Shawn Armstrong
//Thor//
Cloud’s Cross, Sport’s Field @Winter

Shawn was not known to be the most observant person; she certainly didn’t notice the way the kid flinched when she called his name, and certainly didn’t notice the cagey way he glanced towards the exit. The body-builder simply smirked and crossed her arms, ready to make casual conversation. Nothing odd about that at all.

“Dude, where have you been?” she started. “No one’s seen you in forever. Folks were saying that you went to jail or died or something.”

She laughed, knowing how ludicrous the last bit sounded. As if something as big as a teenager dying wouldn’t get proper public attention. No one would have shut up about it for ages.

Jerking a thumb to the field behind her, she added, “Why aren’t you out there playing?”


Lydia McCormick
//Demeter//
Cloud’s Cross, School Field @Xelxe Attis

Lydia wasn’t sure where she was going, only that she was putting one foot in front of the other. The poor girl wasn’t sure what to do with herself, without the crops to attend to. Perhaps some part of her thought of the ongoing soccer game, as she suddenly found herself in one of the school’s vacant fields.

She stopped, frowning. Why on earth was she here? She hated sports. And she certainly didn’t care for the crowds. Her mother wanted her to go see friends, sure, but… Certainly there were better places?

Lydia sighed and brought a hand to face. She had no idea where to go.

A sound met her ears—distinct from the distant cheering of the crowd, which seemed to have escalated recently. It sounded monotone, but deep and oddly comforting. Lydia listen for a moment, trying to pick up on the words. Who was speaking? And who were they speaking to?

Intrigued, she followed the sound until she came across a tiny patch of trees. There, sitting alone surrounded by the greenery, was a blonde boy. Eyes fixed on the distance, he appeared to be reciting poetry. Mesmerized by the recitation, Lydia stood and listened until the verse was over.

Rather timidly, she offered, “That was lovely.”