A Step At A Time

    The sun had risen higher up to the sky,yet they sky was slightly gloomy. However, no signs of rain could be seen through the perimeters of the cloudy sky. Few neighbors lay under the shadows of the tall magnolias that had been outsmarted by the few fruitful trees.

A step at a time Auriane moved deeper into the woods of the Moon district, under the unconcerned eyes of the few neighbors that saw her. Luckily no one asked her questions, because she would be too lazy to answer them.

Luckily she was able to escape their gaze before anyone changed his or her mind to question why a thirteen year girl like her would venture alone in the woods. Afterall, they didn't need to know, as long she knew her steps it was enough, though it wasn't anything special, she just knew that she had to do it.

The deeper Auriane moved further into the woods, the more shadows of trees covered her above, until she finally stopped in front of a yard. Right in front of her was a magnificent tree house. It was simple and not too sophisticated, with few windows counted she could tell from it that the house probably had two rooms, a dinning shed and a kitchen. That was just her guess, but she felt that it was an instinct that needed to be taken seriously. The environment was cool and refreshing, a perfect place to relax.

"Little girl, why are you here?"

Auriane turned to face the elderly lady whom she met in the woods. It was the first face she saw as soon as she was reborn and since then she felt that her meeting with the elder lady could only be fate.

She wouldn't have said the same thing in her past life and the next time they met, she would listen to Angel and ignore the elder lady even when she was needy. The same old lady who was feared by children because they thought she was a witch had always been quite indifferent.

She could still recall the mocking faces of the youths and the scared expression of children who grew up knowing that mama Ben was witch in the woods. As to why the rumour started, it was simply because of her isolated home.

   Actually no one knew much about the elder lady who lived all by herself in the deeper area of the woods. No one knew where she came from, neither who was her family, even the memories of her past life couldn't help her to tell much about the mysterious elder lady. Even so, Auriane didn't walk back or regret coming deep into the woods to meet the elder lady.

"I came to visit you, do you any accept guest?"

The elder lady pursed her pale lips that had cracked for some reasons. She intently observed the little girl that suddenly appeared in front of her when she least expected.

"It's just been a few hours since we met, but your complexion is already fairer. Not to its best, but better than when we had met earlier."

   The elder lady turned her back on Auriane and walked further towards the steps of her little tree house. Then she suddenly turned to look at Auriane who was still waiting to receive an invitation from her.

The little girl had indeed become better in just a few hours. Her face was dazzling and her emerald green eyes didn't look void any longer. But rather it seems to be full of life and determination. The old lady smiled after seizing her up for a while, she felt satisfied.

"Usually, no one wants to be a guest here, so I won't decline the first guest, you should feel honored, come on in."

   For some reasons Auriane was elated when the elder lady invited her in. She hadn't been expecting much, she just felt that she had to visit the elder lady. She no longer believed in coincidence, nor the direction of life, she just believed in her own logic and followed her instinct.

Auriane obediently followed the old lady to he little cozy home which didn't have much as furniture. The little she had could be said enough like an old lady like her.

The living room was connected to her room, with mostly bamboo beds, chairs, tables and even the bed was made of bamboo. Of course there was a mattress and and soft cushions at each side of the short bamboo table.

While Auriane was still observing the home that she found even more a home than where Stella and her family lived. 

Suddenly her nose was caressed by the sweet fragrance that made her search with her nose until the old lady came with a jar and three cups. Beside it were exquisitely made moon cakes.

"I didn't expect any visitors so I only prepared this for now."

The elderly lady placed a cup in front of her and filled it slightly to the brim with a clear yellowish liquid with herbal but sweet fragrance. 

"I only take herbal tea, but if you feel that you can't drink it, you can have the moon cakes."

"Thanks!", Auriane politely said before taking up the ceramic cup towards her lips, but she sniffed the sweet smell of herbs that was even more pleasant to the nose. She had never taken herbal tea in her life, so she was anticipating the feeling it would give her. 

But she had already set her mind that even if it felt bitter she wouldn't show any expression, in order not to embarrass the elder lady who had made a lot of effort to offer her a war welcome.

Auriane took a sip of the tea after anticipating for a while, but the next second in her greatest expectations she couldn't help but want more. The herbal tea was the complete opposite of what she had thought. If she had to be precised, then she would gladly declare that it was the best tea ever.

"What do you think of my herbal tea, may I have your honest respond?"

   The elderly had asked, as if she had known what Auriane had thought before taking a sip of the tea, luckily she could give a honest respond without feeling embarrassed.

"Actually, I've never had herbal tea before.", Though she had some quality ones in her previous life, her thirteen year old self hadn't tasted any yet, so it shouldn't be a lie to say she had never had one yet.

"But I can tell that the herbal tea you made is quite exquisite. I suddenly feel refreshed after taking a few sip."

"Of course, it's medicinal."

"I understand."

"Can you tell me if you recognize any of its ingredients?"

Auriane wasn't confident that she could recognize anything from the sweet fragrance. The fragrance was strong enough to conceal its ingredients but she didn't decide to give up. At least she needed to give it a try and only then would she be able to tell if she was capable or not.

After taking a whiff from her cup, Auriane proudly looked at Mama Ben with a smile.

"Chrysanthemum leaves."

   Auriane gave a her answer and though she wasn't much confident, she didn't show it. She just gave the impression of a novice.

"The chrysanthemum is supposed to be concealed, but you guessed it right, it seems you know a little about plants."

"Not much that I could brag about.", Auriane took another sip of her tea and looked into the clear chrysanthemum tea that could barely reflect her image.

The she that she could see still reminded her of her old self, she might have changed, but she hadn't achieved much. And she had no idea how she would start. She was merely an orphan with no one to help, not even her father would look up to her. Now she was only left with a sister and as for their survival, it might still be a long way to go.

"Chrysanthemum tea helps to lower the blood pressure, cool the body, and reduce inflammation, all of which can help induce calmness. The powerful antioxidants and minerals present in the infusion can help your body to better regulate itself and eliminate unnecessary stress hormones in the blood."

"Little girl, you should drink more of it, you're still young,carrying so much stress isn't good for your health. You won't reach for anything just by looking at the steps, one step at a time should be enough, just remember that others have more than a burden in their hearts."

Mama Ben filled up her cup once again, she didn't ask Auriane what was bothering her, but simply gave her a simple advice.She didn't probe any further, so Auriane didn't say anything either.

Maybe she just didn't need to remind an elderly lady who was wiser than her, as if there was something that could escape her sight.

' one step at time? '

Mama Ben was right, she might have noachieved anything for the moment, but there was no need to worry, she just needed to take it slowly, a step at a time.

    With a smile Auriane took another sip of her tea, but while she looked out of the window she was surprised by the person who had carried logs of woods.

' So powerful! '

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