It started as a tone, growing in volume and pitch as it resolved itself into a bright streak, slicing silver blue through an opaque night sky. The tone grew to harmonies as dark stars broke free and distributed themselves across the horizon.

“By all rights, we shouldn’t be able to see anything.”

“Magic tops meteorology!”

“Ha! You just made a pun.”

The first one rolled its eyes as the other two giggled. The dark star slowed, resolving to a single, sweet contralto. It landed in the clearing with a fragrant whump of meadow grasses, rolling, unfolding, and standing tall.

***

Northern Lights wheeled across the sky, pushing aside clouds, leaving a sharp sprinkling of rain. The star stretched, skin sparkling damp, nipples wrinkling in surprise at the sudden cool. She shivered, shook her pale hair back, and smiled, delighted with the new experience.

In the waterfall, under a canopy of willow, we three watched the bequeathing of this star we’d been sent to welcome. She raised her hand in farewell, as we raised ours in thanks to the heavens above. Her steps smooth as glacial water over stone, she crossed the meadow and slid into the water beside us.

© Liz Husebye Hartmann (2018)

Carrot Ranch Prompt (08/16/2018): In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story about a comet. You can consider how it features into a story, influences a character, or creates a mood. Go where the prompt leads.

Carrot Ranch Prompt (08/08/2018): In 99 words (no more, no less) write a story that includes an act of “peering from the woods.” Go where the prompt leads.