Lullaby's Tale ~ Listen to the Reign.

A Fine Welcome Home

Gently taking her hand Atlas lead his sister down the ramp, the rickety boards creaking under the weight of the siblings. Down to the cobblestone streets below, the crowd and chat dwindling as the night washed over the city like a thick fog. The stares they got from the few remaining people were normal for them, but it still managed to flush Astra's pale cheeks. Looking around the city she smiled,the smell of damp stones, night lilies and the warm aroma of the mid summer night. The fragrance of the night was a comfort to the two pirates. The stars dotted the indigo sky as it turned into a darker, more violet shade. The tap of their shoes on the stones, the soft chatter coming from the still open pubs, the rush of the river as it runs under the bridge. Soon a familiar voice called out to them through the song of the night bringing them out of their thoughts.

"Welcome home, the manor has missed you dearly"

A tall slender man stood by the iron gates a lantern in hand, his smile showing in the dim light from the slowly dying candle. Jumping on him and hugging him tightly Astra smiled brightly.

"We've missed you Apollo sir"

'There's no need to call me sir, i've been serving your family for decades young miss"

"And we're very grateful but that doesn't mean you don't deserve respect"

Turning back to the mansion she smiled "It's been a while since we've been back"

" Years miss, seven whole years this mansion hasn't seen its heirs"

Looking around the dark courtyard of the manor, the windows lit like stars in the almost sightless night. Walking up the stone path to the large mahogany doors, stars and constellations engraved into the precious wood. The family seal in the center, the star goddess Venus and Saturn holding a galaxy far from our own.

The door swung open as the three approached, the golden light from the manor cascading over them like a waterfall. As they step inside there greeted by the staff, the mansion oddly warm for the days of early fall. Looking around the hall as if they'd never been here before, the grand entrance hall decorated with a huge marble staircase and that splits into two sections about halfway up. The sapphire carpet freshly cleaned seemed to sparkle in the light of over a hundred candles that were stationed around the magnificent hall.

Two large black cats descended gracefully down from the top of the grand staircase, there gigantic paws making marks in the plush carpet. Matching powder blue bows are around their necks a sapphire in the center. Smiling as the two panthers made their way to them, Astra patted her lap as if the lethal cats would listen. They did, hurrying to a small sprint as they rushed to the siblings, one jumping into Atla's arms like a normal house cat while the other licked Astra's hand as she leaned down to hug the animal. While they were fonding over the two big cats, five tiny kittens tumbled down the stairs after their parents. Tiny matching bows around their necks.

Squeaking and running over Astra picks up the small balls of floof. Giggling and smiling she hugs them closely.

"I'm so sorry we weren't here Midnight." Looking as the panther still in her brother's arms.

"We knew It'd happen eventually, Sirius here is a real lady's man" Chuckling warmly at the panther by his feet.

Standing up Astra smiles "Yeah, well he's more of a lady's man than you are your still single my dear brother"

Growling playfully he set Midnight down while Astra lets the kittens down as well. Apollo approached the pair, his tailcoat fluttering behind him as he walked.

"Dinner is ready, if you would please follow me to the dinning hall"

Following him to the dinning hall the extravagant table is laden with all kinds of fancy and expensive foods. The best china was set out for the two along with the silver which was freshly polished for this occasion. Sitting down the tops were removed from the serving trays, the steam rising into the air from the freshly made steaks, the mash potatoes were dripping with butter. Their glasses were filled with milk and another with water, the silverware clinked as they started to eat. Wolving down their food, the food much better than what they've had on the ship.

Smiling fondly at the young nobles, Apollo headed back to the kitchen to get the desserts ready to be served. Setting the german chocolate cake on the cart along with other treats he wheeled it out to the dining room where the siblings were chatting, their plates licked clean. As the cake was served its chocolate frosting dripping onto the plates so the sticky slices sat in a puddle of delicious yum. As the tarts and pastries were set on the table, the silver table cloth soon too covered to be seen from beneath all the plates of sweets.

Eyes the size of silver dollars as they scanned the spread on the table. Every dish sparkling with a sugar coating, the glazes and caramels shining like jewels in the candle light. Piling sweets onto their plates as if they'd never eat again, the tower of sugary foods that sat before the siblings where enough to give twenty kids a mouthful of cavities. Food was scarfed down, powdered sugar, glaze, caramels and chocolates covered their cheeks and mouth.

Wiping their faces clean the two siblings make their way to the library, or rather Astra dragged her brother to the castle like room. Pushing open the heavy mahogany doors the sight of the library was as magical as ever. Bookshelves made of the same mahogany as the doors towered on three levels each jammed packed with books of every type and language. Wheeled ladders were scattered across the bookshelves, each level holding about ten or so. The smell of old books, parchment and musky furniture fill the large room. A large red wood desk sat on the far wall littered with books,papers, quills and a single pair of reading glasses. The small taps of heels could be heard echoing around the library as Astra made her way over to the desk.

Pulling away the plush armchair and looking over the contents scattered on the desk, tears starting to form in her emerald eyes. Putting an arm around her Atlas held his sister close as she picked up the old reading glasses. Scratched lenses, squeaky hinges and a small crack on the frames made up their father's glasses. Though he insisted they were only for reading he kept the pair on all the time. Closing the flames and putting them in her pocket Astra continues to look around the desk, while shuffling through papers a small envelope fell onto the floor.

Bending down to pick it up Atlas noticed that the small envelope, turned yellow with age, held their mothers tiny cursive writing. Turning it oven in his hand the family seal, pressed into a galaxy mixture of wax, held the small envelope closed. Handing it to his sister, her small shaking hand took the envelope and looked it over before reading the front.

To My Darling Children