~Andrew
When we finally said our goodbyes to the professor, it was midday.
Crimzo spoke as he mounted his horse. "Man, I like that guy. You were right Roy, we should visit him more often."
Lauren, adjusting her saddle, nodded. "Absolutely."
After that, we all set off towards Crimzo's house.
"I know this road," said Crimzo as he led us "We have about three hours of riding ahead of us, and we'll get there."
Lauren raised an eyebrow. "That's not far at all."
We rode in silence for a while, admiring the Rainforest we were passing through, it was my first time coming here, and the view was amazing, the trees were so tall, and the vines were hanging from their branches. After a while, we slowed down our horses to let her breathe.
That's when Sophia nudged her horse closer to mine.
"So," she said softly, "the professor… he's the one who raised you both?"
I looked at her, then nodded. "Yes. Roy and I were living in the woods back then. The professor found us, and then he let us live with him."
Sophia was quiet for a moment, her gaze lowering slightly. "What a life you two have lived…"
I chuckled, shaking my head. "Hey, it's already happened. And besides…" I glanced at her, smirking. "Here we are now."
She didn't say anything, just smiled a little.
The road continued, and the sun was beginning to set as the day drew to a close. By the time we reached the outskirts of Crimzo's house, it was almost sunset.
Lauren frowned. "We took more than four hours."
Crimzo grinned. "Pft... It's three hours for me."
I laughed, shaking my head. While Lauren gave him an annoyed glare.
In front of us, a large wooden house stood upright among tall trees, a two-floor house, and there were beautiful flowers and plants around the house, then my eyes fell on the door of the house, it was decorated and beautiful, made of thick wood, and in front of it is a walled outdoor terrace that surrounds the front of the house only, and inside there are chairs, a table, and plants. with a smelling of burning wood in the air. The area was quiet and isolated, a place where time seemed to slow down.
After entering in the terrace and before we reached the door, someone came out, a young woman with Crimzo's sharp features, a little taller than him, her arms crossed.
She stared at him, then grinned. "Look who finally showed up."
Before Crimzo could respond, she turned her head and shouted, "Mom! Your favorite son is home!"
The front door opened and out stepped Crimzo's mother, a round woman with brown skin, bright eyes, and with the warmest energy I've ever seen in my life.
She shouted, "Son!" and ran toward him.
She grabbed his face and hugged him so hard he almost choked.
He groaned "Mom, stop, my friends are here," trying to push her away.
She finally let go, looking at all of us. "Oh, so these are the people you talk about in your letters."
A look of shyness on Crimzo face "Yes, yes." He muttered, still trying to regain his composure. "Hi mom."
His mother and sister warmly greeted us, then led us inside.
The house was wooden and large, built of thick timber. Inside, the walls were lined with shelves filled with old books, hunting tools, and a few decorations here and there. A fireplace was burning in the corner. The house wasn't fancy, but it was... full of life and comfort.
We sat in the main room, stretching after a long journey, It was open to the kitchen, in the middle was a large sofa, two small ones and two chairs placed in a square shape and in the center was a nice wooden table, there were several windows around the room, the ceiling was high and a chandelier was hanging from it with many candles, at the edge of the room there are stairs to the second floor., and the kitchen was simple and traditional separated from the living room by a bar on which some fruits and kitchen tools were placed. Sophia sat next to me on the sofa. Lauren was standing looking at the design of the house, and Roy was standing by the window looking outside.
I smirked at Crimzo, leaning back. "So… you write about us in letters?"
Lauren laughed and took a sit. "I didn't consider you sentimental, but that actually kinda cute."
Sophia was listening and smiling.
Crimzo groaned, rubbing the back of his head. "It's not like that! My mom just… asks about stuff."
His mother, bustling around the kitchen, overheard and grinned. "He talks about you all the time in the letters, and I don't ask anything! He's lying maybe because he's a little shy."
I raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? So, you're a little shy boy."
Crimzo sighed, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his head. "I regret everything."
His mother just laughed. "You all must be hungry. I'll prepare a big dinner for you."
Lauren and Sophia stood up as well. "We can help," Lauren offered.
His mother shook her head firmly. "No, no. You're guests! Sit and rest."
As she moved to start cooking, a beautiful smell spread throughout the place. Roy remained by the window, silent, staring out into the trees. His posture was relaxed, but by knowing him, his mind was not, I wonder what's on his mind. I want him to sit with us and talk to us, seeing him like this bothers me.
"Hey Roy, what are you doing there, come sit with us." I said smirking.
He looked at me then Crimzo said. "For real Roy, what are doing, you've been looking at trees for 15 minutes already, comon."
