*Sound of a door squeaking open*
Aella instantly raised her head and saw Philomel walking in.
" Welcome back. How was your packed lunch? Would you like dinner?"
Aella questioned with a smile as Philomel took a seat next to Amon. Little One was seating on Amon's knee, the toddler stopped playing with Amon's napkin and started reaching toward Philomel. Philomel picked up Little One from Amon's lap, cuddling him against her cheek.
" It was delicious and yes, dinner would be splendid."
Philomel informed as she placed the basket onto the table.
" How's your day? Where's Darzirak?"
Amon asked between bites if his dinner which was roasted beef.
" Darzirak sensed something and wanted to check it out. My day was good. I made much progress. Everything would be in place slightly before sundown tomorrow by then we can celebrate Little One's first birthday. What about you? Did you manage to make any progress with friends for Little One?"
Philomel smiled at Aella when she came by to collect the basket and place her dinner in front of her. Aella nodded back to her before noticing Doctor Storm signalling for another drink. He was at his usual table, getting drowsy as usual.
" Little One made many friends according to Gale. I had recruited his help in exchange for doing his chores. He said Little One had a knack for making friends. Every kid in the barn are eager and looking forward to playing with him, tomorrow. I'll go check it out with Gale and do a quick head count before planning anything solid with Aella. "
Amon answered before turning and looking at Aella. Aella instantly saw that as an invitation to join the conversation.
" Well if Little One is extremely popular and you have much spare change. Then why not invite all the children within the village? Me and my mother could easily cook up a storm before sundown. We can even throw in a huge cake for just 6 gold coins. "
Aella suggested with a smile. Amon nodded at the suggestion liking the idea but eventually turned to Philomel for the final decision.
" Sounds reasonable. Make sure that cake is more than enough for everyone and I'll throw in 2 gold coins."
Philomel agreed with a smile, knowing that this probably would be the only chance Amon and the rest of the children here taste cake, since it was an expensive delicacy.
" Sweet! Hear that Little One?! You're going to have a smashing birthday!"
Amon chimed as he picked up Little One from Philomel's lap, lifting the toddler into the air and making him squeal.
" Wonderful! Then you don't mind can we finalize the menu tonight? That way I can get a head start on preparation in the morning."
Aella waved her hand in a circle to represent tomorrow as she clear away Amon's empty plate.
" Sure but you best go through it with Amon. I have other plans with Little One. By the way, any ideas where I can borrow a spinning wheel and loom?"
Philomel gestured with her fork before taking another bite.
" You can borrow one here! We have it up in the attic. My grandmother used to be a weaver. We would be more than glad to see that old loom at use again. It's been years since anyone had used it. Feel free to use any materials up there. I can show you where it is later."
Aella quickly offered knowing that it would take Philomel hours to make anything which meant Amon would be left alone with her.
" Great. Thank you for your assistance then. I'll babysit Little One tonight, so don't worry about anything and plan the perfect surprise birthday for Little One, ok? "
Philomel turned to Amon midway as she takes the last bite of her dinner.
" Sure leave it to me!"
Amon nodded, extremely pumped up for the challenge. Amon wishes the toddler a "Good Night" and with that Philomel took Little One from him. Aella lead Philomel up to the attic after a quick stop for Philomel to collect her things. Aella even offered her a room that was closes to the attic, free of charge. It was obvious Aella had plans of her own and was making preparations for it. Philomel wanting to support Amon, pretended she didn't notice while cheering them on within her heart.
The attic suprisingly wasn't a gloomy sight, rather it was a perfect work area with much fabric and a huge table. Aella explained how it used to be her grandmother's so- called workshop and they kept it clean as a way to commemorate her. Philomel couldn't help but smile for it reminded her of her father's workshop.
Meanwhile downstairs, Darzirak seeing that Aella had gone upstairs with Philomel decided to finally make his entrance.
