Birth of a Crimson Feather

•MEMORIES•

The salty air was traveling through my hair, tangling them and making me look like I had just come out of the eye of the hurricane. Seaside was always my favorite place to be when I was younger, I didn't mind that my hair was like that, or that my face was red from the angry sun. I was so happy to be near the water, searching for the next beautiful seashell to add to my collection. I was doing that for a few hours now, exhausted and breathless I sat down and wrote my hopes and dreams on the wet sand with a small pointy stick I borrowed from a nearby bush.

"KYNTHIA? KYNTHIA?" a female voice was heard in the distance.

"What were you doing on the beach all this time, love? Dinner is ready and your father requires your attendance!" she continued.

'Oh no, that's Mrs. Picket! I was so interested in finding the perfect addition to my sea collection, I never realized so many hours had passed!' I thought to myself and quickly tried to get my things and meet her at the top of the stairs.

The place I always visited was very close to my parents' house but I had to use a very long staircase to reach the water. I used to run as fast as I could so I can be the first person there and find the sea treasures that would make my daily life a little bit more interesting. After my mother died, my father wanted to leave this place and move to the city even though it was not a long commute from his job.

Mrs. Picket was the one person who convinced him to stay here, mostly for my sake. She said it would be better for me to create some carefree memories before entering the school programs of the city. I valued Mrs. Picket's way of caring for me, so the moment I heard her voice I bolted from my favorite place just so I wouldn't leave her waiting. After using all of my strength by walking on the fine sand, I was able to finally reach the stairs, and at the top, I saw her figure, looking at me fondly but with a weird grin on her face.

"The young lamb is running like this just so she can meet little old Mrs. Picket? How lovely!" she remarked while trying to hold back her laughter.

She would always call me that, the young lamb, especially when she was trying to be funny, and I would always come back with a funny comment regarding her dress. But this time I decided against it, she must have left her job to come and fetch me so annoying her was the last thing I wanted to do.

"Mrs. Picket, what is the occasion? I know I am late, and I do apologize, but you could have sent Mr. Heracles to bring me back. You left your affairs unattended just for a young lamb like me?" I scoffed. I could not help myself, I had to say something back.

"Your father got a bit worried about you and I was available, not one affair was left behind, missy, don't you worry," she answered. I knew I could never win against her wits, my father knew what he was doing when he hired her.

"Kynthia, as far as I know, your father has invited a very important member of our society for dinner and he wanted you to be with him. Thankfully, he is a bit late, so you have time to wash up and prepare something nice to wear." She was the type of person to let me know exactly what was expected of me, without leaving me a choice to refuse.

I looked down at my dress, shoes, and hands and I perfectly understood why she was right. I had to be presentable because in a way I was representing my father and mother today. I just disliked the fact they did not let me know in advance. How was I supposed to know I had to be at the house for that special happening?

"Dear, you are not 5 years old anymore. You are ready to enter the second year of pre-witch-schooling, you're a young lady. Better act like one when your father requires it and be prepared to help him with his work too. He only has you at this point, don't disappoint him, love." She said with firmness but as usual, her tone was coated with only love and affection towards me.