A/N: This chapter ended up getting split into two. Oops...
~~~~~Happy-Birthday~~~~~
"Happy eighteenth, my sweet!"
Elizabeth wakes to the sun shining through her bedroom window and her mother leaning down with a bright and brilliant smile. Between her painted lips, her pearly teeth are spread for all eyes to see, contrasting with the sparkling depths of her euclase eyes.
Within the Supreme Deity's eager hold lies a single delicate dessert. The small cake was balanced on a ceramic plate and dusted with sugar, boasting a solitary burning candle. Nothing fancy, nothing new. It was the same as every year previous.
"Thank you, mother," Elizabeth smiles weakly, sitting up and pushing her mass of covers aside. Silver hair already works to hide the embarrassed blush that forms at the thought of her unkempt appearance at the moment.
Surely, she looked terrible. Her long silver hair was unbrushed and mussed; her face was unwashed and most likely showing traces of her sleep-drooling or talking; and her sleepwear was not the best outfit to be greeted with.
Nevertheless, Elizabeth still pushes herself up and blows out the lone candle on her small, plain cake. All to appease her impossible mother.
"Today is wonderful, as it is every year," A simple smile paints itself against Elizabeth's sleepy lips, her blue eyes bright despite their bleary and sleep-crusted state.
"I can't believe the years have passed so quickly!" The Supreme Deity gushes, taking a seat at the end of Elizabeth's bed. Watching avidly, she continues as Elizabeth begins to nibble at the cake in her hands. "Eighteen whole years! It seems like yesterday when you were first delivered to me - rightfully brought home by those helpful nymphs."
A small eye roll escapes the freshly-woken female, Elizabeth knowing this story all too well. How couldn't she when it was recited at every possible opportunity?
"As you say every year, mother," Elizabeth smiles, very much strained, as she places the half-finished cake aside and slips out of bed.
Dozily, she wanders towards her drawers and begins to pull out clothing. What should she wear today? Today was her birthday, a very special birthday, and yet Elizabeth didn't feel like wearing anything extra special. If anything, she felt like wearing one of her more faded and older outfits - something that screamed her rural and closed-off upbringing. Perhaps something that boasted her identity as a natural-born weapon.
But then, with her mother, that wouldn't be very wise...
Glancing over her shoulder, Elizabeth feels the twitches of a smirk as she notices her mother is still prattling on about her birth.
Excited and animated, the Supreme Deity's voice filled the empty silence of the room as Elizabeth pulls out a simple green blouse and black shorts. Obviously her mother would disapprove of such clothing, especially on Elizabeth's birthday, but what she didn't know wouldn't kill her.
"Mother," Elizabeth coughed promptly, stowing her choice outfit behind an elegant white dress. It was a simple trick, but even more simple to pull off for Elizabeth. "I really do enjoy the story of my birth, really, but right now I have to change. I promised to help the local farmers with their horses again."
Elizabeth should be ashamed of how easily she lies, of how easily she can bend the truth, but nothing wavers through her being as she flashes a simple smile and clutches the pure, white gown cloaking her rebellious outfit.
Cool darkness flares at the lie, spreading up the back of her neck, but Elizabeth ignores it.
'Go away,' She mentally huffs, grimacing further as the temptation of her darker side chuckles. 'I mean it!'
"Oh..." The Supreme Deity sniffs, her smile falling. Even her blue eyes lose their extra sheeny gloss, fading to a duller marine blue. For once she seems crestfallen. "Very well. Just be back soon. I want to enjoy my final day with you."
With those words, the goddess flits out of the room, her swirling skirts and magnificent facade following like a bridal veil. Dramatically, her gloved hand turns in a fancy wave and the door closes behind her.
Relieved, Elizabeth breathes out a sigh. Sliding down against a wall, she allows the cool depths of her darker side to engulf her. It swallows her whole, easily fueled by the warring emotions of her brain.
It seems this year was just like every other: a bitter reminder of her purpose on this earth.
~~~~~Happy-Birthday~~~~~
Elizabeth had not wanted to celebrate this year. Not really. Year eighteen, the eighteenth anniversary of the end of the Holy War, the date on which the whole course of history had been changed, did not seem like a day to be heralded nor celebrated. Not when it produced a weapon of war.
Yet the silver-haired hybrid found herself wandering into the village, a bright smile painted on her fair features as she walked through the familiar cobbled streets. Dinah had told her to meet in the village square, exclaiming how she wanted to show Elizabeth something amazing. So that led to Elizabeth treading through the familiar streets of her home, feeling awfully self-conscious in her heeled boots, but lacking her sword. It simply wasn't a very settling combination.
Soft smiles and happy hands waved to Elizabeth, and occasionally she'd be stopped for conversation, but generally the village's occupants were all rather busy today.
Odd.
Elizabeth frowned as she passed the baker's. It seemed that he and his family weren't there. Usually they'd be up from early on, the baker always getting his ovens heated for the busy day ahead. Where could they be?
