Carrying the basin of hot water her brother had prepared, Anna hurried into the wooden latrine at the edge of their compound. The structure was closed off, though its timbers had begun to rot with age. Inside, she stripped and took a calming bath, washing with the lye soap she had proudly made herself. The rough suds worked the dirt from her hair and skin, leaving her refreshed.
Once finished, Anna dressed in a neat, plain purple gown. She tied her onyx hair into a ponytail and went straight to the shared bedroom to fetch the copper declans from her mother's bag.
Anna left through the front yard and started down the desolate path toward Eclair Street. When she reached the street, she turned right and headed for the seamstress's shop. The place was no different from her house—worn and weather-beaten, its boards soft with rot.
The seamstress walked in with measured strides as she approached Anna. Something in her gait reminded the girl of her mother, and the thought brought a small smile to her face.
"My mother asked me to fetch the gowns she ordered for the both of us in preparation for the festival tonight,"
Anna began softly. "She gave me eight Copper Declans to pay for them."
The old woman straightened her back and fixed Anna with a sharp look.
"Eight Copper Declans? That sly woman. We agreed on ten after half an hour of haggling, and now you come here with only eight?" She let out a weary sigh. "Forget it. It's not the first time your mother has shorted me in such a manner, wait for me here I'm coming."
With that, the seamstress turned away and disappeared deeper into the shop to fetch the garments.
Anna smiled to herself as the seamstress disappeared into the back of the shop. She was now two copper Declans richer — at last, she had saved enough to buy her brother a gift for the coming festival. Her mother had refused her money, and so Anna had resorted to underhanded means to gather the coins. Still, the thought of surprising him with something of his own filled her with quiet pride.
Ten minutes later, the seamstress returned with the garments neatly folded in her arms. She handed them to Anna, who bowed curtly before hurrying out. Excitement quickened her steps; she could hardly wait to see how the gown would look on her.
Anna ran down Eclair Street, clutching the bundle tightly. She did not notice the odd figure lingering beneath the shade of a withered tree. Its gaze drifted aimlessly, neither fixed on her nor on anything in particular — and yet its presence hung over the street like a shadow that did not belong.
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When Anna arrived home, she rushed straight to the backyard, where her mother sat with Roy over a simple breakfast. Her breath still quick from running, she held up the folded garments with both hands, eyes shining.
"Mother, look!" she said, excitement spilling into her voice as she presented the clothes like a precious treasure.
Her mother's lips curved in amusement.
"Go into the house and try them on, then come show us," she said.
A few minutes later, Anna stepped out of the house wearing the new gown. The fabric, a plain but rich purple, fell smoothly to her ankles, its fresh folds still stiff from the seamstress's hand. The bodice hugged her frame neatly, while the sleeves tapered to her wrists with a touch of simple embroidery. She shifted slightly, testing how the cloth moved, and the hem whispered across the floor with each step.
Her mother's eyes swept over her carefully, measuring the fit as though weighing the seamstress's skill. Roy grinned at the sight of his sister dressed so fine. Anna tugged lightly at the waist and brushed her hands over the fabric, trying to grow used to how the gown rested on her.
"My beautiful girl," her mother said, smiling brightly, "you resemble a little flower."
She rose, lifting Anna into her arms before kissing her on the forehead.
Roy remained quiet, then stepped closer, ruffling Anna's hair with a crooked smile.