Ill Met By Moonlight

Chapter 9: Guitar

Lex softly knocked on Lady Beneviento's, a tray of food in her hand. 

''Come in.'' Lady Beneviento called out. Lex couldn't help but smile a little as she opened the door, no longer being bothered by the giggles of a dead child.

Donna Beneviento sat up in her bed, wearing a loose black shirt with the words ''lazy bones'' on it, her hair covering her right eye. Angie the doll who was spread out on Lady Beneviento's lap and who was snoring loudly, was wearing the same shirt as Lady Beneviento.

''Good morning, Lady Beneviento.'' Lex smiled, slowly approaching the ravenette's bed and placing the tray of food down. 

This had become a routine for the three of them for the pass two weeks. Lex would wake up early and make breakfast before going to Lady Beneviento's room and delivering it directly to The Dollmaker. Lex began to smile a bit more and even talk more. Donna Beneviento slowly got more comfortable around Lex and started removing her veil often. The Dimitrescu family had stopped by for a visit earlier that week and commented on Lady Beneviento's sudden change. but one thing still remained the same, Lex still wore her blindfold.

''Are we going to go on another walk today?'' Lex smiled.

''Actually, I was thinking of something a bit different. When Alcina and her family came over, Rue told me that you can play the guitar.'' the ravenette shyly smiled, picking up her fork and knife to cut up the pancakes that were on her plate.

''Yes, I can play. I haven't played in a long time though.'' Lex explained.

''I think I have a guitar laying around somewhere in the house. If we were to find it, would you play a song?'' the ravenette blushed lightly as she took a bite of her breakfast. Angie yawned and stretched as Lady Beneviento ate, scratching her stomach with her porcelain fingers.

''If we do, I'll play a song for you.'' Lex promised, heat creeping up her neck and a familiar fluttering feeling stirring in her belly. The Dollmaker looked at the woman and stabbed her fork into a pancake slice, holding it up and near Lex. Lex tilted her head slightly. ''What is it? Does it not taste good?''

''No, it's not that. I just have never seen you eat anything before.'' the Dollmaker explained. Lex's small smile slowly disappeared as she looked at the pancake. She swallowed hard and leaned down, tenderly taking a bit of the fluffy meal. She chewed a bit, stopping halfway through her fifth chew briefly before swallowing. Lady Beneviento gave Lex a smile before returning to eating.

''Can't have you going hungry,'' Lady Beneviento said, taking another bite of the pancake. ''You make delicious food after all, you should eat more.''

Delicious wasn't exactly how she'd describe it. It was adequate at best. But quite bland. Well, at least to herself. The side effects of her medication dulled her sense of taste. Her affliction caused her appetite to fade and how often she needed to eat diminish as well. If she could remember or had a recipe with her she could still cook something for others, but regular food she made for Lady Beneviento didn't hold any nutritional value for her anymore. 

''Donna, you should make dinner tonight!'' Lex heard Angie whisper to Lady Beneviento, stealing a piece of pancake from the ravenette's fork.

''W-What?'' the woman blushed, looking down at her doll companion.

''Hey, Alex! How would you feel if Donna made you dinner?'' the doll turned to the woman. The thick haired woman tried as best as she could to keep a blush from attacking her.

''I-I wouldn't be opposed to it.'' Lex's cheeks flared up no matter how much she tried to stifle it. A delightfully familiar fluttering in her stomach getting stronger.