we were so beautifulwe were so tragic
It was so... strange.
Being in a city like Sacrosanct was like being in a different universe, one she couldn't have ever imagined on her own and one she knew she'd have trouble describing to... well, anyone, if she could ever find the right words to describe it at all. Shelby had felt... alive as she walked down the streets, almost electrified in some way as the city's energy completely overwhelmed her. It was like being pulled in twenty different directions all over different parts of her body; her mind wandered one way while something else was busy tingling in her arms, a drop in her stomach followed by a flutter in her chest. Her feet couldn't stop spinning her from one direction to another while her eyes took in the absolute eye-candy that was downtown Sacrosanct. If only she had known that places outside home felt like this sooner, well, henh. She'd have been gone ages ago.
It was weird to have a realization that life-changing in the middle of a bakery, but the longer the rainbow haired girl stared at all the different kinds of assortments displayed in the glass cases it suddenly hit her: how they had nothing that could even remotely compare to this back home â€" and she wasn't just talking about the bakery. It was the people. The energy. The individual identity of every shop, of every house, of every single thing in this city which breathed a freedom Shelby just wasn't accustomed to. Back home there were guidelines and expectations, a mold to follow which she just didn't fit into. Still, even from her very short time in Sacrosanct Shelby knew that no such expectations were placed on the people who called this city their home. This place wouldn't feel this magical if there were.
She shifted slightly in place, her mind idly following the train of revelation in her thoughts as she turned back to momentarily stare out the doorway of the little bakery-café, back towards the bustling of life she was not for a second done exploring. It must have been the noon-time lull that allotted Shelby the time of reflection without the pressure of prying eyes from behind the counter or the impatient huffs of those behind her as she perused the glass cases at leisure. Truth be told she didn't know what she wanted, or if she was even hungry. Breads. Desserts. Pastries. There were at least five variations of everything, and perhaps it was that simple fact alone that had made such an impact on her.
Her multi-colored hair reflected back on the glass as she inspected the goodies on the other side, her hands clasped loosely behind her back, dawned with varying charms and bracelets that jingled as she shuffled sideways down the display. It smelled faintly of coffee, and for one brief little moment, there was an unexpected ache in her chest at the memories those smells brought back. Her sister loved coffee, and despite the fact that it was often a pain to drag her out and do anything fun, the smallest simper of a smile touched Shelby's lips as her eyes landed one dark square of chocolate she knew Mani would have immediately caved for. Coffee and chocolate.
Maybe she'd simply have to enjoy it on her sister's behalf.
s h e l b yh u m a n . t w e n t y - s e v e n . g r a n d . 
