adrien couldn’t help but wince at Kane’s tone of voice. Fortunately, Adrien was rewarded by Ace’s presence. A curt excuse and with a nod of his head, he left the two alone.

And Kane was aware. The feelings she harbored for him were coming all too great, and he had begun to fall for her as well. This needed to end. “Ace…”

* * *

[nas]

do ut des
Her eyes were sore from the endless amount of tears. So that’s what she was to him, wasn’t she? She was just a mere ‘stress-reliever on nights when he needed it’. It had been too good to be true. The Prince fall for her? Bitter laughter resounded in her ears. Even the ever constant words of reassurance from her own best friends couldn’t comfort her.

When all you’ve lived for, when all you’ve given your devotion, the heart, mind and soul to, turns their back on you, it’s hard not to do anything drastic. Your whole world seems to have come crashing down.
First thing’s first – denial. This, this can’t be true.... this can’t happen to me… But that’s useless. Closing your eyes doesn’t make the pain go away. Hope has that funny way of defying logic. Self-pity comes next, but that doesn’t last too long either. Why is it I to blame? Eventually the blame shifts, the finger is pointed at him. And depending on your state of mind, at this point, things could get ugly. In Ace’s case, very ugly.

* * *

[nas]

ad extrenum
The night of the Midnight Gala had finally come. The weather seemed to disagree with the gay event as stormy clouds filled the sky. The rain was falling. Falling. Ace’s world was falling apart… True to his word and regardless of the emotional pain she had recently gone through, Kane was the one to escort Ace through the grand ballroom. Kane’s countenance lacked its usual luster, and Ace’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. This was her last chance to set things right between them. And things would go the way she planned. If she couldn’t win his heart, then no one could. The silent butterfly hidden between the folds of her dress licked her skin in agreement.

* * *

Midnight had passed long ago, and the Gala had come to its end. Kane found himself in one of the luxurious study rooms of the chateau, waiting for Ace. He was seated unceremoniously, the top buttons of his collar unbuttoned, one arm draped over the backside of a velvet couch, and his eyes reflected a tired soul, empty and lifeless. The night had been a long one; Ace’s actions seemed to be a bit more demanding that night than usual. He was dragged here - dance. There, so I can brandish you like a trophy to our fellow classmates. He complied with her every request, being the perfect gentleman he was brought up to be. Although, he couldn’t blame her demeanor, she was still probably upset about his rejection of her. Stupid girl. One of her friends, George was it? Had the audacity to confront Kane about his and Ace’s own business, George even had the audacity to threaten him! Luckily Adrien was there to handle that bit.

Perhaps he was intrigued by Ace at the start, but now she was becoming an encumbrance, a thorn at his side. He had once chance to get things right, and here she was impeding his concentration and studies. Did she really expect anything more than a meaningless affair? The social differences between them were so obvious - did she really expect him to settle for the lowly little matchstick girl and miss out on the real women? Those with status equally high as his, those whose knowledge propagated beyond the limits of books? Ace had been good, he had to admit, but she was naïve and not worth any more of his time. She had called him out here first, but he would end it now. He turned towards the large windows and looked towards the sky. Dawn was approaching soon, but although the torrential rains had stopped, the heavens were still burdened by a mass of dark grey clouds. Dark, stormy, grey; the same colors and emotion that exuded from Ace’s eyes, eyes that he all of a sudden had come face to face with.

* * *

His breath hitched as she stood within inches of his face. A feral grin played upon sensuous lips, eyes dark yet full of mischief. Her simple beauty had once graced him, and he wouldn’t doubt she was blessed with at least a pretty face, if anything else. Kane found his breathing had quickened as her soft breath whispered into his ear. “You know I love you…” He stood frozen; a flash flood of feelings and memories rooted him to that one spot.

Who was he kidding?

Memories came back of times when he’d watch her every graceful move from the corner of his eyes; always aware of her presence. Pandora’s box had opened, and the feelings he had tried so hard to suppress came back full force, vengeful and angry for having been hidden so long. Feelings of longing, feelings that stirred and quickened the pulse, feelings only Ace had ever brought to him. Who was he kidding? She was beautiful. Intelligent. Untainted, uncorrupted by that root of all evil. But life wasn’t a mere fairy tale. The prince had his duties to attend to, obligations that must be kept. Even if it meant losing the one he could learn to love. There was reality to face, and in his reality, there was no room for her.

His eyes glazed over once more, and with all the will power he could muster, the box was closed and his voice regained its cold and dangerous composure. Dangerous. This stony state of mind could and had led to some dangerous deeds. She had noticed the tense shift in his body language and had seen the brilliance fade from his eyes. For a moment, she thought she could see regret passing through his expression as well, but that was quickly dismissed. Ace had her own dark secrets, and she matched the emotionless demeanor with one of her own. Both arms were still flown around him, although one’s fingers were threaded through his platinum hair at the base of his neck while the other led the silver blade to nick his skin.

Because, as we all know, Pandora’s box, as it was opened and closed again, came with hope. And not without death and destruction.

[nas]

antre lucem
“Finally,” the figure muttered, the barely audible words falling from quiet lips. The intent expression subdued into a calmer visage and an incipient light made its way into the eyes. It was a new day dawning, and golden light spread throughout the sky. The solitary figure stood and watched through the French windows before retreating back into the shadows.



Eventually, he thought, the sun’s golden light will always prevail…So much for those grey skies you loved so much…



Dawn began to touch the massive amount of red that had splattered. She had been the one to pull the weapon first. And at first it was self-defense, but the site of crimson had awakened Kane’s bloodlust within himself. No, it wasn’t self-defense long-after, it became a massacre. Kane ran a hand through his hair, looking down at the body. “You look good in red,” he whispered and bent down to close Acacia’s silver eyes, ones that were never to shine again.

* * *

[nas]

Adrian was back once more at his old ‘school’. Achaia Heights had been one turbulent experience. He scanned the news cover once more. “Mad House Experiment Gone Wong…” read the headline. A little further on, the story continued of a young man, murdering his fellow classmate. It explained of the beautiful school that had opened to those who were extremely talented, but had a side case of mental illness. Mainly those with homicidal tendencies. It was a test run, to see the benefits of giving talented students a second chance, a chance to wipe their slate clean. It had gone terribly, terribly wrong. Adrien shook his head. I warned him it was dangerous. He glanced over to Kane, finding the boy lost in thought watching through the bars, the softly pouring rain outside.





* * * * * * * * * * * * *

dramatis personae

side notes:
Adonis – 1) A strikingly beautiful youth loved by Aphrodite; 2) a very handsome young man.
Acacia - a Greek name meaning thorny, naïve.
Kane - of Japanese root meaning tribute, warrior, doubly accomplished, golden; man, the eastern sky, beautiful.
The silent butterfly licked at her skin… - in reference to a butterfly knife
Achaia Heights – Achaia, a region in Greece, known in mythology as a safe haven for those driven mad by the hands of Hera.


Latin/Greek titles:
Skene pas ho bios - Life is a stage
Do ut des - I give that you may give; the principle of reciprocity
Ad extrenum - To the extreme; at last.
Antre lucem - Before daybreak
Dramatis personae - Characters of a play

[Ryan]

good job!

[hybrid]

Wow. That was powerful, Nas. Very very powerful.