A New Home in the City
Aelira woke slowly, blinking against the soft morning light filtering through the pub's windows. Her head throbbed slightly—a reminder of Earth's unfamiliar drinks. As she adjusted to her surroundings, she saw Lou, the pub owner, standing nearby with a kind but serious expression. In his hand, he held a glass of water.
"You alright there, miss?" Lou asked, offering her the water. "You had quite a night."
Aelira sat up, accepting the glass. "Yes, I believe I am… recovering. Thank you for your kindness."
Lou chuckled. "Glad to hear it. But there's something we need to sort out. You didn't exactly pay for the drinks last night, and around here, you pay for what you take."
Aelira looked at him, confused. "I do not possess your currency," she replied slowly, the concept still foreign to her.
Lou raised an eyebrow, though his expression softened when he saw how genuinely puzzled she was. "No currency?" he repeated. "Well, don't you have someone you can call? A friend, family member… anyone who can help cover you?"
Aelira shook her head. "No. There is no one here—just my companion." She glanced at her assistant, who had remained in its small dog form, sitting obediently by her side.
Lou studied her for a moment, rubbing his chin. It was clear to him that this girl wasn't just another lost tourist. She seemed entirely out of place, yet there was an innocence about her that stirred something within him. With a sigh, he made a decision.
"Well," he began, "if you're truly on your own, I'll tell you what—we'll work something out. You can stay here for a bit, but you'll have to help out to pay your way. I've got a daughter, Nancy. She could use the extra help around the place. You'd be doing us both a favor."
Aelira's eyes brightened with relief. "You… would let me stay?" The warmth of his offer was unexpected, and it filled her with a deep sense of gratitude.
Lou smiled and nodded. "Yeah, but you'll have to pull your weight. We'll start you off with some light work—serving tables, maybe helping clean up. Nothing too tough. And Nancy will show you the ropes."
Moments later, Nancy appeared from the back of the pub, her eyes curious and friendly. She was a young woman with bright, lively features, and as she approached Aelira, her warm smile was instantly welcoming.
"Hi! I'm Nancy. Looks like we'll be working together," she said cheerfully, offering Aelira a handshake. "Dad says you'll be helping out around here. We could definitely use the extra hands."
Aelira returned the smile, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. Earth was strange, and she still had so much to learn, but in this moment, she felt like she'd found a place where she could belong, at least for now.
Nancy wasted no time in showing Aelira around the pub, explaining how things worked and what her tasks would be. They spent the morning together, cleaning tables, setting up chairs, and laughing over the little quirks of the regular customers. The more Aelira learned, the more she felt like she was starting to fit in, even if just a little.
Yet, even as she adjusted to this new rhythm of life, a deeper, more pressing thought lingered in the back of her mind: Arthur. She could still feel the pull of his presence, as though some invisible thread connected them. No matter how much she tried to focus on her new duties, she couldn't shake the feeling that their paths were meant to cross again.
For now, though, Aelira felt a strange sense of comfort in her new surroundings. With Lou's generosity, Nancy's friendship, and her loyal assistant by her side, she had found a small refuge in this unfamiliar world. But she knew this was just the beginning.