Beastella, Inst.3 : Melix

"Estella,Wake up"...... She felt something tickling her nose,waking her from the sun lulled nap she had unwittingly taken. The dream she was having was a variation on a series of recurring dream themes she had been having for several weeks now. In her dream, she was ironically,waking from a dream. Except that dream was unsettling, she couldnt quite remember any details about it,but the feeling it imparted her with left her a bit odd. In the dreams 'waking' state, she felt a soothing and serene presence. It was a memory of her beloved paternal Grandmother,that was the tranquility she was experiencing,even upon awakening. Helaena Eve LaBonte' had died when her granddaughter was a mere six and a half years old. It was at least assumed that she had died. Estellas parents last contact with her was a phone call from Bermuda. She had managed to save enough to purchase a large sailboat,upon retirement. Helaena had flown to Bermuda with her companian, Mornu' , a quiet,shorter statured round fella. Estella remembered his infectious laugh,he delighted her young mind with many splendid tales. He barely spoke to anyone but the family,preferring not to be around strangers very much,except the animals. That final call, had made it seem like all was on schedule,and The twosome would be back home in a month or two. Their plans were to set out from Bermuda, and wind their way through the Bahamas,meandering back home. Estella had only gotten to speak to her grandmother for a few moments, then a quick minute with Mornu'. She remembered handing the phone to her father, he chatted awhile alone with his mother,in her parents bedroom. Several days later,Estellas father got an unexpected telephone call. He again took the phone into his room and closed the door. She assumed it was her Grandmother calling,and hoped her father would let her say hello. When he came out later, he had obviously been crying,and seemed quite upset. While her parents stepped into the kitchen for a bit, Estellas mother had left her with a favourite book to keep her occupied, "Miss Muggsly's Mysterious Moths", . When they came back in, Estellas parents gave her a giant bear hug,then each one took one of her hands in theirs. "StellaBea, lets all go sit on the sofa , Your Mommy and I need to chat with you". Her Father said, as he rubbed her hand in his. Her parents told her that her Grandmothers boat did not arrive at Lilac Island ,now 6 days since they were scheduled to. That was their next docking point, after Bermuda. The International Lilac Enthusiasts (I.L.E.) convention was being held on its namesake Island this year. They were her Grandmothers favourite flower, the smell of them still evoked her memory to Estella. Helaena was an avid naturalist, reknowned for her ultra horticultural 'green thumb'. The gardens she lovingly tended seemed to personify her, naturally lovely and serene. She knew what it was that had made her nose twitch so much that it had awoken her. She smelled the intoxicatingly fragrant bouquet of Lilacs, even before her eyes fully opened. Her rouser was the 'cultural exchange student' staying with she and her mother that school year. "Misstella, yoo-hoo,Sleeping Beauty, arise from thy slumber", Melix Le'Niais cajoled her,as he waved a handfull of Lilacs at her. She thought it was a very odd coincidence indeed,of his choice of flower to playfully roust her with. "Melix, what time is it?",Estella asked him, as she yawned. "Girrrl, your Momma is worried sick about you, so she drove me back to school to find you, since she checked everywhere else. ", Melix told her. "With all the treading ive done tonight, i should make u buy me a new pair of shoes. Hustle it 'Misstella' , your Moms waiting in the car for us". Melix liked to use his variation on her name,she didnt mind. Estella was glad to have finally found a good friend, in Melix. The 3 months since he arrived had flown rapidly by. They seemed to have an almost instant rapport,much to her mothers delight. As they drove the few miles to the farm,Estella filled both of them in on her dream, and the feelings it evoked in her. When they had arrived, Melix wanted to show Estella the feeding trough he had finished that evening. He was glad there was enough suitable wood left from the pile in the barn he had amassed since arriving. "Sweeeeeeeeet" , Estella elatedly shrieked. "Melix, stay here a sec. Im gonna run and bring mom back to show her, i have a feeling she might have a nice surprise to thank you with". After admiring his excellant craftsmanship, Maria LeBonte' produced a small metal container from her pocket. "Mom, is that what i think it is?" , Estella asked with a smile on her face,speculating on the tin's contents. Maria told the two teenagers to close their eyes,and tell her what they smelled. The teens thought they heard a match strike, then a warm billowing mass blown across their faces. Almost at the same time, Estella and Melix excitedly shrieked "Jamaican Gold !". Upon opening his eyes,Melix had a joint the size of a Gherkin pickle put up to his mouth by Maria. Mrs LaBonte' had a small, but flourishing crop of 'Mary Jane' in a slight dip in the cornfield. The recessed section of land helped to camouflage the botanical bounty,hidden by the taller surrounding corn stalks. The local authorities were aware of their crop of 'sweet green herb' , as well as the crops of numerous locals,but werent bothered by its existance. Melix knew she must reallllllllly like his handiwork,as the 'herb' was only allowed he and Estella on special occasions(and the occasional weekend evening,at home). The threesome had a marvelous time catching fireflies,housing them for the night in an ornate screened cage on the porch,then releasing them in the morning as la Luna bid her adieu. Maria had brought out a heaping platter of homemade cookies, she knew her daughter loved them that way,fresh from the 'fridge,and washed down with milk. After some tokin',tale trading and Tollhouse, Maria retired for the evening, snuggling up to her favourite pet,'Meppi, the Magnificent Mongoose'. He had become a great comfort on the many nights she had cried herself to sleep, since her husbands passing. Several rounds of Scrabble later, the tokin' twosome fell asleep on the screened porch, not before snubbing the spleef out, barely half smoked. Sleep that night held some interesting visions of far off lands for Estella,or were they actually memories that she had forgotten, perhaps. (end of Inst3, hope u enjoyed)