The Café’s Gates [New Year Extravaganza]
Feb 28, 2019 6:48:39 GMT
Post by vray on Feb 28, 2019 6:48:39 GMT
Notes: So this is my fifth and final extravaganza fic for the new year, that I am happy to bestow to GingeDixie for the prompts: "A very strong bond", "Bad Timing", and "Miscommunication". This fic will be of my protagonists from PMD the series #2 Gates to Infinity. It's nice that I get to use these guys again and it mainly centers around a few things that happen in a business trip to Triacal (also known as the continent Sky happens on). There are no spoilers, just little hints, and nods at some worldbuilding aspects and some nice little kicks from nostalgia. (I hope)
So without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
There was something so peaceful about treasure town. Maybe it was the wind in the sights that seemed to draw in mons, perhaps it was simply the things to see, and some may argue the exploration guild is the reason. However, for a certain two, it was something else.
On the dirt path heading to treasure town, two mons walked side by side. One a Fraxure carrying a back, a red scarf around his neck tied in a fashion to be loose yet still able to not be blown off. The other a Servine busy counting currency as his yellow one blew more in the wind due to not having the back spike of a Fraxure.
“Ninety-Five, one-Hundred, one-hundred and five, one-hundred and ten. There.” A pleased grin crossed the grass mon’s face as he pulled the thread over the bag of poke and carefully put the money sachet into his shoulder bag.
“Didn’t we only really need just a hundred, Vines?” the Fraxure inquired, looking at the smiling Servine.
“Well Uther, the extra is just in case. I mean, the twentieth rule of business/investing/being an entrepreneur is, you need to be ready for error or losing. Something to help you tank any supposed loss and since we were able to get a neat little deal here with dojo for its expansion, I can see us getting a lot of neat benefits from being one of the beneficiaries of a newly springing dojo.” The Servine looked forwards as Uther pondered for a second.
“Well yeah, but did we really have to travel all the way here too, Triacal?”
Vines gave a little chuckle as he rolled his eyes and said, “You say that like you didn’t enjoy the trip.”
“Oh it was fine,” Uther confessed, looking downwards at the path. “But I mean, it’s been a long trip just to help some dojo expand.”
“Well fair, if that was all that we were doing.” Uther raised a brow as Vines started listing off the business he had set up. The exchanges and trade he would have with treasure town till it was starting to put Uther to sleep.
Suddenly, Vines stopped rambling and looked at a sign.
Uther stopped as well and walked over to get a look. “Spinda’s Café?” Uther read.
“Oh, this is that place!” Vines shouted, excitement in his voice.
“That place?” Uther questioned.
Vines explained, “You see, about three generations ago there was a café that started up here in treasure town that got widely popular. It was a resting place for explorers and other things. They had raffles and drinks and all kinds of fun stuff.” Vines then looked around, trying to spot it. “I remember when my dad came on a business trip here, he mentioned this as one of the places he wanted to visit.”
“Okay, so uhm…where is it?” Uther asked, joining him in searching, though not seeing anything remotely resembling a café.
“Of course you wouldn’t know silly,” Vines jested, sticking out his tongue, “Its entrance is merely a hole in the ground.”
“What?” Uther shouted in disbelief.
“It’s a family thing apparently, or that’s my reasoning. You know how sentiments go.” Vines briskly looked around, till at last down the road a little he found it. He and Uther stood in front of the entrance. After taking a deep breath to compose his anticipation, Vines headed down as Uther followed.
What met Vines’ eyes made them widen with awe. It was like an underground world, but only the benefits of a café. There were tables all aligned in the middle, several species of mons talking or working there, and a few serving areas where one Spinda was happily shaking drinks. “Oh wow, it’s even better than I thought!” Vines shouted, so full of energy, not even the stares he got deterred his little bounces.
Uther, on the other hand, was starting to feel the attention and quickly pull Vines to a table. Sadly, only one was open, the one near what looks like a rather odd part of the wall. The two sat down, Uther looking around as Vines was still squealing.
“You done fangirling over it like you just saw Virizion?” Uther japed.
“You know how energetic I am,” Vines said, looking around. “Anyways, let’s get some drinks alright?” Uther agreed, and the two walked over to the line for the Spinda mixing area.
