Chapter 30: A peaceful Morning
Albert had many rough days at this point in time, with little issues with the ranch, some monsters tearing his house down, and more. What he wanted was just one peaceful morning, everything was nice and cozy as he opened his eyes, the sun's gentle rays coddled him, his woolen blanket, woven by his own hands, covering him like a cloud of heaven. He didn't want to get up, a little break from the farm was necessary, a little peace and quiet. You would think that the slimes or the monsters would relax him but the opposite came, just like a cute puppy or kitten even though they were cute and nice didn't mean they didn't make trouble.
His bed creaked as the old red mahogany wood needed replacing, but as he got up from the bed, wearing his nice pajamas he noticed his slippers missing, he knew exactly where they were but had no energy to get them, he stepped on the beautiful carpeted floor made by a kind carpenter Nakamurayaki, he wore his usual trousers and a light sun hat with a baby blue shirt. His head swiveled around to see his bunny slippers, a gift from the local grandma, in the mouth of his good old friend, the slime the legend, Frio! That's right, Albert decided to bring Frio over to the Monster ranch, which was getting quite popular lately as the kids liked playing with the monsters, Albert had to prevent a few kids from taking the Arzuros's honey. Nonetheless, Albert took his slippers from Frio and went into the kitchen.
These days he had to make food ahead of hand for all the monsters and the visitors, so in his makeshift basement and fridge he had quite a few ingredients, mostly in giant quantities, but today was HIS day so for his special day he would make breakfast for himself, thus meaning just a simple french toast with some jam. Albert pulled his sleeves up as he grabbed a few slices of stale bread, an egg, some vanilla extract from the villagers, some ground cinnamon from the garden, some lard sugar, and some milk. Preparing a small bowl his hands steady as he cracked an egg and half a cup of milk into the bowl, whisking until no residue was left and the milk turned a soft orange, taking out his other ingredients he poured a dab of vanilla extract, a pinch of ground cinnamon and two pinches of the lard sugar. His hands were as calm as the sea albeit a little slow whisked the mixture yet again until incorporated.
The pan was ready but it seemed as if he had forgotten something... oh yes the butter! He rushed and grabbed a bowl of butter and ran a spoon into it, obtaining a tablespoon of butter, throwing the butter into the pan he heard it sizzle as he tilted the pan to all sides to ensure it was evenly coated. Checking everything again Albert rushed, placing the bread into the mixture and making it soak it all up as he placed 5 small slices of bread on the pan. He waited a little while, checking and flipping the toast every 40 or so seconds. The result? was a delicious breakfast for himself, and only himself.
Spreading some pomegranate jam on the bread, the knife made a wonderful scraping sound across the bread's surface, showing its crisp texture. He put the toast in his mouth and began to munch.
*Crunch*
...That was not the bread, turning his head around he could see Frio eating his own breakfast, the floor...
"Goddamnit Frio! I just fixed the floor from last time!"
Albert took off his apron as he finished his breakfast, walking outside he could smell the wonderful scent of blooming almond trees coming from the village, he had grown a few himself but could never get them as ripe and beautiful as those of the village. Perhaps it was the care they received? Minerals? Nutrients? whatever they were, they smelled wonderful just as they were. Turning to the garden he found his forest of trees all wonderfully beautiful. The trees had this aura of happiness, all nice and sweet, because of the climate in the monster hunter world although it was winter his orange and lemon trees were blooming as if it was spring, with their beautiful flowers sprouting all around with nectar gushing out. Amazingly enough, the nectar attracted some wild bees as well, allowing him to go ahead and obtain some delicious honey, oh but that was not his goal for now.
The pinberries stopped growing this time of year, and rather than that they produced large flowers the size of a baseball, the good thing though was these flowers had delicious petals, he went ahead and plucked some straight off the trees, looking for the biggest yet youngest ones, the younger ones were much more packed with flavor and when candied? My, My... they were simply amazing.
Taking a pot from the cupboard he placed in a large bunch of sugar with twice the amount of water, heating the mixture up till it had melted all the sugar and started to condense. His hands shook a little as he poured the mixture equally into many jars with pinberry petals in them, ready to be left for a week or two in the ice to absorb all those flavors, his jars filled the ice block he called a fridge as he took one that was previously in there out. Today the Chief was gonna come for some tea so he had to clear up the place, and obviously, start preparing the tea.
A large kettle was placed onto the snuffed-out fire, filled with water, Albert placed a few crushed-up dried sticks of cinnamon and some dried mango leaves in a teabag, a strange but tasteful mix, with the water heating up he placed the teabag inside and started to clean up his home a little. The floor was a little dusty but that was no issue as he started sweeping it with a broom. His beautiful rose apron hung from his shoulder as his hair had now become long, reaching down to his waist, if he wore baggy clothes he would easily be confused for a woman.
*Knock* *knock*
Purging such thoughts from his head he walked up and opened the door to greet whoever was there.
"Albert! It's good to see you! Happy Birthday!" The chief roared enthusiastically, half the village behind him cheering happily.
Albert froze in shock... nobody had ever done this for him. Just what was a birthday? How was it celebrated? Had he enough food or-
"What are you waiting for come on!"
As Albert's feet unfroze the chief grabbed him by the hand and led him to the village. Surrounding him was a parade of Lanterns and Dango. Lights filled the entire village, everyone was walking around in robes whilst going around to the different stands. Fried, boiled, grilled, the scent of every food filled the area.
"This is... all for me?"
"That and its the winter star but have fun!"
Just as the chief said that Albert rushed over and rented out a robe of his own, a 'Yukata' as they call them, and he walked around the beautiful streets of the village, eating little animal-shaped Dango on a stick whilst holding a fancy fan.
.
.
.
Just as the day ended so did the festival. Albert had a lot of fun right then and there, quite the day it was, the house was nice and cozy as always and the tea was still warm for him to drink.
Just before he fell to the world of dreams he said one final Happy Birthday to himself
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Basil_Grower
Basil_Grower Originally was supposed to be posted on the 28th but I couldn't, (Most of you know why) but yes, our protagonist needed a little time rest as well and celebrate the holidays
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