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How did he end up in this situation?
That was the resounding question bouncing around in Aether's head at the moment.
Here he was, standing off to the side, covered in what appeared to be flour all over his clothes and face, while wearing a dirty apron and watching Paimon holding up several posters with words on them. All while Navia and Charlotte were caught up in an enthralling interview.
Aether still couldn't believe how fast things switched. He had to take a second and recall what exactly happened.
Some time ago
"Happy Birthday!"
"Happy Birthday!"
Standing in the Teapot's kitchen, Aether and Paimon were celebrating Navia's birthday, which resulted in her being covered in confetti.
"You guys! Partner! You didn't have- "
"Nope! There won't be any of that!" Paimon said in a matter-of-fact tone. "It's your special day, and there was no way we'd ignore it!"
"Besides, even if you tried to get out of this, we'd still chase you down. Or get the other members of Spina di Rosula involved," Aether said with a light chuckle.
Navia couldn't help but feel her cheeks warm up and smiled happily at her friends' words.
"Still, I feel- "
"Navia."
"…Thanks, Aether. This is all so special. I can't even begin to thank you for this."
It was at this point that Navia looked around in the kitchen and could see balloons and cooking ingredients spread out across the room. It was quite clear that someone was cooking or getting ready to start.
"We also figured that to make this day a little more special, we'd help you make sweets together."
"That's right! Ooh! Paimon can't wait to try some of Navia's delicious sweets!" the young girl excitedly said while floating around.
Taking her elegant hat off, Navia placed it on a nearby coat rack and went into the closet to grab an apron. She then tied it around herself before grabbing two more. Well, one more in regular size and a specialized one that would fit Paimon.
"Well then, shall we get started?"
Nodding their heads, the two put on their aprons and got right to work.
"Paimon, would you mind cracking the eggs?"
"Sure thing! Paimon will make sure those eggs are cracked!"
"Partner, mind helping me get everything else ready?"
"Of course!"
Moving to the kitchen counter, Navia began to grab some trays for the sweets while Aether grabbed a few more ingredients. The three-man team was in full force and prepared to make some amazing sweets to be shared on this special day.
While Paimon was preoccupied with cracking the eggs, Aether brought a few more ingredients over to Navia with a gentle smile.
"Hey, Navia, where do you want- "
The Traveler would soon find himself in quite a fantastic situation. Pressed upon his lips was that of Spina di Rosula's president's lips. She had managed to catch him off guard and present him with something small to show appreciation for today.
"…"
As the two slowly parted, Navia couldn't help but playfully bop him on the nose with her hand, which had been covered in flour, resulting in some flour on him.
"Thank you for today, Aether."
"I haven't done anything yet?"
Tapping her lips, the birthday girl couldn't stop herself from smiling brightly. The kiss was only one small present for her. There was still so much more she wanted to enjoy today.
"Then we'd best get started on this very special day! I already know that everyone in Spina di Rosula is planning a surprise party for me later tonight. I happened to overhear some of the kids while I was out shopping the other day."
"Welp. There goes that plan."
"Nonsense! Even though I know there's going to be a party, I have no idea who will be there. It's still possible for me to be completely surprised. Besides, you and Paimon will come, right?" Navia asked with a slight bit of worry that they wouldn't go.
"Of course we're going! We weren't told anything, so this is a bit of a surprise for us as well. Paimon will be happy to hear that, though. A party means there will be food."
"And we both know how she is, haha!"
With a sincere smile on her face, Navia couldn't help but playfully bump into Aether while giving off a cheeky smile on her face.
Aether responded by smiling brightly at her.
"Well then, before we get caught up teasing each other some more, shall we get started?"
"You bet!"
Looking over at Paimon as she was mixing the eggs all together, Navia called out to her.
"Paimon, you can bring the eggs over. We're about ready to get started!"
"You got it! Paimon made sure these eggs were fully delicious. Ooh! Everything is going to taste so good!"
"Yep! We're all set. Let's get to work!"
With morale at an all-time high, the trio set out to begin the intense work to make the sweets as delicious as possible. Everyone had a vital role to play in making the sweets even better, with Paimon working on decorations and frosting on some of the cupcakes, while Aether helped get to work on making sure the smaller treats were given some love. Navia took charge and began working at a pace that was becoming harder to match.
