The Blood Red Rose

Chapter 8

Aaron woke to the grumbling of his own stomach. He let out a grunt and rolled over, curling up, squeezing his eyes shut. His grumbling stomach and whines must've woken Hercules, because suddenly his doors flung open, smacking the wall and causing a huge bang to echo in the room.

"Aaron! What's wrong?!" He asked, wobbling forward slightly. Aaron looked over at him and whimpered pitifully.

Hercules' eyes widened in realization and he leaned over slightly, nearly toppling over in the process.

"You're hungry!" He exclaimed like he'd just made an amazing discovery. Aaron glared at him weakly, but said nothing. Clothes began to fly out of his doors as Hercules flailed about, clearly not knowing what to do.

"Um! Should I call Eliza! But how would I do that?! Maybe Peggy? But same problem!"

Aaron groaned, he was starting to regret having the wardrobe as his roommate. Thankfully, Hercules' ranting and worrying was put to a halt when the door opened and in walked Lafayette, Eliza and her son.

"Bon matin!" Lafayette cried cheerfully. Aaron grunted and curled up even more.

"Lafayette! Thank god! Aaron's starving and I don't know what to do! Help?" Hercules' voice went small at the end and Lafayette patted the ma- wardrobe, on the leg.

"But of course! Monsieur Burr, can you walk? The candelabra asked, hopping over to Aaron's form on the bed. Aaron grunted and rolled over slowly.

"Why?" He groaned.

"Do we may get you some food of course!" He said cheerfully. "It would be far easier and less dangerous to simply go to the kitchen instead of bringing something to eat all the way up here."

Aaron sat up, the promise of food helping him in ignoring his stomach. He stood up, legs shivering, but managed to stay upright.

"Good! Now let's go to the kitchen!" Lafayette cheered before jumping onto the cart Eliza and Philip were on and pointing to the door, obviously expecting the cart to move. Everyone stood still for one long and awkward pause, before Aaron stumbled over and began to push the cart, causing both Lafayette and Philip to cheer.

After managing to somehow go down the stairs and not making enough noise to summon Alexander, they got to the kitchen.

"Grandpa! Wake up!" Philip called, hopping around while Eliza scolded him, telling him to be more careful. Aaron jumped when suddenly the stove lit up, shaking itself and sending ash everywhere.

"Philip! My grandson!" The stove said cheerfully, spewing smoke everywhere in its happiness.

"Grandpa grandpa! We need to cook a feast!" Philip cried.

The stove lit up. "A feast! Coming up!"

"Wait!" Aaron said. "I-I'm not that hungr-"

"Monsieur Burr! Come come, I will show you to your seat!" Lafayette said, grinned as he began to lead Aaron away.

"B-But-"

"Everyone wake up! It's time to make a feast!" The stove cried. That was the last thing Aaron heard before he was pushed out of the kitchen and lead to the dining room. Lafayette skipped ahead and Aaron followed closely.

"Lafayette, I really don't require a feast, I'd be fine with only-"

"Monsieur Burr," Lafayette interrupted, suddenly stopping and turning to face the young man. "Monsieur, we have been in these forms for many, many years. Alexander does not need to eat too much with his beastly form, so everyone is a bit restless and they all want to be able to feel useful, you know?"