Juicy.

An explosion of flavor rocked her tastebuds.

Rila was in another world. Or rather, her eyes were finally open to an entirely new one.

A blissful plane of scrumptious euphoria. Since that overwhelming tingling feeling was gone, she could process the explosions of umami washing away years of neglect. The charred rat she bought last week turned to like ash on her tongue then and she couldn't fathom ever returning to such a distasteful lifestyle.

Her teeth carved their way through the meat easily, sweetness sprinkling out of the tears.

"Glad to see you like it."

She came out of her trance long enough to notice she was being observed. A handsome man smiled at Rila with perfectly straight teeth. Her cheeks were already flushed from the warmth of her meal, so her embarrassment over being watched went unnoticed.

Rila's a mason. A good one. She actually makes much more than the average worker. She passed the twenty copper threshold long ago and could be considered middle class if such a thing existed. Add on the increased pay for expediting the construction of the town's new wall, and Rila could be considered rich for her occupation. Yet, she couldn't shake old habits of saving as much as she could back from when she was a poor migrant. Her entire wealth lay hidden in the floorboards underneath her uncomfortable cot at home. Not exactly high-quality security, but it worked for her so far.

All this added up to her incredible guilt and reluctant acceptance of a free meal—a sensational one at that.

The absence of the aphrodisiac that made her so riled up yesterday was a pleasant surprise. She didn't fully understand why the meat brought out such exaggerated reactions yesterday, but after Rila asked some peers, they quickly pointed out that it was a gnomish ingredient.

Now that her mind wasn't occupied with... other thoughts, she could experience the true flavor blast her meal embodied.

"Haaaah..."

A sigh escaped her lips as she finished her meal.

Nothing else needed saying.

Again, the highly attractive shopkeep glanced at her with the same crinkle in his eyes before going back to serving another customer. He seemed to realize Rila wasn't quite done. She didn't notice herself nibbling on the skewer and staring into space.

She idly wondered how the merchant kept his hair so sparkly and clean. He had long hair that was currently tied up in a bun, but it wasn't greasy or messy at all. Hiding those locks would be a sin. If Rila could get her hair like that...

Reaching a hand up, she maneuvered calloused fingers through her dirt black hair, skirting the bandana that kept it hidden or bunched up.

She wasn't the pretty type anyway. Her parents would disagree and argue with her over it, fawning over her, spoiling her, and fattening her up. Staying around them was... crippling.

How long has it been? Two years? Three? Maybe it is time to pay them a visit.

But oh how she hated when they fussed over her. She was a grown woman. It was nice to visit, but too long and she would have an aneurism.

I could send a letter. Maybe give them an update on work?

"Did you enjoy it?"

Rila jumped a bit, blinking. Her first words acting on instinct.

"Oh, yeah. Erhm. I mean... Yes! Definitely! It was delicious. Sweet and savory. Um. You said your name's Daire?"

Daire smiled again. Not a toothy smile. He smiled with his eyes, which seemed the most genuine to Rila.

"You got it on the first try! Most people I have to remind, you know? It isn't a typical name, and most people think I am joking. Especially if I mention my last name or, god forbid, my middle name...

He made an odd motion with his fingers.

"Anyway, it is nice that you got it right. And I am glad you enjoyed the food. Would you like another? I can-"

Another? Siren's Tits! She could have another! She nearly forgot. Daire rambled on about glazes and how the meat was too gamey for his tastes. Rila attempted to interject politely.

"Actually, I'd like to try the spicy option. I can pay for this one."

"What? Oh, of course! You can pay Violet the coppers; my hands are still busy.."

A six-inch tall figure flew over to hover in front of Rila.

"Just one more? If so, its only twenty coppers."

Rila stared cross-eyed at the pixie. It made her feel self-conscious of the drizzle of glaze on her upper lip. As casually as she could, Rila wiped her mouth with her thumb, coming away with a sticky glaze. For a solid second, she debated licking her finger. Instead, she wiped her hand on a piece of dirty cloth before digging around for some loose change.

"Just the one. Please."

Rila dropped twenty coins into the Pixie's outstretched arms. Immediately, she plummeted about three feet.

