Friends Don't Go Alone: Friends Don't Go Alone

Henry sits at the outdoor table of a burger spot with Stella, Hernando and Daniel. Hernando and Stella share a bag of fries, while Henry sips on a milkshake and Daniel eats a burger. The late August weather feels like it's mid June as the smell of burgers and salty oil waft through the air. The area their in is relatively silent... except for the sounds of nature and Daniel chewing with his mouth open in between bites of his food.

The prince decides to break the silence as he pauses drinking his milkshake. 
"I am thinking of going on another adventure." Henry states. 

He returns to drinking his shake while the other three all turn to look at him; Daniel chewing slowly, Hernando with his hand paused in the bag, eyebrow raised, and Stella gives the fairy the epitome of a skeptical look.

"By yourself?" Hernando questions doubtfully.

Surely he wasn't going alone.

"Yep!" Henry nods with a smile.  "Uh..." his smile fades when he sees the looks on the others' faces. "You guys do not look very happy about it."

"I mean can you blame us?" Hernando asks, pulling out another fry and dipping it in his ketchup.

The fairy tilts his head as he is thoroughly confused, "what do you mean?"

Daniel puts his burger and rests his arms on the table as he leans forward.
"What we mean is; your wimpy, can hardly fight and you're built like a pool noodle."

 Henry gasps. "First off, no I am not! Second; yes I can, and third... that is just hurtful." He lowers his wings as he shrinks in on himself, trying to cover up his upper torso and arms... but it's hardly covers him at all.

"How about I go with you?" Stella offers. "Besides, what kind of friend would I be if I let you go explore a portal by yourself."

Henry's face scrunches up a little as he decides, "...I guess that will be fine."

"Yay." Stella claps lightly before going back to eating more fries.

~~~

About a week later, Stella and Henry meet at a park across from Hernando's parent's fusion restaurant.

The wind blows slightly, making the air around them feel cooler. Henry zips up his hoodie while Stella sets her backpack on the ground next to bench.

"Okay," Henry flips through the pages until he finds the one with the triangular fold at the top corner. "Here we go... this is it," he says, tapping the page with his finger.

"Wow," Stella marvels, "this place looks cool and beautiful." 

The prince's eyes gleam with excitement "I know right? I am so excited to try and find it!" He points to a section of the paragraph under the picture. "Read this."

Stella leans forward a little as she reads the section that was pointed out, "the portal to this location was last seen in an abandoned mine shaft in Cliffside... warning entering this portal will close it for a full forty-eight hours before it reopens in a different location. Proceed with caution when exiting." 
Stella sits back against the wooden bench  and looks over at Henry, who looks back at her.

"How far is Cliffside from here?"

'Walking it is fifty minutes- or thirty of I fly."

"Well we're definitely not walking... that's for sure."

"Hmm." Henry looks back down at the book without actually paying attention to anything in particular. "Oh! We could take a flying boat?" The prince suggests. "It could get both of there in thirty minutes or so."

"You're a genius."

Henry gives a confident smile. "Tell me something I do not know."

"Okay sir," Stella playfully pushes him, "don't get arrogant."

Henry only chuckles and gives a shrug in response.

The duo heads up to the 'Wok & Roll' where Henry gathers his travelling bag and pocket compass. Mr. Masamoto offers the two some food for their, which they gladly accept.

When they've finally left the building, Stella links her arm with Henry's own and shoots her clenched fist out toward the horizon.

"To adventure!" she shouts enthusiastically.

Henry laughs before mimicking his friend. "To adventure!"