Distorted Fairy Tale

For Want of Focus

 

Moka’s eyes widened in appreciation at the sight that now greeted her.

 

For the past hour, she and her two sisters had been chatting casually in Akuha’s room, seated around a square table across the room from the division captain’s fairly large bed.  Mostly, she had stayed quiet and let them do the talking, generally about distant relatives and how they were faring, or about the boring, menial aspects of their jobs (nothing important enough for her to pay attention to, however, that might give her some clues to Fairy Tale’s schemings or weaknesses).  Moka chimed in here and there, when they asked her how school was coming along, how her grades were, and if her teachers were satisfactory.

 

“You know, Moka,” Akuha had said, “Our family has had a great deal of influence with that academy throughout its history.  If you feel any of your instructors are not the best that the students deserve, let me know.  I’m sure I could persuade the board to find ones who are more qualified.”  She smiled, and Moka returned it weakly, rubbing her heels against the plush carpeting, assuring her that everything was fine at school.  She had neglected bringing up the Newspaper Club, due to their…awkward position of opposing the very organization her sisters were in.  Perhaps for the same reason, it hadn’t been a topic of their conversation either.  She zoned in and out of the discussion, mind drifting to mundane things, like how Akuha was wearing a similar flower-patterned dress as yesterday, albeit with a white blouse beneath it this time.  Her thoughts went deeper, as well, like to the “dream” she had had of her other self.  If nothing else, talking with Omote assured her the gentle pinkette was still alright.

 

All that had gone on for a while, when suddenly there came a rap on the door, and a voice informing them their meal had arrived.  Akuha gave them permission to enter, and three servants stepped into the room, each propping a large platter over his shoulder.  They bent down to set them before the girls, and Moka took in the banquet with awe.  Several large filets of tender beef, clearly cooked very rare – enough to seem like they were still bloody – Moka recognized this as delicious, and quite expensive, black wagyu beef; strips of what appeared to be some sort of uncooked ham – Akuha explained it was prosciutto, thinly sliced and salt-cured; an unfamiliar, yet still meaty stew with a variety of ingredients (“Fo tiao qiang,” Akuha exclaimed, encouraging her little sister to try some.  “It has Jinhua ham in it!”); and an extremely foreign-looking dish of an assortment of vegetables, rice and pork, all served atop a thin, circular bread – Moka had never heard of a fajita, but the combination of the rich, sizzling crackle and the smoky aroma was making her drool.  A small cup of tea on each plate completed the spread.  To Moka’s chagrin, her former uneasiness was being washed away by this pleasant assault on her senses.

 

Akuha-neesan always was the most carnivorous of us… she mused hungrily, noting how the majority of the meal was meat of some kind.  At this point, she couldn’t think about much else beside the impressive layout before her.  She quickly dug in, forgetting her usual reserve, sampling some of the beef.  Her sisters joined her, clearly amused at her voracious appetite.  Moka’s taste buds were in heaven.  She may have been absolutely atrocious at cooking herself (and strangely lethal), but even she could tell the chefs here were masters.  Fairy Tale must have no short of funds, to be able to afford this type of cuisine.  It was disappointing, she admitted, that Tsukune wasn’t there to share this.  She wished Akuha had let him join, but her sister’s vampire pride must have resurfaced with a vengeance after last night.

 

“Enjoying, Moka?” Akuha’s voice suddenly broke into her thoughts. 

 

“Yes, very much so,” the girl replied, remembering to finish chewing before speaking.  Absent-mindedly, she turned her head to meet her sister’s amiable gaze.  She realized a second too late that might not have been the wisest move, for a sudden flash of memory from the night before rushed through her mind.  Moka turned as red as the wagyu on her plate and quickly darted her eyes back to the table.

 

“Are you alright, Moka?” Kahlua asked, concerned.  She glanced over at Akuha, whose face was also a light shade of crimson.  “You too, Akuha?”

 

“It’s the food,” Akuha coughed.  “It’s hot.”

 

Moka didn’t respond.  That was too awkward, she thought.  I can’t look Akuha-neesan in the eye without seeing her in…that position… No!  She slapped both hands on her cheeks, ignoring her confused sister.  No!  Don’t think about that, Moka Akashiya.  Quick, I must get another subject going.

