.. a warning ..
Characters :: Sakura and an old crone
Setting :: In an alleyway in the slums, near Sakura's "secret passage"
Rating :: PG
Summary :: Sakura tries to head home, but runs into a creepy, old woman before she reaches her passageway. The crone seems to be trying to relay a warning of sorts...
"Darn!" Her heart pounding along with the harsh thumps of each sandal hitting the cobblestones added to the huge emotional turmoil of the flushed, pink-haired girl. Sakura's lungs burned and her ribs ached, but even the slightest hesitation or detour could get her in trouble. "Oh, look how dark it's getting! I knew I should've left sooner!" Rounding a corner, Sakura finally caught sight of the warehouse and gasped with relief, "Almost th--!"
She clamped her mouth shut, seeing a dark figure looming nearby. Squinting in an attempt to figure out who was there, Sakura decided it would be best to keep low and try to slip by, whoever it was, when she had the chance. She waited, slumped against the wall of another home and realized the figure was going nowhere. The young woman gulped, trying to build up enough confidence to face whoever, or whatever, it was. "Uhm...excuse me?" She asked cautiously, hoping it wasn't some criminal, or worse...a rapist?
The figure wasn't exactly looming, but everything looked larger and more sinister in the deeping gloom of the evening. As Sakura got closer and her eyes adjusted to the low light, she could see the figure was nothing more than a hunched figure clad in clothes in such bad condition that calling them rags would be kind. The bare feet that peeped out from under the filthy fabric showed off dark veins under near-translucent skin and hard, yellow nails. Gnarled, knobby fingers tipped with claw-like nails clutched an old, ratty cloak the color of dishwater closed. Wisps of long, star-white hair hung below the deep hood of the cloak that obscured the figure's face.
The obviously old peasant coughed, hawked, and spat a thick glob of slime onto the packed earth. Certain of having the Lady's attention, the peasant's head lifted and a crone's ancient, deeply lined, and age-spotted face could be seen. Spittle glistened from her lips. The wrinkles and lines spoke of decades of a difficult existance, something that was reflected in the hard brown eyes. Her gaze was piercing, knowing, and far from implying that the intellect housed inside was as feeble as the body appeared.
Brown eyes held green tight. Then, unexpectedly, the crone cackled, the sound enough to skitter along anyone's nerves because of the hint of madness it carried. "The Ladyship is a fool," the ancient woman declared, her voice cracking with dark glee.
"Uhm...excuse me?" Sakura stepped slowly towards the old woman, still unsure whether she should be speaking to such a person or not. However, being the curious young woman that she was, she decided to continue. Raising her eyebrow, Sakura came to a stop before the peasant, confused why such a frail-looking woman would be out and about the streets at such a time. She realized that she was shivering, partly from the cold mixed along with her nervousness at approaching a stranger in the dark. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to wear a sundress during this time of year, especially a thin one with extremely skinny straps. Her arms slipped over her shoulders, trying to wipe away the goosebumps forming on her forearms, her efforts, however, were in vain. At least she could have brought a jacket.
The crone slowly got to her feet, moving in such a way you could almost hear the joints creak. Unable to straighten fully she shuffled over to Sakura, half-bowed, though she kept her face upturned. The creepy grin remained and now the crone leered.
"The Ladyship is a fool." This time she sang the phrase. "She waltzes around in the slums, stupidly flaunting her class and her manners and her breeding, expecting us to actually give a shit about her. She foolishly believes such frivolous things would protect her, or failing that, some silly youthful green man would chance to come to her rescue because she's a pathetic little waif that is so wholly ignorant of her surroundings." Now the woman spat again, revulsion twisting her face into an ugly, hateful mask. "And she wants to help us, the little bitch."
"What?" Sakura grew even more frightened that before, taking a step back as a precaution in case she needed to make a run for it. Besides, how did the woman know about Sakura's connection to a 'youthful green man' anyway? Had she been spying? A shiver rolled down Sakura's spine once more. Was this truly the first time someone had been watching her? Sure, with the upbringing she had and the 'money' that people believed she possessed made her a prime target of sorts, but it never occurred to her that someone would actually stalk her.
Taking another step back, Sakura grew even more defensive, "What do you want from me?" One more step. "Why do you mock my actions?" The young woman's voice began to quiver, betraying her fear.
