After hearing Ferri say the food was ready, I put my menu up to cover my face, hiding the look of embarrassment before asking Edgur, "What is this usual you eat?” After I said that, I heard Edgur casually responding as he sat there looking at the candles melt,

”The usual, well, it is biscuits with this meat bun thing and tea. And it's all under 10 copper. But, man, I have found what I liked to eat here a long time ago, and I order that it’s delicious.”

Appearing again at the tiny door, there was Malio. He now had a towel around his forearm. Slowly walking over, Malio then proceeded to take my menu while saying nothing in the process. Now looking at me to order, he did not say a word and stood there. I could hear the deep breaths of the man as he loomed over me. Before I had a chance to say anything, Edgur said to him,” Hey, big guy looking good, I think Silvar is ready to order,”

Now that Edgur dropped his guard for me, my plan came into action, and I told him I was ready to order and said, ”I want...I want the cake...” I watched as soon as I said that the Minotaur's face lit up before he asked, “Cake? Do you like it? My recipe is very good.”

Then with the happiest look now on his face, he walked off while saying,

“I will have Feri bring it out the right way.” Puzzled expressionless, I sat there thinking, 'The right way? Or right away?'

It was like a new man was in front of us all now. With a smile now on Malio’s face which I thought was odd as Minotaurs always seemed angry even when happy, he proceeded to leave the room with visible joy on his face. Now the group was alone, and I continued to look on puzzled, waiting in the dining. I couldn’t say anything before Aurora broke the awkward silence and said to us all.

“Did he say his recipe? What the hell...” Now directly looking at me, I saw her eyes flutter as she looked away; Aurora was at the very least slightly angry with how I was casually playing the whole day off like I hadn't disappeared from her life for the last 3 years. The more It seemed I tried to act casual, the more she got angry, 'Sigh.'

I was unable to understand why Aurora was so angry today. I mean, I thought today was going alright, but I could see in her face, and behind her red fiery eyes, she was very frustrated. Just then, I heard Aurora start muttering to me, ”You idiot, you make me so mad.” Then, before she jerked up and slammed her hands on the table, I watched nervously as Aurora started to shake on her seat violently. Then, the chair under her started to make that knock-on-wood noise. I could only watch as Aurora was getting ready to erupt like a volcano, and I was beginning to get worried about what kind of hell she was about to unleash upon me.

Next, Aurora started to grip the table with a lot of force, and I could hear the poor table splint and crack. Then, when she lifted her hand off the table, I noticed her tiny fingers could be seen on the table, leaving a visible imprint on the solid wooden table before she grabbed the same spot. Finally, it started to crack more under the pressure of force she was asserting.'I am dead, oh my lord.'

Worried, I began to look around to try and locate and exit. Still, Locust turned to Aurora, seeing her friend must have been ready to kill me, started telling her to “Calm down” In the sweetest voice, Locust then followed up, saying to her, “If you break the table anymore, sweetie, you will have to buy a new one.”

After Locust finished saying that, I could see Aurora begin looking down at the table and cool off. Realizing what she had done before, she started pausing momentarily, and then she quickly looked over towards me. I jumped a little and held my hands over my face expecting a fist. But while looking at me, Aurora began to move her hands off the table slowly, and I began to feel a bit nervous as she just stared at me, not saying a word.

All I could do was nervously smile, closing my eyes before reaching behind my head to say, ‘Sorry.’

Moments passed, and there was visible perspiration forming on my head; the drips of water I could feel run-down, causing me to become uneasy at the feeling of the running sweat. Finally, before clearing my throat, I said to everyone, “Well, let us talk about what brings us all here before our meal arrives.”

I was trying to ease the tension down between Aurora and myself; as I began to explain to them why it was, I summoned them today, “If Edgur has not already told you, we have gotten word of a small force of humans passing through the border woods onto our side. They haven't declared a purpose or any hostilities yet, but we cannot be too careful. Lately, things have been stirring up in the world, and I have questions that need answers. So I have assembled a small force to intercept them and find out their purpose in our province, with you being in that force as my trusted personal bodyguards."

Aurora looked even madder after I said that as she continued to hold her head low and mutter, looking over glancing at her with the corner of my eyes, I continued talking, "I normally don’t interfere in these kinds of matters, but this strikes me as odd as they could get on our side undetected until now. I need to hear these answers for myself and some other questions I have with my own two ears.”

