𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐒 | 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘯

➥ lady lesso; birthday

"Who's the special person?" Anemone teases indicating to the light blue corseted dress I am wearing, as I sit down next to Clarissa. I shoot her a mirthful glare, small smile on my lips.

"I dress only for myself, Anemone."

"And me of course." A new voice drops in. I recognise it instantly as Lady Lesso's voice. Her frame comes into view.

"Definitely not." I reply quickly, she smirks and sits across from me. Her flirtatious manner has become something I am familiar with, as have my colleagues. However, we are friends - nothing more, and that is fine.

Chatter spreads through the table as we settle into our usual routine. I converse with both Clarissa and Lesso on various matters. The unification being the most prominent. Though the adjoining of both schools is a great thing, some problems have come with it - but they will be sorted. It is safe to say that (exempting a few) everyone is happy of the outcome.

I excuse myself early and leave the School for Good. The evening is breezy but warm and the blue silk of my dress flows around my legs like water. I lean on the willow tree, watching the sun set on the water. It's peaceful out of term time.

No screaming children, no teaching, just quiet. I let out a content sigh when a branch snaps behind me. I sense their aura before I hear their voice - a mix of black and red.

"Leonora."

"Y/N." She replys coming to stand by me. "I don't think I've seen you dress up like this since we were in school."

"Hmm, yes and if my memory serves me well you poured black paint on the only dress I liked." I muse, this matter was forgiven years ago. We stay in silence for a while, listening to the nature around us quieten, the only noise our breathing and a faint russling of my fabric against skin.

"Happy Birthday Y/N." Lesso breaks the silence. I turn to her slightly bewildered. No-one was supposed to know when my birthday was, purposely avoiding the subject whenever it arose in a conversation. Clearly Lesso read through my records to find out. She hands me a small black box.

"I-" I swallow, becoming more and more flustered. Her eyes watching me like a hawk making it harder than it should be. "Thank you, you didn't have to though."

"Open it, I don't have all year." She breathes. It's both mean and full of uncertainty at the same time. I pull the little black ribbon off the box and carefully remove the lid. Gold shines at me.

I pull the necklace from the box, admiring the pendant with tears in my eyes. Three acrylic 'Lillies Of The Valley' hang from the chain. She remembered, this isn't just some random choice - it was especially made. The Lillies were my mother's favourite before she passed and I'd only ever mentioned this once in conversation.

"Can you put it on me please." I say breathlessly. She takes it from my shaking hands wordlessly and I pull my hair from my neck.

"Done." I turn to face her, "It suits you wonderfully." She says, hands on my shoulders. I realise this woman really has a beautiful soul behind her evil facade. It's so much more beautiful than some of the Ever teachers. Her blue eyes meet mine. "Are you crying?" She says, referring to the tears falling from my eyes.

Her arms fall to my sides as she pull me in cautiously. My hands wrap around her and I press myself into her taller frame. Her hand strokes my hair and back. "Thank you so much." I don't tell her she doesn't know how much this means to me; she already knows.

She knows how hard my mother's death hit me in high school. That she died on my 17th. She knows the dress she ruined all those years ago was mother's. She knows that I shouldn't have forgiven her but did anyways. This is her apology, her amendment .

"It's starting to get dark. Let me escort you back?"

"Yes. That would be nice." When I'm safely inside the castle, the thudding of her cane fades into the distance. Clarissa runs up to me, enveloping me in a hug.

"Have you been crying? You look like you have. Was it Lesso? Nevermind her she can be rude." This woman's mind-mouth filter doesn't exist, "Were you wearing that necklace earlier? It's beautiful." She halts, seemingly struck senseless just as much as I was.

"Yes it really is." I recall her voice, murmuring happy birthday and it sends warm vibrations down my spine. The way her voice wavered with uncertainty. The red in her aura not at all portraying danger. The way she pulled me in, not the alternative. There's something more to this than I may have thought. I will happily let it grow, I think, as I hold the pendant between my two fingers.