"Absolutely, I can make that happen," Lucas said with a gentle chuckle, his voice warm and reassuring. A small request like this from the fox-eared girl was something he'd happily fulfill, no questions asked.
"Yay! That's amazing!" Annie exclaimed, practically bouncing with joy. Her face lit up with a radiant smile that seemed to glow under the soft sunlight, her brown eyes sparkling with a mix of eager anticipation and a faint trace of nervous excitement.
"Let's go, then," Lucas said, his lips curving into a kind smile as he extended his hand toward the fox-eared girl. He glanced back at Mina and Elisa, who stood nearby, and added, "You two wait here for a bit, alright?"
Annie's gaze fell on Lucas's outstretched hand, and a delicate flush of pink bloomed across her cheeks. This was the first time the young master had actively offered to hold her hand, and the gesture sent a flutter through her heart. Hesitantly, her small, soft hand reached out, resting lightly in his palm. Lucas's fingers closed gently around hers, his grip steady and comforting, as he led her forward.
"Yes, sir," Mina, the cat-eared girl, replied in her soft, melodic voice, her tone as gentle as a breeze.
Elisa's emerald-green eyes curved slightly, a subtle smile playing on her lips as she nodded. "Alright, we'll be here," She said, her voice calm and supportive.
Lucas guided Annie toward the hot air balloon, its woven basket waiting patiently under the vast canvas of the sky. The charcoal had already been replaced by the old carpenter, the faint scent of burnt wood lingering in the air. Lucas worked the bellows with practiced ease, pumping air to stoke the flames. At his command of "release the rope," the old carpenter let go, and the balloon began its slow, graceful ascent, drifting upward like a dream taking flight.
Annie clung to Lucas, her body tense with nervous energy. It was her first time soaring into the sky, and the sensation was both thrilling and terrifying. She nestled closer to him, her fox ears twitching as she pressed herself against his side. Her wide, eyes darted around, drinking in the breathtaking view of the world shrinking below them. The gentle sway of the balloon, the warmth of the fire above, and the soft rustle of the wind filled her senses. Her fluffy fox tail flicked back and forth, brushing against Lucas's leg in an unconscious display of her unease.
"There's nothing to be afraid of," Lucas said softly, sensing her tension. His hand rested lightly on her back, patting gently in a soothing rhythm. "As long as the balloon doesn't climb too high, it's perfectly safe. You're in good hands."
"Mhm!" Annie nodded quickly, her fox ears giving a little shake as she tried to steady her racing heart. The warmth of Lucas's touch and the calm confidence in his voice worked like a balm, easing her nerves. Her voice, clear and bright as a bell, piped up with curiosity. "Young Master, why does burning charcoal make the balloon fly?"
Lucas paused, tilting his head as he considered how to explain. "Well, Annie, the world is far more intricate than we can see with our eyes. Take the air around us, for example—it's filled with things invisible to us, things we can't touch or grasp."
"Huh? There's stuff in the air?" Annie's brown eyes widened in surprise, her head swiveling as she scanned the empty space around them. She squinted until her eyes ached, but saw nothing unusual. Pouting, she muttered, "Young Master, are you teasing me? There's nothing in the air!"
"Oh, really?" Lucas's lips twitched into a playful smile. "Then tell me, why do we need to breathe? And what's the stuff we breathe out?"
Annie froze, her expression blank as the questions sank in. Why do we breathe? And what is the air we exhale? Could there really be something in the air, something she'd never noticed before? Her mind spun, grappling with the sudden mystery.
"Here's another one for you," Lucas continued, his voice slow and deliberate as he watched the fox-eared girl's puzzled expression. "Why does wood float on water?"
Annie's brow furrowed, her small hand lifting to cradle her chin as she pondered. Why does wood float? Isn't it just the way water works? But then, why do fish swim in water? Why do stones sink? Or mud, for that matter? Was it about weight? No, that didn't make sense—wood could be heavy, and stones could be small. Was it about size? Volume?
Her clever mind raced, connecting dots but missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. She bit her lip, frustration creeping in as the answer eluded her.
