NOVUS ISSUE TWO // LATE SUMMER 2014 // GREEN
ECO
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECES
MOVE
THROUGH THE LENS NO STALLING WITH MICHAEL
S TA H L E R
THE MACHINE A SHORT STORY BY JASON GILCHRIST
crowandstone.com
WWW.LEAFLING.HU WWW.ETSY.COM/SHOP/LEAFLINGOOO
01 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
NOVUS LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Wow, the last few months have been a bit of a blur. I've taken thousands of photos, explored some pretty amazing places in the Northwest, met some incredible people, and moved into a new house. After all of that, issue two is finally coming together, although later than I was hoping. But there are some fun and beautiful things for you to enjoy within these pages.
Don't skip past our short story this month! Jason Gilchrist has created a world in "The Machine" that you can surely get lost in! And a beautiful poem by J.P. rounds out the issue! NOVUS Issue three "On The Road" is going to be spectacular! Photo essays from across the country as well as some interesting stories. Submit your favorite travel and adventure stories and photos to the email below!
We have interviews with the creators of Hungarian bag company Leafling Advertising space is now available. and with a young talented actor/ For ad specs you can email us at musician/model, Michael Stahler. novus.staff@gmail.com. We are also super excited about a DIY article by Julie Schubert on how to start eco-printing fabric to create unique and beautiful custom clothing.
03 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Thank you for stopping by and enjoy the issue! Lillian Reid Editor -in- Chief / Publisher
09 15 07
07 P. 07 P. 09 P. 15 P. 37 P. 45 P. 53 P. 67 P. 77
53 45
LITTLE LOVE AFFAIRS ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEAFLING MOVE: THROUGH THE LENS INTERVIEW: MICHAEL STAHLER DIY ECO PRINTING M A RKET FASH I ON FICTION: THE MACHINE POETRY: GREEN IN BLACK AND WHITE
ON THE COVER: ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHED BY LILLIAN REID IN SEATTLE
67
CONTENTS
NOVUS
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES ISSUE #3 ON THE ROAD • Photo and art submissions: Please send 4 - 6 lo-res / 72 dpi images or a link to your online portfolio to the email below. If chosen, we will email you to request hi-res files. Please take into consideration how images or art will flow as a 4 to 12 page layout • Written work should be sent in .doc format, maximum of 2,000 words. • If you are emailing us a question please write “question” in the subject line to get a more speedy response.
DEADLINE November 16, 2014 novus.staff@gmail.com
Ready. Set. Submit! 05 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
I SS U E 3
ON THE ROAD
S U B M I SS I O N
DEADLINE
11.16.14
LITTLE LOVE AFFAIRS
PHOTO // LILLIAN REID
07 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
T H I S M O N T H O U R FAV O R I T E S C O M E
T H I S PA G E :
F R O M A C R O SS T H E G LO B E A N D A R E
Leaf bag
S AT I S F Y I N G O U R S U M M E R C R AV I N G S .
|| b y L e a f l i n g , B u d a p e s t
Slim red leather wallet || b y L i l y P i s t o l L e a t h e r, U S A
N o r t h w e s s t B a s i c Tr a i n i n g
|| b y G r e g E i d e n a n d K u r t D . H o l l o m o n
O P P O S I T E PA G E : Lime macarons
|| b y F a r i n a B a k e r y i n P o r t l a n d , O r e g o n
Handblown cocktail glasses
|| b y A r t e c h S t u d i o s , O n t a r i o , C a n a d a
Of Mice and Men/Cannery Row || b y J o h n S t e i n b e c k
Roll top bike bag
|| b y L e a f l i n g , B u d a p e s t
Beaded earrings || b y J u d y P a y n e
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEAFLING
PHOTO // COOPER REID MODEL // LILLIAN REID BAG // LEAFLING DRESS // MARC JACOBS LOCATION // OREGON
09 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
INTERVIEW //
WITH GABRIELLA AND ADAM, THE
C R E ATO R S O F H U N G A R I A N B A G C O M PA N Y
LEAFLING
NO V US
But it's really great to
so rewarding and just
What type of work did
draw some new ideas
drives us forward to do
you both do before
in a notebook and play
better every time.
starting Leafling?
around with fabric
LEAF LI NG
colors, to figure out
NO VUS
I was working for
the how you are going
Do you sell Leafling
a large American
to put all the pices
exclusively on Etsy, or
company doing tech
together in order for
do sell in local shops in
support. Adam was
that bag to turn out
Budapest?
working for a small
the way you imagined
LE AFLING
Hungarian company
it. Sometimes it can be
At the moment we
doing market research.
a long process of just
sell mostly online on
trying and failing and
Etsy and on a much
NO V US
arguing
What is it about making
about
bags that makes you
changes.
happy?
