Quick author's note:

I'm back with the second bit here~ I'm thinking that this probably won't exceed five chapters, but we'll see what happens.

I hope you enjoy it!

She had never been one to sleep too late- it was a habit she didn't know how to break, and frankly, not one she felt she needed to. It was strange- she couldn't sleep at all the previous night, as she was too distracted by her own endless thoughts and pains and regrets. The moment the sun broke past the horizon line, she sat up. This was not the place to think. So she sat on the roof as she watched the sunrise, her thoughts running rampant in the quiet stillness of the morning. It felt familiar in a strange, unusual way, something that bothered her and also gave her some comfort.

It reminded her of Leiden- her home, her former home, with Cattleya and Benedict and Iris and the other Dolls and... she sighed as a pang of longing tugged at her heart. These last few days had been remarkably overwhelming, and now, as things were beginning to settle... suppressed emotions began to show themselves.

She pulled her legs close to her chest, her hands clinking lightly. The sun cast everything in a beautiful, ethereal glow, vibrant orange melting into warm yellows. Her thoughts began to meander towards Leiden- she wondered how they were, how things were over there. She was already typing the letter to them in her thoughts; she'd make it a point to write it and send it soon.

She didn't turn around as she heard footsteps approach her from behind. He sat down next to her, his single arm resting on his knee. He looked on silently, and they both watched the sun paint the sky as it rose. Finally, she broke the silence with a gentle, "Good morning Gilbert." He turned slightly at his name, his eyes rising to meet hers. "Good morning, Violet." Common conversation faded away. She felt as though she could watch the sunrise with him by her side forever- she wished it could be so. She closed her eyes, then turned to him. "You're going into town?" she asked, and he nodded. "I want to come with you," she said, unsure of his response. He opened his mouth to speak, paused, then said finally, "You haven't settled in yet." She smiled lightly. She didn't require much, and thus, didn't need to do much to get comfortable. "I can settle in after I've met everyone," she replied slowly.

Comfort came from people, and the memories they left behind, not from items or belongings, at least for her. Yes, she had a few precious items- her parasol, for example, but it served as a reminder for what she had done for the playwright, and in turn, what she had done for herself. She turned to him and carefully said, "If I know the people, I feel like... I can know you a little better." He turned to the horizon as the wind picked up a little. The obvious statement has to hang in the air between them. She sighed quietly. "This place is beautiful," she murmured, and the tiniest smile ghosted his lips. "It is," he mused, and they settled into a comfortable silence as the air began to warm around them.

Finally, she rose to her feet, beginning to feel an unwelcome sense of idleness, and helped him up. "Let's go," she said. When he gave her a questioning look, she said, "You've not alone anymore." He shook his head. "I didn't say… I"m not lonely." She smiled knowingly. "Let's go. We have a lot to do today."

Stay tuned for more parts!