The smell of grass all around was comforting to Aster. She closed her eyes and breathed in deep. The wind was strong today and whipped at her. It pulled at the small hairs not long enough to fit into her braid and whipped at her dress. It was nice to have a moment of peace.
Her village, Le Fey, could sometimes get overwhelming. There was so much expected of her due to her knowledge in healing concoctions. It put her in a somewhat uncomfortable place. She was both expected to let the men in her village, and eventually a husband, care for her and do less the less conventional role of making and selling items. Women in the Rose Kingdom were mothers and wives first and foremost. The only medical role women would generally undertake is midwifery. It was difficult to both be prized as an herbalist and have people turn their noses up at you for stepping outside of traditional gender roles. Aster had learned that people could be really stubborn about change.
Today would be a good day though. She was headed to the grove of trees located not too far from town. There were several herbs that Aster just could not seem to get to grow in controlled environment despite much effort and help from local farmers. The one she was looking for today was one that helped with fever when made into a tea.
With her today was a basket half full of roses she had already picked and the bracelet her father had given to her mother when they had started courting. Though the bracelet made her remember the loss, it also made her remember the pure joy on her father's face when telling her stories of her mother.
As Aster neared the grove of trees, she began to feel disoriented as if the world was spinning and she felt sick to her stomach. The world shifted, and suddenly, Aster was on her hands and knees behind a bush desperately trying to keep down her breakfast.
And it was loud. Really loud. She was also aware of a uncomfortable heat around her wrist. Naak. What was that? What happened?? What is that noise?
She stood slowly, brushing the grass off her skirt and looking around her for the commotion. She looked something like a startled animal. "Where am I?" Aster stumbled toward a bench and away from a small crowd of people gathering around what looked like two girls having bumped into each other. What on Aries?