Aethel #5: Accidental Photo (Patreon)

You sneak your phone under the table, trying to check it without drawing attention. Notifications from Aethel lights up the screen:

Aethel: Wjere arw oaoer towels Aethel: Tke burrons are too dmallm Aethel: I caAethel: (photo)

Full artwork (available until the next season (8 episodes)!): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/2wk8qsn7c7xjw9gb7zz6a/Aethel_accidentalphoto.png?rlkey=gzstulu1023ydmsiny8l882i1&dl=0

Aethel: OH MT GJDD HOW TO DRLRTRRRRAethel: ATSLFSLDFKJSLDGJS

You catch just a split-second glimpse of the photo before it vanishes Message deleted followed instantly by one last text.

Aethel: COMR HOME

You snap out of your shock, but it’s too late: your face gave you away. You look up to find several colleagues staring at you in confusion.

Flustered, you blurt out an awkward excuse: "I- I have an emergency at home. I'm so sorry, I need to leave."

Sprinting back to your apartment, your mind races, wondering what kind of disaster awaits you. You burst through the door and see: Aethel is sitting on the couch next to a plate of steaming, poor-looking pasta.

Aethel: Finally... This is for you.

She crosses her arms.

Aethel: You didn't have much ingredients so it is what it is, don't complain..

Right on cue, your stomach rumbles. Honestly, it still smells appetizing. You sit down next to her and take the first bite, noticing out of the corner of your eye how she’s carefully watching you.

After an awkward "thank you" you decide to say something more meaningful:

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