"Look at 'ya go! Plenty fine for an office-workin' city boy, I'd say." A young woman's alto-toned voice rang from within the lush fairy-tale forest with a friendly sarcasm that matched her cheerful expression.

"Excuse me, Miss Rook, but didn't you only recently move to the countryside?" Our apprentice threw back, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his gloved hand, holding a trowel covered in dirt.

"Yeah. But, recently moved is still better than never-moved, ain't it?" But she was not so readily fazed, holding steady as she proudly shoveled more dirt to the side.

"Rheta," A deep voice emanated, the source walking over and crouching next to the two, "That hole you're digging is too wide and shallow, see?" The man with his many braids commented as he gently placed a potted plant into the large gap.

"Oh, oopsie." She tried to save face, letting her inverted bob cut bob back and forth as she chuckled.

"Yikes. Pretty rough for a self-made country girl, I'd say." Our apprentice, having learned to bicker and banter from the very best, shot back without hesitation as he found his opening.

"Oh, now you're on glasses." And so they were, the two competitively digging holes that would serve as coffins rather than homes for the plants they intended to place.

The large man couldn't help but sigh at the sight, a mix of endearment and genuine disappointment.

If it wasn't clear enough, we were back in the backyard of the couple Quill Quentin and Rheta Rook, our third companion remaining by our side, or, as of right now, the pair's side.

Their place remained as beautiful as when we last visited. The Sylvan backdrop was a welcome break from the modern pillars of concrete. And the fresh autumn breeze blessed the serene air of the woods. And just having the humble cabin of brick and plank in sight made me feel cozy and warm, even under the morning sun.

"Still, I'm surprised you folks at aiAI even had all this equipment," Rheta commented as she stood up and looked at their work, a mess of gardening tools, dirt, and potted plants, "Who woulda thunk?"

"I was surprised too," Keith began, "I was looking around our supply building when I found them and had the idea." He explained, now measuring each hole carefully.

"Well, it's a worthwhile plan, don't you think?" Quill walked beside his better half, placing his patterned jacket onto her shoulders.

It was fun, in all honesty. Seeing not just a couple but our apprentice in high spirits was a pleasant sight and made it feel like our three weeks or so with him weren't in vain.

"Bridger!" Keith shouted at me, "Get down here and help!" He requested, but the comfort of the gazebo's shade and seating provided a far better argument.

"You're doing great! Keep it up! Positive explicative!" I exclaimed back, leaning on the baluster with a close-eyed smirk.

"At least try to feign concern!"

"Nope." Our brief exchange roused some amusement from the pair, who proceeded to help out my struggling apprentice.

Neither Myla nor I am exactly sure what happened, but after the hectic day we worked with Keith, it feels like he relaxed a little. I wouldn't go as far as to say he changed, but more that he found his footing.

He seemed to joke around with us more, laugh more, and was overall more composed. The best part was that this also extended to clients. My concerns regarding his tact around them were unwarranted - when the going gets tough, the tough gets smiling. Sure, he was still reserved and quiet, but clients loved talking with him, probably cause he loved talking with them too.

"Managing a garden is a lot of work, but with the two of you, it should be light enough to become a small part of your everyday together. Plus, it looks great in your backyard, right?" The words Keith used to reiterate his reasoning to the pair were the very same he told us when we were deciding on what to do with Quill and Rheta.

To our surprise, he figured out a plan of action all by himself. He remembered that the two wanted something that needed a consistent schedule, was easy to get into, and was relatively cheap - he eventually settled on gardening while brainstorming by himself.

Sure, teamwork makes the dream work, but if our apprentice proved one thing to us, he was more than willing to keep secrets from his surveyors, as dismaying as it was. I guess that was some proof he was capable of handling himself - no matter how opposed I was and still am.

And in the end, we never did figure out what exactly he was plotting in that mind of his. But it seemed like he found it himself.

"Better enjoy him while you can, guys. This is his last day with us." I added, getting the attention of the pair, who had surprise painted on their faces.

"Oh, right! I completely forgot you were just an intern!"

