Lunaria: Genesis

2- New

I sit in the hospital bed with a mirror placed on the wall in front of me to use for now. The clean glass reflects my image to me. Pale, pasty, sickly looking skin, a small round face, hallowed from lack of food, dark rings surrounding large eyes that have ultra-white irises. And hair, pure white hair tangled and stringy hanging down from my head and spilling down my back, reaching the bottom of my hospital gown. Limbs to skinny and fat deprived, but a layer of tough, hardened muscles lacing my bones giving me a slight look of aggression. I look terrible, as if I haven't seen the light of day in years and truthfully it's been much longer. I appear depressed, on the verge of death, and that is exactly how I feel. I had just bathed, my skin is as clean as it could get after I scrubbed it like I was told to, but I still only had the gray hospital gown to put on. I can hear Dr. Lightwood approaching from down the hallway, quietly knocking on the door before he entered. In his hands he holds a small, flat brown box.

"This is for you, Lunaria. I bought it around the time when you first arrived, but I had no idea you would be around for so long." He says, placing the box on the edge of the bed. I slowly look up at his face, he wears a smile, but his eyes look upset.

"I am glad you will be able to go out and do something new, but I am a little sad to see you go. You can come here to me anytime you feel in trouble or hurt. I will always be here for you." He says, smiling warmly at me then turning to leave. I sit in the silence for a while, then pick up the box. Inside is a dress, about mid-length and made of sky blue dyed cotton. It is very simple and nice, the first material thing anyone has ever given to me. I don't know what to think of the gesture, other than I need to repay him some way. I stand to put on the dress, then look at myself in the mirror. It flows around my legs prettily, stopping above my knees and swirling around my waist. The short sleeves are comfortable and the neck line is below my collar bone. It is a good dress, except for the color. Sky blue is too...good for me. It is a bright and happy color, the color of the sky when it is light out. With what has happened to me, I don't deserve a color like sky blue, I don't deserve to receive dresses at all. I need a more appropriate color for me, something more familiar to my mind. I watch in the mirror as the dress begins to change, the dark color slowly bleeding from the fabric above my heart, spreading until the whole dress is pitch black. I evaluate my appearance once more, the new color suits me. A better choice to contradict my bright and pale features, and it gives me a more mature look, the appearance of one who doesn't deal with meaningless trivial things. I appreciate the dress even more, and walk out of the hospital room for the last time, ready to meet the world for the first time.

I calmly enter the next room, bowing to the four who approved of my freedom previously and to Prae Sul and Dr. Lightwood who were standing with them. Prae Sul and Dr. Lightwood both look at me with surprise, both recalling the dress being a different color before I put it on.

"... how did you change the color?" Dr. Lightwood asks, intrigued and plainly stumped. I said nothing, placing my hand over my chest where the black first spread.

"Never mind that, let's not focus on the little things. Today is her big day." Prae says. "Everything is arranged, all that is left to do is find a host family to take her in, and until we do, she will need to stay somewhere." Dr. Lightwood looks to her and raises an eyebrow.

"Well, if she cannot stay here for longer, I suggest that you take her in, Ms. Sul." He says, and her head whips around to glare at him incredulously.

"I can't do that! I am much too busy. Besides, I don't even know her!" She exclaims, glancing down at me. I just stare up at the, emptily, I do not care to whom I go to, I've been loaned out to many places long before I came here.

"None of us 'know' her, Ms. Prae, only yesterday did she told us her name. How about go introduce yourself formally first, get to know each other." He says, and Prae looks between us and sighs, giving in and slowly approaching me. She crouches down so her eyes are level with mines, and softens her expression. She is a strong built woman with curves in the right places, tanned skin, and long blonde hair.

"Ok... let's start over. My name is Prae Sul, and I am the Leader of this village. What is your name?" She asks, giving a small smile. I look her in her light brown eyes, then I look at the floor, barely opening my mouth to hoarsely whisper.

"...Lunaria..." I mumble. Prae raises her eyebrows, probably surprised in my gossamer light voice, or maybe that I said anything to her at all.

"Oh... Lunaria. Lunaria what?" She asks, and the question makes me embarrassed, tucking my head lower to avoid her gaze. I don't respond, I only stand in silence waiting for her to give it up. Dr. Lightwood comes and places a hand on Prae's shoulder.

"Ms. Sul, I don't think she has a family name." He informs her, and she sighs and stands up.

"You are right, if she did, she wouldn't be here. Nevertheless, let's get going, I hate to waste time standing around. Lunaria, come with me. I will show you the Village and everything there is to know about how it is run." She says, leading me through the halls out of the hospital. As I walk, I turn one last time to see Dr. Lightwood, waving at me with an eager smile on his face. I have this longing feeling growing in my chest, I think I will miss him, but I should be able to visit him if I can. I will have to come back to repay the kindness of giving me this new dress, and a new life.