—{Rustwood House}—
—{04:58AM}—
The house was illuminated by lanterns, and had a sense of warmth to it. Windows were closed. Curtains were somewhat rolled up, just enough to see the dim blue sky outside. Calira's parents walked around the house.
Calira's mother, Sabine, was sweeping the floor of the living room. While Calira's father was seated on the dining table with tea and sliced bread in hand.
Some silent rustles could be heard from the upstairs, Sabine paused and glanced up. Then resumes back to her work. Moments later when she was done she washed her hand by jug and walked to her husband.
“You think she's up?” She asked.
“Probably yes.” He answered while taking a sip of his tea.
She rubbed her wet hands on the apron, “I'll pour myself another. Want some?” She asked, already going to get the kettle.
“No.” Shaking his head.
As she was pouring herself a cup of tea, both heard footsteps coming from the stairs and turned their gaze towards it. Calira descended. In her black jacket, unbuttoned, a dark grey scarf and black sweatpants… And white socks and blue slippers.
Calira: Her hair was combed, though her eyelids seemed heavy. Looks at her parents, “Good morning.” Her hand trailed along the wall for support until she reached the bottom step, then slid into her jacket pockets.
Her parents blinked. “Morning.” Her father said then went back to the tea, but Sabine glanced at the clock, 05:06AM. Back to her daughter.
Sabine: “You're… Early today.” one hand on the cup, the other on the kettle.
Calira: nods, “I know.”
Calira walked past her parents and towards the door. “I'm going out for a walk. Want anything from the market?” Calira asked without turning back at them.
Sabine: Placed the kettle back even before her cup was filled, “it's too early for shops to open. Where are you even going?”
Calira: Stops before the door and turns to look at Sabine, “For a walk.”
Sabine: Raises her eyebrow, “Where?”
Calira: “Um, walk around the town.” Without breaking eye contact her hand reached for the handle of the door. “Can I?”
Sabine: Frozen she just stares at her daughter, head to toe. “Button that up.” points at the jacket.
Calira: Looks at herself then back at mother, “I'll get hot in just a moment.” After saying that she noticed her mother's jaw tightening. Seeing that Calira quickly buttons it. “Now, may I?”
Sabine: Look out the window, “Fine. But be careful.”
Calira opens the door, slips in blue sandals and exits the house, Sabine then turns back to pouring herself a cup of tea.
Her husband sets his empty cup on the table. His hand was missing the bread from before. He looked at her wife who'd now come to the table and had placed her own cup and took a seat. Though, she wasn't touching it.
“Sabine.” She looked up when he said her name. “Something happened between you two?” He asked.
“Um.” Looking down at her cup, her eyes softened and lips apart, her fingers travelled to her hair and twirls with them. “No.” shook her head. Her hand on her lap clenched.
“Nothing? No arguments last night?” He again asked leaning forward while arms crossed.
“No, not at all.” Again shook her head back on her chair with both arms placed on the table while forming a fist.
“I see.” He got up from his chair while his eyes were still on her. He sighed and scratched his head. “What's for breakfast?”
She tilts her head, “What do you want?”
—{Outside}—
The sun hadn't risen and fog was still present. There were very few individuals who were walking around on the footpath. Including Calira.
Hands in pocket walking straight forward. There were houses which were lit with windows already opened. Her boots clicked on the stone footpath. When she walked past individuals shorter than herself some of them glanced back at her.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
She raised her scarf up to her nose.
—{At Another Place}—
—{05:12AM}—
The first grey light of the dawn filtered through the single window of a small bedroom, illuminated dust motes and lines of crowded bookshelves.
In a narrow bed, two individuals were in blankets. One, Jude who had flung his hand over his face as the blanket tangled around his legs. Beside him a girl with blonde hair lay with open blue eyes, facing him and with one hand on his chest.
Her breathing was slow and steady. She snuggled up close to Jude wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest. She sighed.
“Judy, wake up.” Nuzzles against his head. No response. Shakes his body. “Get up.”
“hm, hmm.”
She glanced at the clock, “Why are you still asleep?”
“Because I'm tired.” Turns to his side and hugs the blanket.
She pouts and sits up, blanket rolled down to her waist. Her body escaped the warmth of the blanket and met the cold wind. Which made her shiver, she clenched to her shoulder, “It's cold!”
She dropped back on bed rolling in the blanket and snuggled even closer to Jude. “Gimme me some warmth!”
He shifted in bed and put his arm over her shoulder and she snuggled closer to him, clenched tighter to him. With closed eyes she said, “You know, it's getting late.”
