Chapter 2
AN: Thank you guys for the reviews/follows/favorites! It's been a while, and I'm sorry for that! Hopefully this makes up for it :)
18 Years Later
"C'mon Oolong, enough messing around!" the blonde said as she picked up her small friend, her only friend really, "mom's going to be back in two hours, we need to get the chores done then make the sweets and candles."
Her little pet piglet pouted at her, he'd rather play a few more games of hide and seek with her than do chores...well, watch her do the chores, he just kept her company. Marron carried Oolong with her to the kitchen and set him down on the corner table. That was always Oolong's spot as she cleaned. The blonde sighed and pushed some of her very, very, long hair to the side. Then she began to do her chores, humming various rhythms that popped into her head and swaying as she completed different tasks.
This was the normal everyday routine for Marron. Wake up, eat breakfast, do her chores, make the sweets and candles, do some of her favorite hobbies, then brush her tremendously long hair. This routine stuck with her for as long as she can remember.
Oolong never knew how Marron could manage such length. Her hair stretched to practically every room and ceiling beam in the tower. Last time she measured it, it was seventy feet long! He knew why she couldn't cut it, but if that were him, he wouldn't care at this point. It was way too much hair.
But the way Marron carried herself, it never seemed to be a problem for her. Everyday, doing the chores and other activities around the tower, she picked up, moved, and hanged any part of her hair that was in her way. And not once did she get frustrated about it, it was like second nature to her.
The blonde always stayed cheerful and positive throughout her life despite the repetitive, tiring routine. To think, she'd done the same things over and over again throughout the years. She loved to read, but how many times could she read the same four books over again? She had read the books over enough to recite them by now! Painting was also one of Marron's favorite hobbies, but she painted so much around the tower, she was starting to run out room!
Knitting, cooking, sketching, sowing, reading, writing, painting, and brushing... the list goes on and on! She's done it all, but how long could she really keep herself entertained in this tower? Oolong swore she would've gone insane by now.
"You know Oolong, " she began as she started sweeping, "today's the day! I'm really going to ask her!" Oolong perked up on the table and happily nodded. He knew more than anything that this was Marron's big dream.
"Mom knows how long I've wanted to see the floating lights," she continued, "I'm older now and a lot more responsible, I don't see why she'd say no. Besides, tomorrow's the big day, my day, it's the perfect present. Just you wait Oolong, I'll finally get to go outside for the first time!"
The floating lights, a phenomenon that appears at night once a year, coincidentally on Marron's birthday. Every year since Marron was able to walk, she would sneak out of her room the night of her birthday, sit by the large window in the living room and watch the floating lights in the sky. Marron always wondered where they came from and why they were there, especially only on her birthday.
She yearned for the day she'd get to go outside and see what the world had to offer. If the floating lights exist, who knows what else is out there!
'Mother knows,' she thought.
Her mother came and went from the tower whenever she pleased. Most of the time it was to sell the sweets and candles that Marron made, but other times, her mother just felt like taking a walk. Marron wished she could just 'take a walk'. If her mother could do it, then why couldn't she?
"I'm more experienced, Marron, you're young, you can't survive out there," her mother would say. Her mother tells her time and time again that it isn't a safe world, and she was right. The blonde knows her mother means well, she knows her mother wants to keep her safe. That's why she never questioned why she couldn't go outside. Mother always did know best.
Marron began to sweep the living room, using her foot to lift any part of her hair that was in the way. "How do you think I should approach her, Oolong?" she asked, "Should I just go for it or butter her up first?" Oolong tapped his little foot twice, indicating the second choice was best in his opinion.
"You're right," Marron said, "I have to make sure she's in a good mood first."
The blonde swept under the large window before looking out to the sky, she sighed as she leaned against the broom, her cheek pressing onto the top of the handle. And as she looked on, she couldn't help but wonder; 'When will my life begin?'
Cuckoo! Cuckoo!
"The pie's are done Oolong!" Marron yelled once she heard the cuckoo clock strike the hour, "just in time too, mother should home any minute now."
Oolong scrambled with excitement into the kitchen upon hearing his name. Marron grabbed a small rag and quickly took the pies out of the oven, giving one to Oolong as a snack. "Apple pie, I know it's your favorite, but be careful it's still really hot," Marron said as she fanned the rest of them on the counter, "alright, that's all the sweets for today."
Marron always made either pies or cupcakes for her mother to sell, along with the candles. Her mother always told her how well of a baker she was, people all around the villages buy the sweets for dessert practically every day. It gave Marron a little pride whenever her mother came back all sold out.
"Marron!" the blonde heard, "Let down your hair!"
"Coming mother!" Marron yelled as she walked out of the kitchen, an extra spring in her steps from excitement. She started picking up lengths of her hair as she approached the large window, wrapping it around a large hook at the top, and letting the rest of her hair cascade down the tower.
'Don't be nervous,' Marron told herself, taking deep breaths to calm herself, 'you can do this, don't be scared, it's just a small request. The worst she can do is say no.'
"We've sold out again darling!" Mai said happily as she climbed up using Marron's hair, "Some of the villagers are asking if I had more! You've got another batch right?"
"Yes I do," Marron said as she helped Mai through the window.
"Lovely, we'll be eating good tonight," Mai chuckled, "I'll save a pie for us for dessert. Are your chores finished?"
