Precious Memories

✧ Ada Valenciano ✧ 20 ✧ ℱ ✧ ♊ ✧ Student at Latowidge University ✧ Rookie, part time employee at Reveille National Museum ✧ Fangirl by heart ✧ [ Pandora Hearts modern au blog of Ada Vessalius • Member of simplexsomnium-rp group ]

[temperedloyalty-deactivated2015]

It felt like a long day to Gilbert even though afternoon was gradually turning to evening. Arms crossed over his chest as the noir’s chin raised upward, gaze landing upon the tree before him. Having taken a walk through the park, he paused only shortly to gaze up toward a tree. Most likely to anyone passing by it might seem strange to see someone randomly paused staring at a tree while they walk on by. Head canted slightly to the side with a squint of eyelids right before coming to some sort of acceptance on whatever he’d just been thinking on.

Lowering his head, Gilbert took a few steps forward in toward the tree, passing up a bench stationed for easy sitting. He came to the decision that he’d sit down beneath the tree and enjoy himself a nap while nothing was going on for him.

[charmedmemoirs]

“See you again next time Miss Ada!” The children waved at the golden blonde haired girl as they headed back to the orphanage. A little brown haired girl pulled their chaperone’s hand.“I’m coming dear.” said the children’s chaperone gently to the little girl before looking back at Ada. “I have to go, Ada. Thank you for coming today.”

Ada showed a warm smile to her older sister and gave her a hug. “I’ll visit again soon, Bridget. Next time I’ll bring a new story for me to read for them.”

The older sibling embraced her back, missing her little sister very much. Seconds passed by until the little girl tugged her chaperone’s coat. The sisters chuckled light-heartedly and released each other from the hug.

“I’ll see you soon, Bridget.” Ada told her and waves, she then  turns in the other direction and walks her way through the park. During her walk, she passed by a man who had been taking a nap on the bench beneath a tree. Her steps came to a stop. Emerald hues stared at the man’s face. His hair is as black as a raven’s feathers.

Gil

The name whispered in her ear by her own voice in her mind. Her feet pulled her towards him.

“You might catch a cold if you continue to sleep there.”

Her mouth moved on its own when the words escaped her lips.

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

Levi bit into his cheek to stop himself from smiling too broadly for an obvious reasons - his face, but to see the young woman getting flustered over being called out was a sight to be seen.

'Maybe this is how actual people are supposed to act,' he mused and then quickly adds, 'but then again, I haven't met a lot of those.'

Keeping up with the blonde, he promptly says, “No need to apolog-“

Levi’s shawl falls off a bit, and while trying to rearrange it, he notices it. Yet another shadow scaling up a building’s side in broad daylight. It wasn’t even trying to keep itself hidden either?!

What an arroga-

Hearing the young lady speak up, it pulls Levi back to real things like moving…?

"Uh," Levi thinks she said something about his moving here, maybe, dear god is he slipping already, "Yes?"

"Yeah, about two weeks ago" he points to the general direction of his home, "into the haunted house on the edge of the city."

Asking him that before even knowing his name, Levi grins despite himself, ‘Well, isn’t that something.’

Levi had to give it the young lady that she was certainly polite, and thankfully, very welcoming, too.

Now he couldn’t help but wonder if she ever been pushed enough to show more grit?

It is there, but buried quite a bit. Just needs…

Not that it was appropriate for Levi’s mind to wander off on such things before even knowing her name; however, if he were to play his cards right, he might actually find out.

A decent individual to have conversations with that don’t lead full circle to unusual things like shadows eating plants that hang off windowsills!

(Pay it no mind, Levi. Not now.)

Usually though, it is Levi’s fault that all his conversations end up being about such things. As much as he loathes this life, Levi is certain that he’d be bored to death by doing anything else.

Seeing the girl’s expression light up as she asks, it warms Levi a bit.

Mouse should of sent her to show the house because the young miss could of had it sold in minutes.

"I find your city very beautiful! Since I’ve been jumping from place-place for the last few years," Levi stretches his arms with a frown, " but I could do less with people whispering about my house."

The thought that they are all pretty much right about it still bugs him though.

[charmedmemoirs]

How she manages to keep up a conversation with a complete stranger, she didn’t know. Or is it possible because of her socializing skills due to her part time job that helped her to be at ease when talking to different people.

Neither did Ada noticed where the ivory haired man was looking at. Her head bent to the side, listening to his story.

“Haunted house?” she asked.

A tone of curiosity filled her vocal chords in her question. How come didn’t she know about the haunted house on the edge of the city? Did she miss this kind of information during her research?

