Ying couldn't believe her luck. To think that she unknowingly bumped into someone who knew what the scroll was about and was ready to offer her a means of traveling to the Academy mentioned in the scroll as a place of discovering and training Magick. For what exact purpose to be granted the opportunity to attend lessons and train at the Academy, neither her elder sister Yun nor her Papa and Mama were sure when they first read the letter. 

They were all puzzled by the scroll's appearance bird-delivered to Yun by an owl, but they all decided going to the Academy was Yun's best bet to live a more carefree life away from the neverending clan wars. If one of their daughters had such blessings, Papa and Mama would wholeheartedly support the idea even though it pained them knowing their beloved child will be living far, far away from them.

Sadly, Ying was all that was left of their family to carry out the will of her parents, and her sister's dream of escaping to a whole new world. Ying had never coveted her sister's Academy enrolment, but now with them all gone, she felt like it was her sole responsibility to see the new Academy life from start to end. For Papa, Mama and Sissy's sakes.

Ying only nodded as she listened to the words that came from the lady Aisling's device. She understood most of it - the fact that Aisling received the same offer as well to study at the Academy, that traveling to the Academy may take days on foot, so it'd be best for her to tag along with Aisling since they will be school sisters soon - but she didn't know what to reply. Her hand also moved without thinking as she graciously accepted a snack from Aisling. Normally, she wouldn't trust taking any food from strangers but Aisling had been nice to her from the start. 

[i]Whoa...the snack tastes sweet and delicious[/i], Ying thought, happily munching.[i] If only Sissy could eat this too...[/i]

Ying looked on curiously as her new acquaintance seemed determined to play the role of a good hostess towards her. Weird looking clothes for her, shoes, towel, small bottles of...fragrances?, a straight tool with soft bristles on one end, a few tubes. The lady did mentioned about her disheveled appearance with the help of her gadget, and Ying understood Aisling was just trying to make her fit in. After all, with dirt on her face and some streaks of blood on her clothes from all the hunting and running, Ying was sticking out like a sore thumb in this new world.

Many signs and gestures later in her attempt to communicate with Aisling, Ying managed to wipe her body a little and change into one of the available sets of clothing in the cafe's toilet - a light blue top and a pair of tight-fitting jeans. She ran a finger along her long black hair. The ribbon accessories were still intact, but she would have to wait until she could find a proper place to wash her hair and retie the ribbons. She didn't have the heart to throw all her clothes despite the dirt, stains and stench...after all, they were the only remnants left from her world. That and her trusty dagger. Perhaps there's a stream nearby or a way she could wash and mend her clothes? She would ask Aisling later.

Her dagger...it looked odd in the hand-sewn scabbard belt that she tied around her waist with her current modern clothing. Like it or not, the dagger meant life to her, so...ahh, whatever. She couldn't be bothered with a lot of things anymore.

Now, food. Aisling told her earlier that she was hungry too, which was good news. They can eat something together, and they can travel to the Academy together after. And Ying wouldn't ask for anything more but silently prayed that the Goddess grant her enough strength to survive the uncertain days ahead.