REALM OF MEN
AZTLAN
Ever since her friends went inside to prepare their selves for the festival night, Aurora was inside the kitchen kneading dough, she busied herself with the preparation of fruit cakes - baking always has a way of calming her down, especially in a night like this that her friends were forcing her to come to the festival night.
Amberly might think that she didn't want to attend because she was afraid of the people of Aztlan, but that wasn't the case.
Aurora's refusal was simply because she finds the festival night to be a useless tradition - sneaking around in the woods and playing hide and seek with foolish lads isn't a tradition that applies to Aurora, it did to many maidens of Aztlan because they get to flirt around with the young men and do some other disgusting things that Aurora didn't want to think about.
Aurora was aware that marriage comes through the festival night, because many young men and women become attracted to each other and from there courting begins which might end in marriage.
Aurora wanted to fall in love, get married and have a family like every body else, but sneaking around the woods wouldn't guarantee that. It will only bring lustful eyes and desires from the young men, for as much as the people of Aztlan has deemed Aurora and her papa as cursed, the young man cared less about that, because Aurora is a beauty and every male wants a piece of her.
"Aurora, come quick" Amberly's voice called out from the living room.
Aurora covered her dough with a cloth before she rushed out.
"Is something wrong..." she was cut off suddenly by the sight of the dress that her friends were wearing, t'was beautiful. Amberly's own was purple in colour and Annika's own was blue. It also had a unique design all over it and their hair was neatly made.
"So how do we look?" Amberly asked twirling around, clearly she was overwhelmed with happiness.
"You look amazing," Aurora answered and wiped her hands with her flour stained apron before she went closer and touched their dress. "How did you afford this kind of dress?" she asked
"I have my way around things" Amberly answered.
"Or you could say that you have your way around men. She enticed the male tailor with an offer" Annika added quickly.
Aurora gave Amberly a questioning look.
"First of all, Annika you have a perfect dress because of me, so try to be grateful" she said only for Annika to form a fake smile that was evident.
"And besides that male tailor wouldn't get what I promised him" Amberly said with a smile.
"What if he comes to ask for it" Aurora asked, because she clearly knew that the enticement involves Amberly sleeping with him, which she obviously won't do.
Amberly Hill might be the flirty, pompous girl that every young man is attracted to, physically. But Amberly isn't that cheap in sleeping around, especially just for the sake of beautiful dresses.
"I'll simply deny him." Amberly said with a wave of her hand.
Aurora crossed her arms, "I don't know, it might be... "
"Aurora you worry too much" Amberly added sharply.
"I wonder why?" Annika with a sarcastic tone, as she grabbed her shawl.
Amberly wrapped her own shawl around her before she said, "I know that my actions can be a little bit reckless. But I know how to handle it."
"I hope you do" Aurora added quietly.
Annika turned to Aurora and held her hands, "It's not too late to change your mind" She said hoping to convince her - but in all she knew how stubborn Aurora is.
Aurora smiled faintly, "I really don't want to go Annika, please understand" she said her tiny voice was barely heard.
Annika smiled back at her, even though she didn't quite achieve what she wanted.
Amberly cleared her throat suddenly, "Annika we need to leave" she informed.
"We can't force her to come with us, clearly she wants to live out her days like an old maid." Amberly added sharply.
Annika glared at Amberly clearly upset by her words but Aurora wasn't offended by her mean words, it wasn't the first time that Amberly has lashed out to her with mean words.
"You two have fun alright" Aurora said as Annika let go of her hands.
"I'll try" Annika said as she hugged her.
Amberly opened the door, and cold air rushed inside. The night wind was really cold, t'was because Aztlan was a cold place.
Aurora stood in front of the door as she watched her friends enter into a certain wagon, Aurora waved "Bye. Have a good time"
They waved back as the wagon drove away, Aurora watched as they faded out of sight. With a sigh she brushed her blonde hair away from her face, before she headed inside.
They were so many chores to be done inside her small cottage, and slowly she started to get the work done, resting once in a while because of her weak legs. By the time that she was done, it was already midnight. She walked inside her Papa's room to make sure that he was comfortable. Only to find him still lying in his bed, Aurora smiled - perhaps he was still asleep.
Just when she was about to step out and close the door behind her, her papa's shivering voice stopped her.
"Is that my daughter?"he asked.
Aurora grinned. "Aye, papa it is I" she answered as she came close to his bed. She sat on the edge and held his hands.
Carmen looked at Aurora, and a look of discomfort appeared on his face.
"Nay, you are not my daughter. Where is my little Aurora?" he asked as he shoved away her hands.
Aurora's face fall down in disappointment. This was not the first time that her papa has acted like this, sometimes he forgets that she is his daughter - he was demented after all.
She sighed. "Good night, papa" she whispered.
"Nay, bring back my daughter, what have you done to her" he contuined, but Aurora slowly stood up and left.
Would it be fair if Aurora said that she was tired of living, because sometimes she felt like she was. But nevertheless she wouldn't let her condition weigh her down. She wasn't physically strong but mentally she was, her inner self was strong. If a weak minded person would suffer what she has been through - then the case of suicide or whoring would have been involved.