"Yes they are," Marron said as she took her hair off the hook, simultaneously thinking on how to ask this particular question.
"You're always one step ahead darling," Mai said as she set her basket down, making her way over to her grand chair, "I am feeling a bit drained from the trip though."
Marron knew exactly what she was hinting at, so she quickly grabbed her small stool and hair brush and set it in front of Mai. "Would you like a pick me up?" Marron asked sweetly.
Mai smiled, "See what I mean? Always one step ahead," she said as she picked up the hair brush. "Will you sing?"
Marron nodded and quickly recited the verse as Mai began brushing her hair;
Let your power shine
Bring back what once was mine
Mai breathed in as Marron's hair began to glow, letting the power wash over her. Her hair grew strong and regained it's color, her skin felt firm and healthy, her body felt-
"So mother," Marron said quickly after finishing the verse, "As you know, tomorrow is a very special day."
Mai huffed, not being able to feel the rejuvenation process as much as she'd like, but she sensed the excitement in Marron's voice. "Is it bakers day?" she played.
"Nooo," Marron giggled, "It's my 18th birthday!"
"Oh right, right!" Mai laughed, "A big day huh? Any ideas on what you want?"
Marron took a deep breath, her nerves getting the best of her, "yes actually," she said, "you know the floating lights that appear in the sky?"
Mai gave her a puzzled look, "you mean the stars?"
"No," Marron said, "these lights aren't the stars."
"Marron the only lights in the sky are the stars."
"Stars aren't the only things in the sky," Marron began as she walked over to one of her paintings on the walls, "I've kept track of the stars before, and they're always consistent. But these lights, they only happen once a year, and on my birthday. I just feel like there's some sort of connection, like they're meant for me-"
"For you?" Mai scoffed, "Please Marron, be realistic."
"Well even if they're not for me, It would mean the world to me if I could see them in person-"
"You see them in person every year by the window," Mai said, "how does going to the village make a difference?"
"I could have a better view-"
"You're view from here is fine," Mai said sternly.
"Well could I at least go outside?" Marron asked, "I've always wanted to do that, I'm old enough now. I think it's time I actually-" Marron stopped as she noticed Mai's gaze on her, a feeling of regret washing over her.
"What have I told you about asking me that, Marron?" Mai asked lowly.
Marron stayed silent, looking down at the floor, she let out a small sigh, knowing she pushed too far. Oolong had been listening and watching the conversation unfold by the kitchen door, he crept over to Marron's feet after seeing her defeat, she really did try her best.
"I've told you time and time again that the outside world is no place for a girl like you," Mai told her, "It's dangerous. You wouldn't last even a few minutes out there. There are thieves and kidnappers crawling around all over the place! You have no knowledge of where anything is either, you'd get lost the minute the step out there. I've created a safe space here for the both of us, hidden away where no evil can find us. And you want to leave it?"
"I never meant-"
"Of course you didn't mean to!" Mai yelled, "How dare you disrespect what I've done for you! I risk my life going out there selling the goods to bring back food and anything else you want! I do my damned best to keep you happy here and all you want is more!"
The blonde stood up from the small stool and walked up to her mother. "I'm sorry, mom," she said softly, "I never meant to disrespect you. You're right, I had no right asking you that. I should be more thankful."
Mai sighed, seeing Marron's eye begin to fill with tears, she cupped the girl's face in her palms, wiping away her tears with her thumbs. "I'm sorry I yelled at you," Mai said, "I don't like being the bad guy, I just want you to understand why you can never go out there."
"I understand," Marron said as she looked up at Mai, "I promise I understand now."
Mai smiled at her, "I'm glad you do," she said, "Now no more of these tears! I've got to get back out there to sell the rest of the pies before dawn. Are they finished?"
"Yes," Marron said, wiping the rest of her tears, "They're on the stove top, they should be finished cooling by now."
"Lovely!" Mai exclaimed as she picked up her basket, heading into the kitchen to gather them all.
Marron looked down at Oolong and sighed, "Well, I tried," She said softly, "Besides, she's right, she does her best to give me whatever I've wanted in here." Oolong shook his little head, he knew Marron wanted this more than anything and she deserved it. He felt so sorry for her.
Mai came back out of the kitchen and headed for the window. "Your hair, darling."
"Right," Marron said as she gathered up some of her hair, walking over to the window and hooking it once again for her mother.
"I'll be back soon Marron!" Mai said as she held onto Marron's hair while sliding down.
Marron waved, "I'll see you soon."
Oolong walked over to the blonde as she gazed out the window, watching Mai walk into the distance. "As much as she is right," Marron began, "I should be thankful for what I have... But how long am I going to stay here?" Marron sighed. "How long am I going to keep baking, keep painting these walls, keep reading the same books... How long would I have to do this before I can experience something new? Isn't experiencing new things what life is about?"
Oolong let out a small "oink" and snuggled next to Marron's foot as she spoke, letting her know that he was there for her. "The characters in my books, they go out and explore the world, learn new things... they even have friends-"
Her piglet oinked disappointingly at her and Marron looked down at him, giving him a little smile. "I know you're my friend silly," she said, "you'll always be my friend... But I'd like other friends too... I'd like to have an adventure one day... but it doesn't look like that day will come any time soon... or ever, as mom seems to say."
Marron gazed back at the big field around the tower, wondering when, and even if, her life will begin.