Ashan 115, 713
One among many Lorena liked to look at the stars, constellations were born from mythology and mythology was born from stories created to help understand the world they lived in. Burned into their memory those stories became the way cultures learned, passing wisdoms of life down through generations. Eighteen long arcs ago her story began and the stars in the night sky had shone just for her.
Embellished in a gown that shone like starlight, Lorena sat upon the balcony gazing in the reflection of the still water fountain below. A picture of elegance, she watched the way the light caught the crystals embroidered in the silky fabric of her dress. Each carefully woven gem radiating a soft natural glow that shimmered in the flickering moonlight.
“Lorena?” the hushed call of her mother's voice whispered from the door.
“Mother,” she acknowledged, lifting her attention away from the calm waters to the refined lady that stood watching her from the other side of the room. A model of sophistication, her mother wore a long navy coloured dress with dark crystals. Every detail screamed of diligence and pride “Is everything okay?”
Naoko gifted her daughter a smile, it was a rare event she had the opportunity to speak with the girl without getting into a heated discussion. “Your guests are arriving,” her mother informed, stepping away from the shadows into the candlelight “I came to check on you.”
A lull of quiet filled the room, biding their wit behind their lips to remain unspoken. Neither parent nor daughter wanted to ruin the occasion. “Let's take a look at you,” Naoko relieved the silence, closing the space to gently lower her hands on either side of Lorena’s bare shoulders. “You're beautiful.”
Relishing in the comfort of their silent treaty Lorena settled into the touch “I’ve been waiting a long time for tonight mother.”
A wave on anxiety flickered across her mother’s face. Naoko understood her daughter better than anyone, “I know,” she said, fiddling with a lock of Lorena’s long, flowing dark hair “you'll dazzle them all. Even your siblings.”
Remorse tackled the young woman’s heart, she held no ire for her siblings other than for the reckless moaning and arrogance. “Yes mother,” Lorena swallowed, rising away from Naoko toward the door “we shouldn't keep them waiting.”
Beautiful and wonderfully ornate, there was no corner of Lorena’s household that didn't hold some kind of hidden treasure and the place was littered with secrets doorways and fun contraptions. Never a dull moment, the children of the household would have adored the attention their parents placed into their home if not for the lack of it given to them.
Carefully treading each step of the descending waves, gasps of awe sounded as the light caught in the reflection of her dress. There was a whole crowd of people and everybody was looking at her. Lorena could feel the pulse of her heart drum inside of her chest. Extravagant spreads of food had been laid out across the oak tables, with fountains of chocolate fondue and a bar of alcohol. In each of the more public rooms of the house finely dressed men and women stood chatting with one another, some dancing, kissing, all doing their own thing. Lorena was amazed. Her parents had arranged all of this, and just for her. Curtsying in respect to the audience that had kindly chosen to attend her birthday, Lorena studied the crowd more carefully. Venora, Andaris, Warrick, Burhan, Krome, Gawyne and Endor - they were all there. Only, where were Vaughn and Uncle Mal?
One among many Lorena liked to look at the stars, constellations were born from mythology and mythology was born from stories created to help understand the world they lived in. Burned into their memory those stories became the way cultures learned, passing wisdoms of life down through generations. Eighteen long arcs ago her story began and the stars in the night sky had shone just for her.
Embellished in a gown that shone like starlight, Lorena sat upon the balcony gazing in the reflection of the still water fountain below. A picture of elegance, she watched the way the light caught the crystals embroidered in the silky fabric of her dress. Each carefully woven gem radiating a soft natural glow that shimmered in the flickering moonlight.
“Lorena?” the hushed call of her mother's voice whispered from the door.
“Mother,” she acknowledged, lifting her attention away from the calm waters to the refined lady that stood watching her from the other side of the room. A model of sophistication, her mother wore a long navy coloured dress with dark crystals. Every detail screamed of diligence and pride “Is everything okay?”
Naoko gifted her daughter a smile, it was a rare event she had the opportunity to speak with the girl without getting into a heated discussion. “Your guests are arriving,” her mother informed, stepping away from the shadows into the candlelight “I came to check on you.”
A lull of quiet filled the room, biding their wit behind their lips to remain unspoken. Neither parent nor daughter wanted to ruin the occasion. “Let's take a look at you,” Naoko relieved the silence, closing the space to gently lower her hands on either side of Lorena’s bare shoulders. “You're beautiful.”
Relishing in the comfort of their silent treaty Lorena settled into the touch “I’ve been waiting a long time for tonight mother.”
A wave on anxiety flickered across her mother’s face. Naoko understood her daughter better than anyone, “I know,” she said, fiddling with a lock of Lorena’s long, flowing dark hair “you'll dazzle them all. Even your siblings.”
Remorse tackled the young woman’s heart, she held no ire for her siblings other than for the reckless moaning and arrogance. “Yes mother,” Lorena swallowed, rising away from Naoko toward the door “we shouldn't keep them waiting.”
__________
As eccentrics of the Burhan family, Naoko and Unn Burhan kept a less than conventional household. Unn Burhan was a cartographer and enthusiast of ancient artifacts while Naoko took more heavily to invention and seafaring. Between the two of them the idea of building a household as the rest of the world expected of them was a mundane affair and so they created a space where it felt like the world was at your doorstep. Unique in its design the walls were of blue and black marble, etched with silver lines of maps Lorena’s father had charted through the years. Unmatched in its intricacy the stairwell curved like the waves in the sea, a whirlpool of gold drifting down into the foyer, vibrantly decorated by the light emanating from the earth domed chandelier that shone brilliant colours of blue and green in its reflection. And at each side of the entrance, drapes of white and gold welcomed each guest into the family home, all bearing the Burhan family crest. Beautiful and wonderfully ornate, there was no corner of Lorena’s household that didn't hold some kind of hidden treasure and the place was littered with secrets doorways and fun contraptions. Never a dull moment, the children of the household would have adored the attention their parents placed into their home if not for the lack of it given to them.
Carefully treading each step of the descending waves, gasps of awe sounded as the light caught in the reflection of her dress. There was a whole crowd of people and everybody was looking at her. Lorena could feel the pulse of her heart drum inside of her chest. Extravagant spreads of food had been laid out across the oak tables, with fountains of chocolate fondue and a bar of alcohol. In each of the more public rooms of the house finely dressed men and women stood chatting with one another, some dancing, kissing, all doing their own thing. Lorena was amazed. Her parents had arranged all of this, and just for her. Curtsying in respect to the audience that had kindly chosen to attend her birthday, Lorena studied the crowd more carefully. Venora, Andaris, Warrick, Burhan, Krome, Gawyne and Endor - they were all there. Only, where were Vaughn and Uncle Mal?
