Heritage
The Spirit Woman

I woke up sharply at about fifteen minutes before the sun was due to rise. I got out of bed and decided to put on my pink kimono to meditate in. It took a while but I soon found my way to the attic and climbed out of one of the windows to climb onto the roof. I sat upon the slanted rooftop that was decorated with dark blue tiles and faced the direction of the sunrise, closing my eyes in meditation. I frowned in displeasure as I heard the vulgar noises of engines and people going to work early in the day but blocked them out. Then the repulsive smell of car fumes and sewage drains filled my nose and I could only take a deep breath with my mouth and snort firmly to expel the smell. Oh how I loathed the city. I know it is a cruel wish but I do wish that the disaster would hurry up and hit Zack so I could return to the orphanage.

My meditation session was cut short when I heard Zack calling my name. Quickly and quietly, I slid down the roof to reach the attic. But as soon as I entered the attic, a gush of ice cold wind blew past me and I looked up to see the spirit woman from last night. I froze with fear as she folded her arms sternly.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she asked in a scolding tone. I opened my mouth but closed it again. She pointed a finger back outside. “Go back and finish your meditation session. Zack can wait until you’re finished.” I didn’t dare argue so I scrambled back out rather clumsily and took my place on the roof again to finish my session.

I came back down when my time was up and was relieved when I saw the spirit woman was gone. Zack’s calls for me were becoming rather frantic and I jogged back downstairs to find Zack going around the corridors. I approached him and he hugged me rather tightly, too tight for my comfort, and began blabbing about how he was afraid that I had run away. He made me a breakfast of pancakes and lots of syrup poured on top of it. I absolutely hated it that I could only managed two pancakes. They were too sweet, it tasted so sickly. I wasn’t too fond on sweet things really but I didn’t complain to Zack. When I was finished, I went up to my room and got into my school uniform. I had a habit to brush my hair into pigtails since my tenth adoption when I actually managed to get into school for a week until my foster parents died in a car crash.

I sat on the marble staircase patiently, waiting for Zack to come and take me to school. So I waited patiently, staring at the large oak doors that led to the front drive of the mansion. I narrowed my eyes slightly at the gross use of such beautiful wood. Why should people build such grand houses and chop down half of the forest nearby to fill them with furniture? Thousands of habitats must have been destroyed during the construction of this building. It made me angry to think of all the baby animals that must have suffered. From squirrels to Floronies, it made me feel so disgusted at humans and how little they cared for nature.

I love Floronies, I find them so graceful and beautiful. When I was six years old, I remember seeing a baby Florony trying to find its mother in the forest. I had gone out on a walk so I was rather far from the orphanage and from other children. For some strange reason, I knew exactly what a Florony was. It’s rumoured that Floronies are the only horses that are untameable. They are very stubborn in nature and are mostly found in large forests and open meadows. They’re also rumoured to be the fastest breed of horse in Ethylias too. When they jumped, it looked like they were flying without wings.

This baby one looked injured and it wasn’t as stubborn as I had thought it to be. Yes, it did refuse to come anywhere near me but I knew I had to be patient to gain its trust. When I was able to come close to it, I saw that it had a stone stuck in its hoof and got it out in no time. I stroked the emerald half grown mane to soothe the pain as it whinnied in discomfort. It had pink flowers woven into its hair, the traditional colour for Floronies. It upsets me that humans don’t think other creatures have cultures and religions too because they don’t look like humans. I know that Floronies wove flowers into their manes and pink was the traditional and most common colour. But of course, some Floronies liked to have different colours in their mane, depending on their personality that is.

It took all day but eventually, we reached the edge of the forest and found the herd the baby Florony had been separated from. I remember the happiness flooding through me as I saw the baby Florony gallop to its mother. The herd crowded around the new baby and that’s when I saw him. There stood a tall dark figure against the sunset, watching the reunion silently. I could tell that it was a man because of his muscular build but he wasn’t very tall so I figured he was quite young. He had wild waist length hair blowing in the wind which made me comb my own hair to check if it was knot-free. I think his head turned to my direction but I couldn’t be sure. Four other figures joined him and they began moving with the herd away from the forest. I stayed in the shelter of the trees, meditating with my eyes open and went back to the orphanage when the sun was gone.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard Zack’s footsteps from the kitchen. He arrived at the foot of the staircase and smiled up at me.