 

Looking back up, she nodded.  “Y-yes, I’m fine.”  There was silence for a few moments before she regained enough composure to speak calmly.  An idea had popped into her head, but she was unsure how to ask.  Or even if she wanted to know the answer.  “So, I’ve heard you talk about how all our relatives are doing, but you haven’t mentioned father once.  Where is he?”

 

Akuha and Kahlua glanced at each other pensively.  “Why do you ask?” asked the eldest.

 

Moka’s brow furrowed as she took a spoonful of her stew, pausing.  “My memory is pretty fuzzy about my childhood,” she said at last.  “I can remember my fights with Kokoa, and I remember you guys, as well.  I can’t remember much about my mother, though.  I do recall that she disappeared to the human world when I was little, and I have memories of spending time with her at our home, but…in between that, it’s just blank.”  She decided not to mention the faint, blurry image she’d gotten in her head only recently, of her mother and what must have been Akuha together.  She couldn’t tell what they were doing, however; that part was mysterious.  And oddly, almost familiar.  “But, I do remember we lived with our father.  Even if I don’t remember much about him, I know he was there.  His name was Issa, right?  It seems strange that neither of you have said anything about him so far.”  The two older girls still did not respond.  Moka stared at them soberly.  “Is he…alive?”

 

Struggling with how to answer, Akuha closed her eyes and let out a sigh.  She lowered her fork and clasped her hands together.  “Issa Shuzen,” she stated, “…is alive.”  Moka saw Kahlua nod, and felt the faintest whisper of relief wash over her.  “Though that is the most you can say for him.  He is not well.  He fell ill some time ago, and as a result has effectively stopped his normal activities as the head of our family.”  She quietly raised her cup to take a sip of tea.

 

Moka was confused.  “What does that mean, then?” she asked apprehensively.  “Is he going to be alright?”

 

Akuha put down the cup.  “I don’t know the answer to that, Moka,” she said, her voice lowering a bit.  “But as for what it means…” she paused.  To Moka, she looked like she was thinking about something.  Then a small smirk tugged at the eldest girl’s lips.  “It simply means that I have assumed those duties in his place.”

 

Moka’s eyes widened in realization.  “You can’t mean…?”

 

“Yep!”  Akuha finished, proudly.  “I’m the head of our family now, Moka.”

 

Kahlua stole a surreptitious glance at her older sister, her forehead creasing.  Akuha simply returned the look squarely.  Sighing, Kahlua raised some food to her mouth and chewed daintily for a minute.  “It’s true,” she said, seeing how Moka turned to her, almost in disbelief.  “I told you I saw Kokoa and Ruby in the Snow Village, remember?  I told them that Fairy Tale had the full support of the Shuzen family.  What that meant was,” she paused, glancing back at the eldest Shuzen, “Akuha has pledged our cooperation.”

 

Moka’s jaw was slack.  “But-But why?” she demanded.  Her calm was quickly being eroded as she remembered just what Fairy Tale had already done.  “Why would you do such a thing, Akuha-neesan?”  The two other girls would not meet her gaze, preferring to occupy themselves with nibbling small morsels of meat.  This only made Moka more heated.  “Why would you—both of you—join such an organization?  You know what they’re trying to accomplish, right?  How could you do go along with it?!”  No response.  “And you, Kahlua, you’ve always hated fighting with all your heart!  So why?  My own family.”  The girl was shaking faintly now, disturbed by the news.

 

“Moka,” Akuha interjected, her voice solemn.  “Please.  Don’t stress yourself over this.  Maybe it’s best if we don’t discuss it.”

 

Moka paused, her nails digging into her palms, then lowered her head in dejection.  She let out a frustrated sigh.  “Just tell me why,” she murmured.  “I can’t understand it.  You want to kill every last human, and for what?  Why?  Please, tell me why...”

 

There was silence for a minute.  Staring at the floor, Moka waited for an answer.  She tensed slightly when she felt Akuha’s cool hand gently cover her own.  “Moka,” the girl began, “It’s simply the way it must be.  Humans have been our enemies for as long as anyone can remember, and it’s either them, or us.  This is for our survival itself.”

