Days gone by [Melda]

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After returning from distant travels, Theo decided to wander about the gardens to give him a sense of home. It was a lovely early-afternoon, the sun was beating down on the grounds of the castle, and a light breeze trailed over the grass. The flowers appeared to be fully bloomed as it came to the end of a season. The garden smelt of a whirlwind of floral odors, that trailed up his nostrils and filled him with reminders of spring. 

Theo was still trying to come down from emotional turmoil. After the quick loss of his father, he had so many endeavors to catch up on post-mortem. It was his duty now as head of his household to care for his mother and his sister, and ensure their safety. He also took over his father's duties as a duke and a noble in the elite circle. He also took care of his late father's paperwork, finishing any and all tasks that he had yet to complete for the king. Although Theo was doing all this work, on top of it all, he still had to plan the funeral. 

Which brought him to the garden. After travelling for so long, working long days and planning the funeral, after it finally happening, Theo felt the pain sinking into his chest. He felt the heartache of a broken soul and needed to recover before he officially took his father's place within the castle, and inherited his status within the royal community. 

Theo made his way down a main path in the garden, and found himself a bench to sit on under a blossoming tree. As a cool wind kissed his cheeks, Theo exhaled all his frustrations.

The garden was always the place he came to forget for a while. 

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Melda Delsaran Vanya

Every morning Melda took a stroll through the gardens to wake herself up, as well as to enjoy the scenery. This was usually between 7am-10am, and lasted that long each time. Today her handmaiden had spilt something all over the gown she’d chosen to wear as well as dropped thing into her bathing basin, causing her to pick a new dress, have that one sent out, and wait for a new bath to be drawn. By the time she was presentable (and had dismissed the handmaiden) it was closer to noon than anything else. How hard was it to do such a job? Honestly, Melda didn’t need the help, but it was more than expected of her to have a handmaid. 

Melda was dressed in a lovely cream coloured dress with golden accents. The collar came up to her collarbone, a small slit falling to her chest plate. There were no sleeves, but a sash fell delicately over her, starting from her left rib, draped up over her right shoulder and down her back, reaching back around over her front near her calves, connecting back up at her left rib. Her silver hair was down today, not wanting to spend another moment with the incompetent handmaid,  long and wavy down her back, a single braid failing over her left shoulder. 

The seasons had changed, and it was considerably warmer outside, meaning Melda required no cloak this morning. There was still a lovely breeze, but as a mage with wind as her original affinity, she didn’t mind in the slightest. 

She exited the castle and started on her regular rounds, using the main path to connect her to the greenhouse. However, before she could arrive there, she came upon a very familiar face. Theo darling… When did you return? Melda cooed softly, stopping to stand a few feet away, not approaching him just yet. After what he’d been through, she didn’t want to startle him.

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Words: 324
OOC: Dress: HERE

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    Lost in thought, Theo was interrupted quietly. He turned slowly at the sweet and familiar tone of family. He saw his Godmother standing in front of him, she wore a cream dress with her silver hair draped over her shoulder, to which she looked beautiful, and dressed to the season.

    Theo quickly stood up and bowed before her as he had been taught to do so as a child, then signed for her to take a seat next to him. Although she must have meant well, Theo was startled by the presence of another person at this time of day. "Oh, I returned earlier this week. I spent a day or two at home with Mother and Blanche after all that had happened. Now, I am back to work in a day or two." he offered a false grin to his Godmother. "I thought it would be smart to re-immerse myself back into the castle before I get back to my daily strife." Theo looked back to his feet once more.

    Theo was distant, and it was visible on his face, he was pale as a ghost. When he spoke, it seemed as though he would be choking down sobs and tears. Similarly, his posture was slouched, and his shoulders were heavier than usual. The man who sat before his Godmother was not the man he truly was.

    Theo then looked to Melda, his blue eyes caving in like an avalanche had struck. "I am terribly sorry that I didn't inform you of my return. It completely flew past my mind to contact you, and for that, I apologize." he sulked.

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Melda Delsaran Vanya

Melda blinked as he suddenly stood, bowing to her and causing a small smile to spread on his face. You’re mother taught you so well. She mused lightly. She sat next to him after, the smile still resting lightly on her face. 

