Outfits & Appetizers

“W-wh-where a-are we a-all si-sit-sitting...?”

“Mm?” The Dwarf raises an eyebrow and looks towards the dining room, just barely able to see past the countertop covered in metal domes. “Good question.”

“What great planning skills we have...” Thea grumbles quietly as she washes her hands in the sink. “Krvavy will sit at the head.” She firmly declares, actually sounding rather authoritative for once. “And I will be at her left.”

“Left?” Beryl curiously looks towards the brat by her side. “Ah would’a thought tha’ ya’d want ta be at ‘er right.”

“Hmph, hardly.” The silver-blonde noble girl rolls her eyes as she flicks the water from her fingers down into the sink, before using a towel to properly dry her hands. “That spot is reserved for someone important, yes, but to be at the left hand of the head is the honour of the wife. And, as the only one of us engaged to Krvavy, I am taking that seat.”

The Wood Elf furrows her brow slightly as she begins to run her hands beneath the hot water. “It wouldn’t be presumptuous fer me ta claim the right then, would it?”

“I have no issue with that. You are more senior than I in this relationship of ours.” Inanna plainly states, idly poking a finger against one of the metal domes that she made. “I will sit beside Thea, if that is alright?”

The bratty noble briefly looks across the kitchen, her gaze shifting between the Were-Beast and the bunny-mouse girl, before turning back to the Dwarf and nodding affirmatively.

“Khalia will ‘ave ta be by my side then. Always my burden, ta keep ‘er in check~.” The tanned Elf playfully smiles over at the Orc, who sticks her tongue out in response. “Which leaves the end opposite from Krvavy fer ya, sweetie.”

Adeline’s big hazel eyes turn down towards the floor, looking a little disappointed to hear how far away from Krvavy she’ll be sitting.

“I suppose that is fitting.” Thea idly comments as she steps out of the kitchen, already heading towards the dining room. “This whole feast is thanks to her. So it is only fair that she sits where a secondary host would.”

Even though the clingy girl would clearly still prefer to be by the barbarian’s side, those rather dismissive words do seem to lift her mood a little. The tiny blonde’s fur-tipped tail swishes behind her, twisting around her homely red dress.

“Well, now that that’s settled...” Krvavy carefully places the final dome-covered dish on the countertop that separates the kitchen from the dining room. “We’re ready to begin, right?”

“Wait, my dearest love. Ah’d like ta make one last suggestion: ‘ow about we make this feel a bit fancier, a bit more special, by gettin’ cleaned up and changin’ inta our nicest outfits? Or, at the very least, get dressed.” She adds, pointedly looking towards the Dwarf, who is the only person who hasn’t bothered to put on even a bit of clothing.

“Mm. I suppose that none of the food is particularly messy...”

“Ugh!” Thea’s groan is audible even though she is currently out of sight. “The food will not grow cold, will it?”

“No.” The Dwarf calmly calls back. “All of the dishes will retain their heat for at least a few hours.”

“Then fine, let us make an event of it...”

“Rrrrgh...” Khalia scowls, looking rather unhappy at the idea of having to wear even more clothes than the pelts that Beryl has already made her wear. Her fluffy ears droop down as she turns her gaze away from the smiling Elf, slumping her shoulders in defeat.

“Guess that’s settled.” The barbarian idly shrugs, letting a smile spread across her face. “It’ll definitely make this feel like more than just a normal meal.”

“Aye, tha’ it will. Now go put yer pants on~.”

“Ach, don’t lift tha’ up! Ya’ll let the ‘eat out!”

“If I cannot look at the food, then how am I supposed to know which course they belong to?!”

Krvavy smiles and gently shakes her head as she hears her girl’s bickering in the dining room.

“Ah wrapped vines around the ‘andles! The leafy green are appetizers, the sturdy wooden are fer the main course, and the flowered are fer dessert!”

“And you expect me to just know that?!”

“Ah’ve told ya wha’ they mean twice now! So if ya ‘ad just listened!”

Krvavy’s shoulder quietly thumps into the wide stone arch that functions as a doorway to the dining room. “Wouldn’t be a proper family dinner without some arguing, huh~?” She playfully interjects, leaning against wall.

“Oh, my dearest love!” Beryl jumps in surprise and quickly turns towards the Drakling. “Don’t ya worry, the food is still mostly warm!”