Even so,
LEAF LI NG
it's just
G AB R I E L L A M O L DO VAN Y (24) an d ADAM H E G E DUS (30) a re t he o w n e r s a nd crea t o r s o f L ea fl ing. They l iv e an d w o r k in B uda pest , Hunga r y.
Absolutely everything
such a great feeling
smaller Hungarian
although to be honest I
when you finally
handmade website
really suck at drawing
get every little thing
just like Etsy called
and pattern making.
right and have a new
Meska. Whenever
Thank God Adam loves
product in hand that
we have the time we
this part the most.
actually looks great. It's
also attend handmade
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEAFLING
11 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: LEAFLING
Photos supplied by Leafling www.leafling.hu www.etsy.com/shop/LeaflingoOo 13 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
fairs in the Budapest
there is also a much
started in the first
city center since
bigger market and
place and to take the
there is one almost
more competition for
risk of doing what
every weeckend.
us. Just is Budapest I
you love for a living.
We are planing on
can list three amazing
Most handmade
opening a showroom
handmade brands
artists are managing
in Budapest hopefully
that make bike crafts
their creative business
and have been in the
part time and working
business 2-4 years
a day job. I think in
longer than us.
life you just have to
Where do most of your
So even Europeans and
take those risks and
sales come from?
Hungarians are getting
do whatever makes
more aware of us every
you happy.
within one year .
NO V US
LEAF LI NG
We are more popular in the USA and we are
month, which is great.
NO VUS
really glad about that.
NOVUS
What has been the
I personally did not
What has been the
most rewarding part of
imagine that people
hardest part of starting
Leafling?
overseas would love
your own business?
LE AFLING
our work this much.
L E A FLING
G: Being able to do
Etsy has played a
I would say the
what I love for a living
really big part in that.
hardest part is
and making people
Since in Europe biking
overcoming your fears
happy at the same time
has a bigger culture
and doubts about
is the best!
MOVE THROUGH THE LENS PHOTOS // MARCELA GARCÍA PULIDO
15 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Tunnel View, Yosemite National Park, CA Previous page // Imperial San Dunes, CA
17 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Vance Creek Bridge, Olympic National Forest, WA
19 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Tioga Pass, Yosemite National Park, CA
21 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Salvation Mountain, Imperial County, CA
23 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
25 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
McWay Falls, Big Sur, CA
27 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Humboldt County, CA
29 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite National Park, CA
31 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Mt. Hood National Forest, OR
33 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Multnomah Falls, OR Next page // Strawberry Rock in Humboldt County, CA
35 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Marcela GarcĂa Pulido is an outdoor enthusiast and sharpshooter. Her passion is for exploring the beautiful natural landscapes of this planet and meeting likeminded souls. With a background in psychology, she believes that everyone has a story to share and she likes to collect good ones. Through the use of her camera and travel, she strives to capture as many stories as she can.
MUSIC // NEW IN PORTLAND
NO STALLING WITH MICHAEL
STAHLER 37 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
INTERVIEW //
LO S A N G E L E S
T R I P L E T H R E AT
M I C H A E L S TA H L E R A R R I V E S O N T H E P O RT L A N D S C E N E
How did you get st ar t e d i n m u s i c ? I got into music and acting at the same
she didn't want to cut her finger nails.
A re y our p a rents
W ha t a bout E l vi s i ntri gued you? I think it was just at that age I registered
time, on the same day.
musical?
