Reunion at House Teraan

[Sunny Lee]

It had only been a matter of weeks since the passing of Adelaide’s husband, and the countess was still very much in the throes of grief. Though she had shed very few tears, she was still experiencing the pain of loss and dealing with it the only way she knew how. She hadn’t been seen in the whole of their family estate since Elijah’s funeral, having chosen to sequester herself in her room. The countess kept the drapes drawn, and the room was lit with only the dim illumination of an artificial candle, she enjoyed the moody flickering light. Her mother had forbidden her to burn real candles; for fear that she would catch their home on fire. The days and nights had run together, and she wasn’t even sure what the current date or hour was.

She had risen from bed about an hour or so ago, and was currently at work at her canvas, painting dark strokes on the blank surface. The maids had spread a sheet upon the floor, in order to catch any flecks of paint and she stood barefoot upon it. Adelaide’s dark hair was wild and unkempt, falling in tangled strands about her face. The countess was wearing a white cotton dressing gown, and had been wearing it for days now, having let herself fall into neglect. Her green eyes shifted ever so slightly as she heard the creaking of her bedroom door, and a sliver of light pierced the darkness.

“Adelaide, this behavior has to cease.” Came the strict voice of the Dowager Countess, Adelaide’s mother. Alastia Teraan strode to the windows and threw back the drapes, letting the harsh light of day into the room.

“Mother, I am grieving.” Adelaide said in a cool tone of voice, shielding her eyes.

“This is not a healthy way to grieve then.” Said her mother. “You must bathe, dress, and come down to the library. Andulf returns home today, and I expect you to greet him properly.”

With that Alastia left the room, leaving Adelaide alone once more. It had been such a long time since she’d seen her twin, she wondered if he would recognize her after their long separation. They had parted as children and now would be reunited as adults... what a strange thought. Adelaide set down her paintbrush, and set out to do her mother’s bidding.

[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Adelaide Teraan"]

It has as it seem all but a lifetime ago when he was no more that just a boy that he'd last seen her. His dear little sister, for whom for most of better part his childhood he'd doted on and had been all but inseparable. Spending all but the better part the day either play with or at best talking in their own special language which no one seem understand. Other than the two them.....which for all but made him smile to himself.Remembering those days....of carefree bliss that had all soon been taken or lost to him.

Once his father had decided and no sooner sent him off say it was for the best. Of both the family...their house and people they ruled that next heir be taught and train in best school. So that they could be better prepared to face the challenges and never again let the failings of the past reign come to pass.

At which time no sooner had his ship landed that he was then jolted back to reality. And with seem an air of quite reserve manner about him he then stood. To then head out his personal quarters and head towards the door where two his most personal guard came forward. Flanking him on both side he then made his way out and onto the speeder that awaited him on the landing pad. As in regal fashion he was soon ushered quickly back to their estate where their mother alone waited to greet him. In which time as they drew closer did his eye slowly yet secretly scan the horizon. Take in the sight along with much the changes it seem since he last was home. As his speeder came stop by the entrance and he made his way towards main hall by the grand staircase. Where he was to meet with the family....

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[Sunny Lee]

It had taken Adelaide the better part of two hours to ready herself for Andulf’s arrival. For the first time in weeks she was dressed properly in a long gown, her hair had been brushed and was now fashioned into a sleek bun. Her maid had even taken the liberty of dusting her face with a bit of powder, but the makeup couldn’t hide the fact that Adelaide looked very tired and worn. However, this was a good start for the newly widowed countess. When her maid entered the room a last time, she received word that her brother had made his arrival. Adelaide could imagine that mother was already making a fuss over him. Even though she had shared a special bond with her twin, she couldn’t help but feel a bit nervous about their reunion. She didn’t know how things might have changed since he had been away.

There was only one way to find out. With soft steps, she made her way out of her bedroom and into the world of their family estate. Everyone was bustling about, trying to make sure that everything was just so, especially Andulf’s room, which was located on the opposite end of the long hall. When she finally reached the large staircase that met with the entrance hall, she paused before descending. For a moment she merely looked down at the figure standing below. Her brother had surely grown; they had missed many years together. Adelaide came down slowly, not sure how she should greet Andulf after such a long stretch of time. However, when she reached him, it became clear to her that the simplest greetings were often the best.

