Short stories

Mythical Reality

All characters in this are mythical creatures, main character Rain is a satyr.

     Rain couldn't stand the thought of losing everything they've ever known, but as they stood outside in the fresh snowfall staring at that house they couldn't help but feel relief that they could finally be themselves. With nothing but the clothes on their back they turned and started to walk. It didn't take long for the cold to set in and soak Rain to the bones despite their thick fur heavy jacket and wool scarf. Shivering they looked for some kind of shelter, the snow was only getting heavier as they trudged down the sidewalk.
     "It's awfully cold to be out. You'd better hurry home, stranger." An unfamiliar voice called from the trees, a snow leopard centaur leaped down from the branches of a nearby tree, landing silently in the snow next to Rain. They were massive, six feet tall at least while on all fours. They had a large heavy quilt over their human half with beautiful patterns, their skin was a pearl white heavily contrasting from Rain's oak brown skin. The centaur moved their long straight white hair out of their face, their eyes a stark icy blue. "Are you already frozen? Then I suppose I'll have yo save you myself then." They stepped closer to Rain, extending their hand. "May I?" They asked, their voice trickled into Rain's ears like the sun warming their skin in the morning. Rain nodded gently, unable to break the intense eye contact. The centaur smiled sweetly, "As you wish." They picked Rain up effortlessly, cradling them close to their chest. "My name is Saber. I'll bring you to my home and warm you up, okay?" Saber said, making sure to pose it as a question to give their new silent acquaintance an option but Rain nodded once more.    
      Saber leapt effortlessly into the branches, Rain clutched to Saber as they bounded through the trees further and further into the woods until they reached a large tree, the leaves had fallen and its bare branches extended everywhere like a spiderweb. There was a door at the base of the tree as well as one where they had landed on where the branch met the tree. Saber set Rain down gently, they stumbled a moment but quickly regained their footing, fidgeting nervously. Saber waved for Rain to follow and went inside.
     The tree's trunk had been partially hollowed out with several lofts and exits to different branches. Each loft seemed to have its own purpose, baskets of clothes, a table and chairs for eating, but most were covered in pillows and blankets and plushes. At the very bottom the ground was bare dirt and there was a small fireplace made from brick, the chimney seemed to go sideways out of the tree. Rain quickly noticed there was no stairs from loft to loft, figuring Saver must leap from one to another. There were lamps hanging from the rafters as well as a large hammock and several shiny objects. "Excuse the mess, will you be able to make it around on your own or should I help you down?" Saber asked, disrupting Rain's thoughts as they had been staring at everything.
      Rain smirked, shedding their jacket and putting it on a hook nearby before getting a running start and jumping from lift to loft until they were on the ground level. They looked up at Saber with a grin. They leaped down, landing next to Rain. "So you just wanted me to carry you then? Cute." Saber said quietly near Rain's ear, making them shiver. Saber sauntered past them and started a fire for them. Rain sat next to the fire on a much to large pillow, Saver draped them in a blanket. "I'm Rain." Rain finally said, feeling the introduction was more than overdue. Saber chuckled, "Well it's nice to meet you Rain. What we're you doing out in the snow at this hour?" Saber asked, handing Rain a mug of hot tea before pouring one for themselves.
    Rain bit their lip, "My..my family kicked me out. They weren't great but they were..all I had you know?" Rain choked up on the last part, trying to play it off by sipping their tea. Saber's expression turned to one Rain was familiar with, pity. Rain sighed. "Please don't look at me that way." Rain turned away, staring coldly into the growing fire. "What way?" Saber asks, leaning slightly closer. "Like I'm some pitiful little abandoned pet or something." Rain huffed, turning to Saber, who was only inches from them now. Saber smiled knowingly, gently cupping Rain's cheek making them blush. "My dear, I've known you for an hour and you have already amazed me." Saber paused, they stared at each other for what felt like eternity but only lasted a moment. Saber let their hand drop, Rain missed their warmth immediately, their face dropped into a small pout, almost making Saber laugh.
   "I don't normally leave the woods, I have lived here for years. But something..called me to that street tonight. And once I saw you shivering in that cold alone, I knew you were why I was there. You looked..lonely more than cold. It was like I could feel it, I could feel how lonely I was and how lonely you were and I couldn't help myself, I had to talk to you." Saber said, smiling. Rain was left speechless again, but Saber hadn't finished yet. "You can stay here if you like, I'd like it if you did. Especially with that snow outside. Rain, I hardly know you and you hardly know me, but doesn't that make it more interesting and fun that we both already feel so..." Saber couldn't think of the word, knitting their brows trying to concentrate. "..connected..?" Rain finished. "Exactly! You see?" Saber exclaimed excitedly, "What do you say? Will you stay?" Saber's tail was swishing excitedly, making Rain smile.
      Rain reached up and gave Saber a quick peck on their cheek, making them both turn red. Saber stumbles and stutters their way through asking if Rain would like something to eat, Rain thought it was cute how flustered the once cool and collected centaur was. Saber leapt up to the nearby kitchenette to cook some fry bread and soup for them both. Rain cozied up in a blanket Saber had given them by the fire feeling themselves nod off, the smell of cooking and the fire crackling soothing them into a deep peaceful sleep.