"Elaria, Elaria, Elaria!!! Wake up! How long do you plan on sleeping? Do you always sleep this long?" Alarion called out.
"Morning, Rion. What's for breakfast?" she said in a childish sing-song tone, not even noticing the shift in name.
Alarion blinked in surprise. "Rion? Who's that?"
"Oh, from now on, you're Rion. I never really liked the name Alarion to begin with. Or… do you want me to change it?" she asked, still half-asleep.
"Fine, I don't mind Rion," he sighed, "but we have to keep moving. We need to get out of this forest as quickly as possible. And seriously,how can you sleep around someone you just met two days ago? What if I left you here or traded you to a demon to save my own life?"
"Haha, you won't do that, Rion. You're a godly two-shoes," she said while trying to stand up straight. "And besides, I reinforced this cave with magic. It looks like there's not even a cave here."
Alarion picked up his things. "That's true. I was surprised you could use illusion magic ,I thought elves only used plant-related magic."
"Well, most do," Elaria replied. "But some of us are capable of more. I'm one of them. I can use three special magic classes. I only recently unlocked illusion, though. I still need to master the others."
"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Now come over here and take your food we need to leave soon. Oh, and can I call you Elly, oh great elven mage?"
"Hmmm…" Elaria placed a finger on her chin, pretending to think. "Why should a mere human give me a nickname?"
Alarion grinned. "But you gave me a nickname! So it's only fair if I get to call you something too!"
Elaria's face dropped for a moment. Then, slowly, she turned her head almost a full 360 degrees before finally replying:
"…Fine. But you mustn't call me that in front of others."
"Thank you very much, Elly," Alarion said cheerfully.
Elaria blushed, not expecting him to use the nickname so quickly, and quickly turned her face to hide it.
The forest path was quiet, save for the crunch of leaves underfoot and the gentle hum of morning insects. Rion walked ahead, carrying a small flask and a wooden bucket, eyes scanning for the familiar trail that led to the stream. Elly trailed behind, hopping between stones, occasionally humming a tune and kicking pebbles with no real rhythm.
"Rion," she called, her voice laced with mischief. "I smell something better than that boring little stream of yours…"
He stopped mid-step. "What now?"
She darted forward and pointed excitedly through a break in the trees. "There! Look, a river! A real one! With sparkling water and everything!"
Rion sighed, already sensing where this was going. "We just need water, Elly. In and out. Quick."
"But it's so prettyyy! Look! It's perfect for swimming! Please? Pleaseee?" She grabbed his arm and shook it dramatically, her eyes shimmering with exaggerated innocence. "You know you want to."
"I don't.." he began, but she was already dragging him down a slope, laughing as she sprinted ahead.
Within moments, they reached the river. The water gleamed under the sun, dancing over smooth stones and curling around mossy banks. Birds chirped, and a faint breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and flowers.
Without waiting for permission, Elly kicked off her shoes and leapt into the water with a loud splash.
"Elly!" Rion shouted. "At least check if it's safe first!"
She popped her head out of the water with a grin. "Too late!"
He pinched the bridge of his nose, muttering something under his breath. "Unbelievable…"
And yet, despite himself, he smiled. With a sigh of surrender, he set down the bucket and flask on a rock and sat by the edge, watching her splash around like an excited otter
After nearly two hours of Elly's antics in the river, Rion finally stood and stretched.
He watched her splash like a child, laughing as if the world hadn't burned.
It almost made him forget.
Almost.
"Hey Elly, don't you think it's time to get going?"
She popped up from the water, brushing her wet hair out of her face. "Ughh, fiiine… but you're carrying me! I'm exhausted!" she whined, flopping dramatically onto the grass.
Rion raised an eyebrow. "You've been swimming like a wild nymph for two hours straight and now you're tired?"
""Ugh, don't make me walk already," she groaned, slumping down in the grass. "I might actually melt…"
"Alright, alright, drama queen. Get your things."
She hurriedly grabbed her boots and supplies, skipping over to him. "I'm ready!"
As she climbed up on his back again, he asked, "Did you forget anything?"
"Nope! Why would the Great Illusion Mage Elaria ever forget her stuff?" she replied with an exaggerated flick of her hair.
"Ohhh, I'm sooo sorry, Your Greatness. Can thou forgive thy humble servant?" Rion said with a smirk.
"I guess I will… but just this once," Elly replied, grinning as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.
Rion adjusted her weight slightly and began walking again.
For a brief moment, as the warmth of the sun filtered through the leaves above, he glanced back at the river. Her laughter still echoed in his ears.
She acted like a carefree girl, untouched by the horrors of the world.
But Rion knew better. No one survived untouched.
He didn't say it aloud but it made him wonder what she was hiding beneath all that sunshine.
And so they continued onward, the sun gleaming above them, laughter and teasing trailing behind as they walked deeper into the forest.