Chapter 9 to Chapter 16

The second part to the story Testing For Hope!

Chapter 9 : Outside Maybe? ▶︎

Hysteria woke up for the second time this week on the couch, but this time she was much more relaxed and rested. After she finished yawning and stretching, she stood up. Looking at her sleeping companion, she scratched behind its ears and walked into the kitchen. In the kitchen, she pulled out some bread, eggs, and a glass for water, planning for a quick and quiet breakfast.

First, she took out two pieces of bread from its bag and put them on a skillet. She shifted them until they brown. Then she took them off and cut a circle in the middle. After she did that, she put them on their other side and cracked an egg in each circle. As those were finishing, she filled her cup with water and grabbed the wolf’s dish to do the same.

While reaching for it, the pup walked in and started to sniff the air. When Hysteria put down the newly replenished water dish, it sauntered over to the water and started drinking slowly. Hysteria smiled at the act and took the toast off the skillet and onto a plate. She walked over to the table and started eating her breakfast.

When she was done, she put her dishes in the sink and went upstairs to change. Closing the door behind her, she got out her clothes for the day. She ended up with a dirtied white button-up shirt covered in a light blue tunic with leather line work, all topped in a leather and string belt she learned to make when she was much younger. Her bottoms were black trousers.

After putting all this on, she headed out and got started on her farm for the day. First she went over to the magic strawberries and started to water them while plucking the ripe ones. Next, she went over to some of the dark brown trees with autumn leaves. Pulling at some of the bark, the chocolate substance melted in her hands. She picked up some of the stray chocolate bark pieces and moved onto the next thing, which was her normal crops. The only magic about these was speed growth potions she dripped into their water.

Done for the day, she headed back inside and took a nice warm shower. The water dripping down her back, she picked up her favourite shampoo, strawberry scented. She had to pick it up from the next town, but it was always worth it for her hair to smell so sweet, plus it made her hair shiny as always. Next, she drizzled some lavender body wash, which she made herself, onto her hand and rubbed it into her skin. After she washed it all out, she got out of the shower and dried herself down. She then put on her most cosy pair of pyjamas and went down to the foyer.

She scanned the shelves once again and found a book called Lore Olympus: Volume One. This looks interesting, she thought to herself as she picked it up and sat down on her favourite chair. It was her favourite chair because the bottom half can be flipped up. Her mom helped make it and this chair is practically as old as she was.

I still remember her. Her laugh, her voice, her hair. She didn’t have much in her life, but what she did have, she gave to me with this house and my freedom. She helped me with my studies when I was stuck and with my plants when I was sick. She appreciated everything, but how would hse look at me now? Would she just stand at the door, not saying a thing from the shock? Or would she come to me crying, hoping her daughter wasn’t kidnapped or experimented on.

She soon after thinking these things, decided that she couldn’t relax enough to read at the moment. With that final withdraw, Hysteria set the book down and went up the stairs to her room. Opening the door, she walked over to her desk. On it was her spellbook and to the left of that was her skull mask that was tattered and broken from the incident. Maybe I should fix it?

Chapter 10 : Sweet Dreams, I guess. ▶︎

The mask in front of her was by far her favourite she ever tried to make. The only problem was that she didn’t go through with it because she no longer had a reason to use masks. There were no nearby villages she could run off into and explore or some close fairly populated area that she could watch from afar. There was nobody around, so she just gave up making it. Plus, there was no one to laugh at the mask if it turned out weird.


It has been hanging over her desk for the past 10 years, untouched by anything, except a thin layer of dust. If Hysteria was to fix it, she would have to make it special. A testimony, perhaps? Or should it be used for its intended purpose, to be shown off to the world? Can I even remember how to make them? Do I remember the design? Wait-!


Hysteria rushed away from her desk and back down the stairs with the speed of sound following her track. She stopped just in front of a weirdly designed section of the bookcase where all her journals were kept. The reason it was enchanted to have all written pages on its shelves was right in front of her, but which one was it in?


For the rest of the day, she was going through all her notebooks. She only got through half of them by the time she fell asleep, the wolf snuggled next to her and carried her through her dreams.


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In Hysteria’s dream palace

Hysteria opened her eyes to see a place she remembers being in, but has never seen before. All around her was a blinding light, the hall she was in was tall enough to reach the stars, with pillars all the way to the ceiling every few feet. “What is this place?”

