Inspire

Word: Shadow

Title: Speaking Shadows

Suggested by TreesAndCheese

"Just relax." The calm voice drifted over the breeze. Ivan watched, astounded, as Matthew's shadow reached out to touch his own. He nearly jumped in surprise when he saw his shadow back away from the silhouette slightly.

Matthew's shadow was unusually defined despite the low lighting. Both of their shadows could be seen against the wall. He called himself a Shadow Whisperer. He had, since he was young, been able to talk to his shadow and hear it talk back. He also had the ability to let other people's shadows move on their own too. All shadows had their own personality. They also had the ability to name themselves.

Ivan had always thought there was something different about that quiet boy that hung around corners. He had, on occasion, thought he saw his shadow move by itself or even not be there. He, of course, blamed it on the alcohol. Still, it had happened often enough for him to get the courage to talk to the beautiful boy. It was the best decision of his life.

He had to stop himself from reminiscing. He had to pay attention because he was about to meet his shadow. He watched as his shadow stretched and walked around a little. It wavered slightly before It came back even more solid than before.

Matthew motioned him over to the wall where his shadow was standing next his own. It was a little disconcerting to see his shadow not follow him everywhere. "Let's meet him eh?" He smiled and turned to the wall their shadows were cast against. His shadow returned to the shape of a small bear, that was apparently his "natural form" the one it took on when no one watching and during the night.

His own shadow was actually... several inches taller than himself. He also seemed to be wearing a long coat or perhaps a robe. Probably a coat.

"Whats your name?" Matthew asked with a kind smile on his face. The shadow turned his head towards him to acknowledge him before he turned to Ivan. "I am... Russia. It is a pleasure to meet you officially, da?"

His voice was rougher and deeper than Ivan's high childlike one. Was it weird to be jealous of your own shadow?

"Now you can talk to him whenever you want! Just don't let other people see you, it would probably confuse them." Matthew stated cheerfully as he bent down to pat his shadow on his head.

Ivan looked to his shadow, Russia, once more. This could be interesting...

Word: Vanity

Title: Vanity?

Suggested by: TreesAndCheese

Matthew always carried a little mirror around in his pocket. Some people, the ones that noticed, thought it was because of vanity. But that was not it at all. He didn't check it to fix his hair or anything of the sort. Sometimes he didn't even necessarily look at his face. He would simply open it, look then close it. When did he look? He looked when he had been alone for too long. Sometimes, when he was with someone, but it had been awhile since they talked he would sneak a little peek.

Ivan had noticed that Matthew carried a pocket mirror with him. He had always wondered why he carried it. Was it vanity? He didn't really seem like the type to worry about how he looked every second of every day. So why was it that he always had it with him? After a few months he decided that instead of wondering about it every time he happened to see it, he would simply ask.

"Matvey?" Ivan asked on the couch right after he caught Matthew peeping in the mirror. He looked back at him with big violet eyes. "Why do you always carry that mirror?"

He seemed to consider it for a minute. "Before I tell you... I have a question."Ivan looked at him in confusion, "Have you ever looked in a mirror... and not seen yourself?"

Ivan sat back against the couch. "Well. Sometimes when I look in the mirror I see someone I wish I wasn't. Sometimes I see a murder or a torturer." He fell silent with a far away look in his eye. Matthew placed his hand gently atop his in comfort.

"Thats not exactly what I meant." He sighed. "Sometimes I look into the mirror I don't see anything at all. Its like I'm not there." He took a deep, calming breath.

"Matvey... I'm so sorry I didn't know..." He reached out to try to comfort the suddenly distressed man. He shook his head and mumbled "Its fine," into Ivan's chest.

"But," He continued, "It stopped happening lately. Since I met you..." He trailed off.

"Thank you, Ivan. For helping me be seen by others, but more importantly thank you for helping me be seen by myself."

Hello everybody! Im TreesAndCheese,

So this is my newest story! This is a prompts story. Please send me a one word prompt in a review!

So, I would prefer it tucked into a nice review like...

"Wow, this is so nice.

Prompt: Spaghetti'

instead of

"Legs"

I will keep the chapters no more then t, but will accept pretty much any prompt ^_~

Each mini story will be 300-800 words.

So~ send me your prompts, please!

Tons-o-luv

TreesAndCheese