Year 140 Spring Months, Jaguar Era
Lucy yawned, stretching her small body . Today was something special, though she didn't know what . Mom had carefully bathed her and rubbed her whole body with sweet smelling oil . Lucy watches silently, as Mom fussed with the heavily embroidered bodice, and skirt she had prepared for Lucy . "You be a good girl, today baby girl . Make sure not to cry" Mom says, looking worriedly at her . Lucy almost nodded, before she remembered that a six-month-old, wouldn't understand .
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I still want to know what I'm getting dressed up for! Drop some hints, Mom! Of course, Mom as always continued on in ignorance of her daughter's whining . Still, Lucy grins . I'm finally leaving this courtyard! I'm so happy! What do the streets look like? Lucy wondered . I'm so tired of this tiny courtyard . I want to see this new world . Despite her hunger and curiosity, Lucy was resigned to being confined for now . After all, she was still a baby . Whatever this event was, it was big to Lucy just because she would soon be out, and looking around .
Satisfied with the outfit, Mom brought it over . Lucy endured being dressed in the heavy fabric and held still as Mom tied a ribbon in her hair . Ribbons are a strangulation hazard, Mom! Lucy caught the ribbon with her hands, eyeing the bright yellow . It's so pretty!
She was quiet as Mother carried her out . What era is it? What's my country like? Lucy's eyes widen . Outside their neat little courtyard house, a black carriage with yellow trim, with a matching strawberry roan pair waited . Giving in to impulse, Lucy leans forward, her little hand stretched out . I want to touch it! Lucy pouts when Mother gently contains her hands . "Don't Lucy, it's dirty . " Mother scolds . Lucy sighs, and leans back in her arms .
Mother kisses her face . "You'll be wonderful, my Lucy . Remember to be quiet during the ceremony, crying's bad luck . " Mother warns . Lucy touches Mom's face . "What if they don't enter into the Lineage?" Mother whispers to Aunt Edith . "Of course, Young Miss will be entered . Don't worry, Mistress . She's a very well behaved child . She's full of good fortune . " Wait? Crying would affect this? How could that work?
Just then, Lucy sees Father . She smiles, and reaches for him "Pa, da!" Lucy babbles . Father takes her from Mom, a smile cracking his stern face . Lucy settles into his arms, her little hands tugging at his bread . This is so fun! "Da" Lucy says again . Lucy knew it was early to start talking, but Lucy was ready . So ready to talk again . Lucy was proud that she kept to just Da . Giggling, Lucy snuggles against Father, having lost any hesitation toward him during three months of his frequent visits .
Father climbs into the carriage . It smelt musty, with a deep brown leather, and polished wood trimming the inside . A second later, the door shut . "Ea?" Lucy startles . What about Mom? The carriage starts moving a second later . Lucy grunts at the jolting . It felt like driving 60 on a brick road . Clearly, Mom wasn't coming . Lucy looks up at Father . Care to explain? Lucy thought, staring at him and saying baby babble .
Father just smiles down at her and pinches her cheeks . Lucy giggles, her baby gurgle making his eyes light up . He might be a jerk, but Father was enamored of her . "Da" Lucy calls out . "Da, Dada" Lucy claps her hands . His rough hands gently pat her head . "Good girl . My Lucy's such a good talker" Prince Benin praises . Lucy peers toward the carriage curtains, wanting to see out, but Father draws her back . Lucy pouts, but Father just holds her firmer . "No, Lucy," Father says . Lucy sighs, and settles in his lap . I guess it's slightly reasonable to not want a baby leaning out a window, but only slightly .
Benin looks down at his daughter, a soft smile on his lips . This daughter of his was the strongest of all his children, and perhaps the healthiest . So far she had minimal fevers, and not even a hint of trouble gaining weight . Still, her strength was her courage . His only child that didn't get frightened by his anger . Instead, she would pat at his chest, or reach her arms out to him as if she was comforting him, as she babbled Da, dada . Da .
Lucy was his courageous babe . Benin's heart tightened . She was the strongest, happiest, and healthiest of his bloodline . Even his only surviving son was plagued by constant fevers . "Da!" Prince Benin looks down . She tugs on his bread . "Da," She says insistent, pointing to the window .
Chapter end
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