October Glimpses

[October Davenport]

Toby sat on her couch, her long legs tucked under her as she rolled the necklace around in her hands. She had spent the past thirty minutes going over the different options she had, looking at the necklace's past would be more successful when she was around James. The past could wait. The future, well, that was a different story. So many questions and so few chances to get answers. Gently placing the necklace on the cushion beside her, Toby pulls out her pocket watch. She pauses a moment considering the importance of what she is about to do before opening the front and glancing at the many moving faces. Each one moved its own way with Time deciding on its speed and direction of each face. She knew what she needed to do, and she knew the risk she was taking, it was not one she took lightly. Toby picks up the necklace in one hand and the watch in the other; she takes in a deep breath and closes her eyes as her grip on the watch tightens slightly. When she does not feel the universe tear open she sighs in relief that was the hard part. Toby shifts her full focus of energy on the spell at hand, but that was easier said than done. It seemed no matter how hard she focused on her spell, she was not able to make it work. Frustrated, she closes her watch and sets the necklace down, deciding to try again in the morning.

After getting some rest, and refueling with some coffee, Toby sits back down and picks up the necklace again. With her watch already in hand, she begins casting her spell again, hoping Time would be on her side. But, no matter how much she concentrated, she could not get the spell to work. Feeling like screaming, she sucks in a breath and sets the watch and necklace down, knowing any more attempts would cause some trouble she did not want. The frustration over not being able to harness the magic, and needing a release almost made her reach for a business card in her purse, but she had to put that on hold. Despite wanting to let go and forget about her failures, she had to remind herself that the necklace, and what was going on with it, came first, and she tucked the idea in the back of her mind.

[October Davenport]

Toby unlocked the door and entered the small space she had found, it was her Hallow, and a special place for her. She closed the door behind her and makes her way over to the round table that sat in the middle of the room. Two chairs sat across from each other, the table cloth was a light blue silk and touched the floor. When she reached her chair, she sits down, placing her hands on the box at the center of table, and closed her eyes. She focuses on the ticking of the many clocks that lined the walls, allowing her fingers to feel the grain of the wood that encased the cards. She breathes slowly and evenly as she opens her eyes and gently lifts the top of the box, the scent of the cedar fills her senses. She looks down as she picks up the cards, and then places them on the table so she could close and move the box off to the side. Once that was done, she picks the cards up again and begins to shuffle them. Her mind focuses on the steady tick-tock, as she opens herself up to Fate. The shuffling stops and she cuts the deck into three piles. She then puts the deck back together, and places the first card, The Significator. With that card placed, she begins her reading, willing to Fate to guide her, she places her second, it slightly covered the first, she was performing The Ancient Celtic Cross Spread.

With the spread complete, she opens her eyes, and looks to the tenth card, which signified the Outcome of the Matter. She is surprised to find five Major cards in play, and knew Fate was watching. This indicated a strong cosmic influence, and that destiny was taking part in the matter she had asked about. She smiles, and bows her head, “Thank you.” Was all she would say as she gently gathered the cards. Her mind already working over what this turn of events would signify for her. As she placed the cards back in the box, she felt a pang of sadness, these were her grandfather’s cards, Dr Sterns, and he had passed them to her, along with his pocket watch before he passed. Thinking of him made her miss him, and miss holding his last name. He had influenced her to become not only a doctor, but had eased her journey into learning of Magic. She knew he would understand her name change, and knew he was smiling down upon her, like Fate, and she closed the box.

[October Davenport]

As she lay on the table with her eyes closed, she found herself focused on her breathing. In, out, In out. She needed to slow it down. In…out…In… that was better. She wasn’t quite sure why she was there. The crowd was becoming loud and restless. In…out… She tried to look inside herself while blocking out the noise of the crowd. In…out She felt her body tense when the cold liquid touched her skin, sending a chill down her spine. Pain would soon follow. In…out… Her focus shifted back into herself. She wasn’t a spiritual person, so she wasn’t looking for that, perhaps it was the unknown aspect of it. Could she handle the pain? Would her body fail her? Or did she even have the guts to do it? She quietly reminded herself that Fate would make those decisions for her, if she was meant to get through this, she would.

She felt the pinch of the skin over her shoulder, the rolling of the skin to separate the fat and allow for more support. “Ready?” the guy asked, pausing in his movements.

Drawing a shaky breath, “Yes.” And she again focused her thoughts on her breathing and not on what was about to happen. He had already made the initial piercings, and was about to place the hooks in, four of them, across her back.

She felt the hook pierce her skin, the burning sensation seared though her body and her breathing became gasps. She gritted her teeth, refusing to cry out as the second hook went in. Stars floated before her eyes, she dug deep down into herself forcing air into her lungs. The stars disappeared and her breathing settled.

