Aria thought that this girl was really weird. She replied with an ohh and then sunk into silence.
Just as Aria was debating whether to continue the conversation or not, the girl looked down at the tray and asked, "So, what's for dinner?"
Aria looked at the girl with a confused face. "Does she think this is funny?" Aria thought as she said, "The plate is in front of you."
The girl looked at Aria, smiled and said, "I know. But I'd rather not touch the food to know what it is. Many times I end up putting my hands in something meant to be eaten with a spoon and dirty my hands. It's not exactly a pleasant experience."
It was then it hit Aria, "Could it be? Is she?" She asked herself internally as Aria said, "Umm.... can't you.....are you?"
The girl said, "Oh, didn't I mention? I'm blind."
Aria thought, "So that's it." She spoke, "Really? It doesn't look like it."
The girl smiled, "We can talk as I eat. Could you tell me what's for dinner. I'm starving."
Aria: "Of course." She then took the girl's hand and put it on different things and named them. After she was done, the girl began eating and said, "So, you seem to be from the capital."
Aria: "Why?"
The girl: "You know the names of these dishes. These are usually available only in the capital or the surrounding cities."
Aria's mind spun fast. She randomly came up with a lie, "I'm not actually. I'm from a village bordering the dark forest. I've just read the names of many dishes in books."
The girl nodded as she said, "Oh my god. So rude of me. I'm Helen."
Aria: "Aria."
Helen: "That's such a pretty name. Quite uncommon."
Aria: "Hey Helen, if you don't mind me asking, you don't look like you're blind. How is that?"
Helen: "Why would I mind you asking? There's actually nothing wrong with my eyes, some important nerve concerning eyesight is damaged. I don't really know much about it, the doctor drones on and on but I just usually fall asleep halfway."
Aria: "You've been like this since birth?"
Helen: "Yup. Now, enough about me. Tell me something about yourself."
Aria: "Well, there's not much to tell. I'm from a village bordering the kingdom, like I told you. I love to read and hope to get strong here."
Helen: "That's a great introduction. But that's not what I meant. Tell me how you look."
Aria: "Oh. Well, I've long golden blonde hair. Actually, a bit too long for me to manage. There's nothing special about my face really, just that..... I've got black eyes."
Helen sunk into thought, "Hmm....black eyes. That's unusual. Anyway, you sound beautiful. So, how old are you?"
Aria: "I'm fourteen."
The two girls continued to chat about everything. By the time Helen was done with dinner, Aria had learnt that she was 17 years old, the daughter of the commander-in-chief of the army, and had a brother two years younger than her, who studied in the academy.
As Aria was leaving, she said, "Say Helen. Would you like to come to breakfast with me tomorrow?"
Helen seemed surprised, to which Aria hurriedly explained, "You said you didn't like it here alone. I can help you in the hall so you don't bump into anyone. That is....only if you want to."