~Recap~
But, all she knew for now, it was not the time for now.
"Oh, it's nothing serious. I will be just fine by myself. Maybe I can invite you some other day?" She suggests and Theo begins crackling.
"Seriously? I wasn't even thinking of getting inside your house. Never knew you didn't want me this much." Theo jokes and Azura chuckles in embarrassment. "No worries, I'll just leave by the doorstep, fine?"
"Not really the doorstep but a few meters away from it I guess?" Azura implies and another giggles comes from the man.
"Few meters away it is then."
______
And as discussed, Theo only followed Azura until they witnessed the dim lightning of the lantern, coming from nearby. Signalling that Azura's house was just ahead.
They stopped for a moment and spent it looking into each other's eyes before they both smiled. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
"And don't you forget the same for you, Theo." Azura chimes as they both chuckle. "Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?"
"Definitely." Perks the man while perking away from the scene and the sight.
Shifting her face straight, Azura exhales and begins moving forward. Just after a few seconds of walking, she sees her father in all his warm and protective outfits. Along with some tools and weapons in his hands, he seems ready to lodge into a cold night hunting.
"Dad?"
The man turns towards the sound. "Azura? Oh honey, you're home. I was just going to look out for you."
"I was actually presuming that. But, didn't I text you already that I was fine and I'll be home soon?"
"Yeah, by soon you mean hours and hours yeah?"
Azura sighs. "It only took one hour. But anyway, now I'm here, right? So let's go get in."
Frederick nods to his daughter in agreement. "Yeah, whatever. No, wait. Are you again wearing someone else's clothes?'
Oops.
Well, of course Azura wasn't wearing the same clothes of hers like, how could she even? They were blood stained and she couldn't just roam around like a killer like that? Especially not in front of her dad.
She once again had to take Theo's hoodie. Well, not only hoodie this time but the entire clothing. That was another thing that she got comfy with those so instantly as if they've been here ever since.
"Azura, I asked you something? Have you started stealing or something? You could just tell me if you wanted these…" Frederick looks from head to toe at Azura and only realises, "How oddly weird and baggy these clothes are? Do you want to become Hagrid?"
"Ahh, Dad… I'm getting tired and you're giving me a lecture." Whines the young lady.
"You are also going to give me an explanation since you're hanging out around a lot lately huh?"
Azura nuzzles her nose with the sleeve paws and pouts, trying hard to divert her father's mind and convince him. When in real, only the slightest of her flare would have been enough to melt the hyped man down.
"Okay, Dad. But, can I do that after having vanilla pudding and turkey soup made by you?"
Sighing in both anger and awe, Frederick just says, "What else do you expect? Get in."
Azura jumps in glee and hugs her father. "You're the best, Dad!"
______
And indeed, Frederick was the best dad as no father would ever give their little ones such freedom to explore the world and the woods in the winds of the winters like he did.
Yes, the Azura that used to stick inside her room with no contact to the outside world or people was now keen to be out of the doors the whole day and could possibly stay at night as well if there was any chance.
The Azura that used to be mostly silent was now mostly vibrant with unstoppable talks of her new experiences and of course her oh so friend.
Which is why Frederick not just encouraged these changes, but literally even tried contributing by making some decent and new variety of dishes of everyday.
Seeing his little one experiencing the best of her life. Becoming bold and brave and most of all, happy. What else could he ask for?
Well, one thing he did ask often which was to meet Azura's awaited friend.
While Azura on the other hand, kept springing new excuses to prevent Frederick from meeting her friend.
Vice versa for the said friend as well.
No matter how much interest Theo signalled in visiting Azura's house and specifically meeting her father, never did she let it go through in any manner.
The funny thing between all this was, Azura herself couldn't figure what was with all this.
Likewise mentioned earlier, something was and still is hindering her. She couldn't point out exactly why but she was definitely sure that her acting this way must have some reason. Reason for good to be precise.
"So, what would it be for today? Sweet or salty?"
"Neither, Dad."
The father is perplexed at the refusal of his child. He then interrogates, "Neither? Hmm… You're gonna feed over air today then? Or maybe there's snow outside as well."
"Gosh, Dad. Just because I said neither, doesn't mean I said nothing. I don't want something sweet or salty. Instead, I want something spicy today to spice up the day."
"Is that so? Your friend isn't being spicy enough lately, Azura?"
Azura whines while blushing and Frederick just chuckles at her little childish lady. "No! It's just being breezy outside so having some spice would warm us up especially since it's the weekend, it's gonna be a long day."
"Make sure it will only be till day and not late evening. And definitely not night." Frederick warns as he gets done with packing tiffin.
Flaring an obeying smile, Azura answers, "Yes, Papa. I'll make sure of that!"
Frederick also smiles then and caresses the lady's cheek, "And mostly, take care of yourself, sweetie. It's great that you're now not afraid of woods but always stay alert. Call me if you need me, okay?"
"Will do, Dad." Azura assures her Dad even though she knew that she wouldn't be in need of help.
Or maybe, she just thought because probably didn't know that something was yet to happen today in which she was definitely going to be in need of help. Help to save her from her forthcoming yelp.