That was kind of you, I’m sure your mother enjoyed that. Also, wipe that grin off your face, its not nice of you to lie. You’re allowed to grief you know. Although, I will admit you being here, learning the position, it’s very smart of you. I’m proud of you for this. Melda spoke softly, reaching out and placing her hand on his shoulder. The grin that had only been there for a moment was nothing more than a mask, and Melda knew as much. 

Her heart went out to him, having lost his father, though it was no easy loss for her either. He was a good man, and an even better parent. When he looked up at her again, she felt like her heart would split in two. Nonsense. You have far greater things to worry about than me dear. I’m not offended, don’t worry. She kept her voice soft, not letting him know of her own sorrow. From what she could tell of Theo, was that he put others first, so if he saw her grieving, he would not let himself do so. 

An idea formed in her head, something simple to bring a real smile on the young mans face. The wind picked up around the slightly, and Melda reached out with her senses to find water, maybe a puddle of some kind. Upon finding it, she lifted some of the water out of the puddle with her magic, and floated it over to hover in front of them. Once it had arrive, Melda formed it in the shape of a snowflake and turned it to ice, letting it float there. Should Theo not be watching, she would nudge him lightly to look up at it. It wasn’t too large, nor was it too high in the air, as Melda didn’t use magic in the castle, nor did she want people to see her do so. But Theodore’s mother had caught her using magic once before, so his family was not unfamiliar with her having it.

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Words: 382
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    Melda was right, his mother had taught him well. She was the one to teach her etiquette and manners among people of higher stature than he, most often around a noble woman. His father on the other hand had taught him how to hold himself in the presence of others, and how to manage his time and his work. Theo recalled that he would often visit the castle alongside his father, and would sit at his desk as he did his work. His father would tell him very little of the affairs that were tackled, but would discuss the kind of paperwork he did, as well as his relationship to the king.

    Theo offered a solemn grin to his aunt Melda. It was nice to have seen his sister and his mother, even if it was for such a short period of time. Theo had to remind himself that he was permitted to grieve, even though he had been taught to hold himself high and give an air of strength when others are around. But as it was his aunt Melda, whom knew him well, he decided to let himself feel the emotions that long had been weighing him down. A few tears bundled up in the corners of his eyes when he looked back to his Godmother.

    He couldn't even begin to imagine the impact it had on his Godmother, let alone on the rest of his family. He spent so much time at home, because if he hadn't otherwise, his mother would have collapsed on him and his sister. They could have lost her as well. But time to grieve was given, and Theo hoped that he left them on good feet.

    Theo ran his fingers through his hair in frustration, and after let his strong hands cover his eyes. He could feel the pool of tears that fell through his fingers, and let the moisture of the salty tears sink in. His sobs were silent, his breath was short, and his heart raced. After a moment or two of heart-felt mourning, he felt a nudge coming from his side.

    Theo quickly raised his head, and looked at his aunt with red cheeks and sunken eyes. The blue in his eyes was far richer than before, and no longer resembled the sky blue they were before. No, now they were a deep shade of royal blue, glimmering through welled-up tears. Looking at his aunt with tortured eyes, he wiped away tears, then took a quick glance in front of him, but then did a double take.

    For a moment in time, a single frozen snowflake glistened before his eyes. Theo had forgotten about his aunt Melda's magic abilities. THe hopes of a small smile formed at the corner of his cheeks. Theo wiped his eyes again, this time removing all tears from his darting blue eyes, and the smile grew. Theo went to reach out to the snowflake, and touched it with the tip of his index finger, watching it roll around in the air.

    Theo remembered a time in his youth were his aunt Melda came to visit after his mother revealed that she had magical abilities. His aunt always knew how to make him and his sister Blanche smile. Usually, it was by creating light snowfall in the main room of their home, dusting snowflakes off their noses. Since then, Theo always felt a fondness towards the chill of winter, and the first snowfall. ****

    Theo looked to his aunt again, and smiled. "I did not mean to lie to you aunt Melda. I have only been taught to keep on a brave face, when faced with treacherous times." Theo sniffled, "He was a good man, my father. Such a fate should have been reserved for a later life.." taking a deep breath in, Theo paused. "Do you miss him?" he asked, reaching for some form of reassurance from his aunt.