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Post by Palladium on Feb 11, 2006 17:41:27 GMT -5
Palladium awoke with a jolt the next morning. Rubbing his neck wearily, he groaned inwardly when he realized he had fallen asleep on the dining room table. Yes, his muscles was going to give him hell for this.
Standing up, Palladium stretched, attempting to loosen the knots that had formed in his back and neck overnight. As his line of sight swept over the table, he frowned, noticing that the dishes that had littered it the night before were now gone. Noticing a slip of paper where one of the plates had been, Palladium quickly scanned its contents, recognizing Cora's neat cursive handwriting immediately.
Lenwë, See? I told you I would clear the table! When I came back in here last night to do just that, you were sound asleep. I tried to wake you, but it was useless - you're much too deep of a sleeper, you know. But don't hate me now that you have a backache - I really did try to wake you. Okay, okay, I'm done joking.
Anyhow, Flora's mother returned fairly late last night. I made her a bit of the leftover dinner and then showed her to her temporary bedroom. I think she and Flora settled in rather nicely, so I wouldn't worry about them too much. As for me, I'm heading back to my parent's home now, but I shall visit you tomorrow morning - well, I suppose by the time you read it, it'll be tomorrow . . . in any event, I'll see you soon.
Love, Cora
P.S. I'm sorry about how I acted last night; it had just been a long day and I was exhausted. I didn't mean to be so short with you; my apologies, old friend.
Smiling at Cora's thoughtfulness, Palladium put the letter back down on the table and then strolled into the living room, wondering whether Flora and her mother were already awake.
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Post by Demeter on Feb 11, 2006 17:48:31 GMT -5
Flora was still sound asleep in the bed, finding it far more comfortable then she had imagined. She snuggled closer in the bed and didn't feel like leaving it any time soon. ~ Wysteria sighed quietly and sipped her cup of very strong herbal tea. She was a bit uneasy about staying with Palladium - only because he was unmarried and Flora was unmarried and of marrying age. It was a small nightmare waiting to happen.
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Post by Palladium on Feb 11, 2006 18:02:32 GMT -5
Stepping outside, Palladium breathed in deeply, enjoying the feel and fragrance of the cool morning air. Casting his eyes upward, he estimated, based on the faint pink color of the sky, that it was nearing six o'clock in the morning.
His hands in his pocket and his right shoulder leaning against the frame of the front door, Palladium's thoughts began to seep into the foreground of his mind. He knew that Wysteria liked him well enough, but he could sense that she was also wary of him. And of course, that wariness was only heightened by the fact that they were living together, although only temporarily. It wouldn't have been quite so bad if he had been married, but because he was not married and because Flora was of marrying age, it changed the dynamic of the situation. It made things sensitive. He knew that he couldn't do anything that could be interpreted as disreputable; he'd have to be extra careful. The last thing he needed was to find out that he had compromised Flora's reputation.
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Post by Demeter on Feb 11, 2006 18:09:42 GMT -5
: Wysteria only hoped that this temporary living arrangement wouldn't be reputation shattering for her daughter - nor cause the other mothers to hint that because she had let Flora stay with an unmarried man that Flora would have to marry said man to keep her reputation pure. She only hoped that Palladium would do the right thing.
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Post by Palladium on Feb 11, 2006 18:26:14 GMT -5
Noticing a figure walking up the path to the house, Palladium took a few steps forward to see who it was. After a moment, he was able to distinguish that the visitor carried a basket of flowers. Knowing then that the visitor was Cora, as she always brought fresh flowers when she visited, Palladium raised his hand in greeting. As she finally reached the porch, Cora smiled and said cheerily, "Good morning." Impishly, she added, "I trust you slept well?" Palladium grinned, and jokingly replied, "I slept as soundly as a newborn. The best night of sleep in my life." Plucking a flower out of her bouquet, Cora lightly slapped Palladium's wrist. "Oh stop teasing me, Lenwë and tell me about your night. Any trouble?" "No, no trouble. I didn't even hear Mrs. Gallowglass come in last night, she was so quiet - or, I should say, you both were so quiet." Pausing, he added somewhat awkwardly, "Thank you for staying until Flora's mother arrived-" "Of course," Cora interjected smoothly. "I couldn't very well have left Flora alone with you; that would have ruined her reputation. And goodness knows what kinds of consequences that would result in." Tucking a strand of hair behind her ear she shook her head as though the thought was beyond comprehension, "You probably would have had to marry her to save her reputation - although you would have gotten nothing more than a few disapproving looks as you are fortunate enough to be male."
