Thankfully, the next few days were of mild temperature around the homestead. The sun was shining, but there was a light breeze in the air, keeping the area quaint and cool. The cottage which Drew and Aria called home was not extravagant, by any means, but it was cozy. They called it the House of Cloves, because at the time of purchase, the entire backyard was a garden, mainly of cloves. It was the previous owner’s trade. Though the garden remains, most of the clove plants had been removed and replaced with various other herbs, fruits and vegetables. However, the smell of cloves still lingered in the air, as almost an eerie reminder of days gone by.

Drew sat on a stool in the front yard, fidgeting with the backside of a large metal human-looking android. The sound of cranking metal, like that of a clock cog could be heard, as he twisted his arm, enclosed in the android’s back. Occasionally, the planking sounds of what seems to be a music box and piano wire emanated from Drew’s project. The enchanting tones of Aria’s voice could be heard upstairs. Drew looked up towards their bedroom window on the second floor. He could not see Aria, but knew she was rehearsing for her performance next week. He happily smiled and went back to clanking around.

Both Drew and Aria were musicians, though they had varying tastes. Drew preferred his experimental compositions, while Aria was more classically trained. Somewhere, in between their flavors were simular interests, but each still claim within their own genres. Though both were creative in their talent, Drew’s main vocation was that of taking care of the "unwanted", up at Baron von Flattenbrow Manor.

When Flattenbrow passed away, his will requested his home be turned into a place for orphans, elders, the physically and mentally handicapped, as well as those emotionally unstable. Over time, the residence slowly evolved into what people commonly refer to as a "mad house". It was a place of decrepid walls, of insects, smells and bad memories. It was a place of the forgotten. Though they were lost to those who lived on the outside of the manor walls, they were not forgotten to Drew and the other co-workers. They tried hard to to keep the place lively for those living there. At the very least, tidy. Today, however, was Drew’s day off the him primary occupation. So, instead, here he was, at home, working on his hobby; The Automatons.

Automatons were instrumental devices of Drew’s conception, shaped in the form of a human being. When operated correctly, they would emit sound from their innards, to that of a particular composition. In a sense, they were Drew’s accompanying band members, when he played live. he simple slipped in a disk shaped cog into their back side, which played a song of his own creation, to which, Drew adds his own played instrument and singing to. Though his tunes came out a bit clunky and that of a deranged music box, it made due for his performances. He was a one-man-band in a group of three. His stage name was the Dirge of Lamentations. The two automatons that accompanied him were named Bartholomew and Toby. Right now, Drew was fixing up Bartholomew. It seemed one of his song disks was getting a tad rusty and sticking to the metallic innards, slightly bending the needles, which played on the circular musical cog.

"Just a little more grease should loosen it up." he thought to himself, smearing his hand over the disk’s rusty spot.

The sound of horse hooves clomping on the ground made Drew raise his head up from his work. There, at the front gate dismounted a Red Rider. They were tasked with handling realm’s delivery of notes an packages. With a letter in her hand she waved at Drew, who then gestured with a quick waving response, stood up and headed toward her.

"Thank you." he said, as he took the note from her hand.

"Have a good day." she replied, as she climbed back onto her mount and headed off, back towards town.

Looking down, Drew noticed it was addressed to Aria. At about this time, he also noticed that her singing had stopped. Drew looked up and noticed Aria walking out the front door to where to was standing.

"A letter?" she asked.

"Yes. It’s for you, actually." Drew handed her the note and she opened it casually. After taking a few second reading he letter, she smiled.

"Awe, a Lady Day Party." she said, laughing.

A Lady Day was a coming of age birthday, where the particular female celebrating would now be able to partake in drinking, voting, vocation and the taking of a hand in marriage, is she so choose.

"What day?" asked Drew.

"This Saturday at 7 o’clock." she replied.

"Sadly, I have to work, sweetie." remarked Drew shrugging. Aria looked at him with a pouty face.

"I’m sorry. I can try to bring home a slice a cake for you."

"Who is it?" he asked

"Dancer."

"Who?" asked Drew confusingly

"Dancer." said Aria again "She’s a girl from the Guild. She is sort of new, but we’ve been in a few shows together."

"Oh. Well, I hope you all have fun." replied Drew, as he headed back to his Automaton "Give her a Lady Day greeting from me."

"Will do." Aria said, looking at the horses "I should probably head into town to find her a gift, while the shops are still open."

Drew looked up and nodded. Aria started to head back into the house.

"I’ll take some coin from the safe." she said. 

Drew smiled and went back to his handyman work. I would have been nice to take a day off and celebrate with Aria. They hardly ever left the house on account of someone else’s invitation. He knew she would have fun out and it would also give him time to work on his own projects, which he hardly ever had the time to do. Such an outing would be good for Aria, as well as he. He smiled at the thought and went back to his work.

Next Chapter: New Chapter