In Search of a Cure

[Demeter]

"My parents wouldn't," Flora said. "But my aunts and uncles would. They think he'd be a fine match because he owns a large farm. They ignore the fact that he's been wed twice and both ladies died after giving birth." She shuddered again. "If my parents leave and I have to stay with my relatives, then I'll have no choice."

[Palladium]

"Why wouldn't your parents take you along on the trip?" Palladium asked, feeling his temper flare up at the thought of an innocent girl like Flora married off to some lecherous man.

[Demeter]

"Because Father wants the trip to happen this year and term just started," Flora said. She reached for her glass and nearly knocked it over. She closed her eyes tighter and tried not to cry from sheer embarrassment.

[Palladium]

"Clearly I am missing something then," Palladium replied. "Why would it not be possible for you to remain at Alfea while your parents travel? I must say, I simply fail to see how it would be impossible for you to remain at school; after all, you'll still be in one realm and they in another - that realm just wouldn't be Linphea. But does it make that much of a difference whether they are in Linphea or say, Tecna's home realm, the Third Vector of the Binary Galaxy?"

[Demeter]

"Mother sent a message to Father and Father thinks I'll be better off at a school that's better equipped for someone who can't see," she said, sounding more then a tad bitter. "Father's protective."

[Palladium]

Palladium frowned as he replied, "Have you expressed your concerns to your parents? After all, I should hardly think that you could be married off by your relatives without at least your parents' consent. And if by chance, I am wrong and you indeed can be married off, I am sure that there are other schools you can attend that are not too close to your overly zealous aunts and uncles."

[Demeter]

"Father's off on a painting trip so telling him is next to impossible. Mother is ready to kill my relatives. I think she threatened to turn several into roses if they ever darken the doorstep of the shop or house," Flora said, trying to make a slight joke but it fell flat. She looked up at him, her sightless green eyes holding his (at least in theory). "I just don't know what school I could attend outside of Alfea. I'd hate to leave..."

[Cora]

"Believe it or not, but I know how you feel," Cora said with a smile. "When I was a young girl, I used to live with my father in the the royal palace. You see, in his day, my father was a renowned scholar and the King wanted his children to be tutored only by the best. So he called upon my father for the job of royal tutor - my father agreed on the condition that my mother and I would be allowed to come live with him in the palace. My family lived there for several years until Lenwë's father fell ill . . . anyhow, to make a long story short, we came to look after Mr. Palladium and so, we had to leave the palace. I had many friends in the palace who I did not want to leave, but I had to because it was necessary. Perhaps it too is necessary for you to leave Alfea, even if you do not wish to right now."

Cora looked at Palladium, her eyes dancing, "Who knows, Flora, perhaps you'll even be as lucky as I was and meet someone you otherwise never would have met - if I hadn't left the palace I probably never would have met Lenwë, something I can't even begin to imagine now."

[Demeter]

"Perhaps," Flora said quietly, mulling over what the elfin maid had told her. It was something she had to think on - that and learning how to pick up a glass without knocking it over. She held her tongue as she could feel the contents of her glass end up in her lap. "I'm sorry," she breathed, her cheeks a rich crimson.

[Cora]

"It's quite all right," Cora replied, not wanting to make a big deal out of Flora's accident. "Here, why don't I go get you a towel to help clean up that water." Standing up, Cora walked toward the kitchen, calling over her shoulder, "I'll be back in a minute."

[Demeter]

"Thank you," she breathed to Cora. Oh, she really felt so horribly embarrassed and wished the ground would just swallow her up - not that it would. The ground was far more sensible - that and the house kept the ground at bay. Tears threatened to form and fall, and it took everything in her power to keep from crying.

[Palladium]

As they sat in silence after Cora had left the room, Palladium felt at a loss for words. At this moment, he highly doubted he could do much to comfort her, but perhaps it was worth a try . . .

"Do not give up hope yet, Flora. If things work according to the plan, you will not have to leave Alfea and your friends." Standing up, Palladium moved over to one of the giant paintings hanging on the wall, his back now to Flora. "Earlier this evening when Cora was 'lying down' she was actually writing a letter to her father explaining your situation. While I cannot say whether or not Mr. Tselios will actually return to Athryell, I know he will in the very least write back to tell us all he knows. I expect a reply within the week." Turning his head slightly, he spoke quietly, "Cora's father is an extremely learned man; I do not doubt that he will be able to shed some light on this situation . . . so please, I ask you, do not give up hope."

[Demeter]

"I'll try not to," Flora whispered quietly. "So, hopefully only one to two weeks more of this? I think I can deal with that," she added in a hopeful whisper. She couldn't bare it if this was for forever.

[Palladium]

Returning to his seat at the table, Palladium smiled encouragingly, even though he knew that the gesture would be lost on Flora. "Yes, if all goes as planned -" Seeing Cora reenter the room with a towel, Palladium left the latter part of his sentence unspoken.

[Demeter]

"I guess I never realized how much of a gift it is to see until it was taken away from me," Flora said quietly. "I miss being able to see people smile, see the sun rise and set, miss seeing my flowers." An unspoken I miss seeing you hung in the air. "I can tell you one thing, I'll never take the gift of sight for granted again."