 

The white-haired girl clenched her teeth.  Her mind was swirling with emotion.  “You’re wrong, Akuha-neesan.”  Looking back up, she met her sisters’ eyes with a glare.  “It’s not like that at all.  The human world—

 

“Moka.”  Akuha’s voice was firm.  Squeezing Moka’s hand, she shook her head.  “There’s nothing more I can say.  Fairy Tale’s plans will move ahead.  That’s all there is to it.  I’m sorry.”  She relaxed her grip.  “I really hate seeing you upset.”

 

“Me too,” Kahlua echoed softly, folding her arms on the table.  “But orders are orders, Moka,” she said sadly.  “That’s how I was raised, at least.  If this is our family’s position, I have to honor that.”

 

Moka was silent, feeling like a weight was pressing down on her heart.  What can I say? she asked herself.  Are my own sisters really going to destroy everything we’ve all been working for?  Everything Tsukune’s been working for?  She lowered her gaze to the remnants of their lunch, her full belly weighing down on her further.  “I-I can’t believe it,” she said.  She turned to her eldest sister.  “Akuha-neesan, what about Tsukune?”

 

The girl’s eyebrow rose.  “Hm?”

 

“What about Tsukune?” she repeated.  “What’s going to happen to him?”

 

Akuha sighed, reaching for a napkin.  “Who knows?  It depends on him, I suppose.  If he doesn’t make trouble, he should remain safe here with us.  A prisoner, naturally, but safe.”

 

“You should know,” Moka growled, “he won’t just sit quietly.”

 

Wiping her mouth gingerly, Akuha shrugged her shoulders.  “It’s for his own good, you know.  If he acts up, I can’t guarantee his life will be spared.  He might just get caught in the crossfire.  But for the time being, I’m willing to keep him guarded as a favor to you, Moka.  ”

 

“That sounds like a good deal, doesn’t it?” Kahlua chimed in, trying to appease her sister.

 

Moka felt her temper near boiling point.  “A good deal?”  Rising angrily, she slammed her hand down on the table.  “Akuha-neesan, are you telling me you’ll just let someone who’s important to me die?!”

 

Akuha looked up at the agitated girl, her face remaining calm.  She folded her hands into her lap.  “Weren’t you listening?  I’m saying I’m willing to keep him out of harm’s way for you, if you keep him from doing anything stupid.”

 

“And I’m telling you he won’t sit back and accept that!” Moka shouted, returning her sister’s gaze with disgust.

 

“Then I don’t know what to tell you, Moka.  If it comes to that, I won’t hesitate to do what’s necessary.”  Akuha sighed and shook her head, trying to placate her sister.  “But come on, even if something does happen to him, would it really be the worst thing?  He is just a human, when you get right down to it.  Hardly worthy of someone like you.”

 

Ah.  Maybe that wasn’t the smartest thing to say, she immediately realized.

 

Moka gave an incredulous laugh, her self-restraint breaking in an instant.  “Just a human?!  Hah!  Are you really saying that, Akuha-neesan?  Does that explain why you decided to take him for yourself last night—ah!”

 

She froze, arms and legs stiffening as her words flowed through her own ears.  Her anger vaporized into nothing.  Stomach sinking like a stone, her eyes met the horrified gaze of her shocked sister.  I-I didn’t mean—! she wanted to say, but it was lodged in her throat.  She could practically feel Kahlua’s intense stare piercing them, though she was too terrified to turn in her direction.  She hadn’t meant to blurt that out, it had slipped!  Akuha was equally aghast; the burning in her cheeks was threatening to consume her whole.   

 

It felt like they remained motionless for hours.  At last, Kahlua cleared her throat nervously.  “A-Akuha…you did what?  Did you sleep with Tsukune?”

 

Akuha couldn’t look her in the eye, instead staring down at her plate.  “I…I…you see,” she spluttered.  What could she say?  Lying would do no good at this point, but there was no way she could admit to such a thing!  “It’s like this—

 

Kahlua didn’t let her finish.  “I thought you hated humans, Akuha.  But, now you’re telling me you slept with one?”

 

“N-no, it’s not what you think!”  Her protests were unsuccessful. 

 

Kahlua’s eyes narrowed in gentle warning.  “Akuhaa,” she said knowingly.  “Come now, tell me the truth.”  She tried to hold the other girl’s gaze, but Akuha seemed set on looking anywhere but at either of her two sisters.  “I mean, I know he’s handsome and all,” Kahlua continued, a faint grin twitching her lips upward (which Moka noticed with surprise), “but it’s just so unlike you.  Are you thinking humans aren’t so bad after all?”

