—{Jude's place}—

  —{06:50}—

  Jude opened his eyes, alone in bed. He looked around the room with his lazy heavy eyes seeing no one else around him. The window curtains were opened yet the window itself was closed.

  “Sylvia.” He called out. No answer. He sat up on bed, took a deep breath, rubbed his face and got out of bed. “Where is she?” He asked himself. He was shirtless.

  “Sylvia.” He again called out to the name, and this time got an answer, “Yea.” From somewhere in the house. He followed the voice downstairs to find her in the kitchen, chopping vegetables, a kettle steaming on the stove.

  The same girl who was in bed with him, blonde, blue eyes, in a long skirt over comfy pants and sweater. Their eyes met and a sweet soft smile forms on her face, “You're awake. Good morning.”

  “Hey there.” He said weakly. Approached her and wrapped his arms around her waist, her head reaching up to his chin. “Did you brush your teeth?” She asked, to which he closed his eyes and rubbed his cheeks on hers, “No, I didn't. Why so?”

  A giggle escaped her and she returned the embrace, “No reason.” She pats on his back and pulls back, not from his embrace but to see his face, “But seriously, kinda disgusting. Go brush.”

  “Huh?”

  Nuzzled against his neck. “You're stinking of bad breath.”

  “Huh, am I?”

  “Hm, hm.” Giggled even more. “And go get a bath, silly.”

  He smooths her hair, “It's cold though. Can't I skip bath for a day?”

  Clenched tighter around him, Is that so? I thought you liked cold baths.” looks up at his face. Without breaking eye contact she shuts off the stove fire. “I haven't taken a bath either so maybe…” A blush appears on her face.

  His eyes widened, a pause then he flicked her lower lips. “What are you suggesting?”

  She tilted her head and sighed, a playful glint in her blue eyes. “You know what I mean…”

  He nodded slowly, a smirk tugging at his lips. “I do… But I want to be absolutely sure.”

  “Absolutely sure?” her voice echoed, laughing softly. “Fine.” She rose onto her toes, her hands settling on his bare chest, and pressed her lips to his.

  —{Skip: After the Bath}—

  Both Jude and Sylvia were seated next to each other at the edge of their bed in new clean clothes. Sylvia worked through her with the towel. “Can you pass the comb?”

  “Here.”

  Sylvia doesn't stop drying her hair and takes it from Jude's hand but tilts her head and eyes to the spot beside her. “You want me to place it here?” he asked to which she nodded and he complied.

  “Thanks, isn't it getting late?” She asked.

  He looked at the clock, 07:44AM, “Nah, there's more time. A whole… 30… something minutes. 36.”

  “More like 46 minutes.”

  “Oh great! That's even more time.”

  She just finished drying her hair. Placed the towel on her chair then grabbed the comb. “Whatever you say. Wanna have breakfast or tea is fine, right now?” She asked as she combed her hair.

  “Tea is fine for now.” He answered as he took the towel and started to dry his own already dried hair. He nudged her shoulder, “Would have a proper breakfast with you later.”

  Her comb didn't stop but she shifted closer to him, their shoulders touching, “But what if I ate first?”

  “Don't you dare.”

  —{The StoneWell Inn}—

  The sun was now very clear and bright in the cloudy sky. The inn door opened and Jude walked in. In a white shirt, black pants, leather shoes and glasses.

  He walked in with hands in pockets and walked up the stairs straight to Riven's room and knocked. “Riven.” He called out.

  “Wait.” A low voice answered.

  The door opened revealing Riven, “Oh hey there.”

  Jude: “Morning.”

  Riven: “... Morning. Are you here for treatment?”

  Jude: Cleared his voice “Indeed I am.” took out one hand from his pocket and held the door handle, “May I come in?”

  Riven: Barely glanced at Jude's hand that held the handle, “But why? You're here for Kellen and Chloe so why enter my room.”

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  Jude: Crossed his arms and leaned against the doorframe, “Yea that's true but I'd first like to see the residents before the keeper.”

  Riven: Scratched the back of his head, “Nah, you don't want to approach her all by yourself… Am I correct?”

  Jude: Squints his eyes at Riven and tilts his head. Then nodded, “Somewhat… True.”

  Riven: Sighed and stepped aside, “Come in.”

  Jude: “Thanks.” Jude walked inside and Riven closed the door behind them. They sat on the floor in Riven's bedroom… With a short table in the center (of the room).

  “Got to know something about the kids' health?”

  Riven: Seated across him, he scratched his chin, “Um, their health has improved since yesterday.”

  Jude: His face brightened with relief, “Great. Any noticeable changes?”

  Riven: Blinked at Jude, tilts his head and covered mouth with one hand, “No idea. I didn't see them… I heard it from Shirin.”

  Jude: Raised his eyebrow, “And where is Shirin? In her room?”

  Riven: Shook his head, “No, she went to the post office.” Riven's eyes went to his table where an envelope sat, opened. Eyes back on Jude, “Actually this day of month both of us were supposed to receive letters from our parents. Mine arrived this morning but Shirin's didn't so she went to ask the postmaster.”

  Jude: Finger on his chin, “Is that so?”

  Riven: Nods.

  Jude: Sighed and got up, “Okay then, let's go and check on Kellen and Chloe ourselves.” Riven too got up. “Let's go.” Jude said and already started walking to the door, followed by Riven.

  Downstairs they met Mrs. StoneWell serving some residents, she noticed Jude and Riven.

  Mrs. StoneWell: After serving she went straight towards them. “Jude, you came for the check up.”

