Writing Challenge #6
In response to Mistharel's challenge: "Write a story based off the following picture:"
Commencement
Mira stared into mists floating above the grey sea. “It will most likely storm today.” She thought regretfully as she turned her back to the foreboding clouds that dimmed the normally tranquil waters. The morning dew still clung to the bluff’s tall meadow grass and dampened her white skirt. Mira frowned at her clothes and made sure the contents of her wicker basket were still covered in case of rain. The uniform was the most ridiculous thing she had ever seen, and most impossible to keep clean.
“Just a few more weeks.” Mira consoled herself as the dust from the road started to cling to the miserable material. It was all she could afford, some of the others could afford different uniforms for the seasons and of better fabric, but not her. Mira considered herself lucky to be able to afford the precious lessons at the school and a roof over her head.
Steps before the tavern’s door the rain decided to tumble from the heavens. Mira sprinted up the steps and to the door, deftly opening it and diving inside. She sighed heavily and tried to siphon some of the water from her hair and clothes before going further inside. Leaving a trail of droplets in her wake Mira tiredly strode over to the bar. “Morning Zyr.” She smiled hopefully at the grey-haired barkeep. “Any chance I can work a bit extra tonight?” He simply nodded at her to indicate that she could work after her own shift as had become routine lately.
Mira nodded and hurried from the tavern to make it to the academy in time. Commencement was a long-awaited event, but an expensive proposition. She had been working as many hours as Zyr would give her at the Fox and hunting for what herbs and supplies she could find. All in an effort to scrape up the money she would need for the graduation robes, to file her accreditation papers, and that coveted ring. She had been admiring a lovely silver and sapphire one in the jeweler’s window, but unless a sudden windfall of money came her way she would be getting the simplest, cheapest one available.
She knew it was just silly to even dream of wanting the expensive one, but still this was all part of the moment she had been working towards for the past four years. That ring represented her hard work and showed the world that she had made it. Mira could see that sapphire stone sparkling quite happily on her right pinkie finger. But that dream was 100 silver away, and with only a few days left before the ordering deadline, she would most likely be getting the simple gold band instead, which of course would serve its purpose. “Well at least if I get the cheaper one I’ll have a little bit of money to start off with.” Mira tried to console herself while ignoring the others’ excited chatter about the upcoming commencement. She quietly poked her gathered materials into the empty jars and re-locked her storage drawer. After all she wasn’t a full fledged healer yet and there still were lessons to learn.
P.S. This one kinda ends in a bad spot, but it was threatening to get longer than anyone would ever want to read. Besides I view these challenges to be more scenes and exercises than actual, complete short stories.
Commencement
Mira stared into mists floating above the grey sea. “It will most likely storm today.” She thought regretfully as she turned her back to the foreboding clouds that dimmed the normally tranquil waters. The morning dew still clung to the bluff’s tall meadow grass and dampened her white skirt. Mira frowned at her clothes and made sure the contents of her wicker basket were still covered in case of rain. The uniform was the most ridiculous thing she had ever seen, and most impossible to keep clean.
“Just a few more weeks.” Mira consoled herself as the dust from the road started to cling to the miserable material. It was all she could afford, some of the others could afford different uniforms for the seasons and of better fabric, but not her. Mira considered herself lucky to be able to afford the precious lessons at the school and a roof over her head.
Steps before the tavern’s door the rain decided to tumble from the heavens. Mira sprinted up the steps and to the door, deftly opening it and diving inside. She sighed heavily and tried to siphon some of the water from her hair and clothes before going further inside. Leaving a trail of droplets in her wake Mira tiredly strode over to the bar. “Morning Zyr.” She smiled hopefully at the grey-haired barkeep. “Any chance I can work a bit extra tonight?” He simply nodded at her to indicate that she could work after her own shift as had become routine lately.
Mira nodded and hurried from the tavern to make it to the academy in time. Commencement was a long-awaited event, but an expensive proposition. She had been working as many hours as Zyr would give her at the Fox and hunting for what herbs and supplies she could find. All in an effort to scrape up the money she would need for the graduation robes, to file her accreditation papers, and that coveted ring. She had been admiring a lovely silver and sapphire one in the jeweler’s window, but unless a sudden windfall of money came her way she would be getting the simplest, cheapest one available.
She knew it was just silly to even dream of wanting the expensive one, but still this was all part of the moment she had been working towards for the past four years. That ring represented her hard work and showed the world that she had made it. Mira could see that sapphire stone sparkling quite happily on her right pinkie finger. But that dream was 100 silver away, and with only a few days left before the ordering deadline, she would most likely be getting the simple gold band instead, which of course would serve its purpose. “Well at least if I get the cheaper one I’ll have a little bit of money to start off with.” Mira tried to console herself while ignoring the others’ excited chatter about the upcoming commencement. She quietly poked her gathered materials into the empty jars and re-locked her storage drawer. After all she wasn’t a full fledged healer yet and there still were lessons to learn.
P.S. This one kinda ends in a bad spot, but it was threatening to get longer than anyone would ever want to read. Besides I view these challenges to be more scenes and exercises than actual, complete short stories.