I look around the dining room - chandeliers, candles, stained glass windows, a large wood sign above the kitchen door reading "Thorne Kitchen".
Thorne.
Last name?
Probably.
I hide my amazement and seat myself at the polished table, across from a girl I assume is my sister, and start eating.
I watch my sister and mother eat and replicate it.
Back straight, elbows not on the table, silverware straight on napkin, other napkin (because apparently we need two) folded neatly on lap, when using utensils, start with the ones on the outside and work your way in for each course, and to indicate you're finished, place your knife and fork together on the plate.
Breakfast was mushroom soup with soft white bread.
I finish, place my knife straight on my napkin, and sit still until my sister and mother finish.
I've read a book on table etiquette, and apparently you aren't supposed to speak until everyone is finished and no longer seated.
They finish, and Lorea stands and calls "Odessa! Come gather the plates."
She turns to my sister and says "Aerith, would you like to go practice in the feild?"
Aerith smiles and nods, then says "Mother, may Elvina come too? She's never trained, she has barely even read books on the subject."
Lorea ponders before saying "Yes, make sure she isn't hurt, Ambrose can help you if needed. And remember, Elvina probably doesn't even know where it is."
Aerith looks exited and says "Thank you, mother. Elvina, please follow me. I can't seem to remember, have you met Ambrose before?"
I shake my head. "No, I've never met Ambrose."
As I follow Aerith, I see many more things.
Large stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers that seem to glow with heavenly light, more things saying 'Thorne', suggesting it is the family surname, expensive curtains and rugs, beautiful wall designs, tall roofs that look like they'd take an hour to echo back to you.
"So, what's the training for again?" I add the 'again' because I assume Elvina knew.
Aerith giggles lightly "It's for the abilities, we still haven't discovered yours."
I blink.
Abilities?
Huh?
I want to ask, but that would seem odd.
Elvina obviously knew about these 'abilities.'
My thoughts are interrupted as Aerith turns abruptly, then pushes open a large wooden door leading to a huge field.
Grass is burnt on the tips, flowers are all over the place (some also burnt), some areas seem normal, some wet, some bone dry.
Aerith asks "So, what all do you know about magic?"
MAGIC??
"Uh... I- Erm, I don't know much."
Aerith says "That's okay. I'm still learning how to do most of my abilities, my two types are Solar and Lunar."
Aerith points up, and a small sphere of light appears on her finger.
I watch in awe as it dances around her fingertips then bursts into nothing.
Aerith smiles bashfully and says "Yeah, it's a basic spell. Just solar star."
I tilt my head slightly. "Whether it was a basic spell or not, it was impressive. It all depends on perspective whether something is 'just' anything or if it's more impressive than seeing a galaxy."
This is true, because back in the normal world, we could see a million pictures of stars and galaxies by making a World Wide Web search, but this seemed to please Aerith, and she smiles wider. "Thank you, Elvina. It'll take a minimum of three days of training for even a bit of power to come out, so don't expect a burst of lightning or an ethereal horse."
I'm disappointed, but glad I can do magic nonetheless.
Aerith instructs me on different moves that can be used to cast spells, and I repeat the movements until the sun sinks into the horizon and my legs and hands are sore from movement.
Lorea comes outside and says "You can train more tomorrow, it's time to prepare for bed.
"Or course, mother."
Aerith and I disperse into the large castle, and I spend about a quarter of an hour searching before I find the kitchen and use it as a reference point to find my bedroom.
Etro is there, and she helps me untie the lace and pick a pair of pajamas (a robe), which are still elegant somehow, and leaves.
I dress and get in bed.
Viosa enters and tucks me in, and when she leaves, I stare at the cieling, tracing patterns with my gaze until I fall asleep.