Rebuilding Appaloosa Plains

Part One: Bienvenue Emery stirred as the taxi came to a stop. The sun was bright and harsh to her tired eyes. She’d fallen asleep on the long drive from the airport to the hostel where she’d be staying in Champs Les Sims. She blinked to see out the car window more clearly, and the large building came into focus. It was very old, but well cared for; despite its obvious age, the exterior did not look in need of any refurbishment. It was larger than Emery had expected, and she wondered what it was originally used for before it was converted into a hostel. She paid the driver and thanked him as he helped her get her bag out of the taxi, then headed inside. She was greeted by a member of the staff, an older woman with white and gray hair pulled back into a neat bun and thick, black rimmed glasses perched on her nose. “Bonjour, mademoiselle. Avez-vous une réservation?” “Uh,” Emery hesitated. “Oui, c’est une chambre pour Emery Tevellyn.” “Bien sûr,” the woman smiled, checking the name o