[Cadaverous Pallor]

"Won't you join me for cake on the verandah?"

CP turned towards the setting, then tried to hide a gasp of delight. Generous slices of coffee cake waited beneath a glass dome. A round, friendly jug of fresh lemonade stood by alongside shimmering green glass tumblers. Sunflowers and snapdragons, too perfect to be real (or were they?) perched happily in a creamy vase. Bright lemons and candles added even more aroma to the air. A cloth of hand-stitched embroidery paired with a vintage scarf warmed the wrought iron table.

"Well?" 3894 looked quizzically at CP, who hadn't yet recovered. "If you're at a loss for words, just call me Helen."