Work Text:
I am unused to sunshine. The brightness hurts my stolen eyes. Yet here I find myself on a grass-covered hill, mid-afternoon, with the sun pouring down upon me and no shade nearby.
In one hand, I hold an artifact of dark magic, wreathed in protective soulfire, endlessly whispering promises that would twist and shape desire. In the other, I hold an elongated bun, soft bread split in twain. Condiments which resemble a combination of blood and chopped hive entrails surround a tube of finely ground flesh, marked from contact with searing hot metal in dark stripes along its length.
Beside me, my companion tries and fails to hide his anticipation from me. The combination of his irreverence with his eagerness to please me is both frustrating and endearing. He stands over a flaming pyre with other tubes of ground flesh upon it. He tends to them as they hiss and spit their juices into the fire.
He claims this meal is traditional for the season. He insists this communal ritual consumption is an essential aspect of the experience of Summer. He has also insisted on preparing drinks containing small wood and paper umbrellas which serve no useful function. He claims they are customary as well.
Scribe Eido of the House of Light and her father are both nearby. Four-armed, towering over everyone except the Cabal, they are inspecting the tubes of ground flesh on the fire with quiet suspicion, not wanting to offend.
Others watch us carefully. Members of the Vanguard, civilians, guardians, Eliksni, Cabal... They look upon the broiling fleshy cylinders with a mixture of hunger and concern. My companion is known for having eaten many inedible things. They are unsure if food prepared by him will be delightful or abhorrent. They seek validation from the first one to receive a portion of this strange meal.
All eyes are upon me as I raise the end of his half-burnt offering to my lips. I take a bite and watch his face as I chew. His eyes glint proudly in the sunlight. His lips form a rakish smile for me and me alone. It always pleases him so intensely when I consume something he has prepared.
The meat is flavourful and infused with the smokiness of the fire. The condiments are sweet and tangy. The bread is soft and warm. Try as I might, I cannot help but smile.
It is delicious.