Meeting Grandpa & Grandma
Quickly, they arrived at a set of magnificent doors made of a deep ochre wood and the door handles covered in embossed gold. They were beautifully carved doors as well, adorned with the most elegant depiction of the Rohese family seal Lassim had yet seen—a magnificent and gorgeous structure with towering walls lined with accompanying balconies erupting from the earth's crust—the seal a reminder and symbol of the clan's deep connection with the nature element and their renowned capabilities in creation and design.
As the head butler swung open the grand doors, Lassim stepped into a grand hall that seemed to encapsulate the essence of the Rohese family's legacy.
The grand hall into which Lassim was ushered was nothing short of breathtaking. Vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes depicting the family's history and achievements in nature manipulation stretched overhead. The warm glow of sunlight filtered through stained glass windows on the roof's ceilings, casting the room in a kaleidoscope of bright and light earthy hues.
"Announcing the Young Master Lassim," the head butler proclaimed with a voice that resonated with pride and formality while his figure gestured and quickly bowed to the arrival.
At the announcement, two figures on the other end of the hall turned towards the doorway. They were Lassim's grandparents, Frederyc and Elisa Rohese, whose appearance immediately captivated him.
Contrary to Lassim's expectations of elderly visages, his grandparents bore an air of youthful elegance that belied their millennia of existence. Frederyc, with his distinguished demeanor, sported a few strands of gray despite his otherwise dark brown hair, slightly betraying his otherwise youthful vigor. Elisa, equally graceful and noble, radiated a timeless beauty, her face unmarred by the passage of centuries. Not a single wrinkle or blemished mark on either of them.
Both were attired in clothing that epitomized both nobility and style.
Frederyc wore a sleek, tailored tunic of deep forest green, accented with gold embroidery that traced the contours of the Rohese symbol on his chest pocket, accompanied by an impractically gem embroidered handkerchief. His trousers were of a darker shade, perfectly complementing the tunic, and his boots were polished to a mirror sheen.
Elisa's dress was a masterpiece of fashion, flowing elegantly to the floor in shades of earthy brown and olive, with gold and shining gem embellishments that sparkled with each movement. Her attire was adorned with subtle patterns that seemed to mimic the natural world, and a delicate belt cinched at her waist added a touch of sophistication to her ensemble.
As the butler's voice echoed through the grand hall, announcing his arrival, Lassim watched as his grandparents turned toward him, their expressions alight with anticipation. Taking a hesitant step forward, he found himself momentarily unsure of the proper protocol for greeting family members who were, in essence, noble strangers to him.
With a slight bow, an attempt to bridge the gap between respect and unfamiliarity, Lassim introduced himself.
"Grandmother, Grandfather, I am Lassim. It's an honor to finally meet you," he said, his voice carrying a mix of reverence and uncertainty.
Before he could gauge their reaction or offer more words, Frederyc and Elisa closed the distance between them with surprising swiftness. Words were unnecessary as they enveloped him in a warm, firm embrace, their actions speaking volumes more than any formal greeting could. Within the sanctuary of their arms, Lassim felt a rush of emotions he hadn't anticipated—relief, belonging, and an overwhelming sense of being cherished.
In their embrace, a gentle and slight mossy fragrance enveloped him, the scent characteristic of those deeply attuned to the nature element. It was a comforting aroma, reminiscent of a forest after the rain, and it further underscored the overwhelming connection to the earth that the two of them possessed. The elements bringing about scents in their users was slightly amusing to Lassim as he considered how others might think of his own smell when he grew in power to the point that lightning and water elements would cling to his attire relentlessly.
"My dear boy," Elisa murmured, her voice soft exuding tenderness. "Welcome to the Rohese estate, welcome home."
Frederyc's voice, equally gentle but imbued with a quiet strength, his voice deep and barotone, joined hers. "We've waited so long for this day, Lassim. To think, the last time we saw you, you were but a babe in our arms, and now here you stand, a young man before us."
Their words, spoken within the shared embrace between both grandparents and grandchild, expressed a love and acceptance that surrounded Lassim, joining him firmly into the fabric of the Rohese family that they wished to included him in. They continued to converse, not just of their welcome, but of a deep joy at his arrival. They were happy to finally see him again after years spent occupied by other duties and responsibilities.