As the line went on, Uther couldn’t help but stare at the wall near their table. Hmm, I wonder why that table wasn’t taken. It’s near both this Spinda mixer and what looks the raffle area. Uther couldn’t make sense of it, but that might be due to being interrupted immediately by Vines when it was their turn.
Vines supplied two sitrus berries, which confused Uther but seemed normal for the Spinda, who took the berries and began to squeeze.
“I have to say, getting to see this in person is amazing,” Vines commented as he watched the Spinda start pouring the liquid into a cup.
“Oh, you’re not from around here?” The Spinda said, putting a lid on top. Vines nodded and in a friendly loud tone, the Spinda grabbed both sides. “Then I guess I’ll have to make this extra special then.” He started shaking it side from side to side and occasionally flipping it over his head into his other hand.
The juice making dance seemed to put Vines into a trance as he watched with glee on his face. Uther was impressed by the moves, albeit less overwhelmed compared to Vines.
After about five minutes of elegant dancing mixed with drink shaking, their delicious liquids were finally ready and hastily engulfed by the slightly tired two. The drinks were so tasty, neither could seem to get up out his chair thanks to the feeling of content. Finally, though, Vines’ curiosity of the place landed his view on the drawing corner. “Hey, Uther,” Vines said, nudging his buddy from semi-sleep, “I’m going to check out the drawing corner, you want to come with?”
Uther gave a yawn as he said, “Nah, you can go ahead without me.” Uther curled in his seat, deciding to try and catch a little nap while Vines was exploring the raffle place.
With a little disappointment, Vines gave an understanding nod and headed over to the corner. Instantly, the flashy colors and lovely prizes woke him up as his excitement started to surface once more.
“Hiya,” a friendly female Wynaut called out to him from behind the desk.
Vines looked down, barely able to see the rather short Wynaut. “Hello,” he replied with a friendly tone. “So, how does this work?”
“Well,” A Wobbuffet started to say but stopped when Vines gave a startled jump.
“Oh, sorry about that didn’t see you there.” Vines gave an awkward little laugh as the Wynaut did a little face desk.
“You see,” the Wynaut began, trying to preserve the potential transaction, “We have what you call a ‘recycle drawing’. You can trade in items to get tickets for the drawing that are recycled to other explorer teams. Of course, we also have added that you can just give some poke for them at 100 poké for bronze raffle tickets 300 poké for silver raffle tickets and 500 poké for gold raffle tickets.”
Vines thought for a second about if he should try. “Well,” he started, a little on the fence.
“Wynaut?” The smaller mon asked, “It’s not expensive if you don’t have items to trade. The poke goes to keeping this place going after all.”
“You know what, sure,” Vines said with anticipation as he counted out 500 poké and set it firmly down. “I’ll redeem it now if that’s alright since I’m on travels.”
“Cool sir,” The Wynaut replied, “Alright, so there are three colors: red, blue, and yellow. You pick one and can lose, win a prize, win a nicer prize, or win a mega prize.”
The thought of winning a prize with the word “mega” before it made Vines feel all jittery. He let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and was about to put his leaf hand on the red circle of the ticket. However, he was bumped at by a passing customer and his hand fell on Yellow.
“Right Yellow!” The Wobbuffet announced as it started to check the drawing.
“No, wait ah,” Vines began, but it was too late. The Wobbuffet had already pressed the yellow circle for the drawing. Vines’ head sank down to the desk as the Wynaut tried to console saying, “Maybe you’ll win. Mons rarely lose here anyways.”
After a few seconds, the Wynaut asked, “So is it a win? Is it not?” Both Vines and the Wynaut tensed when the Wobbuffet shook her head. The Wynaut asked again and once more it was answered with a shake of the head.
“Wait,” Vines leafy hands curled on the desk as he shrank down with anxiety as the Wynaut asked the big question. “Is it a big win?”
Vines couldn’t handle the pressure and promptly yelled over to Uther, “Uther, get over here!” This sent Uther to fall out of his seat from the abruptness of it.
“What is it Vines?” he called over, a little embarrassed from all the stares he got as he was picking himself up.
“I think I might have-”
Vines didn’t get to finish, for when he was about to say where his ticket’s status was, the Wobbuffet turned around, moved her arm up to her forehead, and with a loud tone said, “That’s right.”
Neither Uther nor Vines had time to think before an explosion came from the wall near their table, sending Uther figuratively jumping out of his scales scared. He darted under the table as four Bellossoms came out with a Ludicolo.