Now that Elizabeth thought about it, more people should be passing through here. This particular road was a main street in the village, the path being used as a direct path from the grander estates that edged the settlement to the smaller farms that built up the countryside beyond. That meant this path was always occupied by someone: merchants, children and locals alike. But today it was rather empty, lonesome.
Her senses heightened by the odd disappearances of the village people, Elizabeth continued her way to the village square.
More oddities were met by her eyes and ears, the absences and vacancies of the village not going unnoticed at all. In fact they grew so frequent, that Elizabeth considered running home and grabbing her sword to fend off whatever threat had come to disrupt her village. If it was that damned bear again, she'd have to do more than let it off with a light scare.
But what if it wasn't?
That one thought echoing through her brain, Elizabeth began to run towards the village square. Rhythmically, her heeled boots clicked against the path. If something did happen, then they would all be gathered there. It was protocol - a standard safety procedure.
Rounding the corner, Elizabeth ignores the stifling burning sensation within her lungs. No-one was visible yet, the square appearing empty to her keen blue eyes. That was concerning. Had there been an evacuation she was unaware of?
Face reddened and heart racing, Elizabeth skids into the square. Small chunks of gravel skip up from the ground, hitting her exposed legs. They hurt, but didn't feel as painful as the thought of the entire village falling victim to a tragedy. No, it was minuscule compared to that.
"Hello?" Elizabeth calls out, her voice breathless. How fast did she run here? Did she sprint? "Is anyone here?"
"Happy birthday!"
Startled, Elizabeth jumps back, lifting her arms into a defensive position. Her legs are spread into a balanced stance, darkness and light thrumming in her veins as she scans the surrounding area.
Contrasting Elizabeth's silent panic, everyone popped out from their various hiding places, all wearing bright smiles and brandishing what looked a lot like wrapped gift boxes. An array of familiar faces greeted Elizabeth's eyes, small children, and young and old adults alike melding into the crowd.
Kind features exposed old Mrs Tiddlebottom, the mother of the village's baker, her round spectacles adding an extra gleam to her chestnut eyes; sharp features betrayed the grumpy blacksmith, his station at his shop abandoned for this special event. The familiar bustling and chattering of Mrs Gilber and her children filled Elizabeth's ears, and the heavy smell of the more wealthy Coneys' exotic perfumes polluted her lungs.
Even the Archangels had come for the celebrations, most of them offering Elizabeth gentle grins. It was only Ludociel who was rather sulky, his expression somber behind its small strained smile. But Elizabeth had never expected him to smile today: he loathed her too much.
Endless names came to mind when Elizabeth spotted her friends and fellow young adults dotted within the gathering. Dinah and Erin were two faces that stuck out in particular, the two girls being the closest acquaintances of Elizabeth.
However even with all the familiarity, Elizabeth was still unsure as to whether this was safe or not. Her lighter side, her goddess side, was beckoning for her to smile and immediately thank everyone; her darker side, her demon side, was sensing something else. It knew something dangerous was lurking within the masses.
"I - " The words become stuck in Elizabeth's throat as tears fill her crystal eyes. She bows, silver hair following the swift motion like ribbons in a breeze. "Thank you everyone!"
The small population of the village had all gathered in the square, chipping in and pooling together to form a small celebration of sorts. Somehow, they had all managed to drag tables and a few chairs outside, the tabletops laden with all sorts of treats and dishes. A colourful string of bunting was strung between the trees that hung inwards from their plots of land, and a few instruments were settled in the corner by the fountain.
"This must've taken ages to do..." Elizabeth breathes, looking around in wonder and awe. She sniffs a little, ignoring the darkness flaring up her skin.
Her mother had never done anything like this before: it was pointless. Goddesses were meant to be frugal, basic. They did not do lavish celebrations.
Demons did not celebrate either. To Elizabeth's knowledge, the demon race had their own sort of ways with celebrating birthdays. However majority of the time, birthdays were a time that was only celebrated grandly when demons came of age.
Elizabeth certainly was not of age.
But here, in the human village she'd be raised within, Elizabeth was being given a celebration. To humans, her birth was a cause of celebration. To them Elizabeth was of age.
But that should not be possible.
"Oh, don't worry about it all, dear!" Mrs Tiddlebottom smiled gently, guiding Elizabeth towards a table. Her powdery skin smelled of sugar, marzipan and flour - just like her wonderful creations. "You deserve it."
"I really don't," Elizabeth shakes her head, allowing the elderly lady to sit her down. Tears are still pouring from her eyes, thick and clear like a gushing fall, and her nose crinkles with a small sniff. "It's too much."
"It's not enough," Mr Coney spoke, toting what looked to be a significantly expensive gift. He passes her a fine handkerchief, setting the gift aside. "You've kept this village running I daresay, Miss Elizabeth. It's only fair that we thank you."
"We're also going to miss you a lot," Mrs Gilber smiled wanly, the early creases of age in her face folding. She enveloped Elizabeth within a hug, drowning her within the soft sensation of her cotton clothes, bar soap and chestnut hair. "You're like family."
