Dubiously Dodged

TW: Emeto - please proceed with caution 

Ninim was trying her hardest not to make a face as the servant placed the steaming bowl of what she could only guess was supposed to be a meal in front of her. She exchanged a glance with Jayla, who had received her serving moments earlier and looked similarly concerned. Alas, they had already committed to being here, and leaving wasn't really an option, especially since Queen Iola and King Nero had already arrived and taken their places at the head of the table.

She skeptically poked at one of the bubbles still rising in the stew. Either it had come of the stove mere seconds ago or something was seriously wrong with it, because the way it was bubbling, it almost looked like something alive was writhing under the surface. It was hard to even look at.

She could hardly focus on the Queen's words welcoming the guests and inviting them to dig into their "meal." She vaguely heard something about it being one of the King's favourite dishes though and would have laughed if she wasn't so distracted by the odor rising from the bowl. His wish for the sweet release of death was written all over Nero's face as soon as Iola's eyes weren't on him. She sincerely hoped the Queen was banished from the kitchen when foreign leaders came to visit, because surely serving this to them would be seen as a declaration of war.

She turned to her girlfriend once again and was startled to see Jayla actually shoveling spoon after spoon into her mouth, all decorum abandoned.

Surely she couldn't possibly be enjoying this?

Then, Ninim looked closer and noticed Jayla's eyes were watering, and she was swallowing much too quickly. Yeah, that made more sense. She was just trying not to hurt the Queen's feelings.

Looking back at her own still full bowl and feeling her stomach twisting into knots, she wasn't sure she had the capacity to be as noble.

She reached for her spoon with a trembling hand. She couldn't put it off any longer. The King was already squinting suspiciously at her as if daring her to make a wrong move. Start eating or else, his glare spelled, and despite the lack of such precedent, she was sure he'd have her executed if she tried to prolong this any longer than she already had.

Next to her, Jayla had unfathomably already basically finished her portion as Ninim scooped up her first spoonful.

"Oh, someone's already done? You must have really enjoyed it, I'm so happy!", she heard Queen Iola say. "Feel free to ask for seconds, we've got plenty to go around!"

Whether it was the renewed wave of smell from her scoop or the mere thought of there being more of this somewhere, she didn't know, but whatever it was, it gave Ninim the rest. She put her napkin to her mouth just in time. She felt Nero's gaze piercing her as Jayla worriedly placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Oh no, are you alright, dear?", Iola asked.

"I'm... We're so sorry, Your Majesty. She's only recently cured, you see... Please excuse us! Thank you for your hospitality.", Jayla said hurriedly, while ushering Ninim through the nearest door.

Once they had gotten a decent distance from the dining room (and Ninim had regrettably thrown up again in a flower pot), they stopped.

"Are you feeling better?", Jayla asked.

"I think so...", Ninim groaned, leaning against the wall. The cool stone on her back felt soothing.

Jayla smiled, relieved, but then made a face and heaved.

"Ugh... I think that stew is coming back for revenge."

As Ninim hurried along Jayla's side to find a bathroom, she felt a twinge of guilt knowing they probably wouldn't be welcomed back at the palace anytime soon (especially if someone found out about the flower pot,) but she also couldn't help but feel relieved that she successfully avoided having to taste that grotesque stew.

Royal favour might have been nice to have, but... No, it just really was not worth it.