Quick AN: I'm not really going to refer back to Alanna's past in the convent in a whole story. You will learn about it as the story progresses.
Thom frowned at the formal-ness. He had expected more detailed answer, one that was "horrible", or perhaps "torturing", not "well". No, "well" was not what Alanna would use to describe the convent.
After a polite goodbye, Thom headed for the Mess Hall. When he was younger, he had wished, sometimes, that Alanna would be a lady and wouldn't shout at him. Now, he missed her. It is funny, how you only start to realize how much you miss something or someone once it/he/she isn't there anymore. Right now, it is her temper.
He was troubled to see the dull violet eyes, showing no emotion, almost like a lump. He is starting to regret his younger wishes, just wishing that he could help Alanna in some way. He knows that only a real problem could get Alanna so emotionless, maybe not emotionless, but reserved. Even smiling seemed hard to do, as if she had never smiled before. He hated seeing Alanna like that.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Lady Cythera.
"The same to you, Lady Alanna," Lady Cythera toned after Alanna. You would have thought they were twins. Both ladies lips were tilted only a little ways up, no more no less. It was the profile of a polite smile, covering up any inconvenient thoughts.
A small bob of the head, and a small dip downward (curtsy) with her head bowed slightly, the sixteen year old departed. Out the door she went and then to the only other place she knew, her room.
She seated herself on the fine chair near her bed, and started at herself in the mirror. The pallid face was motionless, as well as emotionless. Not a hair stirred in the room. Her thoughts too, were not operating, as if it was frozen. All Alanna's actions could only be described as awareness. Perhaps she was meditating, but does one meditate on a chair in front of a mirror?
A small knock soon jolted the girl to her senses, for she was all to aware of the silence to ignore the sharp pang on wood. Her body automatically shifted to answer the door. Gently pulling the door ajar, Alanna looked into the face of her brother. Behind, she can see shadows of company. Once again, with movement that came from habit, Alanna did the third curtsy of the day.
"Hello, sister dear, I, uh, that is, we were wondering, my friends and I, if you would like to go to the city, you know...and we can show you around," Thom said.
Alanna glanced at Thom's nervous smile, and then proceeded to do so at the company's faces. She then replied, after a moment of consideration, "I would be pleased, brother and lords."
"That's great! We'll meet you at the palace gates. And, oh, Alanna, take care to dress warm for the October wind." To this, Alanna responded with a curt nod, like a maid receiving an order.
Purple eyes stared after them until they were out of sight. Alanna stepped back into her room and lightly closed the door. If her brother had not arranged the little excursion, Alanna would have sat there and stared at herself in the mirror, "meditating" all day.
Alanna then rummaged through her trunk, taking care not to crease some of the other clothing, and grasped her plain cloak out of the bevy of clothing. she thrust that on her bed, and pulled out her riding skirt that was fit for a trip to the city, like her plain cloak is suited for the season's condition. Donning her riding skirt, and clasping her cloak, Alanna made her way to the palace gates.
Thank you for all those who reviewed! I do hope that this story is one worth reading, even a glimpse!
horsiegurl: thank you
Wingedrider: hopefully she will.
