New girl // Snow and the Stabbingtons
The Snuggly Duckling. Well, that was certainly encouraging. How could anything bad happen in a place with such a sweet name? Ducklings were adorable. And ‘snuggly’ was just…snuggly.
Of course, it was also the only place Snow had come across in the two weeks since she’d left the cottage and her darling dwarfs. Oh, dear, don’t think about them, she warned herself, feeling the prickle of gathering tears, a sensation that had become entirely too familiar lately. You had to leave. You had to.
Her stomach rumbled, interrupting her sad thoughts. The last of her food had run out last night and breakfast time had long since passed. If she were perfectly honest with herself (and she always tried to be), she was beginning to feel a bit woozy. She must’ve taken a wrong turn somewhere - she should have made it to Corona two days ago. And if she let her fear dictate her actions, she would pass this tavern by and keep wandering in the forest. Until…well, she wouldn’t think about that, either.
She readjusted her satchel on her shoulder and patted the hidden pocket in her skirt. All her possessions, tucked away safely. Hopefully, she’d managed to pick all the leaves out of her dark curls after sleeping on the ground wrapped in her cloak last night; if she was going to interact with strangers, she should at least look neat and tidy and presentable. This was the beginning of her new life, after all.
Two deep breaths, three resolute steps forward. One moment of hesitation.