Goddesses of War

I would like to get some things out of the way before diving into this first of many tales. My name is Valentine–but most call me Val–and I am a starchild. Yeah, most would wait for a discreet situation to reveal this, but I don’t keep my thoughts hidden. I’m the kind of being who says what I am thinking and works hard to communicate what I want someone to know. What’s the point of dishonesty when I rarely find a creature I hate?

Now I bet you’re wondering what exactly a starchild is, right? Some are going with those odd new age kids who are not properly diagnosed with a known condition. Others about that skull found in the desert that turned out to be a baby with a deformity. A few out there, I hope, guess correctly and say a shapeshifter. Good job, you would not believe how many need help with that.

Now I must clarify, I may transform, but the name is more on the nose than most assume. Was I delivered under a certain star? No, not quite. Do I have a birthmark in the shape of a star? I could give myself one if I wanted to, I guess. A strange cult gave me it after a ritual? Nah, the cults around here are too busy wandering the woods hunting monsters. I was just born from the supernova of a dying sun far away from Earth and ended up here. No form I claim forever my own, no body I can’t have–human or animal.

Ugh, that sounds so serious... Either way, call me Val, or kid if you want to be casual. Never boy or gal or anything like that. It gets annoying after so many decades.

I live with the humans in a small town, so they know about me. Great people, you should come meet them sometime.

Where is this modest town so you can find it? Good luck, most map makers never go far enough to put the dot on paper. Either they get eaten by a monster in the forest surrounding three-fourths of the city, or by something swimming in the ocean that marks the other fourth. But if you happen to head in the right direction and survive all that, you will discover a quaint place with all the needs and wants a quiet location requires. There is a grocery store, a nursery, movie theater, cemetery, and candy shop with an elder god (great snake, loves to visit every few decades to chat). Come and rest your feet a while, there’s no need to leave so soon. After all, what’s the point when you just got here?

So, how about our first tale?

***

Today is a special day if I do say so. Not only do we have storm clouds instead of the normal gray ones that cover the sky, but it’s also pouring so hard it soaks you to the bone. In the time it takes to walk from your front door to the corner you require new clothes. My sweater zipped up to my chin no better than a wet blanket when I step into city hall. Collapsing when the second set of doors close behind me and shake all the water I can from my hair. I shouldn’t have bothered, with all that still drips on my face. Good thing the bathroom has an air dryer, otherwise I’d need to grow a coat of fur to stay warm in the AC.

My mostly dry clothes back on, I head for the mayor’s office, her secretary bringing me to the room. Mayor Black sits on her perch when I sit in a leather couch, a bowl of frog legs under her feet. She looks up enough to caw a hello and asks how I am.

Good, how are you?

She says she’s well, what did I need.

You wanted me to help with the talking horse eating out of dumpsters?

A ruffle of the feathers and the crow walks over, tells me to read a map on the desk. Dots all over the drawn image of the city mark opened trash bags and piles of litter the humans reported.

Why is a horse digging in the garbage?

She caws that it’s likely a prank. Most people who report incidents say it would laugh and tell them no one would believe the story, then trot off.

Now that really makes no sense. Most talking horses have more self-preservation than that. There are those brave enough to steal or smooth talk you out of tall grass, but never something so low. If there weren’t so many dots, I’d think a few humans wanted to lie and save face when mesmerized by Tom the raccoon. That creature can get even the most strong-willed to empty a trash bin of its contents. Nice to chat with, but can’t invite them to parties.

Guess I have work to do. Now, um, may we talk pay...

The crow pulls a check from under her wing and says I will make what is usually a week’s wage for me–once caught and sent to animal control.

I’ll get started then.

Back in the hall, I decide to take the elevator to the animal control office. If anyone knows how to bait a talking horse, they would. But it makes no sense going up that many stairs. Besides, this way I can grow fur in privacy.

