Lorelei was on the hunt for the deals and anything she could resell for a profit. She wandered in the market place pausing at any stall that seemed hopeful. She confidently strolled through the crowd knowing that they would take a glance at her face and move out of the way. She looked like she had enough of the day and would slap anyone that would bump into her. The few people that did bump into her or gave her a weird look got an angry glare that quickly shut them up. This was until she saw someone off to the side whose hair shifted and shone in its own way. The white and pink waves sparkled in the sun and the sweet face that they were on smiled kindly. She seemed off in her own world glancing around as to where she should head to find whatever she was looking for. Then someone shouted an angry remark in regard to Lorelei holding up the traffic of the market. Lorelei shouted something back at them before moving on.

Maybell went out to the market to find some new packets of seeds she could try growing in her garden. The market was a bustling place full of activity and other Mycenians looking for various wares. She swiftly wove her way around the crowds trying desperately trying to not get distracted by all the intriguing items. Pausing at one particular stand she failed at attempting to not be distracted. She glanced at all the different old looking booked searching for anything that caught her eye. Only instead of a book catching her eye, another Mycenian did. The glimmer of gold in her hair and fur made it hard not to notice her. She was arguing about the price of a shiny little trinket. The shop owner insisted on a too high of a price and she was having none of it. Maybell found herself listening in only staring a little until the shop owner caved and let her get the price she wanted. Maybell was stunned at her forcefulness. She smiled in triumph then noticed Maybell. She seemingly glared at her, but Maybell wasn’t fazed. She was in awe and could tell that Lorelei didn’t mean to be mean.  Lorelei seemed curious at her reaction, but she had places to be and there were deals to be found so she turned and left. Before she was lost in the crowd she paused turned back and said, “My name’s Lorelei. Perhaps I’ll see you around?”

Before Maybell could respond she was gone. She stood and stared into the space where Lorelei stood. She shook it off knowing she still had to find those seeds before she left so she turned and went off into the crowd again.

Maybell had wanted to find her again. For the next few days, she asked all her visitors about this mysterious Lorelei until she found someone who knew her. She bribed this guest with a box of cupcakes so that they would help Maybell meet Lorelei again. The guest contacted Lorelei and they managed to convince Lorelei to meet Maybell again in a little park where they had a sort of date. It really was as awkward as it sounds.

The sun was slowly setting behind Maybell’s little home. A warm glow laying gently on the large field and little garden that laid behind her home. Maybell moved quickly around the house preparing for Lorelei’s visit. The air was filled with the scent of vanilla sugar and freshly baked bread. Soft chirping and distant howls echoed through the air.  Curious gazes peeked at Maybell wondering what the commotion was about. Her favorite owl sat on his perch silently aware of what her preparations were for. He had seen it before many times and had pieced together that it must mean a special visitor was soon to be there. As if on cue knocking could be heard at the front door, and a light sort of sing-song voice is heard from beyond the door, “Maybell? May I come in darling? I have brought goodies! Oh, and I have just the most marvelous stories to share with you.“Maybell paused momentarily to survey the work she had accomplished in the little time she had to prepare while a bright shining smile showed itself on her face. She responded unable to hold back the glee in her voice, “The door is unlocked, as always! I have a delicious dinner all planned out. I even have some bread baking!”

The old wooden door squeaked open, and Lorelei stepped in closing the door behind her. Bags hung off her arms that carried the undeniable scent of cookies, strawberries, and well used wooden games and cards. She set the bags down in the kitchen and turned to Maybell, “So, just what is this amazing meal you are talking about? That bread does smell delightful. Will it be ready soon? Oh, and what would you like me to help out with? I am not letting you take care of all this on your own darling.”

“We are having some veggie pasta with some mushrooms from my garden. As a side, we are also having some focaccia bread. The bread should be don’t baking in a few minutes. Almost everything is already finished so don’t worry! I love cooking for you. I am also boiling a pot for some tea. What do you feel like having tonight? I have a new herbal tea we could try!”

“Oh lovely! That does sound absolutely lovely. I would love any type of tea you fancy having. You know I don’t mind cooking either. Anyway, I must show you the cookies I bought. I passed by that local bakery near my house and smelled them. I thought of you immediately so I bought a few.”

“Please do! Please tell me they are strawberry sugar cookies!”

“Hah, I can’t fool you and that nose. Of course, they are.”

Lorelei reached into the large woven bag and pulled out a little white paper bag and handed them to Maybell. Maybell stuck her face into the bag and took a large sniff knowing she has to wait until after dinner otherwise she would gobble them all right now. Maybell began humming a soft tune while finishing up dinner. Lorelei joined her in the humming and they moved all the food over to the table. Together they brought the focaccia bread over with a large bread knife. Lorelei chatted about this odd fellow she saw in the bakery she visited. He had this strange posture and his mannerisms seemed so off. He asked about all the different items taking so incredibly long that she had considered giving up on the cookies. He eventually ordered a custom made bread with just the weirdest ingredients and instructions. At least the long wait eventually resulted in the cookies. Maybell spoke about her latest visitor that day. He told about all the intriguing things he had encountered during his travels. He boasted about his conquests. Maybell had silently doubted the accuracy of and she told Lorelei this when retelling his stories. Maybell wondered out loud if the two of them should go on their own adventure someday and what they could find.

Maybell tried one of the cookies that Lorelei brought and her face lit up. She absolutely adored it. They brought out all the games they had and played the night away while snacking on all the sweets they could gather up. They used the last cookie as the prize for a large tournament of all the different games. Whoever could get the most amount of points after they played all the games would win. Each game they wagered a point. Considering that a sweet was involved, Maybell of course won. Lorelei didn’t mind. She had intended all the cookies to be for Maybell, but Maybell insisted that they share them. The moon was high in the sky before they gave in and went to bed.