“Predestined: determined in advance by divine will or fate. One would think that I, a divine being with a divine will, would be able to set a predestined path for the heroes I choose.” Long fluffy hair shook off of pale shoulders that were freckled with gold as the being moved to the clouds edge, “BUT APPARENTLY THATS TO MUCH TO FUCKING ASK!!!”

The once calm and elegant being screamed as his moon covered his sister's sun again.

“Lord Amaris please settle down…” the star herder pleaded softly, “This amount of eclipse can't bode well for the mortals…”

“You know what else does not bode well for them!?” the pale moon god flopped into a nearby chair, “Mortals not listening to DIVINE FUCKING LOGIC!”

20 years prior

“Look at my latest champion!” Liane cheered as she dragged her brother over to view the festival that was being held below them, “As usual mine are the best!”

“The best at stealing and showing off you mean.” Amoris chided, twinkling eyes staring into the younger bright ones.

“No, I mean that my champions are the best!”

“Sure, they're the best at pretending.”

“My champions are the best! And they're certainly far better than yours!” short fiery hair fell into the olders face as Liane got closer. “I can prove it!”

Amoris smiled, leaning away from the face full of hair he had gotten from his hot-tempered sister, “How?”

“My last champion mapped the entirety of Auntie's waters.”

“By ‘mapped’ do you mean steal my champion's work, add nothing of value to it, pretend it was his work, and then get thrown to the sirens?”

“Well, the other one defeated a whole horde of brother’s monsters!”

“Ah yes, the monsters he freed, released onto my holy city, attempted to fight but lost to the first one, barely survived that and had to be saved by my champion.”

“My champion created the harp and the most beautiful music!”

“Oh, that one. The one who sat in a windows for no good reason, lied to the princess when asked about the music, got halfway through their wedding when she was asked to play the song again as a testament of their love, and when she couldn't her sister who was MY champion muse came in and played the instrument and song that she created, winning the princess’s heart and hand in marriage.”

A playful smirk danced on Amoris’ face as he tucked his hair over his shoulder, making his way away from an angry Liane.

“Face it, little sister, your champions are only good for one thing. Stealing the show by being bright and shiny.”

He walked into the crowded common room, the bubbling conversation seeming far too loud. He really just wanted to go to his room, but that wasn’t going to happen yet.

“Hey, does anyone know what time it is?” He called out from his spot near the door. His phone had died a while ago, he had no watch, and for some reason the building was extremely lacking in clocks.

“SHOW TIME!!!” A group of theater kids shouted from the other end of the room, continuing with their awful cover of some Hamilton song.

“Uh…” he stood there, a little dumbfounded. Was that a coincidence or was that their answer to his question?

After standing there for a moment more, and not receiving any other answers he asked again. “Hey, what time is it?” He called out slightly louder this time.

“Tea time!” A small boy shouts from next to him, running off towards a low table with a tray of teacups in his hands.

Again he stood there, confused. Was that the answer to his question or was the world just messing with him?

“Does anyone know what time it is?” He called out again, a little exasperated now.

“Ain’t nobody got time for that!” A girl shouted as she and her friend marched past him into the room.

“What…?” He stood there, still not knowing the time. “Can someone please tell me what time it is?”

“It’s nap time.” A boy yawned as he walked by him and up the stairs, stretching his arms over his head.

He stood there, more dumbfounded and exasperated than before. He just wanted to know the time…

“Hey! What time is it?!” He called out again, louder.

“It’s too early for that.” A girl said, walking by him. She was yawning and looked exhausted.

“What?!” He whipped around, staring at her as she walked out of the common room and down the hall.

“It’s too late for that!” The same girl, less tired looking, jogged past him. Quickly going out of the door and down the hall as well.

The world was messing with him. That had to be it. But now he was in too deep, he needed to know the time.

“What time is it!?” He asked again, looking around desperately.

“Time for you to get a watch.” An older boy walked by him, staring down at his phone.

“But…” he stood there, truly dumbfounded. That had to be an answer to his question, it just had to be. Was everyone here just messing with him??

He stood there, silent and confused, as people walked around him and continued to chatter.

“I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE DAMN TIME IS!” He shouted desperately.