 

“D-don’t be silly,” Akuha shook her head, beet red.  “This doesn’t change how I feel about them.  It was a temporary lapse of judgment, nothing more.”

 

“Um, Kahlua, I think you’re missing the point here,” Moka said gravely, slowly lowering herself back to her chair.  “She took him.  She did that to my Tsukune.”  She looked at them darkly.  “I’m still upset with her.” 

 

Akuha darted her eyes back and forth frantically between her accusers, speechless.  Her shoulders slumped in defeat, and she let out a sigh.  “It’s true,” she conceded softly.  “I did…sleep with him.  But you’ve got to understand!  I wasn’t planning on it going so far.  It was just supposed to be an interrogation.  I had thought he tricked Moka into liking him, or something like that.”  She stole a glance at the girl, who scowled back at her, and quickly turned aside.  “That’s all it was supposed to be,” she went on, fidgeting anxiously, “but…once I had tasted his blood, I lost control.  I can’t explain why, to be honest.”  There was something in her tone then that Moka couldn’t quite place.  “And Kahlua’s right.  He is somewhat attractive when you get a good look – you know what I’m talking about, right Moka?”  She smiled feebly, as if hoping they could find common ground there.  The girl didn’t reciprocate, however, but still glowered quietly.  Silence reigned for what seemed like minutes.  Neither Akuha nor Moka were able—or willing—to look at each other.  Kahlua, meanwhile, chewed her nail nervously, visibly saddened.  She didn’t want her two precious sisters to be fighting like this, and she was combating the urge to start crying.  Blinking back gentle tears, her mind raced, trying to come up with something to say that would smooth this over. 

 

All of a sudden, something occurred to her.  Not a solution to the problem, but…something else.  Lowering her brow, she contemplated this new thought, running her hand absently over the smooth, dark skin of her arm.  “Guys, explain something to me,” she said, still piecing together the puzzle in her mind.  Moka and Akuha turned their attention toward her.  “Akuha, you slept with Tsukune last night, right?”  Her sister nodded weakly.  Kahlua tapped a finger to her chin.  “And then you got up early to go to your debriefing…?”  Another nod.  The dark-skinned girl frowned in concentration.

 

“What are you getting at, Kahlua?” Moka asked, a slight tinge of impatience in her voice.

 

For a moment, she didn’t respond.  Then, she seemed to regain her train of thought and continued.  “But when I first saw Moka today, it was in a room on the lower level.  And…Tsukune was there, too.”  She paused again.  Suddenly, Moka’s eyes widened as she began to catch on, though Akuha still seemed confused.  “That’s when I learned they had shared a bed.”  Akuha blanched; now she got the gist of it, too.  Kahlua hesitated, eyes dancing from one sister to the other.  “Does that mean, you both were…?”  She trailed off, blushing heavily.  “You know… With each other?”

 

A split second later, Akuha and Moka were both extremely grateful for the interruptive knock at the door.  The color still drained from her face, Akuha shakily commanded them to come in, desperate for at any chance to leave that subject behind.  Moka—also uncomfortable—watched as two well-kept men in sharp black uniforms stepped over the threshold, moved to either side of the door and saluted.  The firearms holstered on their hips did not escape her notice, either.  “Excuse me, ma’am!” said the first, addressing Akuha.  His sunglasses blocked his eyes from view.  “We have a situation in the mess hall.  It’s getting out of control.  Even our guards have been unable to do anything.  It—well, it might be better for you to come see yourself.”

 

Akuha took in the information coolly, having mostly collected herself.  She cast a suspicious glance in Moka’s direction, which the younger girl merely returned with a defiant frown.  “The mess, you say?  It sounds serious.”  She paused, staring at the guard.  “Very well.  Lead me there,” she said crisply.  Rising from her seat, she made her way to the door.  “Moka, you should come, too.  I have a feeling this has something to do with him.”  The last word was emphasized.  She gestured at her sister.  Anxiously, Moka rushed to join them, worried that Tsukune was involved.  It was then the second guard turned to the dark-skinned Shuzen and delivered his message. 

 

“Lady Kahlua, there is a message for you in the comm room from Miyabi Fujisaki.  He says it is important.  Please, follow me.”

