10:31 AM
Emerald Coastline, Verdant Haven
Coral Cove Market
An hour has passed since they arrived at Coral Cove Market.
Aubert's eyes sparkled with wonder as he took in the sights and sounds of the vibrant marketplace. His curiosity led him from shop to shop, his gaze dancing with excitement at each discovery.
Suddenly, they stumbled upon a choir gathered in the center of the market square, their voices harmonizing in a mesmerizing melody under the direction of a poised conductor.
Intrigued, Maurice and Aubert stopped in their tracks, drawn by the enchanting performance unfolding before them.
The choir's voices soared, filling the air with a rich tapestry of sound that resonated with Aubert's young heart.
Wide-eyed, Aubert watched in awe as the singers swayed and sang with passion, their voices weaving together in perfect harmony.
"Papa, why are they singing?" Aubert asked, his voice tinged with wonder.
Maurice smiled at Aubert's innocence, his appreciation for the music evident in his eyes.
"They're singing because it's what they love to do, Aubert," Maurice explained. "For them, singing is a way to express themselves, to share their joy and their emotions with others."
Aubert listened intently, his gaze fixed on the choir as they continued their melodic performance.
"It's pretty," Aubert whispered, his heart touched by the magic of music.
Maurice nodded, his own heart swelling with pride at Aubert's appreciation for the beauty of the world around them.
****
12:27 PM
The midday sun cast a warm glow over Coral Cove Market as Maurice and Aubert settled into a cozy seaside restaurant, the salty breeze mingling with the savory aroma of freshly cooked seafood.
Munch!
Aubert's face lit up with delight as he savored a succulent piece of grilled fish, his enthusiasm evident in the loudness of his munching.
"Yummy!"
Maurice, seated across from Aubert, couldn't help but notice the attention their table was drawing. The other diners glanced in their direction, some with curious smiles and others with subtle frowns.
"Aubert, what did I tell you about your table manners?"
Aubert's eyes widened in realization as he remembered Maurice's earlier instructions about dining etiquette.
"I'm sorry, Papa," Aubert replied sheepishly, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I forgot."
Maurice nodded understandingly, his expression softening with paternal warmth.
"It's all right, Aubert," Maurice reassured him. "Just remember to chew with your mouth closed and be mindful of the other diners around us."
Aubert nodded earnestly, his determination to improve his manners evident in the earnestness of his gaze.
"SQUEE!"
"Don't get him away!"
The sudden commotion caught Aubert and Maurice's attention.
They turned to see a small red baby dragon darting through the crowded stalls, pursued by an imposing figure—the butcher, his expression determined as he lunged forward in pursuit.
"Papa, look! A dragon!"
Aubert exclaimed, his eyes widening with wonder as he pointed at the tiny creature.
Maurice's gaze followed Aubert's outstretched finger, and his expression shifted from surprise to concern as he beheld the scene unfolding before them.
"SQUEE! SQUEE!"
The dragon's panicked cries echoed through the market, its tiny wings fluttering frantically as it desperately tried to evade capture.
Maurice's expression darkened as he connected the dots between the dragon and the approaching butcher.
Dragons are an endangered species in Sylvestria, protected by stringent laws due to their dwindling numbers and inherent magical properties.
Despite these protections, some individuals sought to profit from the illegal trade of dragon meat, a lucrative yet morally reprehensible enterprise.
Maurice was surprised to witness such illicit activities in the bustling Coral Cove Market, usually known for its lively and lawful atmosphere.
"Squee!"
The dragon's distress grew more palpable, its frightened chirps tugging at Maurice's heartstrings.
Concerned for the dragon's safety, Maurice decided to intervene discreetly.
'A portal to the Réel Residence' Maurice thought.
With a flick of his fingers, a red portal materialized in front of the dragon. The baby dragon, seeing the escape route, flew right into the portal.
Simultaneously, the butcher, determined to capture their elusive prize, also saw the portal and attempted to chase the dragon through it.
However, just as he reached the portal, Maurice swiftly flicked his fingers again, causing the red portal to disappear. The butcher stumbled forward, and his pursuit abruptly halted as they tumbled onto the ground.
The sudden disappearance of the dragon and the clumsy fall of the butcher left the onlookers in a state of confusion.
Murmurs and gasps circulated among the crowd as they tried to comprehend the mysterious events that had just transpired. One concerned individual, recognizing the potential violation of dragon protection laws, quickly decided to take action.
"Someone call the Verdant Haven Police Force! We've got a situation here!" a woman exclaimed, pulling out her Commlink to make the urgent call.
Meanwhile, Maurice smiled, a sense of relief washing over him as he saw the butcher stumble flat on his face. It was a small victory in safeguarding the welfare of the endangered dragon.
Unbeknownst to Maurice, Aubert had keenly observed his father's actions. From the subtle flick of his fingers to the faint emanation of mana as he created the portal, Aubert pieced together Maurice's involvement in the mysterious occurrence.
However, Aubert's innocent curiosity led him to question one aspect of Maurice's actions—why did he create a portal for the dragon to enter only to make it disappear before the butcher could follow? To Aubert, it seemed like a game of tag between the dragon and the butcher.
"Papa, why did you do that?"
Maurice paused, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he realized Aubert's innocence. At five years old, Aubert's understanding of the world was still budding, and Maurice knew it was his duty as a father to guide him.
"Aubert, sometimes in life, we have to protect those who cannot protect themselves," Maurice explained. "The dragon needed help, and it was the right thing to do."
Aubert nodded thoughtfully, absorbing Maurice's words as he contemplated the significance of Maurice's actions.
At that moment, Maurice knew that he had imparted a valuable lesson to his son.
But Aubert's curiosity persisted, prompting another question:
"But where did the dragon go?"
"The portal opened up at our house."
"But Papa, our house is made out of wood. What if the dragon breathes fire?"
From the books Aubert read, he knew there were different types of dragons. The color of their scales resembles the affinity of the dragon.
"Don't worry, Aubert. Our house is magically enhanced to be fireproof. The dragon will be safe there and so is our house."
Before Aubert was born, Maurice built the cabin with Isabelle and magically enhanced the cabin to be fireproof, considering the potential challenges that could arise with a magical child and, as seen now, an unexpected magical visitor.
Aubert listened intently to Maurice's words, reassured by his father's explanation about their fireproof home. With a nod of understanding, Aubert's youthful curiosity seemed satisfied for the moment.
As they settled back into their meal, Maurice glanced at the time. It was now 12:52 PM, and the charity ball was scheduled to begin at 8:00 PM.
Calculating the hours left, Maurice realized they had ample time to enjoy the day's adventures before the evening's festivities.
"Looks like we still have quite a few hours before the charity ball."
Aubert's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he finished his meal.
"Papa, let's explore more before the Ball!"
Maurice smiled warmly at Aubert's eagerness, delighted by his son's adventurous spirit.
"Of course, Aubert! Let's make the most of our time before the ball."