AGATHUSIA

Imprints

Mingling was a common custom among groups of people who barely know each other, with the eagerness to know their comrades better. Considering, it was the cadets’ first day on the corps.

 But there will always be people who don’t see company as a necessity. For them, having themselves is more than sufficient. For Lavender Agarius that is…

Large trees overshadowed her as she was sitting on the forest floor.  The tree leaves, nevertheless had allowed the sun’s beams to slip like still raindrops as it touched the vast carpet of fresh green grass.

 It was cool, damp and silent. Very different from the dry field where they were asked to gather. The noise and the blazing heat from the sun were making her feel uncomfortable.

For a moment, she felt peacefulness and tranquillity, just like she’d always wanted.

Held in her hands was a book hard-covered in leather. She had been always fond of books. Lavender had spent most of her time with herself, reading every piece of literature that she could put her hands upon.

She was deeply absorbed with what she was reading, but at the same time, paying close attention to her surroundings. It might be a good place but unwariness is not called for.

Just as when she was about to flip a page, a small interruption caught her attention. It was a faint noise. Readily, she stood as the noise came closer and closer.

When it reached her line of vision, it revealed a familiar face, a girl of the same age as her.

Her blue-green eye shone like a gem. She had golden-brown hair that glistened when it was touched by a ray of light.  Her right eye was covered with the short hair reaching her chin and the rest was tied orderly at the back of her head, extending to her waist and gradually rounding up in a curl as it reaches the tip.

“Lavvy…” The girl called.

Lavender felt gladder when she heard her voice. She always carried a stoic demeanour and calm composure. But this time, the happiness she felt was overflowing, symbolized by a small grin from her lips. Her cold eyes were once again filled with a short feeling of warmth by someone special to her.  

“ ‘The Essence of Stratagems’ … Hmmm… ” The girl noted as she read the book’s front cover on Lavender’s hands. “…Genres like these have always been suited to your liking, am I right?” She then exhibited the smile that Lavender had always remembered in the memories of her childhood.

“Yes.” She replied abruptly. After all, Lavender was someone short-spoken and the girl completely understood her situation.

The girl chuckled and gently placed her hands on Lavender’s shoulders.

“Long time no see, Lavender.”

“Same to you Eurika. It’s nice to see you again.” Lavender greeted her back with a vague smile and immediately looked away. She couldn’t bare making eye-contact with anyone for a long duration, even with Eurika, the girl whom she had close attachment to.

“They never fail to lose their beauty.” Eurika said concerned, knowing what was currently on Lavender’s mind. “Your eyes are unique with fairness that no one else possesses.” She then gave her a comforting smile.

Lavender’s fierce deep-blue eyes bore a rather odd characteristic. From afar, it appeared purple which further resulted in a negative issue. Many had believed that she had some sort of a rare condition, added by her very pale complexion and thin stature.

 Lavender didn’t spoke a word, but deep inside, she felt better. It was after all, Eurika who adorned the eyes she despised since then.

Eurika looked towards the direction of the training ground and sighed deeply. “We should head back now. After all, we’ve been told to stay at the field and not to move around elsewhere. It’ll be a heavy offense if they found out. “