"Oops. Here let me-"

"No. No, I got it. Just... One... Second!"

The pixie flapped her paper wings furiously. It didn't help physically, but it seemed to help mentally because the little giant gradually lifted herself back up to Rila's eye level.

"Hah. Haah. See? I got... This."

The pixie. Violet? Yes, Violet spoke through gritted teeth as she hovered back to a spot beneath the counter and unceremoniously dumped the coppers into a heap.

Rila was solidly impressed. That must have been three times her body weight. Rila was positive she couldn't do the same. Not without a wheelbarrow.

"So, about those questions. Was there a specific problem you want to solve, or were you just looking for a friendly chat?"

Daire handed a meal to a waiting customer. He half-turned with an expression of unrestrained enthusiasm.

"I have so many questions! Let's start with the basics. What method do you use to-"

"YOU!"

=

Hester Kilkner is a scion of the Kilkner Household.

Today, he was furious.

"YOU!"

He stormed over to a filthy streetside stall, marching past a line of peasants and straight up to stand in front of the proprietor. A hideous man wearing shabby clothing turned from a conversation with a fat woman on a chair to face him. Hester ignored all the looks shot his way, dismissing the diminutive winged woman and the snake deviant off to his left. He tried to ignore the giant bear looming in the corner of his eye but only managed a mild caution. Instead of dwelling on the monstrosity, he looked down his nose at the ungainly excuse of a cook.

"I have returned with the necessary funds to buy out the rest of your stock! Make the arrangements at once!"

There were several murmurs from the line of peasants which pleased Hester. The shopkeep bowed his head. This pleased him even further until he heard what he had to say.

"I apologize, but I must betray your expectations. I cannot sell you all of my supply."

Hester's sails deflated as he scrutinized the man in front of him. The strange clothes from yesterday were gone, replaced with the worse garbs than the rabble he served. Still, the fact that he could afford good clothes meant the merchant was at least slightly successful. The clean-shaved face and overall well-groomed appearance backed up this notion. However, everything else belied his competence.

The long hair he sported was a clear sign of dissidence. Only women let their hair grow long. His facial features were all wrong, a foreigner. From what backwater, who knew? Hester didn't care.

By the way the cook refused to show his teeth, Hester assumed the man either had atrocious dental care, terrible manners, or was looking down at Hester. Or all of the above!

The fact the shopkeep served non-humans was another tick. The shoddy construction, selling meat in the streets, all the peasant customers... Not to mention the insane price the man came up with. All this tarnished what little respect Hester had yesterday.

Hester squinted his eyes at the man.

"Yesterday, I offered you a gold piece for each rabbit in your stock. You insulted me by telling me to come back with thrice that amount. I have returned with more than enough. Do you still refuse to sell?"

Hester's voice was icy. He could hear a low pitch growling. It wasn't him.

"While I respect your persistence, I didn't expect you to come back with that much gold. Had I known I would not have wasted your time. I simply cannot sell all these rabbits regardless of the price. I can cook you the meat or sell you one to keep, but I cannot give them away."

The merchant's polite tone only infuriated Hester more.

"For what reason! To sell them for petty coppers? I am offering you gold! What reason do you have to refuse me?"

Spit threatened to leap from his mouth, but Hester controlled himself enough to prevent that. He was a noble after all. He needed to act in accordance with his status.

The shopkeep adopted a somber expression.

"If you buy all my stock, no one else will get a share."

He said it as if it was obvious. And it was.

None of it mattered to Hester. Shaking his arms with fury, he roared.

"How DARE- Ow-ow-ow. Ouch. Stop. Stop it. Let go."

Someone was pulling his ear. Hard. They didn't let go but stopped enough for him to look at the culprit. He blanched.

"M-mother?"

A tall, elegant woman stood before Hester.

The twitch in her brow indicated she was beyond peeved.

"Hestral. Enough."

"Mother, I told you to call me Hester- Ow!"

Another tug on his ear. His hands came up to wrench his mother's hand off but stopped short. He couldn't lay his hands on her. The last time he tried, she spanked him in open view.

