A/N:
I have a chronic case of "Split big thing into small chunks to make it easier to work on" lol. So this chapter's pretty short, I felt it was the best place to stop. Next chapter is the DATE!
Honestly, at this rate, I don't think I'll stop at 50 chapters. I know I said that was my goal, but I don't want to back–load this story. It might reach 60 or 70. Who knows. No promises, though. This story will wrap up when I feel it appropriate to finish.
After Amity got Bump on board, the next step was to let Phillip in on the loop. Giving his door a polite knock before simply entering anyway. She was rather surprised to see that for once he was awake at a somewhat decent hour. Albeit hunched over his desk, intently staring at a piece of paper he'd tacked on the wall.
Said piece of paper had the 4 Titan's glyphs and the 3 King's glyphs they'd discovered. He'd noticed the similarity between the two sets and was trying to brute force the last one - He wasn't exactly in the mood for another adventure at the minute.
But, he turned around as he heard the door open. "Good morning, Amity." He said, stifling a yawn. He raised his right arm to try and politely cover his mouth, but- he forgot he kinda…didn't have a right hand anymore.
He could already tell that the hardest part wasn't going to be living without said hand, but relearning literally everything to work with his other hand. You know, at times like this he couldn't help but remember the nuns who slapped his hand with a ruler whenever he used his left hand. Because the left hand was 'The devil's hand' or some similar such pap. Not like he exactly had much choice, now.
Amity leaned against the doorframe, crossing her arms, and smiling confidently. Saying "I have good news!"
"You've found the fourth Glyph?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, even better. How would you like to go out tonight?" She replied.
He shrugged. "I don't know, after such a horrid trip I think I'd prefer to stay inside for a little bit."
"...Oooon a date with Hieronymus Bump?" The smile on her face grew into one of pure glee.
At this, his eyes lit up. "What? Amity, you have to be joking." He stood up from his chair and stretched - his shoulder letting out a loud pop.
"Nnnope!" She grabbed his arm. "Now, C'mon!"
"Wait, right now?!" He squeaked.
"Nah, not until tonight. But you want to look your best, don't you?" It was a good thing Blight Industries was rich, because they were about to blow a lottttt of money.
–
The first, and longest, chunk of their day was spent at the *spa!* Phillip was going to be one tough customer, probably never having heard of a 'skin-care routine', but they weren't one to turn down a…high paying customer.
First on the docket was a deep clean. Every single crumb of dead skin and grime was gotten rid of, his face never looked better. Then, a full-body massage relieved the extraordinary amount of tension in his muscles. Next, was a manicure - his nails filed to a smooth curve and painted with golden polish. Lastly, his hair had a full salon treatment, on account of how gnarly and tangled it was.
Next up after the spa was a quick stop at a flower shop to pick up a bouquet of Dielacs. Apparently they symbolized burgeoning love, or something like that - Phillip never was one for spiritual nonsense, he just found the flowers captured his date's beauty well. The black petals reminding him of Bump's Rapunzel-like mane.
Lastly, they arrived at a local tailor's shop. After all - It may have sentimental value, but he was never going to impress in that manky old coat. Phillip quickly decided on a White tuxedo, which had Golden accents. It was a color combination he was drawn to, for some strange reason. Plus, it went with his nails, and- the bandages on his stump.
That wasn't all they got, Amity got herself an outfit too. A sparkly black dress that shined like the stars. As well, they even got a little black tuxedo for Currant! Together, they all looked extremely dapper.
Phillip stared at himself in the store's mirror. In such a sharp suit with an equally fancy Palisman standing on his shoulder, he felt like a million shells. If only Caleb could see his little brother now.
With that, they rode off to pick up Phillip's date in their Limbousine.