And with that she hugged her brother.

“Welcome home, Andulf.”

[member="Andulf Nicholas Teraan"]

 

[Andulf Nicholas Teraan]

[member="Adelaide Teraan"]

It was then as expected no sooner had he enter the halls that their mother dress all regally stood by the sunken hall in the middle just across the fireplace. And in between the twin stairs talk and with her back turn away from him face what he assumed be the house chief. While going thru and read the datapad presented to her. At which time he could help but give a silent secret smirk being that even after all this time. Mother seem be just as he'd remember her so.....at any case. He carefully and respectfully walked behind her and with light kiss on the check spoke.

"Mother...."

To which she then slowly turn and with smile turn her gaze to look him over once. Before come over to give him a light hug as the two then chatted casually for moment. Thought her eyes he'd noticed had darted once and a while over at the steps beyond. Which he himself had been tempted to do so as well but keep to decorum of the house. He opts not to for as much he hid it so part of him miss her so....li sis ade as he use to call her fondly in their youth. Her sweet little twin sister whom he'd spent and doted much his attention to. But then seem they had but not long wait as even before he turn to see her there standing. He no less felt her presence as oddly it would seem such was the bond between the twin. That seem despite being apart for such long time a light smile came across his lips.

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While he soon turn face her and no less notice even without her speaking. By mere look and way he seem able look thru those eyes that recent events had take its toil on her. As such whiie she soom walked to make her way towards them that in back his mind. Thought raced as unsure how best to speak or proceed as it was not so much in regards to the time they were apart. But mostly because mother was there and watch them with keen intent of make sure. Everything was proper and as they should be.....at any rate seem once she stood before him. And thru their bond seem to clearly pick up that perhaps simplest greeting was for the best for now. As she then reach over and hugged him and he in turn reciprocated the hug as she spoke.

“Welcome home, Andulf.”

To which with a smile as she slowly pulled away and he intentionally kept his hands hold her replied back.

"...thank you Adelaide . It seem been too long and oh how much you'd grown since last we'd seen each other. At any rate..."

He'd turn to their mother and spoke as he then casually locked his arm round her while slowly lead her away from the room.

"...I would hope you won't mind mother but i would like take moment take brief walk of the estate?"

Which seem she in turn no less agreed and turn away towards the opposite room as another Maid came. Handing her a datapad that she need to look over.....as such was things were in House Teraan. That its affairs and royal running had been his father domain as it was the running of the house estate itself had been their mothers. But since his passing it had all been left for her to do and for that as far he'd know. Who for much he'd know ran it like a well synchronize unit and not been one to let anything slide or be out of place.

At any rate once they were out of earshot that he leans over to speak with her.

"It's been so long and....I've heard about it during my return....i am truly sorry and sadden by your loss. And would have wish been here for you sooner or even been able to attend the wedding. But you know father....he'd insisted duty over personal matters. But just the same i so miss you so much and will be here more often now that my time in the academy done with. Thought i would assume mother and father would be quite be more insistent at best persistent.Have me learn and be more responsible with assisting with running of the House."

He then gave her a gentle hug and light kiss upon her forehead as seem like. A throw back to memories from their childhood come back no sooner had they were together again. Where in thought linger briefly in mind of time when while being still a boy back then that. He sort convinced her to run off towards the woods behind the estate with him. Tell her it would be fun play a game tag with their nanny and man servant. But alas thought it indeed fun have moment explore that in his haste to lead her on that she trips. Scrape her knee onto one the rocks as she fell over and cried as it bleed a bit. Cause him quite concern that being so young and wanting comfort her ....tell her how sorry he was. That he'd wrap his arm round her and did so as he had now. As it was in his memory one the few ways he knew best to comfort her abet he wasn't sure being they were much older now and grow. If by anything it was as mother voice in back his head would say 'proper and in decorum'.

At any rate care not of any of it now and push those thought aside. For if nothing else while the two were alone walk out one the back door that all that matter to him at that time. Was that he was home and for once it seem just as her twin sister needed him so. As he held her close.. bond and connection as twin....and as siblings no less came to mind above all else. As he slightly forego the trapping of his current status as Count and instead take on that which was most dear to him. That of being protector and dear brother to his most dearest sister.