The scent of roasting pork filled the small house as I stirred the pot of boiling water on the hearth, Aurora's hunt sizzling with the wild herbs I'd gathered. That day had been a whirlwind—her victorious hunt, the hardship of being turned away at market—but now, as dusk fell, a warm calm settled over her. Aurora sat cross-legged nearby, her round glasses slightly fogged with steam, her tail wagging expectantly as she eyed the pot.
"Smells so good! Aren't you just an executioner, you're a chef too?" she teased, leaning forward with a grin, her ears twitching.
I chuckled, scooping a large bowl for her.
"Only when I need to eat. Eat—it's your kill, after all," I said, helping myself to a portion and sitting down beside her.
Aurora took a bite, her eyes widening as she savored the rich flavor.
"Oh, heaven! The meat is soooooo good!" She exclaimed, her voice a mixture of joy and over-the-top delight, making me laugh despite the frustrations of the day.
She dove into the stew with gusto, her spoon moving lightning fast as she scooped the meat onto her plate. I raised an eyebrow, amused.
"You really like meat that much? I've never seen anyone eat so much meat!" I remarked, watching her finish the first bowl and reach for the second.
Aurora grinned, wiping her mouth on her sleeve.
"Oh, you have no idea! Traveling means having a feast—literally! With Heilbronn and my friends, as well as Onn (one of the 72gods of MountKito but she didn't tell me he was actually a god, I just thought it was random), we had some great times. Once, in Sealanka, he turned a storm into a light show to impress the whole village, and Onn turned it into a dance party—ending up eating half of their roasted boar! Then in Nanji, he tried cooking ice deer—his tongue froze but he still devoured three deer legs. Heilbronn just stood there, judging him the whole time!" She laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I smiled, leaning back.
"Sounds like a pretty big group. I bet they kept you entertained—and fed." - Charlie(me) said, his voice soft but curious, imagining the chaos of her travels.
Aurora nodded, picking more meat onto her plate.
"Sure! Onn is always up to mischief, and Heilbronn is my silent judge. And me? I'm a master of meat—just hunt me a good meal, and I'll eat for days! And this stew is wonderful—give me more!" - She held out the bowl, her enthusiasm spreading.
As they ate, the silence became comfortable. Aurora's third serving slowed, and I put down my spoon, my expression softening, looking at Aurora.
"I'm sorry for what you've been through today. The fate of executioners like me is a very lonely one—I think you should go. It'll be better for you, without me, and the people won't shun you anymore." - I said softly, my voice laced with resignation as I avoided her eyes. Aurora's eyes softened, and she patted my hand.
"You're not alone, Charlie. Even though your mother is gone, I'm sure she's still with you, watching over you every minute." Her voice was warm, almost gentle, and I felt a strange comfort in her words, though he didn't understand the implication. As usual, he noticed her eyes occasionally glancing at him, as if seeing something he couldn't, but he brushed it off with a small smile.
The rest of the evening passed in easy conversation. Aurora told more stories—about how Onn had once turned a certain wizard's staff into a sausage, leading to a cannibalism contest she won easily, and how Heilbronn had accidentally scared away a bandit camp, leaving her with all her supplies of smoked pork. Charlie shared simpler memories, like sneaking apples as a child or tripping in a mud puddle at a carnival, his rare smiles making her laugh. They sat by the fire, the warmth of the stew lingering as they told stories, their bond growing stronger with each giggle.
As the night fell, Charlie stretched and glanced out the window.
"It's still early. You can go to the inn—there'll definitely be a room, unlike last night. We said you'd only be staying for one night, right?" I said, my tone matter-of-fact but not unkind.
Aurora's face fell slightly, her ears drooping as she clasped her hands together.
"But... this house is so warm and cozy! I don't want to go anywhere yet!" she pleaded, her voice becoming cute and coy as she tilted her head and fluttered her eyelashes.
"Please, Charlie? I'll make it up to you! I can go hunting again and share the rewards—how about that? Please?"
"And I don't care what anyone else thinks of me, I'm a powerful witch after all." She insisted confidently.
Charlie raised an eyebrow, amused by her antics, but her sincerity softened him, after all, he had been alone for so long that having another friend wasn't...bad, right?
"Okay, okay, remember to hunt regularly." - I conceded with a small smile.
Aurora beamed, clapping her hands.
"Okay! You won't regret it! I'll bring back a feast of meat!" - she chirped, her excitement lighting up the room.
The night grew longer with laughter, Aurora begged for a fourth stew, Charlie obliged with a fake sigh and a shake of his head. Heilbronn lay by the fire, his ghostly form relaxed, occasionally tilting his head as if enjoying their conversation. Finally, fatigue set in. Charlie lit the fire, Aurora yawned and stretched, and they retreated to their own corners - she in the living room, I in my own room. Heilbronn curled up near the door, like a silent guardian. The house became quiet, the warmth of the day gradually fading into a peaceful sleep for all.