Just Another Year (Solo)

[orphans]

“Azza, sit still so I can braid your hair. This is the fifth time we had to restart!” Despite the stern voice used by the orphanage keeper, Mother Holly, the small girl continued to squirm about in the low stool.

“But Azza wants to go get fresh mint for cake. Azza wants to get there before the bunnies.” Managing to hold still for a few seconds, she began to sway about all over again.

Mother Holly gave an exasperated sigh before tying the end of Azza’s single and slightly lopsided braid with a short length of blue ribbon. “Heavens child, I’ll try the braid again after you’ve tired yourself out. Now go on and be sure to serve the little ones breakfast first before you go.” The woman shook her head as she watched girl fly out the door, along with a simple cloth satchel and ladle before moving about to tidy the rooms.

Most of the older children had already left for their various apprenticeships or jobs. What was left was an assortment of children under 12 and a few of the older ones who were on their day off. When Azza arrived and held the ladle aloft, the smaller children cheered while the older chuckled. It took a bit of time for Azza to serve everyone, but as the last child walked off with their bowl filled Azza beamed in satisfaction. After, she made sure the fire was low enough so that the pot of porridge would stay heated, but not char the bottom, and left the ladle in an empty bowl close by.

“Azza! Azza! Will you bring sweet root back too?” piped one of the younger children. Azza recognized her as the four year old who had been sent here the prior month. Her parents had been involved with a logging accident of some sort and didn’t make it.

A broad smile stretched itself across Azza’s face as she patted the other child’s head and ruffled her head. “Azza will buy some for everyone. Azza has to stop by the store too.” The four year old returned the smile before running off to join the other children with her porridge once more. Taking the brief moment of reprieve from everyone else, Azza stretched her limbs, inhaled deeply and then started off on the familiar path to the forest.

Glancing up at the sun, realization and panic suddenly hit the girl full force. She broke into a run as she exclaimed, "Azza can’t let the bunnies win!”

[orphans]

Normally the trip would have only taken an hour at most, but along the way she stopped to chatter with the local guardsman, as well as one of her normal customers. She promised to look for their flowers of choice since it was along the way. In doing so, Azza managed to slip and fall in a slow, shallow stream while obtaining water poppies for the customer. The lilac flowers, on the other hand, were much easier to obtain, being nowhere near water. However, with the handle of her small knife still wet, she managed to nick her thumb just enough to draw blood. A frown crept onto her features, and wasting no time, she dug out a bandage to wrap around the wound. Satisfied, and after making sure both flowers were safely inside the cloth satchel, she proceeded to the patch of mint.

By the time Azza made it to the small clearing where the spearmint was, her white dress, hair and other belongings had long since dried while the sun was high over head. As feared, most of the tender leaves had already been claimed by the wild rabbits, but Azza was determined to bring back a bounty for the cake. It was, after all, a cake being made to celebrate her thirteenth year of life. At least everyone, including herself, believed it was her thirteenth year.

Finally, her efforts rewarded her with a patch that was untouched. Drawing her knife, she caught sight of the bandage on her thumb and stopped. After some deliberation, she sheathed it and began to gather the leaves with her hand. It made much more sense now that she thought about it and wondered why she even drew her knife in the first place. She normally would have gathered the mint by hand anyway.

Her task finished, Azza stood, stretched her arms and glanced around the clearing. Though slow, it was obvious that the forest was intent on claiming the clearing by advancing its saplings year by year. With her hand shading her eyes, Azza looked up to the sun to make sure she was on schedule, and with the confirmation, broke into a bright grin.

There was a sudden feeling of something furry pressing against one of her sandaled feet that made the girl look down. She found a small rabbit returning her gaze with its nose wiggling and forepaws on her foot. “Bunny wants some mint?” Its ears swiveled about while its nose twitched again as if it understood her. Keeping the smile, she took a leaf from her satchel and let the rabbit nibble it away from her hand. As it fed, Azza reached out a hesitant hand and patted the head once, then twice and then stood. Normally, the rabbits hid from her when she was here, but to say she wasn’t delighted to see one this close would have been an understatement. She was ecstatic.

Her step had more bounce than usual. Enough that Azza’s normal clumsiness didn’t hinder her movement and she didn’t trip once on her way down the path back. Today was a good day, and as the small girl’s thoughts turned to the coming night, she couldn’t help but break into a brisk jog, eager to return quickly.

[orphans]

“Hallo thur little Azza. Find whut ya needed in de forest?” The familiar bearded face of a rather burly man at the gate had stopped her. Clothed in the usual brown attire of a gate guard with his boots well dusted, helmet on straight, shield in hand and the other hand on the sword hilt, he beamed at the sight of the small girl.

“Hi Hanes. Azza find mint and flower Hanes wanted!” Eager to deliver the mint to the baker, Azza had her satchel open in seconds and dug out the lilacs to present to him. A few mint leaves fluttered about in a passing breeze with one even landing on Hanes’s forehead.