“All right!!!!” the Ludicolo shouted as they all started to do a rehearsed dance.
Vines’ jaw dropped, as he watched the entire rather calm and sublime café erupted into organized chaos. It seemed like everyone was celebrating his mega big win. Vines was struck by the sheer amount of joy that was too much for mere words to say and too much for him to accept. He just stood there frozen, watching all this happen with the face of one that had seen a ghost.
The sound of the rolling waves hit the rocks below a large cliff lining that Treasure Town led to. The picture of a Sharpedo looking over the sea through storm and calm was at the very edge of this cliff pattern. It was there at Sharpedo Bluff, that Vines and Uther sat, going over the details and plans.
As the planning went on and on, Uther was finding it hard to stay awake. While he had gotten used to Vines’ business jargon by now, he still had built the endurance for handling it over thirty minutes.
“Hey, Uther?” Vines asked the sleepy Fraxure, who shot himself up straight claiming that the idea sounded good. Vines just gave a laugh and said, “Alright buddy, we can stop for now.”
“Sorry,” Uther looked down in shame.
“It’s fine Uther,” Vines patted him on the back as he got up and walked over to the edge, “I get it. You aren’t like me and well I can admit, me talking about investing and business tends to get a little old.”
“So you do notice,” Uther replied with a grin, all traces of his guilt gone as he joined with Vines in dangling their legs over the side. The two just sat there, taking in the breeze and the ocean smell coming up from the depths below.
“You know,” Vines started, “The breeze here isn’t like back home. It’s so…warm and rural in a way.”
“Yeah,” Uther agreed with a nod, “It’s almost like we’re a continent away.” Vines promptly hit Uther on the shoulder as the two shared a laugh.
“I know silly,” Vines said, finally relinquishing his attacking.
“Yeah, of course, you do. I mean, you’re why we’re here.”
Vines looked back off to the distance. “Thanks for coming with me on this Uther.”
The Fraxure raised a brow and laid back, saying, “Uh, sure. I mean, it sounds fun, traveling to another continent. And one where your dad was from, right?”
“Well yeah, born that is.” Vines gave a yawn as he joined Uther in laying down at the edge. “Hey, Uther,”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s come back here again, another time. When we…don’t have business stuff.”
Uther gave a little grin as he propped himself on his shoulder and stated with a smirk, “So a vacation then.”
“Yeah, something like that.” Vines closed his eyes as he just took in the sun. “You know, Uther, they say this where they lived.”
“Who?”
“A certain Team that got pretty famous. I believe it was the ones that reached the center of the Zero Isle.” Vines sat up prompting Uther to do the same. “I wonder, we’ve been working on our place a lot lately, but haven’t really done any exploring in a while.”
“Well,” Uther crossed his arms and legs as he threw out a suggestion. “I suppose we could try finding those hot springs and all.”
“Yeah!” Vines shouted with delight, jumping to his feet ready for an adventure. “We’ll take of business first, then we’ll go find the hot springs. And after that, maybe we can try getting some jobs done at the local guild since we are explorers, or even better, take a trip to Ever Rune City and see the Coliseum for-”
“Slow down Vines,” Uther said with a laugh. “I’m not as fast and all. Plus, we probably would have to head back before we even get halfway there.”
“True, well, maybe for our vacation.”
“Just make sure it’s enough for just one adventure.”
Vines rolled his eyes as he jokingly said, “Alright, Uther. If you need to do the bare minimum.” Uther stuck his tongue out as Vines did as well and the two laughed in the sunlight of midday.
“Anyways,” Vines said in a calmer tone as he walked over to his bag. “I’ll have to figure out what to do with this thing and all.” Vines promptly pulled out a Dodge Scarf from his bag. “To think, I’d have won one of these in a raffle instead of the elongated process it took to get you your yellow one.”
Uther laughed as he took it and put it on. “Huh, maybe I look better in red.”
Rather than pulling it off, Vines just thought about it and nodded. “Yep, you look good in that.”
“Wait really?” Uther stated.
“Of course, I think you look pretty cute.”
“What‽” Uther said, traces of blush popping up.
Vines walked over and patted Uther on the back. “Of course, I bet when we head back home and you sport that, all the girls will swoon.” To Vines’ surprise, Uther just started laughing an awkward laugh. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m sorry,” Uther said catching his breath. “I thought you meant that you thought I looked cute.”
