Ch180: Outfits & Appetizers

“W-wh-where a-are we a-all si-sit-sitting...?”

“Mm?” Inanna turns towards the dining room, having to lift her chin a little to see past the metal domes which have come to cover the dividing countertop. “Good question.”

“What great planning skills we have...” Warm water pours from the tap, nearly drowning those softly grumbled words. “Krvavy will sit at the head.” Thea firmly and authoritatively declares. “And I will be at her left.”

“Left?” Beryl curiously quirks her brow. “Ah would’a thought tha’ ya’d want ta be at ‘er right.”

“Hmph, hardly.” With a flick, quite a few drops of water fly from her fingers down into the sink. A towel is then used to properly dry this noble girl’s hands. “That spot is reserved for someone important, yes, but to be at the left hand of the head is the honour of the wife. And, as the only one of us engaged to Krvavy, I am taking that seat.”

The Wood Elf lightly bites her bottom lip, steaming water now streaming over her own hands. “It wouldn’t be presumptuous fer me ta claim the right then, would it...?”

“I have no issue with that. You are more senior than I in this relationship of ours.” Inanna plainly states, idly tapping one of the metal domes that she made. “I will sit beside Thea, if that is alright?”

The bratty noble briefly looks across the kitchen, her gaze shifting between Were-Beast and bunny-mouse. “I... have no issue with that.”

“Khalia will ‘ave ta be by my side then. Always my burden, ta keep ‘er in check~.” The tanned tomboy shoots a smile towards that Were-Beast... who playfully sticks out her wide tongue in response. “Which leaves the end opposite from Krvavy fer ya, sweetie.”

Adeline turns her gaze down towards the floor, looking a little disappointed to hear how far away from the barbarian she’ll be.

“I suppose that is fitting.” Thea steps free from the kitchen, already heading towards the dining room. “This whole feast is thanks to her. So it is only fair that she sits where a secondary host would.”

Even though the clingy girl would clearly still prefer to be much closer to Krvavy, those rather dismissive words do seem to lift her mood. That fur-tipped tail of hers swishes side to side, twisting around her homely red dress.

“Well, now that that’s settled...” Krvavy carefully places the final dome-covered dish atop the counter that separates kitchen from dining room. “We’re ready to begin, right?”

“Actually... Ah’d like ta make one last suggestion: ‘ow about we make this feel a bit fancier by changin’ inta our nicest outfits?” Beryl pauses for just a moment. “Or, at the very least, by gettin’ dressed.” She adds, pointedly looking at the utterly nude Dwarf. Who doesn’t even notice her gaze.

“Ugh!” Thea’s loud groan echoes through their home, audible even with her no longer in sight. “The food will not grow cold in the meanwhile, will it?”

“No.” The Dwarf calmly calls back. “All of the dishes will retain their heat for at least a few hours still.”

“Then fine, let us make an event of it...”

“Rrrrgh...” Khalia scowls, weakly pawing at the pelts that Beryl has already made her wear, no doubt dreading the thought of having to put even more on. “Hnnnhhhff...” She heavily sighs, fluffy ears drooping down and shoulders slumping in defeat.

“Guess that’s settled.” The Drakling idly shrugs. Nude or not, her girls are beautiful to behold. “It’ll definitely make this feel like more than just a normal meal.”

“Aye, tha’ it will.” Beryl grins, giving her lover a gentle and encouraging shove. “Now go put some pants on~.”

“Ach, don’t lift tha’ up! Ya’ll let the ‘eat escape!”

“If I cannot look at the food, then how am I supposed to know which course they belong to?!”

“Ah wrapped vines around the ‘andles! The leafy green are appetizers, the sturdy wooden are fer the main course, and the flowered are fer dessert!”

“And you expect me to just know that?!”

“Ah’ve told ya wha’ they mean twice now!”

Krvavy’s shoulder quietly thumps into the wide stone arch that functions as the doorway to the dining room. “Wouldn’t be a proper family dinner without some arguing, huh~?”

“Oh, my dearest love!” Beryl quickly spins around, the hem of her blue-green sundress flaring out and fluttering back down to rest atop her toned thighs, caramel skin beautifully squished by a pair of brightly coloured stockings. “Don’t ya worry, the food is still mostly warm!”

Thea’s scowl drills into the back of Beryl’s head. “Is Inanna ready yet?” She impatiently asks, taking a deep breath to calm herself down.

