Sophia's Flight From the Ball

Nicolas followed behind Cecily and Sophia toward the greenhouse as well, wondering if Sophia would talk to them or choose silence in the greenhouse.
 
Soon they had arrived at her greenhouse and she opened the door, glancing back to make sure Nicolas was with them still. "In through here," she said gently, leading Sophia to the table and chair set she had sitting in a corner, atop a large oval rug with pink elephants on it. "You just sit here and I'll get us a spot of tea." She said, referring to the padded chairs around the table.
Cecily moved over to the cabinet, looking at Nicolas and moving her head slowly toward the cabinet, conveying to him her wish to speak with him.
 
Nicolas arrived at the Greenhouses and stepped in. He was prepared to state he would leave them to talk when Cecily motioned him over to the cabinet. He nodded and approached her, "Yes?" he enquired in a hushed tone.
 
Sophia walked with Cecily, her movements seeming somewhat disconnected. She walked slowly to the table and chairs and sat in the closest one, her eyes staring straight ahead with a slightly glazed look. Sophia waited in silence, having nothing to say at the moment.
 
"I assume you'll be going back to the castle, to deal with your house?" she said quietly for his ears only, gathering a handful of pearlescent beads. She dropped them into the boiling water of the teapot where they burst open upon contact, unfurling into tiny jasmine flowers, resembling floating dragons.
 
"I wouldn't mind staying but based off what occurred the last time I was with Sophia it may not be welcomed." Nicolas stated solemnly, glancing at Sophia who was by the table.
 
"That would be for the best," she continued to speak softly. "I believe this would be 'girl talk', might be a bit uncomfortable for you all ways around," she grinned slightly at him. She finished with the tea and rummaged in the cabinet for her best chocolates. Finding them, she set the tin on the tea service and slipped a few of them, since they were wrapped, into Nicolas cloak pocket, knowing he saw her do so. She took it off her shoulders and reached up, putting it around his broad shoulders, the gesture unknowingly to her very motherly. Quickly, she kissed his cheek. "If I don't get to see you again tonight, I had a wonderful evening,"she whispered before turning back to the tea service. She added fresh cream and sugar to the service.
 
Nicolas nodded his agreement and accepted Cecily placing the cloak around his shoulders. "Thank you, I had a wonderful evening as well." he stated as he turned and left the greenhouse.
 
"Here we are," Cecily said, turning with the tea service and placing it on the table. She re-lit the fire in the fireplace so the room quickly became toasty warm. She cast a drying spell on Sophia, then poured their tea. "Cream, sugar?" she asked, holding them up.
 
Sophia looked up at Professor Rambolt with a blank gaze. "No thank you." She was not feeling particularly hungry or thirsty, especially after watching Ford and Bruin ruin most of the food at the Ball.
 
Cecily put them down, picking up one of the cups of tea and placing it in front of Sophia before sitting down. "The tea will calm you, help you collect your thoughts." Cecily sipped at hers, glancing at the girl across from her. "Would you like to talk about it?" she asked gently.
 
Sophia looked down at the tea, locking her golden eyes on it but not moving. "What is there to talk about? You saw what happened." She was not sure she could bare to explain the situation to anyone, let alone a Professor. Sophia was quite ashamed of herself and what had happened, sure that she was completely at fault.
 
Cecily was silent a moment, looking the girl over. "Sophia,"she said quietly, "all I saw were two young men, rolling about in food. What happened?"she asked.
 
Sophia looked up at Professor Rambolt and then back down at her untouched cup of tea. She let out a quiet sigh and frowned. "I had promised I would save Bruin a dance. When we did dance, Ford got jealous, and that is when the fighting started." Sophia had spoken quietly, letting her voice trail off when she was finished. She figured this was enough explanation for Professor Rambolt and hoped that the questions would be over with.
 
"Oh. I see." Cecily sat back in her chair, sipping her tea. She put it back on the table before leaning forward with her elbows propped on the battered wooden surface. "How did it make you feel, when you saw them fighting?" she asked gently.
 
Sophia frowned. Of course a professor would not just let it remain at that. "I felt awful. My boyfriend," Sophia shuddered at the word, knowing it no longer applied. "And my best friend were beating each other up, over me. They made a huge spectacle and now everyone probably thinks awful things about me."
 
"It isn't your fault, Sophia," Cecily said softly. "You didn't make them fight, they chose their own actions. And as for your friends up at the castle, they'll be there for you. No one will think ill of you,"she said reassuringly.
 
Sophia moved her gaze to Professor Rambolt. "Friends? The only friends I had just beat each other up. One proceeded to dump me by telling me I am not worth it, and then the other probably went off with his date. I do not have friends Professor." Sophia crossed her arms over her chest and stared down at her tea again. She felt slightly bad for being so angry when Professor Rambolt was only trying to help, but she did not know how to react to the situation.
 
"In the morning light be true, help me drink this witch's brew."

She sat there, swirling the remnants of her tea. She read the cup in silence, storing away what she saw for future reference as she thought of Sophia's predicament.
"Give him time," she said softly, referring to Ford. "Tonight his emotions are running high, once he calms down, perhaps you both could talk about it,"she suggested.
 
Sophia shook her head, refusing to let herself get hopeful. "This is the second time he has dumped me because of Bruin. It is over.

"Thank you Professor, for all of this, but I think I should be going." Sophia stood and hoped that Professor Rambolt would not stop her from leaving. She was quite done with talking.
 
Cecily stood, nodding. "I'll escort you, I need to help with some things." She doused the fire and fetched her shawl, the one she frequently left in the greenhouse, and put it around her shoulders. She went to the door and opened it, looking at Sophia. "I'm here, any time you need anything Sophia. To talk or just if you need a quiet place to get away from things. My door is always open," she offered.
 
Sophia gave Professor Rambolt a nod of appreciation. "Thank you Professor." She walked forward and stepped out of the Greenhouse, heading back toward the castle. I wonder how far she is going to escort me? Hopefully not too far.
 
Cecily walked with Sophia as far as the entrance to the castle before she bid Sophia good night and after they'd both entered, she went through the doors into the Great Hall, looking for another professor to fill her in on any other happenings that night.
 
Sophia was pleased when Professor Rambolt left her just inside the castle. She turned around and looked at the great oak doors, contemplating leaving again. No, I need to get some sleep. Tomorrow I will get out of here and everything will be fine again. With that Sophia turned and headed toward the Dungeons.
 

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