Being a Muse

"I am not nor have I ever been a prostitute. I'm a muse. My body doesn't figure into the equation at all; only my ideas." Cailyn's red hair whipped around her face as she stood. "And I have no ideas for someone like you." The man could do nothing but stare as she walked out of the cafe.

"Well I don't see what the big deal is. You've slept with plenty of your inspired." Tobias said as they sat in the living room that night. Cailyn's purple eyes should have killed him.

"That is not the same Tobias and you know it. If I find one of my inspired to be attractive I might want to be with them, but this was different. He wasn't even an artist, he just wanted a warm body." Cailyn was positively crackling with anger. Morgan laid a soft hand on her shoulder.

"The world's changing. People don't pay mind to the old ways anymore. They forget things they once knew. Even the artists have forgotten. Musicians and painters take drugs, sculptures waste their craft on toys, and writers care only for the next dollar." Morgan sneered. Wesley pulled Morgan back onto the sofa.

"How did we end up like this?" Selena looked around they room. There they sat, five of the greatest muses in the world. Each responsible for hundreds of amazing works. From the Parthenon, to the Mona Lisa, to Danny Boy, to Harry Potter; these five had their hand in them all. Cailyn with her flaming mane and a body that most would kill for was every sculptor's dream. Tobias looked plain with his brown hair and eyes but he could make anyone dream of arches and columns. Selena could make a dying cat sing the sweetest melody you've ever heard just by setting her blue eyes on it. Wesley's grey eyes would fill your dreams with colors and patterns that only a brush could express. Morgan's realm was that of words and with her raven hair and emerald eyes it wasn't hard to believe that she had whispered to Rowling.

"We ended up like this because we have no power on our own. We can't create, only inspire." Wesley had always been the realistic one, they figured it was because he was the most unrealistic muse. Selena nodded her agreement.

"Then the question is what can we do about it?" Morgan was never one to surrender. She'd seen her share of book burnings and came out of each one more determined. She stood in front of the fire staring the others down. "They still need us. They can still use us. You can't tell me you would rather waste away in this room."

"Of course not Morgan, but we don't know how to reach them anymore." Tobias spoke softly and had his arms wrapped around Selena. Wesley simply watched.

"Well then we damn well better find a way." Morgan's eyes sparked and she seemed taller than her 5'10" frame. Cailyn stood and faced her like an opposing storm front.

"And just how do you propose we do that? Prostitute ourselves? If that's what you're interested in Morgan I know just the guy."

"Cailyn, you don't mean that." Wesley rose from his seat and stepped toward them. Morgan waved him away.

"No, we use our skills." There was a smug smile on Morgan's face as she said that but everyone else just stared.

"Have you lost your mind Morgan?" Selena asked. "You know we can't create what we inspire."

"Correct. I can't create what I inspire, but there is nothing that says you can't. Have you every tried to write something Tobias? Or Selena have you ever tried to paint a picture? Ever tried to sing Wesley? What about you Cailyn every tried your hand at making a beautiful building? I've certainly never tried to sculpt anything but I don't see why I couldn't." Everyone stared open mouthed as they considered her idea. They had never considered inspiring each other before.

As if to prove her point Morgan grabbed a piece of clay and stared at Cailyn. A few minutes later she had sculpted a beautiful mermaid. Inspired by her achievement Cailyn ran to the kitchen and grabbed a box of toothpicks. With some whispered pointers from Tobias she had soon constructed a perfect miniature chapel. Wesley opened his mouth the next second and sang a beautiful joyful song. While he sang Selena painted a glorious picture of the five of them in a sunny meadow. Exhilarated they all turned to Tobias. That is when he picked up a pen and wrote down this story.