The ocean shimmered.
Stopping to loosen a pebble from between her foot and sandal, Arine
looked across the blue vastness and smiled. The sea was one thing that
gave her only happy memories. Soon the spring would have warmed the
waters enough for her to go swimming. She grinned. Truth be told, it was
still really cold, but that hadn't stopped her before. Floating in the
gentle waves, swimming to the tiny scattered isles that would be warm
from bathing in the sun, she could forget any worldly problems.
The paved road to the town would have avoided the pebbles and the
occasional tangly seaweed, but now that the strong winter winds had
blown away, she could find no reason to use the road. Every boulder and
crevice in the sandstone cliffs looked so familiar even after nearly
half a year. The drifts of seashells always moved, though, and every now
and then she would stray to pick up a small spiral shell. She liked the
purple ones the most, maybe because there were so few of them.
Rounding a sheer cliff, the town of Wynmere came to view. It looked as
cozy from the coast as from the road. The whitewashed buildings with
dark wooden paneling, few more than two stories high, gathered around
the single church. Farmhouses and pastures dotted the rolling hills
around the town. It was the small but thriving heart of the surrounding
countryside, its market square bustling every day save sundays. Arine
looked forward to picking her favourite foodstuffs from the magnificent
array of colourful vegetables, fresh herbs and the countless different
grains. She loved cooking almost as much as the sea, if you could
compare the two. The villagers were familiar with her dislike for meat,
and accepted her choice. Old Mrs. Fern always had the prettiest
vegetables reserved for her in a separate basket, no matter how many
times Arine told her that all of her vegetables were delicious. Today,
she just couldn't stop smiling.
.......
Arine weaved through the bustling market. The sun beat on her back, and
her bag already weighed more than she had expected. It was simply
impossible to choose what not to buy. Fresh leeks stuck out of the bag,
and her small backpack bulged from the weight of potatoes. She would
have a hard time deciding whether to take the road back to her house.
Three miles in the soft sand of the shore with the weight she was
carrying was not impossible, but she had work to do tonight. Still, she
grinned and exclaimed at the colours and smells of the market, and
refused to consider that she might already have all she needed. Walking
in the throng, she exchanged greetings with other smiling people.
Everybody seemed to be in a jolly mood on this the sunny spring day. She
noticed some folks who had meen all but pent up at their farms all
winter, and made it a point to chat with all of them. Most of the
conversations started with the weather, and many were marked with a roar
of laughter at a well-placed joke. After the long gloomy winter it was
as if everyone had shaken off the their usual reservations. She too, she
noticed; she usually didn't enjoy crowds all that much, but today
everybody just felt like a long-lost friend.
Looking at the big clock in the front wall of the town hall, Arine
smiled ruefully and started towards the side of the square. It was time
to get back to her house, and it would have to be the road. But this was
such a fine day that her mood wouldn't be brought down by anything. The
sun was still high, too. In the evening she could walk to the shore to
watch the sunset and listen to the sea birds. As she neared the edge of
the square the throng began to open, and she adjusted the shoulder strap
of her backpack as she walked past the clothes stalls. Glancing up to
see that she wasn't walking into anybody, her eyes met a reddish brown
skirt embroidered with white and purple beads, and a white flowing
shirt. Dark chestnut hair curled over the shoulders of the girl who was
chatting with a stall keeper. Even without the delicately pointed ears
of the Aéann, she would have stood out in her beautiful clothing. Most
people here liked simple linen and cotton in browns and grays, sometimes
plain blue; only on festival days would they dress in bright colours.
Aéann were not an uncommon sight here, since many families lived nearby,
but Arine slowed her step to get a closer look at the girl who had her
back turned towards her. She had chatted with the Aéann a few times, and
it was always memorable; she had felt like she gained a small piece of
wisdom.
