The Bleeding Rose

A Day of Fun

Riddle had nearly made it out of the house that morning without any grievances from his Mother. But he slipped up in the last couple feet. Hands quite literally on the door to freedom when he heard her call out to him.

"Where are you going?"

"To the festival in town. It is properly patrolled, and I will be accompanied by Trey" He left out the fact Cater would be there. Knowing the very moment she discovered such a 'bad influence' would be there, his outing would be thrown down the drain and chewed up by the garbage disposal. 

"Sounds like a waste of time, valuable time that could be-"

"Spent studying and training" Riddle mouthed along with her, grateful for the fact his back was turned to her. 

"Yes mother, but it would be inconsiderate to cancel plans so last minute. We had had this planned for quite some time and if I don't start walking now, I will be late. And I simply cannot allow such rudeness" Riddle prided himself in the way he appealed to his mothers ideologies. Although it wasn't necessarily lying either. He really couldn't stand being late, and he could not cancel with such short notice unless there was an absolute emergency. 

A long, heart pounding pause drew out. Riddle holding his breath as he waited in anticipation. Ready for the boot to fall. 

"Alright"

Riddle inwardly cheered at his success, but remained calm and collected in appearance. 

"But, no sweets. They are bad for your health, and we can't have you returning to that nasty habit of eating copious amounts of tarts. Spend money wisely, enjoy your time out" 

Riddle was only going to follow the latter of those instructions. And he never really did break that habit. How could he when Trey could bake such wonderful tarts. But the less she knew the better.

"Thank you, Mother" He then crept out the door, making sure the door clicked behind him as quietly as possible before dashing at least a few houses away. Not wanting her to change her mind. 

As he slowed his jog, he soaked in the balmy weather that was gracing the ongoing festival enjoyers. A gentle wind rustling through the leaves and banners lining the streets. Tugging ever so gently at his hair. As he continued to grow closer, he could distinctly smell the festivals numerous baked goods wafting through the air. 

"Hey Riddle! Over here" Cater waved an arm frantically through the air, like a spotlight in the crowd. Riddle hurried over, Cater flashing a cheeky smile as he came to stand beside him and Trey. He had no doubt that Treys family bakery was booming right now with the sheer number of tourists flooding in. So, it was both nice and worrying that Trey took time out of his day to come hang out. If their bakery was swamped, they might need the extra hands. Riddle had proposed this when they were planning this excursion, but Trey insisted that it was going to be fine. So, he wasn't going to mention it again. 

"So, what stands should we go to first?!" Cater questioned excitedly, looking around at the tents and stands that seemed to stretch down the street for miles. So many different trades and skills on display. 

"We might as well go in order, we wouldn't want to miss anything" Trey proposed, the group nodding in agreement. With the unanimous consensus, they slinked through the crowd to one of the first stands. 

--------------- 

The day went on, Cater darting between each stall with a childlike excitement as he snapped photos of items he thought were especially pretty or neat. At the moment he was capturing a rather intricate wood carving in the shape of a hedgehog. Trey on the other hand was eyeing a stall across the way that was filled to the brim with cooking utensils. An itemized bag of cookie cutters calling his name.