Promises Woven in Red and Gold

I think part of the fun of doing a story like this is trying to use the prompts to fit your story.

And part of the danger is that you end up with a story that goes off the rails and the chapter barely resembles anything the initial prompt had to do with. Especially when you're a pantser writer like me.

Oh well. On with the story.

Part 3: Plainly Beautiful

Prompt: Shopping

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"I can't stay here. Not for one more minute."

Anthiese felt her heart pounding in her chest, her breath coming out in short, rapid gasps. She couldn't stay here. She just couldn't.

Not with a father who – No. That man was not her father. He was a vile, shameless scoundrel who had coerced her mother into – She paused, tried to calm her breathing and tried to tamp down on the anger she was feeling.

Simply sitting and stewing in her anger was pointless. She needed to act. She needed to leave.

She didn't need to worry about being discovered. He barely paid attention to her at the best of times, and now that he was out on another business trip she had free rein to prepare.

Most of her essentials had already been packed – she planned on travelling light, enough so she wouldn't get bogged down in a new city with heavy luggage. And for anything else...

Opening her dresser, she pulled out her jewellery box. Necklaces, earrings... Birthday gifts and presents over the years. They were all meaningless to her, but she would probably be able to get some money by selling those off.

And then she paused.

Lying in the centre of her box, neatly folded, was a golden ribbon. Heaving a long sigh, Celica reached down to pick it up, feeling her heart flutter as she did so.

It was so simple. So unadorned. And yet it looked more beautiful to her than any of the sparkling gems in the rest of the box.

I can't believe I almost forgot to bring this with me. Well, something else to be thankful for, then. Already she'd tucked it into a pocket of her purse, and she continued rifling through the rest of her goods.

"She's probably still living at the same house," she saidto the empty room. I wonder if she even still remembers me?

In mere moments, Anthiese was at the doorway of the house. She paused, took a deep breath, and stepped out, leaving the house – and her old life – behind.

She never looked back.

"A day out? Sure!" Faye's voice was crackly over the phone, and the thought that maybe she should buy a better model crossed Celica's mind briefly. But then, it was good enough for her purposes now. "Where to?"

"You know about the new mall that opened recently? I thought it might be fun to spend the day there and see what they have to offer in the shops. And if it turns out to be a letdown there's still Beggar's Market nearby and the park."

"Heh," there was the sound of something like splashing water on Faye's end of the phone. "Well I can't say I've ever been much of a mall rat. But I guess visiting the mall once in a while would be fun." A sigh and what sounded like the clinking of cutlery. "I could do with some new clothes anyway. Most of my older stuff is getting pretty threadbare."

"That's great!" Celica glanced over at her planner lying open on her desk. "So, see you Saturday!"

"Got it! Bye!" And the phone clicked off.

Putting the phone down on the table, Celica felt a smile play across her face as she thought about the upcoming day out with Faye. Really, it was funny how her friend from childhood seemed to fit so nicely into her life once they'd found each other again. Faye always seemed up for spending time with her, and if Celica also knew that she'd always readily make time in her day if Faye asked for it.

Maybe it was just the comforting familiarity of an old friendship being renewed again after so long. The idea that they could pick up where they left of after so many years apart seemed to be a sign that things could get better, that Celica could in fact get a handle on her life. And Faye was easy to be with. She wasn't a talker, but she seemed to always know just what to say to cheer Celica up when she was feeling down after an exhausting day at work or something broke down and she had to figure out how to fix it, or-

Well, she had to admit that she wasn't sure if it was because of the advice Faye gave to her, or because it was Faye giving the advice to her. She just felt comfortable being with her, almost like wearing an old shirt that was worn and stretched in exactly the right places.

She then blinked and shook her head. I really do come up with the strangest analogies sometimes.

"So, I asked Tobin and Kliff for their opinions on what kind of clothes I'd look good in," Faye's arms were folded as she walked down the street, her face set in a frown, "and the only thing Tobin came up with was 'pink'. Pink! What kind of answer even is that?"

Celica put a hand to her mouth to hide a chuckle. "Well," she said. "I do think pink is a good colour for you. It helps to bring out your eyes."

"My eyes?" Faye turned to look at Celica and raised an eyebrow. "There's nothing to really bring out – they're just boring old brown."

"Oh, come now!" And now Celica was the one frowning. "Who said brown is a bad colour? I happen to think your eyes are really pretty, Faye!"