  Jude: Stood beside Riven and in front of her, “Yea, I heard their health improved. Riven told me.”

  Mrs. StoneWell: “You heard right, Kellen seemed much healthier now. Though, Chloe's still feeling somewhat sick.”

  Jude: Hearing that Jude skipped past her and walked towards a direction and said, “Considering her age she's weaker of course.” To which Riven gave a weird look at him.

  Mrs. StoneWell followed Jude, and so did Riven.

  Mrs. StoneWell: On the way she looked back and asked Riven who was walking behind her, “Have Shirin returned.”

  Riven: “No.” He answered and started increasing his pace and slowed when he got close to Jude.

  Jude: Stopped in front of a door, and looked at Mrs. StoneWell, “May I enter?”

  Mrs. StoneWell: Frantically nodded, “Yea sure. Go ahead.”

  Jude: Without a second to miss or waste he effortlessly and instantly slipped off his shoes, opened the door and walked in. “Still asleep?” He asked even before seeing inside.

  Inside, in bed sat a young girl of age around 12 with brown hair, brown eyes blanket up to her waist, in warm clothes, and holding a glass of water.

  “Hey there Chloe, still feeling ill?” He asked as he came to stand beside her bed. And Riven stood by the door but kept space for Mrs. StoneWell to enter.

  Chloe: “I think so.” She answered weakly and her grip tightened around the glass of water.

  Jude: “Okay, took the medicines and all?” His eyes darted between her and her mother. And before receiving an answer he continued, “Feeling any of the symptoms I talked about?”

  Chloe: Shakes her head, “No.”

  Jude: He paused then said, “Am I checking for the temperature?”

  Chloe: “Sure.” Saying that she shifted in bed and got closer to the edge, “Careful.” Jude muttered. And placed his palm on his forehead, then moved his hand to her neck, but after another pause of 2 seconds.

  Jude: “Good.” Nodded to himself and leaned back, glanced at the mirror across him and fixed his collar as he said, “You'll be fine just take a few more rests and that'll be it.”

  Chloe: Mutters a low, “Yea.” Which was barely audible.

  Jude: Turns his attention to Mrs. StoneWell and shoves his hands back in his pockets, “And where's Kellen?”

  Mrs. StoneWell: Her eyes were focused on Chloe but snapped at of Jude's sudden question, “O–hh, he's with his father.”

  Jude: “And where's the father?” He asked without letting any second to spare.

  Mrs. StoneWell: Body stiffened by the sudden fires of questions, “They went to return the cart borrowed from the mill. They'll be back soon.”

  Jude: Shook his head once, “Okay then.” He paused and looked up at the ceiling and pressed his lips then eyes back on Mrs. StoneWell, “Did he eat this morning?”

  Mrs. StoneWell: Nodded, “Yeah he did. So did Chloe.”

  Jude: “Sounds good. And, make sure Kellen doesn't overwork. By overwork I mean nothing over an hour. Doesn't matter if he's almost an adult, he's still sick.” His words came out too fast along with one heel tapping on the floor. “Um…” Points finger at Chloe, “Make sure they don't eat any sour related. The formula does not react that well with sour things.”

  Sighed, “Ahh, and rest. Yea that's it and both shall be healthy again.” Saying that he walked to the door.

  Mrs. StoneWell: “Are you leaving this instant?”

  Jude: Does not turn to look at her and was instead focused on wearing his shoes, “I am. There seems to be no symptoms based on her telling. Nor did I find any myself.”

  He stood up, turned to Riven and Mrs. StoneWell, “I'd love to stay a bit longer but I have some urgent issues right now. Take care, the three of you; Mrs. StoneWell, Chloe and Kellen.”

  Riven, standing at the doorframe, points at himself, and notices a smirk on Jude's face before he turns to leave.

  Walking down the street Jude's walked at a fast pace skipping citizen after citizen with hands in pocket until he stopped at a point. He looked around the road then jumped down from the footpath and went to the one across.

  And started his walk again. And soon reached his alchemy shop. And just next to it he entered a house.

  “Sylvia.” He called out.

  “Yea.” A voice answered. And Sylvia came to his view.

  “Hey, you came back, strangely quick.” She said as she walked close to him.

  He closed the door behind him and slipped off his shoes and walked towards her. “Well, I did miss you so—” Wrapped his arms around her shoulder. Then slide down to her waist.

  She returned his embrace and buried her face on his neck, “Quiet impatient.” Giggles.

  “Am I really?” He asked as he took a deep breath against her hair. He paused and pulled back a little, eyes on her face and hair, “Hey, you didn't use perfume today.”

  She looked up at him, “Well, it's empty now.” She answered and tilted her head, “Why?”

  “I sensed it.”

  “And hairpin?”

  “Broke.”

  “Really?”

  “Yea right.” Buried her face back on his chest, with now his hands on her waist. But he was silent for a moment but she wasn't, “You arrived early. I thought you'd be late so I hadn't started cooking yet.” She looked up and their eyes met with her cheek pressed on his chest. “Wanna help me with it?”

  He finally wrapped his arms again, and answered with a low, “Yes I will.”

  In the kitchen Jude was chopping vegetables while Sylvia was busy with her own work, her back turned to him. He turned around, “Hey.”

  “Yes.” She said without turning around.

  “Do you need a new perfume?”

  “Hm, no. Why?”

  “Just a thought… What about a hairpin?”

  When Jude asked, she stopped what she was doing and turned around to face him, “Why ask?”

  “Because you said it broke.”

  She shook her head, “No, I don't need a new one.” Saying that she silently resumed her work.

  “Fine.”