The summer heat made the weak Alicia to slowly open her eyes, only to be greeted by the sting of sunlight beaming through the windowpanes. She instinctively shielded her already troubled sight from the intrusive light.

The sleeping beauty had risen from her slumber. She turned around and pulled her legs together as a simple stretch, moaning in the silence of her pillow. After a brief pause, the girl reached for the glasses on her bedside table—an automatic morning ritual—and observed her surroundings. Alicia found herself in the comforting familiarity of her own bedroom. A sigh of relief escaped her lips, but soon, a peculiar realisation struck her. The last thing she was conscious, she was at the cemetery with her two friends, bearing injuries and tattered clothes. Now, she was back in her pyjamas, wounds concealed by tape and bandages, including the searing mark on her right hand. A blush instantly spread across her face.

Who had brought her home, changed her clothes, and tended to her injuries? Pyjamas certainly don't dress themselves! But then, a melodic hum snapped her out of her trance. Her body shot upright as soon as she heard it, scanning the room until her eyes settled on the source. It emanated from the desk beside her usual spot for keeping her glasses. The magic orb remained there, unchanged.

"Och, rise and shine, Orb," Alicia greeted in a weak voice.

The orb replied to her in a slightly pressing tone.

"M-mid afternoon?" Alicia stirred, rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Glancing at the clock on the wall, she saw it was a languid half-past three. A way unusual time to rise for a morning person such as herself. But she refused to let the day slip away, no matter how unsteady her movements were. She reached for the magic orb that still glimmered with a soft, dancing light, its brilliance dimmed by the afternoon sun. With blurred vision behind her wide glasses, she stumbled towards the door, eager to explore the other rooms of the house.

A series of careful steps, and Alicia had made her way to the ground floor. There she found Nadine sitting in the family room, with a random action flicker displayed in a colossal telemedia. Nadine's eyes met Alicia's as she heard the approaching footsteps.

"Divine Mercy, there she is. Awright, you snoozie bug?" Nadine stood up when she saw Alicia with her sleepy eyes, her shoulder-length wavy hair a little messy like an unbrushed horse mane.

"Mornin' too, Nadine. Still a wee wabbit, but aye, awright," Alicia replied with a weak smile. "What are you watching?"

"This?" Nadine pointed at the telemedia screen. "Just random flicker I found from your da's collection. Hope you don't mind."

"Mind? Naw. Not at all. Make yerself home," Alicia chuckled.

"Oh, are you hungry? I'll make brunch for you."

"What? Nadine, there's no need to go through the trouble!" Alicia's voice still sounded feeble.

"Don't be silly, hen. You barely have the energy to speak. Last night wore us out, especially you. So let yer lassie here make a classic Caledonian breakfast set for you, like the one I made for myself and Gilmore."

"If that's the case… can you make it double? Sorry to bother you." Alicia's sheepish smile was a grace.

Nadine responded with a warm smile of her own. "Of course. Now take a seat, hen. Scran is coming."

Alicia sat at the dining table and set the orb on it. Nadine prepared all the ingredients from the fridge and ignited the three burners. Soon, the canned red beans were simmering on the first burner, while sausages, Lorne sausages, and black puddings sizzled on the second one, two servings of each. On the final burner, Nadine roasted tomatoes and sautéd mushrooms. The enticing sounds of sizzling and the sweet, meaty aroma filled the air, and such was a delight for all men, not least the Crimsonmane lass.

"Seems like you're getting quite friendly with that orb you carry around," Nadine opened the conversation.

Alicia chuckled. "Well, it greeted me when I woke up, and when I realised I was in my room, so I brought the orb to check on the house."

"How wise."

"Where's Gilmore?"

"Gilmore, eh? He's going to his house and mine to get our clothes. We're probably gonna have a sleepover for a few days, at least 'til your da comes. And no, I won't take 'no' for answers. We don't know the true nature of that ball, so we can't just leave you alone."

The ball responded with a strain of voice.

"It claims to be a friendly orb. It has become my companion and promises to protect me. So, no need to worry," Alicia tried to convey the meaning of the orb's message.

"Naw, naw, orb. Anyone can say that. But I've been Alicia's friend for ages. You can't easily replace me with some enchanted ball like you," Nadine retorted, frowning as she pointed at the orb.

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A chortle from her bookworm pal. "Calm down, Orb and Nadine. I'm sure you two can be pals and work together. And Nadine. As always, make yourself at home."

Nadine plated the cooked red beans, tomatoes, and mushrooms, then proceeded to fry the eggs, while the other burner were used for frying bacon and heating the scones.

"Um, Nadine? I have a question. What happened to me after that incident at the funeral?" Alicia inquired.

"You blacked out right away, Alicia," Nadine replied. "Gilmore carried you back to your house. Your orb was a pure scunner when carried. It's like it only wanted your hand to hold it, jolting us every time I and Gilmore tried to lift it. So, Gilmore took off your cape and covered the orb with it as insulation. Then I brought it home."

"I see," Alicia fell silent for a moment before curiously asking again. "B-but! W-who changed my clothes and cleaned my body then?"

