[ *Me, looking at the last time I updated* ...
I'm sorry. I truly am the most unreliable author. But at least I'm trying to catch up. Note trying. I think I'm mainly going to focus on VRP since it's the most developed of all my stories and much easier to write for. Sorry to the fans of my other stories but you'll have to wait a bit longer.
Which reminds me, what character pov chapter or AU chapter do you guys want next? Floyd, Merlin, ANYONE?! Transmigration, reverse, ANYTHING?! Leave em in the comments. ]
"Ava? Ava, wake up."
"Myeiebfa..."
"Ava, that's not a word or sentence."
I felt like my eyes had been coated in crust and my body was heavy as lead. I could feel the gentle bumping of the carriage under me. Hadn't I been in a hallway? When had I gotten into the carriage?
Was that a dream?
"Did I fall asleep?" I asked, righting myself from my slouched posture and feeling my body crack and pop as I moved. I finally realized what the weight on me was. Elodie was sat upon my lap.
"You were asleep by the time I got to the carriage. You've been out for quite a while." Ophelia smiled as I set Elodie gently back on the floor of the carriage.
I suppose that really was a dream, albeit a strange one. What 'gift' was that voice talking about? Maybe it was my subconscious. Would I need to gift something to myself?
"How rude of me. I hope that the Young Miss will forgive me."
"What I say about calling me Young Miss when we're alone? It's fine. Your sleeping expression was quite cute." Ophelia had a blissful expression on her face during her last couple of words.
I felt my face burn in embarrassment but quickly suppressed it. "Whatever you say, Ophie. Are we close to home?"
"I woke you up because they said we were half an hour out." Ophelia smiled and leaned back. "You should look out the window since we're back in our capital."
More out of a wish of nostalgia rather than true curiosity, I peeked out of the window to look out at the familiar streets of Arkham's capital, Intres. It felt strange seeing it now after so many months but it was calming in a way.
Intres' streets had a light dusting of snow upon it, white and gold decorations of the usual Midwinter Festival fashion hanging from homes and shops. The vendors yelling their seasonal wares, carts for with snacks and warm drinks filling the air with scents that brought me back to my younger days, the smell of spice heavy on my tongue like I had just eaten a hot bag of roasted sugar nuts.
"How wonderful..." My voice was barely above a whisper but due to Ophelia's proximity to me, she could hear just fine.
"Intres is always most beautiful at this time of year." Ophelia peeked out of the window with me, smile still present on her face. "Why don't we stop and pick up some roasted sugar nuts before we arrive home?"
I was already practically drooling for those nuts, but I could not partake in my favorite Midwinter snack.
"As lovely as that sounds, I cannot. My first taste of sugar nuts always has to be shared with mother. It's family tradition."
While Ophelia looked a bit sad, she made no move to attempt to coerce me. What I had said was true though. Every year without fail, mother would take me to town every Friday of the month and we would do our small family traditions. The first Friday we would go to our regular cart and get a giant bag of roasted sugar nuts to enjoy as we walked around the streets, the second Friday we would buy brand new clothes and coats for the season along with the annual Midwinter Party, and on the final Friday we would exchange gifts and go to the Midwinter Party.
The Midwinter Party for commoners and nobility differed greatly. While the nobility would throw large parties with the neighboring lords or if they were able, the royal family, the parties for commoners were much closer. Often being just communities or family parties. The main thing they shared in common was music, dancing, gift giving, and a whole lot of eating and drinking. It was a joyful event to say the least. The party was always held on the last Friday of the month long holiday, ending everything on a high note I suppose.
When the scenery began to change from homes and shops to a long winding trail, I knew we were getting closer and closer to the Dubannes estate. With deft movements I rid my eyes of any crust, my mouth of any possible dry drool, and fixed my uniform. Although the estate is quite lax, there are still expectations due to the noble blood living there.
"Young Miss, we've arrived back at the estate." The voice of the coachman was the true testament of our homecoming. I quickly fixed up Ophelia's outfit as well, adjusting her coat just as the door was opened by a footman and Ophelia was gently helped from the carriage, I following quickly after.
It was great to be home.
What wasn't great was being put to work almost immediately after arriving home. That was the life of a servant though. After Ophelia was welcomed home by her parents, the servants in bowing positions around the entrance. I easily found mother as there aren't many purple haired women among the Dubannes staff. However, I had no time to go greet her as after Ophelia and her parents went back inside the hustle and bustle of servant life started up again.
Putting luggage back into Ophelia's room, cleaning, preparing lunch and then dinner, there was no room for rest or recreation. It was nice to be back to the usual schedule of home rather than the schedule of the academy. I'm sure if anyone else had reincarnated in my place, they'd be beyond annoyed with such a schedule but having something to busy myself with was a blessing.
As night slowly descended upon the residence, I arrived back in the servant's quarters after putting Ophelia to sleep again. Per usual, the servant's quarters was filled with candlelight and chatter.
"There she is! Ava, get over here and give me a hug!" The familiar voice of the head cook, Ms. Rhea, was one of many that greeted me. I was her favorite vegetable scrubber. I soon found myself in a warm hug that enveloped my nose in the scent of food.
"Hello, Ms. Rhea. It's good to see you well. Has your back been troubling you?"
"Only as much as I'll let it! Oh look at you, all big and pretty! Martha's been talking non-stop about seeing you at home!"
"Is that so?"
Ms. Rhea had always been a loud soul. It was required to hear above all the pots and pans and sizzling of the kitchen. I was quick to leave her and get closer and closer to the room I once shared with my mother, Isadora, and May.
When I came to the door, I could hear the muffled voices and had to take a deep breath before pushing it open. The talking came to an abrupt before a squeal of joy came from May, looking just as cheerful as I remember.
"Ava!"
If I weren't well prepared for it, May's tackle-like hug would have left me on the floor in pain. I was able to keep myself upright and return her hug.
"It's nice to see you too, Aunt May."
May was removed by Isadora who sighed, her resting face looking unchanged from it's usual indifference but her eyes sparked with a bit of joy.
"It's good to see you again."
I gave her a nod and a smile, peeking behind her only to be surprised at the lack of mother in the room. I looked around the room curiously before looking at the two women with my head tilted.
"Where's mother?" I questioned, seeing all of her belongings but no sight of her. So what if a girl wanted to see and hear her mother after being away for months? I have no shame about such things.
"I believe she got held back by Lady Ysabelle. She should be here soon." Isadora answered, forcing May to sit back down on her bed before she jumped on me again. May still continued to bounce on the mattress, full of energy. I suppose I have no choice but to wait for mother to arrive. That left some time for me to put away my belongings at least.
Conversing with Isadora and May was nice to do once again as I put away my things, putting me back into my good mood. It still didn't feel as good as it would to talk to mother, but as she's busy it can't be helped. Our latest topic on the maids I had met at the academy was cut short by the reopening of the room door to reveal the face and features that were still quite fresh in my mind.
Wavy purple hair, pale skin, blue eyes, and a tired smile. I was up from my sitting before anyone could say anything and enveloped myself in the warmth. In the scent I'd always come to associate with home.
Mother stumbled for a moment before regaining her balance, returning my hug with a soft chuckle.
"Welcome back, Ava."
It's nice to be home.
[ VRP Theatre ]
Ava: Will you be alright while I'm gone, mother?
Martha: Of course I will. I'm more grown up than you think.
Martha: *Can't sleep because she doesn't know how Ava's doing*