Looking at Locust and Aurora directly now, I could see they were not too happy. However, Locust was not as angry as Aurora was; I decided to be a little honest with them continuing my speech; I told them, ”Edgur has never really left my side in these last three years, and he would have normally have been the only one I’d go to with these kinds of matters.”

Rubbing the back of my neck now before I continued saying, “Being the only person who’s managed to stick around. But, this is not an order or anything of that kind of matter, and you are welcome to say no but please.”

Pausing, I then took my hands off the table, putting them now together in a clasp and lowering my head, “I am asking that you forgive me for the time being, to come to help me as my friends once again, help me find some of these answers out. If I involved too many captains or military personal, the senate would be on my ass, and quite frankly, they would get in the way.”

I then turned to Locust and Aurora. Lifting my head back up, I said to them, hoping for an answer, ”What do you say?”

Aurora now started looking to Locust for an answer before turning back towards me and answered, “This is not an order, and we can refuse it if we like?” Upset mentally crying a river to drown myself in...“You can,” I replied. Ignoring Aurora and looking at Locust now, I said to her,

“I don't expect anyone to be jumping for joy at our reunion or happy about why I summoned you all here today, especially after the amount of time I have been absent from your lives. But, I mean, I don’t necessarily need you to help...Edgur and the Red-Dawn Special Forces are enough...But, I’d much rather have you all here.”

Now turning back to Aurora looking into her deep dark red eye’s I asked her once again, “Well, what do you say?.”

Just then, I could hear the voice of Edgur as he stepped into the conversation to voice his opinion and thoughts. He responded,

“Hey guys, I know Silvar can be socially awkward at times, but what he’s trying to say is he misses you guys, and as a bonus, we can catch up on all kinds of things that we have been doing over the last few years. This should be a walk in the park as we do not expect any conflict other than a minor one. But it's nothing we can’t handle. So it should be relatively safe, plus we will be bringing some guards that I regularly work beside to accompany us from the Red-Dawn.”

Edgur now began reaching his arm over the table and grabbed me by the shoulder, smiling. He then looked at the two girls before saying to them,” Whaddya say, do you want to accompany us?”

I could see Aurora sat there thinking. Then, finally, after a few seconds passed by, she turned to Locust and asked her, “What do you think?”

It seemed Locust was excited by her tone of voice and demeanour, and then she answered Aurora, telling her, “I have made up my mind and was deciding to go along, and it would be fun.”

I jumped back a bit on my chair when Aurora shouted at Locust; she was being very loud and clearly was mad as she replied, "Just like that...Seriously your not even going to make him wait a bit before you decide to go along?”

Listening to the two of them argue for a bit back and forth, I could hear after a few minutes had passed. Locust then responded almost without motion, “Yes, Why would I make him wait? I am not petty as to hold a grudge Aurora. But, especially if you want him to ever be with you again, you should not either.”

When Locust said that, I was generally surprised Aurora still had any feelings for me. I turned to Aurora, and when I did, her face went red, and then she assertively responded, standing up while she answered her friend and said, “Locust, you are so mean.“

I could see Aurora begin looking directly at Locust, then around the restaurant, and then back towards Edgur and I, and then she retook her seat. This time I could tell there was a pout on her face as next Aurora then started crossing her arms while letting out a giant sigh and said to Edgur and me, “Fine, I'll go too.”

I watched as she slowly turned her head and faced me; with a glimmer in her eyes, she brushed me off. Aurora’s attention was back on Edgur. Edgur, who still had his arm around my shoulder then, with his second hand, started reaching out towards her.

I could see Aurora’s face still had that sad look and was bright red from Locust’s comments. Before she grabbed his hand, Aurora said to him, “But on one condition.”

I listened as Edgur answered for me, asking Aurora, “Alright, and what might that be, Aurora?”

Aurora turned and then looked into my green eyes, almost staring into my soul before she said, “This is only towards Silvar. Promise you won't disappear again from my life...I can’t take this pain forever with you being gone.”

Looking into my eyes now with tears in hers. Hearing that hurt me, putting my hand over my heart comfortingly, I replied to Aurora, and I said, “I promise Aurora, cross my heart.”

Just then, the kitchen door could be seen swinging open, and Feri could be seen next turning the corner and walking in. I saw Feri holding our food and drinks on a tray with her left hand before saying out loud,” Who's hunger?”

