sleach

...Are all these people here to see me bear the standard? I'd better not slip up...

No, I need to triple-check after all.

Banner's brand new, no wrinkles, good. My clothes are prim and tidy, good. And my saber and boots... Alright, all polished clean, that's fine too.

Oh, right, my hair too! Oh, good, good, it's still neat.

The wind was gusting so hard just now... I wouldn't want to mess it up right here, not when I spent all of yesterday treating my hair. That would've been such a waste.

Now begins the flag-raising ceremony! All units, attention!

Phew...

Flag, forth!

Marching through the square, she feels the gaze of every soul in the crowd concentrate on her, and straightens her back even higher in response.

Hooking the ensign to the halyard, pinching a corner of the flag, she begins to await the signal.

Three, two, one, and the sound of drums finally quells. Quickly she throws the fly to the air, allowing it to unfurl in the wind of the morn. Thereupon, she hears applause behind her last and last.

Taking a deep breath, she pulls her posture tighter, straighter, but cannot help but let a smile slip from the corner of her mouth.

Wil, that's seven crates of pharmaceuticals total, all here.

Thank you so much for running this trip, Janie... but it's funny, we paid for twelve at the caravan.

No, I know... they turned their entire hold upside down looking, but this seven's all they found, none more than that. And, well... they're not wanting to refund you the surplus money.

But didn't we get the price settled all early this morning?

They lost a lot of freight coming here cutting through a combat zone, so they're insisting on ratcheting their prices up to cover the damages.

But, Janie, we don't have much funds left.

Have resupplies from the landship still not made it?

No... We haven't even had an update on them for the longest while now. Janie, you know, with all the turmoil at Londinium, you don't think the landship got...

Wil, stay with me. You said it yourself, times are turbulent. Odds are something's just held them up.

So, then... what do we do now?

It's best we keep the patients' needs put first. Having these seven crates is better than none, and no matter how expensive, we've got no choice but to accept. Anything else... we'll have to make what savings we can.

We can't just save our way out of this forever... All we've got left in the basement's some sprouting potatoes.

I'll keep thinking of what I can once we get back this evening. It's almost time I saw Mrs. Sheila—her chimney's blocked, I need to take a look at that.

Do that. I'll head back to the office for now, then.

Miss Saileach, Miss Saileach!

Mrs. Sheila, what did you come out here for? Your health is... Let me help you back in.

The wind's going so hard today, best we take a seat inside. You were off leaving the moment you pulled out of the chimney—I didn't even get the chance to thank you proper.

Oh, it's—it's alright, I can't really stay long, there's people sick at the office.

Weather's been nipping lately—are you and Wil bundling up well enough? I've got a few dresses here you two could wear—they're getting on a bit, I know, but they're good nice ones.

Thank you, I appreciate it, Mrs. Sheila. Still, Vouivre don't catch colds that easily.

Ah! None of that, you can still wear it even if it's not to keep warm. Your clothes right now are getting to be patchwork with those repairs, and I've never seen you wear a thing else. Don't you go anywhere, now, I'll run back in and fetch them for you...

R—Really, it's fine! I'll be out of your hair as soon as, Miss!

(Hushed) Da, look at that lady, her hair's so pretty...

(Hushed) Pah. Cloistered, that's what you call types like her. Can't live without her daily haircare...

On, now, Ema, stop gawking. Move, move. It's almost time for the hairdresser's.

Da, can we not go...?

What?

Pleaaase, Da, I—I want it like that lady, not so so long, just down to my shoulders.

Ema, don't you let her influence you! It's a massive company what sent her down—she's not here to live our ruddy life.

Your ma's sick and I'm looking after her for love-long and a half—when am I going to find the time to sort your hair if you let it grow out?!

...But I... I—I really really don't want a buzzcut...

For god's sakes, budge it! You don't want me to hit you now, do you, Ema?

Excuse me, sir, but if you're talking to children, <i>talk to them.</i> What are you raising your hand for?

I... well...

(She uncontrollably sobs.)

No, you... naughty kids, you see, I was just disciplining her a little, just... it's just a little discipline.

You shouldn't be bothering over <i>us,</i> madam, really, I'm sorry about that... excuse us if you will, excuse us.

Alright, come on, Ema, we're off now.

Miss Saileach, I thought you'd up and gone already. Here's your clothes, and here's a little sack of flour we had left over. You take it, now.

That won't do... Mrs. Sheila, do you have enough food for yourself?

Course, course I do. My other half's eating soldier's meals on the front. It's just me eating dinner alone at home, fat chance I'll run out, don't you worry.

Thank you. Thank you, Miss.

Janie, how long have you been sitting here?

Sir! Tw—Two, maybe three hours?

What did you come so early for?

It's my first time raising the flag in the square today—I was so worked up, I couldn't sleep a wink last night, so eventually I imagined I'd just come here first thing and wait.

Oh? You certainly don't look like you spent all night awake.

...I had to find something to do while I was waiting for the sun to come up.

Grmph. Fine of you. You do look quite beaming.

You flatter me, Sir, really. It's a guard of honor's duty to mind their appearance!

At ease, guard of honor, at ease. The sun's rising now—go and see that the flag flies too.

Y—Yes, Sir.

Phew...

Combing her silken hair behind her ear in the dawn breeze, the girl straightens herself and makes for the flagpole stood in the center of the square, the flag held in her hands.

As it gracefully ascends, enthusiastic claps come from the masses that have waited for this since the wee hours.

In all the applause, the girl catches a few sunken mutters.

It's queer business. Did they really have to send our town of County Hillock a whole dedicated guard of honor, just to raise a flag? It's like we haven't even a say in the matter.

Heh, I wouldn't crawl out of bed at daft o'clock just to watch Lord Snooty hoist a flag up. At least seeing this warms your cockles, nah?

If it were up to me, they would've sent us a few film posters instead. One for each of us to stick on our walls and admire every day—<i>that's</i> how you raise a spirit or two.

Ah, shut, don't you start. A guard of honor's what it is—isn't having a sight for sore eyes enough? What are you so greedy for?

Looking through the crowd, the girl attempts to pick out who's talking.

But each and every one of their faces brims with a lauding smile, and she has to wonder if those voices weren't just the wind talking.

The morning gusts blow bitter cold through the square all asudden, the air digging under her collar.

In the breeze, she cannot help but give a shiver.

Get up! Janie, wakey-wakey!

Wil... what time is it?

Gone five, but we're only off at six. You've got time to plait your braids.

No... don't mind that, I'm leaving it today. We can head off straight away.

Er... Wil, do you know where the hairdresser's is in this town? I'm thinking of getting my hair cut.

Y—You what?!

If... If there's not one, I'm just as okay cutting it myself.

No, not that... of course there's a hairdresser's here, it's the last house at the end of the street. But, Janie... your hair's so nice. The <i>waste</i> of lopping it off.

It does tend to get in the way awfully at work, growing it out, see... Could you take over my shift tomorrow afternoon then?

Whaa—what's the hurry? You're not gonna wait a little longer?

You don't want me cutting my hair short?

I mean, it's fine, cut however short you feel... If it'll make work easier, plus I'm sure short hair would look just as fantastic on you.

...Thank you for that, Wil.

Excuse me, are you open right now?

Miss Saileach?

Do you know of me, sir?

Who wouldn't in this town?

What brings you here today? Hair treatment?

No, no, I'm here for a haircut.

A haircut, then... Take a seat, Miss Saileach, I'll fetch the scissors. If you need a sip of water, it's on the table...

Thank you, sir.

How short are you wanting it?

About to where everyone has it, please.

Okay... I'll be starting, then, Miss Saileach?