23 Banquets End (1/2)
As Wilbur left a kindly middle-aged blond lady came over. She was a bit plump though she'd clearly lost weight recently. She was carrying two bowls of soup with a few skewers packed with vegetables.
”Come on you two! You'll regret it if you let the boys eat everything.” She says holding out the two bowls. ”We wouldn't want that, now would we?” Elanor laughs as she nudges Laurel playfully.
”Nope, we wouldn't want Vickie's hard work to go to waste,” Laurel said smiling as she took a bowl. ”She had a restaurant in town. People came from all around to eat her food!”
”I'm looking forward to eating then,” Elanor says grabbing her bowl with a big smile. Vickie blushes and waves her hand coyly. ”She exaggerates. We don't have much to work with so don't expect too much.” The plump woman replies with nervousness in her voice.
The aroma was intoxicating as Elanor took a bite from one of the skewers. The grilling was completed perfectly, giving the vegetables a satisfactory crunch. As her teeth sank in the juices squirt out filling her mouth. Her tongue dances with joy as the sweet taste permeated her mouth.
As she swallows, her eyes grow wide with shock. She felt a gentle energy dissolve and flow into her meridians. She couldn't understand how food grown by mortals could have this effect. Normally to get food, like this, you would need to travel to some famous restaurant.
”It's so good,” Elanor moans. ”Yah sHo gud!” Laurel says while stuffing her face.
”Ha ha, you praise me too much,” Vickie says with a smile that went ear to ear. ”The credit has to go to the vegetables. They are the most incredible ingredient I've ever seen.”
Elanor was about to reply when out of the corner of her eye she saw Laurel pause for just a moment. ”Aunty, don't you think you should set some out for our guardian spirit?” Smiling she said coyly. ”You know how much he loves his vegetables he'll definitely want a taste too.”
Vickie hit the palm of her hand with her fist in realization. (like you would for rock paper scissor or roshambo. Also called Nattoku.) ”You're right. We can't ignore him and leave the big guy out can we?” She turns away saying, ”You two enjoy.”
Over by the food, there were three young boys of similar age fighting. Vickie wacks one on the head and yells, ”You three are acting like we haven't been feeding you. Do I have to teach you all manners?” She scowls at the boys as they all answer in unison. ”No miss.” They looked sheepishly at each other before they all got a fist to the head. ”Now go entertain our guest of honor instead of acting like hyenas.” She scolded. ”Fine,” the boys say deflated rubbing their heads.
The boys ran over shoving each other. ”Hey, beautiful!” The tallest boy with blonde hair said while swishing his hair back. Elanor raises her eyebrow as the other two boys snicker. ”Sorry boys, you have to be this tall to ride.” Putting her hand above her head which was twice as tall as the boys.
”Roy you're so dumb!” Laurel says sticking out her tongue ”Elanor is mine,” She retorts grabbing Elanor's arm protectively. Laughing Elanor says ”Why don't you introduce your little friends.”
”Fine,” Laurel replies rolling her eye as she points to each boy. ”The tall idiot is Louis, the one with an ugly face is Roy, and the pipsqueak is Douglas.”
The three boys faces turn grim. Douglas his curly hair bouncing as he pointed in anger at the rude girl, ”just because you're a year older doesn't mean you're better than us!” ”That's right mom says I'll grow into my face,” Roy retorts with tears forming. ”Don't listen to her she's just jealous of my good looks,” Louis says while posing elegantly.
”Well hang in their kids,” Elanor continues to laugh holding her stomach. ”They're only nine so they don't understand how the world works,” Laurel says while tugging on Elanor's arm.
”Hey boys, come over and help us.” A small woman that was about five feet tall calls over. The mother's of the three boys were clamoring over the food with large bowls. ”Yeah, Roy stop making a fool of yourself and get over here.” A grim homely looking woman yells.