Chapter 114: A cup of tea? 1754 CE

[London]

It was a sunny day for sure, Pluto and Thena were just exiting a small orphanage at the edge of London, finishing their visit to the place. Pluto was covering his nose with a handkerchief, while Thena was covering her nose with a wooden fan. Pluto helped Thena carry her ‘skirt’ to the muddy streets that is probably mixed with shit, and walked towards the carriage.

As they walked away from the carriage, the children of the orphanage were waving at them, saying goodbyes as politely as possible. Thena and Pluto smiled, and waved back at the kids.

“The caretaker’s quite shady.” Pluto said, his face devoid of a smile as soon as they turned back from the orphanage. “Child trafficking most likely.”

“Then you tell Reginald to do anything about that.” Thena hummed. “What else do we need to do here?”

“I thought that’s it?” Pluto asked back. “Unless you remember something again.”

“Well, ask Reginald.”

Pluto and Thena then arrived at their carriage that was located at the end of the street. Reginald was waiting for them, and as they neared the carriage, he opened the carriage door, letting the two enter.

But before they enter, Pluto asks Reginald about the issue of schedule. 

“Do we need to do anything else Reginald?” questioned Pluto.

“A letter has just arrived sir.” he said, showing a sealed letter. “A debutante ball, east of London.”

Pluto and Thena raised their eyebrows. “Us? Invited to a debutante ball? By whom?”

“By the duke,” he answered.

“We don’t have any children Reginald, does the duke not realise that?”

“Pardon me Master… but… he must’ve hoped that you will attend for… knowledge…”

Pluto sighed. “Let’s just skip it.”

The two then entered the carriage, and Reginald climbed up the steering chair. The carriage was black, with a fancy ‘S’ logo at the door. The carriage then moved, taking the couple through the streets of London.

As their carriage passed people, a lot of people greeted them, saying good afternoon’s and hellos to Pluto and Thena, which they greeted them back with a smile and a nod. 

“So, children…” Thena suddenly spoke. “When can we have one?”

Pluto sighed. “I’m trying to find a way love, just be patient. Might take years, centuries even. The Eternals’ anatomy is not really ‘biological’.”

“The duke inviting us to a debutante ball seems his way to probe us.” Thena said. “That if we secretly have children or not… to tie our family together perhaps.”

“I know…”

“It’s your fault, we should’ve just hid our identities, instead you told Buckingham palace about our existence…”

“Well, not many know of us… just nobles and royalty…” Pluto murmured. “And do you really want to change identities every 10 years? We tried that, remember? Didn’t work out. Besides, they just know that we are immortal, nothing else, so stop complaining about it.”

Thena sighed. “Sorry… just… a bit bored by this… life…” she said. “I hate the dresses, the courtesies, the make up, the awful wig…”

“Well, there’s a reason we rarely left the estate.” Pluto chuckled. “I hate it too.”

Thena hummed. But then, she saw someone, two people were walking through the streets, passing every man and woman, trying to not be noticed.

“Hey is that–”

“I see it.” Pluto nodded. He then peeked out the window of the carriage, and yelled at the two people.

“Hey! you!” he shouted, he turned towards Reginald. “Reginald, stop for a minute will you?!”

Reginald abruptly stopped the carriage, Pluto and Thena then got out, and walked toward the two people.

“Well, well, who do we have here?” Pluto smirked as he covered his nose with a handkerchief again, trying not to smell the shit around them.

“Pluto? Thena?” A man with a Scottish accent spoke in surprise. “You’re here?‘

“Well, yes, we’ve been living for almost a century here.” Thena answered, hugging the woman beside the man. “Good to see you Sersi.”

“Good to see you too Thena…” Sersi murmured. “You look… different…”

Sersi was looking at Thena’s white dress, her fan, and her wig.

Thena groaned. “Well, living here comes with a bit of drawbacks.” she shrugged.

“You live for a century here?” The man beside Sersi raised his brow. “You changed identities how many times now?”

“Once.” Pluto said, making the man surprised. “We have… privileges… Ikaris.”

“You brainwash the king?”

“I don't do that anymore.” Pluto chuckled. “Although that’s a good idea actually.”

Thena just elbowed him, amused at his answer. Pluto then hugged Ikaris, which the man hugged back with the same enthusiasm.

“Can’t say it’s good to see you.” Pluto said cheekily. “Though, I see you’re doing well for yourself.”

“Sersi did most of the work.” Ikaris shrugged jokingly.

“Of course, I should've guessed that.” Pluto rolled his eyes, making the group laugh. “Hey, we’re just going home, want a cup of tea? Catch up with things?”

Pluto looked at Ikaris and Sersi. Both of them looked at each other and nodded hesitantly. “Sure. ” Sersi said. “Yeah, that would be great.”

“Splendid.” Pluto hummed as he walked towards the carriage, signalling the others to follow him. “Come on, it’ll be quite a trip.”