She is most startled by the colors that dance and shimmer across the woman's skin as she approaches. It is a sunrise of color - the kind of shades you might find gleaming in the belly of a shell washed ashore. Not unlike Hypatia’s own colors. There is a treacherous flare of wonder in her chest, and it is etched in a hope that leaves wounds behind as logic reminds her this woman is not her mother.
Belatedly, she notices the spear in the woman’s chest, and her delicate face wrinkles with poorly concealed revulsion. “What is that?” She asks before her mind has a chance to catch up with her mouth and make her feel first bashful and then guarded, very much a bold child expecting to be scolded and already resentful for it. “It’s just that you’re bleeding all over the flowers.” She points out with that quiet shade of defensiveness in the sound of her small voice.
Then, remembering that this woman had asked a question when she stopped, her ears flick back warily, almost indecisive as she hesitates. She could offer a name, and probably that is what this woman intended, but she didn’t specifically say name. Just who are you, and what a question that is. So when she does finally answer, and it comes after a long, weighted silence, it is to tighten her jaw and flash those lantern eyes as she says, “I don’t know yet.”
Belatedly, she notices the spear in the woman’s chest, and her delicate face wrinkles with poorly concealed revulsion. “What is that?” She asks before her mind has a chance to catch up with her mouth and make her feel first bashful and then guarded, very much a bold child expecting to be scolded and already resentful for it. “It’s just that you’re bleeding all over the flowers.” She points out with that quiet shade of defensiveness in the sound of her small voice.
Then, remembering that this woman had asked a question when she stopped, her ears flick back warily, almost indecisive as she hesitates. She could offer a name, and probably that is what this woman intended, but she didn’t specifically say name. Just who are you, and what a question that is. So when she does finally answer, and it comes after a long, weighted silence, it is to tighten her jaw and flash those lantern eyes as she says, “I don’t know yet.”
HYPATIA
i want to break these bones until they're better