Pomegranates and Directions

Just first meeting fluff. Shadi is buying pomegranates and Ishizu isn't looking where she's going.

Pomegranates and Directions

The dry heat of the desert stuck like moss on a rock. There was not a ghost of a breeze in the sandy area, and it was so hot that if you looked far you could see a mirage, even if you drank a gallon of water. Though, the people in town didn't seem to notice. You know, except for the butchers. They swatted away flies angrily, sometimes cursing the heat under their breath. The crop sellers looked happy though, selling fresh corn, cane sugar and wheat. Fathers worked while mothers chased around their children, telling them not to go in their oasis', telling them it was for drinking, not cooling down dirty children. Though, on this particular day, a 10 year old girl stood at the front of the bustling village, wondering where the crops were. Her father had told her to get three things; corn, cane sugar and grapes. She told her they had ran out, and the Pharaoh requested the three things. She decided on the east of the village, and started to head that way. "Of all people, why me?" She said under her breath. Sure, she had once lived in the small village, but ever since her father was appointed as a servant for the Pharaoh she lived in the west wing of the palace with her father and her little brother. She didn't bother making friends; mother, before she died, told her that she was too good for the village people. She sighed and continued on, trudging about the east side of the village, scouting out for either a fruit stand or a crop stand. She felt the townspeoples stares at her, seeing her in such a bad mood. She ignored them, focusing on finding what she needed and then heading out. She looked around the edge of the west side, seeing no stands and strolled into the middle, where she just walked about. To be honest, she wasn't really looking. She was too lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice that she bumped right into a fruit stand and into somebody. She heard a small "oof," and then some rustling. She looked at the person she bumped into; it was a boy, about her age, with neutral brown hair up to where his neck started. She snapped herself out of her thoughts and bent down, helping the boy pick up his dropped pomegranates. "Sorry about that." She said. The boy looked at her with dark blue eyes filled with compassion. "It's alright. I wasn't expecting it, though." He gave her a smile and then stood up, taking the third pomegranate from her hand. The girl smiled back, ignoring the fact he was a village boy. "I'm Ishizu." The girl said, an edge of happiness in her voice. "I'm Shadi." The boy said. Ishizu peered over to where Shadi had gotten the pomegranates and grabbed three buscels of grapes, handed the man some money and turned her attention back to Shadi. "So, where do you live?" Ishizu asked. "I live with my mother in the west wing of the Pharaohs' palace." He said quietly, making sure no one heard him. The townspeople didn't really like the Pharaoh even though they respected him; they thought that he thought he was better than them, therefore deserved a higher class. "Really? My father works for the Pharaoh too. We live in the west wing as well. It's a wonder why I never noticed you." Ishizu laughed. Shadi laughed along with her. "Umm, by any chance, so you know where a crop stand is?" Ishizu asked. Shadi nodded. "Come. I'll show you." The two started walking towards the back of the village, talking here and there. "So, I have a little brother named Marik, who's 4. I think you'd like him." Ishizu said. "I think I might. I used to have a little sister named Vinia, but she left with father to travel. She was only 2 months old. I haven't seen her in 6 years." Shadi said sadly. "Mom said they might have died from something. I agree." He said. "I'm really sorry. My mom died from a heat stroke." Ishizu said quietly. Shadi gave her a sad smile. "Well, here we are." Shadi said, regaining his slightly happy voice. Ishizu thanked him before getting the things and paying the man, and then put everything in a bag. "Thanks again." Ishizu said. "You're welcome." The duo walked back to the large palace as the blistering heat calmed down with the sunset. The colors made it look like a painting, and soon, the two entered the palace, their shadows disappearing through the doors.