The next few years flew by. Red and Bo would meet almost every day. It started at the tree they climbed, to the dock. They would talk and play until it was time for Red to do her chores.

Red also never went anywhere without her hood. It became an attachment; An extension of her self. Like a young toddler with a security blanket, she couldn't leave the house without it. Often she would use it to hide her face from the other villagers of Drastaire. Face down, shoulders slumped forward, she would stroll through the village. She became this tiny red blip, that no one reallt bothered to pay attention to. She would wash it each day before bed with Gramma's and her own laundry. It became the one thing she cared about. Besides her forest dwelling friend, it had been the only thing she cared about. 

The years dwindled on and she had turned eleven. She started to notice changes in herself, confusing changes. No one cared enough to give her a breakdown at what her body was preparing for. Her brain started to act differently, and her emotions followed. She didn't dare ask anyone, for she didn't know the proper questions to even ask. Another year went by, in a fog of confusion. She cried when blood started to drip down her legs, and thought she was broken. She didn't understand any of it. Gramma Yayha found her bloodied pants. Red at first, had been completely mortified, as well as terrified. Her light green eyes glistened as she looked up at Yayha. She had no words, but Yayha had plenty.

"Well lookie what I found," there was no condescension in her voice this time.

She tossed the pants at Red's feet. Red slipped her hood further down, her face hiding in fear.

"This is normal, Redalynne. Please take that ridiculous hood off your face and look at me. Your changing into a woman now. The blood means your body is now ready to bare a child. Its normal, nothing to get upset about. It is something you will have to now get used to. Each month you will bleed the same way until your much older."

Red didn't know how to respond so she just nodded back.

"I will have to inform the elders. Its time for you to have a festival of flowereing."

Red had heard about the festival before, but never really understood it. Usually girls her age would celebrate what the elders called a "a great milestone to womanhood." The girl and her future suitor would walk a train hand in hand, then have a dance. Everyone would congratulate the young girl with gifts. For the past four years she never got anything. Nothing on her birthday. Nothing during the first full moon of winter, when the villagers would buy each other gifts and celebrate a new year to come. A day for her, finally. She didn't like the fact that she had to bleed for her to be celebrated, but at least it was something.

"I have a lovely dress for you to wear," said Yayha. For once Gramma had this look of excitement on her, something Red has never harvested from Yayha herself.

Red still didn't know what to think of everything. So many new feelings these past couple years, and now this. Her body, her mind, everything has been so weird, so surreal. Gramma stepped out the door, leaving Red alone standing there with a head full of questions. She wanted to run back to the woods. To confide in Bo, to tell him everything she hasn't been able to tell him for a while now. She didn't even think he would have answers either. Things got strange for her. She started to feel odd things towards him, and always had a hard time bringing it up.

"you are being really weird lately." she remembered him saying not to long ago. "Is it me?

Moments later, the door busted open. In came Yayha followed by Elder Grishina

"Your Gramma has told us that you have flowered, is this correct.

Red acknowledged her with a shrug. Yayha's hand rested casually on her shoulder.

"I apologize. We all know how quiet and reserved my grandaughter is. I believe the confusion isn't helping either. You know how it is, woman to woman. Remember your first time."

Grishina clasped her hands together. "Ah, yes. It's been many years ago, but that is memory a woman never forgets." She bent low and turned towards Red. "My child, has blood seeped from your nether regions."

"I... uh... yes."

"May I have a look for myself?"

A wide eyed Red didn't know what to say. Her gaze met Yayha's and Yayha gave her a curt nod. She glanced back at Grishina mimicking Yayha's previous head notion.

Grishina pulled down Red's pants, making her rather uncomfortable. She knew under her pants were no-no areas for anyone other then herself. What had made the elders so special? Grishina's face got closer, then she stood back up, pulling up Red's pants.

"You have flowered my child. Congratulations. We must make arrangements with Drav's family to come up with a date for the traditional dance. I am sure you have questions. Please stay with the elders tonight. We have much to prepare for. We have much to tell you." She turned towards Yayha. "You may come if you want. Once Baiza passes, you are the next female elder in line. It could prepare you.

Red's heart stopped. She could have used a night away from Gramma's clutches.