Thea scowls at the back of the Elf’s head. “Is the Dwarf ready yet?” She asks, taking a deep breath to calm herself down.

“Not quite.” Krvavy replies with a shake of her head. “She shooed me away after I had helped dry off her hair, so she shouldn’t be too long. She just needs to get dressed.”

“Speakin’ o’ gettin’ dressed, wha’ do ya think~?” The Wood Elf smiles widely as she stands straight, striking the perfect pose to put her lithe body on display. The hem of her blue-green sundress gently flutters as she sticks a long leg out ever so slightly, bringing attention down to the similarly coloured silken stockings that cover her tanned skin yet leave most of her feet bare. She then raises her chin up, drawing Krvavy’s focus up to her face. A matching lace choker clings to her neck, and a single large flower with petals the same colour as her eyes rests in her short hair, just above her left ear.

“You look gorgeous, like always~.” The barbarian earnestly responds, taking a step towards the Elf. “It all matches your beautiful eyes~. Bright, colourful, and happy~.”

A joyful blush fills Beryl’s cheeks as she gives her Draconic lover a quick peck on the cheek. “Thank ya, my dearest love, Ah could say much the same about ya~.”

“Nah, I’d say that my outfit is a lot less impressive than yours.” Krvavy idly adjusts the verdant green fabric of her skimpy top, making sure that it properly covers her pale breasts. “You had to actually pick and choose what to wear, while I’m just wearing the same thing I wore in Raseyne.”

“Hah, she hardly put any thought into that outfit!” Thea scoffs out, rolling her eyes. “That Elf hag just copied what I put on, except she elected to wear only a single colour!”

Krvavy glances over at Thea, looking the pouty girl over from head to foot.

Thea’s silver-blonde hair hangs over her shoulder in a nice loose braid decorated with little blue flowers. A beautiful soft-blue sundress covers her body like the wrapping on a present, obscuring everything from her modest breasts down to her delectable thighs. Her legs are clad in stockings of the same semi-lewd style that the Elf is wearing, though hers match the lacy white choker clinging comfortably to her throat. But, unlike Beryl, she is also wearing long shoulder-length gloves that complement her stockings, leaving her fingers bare as the fabric is held in place by a ring on each hand. And she also seems to be wearing underwear, or at least a bra if the visible straps are anything to go by.

“To be fair,” the Drakling slowly speaks up, engrossed in the beautiful sight before her. “You both pretty much just have the same set of things to choose from, just in different colours.”

“Aye, and Ah figured tha’ this was more appropriate than tha’ little leather outfit o’ mine.” Beryl’s eyes twinkle playfully as she gently pushes the barbarian towards the brat. “Now tell the girl wha’ ya think o’ ‘er outfit~!”

“It is incredibly dignified and refined. And, much like yourself, is also incredibly gorgeous.” Krvavy bends forwards and gives her fiancée a quick kiss on the lips, accompanied by a playful pat on the rear.

“Thank– Hey, wait a second...!”

The barbarian quickly turns away from her beautiful brat, ignoring the hands tugging on her arm as she casts her gaze across the room.

Adeline is standing idly by the kitchen counter, nervously fiddling with her tufted tail. She looks even more adorable than usual now that she has changed into a warm yellow sundress and tied her hair up into a neat braided bun decorated with round yellow flowers.

Khalia is already sitting at the table, clearly rather bored with all of the waiting she is being made to do. The Were-Beast’s fur-covered arms are resting atop the smooth wooden tabletop, folded into the perfect pillow for her to bury her own face in. The outfit that she is wearing causes the barbarian’s eyebrow to raise.

“Ach,” Beryl clicks her tongue unhappily. “Ah couldn’t get ‘er to wear anythin’ better than tha’. She doesn’t ‘ave much in the way o’ clothin’, and she refused ta let Thea wrap ‘er up in a blanket. And Ah couldn’t let ‘er wear just those rough pelts ta our nice feast...”

Krvavy smiles wryly as she crosses the dining room to get a better look at her precious puppy, giving Adeline’s head a gentle pat as she passes by. That, rather predictably, causes the Halfling to make an absolutely adorable squeaking sound that proves to be too much for the Drakling, forcing her to crouch down and give the timid girl a quick peck on the lips.

