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"Ah, splendid!" Daniel exclaimed, beaming as he bestowed a final appreciative tap on her shoulder before he strode over to Mandy. Ariel trailed him, her smile unfaltering, basking in the imminent triumph of her plot. As Mr. Warner approached, the medium's smile waned.
"Top of the morning to you, Mandy," he announced warmly, nestling himself next to her with ease. Ariel and the medium exchanged a charged glance, a silent duel of wills, but Ariel was unshakable—her moment was at hand.
"It's wonderful to have you join us today, Mr. Warner. Please, feel free to indulge," Ariel offered with gusto, embracing the intensity of Mandy's glare and responding with an even broader grin.
"Ah!" Mr. Warner expressed in surprise as his attention finally landed on the spread before him, "What have we here? Seems someone has quite the appetite?" he ribbed light-heartedly, seeking Mandy's shared amusement. She complied with a restrained titter.
"Just Ariel," Mandy replied following the gentle echo of laughter; the innuendo didn't go unnoticed as Ariel sensed a familiar heat rise in her cheeks.
Ariel’s mind raced with cunning thoughts as she eyed Mandy from across the table. Then, with renewed cheerfulness and light-hearted laughter, she addressed Mr. Warner who sat sipping his coffee contentedly,
"You know, I did wake up rather peckish this morning," she confessed playfully, "I'd wager you were quite taken aback by the feast awaiting when you arrived," she added thoughtfully.
Mandy shot Ariel a loaded look; she could sense something brewing but was powerless to derail it. Mr. Warner glanced up from his beverage,
"Now that you mention it...no, I hadn't really noticed..." he replied distractedly, his gaze veering unintentionally towards Mandy.
Ariel’s smirk widened—her ploy was unfolding perfectly,
"I suppose there are indeed more... captivating things to behold," she noted meaningfully, locking eyes with Mandy.
"Distracting," echoed Mr. Warner softly, all his attention on the medium now. Color rose in Mandy’s pale face while a flash in her eyes betrayed her composed appearance.
"Mr. Warner," interjected Jasper abruptly, sidestepping the silent battle before him, "our purpose here is to investigate your theater if memory serves?"
This snapped Mr. Warner out of his reverie; he turned to Jasper as if the latter had just sounded an alarm,
"Yes! Precisely—that’s why you're here. As we discussed last evening,” Jasper raised his hand casually amid Mr. Warner’s excited clamor,
"Indeed so," Jasper countered tactfully yet firmly interrupting him, "and if investigation is our objective for today... shouldn't that be our focus?"
Mr. Warner's gaze on Jasper held all the perplexity of a man confronted with an intricate puzzle, "I must confess, your point escapes me..." he stuttered, his voice free from mockery but laced with the trepidation of potentially offending the otherwordly guest.
Jasper's demeanor remained constant, untroubled by the sigh he never released. Although his face betrayed no irritation, Ariel, often the instigator of her boss's frayed nerves, recognized the thinning strands of his patience.
"I am speaking of this morning's predawn summons—pulled from rest to deliberate over festival rites I'm expected to perform. The celebration's importance is not lost on me; however, are we here to conduct our inquiry or not, Mr. Warner?"
As Mr. Warner opened his mouth in an involuntary gesture of dissent, his eyebrows soared upward.
"Direct your displeasure elsewhere; I wasn't the one disrupting your slumber today. Your role here is investigative. My apologies for Mr. Williams' demands; tradition compels every man in Magnolia Midlands to engage during this time..."
"So you propose we engage with the festivities rather than focus on our investigation?"
"Our task is investigative—"
"You want us to prioritize our research over participating in the festival?"
"No," Mr. Warner interjected with a volume that turned heads at nearby tables into quiet spectators,
"I mean, no," he corrected himself more softly, "I implore you to balance both pursuits. Isn't it possible to do both?"
Ariel detected an unusual firmness in Mr. Warner's voice which she found disconcerting—having seen him resort to a tearful and beseeching manner when previously challenged, his current retort was notably sharp.
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An uneasy silence set in as Jasper and Mr. Warner locked gazes—Jasper the embodiment of serenity and Mr. Warner the image of vexation. Gradually, Mr. Warner regained composure; color drained from his cheeks as he absently straightened his tie and cleared his throat in recognition of the commotion caused.
"My apologies," he offered though with scant sincerity, "I simply seek assurance that you can manage both tasks efficiently. The festival primarily unfolds under nightfall and would be well-received by locals if you participated."
Jasper observed Mr. Warner coolly,
"You imply such participation would bolster credibility should we discover spectral activity?" queried Jasper.
Mr. Warner shifted uneasily,
"Yes, the townsfolk harbor deep-seated suspicions; they will dismiss your findings without hesitation if you've managed to offend them beforehand––please..."
With that plea, Mr. Warner had reverted to imploration which oddly reassured Ariel for reasons unknown to her. After a pause thick with consideration, Jasper granted a nod of concession,
"Very well, our involvement shall be granted. Should it detract from our investigative endeavors, be prepared for those implications," Jasper declared with an intense gaze that held Mr. Warner captive in silent understanding.
