Scarlett Stones

Part 3

Citrine dreamt peacefully, of sweet fruits and delectable smells. She dreamt of soft hands intertwined with her own, and a feeling of safety and protection. Citrine softly awoke, blinking and adjusting to the light in the room. The curtains were open, as if someone had entered earlier just to let the light pour in. Citrine slowly slid off the bed, her feet making gentle contact with the wood floor. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, and slowly trudged to the door. Her limbs had regained enough strength to keep herself upright.
Citrine opened the heavy wood door, looking up and down the hallways. Somehow, the rest of the manor was almost completely dark, with a light, cold mist dusting the hallways. Citrine stepped out and shut the door, making a small click, the light from her room slowly draining away as the door closed. Citrine stood with her hands behind her back, touching the door for support for a moment, before slowly beginning to stroll down the hallway. Citrine examined her surroundings carefully, everything was dusty, covered in cobwebs. Citrine resisted her urge to start cleaning away, making the manor sparkly clean. There were old photographs of forgotten family members decorating the walls. Citrine could tell this manor was once loved and cared for, but had since then lost its touch.
Citrine slowly made her way down the hallway, until a familiar smell wafted her way. Citrine's nose turned up, and she followed the scent. It eventually led her to a kitchen. Herbs were hanging from the walls, pots and pans were piled up by the sink, the room itself had a very comforting feel to it. Citrine entered, paying no mind to the dirtiness, instead she was seeing through a mirror, at what this kitchen looked like in the past. Freshly baked bread in the morning, the scent of lavender and sage wafting throughout the manor. Citrine smiled to herself, and wanted to put her thoughts to reality. She began with sorting the dishes, and cleaned them until they were sparkly and spotless. Citrine bustled around the kitchen happily. Soon enough the kitchen was filled with the scent of sweet tarts, apple, berry, and even orange tarts.
Lodestone was patrolling the hallways, she rounded the corner and heard the commotion coming from the kitchen, she quickly sped up her walking and stopped in front of the kitchen. Looking into it with dull fascination. Somehow, Citrine had transformed the kitchen into what it once was. Lodestone couldn't help the small spark in her chest beginning to grow.
As time continued for Lodestone and Citrine, so did the small spark in Lodestone's chest. Time and time again, Citrine cared for the manor. Brightening every room with her smile, washing away the dark coldness of the hallways. She brought life back into the flowers in the garden, they bloomed with joy. No one in Lodestone's life had ever shown her this much love and respect. With each day that went by, Lodestone grew more and more accustomed to having Citrine around, they grew close. Appreciation turned to fondness, and fondness turned to love.