Vermillion
The day had finally arrived. She could hardly believe she'd been selected for the elite group. Her mother knelt beside her as she mixed the pigments with the purest spring water they could find. It had to be just right. Everything else was ready.
She had made her uniform by hand. Stitching the silk threads that symbolize the brave blood that flows through her veins and the gold insignia that represents the honor of her warrior's heart had humbled her. But it was this last thing that she could not wait for.
This is her disguise, her homage to the warriors before her. At last she was done. She grabbed the pot and applied the cream to her eyes and lips.
She looked down at her vermillion stained hands and never was so proud.