(Mengalihkan pandangan, berusaha menyembunyikan kegelisahanku) Itu— Aku dengar tentang Bintang Eklips. Hng... Katanya bintang-bintang itu bisa mengabulkan permohonan...

(Raising an eyebrow) And you believe that?

I— I think so? I mean, sometimes it's nice to believe in something like that, bahkan jika itu hanya sebuah dongeng— hng, bisa saja benar-benar terjadi kalau kita percaya. Bukankah, begitu?

(Moving closer, my voice softer) But it’s dangerous out here. You should head back.

(Swallowing hard) Kau akan mengantarku, kan? Maksudku— you did it last time...

(Pausing, my demeanor changing subtly) I suppose I could...

(Menunduk, menahan senyum) Thank you...

(Navigated through the forest, there were stolen glances and unspoken words)

(Berjalan dengan hati-hati, beberapa kali kaget karena bunyi dedaunan atau dahan yang terinjak) Jadi, hm— (mencoba memulai pembicaraan agar tidak canggung)

Were you really out here just to scoff at legends, or were you hoping to catch a glimpse of the Ecliptic Stars too? (Tidak benar-benar serius bertanya)

Even if I was, why would it matter to you?

I'm sorry.... I'm just... (Menunduk, menatap ujung sepatuku sembari terus berjalan) (Menyesal bertanya)

(Silence)

(Masih tidak berani membuka kembali percakapan) (The sounds of the forest surrounded us)

You really believe in that wish-granting nonsense, don't you?

(Blushing) I like to hope. Semua orang pasti punya sesuatu yang mereka harapkan, bukan?

(Under my breath) Yeah.. Some more than others.

(Takut salah bicara lagi, cepat-cepat ganti topik) I've heard this forest is home to Thestrals. Have you ever seen one?

(Pausing) Yes. They're... unique creatures. Not everyone can see them, though.

It's said only those who've seen death can. It must be a profound experience...

It is.

(Tidak tahu mau jawab apa. Hanya menatap ujung sepatu sambil berjalan. Masih takut salah bicara.)