One of the staff served lunch for the two of them after seeing Marisa had company, it was quiet.
Marisa couldn't help but stare at Lyra neglecting her own food as she watched the young child eat, Lyra had this habit of holding her hand near her mouth as she chewed with her finger food.
Lyra shifted uncomfortably under Marisa's gaze, not knowing what to expect from the woman who looked at her in a way that her father rarely did when he thought she wasn't looking.
Marisa had no idea what she was going to do, she didn't know how to handle a child let alone raise one. She hadn't had the chance to, once the trial was over Lyra was taken from the nunnery by Asriel and she never saw her after she was born until now.
She hadn't gotten to know her child at all, now she had her for two months. Once Asriel came back she would give him her two cents until then Lyra was the priority.
Lyra chewed the carrots beside her untouched sandwich, having not eaten anything since early that morning when she had left Jordan.
Lyra sat low in the chair just barely reaching the right height on the table, she was a small thing captivating Marisa with a curiosity. This was the same baby that she held in her arms, who cried and she soothed. She only held her for one night.
The girl has grown a bit since then.
There was no denying who the little girl was, she had her nose.
Lyra dangled her feet from the chair, she then finished the last carrot upon her plate. Looking down noticing Marisa's eyes on her she swung her feet from the chair to fill her boredom.
"Aren't you hungry?"
Marisa asked, eying the untouched sandwich upon Lyra's plate, wondering why the girl had not touched it after she enthusiastically finished all her carrots.
Lyra's little eyes gazed back at her before eying the sandwich upon her plate in question.
"I don't like the crust"
Lyra supplied, mumbling nervous and unsure about not wanting to be rude after being taught by Dr. Carne and Charles manners.
Marisa had not expected the girl to be picky about a feeble thing such as crust on a sandwich, Marisa not knowing what overcame her suddenly stood up from her chair before walking over to Lyra's side.
Lyra watched her curiously not knowing what the woman was doing, Marisa reached for a knife upon the table from Lyra's place setting before promptly cutting off the crusts of the sandwich.
"There"
Marisa announced once she was done placing the knife back down, then Lyra smiled with a toothy adorable smile looking up at Marisa.
"Thank you"
Suddenly Marisa felt her heart flutter with an indescribable feeling. She smiled a soft genuine smile, the first one in years.
As Lyra reached for the sandwich and silently began to eat it, Marisa had the urge to brush the girl's hair from her face however she stopped herself.
Marisa then retreated back to her chair on the opposite side of the table, she continued to eat alongside Lyra.
Only glancing up when Lyra suddenly began choking upon her sandwich, which prompted Marisa to become fearful as the little girl reached her small hands for the glass of milk set out for her.
Lyra reached for the milk with one hand, before she could even comprehend the glass slipped from her hand spilling onto the floor into a puddle while Lyra continued to choke and cough from the sandwich.
The golden monkey sprung away in reaction to the glass shattering and the spill, Marisa was on her feet in an instant reaching Lyra. One of the staff members emerged at the sudden sound, seeing the broken glass, and the spill quickly went to clean it.
"Lyra?"
Marisa asked urgently as the little girl coughed, as her staff member cleaned up the spilled milk. Marisa reached for the small pitcher of milk and poured another glass for the little girl, before placing a hand upon Lyra's back and bringing the glass to the girl's lips.
"Small sips"
Lyra reached one hand for the glass as she drank, however, Marisa still held it firmly for the girl to drink. Lyra finished drinking and was breathing heavily, Marisa lowered the glass from her mouth seeing she was done.
"Are you alright?"
Marisa asked worriedly, it was foreign. The worrying. Lyra nodded with a worried expression.
"I'm sorry"
Lyra spoke softly, fearful that she had angered the woman and upset her.
Marisa placed her hand in the girl's hair stroking it softly.
"It was just spilled milk, nothing to worry about. It's alright"
She reassured the little girl, who nodded in response, her shoulders relaxing slightly. Seeing that lunch had taken a turn, leading to broken glass. Marisa eyed Lyra, noting the backpack the girl brought.
"Right...Lyra, since you are going to be spending two months in my care I was wondering what you brought with you?"
Lyra then reached for her backpack quickly to show Marisa what was inside proudly. Lyra reached in touching the things inside, placing them on the table.
"I have my book, journal, blan-" Lyra cut herself off, shoving something back into the bag before Marisa could see. Lyra's reaction did not go unnoticed, however, she did not ask. Marisa was more concerned with a more pressing matter as the girl didn't say anything about any clothes.
"Haven't you brought any clothes?"
Lyra then scrunched up her face in thought, as she realized something.
