Pockets! She had Pockets!

Daire was trying to rain on her parade, but she was too excited to let herself get down.

"Da-dada-da-da-da-DA!"

She tap danced. Her arms spread in exuberance before pointing down to her pockets with an open grin. Her face was stuck, and no one could wipe it off even if they wanted to.

This had happened about every ten to twenty minutes. Instead of getting tired of it, Daire found it funnier each time. He imagined a little frog dancing along singing "Hello My Baby" and started cracking up. When they finally returned to the Rusty Bucket and Trinket and Pebbles waiting for him, he lost it.

When Trinket began clapping to non-existent music, Daire got cramps in his stomach. He had to leave forthwith because his giggle turned into the shits. Staying would have spelled disaster if Violet found out. When he realized outhouses didn't carry complimentary toilet paper, he waddled back to the nearest shop.

Finding himself in a desperate situation made him realize how much of a blessing simple things were. Like toilet paper.

The experience may have turned him into a hoarder, but... all said and done?

Daire couldn't be happier.

"What now, Violet? You've got your pockets, and we have enough rolls of toilet paper to build a fort. What's next? Training? Reading? Sleeping? I could teach you a new dance; don't your feet hurt?"

Violet stopped mid-stride. She was airborne.

Her stare told him to rethink that question. So he did.

"I could teach you a new dance?"

Violet nodded.

"Yes. But no. Acting silly isn't always fun. I'd like to see you dance and learn, too, but I kind of just want to sit and relax."

Violet floated down to sit on the cart while Daire fed the rabbits using the special shute he made. He turned the top like a pepper shaker—the dispensed grass spurt out on all levels pleasingly.

"Cool. I can make salads for lunch. We don't have any dressings—I have to figure out how to make those—I got some fresh vegetables from the market, though."

"But a salad is just leaves..."

Violet pouted with a half-hearted whine. She was turning into a voracious meat-eater. Nothing was wrong with protein, but it was weighing on both their diets.

"You've like everything I made so far."

He almost posed the statement as a question before he remembered about his initial attempts at cooking.

After clearing his throat, he showed his teeth awkwardly. Violet didn't hate his goofy attitude. She was still skeptical about eating leaves, however. She'd tried eating Willow's leaves before, and they were nasty. Same with others that she plucked off the ground. Meat was her joy right now.

"I will try it."

The reason she accepted the offer regardless of her desires was that Daire's food opened up a new world for her. If she denied most of it only to hide herself in her favorite corner, would it really be called a "whole new world" of cooking? Plus, insects could technically be called meat. In a way, that was "bad meat". So if there was "bad meat" and "good meat", there must be "bad leaves" and "good leaves".

"Great. It won't take too long. Give me five-ten minutes, depending. Would you like crackers while you wait?"

"I thought I get breadsticks?"

"No, you got it wrong. That usually comes with the complimentary salad. Plus, I don't have any."

Daire brought out a bundle wrapped crackers.

"Until I figure out baking and build a mobile bakery, we have crackers."

"Did you bring these from your home?"

"Don't ask me how many I have. There always seems to be more in the cabinet whenever I check..."

His words faded as he began to mutter.

"Cabinet?"

"Nothing. They are there if you want them. In the meant-time, is there anything you want to talk about?"

I wanted to talk about the cabinet.

Her first choice was out, but she had plenty of others that were bouncing around in her noggin.

"You went for drinks last night."

Daire's motions froze as if he were in the eyes of a predator. Or a wife asking where her husband was all night.

"Yes, dear."

"Dear?

"Yes, mam."

"Mam?"

"Yes, master."

"Stop that."

"...okay."

"Why did you go drink when you were tired? Did you drink healing potions?"

Daire tried to withhold a laugh, but it peeped out unabated.

"Not at all. I drank alcohol. Not a lot, but enough to relax and dull some pain. I originally went to talk with Tabitha."

Again, he stopped in the middle of his cooking, feeling a gaze on the back of his neck.

"The lady from the temple? The one we met at the Adventurers Guild? The pretty one with long legs?"

Each question was like an arrow.

"It's not what you think."

"What do I think, Daire?"

Shit.

Daire could hear the tick of the landmine he stepped on. Saying the wrong thing next would trip it. There would be no explosion, but there would be consequences of some kind, he was sure of it.

"She has a way to save Iris."

The wind changed direction. He heard the slacking of the sails as Violet spoke.

"She does?"

Daire worked on the salad quietly. Figuring out how to explain everything smoothly was difficult. He couldn't think straight whenever he looked at Violet. Other thoughts distracted him too much. Engaging in a mindless task always helped him think.