Hanes gave a chuckle at Azza’s antics. Her energy was infectious and was always welcome, especially in wonderful weather when napping was a constant threat and lure. Plucking the mint leaf from his forehead and a small pouch from his belt, Hanes then traded the small girl for the flowers. “Dere’s a lit’ll extra fir ya.” He chuckles once more seeing Azza’s eyes pop open in surprise and glee. As taught, she said a polite thank you while swaying about where she stood. It was then that he noticed her bandaged thumb and pointed to it after. “Whut ‘appened to yer finger dere?”

The girl blinked in confusion for a moment then lifted her bandaged thumb into view. There was a deal of dried blood even though the wound had only been minor. “Azza cut by accident.” She took the moment to then unwrap the bandage to show Hanes. “See?”

There was a frown as the man squinted at the wound. “Dere’s barly a scar missy.”

Confusion set into Azza’s features as she pulled her thumb back to look. “But there was a cut earlier.”

Hanes gave a chuckle and stood straight once more as a pair of travelers arrived at the gates. “H’okay missy. I believe ya. Run ‘long an stay outter trouble.”

She nodded absentmindedly to Hanes’s words, still staring at her thumb intently as she walked off. Azza tilted her thumb in the light of the sun, fascinated, but confused as to how it had healed that fast. Never in her life had a scratch or wound gotten better so fast. Perhaps the bandage had some ointment on it? She toyed with the idea of tasting the bandage, but Mother Holly’s voice rang into her head, advising not to put dirty things into her mouth. Scent then. Bringing the wrappings closer, she gave a sniff and… nothing. Besides the faint scent of her blood there was nothing else. Even then, there was an awful lot of blood.

“Azza! What are you doing?” A jovial voice sounded out to her. She stuffed the bandage into a different pocket of the satchel before searching for who called her. Seeing a man from a cart waving, she waved back upon realization of who it was; the balding and slightly overweight storekeeper Jacob.

“Azza delivering flowers,” was what she returned in a matter-of-fact tone.

Laughing at the obvious reply, Jacob clicked his tongue for the horses to begin moving once more. “Stop by later!”

Azza watched him leave and then took a moment to think of where she was supposed to be going. Being sidetracked was, after all, one of her main talents. As luck would have it, making to her intended places on time was another talent, despite being side tracked. Taking a peek inside her pack always helped in reminding the girl what was to be done.

The spearmint was inside still as well as the water poppies. They were to be delivered to the baker and the poppies to the general store. Curiosity set in about how much Hanes actually paid her. She jingled the small pouch as she walked, wondering how to count and walk at the same time. Eventually and idea came to her as she loosened her usual coin pouch and began to drop coins in from Hanes’s pouch, one by one. Thirteen! Thirteen shiny new coins, when normally there should have only been nine. Azza made sure to tighten her coin pouch once more to her belt and then tied Hanes’s empty one next to it. A giddy feeling welled up from inside of her as she made her way down the same street she did everyday for errands and chores. The faces of those she knew were usually friendly. There were friends to laugh with and food enough to fill an empty stomach. To the small girl, this was what it meant to be home.

[orphans]

The bakery was located on the market street of town, and was busy as it usually was for this time of day. The sun told the time as being afternoon; but one could alternatively tell the time with the housewives’ daily ritual of gathering and discussing the latest gossip, over their afternoon refreshments or picnics.

Azza took her time to look at everything as she strolled down the street. She stepped out of the way as a cart filled with vegetables rattled down past her in search of an open space to set up shop. Further down from where she stood, she could see a small boy being scolded by his mother for stealing an apple. The boy began to cry from the scolding, which only resulted in the mother leading him away by the ear. Azza couldn’t help but giggle at the sight as she thought back a few years. Crying never did help her in any situation with Mother Holly. That and the very act nauseated her, leading her to stop immediately anyways. The most Azza could do was pout and tear about things, less she wanted to risk expelling her most recent meal everywhere.

The thought soon left her as she spotted three of the orphanage children running towards her. Being a year younger than her, they did mostly errands and delivered things to help earn some coin. The brown-haired boy with a slightly crooked nose was Theo. He was the boldest of the group, but responsible enough to know when he did wrong. He was also chivalrous enough in that whenever things did go wrong, he’d take the blame himself and spare the others with him. The other two, Garrit and Saya, were brother and sister; both had blond curly locks and hazel eyes. Azza remembered them as being twins but, Garrit consistently forgot to wash behind his ears while Saya was always the one to scold him first. The two had also been at the orphanage longer than Azza could remember.

As they ran past her with their greetings, each carrying a melon sized box, Azza couldn’t help but become bothered by her own thoughts. It had always been a curious fact to her that she could not remember anything before her eighth birthday. In fact, her first memory was addressing herself as Azza instead of her given name. She could still vaguely remember Mother Holly insisting that her name was Sophia instead. The recollection of that memory made the small girl giggle and smile while continuing down the street to the bakery.

[orphans]

The smell of the bakery was simply divine to Azza as she opened the door of the shop. The scent of various breads and pastries wafted from both the ovens in the back and the items cooling on the racks. Despite having been to the bakery many times before, she found herself distracted at the different shapes of bread and nearly walked into another customer. Thankfully, she stopped just in time.

