~Aiden~
As I began to pack up my recording equipment, I heard a gentle thud echo through the now-silent venue. Turning around, I was greeted with all 130 feet of Eden Joiner.
“Leaving so soon,” the giantess quipped, carefully lowering herself to a crouch, the stadium lights reflecting off her caramel skin as she came to rest on her haunches.
"Not quite yet,," I chuckled, glancing up to meet her gaze.
Her eyes sparkled with mirth, the same warm brown that had captured the hearts of millions through her music videos.
"And here I was thinking you'd forgotten about me," she replied, her voice a rich melody that filled the vast space of the empty stadium. "So, what's new in the land of the little?"
"Oh, you know, the usual," I said, setting down my microphone and notepad. "My daughter's been playing your new album on repeat ever since she found out I’d be interviewing you again."
"Ah, yes, your little fan," Eden said with a knowing smile. "How old is she now?"
"She's six," I replied, feeling a swell of pride as I thought of the countless times she'd sung along to Eden's hits, pretending to be a giant pop star herself. "Still loves to belt out 'Heartstrings' at the top of her lungs."
Eden leaned in closer, her massive hand softly touching the ground beside me as she steadied herself, causing a slight tremor beneath my feet.
"Still just the two of you, huh?" she asked, her tone gentle. "How are you both holding up?"
The question was loaded with more than mere curiosity. It had been just my daughter and I since my wife passed away a few years ago, leaving me to navigate the complexities of single fatherhood while juggling a demanding journalism career. My gaze fell away from Eden for a moment as I swallowed hard, before looking up toward the giantess once more, her face a blend of kindness and understanding.
"We're doing okay," I said with a forced smile. "It's been really tough on my daughter lately, but she's a trooper."
Eden's eyes searched mine as she nodded.
"You're doing a great job," she assured me, tenderly placing the pad of her index finger on my shoulder. The weight was surprisingly light, almost imperceptible, and the warmth of her touch lingered after she withdrew her digit - a welcomed moment of solace amidst the chaos of the world around us.
A sudden shout from the far end of the stadium pierced the quiet, and Eden's gaze shifted, her expression a mix of curiosity and annoyance.
"Looks like I've got some unexpected company," she said apologetically. "I'm really sorry to just cut things short, but I need to go sort this out."
Letting loose an exasperated sigh that ruffled my hair with a mint-scented breeze, the gigantic pop icon began to rise, her movements surprisingly graceful for someone of her colossal stature.
"Thank you for understanding," she said, her eyes never leaving mine as she offered a warm smile from on high. "If you or your daughter ever need anything, don't hesitate to reach out."
With those parting words, she turned to walk away, her strides doubling the distance between us in seconds. Each step she took was filled with an elegance that belied her size, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of admiration for how she handled herself with such poise in the face of her unique circumstances. As she disappeared into the shadows beyond the reach of the lights, the thunderous echo of her footfalls grew fainter, leaving only the lingering warmth of her touch.