In the comforting familiarity of our home, I felt an unfamiliar flutter of apprehension. My sister Illyanna and I stood together, our anticipation humming in the air as we prepared to ask Matterinna something that went against her every instinct - to let us venture out into the wider world of Tarvernia.
The very idea of it instantly elicited a resolute shake of Matterinna's head. "No, it's too dangerous," she voiced sternly, her gaze flickering over us both protectively. Her refusal was expected, yet it dealt a blow to my already wavering confidence.
In a moment of desperation, I looked over at Illyanna. Her eyes shimmered with a rare blend of excitement and determination. Emboldened by her spirit, we joined our voices together, pleading for her approval.
"Matterinna, please...," I began, my words carefully measured and steady, despite the pounding of my heart. "We won't stray far, and I'll make sure Illyanna stays safe. I promise."
Matterinna's response was not immediate. She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyes distant as if she were fighting a mental battle. A few moments passed in silence, the tension in the room nearly tangible.
Finally, she heaved a sigh, her gaze settling on us with a mixture of caution and resignation. "Alright," she conceded. "But only on one condition."
Our breath hitched in anticipation, and I could feel my heart pounding against my ribs.
"I'm coming with you," Matterinna declared firmly, her tone brooking no argument. As surprising as her condition was, it was also comforting. Matterinna's presence was always a beacon of safety, and knowing she would accompany us on this adventure made the prospect seem less daunting.
Seated in the Fiora's living room, Matterinna let out a small sigh, her gaze turned toward the window and the vibrant world beyond it. "I envy the Fiora family, you know," she began, her voice carrying a hint of longing I'd never heard before. "You have the privilege to see the outside world. I've spent years serving in this house, and I wish I could see more."
Her confession struck me, as if a chord had been struck in my chest. I looked over to Illyanna, her eyes reflecting the same surprise and compassion that I felt. In our eagerness to see the outside, we had never really considered Matterinna, who had been confined to the domestic world for as long as we could remember.
"I'm glad you're coming with us, Matterinna," I managed to say, hoping to convey the sincerity that welled up in me.
She looked back at us, a subtle smile tugging at her lips. "Thank you, Max. Now, both of you, go prepare. Dress for a long trip."
Her words rang in the air, like the beginning of an adventure story as she exited the living room, leaving me and Illyanna in anticipation.
With a puzzled frown, I turned towards Illyanna, "I... uh, I don't know where my clothes are," I admitted awkwardly, cringing inwardly at the excuse. In reality, I had no idea what my dream world self typically wore. Was I a mage, a knight, or something else?
Illyanna responded with a burst of laughter, "You really did hit your head, didn't you? You always keep your armour a secret."
My brows furrowed in surprise. "Wait, so I wear armour all the time? Like a knight?"
The image seemed strange to me, but it also stirred a thrill of excitement. I wasn't sure what class I was, but the thought of being a knight, clad in protective armour, felt strangely fitting.
Illyanna nodded, her laughter still echoing in the room. "Yes, you silly goose! Always a knight in shining armour!"
Her giggles and my dumbfounded expression painted a heartwarming scene in the living room, setting the stage for the adventure that was about to unfold.
Struggling with the uncertainty of my situation, I settled on a pair of worn brown leather pants, a crisp white shirt, and sturdy black boots. It didn't have the grandeur of a knight's armour, but it felt comfortable, functional, and I guess, me.
Illyanna, on the other hand, looked like a walking spring blossom in her flowing pink dress, a hood fluttering at her back. My mouth went agape as I took in her appearance. "You look... cute, Illyanna."
A bashful smile adorned her face as she ducked her head. "Thank you, Max. You don't look half bad yourself. But, it's weird...you're not in your usual armour."
Her words reminded me of my missing armour, my knightly attire. I racked my brain, trying to figure out where I would have stored it. "Illyanna, do you have any idea where I might have kept my armour?"
Her face scrunched in deep thought, but she eventually shook her head, her mood deflating a bit. Seeing her disappointment, I ruffled her hair lightly, "No worries. We'll find it someday."
Her lips curled into a bright smile at my assurance, her spirits lifted once more. Arm in arm, we descended the staircase, entering the living room to wait for Matterinna.
As the silence grew, I found my gaze resting on Illyanna, her vibrant personality a comforting balm to my internal confusion. "Illyanna," I began, "what are your dreams?"
She seemed startled by my question, her mouth opening and closing as she thought. "I...I don't know, Max. I just want to be with our family...forever. I want to protect them."
There was a simple nobility in her words, a purity that made me smile. "That's a noble dream, Illyanna."
But her question, like a mirror, reflected back at me. What were my dreams? I found myself looking down, my mind plunging into an abyss of uncertainty. The answer remained elusive, and my heart felt heavy. Would I ever find my purpose, my dream in this unfamiliar yet familiar world?
Illyanna's eyes turned towards me, a question sparkling within them, "And your dream, Max?"
However, before I could dredge up an answer from the depths of my uncertainty, a noise from upstairs echoed through the silent household. The sudden sound of a door flinging open, then slamming shut, followed by the rapid-fire drumming of footsteps bounding down the staircase.
A playful chuckle escaped my lips as I exchanged a knowing glance with Illyanna. "Someone's excited," I quipped, unable to contain my smile.
However, when Matterinna made her grand entrance, my chuckles died, replaced by an involuntary gasp. She had exchanged her typical maid uniform for a form-fitting black leather jacket with an attached hood, fingerless gloves, and matching black boots. But what stole my attention were the snug-fitting pants, the kind you'd call jeans in my original world.
My heart throbbed with a sudden realization: 'She's a dream girl. Too bad she's our maid...' I found myself musing.
Coming back to my senses, I managed to voice a concern, "Uh, Matterinna, aren't those 'jeans' uncomfortable for a long journey?"
Matterinna and Illyanna both gave me a puzzled look. "Jeans?" they echoed, a look of unfamiliarity painted on their faces.
Cursing my stupidity, I rephrased, "I mean, will your pants be comfortable for our journey?"
A proud grin spread across Matterinna's face as she patted her pants, "They are made from a unique material that adjusts its temperature as per our needs. And I enchanted it myself!"
My surprise mirrored Illyanna's as we clapped in unison. We had no idea Matterinna possessed such magical prowess.
The conversation shifted as Matterinna voiced her excitement, "I can't wait to see the outside world again! It's been so long."
Illyanna chimed in, her excitement palpable. However, both their eyes landed on me, the only one among us who supposedly ventured outside the household.
With a nervous chuckle, I scratched my head, my heart pounding with the knowledge that I, the 'real' Max, had never actually set foot in Tarvernia.
As we set out from our home, Matterinna hooked a small brown bag to her belt, causing me to wonder, "Where are our travel supplies?"
Matterinna pointed to the small bag, confusing me further. "That seems too small..."
With a patient smile, she replied, "It's a bag of holding, Max."
Still confused, I simply nodded, a bead of sweat trickling down my temple. I felt like an imposter under Matterinna's increasingly suspicious gaze.
As we strolled across the verdant grasslands, Matterinna announced, "First order of business when we reach Tarvernia: fixing Max's memories."
Laughter filled the air, intertwining with the whispers of the wind, as we embarked on our journey, a strange camaraderie born of shared excitement and mutual dreams.