"Hestral. Stop causing trouble. You don't need that many rabbits. If you want to eat meat, there is plenty at home."

"Ow! Mom! I mean... Mother. I know. I know! So, please. Let go. You're embarrassing me.."

She pulled once more before releasing him.

"Hmph. You've already done a splendid job by yourself. Why do you need them so badly that you stole from my purse?"

Lisanna Kilkner's voice was a dark, freezing, biting kind of ice that Hester could never hope to reproduce.

"Mother, its-"

Hester cut himself off as he noticed a small figure hiding behind his mother's skirt. Two blue eyes peered up at him. He clammed up.

Lisanna was waiting for a response but noticed her son's eyes weren't on her. She followed his eyesight and understood.

"I see."

Her voice was much quieter, subdued, yet it still sounded proper—a Lady's voice.

"Lila dear, come out and greet your big brother."

A young girl, no more than five years of age, cautiously stepped out from behind her mother. The many eyes focused on caused Lila's eyesight to glue to her feet. She twirled a shoe in the dirt. After glancing up and back down several times in the continued silence, she spoke.

"Hi."

Then she dove back behind her mother.

Lisanna sighed through her nose.

Several in the audience were nudging each other, quietly commenting on the display. A few audible aww's peeked through the chatter. Hester was conflicted, glancing everywhere except at his family. Lisanna saved her son any more embarrassment and walked over to the stall. Addressing the tall man who continued flipping meat, she noticed his kind eyes.

"It appears my son has troubled you. I will apologize on his behalf. He has no need for all of your rabbits. I heard you mention you are willing to part with a live one. May I make the purchase in my son's stead?"

Lisanna Kilkner watched the man's expression. The man had schooled his face, but Lisanna could read all but the most dubious poker faces. She noted the slight confusion in his eyebrows before realization, and... warmth glowed in his eyes.

"Of course you may. Your son may purchase one as well. I don't hold any grudge. Is there a specific one you would like?"

Lisanna let the corners of her mouth inch up.

"Well, Hester? Would you like to pick one or have someone else choose?"

Hester sighed, defeated. He bent down and leaned in toward the figure still clinging to his mother. He whispered to her.

"Lila? Can you help me choose a rabbit?"

The child extricated her face from Lisanna's skirt and looked up at Hester. Then she peered over at the rabbits sitting in a cage, guarded by a giant bear. She stared in wonder at the enormous fluffy figure protecting the many smaller fluffy figures.

Hester offered his sister a hand as she gazed at the bunnies, leading her over.

Lisanna watched in amusement as her children picked out a rabbit. Lila kept asking all their names, confounding her brother. To her delight, the shopkeep chimed in with a name for each one. Lisanna had to wonder whether he named them all or was making it all up. They had backstories.

"That one? That's Mr. Long Ears. See how his ears droop farther than his sister? The one to his left is Twitchy. His whiskers are always rubbing against his nose. Her? That is Raspberry. She likes to make small noises when you stare at her. Orlando? He starts dancing when no one is looking."

Lisanna tuned out the rest as she watched her daughter bounce up and down, pointing at each rabbit. Her blond hair swirled around her as her bright blue eyes twinkled like diamonds.

Eventually, Lila settled on a small grey bunny with two white spots around its left eye.

Its name was Raspberry. Lila was holding it in her arms, rocking it. Lisanna was astonished at how docile it was even when Lila started to toss it up in the air.

Hester walked back over to the merchant, who'd continued his service the entire time. Three gold coins were placed on the counter.

"I apologize for my rudeness earlier. Tomorrow is Lila's Nameday, so I've been stressing out about what to get her."

Hester shuddered slightly before whispering.

"Thank you."

The tiny flying girl looked at the gold coins with round eyes before checking with the shopkeep. The insightful shopkeeper smiled at Hester. Perfect white teeth.

"My pleasure."

Hester reddened in shame.

"Raspberry is a good fit for her. I'm glad she is young enough not to know what I'm cooking."

Hester silently agreed. Then he heard his sister singing.

"Raspberry, Raspberry, small and fluffy turn big and tuffy! Grow big and fat and tasty and I will eat you up!"

Twitching whiskers.