ANATOMY OF A GIRL

november 17th, 1808

Location:
Cara'cius, Svet'dmai

When they brewed potions together, it didn't feel like the world was shattering. Nevaeh could almost forget how she'd been torn away from a life of normalcy. Life in Shayera was as peaceful as she could find with a bloodline such as hers. With a father and siblings as cruel as her own.

Her mother never told her what potion they brewed — not even when she was a child and had to sit on the table to help her mother. But it made it all the better to Nevaeh, as she passed Verena the ingredients to the mysterious shimmering liquid, with unknown powers and abilities. She let herself dissolve into the work — her mother's gentle words guiding her, lulling her into that beautiful calmness she remembered so well. Everything fell away when she worked with her mother.

Amidst the bubbling of liquid and the trickling of a tap, Nevaeh heard a knock at the door.

"I'll get it," she told her mother with a smile, wiping her hands with an old cloth and straightening her dress. It was a ratty old thing, torn and fraying, but it reminded her of a better time.

She wasn't sure who to expect, (no one ever really approached their door), but she definitely didn't expect Shae, standing at the door with a smile.

Nevaeh closed the door behind herself quickly. Her palms felt sweaty and her chest felt like it was full of a thousand tiny hands clapping, tiny feet stomping. "What are you doing here?" She asked quickly. "How'd you know where I live?"

Shae laughed, apparently unbothered by Nevaeh's urgent concern. "It wasn't hard to find you. I assumed you took the other path leading to the edge of the city, and when I got here I asked someone where the Bane's live, and here I am."

Of course everyone knew where her family lived — so that they knew which house to avoid. She should've known.

She knew she should've been happy that the only kind person she'd met in the city had come to find her, but all she felt was nausea, creeping into her stomach. It was safer to stay away from Nevaeh and her family entirely, that she knew. It was lonely, but it meant that she was the only one hurt in the end. She couldn't live with herself if she let others burn under her family's wicked eye.

Nevaeh attempted an icy voice — one full of malice and cruelty. "And why are you here at my door?"

Shae didn't seem to notice the change in voice and attitude. She smiled as openly as when they'd met, causing Nevaeh's chest to collapse in on itself. "I was bored and in desperate need of company, and I figured you might be too, considering when we met I found you alone, sleeping in the woods."

Nevaeh felt embarrassment rush through her, warming her cheeks. "Yes, well — I just needed some time away. I'm not looking for any company."

"But it found you nonetheless," she said, pushing Nevaeh's shoulder playfully. "Now, come on."

Before she could think of a gentle way to reject the offer, the girl had turned away from Nevaeh and toward the city centre. Nevaeh found herself following behind quickly, calling out to her mother that she was leaving. She knew her mother would be excited for her, as they'd spent long hours talking about their new life, and finding whatever goodness they could in it.

As they approached the tree line, Shay lead Nevaeh in a direction she'd yet to venture. They filled the air with gentle chatter and gentler laughs. The forest was quiet but for them, and it had never seemed more beautiful to Nevaeh. What once was darkness, now held only light. The soft light of the sun, speckled against Shay's face like freckles, against her blonde hair like stars. Neveah felt heat rise to her cheeks.