ᴍᴇʟᴏᴅɪᴇꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜱᴜʀᴠɪᴠᴀʟ

Chapter 5: Mind Your Manners

Dinner rolled around faster than you expected, you were grateful yet surprised. Realising it was being dished up and handed out, you eagerly sat yourself down on the nearest available picnic bench, beady eyes intently monitoring Louis and Omar's every step as they trotted back and forth with steaming bowls of stew. The glorious scent wafted past you, tempting you further with every longing inhale. Your stomach bubbled with desperation and your mind trailed in anticipation. 

"I noticed you were by yourself," a familiar southern accent resounded, pulling you from your ravenous cravings, "I hope you don't mind me sittin' with you." Diverting your gaze, Ruby's kind smile filled the centre of your vision as she perched opposite you, carefully balancing her bowl upon the undulating planks. Almost immediately, your starved stare oggled at her food, itching for your own portion.  

"It's fine." You answered, eyes drawn to the stew.

Relieved, Ruby mumbled, "Oh, that's good." She looked at you meaningfully, "I apologise for manhandling you last night," she glanced down, "I was just a little scared, was all -  we all were."

Her sudden condolences confused you, as you believed she had no reason to atone for her previous actions. "You're fine." You said.

"I'm glad." Ruby's shoulders drooped in relief. "How are you feeling now?" 

Your voice was almost robotic as your answered, "Very hungry."

Ruby's sweet expression contorted into a furrow, "Has Louis not given you yours yet?" You shook your head, "That idiot."

"Ah, ah, ah," gratitude welled in your chest as a bowl was coincidentally placed in front of you. "I saved the best till last." Louis spoke from behind you. He placed his portion beside yours and sat down. Instantaneously, you gripped your cutlery and started snarfing down your food. 

"Louis, you left the poor girl starvin'!" Ruby told him off. Unbeknownst to you, a mild sense of guilt tugged on Louis' heartstrings, it wasn't his intention to hinder your eating. 

"She's eating now," Marlon appeared, placing his bowl beside Ruby's and taking a seat, "that's all that matters."

"Oh, brother." Ruby rolled her eyes, "You too?" Intrigued, you averted your gaze from your bowl, focusing on the scene in front of you whilst slowly chowing down. "You better mind your manners this time, it's disrespectful to (Y/N) if you don't." You were surprised to find someone in a post-apocalyptic world who continued to care about manners, considering the majority of people's speech came straight from the Devil's mouth. 

With his mouth full, Louis interjected, "We're not that bad." His voice muffled by the food.

Ruby grimaced, annoyance wracking her shoulders. "This is exactly the kind of behaviour I'm talking about!" Louis turned to you and jokingly rolled his eyes. Ruby huffed, delicately placing her spoon in her mouth. This was the umpteenth time she'd endeavoured to rectify Louis and Marlon's impolite table manners, and despite the continuous unaltering results, she still strived to change them. Suppressing the combination of disappointment and fury building inside, Ruby stared apologetically at you. Although, there was a twinge in her eye as she observed your discourteous devouring. However, she decided to let you off the hook, sympathetic to your situation.  

Swallowing the final spoonful of rabbit stew, you repressed a burp. A warm feeling radiated throughout your body. After years of (barely) surviving the wilderness, you grew to be appreciative of food -  especially when it's hot, you were forever grateful for hot food.