Spending the day alone

They entered the dining hall and sat down. Seeing that they did not begin, Aria asked, "Grandpa, are we expecting someone?"

Christopher smiled, "Actually, we are. I called someone special to attend your birthday party. He should be here any minute."

As he finished speaking, a maid came in leading an elderly man. Aria saw him and instantly got up. She went up to him, bowed and said, "Hello sensei. How are you today?"

The man smiled and put his hand on Aria's head. "Happy birthday, my favourite student." He pulled out a box and gave it to her. Aria hesitated and said, "You really shouldn't have bought anything, sensei."

The man pushed the box into her hand and said, "Well I did. So you might as well accept it." Aria took it and opened the box. Inside it was a bracelet of pure white jade. Her teacher said, "I know that you don't like jwellery. But this really reminded me of you." Aria shook her head and said, "It's beautiful." Then she bowed again.

The rest of the day passed in preparation for Aria's birthday party. Aria's grandfather and her father spent the whole day with her teacher talking about her progress. He told them that Aria was now able to bend water also. She had more or less even perfected it and just needed some practice. Christopher and Joseph were not surprised, as Joseph could bend fire and wind and Christopher could also bend earth along with the two.

Aria's mother spent the day inside the main hall, supervising the decorations and also giving advice to the chefs. Beth and Julia spent the whole day in the garden. They would not let Aria join saying that they were preparing a surprise for her. So Aria spent the frist half of the day reading in her room, with Penny accompanying her. The other half she spent training.

When evening came, Aria was called in the castle to get ready. Penny stood outside the door as Aria bathed. She would not let her help bath. "I'm not a small kid anymore, Penny." she had said. After she was done bathing, Penny helped Aria dress up. She put on the dress that her mother had gifted and wore new shoes. As Penny was doing her hair, Aria screamed, "Ow Penny!!!"

Penny: "Sorry, Miss Aria."

Aria: "It's okay. But what's wrong with you?"

Penny: "Nothing."

Aria: "Oh come on Penny. You almost suffocated me, you tied the dress so tight. This is the second time you have pulled my hair. Is everything all right?"

Penny: "Of course, Miss Aria. I'm just a little distracted."

Aria: "You can always talk to me if you need anything, Penny."

Penny smiled and nodded. She then made a fishtail in front and let Aria's other hair loose. She said, "That's the best I can do. Your hair is too small." Aria looked at herself and smiled, "They look beautiful Penny." Then Aria wore the bracelet Beth had given her on one hand and the jade bracelet from her teacher on the other. She also wanted to wear the necklace her grandfather gave, but it was much too heavy for her to handle.

Just as she was done, Beth and Julia burst into the room.