The sun had just dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in a deep shade of indigo as Yurial waited outside the tavern, his hands tucked into the pockets of his cloak. He wasn't exactly sure why he was nervous. After all, it wasn't like he hadn't spent time with Rena before. But there was something different about tonight—something about the quiet excitement in the air.
He fidgeted slightly, glancing down the street. That's when he saw her.
Rena walked toward him, her long auburn hair cascading over her shoulders like a fiery river, and her emerald eyes shining in the dimming light. She wore a simple dress in soft lavender that seemed to glow in the evening, making her look like she had stepped out of a dream. Her smile when she saw him made his heart race, and he quickly pushed down the fluttering nerves in his stomach.
"Yurial!" Rena called, her voice warm and inviting. "You're not going to leave me standing out here, are you?"
He laughed, stepping forward to meet her. "Not a chance," he said, offering her a grin. "Shall we?"
Rena's smile widened, and she linked her arm with his as they began walking down the cobblestone streets, the last traces of daylight fading away. The city was peaceful tonight, quiet except for the soft murmur of distant voices and the occasional clink of metal from a blacksmith finishing his work.
"So," Yurial began, trying to shake off the awkwardness, "what made you pick this place for our date?"
Rena glanced up at him, her lips curling into a playful smirk. "Why, don't you like it? I thought you'd appreciate a little calm after all the chaos we've been through lately."
"I do," he admitted. "It's nice to have a change of pace. Not everything has to be a battle or a quest."
Rena gave him an exaggerated sigh. "You mean there's more to life than sword fighting and monster hunting?" she teased.
Yurial laughed. "I suppose there's more to life than that." He paused for a moment, his thoughts drifting. "But, I don't know... there's something about you that makes me forget about all the rest. When I'm with you, it's like the world slows down."
Rena glanced at him, a bit surprised by the sincerity in his voice. Her heart gave an unexpected jolt. "Yurial…"
He didn't look at her as he spoke, his gaze on the path ahead, but Rena could hear the quiet earnestness behind his words. It was rare for him to let his guard down like this.
"Sometimes," he continued, "it's easy to forget how much peace you can find in the simple moments. Like this one. With you."
A warmth spread through her chest at the quiet confession. She wasn't sure what to say at first, so she simply smiled, her eyes softening. "I feel the same way, you know."
They continued walking in comfortable silence for a few moments, their steps syncing. They turned a corner, and the city's edge opened up into a small, serene park filled with wildflowers and a small pond. The moonlight shimmered off the water's surface, casting a silver glow across the scene.
"Wow," Rena breathed, stopping in her tracks to take it all in. "It's beautiful."
Yurial stopped beside her, looking at the scene before them. "Yeah," he agreed. "I don't think I've ever noticed this place before."