“Hello, Zelda,” he greeted me “What are you doing up there?”

“School.” He laughed.

“You’re not going to school,” he smiled “I’m going to tutor you personally. So get dressed, I’ll get the living room ready.” I stood up obediently and went to my room to get into my light green kimono. I brushed my pigtails out and pinned my hair up into buns, sticking in matching needles with decorative green chains hanging on them. I fastened my belt around my kimono tightly then went downstairs to the living room which was carpeted for my poor cold feet. I sat on the large cream sofa, nearly sinking into the plush cushions whilst Zack set up a board to write on.

I was rather bewildered with the first topic Zack began talking about. Fashion. Why didn’t I wear shorts like other girls? Why didn’t I have any miniskirts? Why didn’t I wear any make up or jewellery? Haven’t I considered curling my hair for a new look? I said no to every question and said no to every suggestion that Zack made to make me look more fashionable. I didn’t care much for fashion and I wasn’t entirely comfortable with wearing shorts and miniskirts. I shivered just by thinking about them. I would be so cold if I wore such clothing! Elves originally grew up in warm climates so we don’t grow body hair like humans so we don’t get goose bumps when we get cold. Autumn was coming soon so I’ll be wearing shirts and tights underneath my kimonos during the cold months in Aurallion.

Zack spent three hours teaching me history, music and other subjects regarding to being a housewife. I frowned upon the fact I couldn’t learn maths, literature and science, subjects that I personally loved. Zack said that girls shouldn’t think so much and claimed that I shouldn’t need to learn such complicated subjects because I wouldn’t need them in the future. I was rather upset and angry but didn’t complain to avoid conflict.

When Zack let me go, I rushed up to the attic to go for my meditating session at midday. I jumped with a rather high pitched yelp when I saw the spirit woman again, towering over me. She looked me up and down, folded her arms and tutted whilst shaking her head.

“You cannot wear green for your midday sessions,” she said “Don’t you have a yellow kimono?” I nodded and she sent me down to my bedroom to get changed into it. Soon I was in the yellow kimono and sitting upon the rooftop meditating. When the hour was up, I turned my head to see the spirit woman was outside with me. She graced me with a smile, despite the fact that I was rather spooked by her sudden appearance. Eventually I plucked up the courage to speak.

“Who…are you?” I croaked out.

“A friend, a guardian or a stranger, you decide,” she replied whilst folding her hands and leaning her chin against them. I stared at the city line to think for a while then turned my head towards her.

“What do you want?”

“Well, what do you want?” The question caught me off guard and I stared back at the city line to think.

“I don’t really want anything apart from to go back to the orphanage,” I replied after some thought.

“You know you can only remain at the orphanage for eight more years and then you’ll have to leave,” she said.

“I’ll go live in the forest,” I said with a shrug “I just can’t stand living in the city.”

“I agree,” the spirit woman nodded then smiled “But some things can be obtained if you endure living here.”

“May I ask what?” I glanced at her.

“You’ll see in time,” the woman said with a shrug.

“But I don’t belong here,” I said “I can’t stand it. The pollution from the cars, the awful stenches from the sewer, Zack insisting that I should wear denim shorts and tank tops…”

“I forbid you to wear any clothing that humans wear,” the spirit woman said frostily.

I jumped at her tone and nodded quickly. She unlaced her fingers then folded her arms.

“There are many vulgar habits that humans have which I don’t want you to pick up,” she said “These habits will taint your elven heritage and you’ll be lost to us.”

“Who…?”

“No questions. You will do what is asked of you.”

