Dinner was interesting, to say the least. It was a large feast commemorating my arrival. In the middle of the table laid a pig with roasted potatoes displayed around its body. The smell wafted through the air and was what had ultimately led me to the dining hall. The butcher, Tom, had informed me that it was their fattest swine saved for times of celebration. I personally did not see my arrival as cause for celebration, but it felt nice to have people interested in me for a change.

Everyone was seated around the oval table and had dressed up for the special occasion, making me all too aware of my dirty work attire. Adriana now wore a beautiful purple silk dress that fell right above her knees. Her wild red locks were held back by a lavender headband to match.

Cameron had turned up about thirty minutes late to dinner. He had been very stern earlier when he informed me that 'dinner is in five'.

So, what kept him so long?

My thoughts were interrupted when Adriana started talking. She was the first to grab a plate and start stuffing the contents into her mouth. For such a tiny girl, she could put away some food. Her entire plate was cleaned in minutes. I, on the other hand, had never been a super heavy eater. Today was a different story. My stomach growled with anticipation. I hadn't had a home-cooked meal in forever

Not since dad died.

The pang in my heart made me pause momentarily. I hadn't even thought of my dad since coming here. I silently wondered if he could see me from heaven. Was he shocked about any of this? This is, of course, if this had been real. But this was a dream. Right? nobody could see it but me.

Through Adriana's chatter, the others would chime in every now and then. It was like one big happy family, and I was a part of it. I felt myself smiling as I ate the meal. With every bite, flavor exploded into my mouth. It was heavenly. Once we had all finished, an older woman stood up from the table and walked around collecting plates. She gave me a sweet wrinkled smile as she asked for my plate. I asked her if I could do anything to help, but she insisted that I was a guest and should not trouble myself with it. I gave in and forked over my empty plate. The warmth of the food made me feel drowsy. I realized I had been walking all day and we hadn't stopped to sleep.

"Miss Ember?" I looked up as the soft British accent spoke my name. It was Chloe and she was looking at me expectantly. I blushed as I realized she had been talking to me. I had been captured in my own sleepless world.

"What was the question?" I asked timidly, "I zoned out for a second."

Chloe laughed and smiled at me, "I was asking if I could make you a new shirt. That one looks rather uncomfortable."

I looked down at my torn work jeans and the black button-up top I was required to wear. It was very uncomfortable. Not to mention the odor of liquor and smoke that emanated from its fabric. After a moment of careful thought, I gave her a nod.

"I would like that. Thank you."

After my confirmation, Chloe seemed to perk up. She clapped her webbed hands together excitedly and stood from her chair, "Perfect! If you'll follow me upstairs for some measurements, please, Miss Ember."

I followed Chloe around the winding staircase and into a small bedroom on the upper level of the castle. It was a simple room. The bed and chair were the same ones in my new room. The white linen was clean pressed and neatly placed on the bed. Chloe led me to the far end of the room to a giant mirror. It was a full-length mirror with gold embroidery around the edges. I followed her in and she grabbed a flexible measuring tape and went to work measuring my waist, bust, shoulders, and torso.

"Chloe?" I asked as she worked around me. I looked at my small form in the mirror. I was chewing my lip, deep in thought, "What did you do before... you know."

I was hesitant to ask the question at first, but I saw the older girl's reflection smile a soft and sad smile. She never looked up or stopped her hands from moving as she replied to my question.

"I was a seamstress. I worked with my mum. I have been hemming and sewing since I was a little girl," her smile inched up as she spoke of her mother. She must have recalled some fond memory, "She used to let me talk to the clients and hold her pin cushion as she worked. But that was before... before she got sick. She died when I was 15. That's been seven years now." Her hands had stopped working and she shook her head as if to shake the pain away.

"And your dad?" After the words left my lips I cursed myself silently. I was being insensitive. I was just curious to know more about how such a beautiful and talented girl could end up as a Luma.

She shook her head in response, " He died in a car crash when I was a baby. My mom is all I've ever had."

"I'm sorry," I amended, "I don't mean to pry... My father died too. I was only eight. My mom might as well have been dead after that. At least your mom continued to thrive." I realized this would not heal the wounds on her heart, but I hoped that that reassurance would console her. It seemed to work because Chloe smiled sweetly at me.

"Yeah," she said, "She was an amazing woman and an amazing mum."

Chloe put away the measuring tape and shooed me out the door shortly after that. She insisted that she had work to do and that I should get some rest. I thanked her one last time before I headed downstairs to the empty wing to sleep. I shut my door after me and jumped onto my bed. The cushy and soft pillows beckoned my head. I felt my body sink into the mattress as I wrapped the thin sheets around my body.

I wasn't quite prepared to call this place my home, but with such warm and thoughtful people, I could get used to this.

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a/n: 

Sorry that this got cut a little short... You guys are going to kill me next chapter though...

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