My mom bought me
No, nobody in my
that the girls liked
a VHS of "Jailhouse
family is musical. My
him. Although I don't
Rock," the Elvis Presly
dad is a literary agent
think I knew what
movie and I watched
and my mom was an
girls were really. I just
that movie religiously. I
actress and a dancer.
remember there being
was around 6-years-old
She
at the time. I saw his
mainly
character learning how
did stuff
to play the guitar in the
out of
movie and I pointed
New York.
at the T.V. and told my
She was
mom that I wanted to
in "The Warriors" and
do THAT. I learned the
"Hair." She was in a lot
songs that he played in
of off broadway and
the movie. I got lessons
danced a little bit on
with my sister, but she
Broadway.
dropped out because
that he was cool and
MICHAEL STAHLER, 24 CL I CK HE RE TO L I STE N TO HI S M US I C ! I N TE RV I E W & P HOTOS / / L I L L I AN R E I D
an attitude that I liked, even though I didn't know exactly what it was. There was just something about him that was alluring. We
MUSIC // NEW IN PORTLAND
39 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
had every single tape of his ever. I went on this two year rampage of fanaticism. I wanted to be this person. I remember being depressed that I was born a day after him,
S o y ou ha ve t hi s b a d boy, roc k i n ro l l , punk , c o w boy t hi ng g o i n g on. W ha t e l e m ents ha ve b ro u ght you t o t h a t k i nd of
days of the mysterious cowboy who rides into town saves the day and then leaves, the Clint Eastwood type character. I think it kinda just stuck, I love the asthetic of
on the 9th instead of
i m a g e?
the 8th. I would lie
My mom gave me all
you don't need to say
and tell people that I
her old flannels at
a whole lot. And I rode
was born on the 8th
about the age 7. Ha,
horses when I was
just so they would
no, that's not it. I grew
younger. I think most
think I had the same
up loving westerns. I
of my life I have been
birthday Elvis, instead
think growing up in
playing a character.
of Nixon.
L.A. I did adopt an alter
They are all me, but
ego to counterplay the
just different facets of
LA stigma. I adopted a
myself. It's hard to be
little bit of this middle
cool, I don't know what
I think now, the song
america, Americana
cool is, because I am
“Young and Beautiful�
persona, and people
such a goof. I'm self
from Jailhouse Rock.
started to notice. I
deprecating, so the idea
It's a ballad, only two
liked kinda being the
of the Western hero,
verses long. It is so
stranger in town. They
the antihero, it gave
vulnerable and so
knew me as the guy
me that little injection
powerful. That's my
who comes and goes.
of edge to help me
shower song.
Harkening back to the
get through. I always
Fa vor i t e E l v i s song ?
western movies, and
MUSIC // NEW IN PORTLAND
41 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
leave parties, or where
a pretty steady fear of
because I am just
I am, early. I like to let
people seeing the real
convinced that my
people believe that it is
me, the goof and the
happiness will be
because I am cool, not
nice guy that I am. And
struck down. It is a safe
because I have extreme
as a man, it can be
place to be sad. And,
social anxiety.
pretty shitty sometimes
I don't like listening
to be called “nice.” I'm
to songs about people
a very loving person,
being stoked. I want to
but that being said
hear how somebody's
I contend with a great
it is much easier for
life is worse than
deal of disappointment,
me to love outwards
mine, not better. It is
when people meet
instead of inwards. I
cathartic, music is.
me. It's safe for me to
think that those are a
be sad, to play that
lot of the themes in my
W ha t i s your
character. But I don't
songs, are about being
wri t i ng p roc ess?
want to bum people
walked over.
Sometimes I will have
Des cr i b e y o u r s e l f f o r us ?
out. I don't want to be a jerk. To a girl – whether we are friends or dating, I always end up saying that my biggest fear is when
D o y o u t hi nk that is an “ a r t i st ” t hi ng to h a v e a sl i g ht l y m a s oc hi st i c
an idea for a story, depending on the mood. I took about a year break. That is mainly why I moved here. I felt like I had
they actually get to
t e n d e nc y?
know me. Because
It is a lot scarier, to
and needed some
that whole image, or
admit when I am
maturity. I needed
whatever they saw, isn't
happy. I think it is
something to talk
there any more. I have
called cherophobia,
about. A lot of my
run out of material
MUSIC // NEW IN PORTLAND
01 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO 43 ONE
music isn't personal
imagine. I was doing an
experience and I was
awkward Elvis shuffle and
bored, and didn't write
jiggling all around singing
a song for about a year. I
this song about my sister.
just felt empty for a while, and was singing about the same thing. I was tired or
W here mi g ht you set t l e down for a
it and the people listening
whi l e?
to me were probably bored
It depends on how I view
of hearing the same thing.
success at the time. I
But in the last week, since
would be happy in the
moving up here, I have
cabin from “Legends of
written about five songs.
the Fall” in Montana. Yes,
And that is typical for me,
that is where I think I
there is usually a long
would be happy. I would
fallow period between
sit on the porch and drink
writing songs.
whiskey and play guitar.