Her eyes slowly started to twinkle. Looking at the man with  a hopeful gaze.

At least ask his name, then maybe you can get to see the haunted house.

Containing her interests in ghosts, occult and sorcery is not easy. She even promised her parents that she will take care of the family heirlooms in their house herself just to stop them from getting rid of it.

So people do whisper about his house. She didn’t care. Even if she did hear a few rumors about it, she would want to see it herself. Wishing she could do something to stop the whispering, but right now there’s nothing she could do.

“I’m glad you found the city very beautiful!”

Reveille is a beautiful city. Yet there’s so much more to explore in this intriguing city.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Ada. Ada Valenciano. Please to meet you!”

[pagautaskadras]

A mental slap will be enough, he decides. That was really awkward. And the first time something like that happened as well. The name still tingled in his brain, annoying Elliot further more. There was no possibility he could’ve known her. None at all.

Is she actually chasing him? What does she want from him- an argument over the phone? Elliot certainly can’t think of another reason. He turns to the cashier counter and puts his books down. He’ll probably come back here later instead.

"What do you want?" he sharply addresses the words towards the girl. Not his first argument, and definitely not his last one. "If you don’t want to get scolded, you should think about such things before going anywhere!"

[charmedmemoirs]

What is definitely wrong with her for following a complete stranger? Let alone to someone who had just scolded at her for turning off the alarm of her cellphone. It’s not like she’s in the library or something. Ada didn’t want to be scolded again. Though all of that didn’t matter to Ada.  She did think about the things she does, however, this one is different. Well, maybe not too different, still it’s one of those things she to confirm especially those visions and dreams she’s having for years.

She held her gripped to her basket of books securely in her arm. There was a fair distance between her and the stranger, but she kept her pace for her not to lose him. The blonde stood one or two arm’s length from him as he proceeds to pay for his books at the cashier counter.

“I... I just want to ask...”

She began to talk, but she couldn’t form her question right in her mind. Struggling to find a good way to ask him.

“Have we met before?”

[charmedmemoirs]

Ada was back at the girl’s dorm in her room. Her head against her pillow, eyes closed with a book rested on top of her stomach. A few strands of her golden blonde hair covered her delicate features. She was reading ‘The House of Hades’ earlier this afternoon after her shift at the museum. One of the books she wanted to finish as the new one had finally been published.

She began to dream when her consciousness slowly drifting away.

She knew she was dreaming. Ada had always dreamt this large mansion a few or more times before. Now, why does everything look so big. She stood in the middle of a large room. It was like she was small all along. The door was in front of her while the bed was on her right. A soft voice began calling her name. Her body started to move. She was smiling. She came closer to the woman who was standing in front of a big mirror.

“Mommy” She said in a child’s voice. The little blonde raised both of her hands up as she wanted to be carried by the other.

What is happening to her? She wanted to move in her own will but then this is only a dream… Right? It was light she was watching from this child’s point of view. The woman serenely smiled to her baby daughter and lift her up into her arms. She kept her close and faced them both in front of the mirror. Ada could now see them both. The toddler looked exactly like her when she was very small. The woman. Her mother in her dream. She could see how beautiful she is. It was like the mother and daughter were a painting from another time.

“Now Ada… Mommy had a few errands to do in the city. Will you be a good girl and while I’m away?” said her mother. Her dream child self nodded happily to oblige to what her mother had told her. The lady smiled and gently kissed her forehead.

The scene began to change.

She tries to blink, wondering why did her dream suddenly changed. 

Ada was now standing in front of a grave. Her cheeks were wet. She was being hugged by someone else. She looked around and saw a blonde boy with his arms wrapped around her. He was crying. The two of them wore white, while the adults around them wore black clothing. She turned her attention again back to the grave. There were faint whispers all around her.

‘It was the Nightrays.’

‘They are to blame for this incident.’

‘Poor Lady Rachel.’

‘Especially her children.’

When she heard the name, she could see the woman’s name on the gravestone. It was then when she couldn’t stop crying.

“Meow”

Something was nuzzling her cheek. Ada slowly opened her eyes and saw Snowdrop and Kitty. Did they try to wake her up? Slowly she sat up from her bed. She then felt a drop of water landed on top of her hand. She blinked and touched her cheek, which was obviously wet. She was crying in her sleep. Ada never thought that her dream affects her this much. 

[s-doradus-deactivated20160818]

"Hello, in that case you can call me Leo."

