"The writing on the cover is in elvish," Aldrec said, pointing to the flowing golden script. "It's called, "A Story of the Beginning." It's an old telling of the history of the ancient world. It's said that the first elven kings wrote it, and-"
His words were cut short by the embrace in which Mericlou had enfolded him. This brought out a few silent snickers from Alaema and Sedriil, as both android and elf quickly detached themselves from each other, both of them flustered and red.
***
Mericlou thought that this had to have been the best of all her birthdays, simply with Noroa's return and the addition of Aldrec. The miniature feast of sandwich and fruit trays that Skori and Sedriil had bought was good, but the true highlight was when Noroa and Garen entertained them with their stories about Rogart and reflections of old memories. For a little while afterwards, Aldrec did a bit of entertaining of his own, casting miniature fireworks spells in the center of the table, and then making plays out of folded paper animals created from the unused napkins.
Unfortunately, the two hours that passed were nowhere near long enough. And when Aldrec announced that he had to leave, Mericlou realized, much to her embarrassment, that she was more disappointed about his leaving than she would have been, if it were Noroa who had to go.
"You know, I never got a chance to ask you," Mericlou said as she led Aldrec out the door and onto the porch. Aldrec closed the door behind them. "How did you know where I lived?"
"I've known for a long time," Aldrec said. "When I first met you, the owner of the flower shop told me your address so that I could give back the flowers you dropped. I just didn't have any reason to come to your house until today."
"You were always welcome," Mericlou said. "My brothers are usually very good to strangers, especially elves. I'm glad they got along so well with you."
"Me too," Aldrec replied. "Your family is very kind … much more so than I hoped. And I especially loved your little ferret. 'Needles,' was her name, you said?"
Mericlou nodded. "Noroa gave her to me right before you came, along with a book." Oh, so she beat me to the punch?" Aldrec said, slightly deflated. "That's too bad. But all in all, I like your family; I really do. Aside from Alaema, I know so little about them."