If you obey, I might give you a treat.

She stood by the water's edge, her reflection shimmering back at her from the tranquil surface, and found herself lost in a world of her own making. With a practiced smile and subtle tilt of her head, she experimented with the delicate art of expression, molding her features into a few quick successions of pleasant smiles and careful innocence.

“Hello, Nice to meet you,” She murmured to her reflection, her voice barely more than a whisper against the gentle rustle of the willow leaves. “How have you been?” The soft, impossibly soft yet so clear wordage lingered in the air – a question without answer as she continued her rehearsal. Her eyes, like pools of molten silver, mirrored the flickering light of the fireflies that danced among the branches overhead. Yet, despite the beauty that surrounded her, that she was, there was a detachment in her gaze as she turned away from the water. Her lips set in a hard line.

“It's not nice to meet you. I don’t care how you’ve been.” She muttered, her voice filled with distaste as she continued. “Emotions. Expressions. Stupid, annoying. Too much. Too many.” It was a routine she had grown accustomed to now, but she hated it. If she stopped though? Then she would lose the praises that came with being such a nice, pretty, perfect girl. Impossible. “Infuriating,” She hissed, her lips curling into a faint frown as she imagined the ceaseless pleasantries. They never stopped.

But among the chorus of the night's sounds, a quiet serenity enveloped her as a gentle wind carried the scent of earth and foliage to her delicate nose. But then… a presence, a scent, and maybe… a – a gaze that lingered on her? She missed it. She slipped up. Turning her attention to the shadows, she found herself staring in search of her audience with eyes that burned with an intensity she would not be able to excuse away. They had seen her.


illu