Flawed and Tainted

CHAPTER 5. Pause

Violet

Elga had come by last evening to tell me that I would be spared from my duties at the flower shop the next day because of a festival she had to prepare for. I didn't ask about it because it didn't really concern me. Instead, I started thinking about what I could do during my free day. However, Verlian was a small town and because of it, my choices looked almost nonexistent. In the morning I finally decided it would be nice to spend my time with someone so I made my way to the bakery.

Melody and I were quite different in every possible way. Nevertheless, as curious as it may seem, her hyperactivity and happiness made me feel comfortable and relaxed. She frequently came to the flower shop, not necessarily as a customer but as a friend. She sometimes brought her exquisite cookies and shared them with me.

I reached the bakery as she came out of her houses' door.

"Hey Melody" I said, waving at her a little and letting a smile appear on my face.

"Hi Violet!" she responded, opening her mouth wider while arching her eyebrows. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in the shop?" she asked, her face slightly tilting to one side.

"Elga has to prepare for some festival so she gave me some days off" I mouthed, approaching her until I was by her side.

"Oh, that's great! You know, I'm free today as well! So… what shall we do?"

"I've got no idea. What are the options?"

"Let's see.. There aren't many options in town but… outside…" she commented, looking at me with a grin on her face.

"Outside?" I asked, a mischievous look making its way to my face, not knowing if I would be allowed to go through the gates without revealing the permission I had "borrowed" from Elga.

"Yeah!" She then thought for a moment before continuing "Do you know how to ride a horse by any chance?"

"I–…Yes" I replied, a little confused and taken aback by the sudden question.

She smiled broadly at me before asking me to follow her. She then led me into her house, crossed the hallway and went straight trough the backdoor, disappearing behind it. I slowed down the pace, and eventually stood still, waiting quietly in the middle of the hallway, waiting for Melody to come back… I felt like I was intruding if I stepped any further. Probably a few seconds passed before I started observing my surroundings. The baker's house was sure beautiful! Wooden floors and ceilings, with walls covered in floral decor, ornamented with family portraits…

"Violet?!"

"Oh, yes, sorry. Here I–" I said in a loud tone, while drawing closer to the backdoor and finally trespassing it. "am." I stopped once more, eyes fixed on the two tall and strong horses right in front of me, both restrained by Melody.

"Now we are fully ready to go for a ride around the forest" she grinned at me while bringing the black horse next to me and giving me the reing. I grabbed it and gently pushed my horse towards hers, slowly making our way to the gates. Once there, Melody handed her permission to the guards, who let her pass just before turning around and looking straight at me. I immediately forced my brain to think of a solution as quickly as possible in hopes of passing unnoticed without showing any panic whatsoever on my face.

"She's with me" said Melody, attracting once more the attention of the guards. "We'll come back together in a few hours".

The guards yielded, giving me permission to cross the gates. I returned their glance and passed in between them awkwardly, lifting my head towards Melody just a second later.

We continued walking a bit further, gaining some more distance from the village before getting on the horses. Melody was the first to hop on her white horse in the most natural way possible. I guessed that was a usual activity in her daily routine. I followed her example immediately after. I had always enjoyed riding horses. The freedom I used to feel while galloping and trotting around made me unable to resist smiling once I was sitting on the black horse.