“Not quite.” Krvavy glances up at the high ceiling, looking vaguely in the direction where that Dwarf should be. “She shooed me away after I helped dry off her hair. So she just needs to get dressed.”

“Speakin’ o’ gettin’ dressed...” A wide smile fills the Wood Elf’s face as she draws her Draconic lover’s gaze back towards herself. Casually yet still with purpose, she taps her bare heel atop the smooth stone floor, the stirrup-like strap of her stockings holding those silken sleeves in place around her long and lithe legs.

Warmth and love fills Krvavy’s heart as she properly takes in the sight of her sweet berry. She can’t help but be captivated by Beryl’s beauty, emerald eyes following a nimble finger as it climbs ever upwards, passing over the lacy choker clinging tight to her Elf’s neck.

That tanned tomboy idly adjusts the large flower resting just above her left ear, its petals a bright and brilliant blue-green. “Wha’ do ya think~?” She asks that question with the confidence of a woman who already knows the answer she’ll get, a smug smile playing at her lips.

“You look gorgeous, as always~.” The Drakling earnestly responds, swiftly closing the distance between her and Beryl. “It all matches your beautiful eyes~. Bright, colourful, and happy~.”

“Thank ya, my dearest love,” the prideful Elf preens as she is praised and complimented. “Ah could say much the same about ya~.”

“Nah, my outfit is a lot less impressive than yours.” Krvavy lightly pulls at the verdant green fabric of her skimpy top, making sure that it fully covers her pale breasts. At least as fully as it is meant to “You had to actually pick and choose what to wear, while I just put on the same thing I wore in Raseyne.”

“Hah, hardly any thought went into her outfit!” Thea scoffs, tossing the loose braid of her silver-blonde hair over her shoulder, little blue flowers decorating its woven pleats. “That Elf hag just copied what I put on, except she elected to wear only a single colour!”

Krvavy turns her attention towards Thea, looking that pouty girl over from head to toe.

Thea’s silver-blonde hair hangs over her shoulder in a nice loose braid decorated with little blue flowers. A beautiful soft-blue sundress covers her body like the wrapping on a present, obscuring everything from her modest breasts down to her delectable thighs. Her legs are clad in stockings of the same semi-lewd style that the Elf is wearing, though hers match the lacy white choker clinging comfortably to her throat. But, unlike Beryl, she is also wearing long shoulder-length gloves that complement her stockings, leaving her fingers bare as the fabric is held in place by a ring on each hand. And she also seems to be wearing underwear, or at least a bra if the visible straps are anything to go by.

“To be fair,” the Drakling slowly speaks up, engrossed in the beautiful sight before her. Those pieces of clothing are nothing but the wrapping of a present, hiding a wonderful gift within~. “You both pretty much just have the same set of things to choose from, just in different colours.”

“Aye, and Ah figured tha’ this was more appropriate than tha’ little leather outfit o’ mine.” A playful twinkle fills Beryl’s face as she gently pushes the barbarian towards the brat. “Now tell the girl wha’ ya think o’ ‘er outfit~!”

Krvavy leans in and gives her fiancée a quick kiss, grinning widely as she pulls back. “It is incredibly dignified and refined. And, much like yourself, is also incredibly gorgeous.”

“Thank– Hey, wait a second...!”

The barbarian quickly turns away from her beautiful brat, ignoring the hands tugging on her arm as she sweeps her gaze across the room.

Adeline is standing idly by the kitchen counter, nervously fiddling with her tufted tail. She looks even more adorable than usual now that she has changed into a warm yellow sundress, her hair tied up into a neat braided bun decorated with round yellow flowers.

Khalia is already sitting at the table. Or, more accurately, she is already slumped over at the table, fur-covered arms folded into the perfect pillow for her to bury her own face in. The outfit that she is wearing causes Krvavy... some surprise.

“Ach,” Beryl clicks her tongue. “Ah couldn’t get ‘er ta wear anythin’ better than tha’. She doesn’t ‘ave much in the way o’ clothin’, and she refused ta let Thea wrap ‘er up in a blanket...”

A wry smile plays at Krvavy’s lips as she crosses the dining room to get a better look at her precious puppy, giving Adeline’s head a gentle pat as she passes by. That, rather predictably, causes the Halfling to make an absolutely adorable squeak that proves to be too much for the Drakling, forcing her to crouch down and give the timid girl a quick peck on the lips.