Feri, once she was at our table, started placing all of our orders down. Looking at our group now, Feri began asking, "Which one of you was it who ordered the cake?"

’Everyone at the table now pointing to Silvar.’

'Sold out by my allies,' I was turning red from embarrassment before raising my hand. Finally, I said to Feri, “I did.“ I could see Feri had a very stunned look on her face, and she quickly replied, “Really? Wow, I know my Malio loves them cakes of his, but I did not expect you out of everyone here to like them as well. I was expecting that girl over there.”

I noticed she was pointing to Aurora before she said to me.”She seems like she likes sweets. “ Aurora looked slightly angered by that remark, and then I heard her respond to Feri with some attitude,’” Is it because I am short? You know what I ordered. But, unfortunately, it was not the cake.“

Feri started laughing after hearing the short comment as she was even shorter than Aurora. Feri then said,” No, no, I thought maybe Malio, when he came in to take Silvar's order, convinced one of you to try it. I know Edgur orders it to go, but I oh...”

I was sure Feri Suddenly realized now Edgur ordered the cake for me in the past. So I sat there patiently waiting for Feri to place down the cake. Once she placed it down on the table, she looked over at everyone, saying, “It is hot, so be careful, but dig in, guys!“

From the corner of my eye, I saw Feri turn around and start walking towards the kitchen she came from; entering it again, she disappeared. Once she left, I said to everyone, “Well, then let us eat before we go do our side mission. We won’t be back for a while because it is a little bit of a distance to the forest, so do eat up.”

Now smelling the cake in front of me, it truly smelt amazing. I then excitedly turned to the group and offered them each a slice trying not to be rude; I said to them, “Now, I don't normally share this, but it seems I need to defend myself for selecting this earlier so here reserve all your judgment till after you have tried it.”

Slicing a piece and handing Aurora and Locust a slice of cake on an extra plate left to the side, I slid it over. The cake I ordered was called, A Red Devils cake on the menu. The cake was a moist, rich double chocolate layered cake that was extremely fluffy with a white sugar frost glaze of some sort on the top, giving it a very nice sweets taste. I took my fork and started to eat the remaining four slices. I did not even separate them from the pan. I just dove in, gorging myself with chocolate and sugar. The cake was all over my face now, looking like a kid again back in our school days. I turned to Locust and Aurora before saying, “You can eat it now, or after you are done with your sandwich.”

Aurora, looking at the cake, replied.” I have never had really tried anything other than bloody, raw, or cooked meats. I don’t normally eat anything without blood in it.” Not sure what to make of the Red Devils cake. She looked at me, and then I swore I saw a lightbulb above her head. Then, getting a bright idea, she said to me, “I will try it now, but only if you feed it to me.”

I saw Aurora was blushing while awaiting a response with her mouth wide open as she licked her lips. Then, turning to Edgur, I asked him. “Do you think she deserves it?” I could hear Edgur answer, “I don't know, cousin. She did almost break the table.“

Aurora, interrupting us, said, “I can still hear you, and Edgur... Really...?” Now in a cute whining voice, she began pleading for us not to ignore her. As I kept responding to Edgur while acting as though I did not hear her, “Indeed, Edgur, but perhaps I could make an exception.” Edgur, surprised, started saying, ”Oh, an exception for her,”

Looking at Aurora, Edgur then started pointing to her before continuing, “She is quite the impatient one. She won't even let us con-volute.” He said while smiling.

I then nodded my head ‘yes’ next. I then grabbed my fork and picked up some of the cake with it. Cutting it off from the pan, looking now at Aurora before saying.“ I am, of course, just having some fun, beautiful. Of course, I will feed you a piece.”

Now leaning in with my fork, some of the cake started falling off of it. Looking at Aurora, I said to her, “If we are going to do this, open up, don't be shy.” Locust began dying in laughter, and I did not know why. She just looked at me, barely able to get out the word, “Phrasing.”

Without any hesitation after Locust said that Aurora’s whole body, face, everything turned flush red. Looking at her like that, I had a flashback to saying those same words when I first slept with Aurora.'

After placing the fork in her mouth, I instantly asked. “So...What do you think of it?” I was excited and curious as I awaited her answer; after all, it would be comforting if he were not the only one eating the cake at the table. It would definitely help my ego. After tasting it, I noticed Aurora had a sour look on her face before she said to me, “It’s delightful.” Then staring at me while licking her lips suggestively, I saw her swallow. Next, she exhaled and said, “I could see having a little bit here and there, but a whole cake... But, Silvar, please don't tell me you eat this every day.“

I was left speechless, I was left stunned, but I managed to utter..”No way! Not every day,” Then, in a serious voice, I said, “Seriously though, you don't like it?”

