She ambled through the dense field of flowers. The sun blazed bright and proud in the sky. With a pleasant smile, she squinted up at it. The world contained such beautiful creations, more delightful than any iron tool a blacksmith could forge.
It was far prettier than that dreadful house her family had trapped her in. She would much rather graze through the wilderness, free and careless. Oh how she wished for it. She begged from the bottom of her heart, praying to the heavens that one day she could explore the world.
It wouldn't happen, of course. She knew that, but she couldn't help from wondering what it would feel like. She yearned for it from the center of her very essence. The wilderness consumed her thoughts, she daydreamed about climbing mountains, swimming in distant oceans, riding through rapid rivers. But no, she was trapped in that wretched wooden manor.
It was strange how she still managed to feel the suffocating claustrophobia around her. She shouldn't have felt it, she thought she would feel free right now. But she came to a begrudging realization, she knew that she would inevitably end up in that house for the rest of her life; this was only temporary.
She shook her head with a bitter-sweet smile, she could at least enjoy the moment.
Completely taking in the surroundings, she swiveled her head around. The thick brush of corn prickled at her dress, but she had long since given up trying to save it. Tears and rips from thorns left her once fancy dress shredded and torn, a twinge of regret coursed through her.
Studying the landscape further, she drew in a breath that seemed to bring with it the life of the world. Animals chirped and sang and hissed and growled and shuffled and shimmied and hooted and called. The subtle, intimate breath of the wind blew against her smooth skin. Scents of flowers and dainty fragrances wafted into her attention, bringing with them a settling lake of peace in her soul.
Bugs circled through the air, dancing from one flower to another, chasing each other in playful swirls of spirit. They buzzed past her ears, thrumming their wings and flapping their legs in alien-like fashion.
This was beauty. This was why she lived. Gently, she slid her eyes closed and breathed in the world around her. What a life she lived.
She came to a stop, it just felt like the right thing to do. She breathed in deeply, just enjoying this moment. Inevitably, it would all end soon, her mother had likely already sent the men off searching for her. In practicality, it wasn't smart to stop moving. But if she couldn't stop and enjoy the moment, then there would have been no point to this.
For a long moment, she stood still, arms outstretched to the sun, face turned up to the sky, a peaceful smile splayed on her face. She was going to miss this. Yes, she was going to miss this so dearly.
After an eternity of bliss, she opened her eyes and with a shout of raw fear scrambled back. She tripped on the hem of her dress and crashed straight backwards into the ground at a terrifying velocity.
Right in front of her, not a single sound emitting from it, hovered a beast. An eerie swirling disc floated in the air, like a dead, bloated body peeking through the surface of water.
Her heart hammered in her ears, louder than ever before. Louder even than that one time which she would rather not speak about. With trembling hands, she covered her eyes, counted to three, and then looked again. The shining, reflective monolith--better than any mirror she had ever known--stood stock-still, as if supported by invisible beams.
Then, with a yelp of realization, she scrambled to her knees and stretched herself in a low bow.
She should have realized at first sight, but it was just so startling. This was no beast, this could only be a mighty and holy creation of God. With a building horror, she remained in a low bow, waiting for a signal to stand. God would most certainly feel disappointed by her lack of readiness to show respect.
She stayed in her low bow forever, her back ached with incredible tightness. Sweat beaded and then streamed down her forehead, dripping off the end of her nose. She barely resisted the impossible urge to itch her nose. But she knew she had to pay her respect, no matter how uncomfortable she was. Without a second thought, she beared through the discomfort, ignoring the sharp grass biting into her knees, the immense pressure in her knees, and the blaring son cooking the back of her neck. She was young, but this definitely wasn't good for her future health.
A sharp, coarse voice trudged through the silence. "Uhh... Is this something that all humans do?"
