Chapter 3: Family Business
A month later...
Here's the farm. Yes this is where Evan and his family lived. Still the same but they have expanded for the past few years after the Black Mage's defeat. The fields grow wheat, the livestock roam in their pens and fruit tress were a new addition to the farm. Plus, a shed to store the produce and another to house Mir.
It cuts to the inside of the house as Evan is in his room sleeping and it's in a small attic. A few minutes later, he woke up. "Another day to help out. Ah...feels like old times before I found the dragon egg. Well, this world is at peace now and thus, I'm back to helping out in the farm."
True. Like what he and Mercedes talked about last month, the heroes have returned to their normal lives. Evan then suited up in his farm clothes that he wore before when he stumbled across the dragon egg some time ago and after refreshing himself, he left his room.
Downstairs, his mother and older brother are in the middle of their breakfast as Evan met up with them. "Good morning Evan. Breakfast is ready." Anna told him. "Yeah you better eat it before I eat it! Ha! Ha!" Utah joked as Evan sat down. In front of him are sunny side eggs with bacon and sausages on a plate. There's extras also on the plates. "Nice..." He thought as he started eating while his mother poured some orange juice for him.
Just then, Gustav who's the father of Evan and Utah entered the house. "Whew! Could use a little nourishment. Been pitching hay in the early morning." He spoke to his family as he sat down and they ate breakfast together. During that, "Here's the plan. Utah, we got work to do in the farm. Evan, you and your mother will go to the market and sell some of farm's produce and products."
"Wait dad, I thought I'm supposed to go with mom?" Utah asked. "You already did yesterday so today, Evan will go and tomorrow, you will go." Gustav explained. "Yeah. Unless you're saying this because you'll rather do less work right?" Evan guessed. "WHAT? How dare you!" Utah felt like throwing his juice at his brother's face but he didn't. "Not to mention you wanted to see Camila more often right?" Evan guessed further and Utah turned red and then, "Says the dragon master who's been seeing the elven queen a few times every week." That was enough for Evan to turn red as, "Wait...you've been seeing the queen of elves? As in the ones that live in Elluel?" Gustav asked as he ate a strip of bacon. "Yeah he did that dad. I last week saw him take the queen out for a walk in the forest." Utah brought up. "Darn it. Spying on me when I went out with Mercedes..." Evan thought when, "Oh that's very sweet and lovely!" Anna exclaimed. "Tell me my dear son, do you like her?"
"Uh..." Evan was too shy to answer that question as Utah laughed and Gustav chuckled. "Ha! Ha! Our boys are growing up and one of them is already meeting someone special in his heart."
Utah laughed someone as, "Evan, I've prepared breakfast for Mir. Take it outside will you?" Anna told him as Evan immediately went to the kitchen and found it. He then left the house heading to the backyard.
Outside...
"Mir! Breakfast!" Evan called out as from the shed, Mir appeared. "Yummy! I smell meat master! But I also wish I had cheesecake for breakfast."
"Mir, cheesecake is eaten during dessert time which is after lunch or dinner." Evan reminded him as the onyx dragon came out of his shed and ate the meat. "Yummy! Thank you master! Living in the farm is not so bad."
"Of course. Too many monsters didn't want to come here and eat the livestock thanks to your size and ferocity." Evan replied as they laughed. After that, "I'll be out the whole day. Stay out of trouble."
"Sure master! I won't burn the chickens into roast chicken! Yummy!" Mir joked as they laughed again and Evan left.
Henesys Market...
Evan and his mother travelled their way to the market and arrived. There, it's open as Anna got to work selling some of the farm products consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains, milk and poultry. Evan stood by her side helping her get what she needs to give to their customers. Many came from around here and Ellinia. "Evan! Get me 12 eggs please?"
"On it!" Evan got the goods and carefully placed them in a carton. Once done, he sealed it and passed it to his mother as she passed it to a customer and he paid her some mesos. Now the market is really busy as other people can be seen selling their goods. For instance, one is selling weapons to any explorer who could use a new toy or upgrade. Another is selling armour and another is selling potions and there are others selling jewels, accessories and more to come.
As Evan continued helping out. "Hey Evan."
"Luminous?" He was surprised to see the aurora mage drop by as he handed him a list. Looking at it, Evan showed it to his mother and they got to work. It didn't take long but Luminous got what he needed. "Thanks. Lania was planning to cook something nice tonight." He explained. "So, how are things around here?"
"The usual. Back in business, helping around, making sure Mir doesn't eat the livestock or burn the chickens to crisp." Evan replied as they shared a laugh. "You are one of the few people to make me laugh sometimes." Luminous stated and then, "Oh yeah, did you get any mail?"
"Don't know. Why do you ask?" Evan asked back as the mage took it out. "Hey...I recognize that symbol! It's in the form of Phantom's magic cards!"
"Odd if you ask me. But it appears he is planning something and thus, has invited me, Aran, Shade, Mercedes and possibly you since you haven't check your mail." Luminous stated. "I'll check it then after helping out." Evan replied as his mother called for him. "Alright. See you again." Luminous took his leave while Evan resumed the assistance.
In the evening...