"No"
Marisa sighed before glancing into the living room before checking her watch.
"We'll have to fix that"
Marisa gathered her purse along with her coat, as she entered the lift along with Lyra close by. Reaching the lobby of her flat, they both exited the building together. They were to go down the block to the local children's clothes shop and pick up some clothes for Lyra, as they reached the sidewalk Marisa noticed the countless people out and about.
Marisa glanced at Lyra in apprehension before she lowered her hand.
"Hold my hand and stay close Lyra"
Marisa felt Lyra's little hand then grip her's unsure before she took the girl's hand in hers properly as they began to walk. As they walked Marisa noticed how some women would look at her and Lyra, mostly other women with children themselves.
Lyra mainly looked around in awe not having been in London before, only knowing the grounds and expansive lands of Jordan college. It was an interesting sight, she noticed the shop windows mostly and the numerous people which made her let out a small crying moan of shyness as she moved as close to Marisa as she could.
Marisa tried not to pay attention as she focused on reaching the store and achieving what they went out to do. Marisa noticed Lyra's fascination with the window displays which contained various objects, toys, and clothes. Reaching the store, the door was held open for them as they were greeted by a sales associate.
"Hello welcome Woodorfs, Ma'am. How could I help you today?"
A charming lady with pearls upon her neck and red dress greeted Lyra and Marisa, Lyra smiled softly at the nice lady while Marisa got down to business.
"Hello, Lyra here needs a complete wardrobe such as socks, undergarments, dresses, jackets, and shoes. I was wondering if we could have some assistance?"
Marisa asked in a charming smooth voice, the lady then noticed Lyra.
The sales lady smiling leaned down to Lyra's height, having a way with children working in the store.
"How old are you darling?"
Lyra smiled at the lady shy, leaning close to Marisa who stood there in the interest of the lady speaking to Lyra.
"I'm five"
Lyra held out her free hand showing her fingers how old she is. Marisa couldn't help but smile at Lyra as she did so before she wiped it off her face. She missed five years.
"My goodness is that so?" she smirked at Lyra being kind, noticing the slightly protective look from Marisa the lady went to show them to the girl's clothes department.
The lady leads them upstairs to the second floor to the girl's clothes department.
"If you follow me, Ma'am, the little girl's department is in this direction"
The kind sales lady led them to a fitting corner, where there was a pedestal for children to stand and get measurements along with some dressing rooms behind it.
Marisa sat upon the circle couch, next to the pedestal where the other mothers would sit. The whole ordeal with throwing her through a loop as she noticed the various other children and mothers in the shop. She was thankful no one else was near them for the time being, her golden monkey leaped up to sit beside her.
"Do you happen to know her sizes?"
Marisa was pulled from her gaze and thoughts about the other mothers as the sales lady asked a question.
"Pardon?"
Marisa asks having not heard her.
"Her sizes, do you happen to know them?"
Of course, all the other mothers would know their children's clothes size however not Marisa.
The thought hit her, she looked down in thought before lifting her head to the woman.
"Unfortunately no"
The woman seeing Marisa's expression smiled softly "No matter, it will only take a minute to measure. Hop up here little love" the woman gestured for Lyra to go upon the pedestal which she did with a smile.
"Right let's see, lift your arms dear" Lyra did as she was told, however, ended up getting impatient and antsy mid-way through the measurements.
Lyra shifted from foot to foot "Hold still dear" the lady asked nicely, knowing children usually do this after waiting a bit.
Marisa noticing Lyra fidgeting raised an eyebrow in annoyance
"Lyra ''
She scolded lightly in a motherly warning, causing Lyra to look over to Marisa slightly fearful. Lyra has never had a mother, did not get scolded much only by Mrs. Lonsdale, Dr. Carne, or Charles. It was foreign and she did not expect it. On top of that, Lyra hasn't gotten to know her mother yet; they were still practically strangers.
Lyra's eyes pierced her, which changed her expression as she was flooded with slight guilt that the girl already feared her. She had to be careful, she was reminded that the little girl knew that she had given her away.
"Alright, now you wait here while I go fetch some clothes for you to try on"
The lady smiled before jetting off to find said clothes leaving Lyra and Marisa.
Lyra slowly got down from the pedestal, seeing the golden monkey and Marisa sitting upon the couch Lyra opted to look around the area instead of sitting next to her. Marisa noticed this and sighed watching Lyra, her own daughter did not trust her nor know her.
Who knows what things Asriel told Lyra about her.
"Lyra stay close, we don't want you getting lost"
Lyra hearing her words came over to Marisa, she suddenly reached out grabbing both of Lyra's hands into hers, grabbing the girl's attention.