“You seriously don’t remember this place? Do you at least remember me?” A voice spoke softly from somewhere around her, but she couldn’t tell where. The acoustics in the hall was too strong to pinpoint a direction.

“Where are you?” Hysteria asked. She decided that the mystery voice would be upset if she said that she didn’t remember anything about this place, so she kept that little fact to herself.

“Do you still strive to make others happy?” The voice calmly said, seeming closer now. “Is others’ smiles still that important to you, or have you given up on that foolish dream now?”

The light then suddenly dimmed and a figure appeared in front of Hysteria. Wait- is that? “Sofia? Is that you?”

The figure giggles silently and the echoes of it sounded like jingling bells. “Who else would be silly?” she said as she twirled around one of the nearby pillars. The girl was still just as short as always. In fact, she looked like she hadn’t aged a bit since she last saw her like this. Her long, blonde hair swaying behind her and her blue dress still unique as always. “So, what is your answer?”

Hysteria stood herself up and replied back with a swift, “There is no one around to please anyway, so why try.” Sofia stood in front of her, stiffened up quickly, took a deep breath, and relaxed just as soon as it started.

“And why is that?” Sofia said, now sitting in chairs that weren’t there a second ago. There was a chair across a table from where she was sitting, waiting for Hysteria. The table was set with all types of accessories meant for a tea party. It must be her then. I know no one else that sets up tea parties like that out of the blue.

As she was taking a seat in the chair clearly meant for her, the child named Sofia was putting sugar cubes in her tea. Does she still do that? Make her tea so sweet on purpose?

“Are you real?”

Sofia stopped for the second time since this place appeared. Shrugging it off, she said, “Of course I am silly, why wouldn’t I be, Witch?” There it is. Taking her own cup, Hysteria said, ”Well, of course you would know, Princess Sofia. You always know what is going on anyway.” She then took a sip of the tea.

“How do you know about that? I never told anyone.” Sofia stood up and pointed her finger at me. Suddenly, I felt myself shrink to my childhood self. I knew how this went so I played my part like a good little kid.

“Guess you should have watched your back better.” A deep breath, then the rest came out without warning. “Why are you friends with me?! Your family is the reason I’m in hiding! My mother is dead because of you!” I shouted until my throat went sore. Then I just started feeling wet spots on my cheeks. I wiped it off and looked at my hand, surprised to see that I was crying. Why am I crying? I should be over this by now!

Sofia was still in front of me, but she looked weird. She looked older. Why does she get to grow up? I still feel so young! She moved closer. I thought she was going to hug me, a child in her arms. My first best friend hugging me and ridding me of my troubles. But then she turned heel and left me alone on the grass outside under our favourite tree.

I clutched onto my personal diary of that time period and cried my heart out.

Why does it always have to end the same way? Why can’t I be… Happy?

Chapter 11 : Broken Walls ▶︎

My eyes slowly opened up to the world. My cheeks feel dry and my throat sore. The wolf pup is laying next to me, pressing its weight against my stomach. I raised my hand to meet its fur and it turned to look at me as quick as a lightning in a bottle.

“Hello there.” I said, a smile that felt strained appearing on my lips. “How did you sleep?”

Suddenly I remembered last night’s dream and rushed to the bookcase in front of me. I scanned it up and down, up and down, finally stopping on the most tattered book there. I may have thrown it a lot when writing in it, but that is neither here nor there. Picking up the book, I looked at the cover and there was a paper crown on the cover, the top of it peeling down.

I grazed my fingers over the skull and went to open it. The book was a little stuck together, but I managed to get it open. The edges were fragile and ripped from overuse.

I finally flipped to the right page. The mask of my past. The mask I was making to hang out with her. Will I ever see her again? Pushing that last thought away, I ran up the stairs to my room. The door swung open wide and I darted to my desk and started getting everything together.

I would need washi tape and some markers. I looked at the mask again and realised that I also needed some string. It also wouldn’t hurt to make it magically conceal my face. After getting everything together, I got started on putting it back in the intended shape. Time to get started!

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Hours later~

Finally! Hysteria put the mask on with one last deep breath. Her face seemed to have disappeared and been replaced with the skull mask she just made. If you tried to look under it, you would have probably seen the abyss.