"Why does it not surprise me the Ladyship does not listen?" the crone snapped. "Silly aristo ninny."
With surprising speed she surged forward. Her bony hand clamped down on Sakura's slim wrist with incredible strength, nails digging into white skin. Her palm was as rough as her manner. "Why does she mock us?" the crone snarled. "Why does she torment us with her presence? She might not be living in conditions much better than ours, but she has a roof over her head and solid walls that hold up that roof. She has clothes that are fine and warm, and easier access to food. She's a Lady and a councilwoman---and she is prey."
"P-prey?" Sakura gulped, frightened by the expression, but did her best to try and maintain a sense of calm, no matter how terrifying this old woman was. "And...I'm sorry if it appears that I mock you, but if you must really know...I hate the upper-class just as much as you seem to!" She truly did. Or at least, the people she interacted with from the upper part of society. Sakura simply viewed them all as a bunch of stuck up jerks who had no common sense and had a huge lack of respect for others. Her fear slowly fading away, Sakura grew more confident in her speech, "And if I torment you soooo much, then why now does someone speak to me as if I'm the enemy!" Flinging her finger towards the dark castle that was encircled by huge, ominous cloud Sakura raised her voice higher, "The ones you should be angry at are them!" Emerald eyes sparked with passion as she released the anger she had for the corrupt government, not really caring whether or not the old woman understood.
The crone backhanded Sakura, snapping the girl's head to the side but not quite hard enough to break Sakura's neck. There would be an impressive (and painful) bruise on her face in less than an hour's time. "I'll be angry with who I please. What can the Ladyship do, scream?" Her hand tightened, and Sakura could feel the wristbones grind together. "I could kill her before the breath began to pass her lips. Even if I didn't, only the weak scream, and always are there hunters ready to slaughter the defenseless. Which is what she is.
"The Ladyship," she continued bitterly, "is a fool. Stupid, stubborn, prideful, soft-headed, attention-seeking, gently-bred aristo!"
Sakura's eyes widened at the strength of such an old woman, Her strength is impossible for someone so frail looking... Not wanting to appear weak, she held back her scream, trying her best to stay calm and brave. What should I do? Why is she doing this to me? A single tear fell from the helpless young woman's eye, "Why are you doing this to me?" She held back from crying with all her might, teetering on the edge of her emotions. How could anyone be so cruel? Sakura sniffled, trying to maintain control, feeling it fighting to break away at any moment. "Kuso..."
"Harumph." The crone snorted, coughed, and spat in Sakura's face. She then jerked her hand back, scratching the old nails against lily skin, leaving livid welts that stood out in stark relief and a moment later had dark beads of blood welling up. "Such language."
The ancient woman then snatched her cloak closed again and shivered. Those strong brown eyes glared balefully before she pointed looked away. "Irritating chit," she muttered as she started shuffling away. "Weakling. All hot air and no substance, and blind to boot."
Disgusted by the woman's 'manners,' the young woman wiped her face, grimacing in the process. I certainly hope there weren't any diseases in that... Growing irritated, and rather injured, she shouted, "Just what are you trying to tell me?" She grit her teeth and closed her eyes, expecting a physical punishment of sort, another slap or even a broken bone. No matter what...I must stand firm. I don't care if she calls me a stubborn idiot! I will not give in!
"Blind and deaf. Too bad she's not dumb, too," the crone said to no one before rounding a corner.
Peeking through her left eye, the pink-haired girl realized that the old woman was gone. Running around the corner to try and pursue the lady, she stopped, realizing no one was there. "What?" She looked around, down the alley, behind her, and even to the roofs above. Not a single trace of anyone being there. "That's...strange..." Looking down at the scratches and slight bruising from her rough treatment she realized it was no hallucination and definitely no daydream. Her goosebumps growing in number, she bolted to her secret passage, every moment of what just happened etched into her mind. Every word. Every action. Every feature of the woman planted itself in her brain. Sakura was frightened, and she was definitely afraid to make the rest of her way home in the underground passage.
"Just what...was she trying to say?" The young woman glanced back from where she came, eyes scanning in case the old lady decided to reappear. Finding nothing, she shook her head and slipped into the tunnel, pulling the grassy door shut behind her.
