After the day of Darren and Kevin's bet, work went by smoothly. Since Kevin would be paying for Darren's meal for the next week, there was no need for their usual contest. Everyone worked calmly knowing that they were not at risk of paying for Darren's meal.
Kevin didn't have to worry about paying for Darren's meal for a week though. During the after-work meal of that day, Charlie let everyone know that they were ahead of schedule and would be done within the next two days. Kevin only had to pay for Darren's meals for a week of work but they didn't have a week of work left.
During the last two days though, Ian was working a bit slower than he usually would since he still hadn't regained all of his energy. Even though they weren't having a contest they still got their scores at the end of the day. Ian, at the end of those days, got scores around 70.
Now that the seasonal work period has ended Ian, Emmett, and Kevin would hang out at Zoey's. There was nothing for them to do and they didn't feel like training.
Emmett and Ian were sitting quietly, facing each other, as their forehead glistened with sweat. Kevin sat next to them, drinking a smoothie, and watching the other two panic on the inside.
Kevin, after taking a long slurp from his drink, finally broke the silence by saying, "So, you guys still don't know what to give to Ellie for her birthday?"
"If it was when she was younger it would be easy to get her a gift, but now that she's older it's become harder to get her one," replied Emmett.
Kevin took another long slurp then said, "why don't you ask Zoey to help you out? She's off from work tomorrow anyway."
"I can't. I don't want to bother her on her only day off. Plus what makes you think that she would want to help us?" Emmett said, after taking a bite out of his burger.
With a smile on his face and a bit of sarcasm in his voice, Kevin said, "Who said that you two would ask her, I was referring to just you. We all know that she has a thing for you anyways, so I'm sure that she'd say yes."
"Kevin has a point, Emmett, we've all seen how she gives you something extra for your meals, free of charge, or gives you a free refill without asking you." Ian went on to add.
Emmett, hearing this, started to look nervous. Both Ian and Kevin kept pushing Emmett to ask for her help, but what Emmett didn't know was that Kevin and Ian knew that he also liked Zoey. Knowing this both of them were trying to hook them up.
After a while longer of them pushing Emmett, he finally broke under the pressure. Emmett gathered all of the courage he could and got up to ask.
Both Kevin and Ian were still sitting at their table watching Emmett walk over to Zoey. With big devilish smiles, they looked at each other thinking to themselves about how easy it is to make Emmett do something.
Not long after Emmett left the table, Ian and Kevin saw that Zoey walked away and that Emmett looked depressed. However, a moment later he looked up at them and gave them a thumbs up.
Emmett walked back to the table and explained that the following day in the afternoon, he will go out with Zoey to pick out a gift for Ellie.
Once Emmet was done telling them everything, Kevin and Ian went on to tease him. They both were telling him how to be a gentleman and to, "be safe on your first date."
Emmett was getting tired of them and decided to pay and leave. Kevin and Ian followed to do the same, but when Emmett was about to pay he found out that his entire meal was comped. Both Kevin and Ian patted him on the back and led him outside.
The following day, Kevin and Ian were out to do some shopping themselves. Emmett had left earlier to meet up with Zoey so Ian was left alone to control Kevin.
Kevin usually looks like and acts like a chill guy, but when he's around friends or out of sight, he is a bit wilder. With Ian still not at full strength, he'd have a harder time keeping him on a leash.
As they were going around town and going into the few available shops, Kevin was acting very relaxed.
Ian, seeing this, asked, "Kevin what are you thinking about? You're too relaxed."
"I'm still thinking about how you managed to, maybe not win, but to still manage to not lose. It makes me happy that I can say, ``I told you that you could do it." Kevin replied.
"And that's why you're so calm?" Ian asked
"Yup, and plus I told you many times in the past that I'll be there when a friend needs help, so I'm here to help you with your small problem," Kevin said with a smug look on his face.
Ian didn't ask Kevin any more questions and just kept walking.