Moving a bit closer to the stall, Arine tried to catch a glimpse of the
girl's face, but she was examining a piece of lace and her dark hair
obscured her features. Arine thought about walking by; it was not her
habit to introduce herself to every new person she saw. Her good mood
encouraged her to walk to the stall after all. Since the girl had caught
her interest, she might as well say hello to her. Arine set her bag on
the ground in front of the stall and greeted the stallkeeper, then
looked at the slightly shorter girl beside her. The dark-haired girl
noticed her and turned to her, the lace still in her hands. Her eyes
were large and dark, and she wore a small smile. Under those deep eyes
Arine suddenly forgot what she had meant to say.
"Hi", the girl said, smiling.
"Hi", Arine managed. She should say something, but with the girl looking
straight into her eyes she couldn't seem to think straight. "Uh, I
haven't seen you here before." Stupid! That wasn't too polite.
"Oh, I just moved here this spring. Do you live here, too?", the girl
said with a kind smile. Whether or not she noticed Arine's stammering,
and Arine was sure she had, she didn't look at all amused or offended.
"Yes, my house is a few miles from here, on the shore. Um, my name is
Arine. Nice to meet you." Arine breathed in with relief. There was no
reason to feel awkward.
"I'm Mia. It's a pleasure to meet you." Mia smiled and turned to the
stall to pick up another piece of lace, which she wrapped around her
neck. "Do you think this one would suit me better?"
Arine was taken by surprise. However much reservations she and the
townspeople had shed on this spring day, this girl hit her with an
openness that she hadn't prepared for. Arine looked at the dark lace
around Mia's neck, and down at her shirt. The sleeveless white shirt
bared the girl's shoulders and showed the top of her chest, although her
breasts were well covered. She raised her eyes back to Mia's face. Mia
was looking into her eyes expectantly, and Arine lowered her gaze back
to the lace around Mia's neck, her face colouring slightly. She suddenly
realized she might have offended the girl by studying her so openly. The
truth was, she was beautiful. Beyond beautiful, and the lace around her
slim neck made Arine blush.
"I didn't intend it for everyday clothing, mind", Mia said, laughing.
"Please, say your honest opinion. If it's too gaudy I'll pass on it."
"It's beautiful", Arine said, raising her eyes to Mia's and trying to
fight the blush. It was just that people usually wore that kind of
clothing only on special occasions, like weddings and dances. She
couldn't imagine herself in such beautiful and revealing clothes even
for a dance, but Mia made them look natural and comfortable. That's what
she had always liked in the Aéann. They were at ease with themselves,
something that she herself felt only on especially good days like today.
"Really? Thank you! I think I'll take it, then", Mia said happily,
turning to hand over the coins to the stallkeeper with a thank you.
"I've only been here a few times, in this town", Mia said, turning from
the stall to face the sunlight. "Today, my uncle had business in
Thierva, so I asked if I could ride the cart with him here. I like the
market, and the people."
"I come here a couple of times a week to buy food. It's a really nice
walk from my house along the shore", Arine said, looking at Mia, who had
taken a necklace from her pocket and was fitting the clasp behind her
neck. Small thin bracelets in browns and reds clinked merrily on her
wrists.
"Oh! I love the sea", Mia exclaimed. "I came from the inland, so this
spring was the first time I've seen it. It's too long a distance for me
to walk from Falow, where my family lives. Otherwise I'd love to walk
here along the shore. Now I have to wait for my uncle to come back from
Thierva. It might be night before he comes, but I'll just have to wait
since I wanted to come", Mia said, smiling sweetly.
"That's too bad." Arine looked at Mia, who had her eyes closed and her
face turned to the sunlight. She liked this girl already and didn't want
to part yet. She wondered if Mia would like to be her friend. The few
good friends she had all lived far away, so she only met them
occasionally. Falow was only about seven miles from where she lived, not
too much to walk. She grimaced. The sun had her socializing much more
than usual, but Mia was probably kind and happy to everyone. Just
because they had a nice chat didn't mean Mia was particularly interested
in her. She must have made lots of friends since coming to the coast.
