Mother of Midnight

Chapter 84 – The Perfect Cut

With the dress clinging to her like a second skin, Vivienne felt an unfamiliar sense of power radiating from her every movement. She couldn't help but smile as she looked at her reflection in the glass windows as they walked, the garment shifting beautifully with each step. But even as she basked in the feeling of the perfect fit, she knew there was one thing she hadn't yet done—express her gratitude to Ardyn. After some coaxing, Rava had finally managed to pull her away from the shop, though Vivienne did so reluctantly, casting one last lingering look at Ardyn's store.

As they walked through the busy streets, Vivienne noticed the stares she was garnering now—admiration, curiosity, and more than a few appreciative glances from those passing by. But it wasn’t just the townsfolk that were noticing; Rava, walking by her side, seemed to be affected as well. Vivienne couldn’t help but notice the way her companion’s gaze lingered just a little longer than usual, the subtle flush of her cheeks that betrayed her composure. Vivienne smirked to herself, the corners of her lips curling as she enjoyed the attention—both her own and, it seemed, Rava’s.

“Well, since you have your dress, all we need is to organize a wagon with a canopy and we will be able to leave, hopefully tomorrow if that leatherworker works quickly,” Rava said, attempting to keep the conversation grounded, her voice betraying no hint of the slight discomfort that lingered in the air.

Vivienne’s eyes flicked over to her, watching as Rava’s gaze darted around, avoiding meeting her own. “Well, is there anything else we need to do today?” she asked, her tone light but teasing.

“Other than confirming our supplies, no,” Rava replied, her tone a little too quick. She cleared her throat, clearly trying to regain her composure, though her fingers twitched slightly, betraying the shift in her demeanor.

Vivienne couldn’t help but grin at the sight of Rava’s struggle, a teasing sparkle in her dark eyes. “Well…” she drawled, letting the silence hang in the air for just a beat before continuing. “How about we find somewhere nice to eat? I’d like to sample more of the Serkoth cuisine.”

Rava scoffed softly, clearly unimpressed with the suggestion. “We are primarily warriors, Vivienne. Our cuisine is nothing fancy like those from Kaeritha or Thalrynn.”

Vivienne leaned in slightly, her smile widening, knowing exactly what to say to throw Rava off balance. “Yes, but you aren’t from those places, are you?” Her voice was soft, yet her words carried an undeniable weight, a subtle challenge wrapped in sweetness.

Rava’s lips pressed together, and she glanced away briefly, her cheeks flushing even deeper. She didn’t say anything at first, though Vivienne could see the way her fingers clenched and unclenched, the way her shoulders tensed.

Vivienne’s heart fluttered slightly, but she didn't allow herself to linger on the feeling. Instead, she nudged Rava’s side gently with her elbow, pushing her to engage in the playful banter. “Come on, Rava. A meal together isn’t going to kill us. And who knows? Maybe we’ll discover something delicious that we didn’t know we’d like.”

Rava seemed to consider this for a moment, her gaze still avoiding Vivienne’s. But eventually, with a resigned sigh, she nodded, though there was a spark of amusement in her eyes. “Fine. But don’t expect a feast fit for royalty.”

Vivienne laughed, the sound rich and warm, though her heart was racing just a little faster than before. “Then I suppose as a queen I must debase myself a little to enjoy the company of a handsome woman. It is a sacrifice I am willing to make.”

Rava hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing as she glanced at Vivienne from the corner of her eye, clearly trying to keep her composure. But the hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips, betraying her amusement at Vivienne’s words. She quickly looked away, clearly not wanting to give Vivienne the satisfaction of seeing her flustered, though the subtle flush on her cheeks was hard to miss.

“Sacrifice, indeed,” Rava muttered, though her voice was lighter now, the edge of irritation gone. She gave a slight shake of her head, her lips curling into a smile that she didn’t try to hide this time. “You may have a queen’s attitude, Vivienne, but you’re not fooling anyone with your flattery.”

Vivienne caught the soft smile and the fleeting glimmer in Rava’s eyes and felt a small thrill of triumph surge through her, though she kept her expression casual. “Flattery? I assure you, Rava, I am nothing but sincere,” she said, her tone playful but with an undercurrent of warmth. “It’s not every day a queen gets the honor of dining with someone as captivating as you.”

Rava snorted softly, though there was no denying the way her eyes softened at the compliment. “You’re insufferable, you know that?”

Vivienne’s smile only widened. “And yet you continue to suffer me.”