“They’re in, we are attaching the cables now, you’re doing great.” She heard him say. She slowed her breathing. In…out… She could faintly make out the sound of the screws being placed, felt the ache in her skin as the hooks were moved into position. “Ok, I need you to slowly sit up,” he said, placing a hand on her forearm, gently guiding her into a seated position. She felt a little light headed, her ears slightly ringing as the blood returned to the rest of her body. “When you are ready, just stand up. Once that is done, we will begin the lift.” He had moved in front of her and was allowing her to use his arms for support. Looking into her eyes, “We will start the lift, and it will move slowly. This is for your comfort, if you feel uncomfortable at anytime, or just want it to stop, just let me know.”

She nods her head, and prepares her mind for the experience. He stayed in front of her, both there for support and to make sure everything remained as safe as possible. Then she feels it, an intense, burning sensation in her back as the skin is lifted and tugged away from her body. Her breath catches in her throat, and her mind seems to enter into a mixture of shock and disorientation as she feels her feet leave the floor. She needed to relax and calm her mind or this would all be for nothing. Closing her eyes, she listens to her heart rate and breathing, counting them, reminding herself to breath slowly. As she feels her heart rate slow, she then focuses her mind on the sound of a ticking clock, counting the sounds and trying to match her heart beats with it. She gives her mind over to the sound, a steady tick…tick…tick, and allows Fate to strengthen not only her skin, but her will as well.

Then she feels it, a euphoric floating sensation that takes over her body, she relaxed, and felt at peace. She wasn’t sure how long she stayed suspended, for Time seemed to stop for her. She feels herself smiling, thanking Fate for allowing her this experience, and giving her a deeper understanding of herself, and what she was capable of.

[October Davenport]

It had been quite some time sense since she had performed a reading for someone else, the responsibility of directing another to their fate weighed heavy on her at times, but she finally felt ready to try again.

The request came from a nurse she worked with; a quiet woman in her mid-40’s, who had a look of need in her eyes that touched Toby, her name was Ellen. Toby watched her closely as she sat down across from her; Ellen nervously scanned the room, her eyes darting quickly from one wall to the next. Perhaps it was the numerous clocks, or she was just unsure of what the cards would reveal, at the thought, a small smile tugged at Toby’s lips.

She carefully takes the cards out, setting them in front of Ellen, “Please shuffle them.” She says, folding her hands in front of herself. While the cards were being shuffled, Toby closed her eyes and willed her mind and body to relax. Again, she focused on the rhythmic sounds of the clocks, opening her mind to the forces of Time and Fate. When the shuffling stops, she opens her eyes, “Thank you. Now please cut the deck into three piles to your left, and please use your left hand.” Once that was done, she picks up the stacks, starting on Ellen’s right, and begins to flip the cards.

The request had been made for a basic yes/no spread; this only requiring required five cards, not really a challenge. But Toby wasn’t looking for the challenge, she was looking to allow Fate to work through her, something she had not tried in quite a few years.

She glances at the cards as they are turned over, paying attention to the card, the placement, and the direction it faced. Once the five cards were in front of her, she focuses her mind on them, and asks Fate to allow her to be its vessel.

With only two cards upright, it didn’t look like Ellen was going to get the answer she was seeking. Looking to the woman, she smiles gently, “The direction of the cards indicates a no to your question. Even with changes in your life, the possibility is not good.” She sees Ellen’s face fall, and reaches a hand out to her, lightly touching her hand, “But Fate works in mysterious ways sometimes, and perhaps the Time was not right for the question you asked. One never knows what the future holds, and things may change, don’t get discouraged. Fate will hand you challenges and changes as it sees fit, embrace this, and perhaps things will be different.” She pats her hand, and Ellen smiles a little, and nods slightly. Toby was tempted to look at her Fate, but quickly decided against it. Sometimes it was better not to know, and to allow Fate to take its natural course.

After seeing Ellen out, Toby places the cards back in their box, and closes her eyes, thanking Fate for guiding her.

[October Davenport]

Ember bolted straight up in her bed, his name on her lips, and the coppery smell of blood fresh in her senses. The sheets were damp with sweat and tangled around her shaking body. She quickly raised her hands in front of her face, realizing the blood wasn’t there, though she swore she could feel it. Her heart raced as she slowly took in her surroundings. She was in her bed, safe, but drenched in sweat. Her throat felt raw and fresh tears streamed down her cheeks. She drew her knees to her chest, a sob escape her throat. For the first time in two years, she allowed herself to breakdown.

