Alixanna had just finished braiding her hair when she first laid eyes on the flower bud. It sprung forth, unhindered by the floorboards, it's still closed bud a vibrant green and shining in the early morning sunlight. It was exactly like all of the fairy tails the brunette had ever heard whispered before bedtime. It was awful.

"Nope," Alixanna muttered to herself, stalking over to her desk. The girl snatched a pail of freshly harvested ginger root and dumped its contents, not flinching as multiple stems rolled onto the floor. Alixanna advanced on the unassuming blossom and placed the bucket over it, effectively concealing it's presence. 
"Better," the girl hummed appreciatively as she admired her handy work. With any luck, her mother wouldn't even notice it.

After she washed her face and tied an apron on over her simple blue dress, Alixanna trudged into the kitchen where her mother was already waiting for her. "Hello my dear," Elora greeted her daughter with a hug. Almost instantly the older woman recoiled and frowned. "You're not wearing a corset."

"Excellent observation," Alixanna replied with a grin, grabbing an apple and taking a seat at the table. Elora crossed her arms and pursed her lips, clearly not amused. "Don't worry mum, I'm decent," the teen answered, the corners of her mouth twitching up to grin wider. 

"Fine," Elora huffed, reaching a hand out to tuck a wayward lock of hair behind Alixanna's ear. "I've set up a meeting for you and the duke's son next week," the older woman spoke hurriedly, excitement glittering in her green eyes.

Alixanna took a bite of her apple and chewed thoughtfully for a moment. "You mean Finnley?" she clarified, her mother nodding viciously before the question had even finished leaving her mouth. "Really? I heard he's got a third nipple."

"It's just a mole!" Elora shrieked, throwing her hands up in exasperation and scowling. "And with all the land his family has, it wouldn't matter if the boy had fifteen extra teats," the woman finished with a grumble.

"Gross," Alixanna said, but there was only humor in her voice. The youth finished her apple and disposed of it properly, before rounding the table again to give her mother a parting hug. "As charming as I think body anomiles are, I'm going to have to pass," the teen informed, causing her mother to groan and bury her face in her hands. "Has Farrest brought us the yarrow from the meadow yet?"

"No, there's some kind of camotion in the mayor's garden. Mrs. Caperthon said something about a yellow deer," Elora said, waving a perfectly manicured hand as if to dismiss the whole situatioin entirley. "She also said the mayor accused Farrest of smelling gods-awful or something like that, but honestly, the woman is eighty three. She told me yesterday that she was growing a potato in her navel."

"Mmm," Alixanna answered, tieing off the laces on her worn out leather boots. "I wouldn't doubt it, Da and I found an acorn in there last time."

Elora looked properly appauled at this new information.

"Alright, I better go get that yarrow. Da needs it for a new salve he's been working on. Bye mum!" Alixanna said, and with a wave farewell, bounded down the stairs and out the front door.