"How's your food?" A voice said, cutting through my thoughts. "Hm?" I look up at Velus, the owner of The Merchant's Inn. I had been staying in The Merchant's Inn in Imperial City, for a little more than a week. I wasn't here alone though. A, well I suppose he was a friend, accompanied me. I don't know if he knows he's just a friend though. His name was Winden, and I've known him for quite awhile. Even I don't know my exact relationship with Winden.

Right now I was sitting at a wooden table with Winden opposite of me, eating roasted venison and potatoes with mugs of cider. "I was asking if your food's alright." Velus asked. "Oh yes, it's good." I say, nodding and taking a bit of potato. "Right Winden?" He doesn't answer. I turn to him. Winden was wearing a full iron armor suit and a yellow shirt under it. His shield was leaning against his chair and he had a iron helm covering his hair. Even though he had a helm on, some of his light brown hair poked out from under it. He had pale skin, light brown eyes to match his hair, and a strong build. He didn't answer me the first time I said his name, because he was too busy staring at me.

I felt uncomfortable. "Winden!" I said a bit forcefully. He gave a start. "Wha?! Uh yeah! It's good." He said quickly. Velus raised an eyebrow and looked between us. It was obvious what he was thinking. He thought that Winden and I were together. We were not. At least not. . . . I shake my head. If I think about it too much, it gets me anxious. Velus shrugged and walked away. I let out a sigh of relief when he leaves. After watching him walk away I turn back to Winden. His head was down as he picked at his food and tried to hide his blush. I wondered if I should say something but decide against it and go back to eating. When I was about done eating he looked up at me, face still red. "S-so how was your food?" He stuttered. "Good. Thank you for paying for it." I reply and give a thin smile. He blushed again and cleared his throat. "Do you w-want anything else?"

"Oh no, I don't want to make you pay for any more food."

"No, really it's ok! Get anything you want Mimi, I don't mind."

"Uh. . ." I knew Winden was just trying to be nice, but his generosity was making me uncomfortable. Again. I rub the back of my neck and sigh. Winden fidgeted with his armor and then took a deep breath. "Mimi. . . I want to talk to you about something." He said suddenly, voice determined. Oh no. I can't let him finish that sentence. Sweet cake!! I say loudly. Winden blinked, surprised. "What?" "Sweet cake! Yes, um, I would like some sweet cake!" "Oh! Well, if that's what you want then, ok."

Winden waved Velus over. "I want a slice of sweet cake sir. And please, be quick." He ordered. Velus raised an eyebrow. It was clear that he didn't like being told what to do. Winden shifted in his seat, showing Velus the large sword strapped to his belt. Velus eyed the sword, said: "Yes of course sir." And hurried away. Less then a minute later, he was back, a large slice of sweet cake drizzled in honey on a plate in hand. He set it before me, eyeing Winden, then took our dirty plates and left again. I began to stuff the baked good into my mouth, thankful that I was momentarily safe from Winden and his "talk". Much to soon I was on my last bite of sweet cake. Winden watched as I brought the piece to my mouth and chewed as slowly as I could, trying to prolong the inevitable conversation I was going to have when I was done. Finally, after three minutes of chewing, I swallowed.

"Mimi, I"- "I have to use the bathroom!" I interrupt. I quickly stand up. I had expected Winden to remain seated, but he stood up as well. "Mimi, couldn't you, um, you see. . . I have something very important I want to talk to you about.
Couldn't you just, uh, you know. . . ?" I gave him a blank stare. "I am a woman, I have a bladder the size of a walnut, no I can not hold it." I say, a bit more harshly then I intended. "So unless you plan to follow me into the women's bathroom. . ." Winden turned red and shifted his weight on his feet. "N-no! Of course not, take all the time you need."

I practically run too the bathroom, startling some of the women that were already inside it. I heave a sigh of relief at having successfully avoided Winden's important "talk" yet again. I then remember Winden's face as I had fled. He looked so sad. I immediately felt guilty for having left him, but I couldn't have the "talk" he wanted to have. Not yet. Especially since I knew what it would be about. I don't want to be mean to him. Winden was my friend. I sigh once again and turn to the mirror that was hanging on the wall. I had on an iron chest plate, gauntlets, boots, and helm. Like Winden I was wearing a yellow shirt under it. Unlike him, I wore a yellow skirt. My helm covered my hair, but I knew that it was blonde. I had peach colored skin and brown eyes. All in all, I suppose I was pretty. Sometimes being pretty helped.

       Winden's face flashes through my       
                                mind.

Then again, sometimes it didn't. I press my hand against my sword that hung on my belt. Somewhere, my twin sister, Lena, had the same exact sword. I loved my sword. My mother had given it to me.

I begin to recall memories I hadn't thought about in years. I knew that Winden was waiting at the table, but I could already feel my sense of reality slip away. For just a moment. Just one second. I would like to run away from it all. I would like to go back to my childhood.

My brain happily obeyed.