: Strawberries

Maggy led Kayda back down the familiar hallway until they made it back to the room she had previously visited not just hours before.

With a light knock, the door opened from the inside. Butler Stevens stood eloquently in the doorway before taking a glance at Maggy and Kayda.

"Miss Kayda. The young Miss is inside. Please do join her." With his head slightly bowed, he moved from the doorway to the side to allow her entrance into the room.

With a short goodbye, Maggy watched the door close behind Kayda before she left.

Inside the room, Mellisony sat in her wheelchair at a round tea table. On the table was a light course of dishes that released a fragrant aroma into the air, filling the room.

Guiding Kayda over, butler Stevens politely pulled out the chair sitting opposite of the young Miss and motioned for her to sit.

When she did, her eyes came to level with Mellisony's bright blue ords. They were practically the same height.

With a bright smile, Mellisony did not break eye contact from Kayda and started to chatter on endlessly. Even when it was apparent that Kayda could not understand a single word she was saying.

Leaning down, butler Stevens spoke near Kayda. "The young Miss is recounting how surprised and delighted she was to see you earlier today. Being sick for such a long period of time affected her hobbies so she tended to enjoy dabbling in the history books of the south. She was especially fascinated with dragons and your people. She holds very high regards for your people and culture. Even though she's never been able to see it in person."

His words surprised Kayda as a glint flashed behind her eyes.

This young Miss of a noble family, which reminded her of a bird chirping excitedly, was actually interested in her people.

And no matter how she looked at it, the eyes of this young child just didn't seem to have the capacity to hold anything but her youthful innocence.

It was almost, refreshing.

Going over to stand by Mellisony's side, butler Steven reminded her that they were here to eat and that the food would get cold if she continued to prattle on about her books.

Apologetically, Mellisony said a few words with her hands pressed together in a gesture of an apology as butler Stevens translated.

"She's sorry for making you wait and would like to start eating now."

Kayda just nodded and looked at the small spread on the round table.

There wasn't much, but that was to be expected as the young girl in front of her was sickly and thin. It would be a miracle if she could even absorb just a half of the dishes on the table.

Looking at all the tender and nutritious platters on the table, Kayda didn't reach out for one while Mellisony tried to take just a little bit of each dish on the table.

Even though she was sick and had little appetite, she knew the more she ate, the more it would help on her path to recovery.

When she had finally finished putting at least sliver of each dish on her plate, she looked up to see that Kayda had only reached out and put a bit of salad on her dish. Nothing else even seemed to catch her attention as she lightly nibbles on the piece of lettuce in her hand.

Kayda felt her stomach twist at the sight of all those dishes. Her sensitive nose twitched at all the light aromas filling the atmosphere from those dishes that were obviously meant to be supplements for one's health.

She couldn't remember the last time she actually had meat that was cooked and decently edible. The only memory's of meat that filled her mind were tough pieces of animal flesh she had hunted down and preserved that felt like leather on her tongue with the pungent taste and smell of blood that would fill her oral cavity.

The taste would make her stomach twist into knots as it tried to squeeze itself inside out while she tried to force that small source of protein down her throat.

The only thing that made the bitter experience bearable was the juicy leaves and fruits she would find that served to wash her palate of that horrid taste.

And seeing a plate of greens right before her that looked fresh and bright with little vegetables and fruits mixed in, she couldn't help but reach out for some and put it on her plate.

Munching away, she divulged herself in the fresh and crisp lettuce that filled her mouth.

As she was chewing on a small tomato, she noticed a fork pass over the table and drop something on her plate.

Looking up, she saw the young girl looking at her with big doe eyes as she stared at Kayda with joy and wonder.

Looking down, she observed the bright reddish and triangular shaped food she had placed on her plate.

With a glance, she noticed that the girls expectant eyes were still on her.

Looking back down, she tentatively picked up the object and slowly placed it in her mouth.

Her mouth was suddenly assaulted with a bittersweet juiciness that quenched her tongue and filled her mouth with sweetness.

Her eyes turned bright as she looked up at Mellisony with big, round and surprised eyes.

Mellisony beamed seeing her reaction.

Picking up another one of the fruit, she dipped it in a white cream before placing it on Kayda's plate.

"Strawberry."

Mellisony pointed to the fruit while speaking in one of the eastern languages.

Picking it up, Kayda looked at the berry.

"Strawberry?" She repeated her words with a slight accent.

Mellisony's head bobbed up and down excitedly, seeing that Kayda had gotten it.

"Yes! Yes! Strawberry!"

Kayda looked back at the berry in her hand and pointed to the thick sweet stuff that Mellisony had dipped it in.

She tilted her head, as an invisible question mark hovered over her head.

Mellisony giggled a little before her face split into a smile.

"Cream." She said and grinned.

She picked up another strawberry and dipped it in the cream before placing it in her mouth. Following right after, a delighted look graced her face as she exaggeratedly held both sides of her face in pleasure.

Kayda looked at her face covered in joy before she placed the strawberry covered in cream into her mouth.

Instantly, her eyes glowed as she covered her mouth in surprised delight.

She had never tasted something so sweet.

Mellisony wonderfully giggled at her reaction. She never knew that someone could enjoy strawberries so much.