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Ⅰ R u n n I n g E r r a n d s Ⅰ
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━━ ● A Fox once saw a Crow fly off with a piece of cheese in its beak and settle on a branch of a tree.
"That's for me, as I am a Fox," said Master Reynard, and he walked up to the foot of the tree.
"Good day, Mistress Crow," he cried. "How well you are looking today: how glossy your feathers; how bright your eye. I feel sure your voice must surpass that of other birds, just as your figure does; let me hear but one song from you that I may greet you as the Queen of Birds."
The Crow lifted up her head and began to caw her best, but the moment she opened her mouth the piece of cheese fell to the ground, only to be snapped up by Master Fox.
"That will do," said he. "That was all I wanted. In exchange for your cheese I will give you a piece of advice for the future: "Do not trust flatterers."
-
A soft giggle echoed through the quiet sanctuary. The girl it floated up from tucking her knuckles against her lips and she scanned the short story once more with a wide grin of amusement. As true as the story was it was still funny to the girl. So clever was the fox that he knew just what to say to acquire what it was he wanted, obviously the cheese. As she closed the children's story book taking care the gently tuck it away next to its neighbors she pondered. Was it not the way men were still? Sweet talking the owner of the item in which they wanted? Though in most cases in not it was probably the holder itself they were after. A beautiful face..
Arden snorted at the thought, shaking her head and resituating the few items she had planned on purchasing. Yes, they were so wild boys were. Obnoxious with their following eyes and hooting calls in attempts to get attention from a passerby. Crazy with the need to complete trivial challenges that girls found not purpose behind. Such as the little boy next door. What was his purpose of climbing to the highest branch on the old bloom tree when there was no prize to be had. Or perhaps it was just the right to boast about it later she mused. Setting the books down on the counter she dismissed her thoughts however. It would be rude to just joke amongst herself when there was someone speaking right?
"Looking for something new I take it?" the women asked, lightly starting conversation and she flipped open the cover of the first book. Looking for the pricing and tag number. Arden couldn't help but smile when the worker let out a light gasp of triumph at finding it. Taking an black coated stamp she pressed it into the numbers, titling it as paid for. "Aye, I am." she chirped out in response, crossing her fingers on the smooth counter top while she waited. "Why horoscopes and tales of the old hm?" the other asked, her voice heightening to show her curiosity. It was a foolish way to spend money when nothing could be learn from it she had always been told. A story about how the mouse tricked the cat or what sort of event was foretold In the future was of no help when it came to being a proper lady. The stork would not be there to tell her how to care for her husband..
But, Arden couldn't help it! She loved to read them besides there was still a moral in every tale. "I dunno...I mean, i'm unsure. They are interesting enough for a good read I think." she shrugged, re wording her sentence when the women set a pair of scowling eyes upon her. Ashio was a pleasant lady when speaking to but only if one had the proper manners. She faithfully believed in kindly speech and quite a few times had Arden seen this very female chase a rowdy boy or two out of her store for saying something ugly. To put it simply people cleaned up their act when around this women, no hesitation.
Seeming satisfied with the answer the older nodded. Closing the second novel and stacking it on top of the rest before turning to her other devices. Adding up the numbers to give her customer the amount. "I can agree. Perhaps someone can learn from the smart lessons hidden in the text no? That is going to be thirteen and two marks dear." she finished, opening her palm out flat to receive. Arden realized that the conversation was quite suddenly ready to be over with. Quirking up her mouth in a sarcastic smile she reached into her bag in hunt for her coin purse. Yet for the cluttered contents of said bag it was far easier said then done. "Sorry...just a sec.." she mumbled, brows furrowing with concentration as she fondled around in the bag. She knew it was around here....aha! Tucked around under her schedule book. A mess of letters that was almost as bad as the girl herself. Cluttered and unorganized...or was that what Ashio had whispered? Nah, she was just coughing! Silly of Arden to think so as she held out the amount for the women to take. Once the transaction was complete the other reached under the counter and produced a paper bag. Flipping it open with one swift movement and putting the books in with the next soon Arden was out side. Shuffled along within a moments breath. She wasn't very social from what she had been told by the local so the girl didn't take it to heart. Instead she slipped into a nook in the bustling crowd.
It was...busier these past two days. Far more so then Arden had seen in her short time here. Vendors from across the lands were setting up along the main roads. Accumulating around the center of town near the large fountain. One that depicted the beauty of the trees and animals here in the mountains. At first Arden hadn't even realized it was a fountain to begin with. The cobble stones stack and surrounding the large monument seemed to be the only thing..well stone about it. For random spouts of trees and clusters of bamboo grew amongst the space circled off. Yet when she asked a local about it they had looked at her as if she were insane. Spouting out their disbelief about how she didn't know of the stories depicted within the waters. In fact this was how she had made her first friend. A silly boy full of jokes and hard work, Berwyn*. As his name sake the boy had been a rather pleasant friend to her so far. On her first day here he had been the one to lead the dark haired girl around town. Show her all of the major hotspots such as the public bath housing, local restaurants, clothing stores, old monuments. All the while he explained the folklore of the fountain she had been so mystified by. Having made a game out of it every time she answered one of his questions about herself, he would tell her something more. Such as the stone monkeys sitting high on their pedestals, weaving flower strings. Apparently the forest guardians of sorts. Teasing those of ill intent until they were no longer interested in the secrets the forest offered. Berwyn had told her that this was his job. Pestering the people until they dubbed this spot annoying and ugly. It seemed to be his sort of game..causing mischief. Yet as obnoxious as the taller could be everyone dealt with his banter. How could they not when he was an inhabitant just like any of the others? Besides he didn't cause in major damage to anything.
