(Old) Unexpected Union | Umbreon X Sylveon

Chapter 9

Azalea grumbled instinctively as someone gently poked, prodded, and nudged her awake. She rolled over, being met with her mate's crimson eyes.

"Hey, hun, dinner's ready." Keir whispered softly, Azalea smiled groggily at him as she slunk out of bed, stretching as she did so. The first thing she noticed was that the house was deathly silent—not the sort of energy she would've expected at this time.

The next thing she noticed was the smell. She sniffed inquisitively; there was a subtle hint of cheri and kelpsy berries, alongside something else her nose couldn't recognise.

Without skipping a beat, she let her nose lead the way. When she got to the kitchen, she saw only two bowls.

"Where's... Clodagh and Willow? Aren't they eating with us? She asked, still half asleep. Keir sighed and shook his head.

"No, they're both eating outside. Basically, Willow doesn't want to admit that she was in the wrong for trying to force information out of you like a spy, so she's sulking in the orchard. Oul Dear is trying to talk some sense into her. For her to understand, though, I did have to tell her some of your past. I hope you don't mind about that, do you?" He inquired nervously, afraid of her answer.

Azalea thought for a while before responding: "Well, how much did you tell her?"

"Only the essentials; your mother was a Leafeon, and you saw her die in front of you. I didn't tell her about The Warren, though; that'll stay between the two of us, for now anyway." Keir admitted, Azalea nodded slowly. "Then no, I don't mind, I would prefer if you wake me up in future to discuss it though." She finished.

"R-Right, sorry, that... fully slipped my mind." Keir bowed his head slightly, seemingly ashamed in himself. Azalea sighed at him: "Look, I'm not mad at you, K. Just... use your head in future, 'kay? It'd get you out of a lot of messes as a bonus."

Keir chuckled slightly as Azalea's remark, she knew he wouldn't have taken it to heart, so she smiled warmly at him.

"Anyway, we should eat; the stew's going cold." Keir reminded himself as he got up to start serving out his and Azalea's portions. Searching cupboards and drawers until he had two ornate wooden bowls, placing them on the countertop, then picking up a ladle and ladling the stew into both bowls.

He grabbed the two bowls in his paws and began hobbling slowly on his hind legs to the table, amusing Azalea.

"Y'know, you could be a good waiter." She tittered sarcastically, Keir rolled his eyes at her as he set the two bowls down on the table.

"And you'd make a good comedian." He retorted, equally as sarcastic.

Azalea smiled mockingly as she got enamoured by the intricate pattern of the bowl's rim. Sure, it was wooden, but there was more to it than that. The bowl was varnished and had a sort of braided loop pattern, almost similar to the lattice on a pie. It wasn't like any sort of wooden bowl she had ever seen before.

"Keir, where'd you get these bowls from? The pattern isn't like anything I've seen before." Azalea asked, looking expectantly up at her mate to give her the exact answer, only to see him shrug.

"I'm not sure; Oul Dear said that 'they come from her old region' when I asked her about them years ago. It'd explain why you've never seen that sort of pattern before." He answered. A little dejected, Azalea nodded, turning her attention to her food.

It was a stew; like Keir had said a few moments ago, she could see small, bite-sized chunks of sliced hondew and salac berries, alongside the spicy scent of tamato berries. It was obviously going to be a little spicy, but she was starving, so tucked in, picking up the bowl, and gently pouring a small amount of it into her mouth.