She then took it off with another deep breath. Her eyes started shining, filling to the brim with tears. She set the mask down, closing her eyes and took another breath. She looked to where the mask was hanging and saw a photo that was taken years ago with a newer one from 3 months ago near it. The old one had her and Sofia in it, giving eachother a side-hug. Both of them were smiling so brightly, it looked like the whole day was bright and sunny as well.

The photo near it, however, was two pictures put together, both split down the middle. One side was Hysteria in her dining room, looking out the window at a sunrise. The other side had a picture from a newsletter. One with Queen Sofia on her coronation day. The thing is that she looks so sad and like she’s hoping that someone will take her away from this awful place for once and all.

When Hysteria was making it, the only thought going through her head was what the present would look like if they were still friends. Would they walk through Hysteria’s garden? Would they be playing on the castle grounds, Hysteria no longer having to hide with Sofia making the rules? Would they have tea parties while watching the sunset like they used to?

Those questions have no place in Hysteria’s brain, however, because Sofia is gone now and all that is left is Queen Sofia. That’s how it is and that is how it has been since they last saw each other at the age of 6. Hysteria ruined their friendship then, why would Sofia ever risk herself falling for that again?

As all these thoughts ran through Hysteria’s head, going in and out at the speed of light, the wolf pup climbed up the stairs and walked over to where Hysteria was. It then started rubbing its head against her leg, forcing her to calm down and sit, plus it got some pets out of it.

The little puppy had been there for this very difficult week, an unlikely friend if you will. Friend…

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In a very different place~

Footsteps echoed in the large hallways. Her breath quickened as it always did. Then the large door swung open in the most gentle way possible. Everyone thought she was made of fine china. That she was a porcelain doll sitting on the biggest shelf in the kingdom.

“Your Majesty. A moment?”

Chapter 12 : Empty Bed Sheets ▶︎

These halls are always so cold and empty. The only people I’ve seen since my husband left are the maids and the occasional soldier. What am I doing with my life? I think, while I shook off my overcoat and gently sat on my bed. The bed is also cold, but that is more my fault than anyone else’s.

Soon after I sat down, the door to my room gently swung open to reveal a knight I had sent on a mission. They came to tell me that it didn’t work out. That they couldn’t find her. Afterwards is what hit me the most though.

“You have really run yourself dry on this matter, haven’t you?” The knight said in almost a hushed tone, probably hoping I would notice.

“Did the others ask you to tell me that, huh? I understand their worries, but please assure them that I am fine.” I rushed back in a quickly paced tone. The guards just never will understand how much this means to me.

“It's not them asking. We’ve been looking for years and there is still no trace of this magic you spoke of a kid so often. You said that it was almost a rainbow of colours. Almost ethereal, correct? Well, all we see out through day after day and night after night is the ghouls and monsters of the woods. There was even another group that was trying to take over a nearby area.” The knight then sighed in exhaustion. “I know you miss her, but we can’t keep doing this. The area we hung out at has overgrown and she hasn’t been heard of in years.”

The knight took off their helmet and untied their hair from the ponytail it was in. Brushing her hand through her hair, she sat down next to me on the bed and just waited in the silence. I just fell on her shoulder and let her run her fingers through my hair. No matter how dirty her hands are, they are always the most comfortable on my head.

“Sorry.” I closed my eyes. “Time has been going by too fast and we still haven’t apologised. I just want to talk to her again and make her understand that I didn’t mean to do anything.” Tears started crawling down my cheeks at this point. “I didn’t mean anything that happened.”

“I know, but we must remain strong. I’m sorry for what I said. I will gather the troops tomorrow to go into the woods. Perhaps we will make it farther this time. Did she ever tell you where she lived? You were closer to her. Maybe she hasn’t left her home.”

The tears started to calm down around then enough for me to say, “No. The only reason that anything happened was because my family caught wind that her mom was in the village centre. I miss her so much.”

After the talk, we just ended up sitting there until she had to go again. When she left, she remembered to say goodbye, so that’s something. These days are just too lonely.

No one is around to talk to me. No one is around to listen. She’s always off looking for her. He’s on a business trip. There is no one in these palace walls but me, myself, and I.

The days are getting longer and then they shorten again.

I walked up from my bed over to the window sill seat and sat down once again. Resting my head on the wall behind me, I turned to look out over my kingdom from my high shelf. This place would be my home and it should be, but I can never feel attached enough to it to call it that.

