The garden smelled of sun-warmed earth, hidden behind vein-covered walls where only they could slip through in a forest nearby their village. Irene darted between the blooms, laughing as she chased the soft wind that carried petals across the grass.
"Look, Eleanor!" she shouted, pointing at a swirl of tiny white flowers twirling in the air. "They're dancing! Do you think they're happy?" she says between laughs.
Eleanor crouched beside her, brushing the petals from Irene's hair with careful fingers. "I think… they're following the wind," she said softly. "Just like we do." She smiles at Irene.
Irene tilted her head, curious, eyes bright. "Do you think the wind has a mind of its own? Or maybe it listens to us?"
Eleanor smiled quietly, letting her gaze linger on Irene's sparkling eyes. She had no answers, only the quiet joy of listening. Every question Irene asked, every small laugh or tilt of her head, Eleanor tucked into her heart.
Irene tilted her head, curious, eyes bright. "Do you think the wind has a mind of its own? Or maybe it listens to us?"
Eleanor smiled quietly, letting her gaze linger on Irene's sparkling eyes. She had no answers, only the quiet joy of listening. Every question Irene asked, every small laugh or tilt of her head, Eleanor tucked into her heart.
A sudden gust swept through the garden, sending petals spiraling around them. Eleanor caught one, holding it between her fingers as it trembled in the breeze. "Even the flowers are restless today," she murmured. Irene walks closer to Eleanor then looks at the petal between her fingers. "Woah, You caught one!" Eleanor gives her the petal.
Irene's laughter rang out again, light and playful, but Eleanor's chest tightened just a little. The world outside their garden didn't exist here, not yet — but the wind reminded her that nothing stays still forever. Even petals… even hearts… eventually drifted away, she shakes her head from the thought then looked back at Irene still smiling happily.