The wind blew in to her white soft curls that rested on her head. The look on her face was distant, and very thoughtful. Her gray eyes stood out on her black lashes, like the pink on her cheeks against her sun-deprived skin. The black silk ribbons, which were intertwined in her hair, tickled her bare shoulders. She was a petite teen, but had the curves such as if she were a goddess. Her fashion was ever changing, like the "it" things in the high fashion industry.
My name is Sasha Rouge Monroe. People say I am one of those intellectual, clever, but a smart-a** kind of girls. I tend to be sarcastic and love to be the center of attention. I am fantastic speaker and can put a person on to their knees in shame with the quickest of words. I have never been in love with a man, for I believe that every man is evil and the root of evil. I am Miss Independent.
My passion is for the dancing arts and the art of creation. I believe that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder and is found with in one's self. I speak my mind and not afraid to do so. I have a talent to read minds and body language; however I also have a talent to bend fire. My favorite hobbies are belly dancing and debating with complete strangers. Though I warn you, I have the tendency to be rude and loud, but I can also be a total sweetheart to those that are important to me.
Even though I am person with many talents, they were striped from my acknowledgement when I was a child. I had grown up in a dark past. At the age of 6 years, I was living the life of the average. It was until one morning I was awakened by the glass and the furniture, in another part of the house, falling and breaking on the floor. I lifted my little body from my white bed sheets, and walked in the hallway with curiosity and tiredness. My old white nightgown would bunch up at my ankles because of my height. My footsteps were quiet against the hardwood floor.
Turning the corner, rubbing my eyes to remove the sleepiness in them, I entered the scene from where the noises came from. I opened my eyes and witnessed mother being tied up with cable wire by 3 men, whom I have never seen before. Mother saw me in the corner, and mouthed "I love you" quietly but with a face that was filled with horror, fear, and sadness. I stood still in shock, not knowing what to do. Mother screams, "Run my little spirit, run and never come back to this place. I love you my little spirit! Ru-"
A punch to mother's stomach from one of the three men stopped her talking. "Shut up you wretched whore!" yelled the man who delivered the punch. In a whisper that is filled with sobs, mother spoke, "Hush now my baby. Be still love, don't cry. Sleep as you're rocked by the stream. Sleep and remember my last lullaby. So I'll be with you while you dream. River, O river. Flow gently for me. Such precious cargo you bear. Do you know somewhere she can live free? River, deliver her there."
Mother was then thrown against a wall, and when she made impact, the wall began to spew out water. In complete fear, I ran down the hall away from the water. I ran into my room and closed the door quietly behind me. Grabbing the bag that my mom had made for me, I climbed into a handmade wicker basket that I had used as a bed, and pulled over the lid that sat against the window. Sitting up in my white bed, I tied up the ropes that sealed the basket shut from the inside, like mother had taught me earlier that week.
Wood cracking could be heard from door that led into my room. I held on tight to the bag as I lay on the bed. The basket lifted off the ground and I felt it sway with the motion of the water's movements. Be still love, don't cry. Sleep as you're rocked by the stream. Mother's last words filled my mind, and comforted me. I fell asleep as if it mother's arms rocking me; water blurred my little eyes and overflowed down my cheek. "Mama~. . . ." Sleep and remember my last lullaby. So I'll be with you while you dream.
It has been more than 10 years since that incident, and I have learned so much in that time. Looking to my right, I view the butlers and maids that are franticly searching for me in the courtyard. I laugh and smirk at their attempts. "Sasha, you know better than to cause a ruckus in the royal courtyard." A strong feminine voice speaks behind me. I turn around, letting my white curly mane fall off my shoulder and on to my back; I look up to the woman who found me in the river. "Forgive me mother, it was mere sport." I move away from the white marble balcony, and bow my head in respect to the woman I called mother.
A forgiving smile was on her face as she came to me, embracing me with her arms. "Come my child; let us get ready for the lunar festival." I nodded and followed her in to the room filled with exotic and luxurious clothing fit for a king, or should I say princess. "Rouge, tonight will be a special night for you my darling. We must dress you in a-more fitting attire for tonight's celebration." I looked at her with a confused look. I sighed, "Please don't tell me, and let me guess. Someone has a husband." I spoke in a sarcastic tone, acting happy and clapping my hands. The queen smiles, "Yes, and it isn't me this time. Someone has asked for your hand."
