FRANGEA WAS A land so full of people determined to fulfil their own needs before others that Vetta found such hunger a little frightening at times. Thus the tale of Widow Mint was a joy in itself and she determined to seek an understanding of this exceptional lady. There was something inspirational in the thought of such generosity right there in Cherryball Flats, or rather in the more prestigious northern section known as Cherryball Heights for it looked down in every way upon its less affluent neighbour.
Thus Vetta determined after more than one moment of indecision to pay a visit to the Twilit Estate.
Only, things were a little more complicated than she expected when she wandered out early one morning while everyone else in Dorm Wonder were still sleeping, though Esper muttered something about being broken as she passed her bed very quietly.
The earliness of the hour forced Vetta to forego a scrunching session upon the gravel and she rustled more discreetly across the lawn instead.
'Nice morning for an amble, miss,' the gatekeeper said cheerfully. 'You're the first one of the day,' he added in impressed tones.
'Oh, I am not going for an amble walk sir,' Vetta said carefully. 'My steps have a different purpose.'
With that she ambled down the lane that curved away from the forest and towards the upper settlement nearest to Miss Plazenby's. A couple of slightly confusing tram rides brought her to the Twilit Estate, a grand affair marked by a boundary wall in pale pink granite. Here there was a gatekeeper too, a much taller individual in a sharp uniform. He had to be tall to match the gates he guarded. They positively towered over Vetta as she stood there looking up at the black iron railings.
'Anything I can do for you miss?' the man said from his box by the side. A growl from within suggested a guard dog was in residence too and Vetta took a couple of steps back.
'Oh,' she gasped.
'Don't worry miss. He's well secured and trained not to devour harmless little girls,' the man reassured her. 'Please to state your business. You stand before the entrance to Twilit Estate, a world within yet apart from the greater world, where lives are quietly lived while waiting for inevitable closure.' This sounded like a speech so Vetta responded accordingly in the only way she knew.
'I am Vetta Mindal from the Blessed Hub of Poldorama,' she declared quietly, gazing up at and beyond the gatekeeper and his shiny cap to palm trees that peeped over the pink granite walls.
'You've come a long way. Ah, you're at that school on the mountain, the exclusive one.' This revelation made the man stiffen a little.
'Yes, I have come a long way to learn new things. May I see one of the Twilit persons as I think I may learn new things from them also?'
'Name?'
'Vetta-'
'Of the person you wish to see?'
'I am terribly sorry. Widow Mint I think she is called. I have never met her and she does not know I exist.'
'Sounds like she soon will.'
The gatekeeper pressed a button on the side of his box.
'A Vetta Mindal from that crazy school on the mountain, wishes to see Widow Mint for reasons I can't fathom. She appears unarmed. You'll send a maid? Right you are.'
He then turned to the waiting girl.
'Stand right there so you can be seen by surveillance. Someone will come fetch you.'
'Thank you. You are very kind and I apologise for any trouble caused,' Vetta replied as nervousness mounted within her. It all sounded so grand. Someone coming all the way from wherever to fetch her and take her to the tragic and generous widow in her mansion on the luxurious estate.
As she stared through the bars of the gate a sound behind her made her turn. A small trundle cart had appeared from round a corner driven by a dark-haired young woman in a pale pink costume.
'Hop in youngster,' she said brightly.
'Um,' Vetta said, unsure who this might be.
'How're things in the Mint household, Veltra?' the guard said, raising his cap by way of greeting.
'So so. Bit restless the mistress is, on account of having so much wealth she can't give it away fast enough, bless her.' Then she smiled at Vetta. 'You want to see Widow Mint? Hop aboard.'
'Thank you.'
Vetta took her seat and the vehicle whispered along a smooth track that followed the curve of the great wall.
'That entrance back there is just for the tourists. They like a show. We go in this way,' the maid explained and then shot the cart briskly through narrow posts beneath a rising panel and they entered a different world from the noise and bustle of Cherryball Flats, for this was the Heights.