Sharna woke briefly when Gogo crept into their room later that night but kept still so Gogo would think she was asleep. Gogo took the tray from the soup down to the kitchen, then returned and hopped into her bed. Sharna then dozed off again.
When she woke again she knew it was really early in the morning. She stretched out her body and felt herself full of zest and enthusiasm for the day ahead. She snuck out of bed and quietly gathered what she needed and crept out of her room.
Making her way down to the sauna, she made sure to keep an eye out for anyone unexpected but the trip was uneventful, this time she kept the door to the area unlocked so that Eliza could join her if she woke in time.
Quinn was still asleep which Sharna found surprising. They had gone to bed so early the night before. She removed her pyjamas with extra care anyway to avoid rousing Quinn who was still in her spot in Sharna’s pocket. Then showered and wrapped in her towel, Sharna made her way to the sauna.
Again, Sharna noticed the faint citrus scent in the steam when she doused the rocks with water and wondered what they used to create it. The steam had a very pleasant, relaxing effect and she made a mental note to ask the others about it later.
She was glad to be on her own again. Being with Quinn was almost as good as being alone but she also needed time without any distractions to gain clarity on what was going on in her own head.
The whole day yesterday, and most of the day before, she felt like she had been oversharing. She was hoping that once she had told everyone about Quinn after breakfast, she could just take her time settling into this new life.
She leaned back on her hands and looked up at the ceiling. She was unsure of what goals she wanted to chase right now. Learning barrier magic was likely her most important task, other than that she could probably take her time to get to know the people that made up this household and its surroundings. She was looking forward to enjoying a slower pace.
She thought of her housemates, Myra, Anna, Gogo, Eliza and Gabby, as well as Beau and Marjorie, and extending further out to include Deidre, Laynie and Link, and Beau’s family who she would meet later this morning. There would likely be many other new people to get to know as she explored further into the village around them too.
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
She thought about the village. Sharna hadn’t known anything about Laplace before coming here but she smiled as she thought of how much there was to discover about this place that she would gradually learn to call home. She was glad she finally had the chance to gain some distance from her grandmother’s house; it could never be her home again. If she was honest with herself, it hadn’t felt like home since her grandmother’s death.
Sharna heard a knock and turned to see Eliza poking her head in, Eliza noted the remains of the smile on Sharna’s face and returned it. “I was just checking you were here, I’ll have a quick shower and join you.”
Sharna nodded and Eliza popped back out.
From Sharna’s few encounters with Eliza, she already felt a kinship with her. She appeared much more mature than Gabby and Gogo, and more well-informed about the world. She rose to splash more water on the heated rocks and waited for Eliza who returned shortly after, dressed similarly wrapped in a towel.
Eliza came and sat on the lower bench next to Sharna and let out a relaxed sigh, “I love saunas but I really wish the seats were more comfortable.”
“I think this one is pretty good,” said Sharna with surprise, twisting to look down at where she was sitting, “the wood is nicely spaced out and all the corners have been smoothed out.”
“I guess you’re right, I just want a cushion, or my legs to not touch the wood at least.”
Sharna chuckled, “there’s no rule that says you can’t just bring an extra towel to sit on.”
Eliza lazily stretched up her arms and yawned, “I guess you’re right, but I’d rather just whinge than get up and get another towel.” She smirked and looked sideways at Sharna.
“Anyways, how are you settling in? Myra said you were wiped out after yesterday, I don’t blame you, there’s so much to deal with when you’re moving somewhere new. You okay?”
Sharna leaned back on the bench behind her, feeling comfortable with Eliza she thought about her question. “I’m okay. Thanks. I’m looking forward to just planting myself here and taking things slowly for a bit. I didn’t realise how tired I had become.”
Eliza looked at her with sympathy, “it’s really a lot, I know, but this is a really great place, trust me. Myra and Anna are amazing, they have helped me so much with everything. And Gabby and Gogo too, just everyone here. And the whole area as well, the neighbours are sweethearts too, well mostly.” Eliza looked thoughtful at this last part but Sharna decided not to ask why.
“How long have you been here,” Sharna asked, changing the subject.
Eliza scratched her cheek, “I think it’s been about two years now, the time has gone quickly.”
“How old are you?” Sharna tilted her head and looked at Eliza, she had thought they were the same age.
“I'm 20. I started my first apprenticeship at 17, then transferred over here once I realised that my other place didn’t care about me at all, only about what I could produce.” Eliza shifted uncomfortably on the bench, “I actually had to run away because they weren’t really keen on letting me leave..”
Eliza turned and looked back at Sharna, “then I stayed at The Pillars for a while, that’s where I learned about your grandmother actually.”
Sharna nodded for her to continue and Eliza looked back down at her knees. “I couldn’t go back to my family, so the people there looked up other image-manifestation apprenticeship options for me. I came to do an assessment and meet with Anna and Myra and now here I am.” She smiled warmly, “I know it was a roundabout way but I’m so happy that I ended up here.”
Sharna smiled back, “me too,” she said softly.