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Hullow Sammich - Sketch
🕑 Added 2020-11-22 23:21:08 +0000 UTCA few days ago I had a strong sense of nostalgia hit me that implanted a character into my consciousness whom I haven't thought about since I was probably maybe six or seven years old.
The nostalgic spark also reminded me of why, in my formative years, I was drawn more and more to fantasy as a genre, and magical spaces.
I distinctly remember going with my parents to these Christmas productions they used to do there for families. Not the typical "Santa running around gathering cultists for free cookies" stage performances, but ones that had this almost impossible to describe, early 80's fantasy and magic vibes. Some were parables done in different styles. The lazy grasshopper and the worker-ant was one I remember clearly, but there was one that literally felt like it was magic to me. These days it would probably be akin to a fever-dream or way to 'hippy' for people, but I remember it solidly embedding itself in my consciousness and it was the first time I wished I could go to one of these places.
It started with the ceiling being converted to stars. Before the play even started, there was about 20 min. where the lights went down, and the ceiling turned to stars, and I was _utterly_ enchanted by it. I remember they moved, and flickered in places. It was a projection of a universe, with music that softly started to play.
When the play itself started, I remember it taking place in a 'hidden glen' amidst these large glowing mushrooms and false plants that had xmas lights strung through them to create this amazing effect of everything just being infused with some eldritch power.
The protagonist was a young dragon girl, who loved books. While I don't remember exactly what the plot was outside of broad strokes, I do believe that she was my first 'crush'. Or at least, my five-year old self as just enchanted by her. I remember her father, an older 'dragon' who chided her for always having her nose in books, and not going out to see the world with the others. I remember part of the plot being her father (or family?) going missing one day, and she had to tentatively step out in to the bigger scary world to go save them (From a knight.. It was brilliant!).
In the end, she managed to defeat this knight, and his goon sidekick not with breath weapons (She tried, but could only cough-cough and sputter), but with the knowledge she picked up from books. I guess the lesson was that a balance of being an introvert with books and going out to 'get the job done' was what saved the day.
While, sadly, the meet and greet with the characters after the show had a huge lineup, and we couldn't wait around, I remember bringing the dragon girl with me. She became an imaginary companion. A friend who stuck with me for years after.
As we all do, we lose some of these friends along the way as we grow older, and the weight of the world starts rolling onto our shoulders. I hadn't thought of her in nearly four decades until a few nights ago.
But she can, at least, say hello again. Her name is Soot. I don't think that was her original name in the play production, but I do remember calling her Soot (I was five.. My ability to name things wasn't exactly stunning ;). She's ever the reader, and apparently is going to rawr a sammich.
She's been happy all these years.
-T.J.
Comments
Tim J.
I'm not sure why seeing Christmas decorations this year triggered it for me, but I won't complain. There's now +1 dragon in the world (and -1 sammich). :)
Tim J.
She'd get gasps from all the other dragons for eating rawr food ;). And I can empathize. I was a fairly 'in my own world' sort of kid too, and spent a good deal of junior and high school in my own head and world. Speaking with a dear friend of mine, they noted we create these places full of people who are kind as a defense against the reality that is not. I think its as much true now as it was then. :) (And indeed, please write. We need more creative things out in the world :)
Tim J.
I wish It hadn't taken four decades to see her again. But its rather nice to have her back in my mind's eye. There's a lot to catch up on :) Our Xmas' in these parts was very much the same. Lots of 'buy all the things!' and commercials. The theater nearby was a welcome anomaly. I didn't know it at the time but it was a rare thing to have. Looking back at it, the place constantly seemed to have non-standard plays, and distributed books and art that were from independent creators. I haven't read Johnathan Livingston Seagull myself, but I've just added it to my list. The premise looks to be intriguing! :)
Tim J.
She seems to like it in 'Wroth. Plenty of books, and 'cozy places to be a dragon in.' :D
Tim J.
Its been a joy to see her in my mind's eye again, I admit. I'm hoping more of her story will emerge from the past.
Tim J.
Fire Breath could work for her father! I think I remember getting the name from a book I had at that age. It might have even been a Christmas book they were handing out there to people who attended. The whole theater, now that I think of it, was such a haven for creative types. Independent writers and actors and designers. I wish the place was still around.
MountainGoat
That's a very sweet story :)
Perfesser Bear
Soot: a young Dragonette who must eat her sammich <i>rawr</i> because she can't gin up enough flame to toast it. I had imaginary friends into my early teens. I wasn't a particularly popular kid, so I tended to retreat into my own world. That's when I started writing, and my fantasy companions became characters in the stories I first scribbled, then typed. I found a notebook from 1971 full of story ideas I never developed; some really awful. Still, I can see the roots of two stories I'm currently developing for an anthology.
David J.
Hello Soot. I'm glad to meet you and only wish I could have sooner. Stunning rendering of her TJ. On a personal note, my holidays were purely traditional and materialistic. What I wouldn't give to have had some broader experiences earlier in life like that. I didn't start to break out until around 1974 when I was about 14 and read Jonathan Livingston Seagull, developing my own alter-ego inspired by his world.
Kubulai
Hello Soot! Welcome to Felwroth.
Bionet
Its great to learn about Soot!
BadgerB0y
At 5, I wouldn’t have even been creative enough to name somebody “Soot”. Would have named a dragon like, “Fire Breath” or something haha. Adorable
