She tensed as the stranger stepped out of the shadows, her azure eyes sharp and calculating, studying her with unnerving precision. Her fingers twitched, instinctively brushing against the tools she carried.
"Now, now," the stranger said, her voice smooth yet oddly cheerful. "No need for such hostility. I promise, I'm far less threatening than I appear."
"What do you want?" she demanded, her golden eyes narrowing as she backed away slightly.
The stranger cocked her head, and a faint shimmer of ash-blonde hair seemed to catch what little sunlight filtered through the canopy. She raised her hands in mock surrender—an odd, disarming expression on her face. "Ah, straight to the point. I like that. After all the trouble I went through to avoid that loong, I must say, I expected a warm welcome.
She said nothing, retreating behind her mask of reserve as her eyes flicked over the stranger's aspect: the patched waistcoat, the tool belt strapped around her hips, the top hat set at a rakish angle with its goggles askew. She smelled of an odd combination of charm and chaos.
Her lips had curled into a smile; her voice was bright with amusement. "Well, if you wish to know, I'm Mary Poppins! Engineer extraordinaire, tinkerer of the fantastic, and occasional runner-away from dragons." She gave a small flourish with her hands, bowing dramatically.
She blinked, utterly bewildered by the stranger's theatrical introduction. "You. chased that airship down here?
Mary straightened, brushing imaginary dust off her coat. "Chased? Oh, no, no, my dear. Survived is the term I'd prefer. Though I have to admit, the dragon was quite spectacular, wasn't it? A marvel of nature and terror all rolled into one." Her smile went wide, as if she'd found the whole thing an exhilaration rather than terrifying.
But despite herself, something in Mary's eccentricity chipped away at it. She was guarded, her voice firm. "Why are you here?"
Mary tapped a finger against her chin thoughtfully, her eyes flicking to the ravens perched nearby. "Ah, now that's a good question. Call it serendipity. I've lost a ship, you've gained a mystery. Perhaps fate thought we might be useful to each other.
Her golden eyes seemed to narrow. "I don't need your help."
Mary's smile didn't falter. Instead, she crouched slightly to meet her gaze directly. "Oh, my dear, I wasn't offering help. I was offering an opportunity. But before we discuss that," she gestured to the ravens, who cocked their heads curiously. "How about we start with something simple? Like a cup of tea? Or do you prefer something stronger after being chased by dragons?
She frowned but couldn't shake off the slight feeling of disarmament brought about by Mary's unshakable cheer. What is she after? She thought, racing her mind. Yet, something in the confidence of the stranger told her this would not be quite so simple.
And so she stayed, against her better judgment, curiosity tugging as potently as caution.
Mary, still crouched slightly, seemed to sense her hesitation and grinned, her azure eyes lighting up with a mix of curiosity and mischief. "Ah, I see. Not a tea person, are you? That's all right. I've been known to adjust my offerings to suit the audience. Let me guess..." She tilted her head theatrically, tapping her chin. "You look like someone who might appreciate... stew! Yes, a hearty stew to warm the bones after a day like today."
Her golden eyes narrowed further. "I don't need food from you. I can take care of myself."
Mary raised an eyebrow, giving a faintly amused hum as she stood to her full height. "Oh, of course, of course. You're terribly self-sufficient, I'm sure." She gestured toward her callused hands and the faint marks of wear and exhaustion on her face. "But even the most independent souls could use a little ingenuity now and then. Imagine what you could do with someone who knows her way around tools and the occasional fire-breathing disaster."
The ravens cawed softly, flapping their wings as if urging her to say something. She crossed her arms, her sharp gaze unwavering. "You didn't answer me. Why are you really here? "
Mary placed her hands on her hips, her expression softening just enough to show a hint of sincerity beneath her lively exterior. "I suppose it would be polite to answer that, wouldn't it? The truth is, I was on that airship for a rather important delivery—one that didn't survive the encounter with that loong." She gave a slight shrug, her tone still light but tinged with disappointment. "And since I'm stranded now, I thought it best to introduce myself to the local talent. Clearly, I wasn't wrong."
