" Hmmm.... That doesn't seems right... Maybe like this? "
Philomel wondered out loud as she struggled with a thin brown food packaging paper along with a string. Doing her best to wrap Little One's gift.
" I guess as long as it's fully covered then that's good enough?"
She awkwardly guessed as she judged her messily wrapped present. Letting out a huge exhausted sigh, she lays her head onto the the table. Her droopy eyes looked out the small window and watching the first rays of sunlight cut through the night sky. A whole night's work and she still has to finish making the traps within the catacombs. She groans at the thought of it as she folded her arms over her head to block out the candle light.
" It isn't morning yet ... I could probably catch some sleep after checking on Darzirak and Little One. "
Philomel sleepy thought and will her body to get up. She could feel her spirit getting up and know her body isn't moving. It took much for her to finally push herself to stand up, tucking the present under her arm and picking up the lamp, she made her way towards her nearby temporary room.
She opened the door just to see a huge figure sleeping on the narrow, single size bed. She turned and tossed the present on top of her satchel just to noticed Darzirak stretched in a form of a crib, gently rocking Little One in his sleep. Leaning over, she checked on Little One and noticed a thin layer of blue covering the crib.
" Had troubles putting him to sleep without me or Amon, huh? Wonder why Darzirak's barrier works though... Is it because Amon use it to put Little One to sleep that one time?"
Philomel scratched her head before giving up on figuring out why barrier magic is able to calm Little One down, completely unaware of it's passive ability that made the protected feel safe or the fact Little One fears to be left behind by them again.
Refresher section
{ If it wasn't for the barrier Little One would have been too afraid to fall asleep even though he could see and cling onto Philomel or Amon. Since the last time Little One was clinging to Amon when he fell asleep even then he was still left behind at Emma's daycare. Which resulted in Little One never wanting to fall asleep again after reuniting with Philomel and Amon. It was thanks to the barrier that Little One was able to overcome that fear and mistook the feeling of the barrier as the presence of Philomel or Amon being nearby even though he can't see them. Which made it easier when he was left under Darzirak's care. }
A cooling breeze swept through from the open window blowing out the candle that lit Philomel's path. She shivered turning towards the window and instantly closing it.
" Gosh. Is that demon trying to get someone sick? Why did he leave the window open?"
She muttered to herself and picked up Little One from Darzirak's arms, noticing the toddler felt warm.
" The barrier must have protected from the wind."
She thought before turning back to the bed. The window faced the west where the moonlight still creeped through the window, she could roughly see that there was a blanket on the ground, a drooping hand from the bed, hovered above just and inch from the ground. A hand that lead to a somewhat muscular build arms sticking out from a sleeveless shirt. With just that Philomel deducted that it a man and definitely not Amon since Amon didn't own anything sleeveless.
" Hey Goldilocks, off. You had the bed long enough."
Philomel sleepily muttered as she used her leg and pushed Joey off the bed. Philomel then lay Little One down, picked up the blanket and snuggled Little One under the blanket.
" Ow... That was very mean of you Miss Philomel. "
Joey grumbled as he sits up and sleepily rubs his head.
" Then don't sleep on other people's bed, Goldilocks."
Philomel let's out a soft breath, feeling extremely comfortable. She glanced at Joey, recognised him and allowed her eyes to droop close. Knowing she was safe but unaware it was because of the passive ability of Darzirak's barrier. Joey leans his back against the bed and allow his head to rest on the mattress.
" But there's no other bed here and Darzirak summoned me for help."
Joey whined as he felt uncomfortable in that position. He turned his body to the side, placing his arms on the bed and lay his head in this arms, his legs curled up underneath him.
" Help? To babysit Little One? You sure he wasn't just bored? Or probably lazy."
" No, to spy on Sir Amon and help hook him up with Aella. "
Joey corrected her. Philomel's eyes instantly shot wide open.
" Was it a success?"
" Yeah. She was definitely smitten and couldn't get her hands off him. We had to leave early since the baby was getting fussy but Darzirak checked on them an hour later and they had move to the bedroom."
Joey nodded.
" Oh... Good for him to have such a good wing man. Did he manage to put together a plan for Little One's birthday party?"
Philomel takes in a deep breath and closed her eyes, doing her best to relax and sleep.
" Probably? I'm sure Aella can do a well enough job without any planning. It's a baby, it's not like he has preferences yet or even remember his 1st birthday."
Joey shrugged before totally giving up in the bed and laying flat on the ground while using his arm as a pillow.
" True... But whatever that's planned is definitely going to cost me."
