Eilis blinked, trying to grasp the reality of her situation. This place was not her realm, nor was it anything akin to the human world she had learned about. The park seemed familiar in structure, yet it felt entirely alien. Her heart raced as she struggled to comprehend the unexpected turn of events.
"Lily, I appreciate your kindness, but I don't think I'm headed to any party," Eilis confessed, her voice trembling with uncertainty.
Lily's brows furrowed in concern. "No party? Then where were you going?"
"I... I'm not exactly sure," Eilis stammered, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle of her whereabouts.
The brass mirror lay forgotten in the grass beside her, its gleam dimming. Eilis hesitated to reveal the truth about her origins, unsure of how Lily would react to the existence of the fairy realm.
"Are you lost?" Lily's tone softened with genuine worry.
"Yes, I think so," Eilis admitted reluctantly. "I came from... a place that's not here. I don't know how I ended up in this park."
Lily's eyes widened in surprise. "Wait, what do you mean, 'not here'? Are you saying you're from another world or something?"
Eilis bit her lip, debating how much to disclose. "Um, not exactly. It's just... I seem to have lost my way. I don't know how I got here."
Lily nodded slowly, trying to make sense of Eilis's cryptic response. "Well, regardless of where you're from, I can help you. Let's try to figure out where you need to go. Do you have any landmarks or names of places that might jog your memory?"
Eilis wracked her brain, trying to recall anything that might provide a clue. "I... I remember a pond with shimmering waters. But it doesn't seem to be here."
Lily frowned, deep in thought. "I know a few ponds around here, but they might not match what you're describing. Maybe we should explore a bit? Sometimes seeing something familiar might trigger your memory."
Despite feeling completely out of her depth, Eilis found a sliver of hope in Lily's suggestion. "Thank you, Lily. I'd really appreciate your help."
The two set off, wandering through the park in search of any sign or landmark that might connect Eilis to her origins. With each step, Eilis's heart pounded louder, a mixture of anxiety and curiosity stirring within her. Little did she know, this unexpected encounter with Lily was about to set off a chain of events that would forever change both their worlds.