A Short little character introduction chapter.

The young girl hopped onto the slabs of stone that decorated the flower garden. She enjoyed running through the tunnel of flowers that led to the lone tree in the middle of their garden. The girl grabbed a stick and sat under the shade of the treasured family tree. The tree was unique because its bark glowed with deep blue colors. The white palm-sized leaves were spherical in shape and she would occasionally pick one off the branches to use it as a whistle. The leaf was so thin and firm that if one blew against its edge, it would make a low, melodic whine. Of course, mother didn't like it when she’d plucked the tree so she only did it when she was by herself.

Staring at the tree from a distance, one can clearly see its outline against the vibrant floral colors, like a tree frozen in time. It was like her little own world as she sat under the tree. Sometimes, she climbs to the lower branch of the tree and pretends to be the queen residing over the flower garden. Ordering the flowers and bugs to do her bidding. She did this all, of course, in her mind. The last time one of her maids saw her outward display they notified her mother. Her mom became diligent towards correcting her demeanor for a whole week. She landed briskly on a bed of soft, short grass. Repressing the urge to sit down on the fluffy carpet, she ambled further towards the entrance of their estate and climbed on top of the tall stone fence that separated them from the outside world. Scanning the outline of the forest, she spotted an unfamiliar figure walking closer to the wall. She hid and peered over the stone ledge as he walked past. She likes the feeling of being sneaky. It made her feel tingly and excited since no one could see her. The girl observed as the man walked up to Reed and John. They talked a little before the man gave Reed what seems to be a very big knife. Hopping down, she knew her curfew was due soon. She would have to start her mundane schedule classes again. Lady Aricia? It is time now..." the voice of her tutor called out. Aricia popped out from around the corner, spooking her tutor. "My goodness! If I didn't know any better, I would have thought a tiny little gremlin had snuck in," her tutor needled. It's not her fault that Miss Margret was so skittish. "Come now, child. We've got to prepare. It seems your uncle have returned from the battlefield. It'll be a good opportunity to test your communication skills." Uncle? Aricia thought she didn't have one. Nobody ever mentioned him before. Aricia and Margret shuffled back to the mansion. Aricia was sent to her room to freshen up and prepare for dinner. She pushed through the mahogany doorway and peered into the polished steel frame on the wall. Two red eyes stared back at her. Aricia didn't like her eyes, anyone that meets her gaze would flinch or stare in awe. Her mom said something about her being from a bloodline of ancient kings, but Aricia couldn't really understand. Her mother didn't have the same eyes. She tried her best to seem less intimidating than usual and followed her maid out to the dinner table. There sat her mother, grandmother, and the unfamiliar man that was her uncle. Her father has not come back yet from the conference that will determine the surrendering terms of the country Faldrick. Sitting down across from her unfamiliar uncle, Aricia waited for her grandmother to start eating. The meal consisted of a light salad with a chunk of sautéed meat and potato soup. After her grandmother finished the first bite, Aricia picked up her salad fork and proceeded to eat. After a minute, Aricia noticed something peculiar. Her uncle's face was contorted in what seemed to be confusion. Aricia picked up her soup spoon and motioned it towards her soup. In the corner of her eye, she could see her uncle mimicking the same movements whilst shooting a few glances at her hands. Filling her spoon by dipping it away from herself while lowering its sides into the soup, she then moved it to her mouth and sipped it from its sides again. Her uncle copied her exact movement. Hmmm... She picked up her salad fork this time and, with the tines down, ate her salad. She then watched her uncle repeat her same actions. Why is he copying me? She wanted to test something. Picking up her salad knife, she then proceeded to cut into the steak before relenting at the difficulty. Placing the knife back down, she glanced at her uncle again. Aricia couldn't believe her eyes. She saw her uncle attempting to cut through the tough piece of meat with the dull salad knife. His struggle could be seen in the exasperated motions of his arms. Aricia stifled a torrent of giggles. She had tricked her uncle into using only the salad knife to cut his steak. Now every time her uncle tried to eat his steak, a horrendous grating of the knife against his dinner plate could be heard throughout the silent dinner table. Aricia wouldn't dare look at the faces of the two other sitting at the table in fear for her life. Aricia finished a little bit of her meat before asking to be excused. She could take the torturous comedy anymore. She walked daintily out of the dining room doors and, as soon as she was out of sight, she sprinted to her room. Closing the doors behind her, she let out all her suppressed laughter. When she finished her first wave of chuckling, a second wave came ruthlessly as she remembered the face of her uncle. On his face was the sense of accomplishment and pride (at his own resourcefulness) in contrast to the sharp grating sounds that continually rattled the quiet dinner table. Aricia couldn't take it anymore and laughed until her sides hurt. She hadn't laughed like this in a long time. I have to apologize to Uncle later, she thought with tears in her eyes.