I really like this little story. I dunno why. I just do. It got me an A+ when I wrote it for my illuminated manuscript in history class but that's not the only reason I like it…Anyway, I found it recently and retouched it a bit for my b-day. A bit late, but, I was busy on my actual birthday and for awhile after. Anyway, happy (belated) birthday to me! YAY!
Oh right. A-hem. This list of things I do not own includes but is not limited to Briar (Roach), Sandry, Tris and Daja. They, along with Lark and Rosethorn belong to Tamora Pierce.
Golden
Already dangerous after dark, the rain made the rooftops deadly that night. Roach had already fallen, twice. He was covered in mud, but surviving had taken away the fear of traveling over the city. And the rain would rinse him well enough by the time he reached his target. He would still be wet, but any marks he left would disappear into the air by morning. Not unlike the coins that would be missing along with him. Still, the rain falling on his face was annoying. It almost made him want to sneeze. Odd…
"ACHOO!"
Briar Moss shot up and almost fell from the roof of Discipline Cottage. He twisted and grabbed the first this he could. Sandry grinned and dropped his hand when he regained his balance. Rubbing her handful of hay into his face she disappeared inside the cottage. Her laughter twinkled brightly in the air, bouncing around in the golden sunlight.
Sneezing, Briar tore after her. He nearly fell down the stairs, disoriented by his dream of the past. He hopped angrily into the kitchen, alternately nursing his feet and muttering about stubbed toes. He glanced around for Sandry, fully intending to blame her.
"Happy birthday!"
The chorus of voices froze Briar mid-hop. Falling ungracefully to the floor, he studied at his foster family warily. He could not figure out how to act around them most days. They were so unpredictable, raging at him one minute, smothering him the next. And they still tried to force him into the bath every day.
"What?" he said, standing and brushing imaginary dirt from his shirt. He could not focus, his dreams were crowding his mind.
"We said 'happy birthday'. You heard us, Briar," Daja said. Laughter twinkled behind her eyes.
"We're a family now. We celebrate things like this together," Tris said. Lark reached out and pulled him into the group.
"Let's try this again." That was Rosethorn, brisk as ever.
"Happy birthday, Briar!"
The air was rich with his foster family's laughter. The sunlight falling through the window was rich and golden. Surrounded by people who cared about him, Briar relaxed. At least they were no trying to get him into the bath.
Fin.
Questions? Comments? Well then, review! Toodles!