Setting :: In an alleyway in the slums, near Sakura's "secret passage"
Rating :: PG
Summary :: Sakura tries to head home, but runs into a creepy, old woman before she reaches her passageway. The crone seems to be trying to relay a warning of sorts...
"Darn!" Her heart pounding along with the harsh thumps of each sandal hitting the cobblestones added to the huge emotional turmoil of the flushed, pink-haired girl. Sakura's lungs burned and her ribs ached, but even the slightest hesitation or detour could get her in trouble. "Oh, look how dark it's getting! I knew I should've left sooner!" Rounding a corner, Sakura finally caught sight of the warehouse and gasped with relief, "Almost th--!"
She clamped her mouth shut, seeing a dark figure looming nearby. Squinting in an attempt to figure out who was there, Sakura decided it would be best to keep low and try to slip by, whoever it was, when she had the chance. She waited, slumped against the wall of another home and realized the figure was going nowhere. The young woman gulped, trying to build up enough confidence to face whoever, or whatever, it was. "Uhm...excuse me?" She asked cautiously, hoping it wasn't some criminal, or worse...a rapist?
The figure wasn't exactly looming, but everything looked larger and more sinister in the deeping gloom of the evening. As Sakura got closer and her eyes adjusted to the low light, she could see the figure was nothing more than a hunched figure clad in clothes in such bad condition that calling them rags would be kind. The bare feet that peeped out from under the filthy fabric showed off dark veins under near-translucent skin and hard, yellow nails. Gnarled, knobby fingers tipped with claw-like nails clutched an old, ratty cloak the color of dishwater closed. Wisps of long, star-white hair hung below the deep hood of the cloak that obscured the figure's face.
The obviously old peasant coughed, hawked, and spat a thick glob of slime onto the packed earth. Certain of having the Lady's attention, the peasant's head lifted and a crone's ancient, deeply lined, and age-spotted face could be seen. Spittle glistened from her lips. The wrinkles and lines spoke of decades of a difficult existance, something that was reflected in the hard brown eyes. Her gaze was piercing, knowing, and far from implying that the intellect housed inside was as feeble as the body appeared.
Brown eyes held green tight. Then, unexpectedly, the crone cackled, the sound enough to skitter along anyone's nerves because of the hint of madness it carried. "The Ladyship is a fool," the ancient woman declared, her voice cracking with dark glee.
"Uhm...excuse me?" Sakura stepped slowly towards the old woman, still unsure whether she should be speaking to such a person or not. However, being the curious young woman that she was, she decided to continue. Raising her eyebrow, Sakura came to a stop before the peasant, confused why such a frail-looking woman would be out and about the streets at such a time. She realized that she was shivering, partly from the cold mixed along with her nervousness at approaching a stranger in the dark. Perhaps it wasn't such a good idea to wear a sundress during this time of year, especially a thin one with extremely skinny straps. Her arms slipped over her shoulders, trying to wipe away the goosebumps forming on her forearms, her efforts, however, were in vain. At least she could have brought a jacket.
The crone slowly got to her feet, moving in such a way you could almost hear the joints creak. Unable to straighten fully she shuffled over to Sakura, half-bowed, though she kept her face upturned. The creepy grin remained and now the crone leered.
"The Ladyship is a fool." This time she sang the phrase. "She waltzes around in the slums, stupidly flaunting her class and her manners and her breeding, expecting us to actually give a shit about her. She foolishly believes such frivolous things would protect her, or failing that, some silly youthful green man would chance to come to her rescue because she's a pathetic little waif that is so wholly ignorant of her surroundings." Now the woman spat again, revulsion twisting her face into an ugly, hateful mask. "And she wants to help us, the little bitch."
"What?" Sakura grew even more frightened that before, taking a step back as a precaution in case she needed to make a run for it. Besides, how did the woman know about Sakura's connection to a 'youthful green man' anyway? Had she been spying? A shiver rolled down Sakura's spine once more. Was this truly the first time someone had been watching her? Sure, with the upbringing she had and the 'money' that people believed she possessed made her a prime target of sorts, but it never occurred to her that someone would actually stalk her.
Taking another step back, Sakura grew even more defensive, "What do you want from me?" One more step. "Why do you mock my actions?" The young woman's voice began to quiver, betraying her fear.
