It took a long time for consciousness to float to the surface. Like slowly feeling buoyancy from the deep sea, at first, only sounds were heard. Something like the sound of wind or the sound of water dripping from somewhere lingered in the ears, and beneath that, a thick scent of grapes settled, soaking the tip of the nose.

There are things you can't help but see when you open your eyes. A white space, an endless void, and the silhouette of a being sitting right in the middle. The silver hair looked almost white as it caught the light, and the tips of the pointed ears were caught on the boundary between shadow and light. The folded wings minutely contracted and expanded with every breath, and the purple light leaking through the gaps was the only source of color.

The last thing Guest remembers was being on the bed in their room. They were covered with a blanket, had set an alarm, and it was supposed to be the start of an ordinary day.