 

At this, Akuha gave a start, feeling her stomach churn with revulsion.  God, she couldn’t stand that pretentious little worm.  He practically screamed untrustworthiness.  What did he want this time?  Kahlua, however, simply took one last sip of her tea and rose quietly, falling in line behind the messenger’s footsteps as he led her out of the chamber.  Once they had departed, Akuha and Moka turned to accompany their own guard to their destination.  Akuha scowled.

 

And to think, I was in such a good mood. 

 

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

 

The shouts rang through the tumultuous hall.

 

“H-holy crap!  Akita!”

 

“He got Akita!  What the hell!?”

 

“This guy’s crazy!  I’m staying out of this.  If Akita couldn’t beat him—!”

 

The scared protests of the surrounding audience reached Tsukune’s ears, but he was largely oblivious to what they were saying.  In one ear, out the other.  He paid them little mind.  All he could focus on—all he really felt—was the rush of energy coursing through his veins.  The surging storm of power running from head to toe, giving him unmatched confidence, screaming at him to use his strength to take down his enemies.  In the midst of such a brawl as this, perhaps that was all he could feel.  Still, he made sure to keep his power in check, for he knew what might happen if things went too far.  He had enough clarity of mind to know that would transform him into that—that thing again.  He could not let that happen; he had to remain in control.

 

Panting despite himself, Tsukune stared ahead at his fallen opponent, one eye shut as blood streamed down from a cut in his forehead.  Across the hall from him, now splayed painfully across a pile of upturned stools, was the rotund, amphibious Akita.  Apparently the leader of a small clique among the ayashi here on the ship, as Tsukune had discovered.  It hadn’t been an ideal learning experience.  There he was, just sitting down with his tray, minding his own business.  The hall was much more spacious than Tsukune would have pictured (once he eventually found it), so there were plenty of spare tables in spite of the fair crowd.  After filling his plate, Tsukune had inconspicuously made his way over to one and taken his seat; a few eyes turned toward him, recognizing a new guy when they saw one, but no one gave him any trouble.  A few minutes had passed in relative silence, giving Tsukune a much needed chance to catch a breath and gather his thoughts – whether he was able to do something or not, he had to come up with a plan to stop Akuha and Fairy Tale, and get Moka out of there safely.  He chewed slowly, his mind racing.  Preferably, he could get Moka off the ship before acting, but that wasn’t feasible; although it was distasteful to him to leave her in harm’s way, he acknowledged he would probably need her help before long.  Also, they had to get more information about those eggs Kahlua mentioned, and how to stop them.  And of course, there were still the events of last night to think over, and how to deal with a soured Akuha.  What should he do next?

 

This reverie had soon been interrupted by a foot kicking over the empty stool beside him.  Swallowing his latest bite, Tsukune had looked up to find a group of ayashi glaring down at him.  The one in front—slimy, green-skinned Akita—informed him this was their table, and that he could scram if he knew what was good for him.  Tsukune didn’t want any trouble, but he was a bit irritated at having been so rudely interrupted.  “I’m sorry,” he replied, straining politeness.  “But I was here first.  You guys can sit here, too, if you want, but I’m not just going to leave.”

 

That had been his response.  They didn’t like it, one thing led to another, and now the whole gang was laid low throughout the mess.  Tsukune’s heart pounded rapidly as he watched Akita give one last groan before slipping into unconsciousness.  His vision was practically red.  The euphoric rush he felt in his blood had him almost hoping someone else would attack, just so this heady rush wouldn’t have to end.  But the other ayashi there didn’t make a move; they steadily backed away from the fearsome newcomer, leaving Tsukune alone in the middle of the encircling onlookers. 

 

In the back of his mind, he knew he needed to compose himself, now.  He knew he could only keep himself under control so far before he went truly berserk.  And so, he breathed.  In, and out.  Repeat.  As he turned heel and made his way out of the circle, he let the air fill his lungs and leave them.  He felt the effects of the vampire blood slowly start to recede, bringing his energy levels back to normal.  No one said a word.  Suddenly, everyone jumped in surprise as the double doors to the hall slammed open, and an angry voice echoed through the room.

 

“What in the world is going on here?  Who’s responsible for this?”

