The Fox & The Crow

Chapter Sixteen *not edited*

I bite down into my apple, letting the juice sit on my lips for a moment before licking it off. I curl and uncurl my toes in the grass, sometimes pulling at weeds with my feet.

Tyrell carefully braids branches into my hair, weaving it in such a way as to make them look like horns. The ends of the branches hold small red flower buds, not yet ready to bloom, and a few bits of moss from them fall into my hair. She then strings a chain of gold tree roots through the braid and around the branch horns. The ends fall near my eyelashes and I blink a few times, getting used to their weight.

I feel unnatural and ethereal.

My dress is a pure milky color, slightly sheer and flowy. My hands and feet are wrapped in strings of moss and more gold tree root. Shoes, Tyrell had told me, are not allowed at weddings. She said that the earth must feel welcome and accepted at such gatherings, shoes are a refusal of their company. I hadn't fully understood her, but I nodded as she bent in front of me and covered my feet.

While she continues to work on me, I study her clothing. Her hair has been wrapped around her horns as small green leaves poke through. Her neck is covered by a string of green gooseberries. Her chest, decorated with vines woven together that wrap around her back to create a tail. Her fawn legs, not covered by anything, move gracefully as she walks about the tent.

¨Now for your eyes.¨ She bends down and takes a small bowl into her hands. ¨White dandelion tufts.¨

Carefully, she dips them into a liquid that looks similar to honey. She presses them gently to the sides of my eyes. I can feel her adjusting a few before gently wiping away any residue.

¨Open,¨ She says. She tilts my head up towards her face and studies my eyes for a few seconds. She nods before turning around and taking a small vial of what looks to be water. Tipping the small bottle, she spills a few drops onto her finger before turning around. ¨To make them appear like glass.¨

She taps the droplets onto the inner corners of my eyes. I open them again to see her standing back to study my face once more.

¨Your hair,¨ She says, taking it in her hands before weaving a few extra pieces into small braids. ¨Such a lovely shade. Did the sun touch it?¨

¨It used to be red.¨ I look up at her as she continues to braid smaller pieces of my hair. ¨It was the same for my father.¨

¨It faded?¨ Tyrell asks. ¨From illness?¨

¨Oh, no. From age.¨ I smile slightly. ¨But I guess that could also be an illness.¨

¨You,¨ She begins, looking confused. ¨You are quite old then?¨

I laugh and cover my mouth. ¨It faded to a lighter color when he was around my age as well. I'm still considered young where I come from.¨

¨I meant no offense. It would not have surprised me anyway; aging can also look different for us as well.¨

I turn to look up to her for a moment before facing the ground again, not wanting the braids to look awkward.

¨Sometimes, you can tell how old a person is by their eyes or hands. One can still look as they were many years ago, but eyes and hands change.¨

I don't respond.

¨You do not speak much, Elaine.¨

¨I'm more observant, I suppose.¨ I fumble around with my fingers, trying not to pick the moss and root.

¨That is smart. Better not to let your enemies know your weakness before you understand theirs.¨

Who is Violet?

Shaking the thought from my mind, I smile up at her and stand, moving to a large circular plate. It's located in the corner of the tent, reflecting anything that comes close enough to see it.

My face looks back at me, covered in white dandelion tufts and sprinkles of frosted water on the tips of my mouth and nose. My hair looks wild and I am stunned by the way the branches make my face look longer, more threatening. My eyes look like  they're constantly playing a game, daring a chase.

¨Thank you.¨ I say, turning to face Tyrell.

She stands admiring me for a moment before taking my arm and leading me out of the tent. The air quickly switches from the warmth of spice to a cold freshness of evening air. I shiver slightly.

Tyrell laughs and pulls me along with her.

¨Come! The ceremony will take place as soon as the sun goes down. It won't wait for you!¨

I smile and follow her continuing to think of his question.

Who is Violet?

Obviously, I haven't been quiet enough.