(miniflash story)

On a cold Christmas Eve, Lila watched her grandmother place an extra plate on the dinner table, a tradition her family held for decades.

“Who’s it for, Grandma?” Lila asked.

“An old friend,” her grandmother replied with a mysterious smile. Just before midnight, a faint knock echoed through the house.

To Lila’s surprise, a young woman dressed in a shimmering gown, her eyes holding the secrets of forgotten worlds, stood at the door. She smiled warmly, as if she had known them all forever, and sat at the table, conversing with Grandma about past days Lila had never heard of.

At dawn, the visitor rose, leaving a faint scent of lavender and a single golden feather on her plate. Lila looked at her grandmother, who whispered, “Some friends are timeless, dear. They just visit differently.