He walked a bit further into the room, he couldn’t say why, but he felt like he had to be a bit more polite around this woman. Maybe it was that timid way she spoke? He couldn’t exactly place it. Oh well, it wasn’t something to be much bothered by.

"It seems like you’re a bit above me in schooling, so is Miss Ada alright?"

Leo lightly touched the piano. He didn’t have a real chance to play songs past a few simple things. Nor did he have the chance to really see a grand piano like this, the ones he had access too were much smaller. This whole situation seemed to pull up some kind of feeling in him. It was small, but warm and familiar. How strange.

The teen realized he was spacing out and looked back up to the blond again and tried to continue simple small talk.

"Are you part of the music program here?"

[charmedmemoirs]

“Leo,” She repeated his name.

For some reason, Ada looked behind her new acquaintance to the open door as if she’s expecting someone to come along with him. Such a weird feeling.

“Oh.. Um.. Yes! .. I think so....”

Snapping out of her little moment of daze and answered his question. She thought through his question about her being above him in schooling.

“Are you perhaps a new student here?”

She asked. That this indeed might be the first time she saw and met him here at Latowidge. As a prefect or disciplinary officer, Ada might have known or at least recognize almost all the faces of the students in the University. Then again her memory might not have been that sharp to remember all of them. She took the chance and asks him.

For his next question, Ada slowly shakes her head with a sad smile.

“No... I’m not part of the music program here. I do know how to play. I’m not that very good at playing, but I am trying to practice to improve myself.”

The music room is open to all students. Ada had figured out that maybe she could spend her time practicing alone when no one uses the room.

“Do you play the piano too, Leo?”

She remembers how gently he touched the piano with a fond kind of look on his face.

“I’m sure you play wonderfully!”

Now how did she know that. She hadn’t heard him play the piano before.

[s-doradus-deactivated20160818]

Leo had gotten up much earlier than usual. There was something calming about walking around an empty building long before the hallways would be filled with students. However, when he passed near the music room there was a gentle melody hanging in the air.

He recognized it immediately. The teen couldn’t help but smile a bit at this sudden sense of nostalgia, “Fur Elise” was one of the first full songs he ever learned. He stood outside the door, he wanted to walk in but he decided to let the other person finish first. There was something nice about standing alone in the hallway with music quietly echoing past the door. 

Leo waited just a moment longer, and when he knew the piece was about to end he quietly turned the handle and peaked in. As he saw the young woman at the piano, he walked just a bit further inside.

"Your playing is quite lovely."

[charmedmemoirs]

The sound resonates across the room and into the halls of the University for those who might pass by near the music room. Ada continued to play as she pleases until the song had finally ended. She never heard someone coming in the room until a voice had praised her playing.

Quite embarrassed that someone had caught her practicing this early morning. She turned her head, with a small blush on her cheeks, to meet the him.

“T-Thank you! ... But I still need a lot of practice.”

She said quite bashful to him. Her emerald eyes gazes to the young man. Why is there a sense of familiarity with him? This would be her first time meeting a person like him. Nevertheless, Ada stood up from her seat and came forward to greet him.

“My name is Ada. Please to meet you!”

[charmedmemoirs]

It was early in the morning when Ada decided to practice her playing with the piano. With everyone still asleep (probably), the blonde walked quietly towards the music room. Not one did she meet on her way to the classroom.

A few music sheets in her hand as she turns the handle and opening the door gently. She peeks inside to see if anyone was in the room. Her smile widens when she saw no one at present. She entered silently and closed the door behind her.

She made her way towards the grand piano. Organizing the sheets to its place and opens the lid that was covering the keys. She pressed one or two keys before she finally sat down to the chair. She then began to play “Fur Elise.”

[mrbigode-blog-blog-blog]

[blendendx-deactivated20141106]

charmedmemoirs

Cats. It’s incredible how they can simply bring a smile to his face, just by being there. Not that is was that hard to make Oz smile, but either way, it truly made him happy. The blond didn’t know that felines or any kind of pet at all were allowed at Latowidge, but those were simply too well kept not to have an owner and were just wandering around, so could it be —? It kinda gave him hopes of bringing his own cat to the dorm, so he would definitely check for that. For the moment, though, he was going to focus on petting the adorable animals, unaware the owner could be near.

[charmedmemoirs]

“Snowdrop! Kitty!”

Ada called for her two pet cats. A white one and a black one she owns. She was only reading by the school garden with her pets when the two suddenly went missing. Dinah, her gray cat was following behind her. The gray feline wore a red ribbon around its neck like her other two cats.

