Chapter Text
Imogen moved along the fence of the pasture the horses were behind. Trailing her fingers along the cool wood. She stopped and leaned against the post, the cold, pre-dawn air caused a slight shiver to run up her spine. It was another of countless sleepless nights, haunted by the ghosts of her mother and the raging red storm that only exists in her mind.
This was a new ritual, rather than laying in her bed alone with all her fears she would work. Pushing herself harder than needed, as long as needed to feel the pleasant ache deep in her muscles. The exhaustion pulling her into a deep dreamless sleep.
She drew a deep breath and scanned along the field searching for the horses in the dim moonlight. The only true companionship she's experienced in recent years. Leaning her chin on her hands she watches them graze on the furthest edges of their pasture.
A moment of peace passed over her, grounded in the reminder of having something to care for, something that needed her. Even if they weren't the human companionship she longed for, it was good.
With a deep sigh Imogen gently pushes herself away from the fence post to begin walking to the stable. Hoping to get her tasks done well before noon. She would be able to ride far out of town to find some peace. She thought to herself of the lovely waterfall or perhaps the cliff overlooking the lake, or the abandoned fields of a family whose name she has long since forgotten.
Thoughts of which books she'd bring, perhaps a nice blanket to rest on. Of course she couldn't forget about Flora, there was some apples left from the last time the owners of the adjoining field had offered anything that had fallen from their trees. A small act of kindness that few others have shown her and her father since.
A loud whinny shocks her out of her thoughts, the thundering of hooves matching her increasing heart rate. She looks up to see three of the four horses galloping toward her, or away from something. Looking fully spooked.
Flora however stood still, now facing the edge of the thick tree line, a swish of her tail, giving no indication of fear. Imogen stared confused at Flora. The others quickly ran past her. The breeze they caused pulling her back to the moment. Once they have passed she focuses her eyes back to the far corner.
Flora bows her head as if to receive a stroke along her nose. It seems the source of the fear from the others was focused right where Flora stood. But there she stood, as if nothing were any different.
The large body of the horse blocked her view of what was directly in front of her. Quietly Imogen begins to throw one leg over the fence quickly followed by the other. Slowly making her way towards the trees, nearing halfway she began to think of what or who could possibly be standing in front of her beloved horse. What if it was a person who wishes to do harm, just because Flora wasn't afraid didn't mean there wasn't reason to be extremely cautious.
Imogen began to open her mind, preparing for the heavy hum of others' dark thoughts all through the small village. Bracing herself for the pain and discomfort that always came with her "gift". As soon as the last brick came tumbling away from her strongly crafted fortress. Relief washes over her like a tidal wave. A nearly unfamiliar, long since forgotten feeling. Not the echoing emptiness of complete silence, but peace.
It's musical. The buzz still ever present, but distant, easily forgotten. A lullaby in a language she doesn't understand, beyond any language at all. Just emanating calm joy and comfort. The feeling of a bright spring day filled with new life. Below the surface the tune leans into melancholy and loneliness, of loss. This part feels like the coldest winter night but spent sitting in front of a blazing hearth. It's a contradiction, but it doesn't make the music any less beautiful.
Collapsing to her knees, a loud sob tumbles from her lips before she can stop it. It comes from deep in her chest, from all of the pain that has been left to fester and rot her away from the inside. Digging her hands into the dirt and grass beneath as the lightning-like marks on her wrists and hands begin to flicker. Tears drip from her cheeks, mixing with the dew collected on blades of grass. She takes a deep stuttered breath, feeling the air fill her lungs as if she's been underwater for all of her life.
At the sob Imogen released Flora's ears flick in her direction a moment before she cranes her neck to look in her direction. Imogen hears the snapping of a twig, and feels a sense of fear from the shadows. Their mind still producing music, but disorganised and chaotic, rising and swelling. An orchestra without a conductor.
She strains her still watery eyes looking to the treeline hoping to get a glimpse of whatever or whoever this was. The sun was nowhere near high enough to cast light into the darkness, barely tinting the sky blue along the horizon. She sees nothing but a brief flash of movement. Beginning to stand, summoning a dancing orb of glowing electrical energy to drift towards the shadows.
In Imogen's mind she hears clearly in a soft feminine voice with an accent that she can't place. "Oh goodness, the poor thing. I must have frightened her half to death. Hopefully she didn't see me clearly. Just a ghost in the woods dear, nothing to fear." A small joyous and joyless giggle graces the woman's mind. "Well Pâtè best we be off quickly."
Imogen hears Flora make a quiet nicker and push her snout further into the darkness. She watches as a pale hand appears to rest against the coarse hair for a brief moment. Before it pulls further into the shadows, disappearing completely. The only indication to Imogen that the woman indeed wasn't a ghost was the gentle rustle of leaves and twigs as she retreated into the woods.
With her mind still open she hears the quiet melody turn bittersweet. " Perhaps it was time to move on anyhow. I have been here for weeks. I really did like this place and having a friend was nice." The image of Flora standing in front of her unaffected by whatever sent the others running, of the horse galloping toward to greet her, the joy when she doesn't run off. Imogen can't help but smile at that memory.
A flicker of a scene in her mind. Voices spewing malicious words, fire, weapons. So many people.
The accompanying feelings hit Imogen as hard as they were her own. Perhaps in some ways they were her feelings too, similar at least. Different but the same.
The cold mud clinging to her knees, she tries to push her words into the mind of the other. A task she's only done once intentionally before her father forbade her from ever doing so again. She tries to keep her feelings pleasant and welcoming. Unsure if the other woman would be able to feel them the same way she does hers. "There's no need to run off, I mean no harm to you."
Oh perfect yes. Speak directly into someone's mind to try and calm them. Why had she even thought that was a good idea to begin with. "Wait!"
In the distance she hears the footsteps slow. Before she hears the footfall double their pace. "Not now. Get out!" The words echo in her mind and it hurts more than it should coming from a stranger in the woods.
In Imogen's mind she feels the connection strain as if she were being pushed out, she lingers on the music before allowing her to slip away. Her mind is overpowered once again by the darkest thoughts of the people of her home. She tries to mentally reach out once again, not to linger or listen in. "I wish you would have stayed. Flora seemed to like you."
She feels confusion. "Flora?"
She immediately allows the connection to slip away completely now. Collapsing back down to the ground.