Starvation

Unattainable Desires

The small farming town five hours out of Domino city was busy getting ready to receive tourist for the fall season. On the main street, every house and businesses had their doors and windows decorated with dry purple and yellow corn, autumn leaves, pumpkins and gourds and flowers. People from outside the town would visit to see the change of fall in the nearby woods or take a stroll around the lake.

The town was enchantingly scenic and calming. Yugi would have never guessed that Ryou would vacation here every five years or own a small house fifteen minutes out of  the town.

The caretaker, Mr. Fritz, his wife, Mrs. Fritz, were happy to have Yugi stay at the home. "It makes a place happy to have someone living in it." Mr. Fritz said as he and Yugi waked around the property. "It's nice to clear your head of the city but every five years is too long to keep a house waiting to be used."

Yugi smiled politely at the middle age caretaker. Visiting more than every five years in such a small place put Ryou's identity at risk with such overly friendly, and nosey, people. They were about to head inside when Yugi saw a house sitting on top of a hill. "Is that my neighbor?"

"Yep. The only one on this side of the county." Mr. Fritz replied then clapped Yugi on the back saying that Mrs. Fritz would be inside with refreshments waiting. "Not to brag but my wife makes the best apple cider and apple tarts. It's partly why I married her." The old man winked at Yugi and he gave a small laugh as they walked through the front door.

"Ah, right on time." A jolly voice rung out when the door closed. From out the kitchen Mrs. Fritz came out with a tray with mugs of cider and fresh baked treats. Yugi went to take the tray from her but she wouldn't have it. "You're a guest, when we're gone you can carry your own trays. Frank, take this to the sitting room."

Obediently, Mr. Frank took the tray from his wife, kissed her on the cheek and said, "I was just telling him about the house on the hill."

"Oh," Mrs. Fritz round eyes twinkled and said with a merry enthusiasm, "You want to know about Persona's place, do you?"

Yugi shrugged. "Well, I just saw the house and was curious."

A flash went across the woman's brown eyes and immediately Yugi sense the woman's hobby of meddling and worried that he would become her next victim.

The towering stout  woman put a motherly arm around Yugi's shoulders and guided him to the sitting room saying, "She's our local flower girl. Her family has been running that business since the towns founding. She also grows chickens to sell eggs and plants vegetables and fruit but her skills as a florist is what pays the bills."

"She also has the cow, but I think it's more of an attraction for tourist then a working animal." Mr. Fritz said handing Yugi a mug. "She runs the whole place on her own with only two people helping her part time. I sometimes help out if something needs fixing."

The sweet spicy scent drifted up to Yugi's nose and while he was not one for cider the smell did entice him to give it a try. "Yes," Mrs. Fritz joined in with a sympathetic sigh, "poor thing works far too hard if you ask me. Well, cheers to your stay in our little town, may you find it enjoyable." They all took a sip and Yugi savored the warm liquid gliding over his tongue and the flavor filled his body with a relaxing heat. He hummed as he brought down his mug and Mrs. Fritz grinned asking, "Do you like it dear?"

"Yes, it's the best thing I've tasted."

"Good, I'll leave two bottles for you in the kitchen. Now, back to your neighbor- "

Being a demon of lust, Yugi knew when humans found him attractive and try to trap him in a relationship. Mrs. Fritz, however, was the first person to play matchmaker with him. Her husband made no attempt to stop his wife and even left the room to refill his mug and Yugi's. He did give a small apologetic smile but Yugi thought that he fled the room too quickly for it to be sincere.