Dodinette de Cailles

Everyone made their way from the auditorium over to the dining room. The standard buffet was stocked as per usual, but Maddy ran in front and made a barrier with her arms.

“Just give me one second to bring the prepared food out, I promise it's better than what's on the buffet!” The chef said before hustling over to the kitchen, a sharp whistle was heard, and in the distance they could hear a flustered Maddy, “P-put those away! S-stop gyrating! It’s time to serve the food!” followed by the sound of much movement

Stella shot a look over to Noemi, “That’s what you get when the help is a bunch of sex fiends.”

Mira’s response was more measured, sitting down with a sharp, “Well, hopefully they wash their hands.”

Caleb gave a small shrug, looking wistfully at the food on the buffet as his stomach growled, and then gave a tiny sigh before smiling, “Let’s leave it to Maddy then, she seems excited for this.”

Moving to take their seats, except for Maya, who just stood there unresponsive. Caleb moved over and lightly touched her shoulder, “Hey, are you alright?” He kept his voice low, but still, it was hard to keep anything hidden when they were conspicuously at the edge of the room.

The lottery winner jumped slightly as if jostled from a dream, turning her gaze to Caleb, “Oh, um…yeah, I’m ok, just thinking.”

Tilting his head to look her in the eye, Caleb frowned, “You didn’t seem that happy about winning either, if something happened, it’s ok to talk about it.”

Maya opened her mouth, but then her attention turned to the fauns and Maddy, bringing out food and setting it on the far table, “Thanks, I’ll remember that.” She went to move away and then paused, turning abruptly and giving Caleb a kiss on the cheek, “I mean it.”

Worry’s not fully assuaged, the master **** a smile to his lips, “Alright, well lets see what Maddy prepared for everyone.”

“U-um!” Maddy spoke up, her voice hitting a pitch that was probably upsetting for canines before she spread her arms, “We have smoked chicken in a sticky and spicy watermelon glaze, t-though we have a non-spicy version of it too!” She indicated a plate of bite-sized pieces of chicken charred and almost glowing red with the sauce on them, “We have wraps, lettuce, tomato, and pickled watermelon rind so you can make a wrap with the chicken…”

She then indicated two bowls, “We have a homemade slaw and homemade potato chips as well.” She pointed to a large pink beverage dispenser, “A-a watermelon agua fresca, and later we have prepared mint gelato for everyone to enjoy.” She clapped her hands together, “U-um, yeah, help yourselves.”

Stella smirked, “Oh, jeeze Mads, think you prepared enough food?” she quipped, leading to Maddy bashfully turning on her heels and rubbing her hands together.

Noemi smiled, “It all sounds so tasty!” She got up and began filling her plate. “You must have worked really hard on all this.”

Mira rose from her seat, “Thank you for the food, it looks delicious.”

Moving from the wall, Maya’s response was more measured, “It all sounds really strange. Why would you put watermelon on chicken?”

Maddy frowned, “It’s a twist on sweet and spicy, do you like things like general tso’s chicken?”

The purple-haired woman gave a tentative nod, “This isn’t Chinese, though, right?”

The chef shook her head, “No, it’s not, it’s based on a recipe we make at the restaurant I work at, but if you like General Tso’s, you might like it.”

Maya still seemed skeptical, but moved to put some on a plate.

While everyone else was moving to put things on their plate and gathered at the far end, Amy waited for it to clear up and was watching, but was pulled from her observation by Stella pulling up next to her, “So, 'Grand Vizier', whatcha thinking about?”

The Oni turned her attention back to the group, “I’m not really thinking about anything.”

Stella scoffed, “Bull fucking shit, you may not have my level of brain worms, but you have a brain that doesn’t think about not thinking. So cram it with that.”

Amy tapped her fingers against the table, “I was thinking about how we are going to navigate this stagnation rule.”

“There we go, isn’t it nice to be honest?” The imp rolled her eyes, “Though I don’t care about that.”

“Then why bother asking me?” Amy grit her teeth in irritation.

“Because I was curious about something, and you pretty much confirmed it for me.” Stella crossed her legs dramatically, “Let me just say, if you keep doing this, you’re gonna implode, and probably not in a way that only hurts you.”

The tapping on the table became more aggressive, “Care to clarify what you’re talking about?”

“No, I’m not your fucking therapist. Plus, even if I spelled it out, you would just get defensive, deny it, and we’d be back here. I’m not big on wasting time.” Stella tapped her chin, “No, that’s not true, love wasting time. When it's fun. That sounds decidedly dull.”

As people filled their plates and sat down, the line thinned by the far end of the room, and Stella got up. “People really got to learn to lighten up around here,” she then moved to get food herself, leaving Amy alone, before she rose to get food too.