Adeline’s face flushes a deep red as Krvavy steps away, though that sight doesn’t remain visible for very long as she quickly brings up her floppy bunny ears to hide behind.

“And here I thought that I would be the most scantily dressed one here~.” The barbarian playfully pokes at the Orc.

Khalia immediately lifts up her head, a toothy grin spreading across her face as her tail begins to wildly wag behind her, making use of the slot left in the backs of each of the chairs at this table. The Were-Beast isn’t wearing clothes so much as lingerie. Really, the only thing that she is even wearing is a rather transparent black negligee whose fabric is just dark enough to censor her nipples. Well that and her beloved leather collar, though that is quite obviously crooked with her name tag far from being centered...

“Ah couldn’t get ‘er ta even wear a choker!” The tomboyish Elf dramatically laments. “Even though any o’ them would’a looked better than tha’ collar!”

“Well, at least she’s dressed in something. And the less that she’s wearing the less we’ll have to clean up afterwards.” Krvavy playfully comments, before letting her tone grown much firmer. “But that doesn’t mean that she should make a mess. She had better try to be neat and tidy. Alright?”

The Were-Beast woman quickly nods her head, her amber-gold eyes locked onto Krvavy’s emerald pair.

“Good girl.” Those two words cause Khalia’s face to light up with joy, and she only seems become happier as Krvavy bends down to give her a kiss. “Now,” the barbarian abruptly pulls back from her precious puppy, drawing out a pleading whine. “Should we go ahead and put the appetizers on the table so that we’re ready when Inanna comes down?”

“Yes, the less time we waste the better...” Thea grumbles and turns towards the dividing counter. “Just do not drop anything!”

“The beet soup is quite ‘eavy, my dearest love, so would ya mind gettin’ it?”

“Yeah, no problem. Which one is it?”

“This one.” The silver-blonde girl answers that question, tapping one of the metal domes. “And it is borscht.”

“Ya o’ all people shouldn’t be insistin’ on their proper names.” Beryl playfully comments, her eyes twinkling with a mischievous glint. “Unless ya want ta call everythin’ tha’ Adeline made by their proper names?”

“Ugh...”

One by one the dome-covered dishes are moved to the center of the dining room table, with the last one being placed down just as Inanna enters the room.

“Mm. It would appear that I am overdressed.” The Dwarf’s lips curl upwards into the faintest smile as she makes that simple observation. Inanna is wearing almost the exact same outfit that she was when Krvavy first met her: a tight white dress decorated with zigzagging gold triangles and adorned with polished orange amber. On a less well-endowed woman it would be a rather modest outfit, but it is really anything but that with how tightly it clings to her voluptuous body.

“At least you aren’t just wearing the same sundress as the rest of us...” Thea quietly huffs out.

“I had considered it.” The grey-skinned Dwarf turns her head towards the noble girl, causing the ornate golden disks dangling down across the width of her forehead to jingle slightly from the movement. “I had also considered wearing that lovely woollen sweater, or something even more daring. But I had not worn this outfit for quite some time and was feeling nostalgic. Though I must admit that a part of me is beginning to regret this decision. I do not to give the impression that I am attempting to overshadow the rest of you.”

“No need ta worry about tha’.” Beryl reassures the shortstack with a warm smile. “We know tha’ ya aren’t the type ta try somethin’ like tha’. Besides, if anyone is goin’ ta steal our dearest love’s attention it’s ‘er ‘alf naked puppy ‘ere~.”

“Mm. Yes, Krvavy is weak to such sights.” Inanna carefully adjusts the braided loops of hair that hang down beneath her chin and rest on the shelf that her massive breasts make in her tight dress. “It is for the best that I am covered up as I am. Even if it pains me to have unknowingly broken the symmetrical pattern of our seating arrangement... That said, I haven’t dressed entirely conservatively~.” Her lips twist into an undeniable smile as she grabs at her dress and pulls it up just enough to put her stocking clad calves on display.

“Ugh!” Thea groans impatiently and glares at the Dwarf. “The table is set and ready, just sit down so that we can begin eating already!”

“You’ve waited all day. Are a few more minutes too much for you?” Inanna raises a thick eyebrow as she approaches her seat, smirking ever so slightly at the brat beside her.

