Chapter Text
It was a rather reverent morning that graced the window panes of the priestess temple; each ray of sunlight that entered had pooled the floors of the shrine and illuminating the start of an eventful, yet busy day. Many bustling priestess-in-training were preparing for the long day. The ambience of soft footsteps filled the hallways as young trainers made their way forth towards the room the lesson were to be held in, a lull bell chiming over them in accordance to their set schedule. All of them were dressed in proper attire; their hats were affixed on their heads almost perfectly and their expressions dormant.
After all, it was dignified countenance to befit a proper ceremonial here at the santacy.
Although their attendance was evaluated under a great extent, there was one priestess that remained in her room, still and unaffected by the salient oration that was about to take place. Her crimson hair lie tussled on her pillow, where her window gleamed shafts of the sun across her sable skin, causing her to blink away any light that seeped through her eyelids. Slowly sitting up, a dull pain nestled in her throat, inciting her lungs to cough up a persistent itch that rested there. As she sat with exasperation, the young priestess sighed before she decided to lie back in her bed, wincing at the dull sensation that reached her throat.
Yes, this priestess had came down with a common cold due to the abrupt weather change.
Her name Leorina, she began to groan in her bed. Dreary, lidded eyes were crunchy, containing remnants of sleep from the night prior. Her nose leaked profusely, causing her to sniffle more times than enough and upturning her nose to a scrunch in an attempt to lessen the harsh drivel. The young priestess slowly exhaled, before a cough emitted from her lungs in a hacking manner, eyes watering to keep out any potential debris or pollen that may have seeped in the room. After another bout of coughs, the room fell silent momentarily before Leorina groaned again, this time loudly, in an almost guttural manner, though somewhat nasal from her usual lower pitched voice.
Such misery fell on absent ears. The ebony priestess measly reached up to pull the pillow that was beside her head, gripping onto it in frustration.
Thinking ahead of her day only made Leorina squeeze her eyes shut, ultimately coming to forbearance with attending her duties. After all, she did not want to receive a lecture the next day, which the young priestess was sure she would have to sit through in a sniveling turmoil from the High Priestess. Leorina slowly released her grip on the pillow once she felt the sharp pain dull into subtlety, and she risen herself with the help of her arms adjacent of her body for assistance. She sighed in defeat and dragged her legs to the side of her bed, angrily planting her feet on the floor. Leorina shakily got up to approach her dresser to retrieve her attire in order to change out of the gown worn overnight.
In a staggering stumble, she walked to her personal bathroom before closing the door behind herself.
Minutes later, pampered of a shower and tissues bunched in her pocket to aid her current conundrum, Leorina stepped out of the bathroom, now donned in her priestess gown. Despite other priestesses exposing their tails, she concealed it with handiwork to prevent further staring and embarrassment. It was enough that peers looked down upon her for having independent beliefs and expression, and it was quite grating to communicate with them as she often sensed condescension in their tone. After all, Leorina despised when such peers stared at her far too long, though there has been a few exceptions from someone she got along with incredibly well, for a priestess-in-training.
Truthfully, Leorina deplored residing in the temple, but knew that there was no other place for her to shelter. At some point, she would have to make a living, far from the restrictions and tedious rules to abide and live on her own means; Leorina thought there was truly no meaning behind the becoming of a priestess, as she felt it was dull and superfluous to live a lifestyle that sheltered her away from the wonders of what the world may bring her. Not only that, but she downright refused to be prestigious above others because of a measly ranking. Perhaps, the wayward acolyte thought to herself, she will ask her only friend at the temple accompany her.
Leorina began to adjust the hat on her head before yet another itch to her nose emerged from the crevices of her nostrils. Her eyes began to trickle with water, and her chest slowly came to a dry heave. Despite this, there was an annoyed scowl that began to intrude her lips.