Apple
Time: Barely past breakfast, 18th of March Place: Fairford House Status: Closed, for @cescapist
Peace was distant this morning; Valentin felt like his heart pumped lightning bolts, not blood.
It was the Housekeeper Mr Norris who opened the door. He looked surprised.
“Don’t worry,” Valentin therefore hasted to say, “I’m not expected. But I also won’t call long. I’m just here for-...” ‘Yes,’ Mr Norris grunted and let him in, not even trying to walk ahead and lead the way, because -- as Valentin suspected -- he knew Valentin well enough, and knew he’d been here many times before.
And indeed, Valentin found the dining room easily, barely even noticing his steps or how light they felt. The moment he entered, the Forester men were on their feet, as was custom, while the Forester women (all but Mrs Forester who was allowed to have her breakfast in bed) stayed put and looked surprised. “Good morning!” he greeted, an easy but happy smile on his lips. He motioned for them to sit again. “Don’t mind me; I simply had to be the first to wish the twins a happy birthday.”
His eyes had found, naturally, Benny across the room again and again, but it was Miss Leah whom he went to first. Taking her hand, he hinted at a kiss, then procured a small, flat gift box for her. “Happy Birthday, Miss Leah. May your year be merry and bright. It’s always a pleasure to see you at Saint Mary’s.” Letting her open her gift -- it was a bookmark made of delicate ribbons, the type you’d find in Bibles, all yellow and green, at least fifteen of them, twisting and turning in a pattern that reminded of the pagan art sometimes found in these lands -- he made his way to Benny.
The lightning bolts roared fiercely; Valentin smiled confidently all the same. In a way he wasn’t sure he could’ve stopped himself from smiling even if he’d wanted to. “Happy Birthday Mister Ebenezer,” he exhaled and opened his arms for a hug. On birthdays, hugs were normal. They were expected. Maybe that was why Valentin had hurried so. Maybe he’d been scared that if he came too late, Benny would’ve had enough hugs already and wouldn’t want his anymore.