Because This World is Loved

Chapter 4: Talking It Over

The next day, after breakfast, there was a knock at the Weavers' door. Noel went to answer it and found Alrai standing with a box. "Morning, Noel," he said. "Can I come in? I brought some cinnamon buns from my mom."

Noel cast a quick glance over her shoulder to see if anyone was in a particularly embarrassing state. Having decided that everyone was presentable, she nodded. "Sure, come on in."

When Alrai entered, a small flurry of activity occurred. Drea scurried up to Alrai, bouncing with energy. Alves followed, though more quietly. "It's Al! Hi Al!" Drea gave him a hug from the side. "What's in the box?"

"Hi Al," Alves said. "Are you babysitting today?"

Alrai chuckled and patted Drea on the head. "Hiya, kids! No, I'm just stopping by for a bit to drop off something from my mom."

At that point, Alea and Kelves came downstairs. "Alrai, how nice to see you," Alea said. "What's in the box?"

Kelves gave Alrai a simple wave in greeting. "Morning. Does anyone else smell cinnamon?"

Alrai opened the box to reveal a stupendously large heap of cinnamon buns crammed into the box. "My mom made these yesterday and gave them to Caleb and I. There's way more here than we can possibly eat, and Caleb started whining about how he never wanted to see a cinnamon bun ever again... so could you please help us out with these?"

Kelves gave a short, low laugh and moved forward to accept the box from Alrai. "Consider it done," he said.

Noel giggled. "There goes Kelves."

Alea sighed, though her smile pointed to amusement and not exasperation. "Don't finish them all in one go, dear."

"Is that a challenge?" Kelves set the box on the counter and promptly took a cinnamon bun out. "Don't worry, I'll be good."

Alves's attention went to his father. "Daddy, can I have one?"

"Of course." Kelves took out a second one for Alves, and the two set about munching on the pastries.

"How's Caleb?" Noel asked. "I take it he's not awake yet?"

"You take it right. You know how he is... he sleeps like a rock." Alrai smiled and shook his head. "And it's not safe to talk to him till he's had his coffee. Hopefully he'll have had it by the time I get back."

"Can I come with you? Might be nice to hang out for a bit." Noel watched as Drea finally released Alrai from a squeezing hug and went to go have a cinnamon bun with her brother and father.

"Sure, but I can't promise how Caleb will be," Alrai said. "Fenne woke up bright and early as usual and is helping out at the shrine, so she's not around right now."

"That's okay. It's been a while since we've been able to just relax together, hasn't it?" Noel scratched her head by her right horn, hoping that she wasn't off in her memory of the last time she and Alrai had gone around together.

"Yeah, it has. It's always been one thing or another." Alrai's expression wrinkled, making him look a bit guilty.

Noel looked back to Alea. "Mom, I'm going out with Alrai for a bit."

"Have fun, you two," Alea said. "If either of you see Kastra, please tell her that she left out the attachment on her last e-mail."

"Will do," Alrai said with a cheerful mock salute. "She does that sometimes." He took a few steps towards the door. "Shall we get going?"

"Sure." Noel followed Alrai out the door, but she only made it a few steps away before a familiar voice caught her attention.

Melia was running up to Noel, waving her down. "Noel, Alrai! Hi!"