In Search of a Cure

[Cora]

Cora burst into laughter, her face lighting up with mirth. "Well, that would be one way to solve that problem!" she exclaimed, wiping her eyes lightly with her index finger.

[Demeter]

"It was one of the few projects I worked on during the summer before my first year at Alfea. I was into breeding plants and seeing what I could come up with," Flora admitted softly.

[Cora]

"Was?" Cora asked quizzically. "Do you not care for breeding plants anymore?" Pausing for a moment, she then continued, "Surely, your interests couldn't have changed in just a year's time."

[Demeter]

"Actually, I still breed - just nothing as violent as that one. I'm trying my hand at roses, but it's just not the same as Athryell's roses."

[Cora]

Reaching the bedroom, Cora announced, "And here we are. I am afraid that it might be a bit cramped as this was Lenwë's old room and he had the tendency to collect quite a few books. And, of course, he stored them all in here. When he accepted the teaching position at Alfea he obviously couldn't take them all with him, so here they have remained. None of them have collected dust, though, because Lenwë's father keeps them meticulously clean because he knows how much they mean to Lenwë. "

[Demeter]

"Just as long as they're on shelves and not on the floor," Flora said. "I love books but I don't want to fall on my face because of them." She laughed quietly.

[Cora]

Pushing open the door, Cora replied, "I wouldn't worry about the books being on the floor, because, after all, Lenwë's father is always in here and running about the house and he is blind himself. And even though Mr. Palladium has had time to make a mental picture of where everything is in his house, that doesn't mean that he won't trip over a book if it's on the ground. So, just to make things easier on himself, he keeps everything off the floor."

Guiding Flora into the room, Cora continued, "There isn't much in Lenwë's room besides the bed, a nightstand, his bookshelves, and a chest of drawers. Hopefully it will be comfortable enough in here for you, though." Going to the closet, Cora lifted a thick blanket off the top shelf and handed it to Flora. "You'll need this because nights in Athryell can be especially chilly. It doesn't seem that way right now, but trust me, in the middle of the night you'll be glad to have the extra warmth."

Glancing around the room a last time, Cora smiled warmly. "Well, I think that's about it, Flora. You should be set for the night, unless you can think of something else you need?"

[Demeter]

Flora blushed a bit. "Um... pjs?" she ventured, feeling slightly embarrassed. "If he has an old shirt that I could use, that'd be great." She was blushing several shades of crimson. She held the blanket close to her and savored the soft feel of the quilt.

[Cora]

"Oh," Cora replied, laughing softly, "how silly of me to forget that you'll need nightwear! But I can get you set up in something better than just a shirt because I'm sure that Lenwë's sister left some of her old clothes behind when she got married and moved out a while back. Let me go see if I can go dig something up for you, all right?"

Walking across the hall to Lenwë's sister's old room, Cora flicked on a light and headed toward the closet. Pulling open the doors, she ran her hand over the few garments that remained in the wardrobe. Her eyes settling on a lavender silk knee-length nightgown, Cora nodded to herself. Perfect.

"Here you go, Flora," Cora replied as she reentered the room. Handing her the garment, she added, with a smile, "Perhaps you'll find this more to your liking."

[Demeter]

Flora's hands felt the material and her sightless eyes widened. Silk. Oh, she loved the feel of it but knew her family could never afford it. "Thank you," she whispered. She'd wait til Cora left to put it on - she was easily embarrassed.

[Cora]

Not wanting to embarrass Flora or hurt her pride, but also not wanting her to end up hurting herself, Cora asked gently, "Do you need me to help you change or do you think you can manage on your own?"

[Demeter]

Flora's voice came out slightly wavering. "I think I can do it," she said quietly. Her voice indicated otherwise. She was more then a bit nervous and really didn't want to look like an utter fool.

[Cora]

"All right," Cora replied hesitantly. "Well then, if that is all you needed, I suppose all that is left for me to do now is to bid you a good night." Turning to exit the room, Cora stopped in the door-frame, her hand on the doorknob, and looked back over her shoulder. "Good night, Flora. Sleep well."

Shutting the door quietly behind her, Cora walked back down the hallway toward the dining room where she knew Lenwë would still be sitting and probably thinking about all the events of the day. No doubt he had much on his mind.

Cora sighed wearily, knowing that there was much to be done yet.

[Demeter]

Flora carefully got into the nightgown, half afraid of putting it on and ruining it. She was grateful that it fit at least near perfectly. She pulled the sheets back and snuggled into the bed. She breathed in whatever scent clung to the sheets and the pillowcase and sighed quietly in her sleep. The only thing missing from this moment was well, beside her kitten curling up next to her, was the kiss goodnight that her parents gave her.

[Palladium]

Palladium sat in the dining room in the same seat that he had been in earlier that evening for dinner. However, with Flora being gone from the room, Palladium allowed himself to finally worry openly. Thoughts of Flora's condition filled his mind and for the umpteenth time, he felt an intense wave of guilt. Wearily, Palladium rested his elbows on the table, his face buried in his palms, a picture of absolute exhaustion.

Hearing footsteps, Palladium raised his head and immediately, his gaze locked with Cora's. Wordlessly, she walked over to him, knelt by his chair, gently rested her head on his lap, and then waited for what she knew would come.

"She told me that she loves me tonight," Palladium said, his voice unsteady. "I couldn't tell her that I love her back, though. She was disappointed and probably hurt, but I just couldn't say the words. My conscience wouldn't let me, Cora. I wanted to, but I couldn't."


"You love her, then?" Cora asked, wondering why her heart suddenly felt as though it was sinking.

"I . . ." Palladium shook his head. "Did I tell you that I've kissed her? It was the line I should never have crossed, but I did and even though it happened a while ago, I haven't forgotten it. I haven't forgotten."


Pulling away, Cora stood up abruptly. "I'm tired, Lenwë. I think I will retire now, if you don't mind. Tomorrow is going to be a long day and I need to be well-rested. Good night."

Palladium stared at Cora's retreating back and felt absolutely confused. She had never behaved quite so strangely as she just had. Smiling wryly, Palladium spoke aloud to fill the silence, "And there's another thing to worry about . . ."