That stopped me in my tracks. I looked at her. "Mother, forgive me, but I refuse. I will not let a mere man take me and tie me down to be his little wife!" I spoke with a tone of sudden anger. "Rouge, that is no way to speak to me," she rose her voice, then in a softer tone," You must marry. I am getting old, child. And I will need you to take my place as Queen of Ursa. The man that has chosen you is from the Kingdom of Ehwa." I look at her with shock. The Kingdom of Ehwa, how can that be? I thought that the prince had already chosen a wife. And now he wants to choose me. Great. "Mother, I suggest that I should wear this dress." I pulled out a white dress that had black accents on the ribbons and black lace work on the edges of the dress. It was a strapless dress, which had a train in the back. The train began from the waist and sloped down to the ground and dragged behind the dress about a foot's length. On it was white pearls, sewed in by hand, in a shape of Little Ursa, it contrasted on the black train.
"That my dear, is a wonderful choice." She spoke with great approval. I merely smiled, and planned for tonight's events, for it would be eventful indeed. "Thank you Mother. I will put this on at once after I have bathed. I will see you later on tonight." I bowed in respect to the Queen.
I waited for the Queen to exit the double doors. At the moment that they closed, I ran towards my closet and went to the far back wall. I moved the clothing that hid the marble brick wall. I counted up four bricks up and fingered the edges to get a grip of the edge. I pulled out a thin sheet of marble and revealed my little bag sitting in a hallowed out wall. I set the sheet on the floor and pulled out the bag with much care. I held the bag close to me and took a breath of the scent that reminded me of my past. Memories of blue crystals and images of water filled my mind. A voice so faint calls out to me but I can't hear what it is saying. Music fills my ears, harps, wooden flutes, deep bell chimes, and harmonic voice sing in tune and bring be back to the place of where I came from.
"Miss Sasha, your bath is ready. Miss Sasha? Miss Sashaaaa?" A maid's voice is heard coming from in my room. I am dragged out of my mind and thrown back in to reality. Quickly I place the marble sheet in its place and hide the bag behind my back. "Coming!" I say in a sadden voice. I walk to my dresser and hide my bag in the 2nd drawer.
"Miss Sasha, I am so excited to see you in tonight's festival! Have you heard? The Prince of Ehwa wants to marry you. Come let us get you ready." A overly excited maid speaks and pulls me in to the bathing room. I don't remember much after that since all I could think about were the memories from my past. I kept silent as the maids bathed me and readied me for the evening. Before I knew it, I was dressed in the white and black dress I had picked out earlier that morning. My hair was the same, with the black ribbons intertwined in my hair. I had lost track of time. Crap…
I looked in to the mirror as the last maid left me to prepare for the evening. I look at myself. I am not a princess of Ursa. I am Sasha. This is not my home; this isn't where I belong, windows and rooms, which I am passing through. This is just a stop, to the place where I am going. I am not afraid because I know, this is my temporary home. I look back and walk towards the closet to get my little bag.
I sit on my bed and open my little bag. I pour out the contents on to my made bed. A bangle, a crystal with a string tied on to it, a knife made of stone with engravings on it, a little white nightgown, and a light blue cape with white and blue stitching that mimic the engravings on the knife. The bangle and the nightgown are mine. But the other things are my mother's. I close my eyes and try to calm my thoughts and breathing.
River, O river. Flow gently for me. Such precious cargo, you bear. Do you know somewhere, she can live free? River, deliver her there.
I open my eyes and stay still to listen to the familiar voice. As soon as I opened my eyes, the voice was gone. I put the items back into the bag and grabbed some light clothing from my closet. I ran to my mirror and placed all of my jewels in my little bag. That should get me some money. I need my shoes…
I took off the heels that I wore and traded them for my boots. I looked in the mirror once more. Tonight I am leaving, regardless. But I must be careful.