Young Writers Society

Author's Note: Taking a hint from the others I decided to make the scenes longer, and with good reason for this one! This scene is humorous and is kind of fluffy, but don't let it fool you. This is the first time we get to meet Avalon, though he is covered under blankets, but the way they interact is rather that of brother and sister. Definitely a cute sugary moment.

Side note: I haven't checked this one too throughly, it is late so there are bound to be lots of errors...but hopefully I caught them through the first time around.

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Victoria hopped down the steps of the elegant staircase and landed softly on the floor below, her pendant bouncing on her chest as it shined its tranquil blue. She started to tiptoe down the hallway with her ears pressed against the white walls. The sound of pots and pans clanging and rattling was hard to miss through the thick walls, but the much softer footfalls of the maid resounded faintly in the next room. With a malicious smile spread across her face, Victoria darted down the halls towards the safety of the guest room nearest to the pantry, only to hear the maids stern voice call out, “Where do you think you are going?”

Frozen in her tracks, Victoria turned to see Mrs. Alder standing behind her with a large metallic soup ladle pointed threateningly at her. She crossed her arms over her large chest and bloated belly, she stood before her in that black formal maid outfit which was confining and overly proper gave her the appearance of a Nun. With cold piercing eyes and untamed long hair, and all the fire of hell burning within her she scolded Victoria, “You were going to go bother that boy again! He needs rest and not to be pestered night and day by the likes of you.”

Victoria weakly made a stand, “Constance said he was all better now.”

Slamming the soup ladle against the wall with a loud crack as the soup ladle bent horribly out of shape under the force of her swing, she yelled, “That won't work this time, dear. Until I am informed otherwise, you will not bother him again!”

The sound of Constance's footfalls as he slowly descended the stairs were covered by his hoarse laughter. As the old butler turned to the two ladies he smiled weakly and stated, “Sorry Mary. He does appear to have recovered.”

Mary's eyes fell to the bent and now spoon like soup ladle and sighed dejectedly at the contorted and flattened silverware. Turning to Constance with a cheerful voice she replied, “What a relief. Lunch is almost ready, I'll go set a place at the table for him!”

Victoria mouthed silently to Constance, “Thank you.” Before running down to the guest room and let herself in quietly.

The guest room was very plain, a four post canopy bed and a dresser was all the decorated it. The wooden floor planks creaked softly as she approached the sleeping boy under the covers of the bed. The pale and sickly looking boy had a dry washcloth over his forehead and was sleeping softly as Victoria watched over him for a minute. Leaning down to kiss the boy on the cheek she awoke him and those soft blue eyes stared into hers.

“Good morning, Avalon. How are you feeling today?” Victoria asked cheerfully, trying to hide her red face from his gaze.

Pulling himself up in bed, the boy brushed back his long brown hair and said softly, “Much better, thank you. Victoria?”

Victoria smiled at Avalon and asked, dangling the pendant over his head, “What is it?”

“It looks beautiful on you.”

Victoria blushed redder and ran her soft hands through his hair, messing it up, “You look like a girl with that long hair you know. Boys shouldn't look like this!”

Weakly moving away from her hand, Avalon grumbled, “You sure are in a delightful mood, did he-”

“YES!” cried out Victoria, “I was wondering when you were going to ask that. Want to come shopping for a dress with me?”

Avalon's eyes narrowed and he shook his head sternly, “Shopping with you, that doesn't seem like something I would do...”

“Sure you do!” Victoria leaned into him cheerfully, “All boys love to shop! Shopping for new clothes is one of the most fun things you can do?”

“It really...”Avalon sighed softly before saying, “A change of scenery would be nice.”

Victoria let out a soft gasp of joy and hugged Avalon tight, embracing him to her chest, as the pendant touched Avalon a bright light came from the diamond. It engulfed them in a dance of deep blue and white light until Victoria stepped back from Avalon in complete disbelief.

“What just happened?” the two said as they stared at each other in a state of mutual confusion.

The soft hue of the diamond faded away to nothing and became unremarkable around Victoria's neck. Whimpering softly she took it off of her neck and held the pendant and chain in the palm of her hand, “I think it broke...”

“I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to break.” Avalon replied softly, his eyes cast on the white blankets surrounding and warming him.

Victoria smiled softly and placed it around her neck again, “Perhaps this is what they call a 'Love charm'. Blue is tranquility and love after all-”

“L-L-Love charm?! What are you talking about?”

Victoria stuck out her tongue and blew a raspberry before heading to the door and added cheerfully, “Get dressed, you'll be having lunch with the rest of us. The Alders are making a special meal just for you.”

“Give me a second to get dressed.” Avalon said as he started to pull the covers away, until Victoria shouted, “Wait for me to leave! Are you shameless or something.”

Walking out and closing the door harshly, Victoria continued, “Have you no decency, Avalon?”