Chapter 05: Preparing Dinner & Spending The Night

The furnace was prepared, but now Hikari's stomach began to growl uncontrollably as she lost all reason to it. Geo had to prepare the meat he had stripped from the carcass. But he knew, food couldn't be rushed. So... he had to think of a way to keep Hikari occupied.

Hikari became fed up with waiting and threw a tantrum.

"Moah! I have been hungry for a while... I should have gone hunting on my own!"

Geo reacted calmly as he continued to season the dish with whatever herbs and minerals he had come across during his travels.

"I know it's taking quite some time, but trust me.

The more hungry you are... the more heavenly the meal will be when we dig in!"

Hikari pouted and sat down... knowing she couldn't hold in much longer. Geo knew now was the time.

So he grabbed some tools and lifted the seasoned meat into the furnace. As the meat made contact with the flames the sizzling began,

as did a scent Hikari had never smelled before.

As it enveloped the room, Hikari's mouth began to water. Slowly she gave in to her hunger as the scent guided her to the middle of the room where Geo was cooking.

Captivated by the dancing flames, sizzling sounds, and smells she had never experienced before. She became curious...

"What is this smell? Hikari can't resist it."

Geo smiled, knowing this would happen.

"Just a little longer, the food is almost done."

Hikari sat down behind Geo, looking at him to prepare their meal that had something special to it.

Something, which made it feel like magic.

After a few more minutes had passed Geo left the furnace to prepare the dishes, they didn't have fancy tables or chairs, but plates were important for the foot so he decided it was time to use his talents for what was essential. Bowls!

The aroma began spreading throughout their shelter, making it all the more difficult for Hikari to contain herself. Her mouth watered even more as finally the loudest growl yet escaped her belly.

Geo laughed.

"Hahaha, the wait has been worth your while,

I promise you that!"

He turned around as he carefully lifted the fish out of the furnace. Without a table, it was essential to let it cool down on the clay display.

Geo then began cutting the meat which released a whole new world of smells for Hikari. Geo gently put the chunks of meat in the freshly made bowls, and as finishing touch covering them in their sizzling marinade.

Quickly Geo turned to Hikari as he handed her a bowl of her own.

"Enjoy! But take caution of the heat, you don't want to burn yourself, right? And don't worry, there's enough for seconds or thirds haha."

Hikari couldn't believe what she heard and carefully dug in.

The meat-like Geo said was piping hot as steam was coming from the dish.

Gently Hikari blew on the meat to cool it off a bit and nibbled off a small bite.

The meat began to melt in her mouth as a sweet flavour gave way to the rough texture.

Never having tasted something this great, the dish bought Hikari to tears.

"Delicious! Hikari wishes to eat amazing food like this every day!"

"As we continue on our journey together, we have to see what we can find and make.

As we might never know what nature will provide, right?"

As they finished their meal, Hikari had asked for seconds,

Geo too liked to enjoy his food a bit longer and even took thirds.

As they sat down for their last round lightning struck close by. It had begun to rain!

*Crackly* *Boom* *Boom*

"Glad that I took priority for the shelter, now we'll be able to rest without worry,

and our stomachs are full haha."

It had not rained for a while, making it hotter than usual. Hikari wanted to go outside to cool off,

but Geo stopped her at the entrance of their shelter.

As he did another bolt of lightning struck down in front of them. The edge towards the border went down for miles, but as the bolt struck down, it made the entire earth shake.

At that moment Hikari froze and didn't know how to react, the only thing she knew was that she was still alive... As the fear took over, her body fell. Geo quickly caught her and brought her inside.

"It's best to stay inside, for now, let's rest up, it might be a long day tomorrow, right?"

Hikari nodded and followed Geo inside.

"I have a separate room for the both of us, but... If you like, your welcome to stay with me tonight.

Because of the lightning and all, wouldn't want to be alone right?"

"Hikari thinks Geo is right, but she a brave girl so I'll try to stay on my own for the night."

As Hikari said it proudly lightning struck several times in a row. Making her quickly cover in fear once more.

"Maybe... I should take you up on your offer..."

Cautious about herself as fear began to take over she slowly entered Geo's room. Being the gentleman he is. Geo allowed Hikari to lay on his bed while he put a futon on the ground for himself, making sure she wouldn't feel out of place.

"Well then, let us rest for the big journey ahead. Goodnight Hikari."

"Goodnight."

The two were separated, yet together when Dawn finally arrived the both of them had rested up and were ready to leave, but where to go next? It was obvious that they had to descent down the edge of the forest for their shelter had been constructed st the edge of a cliff.

As the both of them looked down,

they realized just how deep the fall would be,

if they were to slip up.

Geo had built their shelter close to a flowing river, but he had not expected it to flow of the edge of the cliff.

As he realized this, looking down a large pond could be seen. Not knowing how deep the pond might be it was best to first slowly decent and eventually jump down at safe distance.

To realize a good worked out plan they shouldn't dive in without one,

Still... improvising was one of Geo's strong forts.

So for now it became apparent he had to start using his acquired elemental talents to provide a safe passage downwards.

Within the edge of the waterfall, a huge boulder with a flat surface split the flow of the river. This was where Geo decided to sit down and prepare a safe passage down.

Quickly Geo sat down in a cross-legged position and focussed on what had to be done. Meanwhile, energy began to erupt out of his body, as it slowly began building up, it soon shrouded the entirety of his body.

First his feet, legs, arms, and hands, finally throughout his front and lastly reaching his head.

Geo was ready... exhaling and calming his senses, putting his open hands gently on the flat surface of the rock.

Hikari looked in anticipation when suddenly roots began to grow from below the waterfall.

Geo tried to reach as far as possible and exhaled when he was finished.

"Phew... this should do."

He turned around and called Hikari.

"Hikari, prepare yourself, we're ready to decent. After this, it will be your turn to guide us."

Hikari felt nervous as she had never done something outrageous as climbing down a cliff. Would it all work out? Hikari hesitated and slowly walked towards Geo.

Looking down the few had been blocked with roots that had made a path downwards.

For some reason, it was still very confusing for Hikari. Frozen she didn't take the first step down.

Geo wanted to help her calm down and slapped her back to break her nerves.

As he did, Geo didn't take into account how light she was...

The slap on her back startled her and before she knew it,

she flew through the air.

At the point of realization, they began to fall straight onto one of the roots.

The whole experience had scared the living daylight out of her.

"Hey you, down there! You okay?" Geo yelled nonchalantly.

Hikari became irritated as the thought of death had almost become a certainty for her.

"Moooaaahh!!! You always do stuff like this!! Last time you let me starve to death, and now you push me off a cliff?! Think before you act damnit!!!"

Geo pulled up his shoulders without a care in the world, as he turned around to clean his ear with his finger he said with a lowered pouting voice.

"But you didn't... I took it all into consideration..."

Hikari had only just begun her rant, but Geo knew they shouldn't be easting daylight right now.

"Sure, you did?! Notify me next time... I thought I was gonna die!!"

Geo jumped down, landing next to Hikari he had put his hands behind his head and reacted without a care in the world.

"Still... you didn't, did you? So I don't see what the problem is..."