| A N A X A R E T E.
The shadowmare could feel Ripley’s torment.
Anaxerete was always connected to the creatures. She was bound to them. Ripley’s rage traveled through her like and electric current. In a swirl of shadows, Anaxarete appeared in the forest - wary of what she might find.
She was surprised to find a stranger - seemingly unperturbed by the truly terrifying sounds pouring from the monster held captive by the trees. The shadowmare watches for a moment, trying to understand what she’s seeing. This stranger approached the xenomorph without fear or reservation.
The pale mare was also imbued with magic, though the magic different from her own. She could feel it thrumming through the air around them. The shadowmare knew with little effort at all, this pale mare would see the bonds between herself and the magnificent monsters. Ana made no secret of this bond. But her icy eyes widened when the little mare reached out to touch the monster before her.
Foolish girl.
She didn’t even know how close she was to death. Once the monster took hold of her with her claws or jaws, it would not release her until the flesh had been stripped from her bones. No amount of magic could compensate for such an attack. She couldn’t imagine what the girl was thinking, and so the dark magician helped herself to the other woman’s thoughts.
What she found there was intriguing.
But it was at that very moment that the girl called upon the magic, moving the trees and allowing Ripley the inch she would need to free herself. Anaxarete had to act quickly, knowing that Ripley would turn on the little magician the moment she was free. The smell of lavender was thick in the air, but Anaxarete knew it would do nothing to those who only craved blood and flesh. It could provide only a moment of calm before the storm unfolded.
“CALM,” she spoke into the monster’s muddled mind. It was a demand - one rarely given by their master. She had no doubt that Ripley would heed the call. She removed the creature’s bloodlust to the degree she was capable - keeping her ever-loyal companion in check. The same was transmitted to the daughter, who the shadowmare knew to be nearby. The little magician was not to be harmed. That was her will. That was her order.
She knew they would not understand. How could they understand that this moment afforded Anaxarete an opportunity? Surely one so foolish as to intercede with her monsters without second thought or self preservation could be someone useful to the shadowmare. She was not in the habit of turning others gifted with magic against her - not when she had only just emerged from the shadows and into the bright light of Beqanna’s political scene. Perhaps there was an unlikely (unwilling?) ally to be found here.
“They are beautiful, aren’t they.” Her voice is cool as she steps nearer, her gaze lingering on Ripley. “Misunderstood creatures, really, born of another world.” she continued, moving next to the xenomorph and drawing to a halt facing the plant bender. “I’m Ana,” she gives her nickname - one she rarely uses - to keep things informal and unsuspicious. “These creatures are bonded to me, and I to them. Together, we keep each other safe.” It was, in some regard, the truth. Perhaps a perversion of the truth, but she did not speak falsehoods to the girl. She simply omitted details. Such as how these creatures had been born. And what they were truly capable of.
“Who are you?”
queen of the shadows. |
