Chapter 276 Hannah II (1/2)
BOOK III - ORDER AND CHAOS
VOLUME XII - HARBINGER OF CHAOS, CRADLE OF ORDER
CHAPTER 276
HANNAH (II)
Chirps of birds adjoined with the sounds of a rapid stream and bustling leafs to cradle the hands of the nature, painting an idyllic scenery one would only ever come across in utopian paintings. Yet, it lived, barred in the tall fences spanning on for miles in each direction. Paths lay carved out in-between like a guiding hand for all those who may wish to gaze upon the wonders, sides adorned with throny roses and flourishing, white gardenias.
At night, fireflies would join the nature to light it up like lanterns, their warm, orange glow washing over every inch of a very concealed garden. During the day, the sun would blast its rays across, feeding it whole.
Chirpy, jovial laughter echoed out from the small paradise's center where a rapid stream converged into a roundabout, spinning into a spiral before exiting on the other end like a waterfall. Above the spiral rose a spire stacked with gems, acting as a centerpiece of the entire display. By its edge, dipping her toes into the chilly water, was a young, crimson-haired girl, seemingly no older than nine-ten.
Her emerald-green eyes shone as brightly as any of the gems on top of the spire, her colorful dress matching the marvelous garden around her. Dimples adorned her cheeks stretched out into an innocent smile, her hair waving down her back freely much like the waterfall on the other end. Score of small, transparent fish nibbled at her toes, tickling her as she laughed.
World around appeared beyond innocent, as though carved out from a dreamer's dream. The little girl suddenly raised her head up and saw the branches on the tree across from her scuffle, her smile widening. Jumping up, she raced around and leapt over the stream in a single jump, racing over toward the tree and climbing it as though she'd done so thousands of times before.
Reaching the top quickly, she reached her rather skinny arm over through the branches and grabbed at something fluffy. Pulling back, a white-haired creature appeared in front of her, reminiscent of a rabbit save for the horns instead of ears.
”Hehe, caught you again!” she exclaimed through laughter, settling herself on a thick branch of the tree and hugging the animal tightly. ”You're really bad at this, you know? By now you should have figured to hide better.”
”Kur-kurr! Kur!” the small animal cried out in a high tone.
”What do you mean I'm cheating?!” the little girl puffed her cheek, angrily staring at the animal. ”Just because you suck at hiding doesn't mean you can accuse me of cheating!”
”.. kur, kurr...”
”That's right, own up to your suckiness, he he.”
”Hannah?” a voice that quickly put a frown on the little girl's face adjoined the other sounds the little paradise made. ”I know you're here.”
”... over here mom.” the little girl sighed as she let go of the rabbit-like animal, jumping off the tree and racing to the other end of the stream where two women soon joined her -- one she knew and another she didn't. The former was her mother, bearing similarly crimson hair with a pair of black eyes instead, tall and as beautiful as any other woman the little girl had seen -- except the woman standing right next to her.
”Hey, look how dirty you've become,” her mother sighed lowly, waving her hand gently and sending a gust of wind over at Hannah, cleaning her up in one fell swoop. ”I told you that if you are going to play here, you need to be careful! Besides, shouldn't you be training with Maestro right now?”
”He told me to 'become one with the world',” Hannah said, avoiding her mother's gaze. ”I'm doing exactly that.”
”... right. Of course you are.” the woman chuckled bitterly, turning toward the one standing next to her. ”I'm so sorry, she can be a bit mischievous. Come here Hannah and meet your new Big Sister. Her name's Eos,” she added as Hannah walked up to the golden-haired woman of unparalleled beauty who was currently smiling gently and warmly. ”And she's just like you -- a Bearer. Can you guess which one?”
”... of Light?” Hannah probed.
”Very good,” Eos chuckled, crouching down and caressing Hannah's hair gently. ”You are quite clever.”
”I will leave you two to it, Lady Eos. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to call on me.”
”Don't worry Lady Eona,” Eos said, smiling. ”I have a feeling Hannah and I will get along just fine.”
”Very well. Hannah, behave yourself properly, alright?”
”... yes, Mother.” Hannah nodded meekly as her mother kissed her temple before leaving. Turning toward Eos, she quizzically looked at the tall woman, wondering whether she would ever become so beautiful. ”You're pretty.”
”Ha ha, thank you very much. You are far prettier than me, though.” Eos said, grabbing Hannah's hand and leading her toward the center spire. ”All women in your family are. That beautiful hair of yours... puts many of us to shame.”
”But you hair is golden,” Hannah said. ”Like the sun. Sun is far prettier than blood.”
”... why blood?” Eos asked.
”... that's what other kids call me,” Hannah said, jumping onto the edged platform of the roundabout, balancing herself. ”Blood-haired Maiden. I've heard even some Servants call me that.”
”... they are just jealous,” Eos said, holding back a pained smile. ”That their hair isn't as pretty.”
”... I guess.” Hannah mumbled dismissively, dancing around the edge as Eos sat down next to the stream, observing her.