"End of meeting, everyone!" Reina announced, ignoring Britney's protest. "I hope you all have a nice morning!"
Before Britney could argue further, the hornet—affectionately named Cupcake by Reina—nudged her with its massive head, guiding her toward the abandoned hut. Britney, still too stunned to fully comprehend what was happening, stumbled forward, her feet dragging as the persistent insect herded her away.
"Wait, wait!" Britney tried to protest, but her voice was weak, and her words fell on deaf ears. Cupcake continued to push her forward, the giant hornet almost playful in its insistence.
Smoke drifted lazily from a few chimneys, carrying savory scents that lent the air a comforting, homely feel. Gwen sat alone on a rough-hewn wooden bench outside her hut, engrossed in a thick, weathered book. Her dark hair was pulled back into a loose braid, with a few strands framing her sharp, focused features.
Suddenly, a burst of energy disrupted the tranquil scene. Ender came sprinting down the narrow path between the huts, his excitement palpable. Spotting Gwen absorbed in her reading, a mischievous grin spread across his face. He slowed his pace, attempting (and failing) to move stealthily as he approached her. In one swift motion, he leaned down, gently pulled the book away, and replaced it with his own beaming face.
"Hi there, Gwen!" he exclaimed, his voice bubbling with friendliness.
Startled, Gwen let out a small yelp and toppled off the bench, landing on the soft grass below. Her book slipped from her hands, pages fluttering as it hit the ground. Ender's face instantly shifted from playful to concerned.
"Oh man, I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to scare you," he said, extending a hand to help her up.
Gwen glared at him, ignoring his offered hand as she pushed herself up and dusted off her earth-toned dress. "Do you always introduce yourself by knocking people off their seats?" she snapped, her voice icy.
Ender chuckled nervously, retracting his hand. "Only on special occasions," he replied, attempting to lighten the mood. "I just got excited seeing someone else reading out here."
She raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "And you are...?"
"Oh, right! My name is Ender," he said, thrusting his hand out again for a handshake, his smile unwavering.
Gwen glanced at his outstretched hand but didn't take it. Instead, she looked around, clearly seeking an escape route. "I still don't know who the hell you are," she replied flatly, crossing her arms.
Ender's smile faltered slightly, but he pressed on. "I'm new here. Reina said I could stay, and that we'd be roommates!" His eyes searched her face for any sign of recognition or welcome.
Gwen's expression shifted from annoyance to disbelief. "Oh, so you're the weirdo clinging to the girl with the broken leg during the meeting," she whispered, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Probably friendzoned…"
Ender bristled at the insult, his cheeks flushing slightly. "What? No, I was helping her walk because she was injured," he protested. "It's called being considerate."
"Sure, if that's what you want to call it," Gwen retorted, rolling her eyes before bending down to retrieve her fallen book.
Ender took a deep breath, trying to keep his cool. He watched as Gwen settled back onto the bench, pointedly opening her book and attempting to ignore him.
Not ready to give up, Ender sat down beside her, leaving a respectful amount of space between them. "So, how long have you been living here?" he asked, genuinely curious.
Gwen sighed, her eyes never leaving the pages. "Long enough," she muttered, clearly hoping short answers would end the conversation.
Undeterred, Ender glanced around the settlement, his eyes wide with fascination. "This place is incredible. Though, I have to admit, the giant insects are a bit… unsettling," he said, shuddering slightly at the memory of the enormous hornet.
Gwen's eyes flicked up from her book momentarily. "Unsettling? Try dealing with them daily," she replied dryly. "Ants the size of dogs, wasps that could skewer you with one sting. You get used to it."
Ender's eyes widened. "Wasps? Seriously?" He shook his head. "No wonder you're so on edge."
Gwen let out a short, humorless laugh. "Trust me, the bugs are the least of our worries around here."
