" Alex, Sarah, we have arrived," a voice could be heard from just outside the house.
" A moments," replied Alex who then hurriedly open the doors to meet their neighbour. A tall figure could be seen standing in front of the door. He is carrying two toddler in his arms. There is also a small figure besides him greeting Auron with a smile.
" You're really early today Ray. Usually you would be late," said Alex while inviting them in.
" What can I do. I would love to come a bit later so that you all have enough time to prepare the dinner but Lily have been urging me to come early as possible. She said she can't wait to greet that little ones," Ray feeling helpless.
"So, that's Uncle Ray. He certainly has the appearance of a seasoned hunter. The scar on his forearm and cheek adds a valiant and fierce quality to his presence. His ash-grey wavy hair and tanned skin not only give him a distinguished, mature look but also enhance his rugged charm. The contrast of his tanned complexion with his striking hair makes him look both experienced and impressive."
In the meantime, Lily already walk towards Auron.
" Hi there. My name is Lily. What is your name little guy. Just kidding, I heard that you haven't been able to talk yet. Happy birthday to you Auron !," after said that Lily tousle Auron's hair slightly then went to find Sarah in the kitchen.
Feeling a bit annoyed, Auron clumsily tried to fix his hair with his hands. Aunt Lily had a petite, slim figure that radiated grace. Her sparkling brown eyes and soft, wavy hair added a vibrant and youthful energy to her presence, making her look both charming and lively.
After setting the twins down near Auron, he introduced them. The boy, Thorne, has brown eyes, grey curly hair, and slightly tanned skin, while the girl, Thyra, shares similar brown eyes and tanned skin but has grey wavy hair. Though slightly older than Auron by three months, they seemed intrigued by their new acquaintance.
Uncle Ray chatted with Auron's father, occasionally glancing at the children. Thorne and Thyra watched Auron with wide, curious eyes, as if he were a new and fascinating toy. Thorne took the lead, toddling over to Auron, with Thyra closely following. As they reached him, they eagerly reached out to grab and explore their new friend.
"Ugh... this is uncomfortable, but there's not much I can do about it. Endure it, Auron. You can do this," he reassured himself. Auron slowly pushed the twins away to take a breather. His new outfit was already marred by the sticky saliva of the twins. Though he was disheartened by the mess, there was little he could do—scolding or hitting them was out of the question.
Suddenly, he felt a tickling sensation at his hip and noticed that Thorne was biting him. While other toddlers might have cried from the pain, Auron, having cultivated for a year, only felt a mild tickle. Seizing the opportunity to free himself from the twins' grasp, he began to cry loudly, hoping to signal for help or at least draw attention to his plight.
Alex, who had been nearby, quickly walked over upon hearing Auron's cries. As soon as he saw the situation, he immediately picked up Auron and began soothing him. Noticing the saliva mark on Auron's hip, Alex quickly understood what had transpired.
"What happened?" he asked Ray, examining the situation.
"It seems like Thorne bit Auron on the hip," Ray replied apologetically.
"I'm very sorry, little guy," Ray said with concern. "Does it still hurt?"
"It's alright. Nothing serious happen," Alex assured Ray.
Afterward, Auron settled on Alex's lap, watching as the twins excitedly explored the house. They seemed thrilled by the new environment, wandering around with curiosity. As Auron sat comfortably with his father, he attentively listened to the ongoing conversation, keenly absorbing any information that might be useful for future reference.
After a while, laughter filled the kitchen and living room as the adults grew more lively in their conversation. The ladies in the back seemed to be engaged in their own lively chatter, sharing who-knows-what kind of secrets.
Auron, who had been listening intently, was suddenly alerted by Xiao Yu. "Sir, please inform the adults about the twins. They're heading toward the fireplace, and it could be dangerous for them."
Auron, spotting the twins moving closer to the fireplace, immediately began signaling to his father. He pointed towards the twins, his concern evident.
At first, Alex assumed Auron was hungry, but as he followed the direction of Auron's pointing, he noticed the twins approaching the fireplace. Realizing the potential danger, Alex swiftly moved to intervene.
In a split second, Alex reached the fireplace and swiftly blocked the twins from getting any closer. It was the first time Auron had seen his father act with such urgency. Ray thanked Alex for his quick response. "It's alright. If it weren't for Auron, I might not have noticed," Alex said.
The ladies, who had just brought out the food, witnessed the commotion. Lily immediately scolded her husband for his oversight. After addressing her husband, Lily turned to Alex with gratitude. "Thank you for your timely intervention," she said warmly, relieved that the twins were safe.
After the small incident, everyone gathered around the dining table for dinner. They sang a cheerful birthday song for Auron, and Uncle Ray gifted him a fang trinket. Auron could feel its extraordinary aura and wondered about the beast it came from. His parents presented him with a wooden charm engraved with his name, which provided a soothing coolness when worn.
The rich aroma of beef stew filled the room, making Auron's stomach churn with anticipation. Though he could only enjoy a few bites as a one-year-old, the stew was undeniably delicious. His mother's talent for cooking was evident, and Auron thought she could easily start a stall selling her famous beef stew in the neighborhood. The meal was a hearty delight, enjoyed by all.
After dinner, they cleaned the table and washed the dishes. The twins had already fallen asleep in the living room, and Auron was tucked in his room. Outside, soft conversations and farewells could be heard as Ray and Lily thanked their hosts for the invitation before heading home with the twins.
It was such an memorable moments of his life.