“You do…What do you mean?”
Uther couldn’t take it. He just started laughing aloud as an oblivious Vines kept pestering him about what was so funny about the compliment.
So without further ado, I hope you enjoy!
The Café’s Gates
There was something so peaceful about treasure town. Maybe it was the wind in the sights that seemed to draw in mons, perhaps it was simply the things to see, and some may argue the exploration guild is the reason. However, for a certain two, it was something else.
On the dirt path heading to treasure town, two mons walked side by side. One a Fraxure carrying a back, a red scarf around his neck tied in a fashion to be loose yet still able to not be blown off. The other a Servine busy counting currency as his yellow one blew more in the wind due to not having the back spike of a Fraxure.
“Ninety-Five, one-Hundred, one-hundred and five, one-hundred and ten. There.” A pleased grin crossed the grass mon’s face as he pulled the thread over the bag of poke and carefully put the money sachet into his shoulder bag.
“Didn’t we only really need just a hundred, Vines?” the Fraxure inquired, looking at the smiling Servine.
“Well Uther, the extra is just in case. I mean, the twentieth rule of business/investing/being an entrepreneur is, you need to be ready for error or losing. Something to help you tank any supposed loss and since we were able to get a neat little deal here with dojo for its expansion, I can see us getting a lot of neat benefits from being one of the beneficiaries of a newly springing dojo.” The Servine looked forwards as Uther pondered for a second.
“Well yeah, but did we really have to travel all the way here too, Triacal?”
Vines gave a little chuckle as he rolled his eyes and said, “You say that like you didn’t enjoy the trip.”
“Oh it was fine,” Uther confessed, looking downwards at the path. “But I mean, it’s been a long trip just to help some dojo expand.”
“Well fair, if that was all that we were doing.” Uther raised a brow as Vines started listing off the business he had set up. The exchanges and trade he would have with treasure town till it was starting to put Uther to sleep.
Suddenly, Vines stopped rambling and looked at a sign.
Uther stopped as well and walked over to get a look. “Spinda’s Café?” Uther read.
“Oh, this is that place!” Vines shouted, excitement in his voice.
“That place?” Uther questioned.
Vines explained, “You see, about three generations ago there was a café that started up here in treasure town that got widely popular. It was a resting place for explorers and other things. They had raffles and drinks and all kinds of fun stuff.” Vines then looked around, trying to spot it. “I remember when my dad came on a business trip here, he mentioned this as one of the places he wanted to visit.”
“Okay, so uhm…where is it?” Uther asked, joining him in searching, though not seeing anything remotely resembling a café.
“Of course you wouldn’t know silly,” Vines jested, sticking out his tongue, “Its entrance is merely a hole in the ground.”
“What?” Uther shouted in disbelief.
“It’s a family thing apparently, or that’s my reasoning. You know how sentiments go.” Vines briskly looked around, till at last down the road a little he found it. He and Uther stood in front of the entrance. After taking a deep breath to compose his anticipation, Vines headed down as Uther followed.
What met Vines’ eyes made them widen with awe. It was like an underground world, but only the benefits of a café. There were tables all aligned in the middle, several species of mons talking or working there, and a few serving areas where one Spinda was happily shaking drinks. “Oh wow, it’s even better than I thought!” Vines shouted, so full of energy, not even the stares he got deterred his little bounces.
Uther, on the other hand, was starting to feel the attention and quickly pull Vines to a table. Sadly, only one was open, the one near what looks like a rather odd part of the wall. The two sat down, Uther looking around as Vines was still squealing.
“You done fangirling over it like you just saw Virizion?” Uther japed.
“You know how energetic I am,” Vines said, looking around. “Anyways, let’s get some drinks alright?” Uther agreed, and the two walked over to the line for the Spinda mixing area.
As the line went on, Uther couldn’t help but stare at the wall near their table. Hmm, I wonder why that table wasn’t taken. It’s near both this Spinda mixer and what looks the raffle area. Uther couldn’t make sense of it, but that might be due to being interrupted immediately by Vines when it was their turn.
Vines supplied two sitrus berries, which confused Uther but seemed normal for the Spinda, who took the berries and began to squeeze.
“I have to say, getting to see this in person is amazing,” Vines commented as he watched the Spinda start pouring the liquid into a cup.