"Oh? Well thanks, but..." Faye shrugged her shoulders. "If we're talking pretty eyes, then I can't hold a candle to you, you know. You eyes are such a deep red, they're almost like rubies! And they go so well with your red hair too! Mine are just... plain. Ordinary."

"Oh no, I'm not letting that pass." Celica wagged a finger at her. "Your eyes look wonderful! Have you ever seen them at sunset? I mean, silly question, of course you can't see them, but the way they catch the light makes them look like they're glowing. They're beautiful, and don't let anyone tell you different."

They looked at each other for a long moment before they both burst into laughter – catching the attention of passers-by around them.

"All right," Celica said as she wiped a tear of mirth from her eye. "Leaving aside the issue of which of us has nicer eyes – what about Kliff? Did he offer anything useful?"

"Hm, well." Faye cupped her chin. "He told me that since a lot of my wardrobe is pretty plain, I might want to go for something with a bit more flair this time. I dunno, though. I don't like clothes that are too fancy or anything like that. And plain is easier to wash too – you know how often I end up with spilled food on my blouse."

Celica cast a surreptitious glance over what Faye was wearing then – a baby-blue blouse with a wool sweater (that was indeed light pink) to protect her against the autumn chill. "Well, it's not like you'll be wearing your nicest clothes to work. And anyway, we've plenty of time to shop around and see if anything catches your eye."

"I guess." Faye clasped her arms behind her back. "But what about you? Anything you're on the lookout for, Celica?"

"Hm. I'm not sure. Maybe more colouring pencils and some paint."

"Ooh, yeah, that reminds me; you still need to show me your work some time! I mean, you've actually found some buyers for your paintings before, right? So they've gotta be pretty good!"

"Hah..." Celica closed her eyes and heaved a sigh. "I don't know. When I sell my work it's usually done online through a psudeonym. It feels... safer that way, I guess? I don't know if I'm comfortable with showing it to people I know personally. I haven't shown it to Mae or Boey or Genny yet, either."

"Hm," Faye nodded, "well, if you're not comfortable with it, then you're not. Don't worry then, I won't push you or anything."

Celica gave her a grateful smile and a quick nod of thanks. And then, they were at the entrance of the mall.

"That's gotta be the largest arts and crafts shop I've ever seen!" Faye let out an impressed whistle as they stepped out of the store. "Who knew they even sold that many different kinds of paintbrushes?"

"Well, it means that I was able to get the shades I needed quickly so that's good." Celica gave a nod of satisfaction as she held up one of the paint pots to the light. "My usual supplier is cheaper than this, but they don't have as much variety."

"Okay then," Faye glanced around. "I guess clothes shopping is next on the list."

"You don't sound very enthused."

"No, more... overwhelmed?" Standing in the atrium, Faye gazed up at the seven storeys of shopping mall stretching up above her. "I don't actually shop for clothes all that much. At least not in big fancy shopping centres like these. So I'm actually a little lost."

She chuckled and leaned in closer. "You want to know a secret? I don't shop that much either. I'm as lost as you are." Faye grinned slightly at that, which Celica took as a good sign, and she grabbed ahold of Faye's hand. "C'mon, let's go find the department store. They'll probably have an opening sale going on."

"Right behind you!"

"I think it looks good on you." Celica said as Faye held the headband up to her hair.

"You also said that about the last four ones I tried." Faye pursed her lips as she replaced the headband on the rack, her fingers drifting over the options.

"Well, maybe it's because they all looked good on you." Celica rubbed her thumb against her chin for a minute before she pointed one out. "There. That light blue one. It would go great with your blonde hair."

"Huh." Faye fingered one of her pigtails. "I wouldn't say my hair's blonde. Not really. It's more... straw. Sand. Something like that."

"Sure, it's a bit lighter than normal, but colour theory's colour theory. And 'straw'? You really don't flatter yourself much, do you?"

"Maybe I could buy some new ribbons instead?" Faye pointedly ignored Celica's last statement as she walked over to the next display case. "I think I prefer my hair in pigtails."

"I mean, you'll look good regardless." And that was true, at least by Celica's reckoning. As she was... well, cute was probably the best word to describe it, with her thick braids cascading down her shoulder and framing her face. Her hair bunched up at the points where they were tied together, and Celica briefly got the images of cushions, with how soft and fluffy it looked when Faye wore it like that.

"Sure I would," Faye frowned as she leaned over to get a better look at herself in the mirror. "What I wouldn't give for hair like yours, Celica! It's so soft and smooth and – and silky! It's like a waterfall of red! If I tried to wear my hair like that it'd be a snarl of tangles in twenty minutes, tops."

