6th Period: The Rosewood’s Vacation Home

The next morning, after getting up early to help my mother around the house, I ran into my baby sister who met me at the staircase on the way out. 

"You're leaving already?" asked Erica as she stared deeply into my eyes, her adorable puppy eyes welling with crocodile tears. 

"Yes, I'll be gone for about a month, but I will return. Don't worry about it," I said, trying to mask my annoyance. Then, I noticed a small plushie on her other arm. 

"What's with the cute mechanical plush, my adorable Baby Sis?" I said as I teased her while trying to lighten the mood. 

"Minome wants to go bye-bye with Bubba," she replied, raising her arm before pausing momentarily, "I brought Bubba, my favorite plush. Minome she will protect my Bubba when he goes far away," she explained, handing me the mechanical bear-shaped plush. 

I held it in my arms while waiting for Athena's mother to call. Once she did, I began gathering my things. As we left, my baby sister waved goodbye, clutching her blanket tightly in her little arms. 

As we were driven out of town, a light breeze ruffled our hair as we leaned out the window. The twin suns shone down upon us brightly, as if approving of our decision to embark on this grand adventure together. 

The familiar landmarks of my hometown receded into the distance, and my gaze was drawn to the verdant landscape rolling past us. I placed the mechanical teddy bear my little sister had given me next to me, a symbol of Erica's love for her big brother. Her voice echoed in my mind, "Minome wants to go bye-bye with Bubba." 

As I thought about my little sister, a sense of excitement mixed with anticipation filled me about what lay ahead. I knew that however this turned out, Athena and I would be experiencing The Solstice of Solara together. 

Athena's father drove for what felt like a few hours before we finally arrived at the Rosewood's vacation house. When we pulled up, the hired help from the Nameless Houses began to unload everything for us before showing us to our rooms. 

As the workers from the Nameless Houses moved about in well-practiced silence, their presence gave off a palpable yet subdued air. They were shadows, mere specters, cast aside from their respective noble Houses and now shrouded in a communal cloak of shame. Their identities were stripped away. They were reduced to the role of the nameless, the faceless, the valueless.

Yet, each one had a story, a past filled with joy, pain, honor, and disgrace. Their lives had fundamentally shifted the moment they were relegated to the Nameless Houses, every action henceforth colored by the stain of dishonor. They moved with a quiet resignation, their eyes barely meeting ours, their voices only heard when absolutely necessary. It was as if they were walking on a thin, precarious line between existence and oblivion, a constant reminder of the harsh dichotomy that our society so ruthlessly enforced. 

Athena led me around the sprawling estate, pointing out the various sites along the way. The first stop was a vast, beautiful garden full of fragrant flowers and lush foliage, a perfect serene spot to enjoy the warm sunshine. 

"This beautiful garden contains many delicate flowers from different parts of our planet. If you lean towards them, you can tell from the small lovely fragrance why they are here," she said, signaling for me to move towards them. 

As I approached one of the delicate pink and white flowers, I caught a whiff of something truly sweet. "This flower smells like a freshly baked apple pie."

"You noticed! We have many more that contain a sweet fragrance resembling different baked products," she said as we continued on past an impressive fountain that stood in the center of it all, its intricate marble work glistening in the twin suns. 

After taking in the tranquility of nature for a few moments, we moved on to a magnificent stable filled with sleek horses waiting patiently to be ridden. The stable was a grand structure, with polished wooden beams and the scent of fresh hay filling the air. Each horse seemed to possess a regal demeanor, their glossy coats shining in the sunlight. 

"These are some of the finest horses in the region," Athena explained. "They're trained for all kinds of riding, from casual strolls to competitive racing." 

I marveled at the beauty and elegance of the horses, feeling a sense of awe at the world Athena was introducing me to. As we wandered through the stable, I couldn't help but think of the stark contrast between the luxurious life we were experiencing and the silent, shadowed existence of the Nameless House workers. 

As evening approached, the estate began to glow with the soft, golden light of the twin setting suns. Athena and I found a quiet spot overlooking a tranquil pond, the water reflecting the fiery hues of the sky. We sat in companionable silence, the events of the day playing over in my mind. 

"Tomorrow, I'll show you the library. It has some of the oldest texts in our history," Athena said, breaking the silence. 

"I'd like that," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and curiosity about what else this place had to offer. 

With the promise of more adventures to come, we headed back to the house, ready to embrace whatever lay ahead in our journey together. 

"Do you see that green-colored horse in the stable to the left? The one with vines as its mane? It's a Leaf Spirit Horse. I got her when I was younger. She was the cutest of them all, and I begged my father to get her for me," said Athena as we walked a bit further. 

We soon came upon an Olympic-sized swimming pool surrounded by white sand beaches and teal blue waters—I had never seen anything quite like it before in my life! 

Finally, we arrived at the mansion itself, a grand structure with tall columns and elegant archways. Coming up close to it, I felt overwhelmed by its grandeur; it was so much bigger than I had imagined. With awe-inspiring amazement, I allowed Athena to take me inside and show me around. 