H o w o l d were you w h e n y o u rec orded y o u r f i r s t song?
But Seattle has its own draw, as far as a music scene goes. I'm happy here for now. I want to
I was about 7 years old
at least experience two
and wrote a song called
seasons here, so I have
“Mean Sister Blues”
to stay here at least
and recorded it on a
through the fall. After
camcorder. I was a chubby
that, we will see.
little kid, if you can
GET GREEN // DIY
ECO
HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN MASTERPIECES PHOTOS // JULIE SCHUBERT
45 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
ARTICLE // JULIE SCHUBERT
We all have them, those
The first step is to collect
old white garments that
the leaves you wish to
aren't so white anymore.
use. Not all leaves print
Or, in my case, the white
as easily as others, and
garments that are magnets
some plants are toxic, so I
for
would recommend starting
those
unattractive
stains! I have learned, through
out with rose, eucalyptus, maple
and
smoketree
reading books by India
leaves. These leaves all
Flint, a magical way to
print well and make for an
transform these garments.
exciting first eco printing
This method is commonly
adventure.
referred to as eco printing,
The next step is to soak
and can give old garments
the fabric you've chosen
a new life.
in rain water. Or, if you
Transferring leaf images
are fortunate enough to
onto protein fabrics, like
live close to the ocean or
wool or silk, is the easiest.
a sea, you can also soak
GET GREEN // DIY
47 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
your fabric in the salt
or a copper/ iron pipe, can
water from there.
result in a more tightly excess
wound bundle. You then
water and lay your cloth
tightly secure the bundle
on a flat surface. Then
with string. Why do I
arrange your leaves onto
emphasize the word tight?
Ring
out
the
the fabric in a manner that is pleasing to you. You now want to tightly roll the fabric into a bundle, keeping
the
leaves
in
the positions you have chosen for them. This can be done just by rolling the fabric up on it's own. However, wrapping your fabric and leaves around a stick, a rusty old tin can
// top //
Bundles of leaves and cloth tightly wrapped around metal pipes before being boiled or steamed.
// bottom //
Bundles after having been boiled or steamed. You can easily see the change in color!
You want the fabric to be as snug to the leaves as possible, thus ensuring a nice even transfer. Now it's time to boil or steam the bundle. I usually boil mine, as the eucalyptus leaves need to reach a higher heat to release their color. If you chose to boil your bundles try adding some
GET GREEN // DIY
INSPIRATIONAL BLOGS •
prophet-of-bloom.blogspot.com iritdulman.blogspot.co.il obovate.wordpress.com red2white.wordpress.com wendyfe.wordpress.com localandbespoke.com wendiofthetreasure.com •
old tea bags or coffee
permeate more fully. I
the fabric in old milk, or
grounds to the water. By
have no patience, so I
soy milk, first. This, in
doing this you are adding
open mine right away. Yes,
essence, binds a protein
color
exposed
it's true, I also wake up
to the fiber making it act
fabric, creating interesting
before dawn on Christmas
like a protein fabric.
effects on the cloth.
morning to see what Santa
to
the
Let the pot and contents cool down overnight.
has brought me! This same process can
I
highly
reading
recommend India
Flint's
books "Eco Colour" and
After cooled you can
be done on cellulose
"Second
either open the bundles
fabrics, such as cotton or
never look at a leaf in the
right away, or wait a week
linen. For these fabrics
same way again!
or so to let the pigments
you would want to soak
49 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
Skin."
You'll
REVITALIZING (G R E E N I N G U P) YOUR WARDROBE Ask yourself these questions the next time you sigh looking at your wardrobe and think "I'm tired of wearing these old things..... time to shop for new clothes!" Where are all of the clothes in the stores coming from? What is the environmental impact of their production? How much human suffering?
ABOUT JULIE SCHUBERT From early on in life I have
In time I included silk on my
been the 'problem' child.
list of fibers, when I realized
I would only wear natural
that it wasn't really as
fibers.
