Celestial

Gwen stood next to Hymn, eyeing the being in front of her. To call it a creature seemed wrong. It was too humanoid for that. And yet it was utterly inhuman. The feeling of energy and power coming from it was beyond anything she’d ever felt, and neither the mare nor Gwen were sure of what to do with that. 

The pale, seafoam mare sniffed at the being, the pink skin of their nose quivering in uncertainty as Gwen brushed the white tobiano markings on the petite mare’s side as reassuring as she could. In all reality, Gwen was likely as nervous as the mare. She just couldn’t let it show. 

“Um… can I help you?” Gwen finally asked, stepping away from Hymn and hoping the being in front of her wasn’t hostile. It didn’t seem hostile and the glittered mare next to her didn’t seem afraid. Alert certainly, but not afraid. 

The creature was taller, even just a little bit more up close. It had to be eight or nine feet tall with massive wings tucked folded and tucked up against their back. There was a light coming from them as well. It was almost so bright that Gwen could barely see, and yet it didn’t hurt. 

Hymn nipped at Gwen’s blue tunic, the seafoam tobiano splashed mare flicking their ears in mild alarm as their beautiful, exaggeratedly long tail swished in concern. The mare stamped their white stocking legs, demanding Gwen remain next to them. The blue flecks of glitter near the mare’s pale eyes shone in the light from the creature across from them. 

Gwen stroked the pink skin of the mare’s nose again, hoping to reassure them, before turning back to the large being across from them. It still hadn’t answered, instead watching them with silver eyes. “You’re a celestial being, aren’t you? Why are you here?” 

This time she felt the being’s eyes settle on her. She saw only two, but there was the feeling of more. Perhaps hundreds, if not thousands of eyes, all of them turning to watch her. 

Hymn must have felt the same thing because the mare inched herself closer to Gwen and tugged at the fae’s curly brown hair with an insistent nicker of annoyance and fear. The being wasn’t frightening in the way a monster was, but its very presence was nearly overwhelming. 

She could feel herself being weighed and measured, and if the nervous prancing from Hymn was any indication, the fifteen two hand mare felt the same thing. Gwen could occasionally see the mare’s white legs with a bluish coat just above, shifting and their blue glitter coat sparkling as the mare shifted and tried to hide behind her without actually hiding. 

“I am, yes.” The being finally spoke. “Celestial is the word you’d use for me. You are Gwendolyn, are you not? And this is Hymn?” 

“Yes.” Gwen replied, almost surprised to have been spoken to. Or she thought she’d be spoken to. She hadn’t seen the beings mouth move, or at least she didn’t think she had. 

Hymn tossed their head, nodding and backing away. This time tucking themselves as much behind Gwen as a horse their size could. They didn’t bolt, but they’d clearly heard… or perhaps it was felt… whatever the celestial being had said. 

There was a moment of quiet, as if the celestial was thinking. “I heard the two of you singing. It was lovely.” 

“I… thank you.” Gwen wanted to protest. Her singing wasn’t much and she wasn’t comfortable with compliments on a good day. Certainly not compliments from a celestial being. However, somehow arguing with a celestial seemed wrong, and so thanking it was the only option. “You heard Hymn singing?” She asked, not having heard the seafoam mare make a sound as they’d sat together near the pond. 

“I did, yes.” The celestial replied, their wings shivering in delight at something. “Hymn thinks it’s funny you can’t hear her, but she doesn’t expect you to. You’re not a horse, after all. She did say it would be nice if you’d give her extra treats tonight though.” 

Gwen chuckled, still overwhelmed at the celestial beings presence, but less afraid. “Does she now? I suppose that can be arranged.” 

 Hymn seemed to share the sentiment as the mare stepped out ever so slightly from where she’d tried to hide herself, nuzzling at the pocket where Gwen kept the treats. Gwen was more than happy to oblige, slowly pulling a treat from her pocket and offering it to Hymn. She didn’t want to move too fast just in case she might scare the celestial. A silly thought, really, but she couldn’t help it. The being was so far beyond her understanding she wasn’t even certain how she managed a coherent thought at all. 

The celestial laughed. Or she was pretty sure it laughed. It was almost more a feeling than a sound. 

Hymn nickered, the sound similar to the celestial’s laughter, as she danced happily. 

“It seems your laughter is contagious.” Gwen couldn’t help but smile at the feeling and her horse’s happiness. 

There was a moment of silence as the celestial seemed to take in Gwen and Hymn. “I am glad. I didn’t want you afraid of me. Your singing simply called me and I wanted to thank you for the gift of it.” 

Gwen shook her head, still surprised at the beings presence, though no longer afraid. Hymn stepped towards the being, outstretching her nose with a tentative sniff and a half nuzzle that didn’t quite touch the being. The mare’s actions were rewarded by a gentle petting from the celestial being standing in front of them. 

“Your presence is more than enough thanks.” Gwen watched Hymn and the celestial, fiddling with one of the necklace she wore. The overwhelming feeling of the being was still there, but it was growing more comfortable in some ways. The celestial clearly meant no harm. 

“But it is still a lot.” The celestial looked to Gwen, moving without seeming to move. “I’m not meant to stay here long, but if you’ll allow me, I’d like to listen from the light for a time.”

”Of course,” Gwen said as Hymn returned to her side. “You’re welcome to come and listen whenever you’d like. Is there anything I could do to make things more comfortable should you choose to visit again?” 

The celestial shook its head. “This will be the only time you’ll know I’m here.” 

Before Gwen could reply or Hymn react, the celestial was gone. The only thing it left behind was a single, pure white feather. Too white to be truly real, and yet it could be touched. Gwen eyed it for a moment and then tucked it into her pouch before looking to the mare. 

Hymn was still watching the spot where the celestial had been standing with her pale colored eyes. Finally she looked towards Gwen and then towards the water. 

“You’d like to sing for the celestial more, wouldn’t you?” Gwen asked, settling in near the edge of the pond, Hymn joining her a moment later as the water began to ripple with their song. If the celestial was still listening, neither of them knew.