Sterling Estate (discontinued for reconstruction)

Chapter 25: Trail to a promise

Dear Eve,

Within the heart there are many reflections, some we bury within the ground and lock behind a door. Next to the vine that turns rich with time, there will lie the door to see where that what we keep in our hearts etched upon the wall. A key of memories and time past.

Love and toast

Jose

Evealyn is not sure how she's going to ease her thoughts, seeing her grandmother's letter; knowing it could be referring to a plethora of things. Not to mention, having a reminder every time she closed her eyes; the reason why she's unable to relax. Finding it hard to focus on much else, Dylan and Rae had gone ahead to the vineyard, needing to work on a large shipment. Evealyn decides to turn her focus on figuring out what sweet treat to bring to the Flotonics, knowing that they have a fascination with trying out living realm snacks.

Also wanting to make sure it's a little bit special, as she'd forgotten her promise to bring them something delicious yesterday. Evealyn can guess that they might have been disappointed that she hadn't kept her initial promise. That got her thinking back to last night, she can't help but wonder, why Kel seemed to hold some animosity towards the twins. Although Evealyn feels that she's overthinking it, but his smile seemed a lot more unnerving and irritated than usual. Though she can't be certain as he always has a fixed smile on his face that makes it hard to tell what he's thinking or feeling.

"That was just jealousy right? It had to have been...ah too many thoughts today. I'm supposed to relax." Evealyn tries to shove the thoughts in the latter cabinet of her mind. Shifting her focus to inside the fridge, spotting a tray of baked goods that caught her eyes. Making her remember another promise she had made to the Flotonics. Once she'd told them about the blueberry cinnabuns that Jose always made for her. They were absolutely her favorite and had promised them that she'd bring some for them the next time she'd see them. Though she never got to fulfill that promise because shortly after that she had left the estate.

"I'm really behind on promises aren't I? Maybe I should stop making them." Evealyn thought to herself feeling a bit shitty, taking out the tray. Seeing gooey blueberry cream cheese frosting as she lifts the lid. Wondering when Jose made them, knowing it has to be her that made them. Tasting a bit of the frosting that caught her finger, it was Jose's recipe alright. Taking out a few of them to share with the Flotonics as well as Dylan and Rae. Placing them all in a container covering them, then in a paper bag. Wanting to make up on her promises and to appease them into forgiving her.

Rounding the kitchen island to the side door, cinnabun bag in tow. Evealyn never knew how cold the house was, until stepping outside feeling the warmth of the sun baskin on her skin. Feeling like the warmth of an oven, but the kind you'd want to snuggle up in on a cold winter's night. Misty who had been laying under the oak tree, her ears suddenly perked up. Looking to see Evealyn she slowly gets up with a stretch, sauntering up to her.

Mrup~

Misty rubs against Evealyn's leg, prompting her to crouch down giving her a little pet behind the ear. "Hi, Misty. Wanna come with me to the vineyard?" Evealyn asked.

Mrew~

They both started heading to the west side of the estate, past the small flower garden with the potters fountain. Arriving at the vineyard, Evealyn sees Dylan and Rae standing over by the store house. "Do you think we should tell her?" Evealyn hears Dylan say in a hushed whisper as she comes up behind him. "Tell who what? It's not me is it? If so I'd like to know." Evealyn says startling him, in a blink he seems to dematerialize and reappear next to Rae.

"Don't do that, what if someone from the outside saw you? You know we can't get ourselves exposed." Rae says to Dylan, slapping his arm. "Oh, sorry, I just got a little startled. You know I can't really control it when that happens." Dylan rubs his shoulder.

"So are you two, going to stop changing the subject and tell me, what you were talking about earlier?" Evealyn looks between the two of them then sighs, "you know what, tell me later, we're supposed to relax today." Rae and Dylan had thought she was going to try and press even further. Nevertheless it seems even she was at her limits with how overwhelmed she's been. "Ev, you see the thing is we-"

Evealyn looks over to the field, seeing Chester floating on his little leaf platform. He looks up from his work for a moment glancing over to her direction before promptly looking away again. Evealyn sighs feeling that's a sign that they are upset with her, "If you both need me, I'll be in the field with Misty." Her mind is more focused on making it up to her little friends rather than placing more worries on her head.

"Oh Chester good you're here, did you finish up at the front?" Ailleen says seeing Chester float up to her and the others. "I am but I also saw little joy and I think she's coming here now." Aileen continues on with her work spraying the grapes "Okay, um Chester could you help Coral with her set, I think she's still having a bit of trouble with her stream." Aileen says a bit indifferently, "it's still acting up? I hope it doesn't... anyways, are you still upset with little joy?"

"Aren't you? She broke her promise again, you know how honorable promises are to us even if they are small. And she broke them both." Aileen says, but was about to turn away wanting to find something else to do before she arrives.

Mwerp~

"If it makes it up to you, I have come to fulfill those promises even if it is a bit late." Evealyn says holding up the bag in her hand as a peace offering, though she's not sure it's going to mean that much.

Mwer~

Aileen looks down to see Misty in front of her, surprised having not seen her around for some time. But she can't stop to wonder where she's been, looking up she see's Coral over by a nearby vine, her pollen stream being reduced to a trickle before collapsing. "CORAL" Aileen shouts floating over to catch her, however Misty manages to run over before she touches the ground.

A/N: What do you all think happened to Coral? It looks like Evealyn's little day off has another twist to it.