Adeline’s face flushes a deep red as the Drakling steps away. Not that such a sight is visible for long, her floppy bunny ears hastily hefted up for her to hide behind.

“And I thought that I would be the most scantily dressed one here~.”

Khalia immediately lifts up her head, a toothy grin spreading across her face as her tail begins to wildly wag behind her, making use of the slot left in the backs of each of the chairs at this table.

This Were-Beast isn’t wearing clothes so much as lingerie. Really, the only thing that she even has on is a rather transparent black negligee, the fabric of which is just dark enough to censor her nipples. Well that and her beloved leather collar, though it is quite obviously crooked with her name tag far from being centered...

“Ah couldn’t get ‘er ta even wear a choker!” The tomboyish Elf dramatically laments. “Even though any o’ them would’a looked better than tha’ collar!”

“Well, at least she’s dressed in something. And the less that she’s wearing the less we’ll have to clean up afterwards.” Krvavy playfully comments, before letting her tone grown much firmer. “But that doesn’t mean that she should make a mess. She had better try to be neat and tidy. Alright?”

The Were-Beast woman quickly nods her head, amber-gold eyes locked onto Krvavy’s emerald pair.

“Good girl~.” Those two words cause Khalia’s face to light up with joy, and she only seems become happier as Krvavy bends down to give her a kiss. “Now,” the Drakling abruptly pulls away from her precious puppy, struggling to ignore the pleading whine that threatens to lure her back in. “Should we go ahead and put the appetizers on the table so that we’re ready when Inanna comes down?”

“Yes, the less time we waste the better...” Thea grumbles and turns towards the dividing counter. “Just do not drop anything!”

“The beet soup is quite ‘eavy, my dearest love, so would ya mind gettin’ it?”

“Yeah, no problem. Which one is it?”

“This one.” The silver-blonde brat answers that question, tapping one of the metal domes. “And it is borscht.”

“Ya o’ all people shouldn’t be insistin’ on usin’ these foods’ proper names.” Beryl playfully comments, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. “Unless ya want ta call everythin’ tha’ Adeline made by their proper names?”

“Ugh...”

One by one the dome-covered dishes are moved to the center of the dining room table, with the last one being placed down just as Inanna enters the room.

“Mm. It would appear that I am overdressed.” The Dwarf’s lips curl upwards into the faintest smile as she makes that simple observation.

“At least you are not just wearing the same sundress as the rest of us...” Thea quietly huffs, soft-blue eyes lingering on the zigzagging gold triangles that decorate the Dwarf’s tight white dress, the same one worn when Krvavy met her.

A rather modest outfit, covering Inanna from collarbone to ankle. Or at least it would be modest, were this shortstack not as ridiculously well-endowed. The way that dress clings to her voluptuous body makes it look almost as lewd as Khalia’s lingerie. It hides absolutely nothing, outlining a pair of puffy areola and even hugging the underside of those titanic tits...

“I had considered it.” That grey-skinned woman turns toward the noble girl, the ornate golden disks dangling across the width of her forehead jingling slightly as she moves. “I had also considered wearing that lovely woollen sweater, or something far more daring. But I had not worn this for quite some time and was feeling nostalgic. Though I must admit that a part of me is beginning to regret my decision. I do not want to give the impression that I am attempting to overshadow the rest of you.”

“No need ta worry about tha’.” Beryl reassures, a warm smile gracing her face. “We know tha’ ya aren’t the type ta try somethin’ like tha’. Besides, if anyone is goin’ ta steal our dearest love’s attention... it’s ‘er ‘alf naked puppy ‘ere~.”

“Mm. Yes, Krvavy is weak to such sights.” Inanna nods, the braided loops of coal-black hair hanging beneath her chin bumping into the shelf of her massive breasts. “It is for the best that I am covered up as I am. Even if it pains me to have unknowingly broken the symmetrical pattern of our seating arrangement... That said, I haven’t dressed entirely conservatively~.” Her lips twist into an undeniable smile as she grabs at her dress and pulls it up just enough to put her stocking clad calves on display.

“Ugh!” Thea groans impatiently and glares at the Dwarf. “The table is set and ready, just sit down so that we can begin eating already!”

