"Are you ready to go?" Mary asks, a hand on the doorknob, and the other on her chest.
"Y-yeah..." I pat down my dress, imagining the outside world, preparing myself to tread beneath open skies.
Am I really ready?
What if...
I try to dispel my endlessly circuitous thoughts.
Even Daisy has gotten over hers... can't I do the same?
Mary opens the door, takes my hand, and pulls me along.
"H-hey!"
"It's a beautiful day out, isn't it?" Mary takes me through her yard and stops at the gate. She gestures to the sky. "Look, what gentle clouds, how they drift along, sailing on the open blue. It's a bit hot, but the breeze is nice, isn't it?"
"Y-yeah... It really is a peaceful day." Without even realizing it, the trembling of my hand disappears. The sun delightfully warms my face and body, making me shudder for a second. Akin to the carefree clear sky, I felt my mind unburdening.
Mary pulls me along and keeps up conversation.
"You know, these career advancement forms are usually done and sent through the school's web page, but since it's summer, nobody will be checking those. So, we have an excuse to bypass the bureaucracy and go directly to the source."
"Do you know Thorndal well?"
"Yeah, we go way back, he used to teach your parents, and me in the university too. And when I worked in the hospital here, I had the pleasure of treating him a few times. And all that's before I even became a nurse at the school."
"Wow... It's hard to imagine, neither of you look that old- erm, I mean..."
"W-well... I am still quite a fresh forty-something, thank you very much. While Thorndal just recently turned sixty, I still remember how delectable the birthday cake for him was in the teacher's room... I suppose a suit and a good skincare routine really do wonders for his appearance."
"Oh, I thought you were 25, or at most 30."
"Aww shucks, don't be silly, that'd make me almost your age. But, you flatter me nonetheless, my Dear. I know what an honest person you are, so it means a lot."
I laugh, and Mary chuckles with me as well. I had never really thought about how old Mary is, not making the connection with her attending the school the same year as my parents, even when she mentioned it before. Maybe it's because she's even more well preserved than my mo- erm, Flurel. Maybe I should start calling her an old witch or something similar the next time-, I mean... if we ever meet again...
We continue walking through the streets, chatting about this and that, and before we know it, we've arrived at Thorndal's house. It's a great wooden mansion, at least three stories high but it's hard to see just where the different floors ended or began. It's grandiose is a little imposing, I had never seen, nor actually visited a building of such standing before. It's almost like I am suddenly in a different world or a country altogether than our little town.
Actually... now that I think about it... didn't the University's Principal's position come with a house along with the job? I'm sure I've heard something to that extent, but... Can that be true...? I don't think even the actual Mayor of our town has such extravagant quarters...
"Hey, Floret."
"Huh? What is it?"
"Did you notice?" Mary says, holding both of her hands atop her voluptuous chest, her eyes narrowed with a big smile on her lips. She tilts her head slightly and poses a bit.
"Notice... what?"
"So you didn't? Hehe, that's great!" Mary suddenly hugs me tightly, her breasts press upon my face. "I let go of your hand halfway here, so you came the rest of the way with your own strength!"
"A-ah! That's true..."
Mary pats me on the head which is a little humiliating. She hums and embraces me while rotating slightly from side to side. "You're doing so well! Keep it up, my Dear."
She really started to call me "Dear" a lot for some reason...
But... I don't hate it.
"Alright, p-please stop hugging me, what if Thorndal sees? It's going to make this even more awkward than it has to be..."
"Okay, okay." Mary backs off but pats my head once more. "Let's go pay him a visit."
We make our way through the large, open iron gate, decorated with nature; vines grow all along it, with flowers and even some fruits sprouting off it.
The yard is like a presidential palace, with well-maintained grass with a pond, a large fountain with benches around it, and other outdoor furniture, even a grill and its own small roofed building for outdoor parties.
Two large white pillars line the ostentatious entrance, and Mary presses the rustic doorbell. Many running steps echo, right before the tall white door opens unusually quickly.
For a second, I think it opened on its own, but then I look down and see three young kids crowding the doorway.
"You're not the Pizza guy!" An energetic small boy shouts at us.
"But we didn't even get permission to order, you doofus!" A playful girl smacks him on the head.
"Ow!"
"W-who are you?" A shy girl asks from the back.
"Who's at the door? Hold on... I'm coming." An older woman's voice shouts, sounding winded.
"Hmm..." The boy looks at us hard before shouting back at the voice. "Aunt! It's the hag and some kid!"
