A little boy was playing at the riverside. He smiled up at his mother, who was watching from a rock big enough to sit on. She smiled back at him and reached down to read the latest letter from her daughter. Shu is looking for the perfect gift to give his mother. She only deserves the best!
*****
Rielen smiled at the recent report from her mother on her younger brother Shu. He had taken it upon himself to start finding "gifts'' for his mom. She couldn't help comparing it to a certain someone. 'He will grow up well', she thought. She folded up the letter, and placed it in the box Hyla had procured for her.
She had enchanted it so no one but her could open it, and among the letters in the box were a great many colored stones. The box was as light as a feather. Valued high enough as a box that could be considered fit to give to the King. However, she disliked the King, so kept the things she made to herself, only turning in the most basic of assignments.
The teacher would frown each time she turned in an assignment like this. He knew the capabilities of his student, but why did she not apply herself?
Rielen looked down at her newest creation. A pendant that created a defensive barrier. She used her many gifts to create a chain of metal for it to hang from. It was in the shape of a bird often found in Vale. Her mother had sent her a sketch of one.
Rielen was thrilled her mother could spend time at home with Shu. She would often send her gifts of art supplies whenever possible. Grend had even let her use her gift once to open a portal and send it through that way. If she did it quickly enough, the bracelet wouldn't even react to it.
She had been testing the limitations of the bracelet, and discovered some loopholes. As long as she didn't make a portal big enough to send herself through, and didn't leave it open too long, the portal wouldn't react to her teleportation magic. Of course, she would always leave her gifts at the door. No reason to alarm anyone. It was just a happy coincidence that she usually did it at night, while everyone else was asleep.
Hyla would often scrunch up her face trying to figure out where the supplies she acquired would go, but she didn't understand magic, so she let it go. She had already decided to look away from a great many other things her young master did, what was one more?
Rielen finished polishing the pendant. She was finally going to be the one to give Eon a present. He would often refuse to accept gifts from her, stating he didn't need this, or presenting her with another gift. So, she took the initiative this time to make something without telling him.
He couldn't say he didn't need this. It was full of as many protective enchantments as she could come up with in the last six months. In fact, she was planning on refusing to speak to him anymore if he didn't accept this gift. She wrapped up the pendant in a clean cloth she'd picked out for just this occasion.
She rushed over to Eon's room and had Hyla knock. Greg poked his head out and smiled when he noticed Rielen. Hyla had brought him into the loop on the surprise, so he let her in immediately, without calling for his master's permission first.
"Greg, who was at the door?" Eon paused as he noticed Rielen sitting on the couch. He paused because he had just gotten out of the bath, and was not fully clothed. "Umm…" Rielen didn't know what to say, because in front of her was a solid wall of abs…
'Well, I guess I will accept this present.' Rielen thought to herself, embarrassed. Hyla and Greg were hiding their laughter behind smiles. Eon dropped the towel he had been using to dry his hair, and a slam of the door behind them almost made both of them fall to the ground, writhing from the hilarious scene that played out.
Rielen was embarrassed with herself. She glanced over at the two giggling behind her. "Hyla." Her voice was strict. "Yes, Miss." Hyla straightened up instantly. "Good job," Rielen half whispered. "Oh no, Miss. This is all Greg, Miss."
"I am glad to be of assistance to my lady," Greg bowed, as the door opened once more.
"What brings you here, Rie?" Eon used the cute nickname from their childhood. "Before you refuse," Rielen replied, "I believe you owe me something for that display…" She shoved the wrapped gift into his hands, and tried not to think about what he looked like without the shirt covering his torso.
Seeing her embarrassed face, he thought to himself, 'Why does she have to look so cute?' Greg cleared his throat, and remembered the small package in his hands. He sat down across from Rie, and slowly unwrapped the pendant. He recognized the bird immediately.
They would often watch them in the trees as children. It was a bird with deep blue feathers that hunted in the woods for small animals. He had never really seen one up close, but the detail on the pendant was amazing. "I made it myself, so you cannot say no." A firm answer greeted him.
He sighed. 'I am the one supposed to give you presents!' She was just supposed to sit back and let him spoil her. She was often like this. Trying to do everything herself like he wasn't there. "Rie, you didn't have to go to the trouble of.." She cut him off.
"You will accept the present!" How could he refuse when she was being so cute? One present wouldn't hurt his pride, would it? The chain flew out of his hand and settled around his neck. Surprise filled his face.
"It is enchanted. Now you can't take it off." Victory. She shot a triumphant look at him. "Fine, you win!" She had definitely outwitted him this time. He picked up the pendant and observed it further. "Did you use mithril for this?" Rielen smiled. "Yes, it was the perfect material for the.."
She went on and on, explaining each enchantment on the pendant. Eon was a little overwhelmed at this overpowered gift. 'Since when did she learn all of that?' Besides, where would the need for such a thing come from?' His reinforcement magic practically made all that stood before him fall. Most magic spells couldn't even penetrate the barriers that he could create.
With his head in his hand, he listened to her speak until her throat was dry. Greg had finished brewing some tea by then, so she took a big gulp. Some of the tea spilled down the side of her mouth. Eon laughed as he took his handkerchief and leaned over the small table to clean it up for her.
'Too close!' Rielen was still affected by the little "display" earlier. She obediently let him clean her face, but her cheeks showed a deep crimson by the time he was finished. Perhaps in the rush to put clothes on, Eon had failed to button his shirt all the way up. She was greeted with the second coming of his impressive physique.
Sensing her master's reluctance to continue the conversation, Hyla suggested they retire for the night. "My master, you look exhausted. Please excuse us, Sir Eon." She led her master from the room just as her face reached the peak of red. Her master was already 22, but she was still so innocent in Hyla's mind.