"Make yourselves at home."
Rosalind said, her blue orbs shining in delight. Something that hadn't dawned the Oliver estate for years. She led them through the corridors, through a certain room and welcomed her guests to sit.
Lizette and Doctor Sue both felt shy under her propaganda but still warmed themselves to the host. Even Liz with her experience in tea parties and lavish balls had never felt so welcomed at someones' home, not just a house.
"Aunt! Is that you?!" A young voice called out from the kitchen and asked.
"YES! Mariel !" Rosalind replied. Rosalind quickly offered her guests sugarblocks on the sofa table and went of to place her basket in the kitchen.
Minutes later, Mariel came with tea and snacks. Her gaze down at the old serving cart, her expression unreadable. Until, she looked at Doctor Sue her eyes gleamed a little before dimming quickly. Such a handsome young man...
Unbeknownst to Sullivan or Doctor Sue munched happily upon the delicacies, he felt that he found his long-lost taste buds and cried inside. Lizette to felt rejuvenated with food. They took a bite and wouldn't stop. Since morning or even yesterday food was hard expense in their travels, mote often than not. They found themselves scavenging food for the day or night.
Sigh, she thought, a noble lady to be reduced to this. She looked at the cake she was eating devoid of fruit and the reception smaller than her previous room. She thought a lot on with each bite and found her cake gone.
Gone?
Lizette glared at Sullivan, taking a chunk of the food in his plate in a huff.
Mariel giggled at their expense.
The house wasn't big but it was warm. Rosalind was exceptionally excited with her new guests .She felt a newfound vigor overflow from her bones. She skipped inside and busied herself around the house for her guests. From their rooms, to necessities , to clothes, to tea and to dinner later
She fussed in the closet room for blankets and pillows. Fussed even more at their clothes, especially Lisette's. She felt nothing right and felt extremely bad about having no clothes for children her age. Even when Lizette sensibly expressed that she didn't need new clothes under Sullivan's stare.
Rosalind didn't feel right, finally, she found some clothes from the neighbors' house.
Meanwhile, Liz and Sullivan watched in awe from the reception room window as Rosalind came back with a bunch of dresses. Rosalind's niece, Mariel chuckled behind them. As she set the table, she remarked:
"Let her be, she hadn't been this excited si-these days."
She paused a bit before changing her words , a vague haze blurred her eyes before returning to normal and replacing her words.
Her weirdness going unnoticed by the present ears. Lizette grumbled at her fate and Sullivan also chuckled at her misfortune.
"Come on. She's letting us stay for free."
He said and Lizette could only agree.
Lamenting her fate of being unable to escape a thousand triads of gowns.
They'll be the death of me, she even quoted.
They cozied themselves on the hot tea Mariel brewed for them.
"Hello!" Mariel chirped," Nice to meet you".
Her eyes tinged in warmth, she had short blonde hair and evergreen eyes. A contrast to Rosalind's fiery beauty and personality. Mariel was more tamed.
"Don't mind my Aunt, she is just excited as we haven't had such young guests for years"
She smiled her voice tinged with something, glancing over at Liz. Her wandering eyes caught Doctor Sue for the 3rd time since she came here.
Doctor Sue a flamboyant gentleman to his bones, flashed her a billion worthy smile.
Something that made Mariel swoon but managed to kept her poise.
Sullivan said: "No worries! It's the least we can do."
His orbs flashing as he looked at Lizette who rolled his eyes at him,
" Don't worry sis Mariel! I really like Aunt Rosa, she's been very good to us, since coming here" Lizette said.
"Thank you" a relieved smile drew Mariels' tensed shoulders to relax. Her hazy eyes and sweet smile, tinged in warmth as if she was really relieved.
A cordial atmosphere enveloped the reception as everyone grinned ear to ear , a silent consensus reached all of them at once.
When room slammed open by Rosalind's unforgiving hands. She saw this scene and became confused.
Her excitement drained a bit and she was left confused: what happened when I was gone?