Maybe it was time to leave already. She'd likely see Mia again here
during the summer.
She should go, but the idea of walking back to her house by herself
suddenly felt much lonelier than she was used to. All the bustle made
her want to live in the town, to live with someone. Her chest felt
tight, and she tried to think how fun it would be to cook tonight.
"Mia", she started. The name felt strange on her tongue. "My house is
near the road to Falow." She swallowed. Why was this so hard? She was
afraid that Mia would kindly decline. She would still feel awful now
that she allowed herself the hope of making a friend. "Would you like to
walk there with me? I-I could make us supper. We can ask somebody to
tell your uncle?" There. She had said it, so why was her heart pounding?
She hated herself for being so awkward and pessimistic, and expected Mia
to tell her she had something else to do.
Mia looked at her with those clear, happy eyes. "Really? I'd love to!"
Arine stared at her. "Great!", she managed, smiling as well as she
could. "Do... you have anything else to take care of here?"
"No, I was just spending time. We can go as soon as you like."
"Okay. I'll just fill my water bottle from the fountain", Arine said,
still finding it impossible to believe she was going to walk her
favourite route with Mia. She picked up her bag from the ground.
"I'll carry that", Mia said, smiling, and extended her hand. Arine
handed over the bag with a smile.
.......
The waves lapped peacefully as the girls walked along the shore, talking
about everything that came to mind. Mia had taken her shoes off and was
walking barefoot on the sand, turning her head around to study the
cliffs and the drifts of seashells. "Do you live with your family,
Arine?", she asked, twirling the bag she carried.
"No", Arine answered. "My parents live in the mountains, but they sent
me to my aunt when I was small, because the mining town isn't a good
place for children to grow in. I visit them every now and then." Arine
paused, walking in silence for a while. "My aunt passed away a year ago,
so I live alone in our house now."
"That's so sad", Mia said, turning to look at her face. It was the first
time she had seen Mia show a sad expression. She looked so concerned
that Arine felt she should comfort her. "Don't worry. She was really
old, and I can manage." She felt tight in the chest again, but she
smiled reassuringly at Mia.
Mia looked at her for a while. "My real family also lives far away. It
is our way that young people are sent to live with other families a few
times, to see the world and to grow." Her uncle, as she called him,
would be only a distant relative, or not even a relative at all. Still,
all the Aéann Arine had met had been happy and content, so she didn't
question the wisdom of their ways.
"What do you do for a living?", Mia asked.
"I make thread. My aunt taught me how to spin and dye, so I've been
continuing that. But I've thought about studying some other profession.
I don't know", Arine said. "I haven't really decided what I want to do".
Mia smiled sweetly. "Would you spin me some thread, too? I'd love to
have a shirt that's made of your thread."
Arine looked at her. She was feeling a bit light-headed from happiness.
Mia liked her, she had to believe that now. Walking with this happy,
cheerful girl, Arine felt warm and content. "I'd love to." She smiled at
Mia, her eyes stinging a bit. "I'll show you what kind of threads I can
make, and you can choose the colours too."
Mia walked closer to her and took her hand. "Arine..." She glanced at
Arine, then lowered her eyes. Arine was surprised to see a small blush.
"I really like you. Would you be my friend?"
Arine missed a step for the wave of happiness that surged in her body.
She stopped and turned to Mia, who looked at her with those dark clear
eyes and an uncertain smile. "Yes", she said, smiling with joy.
.......
Her house was a medium-sized stone building with a small yard ringed
with a low stone wall. The path beside the house ran from the road to
the ocean shore. Low hills and straggly forest protected the house from
the worst of the winds. Arine dug a key from her backpack and turned it
in the creaky lock. She opened the oak door and motioned for Mia to step
in. "Welcome", she said with a smile.
They had talked about seashells and farming, of swimming and clothes, on
the way here. Mia had listened eagerly to everything Arine had said,
asking questions and exclaiming in wonder when Arine told her about the
small isles that she liked to swim to. And Mia had told her about the
village where she had lived as a child, about her life in Falow, told
her about her own favourite places. The more Arine had come to know
about Mia, the more she liked her, if it was possible to like her more.
