CHAPTER 2-2
Phoenix

As it so happened, Áthas had omitted a few details of the designated helper's responsibilities the prior evening, and Phoenix was therefore not surprised to find himself once again in close proximity to her, as they gathered the dishes from breakfast, which had been a surprisingly satisfying oatmeal recipe.

Now that he knew what to do and could more or less perform the necessary tasks on autopilot, Phoenix's mind had sufficient capacity to dwell on every last detail of Áthas' nearness. Knowing just the sort of things to say and ways to act around someone he fancied had come so easily to him for so long that this fumbling, confused sort of clumsiness in which he now found himself was downright bizarre. When had he ever been at a loss for words before? Suppose his awkwardness would make her think him stupid?

Maybe he should just go with something basic, instead of laboring to come up with a perfect opener that may or may not even exist. "So, what will we be doing today?" he asked. It wasn't much better than remarking upon the weather, but it would have to do for now.

The others were on their way past them towards the channel - in any other circumstances, Phoenix would already be plotting revenge on his brother for the obnoxious grin Heinrich gave him as he passed by - and, rather than answering Phoenix, Áthas called to them, "Remember, no kids in the water without adults, and don't go out too far! The currents can be very powerful!"

Áthas' ice blue eyes observed the swimmers alertly for a few moments, reassuring herself that her warnings had been heeded. She was evidently satisfied that they had been when the sounds of laughter, squealing triplets, and great splashes drowned out the constancy of the waves, for she turned back to Phoenix, who quickly redirected his gaze downwards at the bowl he was scrubbing out as if this were what he had been looking at all along. In the tiny pause before she answered his question, he had the distinct, skin-crawling yet exhilarating notion that she had not been fooled in the slightest.

"A scavenger hunt challenge. Rather similar to orienteering," she said.

Phoenix had no idea what orienteering was, but did not wish to betray his ignorance, and so he didn't ask. "Sounds fun." He noticed Áthas smiling to herself as she dried the bowl he'd handed her, and felt that electric thrill of exhilaration again. She already had his number, clearly; what she planned to do with it was another question altogether, and he suddenly couldn't wait to find out. "So is it like here?" he asked, then hastily added, upon realizing how incoherent he sounded, "Where you're from, I mean?"

Áthas' left hand, which had been drying the last bowl he'd handed over, slowed, and she got that faraway look in her eyes again. "Yes and no," she replied, but did not elaborate further. A sore subject, he supposed, and decided not to bring it up again. "Anyway," she continued, pointing to the pot of warm water they'd been washing the bowls and utensils in. "Do you feel comfortable handling that, scattering it in the forest like we did last night? I want to make sure everyone's doing alright in the water."

"Sure."

"Lovely. I daresay you're the best helper I've yet had on this trip," she told him with a wink. It wasn't so much an actual compliment as light-hearted ribbing, but Phoenix felt the heat of an embarrassed sort of pleasure rising in his cheeks anyway, and knew he was blushing furiously. Áthas had been turning away as she'd said this, but did something of a double take upon noticing his face, from which she swiftly and smoothly recovered. "Come join us when you're ready, okay?"

Phoenix allowed the traitorous flush to dissipate as he watched her go, and pondered the very idea that here was someone who could teach him a thing or two.