❁Among ❁The❁ Wildflowers❁ Open

Crocuses. One of the first signs of spring (aside from the ever ambient chirping of birds). There were a few littered about the grounds as if someone had just dumped them there, and let the little bulbs have their way with the land. The pretty purple flowers made the air smell of sweet hay and saffron. A funny thing saffron; for it always smells sweet, but never it taste the way it smells. Similar to people. People let you see what they want you to see, (and allow one make assumptions), but when they decide to take off the mask, or end the charade- if you will; we are often left in a state of disbelief, or disappointment.

In any case, the flowers were lovely- they weren't exactly a favorite of Xailahs, but there was no denying that they were pretty. Xailah preferred carnivorous, or poisonous plants (they have the prettiest flowers) over those of the common garden variety. But common garden plants are nice too. A slender, gloved hand reached down to pluck a pretty, purple blossom from its bed. Soft petals brushed up against a pale face; the sweet smell of saffron growing stronger. The flower met with pale lips, and found its way into Xailahs mouth. Crunch. She had read on crocuses once; spring crocuses were not toxic, but winter ones were. She let the petals sit in her mouth for a second; they felt waxy, like cheap chocolate. Then the saffron hit her. It was bitter, and earthy; she didn't like it. The thought of swallowing the bitter bits of plant passed over her, (lets take a second and question our life choices) but she settled for just spitting it out. Tossing away the stem, she plucked a new flower from the ground, and decided that crocuses were for smelling, not consumption.

So onward she trotted, leaving behind the distasteful experience. Today was a lazy day. It was around lunchtime for Xailah, so she took the time to wander around; instead of enjoying a meal with her peers- which wasn't a problem for her since she didn't exactly like a majority of the people in her grade. There wasn't exactly a reason for this, except for maybe the fact that she didn't know them well. Anyway, she continued her meaningless journey to nowhere in particular. It was partially cloudy outside, but the umbrella she often carried with her was out; protecting her pale and delicate skin from the peeping rays of the harsh sun. The signature umbrella had almost become like a part of her now- only setting it down when she was in a classroom or in her dorm. Nevertheless it was always within reach.

It was Xailahs second year, and she was still getting used to being away from home; so the umbrella was acting as a security blanket. She walked with the shade of the trees; counting each step. One...two...three...four...five...ten..fifteen... Fifteen steps. That is how many it took to get to the next tree. Add twenty more to that, and she would find her way to the greenhouses.

She squinted at them, their glass walls moving with the sparse rays of the sun. She peered into each one. One of the houses had some mandrakes; the horrid things squirmed in their pots. Xailah jumped back, as a reaction to seeing the foul plants. She moved on to the next greenhouse, and was disappointed to find that it was sealed tight by means of magic. Exploring further, she happened upon a small patch of wildflowers, growing behind the greenhouses.

Exhausted, she laid down on the flowers. The flowers were rather tall and seemed to swallow up Xailah; hiding her from plain sight. The crocus from earlier, and her umbrella fell from her gloved hands, and planted themselves beside her. She listened to the cry of the red-breasted robin. The small bird hopped around on the weak branches of a nearby tree; as Xailah fell into a short nap. Hopefully her inner-alarm could wake her up before her next class started; if not, she would end up napping all afternoon (in all honesty she would prefer the latter). So among the wildflowers she would nap; like a rosy-faced corpse resting in a coffin of flowers.