rachel-denucci

The crunching of soldiers' boots on leaves far below her, warns Arai to be quieter. Just one loud creak could alert them of her presence. Otherwise she should be fine, well hidden. Adult could be so stupid; no one ever looked up, especially not the numbskulls her father sent after her. Even so….. Arai bit the inside of her cherry lip, any raven black haired girl running around the treetops in a frilly, petal pink dress would be conspicuous. If one of the hired men grew enough of a brain to look up, or she jumped onto a branch wrong, her freedom would come to an abrupt end. She tries brushing away her fears; she was as at home in trees

A man in his early twenties sits down wearily. Even though there is a festive air everywhere else, he can't seem to enjoy anything right now; not his overstuffed red cushions on its golden throne or the beautiful white marble room with its strip of red carpet connecting him to his subjects. Even his crown was off; its fire reds and sea blues seemed to have dulled, and it didn't set right on his head. He usually had a smile that lit up the room and looked like he was in the middle of a wonderful joke, but his usual joyful expression is hidden by a look of annoyed worry. Arai had run off again. He knew she could be quite the wild girl, but sh