Riven entered the restaurant expecting a full scolding for Mr Toma but it never came. Instead he was simply told to get back to working, which in his case was clearing out tables and cleaning the dishes when they pilled up.
Soon his shift was over and he could finally go back home or where ever it is he goes that makes him come home late. He said his goodbyes to his few coworkers and Mr Toma .
"Riven," Mr Toma called out as he left
"Yeah," he answered while still walking towards the door.
" Today was the last time I'm letting you off the hook for being late, I hope you know that."
He paused at the doorway and shoke his head slowly, "yeah, I understand." He replied.
"Good. Now get back home before you start to worry your mother."
Immediately he heard those words he went out of the building on his way, but he wasn't going back home because he had somewhere else to be.
As the evening sun started to set Ellmere was another view. The stall owners were now selling different goods that appealed more to the tired adventurers and workers, who we're now exhausted from a days work. The streets where beginning to be lighted by lamps that run on mana and the town guards were now beginning to do their nightly patrols to insure no one caused trouble.
The town though not as impressive as other larger towns or the royal capital, still had it's own appeal to it. Whether it was the buildings that were made of stone and wood that just seemed to draw you in or the locals that welcomed everyone and made them feel at home, like they belonged there, regardless of race or status, though they did complain about the nobles a lot. It just made you feel safe.
As he was walking he passed a blacksmith's workshop and admired the weapons created by the man. He had always had an interest in weapons since he was a child. He never had a favorite when it came to them though, whether it was daggers, swords or bows, he was always equally fascinated by them. But he had never really bought any of them and tried to train with them because it was more of a far away interest. He admired the weapons for a little longer and finally continued on his walk through the town
While thinking about this and other thinngs he found himself back at the inn, because he wanted to talk to Mira. He entered the inn and went straight to were she was working.
"You're finally back,"Mira said casually
"Yeah," he answered, " I'm finally done. I can't believe Mr Toma gave me three shifts today."
Mira smiled, "well it's a given considering your progress so far."
"Hey, I didn't come here to be lectured and came to talk to my best friend." He stated.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Just wait a little bit I'm almost done." Mira said.
"Sure. Then you'll find me by the bench outside." Riven said while starting to walk away.
"Sure thing, lemme just tell my mom" she answered.
Riven went to sit by a bench by the side of the inn. He didn't have to wait long because within a few minutes Mira came out and went to sit with him. She had been his best friend since they were children. She had always had an interest in magic and dreamed of one day going to study it formally and becoming a mage. Though this interest was more than just a fever dream, because her magic was definitely amazing and let her control not just her own mana but that of the surrounding perfectly, without the formal teaching that the nobles had and that alone was enough to take her places in the future. Riven on the other hand was not gifted at anything in particular, he magic control was so terrible that he couldn't even use simple spells, so he never really thought beyond just living and dying in this town he called home.
"So what did you want to talk about." Mira asked while sitting down next to him.
Riven was looking at the now darkening sky.
"Nothing much just tired from work and wanted to chat." He said still looking up.
"So you've really got nothing that's been bugging you, because you look like you do."
"Well, I've just been thinking about the future you know." Riven said while turning towards her.
"And what exactly were you thinking about?" Mira asked casually.
"Just about how you'll probably go on to join the academy, become a famous mage and do great things, while I'll probably still be hear here still getting scolded for being late." He said, laughing as he reached the last part.
Mira looked at him slightly surprised, "so that's what been bugging you huh." She sighed, "you could come to the academy too you know."
"And do what, it's not like I can even use magic the way normal people do. I'd just embarrass myself there."Riven answered.
"You could go there as a scholar?"
"You know I don't care for book stuff. Anyway let's not get into this, I'm already regretting bringing up that topic. Did you hear about the temple lately?". He said changing the subject.
Mira didn't push the issue further. "Yeah I heard their preparing for a big ceremony in our town. What do you think could be the reason?"
"Beats me," he said shrugging, "no one ever knows what those guys are thinking."
"I guess your right on that part." Mira said, "so will you still go to the ceremony?" She added.
"Yeah probably. I want to see what all the fuss is about." He answered.
"Makes sense. I think I'll tag along too, just make sure to come pick me up before you go."
"Sure thing. It's tomorrow night isn't it?"
He asked to confirm.
"Yeah, according to what I heard," she answered.
"Then I'll come by tomorrow evening so we can go together." Riven said as he stood up.
"You've got nothing more to talk about?" Mira asked as he stood up.
"Hmmm, like what?" He asked genuinely confused.
"I don't know best friend stuff. Maybe there's a girl you like and would like to talk about it."
"There no girl I like." He said quickly, "and if there was there's no way I'd tell you"
"Why not," she asked now smiling in amusement.
"Because you'll just tease me for it like before."
"I did not such thing!" She answered with false anger.
"I don't want to get into this topic, so I'm leaving before my mom starts to worry."
"Sure thing. See you tomorrow and hopefully you still have your job then." She said now laughing.
"Yeah, yeah, see you tomorrow," he answered while walking away visibly annoyed.
The journey back home was pretty much the same except for the now visible romantics around which seemed to annoy Riven even more ,but it was more of an annoyance cause by being flustered than being upset. He made his way back home towards the edge of the town. When he entered, he saw his mother preparing dinner and went over to the kitchen for a chat.
" Hey, I'm back," he said as he sat down visibly exhausted.
" Hey, so how was work?" She asked without looking up from the food she was preparing.
"Exhausting as you can see. Mr Toma gave three shifts today."
"So that's why you're late today, well I think you deserved it."
"You're supposed to be on my side you know."
"I won't be if Toma was wrong, but he wasn't."
"I'm already exhausted from everyone telling me how bad I am at my job mom, could we please not get into this." Riven said.
"But you're the one you brought it up" his mother answered
"That's cause I thought you would take my side."
"Well then, I'm sorry for taking the right side." She answered.
They continued arguing as she prepared the food, just like a normal mother and son would.
"By the way I'll be going out very early tomorrow and be back the next day so you'll need to wake up early on your own for the next two days, do you think you can do that?" She asked while giving him his plated food.
"Mom I'm an adult of course I can wake up early to go for work." He answered playfully feigning offense.
"Okay then, just don't be late and lose you job."
"Sure thing mom." He said sighing.
They continued eating their dinner as they chatted about small things, like who's new in the town, the prices of certain things and other things like that. Soon they were done with their food and said their goodnights to each other and went to sleep, though Riven first went to take a bath to clean himself before going to sleep.
As he laid in bed he thought about a lot of things as he usually did before drifting off to sleep. He thought about his mother, his friends though not many, the future and just how amazing it would feel to travel the world and see different things. The type of thing most teenagers thought about and while thinking about these things he finally drifted of to sleep.