"You sure work hard for your place." The two commented, passing tools, plants, and the like to each other.

"I'm one to rise above my station for the clients I like," Keith replied, an answer that felt both honest and made the couple feel cared for and special - Surveyor 101.

But as I stated, this was the last time he'd get to formally utilize a surveyor's tricks of the trade as he was returning to his former work soon enough. Today was his final day going out with us - and by tomorrow, we'd be sending him off.

Still, his leaving wasn't why I was hanging him out to dry. It was humorous, but Myla and I talked to Alexandre and negotiated to get a few of the more "easy-to-handle" clients on our schedule and let Keith have his fun. Sure, this was also so we could get a taste of what it felt like to dump work on an intern - but also it served as our final gift to him.

But the former positive sure feels great.

Speaking of, I hadn't noticed in my contemplation, but my partner disappeared without sound or sight. I'd say she was getting complacent, but in all honesty, if I saw the chance to book it and relax for a day, I'd take it too.

Though, doing so while letting your junior do everything unsupervised? Absurd!

"...Hey guys! You don't mind if I walk around the forest a bit?"

"Hmm? Nope! Just watch yer step!" Rheta responded without turning around, the jacket on her back perfectly matching her black and red cut.

"Thanks!" I happily exclaimed as I left the comfort of the shade and abandoned our apprentice with little hesitation.

"Hey! Come back here and-" As I departed, someone's pleas were drowned out by my cheery whistling and the woodland ambiance.

Strange, I never took this place to be haunted by the fae.

As I made my way to the edge of their yard, a small picket fence was all that separated their property and the forest proper. Upon opening the gate and following the unmarked path, the way steadily began to incline as the sky-high foliage became denser and the towers of living lumber increased in number around me.

While we've pretty much scoured the entire city and the neighborhoods bordering it - getting a chance to enjoy the sight of an untouched and serene forest was a delightful rarity - and one I enjoyed as much as I could.

"And all without a certain someone having to nag me," I said to myself aloud with closed eyes and hands behind my back.

"And who is that certain someone exactly?" But just as I was beginning to enjoy myself, a voice that could turn the entire forest into a barren tundra came from within the trees.

"My God, the fae do exist!" I shouted, half-serious as discovering a mythical creature was relatively high on my bucket list, "Show yourself forest fien-" But as the near-Ahabian urge burned within me, I lost my footing just as the legendary captain did to his own white whale.

A Moby Dick reference? Does that mean it's time for me to go on an unnecessarily long tangent?

If I was, I could probably start on the many physical injuries one can sustain in the woods - beginning with a foot sprain. I picked myself up, tapping my foot a few times on the ground to make sure it didn't hurt before looking around for the source of my blunder.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

And it didn't take long, as within the verdant scape, the argent mane of my dear partner stood out brilliantly even with how little sunlight came through from the canopy.

She placed herself atop a large tree stump, a paperback in hand which her lens-covered eyes quietly enjoyed. While I found the idea of mythological forest critters amusing and absurd, the way Myla carried herself was a perfect fit for the forest.

A place so separate from our modern conventions and activities, untouched and unknown - and within it, an uncaring yet enchanting forest spirit whose mere words could send a chill down your spine.

Indeed it was something I could see in a novel, and yet here it lay right in front of me, making fun of my misstep.

"If you left Keith to handle the two on his own for the sake of falling over in the middle of the woods, I'd highly advise rethinking your priorities." She commented, not even sparing me a glance as she continued to read.

"Peachy as always," I replied as I walked toward her, "So, any reason you're all the way out here?"

"The same purposes as you, I assume."

"And that is?"

"Neither you nor I can deny this place is calming." She stated, closing her book and looking up at me with eyes of a rich amber hue, "Even in all our travels, we seldom get to enjoy one such as this." And her explanation matched mine to a tee.

"Fair enough." I added before walking closer, "Mind scooching over?" I asked, getting a nod.

She flipped her book open and moved to the edge of the natural chair, giving me some room right behind her. I sat, my back to hers, as I took in the splendor of the surroundings from the comfort of what once was a towering giant - the sounds of the forest accented by the occasional turn of a page.

