Chapter 3 is finally here! It's broken up into two chapters, so I'll post the next part in a few minutes. ------------------------------------------ Ana awoke to harsh light streaming into her window. Putting a cream-furred hand to her small face, she squinted drowsily at the cheery light-blue clock that hung over her desk. 8:25. She jumped up, cursing herself for having slept in, and tumbled face first out of bed. After orienting herself, she crawled across the floor, kicking off her sheets which dragged at her legs. She got up, leaning on the door knob for support, and stumbled down the hall, narrowly avoiding crashing into her sister. Mumbling an apology, she lurched downstairs, slowly gaining alertness. She ran into the kitchen, where her mother stood, humming to herself as she flipped a pan of sweet smelling food. “Ana! Good to see you sleeping in for once. It’s important for a young lady like you.” Ana’s mother said, her eyes twinkling. She wiped a hand on her apron, a light green one with butterflies stitched into the fabric. People always said Ana took after her mother, with their wide dark eyes, small stature, and cream colored fur. Unlike Ana, however, her mother had a cheery playfulness to her that people seemed to like. Ana was never a fan of gatherings and parties, and often spent them standing in a corner, keeping to herself. Ana’s mother had given up trying to make her mingle and exchange small talk, and in recent years, Ana often retreated to the confines of her room by the end of the night, reading or writing. Activities, she thought to herself, that would be of use someday. She pushed these thoughts to the back of her brain and turned to face her mother. “Do you know where Dad is?” She asked. Her mother smiled. “Your Dad left early for work.” she said. “Do you need me to tell him anything?” Ana’s face fell. “No, It’s all good.” she said. “You should eat some breakfast.” her mom replied. Ana opened her mouth, ready to protest, but before she could get a word out, her stomach growled loudly in protest. “I’ll take that as a yes.” Her mom said playfully, tapping her lightly on the cheek with a spatula. Ana gave in, and took a seat, feeling miserable as her mom shoveled a small spoonful of lumpy saffronberry mush, with cinnamon dusting the top. Her mom sighed. “I’m afraid that’s the last of the cinnamon.” She said. Ana sighed, and nodded. No surprise there. She wouldn’t have been surprised if it was the last cinnamon in the entire country. “Don’t forget you have school today!” Her mom said, as Ana picked through her food. Ana sat up. School. Of all things, how could she have forgotten about school? Her mother must of realized what was about to happen, for she rested her hand on Ana’s chair, squinting at her. Ana sighed again, and, with a hint of annoyance, stabbed aggressively at her Rèmel Saffron. Rèmel was a Saberian word meaning Crown, specifically used by the Fae Kingdom, whose rulers wore crowns of flowers and berrys, with silvery olive leaves woven into them. If I had a crown, maybe this would all be easier, Anastasia thought glumly. But still, she thought, it won’t make a difference. Even if I had all the crowns in the world, the King would still be more powerful than me. Quickly shoveling the rest of her food in her mouth, she pushed her chair away, and ran back upstairs, ignoring her mom’s annoyed expression. When she got to the top of the sleek wooden stairs, she veered down the hall. Her foot caught on the red carpeting that her Mom had laid down last year, ‘to protect our halls and to line our walls’. More like ‘to trip her daughter while her siblings applaud her’, she thought grumpily, righting herself. She was glad her sisters were not in the hall, since they tended to display their amusement, specifically at her, generously. School, she thought, focusing her mind to the task at hand once more. She ran to her room, fluttering her small wings behind her, boosting her down the hall.
When she arrived at the doorway, she paused, her large black eyes scanning the room. There! Her backpack, a leathery black bag with her full name, Anastasia, stitched in white by a delicate hand. It lay up against her desk, tossed carelessly into the corner from the last Evesun. She grabbed it, quickly checking the contents. Coal stick, feathery calligraphy pens, a ink well and blotter, note scroll.... and textbooks. She forced the zipper back closed, then slung it over her shoulders, adjusting it until it fit snugly between her wings. Lastly, she slid her school wrist cuff on, which said her last name, and had the school colours - red and black - printed on it. Turning around, she ran downstairs, heading outside. “Ana- ya gonna be losin’ me with that pace!” Ana didn’t turn around, but slowed her pace so Emi could keep up. Their feet crunched on the dirt underfoot, claws digging into the ground. Emi wore a long dress, with a pinafore draped over it, a stark sign of her modesty. While her parents and Emi’s got along well, the class difference had always been a hint apparent. Ana knew that it would one day be a friendship she would have to break if she were to find a respectable suitor. However, during the famine, balls and suitors had dropped from everyone’s mind. Even the rich were losing food, and the poor were beginning to lose what dignity they had, resorting to the most ungodly methods of obtaining a meal. Ana had only found herself once or twice trapped in the folds of lady-like clothing, both times had she been quick to get out. Her fur grew wild and the tight corsets and itchy fabric had only ever constrained her. As they approached the white brick building that was their school, Ana heard some students call her name. Emi waved back at them, smiling, while Ana lost herself in her thoughts, never having been one to find time for those who wanted friends in high places for their ego, not their company. And that was most likely why the poor never became the rich, Ana mused. ——————————- What did you think of it? Who's your favorite character? Stay tuned!!
