Soaps.
Actual rounds of soap in soft pink and white, hanging in clusters like grapes.They smelled incredible—fruit and flowers, sweet but not overwhelming.
She plucked one and brought it to her nose.It smelled like...strawberries and jasmine?Something like that.Clean and fresh and wonderful.
"Soapberry tree," she said, shaking her head."I shouldn't be surprised anymore."
But what to wash with?
Loofah sponge plant.
She planted it nearby and watched it grow.
This one surprised her.Instead of the cylindrical gourds she vaguely remembered loofahs being, this grew on a vine and produced huge, sunflower—sized blossoms.
The petals were spongy material—when she touched them, they felt exactly like a bath sponge.She pulled one free and unrolled it.It made a perfect washcloth, soft but textured enough to scrub with.
"That's actually brilliant," she said, examining it.
She was gathering up several sponge petals when she heard something.A rustle.A small sound from near the treehouse.Her heart jumped.She spun around, clutching the sponges.
Nothing.Just the trees swaying slightly in the breeze.
Then—movement near the door.Something small and brown.
She took a step back, ready to run—
A squirrel emerged from around the side of the treehouse.
A squirrel.
Wearing avest.
She blinked.The squirrel blinked back.
It stood on its hind legs, perfectly poised, and she could see a handkerchief folded neatly into the vest pocket.At its feet was a small carpet bag.
"Good day, madam," the squirrel said.
Her mouth opened.Closed.Opened again.
"I—what?"
"Good day, madam," the squirrel said again, adjusting its vest with tiny paws.
Wren stood there, soap in one hand, sponge petals in the other, trying to process what she was seeing.
A talking squirrel.
In a vest.
With luggage.
She'd been dropped into this world by an AI.She'd grown a house from a pecan.She had trees that made bread and milk andteacups.Monsters had tried to eat her.The magic was real—she could feel it humming in her chest every time she grew something.
But atalking squirrel?
"You're real," she said slowly.Not a question.A statement.Testing the words.
