The next morning, Celena woke with a sickening groan. The calm of the forest did nothing to relieve her aching lower back. Last night proved to be the most uncomfortable sleep she ever had. Arching her back in an attempt ease her tight muscles, she opened her eyes. The tree trunk stared at her, mocking her pain in silence. Hitomi was nowhere to be found, causing her alarm.
"Hitomi?" Blue eyes darted around frantically for the girl. "Hitomi?" Celena's voice bordered on panic.
Carefully, she crawled over to the ladder she had used to get up the tree in the first place. Swallowing a lump in her throat, she let the ladder unravel to the tree's base. Awkwardly, she made her way down the ladder.
"Hitomi?" She smiled with relief when she heard something walking through the bushes behind her. "Hitomi, there you are!" Joyfully, she turned around.
An ear-splitting cry rang out as a large bird took flight. Celena stifled a yelp, cowering with her hands clamped to her ears. Her heart raced.
"You surprise easy."
Celena gasped, turning again. Her eyes bulged fearfully.
"Good morning to you too." Hitomi came to stand in front of her, openly amused at Celena's wide stare.
"You startled me. What is that?" Celena's gaze glided to the dead rabbit in Hitomi's hand.
"Breakfast." Hitomi held the rabbit up by its ears for emphasis.
Celena appeared hesitant, but she nodded. "You're going to cook it right?" She eyed Hitomi with question.
"Do you expect me to eat it raw?" Hitomi asked with a sigh.
"Of course. How silly of me." Celena shot her a fake-cute smile.
Hitomi sniffed loudly and shoved the rabbit into Celena's unsuspecting hands. Half of her wanted to see Celena's reaction, the other half simply didn't want to hold the rabbit anymore. "Here, make yourself useful. Hold this for a moment while I get a fire started."
Celena stared at the dead rabbit in her hands, taking her a moment to react. She screamed like her life was in peril and flung the limp carcass away from herself.
"You're squeamish, aren't you?" Hitomi asked, tone dry.
"That was not funny!" Celena shook, hyperventilating from the shock.
"It was from where I was standing," Hitomi pointed out as she prepared the fire, her smile guarded.
Celena looked down at the rabbit and shuddered. "When are we leaving for the castle?" she asked.
"After we eat. You must be hungry. I know I am." Hitomi fished out her piece of flint from her pocket.
As if on cue, Celena's stomach rumbled. "Yes." She respectfully watched as Hitomi nursed the fire to life. It didn't take her long. "Amazing! How long have you been out here for?" Celena took a seat by the fire.
Hitomi shrugged. "Not long. Now where did I put my knife?" She found it directly behind her.
"Is that so? From the way you handle yourself out here, I thought that you'd been out here awhile." Hitomi nodded at the compliment.
"I know how to survive." Flicking her pocket knife open, she grabbed the rabbit and calmly began to skin it. Celena went more paler than usual as her eyes came into contact with the rabbit's pink flesh.
"I don't think I'm that hungry anymore, Hitomi. I'll pass on the rabbit, thanks," she said, her dainty voice thick with queasiness.
"Suit yourself." Hitomi didn't look up from the rabbit she was skinning.
Celena put a hand to her own forehead and found it clammy. "I don't feel so good." The grisly sight of the rabbit made her feel like hurling. Shutting her eyes, she pushed feelings of sickness down. Anything to avoid looking at raw rabbit flesh.
"Are you okay?" Hitomi noticed Celena's pasty and sickly expression.
"Yeah, of course. It's just-" She shakily gestured blindly to the rabbit.
"I see. Not used to this, are you? That's fine. You don't have to watch. I'll call you when its done." Hitomi made a mental note to be watchful of things that might cause Celena distress.
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"Come on, keep up." Hitomi turned around impatiently to wait for Celena to catch up. They trekked through the forest for what felt like an eternity. A few more hours and they would reach the trail.
"Sorry, I thought I saw something back there." Celena jogged towards Hitomi. She looked at ease, even comfortable walking through the forest. Hitomi was thankful for that. Last thing she wanted was a whiney Celena on her hands.
"Why have we stopped?" Celena smiled politely.
Hitomi put a hand to her forehead in exasperation. "I was waiting for you." Rolling her eyes, she began to lead again.
She's always so happy. How can she keep a smile on her face like that all the time? Weirdo.
"I'm so excited, Hitomi. You'll be able to meet my brother, Allen. He's really nice, give or take a few quirks. He's probably so worried about me." She sighed remorsefully. "First, he'll lecture me about not running off and being a proper lady…yadda yadda. Then he'll want to thank you for escorting me back home." Celena giggled behind a hand.
