Happy Holidays everyone! i'm back from my Grandma's and last night i was able to finish another new chapter for you all!
Hope you enjoy! XD
Part Thirty-four:
Luckily, Lark had no trouble finding Richard's street. But the house was a very different story. "Wow," she said breathlessly, looking up at the tall, beautiful mansions. The rims of the roofs were encrusted with delicate icicles and frosted patterns covered the window glasses leaving the houses looking like something from a winter fairy tale. Glancing back at the paper in her hand to the homes before her, she set out to find Richard's among the others. The snow crunched under Lark's feet, she shivered slightly and was thankful for the heavy cloak she had found in her closet. There were so many costumes and outfits stuffed in that closet Lark feared for her life every time she had to open it.
Walking up the pathway she could only stare at the magnificence of her old friend's home. It was three stories, with large, inviting windows trimmed with a brilliant white wood that she couldn't name. A circular stained glass window sat on the very top center of the roof, casting multicolored rays to dance on the white snow to a passerby's delight. Lark felt almost unworthy to go up the cascading porch steps to the large beautiful double doors, each engraved in their own personal design. Gathering a bit of courage, she held her head up and walked up the stairs to stand in front of the entrance. Letting out a long breathe, she raised her fist and knocked loudly. She winced a bit as the cold wood stung her knuckles as they rapped against the door. The sound of her knocking seemed to travel throughout the whole house, echoing down its hallways until silence was the only thing that reached Lark's ears.
She blinked. "Okay, that was really strange…" She jumped, startled, as the door was suddenly pulled open. A clear, bright, lovely voice rang out through the mansion's now opened door into the cold air. "Hello, dear, you must be Mademoiselle Lark!" The young girl looked up into a beautiful woman's face with surprise and awe. The woman in the doorway was rather tall, almost as tall as Erik would be. She had long, silky, auburn hair that flowed down to her shoulders curling slightly at the tips with a few natural highlights in them. Her face was heart-shaped with a slightly pointed chin and a small delicate nose. The woman's eyebrows made graceful arches over her sapphire blue eyes that were framed with long, angel-like lashes. Her eyes reflected warmth and kindness.
She had a determined mouth, like she could handle anything despite her delicate features. Her lips curled up slightly at the corners giving her a natural smile upon her face when it was relaxed. Her figure was willow thin, and she looked to be around her late-thirty's but the lady was still able to look healthy and very attractive; though it didn't seem that the woman cared if she was or not. No make-up burdened her clear face, but Lark thought she looked like a winter angel. She was wearing a long, flowing white gown with light blue lace trimmings and a slightly low-cut bodice that was also a-lined with the beautiful lace. A sash the same color as the lace was wrapped around her small waist, accenting her slight, but glamorous, figure. She was lovely, like a rose; but like a rose, she knew how to defend herself. Lark could see it in the woman's eyes, the determination and self-confidence that filled her to the brim.
The woman smiled warmly at Lark. "Richard has told me all about you," she said happily, "but he never told me you would be visiting!" The young girl could only stare wondrously at the angel before her. "You're very pretty, Mademoiselle," she said smiling at the beautiful person. The woman laughed pleasantly, it sounded like bells, and led Lark into the house. "Thank you, my dear," she said, delighted, "I thank you for your kind words!" She lowered her voice a little, smiling mischievously, "My brother wouldn't give me a compliment if his life depended on it." Lark giggled, it wasn't strange for her to talk to an adult; especially one so light-hearted with a child's heart inside a grown woman's spirit. Just like Mama used to be.
"Who is your brother, Mademoiselle?" Lark asked curiously as the woman led them both down a brightly lit hallway. The woman laughed again, turning her head toward the young girl. "Richard is my brother of course! I'm his older sister, Rachel." Lark's eyes widened to the size of tea saucers. Opening her mouth to speak, they were interrupted by their host, Richard. "Lark!" he boomed, "Wonderful to see you here!" The young girl beamed and raced to hug her old friend. "It's good to see you, too, Richard," she said, hugging him tight. Richard hugged her back and released her, noticing the beautiful woman beside them. "Ah," he said solemnly, "I see that you have met my older sister, Rachel." Lark nodded, "yes, I didn't know you had a sister!"
Rachel punched her younger brother lightly on the shoulder. "You didn't introduce me before," she scolded teasingly; "I never got the pleasure of meeting such a kind, sweet little lady!" Lark blushed at Rachel's praise but Richard scoffed. "You were too busy with your silly paints and oils, sister." She crossed her arms. "They are not silly, brother, they are tools," Rachel huffed defensively. He shook his head and explained to his small friend, taking notice of her curious stares that went between both adults. "My sister is an artist, a painter, for a living." He glanced at his sister who glared at him, "She will work on one piece for about a month and still not be finished." Richard made a pained face at Rachel, who looked a little miffed about his comment.
"Oh, but I think it's wonderful that she would put so much effort into something she loves!" exclaimed Lark. She curtsied to the woman respectfully. "If you would like, Madame Rachel, I would enjoy seeing your work in which you have put so much valuable effort and time." Rachel looked both pleased and surprised. "But of course you can!" she said encouragingly, "I am pleased to see that a lady such as yourself would take interest in art at so young an age whereas a gentleman could not." She glanced in Richard's direction where he scowled at his older sister. He then excused himself to the library while the ladies observed 'pretty pictures.' Rachel glowered at her younger brother before taking Lark's hand and leading them up the exquisite staircase to the story above.
"I have always liked artwork," Lark explained as they walked down the corridor, "but I have found to enjoy it immensely when I saw Erik's drawings." Rachel looked down curiously at the young girl. "Erik?" she echoed. The girl nodded, smiling. "Yes, Erik is my guardian and friend!" Lark declared cheerfully, "He's a composer, an artist, a musician, an architect, and possibly a magician!" Rachel nodded, impressed. "I should like to meet him, perhaps?" she asked politely. The young girl beamed and clapped her hands together. "Ooh, yes, yes, that would be splendid for Erik!" she squealed, "I've been telling him he needs to meet new people; I think I could introduce you to him soon!" Rachel nodded agreeably. "I would love to meet your guardian, Lark."
Poor Erik, he has so many things happening! XD sorry that it took me so long to give you all a new chappy.
i will be writting faster, so hopefully i'll be able to add the last X-mas special before Christmas. hmm, the race goes on, type my fingers, type!!