As they walked back to Aria's store, the bustling city streets gradually quieting as the sun began to set, Lily suddenly had a thought. She glanced back and forth between Aria and Carter, a mischievous smile spreading across her face. "Hey, Aria," Lily said, her voice full of excitement, "why don't you come to our home for dinner tonight? It'll be fun!"
Both Aria and Carter turned to her, equally surprised by the suggestion. "Dinner?" Aria asked, blinking in surprise. "At your place?"
Carter scratched the back of his head, looking a little flustered. "Uh, yeah, that could work," he said, glancing at Lily. "It's up to you, Aria."
Lily grinned, clearly enjoying their reactions. "You said you wanted to try Carter's cooking, right? This is your chance!"
Aria chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Well, you've got me there," she admitted. "I have been curious about his cooking."
Carter laughed softly, shaking his head. "Alright, I guess that settles it. Dinner at our place tonight."
"Sounds like a plan," Aria said with a smile. "Let me pick up a few things from the store before we head out."
As they continued toward the potion shop, the three of them chatted animatedly. Lily kept up her cheerful energy, asking Aria all sorts of questions about her favorite foods and if she liked sweets. "Do you like cake?" Lily asked eagerly.
Aria laughed. "I do," she said. "Though I don't get to eat it often. Running a potion shop keeps me pretty busy."
Lily nodded solemnly, as if taking mental notes. "We'll have to fix that," she declared. "Carter can make cake sometime!"
"Lily, don't volunteer me for things," Carter said with a chuckle, though he didn't sound upset. "But, yeah, maybe we can try making a cake one of these days."
Ivy chirped happily from Lily's arms, her tail wagging as if she agreed with the idea. Aria reached over to gently scratch behind Ivy's ears. "She's always so full of energy," Aria said with a fond smile. "It's adorable."
"She's our little ball of sunshine," Carter replied, smiling at Ivy.
When they reached the potion shop, Aria unlocked the door and quickly gathered a few items she thought she might need for dinner. Meanwhile, Lily explored the shelves with wide-eyed curiosity, asking questions about the various potions and ingredients. Aria answered each one patiently, clearly enjoying Lily's enthusiasm.
As they stepped back outside, the warm evening air greeted them. "Alright," Aria said, glancing at Carter. "Lead the way to your home. I'm looking forward to this dinner."
Carter nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. "Let's head out, then," he said, motioning for them to follow. With Lily holding Ivy and chatting with Aria, and Carter quietly thinking about what to cook, the group made their way toward the treehouse, the start of what promised to be an eventful evening.
Carter walked down the street, a cheerful smile on his face as he talked to himself. "What to cook, what to cook," he muttered, glancing into his item box. He took stock of what he had left—some forest serpent meat, fresh vegetables, and a few exotic ingredients he had picked up at the market. "Maybe I can try something new with all this," he said, his mind racing with possibilities.
Behind him, Aria and Lily giggled, listening to his one-sided conversation. "He's so serious about cooking," Aria said, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
"He always talks to himself like that," Lily added, grinning. "But his food is amazing, so I don't mind!"
Carter turned to glance at them, a mock look of offense on his face. "Hey, you two back there—no making fun of the chef!" he said, earning more laughter from them.
The group eventually made their way out of the city gates. Aria looked around, her brows furrowing slightly as the bustling city was replaced by open fields. "So... where exactly are we going?" she asked, a hint of nervousness in her voice.
Lily giggled, her arms wrapped around Ivy. "We're going to our home! It's not in the city."
Aria raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but still a bit skeptical. "Not in the city? Where is it, then?"
"You'll see," Carter said with a mysterious grin, motioning for her to follow.
As they entered the woods, the group fell into an easy rhythm, chatting as they walked beneath the towering trees. Aria's curiosity only grew as she glanced around, the dense forest a stark contrast to the urban environment she was used to. "So, are you going to tell me where we're headed, or is this some kind of secret?" she asked.
Carter chuckled. "It's not a secret, but you'll understand when we get there," he said. After a moment, his expression softened, and he added, "You know, there's a reason I love making potions, gardening, and growing flowers."
Aria tilted her head, intrigued by the shift in his tone. "Why's that?"
Carter stopped walking and kneeled down on the forest floor, placing a hand on the ground. "It's about the cycle of life," he said, his voice thoughtful. "Plants are calm, peaceful. They grow, they bloom, they wither, and then they start over again. Each one has its own story." He closed his eyes and activated one of his skills. "Skill: Nature's Touch."
A soft green light spread outward from his hand, shimmering as it traveled through the soil. Aria gasped quietly as the surrounding plants seemed to respond, swaying gently despite the lack of wind. "With this magic, I can speak to the forest," Carter continued, his voice full of quiet reverence. "I can feel what it feels. It's why I chose to become a plant and earth mage."
He pointed to a small flower sprouting from the ground, its petals vibrant and alive. "Take this flower, for example. Right now, it feels content. The soil is rich, and the sunlight is just right. But it's also cautious—there's a predator nearby that it senses but can't see."
Aria stared at him, her usual confident demeanor softening. "That's... incredible," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've never heard of magic like that before."