“Thank you very much for the purchase miss. Please stop by again,” The girl behind the counter said with almost a hint of relief.

The rather round woman turned with her nose high in the air as if she had been treated with great indignity. With a hefty bag of the daily bread and pastries in each arm, she proceeded towards the door, not caring that she nearly knocked over the small girl in her path. Instead, the woman simply watched Azza scurry off to the side and with a sneer, she spat out with venom, “Filthy little orphan.”

The door opened, the woman left and then the door closed once more leaving Azza to stare behind her with a frown. Usually she would have shrugged it off, but for some reason she couldn’t explain, it left a rotten taste in her mouth. She half wondered if chewing on the mint leaves would help at all when the girl behind the counter spoke. “I’m sorry you were here for that Azza. Agithas isn’t the nicest person, is she?”

It took a bit of effort, and after a couple of seconds, Azza managed to wipe the frown away and replace it with her usual smile to greet the girl. “But Willow is nice so is okay.”

“Why thank you Azza. Just a moment, I need to bring the coins out back.” It took a moment for Willow to gather the coin together into a box to carry into the other room. While Azza waited for Willow to return, she browsed the selections of bread and wondered what would be good to snack on. Finally, she settled on a small loaf of smoked cheese bread and brought it up to the counter as Willow returned.

“Is this it?” Willow asked, while taking the loaf from Azza to wrap.

“Azza bring mint for cake today!” With some difficulty, she hefted her satchel onto the counter for Willow to see.

“Oh, your birthday was today wasn’t it? I’m so sorry, I’m sure papa remembered. I’ll go get him now,” She left Azza there once more and went to the kitchen.

With nothing else to do but wait, the small girl took to browsing the bread once more. Anything from small rolls to large rounded loaves, crescent shaped, horn shaped, and others with nuts or fruits or both. There was even hardtack for traveler supplies or those who simply missed the feel of their old military rations. Out of sheer curiosity, she picked one up and bounced it against the wall back into the basket just as Willow returned.

“I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t like that.”

“Azza never try.” She prodded at the roll once, twice, then picked it up once more and brought it over to Willow. “Azza try.”

The girl laughed and obliged to humor the child. “Alright but don’t blame me if you break a tooth.”

“Azza won’t.”

“Father also said the cake is in the oven right now, but it’s not quite ready yet. I’ll bring the mint to him now.”

“Thank you Miss Willow.”

“Oh now, I’m only older than you by a few years.”

“Thank you Willow.”

“That’s better. Now, do you need your bag back?”

Azza thought a moment while rocking about on the soles of her sandals. She wanted to get some sweet root for the younger children, but those she could carry. “Azza can get when come back.”

“Ah ha, now that is a good idea if I’ve ever heard one.” Azza grinned at the praise. “So just the small roll and hardtack?”

“Yes please!”

“Three coins for the breads and another twenty for the cake.”

“Okay.” Untying the coin pouch from her belt was easy part. The challenge came to placing the coins onto the counter, which Azza did one at a time.

“And to think, soon you’ll be able to reach this counter easily like me.”

“Azza will catch up to Willow and maybe even taller!”

“Well, if that ever happens, I’ll have you get things on high shelves for me instead of asking father all the time.”

Azza responded with a frown, “Azza not want to be a giant.”

“Ha! That’s fair enough. Well, I’ll bring the mint to father and start helping him. Mind pulling the bell on the handle for me before you leave?”

“Okay Willow! Azza come back later too then.” Azza waved as Willow carried the satchel full of mint and disappeared through the doorway to the ovens. Azza took a moment to stretch her limbs while her eyes darted about in search of the bell. It lay slightly dented on a stool near the door. A single string held onto the bell as Azza picked it up. After inspecting her warped reflection in it for a minute or so, she tied the bell to the handle and stepped out onto the street.

[orphans]

Everything was coming together slowly now. The mint had been gathered, the cake was being made, and she had a snack to occupy herself. There was a nagging thought that she had forgotten something though, and just as she took her first step out from under the awning, the door to the bakery opened once more with a ring from the bell.

“Azza, you forgot your flowers.” Willow held out the bundle of water poppies, which Azza accept gladly into her arms.

“Willow is the best!”

The older girl gave a laugh and patted Azza on the head. “You’d better hurry and deliver those flowers.”

“Azza was going to Jacob’s store now.”

Willow left the girl once more with a rattle from the bell on the handle. However, Azza didn’t immediately begin walking, and instead stared at the flowers cradled in her arms. When she did begin walking, she continued to stare at the flowers absentmindedly. How familiar. It was almost as if she could remember something from long ago.

Careful.

Azza snapped out of her trance and stopped to look for the voice. All around her were the townsfolk running their daily tasks, and she could find no one who had whispered to her, or was even paying attention to her. Was there even someone whispering to her? Glancing behind her shoulder, she made sure there was no one behind her.