"Oh! There you are Darzirak. How are you? How's the new house, Joey? Did you manage to investigate the thing that caught your eye? "
Amon greeted as he patted Darzirak on the head. Darzirak place a paw on Amon's arm, stopped him from patting.
" I'll babysit Little One tonight."
Darzirak announced with a wink as he playfully put pressure and remove pressure on Amon's arm.
"Eh?"
Amon titled his head at Darzirak.
" I'm fine, my new house is still going through renovation but is looking great and the thing I was investigating was that barmaid, Aella. I'll babysit Little One for you."
Darzirak hinted , repeated and winked again as he this time elbow Amon in his side.
" What are you getting at? Did Philomel say something to you? "
" Oh, nothing much.... nothing much... "
Darzirak avoided Amon's gaze as he stretch out and moves like the wind towards Dr Storm swaying in his seat feeling drowsy. Darzirak examine Dr Storm before studying the Doctor's drink.
" Aren't you the boogey...."
Dr Storm questioned with a pointing finger at Darzirak. Darzirak breath into Dr Storm and making him dream.
" Then why are you suddenly so helpful? Feeling generous, tonight?"
Amon prompted as Darzirak cradle Dr Storm's head and gently lay it down on the table.
"Man..."
Dr Storm breathe out his last word before falling into a deep slumber.
" You could say that."
Darzirak shrugged.
" You could also say, Aella is a beautiful human, I mean ... beautiful lady and she deserves your undivided attention. "
Darzirak turned and winked at Amon before leaping onto the shelf behind the bar and sniffing at all the different kind of alcohol bottles.
" Undivided in what way?"
Amon grinned as he finally understood Darzirak's meaning. Amon found it refreshing for Darzirak to even care about such things as he recalled Darzirak always was quite nosy when it came to seeing a girl.
" Starting to think about it, that might the only area that has his full interest in when it comes to me."
Amon couldn't help but thought as he rested his head in his hand and studied Darzirak.
" Undivided as in between Philomel and other girls you may have encountered in the village. You know what you want but your first choice friend zoned you. Best open your eyes and study the rest of your options, right?"
Darzirak suggested as he popped open one of the bottles and poured himself a glass.
" True..."
Amon said with a sigh. Darzirak took a sip of the liquor, feeling the a shockwave running through him from the taste. He shook his head, smacking his lips before closing the bottle and taking another.
" But just because I'm friend zoned doesn't mean the game is over. You told me that yourself, don't you remember?"
Amon reminded as Darzirak poured himself another drink, tasting it. His eyes widened as he licked his lips and studied the drink. He shot Amon a look of confusion and fear before nodding as he stare down at his feet for a moment.
" No game has a true end which itself is a problem."
Darzirak pointed out as he poured two glasses of the drink and brought it towards Amon's table.
" The question is how long you are you going to hold on? "
Darzirak questioned as he set the drink in front of Amon. Amon studied the glass of golden bubbling champagne that shimmering within a brandy glass.
" Is that..."
Amon raised his head to question Darzirak's actions but then noticed Darzirak had disappeared.
" Well aren't you enthusiastic? Already preparing for the celebration of a perfect birthday party planned before the planning even begin."
Aella smiled as she walked as if she was floating down the stairs. Amon turned to look at her then at the two full glasses of champagne at the table before starting at the empty glass Darzirak drank from at the bar counter. Aella saunter toward his table, picking up the second glass Darzirak had place and taking a sip from it.
" My my! Brut Champagne, what fine taste but wrong type of glass, my dear. "
Aella giggle as she took a seat across from Amon.
" Er... glad you like it."
Amon awkwardly smile, not really understanding any type of alcohol since he never had the opportunity to taste any of it.
"Well... never had the opportunity until now..."
Amon thought to himself as he looked down at the bubbling champagne right in front of him. From the corner of his eyes he noticed Darzirak slowly creeping up the shadows of the stairs. Darzirak felt Amon's gaze and gave him another wink - wink and a big smile that showed off all his sharp white teeth before running up the stairs.
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