Getting Adriet to her Grandfather’s home had been easy enough. Introducing him to Grandfather Tebryn and Great Uncle Chazsmyr had been easier than introducing him to her father! Chazsmyr had already known him through Uncle Vethaniel so that was fine but that was the first time her Grandfather had really met him. And she could always count on her Grandfather not to be embarrassing about it like Yyanthe could be. Yyanthe couldn’t even get his name right.
After having some tea with them, she asked if she could give Adriet a tour of the gardens. The two older men looked between themselves and then at Adriet. They gave their consent.
"I can show you the water lilies. Grandpa says that’s where our name comes from. It’s on our family crest." Stuffie told him as she took his arm.
"Alright." He replied. He chewed on his lip in a nervous fashion then glanced around uneasily.
"What?"
"I’m not used to being alone with you." He admitted. She laughed, he blushed and they continued onto the path to the large pond in the middle of the gardens. She pointed out her Grandfather’s reading bench, various plants—‘Those are the ones that Grandpa and I use for ink!’—flowers and finally, they came to the pond.
"See? How pretty?" She asked him. She slipped her arm out of his and slid it around his waist. She leaned against him as she stared at the flowers. With her other hand, Stuffie pointed north. "There’s a bridge up that way so you can cross over the pond and look. And then there’s these stones here so you can walk among them. The one in the middle is wobbly, though."
Adriet reached behind him to remove her arm around his waist. His hands found hers and he began to lead her to the stepping stones. Carefully, they made their way into the middle of the water lillies. It was peaceful. Quiet and still. Kind of romantic. This had been her goal. To get Adriet away from her new crazy siblings (Karyda would giggle, Nazrien would smirk) and from her new extra parents (Belimai would say something, surely and Harij would probably just give Adriet the eye). Who knows what Yyanthe would think! Anyway. Grandfather’s place was perfect for some alone time.
Adriet had just turned and they were just about to kiss until someone coughed and cleared their throat. Stuffie pushed Adriet away in surprise—but she had pushed him harder than she thought. A strangled yelp emitted from him before he fell into the water. ”Oh, no!” She wailed and looked across the pond to see her father doing his damnedest not to laugh. How did she not see him there?! ”I hate you! Why can’t you leave me alone?!” She stamped her foot and yelled at him before whispering a few words to Levitate Adriet up over the water.
He sputtered, dripping wet and followed Stuffie as she stormed off of the rocks in the opposite direction of her father. Her cheeks burned red. Stupid stupid stupid Daddy!
† - Any of mine who yours might know or be acquainted with or whatever. :)
"Father? Father, don’t—" Yyanthe physically blocked his way from entering Vanosa’s home. He stumbled back a little and looked surprised at Tebryn’s strength but yet, he held firm. "You shouldn’t go in there."
"Unhand me, Yyanthe. She is our dear friend."
"I know." His son’s voice softened as it did when he was speaking to victim’s families. Usually Tebryn liked it, liked the sympathy pouring out of his son—liked that his son was capable of it. Now he hated it. "But I don’t want you seeing her like that. I don’t really want her children seeing her like that."
"Yyanthe, if you do not let go of me this instant—son or no, I will—" A strong hand took hold of his shoulder and made him stop uttering the threat. Chazsmyr moved around him and touched Yyanthe’s shoulder.
"Let him go, Yyanthe." Chazsmyr said gently and Yyanthe nodded, releasing a breath he had held when his father began threatening him.
"She’s in the garden." Of course, she was. She would have tea there on good days.
As soon as his son moved aside, Tebryn rushed into the garden with Chazsmyr at his side and stopped as soon as he saw her. Blood pooled under and around her body but scratches and markings on her body indicated that she hadn’t gone down without one hell of a fight. He smiled at that, though he didn’t really feel like smiling. ”Do not worry.” He knelt beside her body and moved the hair off her cheek. ”Please do not worry. I will be sure that you get justice.”
The last part, he wouldn’t say. He refused to say although guilt—funny how it still affected him, undeath or not—guilt weighed his shoulders down.
