She awoke, or came into being, slowly.

The room she was in looked cozy. There was a rug of a deep rose and the wallpaper had a pattern of golden hearts elegantly scrawled atop a background of burgundy. There was a bed made high with rich-looking blankets that matched the wallpaper. Other than a few pillows strewn playfully over the bed's surface, it was neat and empty.

She looked around. There was a gated fireplace where a fire was burning away. In front of the fireplace was a gilded table with a teaset on it. There was steam wafting from the teapot. She appreciated the teaset, even if she did not feel thirsty.

There was an ivory door, which was shut. She considered it for a long time. It occurred to her that it had been a while since she had seen a door, but she couldn't remember why that was significant. If she tried to chase the reason, it made her head ache.

The next thing that occurred to her was that it had been a long time since she had seen such a nice room. Nostalgia crept up on her, but it only held sorrow and no recognition. She shook her head and swept the sensation away.

She tried to stand, to walk around the room, but after a moment, she realized she was incapable in doing so in a way she hadn't thought possible. She didn't have legs. She looked down at her body, and all that greeted her sight was a smooth, pale surface, like a sculpted vase without a foot.

What...?

She didn't have a mouth, but she...spoke, somehow. She heard her own voice, slightly metallic and artificial in the air. She tried to touch herself with her hands, but all that moved in response were floating paddles that were the same color and material as her body. They hit her body with a ceramic-sounding tap.

She was alone, but she was frightened, and her chest...area ached as if her heart was racing. Help me, she cried out into the chamber, because she remembered that much, at least - that she could be heard wherever she was.

The air in front of her twinkled pink, and out of the shimmer appeared a beautiful woman, perfect as if she had been sculpted by a master. The woman was dressed in rosy silks and floated just above the ground, her toes barely grazing the carpet. "You're awake," the woman smiled a smile full of warmth and mirth. "What do you need? You called for help."

She felt suddenly empty. Surely her discomfort meant nothing to someone as powerful as this woman.

The woman blinked a few times, then laughed quietly. "Apologies, my dear. I am Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty, and you're safe here in my realm." She opened her arms wide. "Anything you need, I will endeavor to provide."

Why?

Aphrodite tipped her head. "Because you deserve kindness."

I've done nothing, she said. I don't even have a name.

"You don't?" Aphrodite sat back on the air, as if reclining on an unseen chair. "Well, then that will be my first gift to you, then. I can help you pick a name for yourself. Do you remember anything?"

That was odd. Having to remember something. Didn't she just start existing a few minutes ago? And yet, what was that nostalgia that she had felt earlier?

I remember flowers, she said. Flowers, and trees, or vines. Something brambly. But she didn't especially like the idea of brambles, not at the moment. It seemed overly dreary.

"Many flowers make lovely names!" Aphrodite said, drawing in the air with her finger. The motion made quickly-fading trails of light. "Iris, Daisy, Heather, Rose, Violet..."

Those were lovely names, but they weren't hers. The more she thought, the less sure she became. She drifted towards the teapot to hide the fact she was hesitating. She reached up for the teapot and found herself distracted by the floating arm paddle that responded to her motion.

I don't even know what I am, she said. Do you know? Why am I like this?

Aphrodite was silent awhile. "You were lost," she said finally. "I brought you here. If you don't like it here, I can let you go."

I do like it here. You've been nothing but kind to me, she said quickly, trying to smile so she didn't seem ungrateful. Whatever her face was, it didn't respond. She didn't have lips. Unfortunate. But, I'm still very much lost. Whatever I am, I feel like there's only pieces. She waved an arm-paddle, trying to see how far it could float away from her body. Cam...

"Cam?"

I think that is part of my name, she said.

"Cammy?"

That was not a flower. She gave it some more consideration.

I want to be Chamomile, she said.

"Chamomile you will be, then," Aphrodite said, reaching out to take the outstretched arm-paddle.