She picked up her pace, anxious to reach the general store, both to complete the delivery and to find a haven from whoever was following her. But the voice… it sounded familiar, yet at the same time, foreign. Perhaps it was just someone warning a friend about something to be careful of. Maybe that was why it sounded familiar at least. With that comforting thought, Azza slowed down and checked behind herself once more. No one was following her.

Soon, Azza arrived at the door of the general store. Pushing it aside made a small bell jingle, prompting the same pleasantly plump and balding Jacob to appear with a handkerchief. He dabbed at his neck and brow lightly before bellowing out a hearty, “Why hello Azza! I’ma take a gander you’re here to see my wife.” His eyes played over the flowers the small girl was carrying in her arms as he raised a hand to scratch his scruffy chin. “I do say, I believe I have a wonderful vase somewhere for those orange water poppies, somewhere...” He left Azza there once more to call his wife and search for the mentioned vase.

Left to her own devices, she drifted about in the store looking for nothing in particular. There was a variety of common house hold items, to the finer more elegant on display behind the counter. Dry goods too, were abound in the shop with anything from packs of traveler rations, dried forest mushrooms, to dehydrated milk powder.

“Oh Azza, I didn’t think you’d be back yet.” A woman, who was slightly less round than her husband, emerged from the back storeroom behind the counter with a large crate.

“Azza can help with that.” As she approached, the woman shook her head.

“Oh, no no dear, just stay there. This is quite heavy.” The portly woman made her way over to an empty space by the wall and set the box down with a small clunk.

“What’s inside?”

“Dried fruit.” Standing, the woman brought out a similar handkerchief to wipe her brow.

“What kinda fruit?”

“Apples.” She slid the lid open and took a small piece out for Azza to see. “Would you like to try some?”

“Okay!”

“Open your mouth, please.” Azza did as she was asked and the woman placed the slice inside. “How is it?” Azza gave squeal of delight as her face split into a smile from the taste. “That good huh?” Picking up another piece, the woman chewed thoughtfully before smiling as well.

“Thank you Martha!”

“You’re welcome dear. Now I believe you have a delivery for me in your arms.” Stooping to the girl’s height, Martha held out her arms and Azza placed the water poppies in them. “Now why can’t Jacob ever find flowers this nice from Radasanth?”

“I heard that woman!” Stepping out of the storeroom, he held the vase with a look of triumph. It boasted a royal blue color with delicate white floral patterns around its sides.

“I remember that one dear,” Martha said with a gasp, but just as quickly she shot him a dirty look, “You told me you sold it.”

“I did?” Instinctively, he looked to the small Azza to support him, but the child just shrugged in confusion. “Must have been a different one,” he mumbled as he set it onto the counter.

“Oh now that does look lovely,” Martha said with a gleam in her eyes. She had placed the flowers in the vase and stood back to admire it. Shooting another glance at her husband, she then prodded him with a finger.

“What’d I do now?”

“Well aren’t going to pay the poor girl?”

At this, Azza finally piped up, “Is okay! Azza want to buy something too. Azza want to get sweet root. ”

“See, Martha? The girl is much more efficient than she looks. Now how much did you want Azza? Enough to cover the flowers?”

“Yes please!”

Once more, Jacob’s wife gave him a dirty look. “Don’t blame me when Holly comes for your head because you made all the children’s teeth rot.” With the vase in hand, Martha made her way towards a set of stairs in the corner and disappeared upstairs.

Mumbling incoherently under his breath, Jacob counted thirty pieces of sweet root and wrapped it neatly for Azza. “Here you go. Now don’t eat it all at once.”

“Azza shares.”

“Well that’s fine. Just don’t eat it all at once.”

“Azza won’t”

“There’s a good girl. Now off with you. I still have to organize the storehouse.” With that, Jacob resigned himself to the mundane task of sorting and mumbling once more.

Azza didn’t leave immediately though. She always enjoyed looking at the objects about in the store. Remembering the breads she had, she took out the smoked cheese roll from the bag and bit into it while roaming about. As she passed a plain, full length mirror she stopped to glance at herself.

That does look good.

The roll fell from her mouth as her reflection leaned forward towards herself, as if to get a better look, even though she herself did not move.

Oh now it’s dirty.

Her reflection never did open its mouth to speak. But the voice she heard… it was without a doubt her own. At the same time, it wasn’t, as it was much more sensible. Azza glanced about to see if there was something playing a trick on her and when she refocused onto the mirror, she only found her reflection staring back. She moved an arm and watched as her reflection imitated the same action. Summoning her courage, Azza managed a soft, “Hello…?” as she stared at herself closely.

Nothing extraordinary happened. The mirror reflected her image as it should this time. The voice was no longer speaking and she was alone once more in the shop. Perhaps the mirror was magic? Poking the mirror with a finger lead to no further results except to baffle the small girl even more. She thought a bit and realized that even if the mirror really was magic, that wouldn’t explain why she heard the voice on the street.