“Yes, they are.” The silver-blonde noble girl dryly replies. “Especially since you could instead have this conversation while we are eating.”

“And you are good to eat in that, right?” Krvavy asks, earning herself a weak glare from her beautiful brat.

“Of course. This would not be my first time having a meal in this outfit. And these,” she points at that gold rings and strings of amber beads that are clinging to her neck, “are not tight in the slightest. They just look as if they are.”

“Oh, before we eat...” Beryl speaks up, smiling innocently as Thea’s gaze snaps over to her. “Ah’d like ta give my thanks ta our lovely little chef, as we wouldn’t ‘ave been able ta do this without ‘er.”

“Eeeeie!” Adeline squeaks in fear and immediately ducks down, hiding herself beneath the edge of the table to avoid the sudden attention.

“Yes!” Khalia barks out in support, reaching a paw-like hand out and roughly patting the embarrassed girl on the head. “Little meat make all the food!”

“Mhm. You did a splendid job, Adeline. You expertly led the preparations even while assisting the rest of us in making our own dishes.” Inanna holds a hand out and gently gives the huddled Halfling a pat on the shoulder. “I have no doubt that this food will be some of the best that I have ever tasted, even with our modest list of ingredients.”

“Eeeeeeee...!” A long and drawn out squeak is all that the bunny-mouse girl can get out.

“Hmph, the new trait that you got from my fiancée definitely helped. But...” Thea stares across the table at the tiny bit of Adeline that she can see. “You did not need it to do everything that you did. Thank you for all of the work that you put into making this impromptu feast a reality.”

Krvavy’s elbows press into the table as she leans forwards. She is tempted to just get up and walk over to the adorable girl, but Adeline is already overwhelmed as is... “I don’t want to embarrass you too much, but... We really wouldn’t have been able to do this if it wasn’t for you. And not just because it was your idea in the first place.”

“Th-th-th-tha-th-than-nks...” Adeline nervously stutters out as she slowly peeks her head up, hiding most of her flushed face behind those floppy bunny ears of hers.

“There,” Beryl cheerfully claps her hands together, the sound of which causes the Halfling to flinch. “Unless anyone ‘as anythin’ else ta add, we can get ta eatin’ our wonderful feast!”

Silence reigns for a few seconds before the Elf rises to her feet and uncovers the first of the appetizers, which happens to be none other than Thea’s dark-red beet soup.

Not wanting to make Beryl do all of the work herself, Krvavy stands up to help.

Khalia squirms in her seat as the smell of meat-filled pastries fills the air. Her plump lips part as a slight trickle of drool drips down her chin, her amber-gold eyes darting back and forth between the enclosed pasties that Adeline made and the open-topped meat pies that were one of Inanna’s additions.

Thea skeptically eyes the various root vegetables, mostly carrots, that mark the Wood Elf’s contribution to this course. With a silent scoff she turns towards the vinegret that she prepared, looking fairly happy with how that diced salad came out despite the fact that it is missing a few important ingredients.

“Everyone but Khalia, feel free ta ‘elp yerselves!”

“Rrgh!?” The Were-Beast growls out in confusion, snapping her attention towards the tomboyish Elf while an array of emotions flit across her face, quickly settling on a look of betrayal.

“Ya are goin’ ta be eatin’ at a nice and slow pace, as ta not make a mess o’ yerself and so tha’ ya don’t eat yer fill right away.” Beryl sternly tells the Orc, her tone unwavering and firm. “So be a good girl and do as ya are told.”

“Rrrgh...” Khalia’s grumbled growl is more saddened than mad, her fluffy ears lowering down. Her depressive attitude does not last long at all though, ending as soon as Beryl places a meat-filled pastie onto her plate.

Krvavy can’t help but smile as she watches the Orc quiver in barely restrained excitement, delicately holding the pastie while slowly nibbling at it. The barbarian gently shakes her head and reaches forwards to grab some food for herself, first filling a small bowl with beet soup and then taking one of Inanna’s small meat pies. After a moments thought, she also takes one of the larger stuffed carrots.

“Hmph... Could be better...”

Inanna raises a thick eyebrow and glances at the brat sitting beside her. “Did you not make that yourself?”

