Ch. 8 | Breakfast, Not In Bed

Stephanie drifted off to sleep, and no one visited her in her dreams that night.

She blinked her eyes open, the morning light filtering through unfamiliar curtains, painting the room in a soft glow. As she stirred in the cozy bed, Stephanie couldn't shake off the feeling of disorientation. How did she end up here? Her memories were hazy, like fragments of a dream that slipped away with each passing moment.

She sat up, taking in her surroundings. The room was quaint, with wooden furniture and colorful tapestries adorning the walls. The scent of fresh flowers filled the air, and outside the window, she could see a garden teeming with life.

A soft knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Are you awake, dear?" came a warm and melodious voice from the other side.

Stephanie turned towards the door to find Mialee standing there, her eyes filled with concern and kindness. She was elegant, with silver streaks in her dark hair, and a serene aura that enveloped her like a protective embrace.

"I thought I heard movement. Are you feeling alright?" the woman asked, stepping into the room.

"I... I'm not sure," Stephanie admitted, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I wish I could remember more about how I got to the woods."

The woman's expression softened. "No need to worry, dear. You had quite a journey, and it's natural for your mind to be a bit foggy. Rest assured, you are safe now."

Stephanie felt a sense of comfort wash over her as she looked into the woman's gentle eyes.

Mialee smiled kindly. "It's alright, dear. Sometimes, the mind needs time to process and heal. You are safe here, and when you're ready, we can try to piece together the puzzle of your journey."

With a burst of energy and the enthusiasm only a 6-year-old could muster, Theon crashed into the room like a playful tornado. His tousled brown hair bounced with each step, and his wide eyes sparkled with mischief. "Mialee!" he exclaimed, barely pausing to take a breath. "Look what I found in the garden! A frog!"

In his little hands, he proudly held up a wriggling amphibian, its tiny legs kicking in protest. Mialee's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and amusement gracing her face. "Oh, my dear, Theon," she said, trying to maintain her composure, "that's quite a discovery."

As Theon prattled on about the frog's amazing feats, he seemed oblivious to the chaos he was creating in the room. He jumped up and down, narrating his adventures in the garden, as the frog hopped about, trying to escape his grasp.

Stephanie couldn't help but smile at the adorable spectacle. Theon's boundless energy was contagious, and she found herself drawn into his exuberant world. His presence filled the room with a joyful liveliness that chased away any lingering feelings of uncertainty.

Mialee finally managed to coax Theon to release the frog, gently guiding him to let the creature return to its natural habitat in the garden. "It's time to settle down, little one," she said with a patient but firm tone.

Theon's excitement dimmed only slightly, and he bounced over to Stephanie, curiosity lighting up his face. "Do you want to play with me? We can go on an adventure!"

Before Stephanie could answer, Mialee intervened, her voice gentle but firm. "Now, Theon, Stephanie needs some time to rest and recover. Maybe you can show her around the village later when she feels better."

Theon pouted for a moment, but the prospect of exploring with a new friend was too exciting to resist. "Okay, Mialee," he said, then turned back to Stephanie. "We can play later, okay? I have the best hiding spots in the whole village!"

Stephanie smiled warmly at him. "That sounds like so much fun, Theon. I can't wait to see your hiding spots."

With that, Theon dashed off as quickly as he arrived, leaving Stephanie and Mialee to share a knowing glance. "He's quite the handful, isn't he?" Stephanie said, chuckling.

Mialee nodded, a tender fondness in her eyes. "Yes, he certainly is. But he's also full of joy and wonder, a reminder of the beauty in the simplest of things. He's my little adventurer."

Mialee's eyes lit up with a sudden idea, "Maybe you have children, sweetheart! Maybe that's why you traveled? You're just so good with Theon..." she trailed off, seeing no expression of revelation on Stephanie's face.

"Well, either way, I have breakfast ready and then we can go see the headman about your condition, dearie," she proclaimed, going to the armoire and laying out a pretty dress made of something similar to cotton.

It was a delicate shade of sky blue that reminded her of the clear skies on a sunny day, and featured a modest V-neckline, bordered with intricate floral embroidery that added a touch of charm. The sleeves were short, allowing for ease of movement, and adorned with dainty lace trim that added a whimsical flair. The waistline was cinched with a slender belt, creating a flattering silhouette that flowed gracefully to the knee.

Stephanie admired the dress, imagining how it would feel against her skin. It seemed like the perfect choice for a warm summer day in the village, and she couldn't help but imagine herself twirling amidst the wildflowers in the meadows.

As if sensing Stephanie's admiration, Mialee looked at her, and then the dress, with a soft smile. "It's a lovely dress, isn't it?" she said, her voice gentle and warm.

Stephanie nodded, a slight blush tinting her cheeks. "It's beautiful! But I couldn't take it from you," she replied, a hint of hesitation in her voice.

Mialee's smile widened, and she reached for the dress, gently handing it to Stephanie. "It suits you perfectly. You're welcome to wear it, my dear. It was my daughter's, so it is a bit dated, but you'll look as lovely as she did when she wore it still."

Stephanie's eyes sparkled with gratitude as she held the dress in her hands. "Thank you, Mialee. It's such a kind gesture," she said, touched by the overture of generosity.

Mialee patted her shoulder affectionately. "It's my pleasure, Stephanie. Consider it a welcoming gift to our village. We're delighted to have you here."

With newfound excitement, Stephanie excused herself to change into the dress, feeling a sense of belonging and acceptance in this enchanted world. As she slipped into the soft, cottony fabric, it seemed to embrace her like a warm hug, making her feel at home. The dress flowed gracefully around her, and she couldn't help but twirl around, feeling like a part of the village's enchanting tapestry.

Realizing that she had not been given any sort of underwear, Stephanie abruptly stopped twirling and looked anxiously out the window. No one was there, only the garden with the newly released frog, but she was still anxious and feeling a bit exposed.

<This will take some time to get used to.> she thought to herself.

Stephanie emerged from her room, the soft rustling of her dress filling the air as she stepped into the common area. The aroma of a delectable morning meal wafted through the cottage, drawing her towards the source of the enticing scent. The table was set with an array of delicious treats, each dish lovingly prepared with care.

There was a plate piled high with some kind of meat, fresh from the pan, accompanied by a bowl of root vegetables nearby. The sound of sizzling filled the room as a skillet crackled with fried eggs that looked much larger than chicken eggs, cooked to perfection. Beside it, a basket brimming with assorted fruits greeted her with their vibrant colors and sweet fragrance.

Next to the basket, a tray of warm, flaky pastries beckoned, their buttery aroma filling the air. Stephanie's mouth watered as she observed the assortment of delights before her.

"I don't know what you are used to eating, dear, but this is all sourced by Hunter Elias, with the exception of my vegetables – those were grown right outside," Mialee said as she pointed out the window with her cooking utensil. "The eggs are from the diehli lizards that nest in the forest, and the meat is from a tarseus. I hope you like them!"

With no basis of reference, Stephanie nodded, smiling, "I'm sure it will all be wonderful!"

The tarseus meat reminded her of a combination of meats from home, red like a cow but fatty like a pig, so she assumed that such a creature must be an herbivore, or at least domesticated so have grown so fat.

The eggs had a delicious spice to them that startled her at first. Upon seeing the look of surprise on Stephanie's face, Mialee laughed, "Well I guess you really aren't from around here, that spice seems to have caught you off guard!" Stephanie laughed with her and eagerly finished her plate.