"If he's really that worried about your safety, then I'd bet he's out here looking for you." Hitomi's eyes were ever watchful of her surroundings. She was hoping that they were out here looking for her. The faster Celena was gone, the happier Hitomi would be.
Celena almost lost her footing. "You really think so?"
"It sounds like something he would do." Hitomi paused. There was two possible routes they could take to get to the trail. The first route would take them a great deal longer and was a bit on tough side because of all the tree roots sticking up through the ground and it was on an incline. The other route was much shorter but was probably riddled with mud because of the rainfall last night.
Take the shorter route. So what if it's muddy? You know you want to hear Celena scream like the sissy she is. That'll be a good laugh.
No, we should take the longer route. I don't want a headache from all the screaming. Besides, it'll take longer because she will make a fuss. We both want her to leave sooner, don't we?
Okay, there's no arguing over that fact. Fine, we'll take the longer route.
I knew you'd see it my way.
"Hitomi? Please don't tell me we're lost again." Celena pouted as she looked around.
In response, Hitomi snorted. "Lost? No. We're going this way." She pointed towards the agreed upon trail.
"Okay! Let's get going!" With enthusiasm, Celena obediently followed after her.
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"I don't like tree roots," Celena mumbled as she stubbed her toe yet again.
"They don't seem to like you either." Hitomi replied. She found herself in a good mood. The trail was just ahead of them. Celena stuck her tongue out behind her companion's back. Hitomi turned around, causing Celena to immediately cease her childish antics. "Here's the trail."
"Really? You're not teasing me or anything, are you?" Her eyes were hopeful.
"Go on, and see for yourself." Confidently, she stepped aside to let her by. Celena walked by her hesitantly, afraid to be the one leading the way.
"The trail," Celena exclaimed, running out to the middle of it. "Hitomi, I'm not lost anymore!" Without warning she bolted to Hitomi and engulfed her in a hug. "Thank you so much," Celena chirped, ignoring Hitomi as she tried to pry her off.
"You're welcome, now can you let go of me?" Celena complied with smiles.
"Sorry, I'm just so happy." Hitomi sighed.
Why is she twirling around in a circle?
"Let's move on." Pulling on Celena's arm, Hitomi steered her in the right direction.
Why me? Why must I endure such treatment. Am I cursed beyond saving?
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Allen Schezar was restless. He hadn't slept a wink since learning about his dear sister's disappearance. Sure, Celena was known to wander off from time to time, but this was extreme. What possessed her to walk off into the woods? Crazy didn't even begin to describe how it sounded.
"Don't worry we'll find her. She can't have gone far," a voice reassured. For Celena's sake, he hoped that he was right.
"Thank you, Lord Van. I'll never forgive myself if I lose her. She's the only family I have left." He patted his horse's graceful neck.
"Allen, how many times do I have to tell you to call me Van? You don't need to address me as 'Lord'. You're a friend." Van smiled to cheer him up.
"I'm sorry. It's a habit."His brow wrinkled in frustration.
"If we stick to the trail and the guards to the bush, we'll find her soon enough," Van said, reading Allen's face.
Allen smiled weakly, looking ahead for any sign of Celena. His blue eyes honed to a head of loose pale short curls in the distance. Van laughed triumphantly.
"Look! There she is!"
And she's not alone.
He was curious to know who the other person was. At a distance, the figure resembled a man. Frowning, he looked at Allen.
"Celena." Allen's heart leapt wildly as he called her name out. He had found her at last.
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"So, how long until we get to the castle?"
Dully, Hitomi shrugged. "It's a little ways further." Feet crunched methodically on the gravel path. Hitomi whistled a tune to herself, mostly to shut Celena out. Laughing sweetly, Celena skipped down the path to her whistling. Hitomi sighed but continued to whistle aimlessly.
"You have to teach me the words to this song. I've never heard it before." Feeling giddy, she hummed along. The tune was easy to pick up. Suddenly Celena stopped, an idea coming to her. "Hey, why don't you come stay at the castle for a bit with me? I'm sure no one will mind. Please? It'll be fun. I can show you around town."
Hitomi stopped whistling, and looked at Celena in horror. "What? No."
What is wrong with this girl?
"Please, Hitomi? It's so lonely there." Celena frowned.
"No," Hitomi stated flatly, crossing her arms.
"But Hit-" Celena began.
"Celena." Directly ahead, two figures on horse back appeared, galloping towards them. Celena stared at them, shock overwhelming her.
"My brother, he's found me," she whispered to herself in disbelief. "Allen," she cried out, tears filling her eyes.
Cold dread filled the bottom of Hitomi's gut. With Celena occupied with the arrival of her brother, Hitomi quietly disappeared into the shelter of the forest.
"Allen." Celena ran towards him as fast as her legs would carry her. Diving off his horse, Allen rushed to meet her.
