An overwhelming sense of pride swelled within Antrodos as my mother's enchanting voice echoed through the room, casting a harmonious spell that no one could resist. His eyes shimmered, reflecting the stage lights as he applauded. "What a beautiful voice my wife has," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the melodious enchantment that still lingered in the air.
Lucianna, Illyanna, Matterinna, and I joined in his sentiments, our voices adding a layer of praise to the atmosphere that was already thick with awe and adoration. The space seemed to pulsate with warmth and positivity, my mother's performance leaving an indelible mark on each one of us.
However, amid the rousing applause and praises, Antrodos rose from his seat. His face was a complex weave of regret and satisfaction. He mustered a proud smile and waved his hand in the air, a silent but meaningful farewell to all of us.
Across the room, on the stage, my mother acknowledged him. Her gaze met his for an evanescent moment before his silhouette dissolved into the darkness of the night. Despite the bittersweet goodbye, a genuine smile adorned her face - one of understanding and deep affection. She was glad that he'd stayed, even if it was for a fleeting moment, to witness the enchantment she spun with her voice.
As the door swung shut, leaving behind the lingering essence of Antrodos, she projected her voice across the room, "Thank you for staying, my love!" The words reverberated through the air, a warm goodbye trailing after my father as he disappeared into the starlit night.
Laussinna delivered a few more captivating performances before finally descending the stage. Her figure, bathed in the fading spotlight, moved gracefully towards us - her family, settled at our table. Her eyes sparkled with exhaustion and the joy of a job well done.
"Finally, my shift is over. And I'm quite parched," she confessed, taking a seat next to me, Lucianna, Matterinna, and Illyanna. A round of drinks was quickly ordered, the clatter of glasses and cheerful toasts signifying the end of her work for the day.
As the air of celebration started to die down, Laussinna's gaze swept over Illyanna and me. "You two aren't thinking of heading to bed yet, are you?" she asked, her eyes flicking to the window where the sky had darkened into a velvet expanse, speckled with stars.
"I wanted to see your performance, Mom," Illyanna replied, her voice as soft as the night breeze outside. "We all did."
My nod echoed her sentiment, our support for our mother unwavering.
Laussinna's eyes shone with gratitude, her hands reaching out to pull Illyanna and me into a warm hug. Her lips gently pressed against our foreheads in a tender kiss, a gesture that melted away the day's anxiety and excitement.
Laussinna's hand then moved to her purse, procuring something that instantly commanded our attention. In her hand, an amulet glowed, emitting a soft, serene blue light. The magic that enveloped it hummed soothingly, adding an air of mystery.
"Well, do you know what this is?" she asked us, a playful smirk painting her face. Beside her, Matterinna gasped, clearly recognizing the object.
Illyanna, Lucianna, and I exchanged glances, our knowledge falling short in the face of the enigmatic amulet. We shook our heads in unison.
Our mother's smirk grew wider. "Your father and I have been working tirelessly to save enough for this," she began, her fingers gently caressing the amulet. "It's an Amulet of Teleportation." The revelation hung in the air, its significance slowly sinking in as we processed her words.
With excitement lighting up her face, Matterinna chimed in, "So, we finally have a convenient way to commute between our home and the kingdom of Tarvernia, don't we?"
At her question, Laussinna nodded, her smirk never leaving her face. The shimmering amulet swung lightly in her grasp, the soft, azure light casting an ethereal glow on her features.
The talk of magic piqued Lucianna's curiosity. Her eyes, wide and filled with wonder, were locked onto the magical trinket. "This is the first time I've seen such an amulet. How does it work?" she inquired, her usual cool demeanor melting into genuine fascination.
Laussinna, clearly delighted by her interest, proceeded to explain, "Before we can use the amulet to teleport, we must first tether it to a location. However, our house isn't an option at the moment because we haven't done so there. But, we could teleport to the Snow Fairy's Tavern since it is already tethered here."
As I listened, something in my gaming-addicted brain clicked. I couldn't help but join the conversation, "So, it's like a fast travel feature in games?"
The comment drew blank stares from Lucianna, Laussinna, and Matterinna. They turned to me in unison, their brows furrowing. "Fast travel feature?" they echoed, their voices laden with confusion.
Instantly, I felt my face heat up, a prickling embarrassment sweeping over me. Had I just compared a precious magical artifact to a video game mechanic? I muttered a curse under my breath, my gaze avoiding their perplexed stares. "It's nothing," I mumbled, trying to dismiss the ill-placed comparison.