|🌴| Shipwrecked Princess |🌺| A Novel |🌺| Complete |🌴|

🌴 Chapter Two 🌴

Essa eye's open at the breeze that dusted over her sleeping body. She stretched her arms over her head and stretched out her legs as a yawn left her mouth. She slowly sat up and looked around, running her hand through her hair to smooth down the messy flyaways.

She got to her feet and walked over to the edge of the tree. She placed her hand beside her feet as she crouched down and jumped onto the rocky ground below her.

Once her feet were planted firmly on the ground, she walked to the ledge overlooking the sea. She took a deep breath, taking in the crisp morning air that eloped her in a hug.

Roki, a red panda, sat down beside her, scanning the scene before him. "Dark sky. Dark clouds. Another storm on the horizon." He commented, tucking his tail around his front paws. "Don't worry, Essa. It will probably pass us."

Essa shivered as the cool breeze brushed past her again, chasing her to cross her arms over her chest. She looked down at him, the feeling of anxiety growing in her chest. "It should pass us." She agreed, a hint of anxiety laced in her voice as she played with her fingers.

Roki opened his mouth to say something encouraging but decided to sign instead. His eyes focused back at the panorama before him and closed his eyes for a brief moment, allowing the gentle breeze to ruffle his fur.

"Roki," Essa suddenly inquired, gaining the red panda's attention. "Can I, um," She struggled to find the right words as she fidgeted with the leaves around her waist. "I uh . . . last night I remembered my bad dreams I have every time I go to sleep since I came to the island."

Roki furrowed his brows, searching her face while she spoke. "You have?" He inquired, never having asked her about it before since he didn't feel it was his place to ask.

Essa nodded her head slowly, chewing on the inside of her bottom lip. "Hmm," She hummed in confirmation while keeping her eyes focused on her feet. "I think it has to do with how I came to the island."

Roki reached out his soft, fluffy paw and rested it on the side of her leg. "That is great!" He enthusiastically exclaimed, grinning from ear to ear. "Is it not a good thing?" He then noticed her crestfallen expression and his tone turned serious like his expression.

Essa shrugged her shoulders and sat down, crossing her legs. "I'm not sure." She simply replied, picking at one of the leaves on her skirt. "I don't know what to do with it now." She childishly mumbled, her eyes never looking towards Roki.

"Would you like to talk about your bad dream? Maybe I can help." Roki insisted gently, curling his tail around his paws after having withdrawn it from her leg.

Essa shook her head and sighed, puffing out her cheeks. Talking. She had spoken about it to Misty, but didn't feel like doing the same with Roki even though he was a great listener. "No, I don't want to talk about it." She shortly replied, running her fingers over the spine of the leaves.

Roki nodded his head understandingly, not pressing the issue further. "If you wish," He stood up on his paws and turned his back to her. "Let's find some food, shall we? A good breakfast should get your mind off what's troubling you."

As if on cue, Essa's stomach rumbled, causing her to crack a smile. "Okay, food time." She agreed, getting to her feet and following after Roki. "Where are the others, Roki?" She asked, glancing back at the empty tree before turning her body back towards the red panda.