"Celena, are you injured? Why did you run off? Why didn't you come back right away?" Allen hugged her fiercely.
"I'm fine. I'm so glad to see you, brother. So very glad." She returned his hug with equal zeal. Wiping her eyes, she pulled away. "I'd like you to meet Hitomi. She helped me get out of the rain and took care of me. Without her help, I don't know where I'd be." Celena looked behind her happily, expecting to see Hitomi standing behind her.
"Where is she?" Confused, Allen looked to Celena.
"Hitomi. She was just here," she murmured with disappointment. Taking a few steps away from Allen, her eyes scanned the area. "Where did she go?"
Van dismounted, and made his way to Allen's side. "Whoever that was, she's gone now. She went off into the bush." With a gloved hand he pointed to where he last saw her. The girl's presence here puzzled him.
"Hitomi?" Celena ran for the forest, determined to find her. Instinctively, Allen rushed after her.
"Celena, there's nothing we can do. She's gone. Come, let's go back to the castle." He led her away, an arm protectively placed around her shoulders.
"Goodbye," Celena whispered to someone she knew wasn't listening.
Van pulled out a whistle. A crisp pitch blew, signalling the guards to return.
Who was that girl?
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Hitomi watched Celena and Allen leave the forest, the man with the disheveled ink-black hair leading them away.
She's gone.
Celena's return to her kin left her with mixed feelings. She was glad she was gone, but somehow she already missed her overly exuberant presence. Sighing, Hitomi gracefully climbed down from her high perch.
Brushing bits of twigs and leaves form her hair, Hitomi stared down the long and very lonely path. Straightening her cloak, she began taking heavy steps towards Fanalia. Her goal? To find somewhere to truly call her home. A place where people would at least come to accept her existence. A place where no one knew about her curse.
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The sun had receded behind the forest when Hitomi stepped through Fanalia's wide brick gates. Even as the sun set people still bustled, running last-minute errands as they chatted amongst themselves. Hitomi found herself smiling at the youngsters running about the streets, playing make-believe. They didn't pause to give her a second glance. Hitomi walked deeper into the city, eyes wandering about in search for any opportunity of work or lodging.
"Hello, Miss! Would you care to buy a meat pie?" a hawker asked, his toothy grin missing a few teeth.
"No thanks, but I'd appreciate it if you would point me to a tavern?" she asked, keeping her voice polite.
"There's one down at the end of the road here. It's a bit under-staffed but the food's good," the hawker replied, with an air of confidence in his voice.
"Thanks." Hitomi became optimistic when he mentioned that it was under-staffed.
Guess I'm lucky today. Hitomi the tavern maid sounds better than Hitomi the hermit.
With purpose, she marched down the road. When she reached her destination, Hitomi took a deep breath and pushed open the large wooden door.
"What can I do for ya?" a fatigued red-head asked, on her way to serve customers some drinks. The room rumbled with voices and dry cigar smoke. The tavern's atmosphere was homey and appealing to the eye with warm red and rich brown hues. Setting down her tray full of drinks, the tavern maid wiped her hands on her apron. "Do you want a room, a bath, warm meal, a drink, or the works?" The red-head forced a smile out.
"Are there any jobs available?" Hitomi asked hopefully.
"Who would want a job here? It doesn't pay well and the drunks don't think twice before trying to grab your ass." The maid looked Hitomi up and down, her eyebrow raised at an incline.
"Someone desperate," Hitomi stated frankly.
Shrugging, the girl pointed the woman at the back. "You'll have to talk to Rosetta. She runs this tavern."
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. I didn't catch your name but mine's Yukari." Yukari offered Hitomi her hand.
"Hitomi. My name's Hitomi." She didn't hesitate to shake Yukari's hand.
"Well Hitomi, I think you'll get the job. Rosetta's been looking to hire for a few weeks now." Winking, she left to take a few customer orders.
A burst of happiness shot through her. I can do this. A genuine smile spread across her face. Optimism was new to her. It was a nice feeling. She took her time walking across the tavern, eyes drinking in the bar and the large stage facing the tables.
"Ah, a customer. Have a seat, dear. What can I get for you or has Yukari already served you?" A woman with dark hair, gathered at the nape of her neck asked her with a motherly smile. She looked like she was in her early forties with fine lines at the corners of her hazel eyes. She was a slim woman with well-defined curves.
"No, I'm not a customer. I came here looking for a job. I heard that you're looking to hire." Hitomi anxiously began to wring her hands.
"Oh dear…" Rosetta sighed, getting a good look at Hitomi.
"What?" Hitomi asked, perplexed.
"It's nothing really. I can give you a job but not with you looking like that. Oh dear…" Rosetta tapped her bottom lip.