The entire room fell silent, and the head-boy of the school's common room looked at him for a moment before answering.

“It’s time for you to calm down.”

*This story was inspired by the end of story 8, and is also a little bit of a joke story that I wrote a while ago.*

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

“Helian!! I brought Tatsuya and James!” Riordan proudly smiled as he dragged in his two friends by their shirt collars.

“Oh Yay!! I’m so happy you both could make it for tea time!” Helian was clapping and smiling

“Why are we doing this?” Delmar quietly murmured into Celosia’s ear as he was leaning over.

“Free food and pretty dress-up, duh.”

“Really I am very sorry but I just can't stay for tea. I have so many things to do, you know, being emperor and all.” James started to turn around, however, he suddenly stopped as he heard a small sniff.

“-Sniff- You can't stay for my tea party?” Helian’s eyes started to form tears as they stood there and began to cry a little. All of a sudden the 30 or so very powerful and well-known mix of magickal creatures had a murderous look in their eyes. Tatsuya, keeping their monotone face, raised a sword and made eye contact with him. Delmar and Celosia activated their element abilities as Riordan smiled and opened his war spellbook. A group of Dragonborn and sirens flashed their various weapons, and even the fey smiled sadistically as they waved ‘bye bye’ to him.

“On second thought, I think that I just can't miss this. I’ll have my schedule cleared.” James smiled as he flipped a small book open to his calendar and crossed out his other plans for the day “See, now I can attend.”

“Oh, that's just wonderful!!!” Helian’s mood did a full 180 as they beamed and giggled joyfully. Soon everyone was ushered to a very well decorated floral-themed seat and served herbal tea and baked goods. There was pleasant chatter and the mannered sipping of tea and eating of cakes as everyone enjoyed this impromptu tea party. The outdoor garden the party was taking place in had only just been made by the mansion, who seemed to also want to join. Knowing this, Helian and Tatsuya made a cup of tea and a plate of treats for the mansion and left it on the altar within the garden.

“Enjoy the cake Bamiedel, It's your favorite!” Helian smiled sweetly as they stood up and joyfully skipped back to their seat. There was a slight breeze blowing through, which caused the low-hanging trees and vines to gently sway as if in greeting.

“So, Lord Graz'zt, how has work been?” Delmar turned to the tall ash skinned man seated next to him.

“Oh very busy, very busy. You know, constant war, the dungeons, girlfriend problems.”

“Oh, you poor thing.”

“I know! How am I even supposed to deal with that?”

“You know, I've heard that baking soda fixes everything.” Tatsuya butted into their conversation, being seated on Delmar’s other side.

“Does it?” Graz’zt looked perplexed as he leaned forward in order to see the Dragon

“Yup. mix it with vinegar and all will be fixed.”

“Oh, well that's wonderful. I’ll have to try that.”

“What are they talking about?” James whispered to Riordan, having overheard the conversation and being thoroughly confused.

“Dungeon cleaning methods.” Riordan nodded simply as if it was obvious.

“...What?”

“What did you think they were talking about?”

“Girlfriend trouble.”

“...”

“...”

“Well, wonderful garden isn't it?” James stated, turning and taking a sip of his tea.

“Yes indeed, Bamiedel made it.” Celosia politely nibbled on her cookies.

“It's a wonderful architect, you must have it tell me where it learned its design skills.”

“Thinking about building a new war structure?”

“Oh no, I have plenty of those. I was thinking of doing some work on the palace.”

“Ooh, that would be nice.” The redhead smiled, “The main one or the beach one?”

“I’ll start with the main one, the beach one will be done after it.”

“I’ll talk to Helian and Tatsuya and see if they can get Bamidele to spill its secrets.”

The murmured conversation continued as the table of 30 guests sipped their tea and ate their cakes. It had become dusk when Helian finally stood up to end the party.

“This was so much fun! Thank you all for coming, I’m so glad you all came! You all have a safe trip home now, I do hope you come by again for tea!” They smiled as there were cheers, praises for the parties, and thanks given to them. Soon everyone made their way out, including James.

“Well, that was nice.”

“I hope Graz’zt is able to clean his dungeons properly.” Tatsuya sighed

“Indeed. A dirty dungeon is always such a shame.” Delmar nodded as she fixed her glasses.

“It really does reflect poorly on the host.” The Bard Gang murmured their agreements as they went inside and turned in for the night.

Tatsuya was sitting with their friend, Mr.Gorgeous the Gif Emperor of JPEGlandia. The two were talking, exchanging stories and laughter and food.

“I have had years of training in both!” The two laughed as Mr.Gorgeous finished his story. Tatsuya opened their mouths to say something but decided against it.

“Well, go on. Say what you were going to say.” he gently poked his friend

“Ah, I was going to say something funny but it wasn't really.” Tatsuya shook their head

“That's fine, most of what I say isn't funny. Say it!”

“No thank you.”

Mr.Gorgeous stood up and turned to his friend “*whispers* Well then, there is only one solution…”

“*whispers* Yeah?” Tatsuya stood up, smiling at their friend’s sudden change of mood

Mr.Gorgeous drew a sword as he tossed his glove into Tatsuya’s face.

“*whispers* That's a little extreme, don't you think?”

“*whispers* Nope.” He was smiling as Tatsuya picked the glove off of their face.

“*whispers* I really didn't want it to come to this…” He smiled at what he thought was his friend’s surrender. “BUT THE COOKIE MASTER BACKS DOWN FROM NO CHALLENGE!!!!”

Tatsuya lunged forward with a yell, throwing cookies onto their opponent while they drew their blade. The two meet, metal crashing against metal, as they dance the dance of battle. As they moved around swinging their swords at each other Mr.Gorgeous tripped over a tree root and fell to the ground.

“Oof!”

“*whispers* Do you surrender?” Tatsuya had a small smile on their face

“*whispers* you think the head of security who has had training with nearly every weapon type will surrender that easily?” he smiled back as he slowly got up.

“*whispers*Yes, because you are a mortal. And I am a God, The Cookie God” Tatsuya lept back as he charged them, their swords meeting once again before they separated. They paced around each other in a circle, continuing their banter.

“What makes you think I am mortal?”

“...Everything.” The two rushed again, blades clashing as they fought. The battle so far was almost beautiful in the way that the two seemed to dance around with their weapons.

“I am no more mortal than you my friend.”

“But, I am God. The Cookie God. and you are-”

“I am an ancient warlord that has died several times!!!!” there was a pause as Tatsuya looked at him confusedly

“Then you must be a horrible fighter.”

Mr.Gorgeous froze as he looked at his friend and began to quietly laugh. ‘Didn't think it would be taken that way…’ he thought to himself before he spoke some excuse and met his friend’s attack once again. The entire battle Tatsuya had been barraging Mr.Gorgeous with attacks of cookies alongside the attack of their blade. It was at this moment that he realized that Tatsuya had been pulling what must have been 50 cookies out of the same small pouch.

“*gasps in fancy*”

“What?” Tatsuya froze in mid-swing as they stared at their friend.

“YOU’RE RICHARD WITH THE INFINITE BAG OF COOKIES!!” He shouted excitedly.

Tatsuya was silent for a few seconds, staring at their friend in confused and insulted shock. “No. But I did make his infinite bag of cookies. Where did you think that came from? *insulted scoff* The Goddess of Bags?”

“Oh… right. Shall we continue?”

“Please.”

The two pulled apart only to come back together, Tatsuya jumping into the air and coming down from above while Mr.Gorgeous protected himself from a barrage of cookies, narrowly escaping from Tatsuya’s blade.

“Have at thee!” Tatsuya gleefully swung their blade again, only barely missing his head.

Mr.Gorgeous, once he had backed away some, sheathed his metal blade and produced one made of light.

“AGGH!!!!” he charged at Tatsuya, cutting through the cookies that were sent flying towards him.

“Ah, I see. You thought using laser swords would work! Haha, foolish ancient mortal. Laser swords do nothing to my cookies!” They leapt up, pulling what seemed to be a brick of a cookie out of their pouch before chucking it at Mr.Gorgeous. He attempts to swing his sword at it, but it does nothing to the hardened rock. Letting out an aggravated sigh Mr.Gorgeous threw that blade to the side, drawing yet another metal one before swinging at Tatsuya yet again. They rolled their eyes and scoffed at the number of blades he had on him.

“Ancient warlord man, pick a sword and stick with it.” they mocked as the two continued to battle. Growing tired of the basic battle The Gif Emperor stepped away and began to attack in the style known as ancient shodokian.

“I really really REALLY didn’t want to have to do this, but you leave me NO CHOICE!” Tatsuya laughed as the two came apart again.

“I accept your surrender.” He swung his sword as he teased.

“Surrender? Oh no.”

“Really?”

“I am going to give you one last chance to surrender and walk away with your honor and your life Mr.Gorgeous.”

“Did you miss the thing where I said that I have already died multiple times?”

“...But I am a God, death by me is permanent .” Tatsuya shrugged as the two continued to circle around each other. Mr. Gorgeous began to chant his war chant and Tatsuya shook their head.

“I am so sorry, my friend.” Tatsuya shook their head as they clapped their hands together and a blinding light appeared. Mr.Gorgeous blinked, and when he opened his eyes again they were in another realm.

“Oh ho, I see you have taken us to the Pit?”

Tatsuya nodded as they gestured to the gladiator-style fighting pit around them.

“Ready?” Mr.Gorgeous smiled as he taunted his friend. Tatsuya nodded and the two clashed together again. As they battled, swords swinging and cookies flying around both of them had an idea. Mr.Gorgeous and Tatsuya separated and the two began to perform summoning magick. He was chanting once again as he created shadow war avatars while Tatsuya’s eyes glowed while they summoned an army of cookie soldiers.

“Am I supposed to be scared of that?” Tatsuya smiled as they looked upon the shadow soldiers before them. The two shared a laugh as they sent their armies towards one another.

“WARRRR!!!” They both shouted as they ran ahead of their forces, coming together in a horrific clash of men and cookies. There was screaming, cries of wars, battle cries, the sound of various tsunamis crashing over them. The two were both soaked, dirty, and tired as they continued to fight, the dance of battle continues. There were now Dragons and orcs, cookie men, and shadow soldiers. The two armies met as their masters wished them to. The two continued until they both caught a glimpse of the newcomer.

“HALT!” Riordan’s cry cut through the battlefield. The two friends and their armies froze, the sudden silence seeming to deafen them all.

“Oh, hello there.” he smiled at the newcomer who was now next to them.

“Hi Riordan.” they lowered their cookies and their sword as they turned to him.

“Hey so, this is a very fun war and all that you have going on here. But, I am going to host a storytime tea party, because Helian found out about tea parties and really wants to have one.” Riordan then reached out and grabbed both of them by their shirt collars

“And I need to have guests to have a tea party, so I am telling people that I will read stories to get them to come over.” He walked away, pulling the two along with him, as he headed back to the mansion for the tea party storytime.

*This story was written a while ago as a little joke between a friend and I. It's from the same universe with the same characters as story 5*

It all began when one day the four Regiis children were on their way to the tree house.

“It’s such a nice day; I hope it doesn’t rain again. It ruined my dress yesterday when it did.” A small girl with a braid of Raven hair turned her soft, purple eyes to her brother.

“It would be a shame if it rained again, as it is though I don’t think it will.” Samuel continued along the birch path with his younger sister. His crisp blue eyes looked down the path as he ran his hand through his shaggy hair.

“It amazes me how this path never seems to change; don’t you think it's odd Kitty?”

“Indeed, yet I hope it stays like this forever. It’s so peaceful.”Samuel and Kitty continued along the sunlight dappled path.

“Hey slow-pokes!” Kitty looked away from the arching trees to see her other brother, Carter, just off the path. The boy used to look like Samuel and herself, with their raven hair, yet he had recently dyed his hair a sky blue that matched his eyes. Carter was the third child of the Regiis family with Samuel and Allisa being the first and second children. Kitty herself was glad to be the youngest, at eight years of age she was considered too young to be concerned with mundane tasks that her peers were, yet she also resented it as she was often not allowed to adventure with her older siblings.

“Come on you guys!! Allisa is already ahead!!” Carter called to them once again before disappearing off the path toward their tree house. Samuel started off on a brisk jog followed by Kitty. When they reached the tree house they saw Carter waiting on the ground while Allisa climbed up the ladder, disappearing into the trees foliage.

The tree house was placed in an old oak tree that seemed to climb forever into the sky. The house itself was set into the meeting point of all the branches on the trunk and was made out of driftwood and scrap wood that their father helped put together. The inside was adorned with homemade furniture such as, four driftwood chairs, a scrap wood table, a shelf that ran the length of one wall,and a basket lift. On top of the furniture was scrap fabric cushions, old cups, a bar of soap, fire starter, flint, plates,  blankets, and a picnic lunch from home that Carter and mom packed.

Carter and Samuel deposited their bags and baskets of food and started up the ladder.

“Lower the basket for the food!”  Kitty cried from below sitting on the rock next to the basket, rag bag, and metal bucket. A wicker basket was lowered with a thump from the branches which Kitty put in all the containers and then waited as the basket was raised, emptied, then lowered again. She sat in the basket and was raised up through the branches until she came to the landing. She was met by two shining green eyes which belonged to  her sister Allisa. The girls went into the main area and started setting the tables and prepping the food with the boys. There were crackers and cheese followed by some homemade fruit tarts for dessert and some cold turkey or chicken salad with rolls for lunch. Samuel put the bottles of lemonade that Kitty and Carter had just made, on top the table.

“Can we eat now?” Asked Carter, he was always hungry and somehow never got any plumper for it.

“Yes Carter..” Samuel rolled his eyes as he answered him. As they sat down to eat all four kids looked at the food, mentally picking out what they would eat first.

Meanwhile down the birch path near the quarry wall  a strange group of strange figures disappeared from the forest after crossing a line of stone that had been within the forest for years. As they left a low quiet humming, similar to the sound of gurgling water, and a sweet smell, quite like the smell of pine trees and cookies appeared. The sound grew in volume while the scent grew stronger as time passed. The children were completely unaware of this and continued to eat, joke, laugh, and joke and eat some more. Towards the end of the meal the children fell silent, sitting content and reading. Waiting until they felt like eating the rest of their meal.

“Hey what’s that noise?...” Samuel cocked his head to hear it better. The children sat still for a minute listening.

“Sounds like water running, or something humming” Kitty stood up and looked out from the balcony.

“Do you see anything?” Carter went to stand up but froze as he twitched his nose.

“HEY!” Exclaimed Carter “What’s that wonderful smell?”

“It’s almost like fresh baked cookies and some kind of pine..” Sniffed Allisa

“Baked or burnt.” Stated Samuel panic slowly spreading on his face “It could be a forest fire!”

“I think it's coming from the end of the Birch path.” Stated Carter

“Should we go check it out?” Kitty suggested tentatively

“ALREADY THERE!!!” Shouted Allisa as she leaped past Kitty, grabbing the pulley rope and began to quickly rappel down, her red hair flying behind her.

“This isn’t wise!!” Shouted Samuel as he hurried to raise and lower the lift with Kitty inside. Then rushed down the ladder followed by a reluctant Carter.

“We haven’t eaten dessert yet though! You guys!!!” Carter said as he touched the ground, but the other three were already far ahead. As the children came farther down the Birch path the smell of pine became overwhelming, while the sound grew louder and louder, soon filling their ears and drowning out every other sound in the forest.

“LOOK THERE'S ALISSA!!” Shouted Samuel. Allisa was standing at the end of the path and looked back at her siblings.

“HOW IS SHE NOT COVERING HER EARS!?” Screamed Carter, they were all covering their ears in an attempt to quiet the noise

“I HAVE NO CL-..ue” Kitty’s voice ended in a whisper as when they reached Allisa the sound and smell stopped leaving an odd silence  and a blandness to the air.

“ Guys...” started Allisa “ What made these..?” Allisa was staring at the ground where there were four sets of  prints of what seemed a large deer or wolves.

“A deer perhaps?” Stated Carter in a mocking way, as Allisa prided herself for her knowledge of animals.

“They're too big and too close together.” Scoffed Allisa protectively “and those aren't of a wolf either so don't even.”

“That’s not what’s bothering me..” Whispered Samuel, he was staring at the line of stone in the ground where all the prints seemed to vanish. “It goes in a path towards it but there's nothing on the other side.”