“You’ve waited all day. Are a few more minutes too much for you?” Inanna raises a thick eyebrow as she approaches her seat, smirking ever so slightly at the brat beside her.

“Yes, they are.” The noble girl dryly replies. “Especially since you could instead have this conversation while we are eating.”

“And you are good to eat in that, right?” Krvavy asks, earning herself a weak glare from her beautiful brat.

“Of course. This would not be my first time having a meal in this outfit. And these,” she points at the gold rings and strings of amber beads that are clinging to her neck, “are not tight in the slightest. They just look as if they are.”

“Oh, before we eat...” Beryl speaks up, smiling innocently as Thea’s gaze snaps over to her. “Ah’d like ta give my thanks ta our lovely little chef, as we wouldn’t ‘ave been able ta do this without ‘er.”

“Eeeeie!” Adeline squeaks in fear and immediately ducks down, hiding herself beneath the edge of the table to avoid the sudden attention.

“Yes!” Khalia barks in support, reaching her paw-like hand over and roughly patting the embarrassed girl on the head. “Little meat make lotsa food!”

“Mhm. You did a splendid job, Adeline. You expertly led the preparations even while assisting the rest of us in making our own dishes.” Inanna leans to the side and gently gives the huddled Halfling a pat on the shoulder. “I have no doubt that this food will be some of the best that I have ever tasted, even with our modest list of ingredients.”

“Eeeeeeee...!” A long and slow squeak serves as the bunny-mouse girl’s only response.

“Hmph, the new trait that you got from my fiancée definitely helped. But...” Thea stares across the table at the tiny bit of Adeline that she can see. “You did not need it to do everything that you did. Thank you for all of the work that you put into making this impromptu feast a reality.”

Krvavy’s elbows press into the table as she leans forwards. She is tempted to just get up and walk over to the adorable girl, but Adeline is already overwhelmed as is... “I don’t want to embarrass you too much, but... We really wouldn’t have been able to do this if it wasn’t for you. And not just because it was your idea in the first place.”

“Th-th-th-tha-th-than-nks...” Adeline nervously stutters, finding the tiny bit of confidence needed to slowly peek over the table’s edge, her flushed face burning a bright shade of red.

“There,” Beryl cheerfully claps her hands together, the sound of which causes the Halfling to flinch. “Unless anyone ‘as anythin’ else ta add, we can get ta eatin’ our wonderful feast!”

Silence reigns for a few seconds before the Elf rises to her feet and uncovers the first of the appetizers... which happens to be none other than Thea’s dark-red beet soup.

Not wanting to make Beryl do all of the work herself, Krvavy stands up to help.

Khalia squirms in her seat as the smell of meat-filled pastries fills the air. Her plump lips part as a slight trickle of drool drips down her chin, amber-gold gaze darting back and forth between the enclosed pasties that Adeline made and the open-topped meat pies that were one of Inanna’s additions.

Thea skeptically eyes the various root vegetables, mostly carrots, that mark the Wood Elf’s contribution to this course. With a silent scoff she turns towards the vinegret that she prepared, looking fairly happy with how that diced salad came out despite the fact that it is missing a few important ingredients.

“Everyone but Khalia, feel free ta ‘elp yerselves!”

“Rrgh!?” The Were-Beast snaps her attention towards the tomboyish Elf. An array of emotions flit across her face, quickly settling on a look of utter betrayal.

“Ya are goin’ ta be eatin’ at a nice and slow pace, as ta not make a mess o’ yerself and so tha’ ya don’t eat yer fill right away.” Beryl sternly waggles a finger at that Were-Beast. “So be a good girl and do as ya are told.”

“Rrrgh...” Khalia’s grumbled growl is more saddened than mad, her fluffy ears lowering down. Her depressive attitude does not last long at all though, ending as soon as Beryl places a meat-filled pastie onto her plate.

Krvavy can’t help but smile as she watches the Were-Beast quiver in barely restrained excitement, delicately holding the pastie while slowly nibbling at it. The barbarian gently shakes her head and reaches forwards to grab some food for herself, first filling a small bowl with beet soup and then taking one of Inanna’s small meat pies. After a moments thought, she also takes one of the larger stuffed carrots.

“Hmph... Could be better...”

Inanna raises a thick eyebrow and glances at the brat sitting beside her. “Did you not make that yourself?”

