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Emily Ref Sheet 2024 by family_staralternate_emaildustyinsect

posted last year, edited last year

Ref sheet for Emily

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Remedied HatredThe scent of lavender and rosemary swirled around the light strawberry blonde, who was just barely able to see above the edge of the table. Her curious eyes watched her mother work, blending various petals and oils into tonics for those that needed remedy help. She’d always been a curious, though timid child. Her mother, Violet had been the one to cater to such a nature, even if the timid side showed from time to time. Violet knew at some point her daughter would outgrow the extremely timid nature but for now she held onto the memories that were being created. "Fay, do you know what plant this is," came the gentle voice of her mother. It snapped the young Fay out of her daydream of lavender and rosemary. Light blue hues lit up, staring at the plant Violet held in her gentle hands. "It'th yarrow," Fay was quick to duck her head as the lisp that tortured her came through. She'd tried so hard to speak slowly and clearly to no avail. She felt her heart breaking. It wasn't enough that her shyness, and timid nature, earned her teasing from the other kids of Saint Denis. No! The lisp that always clung to her speech earned her even more. Violet stopped her prepping as she felt the distress her young, beautiful daughter was under. She knelt down to be eye-level with Fay. She brought her gentle hands to cup Fay's cheeks. A warm, motherly smile upon her lips, "Sweet child, you're right it's yarrow. You are amazing in remembering the plants I have taught you so far!" Her mother knew that all the encouragement in the world would not be enough to break the chains that held her darling daughter, but she would try no matter what. It was what she did. She was Fay's mother after all. Even though she knew the lisp bothered the sweet child, time would only tell if she would grow out of it, as many children did. Though, deep down in her heart of hearts, Violet had a feeling that Fay would carry this lisp her entire life. She prayed otherwise but there was no true telling of what would happen until Fay grew older. But for now, Violet could hope that she would grow out of it. That warm smile remained as Violet rose once more. Her eyes were soft as she went to grab a stool for Fay to stand upon. She’d watched, with growing pride, the love Fay held for plants and their uses. The way Fay had taken to learning herbal remedies, and what the apothecary stood for, had warmed Violet’s heart more than she had words to express. Violet would not hinder that growth for anything in the world; she had hoped that her daughter would learn of such traditions. And in that hope Fay had not only thrived, but flourished! The young light strawberry blonde had taken to learning of the various herbs and their medical properties as if second nature. "Do you remember what yarrow is used for?" Fay's mind went to turning like that of a wooden wheel upon a horse drawn wagon. Her mind, no older than that of seven or eight, was packed full of teachings. Many of those teachings from her mother but the use of plants and their properties were always at the forefront of her mind. She couldn't remember a time, even in her young blossoming life, when she didn't know what a plant could or couldn't do. She knew there were some that could harm but there were more than could heal, even some that could cause harm but used correctly they could heal. "If uthed in a tea it can th’mooth th’omach ache’th. It can altho be ground up and applied to wound’th," Fay remarked with pride in her voice. Her mother nodded, giving a smile as her hands went back to creating a few more tonics. There had been a lady, from out of town, that had stopped by a few days ago. She'd been in dire need of herbal medicines to take with her family on their trip. Violet had told the woman that it would be a few days before all the medicines and tonics would be ready if the lady didn't mind waiting. Luckily for Violet Barnes the lady had been dire but not in such an ill fate that a few days would kill her to wait. It had struck Violet as quite odd but most out of towners were. They had their own traditions, beliefs, and natures that kept them hardy and her and her family had theirs. "Momma, what are you creating right now," the soft questioning of her daughter helped her work. She never minded answering Fay's questions, it showed her that Fay was interested and still remained curious to the world of herbal remedies. "This is a tonic to help you relax. Lavender and Rosemary work well together in that both are used to calm one down." "Ooh! I’th thi’th for that lady that came by the other day?" "Yes! She appeared as if a relaxing tonic would be of some good use for her soul. Whether she uses it or not is up to her." "Papa th’aid it would, th’he th’hould lith’ten." Violet giggled softly, "So she should, but not everyone has the mindset to listen to doctors. Whether they be your Papa or not my darling." Fay couldn't help but join in with the contagious giggles coming from her mother. There was never a time Fay couldn't find her mother easily soothed her soul. While she spoke with her mother the lisp was far from her mind, easily creeping into her words. But if her mother heard it she never acted on it. She knew her daughter, inside and out, and understanding her speech was as if breathing for Violet Barnes. Anyone that dared say a word of Fay's lisp was quick to meet Violet's protective mother side. There were some lines not to be crossed with the normally gentle natured Violet and speaking ill of