I woke up the next morning back in my village. Rai asked me to invite other people, but I wasn't sure how the villagers would react if they found out about him. Rai looked frail, and I worried that if the village decided to harm him, I'd never be able to play the games I enjoy.
As I'm gathering firewood, a couple of boys around Rai's age approach me. "Hey Ruka, wanna go play in the forest? We can race and catch insects!" one of them says excitedly. I pause, considering their invitation.
"I, uh, actually have somewhere I need to be today," I reply, trying to sound casual. The boys look disappointed, but don't press the issue.
"Aw, okay. Maybe next time then?" the other boy says. I nod, relieved they didn't ask for more details.
"Yeah, maybe next time," I respond. The boys run off, and I watch them go, thinking about Rai and the strange games he's created. I want to show my friends, but I don't want to risk bringing them to his cave if it could put him in danger.
I wander through my village, watching the women tend to the fields. With most of the men out hunting, the responsibility falls to us to care for the crops. I see my mother and sister working alongside the others, their brows furrowed in concentration.
As I approach, my mother looks up and waves me over.
"Ruka, come help us with the weeding. Many hands make light work," she says with a smile.
I nod and join them, kneeling in the dirt to pull out the unwanted plants. The repetitive motion is soothing, and I find myself falling into a steady rhythm. Around me, the other women chat quietly, their voices blending with the sounds of the rustling leaves and buzzing insects.
"Ruka, you need to do it properly," Ruya chides, kneeling beside me. "Like this." She demonstrates the correct technique, plucking the weeds with efficiency.
I scoff indignantly. "I know how to weed, Ruya." I tug at the plants with more force, determined to prove my skills.
I take a break from weeding to survey the village. My eyes land on a familiar figure, Leza, the shy Beastfolk girl with golden hair and pointy ears. She's sitting alone, watching the other children play.
Leza is a bit of an oddity among our tribe. While most of us are strong and agile, Leza is more petite and delicate. However, I've heard whispers that she possesses impressive magical abilities, which is quite rare for our kind.
I approach Leza cautiously, not wanting to startle her. "Hey, Leza. What are you up to?"
"Oh, um, nothing much. Just... enjoying the day," she replies softly, her tail curling nervously around her leg.
"Hey, would you like to come with me to an interesting place?" I ask, my tail swishing with excitement.
Leza looks up at me, her eyes widening with curiosity. "Where?" she inquires softly.
"It's a secret," I reply, lowering my voice. "But I promise it's something you'll really enjoy. And you can't tell anyone, okay?" I give her a pleading look, hoping she'll understand the importance of keeping this to herself.
"I'll keep the secret," she assures me, her voice barely above a whisper.
Grinning, I reach out and gently take her hand.
"Great! Let's go then," I say, tugging her along as I start walking towards the forest.
As we leave the village, I hear Ruya's voice calling out to me. "Ruka! Come back and don't skip your work!" she shouts, but I ignore her and continue on, my focus solely on showing Leza the amazing place I've discovered.
I quicken my pace, eager to show Leza the amazing place I've discovered. Leza's small hand trembles in mine as she struggles to keep up.
"Ruka, slow down!" Leza calls out, her voice strained. "I can't run that fast."
"Sorry, Leza. We're almost there, I promise. Just hang in there a little longer, okay?"
"Where are we going?" she asks, her eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
"We're going to meet a friend of mine," I reply, giving her an encouraging smile. "I think you're really going to like him."
I can sense Leza's hesitation, but I forge ahead, determined to share this incredible discovery with her. The forest around us grows thicker, the sunlight filtering through the dense foliage.
"Here we are," I announce, coming to a stop in front of the familiar cave entrance. "This is the place I wanted to show you."
Leza's eyes widen as she takes in the sight before us. "What is this place?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's a special cave," I explain, feeling a surge of excitement. "My friend Rai lives here, and he's created the most amazing things. Come on, let's go inside!"
I tug Leza's hand, urging her to follow. She hesitates for a moment, her ears twitching nervously, but then nods and allows me to lead the way.