"Local talent? "she repeated, incredulously.
Mary smiled again, taking a deliberate step closer, though her movements remained unthreatening. "Why, yes. You've got an air of capability about you. The way you've fashioned a home out here in the wilderness—impressive, really. And those ravens? "She gestured upward to the perched flock. "Quite the entourage you've got there. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were someone with a story worth hearing."
She stiffened slightly, her mind racing. "They're just birds," she said quickly.
Mary's eyes sparkled with knowing amusement. "Oh, of course. Just birds. And I suppose you're just an ordinary forest dweller." Her tone was teasing but not mocking, as though she were testing how much she could prod without pushing too far.
Her silence lingered as she searched Mary's face, trying to discern her true intentions. This woman was unlike anyone she'd met before—eccentric, unflinching, and entirely too confident. But beneath her quirks, there was something... genuine.
Finally, Mary clapped her hands together, breaking the tension. "Well! I can see you're a tough nut to crack. I like that. Keeps things interesting. But since it seems we'll both be sticking around this forest for a bit, how about we start fresh?"
She raised an eyebrow, still wary but curious despite herself.
Mary extended a gloved hand toward her, tilting her head with a charming smile. "Hello, dear. I'm Mary Poppins—engineer, survivor, and seeker of grand adventures. And you are? "
She hesitated, staring at the outstretched hand before finally replying, "I don't trust you."
Mary chuckled, withdrawing her hand without offense. "Good. Trust is something earned, not given. But I do hope you'll consider giving me the benefit of the doubt. After all, two heads are better than one, and I've got enough ideas in this head of mine to fix just about anything—including an awkward first meeting."
For the first time, a faint flicker of a smile tugged at her lips, though she quickly suppressed it. She wasn't ready to trust Mary, but something told her this encounter might just change the course of her journey in ways she couldn't yet predict.
Mary tilted her head, her azure eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and patience. "Well? Shall we start somewhere small? A name, perhaps? Or do you prefer the mysterious type? I admit, it does have a certain charm."
She shifted uncomfortably, her golden eyes darting toward the ground. The ravens above rustled slightly, their wings brushing the branches as if urging her forward. After a long pause, she finally spoke, her voice quiet but steady. "Sora."
Mary's smile widened, soft and genuine. "Ah, Sora. A name that carries weight. It suits you—strong and enigmatic."
Sora glanced at her sharply, as though trying to gauge if there was mockery in Mary's tone, but there was none. Mary tilted her head thoughtfully, tapping her gloved fingers against her chin. "Sora, it's a pleasure to meet you. And if I may say, I think we're going to make an excellent team, whether you like it or not."
Sora frowned, her arms crossing defensively. "I didn't say anything about teaming up."
"Not yet," Mary said breezily, as though it were a foregone conclusion. "But give it time. You'll see." She glanced at the ravens perched overhead. "Besides, it seems your feathered friends already approve of me. And who are we to argue with their judgment?"
Sora opened her mouth to protest but quickly shut it, realizing she didn't have a counterargument. The ravens did seem oddly calm in Mary's presence, their usual sharp-edged wariness replaced with something almost... relaxed.
Mary gestured toward the forest behind her, her coat flaring slightly as she turned. "Now, I imagine you've got quite the setup around here, but perhaps there's room for a bit of improvement. Care to show me around, or shall I start guessing where you keep the good tools?"
Sora hesitated, her mind racing. She didn't trust this eccentric stranger—not fully. But there was something about Mary's confidence, her unshakable ease, that made her hard to resist. And the truth was, having someone who seemed to know what they were doing might not be the worst thing in the world.
Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she gestured toward the trees. "This way."
Mary's grin returned, bright and full of energy. "Excellent! Lead the way, Sora. Adventure awaits! "
Sora turned, her footsteps cautious as she guided Mary toward her treehouse, the ravens trailing silently overhead. Though she wouldn't admit it—not yet—a small part of her truly felt less alone for the first time in a long while.