Rodessa: Hue, where are you taking me?
Huxian: What, were you scared that the wicked fox might spirit away the princess to dangerous lands?
Rodessa: *Weak chuckle* Idiot.
Huxian: *Smile* It’s a place where I can be the one to prepare your meal - another one of my businesses. It's far more modest than the hotel, but the food is sourced locally and I can guarantee it’s excellence.
*A short while later, the two drove into a rural town, where a seemingly hidden restaurant was located. Soft music played as Huxian carried the limp girl to their table. Her nose sniffed at the air*
Rodessa: *Salivating* BBQ?
Huxian: Indeed. They’ll bring out the sides as we eat, but mainly I’ll be doing the cooking. I hope my lovely bride will satisfied with this?
Rodessa: *Weak Chuckle* Yes, dear husband, more than satisfied.
Huxian: Then it is only right that I do my best to exceed your expectations. After all, it is only fitting that, should I feed you, it should surpass even that of the hotel’s food. As such, my lady, it will be my honour to serve you your greatest meal.
*Gently, Huxian lowered Rodessa into the Plush, yet firm leather seats, which seemed to support her still feeble form. Subtly, he observed her as she settled, taking note of her still pale face and limp limbs. While he had been timely in administering the antidote, it would still take some time for her to fully recover. The best way was for her to rest and regain her strength and food would certainly aid that. Even so, seeing the shadow that seemed to hang over her, it was difficult to forget just how close he was to losing her. However, he didn’t want to ajitate her with his fear, so made sure to keep a brave face*
Huxian: *Forced smile* Hungry for anything in particular, my love?
Rodessa: *Tired* I’m starving, but I don’t think I can stomach something too heavy.
Huxian: *Thoughtful, tapping chin* Hm...Then more fish than meat, I’m afraid. No rice, but soup dishes?
*Plan in mind, Huxian called over one of the waiters and ordered their side dishes while he lit the gabele sid grill. Nodding in acknowledgement, the waiter then left to bring what was asked for.
Meanwhile, sighing, the girl eased back into the seat, closing her eyes. The soft jazz permeating the air lifted her spirits as she relaxed, muffling out the rest of the world. Even with her eyes closed, however, she could faintly feel the gaze of another, looking at her. Without even lifting a lid, she spoke softly*
Rodessa: *Genly* Hue, I’m fine. Stop looking at me like that.
Huxian: ...Am I not allowed to worry?
Rodessa: No, I never said that. Just stop looking at me like I’m about to abandon my cute little fox at the riverside… *Soft chuckle* I’m just tired. I’m fine.
Huxian: *Weak laugh* You know, when ever you say ‘I’m fine’, I seem to worry more.
Voice: Then the lady should try this.
*At the sound of a tiny clink of glass, Rodessa pried open her eyes. A man, presumably the owner of the new voice and who’s clothing suggested ‘bartender’, stood at the table. Carefully, she examined him, a little suspicious. Though the disguise was certainly a good one, she was almost certain she knew who both this person and the voice belonged to*
Rodessa: ...Uncle?
Huxian: My Lord? What are-
Thanatos: *Tenderly* Hi, sweetie. Long time no see. Drink up, it will help.
Rodessa: What is it?
Thanatos: It’s just one of my cocktails. I call it ‘The Rabbit’s Peach Pill’.
Huxian [Inner thought]: *Knowing eyes* Ah. I see. Even if only for a short time, she was knocking at his door…No wonder.
Thanatos; It's good, so take a sip and make sure to drink all of it. It's rare that I make a drink for anyone.
Rodessa: *Weak laugh* Sure.
*The girl looked at the amber coloured drink. It did smell good...Careful not to spill anything thanks to her weakened body, Rodessa took the glass and a sip. It tasted as good as it smelled, and felt good as it slipped down her throat. As she drank, it seemed to be effecting her somehow, washing away the remnants of the poison. Her limbs no longer felt like lead and the colour began to return to her cheeks, though she still felt a little fatigued. Even so, the more she drank, the healthier she became.
At a nearby table, two of the other guests were watching unabashedly*
Older female: Good, she looks a lot better.
