Blood Moon

The Jambalaya

(I didn't find a name for this one...just know it isn't mine!)

I huffed and sat back in my wooden chair, which made my back hurt, by the way.

Alastor walked out with plates stacked precariously on his arms and handed each of us the steaming meal without pause.

I could see Charlotte's face, although it looked extremely red. Was she blushing? Why?

"Hey, Doc, you okay over there?" I asked jokingly.

She only responded with a slight nod and squeezing herself even tighter.

"You didn't put blood in this, did you?" The man, supposedly Husker, poked at his food with a metal fork and scowled at Alastor.

Vaggie gave him the same look.

Geez, they're so hostile. This is free food, why y'all complainin'? I spoke in my mind as I took the first bite.

It was delicious; I quickly stuffed my face with more of the jambalaya.

Vaggie watched me with a frown. "Whose side are you on?" She asked as if she were joking, but I felt like I shouldn't give an answer.

"Aw, come on, the shit's amazing! Try it!"

"What if he put some kinda vampire...voodoo...magic powder in it?"

"Did you all forget I am still in the room? My, my, for someone who just had a meal made for them you are being awfully rude," he added in the tanned girl's direction.

I glanced back at Charlotte. She was eating her food with a content smile.

I lightly gestured to her. "Look, she's eatin' it. She looks like she's enjoyin' it too."

Charlotte had paused for a moment, then flashed me an even happier smile. We both went back to eating, but I realized I'd finished all of mine.

I sat back again and smirked at the other vampire in the room. "Not a bad job, Strawberry. Not bad at all."

"Fuck...he's right. It is good," Husker growled. "But you still didn't answer my question. Is there blood in this?"

The red-themed smiling man grinned ever wider. "Now, that would not be an appropriate ingredient to add to a vampire's dish of whom is trying to better himself," he pointed to me dramatically, "and besides, this recipe is perfect without altercations in any way."

"Eh, could use a bit of seasoning," Vaggie said in between mouthfuls. "But I will admit, Anthony has a bit of competition there. Up your game, boots."

She gave me a sly expression. I returned it, yet not as confidently.

"Oh, I'll show you a good meal. Watch me."

Charlotte finally spoke up. "Thank you, Alastor. This is really wonderful." 

Alastor nodded in approval. "You are very welcome. It was a pleasure to cook for you all...maybe Anthony will be more willing to let me help in the kitchen?"

"Only dinner. I make pancakes every mornin' and they can't be beat." I smirked proudly. "Ain't that right, Vaggie? They're to die for!"

The others, who had tried my winning flapjacks, agreed.

The little girl stared at me in excitement. "Can you make choco-chip sprinkles?"

I laughed a bit too loudly, but she didn't seem affected. "'Can I make choco-chip sprinkles?' Girl, I could put damn veggies in there and they would still taste like Heaven."

"Yeah, let's not do that," Vaggie remarked in an annoyed tone.

The rest finished their meal. I noticed Alastor had never served himself any, but I just assumed he wasn't hungry anymore. He seemed strange to me, for lack of better words. I knew he was infamous for chaos, but this man didn't seem very violent until before.

I sat back a bit farther in my chair, unsure of how to think of him.

(Alright guys. I know this is a shorter chapter...my brain...fried...I hit my head pretty hard the day before, so my mind is kind of deciding not to work to it's natural abilities. But enough of me complaining about head injuries. How is 2021 treating you all so far? We're a few weeks into it and a couple good things have happened for me. Hopefully you are all having the same luck. Please check out Fantasyandromance for some awesome stories [I tell no lie, they know how to write well!] and I will hopefully see you all soon. I love you, pǝun⊥ ʎɐʇS...)