“Yes.” Thea replies with a sigh, idly bringing a forkful of her vinegret up to her lips. “But we did not have the proper dressing, or even a good substitute...” She trails off and takes a bite, covering her mouth as she chews.

“Mm. A common occurrence amongst the many meals we’ve made.” The Dwarf hums back, using a knife to cut into one of the Halfling’s pasties.

“Speakin’ o’ missin’ ingredients...” Beryl smiles and leans towards her Draconic lover. “Wha’ do ya think o’ my attempt at makin’ ‘stuffed mandrakes’ while missin’ everythin’ needed ta actually make them?”

“Well...” Krvavy cuts a chunk off of the softened carrot with the edge of her fork, skewering that vaguely boat-shaped piece before popping it into her mouth. “Mhhm!” She gives a thumbs up, making her sweet berry beam with pride. “You did an amazing job. It tastes great~.”

“Hah, my dearest love~,” the tanned tomboy trails a hand down her barbaric lover’s bare bicep, “no need ta flatter me. Adeline cooked it just as much as Ah did.”

“So this is why you wanted to sit by her side.” Thea dryly interjects, looking entirely unimpressed as she stares across the table. “Just so that you could be handsy.”

A suspiciously innocent smile spreads across that Elf’s lips. “Is there a problem wit’ tha’~?”

“Yes, it – Hey!” The bratty girl’s attention snaps down beneath the table. “Keep your feet to yourself!” She hisses, shuffling in her seat as she returns whatever Beryl just did to her in kind.

“While we are on the topic,” Inanna speaks over Thea’s annoyed noises and Beryl’s mocking giggles. “What do you think of my meat pies, my Ushumgal? I would ask Khalia, but I suspect the answer would be positive regardless of their quality.”

“What makes you think that I’ll be any different?” Krvavy’s teasing smile makes it abundantly clear that she isn’t being particularly serious. “I’m not exactly picky with what I eat.”

“Perhaps, but your praise would stroke my ego far more than hers would.” Inanna’s lips curl upwards ever so slightly, even as her tone remains fairly flat.

“Is that so?” The barbarian raises an eyebrow and readies herself to continue teasing the shortstack, but pauses as her leg is lightly kicked... from both sides at once. “Alright. Enough of that, you two. If we’re forcing Khalia to behave, then both of you need to as well.”

“O’ course, my dearest love.” The tomboyish Elf is quick to do as her Draconic lover says, continuing to smile innocently even though she is undeniably guilty. “Ah wouldn’t want ta ruin this wonderful feast and all the ‘ard work tha’ ‘as gone into makin’ it. Not like a certain brat~.”

“Hey! You are the one who started that!”

Krvavy gently shakes her head, picking up the nearly bite-sized meat pie as she tunes out the bickering of Beryl and her brat. “I’m not sure what sort of praise you’re expecting,” she speaks up between bites, “but this is pretty good. You used the quails, right?”

“Curious. You said that you are not picky, but you still could tell the exact type of meat that I made those with.”

“Haha.” The Drakling dryly returns, wiping her fingers clean on the fabric napkin beside her plate. “I know that you asked to use the quails, I just wasn’t sure if it was for this or not.”

“D-do Dw-d-war-dwarves m-make lots o-of p-p-pi-pies?” Adeline suddenly speaks up, her big hazel-brown eyes going wide as she surprises herself by actually asking that question. Her rosy cheeks flush with embarrassment as she shrinks beneath the attention she unintentionally brought upon herself.

“Mm...” Inanna thoughtfully hums back, turning her intense copper-orange gaze towards the timid girl. “I suppose that they are a relatively common recipe. They can be quite a practical meal.”

“Do you grow the wheat underground?” The Drakling wonders, genuinely curious. That she is also taking the attention off of Adeline is an extra bonus on top. “Or import it?”

“Neither. Typically, at least.” The Dwarf subtly shrugs her shoulders, pausing to take a bite of her food. “We grow barley on the mountainsides, along with rye. They make for tougher bread, but that is hardly a problem for we Dwarves see bread as a workman’s food. For miners, specifically.”

“And Ah’d bet tha’ yer people also use those grains fer beers and whatnot.” Beryl’s eyes twinkle mischievously as she makes that comment. “A race o’ alcoholics, Dwarves are~.”

“So says the woman whose own race is renowned for their fine wines. And, if I recall, whose parents are in that exact business.”