She was beginning to give herself a headache with the thoughts in her head, but nevertheless, she was still bothered. Forcing herself away from the mirror, she ran out the door and didn’t look back. There had to be answers to why this was happening to her. Was she going insane? But Mother Holly said only bad children become crazy…

[orphans]

Running blindly had never gone in Azza’s favor, but today lady luck seemed to hold her hand at least. Not once did the small girl trip when the usual act of jogging on any flat surface made her fall at least once. Her stamina lasted much longer than she remembered as well. Perhaps it was the panic coursing through her that helped her to run, but as she passed the bakery without losing her breath, she knew in the recesses of her mind it was something else.

She skid to a halt and made her way back cautiously, listening for the voice to appear again. She made her way slowly to the door and nothing out of the ordinary happened. It wasn’t a comforting feeling that nothing happened, but she allowed herself to relax her posture. Azza pushed opened the door and when she did the bell jingled, as it was supposed to, and that finally made the girl smile. Perhaps it was just a daydream. However, those were usually fun. Was it because she was growing up? Well if grownups had bad daydreams, then growing up is silly.

Willow appeared with her face, bandana and the majority of her person covered in flour. Seeing Azza’s eyes widen in shock, Willow quickly said, “Oh don’t worry I’m not a ghost. Just an accident is all.”

At that, Azza broke into a giggle and walked over to watch Willow beat away some of the flour with a rag. “Willow want help?”

“Yes please. Here.” She handed Azza a rag and allowed the small girl to imitate her. Soon enough, Willow was flour free save for her face. Seeing Azza giggle at her again made her frown and asked, “What?”

“Willow forgot her face.”

“What?” Placing a hand on her cheek, she lifted off a layer of the white powder and laughed. “So I did.” Wiping the rest off with the rag in hand took only a short moment. After, Willow left the cloth on the table to focus her attention on Azza. “Are you ready for your cake?”

Azza smiled and everything strange that had been happening seemed to disappear from her mind. Everything was going to be alright. “Azza is ready!” was what she exclaimed as she threw her arms up in excitement.

“Well alright. I’ll tell father and he’ll box it for you. Just stay right here, okay?”

“Okay Willow.” The pair of bright crimson eyes followed until the other girl disappeared and voices could be heard discussing how to wrap it. Azza couldn’t help but giggle to herself once more, knowing that the father and daughter argument about presentation could last for quite a while. It wasn’t until her eyes wandered onto the smoked cheese rolls did she remember both her hunger and the previous event. The hardtack was still inside the small bag she carried and if anything seemed more useful as a ball to play with. The sweet root was another option, but that was hardly food and it was for the younger children.

Finally, Willow returned carrying a medium sized white box with a beautiful bright blue ribbon curled into flowers. Behind her, a man just shy of seven feet tall, muscular with rolling pin in hand, followed. His facial features showed a grin of satisfaction, or at least what Azza assumed was a grin. His lips were hidden by a well trimmed beard and mustache that drooped down. “See papa, this is much better than the red ribbon. Hold this so that my father can see.”

Azza took the box into her arms and hugged it close to herself, least she let go accidently and drop it. In her arms, the box nearly blended into her dress, while the blue ribbon popped out at the eye of the beholder. “Is a big cake!”

At Azza’s comment, the man couldn’t help but beam with pride. “It’s a new style of cake I’ve been trying to make. The texture is fluffy and in the middle it has a layer of fresh strawberr-” but he stopped in midsentence with a gasp, having been elbowed in the stomach by his daughter.

“That was supposed to be a secret papa!”

“It was? Oh it was!” Feeling himself over come with embarrassment at his own excitement, the man lifted a heavy hand to rub the back of his neck. “Errm... but the mint! I made that into a soft cream with sugar-”

Willow began to laugh as she held onto her father’s arm. “I swear, you’re more excited about the cake than the birthday girl.”

He mumbled something nonsensical to himself as he shook his arm free of Willow. “I’m going back to the ovens then.” Still mumbling, he disappeared through the doorway and left Azza and Willow to their giggling fit together.

“Are you going to be okay on the way back Azza?”

“Should be okay.”

“Well alright. Don’t run with it.”

“Azza won’t.”

Willow watched with worry as the small Azza made her way slowly towards the door. The least she could do was open the door for the child. “Stop and rest if you need to Azza.”

“Azza will.” With that, Azza was on her way back, only to be stopped a moment later as she heard footsteps running behind her. Turning, she saw it was Willow waving the cloth satchel to catch her attention.

“I thought I told you not to run!” Willow took a moment to catch her breath while offering the satchel to Azza. “You forgot this.”

Azza, on the other hand, seemed confused as she set the box down to take the satchel. Had she been running? Placing the strap over her head and onto her shoulder, she found herself staring back at a frown on Willow’s features. “But Azza wasn’t running. Honest.” Stooping, Azza picked up the box once more, looking rather apologetic.

Willow softened to a smile and stood up straight. “Alright, alright. You sure walk fast though.”

“Azza has practice.”

Willow burst out laughing as she laid a hand onto Azza’s head to give a pat. “I guess you do.”

“Azza hurry back now. Willow should too. People are going into the store.” With some difficulty, she pointed with a finger towards the bakery.

An audible groan sounded from Willow. “Agithas again?” With a half hearted smile to Azza, she began to trudge back towards the shop, doomed to her fate of dealing with the obnoxious woman.

