[Lost] More life in Arcadia.

[akonken.livejournal.com]

She was in a horrible mood, and everyone knew it. The storms howled outside the castle, lightning dancing through the sky. Even the relative solace of the castle itself was dark and full of danger. The floors were like glass - slippery in some places, full of shards in others - and there was something oppressive and sinister about the stagnant indoor air.

Everyone tried to keep their head low and do their job perfectly. Rosalba folded the crust of the pie with fingers anyone could see were getting stick-thin. Her stomach growled, and she glanced quickly around to make sure it hadn't been heard. Rosalba hadn't eaten in...she couldn't remember how long it had been. The pile of perfect apples she was making pie from seemed to taunt her with their perfection. Each was a beautiful red, the smell fragrant and mouth-watering. She put the pie in the oven, looking again at the apples. So many were left over, and they would just be thrown away. Wasted. Surely one wouldn't be missed.

Thunder crashed, and she jumped. Was it wrong? What if she was punished?

Caught between guilt and suffering, she paused. Then, unable to stand it any longer, she reached out and picked up an apple. She wiped away the juice that ran down her chin as she took a bite. She sighed with satifaction. The taste was surely worth any punishment.

Suddenly the air crackled and her mistress was there, her fury filling the room. She was about to find out if she was right.