Across the room, sitting down with Maddy and Lily, Noemi had a mouthful of wrap, a hand on her cheek, and a blissful expression on her face, “Maddy! This is so good!”

Maddy blushed, “I only adapted the recipe, it’s not a big deal.”

Noemi finished chewing and shook her head, “Not a big deal, you know that a recent study showed less than half the grown adults in America feel confident about cooking? Being able to cook is a big deal, and you’re so good at it, you should be proud!”

“It really is good, Maddy,” Lily said, wiping some sauce from her cheek with her napkin.

“Plus, with skills like these, you’ll make such a good wife!” Noemi beamed.

Maddy blushed furiously and nearly choked on her agua fresca, “W-wife!?”

“My mother always said that the key to a happy house was control of two places: the kitchen and the bedroom.” Noemi put her hands on her hips.

Lily gawked, “Please tell me that’s not how she actually said it.”

Noemi tilted her head, “Well, she said it in Spanish, if that’s what you mean.”

“Never mind,” Lily took another bite of the sandwich, looking over at Maddy, who was furiously trying to clean up the agua fresca that had spilled.

Everyone was enjoying their meal, even Maya, who, after a nervous first bite, had decided she liked the chicken, when suddenly the lights went dark in the dining room.

“A power outage?” Lily looked around, though without any sort of illumination, she couldn't see much of anything.

Caleb frowned, “I thought this place ran on magic. How could there be out-” He froze because in the distance, the hall that led to the dining room had its light flicker, and for a moment, he thought he could make out a woman dressed in white. Then the light flickered again, and she was gone, “Did-did anyone else see that?”

Noemi put her hands on her cheeks, “No! I definitely didn’t see anything!” The lights in the room flickered, and the woman in white was now in the room. Noemi screamed, “I didn’t see that either!”

Caleb frowned, “Everyone behind me on the far wall!”

Everyone did their best to move, and there was the sound of scrambling, but without being able to see, no one knew where this ghastly figure was. Then the lights shuddered, and she was now at the halfway point in the room.

Caleb swallowed. There was a wailing “No!!!” from behind from Maya, and he felt wind brush past his ear, then the sound of a clattering chair hitting the ground as the light went out again. Caleb turned, “Hey, careful! You almost got me there!”

Then the lights turned back on, and she was right in front of Caleb. He let out a sigh of relief. What had appeared from afar as an apparition was a thin faun with messy, greasy black hair and a thin gown that hung off her shoulders. She was less put together than the other fauns they had seen, but definitely not a ghost.

Well, maybe still a bit creepy as she smiled awkwardly and held out a tiny black box toward Caleb.

Gingerly, he took the box and opened it, finding a simple silver ring inside. He looked back at the others and lifted it to show them before looking at the faun, “Thank you?”

The faun lifted her hands to her mouth before her body gave a mild shudder, and she began to bowleggedly walk off as the lights all turned back on.

Caleb tried to ignore the implications of that as he lifted the ring from its box, “What is this?”

Realization dawned on Eliza, who lifted her own hand showing off her own silver ring, “Your transformation, this is how we track our BP, you must need one now too.”

Maya was clinging to Mira but gave a nod, “You’re supposed to be given a stipend, that’s how I wrote it.”

Caleb nodded and put the ring on where it sat for a moment before manipulating the blood in his hand to show a red “27” on the back of his hand. He raised an eyebrow, “Twenty-seven? Seems like an odd number.”

Without hesitation, Maya piped up, “Oh, it’s the average of all the BP earned this round between the two polls. Rounded down”

Noemi turned, “You knew that off the top of your head?”

“Statistical distribution is one of those things I do automatically when I see a group of numbers. Don’t you?” Maya looked over quizzically.

“I guess I have to keep track of this now, I’ve been doing everything for free so…yeah,” Caleb looked down before shoving his hand in his pocket. He was slightly ashamed that a part of him was annoyed at having to follow the same rules the women had been **** to follow since they got here.

It made him realize that even just the structure of the show setting itself apart as the Master was insidious enough to get into his head if he wasn’t thinking about it.

Stella then piped up, “Well, while that was weird, but you know what’s great after pissing your pants from fear? Gelato. Mads, can you hook a bitch up?

Maddy smiled, “Of course, let me go grab it!”

The group resumed their post-challenge meal, enjoying a temporary ceasefire before the week commenced again in **** and while they awaited their final room assignments.

In the backstage area, in a blaze, Andrea, Lucian, and the encaged Reyna appeared. Lucian walked over to his chair and sat down, letting his head hang back as he gave a beleaguered sigh, “Ugh, give me hours of anguish and **** any day. Performing for the camera is an endurance trial that is as unappealing as it is taxing.”