Lyra looked up to Marisa as Marisa opened her mouth slightly as to speak before second-guessing herself and closing her mouth opting to smile softly instead. Lyra turned her gaze looking for the kind saleswoman to return.
"Lyra, I know we only just met however I want you to know. I am happy to have you with me"
Her words made Lyra look directly at Marisa, who patted Lyra's hands comfortingly. Lyra stared at Marisa's face for a second or two before she smiled softly in response.
"Really?"
"Really"
Marisa confirmed repeating the girl, with a soft smile. Marisa then brushed the hair from Lyra's face for a moment seizing her to really look at Lyra's features cataloging her face to memory.
"Here we are"
The sales lady broke them out of the moment, she was carrying multiple dresses and clothes along with her, setting them down upon the nearby rack next to the dressing room door a foot away.
Afterward, Lyra tried on multiple dresses which made her frustrated since she did not always just like dresses, she liked to move around and play in her clothes. Nothing constrictive, Marisa smiled from her seat at the sight of Lyra in frilly adorable and charming dresses.
There were multiple outfits that were picked out for Lyra to wear, the sales lady slipping in some outfits Lyra preferred. Lyra then tried on a blue dress that suited her perfectly causing Marisa to gasp slightly at the sight. Lyra looked so adorable and eye-catching in the dress, Lyra looked like a mini-me of Marisa.
Marisa stood up off the couch in interest and slight excitement, she placed her Lyra in front of her in the mirror and noticed their similarities.
"This dress is perfect, blue is certainly your color"
Lyra smiled under Marisa's praise, Marisa reached up to Lyra's hair stroking it softly before letting go and turning to the saleswoman.
"We will be taking this one"
The lady nodded in response placing it with the approved outfits picked out already. Lyra continued to try on outfit after outfit, Marisa getting more involved now in choosing colors and types for Lyra.
Eventually, there was only so much trying on that Lyra could take, she was starting to get frustrated showing some slight annoyance. The sales lady, seeing Lyra beginning to get frustrated, knowing kids, and wanting to avoid a meltdown or tantrum, quickly gathered all the dresses and outfits. The outfits included some dresses, pajamas, along with three coats.
Everything that had been requested the lady brought over to add such as socks and undergarments, Marisa picked out some hair accessories for Lyra to wear while they waited. Lyra sat up on the couch waiting, after a while the golden monkey who sat next to Lyra started to get antsy as Lyra shifted left to right on the couch uncomfortable. Marisa averted her gaze from the table of hair accessories towards her fidgeting daughter.
"Lyra?" Marisa approached Lyra who attempted to stop fidgeting however couldn't help it.
Lyra squirmed on the couch looking to Marisa with pleading eyes as she cried out.
"Loo"
Marisa's eyes widened as she hadn't expected this scenario, realizing the situation she quickly grabbed Lyra's hand seeing the sales lady return.
"Where is the restroom?" Lyra continued to squirm holding it in, she made a soft moan in distress.
"Over that way"
The sales lady directed them to the corner of the floor, where the restrooms were located. Marisa walked quickly with grace towards the restrooms with Lyra clinging to her hand. Lyra was jumping a bit as she continued to hold it in, wanting to go to the restroom.
They entered the lady's room, which contained various other women and little girls. Marisa brought Lyra over to the only open stall, Marisa turned to Lyra in distress.
"Are you-"
Lyra did not leave time for Marisa to answer for she slammed the white stall door shut quickly hopping onto the loo.
Marisa sighed in relief, thanking the authority that Lyra had been potty trained, she leaned against the stall door waiting for Lyra when suddenly she and the other woman heard a little voice begin to sing.
"Sit in shadow long and no one hears miss kong and then one lemon lump sand-fly sandy cake sailing in clay uh"
Then it went silent, all the mothers in the bathroom were looking at the stall Lyra was in, and at Marisa who melted under the little girl singing the song incorrectly, she was also slightly embarrassed. All the mothers had soft eyes and their hearts melted at the cute song the little one sang, it must have been a song to help when the girl was potty trained.
Marisa embarrassed hearing no noise from the stall then took her knuckle and knocked lightly.
"Are you finished Lyra?"
Hearing no noise Marisa knocked again.
"I can't.."
Lyra's little voice spoke out as if she was struggling with something.
Marisa then covered her body over the stall opening as she opened it before letting herself into the stall where Lyra was struggling to put her dress back on right; she closed the stall behind her. Marisa then instinctively helped her, before flushing.
Marisa opened the stall once Lyra was properly dressed once more, the girl was happier and relieved that she no longer had to go to the bathroom. Lyra walked over to the sink only was not able to reach it from her height, Lyra then pulled upon Marisa's dress to get her attention which startled her.