"What do you think of this place so far? Isn't it amazing? This vacation home belongs to the Rosewood House, and the heads of the house have allowed my particular household to stay here during the Solstice of Solara. Right this way—I can't wait to show you the beautiful garden that my mother and I helped design during the last Solstice of Solara," she said, leading me by the arm outside. 

The garden was an astonishing sight to behold. As Athena led me there, I could see that this garden was unlike any other. The flowers were of vibrant colors, and their petals seemed to sparkle in the sunlight of the twin suns. 

They were arranged in perfectly symmetrical patterns, as if placed by a great architect from a faraway world. And the fruits! I had never seen such large and exotic fruits grown like this. 

These fruits originated from all around the planet and had been gathered here in this garden. Some looked like little balloons that you could pop with your fingertips, while others resembled alien life forms with their strange shapes and colors. 

The garden also contained massive trees whose branches seemed to reach up to the very heavens above. And beneath these trees lay beds of grass so lush that it felt like I was walking upon the clouds. 

Everywhere I looked, there was something new and amazing to explore—I just couldn't believe my eyes! 

Athena smiled, and I couldn't help but smile back. As I gazed upon the Rosewood House mansion which was truly a magical place – one that I would enjoy waking up to every morning. 

As we continued our tour around the garden, Athena pointed out various flowers and fruits that she enjoyed most, and taught me some interesting facts about them. 

At that moment, it felt like the Solstice of Solara would never end. Together in that beautiful garden with Athena, time seemed to stand still as we savored every moment of its beauty. 

Athena held up the starfruit, its yellow skin almost glowing against the backdrop of the garden. 

"You see this? This is a Yellow Starfruit," she said, observing it with a sense of reverence. 

Her eyes met mine, a spark of excitement shimmering within them. 

"It's much more than just a fruit. Its unique structure contains a wealth of nutrients that our bodies need," she continued to say. 

I narrowed my eyes at the peculiar fruit, surprised at her enthusiasm. 

"It looks like a regular fruit to me, Athena," I admitted. 

Her lips curled into a small smile, and she launched into an explanation, holding the fruit out like a treasured artifact. 

"Its bright yellow color isn't just for show. It's packed with vitamin C, essential for immune function," she began. 

"And these little star-shaped indentations? They're brimming with magnesium, copper, zinc, and iron. Minerals that are incredibly important for metabolic processes," she said once more. 

As Athena smiled, I couldn't help but smile back. The mansion that belonged to the Rosewood House was truly a magical place—one which I will remember for the rest of my life. 

"And that's not all," she continued, her eyes flickering with a knowing look. "It's not just about the physical benefits. Star Fruit has medicinal properties, too. It can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation." 

I stared at the fruit, its importance suddenly tangible. What I had initially seen as just an exotic fruit was clearly much more. Back in the Brightwood District, even a simple fruit held secrets waiting to be discovered. I grinned as Athena flashed me a mischievous smile. 

She then tugged on my arm and said, "Come with me back to the garden. I have something special for you!" 

We walked out of the mansion and ventured back towards the lush garden. Athena asked one of the hired help to gather some of the ripe fruits that were growing nearby and place them in a small bowl. While he was doing so, Athena put her arm around my shoulders and said softly, "See these delicious-looking fruits? They're my gift to you for being such a wonderful companion." 

Once inside, the hired help placed the bowl of succulent fruits on the table near us. Athena picked up some berries and handed them to me. She winked at me before saying with a smile, "These look so juicy! Maybe we should sample some before we continue our tour." 

I smiled back and nodded in agreement. I felt incredibly lucky to have her as a friend. I popped one of them into my mouth, and the sweet flavor reminded me of a candy store. The taste overwhelmed me with joy as each piece was quickly eaten.

"These are amazing!" I exclaimed enthusiastically, "Where did you find these?" I asked. 

Athena laughed at my reaction before responding, "It's a secret. These have been genetically modified and passed down through the generations! I'm sure you'll love them even more after you've had a few more." She then gestured towards the bowl of succulent fruits with her hand. 

The Solstice of Solara vacation promised an enriching blend of camaraderie, discovery, and unending bliss. Athena's household welcomed me with open arms, making me feel like an integral part of their family. Every meal was an opportunity to bond over rich, flavorful, and exotic dishes. 

Later that day, we lost ourselves to the mesmerizing allure of the sea. As we continued our exploration in the Roseville District which was marked with laughter and shared excitement as we tried desserts from a local cafe. 

Anticipation filled our hearts as Athena and I envisioned many more unforgettable journeys together, creating memories that would transcend time. This Solstice of Solara vacation was shaping up to be a memorable chapter of our lives, and I was certain of one thing—it was going to be a story worth retelling.

As we sat on the beach, watching the setting sun paint the sky with hues of orange and pink, Athena turned towards me. 

"Tomorrow, let's do something exciting," she suggested, with a normal twinkle in her eye. 

"Absolutely," I responded, mirroring her excitement, "Even the most mundane tasks become thrilling when we do them together. So yes, let's turn tomorrow into an adventure!" 

I saw a spark in Athena's eyes, our shared anticipation igniting the air around us with a promise of the unknown. The exciting twist that our Solstice of Solara vacation was about to take was indeed an exhilarating prospect. As the day ended, I realized that the comfort and warmth I experienced at Athena's place was akin to finding a new family.