Chapter 2: Fresh Meal

The two descended a stairway into a small kitchen stocked to the brim with all sorts of foodstuffs and cooking utensils. A table dominated the room, with chairs crammed underneath—far too many for just Silver and Octavius. The air was filled with the smell of cooking, making Alduin’s mouth water. Silver could be seen setting up plates while Octavius pulled out some chairs for the three of them to eat on.

“Come, sit. Let’s hope silver’s cooking is better than her potions” He said with a chuckle and wink while Alduin sat herself down, glancing between the two nervously, gaining a scoff from Silver. “I’m a musician not an alchemist, not like yours would be much better” She shot back while sitting down and passing the plates of steaming fish between them all. It was at this moment that Alduin realised how hungry she was, it had been days since she had a good meal. She grabs the fish, doing away with any politeness or utensils she ravenously scarfs it down.

The siblings watched this display, each with a pleased grin on their face. After having devoured her meal, Alduin leaned back on her chair. Feeling warmth in her belly and satisfied for the first time in a while. Alduin looked between the two of them, having barely started on their own meals. She shrunk back, her cheeks glowing green with embarrassment at her rude display, Her tail lashing behind her. Silver let out a short chuckle before taking a bite of her food and pointing her fork at Alduin. “So.. What were you doing past the wall? You know how the hunters are out there.”

“I know, I-I’m confused! I only changed recently. I just went to bed feeling a bit sore a-and I woke up like this! I-I’ve been like this for.. a month maybe? I don’t know what day it is..”

Alduin saw Silver shoot a look at Octavius, who returned it with a nod. She tilted her head and raised her eyebrow “I suppose that’s possible.. but I haven’t  heard of anyone else changing so late after The Merge. Are you sure you didn’t hit your head or anything?. Oh and it’s april.”

“T-two months ago... I spent most of it alone, just trying to figure out what to do.” Her claws tightened around the edge of the plate. “Then... yesterday, the Hunters came. They were doing checks. They chose my house.”

Octavius suddenly leaned forward, food forgotten on the table, untouched. “Checks? The Hunters are doing checks now?” His voice was a growl.

“So you ran. and Octavius picked you up.” Silver finished. and pushed her now empty plate back, standing and around to Alduin, who she quickly grabbed and pulled into a hug. Alduin froze, unsure how to react. No one had touched her since she changed—at least not kindly. The tension she didn’t even realize she’d been holding began to drain from her body as she slowly returned the hug. “Girl. I can’t say I know what it’s like, but I know that you need a hug and a treat. When you’re ready. Let's go out and get you some essentials.”

Alduin nodded, holding onto the hug for a few more moments before letting go and stepping back. Rubbing her arm. a dull ache begging to return to her shoulder. “I-I don’t have anything with me. I’ll need uh.. some clothes and.. is there anything we can get for my arm? Its starting to hurt again…”

“Sure,” Silver takes a step back, and starts to quickly walk back to the stairs “Let me just get ready and we’ll go on a shopping spree. and a tour!” She briskly walks up the stairs. Disappearing to the upper floor. Octavius lets out a sigh and soft chuckle at Alduin noting that it’s just the two of them again.

“I’ll finish my food and clean up here. I’ll warn you in advance, there are probably a lot of things you haven’t seen out there. Don’t panic, they are still people like you and me, just looking a little intimidating.” Alduin nods and leans against the table, putting her empty plate on top of Silvers. “I know. This is all just going to take some getting used to, honestly.. i-it looks amazing out there b-but it’s all just so much a-and -!” 

She freezes again as Silver barreled down the stairs, now clad in a bright blue cloak that swirled behind her like a cape. A leather shirt and snug pants completed the look, and a violin bounced lightly against her back with each step. She looked like she was ready to fight monsters or join a parade—and either seemed equally likely., She grips onto Alduin's shoulders and starts to guide her out the door. “Have fun you two, remember to look out for pickpockets!” Octavius calls out to them as the two of them leave the building.