That was the second time in recent history I've woken up in a strange bed.

I can't say it's a very comforting thing, either, but never mind that. Anyway, this time the ceiling I found myself staring up at was far plainer than the previous. But never mind that, either.

As I looked around me, I saw myself to be in a tiny little room, the polar opposite of where I had woken up before. On the plus side, however, I didn't get amnesia again. Not that I expected to...it's just a paranoia thing, I suppose.

I was just recalling the events that had lead me to this point, when a voice interrupted my train of thought.

"Ho there! I see you have awakened?"

!!!

That was enough to make me sit bolt upright.

"Who--"

A young man had entered the room - in fact, I believe he had already been there for several seconds - and now he was cutting off my question, chuckling, apparently amused at my fright.

"Don't panic...I didn't mean to startle you."

"--are you?" I finished, determined not to let this man's seemingly easygoing nature quell my panic.

But it was, too. His nature, I mean. At least, I didn't feel that all-consuming need for alone time. However...the situation was still odd. And very, very awkward.

"Who are you?" I asked again. There was actually no need to, as he had been about to answer anyway. Not that I cared.

Still somewhat bemused, he sat in a chair beside my bed and spoke, gazing at the wall. "I'm the son of Amos Harvey, the drake trainer. My name’s Jonathan Harvey."

"Drake trainer?"

He gave me a funny look."You mean you haven't heard of my father?"

Uh-oh. I'm raising suspicion here. Must remember to fake knowledge next time.

Sigh...if there is a next time. I'm doomed.

I had been about to blurt out my story as it was, until Jonathan shrugged my previous comment off. "Well, never mind. I guess you're not from around here. Anyway..."

He turned around at this point to face me, before continuing his sentence. There was no malice in his expression, nothing negative at all, in fact…just a mild curiosity. Nevertheless, his next words filled me with a sick fear.

"…who, exactly, are you?"

Oh dear. I don’t know if II’m ready to start the act just yet. Well, here goes nothing...

"B-beatrix", I replied, not very convincingly. A pause followed, Jonathan looked at me expectantly, and I knew I had to go on. "Um...I live in the town down there..." I pointed in what I hoped was the direction of where I'd come from.

In no way was this going to work. It was just impossible to keep up such a charade. As such, I was ready to just admit the truth, but there was a sudden interruption. Footsteps coming towards the room, it seemed.

"Who's that?" I was part glad for the distraction...anything to take the attention away from myself. On the other hand, I wasn't ready to deal with yet another person.

Said distraction arrived in the form of a slightly short and somewhat...portly man, who walked into the room and glanced sharply at me.

"Awake, I see." His tone of voice - not to mention the expression on his face - told me that my presence was nothing on his mind, which was a relief in a way.

"You would be…"

"Beatrix," Jonathan replied for me.

This answer seemed to take him by surprise "...I see. What brings you here?"

"Well..." I was pitifully unprepared for this part, and finally gave it up. "I...don't know. Actually, I don't remember. Anything."

At this, his eyebrows shot up. "Your name is an alias, then?"

How embarrassing! "Well...y-yes." Jonathan took on a look of surprise at this point, and I couldn't help but feel bad for having tricked him.

"Doesn't matter, it's all we have to call you anyway. So, 'Beatrix', I guess you have no choice but to stay with us for a while."

"Oh, thank--"

"Mind you, you'll have to be put to work when you're feeling better."

"I'm fine right--"

"Jonathan here can show you the ropes. And my wife will see to those clothes of yours." With this, he walked out."

"That," Jonathan said, "would be my father."

---

It went pretty much as Amos had said it would. First, his wife (named Hope, for your information) found me something practical to wear. It was a simple outfit, brown leggings with a white shirt and a leather vest. Boots that were so bulky, they looked as if they could kill. Pretty comfortable, though.

"Thank you very much," I said to her, something I'd been repeating a lot to everyone. Despite my seemingly anti-social tendencies, I was grateful for this -- people who were taking me in, no questions asked…emphasis on that last part, although it's not as if I would really be able to answer any. Not that some people didn't seem to want to ask despite this. Hope had to bite her lip a few times while trying to find me an outfit. She in fact seemed genuinely nervous, having me around.

Amos acted a little suspicious, as if he couldn't quite really believe that my memory was gone. A slightly alarming incident involving him took place after I was newly clothed. You see, after clothing me, Hope led me to the kitchen where her husband and son were. She wanted their appraisal on my outfit. Both seemed satisfied, but then Amos strode to the counter and grabbed a bread knife.

As if I wasn't already on the verge of a heart attack at that, he then grabbed the ends of my hair and proceeded to cut most of it off. Approximately two feet of blonde locks were now in his fist.

"W-what are you doing?" I sputtered.

"It will get in your way otherwise," he said, and, throwing the hair away, he offered no more on the subject. "Take her to the stables now, Jonathan."

"Yes, father." He turned to go and I followed, but Amos spoke again.

"One more thing, son. Beatrix is going to need to get properly acquainted to the drakes if she's to take good care of them. For that, she'll need as much of your help as she can get. So, I'll take care of the outside errands for a while -- it would be best if you two stayed on the grounds for this time."

Jonathan seemed somewhat confused, but nodded. "If you say so..."

"The tournament's in just a few weeks, remember, so it's important to work hard now. You can attend the upcoming 'Peasant's Dance', if you wish, but nothing else until then."

"Very well."

Amos nodded, and turned away. "Come on," Jonathan muttered, and we left the room.

Well, it was good to be in the company of someone who didn't seem to wonder who I was, at least. Jonathan didn't look curious at all; instead, he proudly led me to the stables.

"Ready to see the drakes?"

(A/N: That took quite a bit longer than I predicted it would, hm? All I can promise at this point is that I will get each chapter out, eventually.)