"W-who are you calling a hag!" Mary takes a step forward.
"Hey, I'm not a kid, you're a kid!" I point at the boy and huff.
The kids disperse giggling and laughing, as a brunette woman comes to the door. She's quite sporty looking but wears casual attire: a plain blue bolero over her shoulders and wide-sleeved trousers. However, her top is quite risque, it's very open with a v-neck cut, and her cleavage glistens with sweat. It's tight around the bust and presses her breasts upwards and together.
"You can't just call our guest a Hag, that's not-" She shouts back at the kids, but as she turns around, she stops for a second. "Oh, it really is the hag." Her face twists into a smug mocking smile immediately.
"Nettle..." Mary's face is red, and she speaks through held-together teeth. "How nice to see you after... not long enough." Mary's lips are raised a little, like in nearly uncontrollable disgust.
"As always, the feeling is mutual. I didn't think it was possible for you to get any older than- Oh, but who do you have with you?"
"Hi, I'm Floret, a student of the University. Or well, I graduated already, but still..."
"Oh, you're one of his students. Nice to meet you, I'm Nettle, the sister of the Principal's wife." She says with pride, wearing an expensive-looking necklace and blue crystal earrings. Her cheekbones are high, and her face curves are soft, nearly wrinkle-free.
"You must be in dire straits indeed to have come here accompanied by the number one hag of Perennial Bloom." She says to me jokingly, but meaning every word.
"Rrrgh..." Mary's hands curl into fists, and her eyes narrow.
It was kind of strange, and funny at the same time seeing Mary so angry. Especially, when that rage isn't directed at me. Suddenly, I'm intrigued to know just what kind of history these two share, but decide it better to not ask, at least before our business here is done.
"That's quite enough, why don't you take the kids out to play instead of running around inside, it's a beautiful day after all." A woman, with a bit darker shaded hair, but otherwise very similar-looking face to Nettle, gives her a gentle nudge with her elbow. "And use the backdoor, will you?"
"Fine..." Nettle turns away from the door and shouts: "Usher, Royral, and Mailo, come on!"
"Okay!" The kids shout in unison.
The woman who remains, has her hair tied up in a bun, and wears a white apron, hiding a rather gigantic bosom inside it. "Nice to see you, Mary. How have you been? I heard the terrible news, it must have been a shock to have Clover leave so suddenly!"
Before Mary can answer, a voice interrupts them from inside.
"I bet she had something to do with that!"
"Shut up, Nettle!" She shouts backward, clears her throat, and looks back at us. "Ahem, where were we... Oh, yes. I am Gerbera, the wife of Quincel Thorndal. Sorry about my sister, there's still some bad blood between her and Mary even after all these years." She looks at me with a warm smile.
"Uh- Hi!"
"No, I've got no idea what you're talking about... but nice to see you too, Gerbera." Mary answers.
"Likewise. I overheard my sister, you must be Floret, correct?" She looks back at me and blushes, I quickly avert my gaze. "Aww, aren't you as cute as a button. Please, come on in, both of you."
"T-thanks..." I have a bit of trouble thinking of what to say, she already caught me staring, despite my best efforts of trying to refrain from ogling her. But... our Principal has way too good of a taste in women, I just couldn't help myself. She had an even more shapely body than Mary, perhaps that's what having kids can do to you. Thank goodness she wears clothes that completely cover her lethal weapons at the front and back.
We walk into the grand hall, the roof is incredibly high up, and there are large doorways all around, a kitchen on the left, a grand staircase at the front, and what looked to be the dining hall on the right. We stop to take off our shoes, and as we do, Mary speaks: "Sorry about the sudden visit, believe me, I wouldn't have come if I knew your prickly sister was visiting..."
"It's okay, I don't mind," Gerbera escorts us further inside for a few steps, before turning around and clasping her hands together. "Let me guess, you must be here to see my husband? You can find him cooped up in his study, even if it's supposed to be his vacation..."
"Yeah, we are. Sorry..." Mary looks down for a moment.
"Don't worry, I'm not as delusional to think you'd come just to see little old me, especially with a student in tow." Gerbera says but quickly adds. "I apologize for speaking out of turn... you are both such busy individuals, don't mind my ramblings..."
"Why don't you prepare us some coffee and tea, and we can stay for a moment after our matter has concluded with the Principal?"
"Oh, how wonderful, that'd be my pleasure." Gerbera beams and hurries off into the kitchen. "Please, go on ahead without me, I'm sure you still remember the way!"