Violet didn't say any more as she waited. Her curiosity was eating at her, but she withheld herself from pestering him for information while he was working.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

When a large wooden bowl was set down with an accompanying fork, Violet examined the meal. The first thing that struck her was the smell. Unlike the mouth-watering scents of grilled meat, the salad smelled refreshing and clean. It made her feel cheerful as she looked at the mixed greens. She recognized light green crunchy lettuce, the ripe red tomato pieces, the deep green cucumber, and the off-white onions. There were others mixed in too. She thought the purple-ish colors might come from radishes. But she'd only heard of those and never tried one before.

Looking down, she wondered how she was going to eat. It was different from eating meat on a skewer, where she could easily hold them and take bites to her heats content. A salad was just a series of edible objects in a bowl. Some were too big for a mouthful and would require multiple bites. Eating them one at a time would be no different than eating them separately as snacks.

Daire picked up the wooden fork and stabbed it into the bowl.

"Where do I start..."

He mused, bringing his fork down again with purpose. Catching specific pieces subconsciously.

"There will be a revolt in Orlin in roughly two weeks."

A revolt in Orlin? As in the place where Iris is being held?

One last stab with the fork.

"We can't be late. But we shouldn't be too early either."

Daire spun the fork in his hand, examining the pieces at the end.

"Tabitha is our way in."

Violet watched the fork move down, hovering just below her chin. The end held a tiny piece of cucumber, tomato, and crunchy lettuce.

"Wait. Daire? What is this?"

He nodded slowly.

"I know. I didn't mean to leave you out of it. But I worried she would be suspicious if we both asked her out for drinks."

"No. Daire. I mean..."

Violet was crosseyed. She backed her head up slightly, but the fork followed her, keeping its exact distance.

"I intended to appeal to her after she drank a little, but my plan backfired. She became suspicious anyway, even hostile."

"Daire. I don't think I can eat this."

She tried to keep the warmth from suffusing her cheeks. Watching Daire's glazed-over eyes gave her the impression he wasn't really thinking about what he was trying to do.

Then again, this was a good solution to her problem. It solves the problem with portion control, Daire would know what tasted best, and it wouldn't be only embarrassing. In fact, it made her heart flutter. It felt the same as when she would read about an adorable couple and squeal in delight, kicking her feet in the air before she glued her nose to the page.

"Hm? Did you want to try the olives first?"

"I-"

Violet's lips didn't complete her thought. She was having trouble thinking. He always seemed to do this. Always making her mind go blank.

"I can grab an olive if you want."

The fork began to retract.

*Chomp*

Daire halted as something latched onto his fork.

The contents were gone. Violet had her eyes closed and was chewing furiously. Then her working jaw slowed, becoming methodical and lazy as her face melted into bliss.

It's so juicy!

The scattering of flavor was different from the way meat exploded with juices. The liquid was soothing, fresh and revitalizing! The cool cucumber and chill of the lettuce. How did he manage to keep them cold?

She rubbed her chipmunk cheeks with the palms of her hands, tears threatening to squeak out of her shut eyes.

Daire chuckled as he saw his little chipmunk enjoying salad so much. He hadn't done much other than cut up veggies and throw them together. Taking a few more stabs into the bowl, he tasted his product.

Eh... It needs some ranch.

The only times he ate salad was with a healthy amount of dressing. His first salad of this world wasn't intolerable.

At least it isn't charred.

Grabbing more select ingredients from the bowl, he picked items Violet hadn't gotten the first time around. A black olive, leafy lettuce, and a piece of radish.

Violet chomped absently. Muffled sounds of delight hummed from her closed lips as she chewed, her entire torso twisting on a swivel.

Daire chuckled, taking some more for himself. She seemed to be too absorbed to listen at the moment, so he was content with eating until she calmed down. The exchange continued as Daire mixed up the combinations before taking a bite for himself in between.

When Violet finally opened her eyes and ate a helping normally, Daire continued his explanation.

"I managed to get a meeting with Tabitha for tomorrow. We'll both meet a few new people who will take us to Orlin."

After Violet took her portion, he pierced the fork into the dwindling supply of veggies.

"I don't know how well they will react to us barging in on their well-thought-out plan, but they are our best chance to get in and out of Orlin safely?"

Daire brought the fork to his lips and deposited his helping. He chewed as he refilled the utensil.

Violet's delicate eyebrows squished together.

Daire spoke cautiously through tight lips.

"I have... A few ideas... to sway them. *Gulp* We won't find out for sure until tomorrow."

The fork exiting the bowl, like many times before, made its way towards Violet. Daire expected her to chomp down right away, but there was no sensation of weight after several seconds.

"Something wrong?"

Violet was once again staring at the fork.

"You used that fork."

"Yeah, and so did you."

"But. You ate off it. Shouldn't you clean it?"

"You've been eating off it this entire time and haven't complained until now."

