white winter hymnal . sean

[delilah wright]

Few would be surprised to know that New York City isn't the best place to be if you're looking for peace and quiet, and waking as she had every day, to the sound of horns blaring on the busy city streets, Lilah had to wonder if anyone knew this better than she did. It was practically the morning routine; being startled awake by the morning rush of traffic, head throbbing as it always did, and having to forcing herself off the couch of some borrowed home to reluctantly begin another decidedly disappointing day. Every year, millions of people came from all over the world to visit this place, and for the life of her, the young woman could not wrap her head around why.

Central Park was far from perfect, but it was at least far enough out for her to pretend she was somewhere else. Seated on the same bench as always, eyes closed, face angled away from the sun, if she sat still enough she found it was almost as though she wasn't there at all. Another morning ritual, though a much more pleasant one; today would be infuriating as they all were, but for now, she would relax, at least for the hour. Hands wrapped lightly around the cup of tea in her lap, she focused on her breathing; looking on the bright side, she supposed this day couldn't turn out much worse than they always did. If anything, in the moment, she was most frustrated about her tea being too hot to drink.

A group of children could be heard ice skating several yards away, but a quick future sight sent them tumbling over one another like dominoes. For the first time that day, a peaceful smile graced her mouth, a content sigh forming a cloud as it escaped into the cold air.

[SEAN GLAIZE]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=cellspacing,0,true][atrb=cellpadding,0,true][atrb=style,width: 400px; background-color: #333333;] HEAVY GLOW By the way, I tried to say, I'd be there The cold had never bothered him. He thanked his genetics for that, the cool weather was something he enjoyed rather than condemn. While others had to walk around with large coats, he felt much comfortable in something as simple as a shirt. Not that he was in a shirt, in fact, he was wearing a black turtle neck sweater, and padded jeans for the fact that people would find it odd if he went out in summer wear. So here he was, central park, for a day of sketching and keeping quiet. Or at least that was the plan. On his usual seat, was a blonde haired woman. Normally, something like that wouldn't have bothered him one bit, he would have simply run off and found another spot to draw from. But it was her very appearance that had made him stop, eyes going wide as he felt himself go numb as his mind registered one shocking detail. That's Delilah. He couldn't have gotten it wrong. It was her. Those eyes, that hair, he would know them anywhere. He felt almost giddy with excitement. Ever since she had become champion and gained her freedom, it wasn't as though he could watch her anymore. Her fights were something he looked forwards to, an adoration that could be considered 'fanatical'. And at this very moment, he didn't know how it was he should act. It wasn't everyday one got to meet his hero. A sudden bout of shyness, he hesitated. Would it be too daring to go and talk to her? Maybe she wanted to be alone and enjoy her day, would he ruin it my going over to talk? He chewed on his lip as he fiddled with the collar of his sweater, fidgeting where he stood. Before he knew it, he was heading towards her, panic evident on his face as he struggled to form words. "A-Are you Delilah? Del-lilah Wright? I'm sorry, I'm a huge fan." He just made a fool of himself, right?