Jude opened his eyes to see her face. “Is it?”
She nodded and said, “Hm.”
He glanced at the clock, 05:16AM, “There's time.” Saying that he closed his eyes.
She sighed, “Sure, don't blame me if you’re late.”
—{StoneWell Inn}—
—{05:34}—
The room of Shirin already had its window open and Shirin was lying on the bed belly side. Blanket on top of her covering all the way up to her neck. On her elbows, and cheeks on palm. She was reading a book, illuminated by the slight brightness of the sun.
Page num: 28
Page: True connection is not a ledger of favors traded. It is the silent understanding that the thread between two people can bear weight. The hunter who shares their last clean water flask in the desert does not do so because they expect a future reward of equal value. They do it because in that moment, the survival of the other is woven into their own. This is the foundation: the recognition that interdependence is not weakness, but a strategic and human necessity.
While reading she doesn't mutter the words but let the eyes wander over them. After reading the page she turned to the next. After just a quick glance at it she closed the book.
The cover had two individuals in grey looking at each other with a thread in hand. With a dark shadow background.
Book Title: Threads Of The Living World; Connections.
She placed the book on the bedside table and got out of bed. Stepped on the cold wooden floor. She was wearing long pants and a T–Shirt, then slipped into a sweater.
She looked at herself in the mirror then to the door. Skipping past Riven's door she walked downstairs.
Downstairs.
After descending down the stairs she headed towards a door and called out, “Mrs. StoneWell.”
“Yea.” A voice answered from behind the doors and soon Shirin got closer to it and the door opened. Revealing Mrs. StoneWell in warm comfy clothes.
Shirin: “Good Morning, Mrs. Stonewell.” She said as she stuffs her hands in the sweaters pocket.
Mrs. StoneWell: Seeing Shirin a soft smile formed, “Good Morning Shirin.” She said as she rubs her hands on her apron.
Shirin: Tilts her head and took a peek behind Mrs. StoneWell. Her gaze again fell on Mrs. StoneWell, “It's cold isn't it.”
Mrs. StoneWell: Nods, “For sure it is. And Riven's still asleep, I guess.”
Shirin: Nods back, “Seems like it.”
Mrs. StoneWell: Hands on her hips, “And how are you feeling right now? Still tired from yesterday's hunt?”
Shirin: Shakes her head, “Oh, not at all. I regained my energy last evening. But, I can't say the same for him.” Chuckled to herself. “Hey, I could help you with some arrangements.” She said as she glanced behind her to the chairs placed upside down on the tables.
Mrs. StoneWell: Smile widened, “Oh really, thanks Shirin.”
Shirin: Pats her chest, “You're welcome.” She pushed, looked down, back to Mrs. StoneWell, “Um, how is Kellen and Chloe doing?”
Mrs. StoneWell: “They seem much healthier than yesterday.”
Shirin: “Sounds great.”
—{Rustwood House}—
The sky was much lighter and the streets were much more visible. Inside the house, both Calira's parents sat at the dining table. Having breakfast.
They were sitting across from each other. While the father ate the mother constantly glanced up at the clock. Her food was mostly untouched. Body stiff and hand clenched.
He soon noticed that she wasn't eating, “Sabine, something wrong?”
Her gaze came to him, “Calira hasn't returned yet.”
He glanced at the clock, “Why worry though?” He asked looking back at her. “She just went out for a walk.”
“I know!” She said, raising her voice. “But she never goes out early in the morning.” Shifts in her seat.
He leaned back, “Um, Sabine. You see, she used to go out for morning walks so maybe she's getting her old habits back.”
Hearing that she takes a deep breath. He continued, “... You're worrying too much. She'll be back in no time.” Saying that he slowly started to eat again and shared a quick word “It'll get cold if you keep waiting.” . Her gaze again travelled to the clock and the door, but soon she started to eat.
Just then the door opened and Calira walked in. Her mother's eyes shot at Calira's direction, “Dear, you're back.” She called out. Her father just looks at the relief in Sabine's face. Nothing more. Sabine noticed the jacket was unbuttoned again but didn't comment on it.
Calira: Closed the door, “I'm back.”
Sabine: “Hey, how was the walk?” Raised her eyebrow, “Are you hungry?”
Calira: Slipped off her sandals and skipped past the slippers. Nods, “I am.” She walked towards the stairs.
Hearing that Sabine stood up and washed her hands and started serving another plate. He paused when he saw her doing this, while ignoring her own plate, though he does not comment on it.