Thanatos: She should. I went through a lot of trouble just to obtain the elixir.
Younger Female: I’m glad. We can't have her dying again, now can we?
Rodessa: Mother? Venus? What are you-?
Venus: Oh, nothing. We were just checking on a pup who’s thread was about to snap.
Parame: We would have been here earlier, but I had to reweave your thead as fast as possible. It’s stable for now, but your going to be lethargic until its completely fixed.
*Just how close Rodessa had been to death seemed to make what little colour Huxian had fade from his face. However, he swallowed, keeping his expression steady*
Huxian: ...And how long will that be?
Venuse: *Giggle* How long is a piece of string?
Huxian: ...I see.
Parame: May I ask you to postpone her training until I’m done with my work?
Huxian: *Nod* Of course. I hadn't planned on her returning until she was one hundred percent.
Venus: Just think of it as an extended honeymoon.
Rodessa: *Shock* H-honeymoon!!!???
Venus: Pft! Gods, she’s cute… No wonder you’ve been teasing her so much lately.
*Resting his hand on his cheek, Huxian, merely offering the goddess a vaguely amused look, began to place the meat and fish on the griddle*
SFX: Hissssk!!!! Sizzle
Huxian: I know. Her reactions are my both my joy and entertainment.
*Though Rodessa stuck out her tongue at him in retaliation, it merely had the group laughing softly, knowing that there was no real offense taken by the girl. In the end, both thankful for what they had done and wanting to catch up anyway, the two ended up inviting the god and goddesses to join them at their table for food, Huxian assuring them he was happy to pay for their portions as well. Even if he could never say just how much the situation had actually scared him before, he knew the deities would know without words and take the food offerings for what they were.
The meal was a relaxed affair, full of lighthearted talk and banter along with the good food that Huxian served to them. Still not fully recovered, Rodessa didn’t eat too much, but she did eat what she could take and seemed just that little bit more energised with the light food in her stomach.
Eventually, however, the deities had to once more return to their duties. After extracting some promises to take care of themselves - they didn’t want any repeat close calls as they might not catch it in time next time - the god and goddesses took their leave, though Huxian and Rodessa remained longer, at least allowing what Rodessa had eaten to settle so it wouldn’t upset her stomach. As Huxian was clearing up the grill, his phone interrupted him. Shooting an apologetic look with a ‘one minute’ gesture, Huxian moved to a quieter part of the restaurant to take the call. It didn’t take too long before Huxian returned once again, paying off their bill before they finally left the building, Huxian offering his arm to Rodessa to aid her in case of lingering weakness as they began to make their way back to the hotel for the evening. As they walked, pace slow, mindful of the girl’s condition, Rodessa couldn’t help but glance over at him curiously a few times before finally speaking up*
Rodessa: Hue, what was that call abo-
Huxian: Nothing for you to worry about, love. It’s just work.
Rodessa: *Pout* ...If you say so…
*A little annoyed by the evasion - did he not trust her or something? - Rodessa turned away from him. Sighing, Huxian gently took her chin, drawing her face back towards him once more*
Huxian: Don’t pout, angel. It ruins your pretty face.
Rodessa: *Agitated* Then tell me what's going on! You’re not supposed to keep secrets from your wife, now are you? After all, I'm not a child, Hue. I can handle the bitter truth.
Huxian: *Expression softening, gentle smile* Ah, true... Sometimes I forget you’re not a child anymore… Still, you’re not exactly an adult either. You should remember that too. But, if you must know, little miss nosie…I was rescheduling your next test. And that, my lady, is all I am willing to tell you for now. Happy?
Rodessa: *Coy* …Maybe…
*Rodessa tossed her hair, still pretending to be mad, though her partner could tell it was only a facade. Smile kicking up the corner of his lips, Huxian pecked the girl’s cheek as he escorted her back to the car where Thanatos was waiting for them*
Thanatos: There is one last thing I wished to give you you, little one, before I return. Please, take this.
*With a snap of his fingers, the girl’s accessories changed, replaced with a jew set of jewelry, which Rodessa quickly began to look at. Taking a little pity on her as she tried to see in the reflection of the car, Huxian created a mirror for her to look into, her fingers trailing over the gifts*
Rodessa: So pretty!
