The day was like any other. Blue skies, not a cloud to be seen, beautiful weather. This could only hint at the time that summer was at it's peak of the season. Many people were out shopping, or just taking in the day by going out for a stroll.
It was a special time during these months in Europe. Not special for most, but certainly something to be mentioned in the future as infamous history. The time of the witch hunts. Many woman accused to be witches burned at the stake despite their innocence.
The guillotine was also in use around the same time. Not as frequently used, though. But it was still ready if needed.
But as of late, the people of France went a good many weeks without such incident. So the markets were peaceful with laughter and talk of gossip. Even though everything seemed fine and merry now, things could always still pop up.
A young man of a high class family helped work the shop of his relatives. A tall man, with shoulder length blonde hair and a light stubble covered his chin. Blue eyes that seemed to turn lighter in the sunlight. Many woman of his town admired him. But none were any that came to his liking. It didn't mean he didn't take time to talk and flirt with them to make them happy at least, though.
The Frenchman had friend of German blood. He was particularly in good spirits since his friend decided to visit for a couple weeks, bringing along his younger brother and sister. It was only a week since their arrival, but there was something about his friend's sister that he ended up admiring. Perhaps the first spark of a new love.
The blonde called back into the shop as he walked out for a break. "I shall be back later. Merci again!" And with that, he made his way to the center of the town. With it being another clear day with the sun shining brightly, it was very busy. It was a wonder that he was even able to find the one he was in search for. At the same time, though, she wasn't that hard to find.
Like her brother, the young girl had a unique color of hair. It was a light silver, not anywhere near the color of an elder's gray. Just past shoulder length, it barely touched her as the breeze drifted through it. The Frenchman didn't have much trouble finding her. She was tall enough to stand out from the rest of the woman who passed by that were shorter.
"Maria!" The blonde called out once he spotted her. He couldn't help but smile as he approached. In response, the silverette he called out for looked up, her pale blue eyes like ice seemed to warm up as he came.
"Francis. It's nice to see you this morning," Maria gave a light blush as Francis bowed, taking her hand in his and lightly kissed the back of it. But her expression seemed to stay the same.
"Sadly this morning isn't as fair as you, cheri," Francis chuckled, releasing her hand and straightening from his bow. "I would like to thank you for meeting me here today."
"I didn't have much to do anyway, but I'm pleased that I was able to make it," Maria replied with a nod. Francis knew of her shy personality and hard to break outer shell. He was told many things of his friend's brother and sister. It was the sister that tended to intrigue him the most. And now that he finally met her, he could tell that some things she says can translate to something more. For instance, even if Maria did have things to do, Francis somehow knew that she would find a way to make it in the end.
Being sidetracked by his thoughts, Francis almost didn't notice the questionable look Maria was giving him. Then again, he was staring at her while lost in thought. Looking away quickly, he covered his cheeks that were starting to turn red. "W-well then...! Shall we take a walk, cheri?"
Maria nodded, hesitantly taking the offered arm of the Frenchman without a word. Off they went, strolling through town together. Francis simply smiling to himself. It was quiet between the two, but he was still happy. His friend would never be able to believe the things he was able to open his own sister up to.
After walking around the market and looking at merchandise, Francis and Maria found a less busier section of town and decided to take a rest there. It was still busy, but not to the point where you could feel claustrophobic.
Francis wiped his brow as he looked at Maria. "It's starting to get quite hot out now adays, wouldn't you agree?" He was replied to with a quiet nod once again. He stared at her for a moment. Just as he was about to speak again, the meow of a cat broke the silence between them first.
Sitting at their feet was a black cat with bright eyes. The cat looked up at the two and meowed again. "A stray?" Francis pondered aloud.
"It seems like it," Maria said, picking up the cat and cradling it in her arms. Francis watched in awe as he experienced seeing Maria's expression go from distant to warm as she cared for the cat.
More silence filled the air between them before someone said something again.