Lily giggled, breaking the momentary silence. "I couldn't believe it either when he first showed me! It's amazing, right?"
Aria nodded, her expression unreadable as she glanced back at Carter. "It's more than amazing," she said quietly, her red eyes shining with genuine emotion.
The group continued walking, the forest gradually thinning as they approached a large, ancient tree. Carter stopped and gestured toward it with a smile. "Welcome home," he said warmly.
Aria stared at the tree, tilting her head. "Home?" she repeated, confused. "Where do you guys sleep—on the ground?"
Both Carter and Lily burst into laughter. "Not quite," Carter said, stepping closer to the tree. "Watch this." He placed his hand on the tree's trunk, closing his eyes. "Skill: Verdant Architect."
The tree began to shift, creaking softly as its bark and branches rearranged themselves. Slowly, a beautiful treehouse emerged, hidden balconies and windows revealing themselves as the structure seemed to grow naturally from the tree. Surrounding it was a vibrant garden filled with colorful flowers and neatly arranged plants.
Aria's mouth fell open, her eyes wide with disbelief. "This... this is your home?"
Carter turned to her with a smile. "It's our little sanctuary," he said. "I built it to be a place of peace—a connection to nature and everything that grows."
Lily grinned, taking Aria's hand. "Welcome to our peaceful home!"
Aria looked around, her awe slowly giving way to a soft smile. "It's... beautiful," she admitted. "I can see why you love it here."
Carter nodded. "It's not much, but it's ours," he said. "Come on, let's get inside. I've got dinner to make."
As they stepped inside the treehouse, Aria's eyes widened in amazement. The interior was warm and inviting, with intricate wooden walls and natural accents that made it feel like an extension of the forest itself. "This is incredible," she said, turning in place to take it all in. "You really built all of this?"
Carter nodded with a small smile. "Yep, every bit of it. It's not fancy, but it's home."
Aria shook her head in disbelief. "Not fancy? Carter, this place is amazing. I've never seen anything like it."
Lily giggled, holding Ivy in her arms. "Wait until you see the rest!"
Carter chuckled, glancing at Lily. "Actually, that's a great idea. Lily, why don't you show Aria around while I start on dinner?"
Lily's face lit up. "Okay! Come on, Miss Aria, you're going to love it!"
Aria smiled warmly and followed Lily, who eagerly led the way. "This is the living room," Lily said, gesturing to the cozy furniture arranged around a handmade table. "We sit here to talk, or sometimes Carter reads his books here."
Aria nodded, taking in the space. "It's so comfortable. Everything feels so... alive."
"That's because Carter made it all with his magic," Lily said proudly. "He says everything here is connected to the forest."
As they moved through the house, Lily showed Aria the different rooms, including Carter's workshop and the small space she called her own. "And this," Lily said dramatically as she opened a door, "is my room!"
Aria stepped inside, smiling at the neatly arranged space. "It's adorable, Lily."
"Carter made it just for me," Lily said, her voice full of affection. "He even let me pick the decorations!"
Aria's expression softened. "You're very lucky to have him."
Lily grinned. "I know."
After finishing the tour of the house, Lily led Aria outside to the garden. Aria's breath caught as she took in the vibrant array of flowers, herbs, and vegetables growing in perfectly tended plots. "This... this is stunning," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Isn't it?" Lily said, bouncing on her toes. "Carter says everything here has a purpose. Some of the flowers are for potions, and some are just because they're pretty."
Aria knelt to examine one of the flowers, brushing her fingers lightly over its petals. "It's like a little piece of paradise."
Back in the kitchen, Carter busied himself with preparing dinner. He laid out the ingredients—forest serpent meat, fresh vegetables, and a variety of herbs—and began chopping and mixing with practiced ease. "Alright," he muttered to himself, "let's see what we can whip up tonight."
As he worked, he talked to himself about the flavors he wanted to bring out. "A little more of this... not too much spice, don't want to overwhelm the herbs..." He paused, tasting a sauce he was simmering. "Perfect."
He moved quickly and efficiently, his thoughts alternating between the meal and the events of the day. *Aria seemed really surprised by the house. I wonder what she thought of the garden...* He smiled to himself, picturing her reaction. *It's nice having her here. She's fitting in so easily.*
Meanwhile, outside, Lily and Aria continued their conversation. "Miss Aria, do you like flowers?" Lily asked, holding up a small bloom she had picked.
Aria smiled, taking the flower gently. "I do. They're beautiful, and they always brighten my day."
"Carter says every flower has a story," Lily said thoughtfully. "Do you think that's true?"
Aria looked at the flower in her hand, her expression thoughtful. "I think it is," she said softly. "And I think Carter has a way of bringing out those stories."
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Carter called out from the kitchen. "Dinner's ready!" he said, his voice carrying through the house and garden.
Lily grabbed Aria's hand. "Come on, Miss Aria! You're going to love this!"
They returned to the house, laughter and light conversation filling the air as they sat down to enjoy the meal Carter had prepared. The treehouse glowed warmly, a reflection of the bonds growing within it.