Sneaking Gifts

"I miss this smell!" Dandelion inhaled deeply when she entered the house.

The smell of woods, plants, and books is lingering all over the living area. Athanasia placed her bags on the floor before laying on the couch. They traveled far and she needs to rest. She can sleep on anything soft in a second.

Unlike her, Dandelion was very excited about opening her bags and checking the things that she got in Centro. Dandelion happily carried them into her room for her to try them out.

Athanasia slowly got up and reach for a box on the floor. She sloppily cut the ropes around it and opened the box. Inside the box are things for their house and clinic. They bought new pots and a stove for their kitchen. They even bought a music player that amazed them. It was beautifully made with wood and gold. She remembered that it was called a phonograph. With the help of Hawdy, they bought at least twenty pieces of music that they can play on the record.

She smiled as she place the phonograph under the stairs where a little table and shelf are placed. She made a small space on the shelf for the musics. With a flower beside the phonograph, she played a piece of music and left for her room, satisfied with the way the phonograph looked in the living area.

Her room is on the second floor just right next to Dandelion. She put her bags on the floor and started separating what she bought. She only bought a little compared to what Dandelion bought. On the bed, she lay down what she bought, three sets of new clothes, books, notebooks, and decorations for her room.

Athanasia only has a few clothes. She mostly wears simple clothes at home but she needs clothes that can withstand the harsh forest whenever she canes down. Those kinds of clothes are rarely made, especially since she is a woman, she has to pre-made them just for her to get one.

After putting the things that she brought for herself she quickly opened her other bag where she put the things that she brought for Marcus. It was hard on sneaking to buy those, especially the three sets of clothes, it was so big that she thought she would get discovered but thankfully Dandelion believed that it was her clothes.

She took out the things inside the bag and separated them in order using a big fabric. She bought him toiletries, clothes, snacks, and food for Hawdy the fox. She hid the bag under her bed so that Dandelion won't see it.

"I am hungry." Dandelion said in a singing tone outside Dandelion's room.

"Let us eat." Dandelion knocked on her door.

She run to the door and opened it. Outside, Dandelion is waiting for her in the new dress that she bought. Athanasia is sure that Dandelion will show off her new dress to Hawdy.

"Why are you wearing that?" Athanasia asked.

"Why? Is it wrong to wear this beautiful dress?" Dandelion asked.

"How many dresses did you buy again?"

"Five. I should have bought much more." Dandelion said, there is a hint of regret in her voice.

"Your clothes are literally spilling out of your closet and you want to buy more?"

"I have much more small dresses than the big ones. Support me with this."

"And why are you big again?" Athanasia asked in wonder.

"Well we're gonna eat and it will be weird if I am in my fairy form in front of you and Hawdy." She reasoned.

"But you never considered if it would be weird when it was just the two of us," Athanasia said, trying to sound disappointed.

"You saw me come out of a flower." Dandelion said in an obvious tone.

A memory pops in Athanasia's mind of Dandelion coming out of a blossoming flower. She was just seven at that time. She and her brother were playing around the forest and saw the lonely Dandelion in the middle of the forest without her parents. It shocked them because a fairy is born before them. They run with the baby Dandelion while shouting to their parents. It was a memory that she would never forget.

"I remember that. You were the size of my pinky." She teased Dandelion by showing her pinky.

They were laughing and teasing each other as they walked toward the kitchen. Hawdy was still in his room and he is probably still organizing his stuff. She felt happiness rush through her because Hawdy liked what they bought him. He feels like a younger brother that needs to be taken care of.

"What are we going to cook?" Dandelion asked as she wears her apron.

Athanasia wore her apron and looked at the available ingredients. She can only see vegetables, fruits, and mushrooms in the basket. Her head went blank as she stared at the ingredients. In the past weeks, they were always given food that is cooked by a highly skilled chef. It seems like she doesn't know how to cook anymore.

Dandelion picked up a vegetable from the basket and stared at it. Athanasia looked at her and wonder if she knows what to cook.

Dandelion sighed and dripped the vegetable. "I was used to getting pampered by the chefs. I don't know what to cook anymore."

"I miss those talented chefs," Athanasia said sitting on the stool.

"But we also have a talented chef." Dandelion said and they started at each other.

It seems like they understood each other through telepathy. Dandelion also sat next to her as they wait for Hawdy to get out of his room. Although they would love to cook and serve him food that they made, they don't have the skill to impress him at this point.

They did not wait for long. Hardy came out of his room wearing the new clothes, he smiled at them happily.

"You look handsome!" Dandelion praised him.

"Just as I thought, that design suits you well," Athanasia said.

"Thank you, ladies. Why are you wearing an apron? I shall cook you a delicious meal as thanks." He acted as if he is a chef serving his customer.

"Please do sir." Dandelion said then she removes her apron and passed it to Hawdy.

Athanasia watched over the counter as Hawdy started to cook. It seems like the past weeks of accompanying a chef gave a good result. He skillfully makes his way into the kitchen just like a professional chef.