"I know what you're thinking," Maria started, somewhat startling the blonde next to her. She sighed, a slight chuckle escaped from her, yet it wasn't from any positive emotion. "I'll admit that... I really don't like many people. But you're..." She trailed off. Her gaze never left the cat as she petted it, getting loving purrs in response.
Wanting to reply, Francis lost his chance again. The cat's ears perked up and slipped into a defense mode. Jumping from Maria's arms, the cat dashed away into the crowd, one that appeared to be closing in on the two.
"Francis..." Maria started, looking at him. "What's-"
"WITCH!" An elder man in the crowd screamed. His finger pointed right at Maria.
Black cats were considered bad luck and a favored partner to witches. And with Maria's silver hair, it only made her more of a 'suspect'. Francis gasped and looked at Maria in fear, scared for her fate. A look of worry passed over her face as her eyes locked on with Francis's. At that instant, they both knew the outcome.
Grabbing Maria's hand, Francis tried to run away with her through an open spot between the crowd and the wall. But it was too late.
Maria was grabbed by several people from the crowd and was torn away from Francis. "MARIA!" He screamed, trying to chase them down to get her back. "FRANCIS!" Maria screamed. Fear and worry was laced in her voice.
He tried, he really tried, but all Francis managed to do was get pushed back by the other townspeople who were starting to gather for a show.
A show at the stake.
"Gilbert! Ludwig!" Francis called out, scrambling through the crowd, hoping to find his friend his brother within it. A cold sweat broke out as he remembered that they both were going to be out of town for the day while he was with their sister. "Mon dieu, non..." He whispered, the sound of Maria's protests reaching his ears louder than the crowd's chants and cheers.
Pushing through the crowd once again, he tried to make his way to the center where the stake was. He still had some time while a speech was given in accusing the captured as a witch.
"I'm not a witch, verdammt!" Maria screamed in protest as she was tied down. Curses in German and other phrases were yelled at the ones who captured her. Once again, was not a good sign for her. Since the town was small and only spoke French, they didn't know much of the other foreign languages. So in response to her yelling, they accused it as a witch's spell or hex she was performing. Even after realizing this, Maria still wouldn't stop resisting.
"Here on this day of the 14th of August," a chairman of the town started. As he continued on with his speech, Francis was making his way closing and closer to the center. He had to make it if he wanted to save Maria. If only everyone wasn't so packed closely together he would be able to move faster.
Everyone was silent beside the man who was currently speaking. But to Francis, he heard nothing. His only focus was on Maria, who could finally see him. They're eyes locked on each other, both with hope that things will turn out good. But that hope was quickly washed away by a cheer of the crowd. He was too late.
"And now!" The chairman said, holding a lit torch high for almost everyone to see.
"NON." Francis screamed, finally making his way to the front. But just as he feared, he was frozen in his tracks as he was forced to watch the torch fall onto the logs below Maria.
Time seemed to freeze all together as he looked at Maria. Her face was tearless. Until the fire below her started. She showed now fear, she was quiet now, but a single tear ended up escaping from her eye.
Everything returned to speed in Francis's eyes after that. And it didn't take long for the fire to consume her completely. His heart seemed to break completely having to hear her painful screams. Another scream broke out from the crowd. Not of cheering. But of plain agony from internal pain. Francis collapsed to the ground, Maria's screams ringing in his ears as the rest of the crowd's voices fades away from him. "M-Maria... MARIA NOOOOON." He screamed himself. Tears rolled endlessly down his cheeks as the world around him faded to darkness.
The Frenchman awoke in the morning clutching his chest, a cold sweat covering him. His breath staggered trying to regain himself. "A... A reve? Non... A cauchemaur..."
After getting himself ready, Francis left his house and was on his way to the shop. A wave of déjà vu passed over him. The day was August 14th. He was in good spirits on this day since he was going to meet with his friend's sister later in the morning. He really did come to taking a liking to her. Enough so that it was a spark of a new love now.
If only he knew her continuous fate when he fell.