Philomel said with a sigh and hoped that expensive would mean a good party even if the planning is half baked. Joey chuckled.
" You're going to be there, right? Or does Darzirak have to on a tight leash? "
Philomel asked then wondered if it mattered or not since in her eyes Darzirak is definitely the type of demon who crashes a party with a plus one or plus 20 ... 20 demons and probably some humans... Or demons dressed as humans.
" I'm invited? "
Joey eyes opened wide and turned to look at Philomel.
" Obviously. You and Amon are in a similar situation since you're both bounded to Darzirak. Even though Darzirak hides you away under the guise of training, it doesn't change the fact that you're apart of this team. Not to mention this would be a great opportunity for you and Amon to get to know each other, probably beat up Darzirak if he's being too... Much..."
Philomel listed out between yawns before trailing off and falling asleep.
" Then I'll see you tonight."
Joey grinned as he watched Philomel's sleeping face for awhile before trying to get some sleep.
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" Good morning. It's rare to see anyone up this early in the morning."
A middle age women standing behind the bar counter chimed. Philomel stopped midway on the stairs, looking back up from where she came from and wondered where was Aella.
" Aella's shift starts much later in the morning. From her note it seems that we have a birthday party to get ready for. Looks like we have a busy day ahead of us! But that doesn't mean that we should get too ahead of ourselves and forget breakfast. So what will it be?"
The elder woman chimed as she wiped her hands on her apron.
" Uhh... Eggs with toast, tea and some sandwiches for a packed lunch."
Philomel hesitantly ordered as she took a seat and studied the older woman.
" Coming right up!"
She smiled before disappearing into the kitchen. Philomel thought for a moment before concluding that the older woman would probably be Aella's mother whom she never met before due to her working the late night shifts.
" Must be hard running a tavern and an inn."
Philomel muttered to herself.
" It definitely is but not extremely hard if there isn't many customers."
Joey agreed with a yawn before joining Philomel and sitting across from her.
" Is that why you become a guard?"
" Not really, it was the only way to keep the inn afloat during those times. If I had my way, I would be helping out at the inn. Nothing is more important than family. I had dreamt of leaving the place, going off and adventuring around but then I had always imagined that I would return... Return with the perfect girl to call my wife and raise some kids of our own."
Joey shared with a nostalgic grin.
" Boy, quit dreaming with your eyes open. You'll end up hurting yourself when you realise that, that's never going to happen especially with a shadow holding onto your heart. The more you dream like that, the more it's going to hurt when you realise your relationship with Scarlett is doomed to fail. When that happens don't come crying to me. I ain't got no way to make a shadow take physical form."
Darzirak warned and informed as he passed a sleeping Little One to Philomel.
" If there's a will, there's a way and love is the greatest will of all."
Joey rebuked as he slammed his fist onto the table.
" Oh, my! That's a wonderful saying. It's great to see so much energy this early in the morning. "
Aella chimed as she made her way downstairs. Her hair was in a sexy mess and she was still wearing the same outfit as yesterday. Darzirak hid under the table, elbowed Joey and showed a thumb up. Silently signalling that they did a great job helping Amon.
" Who's your new friend? I don't believe we have met. "
Aella awkwardly asked as she runs her fingers through her hair trying to smooth out the worst of her bed hair.
" This is Joey, one of my acquaintances. He was passing through and stopped by for breakfast. I invited him to Little One's birthday party. This is the inn keeper's daughter, Aella."
Philomel introduce with a waving hand.
" It's a pleasure to meet you."
Joey chimed with a nod.
" Same here. Sorry but if you don't mind, I really need to be heading back up. I only came down cause I forgot to lock the expense liquor cabinet. Hopefully Dr Storm didn't notice and drank up the whole stock or mama would have my head."
Aella worrying explained as she checked the cabinet, sighed in relief and locked it.
" If you guys could keep this a secret from mama. I'll be eternally grateful."
Aella pleaded with a smile and once everyone nodded she thanked them all and quickly headed back to Amon's room before her mother could see her.
" There you go! Egg with toast, tea and a packed lunch."
Aella's mother chimed as she served Philomel, missing her daughter by just a few seconds.
" And what would you have?"
Aella's mother turned to Joey.
" Meat pie if you have any and coffee."
Joey ordered with a smile before noticing Philomel wasn't eating.
" Everything okay?"
Joey turned to Philomel once Aella's mother disappeared into the kitchen.
" Yeah fine... I just suddenly don't feel very hungry."
Philomel awkwardly admitted with a small smile.
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