Arine took off her sandals and followed Mia in. The dark-haired girl was
admiring the kitchen. It was Arine's pride; the large stone oven and the
assortment of pots and kettles, the blown glasses and pretty porcelain
dishes. "Are you hungry?", she asked Mia.
"Yeah", Mia said with a smile.
"Then let's get started with supper. Would you help me?", Arine asked.
"Sure! Just tell me what to do", Mia said happily.
.......
Arine opened the lid of the kettle and tasted. It was done. Turning, she
saw that Mia had made the table and was smiling while setting down the
water pitcher. Arine took thick cotton gloves and lifted the kettle to
the table. Sliced bread and salad were already neatly laid out on
plates, and two other pots sat next to them. The girls sat down on the
sturdy wooden chairs, facing each other, and Arine took Mia's plate to
hand her the sauce. She looked up to see Mia watching her with a happy
smile. She smiled back as she gave her the plate.
The meal was delicious. The vegetables were fresh and tasty, and the
company would have made anything taste good. Every now and then Arine
would look up to Mia, just to see that she really was there at her
table, eating her food with a delighted expression in her pretty eyes.
After the meal Arine took her to the workroom to see the threads.
"Wow!" Mia exclaimed, her eyes shining. She went from table to table,
feeling the different threads in her hands. "What's your favourite,
Arine?", she asked.
Arine smiled in surprise. "My favourite?" She looked around the room,
then went to pick up a ball of thread. "This is linen and nettle", she
said. "I like it a lot."
Mia stepped in front of her and picked the end of the thread between her
hands. "This is so soft and beautiful... Would you make me some of this?
I'll pay for it, of course", she said with a smile.
"Sure! What colour do you like?", Arine asked.
"Red, like wine but a bit more brown", Mia said, blushing suddenly. "I
shouldn't be asking you to make me a special thread..."
"You did, and it's going to be the most fun piece of work I've ever
done", Arine said with a smile.
Mia looked her in the eyes. "I'm happy I met you today, Arine", she
said, taking Arine's hand.
Arine smiled back at her, feeling the happiness in her entire body.
"Would you like to see the garden?", Arine asked her friend. Her friend,
Mia. She felt warm beyond the warmth of the room.
"Sure", Mia replied cheerfully, still holding her hand.
They walked in the garden for a while, Arine showing Mia her herbs and
flowers. At the sound of a horse's hooves on the path they turned their
heads to see a pleasant-looking Aéann sitting on a cart, waving his hand
to them. After he stopped the horse near the stone wall, Mia introduced
Arine to her uncle Canje, and they chatted for a while. Arine remembered
seeing the fellow a few times before, but she had never really talked
with him. He was nice and placid, but with a warm sense of humor. Arine
found herself smiling so much that her cheeks hurt.
Then it was time for the two Aéann to head home. While Canje got back on
the cart, Mia took Arine's hand and looked her in the eyes. "Arine..."
She put her hands around Arine and pulled her into a hug. "I'm so happy
I found you", she murmured. "I want to see you again soon. Can I come
visit you some day when my uncle comes this way?"
Arine hugged her back. She felt an even deeper happiness from hugging
the soft, warm girl. Mia's dark hair pressed against her cheek, and she
closed her eyes. "I want you to come. Any day is good."
When the cart had disappeared over the hills, Arine sighed happily and
went back inside. She sat in the workroom and spun, and prepared some
dyes for the following day. As the sun set she watched from the window,
then changed into her nightshift and slipped into bed. Her head was
filled with Mia. With the kind, dark eyes that shone with delight, with
the sweet smile and the gentle voice, with all the things they had
talked about. She couldn't get any sleep for a long while, but it was
because of the soft happiness that enveloped her like a blanket.
Back to Spring Index - Back to Shoujo-Ai Mascots Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction