Post by Ashlin nó Valerian (I) on Aug 16, 2008 21:41:50 GMT -5
The sun was just breaking through the dark clouds that had been giving the city a steady drenching all day as we pulled up in front of Jasmine House. I smoothed my dress and checked my hair one last time as I waited for the driver to come 'round to hand me down out of the coach. I wasn't nervous of course but a mother does notice everything. I thanked the coachman as he closed the coach door behind me and started toward the house. The familiar smell of the flowering vines climbing the walls of the house mixed with the clean smell of the air after the passing summer rain reached me and I inhaled deeply. My eyes followed the trees and neatly manicured lawns leading around the side of the house as I made my way up the short path from the drive. I thought of all the times I had gotten caught climbing those same trees as a child and smiled to myself. In some ways this would always be home.
I had barely started up the stairs leading to the house when the door at the top swung open and I saw my mother standing there. I smiled at her as I gathered the hem of my skirt and hurried up the steps. I had barely gained the landing when she caught me up in a tight hug. I returned her greeting in kind and even manged to give her a brief kiss on the cheek before she started fussing.
Laughing I caught her hands. "Mother, I see you nearly every month and every time you act as if it has been years! Surely on such a dreary day you could have stayed in you rooms and let an adept escort me to you?"
She gave my hands a squeeze as she responded. "I just can't help it Ashlin. I had always imagined you would stay with me at House Jasmine and I worry for you. But come inside and get out of that wet cloak. I have some refreshments set up in one of your favorite spots over looking the garden."
I smiled at her and kissed her cheek again before I pulled the damp cloak off and stepped inside. After hanging my cloak to dry by the door I followed her over to the low table set up by the window. I waited until she had settled herself comfortably on one of the soft cushioned chairs and then poured tea from the small service that was waiting. It smelled of mint and I knew that my mother would have prepared it with a small drop of honey. Just the way I like it, I thought. For my mother seeing to another's pleasure was more then a house cannon, it was a true joy. I took the seat across from her and braced myself for the inevitable string of questions about my health, my studies, my friends, the Dowayne, and anything else a worried mother might think up to pester her only child with.
I bore it with good humor for I love my mother and know that she means well. Still, as the afternoon wore on I began to get restless and kept looking over her shoulder for the other person I had hoped I would see today...
I had barely started up the stairs leading to the house when the door at the top swung open and I saw my mother standing there. I smiled at her as I gathered the hem of my skirt and hurried up the steps. I had barely gained the landing when she caught me up in a tight hug. I returned her greeting in kind and even manged to give her a brief kiss on the cheek before she started fussing.
Laughing I caught her hands. "Mother, I see you nearly every month and every time you act as if it has been years! Surely on such a dreary day you could have stayed in you rooms and let an adept escort me to you?"
She gave my hands a squeeze as she responded. "I just can't help it Ashlin. I had always imagined you would stay with me at House Jasmine and I worry for you. But come inside and get out of that wet cloak. I have some refreshments set up in one of your favorite spots over looking the garden."
I smiled at her and kissed her cheek again before I pulled the damp cloak off and stepped inside. After hanging my cloak to dry by the door I followed her over to the low table set up by the window. I waited until she had settled herself comfortably on one of the soft cushioned chairs and then poured tea from the small service that was waiting. It smelled of mint and I knew that my mother would have prepared it with a small drop of honey. Just the way I like it, I thought. For my mother seeing to another's pleasure was more then a house cannon, it was a true joy. I took the seat across from her and braced myself for the inevitable string of questions about my health, my studies, my friends, the Dowayne, and anything else a worried mother might think up to pester her only child with.
I bore it with good humor for I love my mother and know that she means well. Still, as the afternoon wore on I began to get restless and kept looking over her shoulder for the other person I had hoped I would see today...