Journal 20: Visitors
The first week of December marked the beginning of Winter Break, a temporary escape from that wretched learning institution. A week before exams Elincia and I got together for a few hours after school to study for our final exams, sometimes with friends, most times without. And it was all worth it. Not blowing my own horn but hey, we're a smart group; we grasped the material quickly and ended up hanging out more than studying!
After exams, Elincia and I spent our first vacation day together in a simple fashion—just lunch at our favorite restaurant and a quiet walk in the park.
When the sun began to set, Elincia dragged me to a café for some hot drinks while we waited for our chauffeurs. After placing our orders and being left alone, Elincia reached across the table for my hands and entwined our fingers, her eyes somewhat downcast.
"Is anything wrong?" I ask. Ellie sighs softly, and averts her gaze to the window. I look at our hands which were entwined, just like our hearts. I quietly pray to Ashera our destinies in the future will be, as well.
We were quiet for a few moments, the silence comfortable but held a bit of tension. Our silence spoke volumes; Elincia and I reached the point in our relationship where needless chatter was not needed to fill empty space.
As I pondered on that, Elincia finally spoke. "Father and Uncle Renning want me to use this vacation 'wisely,'" she began, emphasizing "wisely." "Oh, you mean they want you to study for next term?" I asked. "I wish," Elincia smiled—perhaps partly due to my naïveté, partly trying to lighten the mood. But it was a hollow, forced smile. I noted that I had to tread lightly. "So. Uh, what's worse than studying?" I asked, rubbing small circles on her hands. As Elincia was about to answer the question, the waitress came with our orders, forcing us to break apart.
Elincia quickly wrapped her hands around her beverage, and I, in contrast, slowly reached for mine. "You were saying…?"
"Oh Lucia, they want to take me on one of their annual business trips around Tellius. They said it was 'time for me to learn the business.' I mean, it's not as if I have not been on one before, it's just…I don't know…" Elincia rambled, trying to gauge my reaction.
If she couldn't read my face, I was not surprised. I wasn't sure how to react, either. "Well," I paused as I took a sip of my hot cocoa, "you said that you have been to these trips before, so you should be OK, right? What's so different about this one?"
Elincia set down her cup, and looked directly into my eyes. "I didn't have to leave my heart behind before."
If my face was red from the heat, I would be turning an extraordinary shade of crimson right now. I swallow hard, trying to think of something to say. I was taken aback by Elincia's words. She was perhaps the most unselfish person I ever met. Oh Ashera, how did I get so lucky? "I was hoping we could spend Christmas with each other," I whispered, and looked down. "I mean, it's gonna be our first one together, right?" "The first of many," Elincia smiled, and I catch myself smiling back. "But how…?"
Elincia reached for my hands again. "I'll be back before Christmas, Lucy. I promise. And when have I ever broken a promise?" she grins, stroking my hand this time. "Well then, I'll take your word for it, Ellie." I reply, sounding more confident than I felt.
As we lean in for a kiss, two honks signified Elincia's driver was here. She looks at the car, then at me. Holding up a hand, she pulls me up, leads me away from the window to a quiet corner near the exit, and gently drew me in for a kiss. "I'll see you before Christmas," she reaffirmed, "perhaps even earlier than that. Would you like anything for Christmas, Lucy?"
"Just to see you safe and sound," I answered, "you're already the best gift I ever received, and more. Take care, Ellie." Elincia smiles, caresses my cheek one last time, and leaves. I return to the window and see her take one last look back at me. I raised a hand in farewell, and she would have done the same if only her impatient driver honks again, and that sent her into the car.
I sighed and dropped my hand, noting that snowflakes began its descent. The headlights' retreating glare made the edges of the snowflakes glitter like tears. Like the ones that ran down my cheeks.
The last phone call I received from Ellie was three days ago, on the 21st. The phone call was brief; perhaps phone service was expensive where she was. She mentioned that she was in Phoenicis. That was waaaaaay south of Tellius. "I just want you to know that I'm always thinking of you, perhaps even more than the business!" Elincia laughed. I laugh along with her before growing serious.
"Take care of yourself, Ellie. Don't stress yourself if you can't make it back! I would totally—" I began.
"Lucy, I have to go," she suddenly says, "Uncle Renning says it's been over one minute. I love you."
"I l—" click. The phone line goes dead. I sighed as I place the phone back into its cradle. It's not a wonder long distance relationships don't work most of the time. It's mad expensive to make calls and stay in touch. And pretty frustrating, too, waiting for snail mail or a hastily made phone call. Way different than seeing each other, holding each other, and, well, just being able to be together.