I do wish her good luck. Willow. What a nice lady.

[orphans]

Azza shook her head violently in a vain attempt to drive the voice away. As she stopped, her entire head pounded in a throbbing headache. Her temples were especially painful and if she didn’t know better, could swear it was aflame. Just as suddenly as the pain came, it dissipated into the ether, leaving Azza in a daze on her knees. The box had been slightly crushed by her arms and hands. Upon realization of what she had done, she uncurled her fingers and loosened her grip.

Standing took much more effort than she could remember and almost at once, stumbled backwards. Luckily, someone caught her from behind, and although she was grateful, her body tensed in reflex to a hazy memory. It wasn’t until she gazed up did she relax. “Hanes!”

“Ya o’kay Azza?” The guard was carrying a bag of groceries in one arm while the other held onto the girl’s shoulder to steady her.

Strength filtered back into the child’s limbs quickly, and soon enough, she was standing on her own. Relief flooded her as well. Hanes had that quality to make someone feel safe, despite looking the part of a mountain man when not in uniform. “Azza is okay. Thank you Hanes for catching Azza!”

His once worried look changed to a smile. By habit, he stroked at his beard a few times before asking, “Wuld ya like ter walk home togeder?”

“Sure.” Azza had often walked with Hanes when she was younger, since Hanes lived close to the orphanage and often visited on his days free. Mother Holly herself was always grateful for the help Hanes offered, but there was always the slight worry that some of the children would begin talking like him. Fortunately, she recently learned her fears of Hanes were unfounded, but only because the younger ones had begun to imitate Azza’s speech patterns.

On the way back, Azza said very little and kept her eyes glued to the box she carried. To a normal onlooker, this might have seemed normal, but Hanes knew better. Azza was a vortex of energy and even when she was tired, the girl would usually be humming at least. This Azza seemed nearly lifeless.

More than a few times, Hanes tried to think of something to say, but every time he tried, nothing was said. The time passed uncomfortably until the two arrived at the entrance of the orphanage. Mother Holly was standing outside with a cluster of the younger children sitting about her feet. She had a board propped against the wall of the orphanage and upon it were the day’s lessons.

“Azza’s back!” a child yelled and suddenly, all of the children jumped up and ran towards Azza and Hanes. Mother Holly was left standing there with a hand on her hip while her head shook in disapproval. Even so, she couldn’t help a private snicker as she approached the group.

“Alright children, wash up and finish your chores.” A collection of groans and pleading words assaulted the woman’s ears. “If you all don’t, we’ll have double lessons tomorrow,” was the stern reply. The threat was more than sufficient to send the children scattering for the door.

Hanes chuckled and began to walk once more. “I bedder be headin back meself.”

“Thank you Hanes, for walking Azza back,” Azza said suddenly. Hanes only smiled and continued on his way.

“Let me help you carry that in, Azza.” The child obliged and allowed Mother Holly to take the slightly crushed box. As she did, the woman asked with worry, “Azza, did you fall on your way back?” Azza shook her head no, but that hardly reassured the woman. “Well… go wash and rest up before dinner.”

The girl nodded her head tiredly and this only worried Mother Holly even more. Usually, Azza had trouble sleeping simply because she had too much energy. All her worries were dispelled when Azza tripped going up the steps and crashed through the door, as she normally would have done.

Shaking her head, Mother Holly mumbled under her breath in gloom, “Oh I’m a horrible person to be reassured by that…” She watched Azza pick herself up and disappear inside before following suit.

When Mother Holly entered, she looked for a place to set the cake down and after a moment, decided her desk will do. “Azza, can you come here a moment?” The sound of running feet echoed about for a moment, but it wasn’t Azza who appeared at the doorway. Instead, it was one of the younger children with a piece of sweet root in hand.

“Azza taking nap!” was what the small boy exclaimed.

A frown etched itself onto Mother Holly’s face as she corrected, “Azza is taking a nap.”

“Toby said that.”

At that, Mother Holly threw up her hands in dismay. “Oh I give up. I suppose eventually you children will grow out of it. And where did you get that sweet root?” Mother Holly advanced after the child who in turn ran away with a squeal. As they passed the beds, Mother Holly stopped to glance at Azza’s napping form. She couldn’t help but smile after seeing the girl sprawled out, face first, on the bed.

[orphans]

And so, here we are once more, finally together.

Azza’s head throbbed in a strange numbness. It wasn’t the same as the headache earlier. No, it was more of a ringing and felt strangely familiar. Opening her eyes revealed nothing except a blurred haze. The girl blinked once and immediately there was an improvement. Again she blinked and this time, her surroundings came into focus. She found herself sprawled upon a carved, stone floor. Comfortably cold… but since when was the cold comfortable?

You remember something don’t you?

Azza nodded to no one in particular. Ahead of her, she could see a great marble archway that framed a distorted something of the white hue. Standing, she took a hesitant step forward and noticed her feet were bare on the freezing floor. Slowly, she made her way closer to the archway and peered out into the wide expanse of a blizzard. She recognized this place…

Don’t wander too far now. We aren’t ready just yet.

