Sora woke to the sound of distant clinking metal and the faint hum of whirring gears. The soft morning light filtered through the brass-framed windows of her new room, casting warm patterns on the walls. She stretched, her body still sore from the previous day's hunt.
She hadn't meant to sleep so soundly, but the comfort of the bed Mary had crafted was undeniable. For a fleeting moment, she forgot where she was—until the smell of something savory pulled her from her grogginess.
In the kitchen, Mary was already at work, her movements precise yet playful. She hummed a jaunty tune as she flipped something on a cast-iron skillet. Sora hesitated in the doorway, unsure if she was intruding.
"Ah, good morning! "Mary's voice was as bright as the sunbeam illuminating her. She waved a spatula in greeting. "Hungry? I figured you might like something a bit more refined than roasted boar on a stick."
Sora's stomach growled in agreement, but she crossed her arms. "How are you so... cheerful this early, Ms. Poppins?"
Mary turned with a playful smirk. "Cheerfulness is the best kind of fuel, my dear. Now, sit! "
Sora obeyed reluctantly, sliding into a chair at the dining table. She watched as Mary placed a plate in front of her: fried eggs, sliced bread toasted to perfection, and a small pile of what looked like sautéed forest greens.
"Where did you even get all this, Ms. Poppins? "Sora asked, eyeing the plate suspiciously.
"Oh, I scavenged some supplies from the airship," Mary said breezily, sitting across from her with her own plate. "And the rest? Let's just say the forest is full of surprises if you know where to look."
Sora took a cautious bite. The flavors exploded on her tongue, and she couldn't suppress a small noise of approval. Mary chuckled, clearly pleased.
The days that followed were unlike anything Sora had experienced before. Mary, with her boundless energy and unorthodox methods, took it upon herself to teach Sora everything she knew.
"Self-sufficiency, my dear," Mary said one afternoon as she handed Sora a set of tools. "It's not just about surviving—it's about thriving."
At first, Sora was resistant. She'd always been used to doing things her own way, and Mary's constant instructions felt overwhelming. But slowly, as the days turned into weeks, she began to see the value in what Mary was teaching her.
Mary taught her how to repair and maintain the various contraptions now integrated into the treehouse. Sora learned how to oil gears, mend levers, and even assemble small mechanical gadgets. Though Sora's fingers were clumsy at first, Mary was patient, guiding her with an encouraging smile.
"You've got a knack for this," Mary said one evening as Sora successfully reassembled a broken pocket watch. "It's all about precision and focus. And you, my dear, have plenty of both."
Their bond deepened as Mary shared more than just technical skills. She taught Sora how to cook with the forest's bounty, identifying edible plants and creating meals that were far better than the crude roasts Sora had survived on before.
One rainy afternoon, they sat by the fireplace, Mary showing Sora how to sew. "It's not glamorous," Mary said as she threaded a needle, "but a well-mended cloak can mean the difference between warmth and misery."
Sora pricked her finger several times, cursing under her breath, but Mary only laughed. "Patience, dear. You'll get the hang of it."
For the first time in her life, Sora felt a sense of belonging. Mary's warmth and guidance reminded her of something she couldn't quite name—a feeling of safety and care she had long forgotten.
---
One evening, after a long day of work, they sat together on the treehouse's balcony. The sun was setting, casting the forest in hues of gold and crimson. Sora leaned against the railing, her golden eyes fixed on the horizon.
"Ms. Poppins," she began, her voice quiet. "Why are you helping me? "
Mary tilted her head, considering the question. "Because you remind me of someone," she said softly, her usual energy momentarily subdued.
"Who? "Sora pressed, her curiosity piqued.
Mary smiled, her gaze distant. "A young girl I once knew. Fierce, stubborn, and full of potential. Someone who just needed a little... guidance."
Sora looked down, unsure how to respond. The wind rustled the leaves around them, filling the silence.
"Thank you," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper.
Mary reached over, placing a hand on Sora's shoulder. "You're quite welcome, my dear. Now, don't let it go to your head. There's plenty more to learn tomorrow."
Sora couldn't help but smile as she looked out at the forest. For the first time in a long while, the future didn't seem so daunting.
The days passed in a blur of activity as Mary continued to teach Sora. But while she had honed her skills in self-sufficiency, Sora began to find herself drawn to something else—something that stirred her heart in ways she hadn't expected.