(Rai POV)
I look up from my workbench as I hear footsteps approaching. A smile spreads across my face as Ruka emerges from the darkness.
"Ruka! You're back." I set down my tools and wipe the sweat from my brow.
Ruka bounds over, his fluffy tail wagging excitedly. "I told you I'd be back to beat you at Pong again," he says, flashing me a toothy grin.
(Rai's POV)
I see Ruka has brought a friend along this time. A shy-looking Beastfolk girl stands beside him, her eyes darting around the cave.
"Ruka, who's your new friend?" I ask, offering them a warm smile.
"This is Leza. I wanted her to see the amazing things you've created."
Leza's gaze meets mine, and I can see the surprise and apprehension in her expression. "H-hello," she says, her voice barely above a whisper.
"It's nice to meet you, Leza," I say, keeping my tone calm and friendly. "Welcome to my humble abode." I gesture around the cave, showcasing the arcade cabinet and the various projects I've been working on.
"Don't worry, Leza. Rai is a good person. He's been really kind to me."
(Rai's POV)
I watch as Leza's eyes widen with wonder, her gaze fixed on the slimes scurrying around the cave. A small smile tugs at her lips as one of the slimes approaches and nuzzles against her hand.
"They're so cute," she murmurs, her shyness momentarily forgotten as she gently pats the slimy creature.
The slimes seem drawn to Leza's gentle nature, and soon they're surrounding her, chirping and wiggling in delight. I can't help but chuckle at the sight.
"Looks like they've taken a liking to you," I say, stepping closer. "They're quite friendly, once you get to know them."
Ruka grins and nudges Leza's arm. "See, I told you Rai's place is amazing. Wait until you see what else he's made."
Leza nods, her eyes still fixed on the slimes. "This is all so... new to me. I've never seen anything like this before."
"Well then, how about a game of Pong?" I suggest, gesturing to the arcade cabinet. "Ruka's been keeping me on my toes, but I bet you could give him a run for his money."
Ruka's ears perk up at the challenge, and he eagerly pulls Leza towards the arcade machine. "Come on, Leza! I'll teach you how to play."
With a gentle nudge from Ruka, Leza approaches the cabinet, her fingers tracing the intricate carvings on the wooden frame. I power on the machine, the familiar sounds and flashing lights bringing a sense of nostalgia.
"Alright, Leza, watch closely," Ruka says, his hands expertly maneuvering the joystick. "You just need to hit the ball back and forth. It's all about timing and reflexes."
Leza nods, her eyes narrowed in concentration as she mirrors Ruka's movements. The game begins, the digital ball bouncing back and forth between the two paddles.
I can't help but feel a swell of pride as I watch Leza's initial hesitation melt away. She quickly gets the hang of the game, her movements becoming more confident with each passing volley.
"Wow, you're a natural, Leza!" Ruka exclaims, his tail wagging furiously. "I didn't know you were this good."
Leza's cheeks flush, and she glances at me shyly. "I-I just... it's not that hard, once you get the hang of it."
I chuckle and lean against the cabinet, crossing my arms. "Don't sell yourself short, Leza. You're doing great. Ruka's been practicing for a while, and you're keeping up with him."
The game continues, the slimes watching intently and occasionally letting out excited chirps. Ruka and Leza are both fully immersed, their competitive spirits fueling the match.
(Rai's POV)
I watch with growing amusement as Ruka and Leza's Pong match intensifies. The digital ball zips back and forth, their reflexes and concentration locked in a captivating dance.
Leza's initial hesitance has melted away, replaced by a focused determination. Her slender fingers move with precision, her eyes narrowed as she anticipates the ball's trajectory. To my surprise, she's slowly catching up to Ruka's lead, much to his mounting frustration.
"Hey, no fair!" Ruka huffs, his tail lashing back and forth. "How are you getting so good at this?"
Leza giggles, her ears perking up. "I told you, it's not that hard once you get the hang of it." She delivers a particularly swift return, causing Ruka to fumble.
