With enough encouragement from the fat lady and ignoring Nora's protest, you had slipped away to go outside when they both started bickering.

You hummed as you walked surveying your surrounding. Tall trees towered over your tiny 4-year-old body. It'd be intimidating but the warm sunrays filtering through the leaves made the scene breathtaking.

Birds chirped in the distance as they flew around while the wind gently rustled the leaves. Tranquillity engulfed you in a warm embrace.

It's been 2 days since the whole cave incident. You had gone to investigate it or get some clues as to what the cat was but the whole place was nowhere to be seen. It vanished without a trace as if it didn't exist in the place.

Stumped with disbelief, you returned home with disappointment. Only for Ether to rub against you and purr while swinging tails in the air gracefully. As if trying to console you. It should be a crime for all animals to look so cute.

And it seems like Ether like any other normal cat to others. No twin tails glitter like a light bulb when his happy or angry. It made you and he close. A secret only for both of you. I mean who doesn't want an extremely cute yet weird cat?

But that cuteness was nowhere to be found when Ether suddenly snatched your slipper from your foot -- how he did that no one knows -- and run away. Cursing the cute furball, you ran after him only to crash into someone.

How?! How is it possible to crash into someone when all the time I've been looking forward?! I hate plot convenience!

You blinked as you shamelessly gawked at the fallen girl. You knew you should help her since you were the one who bumped into her with enough force that both of you were thrown on your butts.

But all could you do was pinch yourself to confirm you weren't dreaming and that the beautiful creature in front of you is real.

Soft, wavy platinum blonde hair that was tied into a high ponytail. Eyes the shade of soft petals of a pink rose. Skin that seems to be glowing. Everything about her was magical.

"Did you descend from heaven's above?" you without meaning to, asked. You see Ether smugly sitting behind her licking its paw.

Surprise! Surprise! Your slipper is back on your foot.

Damn that cheeky cat! He likes to play tricks. Always messing with you and your stuff.

Before you could give him an earful he run off god knows where.

The girl gave you a look because your expression kept changing. Making you look comically a weirdo. But deciding not to point out that she looked at you, worried. "Are you hurt anywhere?"

Yes, my heart. Your beauty hurts my insecure heart along with my ego.

You cleared your throat. "No. How about you?"

"I'm fine!" She beamed.

Ba-dump! There goes my heart.

Are those flowers floating around her are real?

You remember having breakfast when you heard a commotion. Curious to see the reason you had raced out here. Only to bump into the pretty, cute girl.

You both stood up, unsure of what to do but curious about each other. You broke the awkwardness first and extended your hand.

"Hi! I'm (Y/n). It's nice to meet you!" You cheerfully said adding a smile for special effects.

The girl looked confused. Even more so when you extended your inviting hand.

Oh crap. You had forgotten that it wasn't your world. There is no such thing as a friendly handshake. Only business handshake.

Great, she'd think you're a freak now.

You were about the drop your hand and go find some nice tree to bang your head against when you felt a soft, warm hand grasping yours.

"I'm Diana. You're weird but it's nice to meet you too!"

O-kay.. You gave her a strained smile. This girl is blunt.

Finally, the introduction finished, and you asked the questions you dying to ask. "Where are you from? Your clothes are... different and I haven't seen you around before."

The girl gave you another weird look. "You don't talk like a baby!".

Huh? Was I supposed to? Oh... I must be coming off strong and mature for a 4-year-old girl.

You quickly back peddled. "Haha. Big sister is funny. I like you!"

She blinked at your sudden persona before giggling. "You're cute! I like you too!"

Sigh. I'm already getting a headache. Who knew talking to a child was this difficult?

"Do big sister want to join me? I'm going to meet Mister Pierce! He's very kind and gives me lots of cookies like Miss Agatha."

She contemplated, looking to the side before nodding eagerly. "I want to. Mother said I could look around the village. Maybe you could show me around!"