“We’re known more fer puttin’ ah’rows between the eyes o’ those who get too close ta our woods,” the Wood Elf playfully corrects the shortstack sitting across and to the side of her. “But Ah won’t deny tha’ we do make some nice wines and brandies.”

“Mm. Shame that the only drink available at this feast of ours is water.” Inanna sighs as she grabs her cup and takes a sip. “Even if it is refreshing.”

“I’ve been ‘cheating’ and washing everything down with Thea’s stew.” Krvavy taps her spoon against the mostly empty bowl. “And you drink?”

“Of course.” The grey-skinned shortstack nods her head. “I am a Dwarf.”

“It’s just kind of hard to imagine you getting drunk.” Krvavy simply states, reaching out to take one of the many pasties that Adeline prepared.

“Mm. I will take that as a compliment.” Inanna replies, her normally neutral tone tinged with the faintest hint of amusement. “In truth, I have rarely ever gotten drunk. We Dwarves need to put in effort to end up in such a state. We are not lightweights, not like Humans.”

“Hey!” Thea scowls at the shortstack sitting beside her. “Insult the twiggy Elf instead!”

“I would love to, but unfortunately they do have a better tolerance to alcohol than your people do. What they drink may be sickeningly sweet and far too fruity, but at least they don’t water it down to the point where it can hardly even be called alcohol.”

“Hmph!”

“Oh!” Krvavy’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise as her teeth sink into the pastie she picked.

“Hah~! My dearest love, ya didn’t look at wha’ ya grabbed, did ya~?” Beryl teasingly asks, openly laughing at the Drakling. “And ya claim ta not be picky~!”

“It just... caught me by surprise...” The barbarian grumbles back, her cheeks faintly flushing as a rather herbal taste fills her mouth. “I was expecting something completely different when I bit down on it...”

“D-do-do y-you n-n-n-no-not l-li-like it...?” Adeline shakily asks, her already wobbly voice wavering even further.

“I do. It just surprised me, that’s all.” Krvavy proves that she isn’t just saying that by taking another bite. The herbie tastes a lot better when she is expecting to taste parsley and chives mixed into hot and gooey melted cheese. “I am capable of eating more than just meat.”

“Tha’ is good because ya unfortunately missed out on ‘avin’ any o’ the... wha’ did Adeline call them? Tiddy oggies?” Beryl gently shakes her head in the direction of their Were-Beast. “Khalia seems ta ‘ave eaten them all.”

“Rrrrgh...!” The hungry hyena defends her half-eaten meat pie, clawed fingers clutching it tight.

“I have half of one, if you would like it?” Inanna glances towards the Halfling as she holds up her plate. “I don’t want to fill up on just the appetizers, but this pastie is tempting me to do so with how good it tastes. They put my much simpler pies to shame.”

Inanna’s kind words seems to be mostly unnecessary, as Adeline isn’t insulted or offended by the Dwarf handing off her cooking. In fact, the Halfling looks rather eager to see Krvavy’s reaction to tasting that half-eaten tiddy oggie.

The Drakling quickly finishes off her pastie so that she can take the offered one. “Thanks.” Krvavy doesn’t really want to eat too many appetizers either, as there is still a lot of good food to eat, but she can’t disappoint Adeline by refusing. Not when those wide, hazel eyes are staring at her from across the table... At least this pastie is on the small side. “Mmmh~!”

Adeline’s face fills with joy as she sees the obvious signs of just how much Krvavy enjoys her cooking.

“Thatsh goohd~!” The Drakling nearly moans those words, covering her full mouth with a hand as she savours the flavourful taste of minced meat mixed with mashed potatoes and melted cheese. This tiddy oggie is, undeniably, better than the herbie one. Which is saying a lot, considering just how delicious that meatless pastie was.

“Ah suppose tha’ it is fer the best tha’ we’re all out o’ those, huh~?” Beryl playfully nudges her Draconic lover in the side. “Otherwise none o’ us would ‘ave any room fer the rest o’ our feast, isn’t tha’ right~?”

“Yeah...” Krvavy softly sighs, before gently shaking her head. “And speaking about the rest of our feast... Are we all ready to move onto the main course now?”

“Aye.”

“Mhm.”

“Yes! Mate!”

“Ugh, of course.”

Rather than say anything, Adeline simply nods her head.

“Right, then let’s clear the table of leftovers and bring everything over.”