A buffet.

Specifically, an Asian one, as they were the most plentiful in the area. You reminded Kimdile to bring her ID with her, just as a precaution. She put it in her pocket, nodding.

You walked together to the restaurant, holding hands. It's not too far away, and when you got there, Kimdile squeezed your hand for your attention. You turned to her and she whispered, "What kind of place is a buffet, again?"

You smiled, answering. "It's a place where you can eat and eat until you're full, but you have to get your food yourself."

Kimdile's eyes went wide. "As much as I want?"

You nodded, and she followed slowly, seemingly overwhelmed by the idea as you led her inside. You paid for two plates, then grabbed some chopsticks and cutlery, leading your wife to a table and setting the cutlery down. You then got up to go get a plate, when you realized something.

Kimdile was way too short to see the food. She was standing on her tiptoes, and it seemed she could make out the stacks of plates, and some of the food piled a little higher than the rest, but she couldn't seem to see much. You tapped her shoulder and asked, "Do you want to be picked up?"

She blushed, forest green spreading across her features, but she nodded, spreading her arms. You picked her up by the shoulders, wrapping your hands around the front of her nearly washboard chest. She could barely hold herself up, so you decided that didn't work, and pulled her up more so you could carry her bridal-style. This caused her to squeak and blush more, but she didn't complain. She looked around at all the food in visible wonder, and directed you to a stack of plates.

After filling her plate, you set her back at your table and got a plate for yourself, returning after you'd filled it. As you sat down, you noticed that she hadn't touched her food, and was instead staring at the plate piled high with rice, orange chicken, and assorted desserts.

"Is everything okay?"

Kimdile nodded, still staring.

"Are you waiting for something?"

She said something under her breath that you couldn't quite make out.

"What was that?"

"...not used to being allowed to have so much food."

You put down your chopsticks, concerned. "Kimdile, when was the last time you ate?"

She ducked her head, almost hiding under the table. "It's... been a few days."

"Well, I don't know what it's like with the goblins, but as long as you live with me, you'll be eating whenever I do. Is that okay?"

Kimdile nodded, rising on her seat to her knees so that she could see the food easier. She then plunged a hand into the rice, picking up a fistful and stuffing it quickly into her mouth, which you noticed for the first time had an extra set of canine teeth.

"Um, is there a reason you're not using the utensils?"

Kimdile froze, her other hand already half-buried in the rice, her mouth full. She blushed deeply and swallowed. "R-right. Only children eat with their hands here."

She uncertainly withdrew her hands, wiping them on her shirt, and picked up a fork, holding it upside-down. She stabbed the rice with the fork, awkwardly ladling it into her mouth, spilling a few grains. You smiled and showed her how to properly handle a fork, and she adapted to it surprisingly quickly. The knife she seemed to understand fine, and she didn't seem to need the spoon. You went back to using your chopsticks as you watched her eat, visibly enjoying every bite. Eventually, she cleared her plate. She looked up at you, looking like she wanted to say something, but was afraid.

"Yes, you really can have another plate of food."

She nodded, looking away with embarrassment. You quickly finished your plate, and helped her get another, this time piled high with assorted stewed meats and sauces with roots. She asked you if you knew something she might like, and you set her down to get a drink from the soda fountain. As you turned around to hand her the glass of bubbly liquid with a straw, you saw her looking up at the fountain in awe. As you put the drink down in front of her, she focused on it, and gingerly picked it up with both hands, allowing you to hold her plate. You made your way together back to your table, and carefully placed her plate down, then helped her into her seat. She sipped at the drink in her hands and immediately recoiled, almost spilling it.

"It's spicy!"

You chuckled, remembering your first experience with carbonated drink. "Is it really?"

Kimdile hesitated. "N-no?"

She took another sip, this time more carefully. You noticed she wasn't using the straw. She pulled back more slowly this time, her eyes wide. "The bubbles pop in my mouth! And it's sweet!"

You nodded, smiling. "Do you like it?"

She nodded back enthusiastically, taking another sip, almost poking her eye with the straw. You showed her how to use it, chuckling, and soon she's got the biggest smile she can manage while keeping her lips closed. You realized belatedly that you hadn't gotten yourself your own second plate, and stood up to go get one. Kimdile watched you go, the buffet tables quickly taking her a bit out of sight.

You returned to the table to see Kimdile had emptied her plate and her drink, and was sniffling again, tears forming in her eyes. You quietly sat next to her and offered a hug. She turned and accepted it, muffling her sniffles in your shirt. It's a long moment before she regains some composure, and she pulls back, wiping her eyes. She stutters out an apology. "I'm s-sorry, I know I'm crying too much. I'll try to stop."

You hug her again, and she hugs back, although she seems a bit confused. You pull her up onto your lap and whisper in her ear, hugging her from behind. "It's okay. You're safe here. It's okay to cry."

She squirms, blushing. "I... really?"

You nod, resting your chin on her head teasingly. "What, would you rather I scolded you every time you showed emotion?"

She slowly shook her head, burying her face in her hands. "I-I guess not."

You kissed the top of her head, and she let out another squeak. She was just so cute! "That's right. I know you've been through a lot, but whatever it is you've gone through, you're safe now. If you want to talk about it, you can, but you don't have to. Okay?"

You heard a muffled sniff and a deep, unsteady breath. After a moment, Kimdile's voice quietly answered, "Okay."

You grab your plate and pull it towards you, keeping Kimdile on your lap and eating with your chopsticks. Kimdile asked what they were, and you showed her how to use them. Surprisingly, they came to her more naturally than using a fork, and soon enough, she was happily sharing your plate.

You ended up eating three plates by the end of the evening, and she had a whopping seven plates, each piled high with food. Her belly was a bit distended before she finally said that she'd had enough. You walked out of the buffet together, holding hands. she waddled next to you, visibly struggling to keep up.

After a few paces of that, you decided to pick her up and carry her home. She was a bit heavier than before, but not too heavy. More importantly, her blush was adorable as she hung on to your neck.