"These are the only clothes I have," Hitomi said nervously, fearing rejection.
"You really don't have any dresses at all?" Rosetta asked slowly, in disbelief.
"I don't." Feeling foolish, Hitomi looked at her feet.
Rosetta laughed heartily. "Well, that's odd. I should have a couple of old dresses hanging about. You can borrow them for now. Consider yourself hired." She flashed Hitomi a smile.
Hitomi's eyes widened. Meeting Rosetta's gaze, she stuttered, "I'm hired? Th-thank you."
"It's no problem." Repeatedly, Rosetta snapped her fingers, trying to recall a name
"My name is Hitomi."
Rosetta beamed happily. "Hitomi? Such a pretty name. Come, let's put you into a dress. You can start immediately." Chortling, she ushered the girl upstairs.
In no time at all, she had Hitomi washed up and dressed in one of her old dresses. To her surprise, the dress fit nicely. "Pretty as a picture," Rosetta exclaimed at the result. "Okay, I'll have Yukari show you the ropes in a bit." Smiling, Rosetta lead her back downstairs.
Hours later, Hitomi was cleaning, taking orders, and serving drinks along with Yukari. Working here wasn't all that bad, according to Hitomi but it did get tiring. "You're doing a great job so far, Hitomi. I remember Yukari's first day here. She kept dropping her tray," Rosetta praised.
"I heard that!" Yukari shouted from the other side of the room, sticking out her tongue.
"Yukari, more working, less eavesdropping on other people's conversations." Rosetta teased lightly. "Anyways Hitomi, after the crowd dwindles down we can all take a little break." Hitomi nodded and continued on with her duties.
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It was well into the night when the tavern closed. Travellers with a room, quietly disappeared upstairs and the other patrons left for home. Sighing, Hitomi took the chance to sit down and rest her head on a table.
"Sleepy?" Sighing, Yukari took a seat directly across from the exhausted girl. "Just you wait until the summer festival starts. This place will be swarming."
"I'm not sleepy. I'm just resting my head," Hitomi grumbled, not even bothering to lift her head.
"You're not from Fanalia, are you? The clothes you came in wearing were different from anything I've seen. Where are you from?" Yukari asked, interested in her new co-worker.
"From nowhere. I'm just a traveller, I guess." Hitomi mumbled to the floor.
"A traveller? How long are you planning to stay in Fanalia and why did you want a job here?" When Hitomi didn't answer right away, Yukari poked her head.
"I'll stay as long as I feel like it," Hitomi growled, annoyed that Yukari poked her.
"Not the talkative type, are you?" Yukari laughed lightly.
"Not really," Hitomi's commented.
"Hope you like chicken." Rosetta joyfully sat a plate of food in front of both of them as she sat down with her own.
Hitomi jolted up, her nostrils filling up with the savoury smell of chicken. It took all her will-power not to gulp it down in a few bites. "Thanks, Rose. My compliments to the chef." Yukari chuckled.
"She'll be glad to hear them." Rosetta smiled. "I see Hitomi likes it too." Hitomi nodded between mouthfuls. "It's not going to run away on you, girl."
Hitomi frowned, swallowing slowly.
Rosetta smirked at the frowning girl. "Hitomi, tell us about yourself. I'm curious about you." The comment made Hitomi's frown deepen.
"What's there to know?" Hitomi asked as she prepared another mouthful .
"I don't know, anything that comes to mind, I guess." Rosetta shrugged. "Do you have family? What are your hobbies. You know, the usual."
"She told me she's a traveler," Yukari betrayed. "So, where have your travels taken you?" She leaned in closer with anticipation.
"To be traveling on your own at such a young age? How interesting," Rosetta commented.
Hitomi felt naked sitting across from the pair as they bombarded her with questions. However she dreaded the questions, she knew that they required an answer. "Yes, I am a traveler. No, I do not have any family. As for my hobbies, I enjoy traveling." It was a lie, but they wouldn't believe the truth even if she told them.
"No family? How awful!" Yukari breathed, feeling sympathetic towards the girl.
Rosetta patted Hitomi's hand. "Must be hard for you. I assume that you're going to need a place to stay?" She nodded respectfully. "As long as you work here, I'll let you stay here at the tavern." Rosetta smiled warmly.
"Thank you. That's very generous of you," Hitomi whispered.
"Think nothing of it. As soon as you two finish eating, I want you to help me clean this place up. Then, we'll call it a night." Bright and cheery as always, Rosetta was back on her feet again.
Yukari suppressed a giggle with her hand. "I admire Rose's energy. I wish she would lend me some."
Hitomi smiled. "Yeah."
I have a job and a place to stay. The people here seem nice. What more could I need? I think I'll stay here awhile.
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