But, as fun as it'd be to frolic around a forest all day, we were still on the clock.

"Any ideas on Keith before he leaves?" I asked, neither of us facing the other.

"Not a clue, unfortunately. As for you?"

"Nope. But he's still all chipper and happy, so there's that."

"I see," She paused to turn a page, "Though it's not as if we have much time left to find anything else out." She continued with the faintest hints of frustration and acceptance in her tone.

"Well, I'm partly glad it's all over, though," I replied, breathing out a sigh.

"That we can agree on," This time, her voice carried what almost felt like a smile, "And it's not as though we learned nothing. If anything, I'd say we should be a little more confident in Keith, yes?" Myla added, surprisingly privy to my worries regarding the situation.

"Well, if you say so." I accepted her reassurance, in a way, happy to hear her consolation.

We returned to a peaceful quiet, the air filled not with words but faint rustling, whistling gales, and chirping songbirds as we sat below the blanket of viridescent - an enjoyable ennui enveloping me as we rarely got the chance to be so lax while out.

Though, there was one idea I had.

"...By the way,"

"Hmm, what is it?" I could feel Myla shift her gaze a little bit toward me.

"You don't think Keith found what he was looking for, not from the clients but from us, do you?" I asked, hesitant to even present the idea.

"Not one bit," She scoffed after a moment of thought, "With how we act toward each other, all he'd learn is how to destroy a relationship from day one."

"That's fair," I replied before snickering as I mulled over it more, having heard her thoughts, "It's not like either of us would make for good role models."

"And what does that mean?" She questioned, perhaps thinking I was doubting her ability as a surveyor.

"What I mean is I'm literally divorced, and forgive me for presuming, but you're not exactly one for romance now, are you?"

"I'd be hurt if I disagreed with that."

"And do you?"

"Not one bit." She answered, almost sounding proud of herself.

"You continue to confuse me," I began, getting her attention, "Why even join aiAI, of all places, then?" Even having worked for months together now, it was still a mystery that I had little to no knowledge about - and this confirmation added little to that already scarce pile.

"Well, what if I were to ask you the same?" She began, closing her book and deciding to entertain my query.

"Money."

"Expected no less, really." She couldn't even sigh as that would indicate disappointment, an emotion usually experienced when one's expectations aren't met, "It seems I at least have a better reason than you."

"Oh? And that is?"

"Secret." She answered with a tone uncharacteristically sweet as if leading me with a bait-and-switch was the height of amusement.

"Just when I thought you were starting to open up..." I said, sarcastically saddened even though I was more than content with her answer.

I didn't mind if Myla was secretive about it - in fact, it was kinda fun. It was one of those conversation topics we'd always have if things got quiet. Sure, I'd be lying if I didn't say I was curious, but never to the point of it being more than mere wonder.

But we still need a conversation topic. Think, Blaithe, what did your friends always default to back when you had a healthy social life...

I had a hand to my chin before an idea struck me, "Well if you're not keen on sharing that, how about let's throw it back to earlier?" I could finally feel her shift to turn around, to which I did the same, "Since it's kinda unfair that you know so much about mine - what about your exploits in love?" Indeed the topic is on the lips of every high schooler and an ol' reliable serving me well, even into adulthood.

She looked at me for a second, and that was as far as she could care, before turning back to her book, "If that was the case, you'd have to do the same for every single surveyor who ever worked with you." Myla replied, her tone returning to a far more familiar apathy.

"Irk, okay, fair enough." I conceded, hanging my head low as it seemed the rest of my time here would be spent in awkward silence.

Or so I thought, as after a moment, words of ice filled the air, "But, it's not like we have anything better to do," I turned over my shoulder to see her paperback was still closed, "And besides, I did promise I'd eventually share a few stories of mine as recompense." I recall her saying something a few months back. And whether it was out of obligation, the tranquil atmosphere of the forest, or maybe because she was just bored, she placed her book down on her lap to begin sharing her own story.

