Garan immediately pulled the boy back to his arms, and he behaved there like the baby that he was—innocently giggling and decidedly not floating.
Garan and Althea's eyes met but saw that no one noticed, likely because Meatball floated only a few inches and that it happened during the drinking.
It was even made less obvious by the angle of Garan's hold. The trio's eyes met, the baby blinked, little Pepper also blinked innocently, and the moment passed just like that.
The couple just smiled awkwardly and pretended nothing happened, waiting for the cheering to die down.
The audience continued to clap their hands and the aborigines followed the custom. Ansel saw that it had now become familiar with them after so long. However, he did know it wasn't like this before.
This made him curious, and he turned to Oslo. "How do you show your celebratory mood?" Ansel asked the blonde, who blinked at the question in response.
"We don't," he said, "We just say 'hail!' if we agree to someone of high status. Otherwise, none."
"Oh… (that's boring)," Ansel said, "Then our clapping and jumping must have shocked you guys."
Oslo laughed awkwardly, because it did, especially with the crazy high-pitched screaming. He remembered unconsciously running away when he was the target of said scream. It came from girls (and men) who called themselves 'The Golden Girls'.
It was around this time that Harold—the host—announced the last leg of the event.
It was a performance, done while the audience ate their fill. Most of them were already eating dessert, looking like they were having orgasms.
As always, Fable had been hired, but instead of just his upbeat songs he chose to do his ballads as well.
There was even a flute player (using a new makeshift recorder-flute, courtesy of Baron's Woodworking Shop) as his accompaniment.
Even if it was just a single-tone instrument, Fable's ethereal voice made up for it.
He sang two songs first, more upbeat ones, and the audience nodded their heads to the beat. The set was ended with his ballad, a special happy birthday song he wrote for the babies.
He looked at the two adorable children snug in their father's arms, their large eyes staring at him and melting him to puddle.
They were the first two Terrans born when they arrived in this place, and that meant too many things.
/In a world of dreams and laugher, in a world where magic take flight/
/The children's heart dances, bathed in birthday light./
/Happy birthday little ones, may your days be painted with various colors of gold./
The audience was silent and barely eating during the performance, engrossed.
Oslo asked, pointing at the small tube producing sounds. "Is that a sound tube?" He asked, impressed. "You people really have everything."
"You have something similar?"
"What I know doesn't make such a full sound though."
"We call it a flute, well kind of." Ansel said, "You guys listen to it during parties?"
"Yes, though they're mostly played by noble girls specializing in such," he said, "It's often done when girls wanted to attract husbands."
This was the first time Ansel heard of anything related to entertainment in this continent.
They couldn't continue with the topic though as Fable also took out his own wind instrument, resonating with his accompaniment.
It had its flaws, but it was great considering everything.
And looking at the aborigines' fascinated appearance, Ansel remembered his plan on setting up an entertainment company!
No way, everyone's too busy levelling up lately, how could he still remember this auxillary concern.
Well, he'd discuss it with Althea later.
If simple recorders could fascinate them, he could imagine what string instruments could do! Would it create a revolution?
Wow, very exciting!
Anyway, they would definitely welcome aborigines soon, and that meant money! He should really set these things up very soon!
…
In the after party, with most of the guests—including the aborigines and elders—leaving the core Terrans behind. They moved to the interior of the house, with the set up outside cleaned up by temporary workers they hired for the day.
If they did well, then Ansel would definitely hire them to work as labor for his new company. This was low-key implied by Ansel, making the temp workers move with ultra efficiency.
Even the flowers would be as it was before the party started.
The couple got Sheila and Harold take the babies inside while they saw the guests out. This made them, especially the aborigines who were aware of her status, extremely flattered.
They thanked Althea and Garan for the food and fun before going their way.
"Oslo, wait," Althea uttered, "Stay behind for a bit."
The guests nodded to them again before leaving, so now only Oslo was left within the gates, and they lead him to one of the sitting areas nearby.
The couple looked at each other and looked at him, asking if there had been many cases of children exhibiting elemental skills. .
"In theory, I suppose children at level 10 can indeed awaken. I haven't heard of this however, as most people reach level 10 by 15 years old. It's a little earlier in cities but not too much—the earliest I heard was someone from Holt City, who reached level 10 at ten years old."
Althea looked at Oslo who had a bit of a sneer at the mention of the lad. But she wasn't in the mood for gossip at this time.
"If the children are not level 10?"
"Elements can only be used at level 10 because of the development of human physiques," he said, pausing. "Why, is there…?"
"No… we, will see." She said, "We… could've imagined it."
In a magical place like Xeno, anything could be possible.
"We would appreciate if you also look into it, especially when you go home."
Oslo nodded, "Anything for you, milord," then his blue eyes shifted and met another's.
"And your family, of course~"
…
While the adults set up the more intimate after-party in the living area, the children were cleaned up and put to bed.
For the babies' case, it was both their parents who lulled them to sleep.Or were trying to. At this time, they were poking Meatball. "Float," Althea said, and Garan even lifted him up, then put him back down and said "Float".
He did this three times, saying 'Float' after each time.
Like training a dog.
It was just that Little Meatball was not showing any sign of floating again.
Was it really just their imagination?
The couple looked at each other and sighed, just arranging the children to finally go to sleep.
They took each edge with the children giggling between them. They looked quite energetic and they wondered how long it would be to get them to sleep.
Garan smiled and looked at his wife, "Why don't you sing for them?" he asked, making her giggle at old memories between the two of them.
She was in no way a singer, but she did have a nice voice, at least in the ears of her loved ones.
She really liked Fable's song, so she sang its continuation, and the children cooed adorably at each note.
/As the youli lamps, flickered, and the cake's sweetness unfolds, my babies, our love and delight, let your joy unfold/
/On this special day of yours, may happiness never grow old. In a symphony of moments, where memories are bold./
The couple watched lovingly as their children eventually drifted to sleep, each kissing both baby's chubby cheeks.
Before leaving the room, however, Althea couldn't help but turn again and sighed, staring at the small figures on the bed. .
"Should… we be worried?" she asked, pretty eyebrows furrowed in anxiety.
Garan sighed and kissed her head, "Whatever it is, we'll handle it together."
Althea smiled and buried her hand on his broad shoulders. She really, really, liked the word.
"Together."