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She wove through the forest with skilled ease, excited. Her erratic life had given her a bit of down time-on a weekend no less, and there was no better way she’d choose to spend it. Through the foliage she spotted her destination and her heart grew expectantly warm. Slowly, she made her way over to the funky-looking caravan she’d learned to love, dusting herself of dirt, debris as well as nerves. She adjusted her scarf and glasses, then cracked her knuckles all before she knocked on the vehicle’s door.
“Be there in a sec!” He called casually, bringing a smile out of her in response. Exactly no more than a moment later the door cracked, releasing light scents of rosemary and sage that put her at ease.
“Oh man, if it isn’t the little lady of a thousand tales, Zarah!” He opened the door wider, revealing himself entirely. “It’s been too long, come on in!” He looked as he always did. Tired eyes, messy hair, and that dopey smile. All coupled with mannerisms so laid-back it should be criminal. She’d missed that.
“Only been two weeks. How’ve you been, Dreamer?” That was her favorite nickname for Ben. The guy loved to daydream more than anyone she knew, it was only fitting.
He chuckled as he stepped to the side to let her in, “Two weeks is far too long!” He groaned dramatically then chuckled. “I’ve been alright, though. You know, all about the positive vibes, life’s too short. What’s new with you? How’s the family?” He closed the door behind them and she sat in her usual spot on his cozy couch, sinking into it.
“Family’s good,” She told him as she went to fish something out of her pocket. “As for how I’ve been, I’d say pretty great. I managed to explore some cool places, and I couldn’t help but think of you when I spotted this, catch.” She tossed him a little green box.
He clumsily caught it, throwing her a goofy grin when she snickered.
“Woah, Zar.” The curiosity on his face morphed into something warmer. A smile that Zarah never got used to seeing lifted at Ben’s lips just as his eyes took on delighted sparkle.
“This is amazing!” He gasped when he pulled a single tea bag out of the box.
“This looks like some top of the shelf green tea.” He murmured after some inspection, “Thank you, Zarah.” His voice was soft and sweet around the thanks making her heart flutter. She quickly brushed it off, though.
“It was that place’s best tea leaves.” She confirmed, giving him a pleased smile.
He did a little dance that had them both laughing, “Man, life is good! I’ve gotta’ make some now. Want a cup?”
She gave a nod, “Yeah, sure.”
“Righteous answer.” He turned to his tiny kitchen where he began getting things together while Zarah further relaxed in her seat. She breathed in the soothing scents lingering in the air as her eyes roamed over Ben’s growing collection of healing crystals. Positive energy and zero stress, his way of living was free like her own, yet incredibly different. He got his peace from living and breathing nature while she got a kick out of the rush of a new and daring adventure. Exploration was her life and she was devoted to it more than anything else. There really wasn’t room for anything else as serious.
“Any awesome tales to tell today—that’s a lot of t’s, could make a great tongue twister. Anyways, yeah, any new stories?” He asked over his shoulder.
She laughed, “A lot of t’s indeed, and yeah, I may have a few.”
He listened eagerly from the kitchen as she launched into a story of one of her more recent adventures. She told of the people she met, how they perceived and interacted with her. The treasures and artifacts she came across and how happy it made her. She even told him about a monster she happened across in some ruins. He always seemed to hang onto her every word, which never failed to make her happier than she’d ever say.
“How is it that,” He took a generous sip of his tea, “your world never fails to amaze me?” He asked after she’d finished speaking.
She hid her smile behind her own sips of tea. It was definitely high quality, she’d done good.
“We’re both travelers but your stories are far more interesting to listen to.” He threw her a look of mock hurt.
“Oh come on, Dreamer. I think your late night strolls on beaches of the places you visit are things of legend!” In a way she believed that to be true. He was always passionate and descriptive when depicting his life. It wasn’t crazy like hers at all, yet it was still just as exciting in its own way and she admired it. Admired him.
He laughed, “Man, you’re always saying things like. Joking or not, it makes me want to pull out all the good stuff, in fact, I have just the story for you...” It was far from a joke to her, and she listened avidly as he recounted one of his best tales yet. She didn’t think it possible to like him any more than she already did, but he proved her wrong with every visit. It was sometimes maddening, but she knew where she stood. Her life didn’t have room for another commitment. Nothing could ever outshine her love for being out and about in the world. She was much like a cat in that way, she came and went as she pleased and she didn’t want that to change. She wanted to keep what they had.
She watched him laugh heartily as she finished up her tea. Yup, it was more than good enough. As long as they could talk, laugh, and drink tea together from time to time, that’d be more than enough for her. Between her first love, freedom, and her second love being the glowing man in front of her. This was her satisfying compromise.