Celica tried not to let her frown show. Her bright red hair had been inherited from... him. It ran in the family, apparently. And she didn't like the reminder.

"Well, if you're not that interested in new hair accessories, shall we move on? The clothing department is that way." Faye nodded to that statement and soon they were both picking through shirts and blouses.

"Okay, I think I've got a couple I like," Faye said as she held up a couple of blouses. "What do you think?"

"They're... okay?" Celica tilted her head to the side, tried to envision Faye in them. The blouses were both monocolour, and were soft pastel colours of sky blue and pink lace. They fit Faye's image, certainly, but... "I'm starting to think Kliff was right. You really do aim a lot for plain clothes."

"Well, like I said," Faye shrugged. "I don't know if I can really pull off the fancier designs. I mean, sometimes I think I look good in them, but then I'm also not sure if I'm just fooling myself." Her shoulders slumped.

"Well, lucky you have me here, then." Celica took Faye gently by the shoulders and began to steer her in the direction of the more elaborate designs. "Go pick out something you think you'll look good in, and I'll be your second opinion."

There was a nervous chuckle from the other girl, but as they continued to browse the racks, Faye seemed to visibly relax more, pointing out this design or that to ask Celica for her opinion.

Finally, Celica held out a strapless dress the colour of sunset, and Faye raised an eyebrow.

"You think I'll be able to pull that off?" The dubious tone in her voice was all too apparent.

"I know you will. Come on, let's get you to a dressing room and you can try it on."

As Faye lingered in the dressing room, Celica paced and tried to picture what Faye would look like wearing that garment. She had been serious when she'd said that she thought Faye would look gorgeous in that dress – well, mostly. But a part of her was just really interested in giving Faye the push she needed to be a bit more daring.

Finally, there was the sound of curtain being pulled back, and Celica turned to face Faye.

"How do I look?" Faye said as she gave a tug at the bodice. "It's a little tight across the chest actually." She gave a little half-twirl, to show Celica how the back look, and after a moment seemed to realize that Celica wasn't responding. "... Celica?"

She blinked and shook her head. "Oh, sorry! I was just..." Stunned? Bedazzled? When Faye had stepped out of the room, Celica had felt her breath taken away. It was as if she had seen Faye for the first time, and she... well. "You look amazing, Faye."

And she did, Celica thought. The way the colours of her dress worked to complement her hair and her eyes. The way it dress hugged her body nicely and also revealed pale, shapely shoulders. The shy smile she was showing Celica now.

She really, truly did.

"So, I take it the date went well?" Mae said as she leaned back in her chair, munching on the cookies the two of them had just finished baking.

From the kitchen counter, Celica raised an eyebrow. "Hardly a date by any stretch of the word. We just went out and did some shopping together. And yes, I believe it went well. I managed to persuade Faye to buy a couple of dresses that flatter her a little more, although I'm not sure if she'll ever wear them or not."

"And that'd be a great loss, wouldn't it?" Mae wasn't even bothering trying to hide her smirk any more as she accepted the cup of juice Celica had poured her. "Not getting to see Faye in them?"

"Oh come off it." Celica rolled her eyes as she grabbed a cookie for herself. "We're friends. We're comfortable with each other. That's all there is."

"Yeah, well, I'm just saying!" Mae shrugged her shoulders. "You've barely been able to talk about anything but Faye ever since you found her again. Remember that one conversation where you kept harping on about how it was so cute the way she covered her mouth with the back of her hand whenever she giggled? So you're going to have to excuse us if we start getting Ideas."

Celica never liked it when Mae succeeded in capitalizing spoken words and so she rolled her eyes. "Faye is a very dear friend, and nothing more. It's not like I'm in love with her or anything of the sort." And she took a bite out of her cookie, as if to punctuate the point.

At 2 A.M. in the morning, Celica sat bolt upright in her bed and pressed her hands to her forehead.

"Oh, merciful Mother, I am," she said to the empty room. "I am in love with Faye."

… Now what?

Chapter End

Author Notes: Writing about the actual 'falling in love' part is one of things I struggle with in writing. Especially in a story structured like this when I have a limited number of chapters and words to work with it. I'm more used to either writing about people already being in love (even if they haven't confessed to it) or a very long slow burn like my older fics.

Also I wanna write mundane stuff where people just enjoy being in each others company and then when I do I'm like "Is this too mundane? Is not enough happening? Am I describing things too much? Too little?"

Well that's all part of the challenge, and I hope it turned out satisfactory!