Chasing Catharsis (5)

I pick up the plates and place them near the new scale that I want to be using. "We've confirmed that the scale is balanced and that the plates are the same weight, so if we add the plates to the scale, it should balance, right?"

The children nod their heads, and I motion for them to give it a shot. Josh places the plates on either side, and the scale falls to one side. A look of shock spreads across his face. I stay quiet and let them figure it out. They have all the pieces now, so it's just a matter of time. After a few moments, Sakura jumps up. It seems she's had an epiphany.

"The plates aren't the same distance from the fulcrum."

"Very good, Sakura. How do we fix that?"

"We need to move those knots?" she says, less sure of herself this time.

"Yes, but we also need to ensure the scale stays balanced. We have everything we need to make this work; how do we go about solving it?"

Josh pulls the plates off the scale and shaves down the sagging side. He then shaves some wood off the other side to make sure it stays balanced. Then he returns the plates to the scale, falling to the same side, unbalanced. Josh repeats the process of shaving, removing, and replacing the plates for several minutes until everything is balanced. The scale doesn't tilt no matter what he does, switching sides, removing it, spinning it. Everything is finally stable.

"Great job, you two. Now we can balance any two plates."

The kids celebrate their victory. I made sure to take it as slow as possible so they could learn the most.

"So, that's what we call testing. You have an idea, apply it, and then adjust your thinking based on the results. Do you understand?"

""Yes!""

"Perfect. I'll be using this method for many things in the future so keep all that in mind." They agree and we start balancing plates. Almost immediately, we conclude that we need three sizes. In the end, we land on small, medium, and large. There's no standardized weight system in this world, but the small size weighs about four-tenths of a stone, the medium size weighs about one stone, and the large size weighs about two and a half stones. We make sure each plate balances and get back to the workout. After an hour or so, I walk outside to check the time. While looking up at the trees, I hear Woohee call out to me.

"Nick!" She hides behind a log with only the top of her head peeking out.

"You are too cute; you know that?" I grin and walk over to her. Her adorable antics warm my heart. I bend over and run a finger across her head, which creates a bright smile that covers her face. She pushes her head into my finger like a cat to encourage me to rub her head more.

"You continue to intrigue me."

"Aah!" I jump back from Inari's voice, suddenly appearing behind me. "Stop. Doing. That."

I gasp out each word. Inari ignores my shock and continues speaking.

"I didn't think you would be willing to associate with us after how much we endangered you,"

"That's funny; I was thinking the same thing."

"Pfff, you think that pathetic gang of bandits was even remotely a threat to us?" Inari mocks me for my concern. "You three were about to be killed by a group of people I could have defeated with a blindfold."

"Well, thanks for the insults, I guess." I play along with her remonstrations.

"Leader! Be nice!" Woohee yells at Inari from behind my shoulder. She quickly ducks back down but bravely maintains eye contact with her charismatic leader.

"Oooh. Look who's getting feisty. I didn't think one of my own would turn on me."

"So, we're good?" I ask without hiding the hesitation in my voice."

"Why wouldn't we be?" Inari responds. "You refused to cooperate with them even at the cost of your own life. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little impressed."

"I don't think they would have let us live no matter what we did."

"Still, I'm moved. I've made nice with humans in the past, but I don't think I've ever seen one risk their life for me." A thousand thoughts race through my mind simultaneously at her words, and I'm not sure how to respond. Inari jumps on my hesitation and continues. "I thought for sure that you led those monsters into the woods to ambush us. If it weren't for Woohee trying to change my mind, I would have killed you on sight."

I rub Woohee's head lightly, and she burrows into my hair. I'm more prepared for it this time and just let her be. It tickles but I struggle against my reaction to throw her off of me and let her have her moment.

"Well, thanks for not murdering us, I guess."

"You're welcome. Although I have to ask, why don't you try anything against us? You have a lot to gain by doing so."

"I do?" I'm pretty shocked by her question, so I respond by reflex.

"Certainly. I've given the title 'Friends of the Fairies' to multiple people. Still, they always turn on me eventually, so I figured you would as well. I was almost positive after you didn't show up yesterday, and then those people followed you into the forest."

"I guess I'm a little surprised as well. I thought you'd prioritize the safety of your tribe."

"Says the man who refused to sell us out even when his life was on the line. Do you think we're so petty?" Inari smirks. I'm at a loss for words.

"Well, I'm glad we're all still friends." Woohee hugs my neck again, and I gently raise my shoulder to lightly cradle her in my clavicle. Inari smiles at us and turns to leave.

"We fairies do not forgive, and we don't forget. We'll return your kindness with a similar intensity."

"Really? Because Woohee seems like she probably forgets her name sometimes."

"Hey!" She puffs up her cheeks and crosses her arms at my teasing. I smile mischievously and poke her exposed belly. She giggles and covers her stomach as she flies away. "Wooheehehehehe, stop it."

"I've never heard you laugh like that."

Woohee catches herself and blushes profusely. She grabs her bright red face and hides behind a log.

"Woohee?"

"Fairies pick their own names at a very young age, so they tend to sound odd. Many pick a noise and call themselves that. Woohee named herself after her laugh. Unfortunately, she gets teased about it now." Woohee covers her head with her wings in embarrassment.

"Well, I think it's cute."

"No, you don't." Woohee denies my statement and remains hidden.

[Wow, she really has a complex about this. Normally I just call her cute, and she brightens right up. I'll have to resort to more drastic measures.]

"Yes, I do."

'Gasp!'

"Really?" Woohee peeks at me from between her wings.

[Nevermind.]