The Parables

Siria - Precinct Fifteen

Siria - Precinct Fifteen

BANG. BANG. BANG.

I open one eye and grumble.

"You awake in there, Siria?"

"I am now," I mumble, rubbing my eyes.

Sighing, I fling the duvet off my legs and pad over to the door. Grasping the handle, I drag it towards me and come face to face with Torenia. Her golden locks are neatly pinned up into a smart side-bun, every strand in its place, and her face is lightly peppered with makeup. She wears a knee-length black dress with long sleeves, a narrow leather belt tied around her waist, and her feet fit perfectly into a pair of velvet ebony mules. She smiles warmly at me.

"Sorry, did I wake you?"

I shake my head. "Nope. I've been awake for..." I yawn. "Hours."

Torenia raises an eyebrow. "Well, anyway, I just came to tell you this: wear something brown. Either a brown dress or brown blouse and black skirt will do."

"Why brown?" I frown, wrinkling my nose. "Who wears brown? It's a hideous colour."

"I'm sure you have a pair of brown trousers somewhere at home."

"Maybe, but I'd never wear a brown dress; not in a million years."

"Guess you'll have to cut slightly short of the a million years and wear one now."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Torenia sighs. "It's Precinct Fifteen's colour. Every Precinct has a colour; ours just happens to be brown."

"Could it get any worse?" I grumble. "I would've worn any other colour. A mustard yellow, a bogey green...literally any colour except brown."

Torenia smiles sympathetically at me. "Breakfast will be ready soon." With that, she turns on her heel and strolls off into the kitchen.

Heading into the wardrobe, it doesn't take me long before I find a gypsy-style blouse the colour of chocolate and a slit skirt as dark as the night. Glancing to the shoe racks, I spot a pair of dainty, black ankle boots and take them as well. Quickly, I change into the clothes and buckle up the ankle boots. Seizing a hairbrush, I comb through my silky locks of raven hair and let them drape loosely over my shoulders, kissing my ears and caressing my neck. I glance at my reflection in the mirror. A smile breaks out onto my face. Tucking a strand of hair behind my ear, I flounce out of my sleeping quarters and into the main area of the carriage.

The minute I step foot into the parlour area, a familiar scent wafts over to me. Its strong and tangy yet sweet aroma makes my mouth water and my stomach grumble. My smile broadens. Cinnamon. Something I never get tired of.

Right on cue, Torenia bursts out of the kitchen with a plate of brown waffles and the scent of cinnamon grows stronger and more powerful.

"Are those cinnamon waffles?"

Torenia glances up in my direction as she places the plate down on the table. "Yeah, they are. How did you know?"

I tap my nose, grinning. "I guess you could say I've been acquainted with its aroma many times before."

Torenia smiles at me, gesturing to the table. "Come. Have as many as you want."

"Thank you." I take a seat at the table and help myself to several of the cinnamon waffles.

Just then, the door adjacent to the one leading to my sleeping quarters flies open and Raphanus hobbles out, using his wooden cane as support. He's dressed smartly in a tuxedo with a brown tie and a pair of polished wholecut boots. He looks a little strange in a suit made for younger men, but at least he's made the effort. I'd rather be associated with an elderly man who dresses smart than one who wears his pyjamas to work.