Warmth in the tavern

Ava's grandpa suddenly set down his ale and pushed back his chair, rising to his feet. "Wait, you never told me you had a lover," he said, approaching Leios.

Ava quickly interceded, blocking his path. "He's my lover, but not in the way you're thinking, Grandpa," she protested.

Ava's grandpa tried to move around her. "Now, now, Ava, I need to talk to this young man," he insisted.

"I've mentioned him many times in my letters," Ava countered. "You know he's a boy."

"Mentioned?" Leios thought, his brow furrowing. "What did she write about me?"

"Come on, don't be mean," Ava's grandpa said, still attempting to maneuver around his granddaughter. "You never said he was a boy."

"Okay, now you know he's a boy." Ava acquiesced.

"That's not enough," Ava's grandpa protested. "I still want to talk to him. What will he think of you, mistreating your own grandpa?" He tried to trick her.

Leios couldn't help but smile at the scene, thinking, "Does this old man really think she has any shame?"

Ava then made a surprising decision and stepped aside.

As Ava moved aside, Leios's smile fell from his face. "Eeeeh! Why are you disappointing me? I was rooting for you!" he thought, dismayed.

Ava, however, remained resolute. "If you insist," she told her grandpa, "but don't ask too many questions."

Ava's grandpa moved towards Leios, wrapped his arm around his neck, pulling him away from Ava. She watched them impatiently, fighting the urge to intervene.

"So, young man," the grandpa began, his voice low and deliberate, "what business do you have with my granddaughter?"

"What kind of question is that?" Leios thought. He raised his hands in a half-hearted surrender. "Nothing untoward, I promise."

"And what were you doing when we arrived?" the grandpa pressed.

"I swear, it was as she said," Leios insisted, his arms still raised. "We weren't doing what you are thinking."

The grandpa's eyes narrowed. "And what is it that we're thinking?" he prodded. "Please, enlighten me."

Leios's mind spun, searching for a satisfactory response. "What are you waiting for, Ava? Come help me!" he silently implored.

Ava, arms folded and brows furrowed, stared daggers at him from across the room.

Leios's tension was palpable, and his silence made things awkward.

Then, suddenly, the air changed. The grandpa laughed heartily, startling both Leios and Ava.

"Don't be so serious, young man!" the grandpa exclaimed. "I was just kidding!"

Leios lowered his arms, his shoulders sagging in relief.

"I've heard much about you from my granddaughter," the grandpa continued. "For one, she's made it very clear how much you love sleeping."

Leios's gaze snapped back to Ava, who stared at him with a challenging expression. "She has a vendetta against me!" he thought to himself.

Ava's grandpa chuckled. "Now, now," he said, "don't be too hard on my granddaughter. She's quite fond of you."

Leios silently mused, "'Fond' is putting it mildly."

"She certainly sings your praises," the grandpa said. "You're clearly special to her, and I respect that."

Leios smiled humbly.

"I'm honored to be thought of so highly," he replied.

The grandpa's expression grew more serious. "Take care of her for me. You've been a positive influence on her growth." He paused, choosing his next words carefully. "Can you do that for the old man?"

Leios chuckled half-heartedly. "Ava can be stubborn and careless, but she's more than special to me. I'd do that gladly, without you even asking."

The grandpa's laughter echoed through the tavern. "I'm glad you've been able to weather her troublesomeness." He smiled warmly and glanced back at Ava, followed by Leios.

Ava, seeing them looking at her, marched over and pulled her grandpa away by the arm. "That's enough, Gramps."

"Go easy on me, dear!" her grandpa jested. "I'm not as spry as I once was."

"Gramps, you're supposed to tell me something," Ava whispered, pulling him aside. She glanced surreptitiously at the group of quiet eaters at the table. "You're not just here for a visit, are you?"

The grandpa followed her gaze, his eyes lingering on Ruby. He then cupped a hand around his mouth and leaned in close. "Now's not the time, child. It would be too traumatizing for some of my friends."

Ava frowned, puzzled, and looked at the group before turning back to her grandpa. Her face still wore an expression of confusion.

He nodded at her. "For now, all I can tell you is that things are terrible in the South." His expression was grim. "You understand what I mean, don't you, dear?"

Ava's eyes widened as she whispered, "You mean the demons?"

Her grandpa's smile was gentle and calming. "You're safe, and I'm grateful for that."

Ava exhaled slowly, her fear replaced by relief. "I'm glad you got here safely, too, Gramps." Her expression became somber. "I'm sorry, but Leios and I are staying in a house that can't accommodate more than the two of us. This tavern is the only place I can offer you for shelter right now."

"There's nothing to be sorry about. You have already done more than enough for us dear. Me and our friends will gladly accept your offer." Ava's grandpa replied after taking a glance at the group.

"Really really really, you are sure you'll be okay with this place?" Ava pressed, her concern palpable.

Her grandpa smiled, then replied. "It's hundreds times better than the forest."

Ava's concern melted away with her grandpa's reassurance, and she smiled back. She let out a sigh, glancing outside through the tavern's door before returning her gaze to him. "Well...if there's nothing else you need, I guess Leios and I will leave since it's already late."

Her grandpa gave a warning. "Take care. The town may appear ghosted, but beware of what lurks within the shadows."

Ava turned to Leios, flashing him a reassuring smile. "There's nothing to be worried about. Leios and I are always on our guards."

With that, she grabbed Leios's arm, leading him out of the tavern. Midway, the trio at the table on the corner—Omiros, Caius, and Camilla—stood, catching Ava's eye. She halted, her expression becoming concerned.

In unison, the trio bowed their heads. "We are very thankful for your hospitality," Omiros said, his voice brimming with gratitude. "Though strangers, you have treated us with such warmth."

"You should really be thanking my grandpa, not me," Ava replied humbly. "I only did this because he asked me to."

The trio turned to her grandpa, their expressions softening with gratitude. They bowed their heads in respect.

Ava waved to the group inside the tavern, bidding them goodnight. "Have a goodnight!" she said, before marching out of the tavern with Leios.

"Have a goodnight!" the group inside replied in unison.