The delicious scent of breakfast wafted through the lighthouse. Sergei was curled up on Lillian's hip. Little asshole. "Morning Sergei." Lillian greeted. "Move please?" She asked. Sergei made a discontented noise, flicking his tail in her face as he got up. Lillian walked over towards the kitchen. Nervously Peeking into the kitchen behind a wall. Watching him cook.
"Hm? Ah, morning Lillian!" Charis exclaimed. Clearly they were a morning person. "Did you sleep well?" Lillian squeaked in surprise that he noticed her. Hid his more of her face behind the wall. "Uhm...good. You?"
"Yes." They smiled.
"Good..." She said curtly. The only part of her visible from Charis's POV was her thick hair and a hand gripping the concrete.
"Are you alright?"
"I am alright..." she reassured softly. Lillian's starred at the floor. What now? "Are you hungry? Would you like some breakfast?" Charis offered. Lillian agreed hesitantly. "Great, Do you like eggs?" He asked. Lillian sat at the table. "Egg?" She blinked confused. Having no clue what an egg was. "Ah..you probably don't know what that is. Should've known. Would you like to try one?" He asked. Lillian nodded. Charis slid a small plate of eggs towards her. One was scrambled, the other overlight. Lillian looked and Charis and then the food in amazement.
"Is- is something wrong?" Charis asked, uttered confused at her amazement.
Lillian looked up at him, "No, it is lot of food. I did not think I get any. They not even have marks from hunt. It is good- impressed." Lillian complimented. Trying to find a better word than good. "Awe- hun, you don't hunt for eggs. A friend of mine has a coop, so I get them for free." Charis explained. "Plus is not acceptable to leaves marks on your food. Seems unsanitary-"
"How?" Lillian asked.
"There's birds that lay eggs and you just...take them, I suppose."
"Oh...my school just eat other fish. We do not have birds in the sea." Lillian shrugged. "Makes sense." They nodded. "Okay...so I have this?" Lillian confirmed. Pointing to the eggs. "Yes, Of course. I don't eat in the mornings."
"Why? You have food." Lillian asked.
"I do, it just makes me sick." He shrugged.
"Well- That just what happens when you eat." Lillian said, not understanding. "Hun, most people don't feel that-" Charis's expression turned into worry. "That's not okay, do you need a- a mermaid doctor or something?" He suggested. "What? It is okay for me and you though? You say you feel same way." Lillian compared. "I don't know what a doctor is." She added quietly. "No?? I can't eat in the mornings because I've conditioned myself not to. I doubt you've ever needed to."
"I can't eat in morning either. Why you not eat? You do not have school to share with." She asked. "I usually never have time. So my brain learned to go without it. Ever since I was a child I would have to go work in a factory back in Russia or head straight to my school. So I never bothered to eat." Charis explained.
"Oh..." Lillian said, feeling bad for asking. Charis gave her a smile, ruffling her hair as they brushed past. "I've gotta grab same water for the dishes. I'll be back soon." Charis stood. "Okay." Lillian nodded. Inhaling the eggs once he stood up. Charis walked out. Masha followed him. Sergei sat on the table next to Lillian.
When Charis returned, it was starting to rain. Which meant he probably wouldn't sleep at all tonight. He dumped the large bucket into the sink and returned it outside.
Lillian was petting Sergei. Scratching behind his ears. A combination of not not eating and eating too quickly now had consequences. Her stomach hurt, but Lillian hoped it would go away by the end of the day. Charis teased her hair again, "Your hair's lovely."
"I-" Lillian blinked at him, "You think so?" She said bashfully. "Mhm, it's beautiful." Charis complimented. "...thank you." Lillian smiled, though it was hidden inside her hair. "I like your hair too..." she reciprocated. "Thanks...cutie."
Lillian didn't respond she was to busy overheating from his compliments. Her face was a bright shade of pink.
"You're too kind." She said quietly. "Thank you, But I think you're wrong." He said rubbing her shoulders.
