A Memory: Rosemary's Sweet Sixteen
A Memory: Rosemary's Sweet Sixteen
“Velvette! You came!” Rosemary said. She walked swiftly towards her once she noticed they were alone and gave her a big hug and giggled. She was always so happy to see Velvette. Even when she brought bad news.
“Of course. I had to child. It’s not every day our princess turns 16. Happy birthday, love.” She handed her a small present wrapped in silver paper with blue shimmering ribbon.
“It’s so beautiful I don’t even want to open it.”
“The ribbon is for your ribbon board.”
“It’s lovely. Thank you.” Rosemary admired the ribbon. She had always been an appreciative child. “Come on! Mother and Father will be so happy to see you. They’re drinking spritzers in the gazebo already.” She giggled as she grabbed Velvette’s hand, and they started walking towards the guests.
“It looks so grown up.”
“Mother wanted it to be sophisticated and less childish since I’m officially a woman.” Rosemary made fun by talking extra proper at the end of her statement.
“I see. Will we be able to talk at all?”
“Of course.”
“Privately?”
Rosemary stopped walking. “Is everything alright?”
“I just wanted to check up on you. See how you are in your studies and how you are getting along with your suppressed lycan. See if we need to alter the enchantment. That sort of thing.”
“Oh!” Rosemary giggled again. “I’m fine. Studies are good. I’m excelling you know. We still communicate in my dreams sometimes, but in my last dream with Nova, she told me that it was time for her to sleep, and we won’t speak to each other again until it’s time for her to awaken.” She suddenly sounded sad as she remembered the conversation. She hadn’t thought about it until that moment.
“She told you that?”
Rosemary nodded.
“When was this?”
“Last night.”
“Did she tell you anything else?”
“She was very vague. But she told me to be careful and take care of myself. And I might forget her, but it’s normal if I do. And I’ll get used to being alone.” Rosemary furrowed her eyebrows as she remembered the dream she had last night.
“What was she vague about?”
“She didn’t tell me why she had to sleep, and she wouldn’t tell me when she would wake up. Do you know?”
Velvette shook her head, ‘no’. “I understand. That’s why The Fates wanted me to ask you while I was here. They are keeping an eye on you, and wanted to make sure you were alright. Child, where are your shoes?” She interrupted herself.
They both looked down at her perfectly painted toes nails. “I like to be barefoot in the grass.” She shrugged. “It’s therapeutic.” She wiggled her toes in the grass then smiled. “It’s helping already.”
Velvette laughed. “You’re right. It is. Do you think the therapy will work on me?”
“You should try it.”
Velvette took off her shoes and marveled at the feel of the grass on her feet. “This does feel nice.”
“See? Therapeutic.” Rosemary gave a small smile.
“You are quite wise.”
They continued to walk to the party.
“Do you tell your parents when you have dreams about Nova?”
“Sometimes. There have been times when she tells me not to and that certain conversations are only between the two of us.”
“I understand. I will respect your bond and not ask what they were about.”
“Thank you.”
They took a few steps in silence.
“She said the only way she can talk to me is through my dreams because it’s a lower form of consciousness and she can’t go any further.”
“That is correct.”
“Velvette, why does she have to be suppressed?”
“You have a very strong lycan, and you are being trained on how to master what you can do with her. The down fall is, since you two only spent time together in dreams, it will be difficult for you to apply what you’ve learned when she awakens. Also, werewolves are fictional creatures to humans. And lycans are fictional creatures to werewolves. Mainly because the belief is that they are all extinct, and most species fear what they don’t know. If there are any others out there, they have more than likely suppressed themselves as well and live among werewolves or humans untraceable.”
“What is it like to live with the humans?”
“It’s boring and amazing all at the same time.” Velvette chuckled.
“What is it like to fall in love?”
“That is a dangerous question, child.”
“Oracle! You made it.” Cordelia came up and they both bowed to each other.
“Lovely to see you again Oracle.” Bruce bowed as well.
“It’s a very lively and large party.” Velvette noticed.
“I don’t know half the people here. Father says I know them all.” She laughed.
They all sat in the gazebo and watched everyone enjoying the festivities.
It was a perfect day. The weather was perfect, the food was delicious, and Rosemary opened lots of presents. She saved Velvette’s gift to her as the last one she opened and when she did she was careful not to damage the paper or crinkle the ribbon too much.
She opened the box to find a dragon’s blood jasper stone enclosed in a dragons claw on a silver chain. She gasped at it’s beauty and asked Velvette to put it on her.
“I love it! I’ll have to wear more green to go with it!”
“Do you know what it means?”
“No.” she shook her head.
“This stone is very powerful. It will remind you of your strength and courage in times of fear and confusion, and will keep you grounded in love, forgiveness and compassion. You, my precious Rosemary are these things. Never forget who you are. Bring out your inner dragon to show your true power, and have the wisdom when to do it.”
Rosemary gave Velvette a big strong hug.
“Thank you, Oracle. This is the best gift ever.”
“You’re welcome child. Wear it well.”
Once everyone had gone, it was just the four of them sitting on the west balcony watching the sun set having tea. Rosemary grabbed Velvette’s hand tightly and smiled.
“I’ll need this memory when I’m older, won’t I? It’s not this stone, that’s important. It’s the meaning behind it.” She looked at her necklace. “This stone represents me.”
“You are correct, child. Though, you have blossomed into a woman, and a wise one at that. Perhaps I should stop calling you child.”
“I don’t mind it. It’s humbling. And it reminds me that I don’t know everything.”
“Out of the mouth of babes.” Bruce chuckled as he took a sip of his tea.