Work Text:
A pile of rocks in a section all to themselves from the noise of the wheels that spun Prescripts. Exactly sixty three. Sixty three days since January 1st. Thirty one days of a cold winter month and twenty eight days of a month of love that warmed very few. Four for the days leading up to that very special day. Only one more needing be added to signify March 5th, the Weaver’s birthday. No calendar nor windows allowing for light to come in. No way to see the sun nor moon, unless she climbed all those steps every day to appear to the outside she hasn’t traveled out of since entering the den.
Only companionship being the rats that occasionally visited her. Climbing onto her while she slept on the floor on a poor excuse for a blanket. Curling under her cloak for warmth and hiding in her hair that had only been washed once in a week. Dirty, greasy and the best of condition it could be in.
That very morning waking up to the smell of city smoke that managed its way down to her. Rare occurrence but a welcome one no matter how much it made her cough. Any small new thing whether it be pleasant or painful brought some enjoyment to her life of solitude and monotony.
Moirai covered her mouth as she slowly sat up to not too abruptly disturbed any little rats that decided to roost with her. One being so stubborn as to cling to her dress with both nails and teeth. Distinct black fur patch surrounding his right eye compared to his light gray body. A delightful one who first made her aquience several months ago when he decided to steal part of that famous sandwich she received. Granted, it barely was a sandwich when it reached the bottom of the staircase after being thrown down them but it was a special sandwich no less.
"Hello there Jeremy~ Do you know what day it is?"
Of course, the rat could not answer. Only squirm about as the Weaver's fingers grabbed him by the scruff of the neck. Dangling in front of her while she playfulled chuckled. Bursting up from her spot, twirling around across the floor. Tripping on the seventh full turn and landing onto the calendar rock pile. Jeremy still between her fingers during the playstage like series of actions.
Being set onto her lap so that Moirai could use both her hands to help prop herself up. Groaning slightly from the less then soft fall. From the middle of her thighs to her tailbone had been blessed with pain. Thankfully, cloak and dress prevented the medium sized, yet still sharp enough to dig into flesh, rocks from causing more pain. Regaining herself from the sudden fall to then having a small burst of energy to bring her knees up and hug them. Leaning over so that her face was in between her arms, looking down at the rat that didn’t flee from her movements, seemingly so used to it by now. Messy, dirty hair draping down around a smile that shined of playfulness and glee.
“Someway to start my birthday, huh, Jeremy?”
The rat simply stared up at her, nose only twitching in response. A sigh soon then followed, falling from Moirai’s mouth. Smile dulling like her grayish muted green eyes. Sitting up straight as she picked up Jeremy who didn’t struggle this time around. Placed into her hood that rarely was ever worn. Warm and provided some safety there. Safety from nothing but safety no less. Patting the rat’s head once before standing up from the pile of rocks. Brushing off her black dress that managed to not get ripped or completely worn out from the years she has been there. Or, what the Weaver believed to be years. Days ended when she fell asleep. Falling asleep during an afternoon and resting for thirty minutes was a new day. Never knowing what time it ever truly was. Only guesses from the times she received a meal. If something seemed like a lunch, then it was likely, better described as hopefully, the middle of the day. Etc etc for the rest of the meals.
Moirai took the time to reassembly the small rock pile. Counting everything over again to make sure there with sixty three to which there were. Now all it needed was one more to truly signify the exact date. A special rock the Weaver kept. Right next to her blanket in a small wooden box that was more of a hazard then a safe place to keep things. A white shiny rock. Much more appealing compared to the varying grays of the others. Fingers carefully annoying the splintering wood as they reached into the box. Staring at it before giving a forced smile at it; going right back to a neutral face after.
Kneeling down in what usually was considered the front of the pile. Placing it directly in front of it as well. Surely today was her special day. Her birthday. The day she was set into the City. The very same day she became a Weaver. The same day she could no longer travel outside. The same day some would consider she lost the very little freedom she had.
______________________________________
Nothing happened. Nothing other then what normally happened. Weaving Prescripts. Reading the contents. Sending them off. Repeat till they seemed to stop for a while. It felt like a while. Felt like she had been doing her job for hours. Laying down on her blanket once she removed Jeremy from her hood. He moved slowly once set down on the ground, staying close to Moirai. Not tucking himself under her cloak like normal. Staying just about where she had set him down.
Said Weaver laid in his direction. Not frown but not smiling either yet her expression didn’t look neutral. Couldn’t see it herself so she was blissfully unaware of how poorly her face look in that given moment.
“Today was a nice day…Right~?...........It’s nice to have you around….Gets lonely around here, ya know? Least you can go places…………Fell asleep so soon, huh? And you got to rest all day in my hood too. Must of done your fair share of running about the days you weren’t here then. Well, rest well then~..........Thanks for keeping me company….My only friend I have by my side….Even if you didn’t wish me a happy birthday…Though, can’t talk, can you? What would you sound like? Moirai~~ Happy birthday to you! Great friend and pal ya are! Have a special day!......That doesn’t suit you I think…well, there’s always tomorrow to guess. So good night Jeremy….And a happy birthday to me…”