Laughter emanates from within the mansion, filling the air with the joyful echoes of Oliver, his companions, and his children. The contagious glee travels through the deserted streets, gradually receding into silence—as if swallowed by the night. All that remains is the enchanting symphony of chirping crickets and the haunting whispers carried by the wind.

     Cal stands in the centre of the street, glaring at the mansion where Oliver lives. The light from the massive structure casts a luminous glow on Cal's piercing blue eyes as his lips press firmly against the back of his cheek. Nelson, Rowan, Joel, and the other four men flank Cal on both sides, their mouths firmly shut and arms crossed. Together, their unwavering gazes fix on the towering household, awaiting Cal's word with bated breath.

"...I found him, boys," Cal muttered, glaring at the mansion.

     As the hours pass, the dark sky brightens, transforming from the ocean's deep blue to a glistening crystal hue. Thin, wispy clouds traverse the atmosphere, allowing the sun's rays to pierce through them. A chilly yet soothing morning breeze sweeps across the verdant garden. Blossoms burst forth, painting the landscape with a vibrant rainbow of colours contrasting against the lush greenery. Within the serene atmosphere, the gentle notes of a piano waft through the air, carried by the breeze as it dances through the grass.

     Melodic harmonies hang in the air, their warm and soft tones resonating with richness. The piano sings, captivating anyone who hears its enthralling hum, compelling them to pause and listen. Within the lounge, Gregory's fingers dance across the piano keys, his eyes focused, and his body swaying in rhythm. Immersed in his music, he brings life to the melodies, infusing each note with his undivided concentration.

     Behind Gregory, his children—Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, George, and Jean—sit on the floor, their jaws agape in awe. Their eyes remain locked on their father's back, attentively listening to the captivating music he produces. The children observe their father clad in a simple white shirt beneath a black waistcoat as the bright sunlight streaming through the window sheds an orange-maroon glimmer on his neatly combed black hair.

     Meanwhile, the children themselves are still dressed in their pyjamas. The girls don chemises and stockings, while the boys wear white cotton shirts, shorts, and knee-length socks. The melody from the piano intensifies, and Gregory's fingers dance swiftly across the keys as he builds up to a grand chorus. And, with a resounding deep note, he concludes the piece, drawing his children's heads closer to him in admiration.

"Woah..." Albert's jaw dropped in astonishment.

Gregory pushed his chair back, pivoting to face his children while seated at the piano. "So, what do you think of my performance?" he asked.

"I must say, I'm thoroughly impressed! It was so warm and inviting!" Victoria said.

"Mhm! I love it, too! I can't wait to hear you play again next time! Please play more for us, Dad!" Elizabeth beamed.

"Hehe! I will!" Gregory replied as he stretched his fingers.

     The lounge door then creaks open, drawing the children's attention. Their gazes swiftly turn towards the doorway, and their faces light up with broad, beaming smiles as they spot their other father, Oliver, entering. Oliver's morning hair, tousled yet appealing, perfectly complements his outfit. He dons a plain white long-sleeved shirt underneath an unbuttoned green waistcoat. A white cravat adorns his collar, while the sound of his black shoes' heels echoes against his dark grey trousers.

"Good morning, children! I got you some cookies!" Oliver smiled.

     In Oliver's hands, a tray carries a porcelain plate with freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, their aroma drifting through the air and filling the room with a warm, enticing scent. Seeing the toothsome treats causes the children to rush towards Oliver with massive grins. The kids race and swarm around their father, eager to indulge in the delicious cookies.

"Cookies!" Elizabeth gasped, pointing at the tray in Oliver's hands.

"I want some! I want some, please!" Albert sprang to his feet.

"Hehe, okay!" Oliver laughed, walking towards a small table and carefully setting the tray down.

The children gathered around the table, their eyes locked on the tempting assortment of cookies. Swiftly, they reached out and eagerly selected one to enjoy.

"Hmm!~" Albert savoured the exquisite pleasure that washed over him as he tasted the perfectly balanced sweetness of the warm cookie.

"Yummy!" Elizabeth remarked, her voice muffled by the delicious treat she was chewing.

"So, children, what happened while I was away?" Oliver asked, beaming with a warm and comforting smile.

"Daddy played the piano!" George said, pointing at Gregory seated at the piano.

"He did, and it was amazing!" Elizabeth added, her eyes gleaming with admiration as she looked at Gregory. "Dad, please perform for us again next time. Pretty please? Please!"

"Alright," Gregory nodded.

Elizabeth then turned her attention to Oliver. "Dad?" she called out.

"Yes?"

"Can you perform too, like playing the piano... just like Dad?" she inquired curiously.

Oliver paused, deep in thought, considering her question.

"Well, you see, kids. Your other daddy can also perform something," said Gregory. "Instead of playing the piano, he can do a little show using his elemental powers."

Elizabeth gasped.

"Father, I've never seen you use your powers before," Victoria stated, pausing to take a small bite from her cookie.

Oliver's lips curved into a mischievous smirk. "Would you like to see it?" he teased.

Elizabeth and Victoria exchanged excited glances.

"Can we see??" Elizabeth asked eagerly.

"Of course!" Oliver nodded.

     The children finished munching on their cookies. They then grabbed another handful of biscuits from the plate and gathered around Oliver. Their veins pulsed with anticipation as they swarmed around their father.

     With a gentle descent to the ground, Oliver's face lit up with a faint smile. He brought his palms together, and his fingers danced. The sight left his children's jaws dropping into wide grins, amazed and captivated.

     Above Oliver's palms, a sparkling light began to materialize. The glimmering glitters transitioned from a golden hue to a mesmerizing icy blue. The radiance intensified, shining and glowing brighter than a candle's flame.

     Oliver joined his hands, uniting them with precision. With a swift and forceful motion, he forcefully split them apart, unleashing a radiant beam of white light that soared towards the ceiling. Glittering speckles accompanied the light, creating a dazzling display. The beam emitted a sound akin to the howling winter breeze and the crackling of melting ice.

     Observing their father's display, Oliver's children took a cautious step back, forming a semi-circle around him. They stared at his hands, filled with expectations, waiting for a flicker of magic. Although nothing seemed to be happening, Oliver couldn't bear to make his little ones wait any longer. A tiny spark ignited in his palms, followed by the glimmer of an amber flame. However, in a mere fraction of a second, the fire vanished into thin air and left nothing behind.

"... Satisfied?" Oliver smirked.

Victoria, Elizabeth, Albert, George, and Jean nodded, meeting his gaze with eyes filled with contentment.

"How do you even have elemental powers, Father?" Victoria wondered, her eyes still wide with astonishment.

Elizabeth tilted her head, awaiting Oliver's response. "...It's because...?" she prompted, curious to hear his explanation.

"...I'm a Podeshire."