Night in the Forest (2)
Kara's day could be summed up in two words: frustrating and boring. The thought had plagued her ever since her teammates fell for Antonio's sweet-talking.
Survival itself was a breeze compared to the desert. Unlike the endless sands where there was nothing but grit, this forest at least had something. She munched on protein-packed bugs now and then, pushing through until night inevitably fell.
Tatar had brutal temperature swings, so they bundled up thick at night—but not here. Still, she hadn't anticipated dinner arriving so early, leaving her without a shelter.
"Mind if I crash here for a bit?"
In that predicament, she'd wandered aimlessly and stumbled upon a campfire. In the thick darkness of a forest or mountain, even a cigarette glow stood out sharp. A bonfire? Forget about it.
High chance it was another team, which meant a fight was likely—but she'd try talking first. Luckily, it was Sivar's crew, so she settled in comfortably.
"You took them all down? Knew it. No idea why those idiots picked that way. Luna joined in too?"
"Yeah."
"She saw my dad fight you and still went along? What's her deal? Some other reason?"
But Kara had no intention of lounging carefree on the ground. Pulling an all-nighter once was no big deal, but it was rude. The least she could do was take a watch shift. Lounging without helping felt awkward.
Perfect timing, too—she had a chatty companion. Couldn't ask for more.
"How's your team?"
"Good."
"In what way?"
"All ways."
Kara glanced back at his words. Grace and Lee Yeonju were out cold, snoring nose-to-nose. Both looked and felt like delicate hothouse flowers.
Grace especially—Kara knew her type. One of the ones showing steady interest in Sivar. Honestly, it rubbed her the wrong way. Too obvious she was after him—or rather, his power.
Sivar's the type to call everyone nice as long as they don't mess with him.
So she didn't take his word at face value. The Sivar she knew was too nice. He never struck first, apologized for his rare outbursts, and all. If he had a rotten heart, he'd have never bowed to Lord after refusing corporal punishment—no apologies needed.
Just don't play with his heart, that's all.
Using his strength slyly? Fine. In this cutthroat world, leveraging others' power was fair game. But exploiting his innate goodness, when it wasn't life-or-death? That grated.
Fancy words are a power too, I guess.
Of course, this was Sivar-specific—she respected eloquence itself. Hector had wielded it masterfully during the tribal unification. Raw might, natural charisma, and words that resonated deep: that's how he forged Tatar into a nation no one dared touch lightly.
He was adrift now, sure, but she'd seen firsthand how potent rhetoric could be. Disliking it didn't mean denying it.
"Sivar."
"Yeah?"
"That thing... nah."
Kara started to speak, then stopped. She'd meant to offer advice.
[Don't take every sweet word at face value. Think it over first.]
But would Sivar even get it? And she knew better than anyone she wasn't exactly a saint herself. If she said it and he misunderstood later, she'd be the one in hot water.
He might not even believe my good advice.
That worried her most. Beating Hector half to death hadn't dented Sivar's fondness for her. If anything, she owed the apology—Hector's outburst had hurt him, after all.
But if she spoke up and he started doubting her words? Frustrating would turn bitter. He'd feel hurt, too.
And saying 'you can trust my words' would sound weird anyway.
Sure, she was dismissed as a barbarian, but Kara was civilized too. And civilization meant inevitable lies. Not invented with society, but a skill humans picked up building it.
One day, she might have to lie to Sivar—and giving that advice now would prick her conscience.
"Arghhh..."
"?"
Kara ruffled her hair in turmoil. Sivar just eyed her curiously.
She sighed, glancing sideways. The fire lit his face clear even at night. How could he pull off that dopey, adorable expression? His near-pretty features amplified the innocence.
Pinch.
Irresistible. Kara reached out and gently tweaked his cheek.
Sivar just blinked, no reaction beyond a "what's this?" look.
Grinning, she pinched the other side with her free hand. Milky-white skin, so soft and squishy. No wonder Ellie kneaded his cheeks like dough. Sticky rice vibes—addictive to poke.
"Jealous. So jealous. Some of us overthink till we drop, and you? Blank slate."
"...Me?"
"Didn't say it was you."
Kara lied shamelessly. Would Sivar catch the tease? His blank face gave nothing away, but it didn't matter.
Just one thing. She needed just one thing.
"Sivar."
"Yeah."
"We'll stay friends forever, right?"
She wanted this to last. They clicked, their vibes meshed subtly. Sure, Luna and others were friends now, but none as comfy as Sivar. Luna was rigid; Ellie bubbly but awkward.
For now, he was her closest—truly unbiased, no prejudices.
"Not letting go till you answer."
Civilized or not, lies or not—didn't matter. As long as they stayed friends. Friends fibbed and joked, after all.
Just no betrayal. Especially from him—it'd shatter her trust forever.
...What if he betrays me later for real?
The thought loosened her grip. Anxiety surged. No reason for it, but people were unpredictable. Even turning away—not outright betrayal—would distance them.
That'd... hurt. More sad than mad.
Maybe she'd understand, chalk it up to his reasons.
As if reading her, Sivar gently pried her hand from his cheek.
"...Sivar?"
"Promise."
Instead of words, he acted—pinky extended.
Kara stared, dumbfounded, then met his eyes. The usual blank innocence.
What went through that head? Always picking the cutest moves. Made her want to nibble his cheek. Utterly disarming.
All her inner angst felt pointless now.
"Friends."
"...Haha."
The finisher broke her. She laughed helplessly. What had she been fretting over? Sometimes actions spoke louder, and Sivar nailed both—zeroing in on what shook the heart.
Did he even know the impact? Wild-raised, yet this knack.
She hooked her pinky with his. Like chains linking.
They'd done it before, but this felt deeper. Bonds tighter. Her feeling alone, but satisfying enough.
"Sivar."
"Yeah."
"I'm really glad you're my friend."
His eyes widened slightly—genuine surprise. Rare crack in the poker face. Usually only when Lord scolded him into a pout.
New for her. Sincerity worked wonders.
Come to think of it...
She eyed his stunned face. Never seen him smile, really. During the Death Beam mess, just excited vibes—no actual grin.
Not emotionless, so why? Awkwardness, maybe.
"Sivar."
"Yeah?"
"Smile for me? Like this."
Demo time. Kara tugged her lips up with her fingers. Not natural, but good enough example.
Sivar watched intently, then mimicked—fingers pulling his mouth corners.
"This?"
"......"
Her reaction? Simple. Face heating up, no words needed.
Luckily, her tan and the fire hid the blush.
"Y-yeah. Right, like that. You can smile, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Good. Go around smiling like th—"
She cut off. Better keep that smile private. Blank was safer.
Too cute—how do you hide that?
Heart racing oddly. She tamped it down, murmuring.
"...Nah. Don't smile."
"Why?"
"Just... kinda."
Second lie to Sivar that night. For Kara.