All in all, the group was managing to turn the once-empty kitchen into a full-on buffet full of various sweets and desserts. Paimon even had spare sweets to munch on while continuing to decorate.
The kitchen had turned into a functioning base of operations.
Before they could even realize it, they were sitting down and catching their breath. At least, that's what Aether and Paimon were doing while Navia had both of her hands on her hips and was smiling brightly.
"Look at us! Turns out we make a pretty dazzling duo when it comes to making sweets, too! And now, the grand moment arrives! Time to taste the fruits of our morning's noble labors! Now this – this is a masterpiece! Elegant plating, rich, full-bodied flavor, and that perfect touch of sweetness dear Escoffier would no doubt chide me for reckless sugar use. Ah, perfection! Score it? Definitely a full ten! After all, we're just too perfectly in sync as cooking partners!"
"Mmhmm! These macarons are delicious!" Paimon said before stuffing her mouth with a sweet.
Grabbing one of the flavorful cupcakes, Aether took a bite and had his mouth filled with the therapeutic scent of chocolate washing all over him. He couldn't help but nod his head in contentment.
"This is amazing!"
"Glad you liked it, partner! I made sure to put extra love and care into making these sweets!" Navia graciously said while brimming with happiness. "Paimon, make sure you eat to your heart's content."
The young girl's response was to float right over to the frosted treats and start filling her mouth with as many treats as she could. The two blondes grew worried for a second, but then remembered that Paimon was essentially… built differently.
Her little body managed to digest all the abnormal amounts of food and still be ready to eat again after taking some time to settle. She truly was a wonder to behold.
"Ugh… Paimon can't eat another bite… for now…"
"I'm sure everyone in Spina di Rosula will love all these sweets," Aether replied while eyeing the rest of the desserts.
"…Uh… dear partner…"
"Navia? What's wrong? You've gone quiet."
Scratching the side of her cheek, Navia couldn't help but chuckle in a guilty sort of way. It seemed like there was more going on behind the scenes.
"Well… you see… all these desserts… we're going to need to make more…"
"…What?"
Blushing in a flustered sort of way, Navia began twiddling with her thumbs while wearing a dorky smile on her face. Her blue eyes latched onto his own, and he could see that the situation was problematic.
"Hahaha! H-Hey hey, dear partner! Have you read The Steambird lately?"
Aether shot her a puzzled look.
Navia didn't waste any time in between and continued to speak.
"Charlotte has made another huge leap in her photography skills! That interplay of light and shadow, the soulful expression… so dazzling that I had to put on my sunglasses, haha. Oh, right, the exclusive Spin di Rosula interview I scheduled with her is today!"
The gears in Aether's head began to turn faster.
"I've kept a thick volume of Catalogue of Sophisticated Photo Poses like the Fun Dogpile, Spinning Aerial High-Five, and Rondo of Elegance and Strength… So many complex yet dramatic poses that I can't wait to realize and show off today through Charlotte's professional lens!"
The Traveler continued to look at his dear partner with a clueless expression.
"Naturally, I'll need the perfect shooting partner… and you know what I'm about to say next: there's no better candidate than you, my bestest, most trusted partner!"
"Okay…? How does this relate to you saying we'd need to make more desserts?" Aether asked, drawing an eye on the girl he cared for. "I'm a bit lost."
Unable to knock away the strained yet sly smile on her face, Navia smiled brightly at her significant other before letting out the ball of air she was holding onto.
"Well… I sort of mentioned to Charlotte that I'd bring some desserts for her to share with her colleagues over at The Steambird."
"Oh? You did? That's really nice of you- "
"And then that conversation sort of… went off the rails when Furina managed to catch wind of the interview. She hopped into our conversation and gave me some great tips. However, me and my big mouth might have said that I'd be bringing some sweets for her and the theater management as well…"
"…"
"…Aether?"
"…What?"
"Huh?"
"…Navia."
"Y-Yeah?"
"Could you repeat what you just said?"
"E-Eh? What do you- "
"Do you mean to tell me that you said you'd bring sweets for The Steambird crew as well as the theater management?"
The blonde-haired beauty couldn't help but smile weakly and mutter a single response.