Rava rolled her eyes, but the slight twinkle in them betrayed her. She crossed her arms over her chest, her posture relaxed, though there was a subtle tension between them—an electric current that Vivienne couldn’t quite place, but didn’t mind either. The two of them walked side by side, the bustling sounds of the town swirling around them, but there was an unexpected ease to their steps, a quiet intimacy that settled between them as they continued on their way.

As they neared a small open-air tavern, Rava glanced over at Vivienne again, though this time her gaze lingered just a bit longer. “They serve hearty meals here. They are generous with the meat.” she said, but her tone had softened, a quiet warmth settling in as she added, “but it’ll be good. Nothing fancy, but it’s ours.”

Vivienne smiled, her heart giving an unexpected flutter. She nodded slowly, not trusting herself to speak for a moment, though the joy in her chest was undeniable. “I’m sure it’ll be perfect,” she said at last, her voice steady. “The company’s more important anyway.”

Rava raised an eyebrow, looking at Vivienne in silent surprise. “How gracious of you, your majesty.”

Vivienne’s smirk was just a touch coy. “I can’t be a queen of such high standards all the time, can I?” she teased.

Rava didn’t respond immediately, but her lips quirked in the beginnings of a smile. She led Vivienne to a small, wooden table at the edge of the tavern, the quiet hum of conversation and the gentle clinking of mugs surrounding them. As Vivienne sat down, she couldn’t help but notice how easy this all felt—the quiet laughter, the small moments of teasing, the unspoken tension that hadn’t quite broken yet but lingered, thick with possibility.

Vivienne’s grin widened as she leaned forward, teasing the silence that hung between them. “Have I got something on my face?” she asked, her voice dripping with playful mischief as she locked eyes with Rava. Her gaze flicked down to her chest with a subtle shift, her smirk growing. “Or is it something on my chest?”

Rava’s reaction was immediate—her eyes widened, and she choked on the breath she had been holding, caught somewhere between laughter and surprise. Her hand flew to her throat as she sputtered, trying to recover, her face flushing with an unexpected heat.

Before Rava could respond, a soft voice interrupted them.

“Hello. Food? Drink? Both?” The lekine waitress was standing there, a polite smile on her face as she awaited their order, unaware of the awkwardness that had just erupted at the table.

Vivienne, still watching Rava with an amused gleam in her eyes, stifled her own laugh. She leaned back, casually crossing her arms, the playful tension lingering in the air.

Rava, still a bit flustered from earlier, cleared her throat, trying to regain her composure as she looked back at the waitress. "Yes, we’ll have some food,” she said, her voice betraying just a hint of hoarseness, as though the moment had caught her off guard. She shot a quick glance at Vivienne, her eyebrow raised in playful challenge, before returning her attention to the waitress. "What meats do you have?"

The waitress, still nervous, brightened a little. “We’ve got some thornbacks roasting in the back if you’re interested!” she said cheerfully.

Rava’s ears perked at the mention of thornbacks, clearly more interested in the offer now. "That sounds perfect. How much per cut?" she asked, leaning forward slightly.

“Two silver a piece,” the waitress answered quickly, her eyes flicking nervously toward Vivienne, as if to gauge her reaction.

Rava thought for a moment before turning her gaze back to Vivienne, a hint of mischief in her eyes. “I’ll take two cuts, and…” she said casually, looking over to Vivienne.

Vivienne tilted her head, a sly smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “How much do you want to spend?” she teased, her tone playful but with just a touch of challenge.

Rava, not missing a beat, grinned. “Let’s start with eight cuts for her,” she said confidently, her eyes sparkling with amusement as she dared Vivienne to challenge her.

The waitress’s face paled slightly when her eyes landed on Vivienne, they widened with a mix of fear and awe. She hesitated for a moment, visibly nervous as she opened her mouth to speak, but the words died in her throat when she took in Vivienne’s towering form and monstrous features.

“A-are you sure?” she stammered, her voice shaking as she glanced at Vivienne, taking in the predatory shape of her form and the sharpness of her features. “I mean… they’re really big cuts…” Her gaze darted nervously from Vivienne’s face to her clawed hands and then back down to the table.

Rava chuckled softly at the waitress’s reaction, the sound light and teasing. “Yes, we’re quite sure,” she said, her voice rich with amusement. “Don’t let her size fool you,” she added with a wink, leaning closer to the waitress. “Vivienne can out-eat anyone in this town and still have room for more.”

Vivienne, clearly enjoying the waitress’s discomfort, leaned back in her seat, her eyes glinting with amusement. “Two tankards of your best ale, too,” she added casually.

