Friends to F.O.E.S and back again ~ Grims

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My hand gently caresses the top part of my stomach, my fingertips grazing the top of it as if I was tickling the little one that resides within. I don't even think about it anymore when I do it. It's just habit. Even today, as I walk down the streets of the market to search for some sort of sweet fruit that I've been craving. It's become all too lately that I've been craving sweet fruits and dry breads. The oddest things and the worst part is that the meats that I usually used to consume do nothing but make me sick. Too bad.

One of the vendors that I am on a first name basis with waves me down, bringing me over to his stall already, early of a morning as it is. It's not even busy right now, but I'm sure that in a short little while it will. The morning chill just needs to have time to warm up.

"Miss Ruze. Got you something special for that young'in coming soon." He spouts off into his bargaining voice, trying to win me over with a deal. I give him my full attention as he pulls out this blanket, aged by a couple of years, but looking completely new. "Never used. Just kept as a keepsake for the longest while from Old Lady Morgan. She finally gave it up when I told her there was a little girl 'bout to be born. Not much at all. A couple dollars. What can you part with today?"

I look at the blanket, drawing it into my hands and away from him in order to feel of the fabric. It's soft and big enough to swaddle a little one in, but won't do much good if Mira outgrows it in a couple of months. I give him a simple grin and let the blanket be placed against my cheek.

"It's so soft. I think I can give you what you want from it. Here." I tell him, passing over the money and letting the pink and white blanket drape over my arm. A few moments later, he's waving me off and I'm on my way again. That's when I notice someone standing not far from where I am. How she looks oddly familar. Even from behind, I notice the hair and the way she stands. It's hard to forget someone you used to be close to. Even more so when you see them at the center on a daily basis, well, used to anyways.

"Bells?" I ask, almost in a whispering tone, wondering if she might have the time of day for someone like me. Things have changed since we were young. We've not talked in so long. "Bells, is that you?"

[grim.]

                                         

                                                            

    When I woke my wrist was in more pain than usual. It was like I could feel the fragments of my bones, splintering underneath the surface of my skin. It was agony, but I would get over it, "pain was only weakness leaving the body".

I roll my sour body out of bed, slipping my head through a cotton shirt, and pulling my arms through with a bit of trouble. I slip into a pair of lose fitting jeans, and slip on my boots. I think I am going to scale the market. Its not like I had any plans, those had been ruined the moment that bastard broke my wrist.

    I walk out the door without uttering a word. I was surprised my father had left me alone, he probably wont pay much attention to me until I am capable of training again. It seems that is of the most importance to him. He was an ass sometimes, but he was my only blood, so I loved him. I make my way to the market ever so carefully, treading the streets with caution. I didn't want to get bumped by a rowdy trainee or some drunken low life, putting my already ruined wrist in more danger.

    I reach the market very early, to say the least. It was nearly empty, just a few vendors filling their stands, and mopping about. I adjust the strap of my sling, holding my wrist. It had become a habit to fix it every now and again. I guess my body was getting use to the comfort, so early on in the healing process. When I finally reach the market I stand dead smack in the center, and I watch. I take in my surroundings, this was the first time in a long time I have been able to feel myself internally, and ignore my whereabouts. I feel a crisp breath of winter air surge through my lungs, filling the empty chasm with flow. I exhale and feel my chest contract, pulsing ever so slightly due to the pain a mere breath of air brought me. My collar bones weren't broken, but they sure as hell feel like it.

    "Bells?" this word echoes through my head, like a pinball in a maze of walls. Who said that? The voice was so soft and familiar, there was no way, was there? It cant be Ky, I haven't seen her in ages. It must have been her, I would recognize that voice anywhere, we were practically raised together.

 I open my eyes and feel my pupil adjust. I turn my head slightly, but only enough to not make it obvious that I was taking a peek in the direction I had heard the voice. "Bells, is that you?" I hear again. This time it was much loader and confident. I whip my head around, and there she was. Ky, my best friend through most of the roughest times of my life. She was rather large, pregnant if I were to assume, but I would rather not ask. "Ky?! No way, its been so long!" I nearly shout. I make my way to here, being sure to limit her walking. It was weird seeing her in this state, who knew your best friend could et pregnant?