The Tragedy of Being

Ten trials

Lavender Haze by Taylor Swift

Cass wasn't sure how long she sat at the foot of the hill for. It could have been seconds or hours.

But eventually, a dryad came for her. She had green hair and green skin. She was physically wearing a tree, Cass noticed, or more like parts of the tree.

"Your highness, please, come bathe." The dryad said, holding a hand out to Cass.

Cass allowed for her to be pulled to her feet, and followed silently behind the dryad till a river stopped their path. White linens were hanging from tree branches to afford more modesty to bathe.

The dryad disappeared into a tree.

Cass stepped through the linens.

Susan was sitting and brushing her hair, and Lucy was trying to figure out how her corset worked.

Cass said nothing to the two girls as she walked to the edge of the water, untying her boots. She pulled off the woolen socks from her feet, dipping her toes into the cool stream. It was refreshing after walking so long in such hot clothing.

She started unlacing the back of her dress, dropping the bloodied gown on the piles that Susan and Lucy had started for their dirty clothes. She pulled her shift over her head, and stepped into the water, completely bare.

Susan and Lucy shared a glance. Cass didn't have the same concern for modesty as they had, clearly.

Cass dove under the water, letting the cool water wash away the dirty and grime from their trip.

"Can you pass me the soaps on the table, please?" Cass asked the girls.

Susan gave her a tight lipped smile, and handed her a few jars and a bar of soap.

"The golden one is shampoo. It comes from a plant that they have here. The others are soaps and perfumes and ointments that smell really good." Susan explained.

After Cass' brief bath, she wrapped herself in one of the linens, moving over to a chest full of clothing.

She pulled out a new shift, the soft fabric comforting. She shuffled through the dresses, her eyes immediately drawn to another pink gown. It was soft silk, with soft satin sleeves that reached her elbows. It was dainty and reminded her of a rose.

Back home, she never really wore pink. But here it seemed like pink was a fitting color for her.

After dressing, she noticed a golden belt that clipped the dress into place. The craftsmanship of the gown fascinated her.

"You look like a princess." Lucy commented behind her.

Cass smiled. Susan and Lucy both looked like princesses in the gowns they were wearing.

"Says you. You two look brilliant." Cass complimented.

But she did feel pretty in the dress. It was a slightly foreign feeling, one she never really got at home.

Susan had helped braid her hair over her shoulder, and put some small white flowers in her hair. Everything she was wearing made her feel radiant.

She even did a little spin for good measure.

Susan grinned at Cass' twirling, Lucy twirling along with her.

She reached for a towel.

A wolf snarled at the girls where the towel used to be.

Cass pulled her sword from off of the table, brandishing it in front of her.

"Get behind me." She commanded to the girls.