"Evan, you can go home now. I'll handle things here myself for a bit more before I go home and prepare dinner." Anna told her son. "Sure mom." He replied as he left the market and thought of something. "I'm gonna pay Camila a visit. I remember she opened a cake shop few years ago after the Black Mage's defeat." Good idea because Evan made his way there and found it. "There she is! And the smell of cake is strong and tasty! Enough to make my mouth water..." He thought as he approached the counter. "Hello Evan!" Camila greeted. "The usual?"
"Yeah. One whole cheesecake please." Evan ordered as Camila went to prepare it. While waiting, Evan looked at the display of cakes. There's buttercream, chocolate, matcha, red velvet, cheesecake which was ordered by him, choco mint, blueberry, rainbow, rose and strawberry flavours. He looked to his left to see a list of toppings in which they can be added to make the cake look more exquisite. (Some event involving butter cake can be played in the mobile version. Good reference eh?)
"Alright, all done!" Camila handed Evan a cake box in a plastic bag as he paid her 2 bags of mesos. "How's Utah?"
"He's at home helping my dad in the farm." Evan replied. "And your dragon?" Camila asked another. "He's perfect! Still, his appearance is terrorizing to the predators near the farm." Evan replied and they shared a laugh. "Alright, I gotta get back to work because in the next hour, I'm closing the shop. Tell Utah I say hi!"
"Sure Camila!" Evan then headed home.
Back at the farm...
By the time Evan arrived, he first went to check on Mir as he went to the shed and, "I SMELL CHEESECAKE!"
"Oh yeah. His sense of smell is very strong." Evan thought as Mir came out with his mouth open and happy. "Give it to me master!"
"Later Mir. How are you?" Evan asked. "Okay so far, your brother dropped by to dump some trash in front of me. I grabbed him and opened my mouth in front of him." Mir explained. "Wait, what?" Evan was stunned as, "I made him smell my breath and he passed out." Mir stated. "Sheesh...you sometimes tend to be naughty when I'm not around..." Evan thought as he went to the house.
When he entered, his mother was already here making dinner. Gustav and Utah were chatting when they saw him. "Ah Evan! Just the son I'm looking for. This came in." Gustav handed Evan a letter. "This must be the one Luminous talked about." He thought and it is. He can see the magic card symbol as he went up to his room to read the letter. There inside, he opened it. It was an invitation.
Dear Evan, it's been a while hasn't it my friend? Yes, I've thought of gathering the heroes for some fine dining in my airship. In 3 days, I await you all by the Pyramid Dunes in the Nihal Desert in the evening. Let's catch up like old times what do you say? Oh yes, bring Mir with you since you 2 had the pact.
Sincerely, Phantom
"Wow...I haven't seen Phantom for a long time. This is a good way to meet up with the others and bond like old times." Evan thought as he kept the mail and went downstairs as already, his mother finished preparing dinner as she placed a bowl of stir-fried vegetables on the table. There's roast beef, sautéed potatoes and white rice set on the table. "Oh yeah, Camila sent her greetings to you Utah."
"Oh nice." His older brother replied as he smiled over her beauty. The family then started eating their dinner as, "So about the letter Evan, what was it all about?" Gustav asked. "A friend of mine is inviting me to dine at his place in 3 days." Evan replied. "I see." Anna exclaimed. "Well, being one with the heroes is a specialty I can say. Alright, so be it."
"Thanks." Evan replied as he ate some roast beef and, "Oh yes. Mir's dinner is at the kitchen." Anna reminded him. "Alright. I'll feed him now before he attempts to eat one of the livestock." Evan excused himself, went to the kitchen, grabbed the dragon's dinner and left the house.
When he came out, Mir was waiting for him directly outside. "Dinner's the only time he leaves his large shed." He thought as he placed it before the dragon. "Mmmm...meat! And when can I have my cheesecake?"
"Soon my friend. Soon." Evan assured as Mir started chowing while his master went back inside to continue with his dinner and family.
After dinner, he came out again with the cheesecake he bought earlier on as Mir became overexcited. "Oh boy! I'm never too old for cheesecake! Oh the taste! The fluffiness! The sweetness!" He then gobbled it up in seconds. After that, he grabbed Evan and gave him a dragon hug which he got used to it. After that, "Guess what Mir, we're invited to Phantom's place for dinner in 3 days."
"Nice master! What's it gonna be like?"
"You'll see." Evan then stifled a yawn as, "You should get some sleep master."
"Right...goodnight Mir."
"Goodnight Master." The onyx dragon then went back to his large shed to sleep since he had a good meal. Evan went back inside and first, he freshen himself and after that, headed straight to his room. There, he changed into his PJs and took a photo album from his shelf. He then sat on the chair and browsed through for the next few minutes. There are pictures of himself and his family, pictures of himself and Mir, pictures of himself with either the heroes or the chief knights or both groups. And then, the newly added ones. Pictures of him and Mercedes for they've been seeing each other often times hanging out.
"Ah...things sure had changed." Evan spoke to himself with a smile as the young man suddenly felt his heart beating. "Whoa...that's weird." He thought but still, "Never mind. Time for some shut eye." So he placed the album back to the shelf, got on his bed, blew the candles of the lamps and fell asleep.
In 3 days, a get together will take place...
To Be Continued...
