Chapter Text
It had only been a day since she’d said the lie. Since she’d committed the sin, since she’d seen Noelle. Barbara sat on her bed, having already shut off her alarm and flipped the thick covers off. Yet she hesitated to get up.
Her hair was tousled and tangled, no doubt from tossing and turning all night. She’d hardly gotten any sleep, but it was ok! She kept telling herself. As if saying it enough times would make it ok. It was a small, inconsequential lie. She’d be fine.
With a heavy sigh, she swung herself off her bed. Slipping on some socks and walking to the bathroom, the mornings were always crisp and made the floorboards cold, so socks were always appreciated.
Barbara carefully inspected her face in the mirror. The slight eye bags and droopy eyelids spoke volumes of her exhaustion. Regardless, she washed her face thoroughly. Hoping to at least feel a bit refreshed if nothing else. Lo and behold, it did sorta work. She didn’t feel as crusty anyways. She attempted a smile, trying to gauge how her different facial expressions looked in this state, and maybe alter them to look more like her usual cheery self instead. She’d always enjoyed being the positive one, the one looking at the bright side or being helpful. It was how she’d always presented herself.
Eventually she returned to her room and picked out an outfit for the day. It was a weekend… and the weather had been gradually getting warmer. Digging deep into her closet, she pulled out a crop-top. Not a full one, it only really showed stomach if she lifted her arms. She used to wear it all the time, it had a picture of her favorite idol from it. A rockstar from China, Xinyan. She’d always, always admired her, especially during middle school. To find someone not so much older than her that expanded the music in China in such a culturally significant way, it was amazing. An inspiration. The shirt had her silhouette, not her actual face, yet it was still recognizable. Barbara's mother had always disapproved either way, saying traditional music was better, that the new music was ear grating and she didn’t understand why Barbara liked it.
Clearly she didn’t.
But she had stopped wearing the shirt as often. Not only because of her mothers disapproval of the content, but also because of how much skin it exposed. Even if it was only when she lifted her arms, apparently that was too much. Would Barbatos really mind that much…?
“Better not…” She muttered out loud, putting the shirt back in its place. Deep into the closet. She was already on thin enough ice.
Eventually she picked out a different set of clothes. Cute and modest, just because she wasn’t showing skin didn’t mean her options were slim. She had a pale forest green cardigan on, it was decorated with pastel flowers and an embroidered bee right above her right pocket. As well as that, she had a flowy cream skirt that fell right under her knees. Matching nicely with the lace up boots that went up to her ankle. Her hair was in her classic bouncy pigtails, swirly and nicely curled. Satisfied with the look, she headed for the front entrance, grabbing her bag before running out of the house.
She took in a deep, long breath. Breathing in the fresh morning air. Suddenly she felt a lot better about the day.
It was grocery day. Every other weekend with her mother she’d go out to the market with the money her mother had left for her and come back with the groceries bought. The money her mother made was usually enough for a little bit of savings plus four weeks worth of groceries, which added up nicely in their case. Even if she knew it was by all accounts a chore,and that her mother was using the time she was gone to sleep in, she did truly enjoy the trips to the market, in all the social liveliness and chaos were truly hardworking people. Which she couldn’t appreciate more.
The walk to the market was through town, which was also nice. People waking up, watering plants, cleaning porches, taking out trash or walking their dogs. It was again the liveliness that Barbara appreciated.
“Barbara! How are you on this fine morning?” Called out Margeret. Owner of the Cats tail, a popular, homey tavern nearby, popular for not only their fantastic drinks, but also for having cats generally roaming around the establishment. She was currently watering her plants. Barbara smiled at her. Happy for some idle, polite chatter with her neighbor.
“Very good, thank you, it is a beautiful morning after all! And how about you? How’s business?” She inquired, stopping her walk briefly to listen to the answer.
“Oh, y’know,” she started with a sigh, “drunkards are as common as ever, so I don’t suppose I’ll be going out of business any time soon!”
Barbara laughed softly and nodded. “Of course, but who could they not with the delicious drinks you serve?”
Margaret chuckled. “Sweet as ever, Barbara. If you ever did want to try just know my door is wide open.”
Barbara nodded, but knew that was less than likely. Even if she was old enough to drink, it didn’t exactly look appealing just going off the drunkards that roamed the town at night. Nevertheless, she had to respect the blooming industry.
“Yes, well, I’ll keep it in mind! Though I do have to get going, it’s always better to arrive at an early market, after all.”
“Oh- yes, yes, go on! I don’t mean to hold you up, good day Barbara.” Margaret gave a polite nod and waved for her to keep going.
“Good day!” Barbara said, waving goodbye as she was back on her way once again.
It didn’t take long for her to arrive, the smell of freshly baked bread and goods wafting through the air, making her drool. Her stomach grumbled, she would get breakfast after the market, as always, but man was it hard sometimes. The market was bustling, stands of clothes, trinkets and food all out and about as people yelled over the crowd, trying to sell, haggle, and negotiate. In no time, Barbara was already doing the same.
Discussing prices, inspecting food, and only indulging slightly by looking over the clothes booths. Her hands got full soon, hauling around a bunch of grocery bags containing things from fruit to fish. She hummed quietly to herself as she shopped, a small tune that got lost in the crowd's hustle. Not that she minded, it’d actually be pretty embarrassing if someone heard her. After a while of walking, her hands full and her feet tired, she decided to take a little break. Heading to the middle of the square where a small small fountain lay.
With a sigh, she sat on a stone bench with her groceries right beside her. She started humming again, mindless and simply enjoying the morning sun. It was bright and warm on her skin.