"Why does it not surprise me the Ladyship does not listen?" the crone snapped. "Silly aristo ninny."
With surprising speed she surged forward. Her bony hand clamped down on Sakura's slim wrist with incredible strength, nails digging into white skin. Her palm was as rough as her manner. "Why does she mock us?" the crone snarled. "Why does she torment us with her presence? She might not be living in conditions much better than ours, but she has a roof over her head and solid walls that hold up that roof. She has clothes that are fine and warm, and easier access to food. She's a Lady and a councilwoman---and she is prey."
"P-prey?" Sakura gulped, frightened by the expression, but did her best to try and maintain a sense of calm, no matter how terrifying this old woman was. "And...I'm sorry if it appears that I mock you, but if you must really know...I hate the upper-class just as much as you seem to!" She truly did. Or at least, the people she interacted with from the upper part of society. Sakura simply viewed them all as a bunch of stuck up jerks who had no common sense and had a huge lack of respect for others. Her fear slowly fading away, Sakura grew more confident in her speech, "And if I torment you soooo much, then why now does someone speak to me as if I'm the enemy!" Flinging her finger towards the dark castle that was encircled by huge, ominous cloud Sakura raised her voice higher, "The ones you should be angry at are them!" Emerald eyes sparked with passion as she released the anger she had for the corrupt government, not really caring whether or not the old woman understood.
The crone backhanded Sakura, snapping the girl's head to the side but not quite hard enough to break Sakura's neck. There would be an impressive (and painful) bruise on her face in less than an hour's time. "I'll be angry with who I please. What can the Ladyship do, scream?" Her hand tightened, and Sakura could feel the wristbones grind together. "I could kill her before the breath began to pass her lips. Even if I didn't, only the weak scream, and always are there hunters ready to slaughter the defenseless. Which is what she is.
"The Ladyship," she continued bitterly, "is a fool. Stupid, stubborn, prideful, soft-headed, attention-seeking, gently-bred aristo!"
Sakura's eyes widened at the strength of such an old woman, Her strength is impossible for someone so frail looking... Not wanting to appear weak, she held back her scream, trying her best to stay calm and brave. What should I do? Why is she doing this to me? A single tear fell from the helpless young woman's eye, "Why are you doing this to me?" She held back from crying with all her might, teetering on the edge of her emotions. How could anyone be so cruel? Sakura sniffled, trying to maintain control, feeling it fighting to break away at any moment. "Kuso..."
"Harumph." The crone snorted, coughed, and spat in Sakura's face. She then jerked her hand back, scratching the old nails against lily skin, leaving livid welts that stood out in stark relief and a moment later had dark beads of blood welling up. "Such language."
The ancient woman then snatched her cloak closed again and shivered. Those strong brown eyes glared balefully before she pointed looked away. "Irritating chit," she muttered as she started shuffling away. "Weakling. All hot air and no substance, and blind to boot."
Disgusted by the woman's 'manners,' the young woman wiped her face, grimacing in the process. I certainly hope there weren't any diseases in that... Growing irritated, and rather injured, she shouted, "Just what are you trying to tell me?" She grit her teeth and closed her eyes, expecting a physical punishment of sort, another slap or even a broken bone. No matter what...I must stand firm. I don't care if she calls me a stubborn idiot! I will not give in!
"Blind and deaf. Too bad she's not dumb, too," the crone said to no one before rounding a corner.
Peeking through her left eye, the pink-haired girl realized that the old woman was gone. Running around the corner to try and pursue the lady, she stopped, realizing no one was there. "What?" She looked around, down the alley, behind her, and even to the roofs above. Not a single trace of anyone being there. "That's...strange..." Looking down at the scratches and slight bruising from her rough treatment she realized it was no hallucination and definitely no daydream. Her goosebumps growing in number, she bolted to her secret passage, every moment of what just happened etched into her mind. Every word. Every action. Every feature of the woman planted itself in her brain. Sakura was frightened, and she was definitely afraid to make the rest of her way home in the underground passage.
"Just what...was she trying to say?" The young woman glanced back from where she came, eyes scanning in case the old lady decided to reappear. Finding nothing, she shook her head and slipped into the tunnel, pulling the grassy door shut behind her.