Except I don’t. Right as the doors open and I’m inside, four humans come in after. All clad in leather and boots, they tie their hair back and gum smacks behind their lips. Oh well, at least the body heat they give off will help. And they seem to be pleasant ladies when the three taller women smile with dark red lipstick. And the little girl is cute, blowing bubbles she pops with a finger and with thick curls fashioned to look like giant bows.

The doors slide closed and I beam as I say, Hello. Not the best day to leave the house, right?

Can’t take the bikes out, that’s for sure, answers the one closest to me, a grin on her burnt umber face. Long thin braids tied back she twirls around a thumb and adds, Had to actually use the van.

Oh, I wish I could do that. Had to walk all the way here from the edge of town.

Ugh, that sucks, says the woman by the buttons, her hair pulled into a loose ponytail. A free chunk of it tucked under a hat as she shakes her head.

I nod and check to see where we are. Only two floors have passed.

You seem pretty dry. Got a good raincoat? asks the third, her bob laying flat on her pale face, the lipstick standing out more than the others.

The hand dryers are stronger than you would expect for a town hall. I mean, they’re great. Much better than ones in the park. Another check as we go up a floor.

Hmmm, all three reply.

So– I say when the lights turn off and the car halts to a stop. A palm grips the rail and we all groan since this is a government building. Anyone who has visited a place like this knows what that means: there is no way someone will fix the problem before closing time.

Today of all days, mumbles the second woman, a lit lighter pulled out to find the emergency button.

Don’t worry, I’m sure one of us can get help. My arms growing enough to slam the elevator doors apart, revealing a gap to the floor at our heads. Sufficient for my hand to reach out. However, all the lights are out and the clouds seem to have darkened with how little I can see.

I don’t think we’re getting out anytime soon, says the third woman and picks up the little girl.

The child looks up at the gap and nods, popping another bubble. Her lips pursed as she sees me staring. Momma knows you can’t trust ‘em.

Probably, I almost moan, there’s no way I’m not gonna have a panic attack before we escape.

Maybe we’ll be rescued by a savior from above, says the first.

We laugh at that because it is either that or scream.

And here I am, declares a man’s voice from a door in the ceiling I know wasn’t there before. (Yeah, it’s always seen in movies, but tell me how many you have seen on real elevators.)

All five of us look up to find a thin face with eyes that glow in the flame while long hair falls to the tops of our heads. The second woman having to move the fire away in case she set the locks ablaze.

Who are you? we all ask.

Doesn’t matter, my lovely ladies. What does is I have appeared to help with your minor inconvenience. Now, who wishes to come with me, and who wants to be consumed by me? And I do not mean that as a double entendre...

We watch him a moment in silence (and while not sure about the other adults, this is because I am unsure what that line means).

The man laughs and points. You thought? Oh, I kill myself sometimes. I kid. I would never do that! But my friend will so decide quickly. A hand lowers to grab as a cold air blows through the ceiling door.

The girl is the first one through; he returns a few minutes later for the rest of us. Clinging on his back to climb in the dark to the highest floor.

When he opens the doors, sits each on a chair in a waiting area. Fist on hip once the third woman is set down, he holds a lantern in the other. Or what I suppose is a lantern, just a stick with a ball of light hanging on a string. At least now it’s easy to see who rescued us. And I have several questions...

First of all, why does he wear a shirt that has long, baggy sleeves, but the rest only covers his nipples with an X of cloth across his thin torso? And also, why is his bottom like the lower half of a silk robe with a belt? Then again, what’s with the odd crown that only rests on the hairline over his forehead? I am not the being to complain about this after some fashion choices I’ve made, but I can still raise my concern. Not that the women are quiet about it either.

Now, now, what is the issue? We’re out of there and in a more comfortable position. Oh, and before I forget, anyone want a mint? A box of them rattling as he pulls them out of his sleeve.

The girl takes a couple, and the man smiles until she asks, You look like a lady. Why don’t you got lipstick? a finger popping a bubble.

Honey, I am what you address as a queen and I forgot it at home. Wasn’t expecting to rescue anyone today.

