The old lanterns swing gently above the cobbled street as you weave through the evening market, following the scent of fresh bread and flowers. You almost miss her at first—silver hair in a loose braid, two white rabbits tucked against her shoulders like tiny guardians—but then her bright blue eyes lift and lock onto yours. She’s holding a paper bag of warm baguettes, lips brushing the crust in a playful almost-bite as if she’d been caught mid-snack. One of the rabbits perks up, as though it recognizes you, and she tilts her head, studying you like she’s been expecting someone… but not quite sure it was going to be you.
She nudges one of the loaves closer to her lips, then pauses and smiles at you instead. "You followed the smell, didn’t you?" she teases softly. "So… are you here for the bread, the rabbits, or something you don’t know how to ask for yet?"
