She grimaced, rolling her wrists out. It had been a long day of cooking and preparing for the gathering that would take place once the sun started migrating towards the trees.
Granny's words rung out clearly in her head, distracting her from the tasks she was faced with.
She knew her pack was going to be heavily influenced by alcohol, food and dancing, and her uneasiness would be simply overlooked.
She snapped her floured fingers, scoffing.
"You're over thinking it Lucy, just have fun." She whispered to herself, stirring some batter.
So she went onto cooking, absentmindedly tuning into the gossip that circled around the other girls. Their pack was fairly big, and others would be coming to join them tonight, so no doubt were the girls going to be looking for someone to protect them and give them good offspring.
She smiled to herself. She had a way better journey in store. Cheeses from around the world, travelling by boat and train, learning another language, she was practically bursting with ideas.
Her hands shook slightly as she placed the desert she had slaved over into the small oven.
Even though her pack hated outsiders, they still used outsider technology, which amused her.
She waited until her deserts were ready, taking them out and leaving them on the counter to cool. Her stomach bubbled up with nervousness as she watched people start setting up their gathering area. Her mouth tilted downwards slightly into a frown, deciding it was time for her to go get ready.
Her feet trudged through the grass, heading up to her shared cabin. Inside was her white dress, originally her mothers, which was used every gathering. She stripped down, and pulled it over her head, it was the only piece of clothing she owned that wasn't made by her or her kin. It was weightless, yet it hung beautifully, complimenting her pale features and blonde hair.
She smoothed it out, letting out a delicate sigh. She swore every time she wore this dress, it felt as if her mother was embracing her. She closed her eyes and let the moment sink in for a while more.
Her mother was one of the best dancers in the pack, and so was she, her relatives would claim. Yet she would just brush it aside, responding humbly.
Her ears picked up on approaching voices, and quietly slipped out the back door and towards the fire pit. She wondered if they had better gatherings out of this forest, and around the country.
The sky was darkening, and stars were lighting up. Her eyes trailed upwards and around as she counted all the signs twinkling above. Her ears tingled slightly as she picked up on a slight whisper, as she turned back to the fire.
People fed into the crowd, as the laughing and cheering got louder. She talked to many relatives, many complimenting her features, and how she has grown into her mother's exact replicate. She smiled through each and every encounter, basking in the music and food.
The fiddles cry soon picked up, as well as her feet, joining the other girls as they danced along the fire.
Her laughs rung out loud and clear, hands in the air.
Tonight, she lived now, no more living in the past or future.
0-0-0-0
His eyes opened slowly, looking towards the night sky. He groaned as he stretched out his sore neck, multiple pops sounding. His calloused hands rubbed his eyes, sitting up straight.
He looked over towards his partner in crime, and prodded him gently, who let out a soft meow.
It had been days, and he was still roaming the forest. He liked to think that he didn't leave sooner because he chose to, and not because he kept getting lost.
The sound of music and laughter filled his ears, it came from a while away, but it was still audible.
He got up, packing up his bag, a determined grin placed on his face.
He followed the sounds, and soon the smell of food followed. Drool began to fill up his mouth as he made his way closer, he could just make the outlines of a gathering, and a huge bonfire.
"Wicked." He whispered, inching closer, too distracted to notice the rushing water sounding below him.
He took another step, foot sliding, Happy let out a concerned meow as he regained his footing, looking below.
A large, rushing river sounded between them, threatening to destroy anything that got to close.
And across this river, was the gathering.
His eyes swept across tough men, and dainty woman until his eyes landed on her.
Blonde hair paired with pale skin and a white dress, she was like a star.
He shook off his corny thoughts, sitting down on the edge of the river to watch.
Her feet twisted, and turned in the dust, as the people around her, dressed in simplistic wools and furs watched with awe. The woman around her tried to keep up, but they fell short when it came down to it.
He stayed in place for what seemed like forever, watching her with intensity, noting the way she blushed when she was complimented, how men seemed to flock around when she had the spare moment, and her bright brown eyes.
He was awoken from his dream like state as a scream rung out.
He watched, horrified, as fire started to enshroud the area, blankets, treats, woven baskets all going up in flames. Men, warriors, circled the area, daring anyone to try and test them and their sharp weapons. Brave men stood tough, tucking woman and elders behind them protectively, but failed to stand strong as soon as they were hit.
His eyes landed on the golden haired girl, as she held onto a child's hand tightly, eyes burning with a cross between fear and rage.
He stood up, and looked down into the river below.
I can't swim across, it would be death.
There are no stepping stones.
I guess I only have on option left, to jump.