In Search of a Cure

[Palladium]

From the mirror that Flora held in her hand, Palladium stared out at his home, feeling his spirits lift immensely. It was good to be back, to see all the familiar things, to know that in a little while he'd be back in the company of his dearest friend.

Staring ahead of him, Palladium smiled; there was the hill and the enormous cherry blossom tree. It was some ways off yet, but the path to it would be an easy one, which brought him great relief. After all, the last thing Flora needed was to have a difficult journey given her handicap.

Clearing his throat, Palladium announced unnecessarily, "Well, we're here." However, despite his happiness at returning to the one place he loved more than all others, Palladium felt a fear grow in his chest. This was it; this was when they'd learn what could be done about Flora's condition. Palladium couldn't lie - he had his doubts about how this whole fiasco would turn out in the end.

[Demeter]

: "It's prettier then I remembered," Wysteria said quietly. She gently took her daughter's arm and guided her along the path. She, too, shared the professor's fear about what could happen if Flora's condition couldn't be treated.

Flora said nothing as she attempted to get her bearings. Being without sight made things increasingly difficult. She had almost told her mother to go without her, but in the end, decided that she should go.

[Cora]

On the hill, Cora sat beneath the cherry blossom tree, her thoughts idly wandering from the book on her lap to the feel of the breeze ruffling her hair, which she had released from a painful coiffure a few moments earlier.

For some reason, today she couldn't keep her focus. Usually, she was able to immerse herself into a book and block out the world, but today . . . there was just something different about today. Closing her book and rising to her feet, Cora gently rested her hands against her hips. Nodding her head imperceptibly, she smiled faintly. Something was going to happen today.

[Demeter]

: "Looks someone's at the tree, Professor," Wysteria said quietly. "Do you think it could be your friend?"

A small look of pain flitted across Flora's face - and was gone before either Professor or her mother could see it. "I'm not sure I want to do this," she said quietly. "What if she laughs because I was a fool and used that spell?"

[Palladium]

Palladium nodded at Wysteria's question, a smile slowly making its way across his face, "Yes, yes, I do believe that is Cora."

Hearing Flora's doubts, Palladium shook his head, "You have nothing to ashamed of and nothing to fear. I know Cora very well, and thus, I know that she is not one to mock or judge." Pausing he said quietly, "She is a good-soul, as you are Flora; I believe you'll find her company quite enjoyable."

[Demeter]

: "Well, let's go meet her," Wysteria said quietly. She was quite confused by her daughter's reluctance to go meet her professor's friend. She sent a worried glance in Palladium's direction.

Flora was quite uneasy about meeting the professor's sweetheart. She didn't want the other elf to realize that she herself was in love with the professor. She could just see Cora refusing to help if she knew.

[Palladium]

Palladium met Wysteria's concerned glance with one of his own. Flora's reluctance baffled him; this was her chance to get her vision back and yet she barely seemed as though she wanted to be there? Shaking his head slightly, Palladium frowned; he couldn't understand it.

Looking back at Wysteria, Palladium cleared his throat, "Yes, let's go." After a pause he added to fill the silence, "It shouldn't take much longer for us to reach her."

[Demeter]

: Wysteria continued to help her daughter walk up the path, all the while wondering if there was something going on between her daughter, the professor and why Flora was so reluctant to meet the professor's friend. She'd have to talk to him later.

[Palladium]

Sensing that Wysteria was thinking about him, Palladium reddened, wondering if Flora had told her mother what had taken place between them at the beginning of the school year.

Trying to take his mind off of that disconcerting thought, Palladium's mind wandered back to Flora's reluctance at being here in Athryell. Furrowing his brow, Palladium tried to come to come feasible conclusion - and then it hit him. Cora.

Lifting his eyes to the small figure on the hill, Palladium briefly closed his eyes, wondering how he had missed it. Flora was jealous of Cora.

Before he could continue this train of thought, he heard a feminine voice greet them - Cora's voice.

[Demeter]

OOC: about time he figured it out XD And not so much jealous - as worried about Cora being angry with Flora for trying to "steal" him

: "Well, looks like she's seen us," Wysteria said. "I hope she's as friendly as she appears to be." She held her daughter's arm and gently guided Flora in the direction of Cora.

[Cora]

Cora stood by the cherry blossom tree, her hands clasped in front of her. Bowing slightly, she greeted the pair approaching her quietly, "Welcome again to Athryell."

The moment she had looked at the faces of the two women, Cora knew. The memory of that day, the day when she had found a little lost girl in the fields west of the hill, came reeling back and Cora knew then that Lenwë had been right when he had told her that that day was significant. After all, the proof was standing right before her face - that little lost girl from so many years ago, though now much older, was standing right before her face.

[Demeter]

: "It's a pleasure to meet you again," Wysteria said quietly. "Professor Palladium said you could help us." Her grip tighted on her daughter's arm. She wordlessly turned the compact around so Cora could see the man in the mirror.

[Cora]

Cora's hand flew to her mouth as she looked at her friend in shock. After a moment, Cora slowly reached out to take the compact from Wysteria, her hand shaking slightly. Her gaze meeting Palladium's, she whispered, "Oh, Lenwë, what have you gotten yourself into?"

After a few moments, Cora gave her friend a small smile, her shock at seeing Palladium in a mirror waning. Slowly, her voice took on a lighter tone as she added, "And I suppose you wish me to free you, hmm?"

[Demeter]

Flora nodded. "Please," she asked quietly. "He doesn't deserve to be in there."

[Palladium]

"Yes, it would be much appreciated, Cora . . . however, there are other things, as well," Palladium replied quietly. "You see, I need you not only to help me . . . but to help one of my students - Flora." Frowning, he continued, "To make the matter short, she accidentally cast a spell that left her blind. I need to know if you know of a way, or at least, can find one, to restore her vision."