Picnic

With a simple clap of my hands, I summon a picnic basket that instantly appears in my grasp. It’s filled with all sorts of treats from my world—fresh fruits, cheese toasties, crisp salads, orange juice, and of course, some chocolate Tim Tams. I hand it to Daisy, whose wide green eyes blink in disbelief as she stares at the overflowing basket.

“Here, eat up,” I say gently.

Daisy hesitates, shaking her head politely. “Oh, n-no, Lady Lenora, I couldn’t possibly. This is too much.”

I smile warmly. “We can share. How about that?”

I settle down on the purple grass, patting the spot next to me. After a moment, Daisy gingerly sits beside me, still eyeing the food as though it’s something magical—which, I suppose, in a way, it is. I reach into the basket and pull out a cheese toasty, handing one to Daisy. She takes it cautiously, inspecting the golden-brown surface as though trying to figure out how it works. Her curiosity is adorable.

I break the ice by taking a big bite of mine, the satisfying crunch echoing in the stillness of the forest. The cheese melts perfectly in my mouth, warm and gooey, with just the right crispness on the edges. I grin to myself, proud of how well my creation magic is improving.

Seeing me enjoy the sandwich seems to encourage Daisy. She takes a tiny nibble at first, her face transforming as the flavors hit her. Her eyes widen, her expression cycling through shock, wonder, and finally pure joy. Within seconds, she’s devouring her toasty with pure joy.

“What do you call this?” she asks between bites, her voice filled with awe. “It’s the most amazing thing I’ve ever tasted!”

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “It’s called a cheese toasty. Basically, it’s a toasted sandwich with cheese inside. Simple, but delicious.” I finish mine and begin unpacking the rest of the basket, laying out all the goodies for Daisy to try. “Help yourself to whatever you like, Daisy. There’s plenty.”

She reaches for a banana next, holding it up like she’s inspecting a mysterious object from another world—which, to her, it might as well be. I grab another banana, snapping it in half and peeling it to demonstrate. “This is a banana. It’s a type of fruit from my homeland.”

Daisy mimics me, carefully peeling her banana and taking a small bite. Her face lights up again as she chews. “It’s so sweet and soft! We don’t have anything like this here,” she murmurs.

As we move on to the other foods, I find myself explaining each one in detail—what it is, how to eat it, and where it comes from. Daisy listens intently, her eyes wide with fascination. The concept of these simple foods is entirely foreign to her, and I realize just how different the Karmic Realm must be from my world.

By the time we finish the picnic, the basket is empty, and Daisy looks more content than I’ve ever seen her. She leans back on the purple grass, rubbing her belly with a satisfied smile.

“Thank you so much, Lady Lenora,” she says, her voice soft with gratitude. “I’ve never been so full in my entire twenty years. What were those last things we ate? Tam… Tams?”

I laugh. “Tim Tams,” I correct her gently. “They’re a chocolate biscuit sandwich covered in more chocolate. They’re even better with a hot drink like Milo or coffee.”

Daisy’s eyes light up, but then I see a flicker of sadness pass through them, and her smile falters. “I can’t go with you, can I?” she whispers, the light in her voice dimming. “If the ravens see me with you, they’ll punish me.”

Her words hit me hard, a painful reminder of the grim reality of this realm. I glance around at the beautiful, enchanted forest that surrounds us—the purple grass, the golden flowers, the shimmering light filtering through the trees—and it suddenly feels darker, more oppressive. The thought of Daisy—bright, kind Daisy—living in constant fear of the dark sorcerer and his ravens makes my heart ache.

“I won’t let them hurt you, Daisy,” I say, my voice low but firm. “Not while I’m here.”

She smiles at me, but it’s a sad, fleeting smile, as though she doesn’t quite believe me. “You’re kind, Lady Lenora. But the ravens… they’re always watching. They see everything.”

I reach out and gently touch her hand, the connection between us feeling as natural as breathing. “Things are going to change, Daisy. I promise you that.”

Her green eyes meet mine, and for the first time, I see a flicker of hope—small, but there. We sit in silence for a moment longer, the soft rustle of the wind in the trees and the distant trickle of the river the only sounds around us.