Diary or the Dead

An hour ago he wouldn't have thought he would be so relieved having Kevin not stay for the rest of Dew's shift. No, he didn't give up on his plan but there was another factor which led him to be glad for the boy's absence. Josephine informed everyone Kevin's mom insisted on having her little boy back during the afternoon. He lived in the city with his three older and two younger sisters of whom all worked harder than their brother, at least Dew guessed from the way Josephine talked of her sister and her family. Frederick had loudly complained but there was nothing he could do against an absent woman. Now Dew was standing at the sink and washed the filth off the dishes, put it to the side and went to the next item while Avery took care of drying it. She looked better than the days before even though she still tired out more rapidly than months ago. Dew hadn't expected her to appear out of nowhere but didn't object in the slightest as she had wordlessly taken the towel and started the work. In general they didn't exchange a word but she was humming for the first few minutes until her voice faded away. It was only after Dew had put the items into their rightful position that he broke the silence by asking: "Do you have work today?" She nodded. "When?" "Late afternoon. There's a festival, maybe you've heard of it. We'll put up the platforms."

Avery left the towel next to the sink and sat down on the ground before the table. Dew joined her and she immediately rested her head on his shoulder. "I've heard that something will happen," he replied, remembering the conversation between Alba and him, "but I don't know what." "Games. Some representatives from all over the kingdom will compete against each other in categories like throwing spears, sword duels and more. The winner receives a trophy, a victory feast and money," she explained the event to him with a muted tone as she searched for his hand to cross fingers with. He cupped her hand between his. "Does it have a purpose? A historical event, maybe?" She chuckled: "No, people just love cheering on their favorite candidate as if it's themselves. It's mostly for entertainment and for making a fortune through bets. Perhaps keeping up friendly contact as well but I'm not sure." "Are you excited?" "Are you kidding? About a hundred people screaming and starting fights scares me half to death and I'll have to stay until the very end of every single one of the tournaments over those five days!" Avery groaned in theatrical agony.

They heard him before he entered through the main door. His hoof steps echoed through the halls and when he stood before him Jona immediately shouted: "No, I didn't forget you!" Meanwhile he pointed his finger downwards, Dew couldn't figure out who he was actually trying to focus on. The only reaction the hybrid got from his loud entry was an empty stare by Dew while Avery completely ignored his existence. Unfazed, Jona scurried through the kitchen while audibly sniffing the air. His nose led him towards the fireplace but there was nothing but burned coals and several feathers which hadn't been picked up by anyone yet. "Gods, what marvelous delicacy did you cook in here?" he exclaimed and picked up one of the white feathers. Jona didn't let Dew answer because he immediately discovered: "Goose! Do you have something left? I'm starving! The rations they give us poor devils taste like soaked paper with mass amounts of salt and unflavored chicken. Don't you think so, too, Avery?" "I don't know," she muttered while her head almost fell off Dew's shoulder and he had to support her with his hand. "I don't have the permission to hand out goods to uncertified hungry men," Dew replied plainly, knowing full well of the kind of action Jona would commit next. But he was wrong. The boar scratched his chin with a frown but his face lit up after a second.
"Come on fish guy, I get the bird and you do the cooking. Whatcha think about that?" he offered, "you can even get a leg for yourself!" "What a generous man you are," Dew commented sarcastically but agreed anyway. Jona's hand immediately went to grasp Dew's arm and pulled him to his feet which almost led to Avery falling over. The cook was dragged towards the patio exit but before leaving Jona stopped and threw a glance backwards. "You coming along?" "I'll just wait here," Avery replied from the direction of the floor.