For some reason, her mother had managed to talk to the Headmaster in allowing her three pet felines in the University. Though Ada did see a few other more students who brought along their pet dog, parrot, hamster and more. Maybe because she has three cats to bring to Latowidge.

The sound of their call was heard. Her golden blonde hair swayed when she turned her head to the path where she heard her cats.

“Let’s go, Dinah!”

She told her other cat and quickly walked towards to the direction where she heard them.

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

Old reflexes die hard because Levi almost went to make a grab for the phone if it fell. Thankfully, she didn’t mention how him reaching towards her- it might of helped that his arms were covered by his shawl.

Something about the girl made him feel at ease- it is an unfamiliar presence, but it was obvious that his actions took her by surprise and possibly uncomfortable. That wasn’t going to do because that is the very last thing Levi wants.

Just.. There was something about her eyes looking being sad that unsettled him. It wasn’t right.

Levi tried to make himself sound casual as he caught up with her, but the feeling was distracting him and made his words sound stilted, “That’s probably for the best because I’ve had a handful of incidents that occurred while I was too busy playing a game or something.”

Memories of said incidents are beaten back because if he was fumbling badly now, it would only get worse with those memories returning to the forefront. 

Noticing her quick glances at his hair, Levi laughed (to push those memories away), “Its natural, Miss, so don’t fret over staring because I am pretty used to it by now since moving here.”

[charmedmemoirs]

“I-I’m s-sorry!”

She immediately apologized for her actions, causing the blonde to blush.

Moving here?

“Did you just recently move here in Reveille?”

The question came out of her mouth once they were already at the other side of the street. Cars began to move when there were no more pedestrian crossing the road.

So the white haired man had recently moved here in the city. Ada remembered the first time when her family had moved here. She was only eight years old back then.

One fateful night, a man dressed in black came to their house informing her mother the death of her parents. Even if she was only a child back then, she remembered how her mother grieved for them. Her father was consoling her mother, then saw her brother, Raphael, clenched his hand into a tight fist. She wanted to ask what was going on back then, but no one would tell. Her sister, Bridget, wrapped her arms around her. She was told not to ask anything about the matter for now. They moved to Reveille and now living in their ancestral home where her mother’s family had originated.

Back to the present, Ada managed to form a gentle smile to the new resident of the city.

“How was the city to your liking?”

She asked another question to him as if she was trying to welcome him to Reveille.

[queenofhurt-deactivated20160124]

Miranda wasn’t one for festivals, or festivities in general. It all seemed very beneath her, if she was being honest about things. But, what she did like, was antiques, and fancy dresses, and limited time exhibits in the museums. So, that was a general upside to the festivities. She hadn’t really looked into it, but she was sure that the National Museum Reveille would have some fancy new exhibit to showcase for the day. Why else would they have people all dressed up? It only made sense.

So, true to form, Miranda had decked out in one of her most elaborate period dresses -not actual period dress, but made to look like one- and had made her way to the museum. As she entered, she noticed a young thing, maybe collage age, dressed in a darling period outfit. And what did they have her doing? Handing out coupons, how degrading. None the less, Miranda pasted a smile on her face, and took the slip of paper she was handed.

"There is a new exhibit for the holiday, is there not? Pray tell, what is it?"

[charmedmemoirs]

A flyer was taken from her hand. She was about to say 'Thank you and please do enjoy the exhibits today!', but her emerald hues stare at the beautiful red haired lady who stopped and asked her a question. Ada saw how elegant and elaborate the dress that the lady was wearing. It took a minute later for the blonde to respond her question. She blushes lightly in embarrassment for the late response.

"Y-Yes! T-there is a new exhibit!"

At first she stutters then she took a deep breath. She exhaled slowly before recollecting her composure. Wanting to look professional even if she's only working part time at the museum.

"Today they're showing new artifacts in the history gallery for the festival! There were dresses, weapons, documents and devices that they placed on display for everyone, not only to see, but also for them to learn about Reveille's rich history!"

If anyone looked closely, her eyes might be shining in delight as Ada answers the question that was asked of her.

[storytellerofcrossroads-blog]

It’s been a long while since Levi’s been in a church, but this one is certainly a sight for sore eyes. The interior was magnificent, and hopefully somewhere down the line, he’ll worm his way back here to get a better look around.

Noticing the pleasant background noise of the mass has ceased, Levi peels his eyes from the adorned ceiling above, and he realizes that the place is almost empty. That and a few seniors are side-eyeing him. 

