oxygen | druig

Chapter II

Gupta Empire, 400 AD

"I really don't want to wear it!"

"Oh, come on Sprite." Persia laughed, pulling the girl back towards her by her tunic.
"One night. You know Sersi will appreciate it."
Sprite groaned dramatically, throwing her head into the crook of her neck.

"I will get off once the wedding is over."
"Deal." she replied, smiling into her face.
Both welled in silence as Persia put the beautiful tunic on Sprite, adjusting the fabric she had dyed with the other women.

It helped her calm.

She'd occasionally hum soft tunes she had picked up on because she spent too much time around the citizens.

Ajak didn't like that.

Just the day before she told Persia that she needed to be more careful.
She stopped the humming and swallowed a clump down her throat.

„Persia."
She raised her face to look back at the redhead.
„Are you going to the ceremony too?"

Persia sighted under her breath and went back to smoothing a few imperfect wrinkles.
„I'm not sure."
Sprite took a step forward causing Persia's hands to drop into her lap.
The girl looked down at herself, then back at her.
„it's not your fault that you lose control. No one blames you for it."

Persia took a couple breaths before she spoke with a lowered voice.
She knew that wasn't true.
They did think she wasn't innocent.
„thank you, Sprite."
„We are your family." she replied, smiling lightly. „and you are ours."
Persia returned the soft expression and went to hug her.

„Woah, a hug without me?"
Sprite rolled her eyes, then flipped them towards the entrance.
„Do you know privacy, Kingo?"
The man laughed, then stepped in and let himself drop onto a chair covered in fabric and fur.
„Is that the tunic you made, Persia?"
She looked over at him, then at Sprite, who demonstrated her clothing by making a few turns.
It reflected the light beautifully through the sun.
„Yeah, it's not perfect yet. But there was not enough-"
„Oh no, I love it!" he clapped, gesturing to himself.
„I am just upset that you didn't make one for me."
Persia laughed again, feeling her face heat a little. She hadn't been this happy in a long time.

"Of course, next time you will get the most eye-catching one of all."
Kingo seemed to be taking this far more seriously that the two girls, getting up with a raised chin.
"I hope so."
He walked towards the entrance, waving after them over the top of his head.

"I will be seeing the both of you later!"
Persia was about to say something when Sprite took the air from her.
"You will, we'll be there."
The girl mischievously looked at her,
"That was mean. You know he won't leave me alone if I don't show up now."
Sprite covered her mouth and breathed in sharply.
"Oh no, I totally didn't think of that! I am so sorry!"
Persia playfully jolted towards her, Sprite running out of the tavern laughing.

Persia cleared her throat as she sat down at the very back of the room, watching the ceremony closely.

Sersi looked so beautiful.
She adored her like a mother.
Her cheeks were pinched with a hint of red, flickering in the shine of the flames.
Her eyes glowed with passion and love.
It was what she deserved.

Sprite was casting illusions over the couple and the crowd.
Depicting beautiful pageants of colors, the history of the world and the Eternals.
The corners of her lips curled as she watched them closely.

„Is the ceiling more interesting than the wedding?"

Persia twitched, looking over to the right, „Somehow everyone loves startling me."
Ajak grinned and walked over next to her.
„Not intentionally, Persia."