"Well done, Achlys," Karthus said.
Achlys held the tiny concentration of magic of her hand. The glow of the balefire made the few teeth in her smile appear to shine blue.
"Now we put it down. Put down."
From where he was kneeling beside her, Karthus held a ball in his hand and placed it on the ground to show her the motions she was to mimic.
"Ut own," she babbled along.
Achlys put the concentration down just as easily as if it had been the ball Karthus was holding. Her hand ceased glowing, and the balefire she had amassed dissipated harmlessly within seconds.
"You improve with each attempt," Karthus praised her, "are you ready to do it again?"
Before Achlys could answer, a watch wraith came hissing inside to alert them to a welcomed intruder. Karthus scooped up his daughter and composed himself not a moment before Elise threw open the door.
"Where is she," she called out, "where is our little bug?"
Achlys squirmed in Karthus's arms and reached out towards Elise.
"Ah-ah Eh-leh!"
"There she is!"
Karthus handed over Achlys to the spider woman, who gave the child a hug.
"You're growing so big and so pretty. I don't know if I will be able to call you my little bug anymore," she cooed at the giggling baby.
"You arrived ahead of schedule," Karthus commented.
"I had a favorable wind," Elise responded without taking her attention off Achlys, "and I didn't want to miss being with her today."
"The anniversary of my finding her."
"Exactly, we may not know when her birthday is, but we can still celebrate the anniversary of her finding. Achlys look," Elise twitched the spindles on her back. At this command, half a dozen spiders the size of cats came skittering in, each carrying a package, "I brought you presents."
"Is all this pomp necessary?" Karthus asked.
"No," Elise responded as she sat the child on the floor, "but it's amusing for me."
Elise took the packages from the spiders and lined them up before Achlys. She pushed one closer.
"We will start with this one," Elise said she opened the box and handed its content to Achlys, "new hair ribbons. Your hair is getting long enough for bows. I hope Karthus ties it up for you. Do you want me to teach him?"
"Yea," Achlys as she triumphantly held up a fist full of ribbons.
She dropped them all in a heap before her. Red, black, silver, green, and blue were all passed over before her fist gripped the purple ribbon. She held it up to Elise.
"You want the purple one? Such a royal color suits you," Elise doted as the gathered up the wisps of Achly's white hair.
"Urp-eh," Achlys mimicked as she relinquished the ribbon.
"Pay attention, Karthus," Elise said, "her hair is going to need more attention as it grows longer."
"Unless it is kept short," Karthus retorted.
"Don't you dare. I can tell already that she's going to have beautiful long hair."
Elise finished tying Achlys's hair into two small pigtails.
"Aww, you're so cute, I could just devour you," Elise cooed.
Karthus gave the spider a stern look, which she completely ignored.
"And there are more gifts for you as well; clothes, toys, a real book, written by a real author."
"The stories I have written for her have been serviceable," Karthus objected.
"You attempts at writing for children have been valiant, but she needs something with more excitement than your dour tales."
"She has never made any indication that she hasn't enjoyed The Three Clever Wraiths."
Elise let out a sigh and turned back to helping Achlys open her remaining gifts. There were over a dozen outfits, ranging from simple to so fancy and excessive that no infant could be comfortable in it for more than an hour. She received a plush of a snake longer than she was and several book by these so called "real authors." And though Karthus disapproved in Elise's choice of fashion, books, and pretty much everything, he couldn't suppress the feeling of pleasure he felt at seeing Achlys giggling and happy. The year had gone by quickly now that he had something other than preaching to the dead to occupy his time. It was a pleasant change of pace.
"This one is extra special," Elise said as she took the last package from her spider, "and it's a good thing that you have teeth for it now."
Achlys tugged at the paper wrapping, tearing it open piece by little piece, until finally a little box was left. There was a faint glow of rune written along the edges of the box, with one forming a large seal on the top.
"What magic have you brought her," he asked, voice slightly tinged with concern, "she is still learning the principles."
"Only the magic of sweets," Elise answered, "the magic here is nothing more than a seal of preservation. How else was the cake to survive the voyage?"
"Cake? You brought her cake?"
"What is a celebration without it? It's only a slice though. I didn't think you would want any. Go on Achlys, open it."
With Elise's aid, the baby opened the box. For a moment, her eyes seemed to shine as intensely as the moon when she beheld the surprise confection.
"Ech-ake," Achlys murmured.
Her gaze was transfixed. Pristine white vanilla cake, glistening frosting, and a bright pink raspberry on top, all of it was captivating. Without further hesitation, she reached out, grabbed a fistful, and brought it to her mouth. She smiled and went for a second helping. Within seconds, her face was covered with frosting.
"Cake," she triumphantly proclaimed.
"I'm so glad I can spoil you without consequence," Elise sighed.
Achlys giggled and looked up at her father. She offered him a fistful of freshly squished cake. Not wanting to ruin her joy, Karthus accepted the mess.
"Thank you, Achlys," he said.
"Fah," she gooed with a smile.
"I hope you continue to be this happy."
Happy Halloween Summoners,
This chapter is a little short and goofy but I really wanted to write something fun and quick for Halloween. I decided to go with a Birthday party thing for Achlys so I could do double duty and with League a happy 10th birthday. Cheers dudes! I'll get back on track with this story now, as promised. Coming up, will Karthus be able to find a babysitter when he is called for a Harrowing? Stay tuned.
Best of luck on the Rift,
Gwoo