Gaela stood up gracefully, smoothing the folds of her dress as she made her way to the door.
The knock came again, more insistent this time.
She opened it, and a smile immediately lit up her face as two familiar figures came into view.
"Jenny! And little Eric! What a pleasant surprise," Gaela exclaimed, her golden eyes sparkling with warmth.
She extended her hand to Jenny, who clasped it firmly in a friendly handshake.
"As jovial as ever, young mother," Jenny replied with a chuckle, her voice warm and familiar.
Her eyes crinkled at the corners as she smiled, her midwife's hands still bearing the faint scent of herbs from her work.
Gaela's gaze then dropped to the shy eight-year-old boy clinging to his mother's dress.
"And you finally decided to bring Eric along!" she said warmly, bending down to his level.
"Hello there, little one. It's been a while since I last saw you."
Eric peeked out from behind Jenny's skirt, his wide eyes taking in Gaela's kind expression. He gave a small, hesitant wave before retreating slightly, his cheeks flushing pink.
Jenny sighed, placing a gentle hand on her son's head.
"Yes, I thought it was about time he started making friends. He's been cooped up in the house for far too long." She glanced past Gaela and waved at Ray, who was still seated at the table.
"Hi Ray! I hope we're not interrupting anything."
"Not at all," Ray replied, standing up and offering a friendly nod.
"It's good to see you both. Come in, come in!"
Gaela stepped aside, ushering Jenny and Eric into the cozy living room.
The scent of honeyed oat still lingered in the air, mingling with the faint aroma of herbs that seemed to follow Jenny wherever she went.
As they settled in, Gaela turned her attention back to Eric, who was now peering curiously around the room.
"Davin," she called out, her voice carrying a note of excitement.
"Come, say hello to our guests!"
Davin, who had been quietly observing the newcomers from the corner of the room, perked up at his mother's call.
He wiped his hands on his clothes and trotted over, his eyes immediately locking onto Eric. The two boys stared at each other for a moment, sizing each other up in the way only children could.
He then stepped forward, his small face lighting up with a bright smile as he looked at Jenny.
"Hello, Aunt Jenny," he said warmly, his voice carrying a note of genuine affection.
He gazed up at the woman who had been the first to hold him when he took his first breath in this world. To Davin, Jenny wasn't just a family friend—she was a part of his story, a living reminder of the day his new life began.
"Hi there, Davin," Jenny replied, her voice soft and full of fondness. She reached out and ruffled his hair, her touch gentle and familiar.
"My, how you've grown! It feels like just yesterday I was wrapping you in a blanket and handing you to your mother."
Davin grinned, his cheeks flushing slightly at the attention.
"Mama says I'm growing too fast," he said, glancing over at Gaela, who was smiling proudly.
"And she's right," Jenny said with a chuckle.
"Before we know it, you'll be taller than all of us."
Gaela stepped in, placing a gentle hand on Davin's shoulder.
"Davin, this is Eric," she said, gesturing to the shy boy still clinging to Jenny's side.
"He's a little older than you, but I'm sure you'll get along just fine."
Davin turned his attention to Eric, his curiosity piqued.
'Another kid? This could be interesting,' he thought, though he kept his expression friendly.
"Hi," he said simply, offering a small wave.
Eric, still clinging to his mother's side, managed a shy smile in return.
"Hi," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jenny chuckled, ruffling her son's hair.
"Don't be shy, Eric. Davin's a good boy. Why don't you two go play while we catch up?" His mother urged him.
Gaela nodded in agreement.
"Yes, go on. Davin, why don't you show Eric your room? I'm sure he'd love to see your toys."
Davin hesitated for a moment, then shrugged.
"Okay. Follow me," he said, gesturing for Eric to follow as he headed toward his room.
Eric glanced up at his mother, who gave him an encouraging nod. Slowly, the black-haired boy with green eyes let go of her dress and trailed after Davin, his steps hesitant but curious. Little did he know what Davin had in store for him in his mind…
~~
A black-haired boy stood staring at Davin, his green eyes filled with curiosity and a hint of suspicion.
'What is he up to?' Eric wondered, his gaze narrowing slightly as he watched Davin rummage through a wooden chest in the corner of the room.
'Now, as a good boy who's about to make his first friend, I must teach this guy that I'm the alpha around here,' Davin thought, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
He then pulled out a leather horse mask, its stitching slightly uneven but clearly made with care.
The mask was a gift from his father, Ray, who had crafted it during one of his idle moments. It was part of a game they often played—a game Davin was about to introduce to Eric.
[Hmm, I like that mentality, Host.]
The system chimed in, its tone approving.
'Thank you, Sir System!' Davin replied with dignity, his grin widening as he turned to face his soon-to-be 'horsey'.
"Nice… mask," Eric stuttered, his eyes darting between Davin and the mask.
"What are you planning to do with it?"
"Be a good boy and put this on," Davin demanded, holding out the mask with an air of authority.
Eric hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to refuse. But something about Davin's grin—equal parts charming and terrifying—made him comply.
He took the mask, gulped nervously, and slipped it over his head.
'Is every kid this scary, or is it just him?' Eric thought, his heart racing as Davin stepped closer.
'Bullying kids never gets old,' Davin chuckled internally, placing a firm hand on Eric's shoulder.
[…]
"Horses don't stand on two legs," Davin declared, his tone brooking no argument.
"Get on your fours kid!"
"…" Eric stared at him for a moment, then sighed and dropped to his hands and knees. As he adjusted to his new position, when a sudden realization struck him.
"Wait… aren't you also a kid?"
"Physically, yes," Davin replied, his voice dripping with wisdom.
"But mentally, I am far wiser!"
"Huh?" Eric blinked, his confusion deepening.
"Don't worry, young Eric. You'll understand when you grow up," Davin said sagely, climbing onto Eric's back with the ease of someone who had done this many times before.
"If you're so wise, then what's the name of the forest bordering our town?" Eric challenged, his voice muffled slightly by the mask.
Davin froze, his confidence faltering for a moment.
"That… I still don't know," he admitted, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment.
"It's the Mystic Forest!" The horsey--sorry, I mean Eric replied, his voice tinged with pride despite his current predicament.
"The Mystic Forest, huh? Cool name," Davin muttered, his gaze drifting toward the window as if imagining the towering trees and hidden secrets of the forest.
"My dad promised to take me there one day!" Eric added, his pride undiminished.
"My mother has already taken me there," Davin dropped the bombshell casually.
"Seriously?" Eric's voice rose in disbelief.
"Yes."
"Liar!"
"That reminds me," Davin said, his tone suddenly stern!
"Horses don't talk! So you better shut your trap, horsey, and run wild as we go on an adventure!"
"…"
[It seems that after increasing your intelligence stat, your brain seems to have developed backwards.]
The system quipped, its tone dry.
Davin only smiled as he laughed like a maniac deep inside…