Chapter-27 Feasts And Tales

Frideria stood by the window as dawn painted pale streaks of grey across the city skyline. The hunger sat heavier now, a constant ache in her core. Her experiment with Glamour the night before had drained more than expected, leaving her restless and raw.

Frederique still slept, cocooned somewhere deep inside their shared mind. But Frideria remained awake.

Watching.

Waiting.

A knock sounded at the door.

Soft.

Rhythmic.

' Lira. '

Frideria knew her patterns by now... the playful lightness to her steps, the way her claws barely scratched the wood when she knocked.

She didn't answer immediately. She could have ignored it.

But curiosity stirred.

Lira knocked again, more insistent this time.

"Frederique, you up? I'm coming in either way!"

The door creaked open before she could speak, and Lira burst in with her usual chaotic energy. The Pooka's wild, dark curls bounced around her shoulders, and her amber eyes sparkled in the low light. She was clutching a cloth-wrapped bundle that smelled... sweet.

"Hey! I figured you'd be up."

Lira kicked the door shut behind her and grinned, gaze immediately locking onto Frideria.

"So... are you you, or is this the bitey one?"

Frideria's expression stayed neutral, lips slightly parted as she watched Lira with cold curiosity.

"I am Frideria."

Lira blinked.

"Huh. You sound... different. Kinda regal. I like it."

She unwrapped the cloth, revealing an assortment of food... glamorous food. A thick slab of honey-drizzled bread, a wheel of soft white cheese, and what looked like dried fruit coated in crystalline sugar.

"Brought you breakfast."

Frideria stared at the offering.

"I do not require assistance."

Lira raised an eyebrow.

"Oh, sure. You were definitely gonna make yourself a morning snack instead of brooding in the dark like some edgy horror villain."

She hopped up onto the counter, legs swinging as she placed the food between them.

"Look, you're new. I get it. Everything feels weird, hunger sucks, and it's all a lot. So, lucky you, I'm on babysitting duty tonight."

Frideria narrowed her ruby eyes.

"I am not a child."

Lira smirked.

"Prove it. Eat something that isn't just blood-soaked steak."

Frideria hesitated. The scent was... strange. Rich but not sharp. Not like fear or pain. She picked up the bread cautiously, eyes flicking to Lira as if expecting some trick.

"Sweet," Lira said gently.

"That one's full of... mm, comfort, I think? You can taste it, right?"

The first bite was strange... thick honey, the taste clinging to her tongue in warm waves. There was something deeper beneath it, an emotion she couldn't quite place. Familiar yet foreign.

Comfort.

Frideria blinked, chewing slowly. The hunger shifted but didn't spike. Different. Softer.

Lira beamed.

"See? Way better than raw meat. And you get to feel good after. Win-win."

Frideria nodded slowly, swallowing.

"It is... acceptable."

"That's the nicest thing you've said all morning," Lira teased.

She picked up the cheese next, biting into it with a satisfied hum.

For a while, they just ate. Quiet but not tense. Frideria took cautious bites, and with every taste, the hunger seemed... contained.

Distant but not gone.

It felt... safe.

Until Lira broke the silence again.

"So. Wanna hear some Corp gossip?"

Frideria blinked.

"Gossip?"

Lira grinned wickedly.

"You know, stupid stories. Drama. Who kissed who. Which idiot tried to fight the Captain last week."

Frideria tilted her head.

"This... entertains you?"

"Oh, definitely. You wouldn't believe how weird some of our coworkers are. Take Kael, for example. Total fire hazard. He once melted a training dummy and his own shoes during sparring. Still gets defensive about it."

Frideria raised a pale eyebrow.

"Why does he remain in the Corp if he cannot control himself?"

Lira snorted.

"Oh, he can. He's just... dramatic. All broody 'I-am-the-flame' nonsense. And don't get me started on Selora. Fox lady. Thinks she can flirt her way out of anything. Half the court is still debating whether she stole the Winter Corp captain's cloak or seduced it off him."

Frideria blinked.

"She seduced... clothing?"

Lira wheezed.

"You know what? Maybe! I wouldn't put it past her."

Frideria remained silent for a moment, but the corner of her mouth twitched. Not quite a smile. But close.

Lira grinned wider.

"See? You're fun when you loosen up. Look, I know the whole Redcap thing makes people nervous. But we're all weird here. You don't have to be all serious, all the time."

Frideria's ruby eyes softened slightly.

"I... am learning."

"Yeah, well." Lira stretched, yawning.

"You'll get there. Besides, you're not the scariest one here. Trust me."

Silence lingered this time. The food was gone. Frideria felt... stable.

Lira hopped down from the counter, brushing crumbs from her lap.

"Anyway, I'm gonna crash for a bit. Fey don't need sleep, but y'know. Gotta keep up appearances."

Frideria blinked.

"You are... leaving?"

Lira shook her head, already heading toward her bedroom.

"Not really. I'll be back soon. Kinda."

Frideria tilted her head. But as the door closed behind her roommate, she felt the air shift.

Lira had not left.

Something else... something older... was waking up.