21st of Spring, 517AV
Hundreds of crystalline masks gaze upward as the flickering lanterns soared higher, joining its sky friends carrying wishes towards the heavens. Only one mask stares elsewhere, emerald eyes watching as Elindre adjusted the linen veil concealing her black hair and its opalescent shimmer, especially noticeable during the Azure and Star festivals. Confident the veil was secure, she resumed her attention on the lanterns floating away, unaware of the piercing eyes of the younger girl just behind.
Once the revelry around the plaza winds down, Nadjia's family begin the walk back to their cottages in Sharai. A cacophonous blend of smoke, tea, goat, and starfruit linger as they walk past vendors packing away their carts. Away from the others, Nadjia tugs on the sleeve of her mother’s dress. “W--why does aunt Elindre always wear a veil? I remember when she used to wear it in the most intricate braids and…”
“Your great uncle Kaj passed away last harvest, you know this! She’s here in Lhavit to be with family, but it’s still a period of sadness.” Her mother interrupted, voice tinged with irritation and something else that Nadjia couldn’t recognize. “Mom, I saw it shimmer tonight, her hair I mean, it was ike a dark jewel.” Eline paused, grabbing her daughter’s hand. “No more questions. It was a trick of the light, that’s all. Now go help your father with his supplies.”
Nadjia quickened her pace to catch up, then offered to take a canvas and a few scroll cases from her father's arm. She walks home in near silence, distracted and trying to figure out what she must have done earlier that day to upset her mother.
Once the revelry around the plaza winds down, Nadjia's family begin the walk back to their cottages in Sharai. A cacophonous blend of smoke, tea, goat, and starfruit linger as they walk past vendors packing away their carts. Away from the others, Nadjia tugs on the sleeve of her mother’s dress. “W--why does aunt Elindre always wear a veil? I remember when she used to wear it in the most intricate braids and…”
“Your great uncle Kaj passed away last harvest, you know this! She’s here in Lhavit to be with family, but it’s still a period of sadness.” Her mother interrupted, voice tinged with irritation and something else that Nadjia couldn’t recognize. “Mom, I saw it shimmer tonight, her hair I mean, it was ike a dark jewel.” Eline paused, grabbing her daughter’s hand. “No more questions. It was a trick of the light, that’s all. Now go help your father with his supplies.”
Nadjia quickened her pace to catch up, then offered to take a canvas and a few scroll cases from her father's arm. She walks home in near silence, distracted and trying to figure out what she must have done earlier that day to upset her mother.
[WC: 278]
Nadjia