The playwright hesitated for a heartbeat, his features twisted in the urge to argue, for a compromise was never in his script. Yet he could only surrender, his objections sliding down his throat as he acknowledged Jasper's unwavering stance with a reluctant nod. The frigid air around the table thawed gradually; Mr. Warner, once more engrossed in his coffee, occasionally beaming over at Mandy. Ariel's watchful eyes met her adversary's—not in triumph, but rather a peaceful resignation was reflected in her gaze, as if the fight within her had ebbed away, marking an unspoken ceasefire.
An unexpected grumble from Ariel's stomach revealed her neglect for nourishment. She reached out for her waffle with hope, only to be greeted by lukewarm rice. Her frown etched deeper into discontent as she placed the waffle aside and sought redemption among the others—lifting lid after lid—only to find emptiness staring back each time: a series of disappointing reveals. With her irritation mounting, she scanned the suspects: Jasper and Mandy were both innocent, with modest portions before them. Taylor seemed to discreetly distance herself from an extra waffle, while John remained immersed in his meager serving.
Suspicion blossoming within her, Ariel's gaze landed on the monk beside her. Leroy sat leisurely reclined with a self-satisfied air; before him stood a miniature fortress of waffles. Then there was Max, nonchalantly stirring his drink and keeping time on his watch, exchanging obscure looks with Jasper—and camouflaged by his nonchalance was a waffle collection rivaling Leroy's own fortress tucked to the side. Ariel’s shock was palpable as her mouth hung agape.
"Ladylike behavior does not include gaping," chided Leroy amidst stifled burps. Rousing from her disbelief, Ariel delivered swift retribution with a strategic stomp on Leroy's foot that elicited an involuntary yelp as he lurched forward.
Ariel’s smirk cooled along with her drink; another stomach growl betrayed her unsatisfied hunger, tarnishing her momentary sense of triumph.
Jasper rose abruptly, signaling it was time to dive back into their investigation; his assistant mirrored the action instantly. Mr. Warner leapt to his feet with professional eagerness,
"Shall we?" he beamed.
Mandy vacated her seat gracefully as the playwright offered his arm with delicate finesse, escorting her past tables of observing guests. Ariel tracked their departure—a wicked glint of enjoyment at Mandy’s apparent vexation lighting up her eyes. Maneuvering through the gauntlet of tables herself, Ariel once more found herself enveloped in waves of whispering gossip that swept through the room like a hushed storm...
"Good heavens, did your eyes just witness that? Observe his demeanor, firmly clasping her arm—utterly domineering..."
"Isn't that Daniel Warner? If memory serves correct, he was betrothed not long ago, right?"
"Precisely! To that poor Shiloh lass. Quite the pity..."
"Astonishing how swiftly he's shifted his affections, isn't it? And pray tell, who is the lady accompanying him?"
"Goodness gracious if it isn't Hanes, Mandy!"
"Indeed, you've hit the nail on the head! The renowned TV clairvoyant..."
"Mingling with Daniel Warner? That's one for the books!"
"Certainly is..."
The idle gossip was instantly cut short for Ariel as a door abruptly swung open, colliding with her,
"Ouch!" she blurted out, pressing a hand to her forehead while navigating through.
Leroy halted in response to her plight and with a cursory glance that confirmed her well-being, tossed her a mischievous grin,
"They say karma doesn't miss a beat..."
Ariel responded with a mock glare toward his foot while the monk cautiously widened their gap, proceeding down the corridor.
Rounding the corner to enter the lobby, they were met with Mrs. Williams' silent stare until her gaze fell upon Ariel (who was futilely trying to seek cover behind Leroy) and she bellowed,
"HAD A PLEASANT BREAKFAST, DEAR?"
Ariel couldn’t feign ignorance to such an auditory bombardment and returned the greeting with a gracious smile.
"Wonderful, thank you," she replied earnestly before quickening her step. Alas, Leroy's pace ahead resembled that of a snail...
"I'LL HAVE YOU KNOW MY GRANDSON TAKES A GREAT LIKING TO YOU. SHOULD YOU POSSESS THE WITS OF A SHREWD LASS, YOU'D FIND HIM TO YOUR LIKING AS WELL," announced Mrs. Williams with a conspiratorial grin.
Attempting to merge into Leroy's shadow and escape notice proved futile for Ariel as she felt her cheeks flare crimson. Mr. Warner at the forefront paused and turned towards Mandy inquiringly who chimed,
"It appears we've uncovered an admirer for Ariel..." Her pitch calibrated perfectly for all ears present. At this revelation, Mr. Warner’s laughter resonated with warmth.
"In that case, she ought to consider herself fortunate; Noah Williams stands to inherit this flourishing Inn—quite a coveted position among young women," he commented merrily.
A mix of embarrassment and apprehension enveloped Ariel as she nudged Leroy fruitlessly to move faster. Eventually relinquishing his spot at the exit, Mr. Warner stepped aside allowing them all to depart as the elderly woman watched on giddily after Ariel.