If I knew how to scowl on purpose, I would have done so to this woman. She was so snappy and frosty, I felt like she’ll scold me if I breathe in the incorrect fashion for her.

“These are the habits I want you to avoid,” she kept talking “Humans have taken a liking to purchasing tobacco in rolls of thin paper then setting them alight to breathe in the smoke.”

“It’s called smoking, I know,” I said remembering that one of my foster parents had been a heavy smoker.

It was a horrible memory actually. It was my fourth adoption, another fiery doom for the poor unfortunate souls who decided to take me in and raise me as their own child. To be honest, it was their fault, I never actually blamed myself for their deaths. Though I did blame myself for being smart enough to grab the nine-month-old baby first and climbing out of my bedroom window. The house was on the outskirts of town and the parents of the baby were still inside. I remember trying to keep a firm hold of the wailing infant as I ran next door and told the neighbours to call the firemen to douse the flames. It was too late when they came, both parents were charred corpses when the fire was tamed. The cause was most likely from the lit cigarettes my foster father had left on the kitchen table was what the firemen said. I was separated from the baby and taken back to the orphanage. I believe he was sent to his grandparents who didn’t want to look after me.

“Do you know what elves use tobacco for?” the spirit woman asked.

“I wasn’t aware elves use tobacco,” I felt surprised at the fact.

“Elves mix tobacco into poison potions to dip arrows in and use in battle,” was her answer “You must never inhale tobacco for it will intoxicate then kill you.”

Tell that to my fourth foster father before he died.

“It appears to me that humans enjoy taking drugs at a young age too,” the spirit woman continued talking “Heroin, cannabis, cocaine, morphine, opium and other poisons that makes them feel happy.”

I had heard about the taking drugs thing too. It was up on most of the newspapers when I was settling in amongst the foster families. Mostly the fathers would read them and I would see the headlines of various drugs being stolen or people, mainly the famous actors or models, being arrested because they have been caught taking drugs. If it was so bad then why did these humans repeatedly drug themselves with the poisonous substances that will eventually lead them to their untimely deaths?

“We use such drugs against our enemies,” the spirit woman explained “You should never take in the drugs that you intend to use against your enemy. One sniff and you’ll be intoxicated, tainted, never to recover. A tainted elf is no better than a human.”

I nodded to confirm that I understood.

“Alcohol is only used for ointment on wounds,” the spirit woman continued speaking “Never consume it, you will damage your common sense and intelligence.”

I nodded again. I was very aware of the consequences of consuming too much alcohol. The spirit woman seemed happy and rested a cold ghostly hand on my shoulder. I didn’t flinch, I can’t remember the last time I have ever flinched.

“I can see you will grow up to be a very fine elf, Zelda,” she said “Don’t forget that you’re an elf. Don’t let Zack bring you down from your purity.”

I turned to ask what she meant but she was gone. I climbed down to the attic and went to my room. Zack said he would be away for the afternoon so I was alone in the house. I decided to go out to the garden. I was disappointed to see the lack of colourful flowers, which was what I liked most about gardens. Zack only had grass and pine trees surrounding the concrete and bricks. There was a lack of colour, no tulips, no roses, the grass didn’t even have any signs of little daisies. I kept wandering around the outside of the mansion. I felt drained, I wanted to see pink blossoms, red roses and yellow tulips. Green was a nice colour but there was too much of it. Disappointed and saddened, I returned into the mansion to wander around.

Everything seemed so white and clean. It was a big change from the old brown orphanage and the colourful homes I had once lived in. I felt like a drawing on paper as I walked around the ground floor, from the porcelain kitchen to the fuzzy living room. There were doors that were locked, indicating that they were the rooms I weren’t allowed in. Or maybe Zack was hiding something from me? I wasn’t sure what to think. I wasn’t sure who to listen to. Zack or the spirit woman whose name I do not even know?

