Amala's Heritage

1 In A Million

Jeenie and Orion were seated in their secret hideaway within the Grand Majestic Hotel, observing the guests strolling past. They had discovered this spot as teenagers, and it had since become their go-to place. The guests were slowly making their way into the hotel lobby. A family with two young children was squabbling and dragging their suitcases along. A man with three large suitcases in tow approached the reception desk just behind them. Sitting in the lobby, Orion contemplated how long the man's visit might be. The receptionist handed the family their room keys and directed them toward the elevators as they checked in. The children were still arguing, and the parents struggled to keep them apart.

In the back of the Grand Hotel, you would find the Royale Omakase Restaurant, where guests savoured delectable dishes while serenading by the enchanting classical tunes performed by Mr. Arnold on the grand piano. Mr. Arnold, who had recently moved to town, was accompanied by Edelweiss, his faithful guide dog, a husky. When Jeenie first encountered Edelweiss, she initially felt apprehensive and tried to keep her distance. However, Edelweiss liked Orion and would affectionately approach him, nudging him with her wet nose, seeking attention.

Mr. Arnold sat at the grand piano, surrounded by the gentle murmurs of the guests as they enjoyed their drinks and meals. The soft lights from the chandeliers overhead cast a warm glow on the marble floors and walls, creating a cozy retreat from the outside world. As Mr. Arnold played a beautiful rendition of a classical song, a woman in a red dress leaned over to whisper something in his ear. He nodded and smiled, then launched into a jazzy tune with the whole room tapping their toes. Guests began making song requests, and Mr. Arnold effortlessly switched genres and songs from Contemporary to Classical. His fingers gracefully danced across the keys, filling the room with the rich sounds of the grand piano.

While Mr. Arnold continued playing the piano, a young man approached him. Dressed casually, he appeared familiar to Edelweiss. The man and Mr. Arnold chatted for about 10 minutes. The stranger intrigued Orion and Jeenie, as he didn't resemble anyone they knew from their small town. They pondered whether he was a musician like Mr. Arnold or a music lover. After the conversation, the young man bid goodbye to Mr. Arnold and Edelweiss. The dog seemed delighted to see him, wagging her tail and licking his hand as he departed. 

Jeenie's father unexpectedly barged into their secluded hangout in the lavish Majestic Hotel, breaking the tranquillity of their leisurely people-watching activity. "Jeenie, could you do me a favour and grab a couple of light bulbs? The ones in the kitchen are out," he asked. Jeenie and Orion wandered through the Majestic Hotel's kitchen, marvelling at the impressive selection of pastries on the counters and shelves. Walking through the kitchen, they observed the chefs hard at work - kneading dough, mixing ingredients, and decorating the pastries.

They were on their way to the harbour when they noticed Mr. Arnold and Edelweiss following them. Edelweiss was leading, effortlessly guiding Mr. Arnold through the bustling streets. Jeenie was amazed by Edelweiss's impeccable training. She had heard that guide dogs were extraordinary, but seeing them in action was a new experience. "How did you train her so well?" Jeenie asked Mr. Arnold. "Well, Edelweiss was just a puppy when I adopted her," Mr. Arnold replied. "She received training from a young age, and I kept training her daily. Guide dogs are brilliant and intuitive, so teaching her to lead me wasn't too difficult."

"Where are you guys headed?" Arnold asked. "We're on our way to the '1 In A Million' general store," Orion replied with a friendly smile. "We need to buy some lights for the hotel." The store, owned by Mr. Monk, was filled with knick-knacks and trinkets, making it a popular destination for tourists. As the hustle and bustle of tourists flooded into the shop, the atmosphere became lively and vibrant.

Jeenie guided Mr Arnold and Edelweiss around the shop. Suddenly, a group of Visitors walked around the store, admiring the unique souvenirs and handmade crafts. They chatted excitedly, pointing out items to each other and occasionally laughing at some of the eccentric merchandise. Edelweiss, usually well-behaved, seemed restless and tugged at her leash, indicating something unusual to Mr. Arnold. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the store changed as Edelweiss's behaviour became increasingly peculiar. She started whimpering and circling Mr. Arnold as if trying to communicate something urgent. Mr. Arnold, visibly concerned, tried to soothe Edelweiss, but she persisted in her unusual behaviour. 

The tourists, oblivious to the situation with the guide dog, continued browsing the store, admiring the merchandise and making their purchases. Mr. Monk, the store owner, noticed Edelweiss's distress and approached Mr. Arnold and Jeenie. Concerned, he asked if everything was alright.  Edelweiss continued to display signs of distress as they stepped outside the store, tugging Mr. Arnold in a different direction than usual.