Thanatos: I’m glad you like them. However, this is only a lone, a precaution, so don't take it off, no matter what. Understood?
Rodessa: Yes sir.
Thanatos: Good. Oh, and you.
Huxian: Me, sir?
*The god turned to the young man with a stirn expression on his face, voice serious*
Thanatos: I know what it was she did. Likewise I’m aware of the wrath she invoked from you. Now, I am by no means condoning her appalling actions, especially to those under your protection and my eye. However, there was nothing left. I am left with nothing more than the hollow spirit. A useless shell. I can’t even send it on into the cycle of rebirth. This time I shall let it pass. However, do this again, and you will be punished.
*Though there was tension in his eyes at the warning, there was no regret in his eyes at the fate of Rodessa’s would-be assassin. Even so, he lowered his head in acknowledgement to the god, accepting of the scolding.
Huxian: When it comes to those I care for, I am willing to perform any sacrilegious act in order to protect them. The people below the Mountain discovered that once, when a celestial spirit became a demon lord. Likewise, my wrath was known when the last person I cared for met her fate. If only by reputation, that one should have known never to untether a monster by striking out at the one who holds the threads that bind them to their calm. However...it was never my intention to step into your territory, my lord. In the future, I’ll endeavor that, should anyone be suicidal enough to try such an act again, I’ll be sure to gain your approval first.
Thanatos: *Raised brow* Make sure it doesn’t come to that.
*With that, the god disappeared. With Thanatos gone, Huxian opened the car door and helped the girl into her seat before getting in himself. Chuckling softly, Rodessa snuggled up to him, slow grin stretching on her lips*
Rodessa: *Sing song tone* Oooo~ Someone got scolded~! What did you do~?
Huxian: *Shifty eyes* Noooooothing….I told you….I just had to deal with a pest problem and I was...a little too enthusiastic about it and maaaaaay have possibly made a hollow spirit. Not that she had all that much inside to burn out aaaaanyway...so maybe she already partly was one….or maybe I was in a hurry and not as careful as I should have…..then again I wasn’t trying too hard anyway...After all I wanted to get back to you…..did you know burned skin smells odd?...but I wanted to make sure I was a good fluff and be there at your side when you woke up...and then I got hungry for BBQ and here we are.
*The girl’s eye twitched. There was a brief moment of silence before she burst out in hysterics, clutching her sides*
Rodessa: Hue… That was in bad… Taste!!! Ahahahahahah Ah ha ah aha!!!! Seriously, you Shishkabobed ‘er! Gods, fluffy! You’re down right evil! Villain! Ahahahahah aha ahhahaha ha ahaaha! You could have just- ahahaha! A-and then you- pffahahahahaha! I can’t! My sides, my sides hurt! I can’t breathe I can’t breathe -hahaha hah ahahaaha!!!!
*Huxian sat back in the leather seat, face slightly pink as he shook his head, even though a grin teased at his mouth, unable to stop his own amusement rising under his bashfulness*
Huxian: Hmph...go ahead and laugh it up all you want, Ro. But...I made a promise when I...let you in.
*His hands clenched tightly on the steering wheel, eyes narrowing at the mere memory of Rodessa’s suffering, a hint of his wilder nature slipping into his tone*
Huxian: I promised that if anyone ever tried to do you harm, even by the smallest amount, I would repay the debt tenfold. You’re mine, Roza. Anyone...be they mundane, mystic or even godly...if they do harm to anyone who belongs to me, they will be punished. And they will suffer.
Rodessa: Pft. How yandere of you.
*The girl rested her hand on his thigh, giving it a squeeze. From the corner of his eye, he could see it, a sweet smile, content on her lips, her expression radiant, as if he had promised her the world and beyond. It never left her expression, even as sleep began to take a hold and her eyes closed, drifting into slumber. Her hand on his leg felt warm, and seemed to reach to his very heart, wrapping it in that same warmth. It was just as he had told Thanatos - she was the tether that kept him grounded, that helped him to care for the world once more. And he knew he would do anything never to let that go again*
Huxian: I try, my love. If it keeps you safe, I’ll do anything.
[END]
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