Roy finally replied. "Has it really been that long, I didn't notice." Then he came and sat on the wooden chair and said. "This is a comfortable place."
Crimzo replied with a large smile on his face. "Ohhh, glad you like it." Then he stood up. "I'm gonna change and get some beds ready for you both, you can come with me to."
We stood up and followed him to the second floor through the stairs, and entered his room, which was beautiful and large, one small bed on the right of the room, on the wall was a rabbit skin and some targets with actual arrows inside, and on the edges of the room were arrows and a beautiful crossbow and some lovely plants, and on the floor was a carpet that filled half of the room.
Crimzo began to speak. "Ah, it's been a while since I've been in this room, make yourself comfortable, put your things where you want, the room is spacious, we'll sleep comfortably."
"Thank you for the hospitality," Roy and I said together.
After spreading the mattresses on the floor, Karimzu said cheerfully. "Now after the food I'll show you to the bathroom, you can shower there too," he suddenly became serious, "Now we have to decide who will sleep in my comforting bed."
"This is your bed, Crimzo, you're the one who should sleep on it," I said chuckling and Roy nodded in agreement.
"Don't be such a bore, you have to fight for the best spot," he replied, his serious look still in place. He stood up, looked at the ceiling and then said with his finger in the air. "Let's play arm-wrestling and the winner sleeps there..."
He didn't even finish his sentence, and Roy had already fallen into one of the mattresses and said, "Good luck against Andrew. I'll take this one by the wall."
"Oh, you don't have a hand, right," Crimzo replied, then pointed his hand at me. "So this is our fight, don't get cocky about your strength even if you have a huge arm and sword, but the game is about tactics, not just strength."
I don't remember the last time I played but I'll take it, Crimzo looks strong, "Let's do it!"
We went downstairs to the living room and the food was almost done, the girls were sitting on the couch and Crimzo's sister was with them, talking. Crimzo stepped up and put his hand on the table and said, "Let's get this thing over!"
I stepped forward and put my hand in his, Roy is looking intently, I can tell he's excited but he's hiding it, then Crimzo's sister shouts. "Come on, beat my arrogant brother."
Crimzo shouted back. "Shut up!"
Minutes pass and Crimzo is already pulling with all his might, and my hand doesn't budge, everyone looks on in confusion, but I can tell Crimzo is already strong, I can feel the strength of his hand, it seems that my sword fighting has paid off... I squeezed him hard and won.
Crimzo screamed. "Are you a bear or what?"
Lauren smashed his back, chuckling. "You need to train more buddy."
"Looks like you'll be sleeping on the floor today," I said, laughing.
Crimzo's sister stood up. She had his sharp features but was taller, almost Roy height. Her eyes flickered between Sophia and Lauren before she smiled. "You two can stay in my room. I'll get the beds ready."
Lauren and Sophia nodded. "Thanks, we appreciate it."
Then, she turned to me. Her gaze lingered for a moment before she smirked. "First time I've met a man taller than me." She tilted her head slightly. "And after seeing you how destroy my brother, you're strong as hell."
I smirked slightly and leaned forward. "Ohh, Thanks." Then I looked at Roy trying to bring him to the conversation. "But if you want to speak about strength? I think you should talk to Roy, he wins that."
Roy glanced at us. "Keep me out of that."
Crimzo's sister shrugged. "Eh, height's not everything after all." Then she turned back to me with a playful grin. "I didn't even introduce myself properly, did I? I'm Rose."
"I'm Andrew, nice to meet you..." Before I could continue, I felt a strange stare from Sophia.
Her eyes locked onto me, unreadable. I didn't understand what was happening, but I felt a tingling in my body.
Then, just as quickly, she stood up smiling, turning toward Lauren and Rose. "Let's get the beds ready before the food finish, I will help you."
Lauren blinked, a little caught off guard, but before Rose could continue talking, Sophia had already taken a step forward. "Come on, let's get it done."
Rose hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Sure. Let's go."
I watched as they walked off, Sophia leading the way like she had never interrupted anything at all.
Crimzo stretched, completely unaware of whatever just happened. "Well. She's in a helpful mood today."
I leaned back in my chair, shaking my head slightly. "Yeah, I guess so."
After a little while, the food was finished and the girls had returned and we sat around the table, all of us filled with amazement, there's plates and dishes I was seeing for the first time, and in the center of the table was a perfectly roasted chicken.
Crimzo's mom smiled at our amazement. "Come on, don't be shy, eat, there's plenty of food."
We all thanked her for the table, and it was the first time in a long time that we had eaten good food, it was really warming to the body and soul.