Before Ender could ask what she meant, a stout man wearing a stained apron approached, carrying a large wooden ladle and smelling distinctly of smoke and spices. His face was ruddy and cheerful, with a thick mustache that twitched as he spoke.
"Morning, folks! Thought I'd see if you needed anything to eat," the cook said, his voice booming with friendliness.
Ender's face lit up at the mention of food. "Oh, yes! I'm starving. Could I get a pepperoni pizza? And maybe some ice cream for dessert? Oh, and if you have any burgers, that would be awesome!"
The cook blinked, his smile fading into confusion. He glanced at Gwen, hoping for some clarification.
Gwen smirked, amused by the exchange. "Listen, kiddo," she began, closing her book and turning to face Ender fully. "I understand you come from... wherever you come from. But we don't have any of those things here."
Ender's excitement deflated, his shoulders slumping. "Oh. Right," he said sheepishly. "Let's do lasagna instead…" making Gwen sigh and shake her head in frustration.
---
Veena stood outside Hilary's hut, the rough-hewn wooden door looking far more intimidating than she had expected. The journey from her quarters had been slow and painful, her injured leg throbbing with each step, but curiosity had pushed her forward. She hesitated for a moment, then knocked softly.
The door swung open almost immediately, startling her. Hilary stood there, a broad, welcoming smile on her face, her eyes bright with excitement and nervous energy. "Welcome to my humble abode!" she exclaimed, stepping aside to let Veena in.
The interior of Hilary's hut was cozy but cluttered. Shelves lined the walls, filled with jars of herbs, scrolls, and peculiar trinkets. The air was thick with the scent of dried lavender and something more potent—perhaps sage. A small fire crackled in the hearth, casting flickering shadows across the room.
Hilary helped Veena to a cushioned chair near the table, her movements gentle. "Here, sit down," she said, pressing a cool glass of water into Veena's hand before turning back to the table. Veena took a sip, her eyes scanning the room, noting the peculiar assortment of items scattered across the wooden surface.
Despite the warmth of the room, there was noticeable tension in the air. Hilary seemed distracted, her fingers twitching as she fiddled with a long, slender feather behind her ear. She moved around the table with purpose, but there was a nervous energy to her actions.
Finally, unable to bear the tension, Veena forced a smile and asked, "What are you up to, Hilary?"
Hilary, who had been sketching something on a large piece of parchment, paused and looked up, her expression softening. "I'm working on a map for the Meganeorup Ritual," she replied, her voice tinged with pride and worry. She used the feather to point at the detailed drawing in front of her. "It's a ritual that strengthens the iron barriers around the village and keeps unwanted creatures out. It has to be perfect… a small mistake could mean disaster for all of us."
Veena leaned forward, her interest piqued. The map was enormous, covered in intricate symbols and markings. Arrows pointed to weak points around the settlement, where the iron barriers were thinnest. Tiny illustrations of grotesque creatures marked potential points of attack. The complexity of the ritual was evident in the numerous steps outlined around the edges of the parchment.
Hilary sighed, frustration bubbling to the surface as she dipped her quill into ink. "I've been at this for hours, and it still doesn't feel right," she admitted. "The iron has to be reinforced in exactly the right places, and the timing of the ritual must align perfectly with the moon. If it doesn't, we could be leaving the village vulnerable."
Seeing the tension etched into Hilary's features, Veena struggled to her feet despite the throbbing pain in her leg. She limped to the table and placed a reassuring hand on Hilary's shoulder. "You're doing everything you can," she said softly. "We're all depending on you, but you don't have to do this alone. Maybe I can help?"
Hilary looked up at Veena, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Help? But your leg…"
"I'll be fine," Veena insisted, brushing off the concern. "I may not know much about rituals, but I'm good with patterns and details. Maybe a fresh pair of eyes will help you spot something you've missed."
Hilary hesitated, her eyes darting between the map and Veena's determined expression. Finally, she nodded, her tension easing slightly. "Okay. Let's take a look together."