Grabbing his things, Levi rushes out the doorway - which is decorated, too, and curses at being so skittish over old farts - and sees flashes of blonde several feet ahead of him.

The girl that sat alone several rows ahead of him.

When he catches up to her, “Just because there aren’t any cars, you really shouldn’t be looking at your phone while in the middle of the street.”

[charmedmemoirs]

Ada had almost dropped her phone. She clumsily catches it before it slipped through her fingers, startled by the man’s words when he suddenly came up to her.

“Phew...”

Felt a rush of relief that she managed to save her cellphone.

“Please don’t scare me like that...”

She wasn’t particularly scared, surprised would be the best way to describe it. Saying those words to the stranger who is kind(?) enough to warn her.

Ada continues to walk across the street; she turns her head to face him. Green orbs stares to the man’s features. White. Long white hair with violet eyes. There was something familiar with his eyes. She just couldn’t remember who, where and when. He doesn’t look like an old man either. More like someone in his mid-twenties. 

Did he dye his hair? a wig?

She never thought that she could actually meet a person this young with white hair in real life. Thinking she would only see those kinds of people in movies, tv shows or dramas.

“I’ll try... Not to look at my phone while crossing the street next time.”

Blinking her eyes, reminding herself that it’s rude to stare to a person for too long. 

[charmedmemoirs]

The sun was shining brightly.  People started to flow out the church when the mass, dedicated for Mama Mary’s birthday, finally ended. One of those people who stepped out of the church was a girl with golden blonde hair. She lifted up her hand, blocking the brightness of the sun hitting her eyes. This would be the first time that Ada went to church without her family. She received each a text from her father, mother and siblings that they couldn’t make it to the mass with her. Disappointed at first but Ada understood how busy they are with their work.

The street light went green; she looked from the left side of the street then to the right before crossing the street. Her hand reached out for her phone inside her pocket. Double checking her schedule for the day, her emerald eyes focused on the screen.

[pagautaskadras]

Getting the right textbooks yourself was an unusual experience for Elliot. He came into one particular bookstore with a list, but had only managed to find two so far. 

“‘Cinematic Storytelling’, that’s not it…” he mumbled to himself, glancing at his phone again. There were so many textbooks in this area it wasn’t easy to find a particular thing.

A loud sound from his right startled Elliot. He turned his head to see a blonde girl clumsily trying to silence her phone. 

"Can’t you try and be more considerate of your surroundings?" the words slipped out of his mouth themselves. "You should feel embarrassed, Ad-"

What?

He snapped his mouth shut before he could say something completely dumb. Ada? Where did that come from? Did he confuse her with someone? He doesn’t even know an Ada! Is that even a name!?

"Turn the sound off the next time!" he finally spat out and returned to searching for his textbooks.

[charmedmemoirs]

The noise that came from her phone had earned her a few stares from a couple of people. Quietly she apologizes to some in her flustered state. It just so happened that one of the customers had given her the piece of his mind.

"I'm so----"

She paused. Her emerald eyes grew a little bigger when she saw him. His voice. His face. The way he speaks. Everything is all so familiar about him as if she had already met him. That couldn't be right.

You should feel embarrassed, Ad-

Ad- ... He was about to say her name which surprises her more. Ada gripped the handle of her basket with the books settled at the bottom. It was then when she realized that he was about to leave.

"Wait!"

The blonde girl called out to him. Running after a stranger who just scolded her.

[charmedmemoirs]

"Archaeology… Sociology…" muttering the words out of her mouth. Ada searched in the bookstore for the books she might need to use for this new school year. Half excited to meet new friends, new people that she might encounter and the courses she will take this term. However, she also wished that summer lasted a little longer. She couldn’t bear to imagine that she will have to leave home again. She loved that old big house they’re living in. The one that her father inherited from his parents, her grandparents. She will miss going to the basement, where she cleans few of the objects that was displayed there.

The sound of her alarm suddenly went off and snapped her out of her small world inside her mind. Scrambling to get her phone, she pulled it from the pocket of her jeans and pressed the stop button. A sigh came out. It was merely a matter of minutes before she found one of the books she ought to buy.

[simplexsomnium-rp]

Accepted!

Congratulations, Angel. You’ve been accepted for the role of Ada Vessalius. 

Mod Danni loves how Ada works at a museum and is so interested in the culture of Reveille. The fact that her first words were “big brother” hurt in the best way possible. Mod Geta enjoys the fact that Ada is taking up so many different and that she’s studying for a tourism degree—which seems very cool. We look forward to seeing you on the dash. (And remember you can always talk to both of us about Harry Potter.)

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