After going all around town the two of them weren't able to find a good gift for Ellie. They didn't get her any clothes since they didn't know her size and they didn't get her any accessories since they didn't want to spend too much on a gift. Kevin and Ian had given up for the day and decided to go to Zoey's for failure drinks.
Not long after they arrived, Emmett and Zoey walked in. They were smiling and laughing as they talked. They walked past Kevin and Ian and went to the back of the restaurant. After a bit, Emmett walked out by himself and joined them at their table.
Kevin and Ian spent no time asking Emmett about how his day was. Emmett went on to explain that thanks to Zoey he was able to find Ellie a gift reasonably quickly, but since they found one so soon they decided to go around town and just hang out with each other.
Kevin and Ian were quietly listening to what Emmett was saying, not wanting to interrupt him, but halfway through his story, a big burly man walked up to them and gave Emmett a drink. The man just stood there not saying anything as the other three stared at him.
Kevin didn't want the situation to get awkward so he said, "Dave, how's it going? It's unusual to see you out of your masterful kitchen."
Dave didn't say anything to Kevin but instead turned to Emmett and said, "You get one chance," and walked away.
After he was out of earshot Emmett turned to the other two and said, "so ya, we'll be going out next week on her next day off."
Both Kevin and Ian gave Emmett a thumbs up and at the same time they said, "good luck champ."
The three of them stayed in the restaurant for a while longer, chatting and drinking, before heading out.
When the three of them left, Emmett told the other two that he had something to do before he went home so he separated from the group.
Kevin lived in a different direction from where Emmett and Ian did, so early on their way home, he and Ian went their separate ways.
Ian was now alone, making his way back home. The sun was starting to set and the roads were clearing up. Halfway through his walk, Ian bumped into Liam.
Liam was holding a cup in one hand, a bunch of papers in the other, and a bag that looked heavy on his back. His hair was messy and it looked like he had started to grow a beard.
The two of them, seeing that they were crossing paths, decided to stop for a moment to talk. Partway through their chat, Ian helps Liam carry papers to his workshop.
Ian had no problem helping Liam since they still had a few hours before nightfall was upon them.
On the way to Liam's workshop, Ian tells him about the little problem that he's been having.
Liam was thinking of a way that he could assist Ian before he said, "I think I might have something to help you with your predicament."
"Really, what is it?" Ian asked surprisingly.
Liam, taking a sip from his drink said, "Why don't you give her a concentration bracelet?"
"A concentration WHAT?!" Ian replied.
Clearing his throat, Liam then said, "It's a bracelet that helps increase one's power. It can also help someone become a silver sooner than expected."
"I don't think I can afford something like that," Ian exclaimed.
Liam, taking another sip of his drink said, "Don't worry about payment, you can pay me by testing some of my projects for me."
Ian thought about it for a moment and then chose to agree to Liam's deal.
After walking for a while, they reached Liam's shop. The shop was on the outskirts of the village, far from anyone to keep them safe. The shop itself was a barn-sized building that was made out of brick and concrete.
The inside of the building was a complete mess. It was filled with clutter of papers, blueprints, and random items.
Liam went over to his desk to clear some of the junk off of it. Ian placed down the papers on it and Liam placed his back next to the desk.
Ian walked around looking at all the different gadgets and tools while Liam looked for the bracelet to give to him.
In the back of the building, Ian noticed something big. It was covered by a large tarp but he could see what looked like a large metal or stone hand.
Liam noticed this and told Ian to stay away from that thing since it wasn't complete, but he also mentioned that that was one of the few things he wanted Ian to test.
Ian turned away from the giant object and walked over to Liam.
Liam, after searching for a while, finally found what he was looking for. He turned to Ian and handed him a silver bracelet that was covered in symbols.
Ian looked at the bracelet and told Liam that it looked too big. Liam explained to Ian that the bracelet would adjust to the user when put on.
After Liam was done explaining how the item worked, Ian thanked him and went home.