IN THE FOREST OF THE LOST

[beathollow]

it's all too perfect.

Comments

[beathollow]

Oh, yes! And the Queen herself made some of these dishes- isn't she so benevolent? Please, try some!

[supherb]

[Something about the queen having made some of this kills his appetite a little, but…he’ll continue to try to leave a good impression. He’ll do it for Mafuyu.]

Thank you, I will.

[He sits and takes a bite of whatever happens to be closest.]

[beathollow]

It looks like a healthy, wonderful steak, still steaming hot!


Except when he takes a bite...

It's cold. And he can't taste anything.

Isn't it wonderful? The maid asks gleefully.

[supherb]

[Arven’s expression stiffens. How is this steak so flavorless? It’s a Herculean effort to even finish the bite.]

Um…y-yeah! It’s great!

[It’s not very convincing, but he can’t help it. He’s stunned.

Well…what about the sides? Surely something here has taste.]

[finalmix]

[ he's here after leaving the conversation with the servant so he's just watching arven try the food on the table, then: ]

... I hope none of them are poisoned.

[ or like, you know, mess with him later, ]

[supherb]

I don’t think it is.

[But from the look on his face, there’s definitely something wrong with it.]

[finalmix]

You don't sound convinced.

[ but the look on arven's face is enough to convince joshua to pluck a small piece of something to try it, and





yeah he's making the same face. ]

No thank you.

[supherb]

…yeah.

[At least he’s not the only one who can’t taste it.]

[finalmix]

[ ok this is awkward because joshua is Not Good at comforting people but he's probably noticed that arven's mood has shifted because of the Emotional Damage so!!! ]

I think we've eaten our fill, hm?

[ AND THEN IZOU HAPPENS SO. ]

[supherb]

[He’s about to agree, BUT THEN IZOU HAPPENS AND HE’S SUDDENLY BEING ELECTROCUTED WTF]

[beathollow]

Everything he samples is the same. Cold and flavorless.

The maid, at least, seems happy.

Something flashes in his mind, though-

Mafuyu sits at a desk surrounded by classmates. They trade a bit of each other's lunchboxes, and the girls begin to fawn over the things from Mafuyu's-

"It's delicious!"

"Your mom is an amazing cook, Mafuyu!"

She just smiles with a nod. "Mhm. I'm very lucky."

...

So... it does have a flavor? But I still...

[supherb]

[It’s all so dull…but why?

He doesn’t have to wonder for very long. Soon enough, he’s hit with that memory.

…and by the time it’s over, he’s still in his seat, staring at the flavorless food in front of him.

This entire time—all the meals he cooked for her—she couldn’t…?]

…

[He wants to cry.]

[beathollow]

...

The orange light brushes against his cheek.

When it's made with love, she can feel it. She knows. But she's sick.

[supherb]

[He immediately lifts his head with a start and rubs at his eyes before a tear can trickle down his cheek.]

S-Sick…? She’s sick?

[beathollow]

Yes. The physical and mental stress is poisoning her.

[supherb]

Can it be reversed…?

[She’s not stuck without taste forever, is she?]

[beathollow]

I don't know. But... it's because her body is lacking vitamins now, right? So...maybe.



She loves you. And what you do. And what you make. She does. She has her own way to still love what you cook. Please don't cry... I'm not good at crying.

[supherb]

[He listens carefully, taking it all in. He believes this voice, whoever it is.]

S-Sorry.

[He didn’t mean to cry, it just kind of…happened.]

My passion is cooking food that makes people and Pokemon feel better. I cured Mabosstiff with my cooking when nothing else could.

[He smiles down at Mabosstiff, then returns his gaze upward.]

…Maybe I can do something for her, too. So she can experience all of my love.

[beathollow]

The light bumps against him again, but this time it feels like a small young girl is giving him a hug and holding his hand. Somehow he feels Mafuyu's longing.

You will. Because you love her.

[supherb]

[He closes his eyes and mentally takes that hand. Yeah…that’s a longing he knows all too well. It’s something they both share.]

Heh. Thanks for the vote of confidence.