Lilith

An Ignorant Mind Cannot Be Blamed

A young woman stands elegantly tall however reserved. She pulls her arms up to cradle her elbows like a makeshift coat— She drags in the surrounding air, awed at the breath-taking dilapidated castle-like building towering before her. She breathes out, and her breath collects before her in a cloud. As she gazes, she tries to find any ounce of energy to get through the day ahead of her. The night before barely gave her a lick of sleep. The inns on the way were old, muddy, and smelled like, only God knows what.
The girl pulls herself together and strides into this towering building's edifice. Upon viewing the inside, the overwhelming scenery draws her awake. It's so much more than what she had previously envisioned. The interior is overwhelming, something this ignorant girl from a small village would never have thought possible to step foot in, let alone attend school at. With white marble speckled with gold painting the floors, a ashen black glazed brick layering the walls, and egg white plaster trim that's intricately designed framing the room, anyone would consider this grande hall to be built for royalty. To the girl, it's astonishing how much of an antithesis it is to the view outside. It's as if someone was trying to hide its beauty from prying eyes, like crystals in a cove.
After the girl is done gawking at the surrounding scenery, heart racing still and mouth ajar, an opening just left of the wall, adorning the entrance calls her over. It's a booth-looking thing meshed into the beautifully crafted walls. She strides over, ready to get somewhere in this grand building, making a start to her day.
    "Good Afternoon, I'm a new student, Venus Clay... I'd like to know where it is I could get my schedule?"
A plump lady with long dark brown hair, hazel eyes, pale skin, and a face covered in moles and freckles alike, sits in the booth. The older woman greets the girl with a steady porcelain grin, hugged by deep smile lines. Her thin lips give a more significant view of them. You wouldn't necessarily assume these lines come from age. No, but facial structure. The stretch of the mouth against the plumpness of her cheeks. She's wearing a glass name tag with gold writing on it. It's pinned onto her tan dress that hugs her figure. It could almost be considered a thick cotton slip. The dress's neck has frills that bloom out at her chin, holding it, as cupped hands would hold water. It's a dress that would be considered quite scandalous back in the village and most definitely almost anywhere she went where a man could set their judgment on her. However, she wears it with confidence, pride even. The tag on her breast reads Mrs. Lana. She has a book resting to her side. Its cover is a dazzling aqua blue.
     "Venus, you say? Come, right this way... Ma'am?" Venus blushes, slightly dazed by the older woman because once she stands, she reveals a long slit in the thin material of her dress, accentuating her smooth, milky legs. The end of the dress, accented by the same frills on the neck of it. Overall, this gown is an appropriate length and gorgeous. However, it was so thin she might as well have been wearing her nightgown. Such intimate clothing, which nuns of the village church told Venus, were only meant to be seen by her husband. Not even your family should gaze upon such a sight as that. The old crones spoke in strict commands that seemed unquestionable, unchangeable.
    Venus, reflecting on this, is taken aback, pleasantly overwhelmed. She considers that the school is very progressive. This realization didn't come as the disturbing shock it might have if these elders had gazed upon Mrs. Lana instead.
Venus soon thereafter considers another plaguing reflection. This woman was merely a secretary, yet she was so shockingly unique. She could guess that there would be a new, auspicious student every day. So, why pay attention to her? This dull girl was the least studious person they could invite to this academy. At least, this is what she mulls over before obediently following the lovely women. She walks through the ebony wood door placed next to the booth. The door is opened from the inside by Mrs. Lana, letting her in. Venus follows the plump lady into a waiting area.
    "Sit there while I find it, Ms. Clay." The girl nods and hovers by the chairs as Mrs. Lana leaves. The chairs are large, with a red velvet material covering the cushion. Golden handles poke from its body. They shine like they've been buffed, polished and waxed attentively. She feels an anxiety about sitting in such a beautiful chair as the only piece of furniture she could ever compare it to was the preacher's chair back in the village which they had strictly forbade anyone from sitting upon other than the preacher himself. As soon as she wills the courage to get comfortable she hears Mrs. Lana again. 
    "Oh! Here it is!" Venus pushes out a breathy laugh as Mrs. Lana exclaims her findings. Soon thereafter, Mrs. Lana is scurrying into the room. She's walking in with a piece of parchment that has been neatly scribbled on, in what the girl can only assume is in the older lady's handwriting.
    "Here, dear. Now, if you get lost, just ask one of the children loitering around for directions. Have a splendid day." The girl smiles and bows, thanking Mrs. Lana, leaving the office, and walking into the corridor.