The sun was barely shining in the distant horizon. Animals were rising to wake, their morning coos echoing throughout the forest.
Carmilla was awake longer than they have. Not because she wanted to be up early but because her body naturally woke up in the brink of dawn.
Her recovery must be complete for her to immediately go back to old habits. She thought it would take a few weeks before she would feel better. That was how bad it felt to be stuck in that kind of state. Truly, she didn't know how normal humans could tolerate that and more on an uncommon basis.
She didn't consider herself a weak person. Some of her mother's praise got to her head. Carmilla knew that she was strong, however, she was lost in her fever than she had ever been in her life.
It was like everything bad about her was amplified.
Since it was still very early in the morning, Carmilla took it upon herself to continue her routine from home. She performed bodyweight exercises, mobility routine, and meditation.
It was a jarring experience. It had been a few weeks since she was able to do her beloved routine. She couldn't remember how it felt to push her body first thing in the morning when snot and a permeating heat prevented her from sleeping at night
Now that she was healed, she didn't know how she managed to run as far away as she did. It was a miracle really. With a clearer head, she could tell that there was no way she would have made it to her halfway point. Other than will and essentially breaking down her body until it gave in and of itself, she wouldn't have arrived in this place.
That wasn't even the most exciting part. Not only was she in another realm, but she recovered from that horrible disease in a mere few days with the help of an elf that looked similar to her childhood imaginary friend.
Maybe it was because she was alone with nobody else to distract her that she was starting to see how insane her situation was.
How was she going to be able to go back home?
Did she even want to go home? No but still. She ran away. The very least she could do was change the status quo into something more doable for their future.
That was her main goal. Or was it?
Being in this realm of life was... refreshing. It was probably because of the abundant amount of mana in the surroundings. Or it could be her company.
She had never met a pair so interesting as they are. Sure, the situation could be awkward at times, however, she was more than sure that it was because of her hesitancy than anything else.
They welcomed her with open arms and warm smiles. Despite the huge favor she owed them, there was no pressure to return them as soon as possible.
It was like they accepted her. A stranger. A dangerous one at that. They probably know that, but not to what extent. Yet they still help.
Carmilla was sure that the elf could woop her ass if she let her guard down. There was an uncanny aura around her. The instinct in the back of her mind was always screaming at her to not underestimate Vaeri whenever she was in the room.
So far, there was nothing to indicate a clear winner between them. She was not going to take that risk. She was here because of Vaeri's kindness and effort, she had no reason to turn against her.
Footsteps softly padded against the wooden stairs. Looking over her shoulder, she saw the very woman she was thinking of.
Vaeri didn't see her at first, probably because it was still fairly dark outside. When she did, she began approaching her with a smile.
"Couldn't sleep?" She asked, taking a seat right next to her. The white cardigan over her shoulder was starting to slip down her shoulder. Vaeri made no move to fix it, sleep still lingered in her movements. "I'm sorry about the couch-"
Carmilla shook her head, and said, "I'm used to this kind of surface. I slept well, don't worry. It's just that..." She paused, "I tend to wake up early to get a few workouts in. I usually don't have time later in the day so I try to do it the moment I wake up."
"Well, aren't you just hard-working..." Vaeri continued to melt into the couch. Her eyes fluttering shut.
The sight brought out a chuckle from Carmilla, a chuckle that she hid behind her exhale. "Maybe you should go back upstairs."
"No..." Vaeri slowly opened her eyes, no part of her body seemed to be in a hurry. "No no, I can't. If I go back, there is a 100% chance that I might not wake up until the afternoon."
"Wow." This time, Carmilla did chuckle. "That's... that's concerning."
The birds were starting to sing. Sunlight crept from the windows and onto their bodies. Carmilla's skin gleamed with sweat, while Vaeri looked like she was an embodiment of the sun.
The elf huffed, snuggling tighter into her cardigan, "Right? I've been trying to change, especially when I have to take care of a rowdy six year old. But you know how life is."
Carmilla wanted to say more. Take the conversation more casual. No matter how hard she racked her brain, she couldn't find the right thing to say.
Maybe it was because of that face and an expression she had never seen. Or maybe it was the unbelievable situation that she got herself into. Nonetheless, she was quiet. Vaeri's words hung in the air.
Instead of it feeling awkward, it was more... comfortable.
A few more minutes of bathing in the morning sun later, Vaeri finally woke up. She lightly stretched and fixed her clothing.
When she turned to Carmilla, she had a bright smile on her face. "I'm going to start breakfast. Don't get your hopes up though, it's leftovers from last night."
Carmilla didn't mind. Leftovers were better than rations.
Before breakfast though, her morning workout was getting to her. She can feel her clothes stick to her skin, the sweat clinging on the fabric uncomfortably. "I think I'm going to head to a shower."
"Do you know your way--"
Carmilla nodded, "Yep. The door to the right in the kitchen. Got it."
Vaeri walked up to a nearby rack to pull a clean towel and handed it to Carmilla. "I'll put new clothes for you near the door when you're done."
For some reason, Carmilla felt like she was being babied. It probably came out naturally due to her experience with her daughter, but it didn't fail to make Carmilla amused.
She liked it though.
"Thank you, Vaeri."
Instead of voicing a reply, she smiled and walked off to the kitchen to prepare and bless the table before breakfast. Carmilla took that as a sign to go take her shower.
**
Niana woke up two hours after Vaeri. Her spunky energy was immediately felt in the household as her footsteps pattered across the ceiling and her excited squeals echoed in the halls.
Vaeri promised Carmilla that she's usually only like this when they were about to do something exciting for the child. Normally, she would be quiet and attentive. It was just that today's situation was rather unique.
The dining table was well and ready for Niana's stampede. Everything was prepared, along with the heated leftovers from last night.
Carmilla had her fill with roasted foods but she had never in her life tasted something as delicious as the ones Vaeri made.
Vaeri tipped in her unsaid question by explaining her method of marinating the chicken. And it wasn't just the chicken that was different but the way it was cooked as well. Sauce was slowly layered on as it cooked, the brown sugar caramelizing and acting as a bonding agent for the rest of the flavor to truly shine.
Niana might moan and complain about having to eat leftovers but Carmilla was drooling at the sight of them the moment they were heated up with the use of runes.
She tried to distract herself by taking her sweet time in the shower and changing into her clothes, but there was nothing to hide behind as she stared at the delicious food in front of her.
As much as she didn't want to, Vaeri noticed.
"Can you make cake when we come back, Mama? Pleeeaaasee..." Niana begged, her knees on her chair to make her seem taller as she leaned over her mother's direction with a big pout on her lips.
Carmilla stayed silent. Vaeri was a cook and a baker? Living on your own while caring for a human child begets its own set of skills. Imagining the taste of Vaeri's cake had Carmilla hungry for dessert.
Vaeri motioned for her daughter to sit in her chair properly. "How about you do something to earn that cake first, daughter of mine?" In a quieter voice, she told Carmilla, "I think I've spoiled her rotten, don't you think?"
Carmilla wanted to reply, but when she opened her mouth, she realized she wasn't in the right position to judge. Seeing as she was a spoiled child as well.
The action brought a chuckle from Vaeri's frame.
"I can hear you, you know!" Niana's pout deepened. Her arms came across her chest as she puffed out her chest in protest. "Just so you know, Niana is a very good girl! I'll do whatever it takes to get that cake!"
"We'll see about that, dear."
With the bet in place, breakfast went on smoothly.
--
A/N: This chapter is pretty late today. I had classes and couldn't get to my computer until now. Please forgive me!