The embrace was tight, filled with emotions and a sense of belonging that Lassim hadn't realized he'd been yearning for. He'd left his parents for the first time, as just an eight year old boy, and had been thrust into a new city, school for the first time with crazy trials and classes, and even forced to fight powerful creatures. He was still a child and the warmth filled him with a joy that made his eyes misty and made him miss his mother and father's embrace as well.
As they finally stepped back, allowing Lassim to see the faces of his grandparents clearly, he saw not just the nobility and refinement he had initially observed, but also a kindness and warmth that instantly made him feel at home. Their noble and refined presence, combined with their unexpectedly youthful appearance, left Lassim in awe. Here, before him, stood two individuals who were nearly 8,000 years old, a testament to the incredible longevity and power that ran through the Rohese lineage.
The uncertainty that had accompanied him to the Rohese estate dissipated, replaced by a burgeoning sense of belonging and a curiosity about the family.
"Thank you," Lassim managed to say, his voice thick with emotion. "I've looked forward to this day, to understanding more about where I come from on mother's side of the family. Yet, to be welcomed so warmly... it means more than I can express."
Frederyc and Elisa shared a glance, a silent communication that spoke of shared happiness and a mutual understanding of the significance of this reunion.
"There is much to share, and much to learn," Frederyc said, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "But for now, let us simply enjoy the moment. Our family has officially grown once more."
Frederyc and Elisa Rohese, with a warmth that seemed to infuse the very air, led Lassim toward the dining room adjacent to the grand hall. The room itself was a spectacle of elegance and comfort, with a long table set for a feast that seemed to cater to royalty.
The spread was magnificent, a testament to the Rohese family's status and their desire to celebrate Lassim's homecoming in grand fashion.
As they settled into their seats, the atmosphere buzzed with curiosity. Lassim found himself enveloped in a flurry of questions from his grandparents. They were eager to know about his life, his experiences, and particularly his awakening—especially after having witnessed Lassim thrum his power in the courtyard earlier when facing off against Edric.
He recounted his youth, from the mundane daily life at the Vanthar estate, the frequent chasing of the water fox and lessons with Sir Ian, to the momentous awakening of his twin elemental spirits and the initial trial at the Myriad Spirit Academy.
He spoke of the challenges and the revelations, his voice carrying a mix of wonder and disbelief at the recent changes in the path his life had taken.
At the mention of the twin spirits, Frederyc and Elisa recalled the unusual weather event that had marked his birth, Lassim noticed a spark of recognition, perhaps even validation, in his grandparents' eyes. They exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them, their expressions mingling surprise with a deep, intuitive understanding.
"The omen at your birth," Elisa mused, her voice laced with a newfound significance. "We always knew it heralded something extraordinary. To think, the gods knew from that moment to bless you with twin spirits—to have chosen you."
Frederyc nodded, his gaze on Lassim filled with a mix of pride and contemplation. "Your journey is only beginning, Lassim. But it's clear you're destined for remarkable things."
With dinner drawing to a close, all having eaten their full, the conversation shifted to the future—specifically, Lassim's place within the Rohese legacy and Myriad Spirit City's elite circles. His grandparents expressed a desire for him to become a more familiar face among the city's nobility, proposing regular visits to the estate and announcing plans for a welcoming party in his honor.
Before Lassim could fully grasp the magnitude of their intentions, Elisa, with a decisive air, summoned a tailor into the room. The tailor's arrival and the subsequent flurry of activity as measurements were taken left Lassim slightly bewildered.
Elisa detailed her vision for Lassim's attire for the upcoming event—a noble outfit that would seamlessly blend the Rohese family's earthy color scheme with fire red embellishments, a nod to the Vanthar family. The inclusion of both the Rohese and Vanthar family sigils and colors was a powerful statement, one that declared his dual heritage with pride. Not unlike his dual elemental spirits.
"This way, everyone will recognize not just your status, but the unity of our families," Elisa explained, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "You are a bridge, Lassim, between two powerful families. It's time the world knew the strength of that bond."
As the tailor worked, taking precise measurements and noting down Elisa's specifications, he felt a whirlwind of emotions. The realization that he was stepping into a role far greater than he had imagined was both daunting and exhilarating. His grandparents' plans for him were a clear indication of their belief in his potential and their commitment to ensuring his place in society reflected his true worth.