The clinic bustled with the usual rhythm of soft-spoken patients, rustling papers, and Lysandra's gentle voice offering reassurance. Her hands, once trained to wield ancient spells, now moved expertly over medical tools and notes. Healing had taken on a new form in her life—one grounded in science, compassion, and peace.
She found fulfillment here, surrounded by people who didn't know her past, who saw her only as Dr. Lysandra Moon, kind and capable.
In the evenings, she would meet up with friends—often Elias, who had quickly become the most consistent part of her new life. They'd go for drinks, laugh over silly jokes, or simply sit in silence watching the night unfold from a rooftop café.
Elias never asked for more than she was ready to give. That, in itself, was a gift.
---
The Invitation
It was during one such evening—after a long day at the clinic—that Elias leaned over his coffee and smiled at her.
> "Lys," he began, tone casual but eyes a little more earnest than usual, "my sister's engagement party is next weekend."
She paused, sipping her iced tea, and raised a curious brow.
> "Oh? Congratulations to her. Who's the lucky man?"
> "A surgeon. Met him at a conference. He's a decent guy. Whole family's pretty excited."
Lysandra smiled faintly, but her instincts prickled.
> "Sounds lovely… but why are you telling me this?"
Elias grinned.
> "Because I want you to come with me."
She blinked.
> "To a family party? Elias…"
> "Hey," he held up his hands in defense, "before you assume anything—no pressure. I just don't want to be alone there. You're the person I'm closest with right now. I thought… maybe it would be nice if you were there."
She looked at him thoughtfully, heart caught between gratitude and hesitation.
> "It's still a family event, Elias. What if they ask who I am to you?"
He chuckled and leaned back in his seat, eyes warm.
> "I'll tell them you're my best friend. Which is true. Unless you'd prefer I lie and say you're secretly in love with me."
She snorted, shaking her head with a smile.
> "You're ridiculous."
> "But charming," he added with a wink.
Lysandra hesitated for a moment longer, swirling her drink with the straw. Family gatherings were intimate. Sacred. She hadn't been to one in years—not even her own.
But Elias made everything feel easy.
Safe.
> "Alright," she said softly. "I'll come. But if your aunt starts asking me about babies, I'm leaving."
> "Deal," he laughed. "Though, to be fair, she asks everyone that."
They clinked their glasses together in agreement.
And somewhere in her chest, beneath the ache that still whispered of old wounds, Lysandra felt something new taking root—something light and steady.
A future not defined by grief.
Chapter: "The Dress and the First Step"
The golden rays of afternoon sun poured over the city streets as Lysandra and her friend Harper wandered into a boutique tucked between a flower shop and a quiet café. It had a quaint charm—lace curtains, mannequins in elegant silhouettes, and the soft scent of vanilla lingering in the air.
Lysandra trailed her fingers over the satin fabrics, her brows slightly furrowed in thought.
> "You're unusually quiet," Harper remarked with a teasing tone, stepping out from behind a rack of dresses. "Don't tell me you're nervous?"
Lysandra smiled faintly and nodded.
> "A little. This will be my first time attending a formal gathering like this. A family celebration, I mean."
Harper blinked.
> "Wait, really? You've never been to an engagement party before?"
Lysandra shook her head.
> "Not one that mattered. In my world… well, events like those were more political than personal. I was always just... present. Never really part of it."
Harper softened, reaching for her hand.
> "Well, this time you are part of it. You're Elias' guest. His special guest, if you ask me."
Lysandra rolled her eyes but chuckled.
> "He said I was his best friend."
> "That's just code for: 'I'd walk through fire for her but I'm too emotionally mature to make it weird.'"
Lysandra laughed, truly this time, and Harper grinned in triumph.
They continued browsing until Harper held up a sleek, off-shoulder midnight blue dress that shimmered subtly under the boutique lights.
> "This one. You'll look like magic."
> "A little too much magic, perhaps?" Lysandra said, tilting her head.
> "No such thing," Harper said firmly. "Try it on."
---
In the fitting room, Lysandra stood before the mirror, smoothing the dress over her frame. It hugged her body just right—elegant, understated, yet captivating.
She hardly recognized herself.
She looked… alive again.
Harper peeked through the curtain, then gasped.
> "You're wearing that. No arguments."
> "You think Elias' family will approve?"
> "If they don't, that's their problem. You're stunning."
Lysandra gave a small smile.
> "Thank you, Harper. For coming with me."
> "Of course. That's what friends do. And besides…" Harper winked. "If your goal was to move on and be reborn into this world, this dress is a pretty great start."
Lysandra looked into the mirror once more.
She wasn't the grieving girl from Moonwell anymore.
She was a woman who had endured loss… and chose to keep living.
She nodded at her reflection.
> "Let's buy it."