Andre looked over to a small figure. Someone is playing on the floor.
Oh.... it's Cia.
He had finally taken a good long sleep after giving the lunch to Cia. But he has something else to worry about now. He wondered why life feels so fast sometimes? Maybe because his ones is so full.
"So your birthday is near?" He said while starring at the ceiling, still laying on the bed.
The silver ceiling with somewhat warm feeling gazed back.
"Papa awake?"
To be precise there are two things to do. That damn no. 2 guy's mission is also after Cia's birthday. "Cia, have you thought anything about your birthday?"
He looked at her and she started to think. Andre only realised one thing. This girl wasn't thinking about her birthday at all?
"My friends are excited for some reasons. I cannot say no to it this year I guess. Papa." She looked at him with cute eyes.
"I think I want a good birthday this time."
All Cia can see was slight smile on Andre's face. It was this smile despite all weird faces he makes, that keeps her mind at peace. A assuring smile that her father gives as if saying it's allright. We can afford it.
Sometimes she can feel the life of those who those who went through poverty for their dreams. Not because they are poor anything. Andre has made sure of that. It's just the sense of living.
Maybe, even if they live in a luxury mansion with all the wealth and time in the world, this feeling cannot leave. Not yet.
"Then should this be birthday of one day? Maybe start from one day before to keep it 2 days?" Andre asked while pulling out his normal phone.
"More than one day? I thought it starts in evening and ends with night?" She asked looking so naive.
Hm? She can read and understand all kind of book but don't even remember her last birthday event 2 years ago? Oh yeah, she's still a little child. She didn't celebrated last year for some reason.
___________
"Papa! I'll not celebrate birthday this year!"
"Huh?! Why not? Did something happened??"
"I miss my old friends at that school."
"Is that so? Sorry for keep changing school princess but I has to move for my work." Uh sorry it's not really work, but the urgency to hide my identity by not staying at one place for two long.
"Still. Next year maybe." Isn't our budget tight? I've already taken so many books, I can accept that as my gift this year.
"Huhhhh?? But why?" I know we are poor but we are not broke kid, living in rent doesn't make someone completely broke.
In the end, her birthday that is on 15-6th (dd-mm format, 8th July on our calender.) was not celebrated. Though Andre gave her some chocolates anyways.
___________
"Even so. Your birthday can last for 2 days. One day with your friends coming at home and second day with me going somewhere." Maybe I need to shift this?
"Hm. Ok." She said blankly.
"And yeah I'll be gone day after your birthday for a little work. You know it's about money too? So that one extra day will be before your birthday." God, I feel like doing maths. I hate it.
"Hmmmmm. Work? Papa?"
Come to think of it, I don't remember telling her a valid reason for my 100 Shells. Hm? Oh yeah how much they have taken value in market? I need to transfer them in secure money format.
After some more chit chat, they decided to shop for a while.
"After this, maybe let's go to nearby cafe." , "ok papa!"
Oh yeah, that cafe is no more near around huh?
Andre and Cia changed their clothes and went out towards the car. "Papa once your new car comes, Can I have this one?"
Andre looked on her side with tired eyes. What she even wants? It's clear she doesn't want it for driving nor she can drive. It's probably due to It's parts?
"Well I would just fix it a little more and sell to someone else. Why do you want this one?" He asked as he started the engine.
"I was thinking of throwing this car into the garage and have Ark disassemble it." Princess, he sure works with his dad in a lab but that doesn't make him a man working with the cars right? Am I right or not?
"Do whatever you want then."
Yes! No matter what type of car, every one of them has some useful things if not, their structure itself is very useful.
Andre just sighed and and drove around the city. It will take them one or two hour in the market to prepare for her birthday. Their house also looks somewhat empty so Andre decided to buy few things.
Hmm. Next week is coming. Magentania household. Let's see what they have other things to say.
Finally as they came around the clocktower to visit the cafe.
The cafe is a warm place in this cold season. All deep vibrant color walls and decorations for religious festivals are looking really good.
"It has been quite a time, I've visited here." Andre said as he was walking near the glass door. He reached out to open it-
Zzzziiiing!
"Ehh???" He pulled back his hand, the door opened automatically. Ok that's an electric door I guess? Cia just entered inside and Andre followed behind. "Hey princess, think you can make this?"
"I don't have glass."
"If I buy them for you?"
"I don't have this specific sensor and to make them I would need some other things."
"If I buy those things?"
"They need to be precisely connected. Machinery and stuff."
"....? And if we buy those machines?"
"That can work!"
"Just say if you want something. I know these doors can't be that complicated."
"I never said that."
"That's what I'm saying."
"Yep."
"???"
They sat down on a table. Every table here has 5 chairs and a woven clothe carpet on the tables. "Ok?"
A flower vase on it. "A fake?"
And on counter, many paintings hanged."they make sense?"
Overall it's a really good place with a aroma to be withheld.
"Maybe whe you grow up, you will come here with your friends?"
Cia looked up from her chair, "hm? Maybe?"
A waiter came, "well well, we sure can wait for you to grow up then." He said with a smile. Andre can't really think much. There are so many things to do.
"Sighs.... oh well, I want 2 plates of Sieziri."
"Very well sir."
[ Secure Money Format (SMF) : If you all remember the currency system is really weird in the northern hemisphere of the earth. And each currency's value kepts going down and up. Even if Shell is a kind of crypto currency, it's about it's safety. Not so secure in it's liquid way. (How much liquidity as if how naturally can it be transformed into actual money.) So the World Economics Association (WEA) introduced SMF. It's working is on the basis on currency system of Southern hemisphere of earth.
In Southern Hemisphere of Earth, there is only one formal currency that works as independent market value and a major comparison guide, "Jinks". 100 Jinks can get you your average midday lunch for 1 person. Andre's second hand 4 seater car he is using is worth 15000 Jinks.
If Andre haveto use this currency, it would go something like this:
"Haha! I've 100 Jinks, I can eat my lunch."
"Ohh! I've 600 Jinks, I can buy a new T-shirt."
"Hehe! I've 2,000 Jinks, I can buy a really good jeans."
"Yeah! I've 10,000 Jinks, I can buy all the food for 2 weeks."
"Kukuku! I've 50,000 Jinks, I can get good enough smart phone."
"Hmmmmm. I've 250,000 Jinks, a new middle class car!"
And teah so this value never changes. Though it also doesn't work in northern hemisphere, and that's exactly where WEA's SMF comes in. And I'm not going to explain any further. It's just that they have definitive assets to maintain it.]
[Sieziri: a traditional snack food of Hargena that closely resembles patties but are also boiled and different ingredients. Tastes sweet with cheese over it. There will be a proper recipe I'll provide whenever this is mentioned again.]
Next time: Birthday Time?