I sat down on the marble staircase and stared at the large mahogany doors. What kind of forest did they come from? Did they grow in the north where the Silai Faeries live inside them? Did they come from the south where Croft’s Ravens would make their nests in? I often thought about things like this. The nuns call it daydreaming, I agree with them. I can picture the forests where Silai Faeries would linger in bushes and trees, waiting for suitable prey to come along. I can picture the large Croft’s Ravens taking up a whole tree for their nest where they could hold up to eight eggs. I smiled and sighed wistfully.

What would it be like to live in a forest by yourself? With no adults to tell you not to run too far or don’t touch any of the animals in case they carried a disease? I closed my eyes and took myself to a forest, one where Floronies and other breeds of horse would live in. I would have a treehouse, quite little and modest. I have no desire to live in a big palace that wasted space. I could go out on top of the treehouse and meditate without anyone disturbing me or pollution to upset my senses. I could have my own pet. A pet Florony would be nice but a bit farfetched. Something small, something cute…perhaps a feline pet so they could have their own independence but keep me company. Maybe a Nekarose. Cute little black wildcats that populate mainly in the forests with a small pack. My Nekarose would be a female so she would come back with her litter of kittens. I would help look after them, they could sleep in a small leaf bed with Midite and Bay leafs and I’ll feed them milk that I could collect from tame cows nearby.

A Nekarose…I have dreamed of having one but no-one considers them as a pet but more of a pest. They do get into the house easily by the scent of meat and they steal. It is only a survival tactic so I’m not against their choice of living. I haven’t seen one, only seen pictures from books and in my dreams.

I was brought out of my thoughts when the door opened and I realised I had been daydreaming for about four hours. Time does fly when your mind is occupied. I stood up when Zack entered and he beamed up at me.

“Hey there, you rascal,” he grinned and held up a shopping bag “Guess what I got for you!”

“I don’t guess,” I said and he laughed.

“Come on, guess!” he chuckled.

“A Nekarose?” I shrugged. Zack snorted and shook his head.

“Of course not. If you’d like a pet cat, I’ll get you a tabby cat to keep you company.” I felt saddened, even though it was rather implausible that Zack would actually have something that I had been thinking about for the past few hours. I grimaced as he pulled out a pair of jean shorts and insisted that I wear them. I refused and he just gave me the bag, muttering about something to make for dinner.

I took out the jean shorts and stared at them. They seemed designed to go no further down than the middle of my thighs. It might not even reach the middle of my thighs actually. The thought of having to expose that much skin without my kimono made me shiver. Actually, perhaps I could wear them underneath my kimono? That felt like a better idea and I nodded, deciding that would be a good decision. So I stepped into them and slid them on underneath my kimono and blushed when they fell. I picked them up and placed them in my bag. They were too big for me.

When I told Zack this, he took out a tape measure and took my measurements, raising his eyebrows.

“You need to eat more, Zelda,” he said and ruffled my hair “People will think you’re malnourished if they saw you.”

I didn’t respond. Elves didn’t take in much fat from food. Our bodies use it to repair parts of our body more than humans so we didn’t gain weight as much as humans did.

After a fatty dinner with fish covered in horrid batter and deep fried chips, I contemplated my figure whilst standing in the mirror in just my underwear. I was skinny, maybe I should eat a bit more? I poked one of my ribs that pushed out of my skin. I hadn’t noticed how little I ate, I guess I look a bit fatter with my kimono on. I shrugged on my dark blue kimono as my instincts told me and went to the roof to meditate my sunset session. Everything went routinely without any disturbance so I guess I had chosen the right kimono to meditate in. I didn’t see the spirit woman when I finished and left either, so she’s probably pleased with me or otherwise occupied.

But as I went to bed and closed my eyes, the nightmares came again. Vivid images of flames lapping at my skin and leaving burns. But then the burns would fade away quickly and the flames would engulf me and try to burn me alive. I would open my mouth to scream but the roar of the flames drowned out any sound I tried to make. I want to wake up but someone’s telling me it isn’t time yet. I don’t like it. I don’t want to see fire ever again. I don’t want to repeatedly see the very element that has haunted me for as long as I remember.

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