in bloom [seasonal event!]

Despite Amalia's bristling hesitation, the woman - Rexanna - is unfailing in her strange, flirtatious friendliness. It is a strange thing, to be sure, but the girl has decided it must be harmless- a quick, an accent from the stranger's strange land. She nods again as Rexanna lifts a bag, hoisting her own bundle onto her shoulder before turning to lead the way outside. Amalia let's herself smile as they walk side by side. It is pleasant, perhaps, to have some help. The question gives Amalia pause, and she does not understand the implication, the unasked one behind it. "This will be twenty one," she replies, quietly still amazed by this fact - twenty one years old. Sometimes it feels to the girl that the world stopped when her grandmother died, and she will never be more than the child at her Nani's heels. If her grandmother could see her now, would she be pleased? Amalia does not know. She is afraid to ask. She turns back to the woman, a resolute smile on her face. "Thank you for your help. You should come to the bakery after Long Night, to bake for Fiat Lux. If you would like. You don't have to. Ah..." She trails off lamely, her tan face flushed, not daring to look at Rexanna, and shrugs. amalia i've been watching your kindness keep a lonely company - look at the fire and think of me