When
Mom
expensive as people make
would
buy
clothes,
out. Or as temperamental in
and the first words out of
the laundry. Natural fibers
my mouth were...... "what
breathe with your body.
is made out of?" If it was
They keep you warm, or
cotton, linen, hemp or wool
cool, when needed.
my
me
I would give a 'thumbs-up' and eagerly let her buy it.
Instead of buy ing n e w, c o n s i d e r t h e fo ll o w in g o pti o n s! Make your own clothes! You don't need to be a wizard with a sewing machine, I certainly am not, just keep it simple and find some patterns you love. Buy somebody's handiwork if you feel that you don't have the time to sew your own. Buy clothes at thrift shops and yard sales!
GET GREEN // DIY
PHOTO // COOPER REID MODEL // JESSICA DRESS // JULIE SCHUBERT DESIGNS LOCATION // OREGON
51 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
MARKET place PHOTOS // LILLIAN REID MODELS // ASHLEY & SOFIA LOCATION // PIKE PLACE MARKET IN SEATTLE
53 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
55 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
57 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
59 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
61 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
63 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
65 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
FICTION
67 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
THE MACHINE
by jason GILCHRIST
A great poison drifted across the Earth. It stifled, in green brume, the multitude of life that was thriving there. Not a single creature would vanquish its insidious clench, their
not
abilities
with
all
of
desperately
working, all together against it. So they did as nature would so often beg of them; they
fled—some
far,
far
away, and others scouring into the heart of the darkest places. They ran and dug and flew and swam, but as fast as they could carry themselves, still for so many, they fell. The only refuge came to be in the deepest of caverns, which few could find, where the poison had so slowly yet to reach them, patiently seeping down to ARTWORK // "Into the Machine" by KEVIN SMITH
FICTION
come. They turned to meet it, its face
smother them. Many more were lost on the long
bearing a circular groove filled with
journey downwards. Their eyes and
angled indentations that hinted at a
ears and feelers were unsuitable, or
pattern, a direction that was so soon
their bodies were of a girth that was
ripped apart and spilled into the
just too wide. Others ran into walls
disparity of shadow, the magnitude
or nearly into the fathoms of the
of timelessness. The cave seemed
hollows as they barreled through
to tremble in a perfect quiet—not
the
snap
a drop, a rattle, a screech—and it
themselves around, hastily running
smelled of stale rot and of burnt
into tunnel after tunnel, only to find
metal, something long abandoned,
they'd never reach a way out.
yet strangely familiar.
tunnels.
They
would
When those that were left entered
As
the
last
of
the
creatures
poured
inside,
into the great cave, an equally great
desperately
sense of disquiet rippled across
succumbing to the absolute dread,
them.
creatures
they felt a powerful lurch, as if they
neglected every thought of the
were falling just for an instant, as if
poison trailing somewhere in their
the floor and the air shifted by their
wake, mesmerized by a lifelessness,
touch from an impossible intensity.
static patches of pale white, clinging
Far off, resembling metallic bangs
throughout the darkness beyond.
that wound and cranked, a noise
The glow was from a starved moss
was growing louder; again and
that somehow gave just enough to
again it resounded. Everything was
see a tarnished wall, rising far and
shaking, the cave and creatures,
aloft from which the creatures had
the skin and dust and scales and
The
shivering
69 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
“
The glow
was from a feathers—They
felt
nothing beneath them. Quickly,
they
looked
downwards, but the air and floor were still there, holding their wings and feet and abdomens up, keeping them closer and closer to the poison. It
seemed
the
had
closed
from
inlet
starved moss that somehow gave just enough to see a tarnished wall, rising far and aloft from which the creatures had come.
talons or paws. Together, the glowing moss endlessly guiding, they
searched
and
wandered, finding that the cave was as high and wide as the largest of mountains. It was carved out as a rectangle, four planes
to
drive
the
creatures into the only
the
earthquake, or from a different
direction forwards. There they saw
kind of mechanism, one that was
the beginnings of strange shapes
just as primitive, just as elemental
of countless metal angles, of small
that moved them into panic. The
and vast sizes, with notches and
noises faded and the tremors settled
rivets, grooves which ran in straight
back to silence. Fear of what was
lines. They rested intricately like a
coming returned in heavy stride.
tremendous puzzle and encompassed
The many creatures peeked back to
entirely this insurmountable prison.
