Summer
Day 3
Year 511 AV
A thick heavy gloom hung over the place, practically dripping down peeling walls. People skittered around, hanging out laundry on make-shift lines; often sharing with two or three others and doubling up clothing. Even though they were clean clothes, they were faded and stained. Sidewalks of stone laid next to worn down dirt roads where children played and giggled, sometimes only half clothed. At night, the houses would light up and any travelers would skip from light ray to light ray, hoping to seek out a lodging for the night.
A child slid to a stop from chasing after a ball of worn leather, letting it roll away in the dirt. The mother would simply scold the child later. Staring at Canali with a thumb in his toothy mouth, he watched her wander past. No shirt clothed his young body. A bloated stomach, most likely just from water instead of food, hung over raggedy, patched pants. Bare, dirty feet. What looked to be the only clean spot upon this toddler was his big, blue eyes with long lashes accompanying each blink. A fluff of dirty blond hair spiked across his chubby head. He seemed unaware of the ball which had rolled away, coming to rest against her clad feet.
Canali's lips twisted into a small grin, eyes on the young toddler. Confusion warred with the smile which twitched his slobbery lips. Giving into the friendliness he spotted upon her face, the toddler beamed. Only one white front tooth hung crookedly. Truthfully, the single tooth was the whitest thing on his whole body, along with his eyes.
Leaning down, Canali's lean fingers grasped the leather ball. It was hard and rough, with uneven stitches covering it and holding the patched pieces together. Rolling it once in her palm before gently bringing her arm back and tossing it to the toddler, Canali watched as he scrambled to catch it. Feet smacking on the ground, the little boy ran after it, tripping once before scooping it up and turning back to her, in time to see Canali lift her hand in a slow wave. Grin dimming lightly, a little hand with chubby fingers lifted in farewell. Rejuvenated and with a slight skip to her step, Canali headed up the road.
It felt like home.
Walking down the sidewalk, Canali was transported back to a time when a very scared teenager had traveled in the same direction. A worn leather pack with visible creases in it was swung over her scrawny shoulder. Purpose colored her aura. Canali had been on her way to the orphanage, determined to receive some type of shelter. Or at least a meal to fill her crying stomach. Only several days ago had her father, Nathan, been killed. The memory shot pain to her solidly beating heart. Pushing it away, Canali had stepped up to the orphanage door before hesitating.
Day 3
Year 511 AV
A thick heavy gloom hung over the place, practically dripping down peeling walls. People skittered around, hanging out laundry on make-shift lines; often sharing with two or three others and doubling up clothing. Even though they were clean clothes, they were faded and stained. Sidewalks of stone laid next to worn down dirt roads where children played and giggled, sometimes only half clothed. At night, the houses would light up and any travelers would skip from light ray to light ray, hoping to seek out a lodging for the night.
A child slid to a stop from chasing after a ball of worn leather, letting it roll away in the dirt. The mother would simply scold the child later. Staring at Canali with a thumb in his toothy mouth, he watched her wander past. No shirt clothed his young body. A bloated stomach, most likely just from water instead of food, hung over raggedy, patched pants. Bare, dirty feet. What looked to be the only clean spot upon this toddler was his big, blue eyes with long lashes accompanying each blink. A fluff of dirty blond hair spiked across his chubby head. He seemed unaware of the ball which had rolled away, coming to rest against her clad feet.
Canali's lips twisted into a small grin, eyes on the young toddler. Confusion warred with the smile which twitched his slobbery lips. Giving into the friendliness he spotted upon her face, the toddler beamed. Only one white front tooth hung crookedly. Truthfully, the single tooth was the whitest thing on his whole body, along with his eyes.
Leaning down, Canali's lean fingers grasped the leather ball. It was hard and rough, with uneven stitches covering it and holding the patched pieces together. Rolling it once in her palm before gently bringing her arm back and tossing it to the toddler, Canali watched as he scrambled to catch it. Feet smacking on the ground, the little boy ran after it, tripping once before scooping it up and turning back to her, in time to see Canali lift her hand in a slow wave. Grin dimming lightly, a little hand with chubby fingers lifted in farewell. Rejuvenated and with a slight skip to her step, Canali headed up the road.
It felt like home.
Walking down the sidewalk, Canali was transported back to a time when a very scared teenager had traveled in the same direction. A worn leather pack with visible creases in it was swung over her scrawny shoulder. Purpose colored her aura. Canali had been on her way to the orphanage, determined to receive some type of shelter. Or at least a meal to fill her crying stomach. Only several days ago had her father, Nathan, been killed. The memory shot pain to her solidly beating heart. Pushing it away, Canali had stepped up to the orphanage door before hesitating.