Athea gasped, her heart racing as she whipped around, instincts kicking in. Without a second thought, she dashed back a few steps, twisted her body, planted her feet firmly, and wound up for a punch. Before she knew it, her fist was flying forward, and it connected with something solid.
Rei (shocked, wincing): Ow!
As her fist collided, she saw him—Rei's startled face, his hand still raised, trying to fend off the unexpected punch.
Athea (gasping, horrified): Rei?! Oh my—wait, that was you?
Rei (rubbing his shoulder, confused): Yeah… I was just trying to say hi!
Athea (stammering, worried): I—I thought you were… I don't know! Something scary! You can't just sneak up on people like that in the dark!
Rei (grinning, a bit mischievous): Well, I didn't think you'd actually punch me. Hahaha! You got a pretty strong hit there!
Athea blinked, her surprise melting into a sheepish grin as she looked at him, still slightly out of breath from the sudden scare.
Athea (relieved, chuckling): Well… I guess that's what you get for sneaking up on me!
They both laughed, their voices carrying softly through the night air. Athea felt a warm, familiar sense of relief and happiness, knowing that Rei was really here, just like she'd hoped.
Rei (relieved, hugging her tight): I'm really glad you're back! Even though you were only gone a little while…
Athea (surprised, chuckling): A little while? Rei, I've been gone about a whole week! I thought you'd be mad or think I forgot about you!
Rei (tilting his head, confused): A week? Isn't that… short?
Athea (smiling): Not really, silly. That's a long time! I kept worrying you'd be out here thinking I left you for good.
Rei (nodding seriously): I wouldn't think that! But… a week is long?
Athea (nodding, laughs): Really long, trust me.
They sit down under the wide, old tree near the lake, the same spot where they'd first met. The night air was cool, and fireflies darted around them, their tiny lights blinking like stars, making the moment feel almost magical. They both glance around as they chat, taking in the surroundings and each other's company.
Athea (glancing at his arm): Hey, if my punch hurt you, how come that machete from the other guy just broke when it hit you?
Rei (thinking): Maybe… maybe you're stronger than his machete. What's a machete?
Athea (giggling as she picks up a stick that's a little sturdier than the others nearby): This is sort of like a machete! Kind of like a big knife. Look, this stick is perfect—like a sword! It's strong, see?
She playfully swings it around, striking the air with exaggerated motions like she's slashing through an invisible army. Rei watches her, his eyes wide, fascinated.
Rei (excited): Whoa, you're really good at that! Are you… are you gonna fight things with it?
Athea (smiling, puffing up with confidence): Well, maybe! You never know when you'll need a good stick-sword in the forest.
She hands him the stick, and Rei holds it awkwardly at first but gives it a few brave swings. They laugh together as he mimics her moves, only with a lot less coordination.
Athea (teasing): Just don't hit yourself with it, alright?
Rei (grinning, holding the stick): Hey, I'll get the hang of it! Maybe…
Athea (curious, leaning in): So, what did you do while you were waiting for me? Must've gotten a little boring out here, huh?
Rei (scratching his head, a little embarrassed): Well… I walked around. Tried talking to some of the creatures I found.
Athea (laughing): Talking to the creatures? Like what?
Rei (thinking): Um… there was this little thing with wings. Really colorful, all… flappy. I thought we could be friends, so I tried saying hello.
Athea (smiling, amused): A butterfly! Did it stick around?
Rei (sighing, shoulders dropping): No… it just flew away. I guess it didn't want to be my friend. I don't think I'm very good at making friends.
Athea (softly, reassuring): Hey, I'm your friend, right? And I'm a lot more exciting than a butterfly!
Rei (grinning): Yeah… you're way better than a butterfly!
They both laugh, and Athea playfully flaps her arms like butterfly wings, spinning in circles. Rei laughs and joins her, awkwardly trying to copy her.
Athea (laughing, jokingly): Look, we're the forest butterflies now!
Rei (flapping his arms too, looking around the trees): I wonder if the real butterflies will come back if we do this?
They keep spinning and flapping, getting dizzy and finally falling to the ground, laughing breathlessly. For a moment, it feels like they're the only two in the whole forest, sharing their own secret world.
Rei (curious, tilting his head): So, what did you do while you were gone? A whole week sounds like forever.
Athea (groaning, a bit dramatic): Ugh, so many chores! Papa and Mama had me doing stuff all day. Let's see… I had to sweep the floors until not a speck of dust was left. Then clean the yard—even picking up every tiny stick! And water the plants; some are taller than I am, you know?
She gestures with her hands above her head, trying to show how big the plants are. Rei's eyes widen with amazement.
Rei (wide-eyed): Whoa… that's a lot of work! I didn't even know there was that much stuff you could do.
Athea (smiling, amused): Oh, it sure felt like it by the end of each day. But Mama's also been teaching me lessons, so it wasn't all chores. Like, she's teaching me about numbers and letters, and even a little bit about plants. That part I actually like.
She picks a leaf off a nearby branch, looking at it with interest before holding it out to Rei, who takes it gingerly, as if it's something precious.
Rei (wide-eyed):Whoa... That's amazing! You're so strong! Stronger than... anything I've seen!
Athea (laughing, shrugging): Well, I didn't mean to break everything. Mama wasn't too happy. She said I "overdid it," whatever that means.
Rei (grinning): Overdid it? That sounds like something amazing, not bad! Maybe you're even stronger than that guy with the machete...
Athea (teasing): Maybe... or maybe he was just weak!
As they strolled through the forest, Athea's eyes sparkled with an idea. She slowed her pace, glancing over at Rei with a mischievous grin.
Athea (playful, bouncing on her toes): Hey, Rei, want to play hide and seek?