My heart left my soul and body long ago. Those woods, somewhere I can’t remember, are buried next to my old friend. I wonder how she’s doing. Is she looking up at this sky every night like I am? Is she thinking of our old fun times? Did she ever get my letters? How is she doing all alone in this world? Is she still intelligent and funny? Still serious? If I were to see her again, how would we react to each other?

I’m so sorry Teria. Really sorry.

Chapter 13 : Deep Depths ▶︎

The sun was shining down on the rest of the kingdom, leaving this little patch of castle that was always covered in shadows. Walking through this part of the kingdom always calmed down Queen Sofia. It was always peaceful, but oh, so alone.

The leaves from all the bushes covering the sidewalks from lack of trimming, the stairs making the whole place look lost to time. You could see it from her room, but it was even more beautiful in person. The whole place was captured like a photo, everlasting.

Going down the staircase, careful not to trip on any loose roots, Sofia went down to the bottom of the area. She kneeled down and put her hand at the lake that was at the heart of her kingdom. The water played around her hand, rippling the surface in waves.

She often wondered if her old friend would like this area. If she would be able to sit by the edges for a picnic.

She then took her dark flowing gown by the bottom and jumped in. The skirt flew behind her as she splashed in the water. The skin on her legs slowly started turning rough and coarse, taking what looked like a whole new shape. In fact, that's exactly what happened.

What once was her legs, turned into an aquatic fish tail. She raised it to the surface of the pond, the brisk air hitting it as she waved it around. It's been a while, huh? Sofia thought as she went down to the bottom of the water and through a crack on the ground, plunging into the darkness.

Sofia went back to her thoughts. What if the witch in her past could find a special spell of the water’s depths. If she would swim with her to Sofia’s keepsake in this cold castle.

After a long time swimming, to the point that her tail started aching, the walls around her started to glow in the most beautiful neon colours, surrounding her and engulfing her whole. The bottom of the area reached near, and it started to open up the space more.

The whole area seemed to expand greatly. So much so, that by the time her fins hit the sandy flour, she was right outside a great city. The lights reflected off the bubble surrounding the area, covering the whole water filled space in beautiful rippled lights that seemed ethereal.

Getting to the bottom, she reached the bubble. She took a deep breath and swayed her fin against the bubble’s exterior. The tail pushed into the surprisingly tough surface with ease and soon Sofia was standing on the other side, back in the same flowing dress from before.

She automatically went to a nearby alleyway that she seemed all too comfortable walking into. When she reached the end of the walkway, she looked around and grabbed the handles on the side of the trashcan in front of her. She pushed it to the side as gently as possible and grabbed the bag hidden behind it.

After putting the trash bin back in place, she dug into the bag and pulled out a cape. She put the bag on her back and pulled the cape over it all. All of her features were hidden except the few that made her stand out as a siren. Her ears poking out the sides and her tinted complexion being shown through the top of it all.

She quickly left the alleyway and started walking through the crowd, slowly advancing towards an old building that seemed to be a staple of the whole town. Finally stepping on the front porch she raised her hand and knocked three times. Then a pause followed by two more.

The door opened to reveal a cold darkness that drew in all suspecting and unsuspecting guests into its eternal mystery. All Sofia had to do was take one step.

Taking a deep breath, Sofia looked around unsure, but the world looked frozen, only moving in slow motion. She decided that she wouldn’t be too long with her visit. She looked back inside and stepped through the door. When she finally passed the threshold, the door closed behind her and time went back to normal.

Chapter 14 : Another One Barkeep! ▶︎

Sofia opened her eyes and released her breath that she didn’t know she was holding. Looking around the area she was in, it looked like a bar. Being very familiar with how things were run in the bar, she headed behind the counter to the back to get changed.

She walked into a room full of lockers and went to the second one from the door and opened it. Inside there was a wig and an apron. Sofia grabbed the apron and tied it around her waist. She then wrapped her hair into a ponytail and put the wig on her head to cover it. After some adjusting of the placement, she felt ready to leave the room.

Closing her locker, Sofia walked out of the employee room and to behind the bar. She opened the cash register and saw no money. Nodding to herself, she closed it and pulled out a notebook to set on the table behind her. After that, she grabbed a closeby cleaning rag. Scrubbing the counters was always a necessity when you’re waiting for orders, according to company policy.

