«Here we are,» said Ted pointing at a completely round-shaped house.
They entered the restaurant. A waiter approached them.
«Welcome!»
He led them to a solitary place and put a menu on their table. Ted and Alice chose their meals for supper and they immediately materialized on the table. Both of them started to eat.
«Thanks for having invited me! It was unexpected. And pleasant».
«Was it? I I wasnt sure you would accept my invitation and agree».
«Why not?»
«I dont know. Maybe I was afraid to seem too meddling,» Ted found it difficult to select the proper adjective.
«What are you talking about?! You would have been considered intrusive and meddling, given that I had declined your proposal, and you had been insisting on the date, chasing me around».
«No way! I am not this kind of man. I would have been upset, but I would have overcome my sorrows».
Alice burst out laughing.
«How is your preparation for the examinations going on?»
«Too slowly. I am almost short of time three weeks and thats it».
«Oh, I am distracting your attention, sorry for that!»
«No, its all right. One must sometimes draw a breath these spells and incantations cause me headaches. So, I am grateful for your invitation. Hows your job?»
«Reasonably fine. I am involved in a lot of paperwork and guiding visitors around the Museum telling them about magic exhibits».
«You have mentioned that your father is a doctor. Is he here in London?»
«No, my parents live in Scotland. In the village of Slitrent. They havent yet got used to the open life, even though my Dad also heals non-magicians. I cant persuade them to move to London. By the way, tomorrow Im going to visit them».
«I am planning to spend the entire day over the course books tomorrow»
«I do sympathize with you».
«Have you found out about the joust yet?»
«Yes, I have. The playoffs are to start this coming Autumn. I am allowed to practice so far. They will supply me with all the needed ammunition and equipment. I have already signed up for next Saturday».
«Great! What hour? May I come and see?»
«Definitely! At one p.m. I shall be most delighted to have you as my fan! Nonetheless, I have to care for my own equipment. Hopefully, my parents will back me up in this respect».
«Sure they will! Apart from that, you may apply to the Magistrate for aid. After all, you are one of their staff members».
«Thats right. But I am not going to contact the Magistrate for that. This is everyones personal issue».
«Whatsoever. My father applies for loans there and gets them at advantageous conditions. He is highly appreciated and respected by his boss the Second Master».
Ted smiled, but preferred not to say a word. Rumors are in the air that the Second Master has long been striving to hold the First Masters office. Furthermore, he was allegedly eager to be the only one, although until presently he had not had much success. Ted wondered if Alices father was somehow helping him out in that aspiration. Nothing doing each and every one makes his ambitious dreams come true to the best of their manners and the way their conscience prompts them.
The supper was over. Ted paid for the bill and they stepped outside.
«Would you like to go for a stroll?» Ted suggested.
«It would be my pleasure».
Ted felt himself at home next to Alice, yet also a bit awkward by far. He was weighing, whether or not it was about time he embraced her. They walked down the street. There was a cool breeze. Ted took off his jacket and covered Alices shoulders with it. She smiled.
«You are so gallant! Its a pity we communicated so little back at school!»
«I also wish we communicated more. I always thought of coming up to you, but I never dared,» Ted got embarrassed.
«Better late than never,» Alice said meaningfully.
These words of hers made Teds heart beat faster. Did she also like him?
They walked for another couple of minutes. The wind got stronger and the first raindrops fell down from the sky.
«Rain,» Alice pronounced with disappointment. «Ted, you might catch a cold».
«Dont worry! I am not cold and your dress is made of a very thin fabric. I would never forgive myself if you fall ill!»
«Lets part then. Its not that pleasant to walk in the rain».
«Youre absolutely right. When shall I see you again?»
«Are you willing to see me again?» Alice asked coquettishly.
«Certainly! I feel well when youre by my side».
«Then well stay in touch. Ill find spare time. I dont study twenty-four hours, after all. Dont forget that on Saturday I shall watch you during your practice!»
«Of course! How could I possibly forget that?»
«Then see you around!»
«Bye, Alice, thanks for this unforgettable evening!»
«Thank you. I may move away from here with the help of the portal-ring, maynt I? Or should I call the gate? I havent got accustomed yet that I have my own portal».
«In order to move from here you dont need the gate at all.»
«Thanks, Ted!»
Alice kissed him on the cheek, pressed her ring gem and disappeared. Ted stood for a while; then he also pressed his gem and got back home.
Once he stepped over the threshold there was a phone ring. Ted answered his friend Jeffrey was calling.
«Hi, Ted! Hopefully, I didnt wake you up. I kept calling you, but you werent available. Then I recollected that you were together with Alice».
«Thats right. I have just come in».
«Are you alone?» Jeffrey asked meaningfully.
«Sure, I am. What did you think about?»
«Well, I thought you invited her for a cup of coffee».
«Cmon, Jeffrey! What coffee at night? Besides, this was our first date»
«Im kidding, Ted, just kidding! How was it?»
«Terrific. We had supper in the restaurant «At the Three Magicians" and talked much. And Jeff, she seems to like me, too»
«Why not, Ted? I can give the names of several girls from school who also like you».
«Can you? Why havent you given them before?»
«Well, you wouldnt like them. Besides, you doted on Alice, bud. Did you agree to meet again?»
«Absolutely. Next Saturday at the practice».
«What kind of practice?»
«Ah, I havent updated you yet! This morning I signed up for the playoff match of the magician knights joust. There is a chance to practice».
«Oh, sounds great! What you need now is your own equipment. On top of all the other necessary things».
«Yes, I can rent for the practice, but at the playoff I must be totally equipped with my own garb and ammunition. Tomorrow I shall be at my parents though. Im going to apply for their financial aid».
«As for me, I know where you can get hold of everything youre in need for. Pretty cheap.»
«Really? Excellent! Will you come with me to the practice?»
«Wish I could. But the least I would like to do is to disturb your date with Alice».
«But you wont disturb!»
«Fine. I shall tactfully get lost after the practice».
«Done».
On Sunday Ted moved to his parents. He had to share with them his impressions from his first day at work, to tell them about his current life, as well as ask for the financial assistance to sponsor his participation in the joust. In addition, he felt homesick. East or west home is best! Ted was only beginning to settle in his London flat and render it habitable the flat he obtained from the Magistrate. But this apartment would never ever become his home. After all, as soon as he quits his employment with the Museum, he will be forced to return the flat. That is why, in the meantime, he was saving money for his own dwelling.