Alicia had spent most of the night wide awake, but not for the usual reason as she hadn't worked last night. However, not long after her head had hit the pillow, she'd been overcome by a nightmare that had been terrifying in its unfamiliarity. It was almost as if her nightmare and some stranger's had been switched overnight.
A woman's voice had been whispering cruel things into her ear as something had wrapped around her neck, strangling the breath out of her. She could still feel the sensation of her air supply being cut off...
She'd needed something to help her face the day - this time she didn't have someone to cast a cheering charm for her, and they never seemed to work right when she cast them on herself - and had a feeling it would definitely be a long, long day, what with the gala that evening. She decided that once it was proper daytime, she'd treat herself to breakfast at the Rising Loaf, as that often helped get her mind off of bad nights.
They thankfully had her favourite double chocolate croissants, and she ordered two just to have an extra should she feel peckish later. The bag and a cup of tea in her hands, she exited the bakery to have a seat outside where the cool air would help keep her in the moment.
She found a seat and started pulling out one of the croissants when she saw someone come outside. The girl looked somewhat familiar, but Alicia couldn't quite place her. "You look like you've had the same kind of night I've had," she said, offering a weak smile.