World 1.6

Consciousness returns to Yuri in the form of sound first.

You're awake! Andromeda exclaims. I did my best to keep the memories of your Kaoru hidden away, but...

She swallows nervously (because apparently star spirits get nervous, too) and takes time to collect herself.

I had no idea the mental magics of this world would react so strongly to my presence. I'm...really, really sorry.

It's alright, Yuri assures her. Like you said, you didn’t know. And I'm not dead, so everything's fine. "What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger", right?

A sigh. I suppose. In any case, there's at least one person waiting for you to open your eyes.

Yuri sluggishly opens her eyes.

"Well good morning, you morning glory."

It's Kaoru, carrying a tray of food (it smells like chicken soup) and unwittingly greeting her with the same phrase her Kaoru used.

"Good...morning..?" Yuri parrots. She's in an unfamiliar room painted the same pale blue as the pajamas she... well, the pajamas she was wearing. Someone must've changed her clothes while she slept.

"How are you feeling?" Kaoru asks.

"Fine, I think." Yuri shrugs. "Um, by chance, do you know what happened to the clothes I was wearing earlier?"

Kaoru sets the tray down on the bedside table.

"I sent them to get washed," she says simply. "and as an enchanter just happened to be here, your clothes are, for lack of a better word, getting an "upgrade" as well." She pours a glass of water from the white pitcher on the tray. "She's a seamstress, usually, but she is also quite fond of runes, and sometimes she...gets carried away."

Yuri takes the glass Kaoru offers her and sips from it, just barely stopping herself from downing it in a gulp or two. Evidently she was more thirsty than she realized.

"I can guarantee your clothes will be very different from what you wore before, and while there will certainly be runic enchantments sewn into the fabric, I can promise not a single one of them will harm you."

That's...huh. Yuri isn’t sure if she should be reassured by that or worried.

"And regarding that," Kaoru continues, "it'll be a while before they're finished, so I hope you don't mind wearing mine in the meantime."

The white nightgown Yuri woke up in is oversized, especially the bodice, but she finds the extra space comforting.

She nods. "I don't mind at all." She looks down shyly at her lap. "But, umm...I'm sorry for the trouble."

Kaoru laughs. "Trouble? It's no trouble- in fact, I enjoy it!" She turns her attention to the steaming bowl of soup on the tray. "Now, are you able to eat on your own, or shall I feed you myself?"

Yuri feels heat rise up to her cheeks.

"N-no, it's fine, thank you- I can feed myself!"

It almost looks like Kaoru's pouting. Almost.

"Very well," she says, turning back to the doorway. "I'll be in the room next door, so call for me if you need anything- my name's Kaoru, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Kaoru-cha-. Kaoru-san. I'm Yuri."

Kaoru nods, looking back at Yuri over her shoulder.

"A pleasure. I hope you enjoy your meal."

"Thank you."

And then Kaoru is gone, the door creaking shut behind her.