A Hobbit's Meal Cooked With Love

The smoked pork was delightful. Even if it slightly seared the top of his tongue, it was overlapped by explosions of pure flavor. It was truly a work of culinary art and would have more than surely turned a few heads in Iowa, but if anything it took his mind off things. Like the way his grip shuddered and twitched as he tried to clasp the spoon, or how his right leg spasms every once in a while without movement. Or how there were people who only made it to his hip at best. One of which smiled as he continued to eat.

Roland looked up and smiled, or tried to. It’s a tad hard with cheeks full of meat, “This...This is great Rose. Thanks for making this for me.”

The halfling nodded as her breast bounced in her corset, “Why of course! A friend of Belle is a friend of mine!” her eyes peered at his plate before looking up, “Would you like some more?”

“Hghmh?” Roland looked down at his half-eaten plate before shaking his head. He swallowed down his meal before giving a small smile, “I appreciate it, really, but I think this is enough for me. I’m almost stuffed.”

Ooookay! Don’t say I didn’t offer!” Her smile grew wider as she sat down. Her hands pecked the table as her gaze locked on to his, “So where are you from?!” I mean, I’ve seen humans before, but they usually come down for trading and the festival.”

“Oh uh,” Roland flicked to come up with an answer. It wasn’t like he could say he was from the U.S….Since that doesn't exist. “I’m uh, from the northwest. I wish I could tell you more but...It’d ruin the mystique.”

“Ooooo how mysterious! Perhaps you can tell me over some drinks later tonight…” She slowly slid her hand to his own. A toothy smile thinning her plump cheeks as she fluttered her eyes.

Roland felt his face grow hot...Or was it his neck? Either way, it felt like someone was banging drums in his chest as he stuttered a reply, “I uh, I wouldn't mind having a drink, but uh, I'm not exactly one hundred percent right now.”

The bartender's smile grew looser, her cheek taking on its deep shade of red, “Oh I don’t mind...There’s...Something about you….that eye….It’s like a diamond in the moonlight….”

Roland smiled. He couldn’t help it. It’s not every day that he gets compliments, especially from girls. Yet the way she looked at him is close to a cat who found the primetime catnip stash…The attention felt...nice, but it felt off as well.

Before he could answer a thump vibrated through the table as two mugs slammed down in front of them. They both look up to see a frowning Belle with her hands on her hips, fists clenched on each end. She changed her top to that of a wool tunic shirt, along with what seemed to be a makeshift bra that seemed a tad snug in their constraints, “By de core rose! Tone down de bedroom eyes! He’s not dat cute! Her cheeks seemed to flush as she thought on her words, “Anyway! He’s a newcomer, an injured wan at dat! at laest let 'imself heal up before ya pounce an break whatever bone he ‘as left..”

Rose let out a short meep as she retracted her hand from his. She gripped tightly at her skirt as her cheeks took on a cherry red, “I-I uh, My sincerest apologies Roland! I overstep my boundaries! I was just lost in the moment is all!”

Belle snorted as she smirked, “You were lost in somethin' gran' I’d say,” She patted Rose on the back as she sat on the opposite side of him, before giving a narrow stare in Roland’s direction, “As for you. Coo’ it wi' de flirtin'! Da last tin' oi want ta do is console dis crybaby for eight 'ours. Got it?”

The Hobbit pouted as her hands went to her hips, "I-I’m not a crybaby! I’ll have you know I haven’t teared up in-" she stopped mid-sentence as the doorbell rang and spurned as more patrons poured into the tavern. Rose quickly got to her feet and skittered to the front of the bar, “We’ll talk later! Got to tend to customers!” She gives an unbalanced bow before running to the kitchen, the door giving an audible shut.

“Well, She’s a delightful little thing-” Roland stopped to see Belle’s eyes still trained on him,” Uuuh, what?

Belle folded her arms as she cocked an eyebrow, ”The only time oi saw Belle give dat look wus durin' de snowburst cone fest dat came through two years back. Wha did ya do?”

Roland rose and hand in defense, which was challenging with the way his muscles weren’t ready to respond to spontaneous maneuvers “I didn’t do anything! We were just talking and then she complimented me….And that's it?”

Belle seemed to continue her glare, before huffing and taking a sip from her Mug. The white liquid seemed cold to the touch as she gulped it down., ”Alright, I believe ya. Jist try ta control yarself an' focus on healin'up. Not on tryin’ ta score on ‘he tavern servers.

Roland nodded as he reached for the other mug, sipping its contents...It was milk alright...and it tasted amazing, Which seemed to be the norm for this tavern. Still, Belle was right. There were other priorities right now, and he never did find out what this festival was...A question for another time. On a lighter note. At least he had a bit of peace to himself. Gives him more time to think-

I wonk thgir?! dnA did uoy ees eht ssa no taht tibboh?! I t’nod hcihw si retteb!!! frawD stit ro tibboH ssa!!!