Arrival

Mira stumbled through the portal, her head spinning as she emerged on the other side. She looked around, trying to make sense of her surroundings. This was definitely not her world.

Gone were the towering castles and sprawling forests that she was used to. In their place were towering skyscrapers and endless rows of buildings. The air was thick with the smell of exhaust fumes, and the streets were filled with people rushing to and fro.

Mira took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She had known that this world would be different, but she had not expected it to be so overwhelming.

As she stood there, taking in the sights and sounds around her, Mira noticed a small group of people staring at her. She suddenly realized that she must look completely out of place in her robes and cloak, with her long hair tied back in a braid.

She felt self-conscious under their scrutiny, but then a young woman with pink hair approached her, a friendly smile on her face. "Hi there," she said. "Are you lost?"

Mira nodded, grateful for the friendly face. "Yes," she said. "I'm not from around here. I'm looking for a way to get back home."

The woman's smile faltered for a moment, and Mira could sense that she was trying to think of what to say. "I'm not sure how to help you," she said finally. "But why don't you come with me? I can show you around and maybe help you find someone who can help."

Mira hesitated for a moment, unsure if she could trust this stranger. But then she realized that she had no other options. She nodded, and the woman led her away from the portal and out onto the bustling street.

As they walked, Mira took in her surroundings with a mix of fascination and unease. She had never seen anything like this world before. The buildings towered above her, their windows gleaming in the sunlight. The streets were filled with people of all shapes and sizes, hurrying to and fro. And everywhere she looked, there were strange machines and gadgets that she couldn't begin to understand.

The woman noticed her staring and smiled. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?" she said. "But don't worry, you'll get used to it."

Mira nodded, still feeling overwhelmed. She had never felt so out of place in her life. But at the same time, there was a sense of excitement building within her. This world was full of possibilities, and she was determined to explore them all.

As they walked, the woman introduced herself as Mei, and Mira began to relax in her company. Mei showed her around the city, pointing out the landmarks and explaining how everything worked.

Eventually, they ended up in a small café, where they sat down at a table and ordered some drinks. Mira was still feeling a little disoriented, but she was grateful for the chance to rest and take everything in.

As they sipped their drinks, Mei leaned in and lowered her voice. "So, what's your story?" she asked. "How did you end up here?"

Mira hesitated for a moment, unsure if she could trust Mei. But then she realized that she had nothing to lose. She took a deep breath and began to tell her story.