“Yes.” Thea replies with a sigh, idly bringing a forkful of her vinegret up to her lips. “But we did not have the proper dressing, or even a good substitute...” She trails off and takes a bite, covering her mouth as she chews.

“Mm. A common occurrence amongst the many meals we’ve made.” The Dwarf hums back, using a knife to cut into one of the Halfling’s pasties.

“Speakin’ o’ missin’ ingredients...” Beryl smiles and leans towards her Draconic lover. “Wha’ do ya think o’ my attempt at makin’ ‘stuffed mandrakes’ while missin’ everythin’ needed ta actually make them?”

“Well...” Krvavy cuts a chunk off of the softened carrot with the edge of her fork, skewering that vaguely boat-shaped piece before popping it into her mouth. “Mhhm!” She gives a thumbs up, making her Elf beam with pride. “You did an amazing job. It tastes great.”

“Hah, my dearest love~,” the tomboyish Elf trails a hand down the barbarian’s bare bicep, “no need ta flatter me. Adeline cooked it just as much as Ah did.”

“So this is why you wanted to sit by her side.” Thea dryly interjects, looking entirely unimpressed as she stares across the table. “Just so that you could be handsy.”

“Is there a problem wit’ tha’~?” Beryl playfully asks as a suspiciously innocent smile spreads across her lips.

“Yes, it – Hey!” The bratty girl’s attention snaps down beneath the table. “Keep your feet to yourself!” She hisses out, shuffling in her seat as she returns whatever the Elf is doing.

“While we are on the topic,” Inanna speaks over Thea’s annoyed noises and Beryl’s mocking giggles, “what do you think of my meat pies, my Ushumgal. I would ask Khalia, but I suspect the answer would be positive regardless of quality.”

“What makes you think that I’ll be any different?” Krvavy’s teasing smile makes it abundantly clear that she isn’t being particularly serious. “I’m not exactly picky with what I eat.”

“Perhaps, but your praise would stroke my ego far more than hers would.” Inanna’s lips curl upwards ever so slightly, even as her tone remains fairly flat.

“Is that so?” The barbarian raises an eyebrow and readies herself to continue teasing the shortstack, but pauses as she feels a foot kick into her leg. “Alright. Enough of that, you two. If we’re forcing Khalia to behave, then both of you need to as well.”

“O’ course, my dearest love.” The tomboyish Elf is quick to do as her Draconic lover says, continuing to smile innocently even though she is undeniably guilty. “Ah wouldn’t want ta ruin this wonderful feast and all the ‘ard work tha’ ‘as gone into makin’ it. Not like a certain brat~.”

“Hey! You are the one who started that!”

The barbarian gently shakes her head as she picks up the nearly bite-sized meat pie, tuning out the bickering of Beryl and her brat. “I’m not sure what sort of praise you’re expecting,” she speaks up between bites, “but this is pretty good. You used the quails, right?”

“Curious. You said that you are not picky, but you still could tell the exact type of meat that I made those with.”

“Haha.” Krvavy dryly returns, wiping her fingers clean on the fabric napkin beside her plate. “I know that you asked to use the quails, I just wasn’t sure if it was for this or not.”

“D-do Dw-d-war-dwarves m-make lots o-of p-p-pi-pies?” Adeline suddenly stutters out, her big hazel eyes going wide as she surprises herself by actually speaking aloud. Her rosy cheeks flush with embarrassment as she shrinks beneath the attention she unintentionally brought upon herself.

“Mm...” Inanna thoughtfully hums back, turning her intense copper-orange gaze towards the timid girl. “I suppose that they are a relatively common recipe. They can be quite a practical meal.”

“Do you grow the wheat underground?” The Drakling asks, both to satisfy her curiosity and to take the attention off of Adeline. “Or import it?”

“Neither. Typically, at least.” The Dwarf shrugs her shoulders ever so slightly, pausing to take a bite of her food. “We grow barley on the mountainsides, along with rye. They make for tougher bread, but that is hardly a problem as we Dwarves see bread as a workman’s food. For miners, specifically.”

“And Ah’d bet tha’ yer people also use those grains fer beers and whatnot.” Beryl’s eyes twinkle mischievously as she makes that comment. “A race o’ alcoholics, Dwarves are.”

“Says a woman who’s own race is renowned for their fine wines. And, if I recall, so says a woman who’s parents are in that business.”