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Post by Demeter on Feb 11, 2006 19:34:47 GMT -5
That was exactly what Wysteria was afraid of - the damaging of her daughter's reputation. She sighed quietly - hoping to learn that her daughter's condition would improve. Hopefully, Rowen wouldn't hear about this because he'd be quick to assume the worst and demand that the good professor marry his daughter to restore her honor and reputation. ~ Flora stirred and climbed out of bed. Her hand sought out a brush to give her hair a quick brush to get the sleep knots out. She yawned and made her way careful to the dining room and sat down, wanting to collect her thoughts before breakfast.
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Post by Palladium on Feb 11, 2006 19:50:53 GMT -5
Deciding to change the subject, Palladium asked, "Have you sent that letter detailing Flora's condition to your father yet?" Cora nodded, "Yes, I sent it this morning and I expect it will reach him by the end of the day. He will probably write back tonight to just let us know that he received the letter, but it could take who's knows how long before he can find something, a spell, a potion, or whatever else might work, to restore Flora's sight. We can only hope for the best; I mean, you and I both know that this might even be beyond my father's knowledge. And if that's the case . . . I'm afraid I won't be able to be much more help to Flora. And frankly, neither will you." Palladium frowned, not wanting to hear the truth, but knowing that he had to. "Flora and her mother will be crushed if they find out that she can't be helped." Rubbing his chin, Palladium shook his head. "I suppose all we can do now is to hope that your father works quickly and can find a solution before too much more time has passed." Holding the door open, Palladium gestured for Cora to enter. "It's quite chilly out here; perhaps we should go inside now." As Cora walked into the house, he asked, "Have you had breakfast yet?" When Cora shook her head no, Palladium smiled. "Okay then. Breakfast it is." Entering the house himself, Palladium added, "I think I'm going to go ask if Mrs. Gallowglass would care for some breakfast. I'll be right back." Walking down the hall toward his old bedroom, Palladium lightly tapped on the door, "Mrs. Gallowglass? I am about to make breakfast for myself and Cora, and I was wondering if you and Flora cared to join us?"
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Post by Demeter on Feb 11, 2006 19:56:33 GMT -5
Wysteria's voice answered from the living room. "Give me a moment to figure out where the dining room is - I'm over in the living room and I'm quite lost."
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Post by Palladium on Feb 11, 2006 20:05:39 GMT -5
Palladium laughed quietly, "Stay where you are, Mrs. Gallowglass; I'll come find you."
After a few moments, Palladium entered the living room and smiled. "There you are." Pausing for a moment, he then asked, "Is Flora not with you? I hope she wasn't still sleeping when I knocked on your door to fetch you for breakfast. If so, I am afraid I must have woken her."
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Post by Demeter on Feb 12, 2006 7:44:26 GMT -5
: "Flora's a sound sleeper. She probably didn't even hear your knock," Wysteria said. "She's been through a lot as well. She'll wake up when she's good and ready." She sighed quietly. She carefully hid her concern for her daughter's reputation behind a cheerful mask.
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Post by Palladium on Feb 12, 2006 12:46:37 GMT -5
Knowing that Mrs. Gallowglass was not in cheerful spirits as she outwardly appeared, Palladium frowned. It was as he had thought: she was worried that he was compromising her daughter's reputation. Desiring to avoid that touchy subject, Palladium put on a bright smile and asked instead, "How was your walk last night? You were gone for quite some time that Cora and I had begun to worry."
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Post by Demeter on Feb 12, 2006 13:22:59 GMT -5
"It was well, thank you," she said quietly. "I spent most of it lost in thought. I am worried about Flora and I am worried about Rowen. I haven't heard from him since he left for his recent painting trip - I got one letter saying he was in Eraklyon and that was it."
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Post by Palladium on Feb 12, 2006 14:17:46 GMT -5
"Did your husband say where he will be staying in Eraklyon? If so, perhaps you can write him and -" Palladium frowned, a new realization dawning on his face. Tentatively, he asked, "Is your husband aware of Flora's condition?" Remembering that he had not seen Mrs. Gallowglass's husband during his brief stay in Linphea, Palladium began to feel slightly ill. The reason why Flora's mother must be so concerned about her daughter's reputation was that her husband, Mr. Gallowglass, had no idea that his wife and daughter were staying without adequate supervision with an unmarried man. Flatly Palladium asked, "Does your husband even know you are not in Linphea?"
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Post by Demeter on Feb 12, 2006 14:32:35 GMT -5
OOC: ::shakes a fist:: : "Yes, he knows she's blind," she said quietly. "No, I don't know where he is in Eraklyon. And probably not. He hasn't responded to any of my letters."
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Post by Palladium on Feb 12, 2006 14:43:07 GMT -5
Mildly curious why Flora's father would not return to his family at once upon learning of his daughter's condition, Palladium decided it best to keep such thoughts to himself as it was not his business. Nodding slightly, Palladium replied somewhat lamely, "Well, perhaps he will find a way to contact you soon."
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