her daughter was one such line. Violet grabbed a small basket once she’d finished the last few remaining tonics on her list for the out of towner. She placed each gently into their new home to await departure the following morning. Once the remedies were in place, Violet wiped her hands on her apron. The poor cloth was stained various purples, reds, blues, and some hues unnamable from years of wear. But until it completely had seen its use the apron remained tied around Violet’s waist to work within her apothecary. “Mama, what now?” “Now, my darling, we are off to make supper! Papa will be closing the practice down soon enough. We might want to make sure we have a nice, hot supper for him when he returns!” Fay’s light blues seemed to smile, “Can we make th’tew tonight mama?” Violet acted as if she was weighing her options. Stew sounded delightful, the weather had started to cool upon dusk’s approach. It wasn’t a bad choice. She smiled warmly, “Stew it is!” When Joseph entered the kitchen the smell of stew flooded his senses. He could feel the saliva starting to build up from how savory the scent already was. It was going to be a fulfilling meal and a good one at that! “Papa! Papa! Mama let me help thi’th time,” Fay cried with joy. Violet had been letting her help more in the kitchen since she was older now. It was another one of those moments that Violet couldn’t have been happier. Fay would shape up to be a woman that could easily handle herself. Truth be told, it both scared and filled Violet with pride. “Is that so my Wildflower,” Joseph in turn replied to his excited daughter. He enjoyed seeing Fay flourish. “It i’th th’o Papa,” Fay remarked quickly before disappearing back to her mother’s side to finish helping with dinner. It was a moment that Joseph would always remember. His family had given him reason to remain in Saint Denis, and more so to continue his practice. His compassion for those around him, and his patience, had slowly started to model his young daughter just as her mother’s love of nature and understanding of others had. Supper was peaceful within the Barnes’ home. Joseph and Violet talked of their day, sometimes throwing in moments of laughter and some curious beings that entered into their lives through the practice and apothecary. Fay would join in, giving her own reduction of how events played out; oftentimes even telling both her parents of her daydreams. For Joseph and Violet it was the perfect way to end the evening. After Fay had been sent to wash up and shortly after sent to bed, Violet spoke softly, “There was a lady that came by today. She acted in dire need of tonics but when I told her of the time frame for when they’d be ready, she quickly changed her behavior.” “She’s an out of towner my dear. They have such customs and we are not meant to understand them all,” her husband said thoughtfully. He knew Violet was never once to completely trust those that rolled in and rolled out quickly. She was kind hearted, and loved to help everyone, but even she knew to protect herself. Violet nodded slowly. She understood where her husband was coming from, and though he was more than likely right she still had her doubts. Still it was nothing to lose sleep over and soon enough the couple found themselves listening to Fay slumber. It wasn’t long before they joined her in peaceful dreams. Morning would come with the scent of coffee drifting to Fay’s room. Sleepy light blues would flutter open to meet the rays of the rising sun with tiny feet hitting the floor with excitement. That lady would be coming back to accept her mother’s tonics and hopefully listen to their usage. She hurried dressed, brushing the tangles from light strawberry blonde locks before running to the kitchen. Fay held manners but sometimes they escaped her in her excitement as often happened with young children. She was met with her father sipping away at his coffee while her mother cooked a light breakfast for him. Fay was bouncing as she took her seat at the kitchen table. Violet turned her head slightly to look over her left shoulder at her daughter, “Patience is key my darling. We’ll be setting off here in a few moments.” That was all the young Fay needed to try and control herself. She just wanted to see how the lady took to her mother’s advice and whether she would appreciate the time her mother had taken to prepare such valuable items. Not long after Joseph had finished his breakfast and coffee, the three Barnes were on the move. Joseph opened his practice once more for those of Saint Denis, while Violet and Fay returned to the apothecary. It was time for business as usual once more within their lives. A peaceful start to a fine morning was the way Fay saw it. There was nothing that could ruin this day, or so she thought. “Where have you been?! You said two days! It’s been three!” The sheer malice tone set Fay on edge and she looked to her mother. Violet only smiled, looking down to Fay before settling eyes once more on the lady from just a few days ago, “I beg your pardon ma’am. It has been two days as I stated.” As if trying to prove her point, Violet picked up the basket of tonics to show. Each glistened in the rising sun, showing their labels and contents with ease. The lady appeared stunned for a mere moment before she berated Violet once more, “Three days! I won’t pay a cent for such trinkets! Water and petals?! These are snake oils I tell you! Snake oils sold by a witch!” Violet felt her face heating up. How dare this woman slander her in front of her own daughter. She quickly sat the basket back down before Fay had a chance to see her physically shaking. Her eyes once warm started to harden but she refused to drop to the woman’s