“We’re known more fer putting ah’rows between the eyes o’ those who get too close ta our woods,” the Elf playfully points out, “but Ah won’t deny tha’ we do make some nice wines and brandies.”

“Mm. Shame that the only drink available at this feast of ours is water.” Inanna sighs as she grabs her cup and takes a sip. “Even if it is refreshing.”

“I’ve been ‘cheating’ and washing everything down with Thea’s stew.” Krvavy taps her spoon against the mostly empty bowl. “And you drink?”

“Of course.” The grey-skinned shortstack nods her head. “I am a Dwarf.”

“Its just kind of hard to imagine you getting drunk.” Krvavy shrugs her shoulders and reaches out to take one of the pasties that Adeline prepared.

“Mm. I will take that as a compliment.” Inanna replies, her normally neutral tone tinged with the faintest bit of amusement. “In truth, I have rarely ever gotten drunk. We Dwarves need to put in effort to end up in such a state. We are not lightweights, not like Humans.”

“Hey!” Thea scowls at the shortstack sitting beside her. “Insult the twiggy Elf instead!”

“I would love to, but unfortunately they do have a better tolerance to **** than your people do. What they drink may be sickeningly sweet and far too fruity, but at least they don’t water it down to the point where it can hardly even be called ****.”

“Hmph!”

“Oh!” Krvavy’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise as her teeth sink into the pastie.

“Hah~! My dearest love, ya didn’t look at wha’ ya grabbed, did ya~?” Beryl teasingly asks, openly laughing at the Drakling. “And ya claim ta not be picky~!”

“It just... caught me by surprise...” The barbarian grumbles back, her cheeks faintly flushing as a rather herbal taste fills her mouth. “I was expecting something completely different when I bit down on it...”

“D-do-do y-you n-n-n-no-not l-li-like it...?” Adeline shakily asks, her voice wavering nervously.

“I do. It just surprised me, that’s all.” Krvavy proves that she isn’t just saying that by taking another bite. The herbie tastes a lot better when she is expecting to taste parsley and chives mixed into hot and gooey melted cheese. “I am capable of eating more than just meat.”

“Tha’ is good because ya unfortunately missed out on ‘avin’ any o’ the... wha’ did Adeline call them? Tiddy oggies?” Beryl gently shakes her head and turns her blue-green gaze towards the Were-Beast. “Khalia seems ta ‘ave eaten them all.”

“Rrrrgh...!” The Orc growls out defensively, holding a half-eaten meat pie in her paw-like hands.

“I have half of one, if you would like it?” Inanna glances towards the Halfling as she holds up her plate. “I don’t want to fill up on just the appetizers, but this pastie is tempting me to do so with how good it tastes. They put my much simpler pies to shame.”

Inanna’s kind words seems to be mostly unnecessary, as Adeline isn’t insulted or offended by the Dwarf handing off her cooking. In fact, the Halfling looks rather eager to see Krvavy’s reaction to tasting that half-eaten tiddy oggie.

The barbarian quickly finishes off her pastie so that she can take the offered one. “Thanks.” Krvavy doesn’t really want to eat too many appetizers either, as there is still a lot of good food to eat, but she can’t disappoint Adeline by refusing. Not when those big hazel eyes are pleadingly staring at her from across the table... At least this pastie is on the small side. “Mmmh~!”

Adeline’s face fills with joy as she sees how much the Drakling is enjoying that single bite.

“Thatsh goohd~!” Krvavy nearly moans out those words, covering her full mouth with a hand as she savours the flavourful taste of minced meat mixed with mashed potatoes and melted cheese. This tiddy oggie is, undeniably, better than the herbie one. Which is saying a lot, considering just how delicious that meatless pastie was.

“Ah suppose tha’ it is fer the best tha’ we’re all out o’ those, huh~?” Beryl playfully nudges her Draconic lover in the side. “Otherwise none o’ us would ‘ave any room fer the rest o’ our feast, isn’t tha’ right~?”

“Yeah...” The barbarian softly sighs out, before gently shaking her head. “And speaking about the rest of our feast... Are we all ready to move onto the main course now?”

“Aye.”

“Mhm.”

“Yes Mate!”

“Ugh, of course.”

Rather than say anything, Adeline simply nods her head.