"Okay!"

She's cute, I'd give her that. And seem harmless so I don't see any problems with that.

"Let's race down!" You said before grinning at her and bolting down the hill.

Diana blinked at your running figure before joining you her hair fluttering behind her looking like golden wings. "Wait for me!"

She did this before. And it looked like fun. So she chased and eventually caught up to you.

You both reached the village in record time panting and giggling. You grinned at her, adrenaline still rushing through you.

"I won!" Diana exclaimed.

"What? No, I won! I reached before you." You huffed fist bumping the air in victory.

"No, even though you cheated I still reached here first." She puffed her cheeks looking at you.

You both stared at each other. Willing the other to back down.

"What are you girls doing? Staring competition?" The voice of an elder person reached you.

Ignoring his question you look at him in determination. "Who reached here first, Mister?"

Diana nodded looking at the man with eager eyes. "Yes, Mister tell us who reached here first!"

Pierce started sweating as he looked at the big twinkling eyes of the two cute girls. Pressure like he never experienced before choking him.

"Uh.. Well.." He stuttered trying to come up with an answer that won't disappoint the girls. "You both did. I saw both of you reach the invisible finish line at the same time."

There that should please them, he thought proudly. Only to be bewildered when your shoulder slumped in defeat and Diana glowed in happiness.

"I lost." You dejectedly mumbled. "...to a kid."

Diana giggled. "Don't worry. It's just a race. Maybe next you'd win!"

You ignored her sulking and muttering, "I lost to a kid. A kid".

Diana sweatdropped, "But you are also a kid. Even younger than me.."

"Okay. How about some strawberries to cheer you up?" Pierce said looking at the dejected girl. He somehow felt horrible even though he didn't do anything. This is the power of kids; to make feel you like the biggest scumbag on earth without even doing anything.

You perked at his. Food. Free food. Hell ya! You are all in.

You happily munched on the giant strawberry. It was big and delicious.

"Slow down, kid or else you'll choke." Pierce laughed.

"It's yummy, Mister! " You exclaimed happily. Diana nodded in agreement.

"I'm glad you like it, kid." Pierce waved you goodbye before going back to his field.

Licking your lips shamelessly, you turned to Diana. Yummy. "Wanna go to the stream? We could play there a lot and have lots of fun."

Diana swallowed the last bite before nodding. "A stream! Yes. Yes! We could wash our hands too."

You walked to the stream while making small talk. You gathered that Diana was a dancer from Siodonna provision summoned by the Emperor. That explains the funky clothes and head ornaments. She had tagged along with her Mother who was the lead dancer.

"I hope to become like my Mother. She's so graceful and beautiful when she dances. It's almost magical!" Diana exclaimed happily as you walked alongside her.

"Why become your Mother? I mean you could be you and still be like your mother."

You couldn't understand the hype of becoming someone else. You mean, you do you and still be cool and great like anyone.

"Huh?" Diana tilted her head towards you in confusion.

"I mean I haven't met your mother and all. But I can say one thing for sure you're graceful and beautiful. Have you seen yourself walk? It is almost like you walking on clouds. So elegant and graceful!" You eagerly explained to her. It was true. What you said, you were completely genuine about it.

Diana's cheeks flushed in slight embarrassment and happiness. No one had said that to her before. They always compared her to her Mother. So she always thought she had to become like her to meet their expectations. But what you said was kind and the nicest thing anyone ever said.

She felt a burden being lifted off her shoulders. You were right. She could be herself and become great like her mother. She didn't have to become her Mother for that.

"Let's become friends!" Diana stops and grasps your hands making you jolt in surprise.

You sweatdropped, taken aback by the sudden request. You squint at her as she sparkles with hope and anticipation.

"...."

Slowly Diana starts deflating. Sad about your rejection. Maybe she comes off too strong. Or maybe she's too old for you.

"I thought we were friends the moment we raced down and you won."

