The village square bustled with the easy rhythm of morning, merchants opening stalls, carts rumbling over stone, and children chasing each other past flower pots and laundry lines.
Liora adjusted the strap of her old leather bag and glanced down at the two girls walking beside her. Aria clutched her hand tightly, eyes darting between the bakery window and the herb stand. Tessa trailed just behind, a borrowed basket slung over her shoulder and a slight spring in her step.
"First stop: general store," Liora said. "We need soap, thread, and maybe a new kettle if they finally got one that doesn't leak."
Aria tugged at her hand. "Can we go see the animals after? The chickens were really loud yesterday."
"If we have time," Liora replied.
"You always say that when you mean no," Aria pouted.
Tessa snorted. "You've got her figured out."
Stop One: The General Store
Inside the general store, Aria wandered straight to the colorful trinkets at the front while Liora examined thread spools and Tessa tried to remember if they'd run out of matches.
"She's been eyeing that wooden hairbrush for days," the shopkeeper said, nodding at Aria. "Thinks I don't notice."
Liora chuckled and quietly added it to her items. Aria ran back moments later with a shiny button she found in a basket.
"Look! It's like a coin, but prettier."
"It's for fixing jackets," Liora said. "But maybe we'll find a real shiny coin on our next quest."
Stop Two: Market Mishap
At the outdoor produce stalls, Liora was picking vegetables when she heard a squeal behind her.
She turned just in time to see Aria tripping, a small sack of apples flying from her arms. They scattered across the ground, bouncing under carts and the feet of startled chickens.
"Oops," Aria muttered.
"I got them!" Tessa said, already dashing into a dramatic, overly heroic crouch to save the runaway apples. One hit her head before she caught it.
Aria giggled through her embarrassment.
Liora helped her up, brushing dust from her dress. "What happened?"
"I… wanted to help carry things."
"You are helping. Just… maybe leave the fruit to me for now."
"I saved the apple that hit me," Tessa announced, holding it triumphantly.
Aria grinned. "That one's yours now."
Stop Three: Small Moments
They stopped by the flower vendor next, where Aria picked a single bluebell and insisted on tucking it behind Liora's ear.
"You look like a forest fairy," she said with pure conviction.
Liora arched an eyebrow. "Is that good or terrifying?"
"Both," Tessa said with a grin.
At the smithy, Tessa was mesmerized by a short sword on display. Liora noticed and asked the blacksmith to set it aside.
When they finally returned to the inn, bags full, feet sore, and spirits high, they dropped everything onto the floor with a collective groan.
"Errands are more tiring than quests," Tessa mumbled.
"They are quests," Liora replied. "They just don't pay."
Aria lay across the bed dramatically. "We almost died in the apple war."
Liora laughed, then gently placed the wrapped wooden hairbrush beside Aria's things. She said nothing. Just waited.
A moment later, Aria saw it and gasped.
"Is this…?!"
Liora gave a small nod.
Aria ran over and hugged her waist tightly.
"Best. Day. Ever."
That evening, the three sat by the hearth again. No monsters, no magic, no battles, just warmth, light conversation, and quiet contentment.
And in that ordinary, unremarkable day… they each found something extraordinary,
Joy.