She wasn’t sure how long the tears lasted. Pulling herself out of bed, her legs wobbled from the nightmare and the memories it brought. Making her way into the kitchen, she takes down the box which held her favorite drink, Midleton Very Rare Irish Whiskey. She sets the box is set down on the counter, and reaches for a tumbler. She slowly pours the amber colored whiskey into the tumble. She picks up the glass and walks into the dark living room, not needing any light right now. She settles onto the couch, her hand finds the remote for her iPod docking station, and turns it on to a random shuffle. She raises the glass to her lips. The complex and slightly fruity aroma fills her nose, the glass cool against her mouth. As the music begins, she cannot help but laugh bitterly at Fate and what sound comes from the speakers. It was Dante's Prayer, and the haunting sound of the voice mixed with the lyrics brought fresh tears to her eyes. She takes a deep sip, the complexity and smoothness of the whiskey dances on her tongue, the liquid instantly warming her inside and soothing her nerves. She suddenly realized the events of that fateful night were two years ago, yet still felt like it happened yesterday. She takes another sip, and cannot help but wonder when she will be able to move past those events.

Dante's Prayer By Loreena McKennitt

[October Davenport]

She had spent the past few hours preparing her Hallow. Some of the floor boards had been lifted, and a small hole was dug in the earth beneath it. It had taken her longer than expected because she needed to find a place where there was dirt and not concrete. With that taken care of, she stood, wiping her hands on the back of her jeans, and walked over to the small table.

Spread in front of her was a picture, a ring, and a note. The paper was sealed with wax from one of her light blue candles, the color chosen for two reasons. One being that it had always played a big role in her life as an Acanthus; the other being it symbolized hope and success. It was a letter she had written to herself, and she was placing her trust in Fate and Time to strengthen her as a person, and as a Mage. It had been two years, and within that Time, she had not been able to move on, and felt stuck. Though Time was supposed to heal all wounds, it had not touched hers. The memories and nightmares only served to reopen them. She wanted Fate to guide her along a path to heal, and wanted Time to grant her the chance to start that journey.

She opened the cedar box she had purchased at an antique shop and gently placed each item inside. Her hands and eyes lingered on the photo. A sad smile appeared as she looked at the happy couple in the picture, smiling, a moment captured in Time, a past she couldn’t forget. Turning the picture over, she read the back, Ryan & Ember 2010 Rio. Before he was taken from her, when she had been happy, and could be open. She then felt the tears fill her eyes, and one fell and landed quietly on the picture.

Quickly she wipes the photo, choking back a sob as she angrily wiped them from her face as well. Taking a shaking breath, she places the picture in the box along with the ring and note, and closes it, carefully using the small key to lock it. Closing her eyes, she clears her mind, and speaks to the universe. One year to grow, to heal, a promise to trust Fate again, and the willingness to find herself again. She had already taken a few steps, learning how strong she was though actions she did not want to think of right now. Removing one of the blue candles, she carefully drips wax over the seam of the box, effectively sealing it, before placing it in the ground.

She then gently pushes the dirt over the box, feeling the sadness well up in her chest, knowing she needed to do this. She had to move on, she had to trust that Fate had taken Ryan from her for a reason, but it didn't help the pain. It didn't help the lump that filled her throat and the sobs that escaped, her hands shaking as the last bits of earth covered the box.

[October Davenport]

Toby had arranged a poker night with some of the nurses and a doctor from work and found herself eager to begin the game. They all sat in her hollow, around a bigger table that she had recently moved into the space, as a nurse shuffled the deck of cards. Sitting in front of her was a small stack of money, not a large amount, but they all decided on a set amount to bet with. This being her first game, the other doctor was explaining the rules as Cindy dealt the cards, five to each person. Taking a sip of her beer she nodded to Brian, “Sounds easy enough,” she says putting the beer down and picking her cards up. “Can you quickly explain the hands again?” she asked, looking at the cards in front of her. Brian laughs and does as she asked, going through everything from pairs to flushes. Playing up being new, “A lot to remember, but I think I got it.” She responded to him. Inside she was loving the game of chance, her heart was racing as Brian mentioned betting. He placed his money in the middle, looking quite confident in his cards. Shrugging, Toby does the same, realizing she has no idea if she has a good hand or not but decides to let the Fates decide. Two of the nurses folded their hands shaking their heads. Brian saw that only Toby and Cindy remained, and raised again, a smirk forming on his face. Cindy looked from her hand to him, then back and reluctantly places her cards on the table, folding. But not Toby, she gladly turns this over to Fate and places her money in the middle. Brian raised a curious eyebrow and calls, placing his cards face up on the table. “Three of a kind.” He said, taking a sip of his beer. Toby slowly nods her head, “That’s a good hand, too bad though..” she says, slowly turning her cards face up, “Because I have a Full House.” She then smiled, Fate had been on her side this evening.