the entrance; the lingering disquiet
For a time measured only by
heightened. Again they swooped
weariness, by the hunger and thirst
and ticked, unable to swim, unable
that was growing among them,
to dig, hunting for a passage that
spreading them farther and farther
had to be deeper. They rammed and
apart from one another, the creatures
struck and bit, breaking teeth or
watched
themselves
sniffing,
FICTION
tasting, wondering if every bit of this
thumps of blood and breathing. The
barren place was the same and had
pain struck as so pointless for some.
been repeating— again and again
With heads pushed to walls, they
the visions, the same empty odor,
abandoned their march, resigned in
ARTWORK // "The Machine" by Matt Pahler 71 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
wait to die, while the others shared
the great cave began to change. They
an equal resolve: conceding to the
could hear a faint grind and a faint
cries of life's demands.
rush, while their thoughts bled for
The creatures, their fears to clench
earth and for water.
and their greed to swell, found
Their panic soon dissolved, when
themselves thrown into a mighty
the creatures were drawn to blurred
battle. The patterns of the hall were
forms of blue and green, browns and
viciously smothered; remorselessly
maroon that paled in masses far into
they maimed and murdered. With
the distance, blotting out the white
claws and mouths and venom and
moss. A damp stench wafted, and the
strength,
they
creatures were running, puddles of
attacked anything to satisfy their
some thick muck spattering beneath
insatiable cravings, dying or slaying
them; they flapped and tripped and
long after their stomachs were
jumped,
heavily gorged.
they had ever needed—It was a vast
speed
and
wits,
discovering
everything
It was an awful bliss, this massacre
jungle that poured from the shapes
they now lied exhausted in. They
as if it was constructed, feeding on
were steeped in so much blood that
the patterns that illuminated, and
none could know who was living.
galvanized by this terrific place—
Still, they peacefully slept, murdered
slimy trees, bushes, streams and
next to murderer, and when they
ponds, hunks of earth and ore.
awoke, the sights and smells cast
Though they came upon something
but a fraction of those who had first
else unexpected here, strewn apart
entered, reeling forwards, over the
and solitary, massive and reptilian,
shapes and over the moss, until finally,
beasts they had never encountered.
FICTION
These were beings, once scrambling
until it dissipated, just as before.
just as them, now bones cracked
They warily continued to build
and returning to dust. Dilapidated
and divided themselves from one
mounds
and
another, claiming the areas as theirs.
rocks, sticks, mud, and unknown
So, in comfort, countless children
machines of metal were completely
were born, the first generations
abandoned, languidly covered by
to know only this baffling cave, to
the fecund jungle. Most of the
be told stories of the long journey
creatures ignored the long dead—
downwards. The divisions held for
some curiously chewing a tail or
an era; generations came, and the
a rib—and again, they feasted,
jungle never seemed to diminish.
drank, but not of each other. They
It would grow and give, and the
took from the life that was growing
creatures thrived. They had no need
among them.
to search further into the darkness.
and
nests,
hives
The creatures happily spread wide
Many years after, the jungle bore
and began to construct homes,
signs of its limits. A war to thin the
destroying the old, together to
squabble was inevitable.
forget the poison lurking somewhere
Diversities of progeny watched as
above. It hadn't reached them, and
they slaughtered each other for a
yet they suspected that this place
single leaf, a single berry, and when
sealed out the poison, protecting
the warring subsided, the pain and
everything within. Another quake
smell, many had already fled. The
trembled. The creatures screamed
cave returned to its glowing patches,
against
sensation,
to the barren shapes set in intricate
could hear the deep rupturing crank
patterns, surreptitiously whirring;
the
dizzying
73 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
“
The Mists
of an age long again their hunger drove them
to
again
they
desperation, murdered,
finding their way to damp smells and muck and chromatic oases, where
past hung
forge new generations,
across the progeny; the smell was of sweet earth and of seared metal.
each time they moved
to tell forgotten stories, face the coming battles and flee again and again and again; the fewest continued onwards, their eyes and ears and noses
to salvation that same vertiginous
more suited to the harshness of this
quake, that same metallic grind,
relentless cave.
followed precisely as their ancestors had warned.