"I can't reach it"
Lyra pointed to the sinks to wash up, Marisa noticing the looks from the other mother's then lifted Lyra up.
The little girl was surprisingly light, she settled Lyra upon her hip before leaning near the sinks allowing Lyra to wash. Mrs. Lonsdale taught her how to wash her hands, however, she did so sloppily; her hands still ended up clean.
They then left the restrooms to return to the saleswoman to get checked out, as they approached where they were before. Lyra shifted in her arms placing her arms around Marisa's neck, it was then that Marisa realized she still held the little girl. She then placed Lyra back down and once she had done so she realized she missed holding her.
She pushed the thought to the back of her mind as she asked the saleswoman to wrap up their purchases and that they wished to checkout. Marisa was then directed downstairs to the cashiers where Lyra's clothes were to be rung up, Marisa went to stand on the queue however failed to notice little Lyra.
As they had gone downstairs to the main floor to check out, little Lyra had been enamored by all the various toys and trinkets. Lyra softly let go of Marisa's hand without the woman noticing her absence and looked throughout the various toys with wonder.
Lyra being from Jordan College had never seen many toys before let alone owned any, there were various toys such as jump ropes, colorful building blocks, kites, balloons, drawing supplies, balls, stuffed animals, and dolls.
Marisa, was finishing up at the cashiers paying the man behind the counter as all of Lyra's clothes, were wrapped up and sent to be delivered to her flat later today.
Marisa closing her purse then noticed Lyra absent, suddenly fear unlike no other gripped her as her eyes widened and her eyes scanned the shop for Lyra.
"Lyra?"
Marisa struggled to move past some people as she strained to find Lyra, her fear mounting with each second seeing children that looked like Lyra however were not her.
"Lyra!"
Marisa then shouted her fear reaching a new height as she failed to find Lyra, she moved throughout the children.
The golden monkey climbed upon shelves to get a better view screeching out in cries searching for the little girl and her little daemon.
The other people inside the store noticed Marisa frantic looking for her child and began to worry themselves knowing what it was like to almost lose their child in a store. Some offered to help her find Lyra, calling out her name along with Marisa.
Suddenly the golden monkey leaped onto a display near a brown-haired little girl screeching out catching Marisa's attention as she rapidly made her way towards her daemon.
Marisa grabbed Lyra harshly, firmly gripping the girl's arms and turning her around causing a stuffed panserbjørn bear to fall from the girl's hand.
"Lyra!"
Marisa shouted at her daughter causing the girl to gasp in fright before seeing the angry face of Marisa who was furious and embarrassed.
"Don't you ever walk away like that, you near frightened me to death!"
Lyra began to cry loudly, Marisa's expression softened seeing Lyra dissolve into tears hiccuping and sobbing crying out across the store. Lyra's daemon Pan curled around the girl's neck protectively hiding his face as sad and scared as Lyra.
"I'm sorry"
Lyra cried out as tears streamed down her face, she struggled to breathe as she was scared, in shock and overcome with tears. Marisa seeing Lyra regretted her actions, was so worried and Lyra had walked away from her so she was angry; she didn't like not being in control of a situation.
Marisa then bent down and brought Lyra into her, bringing her into a hug. She ran her fingers through Lyra's hair soothingly clutching the girl's head in her shoulder and neck.
"I didn't mean. I didn't mean it" Marisa shushed Lyra holding her tight as Lyra cried hiccuping still against her. After a while Lyra began to get her breathing back under control however still shook with some hiccups and tears continued to fall.
Marisa noticing the looks she was receiving lifted Lyra up into her arms settling her onto her hip holding tightly. The golden monkey noticed the fallen stuffed panserbjørn bear upon the floor that Lyra dropped and grabbed it before following Marisa.
The other parents inside the shop now paid no attention to the whole situation that had just happened, knowing well that it had been them at one point with their own children.
As Marisa walked towards the exit, her daemon caught her attention hoisting the stuffed panserbjørn bear up towards her. Marisa shifting Lyra in her arms took the bear before going over and paying for it and having it delivered with Lyra's clothes.
Marisa and Lyra then left the shop and headed back to Marisa's flat, as Marisa walked clutching little Lyra to her who was resting upon her shoulder having tired herself out was lightly sleeping with her eyes closed.
Marisa at the sight melted before shifting Lyra in her arms a bit so she was more comfortable.
Marisa noticed Lyra looked even younger than when she was awake, reminding her of the baby she held five years ago. As Marisa walked on towards her flat she had a soft smile upon her face.