“Oh, you’re not from around here?” The Spinda said, putting a lid on top. Vines nodded and in a friendly loud tone, the Spinda grabbed both sides. “Then I guess I’ll have to make this extra special then.” He started shaking it side from side to side and occasionally flipping it over his head into his other hand.
The juice making dance seemed to put Vines into a trance as he watched with glee on his face. Uther was impressed by the moves, albeit less overwhelmed compared to Vines.
After about five minutes of elegant dancing mixed with drink shaking, their delicious liquids were finally ready and hastily engulfed by the slightly tired two. The drinks were so tasty, neither could seem to get up out his chair thanks to the feeling of content. Finally, though, Vines’ curiosity of the place landed his view on the drawing corner. “Hey, Uther,” Vines said, nudging his buddy from semi-sleep, “I’m going to check out the drawing corner, you want to come with?”
Uther gave a yawn as he said, “Nah, you can go ahead without me.” Uther curled in his seat, deciding to try and catch a little nap while Vines was exploring the raffle place.
With a little disappointment, Vines gave an understanding nod and headed over to the corner. Instantly, the flashy colors and lovely prizes woke him up as his excitement started to surface once more.
“Hiya,” a friendly female Wynaut called out to him from behind the desk.
Vines looked down, barely able to see the rather short Wynaut. “Hello,” he replied with a friendly tone. “So, how does this work?”
“Well,” A Wobbuffet started to say but stopped when Vines gave a startled jump.
“Oh, sorry about that didn’t see you there.” Vines gave an awkward little laugh as the Wynaut did a little face desk.
“You see,” the Wynaut began, trying to preserve the potential transaction, “We have what you call a ‘recycle drawing’. You can trade in items to get tickets for the drawing that are recycled to other explorer teams. Of course, we also have added that you can just give some poke for them at 100 poké for bronze raffle tickets 300 poké for silver raffle tickets and 500 poké for gold raffle tickets.”
Vines thought for a second about if he should try. “Well,” he started, a little on the fence.
“Wynaut?” The smaller mon asked, “It’s not expensive if you don’t have items to trade. The poke goes to keeping this place going after all.”
“You know what, sure,” Vines said with anticipation as he counted out 500 poké and set it firmly down. “I’ll redeem it now if that’s alright since I’m on travels.”
“Cool sir,” The Wynaut replied, “Alright, so there are three colors: red, blue, and yellow. You pick one and can lose, win a prize, win a nicer prize, or win a mega prize.”
The thought of winning a prize with the word “mega” before it made Vines feel all jittery. He let out a sigh, closed his eyes, and was about to put his leaf hand on the red circle of the ticket. However, he was bumped at by a passing customer and his hand fell on Yellow.
“Right Yellow!” The Wobbuffet announced as it started to check the drawing.
“No, wait ah,” Vines began, but it was too late. The Wobbuffet had already pressed the yellow circle for the drawing. Vines’ head sank down to the desk as the Wynaut tried to console saying, “Maybe you’ll win. Mons rarely lose here anyways.”
After a few seconds, the Wynaut asked, “So is it a win? Is it not?” Both Vines and the Wynaut tensed when the Wobbuffet shook her head. The Wynaut asked again and once more it was answered with a shake of the head.
“Wait,” Vines leafy hands curled on the desk as he shrank down with anxiety as the Wynaut asked the big question. “Is it a big win?”
Vines couldn’t handle the pressure and promptly yelled over to Uther, “Uther, get over here!” This sent Uther to fall out of his seat from the abruptness of it.
“What is it Vines?” he called over, a little embarrassed from all the stares he got as he was picking himself up.
“I think I might have-”
Vines didn’t get to finish, for when he was about to say where his ticket’s status was, the Wobbuffet turned around, moved her arm up to her forehead, and with a loud tone said, “That’s right.”
Neither Uther nor Vines had time to think before an explosion came from the wall near their table, sending Uther figuratively jumping out of his scales scared. He darted under the table as four Bellossoms came out with a Ludicolo.
“All right!!!!” the Ludicolo shouted as they all started to do a rehearsed dance.
Vines’ jaw dropped, as he watched the entire rather calm and sublime café erupted into organized chaos. It seemed like everyone was celebrating his mega big win. Vines was struck by the sheer amount of joy that was too much for mere words to say and too much for him to accept. He just stood there frozen, watching all this happen with the face of one that had seen a ghost.
