Darkness Retribution

Duo's Feast

As evening approached, the group began preparing for dinner. Felix suggested they cook something special to celebrate their bond as a team, now proudly going by Darkness Retribution. Freddy, ever enthusiastic, decided that no celebration was complete without some wine.

"I'll grab a bottle!" Freddy announced, sprinting off toward the kitchen. A few moments later, he returned with a dusty bottle of red wine, grinning like he'd just found treasure. "Alright, who's in?"

Freddy made his rounds with the wine, and when he reached Neuvillette, he grinned mischievously. "How about a glass, Neuvillette?" Freddy wiggled the bottle in front of him, clearly enjoying himself.

Neuvillette, however, kept a straight face, waving off the offer. "No, I am never going to do that again... not after last time," he said seriously. "I'm quite happy with water, thank you."

The table fell quiet, everyone curious about the ominous "last time." Felix raised an eyebrow and leaned toward you, whispering, "Do you think he did something, you know... crazy?"

You tried to hold back a giggle. "I can totally picture him going wild with wine."

Neuvillette's sharp hearing picked up on the comment, but instead of engaging, he simply lifted his glass of water and took a slow, deliberate sip, leaving the rest of the table to wonder. Freddy shrugged and poured himself another glass of wine, content to let Neuvillette's mystery remain unsolved.

Meanwhile, Duolingo, in his little green apron, clapped his wings together. "Enough talk about Neuvillette's questionable decisions—tonight, I'm going to dazzle you all with a culinary masterpiece. Sit back, and prepare to be amazed!"

He quickly took charge of the kitchen, flipping vegetables in a pan with surprising skill. His small frame moved with such precision, it was as if he were dancing around the kitchen. The sight of the little green owl handling cooking equipment made Felix chuckle.

"You think he's better at cooking than he is at scaring people into studying?" Felix asked, watching as Duolingo expertly stirred a pot.

"I think he's a bit terrifying in both," you replied with a smirk. "But if the food is as good as his motivational tactics, we're in for a treat."

Freddy, never one to miss a joke, leaned in. "Let's just hope he doesn't serve us detention for not helping out."

The team watched as Duolingo whipped up the meal with flair, tossing spices into the air and stirring sauces with grace. Within minutes, the kitchen smelled like a high-end restaurant, and everyone gathered at the table, stomachs rumbling.

Duolingo, puffing out his tiny chest, placed the final dish on the table with a flourish. "Dinner is served! Behold, my pièce de résistance!" The team looked on, impressed by the spread of vibrant dishes in front of them—perfectly roasted vegetables, tender meat, and sauces that glistened under the kitchen lights.

Daddy Hello Kitty Batman looked skeptical at first, poking his fork at the dish in front of him. "Okay, I'll give it a try, but if it's anything like his Spanish lessons, I'm expecting a guilt trip if it's not perfect."

Freddy, already a couple of glasses in, chuckled, "I dunno, man. I think Duolingo might've missed his calling as a chef. Look at this feast!"

The team eagerly dug in, and the room filled with the sounds of forks clinking against plates, the occasional "Mmm" of approval echoing through the dining room. Even Neuvillette, despite his earlier refusal of wine, seemed to enjoy the meal. He calmly ate his food, sipping on his water, giving the occasional nod of approval.

Duolingo, standing proudly at the head of the table, couldn't resist a smug grin. "See? There's more to me than just language lessons. I hope this will serve as a reminder to take your Spanish a bit more seriously."

Felix leaned back in his chair, a content smile on his face as he nudged you gently. "Guess we owe the owl a little more credit. Who knew he could whip up a meal like this?"

You grinned, reaching for another bite. "Maybe we should keep him around just for his cooking."

Freddy, already halfway through his third glass of wine, suddenly stood up, raising his glass. "A toast!" he declared. "To Duolingo, the chef of Darkness Retribution, and to Neuvillette—for not burning anything down tonight!"

Everyone burst into laughter, even Neuvillette, who let out a quiet sigh but couldn't help the amused look on his face.

"I assure you, I am quite capable of handling myself in the kitchen," Neuvillette said, though his serious tone contrasted with the glint of humor in his eyes. "That incident was purely circumstantial."

Freddy, never one to let a joke die, wagged his finger at him. "Yeah, yeah, sure it was. Next time, we'll keep you on water duty, my friend."

The group chuckled again, and as dinner wound down, the conversation turned to lighter, more playful topics. The air was filled with joy and laughter, and it felt as if the team had truly bonded through this meal. Even with all the quirks and jokes, they had grown closer, cementing themselves as a mismatched but effective unit.

As the night continued, Neuvillette stood up first, excusing himself from the table. "It's been a long day," he said, smoothing out his coat. "I'll be retiring for the evening. I'm sure I'll need my rest if tomorrow brings more... culinary adventures."

Freddy, still grinning, waved him off. "Goodnight, Neuvillette! Sweet dreams, and may your water be ever refreshing!"

Neuvillette, ever composed, simply nodded as he walked off to his room. The rest of the group finished their meal, basking in the warmth of the night and the lighthearted atmosphere, grateful for a rare, peaceful moment.