Since Elincia left, I've made the sitting room MY room. My parents have long since given up on attempts of making me move away, they just told me that if there were guests, I will have to leave. Fine by me, we rarely have any visitors this time of the year. Given a choice, I wouldn't be here either, but this is the only place in the house with a phone. With a manse this big, it would have been practical to have a phone in every bedroom, but some parents still believe that teenagers should not have secrets.
I glanced at the calendar beside the ancient grandfather clock, and slowly let out a breath I didn't know I held.
Three weeks and two days since my first mistletoe kiss.
Three weeks and a day since the final exams.
Three weeks since I last saw Ellie.
I try relaxing in the sitting room's ancient chairs. Why do sitting rooms always have the most uncomfortable chairs?! On the contrary, shouldn't they have the most comfortable chairs, hence the name "Sitting Room?" When Elincia left, it began to snow. Now, about three weeks later, it was a full-scale blizzard. If Elincia couldn't have made it home then, she wouldn't possibly be able to make it home now.
I sighed in frustration, rearranging myself in the woolen blanket I brought with me. Glancing at the calendar, I cringed. With barely more than a few hours before midnight, it would take a miracle for Elincia to come back to Crimea. Phoenicis was at least a day and a half away from here by train, and with the heavy blizzard, it did seemed even more unlikely for her to come home.
Turning over the troubled thoughts in my head, I didn't realize that I fell into a fitful slumber.
Perhaps no more than two hours passed, because I heard the grandfather clock chime twice, when I heard heavy thudding on the front door. Now, the sitting room is not very far from there; it's actually the nearest room one could go after entering the front door.
I didn't bother to open my eyes, raise my head or even move; I was too depressed to do anything. I could hear the maids scurrying to get the door, and my father's weighted footfalls descending the staircase. I heard the howling winds and the wet slosh of several pairs of boots in the entryway. The servants will have a loooooot of mopping to do tomorrow, I thought.
I could hear the low rumble of male voices, and noted that my mother descended the stairs as well. I knew she would be hiding near the foyer: keeping out of sight but still being able to eavesdrop on the conversation the men were having. They were probably a few of the company's associates asking for a last-minute Christmas donation. A few minutes later, save for the low voices, my mother began moving towards the sitting room, with only one intention in mind.
Oh Ashera, I did not want to leave. What if Elincia had to call and I would miss it?! Nevertheless, I could hear my mother's voice by the door. "LUCIA! Are you decent? Get out of there, we have some guests."
I growled as I pulled myself and the wool throw off the armchair I was claimed my own for the past three weeks. As I did so, I heard one of the male voices saying, "Please, ma'am, that won't be necessary. It is for the best that we be on our way…" Diverting her attention from me, my mother answered the strange visitor. "Then I will have the servants at least pour some hot drinks in a thermos flask before you leave. You'll die of the cold if you don't have something warm in your systems."
I rolled my eyes. My mother, hostess extraordinaire. Quick to initiate, slow to act. Too bad she didn't do any of the hospitality actions herself, though.
As I made my way to my bedroom, I heard another of the pair speaking, "Thank you once again for taking her in; we didn't know who to turn to. We didn't want to bring her with us to Daein; it will be dangerous for a young woman such as herself. We were to stay in Goldoa for Christmas, but an emergency came, and…"
"Please, don't worry yourself over it," I heard my father say, visualizing in my mind's eye his kind smile. "We have plenty of rooms, and one person more will make Christmas all the merrier. Will you be alright by yourselves, gentlemen?"
"We'll be alright," the first voice spoke again, "our apologies once more for a hasty retreat, but we really have to leave now." "Take care, sir." I heard the squelch of gloves signifying a handshake, and the thud of the front door signified the two visitors had left.
"Well, it looks like you'll be here for Christmas," my father nods towards the remaining figure. "Please, make yourself at home. The servants will show you to the guest room."
"I appreciate your kind hospitality, Sir Delbray," the all-too familiar voice replied. "You have done more than enough. I…" "Please, save the pleasantries," my father's booming laugh reverberated through the house. "Get some sleep, and we'll talk more in the morning. It's been a long day for you." With that, I heard my parents retreating to their quarters, along with most of the servants.
"Thank you, sir," came the response. My eyes opened wide, and grabbing my throw, I sped towards the entryway. "Elincia!" I cried, wrapping her with the blanket. "You…you made it…" I sobbed, overcome with emotion.
She softly stroked my sky-blue hair, and I hugged her tightly, hoping some warmth would reach her. "I'll take it from here," I mentioned to the remaining servants, who nod their approval and return to their quarters. When the commotion died down, I led her up to my room.
"I knew you'd be home for Christmas." My smile was as wide as the Cheshire cat's.
"Well, home is where the heart is," she replied, gently wiping away the salty streaks left by my tears.
As we shared one last kiss, the grandfather clock chimed. "Well. Look at that," Elincia smiled as we broke off, "Merry Christmas, Lucia."