The trees gazed up at the sun, reaching, as Lola wished she could. Her life had been spent trying so hard to touch; to grow tall enough to be warmed. She felt warm, now, in the marketplace, with the unicorns grazing nearby. The winter sun was cold and clear, but Lola soaked it in. She smiled, a wide, floppy hat protecting her eyes from its light-- - people approached her to buy vegetables, and she laughed. She felt almost happy.
Life wasn’t perfect in Ithaca but it was so much better than before; the goodness poured itself upon her, graciously, endlessly, and she didn’t need to stretch to be welcomed by it. Her old life began to seem a mirage to her, and now she was just Lola, growing her vegetables and always learning. The world saw her, and it didn’t jeer. Business has even been brisk; she might buy herself some cake later. There was still a basket of sweet potatoes, a few parsnips, and a clutch of onions left, but she thought she might close up early and find something fun to do. The chatter of the marketplace had lulled her into a sweet happiness, and she was relaxed enough to chat with any customers that came by.
One caught her gaze, a beautiful young woman with glossy black hair. Lola thought her eyes were like a fox’s, but kinder. Sharp, clever looking. “I’ve not got much left-- - sorry. Just some, um... sweet potatoes and things.”