Diana blinks as she processes the words. Before a big, gleeful smile spread across her lips making her glow like a sun. She hugged you, feeling giddy.

"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" You gasped at the sheer strength the girl possessed as she continued tightening her hold on you.

"I never had a friend before. Not of my age. I'm so happy!!"

You could certainly see that.

But..

"Diana, you choking me. You'll lose your friend even before the friendship blooms." You spluttered, the air depleting as the second passed.

"Haha. You're funny, (Y/n)!" Diana giggled letting go of you.

You took a strangling deep breath. You weren't joking but whatever floats her boat.

You reached the stream without dying.

"It's beautiful!" Diana gasped in awe

A narrow stream flowed through the garden of flowers and vivid and lush grass field. Its water was crystal clear. You see the image of the sky and clouds reflecting on the clear water.

"It's breathtaking." You agreed with her. Hopefully, it didn't mean literally.

You eagerly walk forward wanting to get rid of the stickiness of the strawberry from your hands and mouth.

Only to trip on a stone and go tumbling down the slight slope and crash into the water with a splash.

You groaned. Why couldn't you do one simple thing without making fool of yourself?

Diana gasps, worrying for her newfound friend. "Are you alright?"

You laugh. And she relaxed. Before she too joined you in laughter. "You're too clumsy!"

"Hey! It's gravity's fault. Don't blame the poor me!"

Diana giggled before making her way to you carefully.

"You should be more careful though. You could have got hu-- Kyaaa!" Before she could finish she felt a cold liquid splash over her face.

"Take that!" You giggled still sitting in the water, soaked.

Diana wiped her face with her sleeve. She cutely glared at you. "Why did you do that? See I'm too soa--" only to be cut off by another water attack.

You innocently smiled at her. "You weren't soaked." You giggled " But now you are!"

Diana's brows twitched before with a battle cry she attacked you with water.

"Take that!" Splash. "You meanie!" Splash. "You started it" Splash. "But I'll finish it!" More splashes.

You struggled to breathe from the constant attack. Before giving up defending yourself and going all out.

"No! You're a meanie!" You giggled before coughing when the water filled your mouth. "Ack!"

"Ha! Serves you right!"

...

"Why are you all soaked up, ladies?" Nora asked as she tapped her feet impatiently.

You and Diana exchanged a glance. You had brought her with you because her mother was busy setting up tents.

You blinked as you saw Ether soundlessly sleeping in the bed, curled up with his ears twitching occasionally.

Damn, that psycho cat. Appearing and disappearing wherever he wants.

"She started it, Miss!"

You gasped at the ultimate betrayal. Looked in disbelief at Diana who sheepishly grinned back.

Oh, so she decided to throw you under the bus to save her own skin...

But she was right...kinda. But friends don't rat each other out!

Your brows twitched. You raised a shaking, accusing finger at her. "You traitor!"

Smack!

Iseka smacked you across the head and wordlessly left for the cupboard to bring towels and a change of clothes. Coughing she searched warm pairs for idiots like you.

"Ack!" You covered your head with a yelp. "What did I do?" You asked rubbing your sore head and sulking.

"Why would you play in the water? You know it's cold out there. And even the breeze is blowing. Now you'll catch a cold." Nora reprimanded. "You dragged your friend into this too!"

"Mom, we'll be fine And it's not too cold. Right, Diana?" You turned to your friend who nods vigorously.

"Yes, Miss it's not too cold out there. I didn't even feel anything."

Satisfied with her answer you turn to Momma with a smile. "See. And we are healthy and fit. There's no way we'd get col---"

Sneeze.

Nora deadpanned, "Bless you."

You sheepishly wiped your nose, watching Nora glare at you. "Well at least Diana is fin---"

Sneeze.

"....Never mind."

Nora deadpanned again, "Bless you too."

Diana giggled and you let out a nervous laugh.

You braced yourself for the lecture of the century to come....