 

Tsukune gulped, recognizing Akuha when he heard her.  He turned and saw the crowd frantically dispersing back to the remaining upright tables as she walked to the center of the room, looking to the fleeing crew for some sort of explanation.  His spirits were lifted slightly to see Moka there, as well, trailing behind her sister.  She looked concerned, casting confused glances about the disheveled mess hall, and Tsukune felt a pang of guilt for almost allowing himself to lose control.  Moka wouldn’t want him to risk that.

 

Finally, one of the crew answered her by pointing nervously at Tsukune.  “He is, ma’am.  He beat up ol’Akita over there.”  Spotting the boy in the center of the upheaval, Akuha grimaced.

 

“I should’ve known this had something to do with you,” she said, loud enough for him to hear.

 

“Tsukune!”  The voice was Moka’s.  Without hesitation, she brushed past her sister and hurried to Tsukune’s side, chewing her lip nervously as she examined him.  “You’re hurt,” she muttered.  Tenderly, she reached up to his brow to look at the small wound there.  Her thumb ghosted over the hurt flesh, taking on a drop of the blood.  Almost unconsciously, she brought the finger to her lips, and her tongue swiped out subtly to clean the fluid.  Tsukune gulped at the intimate act.

 

“M-Moka,” he stuttered, “I’m ok, really.  Just a few scrapes.  Look over there, I think those guys are in much worse shape than I am.”  He pointed ahead at his opponents, sprawled on the ground.  As he looked over them, he felt a brief swell of pride, and a faint grin tugged the corner of his mouth.  Not that he liked beating people up, but he really had gotten stronger.  Puzzled, Moka followed his gaze to the defeated ayashi, then matched his grin with one that reminded him of her usual cockiness.  Of the pure confidence of the girl he fell in love with.  He had missed those sweet smirks.

 

“Good to see our training’s been paying off.”  She gave him an affectionate jab on his shoulder.  “Did you really get in a fight with all those guys?  What were you thinking?”

 

“It wasn’t my intention,” Tsukune said.  “They kinda just…came at me.”

 

Moka raised her brow, looking around again.  “That’s pretty impressive, Tsukune.  Though, I still doubt you could go toe to toe with me.  That could take years of practice.”  Tsukune laughed at her teasing.  “But don’t go landing yourself in any more trouble,” she said sternly.  Dabbing her already moistened thumb with saliva, Moka gently rubbed at the dirt on Tsukune’s face.  Her heart felt lighter now; she marveled at how something so simple as knowing he was safe could bring her out of her earlier mood.  The argument with her sisters was swept away for the time being.  Turning around, she called out to the older girl.  “Akuha-neesan, we need to get him some first aid for these bruises,” she said.  “Do you have an infirmary?”

 

Akuha stared at them speechlessly, her eyes narrowed in a glare.  There it was again.  From the moment Moka rushed by her to get to Tsukune, she had felt the pointed stabs of jealousy.  Why did her beloved Moka like this guy so much?  Why did she leave her side the instant she saw him?  No.  Now wasn’t the time to think about that.  There were other matters to consider.  Shaking herself out of it, Akuha stepped forward and grasped Tsukune’s chin firmly.  She turned his head from side to side, inspecting the damage.  “Yeah, we’ll get him cleaned up.  And on the way,” she said, addressing him, “you can tell me why you decided to start wrecking havoc on my ship.  Then you can spend some time in the brig, until you’ve learned to behave properly.  I can’t have you incapacitating my subordinates.”

 

Moka’s protests rang on deaf ears as they proceeded out of the mess hall, the older girl in the lead.  Tsukune simply shrugged in resignation, gradually getting used to being treated like a captive.  Akuha, however, had become unusually intrigued.  Despite her initial displeasure at the mayhem the boy had caused, she couldn’t help being greatly bewildered.  She knew the blood of the Shinso flowed within him, but still, to possess that much power—the ability to thoroughly beat down a gang of ayashi.  Was his blood really that potent?  He was definitely stronger than she had thought.

 

I’ll give him one thing.  There’s more to this human than meets the eye.

 

And together, the three of them made their way back into the ship’s corridor, leaving the monstrous wreckage behind them.

 

 

To be continued…

 

-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-

 

Just in case anyone was wondering,

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fo_tiao_qiang

 

I was quite hungry when I started the chapter. Which accounts for my very novice attempt at a bit of food porn.