The waitress, her face now a little flushed from both nervousness and the unexpected forcefulness of Vivienne’s presence, nodded quickly. “O-of course,” she stammered, her voice still trembling as she backed away from the table. “I’ll bring that right out.”

Vivienne looked over at Rava, her expression feigning mock despair. “You know, I’ve dressed myself so well, yet the people are still scared of me! Woe be unto me,” she declared dramatically, placing the back of her hand to her forehead like an overacted tragedy queen.

Rava rolled her eyes, her lips curling into a wry smile. “As if you don’t love it,” she said, her voice tinged with amusement.

Vivienne shrugged in a playful manner, her eyes glinting with mischief. “Guilty as charged,” she admitted, her tone lighthearted.

The pair lapsed into a comfortable silence as they waited for their food. Vivienne didn’t mind the quiet; it allowed her to watch the bustling tavern around them, and she was content with the occasional glance from Rava. But they didn’t have to wait long. Apparently, the cuts of meat were so large that the waitress had to enlist the help of two of her co-workers to bring in the plates, each one nearly overflowing with food.

Vivienne’s nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply, savoring the rich, savory scent that filled the air. Her quintet of eyes widened, the irises shifting in delight as she stared at the bounty before her. The waitress and the two other waiters, hovering near the table with hesitant gazes, watched her intently, no doubt wondering how Vivienne would manage the immense portions.

Without missing a beat, Vivienne quickly grabbed a cut with two of her claws, holding it with ease as her mouth split open in a wide, predatory arc. Her sharp teeth gleamed in the dim light, a stark contrast to her elegant demeanor. With little effort, she tore the meat in half, swallowing the first piece almost without chewing, the act both swift and effortless. The onlookers watched in horrified fascination, eyes wide with disbelief as Vivienne didn’t even flinch, devouring the second half with the same casual grace.

“Rava,” Vivienne said between bites, a satisfied grin spreading across her face, “these are magnificent!” She gave a low, contented hum as she chewed. “I don’t know why you were talking down Serkoth food. Most cooked meat has almost no aether in it, but these…” She paused for a moment, savoring the next mouthful. “Not only are they cooked, but they’re rich in aether! I don’t even need to ask for raw meat anymore!”

Rava chuckled softly, clearly pleased. “I’m glad you like it. It’s one of my favorites, too. We don’t get many thornbacks around here, so this is a real treat.”

Vivienne nodded in agreement, tearing into another thick cut of meat, her razor-sharp maw eagerly devouring the flesh. Her eyes glinted with satisfaction as she swallowed, licking a smear of blood from her lips before speaking. “Well,” she said between bites, her voice warm and full of appreciation, “you have great taste, Rava. This is some of the best cooked meat I’ve ever had.”

She paused for a moment, eyes lighting up with a new thought. “Oh! We should take some of this back to Kivvy. She’ll probably love it too. I’m sure she hasn’t had anything quite like it.”

Rava’s ears twitched at the mention of Kivvy, a slight smile pulling at the corners of her lips. “That’s a good idea,” she agreed. “She might not get to enjoy it for long, though. You’ve already eaten most of it.”

Vivienne’s grin was mischievous as she tore into another piece, as if determined to finish every last bite herself. “I’ll make sure there’s some left,” she teased, a playful sparkle in her eyes. “But, honestly, Kivvy’s not picky. She’ll eat anything as long as it’s fresh.”

The two shared a quiet moment as they continued eating, their attention focused on the food in front of them. Eventually, the servers who had been watching Vivienne’s impressive meal with wide eyes seemed to come to their senses, slowly pulling away from the table with noticeable relief. The initial waitress, now looking a bit more at ease after seeing the pair focus on their food, returned with two large tankards of ale.

The tankards were so large that, when Vivienne took hers, it looked almost comically large in her hands, her claws barely wrapping around the handle. Meanwhile, Rava, whose paws were large enough to match her stature, effortlessly grabbed hers, her grip firm but graceful, the tankard looking perfectly proportional in her hands.

Vivienne lifted her mug with a grin, her eyes twinkling as she glanced at Rava. “Cheers,” she said, her voice deep and playful, as she raised the tankard high.

Rava raised her own, her expression more restrained but still pleased. “To good company and good food,” she said, her tone warm as she clinked her mug against Vivienne’s.

They both took hearty sips of the ale, the rich, bitter flavor complementing the savory meat. Vivienne leaned back in her seat, satisfied, and for a moment, it felt like time slowed around them, the clink of tankards and the hum of distant conversation fading into the background.

She asked for seconds, of course.