∞
The sound of the rolling waves hit the rocks below a large cliff lining that Treasure Town led to. The picture of a Sharpedo looking over the sea through storm and calm was at the very edge of this cliff pattern. It was there at Sharpedo Bluff, that Vines and Uther sat, going over the details and plans.
As the planning went on and on, Uther was finding it hard to stay awake. While he had gotten used to Vines’ business jargon by now, he still had built the endurance for handling it over thirty minutes.
“Hey, Uther?” Vines asked the sleepy Fraxure, who shot himself up straight claiming that the idea sounded good. Vines just gave a laugh and said, “Alright buddy, we can stop for now.”
“Sorry,” Uther looked down in shame.
“It’s fine Uther,” Vines patted him on the back as he got up and walked over to the edge, “I get it. You aren’t like me and well I can admit, me talking about investing and business tends to get a little old.”
“So you do notice,” Uther replied with a grin, all traces of his guilt gone as he joined with Vines in dangling their legs over the side. The two just sat there, taking in the breeze and the ocean smell coming up from the depths below.
“You know,” Vines started, “The breeze here isn’t like back home. It’s so…warm and rural in a way.”
“Yeah,” Uther agreed with a nod, “It’s almost like we’re a continent away.” Vines promptly hit Uther on the shoulder as the two shared a laugh.
“I know silly,” Vines said, finally relinquishing his attacking.
“Yeah, of course, you do. I mean, you’re why we’re here.”
Vines looked back off to the distance. “Thanks for coming with me on this Uther.”
The Fraxure raised a brow and laid back, saying, “Uh, sure. I mean, it sounds fun, traveling to another continent. And one where your dad was from, right?”
“Well yeah, born that is.” Vines gave a yawn as he joined Uther in laying down at the edge. “Hey, Uther,”
“Yeah?”
“Let’s come back here again, another time. When we…don’t have business stuff.”
Uther gave a little grin as he propped himself on his shoulder and stated with a smirk, “So a vacation then.”
“Yeah, something like that.” Vines closed his eyes as he just took in the sun. “You know, Uther, they say this where they lived.”
“Who?”
“A certain Team that got pretty famous. I believe it was the ones that reached the center of the Zero Isle.” Vines sat up prompting Uther to do the same. “I wonder, we’ve been working on our place a lot lately, but haven’t really done any exploring in a while.”
“Well,” Uther crossed his arms and legs as he threw out a suggestion. “I suppose we could try finding those hot springs and all.”
“Yeah!” Vines shouted with delight, jumping to his feet ready for an adventure. “We’ll take of business first, then we’ll go find the hot springs. And after that, maybe we can try getting some jobs done at the local guild since we are explorers, or even better, take a trip to Ever Rune City and see the Coliseum for-”
“Slow down Vines,” Uther said with a laugh. “I’m not as fast and all. Plus, we probably would have to head back before we even get halfway there.”
“True, well, maybe for our vacation.”
“Just make sure it’s enough for just one adventure.”
Vines rolled his eyes as he jokingly said, “Alright, Uther. If you need to do the bare minimum.” Uther stuck his tongue out as Vines did as well and the two laughed in the sunlight of midday.
“Anyways,” Vines said in a calmer tone as he walked over to his bag. “I’ll have to figure out what to do with this thing and all.” Vines promptly pulled out a Dodge Scarf from his bag. “To think, I’d have won one of these in a raffle instead of the elongated process it took to get you your yellow one.”
Uther laughed as he took it and put it on. “Huh, maybe I look better in red.”
Rather than pulling it off, Vines just thought about it and nodded. “Yep, you look good in that.”
“Wait really?” Uther stated.
“Of course, I think you look pretty cute.”
“What‽” Uther said, traces of blush popping up.
Vines walked over and patted Uther on the back. “Of course, I bet when we head back home and you sport that, all the girls will swoon.” To Vines’ surprise, Uther just started laughing an awkward laugh. “What’s so funny?”
“I’m sorry,” Uther said catching his breath. “I thought you meant that you thought I looked cute.”
“You do…What do you mean?”
Uther couldn’t take it. He just started laughing aloud as an oblivious Vines kept pestering him about what was so funny about the compliment.