“OH YEAH!?!” Carter and Allisa had begun fighting again.

“WELL I’M THE ANIMAL EXSP-OOF!!”

Allisa stumbled backwards after being shoved by Carter crossed the line... and disappeared. The others looked at each other then the line then at each other again. This went on for some time then...

“Allisa!!!” Yelled Samuel in a state of panic “ Oh mum and dad are going to kill me!!”

“Kill you!? I’m the one who pushed her over the line!” Carter had begun his nervous habit. Running around in circles while screaming. The thing is that as Carter was running in circles he got closer and closer to the line, until he tripped over a conveniently placed root and fell over the line. Also disappearing.

“AHHHH!!!” Screamed Samuel, as he began to panic more and more. Kitty on the other hand was quiet and calm. Samuel continued to scream while Kitty continued to look at the line where her siblings had vanished.  This, like most things when involving Samuel and Kitty, without Allisa or Carter, went on until Samuel had had enough.

“All right then!” He declared standing up “We shall conduct multiple experiments to figure out how to get both of them back!”

Then Kitty grabbing her brother’s hand said “Or we can do this.” Kitty then jumped over the line pulling Samuel with her. Once all four were across the line the noise and smell disappeared completely. The line vanished and time began to slow, crawling to a halt, as time stopped until they returned.. or died you know, It really could go either way.

Again we enter the season of rain

Pittering and pattering upon the roofs

Ribbons of water stream down my windows

In a calm shower of spring

Lovely early flowers are decorated with raindrops

So much rain that the earth turns to mud

How the smell of the wet earth calms me

Oh so cozy, wrapped in a blanket with a cup of tea

Watching the raindrops fall with a book in my lap

Everything seems so serene during these small showers

Rain falls gently onto the cold earth, readying it for

Spring. After all, April showers bring May flowers.

~An attempt at poetry by a not-so-poetic Moki-Mori.~

This Saturday morning the house of the Cadells was full of joy. The lord of the house had finally returned home, spending his day ordering things around as he made preparations for his darling child. The mistress stayed in the library as her father would go from overseeing the house to cooing and fussing over his daughter. The two would sit there and read the books that he had read to her before he left. The fables, journey stories, and fairytales were read to her over and over again that day. The young mistress was perfectly content, to be curled up against her father’s side as he read and reread those old books to her. She was happy, happier than she had been for years as she smiled while gently gripping onto her father’s arm.

“I'm not going anywhere Almana” He whispered softly to the child as he went to stand and view a decoration selection.

“I’ll be right back. Just a few minutes to make sure everything is perfect for you,” he murmured as he gently freed his arm.

“Everything is already how I want it.” She whined softly, reaching out again for her father.

A few more soft whispers and a promise to return soon allied the lord of the house to leave the library and attend to the selections. Colors of pink and green were chosen, flowers were selected and gifts were finalized as servants of the house rushed around him. The business was to be held off for another day, he had someone more important to attend to and he was not eager to leave her again soon. When he reentered the library and joined his little one of the couch again to cuddle he was happy.

This Saturday ended with him gently carrying his sleeping child to bed. A smile on his face as he laid her into the pile of plushies and a sleepy hum from her as she contently wiggled into place.

This Friday morning she was up before the sun before the posts would even begin their morning run. She was left to pace back and forth in her room as she waited. Watching the same window she stayed all of Sunday to see when the two men in their blue hats and brown leather bags would begin their walk toward the entrance. Being nervously excited she sat down at her silver vanity, which was littered with flowers from the spring. She sat there on the plush stool as she ran a brush through her hair and a damp cloth over her face. She twisted her long inky locks into a braid and fell down her back as she wandered over to the wardrobe. Taking out a simple brown blouse with golden laces and buttons and a light skirt that was sage green. She bathed and dressed herself that morning as she waited for the postal men to come to the door. She was standing by her window, nervously chewing her lip as she thought of what letter may come today. Perhaps an actual date of when he would arrive, perhaps a letter from him. As soon as she saw those two blue hats poking out from above the hedges she was out of her room. Bursting through the heavy wooden doors and practically racing down towards the entrance. The postal men were barely on the steps when the entrance doors were thrown open, the older of the two sadly saying that this week they had no letter for her once again.