“We?” Azza spoke the word with uncertainty. And why shouldn’t she wander too far? The question was soon answered as Azza turned her head to her left, and then to the right. Where there should have been corridors was only empty space. Wispy black tendrils billowed about at the edges, as if trying to creep and spread its influence further. Even though Azza’s mind told her not to fear, her heart told different and so, she retreated back to where she came.

We have much to discuss, but I’m sure that seeing what we are is good enough for now, yes?

The small girl nodded once more and this time caught sight of her dress. Or rather, a lack of dress and instead a blue metallic skirt. Her torso was also covered in the same material to form a light plate mail, complete with thin crystal tassets and pauldrons. Since when did she put these on? They certainly didn’t feel heavy or feel like any metal either. And the name of the material too was infuriatingly memorable with the syllables just dancing on her the tip of her tongue.

It looks good on you, doesn’t it? I remember when we first received it at that age. Do you remember what we look like? Azza shook her head. Well... you could always just look behind you.

Curiosity told her to do so, while apprehension stiffened her neck. She wanted to know, but as with all things concerning her, Azza was afraid of understanding what she was. She wanted to continue believing her humanity for if she wasn’t a human… what was she? She was no nimble elf or stout dwarf. Nor did she resemble a powerful orc or one of the scaled draconians.

The voice chuckled inside her skull. Rather, it had been her own voice all along. Avoiding who you are won’t help you, Azza.

It hurt to think, but what the voice said did make sense. One couldn’t really run from one’s self in the long run. She steeled her nerves and turned slowly to confront whatever it was she was to see. A gasp escaped from the child as she faced a winged human dressed in the same armor. Upon closer inspection, she could see horns that contoured its head, starting from above the ears to meet an inch apart at its forehead. It possessed the same white hair, but longer, as well as the same red eyes, but more morose.

It smiled at the child. We will come to know each other soon. As the young woman sat up straight, something clinked and shimmered in the air. It was faint, but if one tried hard enough, one could see translucent chains gathered where the heart was. But for now… we are not ready yet.

“Why?!” Azza found herself screaming out in near desperation. Her head was pounding as she thought of her next words carefully. Something she had never done. “I… I want to know more.”

The woman closed her eyes and shook her head. In time…

[orphans]

The last rays of light were filtering through the window onto Azza’s face when she awoke. Her head hurt and her back felt sore without any explanation. Her recollection of her dream was still vivid and fresh, with every single detail etched in her mind. It was unusual and part of Azza wished she didn’t remember. Rolling over, in an attempt to escape the fading rays, the small girl gave out a sudden shriek and landed onto the floor with a thud. Pulling her front up onto the bed, the girl looked around to see if anyone had seen her fall. The room and building seemed empty. Instead, she could hear the children outside with a rather frantic Mother Holly. Everyone must be washing up for dinner then.

Stretching, Azza felt her hair cascade off her shoulder and realized that the braid Mother Holly did in the morning had come loose. The blue ribbon was among the sheets, and at the sight of it, she remembered the blue ribbon on the box of her cake. Remembering that it was her birthday brought a faint smile to her lips as she rose.

The door to the orphanage opened with a whine and a moment later, Mother Holly entered the room looking frazzled. Spotting Azza standing beside the bed, staring at the ribbon, she said quickly, “Come on Azza, dinner is about to start. Let me braid your hair again and then go wash your face.”

It snapped the girl out of her thoughts, and for a moment, she looked surprised. “Alright,” was what Azza managed to say finally, but the woman didn’t notice the girl’s hesitance at all, since she was preoccupied with a letter. Spying a stool in the corner, Azza carried it over and set it down beside the larger chair of Mother Holly.

Shaking her head at the letter with a small grin, the woman left it on her desk before taking a seat. “Pass me the ribbon if you would, Azza.” Azza did as she asked and then sat up straight. Mother Holly then set to work with a small comb, first brushing the hair, then starting a simple, single braid. As she neared the end, her eyes fell to the mark on Azza’s back and something made her stop momentarily. Finishing the braid and tying it off, she took another look at the child’s back. “Azza?” she began, “How did you get fur and feathers on your back?”

Azza shrugged, then stood up to stretch again.

“Well, I’m sure it’ll wash of. Speaking of which, go wash your face for dinner, young lady.”

“Alright Mother Holly,” Azza replied as she dashed off to the well out front. There was already a pail of cold water drawn for her use and a wash cloth on a stool nearby. Scrubbing her face and neck with the cloth, she stood a moment to look at her reflection before pouring the water away in the nearby vegetable garden.

Inside at the dinner table, all of younger children had gathered, as well as a few of the older who had returned from their respective apprenticeships. Taking her seat by the twins, Garrit and Saya, Azza gave both a half hearted smile before looking along the table. It was the first time in her life that she felt truly distant and alone, despite being surrounded by friends and those she thought of as family.

