Heading out the door of their mediocre home, Thames looks back at Lin.
"I'll be back."
"Mhmmm.. Have fun at your parents!" Lin glances up before lying down on the couch, reading a newspaper.
Heading on the busy Main Street, now illuminated by oil street lamps, he navigates further into Pronton.
First time seeing them in three years..
He grimaces as he turns onto Reddings Road. It was a thin road with little to no people and walking it. On either side were two story buildings. He stops at the third building on the right.
102 Reddings Road..
The building had a dark red door and two windows on each floor. Walking up to it, he knocks softly twice on the door.
Thames' breathing was uneven and heavy, the sound of footsteps approached the opposite side of the door followed by four clicks of unlocking.
The red door creaked open, the soft yellow light splashing on Thames' pale face. A man with short grey hair and stubble looked at Thames.
"..Thames..?" The man's deep voice let out, his eyes widened at the sight of him.
"Sorry for the.. Sudden visit.. I'm here on work, dad, but I had spare time." A faint smile creeps from Thames' face.
"Work..? Are you not at Nira anymore?" His dad returned the smile. "Come in! Tell us all about it." He says while stepping to the side, allowing Thames to enter.
He nods at his dad while walking in. The place smelt like a potato and onion stew. "Mom cooked stew..?"
His father nodded as he led him to the right, into a room illuminated by a candle. His mother was there, reading the newspaper.
She had long brown hair which was kept off her face. She had soft features and beautiful brown eyes.
Noticing Thames and her husband, she sets the paper down. "Finally you're visiting! I was just telling your father how you never visit!"
Contrasting his dad, she had an extreme personality. "Come, sit!" She yelled while pointing towards a chair.
Thames and his dad oblige, sitting on opposite sides.
"You know it's been four years since you last visited?! And your letters stink! You oughta visit us more often! It's not like we have the plague!!"
Thames just chuckles and nods along. "I'm sorry mom.. I've just been trying to make more money before I came home.."
His father speaks up. "He's here on a business trip, honey!"
"Oh? A business trip? For paintings?" His mother asks curiously, her eyes twinkling as she gives on him.
"Yes. I've been hired by a magician!"
"Oh a magician he says!" His father quickly began to support him.
His mother nodded along. "He's paying me to paint things he does and things we see." Thames quickly added.
Both his parents nod along, his mom now had a smile too.
"So how long will you be here for, T?" His mom quickly asked.
"A couple of days maybe? My employer never said a specific amount."
"So he just lets you go about?" His father asks plainly.
Thames nodded quickly in response.
"Well maybe you could come back tomorrow.. Gwendolyn's asleep now. She missed you a lot. Where are you staying?" His mother said everything in quick succession while both of his parents kept looking at him.
"I'm staying right by the entrance of Prolton. On Juniper Road.."
They both nodded as he went on.
"I'll make sure to visit tomorrow if I have time. I'm living in Lino now, so I should be able to visit more often."
"Oh that's wonderful!" His mother quickly exclaimed while getting up. "I should get ready for bed now.. It was good to see you T! Please visit Gwen tomorrow! She's gots lots to tell you."
With that, his mom walked off. Her footsteps trailing off.
"So Thames.. Are you still interested in magic..?" His father asked slowly, staring into Thames' eyes.
"Hm? Oh yes.. Ode said he'd start teaching me soon." He nodded firmly at the end.
"Ode?"
"My employer! Sorry I forgot to mention that!" He rubbed his head as he blushed, slightly embarrassed.
His father just chuckled as he continued. "Well.. If you have enough time. On Main Street, that old tavern Harbour Tavern, if you ask the bartender about the truth they'll take you to a magic gathering."
Thames nodded firmly as he allowed his dad to continue.
"Just something I've heard coworkers at the oil press say! In case you wanted to learn some magic ahead of time."
"Harbour Tavern? I'll stop by if I have tomorrow free.. After I visit you guys of course."
The sprinkling of rain could be heard followed by thunder.
"I should get going now.. Don't want to get swept by the wind!" He chuckled lightly while heading to the door.
His father followed after him and took an umbrella from the coat rack. "Take this, Thames."
Thames took it gratefully as he left the building. "See you later, dad!"
Opening the umbrella, Thames made his way back onto Main Street.
Puddles began to form as people quickly entered various buildings. Pronton wasn't known for frequent storms, but on the off chance they did have one, it would pour heavy.
The sound of pouring rain was occasionally interrupted by thunder following bright lightning.
He turned onto Juniper Road, stopping in front of the building he was staying at with Lin and Ode.
Magic.. The truth? What a load of baloney.
He shook his head while walking through the door, tapping the umbrella dry, then looking at the couch.
Ode was sitting there, his hair a complete mess, and his shirt mostly unbuttoned. It was clear that Lin, who was standing behind the couch, was stitching him up.
His chest had fresh stitches and there was nearby used gauze.
"What happened???" Thames yelped out while dropping his umbrella.
With a grin appearing on his face, Ode points at Thames. "Just the man I was thinkin of! Thames.. I needja!"
A shocked expression flashes on Thames' face. "What???"