She nodded curtly and curtsied before heading back into the house, standing anxiously in front of the doors still. Hoping that as he had last week, the finely dressed butler would come with a letter for her. At some point, not long after the postal men had left and the sun had fully risen, the sounds of carriages and horses' hooves could be heard coming down the road of the house. The young mistress’s golden eyes went wide as she peered through the window, multiple carriages bearing the flag of her father’s house were coming towards the mansion. The doors were thrown open and she stood in quiet shock as the first carriage halted at the steps. The gate of it was opened and before he could even get a foot on the ground she was with him. She ran to him, crashing into him and holding him deathly tight as tears went down her face. The familiar dark black hair and shining golden eyes stared down at her as he returned the tight hug.

“Im home my darling precious”

was all he managed to whisper to her before he too, had tears falling down his cheeks and into her hair. The house was suddenly a racket as the entire staff realized that the Master of the House Cadell had returned. Servants rushed off to clean and prepare his room for him, while others went to help unpack the many boxes that had returned with him. In all of the chaos, the two of them stayed there, holding the other tightly as they cried. Only after what seemed like an hour did he pull away from her slightly and cup her cheeks in his hand.

“Happy birthday my darling Almana. I’m finally able to celebrate one with you again.”

This Thursday morning the young lady would arrive in her pale blue carriage. She walked up the front entrance steps as she did every week and lightly knocked on the door. When the two large wood and metal frames moved to open her wide blue eyes went even wider as she saw her friend waiting there for her. The mistress took her hand and quickly brought her into the sitting room, the same pale yellow sitting room that the lady from next door typically waited in. When the two were seated on the sunny yellow couches the ravenette was hardly able to keep herself from bouncing. She slid the letter, the one that had arrived the previous Friday from her uncle, over to the blonde. In that pale yellow sitting room, its windows facing the sunset, her friend would shout cheerfully and scoop up the younger one into a hug as she cheered. The two were giddy and happy that bright spring day as they went, arm in arm, into the gardens. The young lady with her blonde locks up in her usual braided buns and the young mistress with her silky black hair falling past her waist would walk through the paths that wound through the gardens. Walking past the many feeders, stopping to coo at the birds who stopped to eat or splash around in the baths. The older girl asks about some of them that they say, being given happy answers of ‘Southern Robins, they love the birdbath in the east garden’ and ‘Crows, I set up a feeding spot for them years ago.’. The birds were so used to people wandering near their baths and feeders that the two of them were able to walk right up to the feathered ones to watch them. Today, when the young lady from next door left back to her home for the evening, it was easy to see that the young mistress’s golden eyes shone brightly with hope for tomorrow.

This Wednesday morning would be easier than the day before. She would rise, slowly and with a bit more effort from her nannies and maids. She would allow herself to bathe and pamper a bit. She would even nibble a bit while she sat on the plush stool with a pensive look on her face when her meal was brought up for her and placed onto the silver vanity. This week, unlike many weeks before, she would allow her hair to be brushed before she was left to finish her meal. She would eventually leave her room and begin wandering the grounds, a small plush wolf hugged to her chest and a tan piece of paper sticking out from her pocket. She would wander the grounds of the mansion, stopping by the stables to see the horses and to pet their long silky manes. Walking through the garden to watch the birds as they flew and sang as she filled up their feeders and freshened their water. Walking through the mansion’s many halls, watching as linens were changed, clothes were washed, and the rooms were dusted. She would give a small smile to those who noticed her quiet presence that day as the servants went about their daily chores. By the time it was noon, she would be sitting in one of the lesser-used sitting rooms that faced the eastern garden. She would eat the food that was served to her for lunch, her face looking more noticeably flushed and her eyes brighter than they had been in weeks prior. By the evening her feet would lead her to the library doors, where she would stand and ponder. When she did enter its looming shelves and maze-like pattern of books she let her hand run along the shelf. Her hands grazed the spines of every book as she made her way directly to his chair. There she would wrap up in his coat and curl up in his chair, taking out the paper from her uncle and murmuring the words softly to herself.