“Alright Azza, since I know you like cake, we’ll have that first before the actual meal.” Mother Holly stepped into the room carrying the cake topped with thirteen small candles. Most of the younger children squealed in delight at the sight. A hush came over the table as Mother Holly placed the cake carefully in front of Azza. “Make a wish before you blow out the candles this time.” There were a few snickers around the table at remembrance of the previous year.

Azza wondered what she should wish for. She had always wished for peaceful days with everyone and a happy life. As she sat there, staring at the flickering flames, she realized that there was much more to life than her small world in Underwood. Finally, the young girl felt she knew what she wanted, took a deep breath, and then released to extinguish the candles.

[orphans]

Requested Spoils -

Length of Blue Ribbon:
It is the same length of blue ribbon used by the orphanage keeper to tie Azza's braid. It is made of cotton, about 11 inches in length, and slightly scented with lavender.

Hardtack (stale):
The hardtack that Azza forgot to (try and) consume. It has staled… even more?

Gold (net loss):
10 coins.

Change in Physical Appearance and Abilities:

Physical:
Horns of the Dovicarus – Azza’s horns have begun growing. At the moment, they are small bumps on the side of her head above each ear. They are not visible through her hair and have not broken through the skin as of yet. Even so, the horns have sent the young girl down a path laden with strange and sometimes, awkward changes. At this stage, it is difficult to damage the horns without killing the child. If the horns were to be damaged, all of Azza’s racial attributes, except regeneration, will reduce to their previous state.

Wings of the Dovicarus – The small fluff of feather and fur, on each shoulder blade of Azza, are the beginning of her wings. They have not developed nerve endings yet.

General Appearance – Azza has grown a year older, her hair is longer (right above shoulder blades), and slightly taller. (will be compiled in level update)


Abilities:
Racial:
(old -> enhanced)
Endurance (Minor) – With the appearance of her horns, Azza is able to run about much longer than before. She is currently able to outpace many of those her age and even those who are older. Her energy levels are still lower than an athletic adult or worker.

Regeneration (Minor) – With the appearance of her horns, Azza’s regenerative abilities have increased slightly. She is now able to regenerate small cuts, scraps, and tiny puncture wounds quickly (within 2 – 3 hours). Her immune system is also enjoying a boost, making it more difficult for her to become sick. A serious flu will still keep her in bed, but she will be able to move around, if a bit more sluggishly. Likewise, a larger injury such as fractured bones, or a large gash on an arm will have to heal normally.

(new)
Strength Fortification (Minor) – Though small and frail looking, an unnatural strength has begun to develop in the girl. Due to her growing horns, the small girl is now as strong as an average human adult (x1).

Speed Fortification (Minor) – Again, the horns has begun to increase the child’s reflexes, though she has little control of them. Her speed is increased to x1.2 of an average human adult.

Growing Pains – With the benefits comes a few side effects. With the growth of her wings and horns, Azza has begun to experience minor headaches nearly every day with occasional, debilitating migraines. The area where her wings have begun to grow, is often sore, sometimes to the point where she can’t lay on her back to sleep.

[MetalDrago]

STORY ~

Continuity (7/10) ~ I got a good idea where Azza’s coming from. You explained that she was an orphan, and she had been working out of Underwood for quite some time. Overall, I was pleased with what I’ve learned of the girl’s past, and a little of what the future holds for her.

Setting (6/10) ~ A decent description of the surroundings, but you might want to use other senses besides just sight. I saw a few sparse uses of the other senses, but nothing too amazing. Remember, the reader must be able to envision the setting as a living, breathing area in which the characters act, not as just a painted on background.

Pacing (5/10) ~ The thread was slow-paced, but easy to read and hard to put down. The story didn’t really start grabbing my attention till near the very end, though, when Azza met her “other self”. In order to keep the reader interested, the pacing has to know when to build up pressure and when to release the pressure. You hinted at Azza’s other self throughout the thread, but not in such a way as to build suspense. Concentrate on being able to build the suspense of the moment and you’ll do much better in this particular field.

CHARACTER ~

Dialogue (6/10) ~ The dialogue was believable to an extent. I liked Azza’s voice, but some of the other NPCs in Underwood seemed to all speak exactly the same way as everyone else. I know it’s supposed to be a common dialect, but I’ve fallen into the trap of everyone talking and acting much the same. Don’t let it happen to you.

Action (7/10) ~ You did a good job describing each action, and it was very believable to the character. All I can say is keep up the good work.

Persona (6/10) ~ I felt I got to know Azza on a personal level, if not personal enough to know everything that’s going on in her head. Overall, a good job, but nothing too stand out.

WRITING STYLE ~

Mechanics (7/10) ~ You made a few errors here and there, but nothing that detracted from the overall story.

Technique (5/10) ~ Nothing really advanced. A few metaphors, similes, and some foreshadowing work wonders in this area.

Clarity (8/10) ~ Extremely clear and easy to read. A very good job.

Wild Card (5/10) ~ I’m interested to see where this ends up going. Keep up the good work

Score: 62

Orphans Receives 650 EXP and 125 GP

If you have any questions regarding this Judgment, you know how to reach me.

Spoils Approved Pending RoG Evaluation

[Taskmienster]

Exp and Gp added.