*bleu pov*
The morning was cold and moist. The air was silent and calm. The sun hadn't broke through the horizon yet and it was still dark out. I grab my coat and head outside.
Moring dew clung to the leaves of plants and my wooden fence was damp from the moisture as well.
I went out to my garden to tend to my Rose's, as I do every morning, and stop to find something in the distance. Just over by my new sprouts, was a person covered in dirt. Thier hair was blonde and filthy. They must not take baths or soemthing. Probably a peasant.
I move some hair out of thier face and realize it's actually a woman.
"Goodmorning m'lady, you seem to be on my plants."
I gently poke the woman with a stick and she jolts awake. Her eyes dart from the plants to me.
"It appears so." Her voice was raspy and deep. It gave me chills down my spine.
The woman stood and dusted off her shirt which was torn and nearly falling apart. She pinched the bridge of her nose and grunted loudly.
"I'm sorry ma'am, I didnt see your flowers there." She stretched her arms and legs and yawned, creating a mist from the heat of her voice.
I look from her to my broken fence gate that held my sign with the words
"miss blues garden, dont enter without permission, thank you."
"Well, some of us arent the sharpest of blades and that's ok, but your going to have to clean up this mess here before you leave ma'am." I picked up my sign and dusted it off, and noticed something weird.
Claw marks.
My sign was made of wood, ebony wood. And the claw Mark's were delicate, Thin and deep. they left four long slashes across the board without splitting the wood down the grain.
No bear could damage a sign like that and have it still together in one piece.
I was awakened from my thoughts as I felt a hesitant tap on my shoulder. I turn and meet eyes with the mysterious human. She quickly darted her eyes to the ground before speaking.
"If I'm not a bother, could you perhaps lend me clothing?"
She stood with a slight slouch and always stared at the ground when speaking. Shy I'm guessing.
"Yes, but first you have to wash up."
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I lived at the end of the road, the edge of the village, away from others, but I liked it. I grew my own crops, sewn my own clothes, and lived practically by myself.
Of course it got lonely from time to time, but I always had my plants to keep me company.
"Ok, I started the water for you, just hop in and I'll come with your clothes when you are done." I gave her a rag to use to bathe and a bar of soap. "I dont want you using mine, so heres a lemon scented one. Your welcome." She shyly took the items from my hands and met my eyes. "Thank you ma'am, I'll be sure to pay you back for your kindnes." She gave me a smile and closed the door silently. I smiled and started to walk towards the window. I stared out towards the village. I saw torches and small houses and cows walking around casually.
Ever since they assumed for me to be a witch, I've been living here. Alone. Exiled. All because of some dumb beast.
I looked down into my hands and saw the scar those savages left me that night.
I remember it all, the fire, the mob, the chanting 'burn the witch.'
I closed my eyes as I felt a hot tear run down my cheek. 'When I find that beast, I'll make it pay, ill hang its fur over my mantel and show them all. I'm not the monster.'
I made a fist and slightly banged my hand on the window still. 'I'll find you, I'll hunt you, and I'll make sure you never see the light of day again.'
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I sank into the warm water as I felt my muscles relax. 'I couldn't control it, I couldn't just kill her and run away. Not like last time.' Uugghhhh.
I lowered my head and gave out a small whimper. 'She's gonna find out. She'll notice and turn me in." I looked down at my body and saw the fur that infested it. Practically covered me from head to toe. Matted down flat by the mud from the garden, it made it easier to hid in my clothing.
But if she were to see me without my clothes, it would be a dead give away.
Welp, it was a nice run, but all good things must come to an end. I went into my pocket and pulled out a knife and held it to my neck. I'd rather die here than be chased down my entire life, I'm already tired of that.
I was about to slice it open, then.
Knock knock knock,
"um miss, are you you ok? Do you need help?" My hand slowly lowerd and splashed in the water as I picked my head up to return the dialogue, "yes I am ok," I sat more straight and pushed my hair out of my eyes, "just got some scrapes I'm washing off, no need to worry."
There was silence.
"Okay, well I'm heading to the kitchen to make supper, I'll leave the clothes here and tomorrow you can clean my garden." I heard a soft plop as she put down the clothes and light clicks as she walked away.
Only know was it that I realized I didnt have shoes on when she found me.
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I had just finished putting on the clothes and was heading down stairs. my feet were heavy and made much sound as I marched downstairs. I looked out on of the windows and saw It was already dark outside and snowing as well.
I went into the kitchen and saw the woman serving me a bowl of carrot soup.
"I hope you like it, it's made by carrots I grew." I gulped as she handed me the bowl, And gave me a spoon. I looked at the bowl, then at her and smiled.
I hate carrots.
"Thank you." I walked to the dining room and sat at the head of the table. I picked up my spoon and stared down at the steaming liquid. "What's wrong? Did you catch a cold?" I gave her a confused look then realized, it's cold in the house. But I cant feel it because of my fur. I had forgotten not everyone has fur for winter."Oh it's not that bad, I'm from up north so I've learned to sweat alot." Way to go genius, "wait hol on I dont sweat, I mean I do but-" I was interrupted by light laughter from the small woman "haha it's ok dear, I understand." She placed a hand on my arm and smiled at me. Her hand was warm and I could feel my cheeks get hot. 'Oh gosh.'
I gave her a crooked smile and nervously chuckled.
I cleared my throat and started talking again "anyways, I wanted to ask where I might be sleeping tonight?" The lady sitting across from me placed a finger to her cheek and thought for a bit. "Hmmm well I do have a spare guest room you can use, but there is no fireplace in there, then again I doubt that's a problem for you." She flashed me a smirk and I could feel my cheeks warm up again. "Of course you can always warm me up miss." I winked at her and she nearly spat out her soup. Two can play at that game. "Oh please, as if," she cleaned her mouth with a napkin from the table,"and I have a name you know, you dont have to keep referring to me like an elder."
I finished my soup, or at least what I could finish with, and set it aside, "well what may I call you m'lady?"
"Bianca Chandraneel." She extended her hand out to me and I took it in mine.
"Elise."
She gave me a perplexing stare as we shook hands. "You have no last name?" I shook my head in response. "I dont have a family name to claim, I have no relatives, I am not from wealthy or recognized family nor do I know about my family history." I could feel my heart clench at the sad truth, "I have no one." Her face grew long as she looked at the wood between us. All was still in that moment, but she broke the silence."Well," she took my hand and looked into my eyes, "I can always share my name if you'd like." I smiled at her and look back into her deep blue eyes.
"I would like that very much."
