A New Home in the City
Aelira woke slowly, blinking against the morning light filtering through the pub's window. Her head throbbed slightly, a strange reminder of the effects of Earth's drinks. As her eyes adjusted, she noticed the pub owner, Lou, standing nearby with a friendly but firm expression, holding a glass of water.
"You alright there, miss?" Lou asked, handing her the glass. "You had quite a night, by the looks of it."
Aelira nodded, taking a cautious sip. "Yes, I believe I'm… recovering. Thank you."
Lou chuckled. "Glad to hear it. Now, about the drinks… I need to settle up. You didn't exactly pay last night, and around here, it's custom to pay for what you take."
Aelira looked at him, puzzled. "I do not have… currency, as you call it," she said slowly, her unfamiliarity with money evident in her tone.
Lou frowned, though his gaze softened as he noticed her confusion. "No currency?" he asked. "Well, don't you have anyone you can call to pick you up? Or… maybe a family member who can cover for you?"
Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.
Aelira shook her head. "I have no family here. It is only my companion and myself." She glanced down at her assistant, who had resumed the form of a small, silver-gray dog, sitting loyally at her feet.
Lou listened, his brow furrowing as she spoke, and a wave of sympathy crossed his face. He scratched his chin thoughtfully, feeling a twinge of pity for this strange but gentle girl who seemed so lost.
"Well," he said after a moment, "if you're truly on your own, I suppose I can help you out. But you'll need to earn your keep if you're staying here. I've got a daughter, Nancy, about your age. She's a good kid and could use some company. And if you're willing, you can work here at the pub to cover your tab and maybe make a little for yourself."
Aelira looked at him, her expression lighting up at the offer. "You… would let me stay?" she asked, an unexpected wave of relief washing over her.
Lou nodded. "Sure thing. But you'll need to lend a hand around here—nothing too hard, just some serving, maybe some cleaning. I'll introduce you to Nancy. She can show you the ropes."
Lou's daughter, Nancy, soon appeared from the back of the pub—a warm, lively girl with a welcoming smile. As she approached, her eyes sparkled with curiosity, and she quickly introduced herself to Aelira.
"Hi, I'm Nancy! Dad says you'll be helping out here. We could use the extra hands, honestly," she said with a grin.
Aelira returned the smile, feeling a sense of warmth and security that had been missing since she'd arrived on Earth. It was the start of a new chapter, and while she had yet to fully understand human ways, she felt grateful to have found a place, at least for now, where she belonged.
As she looked around the pub, a strange sense of purpose began to bloom within her, and in the back of her mind, Arthur's presence lingered—an invisible thread connecting her to a life she still felt drawn to explore.