Short Stories

An Abnormal Cloud

Vast and so very open, the cerulean sky was clear of clouds with the sun gleaming from high above. It wasn't sweltering hot though, just a pleasant warmth that would make people drowsy if they didn't focus on other things. As said sky was devoid of clouds it was quite a sight to see one floating closer to the ground. If perhaps larger and denser one may be able to persuade themselves that it was fog even on such a day as this. It could be attributed to random phenomena. However, it was small and too light to naturally be where it was currently positioned. But that's ridiculous, how else would a cloud be there if not for nature or man's intervention?

There was a field below. It was a simple space of land. Grass that hadn't been cut in a while but wasn't tall enough for it to not have been maintained, flowers and a few weeds peeping through. Insects and small creatures that thrived in the protection it gave them crawled around.

The image was serene and relaxing, yet the mass of white above it was mildly off-putting. This veil was positioned closer to the middle of the field and would be an unusual sight if people looked closely. They wouldn't though. Look properly that is. People have a tendency to disregard these things and if it by chance caught their eye, well who knows? Perhaps it would be gone before a second look. Not to mention it would be unlikely for people to be this far out in the country in the middle of a weekday like this unless they were a farmer.

The cloud, odd enough on its own, would be even more peculiar if you were to notice the small humanoid figure that rested upon it.

Her skin contrasted greatly with the white water vapour she laid upon. It was a lovely dark chocolate tone and her hair was almost black. Her hair had been tugged and twisted painstakingly into a tight bun that rested atop her head. Likely held in place by a dark hair bobble, it was clearly naturally curly as it attempted to escape out of its classic bun shape. The rest thankfully remained close to her scalp by some miracle.

Her dress was a light green sleeveless halter neck. It was long and went to her ankles, it had some darker green embroidery near the hem and she wore a light grey underskirt. Her shoes were simple sandals the same shade as her dress and a lace bow that wrapped around her waist and tied at the back. Her only accessories were black hair bobbles worn on her wrist and a large summer bag. She had wings, they were just over half the size of her body and each wing split into three sections, one larger than the other. They had a delicate pattern carved into them and opposed to what you may believe were asymmetrical. Her eyes were a bright peridot colour and she gazed upwards.

She was, more likely than not, waiting for a plane or a helicopter to pass overhead. As it was something she often did when the sky was clear and she was unable to find any passing cars to marvel over, her friend was not surprised.

This friend was close by. Sat upon her bag which appeared to be more an old fashioned briefcase, if not for its light pink colour. She was on the ground and did not share her friend's enthusiasm for human machinery. Personally, she was far more interested in the magnificent gardens and architecture the humans were able to build using said machines. She was particularly fond of stained glass windows and would look at them for days to see them change in all the positions of the sun and moon if she were able.

Unlike her companion, she was not naturally dark, but she had developed a strong tan after constant exposure to sunlight. Her hair was a light brown and though also naturally curly, it was far tamer and gentler than her friends. She wore it cut short and it rested just below her chin, though when straightened it could reach the base of her neck. She had tied a section of it up, not much, just a small amount twisted together and fastened by a silver clip.

Her dress was coloured with different shades of pink. The top had a sweetheart neckline and was a stronger pink than the rest of the dress but still pale. Her sleeves covered her shoulders made from a transparent pink material and she had a broach of natural-looking fake flowers pinned on her right where the sleeve connected with her top. The rest of her dress was a pale pink and reached her knees, it had an even paler pink lace over the top, joined together at her waist but wasn't stitched to the dress at the hem. It was far more intricate than her friend's simple gown. Her shoes were, yes, pink. They were summer sandals with a small heel. Her accessories were mostly jewellery and her bag. She too had wings, smaller than her friends, probably due to the fact she was smaller anyway. They were each in two parts and also crafted in a fashion that made them different to one another yet possess similar markings upon them.