As Jafaris followed behind the two adventurers, he couldn't help but notice how Talia's hips swayed as she walked. Each step seemed to draw his attention, and he caught himself staring, admiring the way she moved. Just as he realized he was watching a bit too closely, Talia glanced back at him. Their eyes met for a brief moment before she quickly looked away, her face flushed. Jafaris smirked, the heat rising in his own cheeks for a different reason.
Ezrah turned back to him, breaking the tension. "So, Jafaris, tell me about yourself. You're from U-S-A? What's that place like?" His voice was friendly, curious.
"It's wild, man. City life, y'know?" Jafaris replied, trying to shake off the fluster from Talia's glance. "But, uh, I'm not really sure how I ended up here. All I remember is getting my ass capped, and then I ended up here"
"Ass capped?" Ezrah said, confused, "I have no clue what that means, but you may have gotten teleported."
"Teleported?"
"Yeah, it's some ancient magic that requires a plethora of mana to cast. It takes someone to a far away place. Maybe you got hit by a stray spell."
Jafaris crossed his arms. He chalked it up to some made up bullshit, but those fireballs from earlier appearing out of thin air may give Ezrah's theory a bit of weight. "You might be right, man. Can I use it to get back?"
"Hmm…maybe." Ezrah placed a hand under his chin. "But the only people who know how to use it are from Acrea…that's a big town a few days from here."
Jafaris sighed. "A few days?"
"Yeah…I mean Me and Talia are actually planning to head there for a quick errand tomorrow. We could take you along as well."
"Aye, I appreciate it."
"No problem!"
The three walked in silence for a little longer until Jafaris broke it again out of sheer boredom. "What about you two? Where are y'all from?"
Ezrah nodded, still walking with an easy stride, his arm casually wrapping around Talia's shoulders. "Well, Talia and I are childhood friends, growing up in Dimat village together. We've been doing everything together since we were kids—adventuring, exploring, getting into trouble," he said, shooting her a playful look.
Talia rolled her eyes but smiled, "Yes, he's been there with me since the beginning." she agreed softly.
"Ahh, but she's always gotta one up me on everything. She's probably the strongest person I know!" Ezrah continued, a hint of mischief in his voice. "Doesn't matter though, maybe soon she'll be my wife!" He chuckled lightly, nudging her playfully, but the comment caught both Talia and Jafaris off guard.
"Wife?" Jafaris echoed, raising an eyebrow. He glanced at Talia, who was suddenly quiet, her eyes focused straight ahead, but he could see her smile creeping back, like she was both embarrassed and pleased. "Good for you bruh."
"Thank you." Talia giggled, her voice barely above a whisper.
As Jafaris, Ezrah, and Talia finally emerged from the dense trees of the forest, they were greeted by the sight of the village of Dimat. It was a quaint, picturesque place that looked like it had popped right out of a storybook.
Wooden houses lined the streets, their dark, sturdy beams contrasting against the warm hues of the cobblestone paths that wound through the village. The walls of the buildings were a mix of timber and stone, creating a rustic charm that felt inviting. Each home had its own little garden bursting with colorful flowers and herbs, and the air was thick with their fragrant scents.
As they walked deeper into the village, Jafaris noticed various pieces of farm equipment scattered about—plows, carts, and tools resting against walls, all hinting at the hard work that went into maintaining the land.
In the distance, he could see farmers tending to their fields, their hands busy with the earth, while a few children ran past, laughing and playing tag.
"Welcome to Dimac!" Ezrah yelled, pointing to a large oak tree in the center of the village. "That's the Heartwood Tree! It's like the village's landmark," he explained, excitement in his voice. "We gather here for festivals and stuff."
Jafaris took it all in, feeling a strange sense of comfort wash over him. "Nice place dawg" he admitted, glancing around at the friendly faces and the warm sunlight that bathed everything in gold.
"I know, right?," Ezrah agreed, looking proud. "We're lucky to call it home."
As they walked through the village, Ezrah turned to Jafaris, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "So, uh, do you have any money? You can rent a place here."
Jafaris shook his head, feeling the weight of his situation pressing down on him. "Nah, man. I got nothing. Just trying to figure all this out."
Ezrah's eyes softened, and he nodded in understanding. "Alright, well, you can stay at our place just for this night. We've got enough room." He glanced at Talia. "Are you okay with that, Talia?"
Talia hesitated, a hint of uncertainty flickering in her eyes. She chewed her lip, looking between the two of them. Finally, she nodded. "I guess it'll be fine," she said, her voice quiet but firm. "It's better than you being out there alone."
"Thanks man, I appreciate it," Jafaris smiled, his voice low.
They continued their walk, and soon enough, they arrived at a peaceful two-story house at the end of the lane. The exterior matched the charm of the village—wooden siding with a small porch and flower boxes under the windows, filled with colorful blooms swaying gently in the breeze.
Once inside, Jafaris stepped into a cozy living room. The space was warm and inviting, with wooden beams stretching across the ceiling and sunlight streaming in through the large windows. A comfy couch sat in the center, surrounded by a couple of mismatched chairs that looked well-loved.
Against one wall, there was a sturdy wooden table, its surface covered with a variety of books and a few scattered trinkets—evidence of their adventures, perhaps. The kitchen, visible from the living room, had a rustic charm too, with pots hanging above a wooden island and the faint scent of herbs lingering in the air.
"Make yourself at home," Ezrah said, gesturing around. "This is where we hang out after a long day. Talia usually cooks; she's pretty good at it."
"For real?" Jafaris said, raising an eyebrow. "I'm always down for good food."
Talia blushed again, her cheeks tinged with pink. "It's nothing fancy, really," she murmured, but there was a hint of pride in her voice.
Ezrah placed his hands on his hips. "Alright, I gotta help out in the farms for a bit, so feel free to look around if ya want!"