6:32 PM
Golden Fields Region, Verdant Haven
Réel Residence
As the evening sun cast a warm glow over the Réel Residence, Maurice and Aubert found themselves seated at the dining table, partaking in their evening meal.
The passage of time since Rubis's departure weighed heavily in the quietude of the room, each passing hour a poignant reminder of their beloved companion's absence.
It had been five long hours, yet the silence lingered, punctuated only by the soft clinking of utensils against plates.
Aubert's demeanor mirrored the somber atmosphere, his movements slow and deliberate as he navigated his dinner. Each bite carried with it a quiet longing, a silent tribute to the bond he shared with Rubis.
Maurice, attuned to Aubert's silent sorrow, observed his son with a heavy heart. The lines of concern etched across his brow betrayed his inner turmoil, a reflection of the pain he felt seeing Aubert's sadness.
'Should I give him a Commlink?'
As he contemplated how best to alleviate Aubert's grief, Maurice entertained fleeting thoughts of providing his son with a Commlink.
The idea, while tempting in its potential to connect Aubert with the outside world, stirred a sense of apprehension within him.
At just five years old, Aubert was still a child, his innocence and vulnerability deserving of protection from the complexities of the digital realm.
With a solemn shake of his head, Maurice dismissed the notion, unwilling to compromise Aubert's tender years with the weight of technological distractions.
Amid their quiet meal, Aubert noticed his father's prolonged pause in eating.
"Papa, why are you not eating?"
Maurice was snapped out of his thoughts. "Well, I was just thinking about something."
"Okay," Aubert acknowledged, his usual curiosity tempered by the weight of lingering sadness.
He returned his focus to his food, sensing that his father's thoughts were not something to be probed at this moment.
In a different circumstance, Aubert might have pressed further, eager to unravel the mysteries of his father's musings.
However, tonight, shrouded in the quiet aftermath of Rubis's departure, he chose to let the unspoken rest and focused on the simple act of nourishing himself, a quiet ritual to endure the absence of his dear friend.
BZZT!
Maurice's Commlink buzzed, interrupting the tranquil evening with its persistent vibration. With a sigh, Maurice retrieved the device from his pocket, noting Ignatius's name flashing on the screen.
"Bonsoir, Monsieur Ignatius, why are you calling this late?" Maurice inquired, his brows furrowed slightly.
"Bonsoir, Monsieur Maurice, did I remind you when you're going to perform at Celestria?"
Maurice paused, realization dawning upon him. Ignatius hadn't provided the crucial detail of when he was scheduled to perform at Celestria.
"No, you didn't."
"Hahahaha! Sorry about that, Monsieur Maurice."
Maurice exhaled slowly, his mind recalibrating. "It's all right, Monsieur Ignatius. So, when is the performance?"
"In five days, Monsieur Maurice. Will that be enough time for you to prepare?"
Maurice nodded. "Don't worry, I have enough time."
"Excellent! Tt's all from me. Goodbye, Monsieur Maurice!"
The call ended, leaving Maurice to mull over the news.
Aubert, attuned to the change in his father's demeanor, couldn't resist his curiosity.
"Papa, who was that?" Aubert asked as Maurice pocketed his Commlink.
Maurice sighed. "That was Monsieur Ignatius. He told me when I'm going to perform at Celestria, as he forgot to tell me last time."
Aubert's eyes widened with excitement. "You're performing!?"
Realizing Aubert had been asleep when Ignatius originally relayed the news, Maurice nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"Yes, Aubert. It seems I'll be taking the stage sooner than expected."
Aubert's enthusiasm bubbled forth. "Can I perform too?"
Maurice pondered the request, seeing an opportunity to lift Aubert's spirits after the recent incident with Rubis, and perhaps nurture his budding talent in reality-warping magic.
"Sure... but," Maurice added, tempering Aubert's excitement.
Aubert's brow furrowed in anticipation. "But?"
"You'll need to train and practice diligently to captivate the audience with our performance," Maurice explained, his tone gentle yet firm.
Aubert's mind wandered back to the time when Maurice performed his magic tricks. He remembered the gasps of surprise, the bursts of laughter, and the wide-eyed wonder on the faces of the audience. The ballroom was filled with a sense of delight and astonishment as Maurice revealed the unexpected, turning the ordinary into the extraordinary.
He loved that moment, loved seeing the happiness that his father's magic brought to people. It was a kind of magic that went beyond the tricks themselves. It was the magic of joy, of shared moments of surprise and delight. It was a magic that made people forget their worries, even if just for a little while.
