Rosetta's Scary

Mary nervously walked behind Rosetta, slowly being taken into a new part of the town. The roads began to widen, the roads beginning to look more and more worn as the noise picked up. Stalls were set up at the sides of the roads, loud merchants calling for the attention of anybody who’d listen. As Mary began to wish she could shrink, she noticed something: Rosetta was actually very notably tall. It wasn’t easy to notice when she was around the absolutely monstrous Hunter, but Mary’s forehead only just reached above Rosetta’s shoulders. It was a small comfort, but at least she felt a bit of protection walking beside her.

“S-So, is this where we’re getting supplies?” Mary asked sheepishly.

“No. This is where predatory booths are set up to lure in children and those with no appraisal skills. We will be walking further.”

“O-Ok…” Rosetta’s answer felt like Mary was being lashed for ignorance, so she completely clammed up after that. She silently watched as they walked further, seeing how the crowds began to thin slightly and the stalls looked less and less extravagant. She started to feel a bit more at ease as they walked among the more open areas.

Then, the scent of searing meat met Mary. The smell took her by surprise, and made Mary finally notice the distinct stabbing pain in her stomach. She was incredibly hungry. She hadn’t noticed it with how stressed she was. She wanted to ask Rosetta if they could buy something, but looking up reminded her of the source of her stress. Rosetta was now frowning rather than scowling, but it was still enough to make Mary not willing to talk.

Rosetta, however, had noticed that look.

“Hey,” she said, “you want something, don’t you?”

Mary gasped a bit, shaking her head.

“No,” Rosetta said, “don’t be like that. We’re out shopping, and I’m not exactly short on coin. Just ask for what you want, no need to play coy.”

“W-Well… I’m, uh… Hungry.”

“Perfect,” Rosetta said, “Do you have anything in particular you wanted to eat?”

Mary shook her head. “U-Uhm… Meat?”

“Wonderful! There’s a vendor that usually sells well-done steaks that I absolutely love, and he also makes jerky that we can take for our trip. And meat is exactly what I needed right now, so it’s good to hear that from you.”

Rosetta started to walk rather hurriedly towards a particular stall, and Mary was basically dragged along behind her. They moved towards the wonderful smell rather quickly, so it became easier to not resist. She felt bad about taking Rosetta’s money, but if it was for something Rosetta wanted as well too, it couldn’t be that bad.

“We’d like to order two steaks, well-done.” Rosetta said, her voice even more sharp now that she’s talking to somebody other than Mary.

“Ah, welcome back Rosetta,” the man at the stall said with a smile, “lookin’ for the usual?”

“Of course,” Rosetta replied. “You remember the spices?”

“I sure do! It’ll cost you extra, like the other times you’ve ordered it.”

Rosetta nodded, sliding over a small pouch of coin. “Of course, here you are.”

“Well, I’ve got one right about done, your spices are on it. I’ve got your timin’ down pat. I heard you were in town last night, so I knew you’d be around about now! I’ll get a new one fixed up quick, but you two’ll have to share in the meantime. Now, let me get some spinach…”

“Thank you. Mary, do you want spinach with yours?”

Mary was caught by surprise at her suddenly being involved in this exchange. “A-Ah, uhm, no!... No, but thank you.”

The man nodded and quickly pulled a steak off of a hot pan, placing it onto a cutting board. Mary could see the crust glistening with juices and flavor, the smell nearly dragging Mary closer all by itself. She held herself back despite wanting to leap forward and absolutely devour it, watching as the man cut it in half and brought out two plates and matching utensils for them. He plated the two cuts and served them up.

“Here you two are!” he said with a smile.

“Timely, as always,” Rosetta said as she took her plate with one hand and started to walk towards a table near the stall.

“Um, thank you,” Mary said as she quickly took her plate.

“Think nothing of it! Now, enjoy your food!” The man seemed quite cheerful despite how Rosetta had spoken so bluntly.

Mary and Rosetta sat at a table nearby, and Rosetta immediately started to eat, stabbing it with her fork and cutting into it with the knife. Despite her moving eagerly, there was a distinct elegance to her movements, motions that looked drilled and practiced rather than natural. Mary didn’t spend long watching her, though, as she quickly turned to her own cut and picked it up with the fork and bit straight into it. Her teeth sank in, cutting straight through the thick meat and tearing a piece into her mouth that she chewed feverishly.

Finally, Mary was able to enjoy a bit of peace. She took in the salty and savory flavor, her body responding very positively to the food. She could feel her mind settling and her muscles relaxing, like some deeper instinct was being fulfilled. She tore another piece of meat from the steak.

Rosetta gave a little sigh as she saw Mary loosening up, and Mary almost immediately felt self-conscious again. She tried to hide it as she looked up, trying to see what Rosetta’s expression was like. She couldn’t help but wonder if she had done something wrong to prompt the sigh.

“Mary, tell me… Is there something wrong?”

Rosetta’s words came out of nowhere, making Mary freeze up. “Wh-What do you mean?”

“You’ve been responding shortly to each question I ask. Is something bothering you?”

Mary gulped a bit, blushing. How could she put this in polite terms? Or, how could she put it in any terms? The way she felt about Rosetta was a bit strange. A few seconds’ thought only really brought one answer to her, so she brought it up bluntly.

“U-Uh… Well… You’ve been… Really scary today. Since we set out towards church.”

Mary’s honesty scared her. She knew that some lecture or explanation was coming. She braced herself, ready for a barrage of words that would explain everything and make her feel bad for thinking it was scary.