"I'm afraid I cannot, said Yayha. Red's heart began to beat again. "Without Red around to help around the house, I will be much too busy."

"I understand," said Grishina. "Soon though. Soon you should come to the womans quarters. I know you have been training, but nothing beats some real life experience. It is recommended. Highly recommended."

"Soon enough, Grishina. There is still other girls waiting to flower. Baiza still has at least a few years on her."

"We will let you know. Come Redalynne. With me now. "

She has never been at the hall of the elders before. Only for spiritual awakenings, and group meditations. Then, she only remained in the front-center hall; in the pews or on the meditation mats. Never has she stepped one foot behind the big green doors that led to the men's and woman's quarters, or to the other many rooms that lied beyond those doors. Usually you had to be an elder. Either that, or be granted an invitation. Drishina opened the large doors with a set of wrinkled hands, and a pool of candlelight seeped through.

A long white rug laid on the wooden floor below, as they entered a narrow hallway. The walls were lined with paintings of all the elders of the past. Each painting had a white taper candle glowing underneath it. The hallway reached on and on, until they came to an open room. In the room were tables adorned with white lace. A large set of curved stairs that led up to a landing stood at the end of the room. Underneath the stairs was another large green door. Grishina made her way up the stairs, and Red followed suit. Once they reached the top Grishina turned towards Red,

"Left of here, is the men's quarters. To the right is the woman's. One day you may grace these very halls, if you choose to follow after your Gramma's footsteps." Grishina continued to walk towards the woman's quarters. "Did you notice those green doors downstairs. That is where we eat our meals. There is also a games room where we play chess, read books, paint, and play cards with the other elders." she spoke as she made her way down a hallway. A few doors remined closed, and at the end one was opened.

"Ladies, I have our guest of honour," spoke Grishina.

The two other female elders, Baiza the oldest at 67, and Veen the youngest at 55 sat at a round table. In the center on the room stood a large painting of Ametia. She had been the first woman elder. The legends say that her and her husband Traff, had started the village just over a hundred years ago.

"Please," said Veen. "Have a seat." She filled up a crystal glass in front of Red with a dark red liquid. "Your a woman now, have a glass of wine."

Red took a small sip. The wine tasted bitter, with an earthy after taste. She gave Veen her thanks, and set the glass back down in front of her.

"It's exciting isn't it," said Veen while gulping down her own wine.

"Easy Veen," warned Baiza. "Moderation is key," she squinted back at Red, fine lines creased around her eyes. "Always remember that. Veen has a habit of forgetting sometimes, and it unpleasant for one to give the same reminders. Now, we have much to talk about, but first we need to clean you up, and give you some rags. Follow me to the wash chamber."

Red listened and followed Elder Baiza into a room with a large tub. Baiza turned the taps, and added a drop of yellow gel.

"I will leave to give you some privacy. Try to wash all the blood off your legs. No one wants to smell your flower. Sure, flowers usually smell lovely, but not a womans flower. Its putrid. Now see these," Baiza showed Red what looked like a petite pair of shorts. "When your flower blooms again, wear these rags under your clothes. Wash it well at the end of the day, and always wash your self. Like I said, the smell is putrid. We can give you three rags. Be sure to clean them regularly, because if you want more they can get rather expensive. They are made of cotton and lined with a thick deer hide. Deer live outside the walls, and I am sure I don't have to tell you how dangerous it is to go out there."

Red washed and scrubbed, but it seemed like more blood just came. She sat in the tub, giving herself time to relax and unwind. She scrubbed her legs once more and got dressed, rags and all. When she was done she gave the door a tiny knock.

"Are we done," asked Baiza from behind the door

"We are done."

"Well now its time to finish your glass of wine, and to learn about the changes you will experience."

Red sat at the table, taking small sips of wine here and there. Veen filled up another glass for her, as the three elders discussed. They talked about hormones, about boys, and about sex. About the dangers of sex, and why the holy one wants us to wait until the night of our wedding. They talked about temptation, about self control. Red listened and sipped. her head started to haze. After the elders found nothing else to talk about they helped an inebriated Red to a bed. She stumbled onto the cushion, and it didn't take long for slumber to creep up on her.