The thinning of the Veil.
Graphic by MollyBolly88.
There are as many dimensions out there, as there are galaxies in the known universe. Only the arrogance, and ego of our species thinks that any sentient life must be made in our likeness. Certainly, I was in for a shock. Adjusting well to the fact I was once human but now a centaur, even talking canines and anthropomorphic species I could take in my stride. Yet it was the mares that put me on edge, not the ones on four legs, but those on two hooves. I’m not being xenophobic; I can converse with the best. It’s just that I find them disturbing, it’s probably something deep in my old human psyche, Sigmund would have a field day.
A knock at our apartment door, I answered it. I could not believe what I was look at.
“It’s rude to stare, if I were canine, it would consider it a direct challenge.”
A Skewbald anthro mare, with bold hair and tail. She spoke with such elegance it made it impossible to take offense, yet my mind was scrambled by these simple words. Say something you idiot.
“I’m so sorry, it’s just that….” My mouth raced ahead of my brain, she continued.
“It’s true.
My brain somehow went into survival mode, deny everything.
“I didn’t do it.”
She laughed.
“Oh, you’re so cute. Izzy told me, but I didn't believe it, you’re doing it now.”
“And just what did my Alpha centauride mare, impart to you?”
The minx grinned.
“You blush when you’re flustered, but that’s not why I’m here.”
I stomped a hoof; my stallion hind brain was taking an interest. Annoyed by this mare’s effrontery, and pure cheek. Now if I were still human, I could have said I’m not a bloody mind reader. Centaurs, and Centaurides have a telepathic bond. I sent a quick question to Izzy on our herd’s private network as it were.
“Why is a strange mare here?”
The response once she stopped chuckling was.
“Miss Cadence, she wants to talk to you about how humans view Samhain.”
Candence smiled, before saying.
“I don’t take offence, from you’re blank expression you were checking with Izzy. You’re safe from me, centaurs are not my type.”
I spluttered.
“The thought never crossed my mind.”
That laugh again.
“No, but the stallion in you asked. You forget the Flehmen response is common with our males as well.”
It’s an automatic reaction, the curling of the top lip. Which in equines provides a rich flow of information about the receptiveness of a female to breed, somewhat missing from my human half. When in a corner, change the subject.
“Izzy says you’re here to ask about Samhain, Miss Cadence?”
She stared at the open door, before asking.
“May I come in?”
I opened the door enough to let her pass me.
“Like the room, Izzy has impeccable taste, please call me Savannah.”
“Pleased to meet you, may I get you a drink?”
“A coffee please, with mares milk.”
Not a problem, understanding horses were lactose intolerant. Returning with two steaming mugs, placing them on the table. Savannah grinned.
“No coasters, you live dangerously.”
I was curious, so asked.
“Why Samhain?”
She worked a quick spell, and a recording cube appeared.
“Do you mind if I take notes?”
“Not at all, but you haven’t answered the question.”
Activating the cube, she twisted a curl of hair in a finger as if debating her answer.
“I understand your sister practiced it?”
My hoof stomped.
“My late sister….”
At least she had the grace to look away, and in a low tone replied.
“I am so sorry.”
“I was once human, before this.”
She nodded, so I carried on.
“Jan was a White Witch, I learned that her deities were, Athena and Epona. Epona took a special interest in her, Fate had us both in her web of circumstance. The Wiccan Religion is practiced on Earth.”
Savannah nodded, so I continued.
“From what I’ve researched while being here, Celtic Samhain that marks the end of the harvest and Autumn has real power.”
Another nod.
“Yet it is, All Hallows Eve, that I’m worried about.”
“Why? The old Gods, and Goddesses lost power when the Christian God gained followers.”
My hands shook with the gravity of my next statement.
“I fear for them, humans. What they are capable of, my kind don’t play well with others. I have been told by Epona that I cannot warn them of what’s to come.”
“What’s going to happen?”
I stared at the cube, before commanding.
“Turn that off.”
A wave of her hand, the cube dimmed. I continued.
“The Veil between dimensions is at its thinnest on all Hallows Eve?”
A nod.
“They will find a way to cross it. Cassandra has told me that A.I will be the key.”
Her hand went to her muzzle, a pause before she replied.
“But no human believes Cassies prophecies.”
My bitter laugh almost came out as a whinny.
“You forget I’m not human anymore?”
“What if they do? They don’t know how to make a Portal to access other worlds.”
“A.I systems are quick learners; I understand why Fate has been instructed to erase any human that cracks faster than light technology. The Gods and Goddesses, classed humans as one would a virulent virus. Not one of my original species understand that Earth was a prison to quarantine them, if they only knew the truth….”
Tears flowed, because of all my bluster, I still cared, continuing.
“Epona brought all the mythical species with her when she left Earth, that's why there are no unicorns or centaurs left.”
She snorted.
“If I remember my History, she saw what humans would become.”
“That’s right, humans trashed paradise. Wiped out species without a second thought, screwed the climate so bad that Epona Tech struggles to correct the damage.”
She reached out to me.
“Is there no hope, a way they could be rehabilitated?”
“I am tempted, to defy even Epona herself. Yet that would be unfair to Izzy after all Epona has done for us, she could have erased me on Earth and would not have shown any remorse. She calls me her wild card, keeps me because the human half of me is unpredictable, it gives her an edge.”
Savannah sighed.
“You should not carry the weight of your world on your shoulders.”
I laughed.
“Atlas is a nice guy.”