The orders started coming soon after I got to the counter so I grabbed the required drinks and gave them out. At first, keeping up with the orders in the bar section was a little difficult, but it helps that there are waiters for the parlour areas. Speaking of which, one of them came over to the bar and sat down, ordering water to quench her thirst. I turned around as she talked about the recent clients she dealt with so far. A few of the names stood out, but it was because they were regulars at the speakeasy.

“I wish we could drink on the job.” Vanessa said as she took the drink from my hand.

“You know that we would get fired on the spot for 1, losing our cool with the newbies and making them run away, and 2, just plain drinking on the job? Really Vanessa?” I replied while I started to shake the most recent order in the shakers.

“It’s the least they could let us do here. Do you know how many hands I’ve had to swat away? Hands off the merchandise boys and girls!” She said, turning to the other filled bar seats for the last sentence.

“You could just find them. We do reserve the right to do so. Unless..”

“Yup. They’re mainly from the 1900’s. Also, I really don't want to start a fight unless I have the bravery and excuse of a good drink behind it.”

I reached over to her head to pat it after pouring the shaker into a glass. Suddenly we heard her name being called over to her box room for more drink orders. “Good luck!” I said, giving her a thumbs up as she walked away.

As soon as she left, I grabbed an ice ball and put it in the drink. I then gave the drink to the person who ordered and moved onto the next drink. It turned out to be a plain whiskey with no ice. An easy alcohol to make, really.

When I got the whiskey, I turned back to the person to ask them how much they wanted. They held up their hand and raised 3 fingers. 3 shots is what I got out and when they were finished being poured, I slid them over to the person. They downed them in seconds then got up. They walked over to the stage opposite of the bar and asked the person running the music something, pointing to the microphone. The person playing the piano raised his thumbs up and walked over to it.

“Hello. My shift is almost done here.” A few groans of protest. “Oh, don't worry! This nice fellow siren here will take over and sing you guys some of their own music. Enjoy the show boys, girls, and everything in between!”

When the man was done, he walked off and let the mysterious person have the stage. The shadow of a siren walked up and grabbed the mic. They cleared their throat and started to sing. They were doing nothing much. Just some vocals for music that didn’t exist except in their head, yet everyone in the bar seemed entranced. I guess some humans got in then. I’ll just have to kick them out then, I thought while cracking my knuckles and going around the counter, signalling some guards to come over with me.

Chapter 15 : Fish Calls ▶︎

The person on stage, whose name turned out to be named Daphne, sang until the bar closed, when she bought her last drink and bid us adieu. She left with a zap after grabbing her cloak and heading out the side entrance. Some people also left with her, most being sirens she had flirted with after her vocals and before the next song.

Vanessa was still in her box-room, but I could see a big group leaving. Seeing the person who was to take over my shift, I put down the rag I was cleaning the counters with and checked the register one last time before meeting up with him. He had clearly taken some kind of drug, but that was to be expected this early in the morning from where he was from.

I nodded in his direction as I left the bar for the locker room. I walked over to the self-serve station in the room and poured myself a small glass of champagne. It was the only thing I ever learned to handle alcohol-wise. After rinsing the glass I put it down and walked over to my locker on the wall while taking off my wig in the process. I opened the cubby up and stuffed the wig and apron in, exchanging it with my cloak.

After closing the locker’s door, I left the room and went outside the pub and started walking in the direction of the alleyway. I grabbed the bag back from the trash can and stuffed the cape inside it. I hid the bag back behind the trash and left the alleyway, walking in a way through the town that was so familiar, but so unknown. After a while, I ended up coming to the bubble and left the dome, my tail reappearing.

I could swim for an eternity, thinking about things that could have happened, but then there would never be a chance of it coming to fruition. Instead, when I’m here I think of the General and the first time I saw her. I swam to the surface and sat on the rock that I saw her on as the sun started to rise over the horizon.

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12 years prior

The water is so warm this time of year. It makes the brain relax and succumb to its waves. I swam to the shore of the mainland to end the peaceful moment. When I got there, I grabbed my towel and started patting down my skin, trying to get all the access water. I wish i didn’t have to go here alone, but mom and dad were busy with the highnesses. I just needed to get out of there so I snuck out.

I was about to pack up and go after putting on my sundress over my bathing suit when I saw the most beautiful person sitting on the island a little way away from where I was. Well, not the most beautiful, but definitely up there.

