Red Rose Street, House No. 25.
At the cozy guest table, a red-haired girl sat leaning forward, her chin propped on her hands, her sparkling eyes fixed on the boy sitting beside her. She hung on his every word as he recounted his latest adventure.
"…And then the queen bee snatched my sword and flung it far into the forest! But guess what? I'm a fighter, not a swordsman, so it didn't matter!" Raymond said with a grin, leaning back casually. "When it came at me, snapping its giant black mandibles, I dodged and punched it so hard, I knocked its head clean off!"
The girl burst out laughing, her voice bright and carefree. "Hahaha! That poor queen bee! I bet she didn't see that coming; trying to take on a fighter like you!"
Raymond couldn't help but smile as he watched her laugh, her joy contagious.