Despite Starfania's best efforts, she couldn't shake the unsettling feeling gnawing at the back of her mind–something about Cantina didn't sit right with her. She smiled at her with her usual warmth, but behind her eyes, she sensed something more… a glimmer of knowledge kept just out of reach.
" You will awake soon, " she said, her voice smooth and strangely melodic. Starfania furrowed her brow, about to ask her if there was anything else she wanted to add–but before she could speak, she snapped her fingers with a sharp crack. In an instant, Starfania jolted upright, gasping as if surfacing from deep water. Her chest heaved, and a rush of awareness surged through her. The dreamlike haze shattered. What…just happened?
Her surroundings blurred into focus–sunlight filtered through the window, casting warm streaks across the room. The scents of herbs lingered in the air, and the blanket clung lightly to her legs. She sat motionless for a moment, trying to piece together what was real or if she was still in her trancelike state. Then, when she turned her head, she noticed she wasn't alone. Aeron stood near the doorway, arms loosely crossed, his expression unreadable. Beside him, Lyam leaned against the wall, his usual smirk softened into something more contemplative. Then she looked down to see Violet asleep in her arms. She blinked, startled by their presence–how long had they been here? Soon her midnight eye met forest eyes.
Aeron stepped forward, and though his voice was quiet, it resonated with something deeper–something real.
" Hey, I'm glad to see you're finally awake, princess. " he said. Starfania rolled her eyes at her best friend's use of the word for princess. But she still managed to give him a smile in return. " It's good to see you, too. "
The room felt warmer, filled with a sense of familiarity. She shifted slightly, careful not to wake Violet, and took a moment to soak it all in. The sun's rays danced on the wooden floorboards, and a gentle breeze fluttered the edges of the curtains. It was comforting, like a warm embrace.
"Have you two been here long?" she asked, her voice hoarse from sleep but steady. Lyam pushed off the wall and moved closer, concern flickering across his face.
"Just long enough to worry about you," he replied, his smirk fading back into something serious. "What happened? You vanished for a while."
Starfania frowned, grappling with fragments of her memory. "I…I'm not sure. It felt like I was pulled into another world."
Aeron exchanged glances with Lyam. "Another vision, maybe? You've been through a lot."
She nodded, remembering the haze of images, the whispers in the dark. It was both unsettling and fascinating. " That was some of the best sleep I had in ages."
" I bet," Lyam said. " Do you want some tea? You can use it."
"Tea sounds perfect," Starfania replied, trying to shake off the remnants of her trance. "Just give me a moment."
She gently shifted Violet into her arms and placed her on the soft cushions of the bed. Her friend stirred, but settled back peacefully again.
"Take your time," Aeron said, moving to the small kitchen area. As they busied themselves, Starfania took a deep breath, feeling the weight of concern lift just a little. Surrounded by friends, she could face whatever was waiting on the other side of those visions. All she needed was time to sort it out.
"Thank you for being here," she whispered softly, knowing it was the truth.