He also spoke of the feline, one that gifted the inhabitants of this world with swift and nimble feet. Or the dog who showed the peoples that loyalty was an unrequited love that could drive one to achieve great heights. Arden had visited the fountain quiet often after that so she could try and figure out a few more of the things there. Or maybe just enjoy sitting under the shade and watched the water flow around the lily pads and lazy goldfish. It was how she came across a more compelling object.
A flame. No! not a real one of course but a will o' wisp of sort. Nestled amongst the large leaves that made their home at the base of the fountain. Whatever it was that was attached to it she did not know. There was no neck that said it was a torch nor any sort of arm holding it up. Just...there. Arden after some readings decided it was a lingering spirit of sorts. Looking for solace in something.
What was she questioning? Or right! The activity..
A festival was to be held. Arden had moved into the town to late last year and missed it. But from what her land lords had told her over a steaming bowl of soup it was a grand experience in deed. A three day long celebration over life itself. Thanks to the harvest, the great catch that had been caught, maybe to a new business or child. Traveling merchants came from all around to partake in the event. Most by selling their works but some to merely enjoy the good times. The most prominent detail about the entire adventure however was the wearing of masks. Arden didn't and still wasn't sure over its true purpose. While she had thought it was just as decoration it became more obvious that it was for something else. They were second faces or sorts. Some were decorated with patterns such as flower petals or scales. Symbols that read quite literally as an animal name while others wore the very face of one. Cats or horses, wolves and birds. Letters to symbolize heavens and hells or harvests and literature. When questioned people told her it was to represent their trades or alignment when it came to their nature. One with the ability to entice fire usually wore the face of a flame god or beast. Another who could bring life to the driest land had the face of mother sun. A purest of white mask with the red lines of a subtle smile.
Berwyn told her that it was to scare away the spirits living in the trees. Keep them confused so they would entice a drunken soul into following them away. Arden liked to think this wasn't the purpose but whatever the case! She was troubled.
What sort of mask should she wear! Or better yet what sort of outfit would she take on? The first day was the theme of pinks and violets, hints of gold trim to signify the rising morning. The second day was of bright blues and silver swirls to tell of midday. Finally on the final day everyone was to base their clothing after the falling night. Deep midnight blues and blacks. Only their decorative masks were to hold vibrant colors.
"Ohhh...I should of worked on this yesterday." she whined, breaking around from the paved roads in favor of a more primal one. A dirt path that would lead her back to her home. A quint little home that had that sat atop a smooth rolling hill. A suburb of sorts that consisted of five other homes all the closest to the forests beyond. Sometimes Arden would sit outside in the hill side garden and smooth over her stones to watch the morning. It was nifty to see the city below wake up gradually.
Heaving herself up onto the porch she kicked off her shoes and slid open the door. It was quiet enough in the home for her to know that they had no company today. Sometimes Arden came open to a small group of adults sitting around a game of bets. Munching on treats and laughing over who had the highest score. She would join them occasionally, try to learn the game. But it eluded her still...this game of koi..koi's? Like the fish or something.
Today, there was no one. But that didn't mean that the to elderly couldn't enjoy the anxious pre festivity. "I think...it should go there hun." the familiar voice offered. Giving her husband the direction of moving to the left just a bit. Arden smiled at their behavior. Their bodies may be withering but their spirits were still young. "What do you mean? It..it looks glorious right here see." the male defended, leaning back a bit on the ladder to see his handy work. They were hanging lanterns about the home today. Yesterday the three of them smoothed over the floors with lavender scented oil to not only give them a nice sheen but pleasant scent. Entice good luck they had said. That explained the silver flecks that now clung to the floor boards. Flashy things always were attractive. "I does look a bit off I agree." she offered, resting her chin on her hand and tilting her head a bit. The two of them jumped and turned to her. A moment of silence was shared before the old women chuckled mixed with a snap of her fingers. "See the girl agrees with me! She has an eye for perfection I think." Halona* called, winking at the younger who couldn't help but let a smile spread across her facial features. "Sure, says the crow who cant see colors." he shot back, climbing down the ladder and patting his wife upon the head with a wry smile. She huffed her cheeks in return but gave him a peck on the temple anyways before following Arden into the dining area to see what she had gotten. "I see that decorating is going well yes?" she asked, setting the few bags she had down on the table before situating herself into a low riding chair. More or less a step stool so they could sit comfortably at the old style table. As the others joined her she unpacked the bags. Taking out each item with care while folding the empty bags afterwards.
"Yes yes, its great. We would however almost be finished have one particular slow poke been up early this morning hmm." the other teased, ruffling Arden's hair to show he wasn't serious. His wife however merely sighed at his antics, hands flicking along the table. Tea, meats, rice, honey, streamers, light fluid for the lanterns, and of course more tak to hang them with. "You did good ol' blue eyes. You did good.." she stated, smiling at the youngest in the house hold before leaning back in her seat for a rest. "Would you mind putting these away hun? Perhaps start a pot of tea?" she requested, getting no snarky remarks from the teen. In stead the dark haired female nodded and collected the things to take them to their spots. Once this was finished she took down the silver pot from its place, hanging above the counters, and filled it with water from the basin. From there she flicked the switch and turned on a low flame to allow the water to simmer up. She didn't mind doing these little things for them..or people in general. Besides she sort of owed the couple for taking her in. While she paid rent to them Arden tried to help them around the house as well. She enjoyed their company anyways!
"Once a good break is had we can enjoy some more work right!" one of them called before both falling into a fit of laughter. Yes...she liked to be around these people. They were like a second pair of grandparents to her...but more childish.
Berwyn - Bear friend, Bright friend.