I can't help but chuckle at their exchange. "Looks like you've met your match, Ruka. Leza's a natural at this."
Ruka shoots me a playful glare, his competitive spirit flaring. "Just you wait, Rai. I'm going to turn up the heat and show Leza who's the real Pong master around here."
With renewed vigor, Ruka's movements become sharper, his reflexes lightning-fast. The ball zips back and forth, the sound of the impacts echoing through the cave. Leza's eyes widen, her concentration unwavering as she struggles to keep up.
I lean back, content to watch the intense match unfold. The slimes around us chirp and wiggle, their attention fully captivated by the game.
Leza's breathing grows heavier, but the joy on her face is unmistakable. She's completely engrossed in the experience, her previous shyness forgotten. I can't help but feel a sense of pride, knowing that my creation has brought her so much enjoyment.
"Haha, take that!" Ruka exclaims, scoring another point. "I told you I'd catch up."
Leza's ears flatten momentarily, but she quickly regains her composure. "Don't get too cocky, Ruka. The game's not over yet."
The back-and-forth continues, with both players showcasing their impressive skills. I find myself holding my breath, unable to tear my eyes away from the intense display.
Finally, after a particularly long rally, Leza manages to land the winning shot, sending the ball past Ruka's outstretched hand. The slimes erupt into a chorus of excited chirps, and Leza's face lights up with triumph.
"I did it!" she exclaims, her tail swishing back and forth. "I can't believe I actually beat you, Ruka."
Ruka's ears droop, and he lets out a frustrated sigh. "Ugh, I can't believe I lost to a newbie. This isn't over, Leza. I'm going to keep practicing until I can beat you."
Leza giggles, her confidence visibly growing. "Bring it on, Ruka. I'm ready for the challenge."
I can't help but smile at the scene unfolding before me. As Ruka and Leza prepare for another round, I turn my attention back to the workbench, my mind already buzzing with ideas for the next game I want to develop.
(Rai's POV)
Ruka and Leza's Pong match rages on, the sound of the digital ball ricocheting off the paddles filling the cave. I lean back, content to watch the two Beastfolk engage in their spirited competition.
As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting the cave in a warm, golden glow, I decide it's time to intervene.
"Alright, you two," I call out, drawing their attention. "I think it's time we call it a day. It's getting late, and I'm sure your families will be wondering where you are."
Ruka's ears droop slightly, and he shoots me a pleading look. "Aw, do we have to go already? I was just about to beat Leza for sure this time!"
Leza giggles, her tail swishing back and forth. "In your dreams, Ruka. I was clearly the one dominating the match."
I chuckle at their friendly banter. "As much as I'd love to see the outcome, I don't want to keep you out too long. Your safety is important to me."
Ruka lets out a dramatic sigh, but Leza nods in understanding. "You're right, Rai. We should be getting back before it gets dark."
The two Beastfolk turn to me, their expressions a mix of disappointment and gratitude.
"Thank you for having us, Rai," Leza says, her voice soft but sincere. "I had a wonderful time."
Ruka grins and bumps his shoulder against Leza's. "Yeah, thanks Rai! This was the most fun I've had in ages."
I smile warmly, feeling a sense of satisfaction in seeing the joy and wonder on their faces. "I'm glad you both enjoyed yourselves. You're welcome to come back anytime, you know."
Ruka's ears perk up at that. "Really? You mean it?"
"Of course," I assure him. "And if you can, feel free to bring some of your other friends along too. The more, the merrier."
Leza's eyes light up at the prospect, and she nods enthusiastically. "We'll definitely come back, and I'll tell the others about this place. I'm sure they'll be just as excited as we are."
"Awesome!" Ruka exclaims, his tail wagging furiously. "Just wait until you see what Rai has in store for us next. This is going to be great!"
With a few final goodbyes, Ruka and Leza make their way out of the cave, their laughter and chatter fading into the distance. I watch them go, a sense of anticipation building within me.