One afternoon, as Mary worked on some new mechanical gadgets in the corner of the treehouse, Sora wandered over to the pile of scraps and bits from the airship. A large metal wing from the wrecked ship caught her eye, and she instinctively ran her fingers along its surface.
"Hmm..." she murmured to herself, already piecing together the shapes in her mind. She grabbed a wrench and began removing a few loose bolts with a steady, practiced hand. The clink of metal against metal seemed to echo in the otherwise quiet room.
Mary, who had been focused on a set of gears, glanced up, watching Sora as she worked. At first, she thought it was just a passing interest, but as the minutes passed, Mary's sharp eyes widened.
Sora was building.
She watched as Sora fitted together pieces of the wreckage with uncanny precision. Sora's movements were fluid, almost instinctive, her mind clearly racing as she mentally calculated the next steps, her golden eyes alight with concentration.
Sora's hands worked quickly, assembling a small rudimentary prototype, a design she'd imagined in her mind. The part looked rough, but the ingenuity was unmistakable. It was an airfoil—a small wing designed for flight.
Mary stood up, her heart swelling with pride as she watched Sora piece the parts together. Sora paused for a moment, wiping her brow before stepping back to admire her work.
"Ms. Poppins? "Sora's voice was tentative as she glanced over at her mentor.
Mary was staring at her with wide eyes, a beaming smile slowly spreading across her face. "My dear, that's... that's brilliant! "
Sora blinked in surprise. "You think so? "
Mary's voice was full of admiration as she took a few steps closer to the prototype. "It's more than 'think so,' Sora. This... This is genius! "
Sora's face flushed slightly, unsure of how to respond. She had been so absorbed in her work, she hadn't realized just how far she'd come.
Mary's hands rested on her hips as she surveyed the makeshift wing, her mind already imagining its potential. "You've got a gift, Sora. Aeronautical engineering, to be specific. This is no simple hobby; you've got the mind of an engineer. Do you know how rare that is? "
Sora looked down at the prototype, her golden eyes thoughtful. "I've always tinkered with things... but I didn't realize it was something special."
"Oh, it's more than special, dear," Mary said, her voice warm with pride. "You're a born genius. You're going to be one of the greatest aeronautical engineers one day. I can feel it."
Sora's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what to say. The idea of being great at something... truly great... felt foreign, like an unspoken dream she'd never allowed herself to acknowledge. But hearing it from Mary, who had shown her so much already, it almost felt real.
"I think I could get used to that," Sora said with a small, tentative smile.
Mary chuckled, crossing the room to place a hand on Sora's shoulder. "You're more than capable. With your ingenuity and drive, the sky will be yours to conquer. I can already see you building magnificent airships, exploring the skies, and even revolutionizing flight. You've got the kind of mind that could change the world."
Sora stood a little straighter at the praise, feeling a spark of something deep inside her. It wasn't just the idea of flight—it was the potential she hadn't realized she had all along.
"Thank you, Miss Poppins," she said quietly, her voice full of sincerity.
Mary smiled back at her, her eyes twinkling. "You've got everything you need, Sora. You just need the courage to see it through. And don't worry, I'll be here every step of the way, guiding you."
Sora nodded, feeling a warmth spread through her chest at Mary's words. This was more than mentorship—it was something deeper, something that felt like a true bond between them.
As the day wore on, Sora spent the rest of the afternoon refining her design, with Mary offering advice and encouragement along the way. The sound of clinking metal and the hum of her mind was a comfort, a reminder that there was something more for her to pursue than mere survival. She had a future to build—and with Ms. Poppins by her side, anything felt possible.
The evening was drawing near, and as they sat together over a dinner Mary had prepared, Sora realized how much she had grown in such a short time. Not just in skills, but in confidence.
She looked across the table at Mary, who was casually sipping her tea.
"Ms. Poppins," Sora began, her voice steady, "thank you... for believing in me."
Mary set down her cup and smiled warmly, her gaze softening. "Of course, my dear. You've got a bright future ahead of you. Don't forget that."
Sora smiled back, feeling a sense of purpose solidifying within her. With Mary's guidance, there was no limit to what she could achieve. And for the first time in her life, Sora felt like she truly belonged—like her path was already unfolding before her, piece by piece.