Bab 127: Family Squabble
Aisha was tasked with keeping Sylphiette busy while the rest of us held a secret meeting regarding birthday plans. As soon as we got home, Aisha pleaded with Sylphy to help her practice her magic.
"Come on, Sylphy! Rudeus doesn't work with me anymore and I haven't had anyone to help me practice in months!"
"I'd love to help you. All you have to do is ask."
"Follow me outside!", Aisha yelled excitedly as she grabbed her coat. "I've been keeping up my practice on my own. I think I'm ready to move on to the next step!"
Once Sylphiette was safely outside with Aisha, the rest of us gathered in the living room. On the agenda was what we had planned for the big day just seven short days from now.
"Firstly, we need to decide what we will be serving for dinner at the party", Lilia commented. "We will need to know now so we have time to procure the ingredients."
"I'll make rabbit stew for the main course", Hope volunteered. "It's always been her favorite growing up."
"In that case, I'll also prepare boar meat. Rabbit stew has a very unique taste and not everyone likes it.", Lilia added.
"That's a good idea", Zenith agreed. "In that case, leave the dessert to me."
"Didn't Therese say she was going to bring candies?", Paul asked.
"Yes, but a party can never have too many sweets!"
"Where is Therese anyway?", I asked. "Didn't you invite her?"
"Yeah, I did. She told me at the church today that she would be here."
"I hope everything's alright"
"She's probably just working late at the church", Zenith assured me. "Sometimes she stays late to help her students if they ask."
"Do we have a final count on how many people will be attending the party?", Lilia asked. "We need to make sure we have enough food for everyone."
"Well, it should be the eight of us here, plus Aisha and obviously Sylphiette herself", Zenith said as she counted her fingers.
"Don't forget Ghislaine!", Eris added.
"Nanahoshi will probably want to come by too", I added. "Zanoba will surely be coming. I'm sure he'll want to bring Ginger, Aurora, and Julie as well."
"-and Aunt Therese and Luna", Norn said.
"That's eighteen people!" Zenith exclaimed.
"Aren't you glad we have such a big place to host the party?", I bragged.
"What about your other student council friends who you guys always eat lunch with?", Roxy asked me.
"Seren, Linia, and Pursena? They might come, but we're already throwing a separate party at the school that I'm sure they'll be attending."
"A separate party? That's nonsense! Just invite them here", Zenith complained.
"I don't think you realize how popular Sylphy has become at school. She's going to wind up with so many gifts from her classmates I'm not sure where she's going to put them all."
"That's my girl!", Laws proudly declared.
"That's true", Roxy snickered. "I'm always hearing rumors from the first years about you two haha. When I hear them talking about you like you're some type of legendary monster I can't help but laugh."
Similar to how Norn became so popular among her classmates in my previous life, Sylphy has as well. The main difference is that, instead of the beloved student council president, Sylphy has become the 'people's champion' so to speak. Some students seem to fear me like some kind of mob boss or delinquent (thanks to Linia, I'm sure). Sylphiette, however, has been heralded as a sort of 'defender of the weak', and the 'only person who can keep the boss in check'.
"Hey... Sorry I'm... we're..."
Our meeting was suddenly interrupted by the sound of someone stumbling through our front door.
"Therese! What's the matter? Are you alright?"
Sylphiette could be heard by the front door while Aisha ran back into the living room to warn us.
Zenith was the first to make it down the hallway to the foyer.
"Therese, are you drunk!?"
Therese was barely able to walk as she held onto Aurora's shoulder for support. Aurora gave a pleading look to Zenith, practically begging her to cast detoxification magic. Sylphy, who was already standing at the open doorway, beat her to it. She immediately placed her hands on Therese's back and...
*HURP*
Therese's cheeks bulged outwards as she covered her mouth with her hand. Before Sylphy could cast her magic, Therese ran down the hallway towards the restroom, nearly tripping on the way.
*BLEGH*
Zenith gave Aurora a glare while we all listened to Therese loudly vomit.
"What's gotten into her?", Zenith said with an exasperated sigh. "She knows better than this. I hope none of her students saw her in that state!"
"This is all a misunderstanding", Aurora said worriedly.
"That's right!", Therese mumbled from the bathroom. "This is Zenith's fault!"
"My fault!?"
A vein on Zenith's head started to bulge as she stomped her way down the hallway. Aurora followed her and gently grabbed her hand to try and stop the inevitable fight.
"How is this my fault? You always blame everything on me! Maybe if you'd take responsibility for your actions you'd manage to find yourself a good man!"
"This is exactly what I'm-"
*Blegh...*
"... talking about. You're just like Mother!"
"Hyuh!", Zenith gasped. "YOU TAKE THAT BACK!"
"Never!"
Therese, still kneeling by the toilet, turned to Zenith and stuck her tongue out. The bulging vein on Zenith's forehead was clearly visible now.
"Zenith! Calm down!", Aurora pleaded.
"She doesn't mean it; she's drunk", Paul said as he tried to calm his wife.
"I do mean it", Therese muttered quietly before beginning to sob.
Seeing her sister crying like that, Zenith's anger quickly dissipated and she walked towards the bathroom, intending to cast detoxification magic on her. Unfortunately, Therese slammed the door shut just before Zenith got there.
"What's gotten into her..."
"I'm so sorry, this is all my fault", Aurora answered. "Therese had a bit of a rough day at work, so we decided to treat ourselves after we finished for the day. I suggested that new restaurant that just opened up on Dour Street."
"I'm sorry that she had a rough day, but you both know what Saint Milis' teachings say about excessive drinking."
"Yes, we know. This was a complete accident!"
Zenith gave Aurora a knowing look. She was basically saying 'Come on. We both know that's not true.'
"No, really! I swear it! When we ordered our food the waiter offered us their new drink. He said it was free of charge thanks to their grand opening this week. He called it the 'Starlight Serenade'."
"That actually sounds pretty good", Paul said.
"Quiet you!", Zenith scolded.
"Anyway... Therese ordered the new drink while I just asked for water. I didn't try it, but evidently it tasted really good, because Therese finished it in no time and asked for another. Since they were free she kept ordering more and more. It wasn't until she started slurring her words that I realized those drinks were alcoholic! By then it was too late and she insisted on drinking more."
"Hahaha", Paul laughed. "I wish I could have been there!"
"Ugh...", Zenith sighed. "You're all hopeless."
Zenith lightly knocked at the closed door to the bathroom.
"Come on Therese. Open up. Please? I'm sorry for what I said earlier. Let me cast detoxification magic. You'll feel better, I promise."
After a couple seconds, the doorknob turned and the door creaked open.
"I'm... sorry too."
Zenith calmly opened the door the rest of the way and began chanting beginner level detoxification magic. Shortly afterwards, Therese began to feel better but still felt a bit woozy.
"Why don't you lie down and rest for a while", Zenith suggested. "You can feel free to spend the night here.
Therese no longer seemed drunk, but she held her head like she had a splitting headache. She nodded in agreement as she slowly walked up the stairs towards the guest bedroom. Aurora followed her, helping her up the stairs.
After getting tucked into bed, Therese suddenly remembered something important.
"I can't. I've got to go back home. Luna is expecting me."
"Don't worry. I can stop by your place and watch Luna for you."
Therese grabbed the hem of Aurora's shirt with her fingertips.
"No... stay a little while longer."
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