[POV: Solenne]
Solenne's days began before sunrise, when the mist clung to the rooftops. She would sweep the apothecary's porch before the morning bell tolled in the square, then light the lanterns within Thistle & Thread, bringing warmth and glow to the shadows between glass bottles and bundles of drying roots.
Her relationship with Alde improved quickly, and the pair became fond of one another not long after her arrival.
"You'll give me a heart attack one of these mornings, mouse," the old woman grumbled, rubbing her chest. "I ought to put a bell collar on you."
Alde had taken to calling her "mouse" whenever she forgot to make noise coming down the stairs, or startled her when she walked too quietly. Solenne only smiled as she handed over a cup of steeped yarrow tea, which she had discovered was Alde's favorite. It always softened the witch's grumble.