"Why, it's Gilmore, of course! I mean, who else?" a little teasing from Nadine. "He was in a tremendous panic when you got hit by that orb and buried under the ruins. We couldn't just put you in bed with clothes full of dirt and grime, could we? So when we got home, he immediately took off your clothes and bathed you in the bathtub. He also put on your pyjamas and treated your wounds. Who would've thought a boar like him was quite gentle when it comes to you? I was surprised too you didn't even notice him brushing yer body!"

Upon hearing these words, Alicia nearly spat out her drink. Her eyes widened, her body trembled, and her face turned as red as a boiled shrimp. "Hah? G-G-Gil-Gilmore? Ye're kidding, aren't ye? Stop lying, Nadine!"

The orb on the table signalled to her.

"S-she doesnae lie? Orb, not another haver from you too! No! No way! Gil-Gilmore… staring at my body..."

"See, even your magic ball is an eyewitness," Nadine turned to Alicia with a grin and then glanced at the sphere in admiration before focusing back on her cooking. Never had she thought the orb was smart enough to play along with her pranks.

"N-no…," Alicia slumped and imagined her ruined day with a blank stare. That Willy "Gily" bastard. He must be in great triumph after seeing her naked body. And to make things worse, it was the same man who bathed her. Alicia could not fathom what went through Gilmore's mind when he saw her body. Did he take advantage of the odds while she was unconscious in the bathtub? The more she imagined it, the more her soul was drawn from her body.

Nadine turned her gaze to her shocked friend and burst into a loud guffaw.

"Hey! I was just messing with you! Divine Mercy, Alicia, you're so innocent. I couldn't possibly let that big lad bathe you!" Nadine said, still chuckling. Alicia tried to make sense of Nadine's words, her brows furrowed and her mouth agape.

"S-so… Gilmore didnae actually see me in the nude?"

"I don't know. Maybe not?"

"Nadine!"

"Okay, okay, Alicia, calm down." Nadine laughed again. "I'm the one who did all the treatment. Gilmore was keeping watch to make sure no one was following us."

"But! Orb…?"

"Looks like your new friend knows how cute you are when you're being bullied."

Alicia looked at the ball in disbelief. It continued emitting laughter, just like when they first met. She covered her face with her hands and then slowly lowered them away.

"Ye really made me imagine that, eh?"

"Well, you and Gilmore are used to sharing vulgar stuff, aren't you?" Nadine teased her again. "You're quite...I don't know, a raunchy?"

Alicia did not know where to put her blazing face. "Uh, okay Nadine. I think it's time we talk about something else."

Suddenly, the door to Alicia's house swung open, and a deep voice echoed through the room. Alicia looked as if she had been electrocuted when her ears recognised the all-too-familiar voice. What a coincidence. Gilmore had just returned.

"I'm home! Uh, not home, I mean, I'm Alicia's home! Nadine, where ye at?" Gilmore shouted from the front door as he stepped inside.

"In the kitchen! Hey, hurry and see who's just woken up!" Nadine exclaimed. It did not take long for Gilmore to enter the cook room and see Alicia sitting at the left of the dining table, a blush on her face. Gilmore's eyes lit up.

"Alicia? Alicia!" Gilmore exclaimed with a big grin. His arms opened wide, as if ready to embrace her, but this time he showed restraint, mindful of her delicate state.

"G-G-Gilmore! H-hi! Ah… Uh… ye're back!" stammered the girl, her face flushing still. It was evident that she was nervous in his presence. Nadine's playful remark really caused her mind to wander with wild thoughts.

"Hmmm? What's with the red face, hen? Ye look like yer looking at a pervie—"

"Och, n-no-nothing, Gilmore! I… I'm fine. J-just tired, ye ken? Startled easily when you shout like that!" Alicia answered, then pretended to laugh. And Gilmore, as usual, believed the lie.

"Is that so? Apologies, my lady. I'll lower my voice. But what matters is ye look better!" Gilmore patted her shoulder and laughed out loud. Alicia managed a forced laugh in return. Nadine stood nearby, chuckling at the peculiar antics of the two.

After a while, the meal had been arranged. Scones, meat sausages, Lorne sausages, black pudding, red beans, tomatoes, mushrooms, and a pair of sunny side up. All served hot. The matchless fusion of heavenly dishes.

"Food is ready. Please enjoy, my lady!" Nadine served the food to Alicia with the grace of a palace maid tending to her queen. Alicia looked at the delicious dish. While her lips may have revealed only a fleeting smile, her sparkling eyes betrayed her delight at the sight of such appetizing cuisine. She wasted no time. The girl grabbed a fork and knife, swiftly stabbing and slicing the succulent sausages and savouring each bite, then devouring the rest of the food faster than sound. Nadine and Gilmore watched her like someone who had not eaten in days. Never had they ever witnessed such an appetite in their little pal. Not in Howlett's meat buffet, not in a classy restaurant, not anywhere. But they let their little pal enjoy her meal. It was not like Alicia kept munching all the dishes with table manners in mind at this point. She had forgotten the knife on her plate and used her right hand instead for a scone, her left hand a fork stabbing the black pudding, and her chewing was loud.

The starved did not eat long. Two servings of the Caledonian breakfast sets vanished without a trace, not generous enough to leave any leftovers. A record for Alicia, apparently. Nadine had said it again. Last night's incident really drained her strength until she passed out.

Now that she had her meal, the once languid girl now looked radiant, as she should have by the eyes of the captivated. []