Once again, there was that familiar darkness and pain.
Astoria's consciousness was like a leaf spinning in a churning lake, rising and sinking.
Everything around her was blurred. There was no sense of direction, no sound, only the cold that had been with her since childhood.
In her daze, she had no idea how long she would have to wait this time.
Gradually, a calm voice began to echo:
"You're awake?"
The little white-haired witch opened her eyes groggily, only to find a black, beaked mask before her.
Alarm crossed her delicate little face. Startled, she instinctively shrank back, but felt something soft beneath her.
"Come on. I'll take you to your sister."
At those words, the newly awakened Astoria could think of nothing else. She blurted out, "You know my sister?"
"Yes, Daphne. I'm Lu-" As he spoke, Lucien swept a hand over his face, and the mask vanished.
At the sight of that handsome face and those distinctive dark green eyes, Astoria blurted out before Lucien even needed to introduce himself:
"Oh! You're Lucien! I know you! My sister talks about you all the time!"
Astoria's full name was Astoria Greengrass.
She looked around and found that she was still in the alley, half-reclining on a-little sofa?
Astoria looked down, then reached out to feel it. The leather was soft, the cushions were thick, and there were even two little throw pillows.
It was quite soft and comfortable.
"Um, sorry, did I faint just now?"
Lucien nodded.
"Then I must have had another episode." Astoria's voice grew quieter, as though she were discussing something perfectly ordinary. "It's been like this since I was little. I faint, and I-"
A glimmer flickered in Lucien's eyes. An illness?
As though something had occurred to her, Astoria stopped talking and hopped