With those words, everyone seemed to rush forwards to profess their gratitude towards the young woman. Children scampered, brandishing fragrant flowers, pretty stones and timid mice; other young women were gifting Elizabeth with small trinkets or mementos, chattering about gossip and fancy clothes; young men worked on flattering or teasing her, sometimes being awarded with rightful nudges; and the adults of the town gushed about her former childhood days.
Everyone was upset and yet excited at Elizabeth leaving. They all saw it as an amazing opportunity, a great destiny, to be able to leave this tiny settlement and seek a better future outside of it. She would be the first of the new generation, those born after the Holy War, to find herself outside of town.
Everyone was excited for it - the enticing opportunity to leave - except for her closest friends.
"Alright, alright, enough mushy stuff!" Dinah shoved forwards in the crowd, frowning severely. Her auburn curls shift as her cheeks reddened, both brows pinched. "You're hogging our friend!"
"Dinah, calm down..." A petite blonde follows behind her, her oak brown eyes softened. Naturally timid, she was much quieter than the brash Dinah, who was forcing everyone to either start dancing or stuff their mouths full of food.
"It's Elizabeth's last day here," The blonde speaks softly, meekly. It was a soft reminder that ultimately feel deaf on the other girl's ears.
"All the more reason to push forwards, Erin!" Dinah grinned determinedly, her teeth flashing in the sunlight.
With one swift movement, the pair were soon before Elizabeth. Others had already began muttering and walking away, their gushing and fawning brought to an abrupt halt by the determined Dinah and the elegant Erin.
Elizabeth couldn't help but feel the twitches of a relieved smile play on her lips. All that attention, all those compliments and stories, were a lot to process for the usually quiet female. At home, her mother had always told Elizabeth that attention was for hussies. Proper ladies, maidens of battle, did not glean attention - they were humble, polite and everything that made a perfect goddess and woman. They did not crave nor glean excessive attention.
However attention was always drawn to Elizabeth. People followed her wherever she went; and as much as she'd decline it, a small part of her liked it. A tiny, tiny slither lived to lap up the rich cream of compliments.
Perhaps it was part of her mixed blood. Maybe it was an error caused by her half-human upbringing. Elizabeth didn't truly know. All she knew was that pride filled her veins, and sometimes - just a tiny bit - she liked to be the receiver of attention. She liked to be the person that everyone was focused on.
Darkness flared up her side, 'You know exactly why you like it.'
"Dinah..." Elizabeth sighed, shaking her head as she distractedly watched the dismayed villagers. They all looked a little bummed to find out Dinah was hogging Elizabeth once more, especially as today was a cause of shared celebration. She'd have to make up for it later.
"You need to be kinder to everyone," Elizabeth gently reminded, a hand catching Dinah's shoulder. She brushed aside the darkness tickling her ribs.
"Kinder, schminder," Dinah rolled her eyes, already pulling Elizabeth up from her seat. Promptly, she locks her arms with Elizabeth and Erin, dragging both girls towards the steadily filling out impromptu dance floor. "Today is El's eighteenth and therefore our day to party!"
Not bothering to utter a protest, Elizabeth nodded and allowed Dinah to guide her towards the line of eagerly waiting dancers. It isn't long before she's making her way down the line, allowing herself to relax as her rotating array of partners twirl her to the music floating in the air.
"Happy birthday," One speaks, sending her a gallant grin. A pair of brilliant green eyes catch hers, stunning and rich like the emeralds she'd heard of in tales. They were unlike any she'd ever seen before.
Had she met this boy before?
"T-thank you," Elizabeth choked out, blushing. Biting her lip, she scurried off to find Dinah at the end of the line.
That boy... He was new. She had not seen him before. No, she hadn't. Everyone here was a face that Elizabeth had grown used to through her formative years. She knew everyone: the baker, the blacksmith, farmers, the aristocrats who lived further out, even the merchants and travelers who rotated between towns quite frequently. Everyone here was a familiar face. That boy was not.
Walking up to Dinah, Elizabeth continues to puzzle over this dilemma, her brain not letting it rest. The girl in question was dancing with the blacksmith's boy, happily supplying rather coy grins as she repeatedly danced circles around him like the tricky enchantress she was.
Smiling at the sight, Elizabeth breathed out evenly as she interrupted the joyous interaction.
"I'm going to sit this one out," She admits meekly, eyes flickering back to the line of other dancers. A sheepish smile forms. "These boots are killing me."
"Oh...ok," Dinah nods, already going back to teasing the poor young man in her sights. She draws Elizabeth close, whispering in her ear. "But I want a full explanation later."
"Ok," Elizabeth sighs, knowing well that Dinah would not stop pressing until she got answers.
Satisfied, Elizabeth then heads towards a table and draws a seat. Her eyes stayed glued to the dancers, trying to find that weird boy, but comes up with nothing. It was like he had vanished. Poofed into the air.
"I'm definitely seeing things..." Elizabeth sighed, taking a slice of cake from the many left out. She takes a firm bite out of the thing, ignoring the jam and cream that spilled onto her blouse. "Definitely seeing things."
Burying herself into the cake, Elizabeth continues her spying of the dancers. She ignores the constant niggling twisting of her gut. She ignores the darkness snaking up her neck once more.