Or maybe this is her way of cheering me up since we didn't figure out what Keith was thinking. Not that I'm particularly bummed about it, but I won't let that stop her.

"Before we begin, this is more or less the only notable case I can recall. And if you even think of sharing this with anyone, we'll return to this forest in less fortunate circumstances." She prefaced her words like icy daggers to my neck.

"...Yes, ma'am." I managed to eke out once I gulped down my fear.

"Good." She stated, but she took a moment to compose herself and begin.

"A few years ago, I'd say back when I was around fifteen or so, I was good friends with a guy my age." She began, for once, her tone lined with a tinge of nostalgia, "He didn't mind my silence nor my aversion to conversing. In fact, it was as if that was the entire reason he was talking with me." She continued, her silver braids the only thing I could see as she spoke.

"You've heard it a million times now, even more so after you began working here, but it was hard not to eventually develop something. It's difficult not to when it feels like you're listened to and cared about, even if you knew they treated others with similar kindness." Myla couldn't help but snicker - a bittersweet reaction to her past self, "There was just one small issue with that..." She paused, letting her hair sway as her words suddenly halted.

"And that was?"

She finally turned to me, with a face every-so-slightly redder than her usually pale complexion, "He was already taken." And with a smile that seemed more proud than saddened, she told me the crux of her story.

"Oh, that's a nice reaction." She commented upon seeing my expression before turning back around to continue, "You know how this goes. You tell yourself over and over again to just let it go and move on, but your mind can't help but think of ways to avoid that, correct?" Indeed it was a song and dance I knew well, as even before I met Amanda, it was something I witnessed in my circles all too often.

"In the end, I thought of three options." She began, raising her hand to my eyes without facing me and lifting a finger, "Option one. I could confess, jeopardizing our current relationship in the hopes he'd reciprocate," And then she'd lift another, "Option two. I could bide my time and continue to interact with him, waiting for the chance that he'd eventually return my feelings," And then a final one, but this time more hesitantly, "Option three. I could endure it and wait until those emotions dissolved, leaving me with a friendship intact." She finished, slowly placing her hand back down.

I was about to comment on it, perhaps in the same exact manner I used to - but she continued, "But at the same time, all of these options came with obvious flaws that I wasn't immune to overthinking about." She began, once again, now raising her other hand, this time with all three fingers up, "Firstly, I wasn't exactly keen on sacrificing a relationship on the off-chance he was interested." And so one finger was lowered, "Secondly, I wasn't enthused by the idea of hurting their partner by trying to subtly make my move." And then another, "Lastly, I wasn't sure how willing I was to hurt myself for the sake of holding on to that friendship. It's not an easy feat, you know?" And with her options exhausted, her hand dropped back down onto the wood.

"Long story short, I wasn't able to decide on anything and eventually fumbled my way through that part of my life without ever trying again. Maybe that's at least one reason I decided to work in aiAI - to help people like me find someone without worrying about so many things. And another part of me saw it as a reason to never engage in it myself, creating the strange mess that is me now." She finally finished, and it was then that I was more or less so entranced by her words that I was no longer facing her back, simply looking up into the sky-high leaves as I dedicated the rest of my attention to her tale.

It wasn't a sad story. And it wasn't one Myla sounded particularly hurt by either. Her tone felt far more proud of it. As if she knew that it was an experience that made her who she was now and that she wouldn't have it any other way.

And as I closed my eyes, even with all of these thoughts floating around in my head, some old and some new, I couldn't help but be endeared at seeing my usually strict and restrained partner speak of memories she's held on to for so long. And it at least partly explained her reasons to be.

Perhaps the atmosphere really did make her tongue looser, but, oh well, I can tease her about her high school love later.

But before I could, the vibration of my phone indicated it was about time we returned to working and not gossiping in the middle of the woods. And before I could stand up, right as I opened my eyes, a firm yet slender hand was outstretched to me, no longer concerned with options nor their consequences and instead cheerfully telling me to go forward.

I'm gonna miss Keith. But if I'm gonna be honest, I don't mind just having one dear partner.

And as she helped me up, we were off to continue on that trek once again.