Before Aurora had a chance to respond, I quickly wiped off my fork. Next, I cut another piece off and looked at Locust and pleaded with her too, “Try this,” as I needed reassurance, I said next to her, “I swear it actually tastes delicious.”

Locust, who was about to take a bite of her sandwich, I could see looked at the two options in front of her.

On one side, she had me with a fork in hand who had cake offering to hand feed her. The other was the delicious sandwich she was waiting for since she ordered it. Wondering what it tasted like, before caving into anticipation and taking a bite, she bit into the sandwich. Then, with her mouth full now looking at me, just like a chipmunk with her cheeks full, she started saying, “Sorry, I could not resist.”

With a disappointing look on my face, I answered and said, “It’s Fine.” I watched as Locust finished swallowing her bite of the sandwich. I perked up and then said to her, “What about now? Please try it.”

I know my pleading made it tempting for Locust, as Succubus loved that kind of attention by nature. Locust moved in closer to my fork, making it seem as if she would try some, but then she turned her face before taking the bite, which caught me off guard. As I did not expect this to happen, I just smushed some of the cake onto the side of her face. Both of us, not expecting that would happen, looked at each other and started laughing.’ As we were laughing, I noticed Aurora watching us, she watched on in jealousy as I continued to play with my food, and her best friend finally had enough and yelled at us, “Stop it, you two. I promise ill eat it, Silvar, even if I don’t care much for it.”

No longer able to restrain herself, she grabbed the fork from my hands and then directed me, saying, “If you're going to do this with anyone, it is going to be me, Hmmph.”

I saw Edgur relaxing as he was sitting back on his chair enjoying his tea-sipping on it casually while watching the free show unfold in front of him, and I heard ever so often a chuckle come from him. This quickly reminded me how we use to argue in class once upon a time. An hour or so passed now, and everyone's meal was finished. I could not take another bite. Suffering from a full stomach and the coming sugar crash, I placed my hand on my stomach. Looking at everyone now, I struggled with the question,” Is everyone full?”

I saw everyone shook their head in agreement. I then looked over to Edgur and asked,” Now, how do I pay? Will she be coming back out anytime soon? We need to get moving.” Looking down at my stomach, I said, “Well, Get moving the best we can.” Letting out a chuckle.'

Just then, Feri walked into the room. It was as if she heard my question telepathically.’It seemed many servers have that ability. Feri walked over, Asking, “How was everything?”

I noticed she was looking pleased, seeing all the plates were clean. Picking them up now, she started saying towards us, "Their total was 3 silver and 8 copper coins.“ Being very well-mannered, I began to answer her and reply, “Everything was excellent. Thank you, please accept this.”

I then proceeded to reach my hand out. Inside it was a platinum coin. Before placing it down on the table, I said to Feri, “This should cover everything, including the damages on the table... I apologize for what my friend did over there. But, unfortunately, she has a short fuse.”

Feri started looking around me, just noticing now the table had fingers imprinted on it with cracks splints where Aurora sat. Feri replied and said in a calm, cute tone, “Oh, it's fine, really. It would have only taken a few minutes to fix with my magic. I do appreciate the gesture, though.”

I picked up the coin and offered it to Feri, saying. ”I insist..” Feri started to reach for the coin, pausing before asking,” Are you sure? This is a very generous tip.” I generously replied,” Even though you could use magic, the damage has been done. Also, I wanted to tip both you and Malio for the amazing cake.” Waiting for a second to continue speaking, I hesitated until Feri took the coin from my hand. Then I told her,

“What If I told you I make one of these a day roughly, would you believe? I tend to spend it on the worst things. Trust me. I don't mind, take it. Everything was amazing. You deserve it.”

Feri’s face lit up as she thanked me once again for being so kind and well mannered, adding, “That is nobility for you.” I watched as Malio walked up as everyone in the group was finishing up, and then as each person in the group thanked them for the meal, we started to leave. I saw Edgur take a few moments to thank Feri and Malio personally, and then I overheard as he wished them both too, 'have a wonderful night.' Finally, Edgur, Locust, Aurora and I left the diner.