#so she probably won't go but will later bemoan that she couldn't and I will feel like a heel for going

[isfjmel-phleg]

😶

[rummycoffee]

DAY 2

Where The Thorned Rose Grows

[HGS AU One Shot]

Summary

A twist to the opening of High Guardian Spice, in this AU Rosemary has gone missing instead of her mother leaving others to question what has happened to her. Will Sage ever discover what happened to Rosemary?

This was created as an entry for the HGS weekend Day 2.

I want to give big thanks to Austin for the grammar review check on google docs. I wanted to do something like a storyboard-esque but I was running low on creative juices so went full writer on this.

A sweet smell permeates the flower field, in the distance a kid plays in the flower bed joyfully. The woman continues to hum inside the home, every so often keeping watch of the child outside. One small distraction is all it needs for everything to go all wrong. In that small moment petals disperse everywhere and screams can be heard.The mother starts running with a sword on her hand but reaching too late. Her child has disappeared into the portal never to be seen again.

Lavender looks at the flowers outside her home through the kitchen window and releases a heavy sigh. She grips a framed photo of her lost child.

“It’s been 4 years since Rosemary disappeared” A hand appears on her shoulder, Lavender’s husband, Fennel comforts her along with Chicory on the side.

“I am sure she is alive somewhere” Chicory adds. “She is probably waiting for us.”

Knocks at the door disturb their small talk, It was the young Sage. Lavender led her inside their home and took a seat across her. Sage was still reserved due to her restrictive background but ever since the loss of her childhood friend her true self has been slowly breaking out of her shell. She has lost her only outlet and sun.

“Maybe inside Sage feels guilty that she can’t do anything for her friend… how much she has grown in these short years” Lavender thought.

“Miss Lavender, I wanted to know if there has been any-”

Lavender solemnly shakes her head.

Sage eyes slowly widen, tear drops forming on the edges of her eyes and a quivering mouth before breaking in front of her. Lavender tries to comfort her but she can’t help to hold herself back. This child was hurting in front of her but she could do anything to ease her pain. After the short hesitation she jumps forward to hug the child, Sage cries out more in reflex.

“Why did it have to happen? Why did she have to be taken?”

Lavender lets go of Sage as she takes out a handkerchief from her pocket. She hands it towards Sage in which she wipes her tears. Growing up without Rosemary greatly affected her emotionally and physically.

“Aside from asking for information about Rosemary, I wanted to ask if you're going to be part of the instructors. Today is my last day here since I’ll be on my way to enroll in High Guardian Academy” Sage avoided eye contact, her voice cracking as she continued to push through her gloomy feelings.

“Yes and no. I won't be an instructor but I’ll be assisting. If you don’t mind, do you want me to accompany you over there?” Lavender offered.

“No, but thank you. I think I have burdened you all too much already. Especially with how much everyone has been dealing with this loss.” She waved her hand.

Sage later gives her goodbyes as she heads towards the academy. In the train she sits down with another person.

The hooded figure looked familiar…

“Rosem-” Sage reached out to pull the cloak.

The figure turned around in response to show a scar across their face. Sage pulled back her hand, realizing that she got the wrong person.

“Sorry, I think I mistook you for someone” she waved her hands apologetically. She couldn't believe that she was starting to become delirious. She took some deep breathing exercises.

The figure took a small glance at Sage before replying, “Heading towards the academy?”

“Yep, are you going too?”

“Yes.”

“Any reason?”

“There is no failure but success” The figure pulled at their hood, readjusting to cover their face.

“Sounds like my parents, you can’t please them all” Sage bemoaned.

There was no answer.

“So what’s your name?” Sage instinctively reached out her hand. The figure slightly jolted before making contact.

“My name is Nutmeg”