I put my stuff back and dove into the water without taking off my dress and swam to the opposite side of the rocky island. I climbed onto the rocks and stood up. Walking over to her, she looked like she was at peace with Hubain. She then started getting up and stretching her arms, clearly taking her time.

I hid behind a tree to stay out of sight, but accidentally stepped on a fallen branch making it crack. The girl, no older than I, jumped and spun towards me, her hair falling over her shoulder. She caught sight of me and grabbed a dagger I didn’t know she had and pointed it at me.

“Who are you!” the girl said, her voice faltering slightly, but still polished as if she was trained to say such a thing.

Gathering courage I didn’t know I had, I said, “I should be the one asking that. I come here every afternoon for a swim and I only just saw you.”

The girl looked startled by what I said, then she looked to the ground. My eyes followed her and they landed on a photo my family had taken the day we came to the kingdom. My mom and dad were smiling and I was making a funny face that humans call fish face, despite the fact that fish don’t look anything like it.

“You're the visitor! The one that turns into a half-fish!” she yelled when her face snapped back to mine, “My name is Pariz! I’m a knight in training under my father! It would be my pleasure to escort you back home!”

Chapter 16 : Woods Of Enchantment ▶︎

“How old are you?” She said as she stepped over an overgrown root, holding onto the hem of her dress to keep it away from stray branches. “It’s okay if you don’t want to answer. I’m 7 years old, but most people think I’m much younger. They say I act too much like a child.”



Her hair fell off her shoulder as she turned to look at me while I put away my knife. She was expecting an answer and I saw no harm in giving one. “I am 9 years old as of exactly a month ago.” I replied as I looked up and saw her standing right infront of me because we stopped walking. “What?”


“You don’t look 9. You look older, like my friend Vanessa. She’s 10! She’s so cool!” The girl turned back around after stating the fact and almost tripped on a stone that was in front of her, but I grabbed her arm just in time and pulled her back up.


After that we kept walking for a bit, eventually walking up a staircase that led to a wooden bridge overlooking this beautiful garden about halfway between the rock and the kingdom’s servant quarters. I looked over to her. She was sitting on the side of one of the wooden planks and looking at the garden with stars in her eyes.


“What’s your name?” I asked.


Silence replied. She was too entranced.


“We can go down to look, you know?” I suggested, hoping it would get her attention.


She looked back at me with her blue-green eyes, still transformed because her eyes weren’t yet dry. She excessively nodded her head and then jumped down. I couldn’t help but giggle at her antics and jumped down to join her.


She instantly went for this pretty flower that was a type of lily of the valley flower. It was super rare though because it glowed blue in the moonlight. She touched one of the petals and looked shocked when the flower felt soft.


She must have heard me behind her though because she then said, “My name is Sofia. What’s yours, stranger?” She slightly tilted her head away from the flower, enough to look at me and the flower at the same time.


“My name is Pariz, Knight in Training. I’m right under my father in the guardkeep, so you’ll probably see me more often.” I explained this fact with pride, like my father always taught me to do when someone asked who I was.


She accepted the response with a nod and looked back at the flower.


I smiled softly when the light started to shine down on her, almost as if she was made to be there, stuck in time, forever.


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12 years later in the Woods Of Enchantment


I will always cherish the moment I first saw the beautiful angel that is my queen. For now, though, I should get up.


I got up from my make-shift bed in my tent and walked outside and over to the delicious smell that was the food supplied by the cook. They were the best talent we could buy without becoming obvious to the king. It shows, too, with the food we get from them being the best the knights ever had.


The knights under my command for this trip to the East woods were a small group, most of the knights being hungover from drinking at the pub in our kingdom. If they ended up getting in trouble with the cooks at home or their squires, then that was not my fault, as I warned them we would be leaving in the morning after preparations were finished.


The food tonight was a rabbit stew that had the most delicious mushrooms and herbs mixed in for flavour and texture. The food was finished in no time, no help cooking from my direction, as I had 2 bowls of the mixture.


The knights were staying up around the fire for warmth, but I had found that the woods at night were more peaceful when you were alone in the dark so my tent was a little bit further.


I took my clothes off gently and folded them at the end of my bed and grabbed the robe my lady lent to me when I told her I had to leave, before I said goodbye. They were laced at the ends, being that they were her’s.