“Um…Lucy?” Reyna piped up from her cage.”

“What?” Lucian growled without raising his head.

“My report to the producers? I’m supposed to do it before the round ends officially…so if you could let me just?” She looked at him pleadingly.

Andrea looked on, her eyes gauging the interaction as the snake coiled around her arm, moved up to her neck, and she lifted a hand to stroke under its chin.

Lucian sat up and looked at Reyna, “If you know what’s good for you, your reports will be glowing.”

Reyna nodded emphatically, “Of course! You’re the boss! You’re doing such a good job, too!”

Rolling his eyes before closing them, Lucian huffed. The demon snapped his fingers, and the chain connected to Reyna’s neck shackle snapped off. “Go.”

“With two shakes of a lamb's tail!” With a twist in space and a back kick, Reyna vanished.

Lucian relaxed his posture, and Andrea stepped over, “The fox is a curious creature, isn’t she, but it seems you’ve brought her to heel?”

“I wonder about that,” The demon cupped his chin in his hand, “She certainly is cooperative, which makes me feel that there’s something I’m not seeing. Reminds me of the imps in hell just looking for an opening for advancement.”

Andrea crossed behind Lucian, “She’s clever, but so are you. Be measured, be patient, and when the time comes…”

Lucian grinned, “Break the scourge on their back. I remember my lessons.”

His mentor leaned in as if to speak before her eyes darted to the side, her pupils narrowing to slits, “You’re not alone.”

Sure enough, darting towards his desk, coming in a blue blur was a small ghostly figure wearing a top hat. Her face was beaming as she held an envelope above her head. She stopped in front of the desk and cheered, “Letter!”

Lucian reached down and took the envelope from her grasp, “You’re one of Jocelyn’s, yes? I suppose this is a response to my greeting. Unnecessary, but thank you.” He broke the seal on the envelope with his nail and then unfolded the letter inside.

Dear Lucian, I hope this letter finds you well.
Thank you for your kind words and welcoming gifts. I must say I am quite surprised to receive such a warm welcome from the Lucian Medici. And if you don’t mind me saying, I am admittedly somewhat of a fan.
Given our similar predicaments, I will say that my interest comes in part from seeing another spirit succeed; it certainly fills me with hope for my own future, but I can assure you I enjoy your show for more than just my own self-fulfillment.
Perhaps if you ever find yourself with some free time, we could catch a drink together? Maybe even share this ambrosia you so kindly provided.
Sincerely.
Jocelyn.

Lucian clicked his tongue, “Between her and Genet, I’m going to run out of excuses.” The demon sighed, “Send my regards to your host and let her know I will be quite busy for the upcoming round.”

“Excuses!” Lyn smiled brightly before whisping off.

Reaching out gently, Andrea lifted the letter from Lucian’s hand, her eyes peering over its contents, “My little Luciano is growing quite popular, it seems, enough to warrant advances from other hosts? Not to mention apparently all the... what are the kids calling it...” she twirled her hand, “boating?”

Lucian grimaced, “Shipping.”

“Shipping! Yes, that’s the word.” She leaned in, her snake beginning to coil around Lucian’s shoulder, “Between you in feminine form and other hosts. Not to mention, you are taking quite a shine to this role, I wouldn’t be surprised if they offered more to you even after your obligation is done.”

Lucian frowned, “I, Ma- Andrea, you know-”

Andrea continued unimpeded, “Should I expect an empty room in my palace moving forward? I’ve kept it as you left it, you know, awaiting your return, but of course, if the pleasures of the flesh are more desirable in more ways than one, perhaps you are ready to graduate from your service?” Her finger curled around Lucian’s chin.

“Andrea…once this is done, I will return. My place is at your side as it has always been.” Lucian looked up at Andrea, devotion in his eyes.

The devil smiled down, though her eyes remained narrow slits, “Say those words of comfort for me, Luciano. The ones I taught you so early on.”

Lucian looked up at the fallen angel and chuckled as her serpent coiled around his arm, “My soul belongs to you, Andrea.”

She gently pats his cheek, “Such a good and devoted boy you’ve become.” She withdrew from him and turned to look at the monitors, “So…” She let the word drag before looking over her shoulder, “Any advice on what I should do first on my vacation?”

The monitors flashed and read out the final results of the room assignments:

Round 3 Room Assignments

• Pierrot Suite: Noemi and Lily
• Columbina Suite: Stella and Mira
• Brighella Suite: Maddy and Maya
• Innamorti Suite: Amy and Eliza