Generation after generation passed this rise and fall until they reached
Hordes of bones littered the earth
a point where the walls narrowed,
and waters. There were odd things
not to another jungle, but into a
with thumbs that held blades to
cylindrical chamber. Mists of an age
their ribs, their mouths drooped
long past hung across the progeny;
open as if they were wailing in
the smell was of sweet earth and
despair. The progeny knew stories of
of seared metal. Gold and emerald
their homeland and the great dying
illuminated the walls and ceiling from
that condemned their ancestors,
somewhere below, and they were
but knew little of the others that
composed of monstrous cubes and
had come long before them. The
cuboids stacked upon one another.
frightened turned back, only to
It all began to forcefully rattle—
starve or hopelessly submit, while
moss shivering, drizzle dripping. So
others stayed in the oases, building
meticulously, the patterns shifted
homes and exhausting jungles to
in a grating crash. They cranked
FICTION
and smashed, cog into gap, slides
steamed and choking, brought every
and turns into incommensurable
motion to a trembling halt.
arrangements. They spiraled above
The creatures grew wary, hungry,
and deeply below. The creatures moved carefully through
the
The billowing air was humming.
chamber,
pressing
concerned only with escaping this lifeless
chamber
alive,
not
the
against the weight of the booming
workings of its purpose. Running to
grind. They saw and heard beneath
the wall and towering plate, they
their single path, extending well-
scoured for an exit and found only a
beyond
some
doorway leading to the place where
great inner-working. An earthen
their ancestors had first arrived.
mechanism of rectangular rods,
They could smell it. Rushing and
larger than those long-dead reptiles,
rushing, they murdered, ate and
pumped and fumed, back and forth,
drank from each other to survive.
exposed and latent. The symmetry
Those that endured met with a
was
slightest
dwindling populous, a jungle where
dimension. With each movement
the cycle began anew with the
of the rods, a circular plate at the
rumbling of the hall. It would grow,
chamber's end, covering the face of
and for a time, they would flourish
a vast wall, wound and slammed.
until the progeny were forced to
Countless intersecting lines that
flee over and over and over.
their
perfect
capacity,
to
the
whispered of a pattern, something
Millennia of living and dying,
recognizable, protruded from the
constructing and destroying, drove
plate. It sluggishly revolved, starting
the creatures round the Earth. They
and stopping, before the chamber,
crept and glided past the quakes and
75 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
jungles, the bones and moss, racing
creatures were lost on the long
by the shapes and patterns, the
journey upwards. They fell into the
chamber, its rods pumping, engraved
fathoms of the hollows or wandered
plate knocking. The generations
till they were no longer able. Those
would forget. Their stories would
that escaped entered into a painful
change to myth, themselves changed
brightness they had never seen, a
to something their ancestors would
poison-less world of odd familiarity,
find mysterious. They ran so swiftly.
filled with colors and clean scents,
The flying and crawling moved to
jungles
walking. They were strong, and
overwhelmed them—the escape to
their eyes saw far. They were able to
what their ancestors had whispered
travel great distances without food
of—and they began to grow wary,
and without water.
hungry, dispersing far and wide
and
flowing
waters.
It
When at last, the greatest populous
across the Earth where they slowly
of creatures to ever reach the
would forget that their own progeny
tumbling chamber together watched
might someday return.
the plate crank and lag. It stopped a short time after and a different
JA S ON GILCHRIST
doorway opened into the wall.
is a 28 year old contriver and
They moved through it, expecting
writer
the direction they were always
who attempts to create things
forced, relentlessly forwards, but
fantastical and inspiring. He is
instead it forced them higher, up
open to all ideas large and small,
and up to the surface of the Earth,
and welcomes them at his email,
spiraling through the tunnels. Many
jasongilchrist2286@gmail.com
in
Portland,
Oregon,
POETRY
Green in Black and White "238. Why is green drown in black while white isn't ?" - Ludwig Wittgenstein Remarks On Colour ________________
A young sea turtle floats awash in evening oils beside our white rowboat black eyes stare unaware of pearled clouds above their foiled reflection . . As the light changes we slip beneath the gray causeway - well beyond the reach of day far Diamond isles arise sparkle and call down to the mirthess souls of men . . We row sounding dark shoals and gently drift our nets over a gulf of dreams where bright Emerald streams flow subdued and deep under the shadow of a young sea turtle . . /jp
77 | NOVUS | ISSUE TWO
FIN PHOTO // LIILLIAN REID NOW GO HAVE A MACARON!
JULIE
SCHUBERT Weaver . Photographer . Eco Printer
tremblinginsidethecocoon.wordpress.com