level, “Come now ma’am. There is no need for such words. Might there be an understanding we can come to?” Try as Violet might, the lady only seemed to grow more in her outlandish shouting. A crowd had slowly started to form around the apothecary. All of Saint Denis were knowledgeable of Violet’s apothecary, many coming to her for years. It was an outrage and several of the crowd voiced their opinions to the lady. “Please come inside. We shall discuss these matters and how you feel wrongfully cheated by my hands,” Violet called softly to the lady. Even if she felt every nerve in her body wanting to reach out and slap some sense into the woman, she would not. She had learned over the years that many were stressed, pushed beyond their limits, and in those times the next soul was their outlet for relief. Violet wouldn’t hold it against the lady or at least she would try not too. “Fay, go inside for now.” It was the only warning she would give the young girl. She wanted to talk in private as it appeared to be the only way to possibly get through to this out of towner. Fay did as asked or rather she darted around a corner before settling herself. She was out of sight and out of mind, her mother believing the young girl had gone as instructed. “Please ma’-” “I have a name! I am Lynn Mae, address me as such!” “Miss Mae, please lower your voice. I wish only to speak with you of such trying times for yourself,” Violet’s voice was level but filled with compassion. She was trying her damndest to control her own temper. She was a kind lady but she could show otherwise if push came to shove. Something many admired about her and something her husband loved beyond words about her. Lynn Mae seemed to settle slightly in Violet’s choice of words. Her harsh manner seemed to deflate back to that of a slightly elegant lady once more. Though she still seemed aggravated like a rattler ready to strike, “You promised two days. Three days have passed by my account and I won’t pay a cent for what you offer. I’ll take them freely or so help me-” “Miss Mae please! If you are so sure three days have passed then allow me to offer my tonics free of charge. A way to remedy the open wound I have inflicted for my careless acts.” Violet knew her timing was accurate. It had been exactly two days since Lynn Mae had visited her last. She was never one to go over a deadline she set. It was one of the reasons she had become such a treasure to Saint Denis. But now she felt backed into a corner, Miss Mae was giving her no place to go. In Saint Denis that was never a way to make anyone feel especially if you were an out of towner. There were grounds and customs to abide by and common courtesy as well! But Lynn Mae seemed to care little of such. Violet, though, would not let her temper get the better of her. “Do we have an understanding, Miss Mae,” Violet questioned, doing her best to keep the venom from her own words. While Lynn Mae took the time to consider Violet’s offer, Fay sat quietly where she had hidden herself. She was outraged! How dare this lady come into her mother’s apothecary and treat her in such a way?! It wasn’t right! But as much as Fay wanted to rush from her hiding place and tell this Lynn Mae off, she was more surprised by her mother’s actions than anything. Instead of returning the hatred, her mother returned kindness for an ill fated action that had never happened. It confused little Fay more. “I will take your trinkets,” Lynn Mae finally stated. Her mind had been made up long before she’d ever decided to pick up the tonics. She had no intention of paying for them. That wasn’t what Miss Lynn Mae did. No! She lied, tricked, and weaseled her way into many of her belongings and items that she deemed of value. Violet Barnes just happened to be the only one with anything of value that Saint Denis offered. “Very well Miss Mae. They are yours to take. I do hope they are of use to you,” was Violet’s parting words to Miss Lynn Mae. The lady exited the apothecary and disappeared down the road as the crowd had dwindled once they realized the matter was being handled in a manner deemed fit in Violet’s eyes. “Mama!” Violet turned suddenly with how close Fay’s voice had been. It startled her when she realized that Fay had not done as instructed. Violet shook her head, “Child, I told you to run along.” “I couldn’t let you handle that mean lady on your own,” Fay pleaded in response, hoping that maybe her mama would understand. “Everything was okay my darling. Miss Lynn Mae just wasn’t in the mood to be helped in a way that she needs.” “But Mama, how could you let her th’peak to you like that? Th’he wa’th wrong Mama! Wrong!” Violet picked Fay up and nestled her into her lap, bringing her arms to wrap gently around her daughter. She hummed quietly for a few minutes before finding the answer she needed, “Darling even if she was wrong in her actions, there are some fights that aren’t worth jumping into.” “I don’t-” “I know you don’t understand my sweet Wildflower but one day you will. Sometimes it is better to treat hatred with kindness instead of feeding it. What I mean is: hatred can be quilled by a kind word or touch. Sometimes that is all that is truly needed. For in life, hatred only feeds hatred. Nothing will ever be resolved.” Fay listened. Her light blue hues seemed to range in emotion from confusion to hurt to simply just nodding her head in the end. She laid her head against her mother’s chest shortly after, listening to her heartbeat. She didn’t fully understand what her mother had said but she didn’t doubt her mother’s words. Little did Fay realize that she had learned a lesson that day in her mother’s apothecary. One that would help shape her choices in her later years.