"Phew…" Lucas worked the bellows again, the soft whoosh of air feeding the flames. He glanced at Annie with a fond smile, watching her wrestle with the question. These were concepts from middle school science back on Earth, but without someone to lift the veil of mystery, they could baffle even the sharpest mind.
"Young Master, why is it?" Annie asked, her voice tinged with exasperation. She puffed out her cheeks, staring at him with a pleading, almost pitiful expression. "Why do stones sink and wood floats? I just can't figure it out!"
"Density," Lucas said simply, the single word carrying the weight of revelation.
Annie blinked, her fox ears tilting as she stared at him in confusion. "Young Master, what's density?"
"Density is the mass of a substance in a given volume—it's a property that defines how things behave. Think about it: iron is hard, right? Water flows. If you compare the same volume of wood and stone, wood isn't as hard, is it? That's because of their density, a characteristic that determines how heavy or light something is." Lucas explained patiently, keeping his tone light but clear.
Annie's head dipped, her expression clouded with thought. She understood that stones were harder than wood, but was that really what density meant? One was hard, the other soft? It felt like she was grasping at the edges of something profound but couldn't quite hold it.
"And the air around us? It has properties too," Lucas went on, pumping the bellows once more. "You've seen how hot air rises, haven't you? That's because hot air has a lower density than cold air, which creates buoyancy—the force that lifts the balloon."
"Really? That's how it works?" Annie's brown eyes sparkled with sudden understanding. She glanced at the charcoal burning in the rack, watching tendrils of heat shimmer upward. Could that be the secret behind the balloon's flight?
"Exactly," Lucas said with a soft laugh. He was impressed by how quickly Annie absorbed the new knowledge, her curiosity a bright flame that burned even brighter with each revelation.
"Density… volume… properties…" Annie murmured, her voice thoughtful. She fumbled for the small notebook tucked in her pocket and began scribbling furiously, determined to capture this newfound truth. To her, it wasn't just an explanation—it was a key to understanding the world's hidden mechanics, the magic behind the balloon's ascent.
The balloon, tethered by its rope, soon reached its limit and hovered gently in place. Lucas gazed out at the horizon, a quiet pride swelling in his chest. Today marked a monumental step forward. He had touched the sky, venturing into a realm that the humans of this era wouldn't explore for millennia. As for the birdfolk or beastmen with their natural gifts, well, that was a comparison he couldn't make.
"It's beautiful," Annie whispered, stepping to the edge of the basket. Her head tilted back as she stared at the distant peaks of the Forbidden Mountains, their rugged outlines softened by the haze. A wistful look crossed her face, as if she could almost see the beastkin kingdom of Valtoria beyond. If only they could fly that far…
"Missing home?" Lucas asked, his voice gentle as he worked the bellows. He followed her gaze to the mountain peaks, sensing the sudden wave of melancholy that washed over her.
"I just wonder what my old home is like now," Annie said quietly, her usual vibrant energy dimmed. Her fox ears drooped, and her voice lost its cheerful lilt, replaced by a soft, somber tone.
Old home. The words warmed Lucas's heart. Annie truly saw Sedona City as her new home, or she wouldn't call Valtoria her old home. The realization brought a quiet comfort to him.
"Young Master, can this balloon fly over the mountains?" Annie asked, turning to face him. Her lively face was softened by vulnerability, her brown eyes shimmering with fragile hope.
"Of course it can," Lucas said with unwavering confidence. He reached out, his hand gently cupping her cheek, his smile warm and reassuring. "Give it some time. Once we build an even better balloon, I'll take you back to your old home to see it for yourself."
"Really?" Annie's eyes widened, her small hands clutching his larger one where it rested against her face. The thought of flying back to Valtoria, of fulfilling that quiet longing in her heart, felt like a dream she hadn't dared to voice.
"Really," Lucas said, his tone earnest. His thumb brushed away a glistening tear that had slipped down her cheek, his touch tender and steady.
"Young Master, you're the best," Annie whispered, her voice thick with emotion. She nuzzled her cheek against his palm, her warmth mingling with his. Then, in a sudden burst of courage, her arms looped around his neck. Rising on her tiptoes, she leaned closer, her heart racing as she drew near…
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