Firstly, the necessary

As they both calmed down, Astrid let go Khaled and returned to sit in front of him, both of them were now much more comfortable with each other's presence.

"What are you planning to do now, Astrid?"

"Honestly, I never got to that part. I never made decisions and always followed orders."

"Hm .. I think I can understand that.But what if you were to do something? What would be your biggest dream?" Khaled asked curiously, at the beginning of his trek through the forest, it was sometimes possible to hear the conversations of humans trying their luck in the Black Forest.

"A-A great dream?"

"Yeah."

Astrid fell in contemplation, a dream? She did not remember having much time for this, but as a child she once wished there was a place where she and her family would not be pursued. A place to make friends and take root.

"When I was a child I had a dream once ..." Astrid then explained to Khaled his deepest dream, the dream of having a country where he would have no influence from the church, a dream where the oppressed could be treated as equals and they would not have children suffering for lack of food and repressions of society.

After she finished speaking, Astrid felt a great deal of relief, for the first time she was able to admit that she wanted something with all her heart. It might seem like a big, silly dream, but that was her dream.

"So I guess you already know the way we should go, right?" Khaled looked earnestly at Astrid.

"Yes, I do."

A determined look appeared on Astrid's face, if before she had nowhere to start, now everything has changed. The grunt of Khaled's stomach, broke the serious moment they were both having and made Astrid into fun.

"What do you think about cooking the Blood Bear meat? There are some mushrooms we can use to make up for the bad taste."

"Heeeh.. Would not it be easier to eat the way it is?"

"I'm sure you'll like the way I'm going to do it, help me pick some mushrooms. I have not explored the cave yet, but I'm sure we can find something."

Khaled agreed to Astrid's petition, he complained before, but actually was always curious to eat cooked food, it always had a good smell when the adventurers were doing in the forest before. They both focused on their missions so they could cook and dine as quickly as possible.

Soon there were skewers with Blood Bear meat and mushrooms roasting on the fire. The tempting scent began to permeate the cavern. Making them both salivate.

Saliva fell from Khaled's mouth and his tail swayed animatedly.

"Already ready now?"

"Not yet."

(...)

"And now?"

"No."

(...)

"Is not this taking too long?"

"It's in the right time, just a little longer and it will be ready."

"Ehhh.."

This kind of conversation lasted for the fifteen minutes the skewers were roasting.

"Astrid... And now?"

"Yes!"

Astrid pulled the skewers out of the flames and put most of them in front of Khaled. On top of a leaf, which she used as a dish.

"But be careful when eating, it's hot and it can burn your tongue." Astrid warned.

But it was not long before they both devoured their skewers and then repeated the process. It was a very fun meal for them.

"That was the best meal I ever had." Khaled said.

"For me too, and let it be the first of many."

"The first of many!"

They both promised each other.