Blooming Sunset

And They Called Her Briar Rose

CW: Brief description of injury and kidnapping (nothing serious actually happens)

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A̶u̶r̶o̶r̶a̶ Briar Rose was a daydreamer.

Despite having never met a person her age, she was no doubt a hopeless romantic. She adored the stories of true love conquering all that her aunts told her; particularly ones with happy endings where they all lived happily ever after. The girl would often retell them to herself when she was bored, or make up her own.

Growing up sheltered came with its ups and downs. Briar had a close friendship with most of the animals in the forest; they practically raised her alongside her guardians. But as wonderful as they were, they left her longing for a human companion.

"Aunt Merryweather?" Little six year old Briar had once said, tugging on the blue fabric of the short woman's dress.

Her aunt looked down at the young child with raised brows. "Yes, dear?"

"Why can't I go see other people?"

The question made Merryweather freeze. "Oh— well you see, Briar." She responded hesitantly before crouching down to look her niece with worry and a hint of pity. "The world can be a scary place. You must never leave this forest; understand?"

"Why is it scary?" Briar inquired, ever the curious girl. "I want to make friends, like the ones from the stories."

"Those stories are only fantasies, child." Merryweather replied, as softly as possible. "Real strangers are very dangerous. Stay away from them, all right?"

Briar's lips twisted into a frown, but she didn't argue further. "All right, aunt Merryweather." She sighed before walking away dejectedly.

Merryweather couldn't focus on whatever she was doing after that. She hated seeing the child so upset. But what else could she do? Allowing her to roam outside the safety of the forest was not an option. If anyone were to find her... Merryweather shuddered in horror at the very thought.

Luckily, Briar had grown up thoughtful and well-mannered. She hardly ever argued against her aunts, even if she didn't always agree with them. She had only tried to run away once, when she was little.

She had asked about her parents, and they were nervously refusing to tell her anything. Frustrated, that night she attempted to flee through the dense woods barefoot when it was raining, leading to several sharp rocks and sticks cutting into the bottom of her feet. She'd slipped on the wet ground several times, causing further harm to her small body. Her aunts had gone into a frenzied panic when they discovered the open window and thin trail of blood, thinking she'd been taken by force.

She couldn't clearly remember how they'd managed to find her and bring her back home. Something in the back of her head told her it'd been something unusual, but for some reason she didn't feel the urge to dwell on it very long. After all, it didn't matter, did it? She was home, and safe, with her loving aunts and animal friends. Life was perfect.

...albeit a little dull. The days grew repetitive, without any sort of change or excitement. But one couldn't ask for too much. Fauna, Flora and Merryweather had taught her to be thankful.

Briar hummed as she dusted and cleaned her room. She ran her fingers through her golden hair and glanced at herself in the mirror, making sure she looked extra sophisticated for this very special day.

They say a girl's sixteenth birthday is when she takes her first true steps into womanhood. No longer would she be treated like a helpless child. Briar smiled as she began walking down the stairs, a slight bounce to her steps.

Three familiar figures were already having a conversation at the table, not having noticed her yet. Their voices were more hushed than usual, like they were afraid of being heard, though still not doing a particularly good job at keeping quiet.

"Yes, but—" That was Merryweather. "how are we gonna get her out of the house?"

"Oh, I'll think of something." Followed by giggling. How curious.

"Well!" Briar announced her presence, taking notice of the fact she seemed to have taken them by surprise. Her aunts gasped, and Fauna grabbed the book that was on the table and (unsuccessfully) tried to hide it behind her back. "And what are you three dears up to?" She asked teasingly as she approached them.

"Up to?" They echoed one by one like misbehaving children who'd just been caught.

Briar watched in great amusement as her aunts struggled to come up with an explanation. "Eh, uh—" Flora stammered. "We— w-we— we—"

"Want you to pick some berries." Merryweather shoved a basket into Briar's hands after emptying it of flowers.

"That's it!" Flora gasped in relief, beginning to push her niece towards the door. "Berries."

"Berries?" Briar repeated in confusion.

"Lots of berries!" Fauna nodded, using both hands to pull the startled teenager.

"But I picked berries yesterday." She protested right before Merryweather tossed a shawl over her head— the one they insisted she always wore before going out.

Flora made a noise of disapproval. "W-we need more, dear." She stated, rather unconvincingly.

"Lots— lots more!" Fauna added as they shut the door behind Briar.

"Yes!" Merryweather agreed.

Briar smiled knowingly to herself. Did they truly believe she would forget her own birthday? They couldn't possibly think of her as this oblivious.

"Now don't hurry back, dear." Flora said, waving.

"Don't go too far!" Merryweather reminded her niece.

"And don't speak to strangers!" Fauna chimed in.

Briar merrily walked away, only stopping to turn and wave back as her aunts said their goodbyes. "Bye!" She called out to them.

Just as she was getting farther away, she heard the faint voice of Merryweather. "I wonder if she suspects..."