the goddess and the world’s most beautiful chicken

Demi was so surprised by her sudden translocation that she landed with a whump on her behind.

The ground underneath her was a little uncomfortable, hard and somewhat dusty. She appeared to be at the edge of an open area with dry, swaying grasses. An optimist might have called it a meadow, but it felt a bit too desiccated to qualify for that word as it was currently. She seemed to be at the thin edge of a woodland.

When she looked down at her hands, she realized that she was still tightly gripping the prettily embroidered cloth napkin from Hollyhope’s table, along with the first volume ofThe Shadowstep Alchemist.

Well, Shadowstep Alchemist, it looks like it’s just you and me now, she thought weakly.I do feel bad about running off with the first volume though. I hope Hollyhope won’t be too upset about it.

She stood up and dusted herself off, tucking the book and napkin into the pocket of her dress for safekeeping.

Upon her arrival in Hollyhope’s “weekend getaway cottage,” the goddess had kindly provided her with a change of clothing more suited to their discussion than a pair of pajamas. Demi wasn’t sure where her original pajamas had gone, as Hollyhope had accomplished this feat with a sparkle of magic.

(It had had the feeling of a magical girl transformation. Demi had already put “learning how to change her clothes like a magical girl” high on her list of priorities as a fledgling Harvest Goddess.)

The clothes that Hollyhope had furnished her with had likely been to her taste, and they ended up being to Demi’s taste as well. She had a calf-length skirt made out of a soft and durable material over a pair of frilled leggings that approached her knees. They gave the appearance of being something like pantaloons, but they felt more like pajamas, which was something Demi could absolutely appreciate. For socks, she had pretty clocked stockings with ribbon garters that went to just above her knees. Her blouse was fitted, given structure by delicate pintucks down the front and small pearl buttons carved in the shape of flowers. There was extravagant ribbon embroidery down both of her sleeves, a line of crimson flowers over crisscrossing silk trim. Her cuffs were fitted at the wrist, but belled gently with frills that were tied with red ribbons.

Her dress was quite folksy and trachten in its style.

Ahh, I look like