The landscape of Auralia stretched before them like a living painting: forests of crystal trees, sparkling rivers, and floating hills bathed in shifting light. Richard couldn't take his eyes off the surreal beauty, while Emma clutched her notebook like a shield.
"Richard…" she muttered from the background, voice trembling, "this… this isn't scientific! Science can explain everything! Science can explain everything! I… I… I must be dreaming…"
Richard, oblivious to her protests, walked curiously through a sparkling clearing. Suddenly, a figure appeared. A young woman with silver hair and golden eyes… but with pointed ears and a graceful tail swishing behind her.
"Who… who are you?" Emma stammered, dumbfounded.
Richard, fascinated, stepped forward with a wide grin.
"Hello! I'm Richard, and this is Emma. We… uh… are exploring your world."
The cat-like woman looked at them, surprised.
"You… you're dressed… strangely… and the way you speak… it's… unusual. Who are you, really?"
"We come from… far away," Richard said, eyes fixed on her ears and tail.
Without thinking, Richard reached out and touched one of Sophie's delicate ears.
"Wow… they're so soft!"
Sophie's eyes widened in shock, and she shoved him back.
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!"
Undeterred, Richard reached for her tail.
"And this one… wow-wow!"
Sophie, exasperated, landed a solid punch that sent him comically sprawling across the ground. Richard rolled back, groaning but still smiling.
"Ouch… okay… okay… note to self… don't touch… again…"
Emma, in the background, gestured wildly and shouted every time Richard moved.
"Science can explain it… science can explain it… this… this is impossible… I… I'm dreaming…"
Sophie, hands on her hips, shook her head, laughing despite herself.
"You are… strange. But I suppose if you made it here… you'll have to learn to survive in Auralia."
Richard stood up, a bit shaken but still awestruck.
"Auralia… it's magnificent! And you, Sophie… wow… what a world!"
Emma, eyes rolling, let out a long, desperate sigh.
"Science can explain everything… but not this… not this…"
Sophie, amused, addressed the newcomers:
"Very well… follow me, but beware. Every step in this world has consequences… and it seems you've already reached the 'maximum patience test' level."
Richard grinned, unable to contain his excitement.
"Perfect! The adventure really begins now!"
Emma, groaning in the background, whispered to herself:
"Science can explain everything… but not this… not this…"
And so, between blunders, comic blows, and sheer wonder, their first encounter with a resident of Auralia marked the start of a new phase in their adventure—a world where logic and fantasy would collide with every step, and every decision—even foolish ones—would have immediate… and often hilarious consequences.