Where’s your friend?

His hand motions to the ball of light. Right here. They get shy when they cannot hide in the dark. Honestly, I can’t understand it either.

So um, who are you? I ask, my palm out to take a mint.

Are you going to buy me dinner first? Do not answer that, I hate all takeout on this planet. The name’s Firtzzz, a finger held out and I hope poking it with mine is the right gesture.

Do you ah, have a reason to be in town hall on a day like this?

A hand covers his mouth and lets out a small gasp. This is a government building? I thought it was a hotel. No wonder they wouldn’t let me take the stallion out for a ride.

Hold on, did you see a horse around here? Did it say anything or eat out of a dumpster?

It was eating out of a big metal box... Is that what it’s called?

We have to hurry! I have to capture that thing. My paycheck is on the line.

Wait, you need to catch it? Like, put it in a cage for a while... Maybe a couple days?

At least with all the crap it did. Come on, show me. My hand grabs Firtzzz’s and he smiles, sandals slapping on the floor as he pulls me to the stairs.

The front door flies open as he rushes outside, the rain still a storm in the alley between town hall and the newspaper. My hood up once again before it can become soaked. The dumpster just ahead, a horse digging inside with an umbrella is taped to its neck.

He halts a few feet away and points at the animal. There, right there! Is that the beast you wanted to catch?

Yeah! Oh boy, I will so get that check now. My hands grow suction cups and legs grow to run faster. Hey, who’s not gonna believe them now?

The creature takes one glance and rears back from the garbage, in full gallop past me.

Sure, like that would help.

In the time I need to release a shout I am inches from the back legs. A hard slap is all it takes to latch on its tail when it bucks, a hoof punching my chest so strong I do a full spin. Nice try, dude! I call out, my arms growing to wrap around the thick neck, turning through the street. Spinning in a circle until we both fall to the ground. The rain blurring in strange patterns as I hear yells to let go, my fingers creeping the beast out.

My reply is to laugh and rub them close to its face. These are money making hands, dudes.

Firtzzz runs out of the alley, wearing a grin as he asks, You got it?

Yep, pulling the horse to the front entrance. The man behind promises to make sure it wouldn’t try anything, a hand on its flank as both ears lower.

The lights come on as they lock the large cage and Animal Control thanks me. Mayor Black signs my paycheck with a flick of the pen at her desk, a bowl of frog legs added for being so quick.

Again outside, the rain has slowed and I decide it’s about time to run home. Firtzzz walks out with me and I have to ask before I go, Hey, I realize you hate takeout, but can I make it up to you somehow? You know, for all the help?

Don’t worry your gentle head, Starchild. You did more than enough for me catching that thing.

Did it eat garbage in front of you too?

No, I just despise competition. That horse was in my way. I couldn’t kill it, but locked up until the next shipment is a close second.

What?

Thank you, kid. Come over anytime you wish to help again. I will make it worth your time. A kiss blown as he walks down the street, the ball of light turning black as he turns the corner.

He seems like a nice guy. I should visit sometime; I am always in search of work. But then again, I don’t love how he talked about getting rid of a problem. Or the mention of a next shipment as if a drug dealer in a movie.

Maybe I should do something... A feeling that even if he said he wanted it caged, he’s lying. He somehow got in that elevator without issue, I’m sure a locked cage is hardly an obstacle.

The clock chimes it’s five and I head up the road. Not much I can do now that the office is closed, but I will be back tomorrow. That is a promise.

Illegal Activities Do Pay Well

As promised, right at eight when town hall opens, I am at the door. A straight line to the mayor’s office, the secretary leads me inside. In a chair before she can caw a greeting, I say, I need to talk to you about the horse I caught yesterday.

Mayor Black gets off her perch and asks why. I got paid and no calls were made by animal control that would cause concern.

I’m worried about the horse’s safety. There’s a chance this was a setup somehow, or someone needed it captured for a dangerous reason...

She asks how I knew this.

I answer with the guy I met and pointed the creature out.