Violet stared. Daire realized.

"Oh! My bad. You must have been so absorbed that you didn't see me eating with you. I didn't know it bothered you. I'll grab a second fork."

The realization also smacked Violet. And just like that, they were back at square one. Violet's brain-melting and Daire pulling a fork away.

*Chomp*

And just like the first time, Violet made her move before it was too late.

"So... you don't care?

Violet shook her steaming head.

"Alright."

Daire shrugged, going back to eating and explaining.

"The revolt will be the last major revolt of Orlin. It will crack down on any dissidents afterward, so this is our only chance to get in and out. Tabitha plans to make use of the revolt to get her cousin out. She recruited a team we will make use of and even save her cousin while we are at it."

Something about the way he said that bothered Violet, but every time the fork came near, hear thoughts scrambled before they could form.

"In conclusion, we not only save Iris, but we also gain favor with someone who would have become known as Tabitha the Red. We stay under the radar during the revolt, don't make any significant splashes outside of Milton, and we scurry back home to build our strength and heal Iris."

Violet nodded enthusiastically. Giving thumbs up. For both the plan and the meal.

"I also need to talk to you about home."

Violet swallowed.

"Home?"

"Yeah. I want to build a city."

Her eyes bulged.

"A city!"

Daire set aside the bowl and became very serious.

"Violet... I need your permission. We can talk about the details after, but I need your permission to do this. This was your home for over twenty years. It would be selfish of me to come in and completely change everything. I don't want to be that kind of person."

"A city is a bit..."

"It won't be a city right away, if ever. I want it to be a sanctuary. The grove wouldn't change at all. I wanted to petition Willow to allow us to build just outside the grove to keep it hidden. We'll spread the construction outward as we go."

"..."

"We are backed by the sea. Willow seems to protect the forest naturally, preventing people from building houses or harming wildlife, and it even helps us by luring in food. It is the perfect place to live and grow freely. I can only think of two other places HALF as good. And those are on the other side of the world."

"..."

"I won't let people come in. Not to the grove. That place for you and me. It is a special place where we met, after all."

"..."

"Violet?"

Daire became worried at the lack of words coming from his friend. It's barely been any time at all, but it already feels like he's known Violet for ages. He took her silence as thoughtful consideration and appreciated that she would even consider such an outlandish claim. It was far off into the future. But it would be a promise to make something together.

A city was unrealistic. A town? No. Even a village sounded absurd. A tree fort sounded more plausible—secret walkways hanging from the towering sequoias. Daire wanted a safe place to bring people he cared about and those who had nowhere else to go. Milton was inclusive, but it wasn't absolutely safe.

Home will be for family, the family of family, and trusted friends of family.

"No one will enter the grove?"

Violet's words came in a low whisper. The statement was hesitant, and it held more emotion than he thought possible.

"No. Not if you don't want it. I will forbid it."

"You don't have to forbid it..."

Violet was silent once more.

"I have a condition."

Daire dared to hope.

"What is it?"

"I get to name it."

Daire blinked.

Violet was serious.

Daire guffawed.

"Of course! Of course. I'd prefer it if you name it. For once, my best name is Home, and that won't work."

Violet flinched.

Daire stopped laughing.

Violet peeked up at him while twirling her fingers.

"Surely not."

"Hehe, No-o-o, I wasn't going to name it Home."

"Of course not."

"Of course not!"

"Because that would be stupid."

"Because it would be stupid!"

"So, what did you have in mind?"

"Huh?"

Daire paused long enough to cross his arms and lean to one side.

"I said, what did you have in mind?"

"Uh..."

Violet's movements were erratic as she searched frantically for an answer hidden in the stables.

"Umm..."

A snoring Trinket.

"Haaa..."

An unblinking Pebbles and an awaiting Daire. Pressure began to build.

"Silvis!

The frog blinked. So did Daire.

"Silvis? Why Silvis?"

Violet rubbed her arm, feeling unsure of herself.

"It is a Pixie word. It is the last word that my parents said to me."

Daire's eyebrows shot up completely. He did not expect this. He asked tentatively.

"What does it mean?"

Violet's chest tightened. A knot that was clearly felt. It had been there a long time, but the act of saying the words out loud loosened it. So, when she breathed out, the hurtful words became more bearable. Reassuring, even.

"See you later."

=

"Huh."

"What?"

Daire was looking through his phone. On a dictionary app.

"That wasn't what I expected. Do you know what Silvis means in English?"

Violet shook her head side to side. She didn't know.

The corners of Daire's mouth turned upward.

"It means Woods."

Daire half-choked. Grinning toothily, his voice went higher in his amusement.

"Silvis literally means Forest!"

He began to titter.

His smile was contagious.

"It couldn't be more perfect!"