The Underneath: Saga of Aupolis

Mother Stasha

Vesna leaned against her hands pressed between the small of her back and the stone wall supporting her. She stared across to the archway and waited. The thick, wooden door was shut tight, giving off an ominous and foreboding effect.

Mother Stasha never closed her door, nor had she ever told Vesna to wait outside. It did not help her growing anxiety, either, that the Mother spoke with the Comrade who had escorted her back to the Temple from beyond the Garden.

"Pst!"

Frowning, Vesna swiveled her head in the direction of the sound. 

Peering conspiratorially around a corner with her light hair draping over a shoulder, leaned her friend Lyren. Pale blue eyes widened with an expressive, intrigued gaze. "What's going on?" Lyren whispered, as the skirt of her gray gown appeared by the movement of one foot into the corridor.

Mother Stasha's door suddenly opened. Lyren paused her movement. Vesna started and stared back into the eyes of a young novice Daughter in the cream colored dress of an Initiate.

"Please enter the waiting room," the girl announced. "Mother Stasha will be with you momentarily." She stood aside expectantly.

Vesna glanced quickly down the hall and locked eyes with her friend. Their questioning faces mirrored one another as she disappeared through the door.

The antechamber was always just a room Vesna proceeded through in the past. She could not recall ever actually being bid to use it as a reception area. Today seemed a day for firsts. Chewing her bottom lip, she scanned the space in leisure to study her surroundings.

The furnishings were simple. The walls were adorned with various sized shelving, which displayed intricate glass blown vases. Some held flower clippings, and some were beautiful enough to stand alone. A sweeping candelabra hung from the ceiling, and a thin but soft rug splayed across the stone floor beneath. Arranged off to one side, out of the way from passing foot traffic, sat two chairs and a chaise. Vesna made her way to the lounger.

Just as she got comfortable, the inner door to the Mother's study opened. Vesna's pillar of an escort strode across the antechamber without even a sideways glance in her direction. She watched the outer door shut behind him and frowned.

"Mother Stasha will see you now."

Vesna pushed down the stirring in her stomach and relaxed the furrow from her face. Rising, she crossed through the door the girl stood beside.

"You'll find her on the balcony, Miss."

There was no need for directions. The inner chamber was small and open enough to see through to the glass doors of the balcony, and to Mother Stasha beyond.

Vesna passed a modest marble desk, wrought with intricate scroll work. Delicate it may look, but she knew enough of stone masonry to know it was sturdy, and weighed more than she could ever imagine being able to lift. It was just about as rare as wood, and just as regulated.

The balcony featured an arching lattice covered in vines and blooming flowers. Some she recognized from the clippings in the vases of the waiting room. Beneath the arbor was another exquisitely designed round, marble table and four matching, cushioned chairs. The table top exhibited an arrangement of colored, thick, hardy glassware. Three places were set with saucers and cups. There were two bowls, one brimming with grapes, and another with multiple bread pastries. A teapot sat in the center.

Mother Stasha was taller than most women. Her flowing white gown draped over her thin, slight form. Dark hair and eyes set in a narrow, long face. She sat on the chair allowing for a grand view of the spreading ravine. Without looking, dainty hands motioned to the place set without any tea in the cup or food on the plate.