Otherworld Avatar

After leaving her parents behind, Mia told Lily that it was time for her to see the room she would be staying in. She led her back to the main hall, and up the great staircase. After climbing several flights of stairs, Lily really started to miss elevators, but she pushed on and they soon reached the top floor of the mansion.

"This floor is all mine," Mia said. "There is a library, a study, and several other rooms, but let's head to our bedrooms now." Lily tried to remember the layout as Mia led her down a wide corridor that ended up branching out. She saw a maid standing in front of a door on the left, and Mia wasted no time approaching her. "Has the room been prepared, as I instructed?" she inquired and the maid nodded. " Yes, my Lady. I've been instructed to provide any assistance your ladyship or Lady Lily might require," she said and Mia nodded herself. "Have the staff bring food and prepare the dining room for me and Lily, and then you can retire for the rest of the night," Mia instructed and the maid bowed gracefully before leaving. The girls entered the room, and once again, Lily was struck by the sheer opulence of the space. Leather furniture, woven rugs, and the largest bed she'd ever seen sat around the room.

"Do you like it?" Mia asked. "This room was always meant for whoever I Linked to, and I think the servants did a good job getting it ready."

"I don't know what to say. All of this is overwhelming for an ordinary girl like me," Lily answered earnestly. "Like I said, you better get used to it. As an Avatar of a god, people will often treat you like royalty," Mia said. "Not that someone as pretty and kind as you was ever ordinary."

"Uhm, thanks," was all that the red faced Lily could mutter out, but Mia saved her from further embarrassment by changing the topic. She pointed to one of the two doors which were on opposite sides of the room. She explained that one led to her room, and the other to the bathroom. She led Lily into it, and explained how everything functioned. The enchanted items were designed with capacitors, so that even a manaless person could use them, which was convenient, because Lily still didn't know how to use skills or wield mana properly. Mia suggested that the two of them take a quick shower before dinner, and then she would teach Lily about magic some more. Lily agreed, Mia went into her own room, leaving Lily alone with her thoughts for the first time that day.

Her mind was racing, starting to realize all the implications of her status as an Avatar (or Chosen, he didn't yet know if there was a difference in the terms). She knew saving a world wouldn't require simply killing monsters, but she had hoped to stay out of the limelight. It didn't seem like that was happening however, so she decided to focus on the present. She picked out clothes from one of the wardrobes - and that was a novel thing too, having multiple of those, got undressed and went into the shower. The temperature regulator was simple to use and Lily took great joy from her first shower since dying on Earth. After getting out and drying, she put on the nightgown she had picked out. It was red, with floral patterns, and its silken touch felt sensual on her damp skin. Mia had said she would join her when once she was ready, so Lily decided to check out the balcony. She opened the glass doors and stepped into the dark.

The air was cold, and no stars could be seen through the clouds. She heard thunderous rumbling in the distance, and she knew Mia was right about the oncoming storm. She stepped back, disappointed she could not stargaze, and made sure the door was firmly closed. She sat down on a sofa that was sinfully comfortable, and scanned the room. It was a far larger space than she ever expected, with all the necessary comforts, but it wasn't truly hers yet. She wasn't sure how long she would be staying at the Dawnheart estate, but she intended to add some personality to the room. I could start with a bookshelf and some books. Mia mentioned the floor had a library, maybe I could borrow some books about the history of the world and the previous Avatars of the gods.

One of her worries, other than the potential threat to the world, was not knowing how to act appropriately for her new station. Was she supposed to demand respect and obedience or offer help and encouragement? Where did she sit in the social hierarchy in relation to nobles and politicians? It wasn't something she had to think about in her previous life, nor was it something the heroic stories she read talked about often, but she didn't want to make a fool of herself and embarrass her goddess. She chuckled imagining the newspaper headlines:

"Champion of Dahlia commits a horrible faux pas - religion shaken to the core".

She doubted it would be that bad, but it was something to consider. Luckily, Mia seemed knowledgeable about that sort of thing, so Lily hoped she could get pointers from her.

Just then, the dark haired girl opened the door and stepped back into Lily's room. She wore a black kimono, with floral patterns matching Lily's, and once again Lily was stunned by her beauty.It clung to her damp body, accentuating her curves, and making it seem that she wore nothing underneath. Her emerald eyes seemed to pierce the soul and see inside - not an unreasonable thought considering what Lily knew of her friend's attunement, and in the moment, Lily's heart wished for nothing more than to stand up, grab Mia in her arms and kiss her softly. But once again her cautious mind would not follow where her heart and body wanted to go, so she sat still as the moment passed, as Mia walked towards the exit door.

"Let's grab something to eat, we've had a long day and only ate sandwiches, and while I don't want to offend her, I now know why Dahlia is not the goddess of cooking," Mia said, which made Lily chuckle. "I doubt she will strike you down for telling the truth," Lily replied in agreement and followed her outside.

They made their way across the hallway and into a small dining room, where they found the table set for two. It was a cozy space, with both a dim lantern and a scented candle lighting the area and the girls sat at the table, across from each other.

Lily found the food excellent, the flavor of the meat and vegetables blending perfectly, but she expected nothing less after seeing the opulence of the manor. Mia told her that the meat belonged to a predator from the jungles of Atara, and that it was one of the commodities her father traded in. Lily asked some questions about the vegetables, but before she could answer,Mia was startled by the sound of thunder outside.

Rain soon followed, and the rest of their meal was accompanied by the sound of raindrops hitting the windows. Combined with the candle, it made for one of the more romantic meals Lily ever had. The atmosphere chipped away at her caution, but she remained resolute in not making a move on Mia yet.

Unbeknownst to her, the raven haired girl was having similar troubles, unable to keep her eyes away from her companion. Mia was certain that the sight of Lily in the beautiful nightgown, purple eyes blazing in the soft lantern light, would make even the most devout follower of Sar, god of moderation, reconsider their vows. And she was no monk. The butterflies in her stomach certainly confirmed that, and they reminded her of the last time she felt this way. But surely Lily was different? She was so kind and caring and considerate, she would not break her heart the way she had. But she had been kind and considerate too, before revealing her true nature, Mia's mind protested, so she did nothing, except finish her meal. Lily was finished too so the girls exited the dining room, and made their way back. Mia stopped in front of the door leading into her room and pointed inside. "Time to show you a whole new world of magic," she said with a smile. "But I don't see any flying carpets," Lily responded with a smile of her own. "Excuse me, what?" Mia was confused,and Lily waved her off. "It's an Earth thing," she said and went inside.

That confused Mia even more, because from what Lily told her, Earth had no magic, but all she could do is shrug, and follow Lily in.