A Night with You (7)

The forest in the east was dense, with thick roots snaking across the ground and patches of vibrant moss clinging to the tree trunks.

To ensure she wouldn't lose her way, Athena pulled out a small blade from her pack and began marking the trees.

A quick, deliberate slash at eye level on each trunk created a clean notch, a subtle but effective guide for her return.

She crouched down to examine the soil, scooping a handful and rubbing it between her fingers.

The texture was rich and damp, suggesting the area was fertile. Her trained eyes scanned the ground for edible plants or useful materials.

She spotted clusters of glossy leaves with dark red veins, which she recalled from her training were safe to consume and packed with nutrients.

As she moved further, she encountered a vine with thorn-like spines curling around a tree. It exuded a faint, citrusy scent.

Intrigued, Athena carefully clipped a small piece to analyze later. If nothing else, it could serve as a natural deterrent or material for traps.

The forest was alive with sounds, the distant calls of alien creatures, the rustle of leaves in the breeze, and the faint hum of insects.

Her instincts were on high alert as she stepped lightly, avoiding areas where the underbrush was too thick or uneven.

The camera bot hovered close, its lens focusing on her hands as she worked and her face as she assessed the environment.

Athena deliberately ignored it, knowing her every move was being broadcast to millions.

After nearly forty minutes of exploration, she paused, leaning against a tree to catch her breath.

The air was humid, the earthy scent of the forest clinging to her skin.

She glanced at the path she had marked, the slashes on the trees standing out against the natural patterns of the bark.

"Time to head back," she murmured to herself.

She turned and retraced her steps, her markers ensuring she didn't stray.

By the time she returned to their meeting point, Mors was already there, standing tall with his arms crossed, his camera bot still circling him like a watchful sentinel.

"Find anything useful?" he asked as she approached.

Athena nodded, holding up the vine she had clipped and the red-veined leaves. "Potential food and materials. What about you?"

"Water source to the west, about a mile out. There's also a clearing that could work for a temporary camp."

"Good," she said, already calculating their next steps. "Let's move before we lose the light."

Mors nodded, and they set off together, the camera bots trailing them like ever-present shadows.

The forest may have been unfamiliar, but Athena was determined to make it her ally.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Athena and Mors found shelter in a shallow cave nestled within a rock formation.

The natural walls offered protection from the cool night breeze, and the uneven terrain made it difficult for larger predators to approach unnoticed.

Mors set down the bundle of wood he had gathered during their trek. "This should last us through the night," he said, placing the pieces neatly in a pile.

Athena nodded, kneeling by the makeshift fire pit she had created with a few stones.

Her movements were confident and deliberate as she reached into her pack for a small steel blade and a rough stone she had picked up earlier.

Striking them together, she generated sparks that danced onto the dry kindling.

Mors, leaning against the cave wall, raised an eyebrow as he watched her work.

The way she maneuvered the tools, the precision with which she coaxed the fire to life, it wasn't something an average entertainer would know.

But with the camera bots hovering nearby, broadcasting their every move to the galaxy, he kept his thoughts to himself.

Flames crackled to life, bathing the cave in a warm, flickering glow. Athena sat back on her heels, brushing her hands off as she admired her work.

Mors broke the silence. "You're full of surprises, aren't you?"

She glanced at him, her face illuminated by the firelight. "Adaptability is a useful skill," she said simply, avoiding elaboration.

Meanwhile, across the Andromeda Galaxy, interstellar citizens tuned in to the live broadcast were buzzing with commentary.

[Did you see that? She started a fire with her bare hands!]

[So? It's not like she's the first person to know basic survival skills.]

[But she's an entertainer! Most stars would cry if their nails broke, and here she is, making fire like a pro.]

[She's resourceful. I like her.]

[The Major General deserves someone better. This whole pairing feels staged.]

The stream's chat feature flooded with comments, and opinions ranging from admiration to outright disdain.

Athena, oblivious to the heated debates, tended to the fire, adjusting the wood to keep the flames steady.

"We should set up shifts for the night," she said, glancing at Mors. "I'll take the first watch."

Mors frowned slightly. "You've been working all day. I'll take the first shift."

She met his gaze, her tone firm. "I can handle it."

For a moment, neither spoke, the crackling fire was the only sound between them. Finally, Mors nodded. "Wake me if anything happens."

As he leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes, Athena positioned herself near the cave entrance. Her sharp eyes scanned the dark forest outside, her mind focused and alert.

Far away, the live chat continued its relentless commentary.

[She's taking the first watch? Respect.]

[I bet she'll mess up somehow.]

[Look at the way she's sitting, so composed. She's got guts.]

[What's her story? There's something different about her.]

[What about her family background?]

Though the galaxy buzzed with speculation and judgment, inside the cave, the couple worked silently, an unspoken understanding growing between them as the firelight flickered, casting shadows on the stone walls.

Athena's sharp eyes caught sight of a cluster of vibrant, reddish fruits hanging from a tall tree just a short distance from the cave.

Each fruit was almost the size of her head, their glossy skin gleaming faintly under the moonlight.

Her curiosity was piqued, not just by their appearance but also by their potential as a food source.

Without hesitation, she moved toward the tree.