"…Maybe…"
Turning his attention over to Paimon, who was barely floating in the air, Aether decided to shift things up and step up to this challenge. Not only was this a challenge, but it was also Navia's birthday, so there was no way he'd leave her to fulfill this task alone.
"…Navia."
"Yes, Aether? Are you mad at- "
"Prep the eggs."
"Excuse me?"
Cracking his knuckles and tightening his apron, the Traveler prepared himself for a battle.
A battle of baking.
"It's your special day, and there's no way I'm going to let it end up being bad. It's time to cook!"
Raising his hand in the air, Aether swerved his head over at Paimon, who weakly looked at him.
"Paimon! We're going to need to give it our all."
"R-Right… Paimon… will… help…"
Knowing that his traveling companion was currently weighed down by their previous victory, Aether stepped up to the plate and readied himself.
Today was Navia's day, and he would not see her sad at all. She meant a great deal to him, and he'd fight to see her smile once more.
"Navia! Let's do this!"
Sensing her beloved partner's resolve, the birthday girl also joined in on that wave of morale.
"Yeah! Together, we're unbeatable! Let's do this!"
It was time to cook.
A few hours later
"There we go… just a little more on the top."
"Careful. Careful now, partner."
"Ooh! Paimon can't watch any longer!"
"Almost there…"
"I believe in you."
"Wah! Paimon believes in you, too. It's just a bit tough to watch right now!"
Feeling a sweat bead trailing down the side of his cheek, Aether was somewhat struggling to finish what he started.
However, a soft touch could be felt along his face, which caused him to halt what he was doing.
Glancing to his side, he saw Navia's gloved hand wiping his face while she gave him a beautiful, reassuring smile. One that gave off a feeling of support and trust.
That was all he needed to get the job done.
Giving his partner a nod, Aether set forth to overcome the challenge once and for all.
"Hyah! It's done!"
Positioned right in front of him was a cake that had been decorated to showcase a bouquet of various flowers. Fine-tuned details were somehow managed to be captured by the Traveler's grit to the point that even Escoffier herself would give a barely passing grade.
And that was more than enough to showcase his determination.
"Whoa… you did it…" Paimon muttered.
"Of course he did. He's my dear partner after all~" Navia replied in a truly indescribable voice.
Setting the frosting down, Aether glanced down at himself and could see that he was covered in flour, frosting, and various stains that he wasn't sure what they were. Alas, that didn't matter. He was able to help finish Navia's sweets task.
"We did it…"
"Nope. You did. You managed to- "
"No. This was a team effort. We all did our best and, in the end, we did it. We couldn't have done it without each other."
"Heh. Spoken like a true hero. You're managing to catch my heart more and more!"
"That's my specialty. Besides, I couldn't let the birthday girl take on this challenge alone. It's your day."
"Aww. Aether."
"*Ahem* Paimon doesn't want to interrupt, but before you two start being all mushy… what time was your interview, Navia?"
The sound of a spoon hitting the floor rattled the kitchen as Navia's face began to pale as she looked at the clock in the room.
"Gah! The interview is in ten minutes!"
"What?!"
"That's not enough time!"
Determined to make this day special, Aether, also known as Tumaini back in Natlan, which meant Hope, took a step forward and began grabbing plates big enough to hold several desserts.
"Then we make time. Everyone, grab a plate! We're going to make it!"
Navia couldn't help but throw herself into the guiding morale that her partner was exuding.
"Aether's right. We can do this!"
"You guys are giving Paimon the spirit. Okay! Let's do this!"
Together, the trio set forth to conquer the battle against time and do their best to make it to the interview on time.
Several minutes later
It was a close fight, and at one point, defeat looked inevitable. However, there was hope with them.
They had managed to make it to the interview with barely 20 seconds to spare.
The rest of the time seemed to fly by in a flash as Aether was now standing off to the side while watching Paimon holding up signs that were meant for Navia to use in her interview.
Today was hard to put into clear words, but there was only one thing that mattered.
Navia was happy, and that was worth all the trouble and more.
Besides, the day wasn't over yet.
It had merely reached the middle of the day.
There was still the evening to worry about.
Spina di Rosula's president sure knew how to have a remarkable birthday.