Vur sat across the table from Mary, Alora sitting beside him. Tafel was sitting next to Mary, her dress changed into a new one. And around the group of four, there were dozens of tables occupied by nobles with plates of cold food in front of them. You have to be nice to her, Vur, Tafel said. Its her birthday.
Then I dont have to be nice tomorrow? She attacked first, Vur said.
Tafel turned towards Mary, and the empress turned her flushed face away to avoid Tafels gaze. The demon sighed. Yes, you can be an to her tomorrow, but not today, alright?
Vur grumbled. Im not being an.
Tafel sighed again and swept her gaze over the room. Alice and Mr. Skelly were far away, sitting next to Apollonia. The diminutive guild master had said a saying about not camping on top of an active volcano when Tafel had asked her to sit next to Vur. Look, Tafel said to Vur after realizing no one was around to back her up, didnt Mary and I make even worse first impressions than she did to you and you did to her? But Mary and I are friends now.
A wrinkle appeared on Vurs forehead. I disagree. She didnt almost kill your wife.
Tafels expression darkened as Marys head seed to shrink down into her shoulders. Alora nudged Vurs side. Tafel doesnt have a wife.
Exactly, Vur said and nodded twice. See?
Ive already forgiven her for thrashing like that, Tafel said and patted Marys back.
Vur snorted. But I havent. And its annoying how she thinks shes better than in anything when shes not.
But I am, Mary said in a small murmur.
Vur crossed his arms and looked at Tafel with a gaze that asked, See what I an?
Tafel sighed and turned her head. A motion from the doorway caught her eye. Oh, the cakes here.
A waiter ca up to Marys table and placed a slice in front of the empress. Mary looked at it and nodded before pushing it towards Tafel. Try it. I asked Alice what your favorite flavor was.
When did you ask her that? Tafel asked and furrowed her brow. Was there a ti when the two had been left alone?
Secret, Mary said and pushed the plate even closer to Tafel, nearly causing it to fall off the table. Dozens of waiters stread into the room and filled the nobles tables with plates of cake as well.
Vur frowned at the slice of cake. It was gray on the inside, and the outside had a layer of cream and fruit covering it. He poked at it with his finger, causing the spongy substance to sink inwards before puffing back out. His hair brushed against the table as he leaned forward to sniff the cake, getting cream on his nose. This slls like dirt.
Thats rude, Tafel said. She stabbed into the cake with her fork and retrieved a piece. What flavor is it anyway? she asked and placed the spongy bit into her mouth.
Rock, Mary said. Gagging sounds echoed through the room along with the tinkling of forks dropping onto the ground. Tafels face paled, her lips pressed tightly around the tines of her fork. Small motions rolled along the surface of her cheeks as she savored the exotic flavor of the cake. With an audible gulp, she swallowed and placed the fork facedown onto her plate.
W-what flavor did you say it was? Tafel asked.
A bright smile decorated Marys face. Rock. She nodded as Tafel grimaced. Alice said you loved eating rocks, so I made the cake rock-flavored. Do you like it? I personally didnt like it very much, but its your favorite flavor.
Tafel chewed on her lip. By rock, do you an like the bird or the stones on the ground?
Mary tilted her head. Rocks can be birds?
Oh, this tastes like rock stew, Vur said and stabbed his fork into his already half-eaten cake. No wonder why it slled like dirt.
Tafel gave Mary a thin smile as she pushed her plate towards Vur. I really appreciate the cake. It was great, Tafel said, causing Marys eyes to brighten, but Im on a diet, you see.
Hmm. Alora humd while squinting at Tafel. When the demon turned towards the polymorphed dragon, Alora nodded. It makes sense why youd go on one.
Oi! A vein bulged on Tafels forehead. Are you calling fat? Alora didnt respond, choosing to bite into her cake instead. Vur turned his head towards the window, causing Tafel to narrow her eyes at him. Vur. Do I look like I need a diet?
Vur swallowed the remainder of his cake and frowned. The skys awfully red today.
That doesnt even make any sense! Tafel said and slamd her palm against the table. Soone tugged on her sleeve, causing her to whip her head around towards the offender.
Mary pointed out the window. Youre not fat, but the sky really is red.
A wrinkle appeared on Tafels forehead. Why was the sky red? It was still noon.
A figure dressed in a completely black outfit fell from the ceiling and landed behind Mary. My liege, an urgent report! All three other empires are performing strange rituals and sending soldiers into our lands!
***
Whats this? Grimmy asked and raised his head. In his claws, there was a struggling turtle with a snake for a tail. Thats so weird weather.
This feeling reminds a bit of that girl we picked up for a bit, dont you think? Lindyss asked. The one with the armor.
You an Mary? Erin asked.
That sounds familiar, Lindyss said and nodded. She patted Grimmys snout which was underneath her. What do you think?
Im thinking Ill eat this egg later, Grimmy said as he reached up with his paws. He hooked one claw against the edge of Lindyss pocket and pulled it open before dropping the crying turtlesnake inside. Lets go see what this commotions all about. I dont like the feeling its giving off.
Huh, its not very often you dont like strange things, Lindyss said. Are you going to do what you usually do to things you dont like?
Grimmy nodded and spread his wings. Of course.
Erin tugged on Lindyss ear. Whats he do to them?
Usually squishes them or casts a curse, Lindyss said.
Oh. Erin pursed her lips. He likes , right?
Lindyss smiled at the fairy without replying.
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