Seeing the joy on people's faces, Aubert felt a warmth spread through him. He wanted to be like his Papa, to bring that same joy and wonder to others. He wanted to learn his father's magic, to hold it in his hands and share it with the world.
Determination gleamed in Aubert's eyes as he responded, "I will!"
Maurice's heart swelled with pride at Aubert's resolve. "That's the spirit, Aubert!"
***
10:32 PM
Aubert lay nestled in his bed, surrounded by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the window.
Maurice, tenderly standing by his side, leaned down to tuck him in, placing a gentle kiss on Aubert's forehead.
"Good night, Aubert," he whispered, his affectionate words carrying a soothing cadence.
Aubert, his eyelids growing heavy, responded with a soft, "Good night, Papa," as he surrendered to the embrace of sleep.
With a warm smile, Maurice quietly stepped out of Aubert's room, gently closing the door to allow his son the tranquility of the night.
Bzzt!
Maurice's Commlink vibrated once again, disrupting the quietude that had settled over the Réel Residence. Ignatius's name flashed on the screen and Maurice answered the call.
"Monsieur Ignatius, why are you calling again?"
"M-Maurice, have you seen the news?" Ignatius's voice wavered, carrying an unsettling tone.
Maurice, sensing urgency, raised an eyebrow. "News?"
"...She went missing."
The revelation hit Maurice like a sudden gust of wind, his eyes widening in shock. "Who?"
"Madame Eleanor..."
Maurice's heart skipped a beat. "What!?"
Driven by concern, he rushed downstairs to the living room and activated the AetherPrism. A holographic screen materialized, broadcasting the alarming news:
<
The gravity of the situation weighed heavily on Maurice's shoulders as he absorbed the shocking developments.
"…How did this…did they see what happened on the cameras?"
"Unfortunately, no."
The absence of surveillance footage added another layer of mystery to Eleanor's disappearance, leaving Maurice grappling with unanswered questions and escalating unease.
"Is there any lead on her whereabouts?"
Ignatius sighed, the weariness evident in his voice. "None so far. The authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, but the circumstances surrounding her disappearance remain elusive."
Maurice's brow furrowed as he processed the gravity of the situation.
Even though he only met Eleanor in a short amount of time, he couldn't help but feel that he wanted to help.
"We must do something," Maurice insisted, his voice edged with resolve.
But Ignatius's tone was firm. "Maurice, don't get involved. Leave it to the authorities."
Maurice's jaw clenched with frustration. "I can't just stand by and do nothing."
Ignatius's sigh resonated through the Commlink. "I know your heart is in the right place, but sometimes, we must trust in the system."
Though torn with conflicting emotions, Maurice knew he had to maintain composure.
"You're right," he conceded, his voice steady despite the turmoil within.
With a deep breath, Maurice composed himself, recognizing the need to remain focused amidst the chaos.
"Let's leave it to the authorities," he agreed, his resolve unwavering as he refocused on the task at hand.
"Good. I don't want my showman to be distracted during his performance, one hundred thousand Camillium Coins are on the line here," Ignatius concluded.
Maurice chuckled softly. "Of course, Monsieur Ignatius. I'll ensure my performance is nothing short of spectacular."
Ignatius's tone softened. "I trust you, Monsieur Maurice. Rest well tonight."
Maurice nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Good night, Monsieur Ignatius."
"Good night, Monsieur Maurice," Ignatius bid farewell before ending the call.
Maurice smiled at the well-wishes, placing his Commlink back in his pocket. As he did, another breaking news alert flashed on the AetherVision:
<
Maurice's fist involuntarily clenched at the alarming news. The dual crises of Eleanor's disappearance and the missing children weighed heavily on his mind.
He is now worried for Aubert's safety. Maurice felt an urgent need to accelerate Aubert's training. The unpredictability of the current events prompted him to prioritize Aubert's abilities, ensuring he could handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
With determination fueling his resolve, Maurice scrolled through his contacts until he found 'Charlotte Rochefort'.
"Bonsoir, Monsieur Maurice, why are you calling this late?" Charlotte's voice came through the Commlink.
"Bonsoir, Mademoiselle Charlotte, I need to rent an E-Rank Stargate. Are there any available?"
Charlotte paused briefly before responding, "Let me check."
After a moment of anticipation, Charlotte confirmed, "Yes, we have one available. It's ten thousand Camillium Coins."
Maurice's decision was resolute. "Great, I would like to rent that."
"Why would someone like you rent the weakest Stargate?"
Maurice's response was measured yet purposeful. "Well, I'm not the one who is going to enter it."