“Barbara?” She turned her head, met with the friendly, always welcome face, Noelle. Her lips immediately curled into a smile.
“Hi! What are you doing here?” Her voice was peppy and excited. She didn’t know Noelle went on market runs, especially on the weekends! “I’ve never seen you here this early.”
Noelle chuckled and hesitantly looked at the spot next to Barabra. Barabara followed her eyes and saw it had a grocery bag on it, immediately embarrassed, she put it on the ground and patted the bench, signaling Noelle to sit down.
“How rude of me! Here you go.”
Noelle sat down and shook her head with a gentle smile. “No harm, as for what I’m doing here, I’m buying some animal feed.”
Barbara tilted her head to the side. “You’re out“?”
“Yeahhh,” Noelle shrugged. “I know, bad planning. I should’ve gotten it a few days ago, but with the storm and all, I didn’t really get the chance.”
Barbara nodded understandingly. “Makes sense, it’s just rare to see you not have everything planned out! Refreshing though.” Noelle looked surprised.
“Refreshing?”
“Yeah! Not that it's not good to plan things out… just sometimes, it’s nice to be spontaneous, to have little twists on life that are unexpected- and frankly exciting! Sometimes you just wanna enjoy life as it flows, y’know?” Barbara looked back and noticed Noelle staring at her. She immediately blushed, looking away. “Gah! Sorry- totally started ranting there.”
“No, no, it’s ok.” Noelle quickly reassured. Chuckling. “It was…interesting. I’ve never really looked at it that way, usually I just freak out whenever a plan gets derailed, and immediately to fix it. Maybe I’ll try to go with the flow next time.” Barbara looked relieved and smiled.
“Oh. Well, in that case I’m glad I ranted. I love seeing you let loose.” Noelle nodded slowly, a smile creeping onto her lips.
“Like at the creek?”
“Like at the creek!” Barbara bumped her shoulder. “We have got to hang out more. I mean, don’t you miss the summers we’d spend together? The hours of splashing in that same creek and having fun?”
Noelle sighed and shrugged with one shoulder. “I can’t say I don’t, but hey… we are both still here, why not just… relive those moments, but as the people we are now? Instead of longing for the past, we can embrace it in a new light…” Now Barabra was the one staring. An excitement bloomed in her chest as she stood up, grabbing Noelles hand.
“That was super poetic, and I totally agree!” Noelle looked startled but didn’t resist, standing with her.
“Um- right- are we?-”
“Going to follow your advice? Yes!” She started towards the market.
“W-wait! What about your groceries?” Noelle asked worriedly, Barbara only took a moment of thought before continuing forward with a shrug.
“It’s Mondstadt, who’s gonna steal?” It was true, their town was exceedingly safe for having barely any authority other than a few police officers. Including her sister.
“Um- but still- what exactly are we going to do?”
Barbara came to a sudden halt, but Noelle was prepared this time, stopping right next to her. A familiar, delicious smell hit her nose and she immediately knew what they were gonna do.
“Let's go buy some bread.” She started leading Noelle to the bakery. Noelle just looked confused, but again didn’t resist.
“Bread?”
“For the geese, silly! They’re back from migration, aren’t they? We should feed them.”
They entered the bakery with a ding of the bell and Barbara took a deep breath. Savoring the smell.
“Oh… that makes sense.” Noelle smiled but it quickly faded. “I… only brought money for the animal feed though.” She looked guilty but Barbara immediately shook her head and stepped forward, taking out her purse and digging through it.
“I have… two bucks left from groceries!” She looked excited. “I’ll buy it.”
Before Noelle could interject, Barbara had already purchased the freshmade bread and handed the bag to her. Smiling widely.
“Come on, to the pond!” Once again, Barbara took her hand and off they went. Running like excited children to feed the geese.
It wasn’t a long walk. The pond was just a block away from the market. Once you got past the neighborhood and houses, you’d enter the woods and go down a path similar to the ones near the creek. Already Barbara was feeling nostalgic. The leaves were only just starting to grow back from winter. Beautiful, vibrant colors of green shrouding the sun. It was like a painting. Providing much appreciated shade from the bright morning sun. As they walked, Barbara couldn’t help but become more aware of how she was still holding her hand. Her cheeks began to grow warm, though she didn’t know why, so she let go of her hand. Opting to watch the scenery better instead, and without even realizing, she started humming again. But Noelle didn’t comment, she knew how Barbara got embarrassed whenever someone pointed out the little habit.
They sat at the dock, their legs hanging off above the water where they watched the geese glide lazily across the water. Barbara sighed, closing her eyes for a second before taking the bread bag from Noelle and taking the bread out. She set it down in between them and broke off a piece, tossing it into the water. It took no time for the geese to gather and peck at the crumb. Like ants to sugar.
“Are those ducks?” Barbara asked, pointing to the green headed bird among the gray geese. Noelle squinted her eyes then nodded.
“It is, good eye.” She broke off a piece of the bread herself and tossed it to the water, watching the soft ripples be broken as the geese gathered around that one as well.
“Mhm… they’re so pretty.” She muttered quietly. “Green is my favorite color.”
“Is it?” Noelle glanced at her while she broke off another piece of the bread, but instead of tossing it, she offered it to Barbara.
“Yeah… it is.” She took the bread, smiling as she met Noelles curious gaze. She didn’t acknowledge it though, the moment felt too peaceful. With a dreamy sigh, she took one last look at the toasted edge of the bread, and tossed it into the water.