35 Dinner?

Michael only kept smiling as they stumbled down the creaking stairs. It was lit up by some candles which were hung on the descending wall. Altough it was not much, it still helped ease ones worries. Allowing some mild comfort to be generated when traversed towards the bottom.

Firnell didn't even seem to look where she stepped. Only accelerating further the nearer the end they came. Her tripping foot steps became louder and louder as she continued without stop. This girl really knew each step like the inside of her pocket.

As they both took their last steps onto the aged wooden floor, barely lit by the candles, Michael once more found himself pulled away. While being dragged, he tried looking around in the new environment. Slowly finding himself in a sort of passage illuminated by the same kind of light previously found. However, luckily, the deeper in you went, the more visible it would get. Thanks to this, the outlining of the room would be easier to absorb, alongside a bunch of paintings.

Although he saw all the paintings hanging there, only a few were properly seen before Firnell put more force into pulling him along. She probably didn't want him to see them.

There were two of these paintings that were able to catch his attention. The first one was an image of some sort of giant black cat eating a bowl of sand. The lines making up its face were drawn weirdly, making it look like the cat was smiling. The other thing was....It's blue eyes, who always seem to follow his movement. After walking further away from it, Michael noticed that since their eyes could not link, the head began to bend in his direction. Not wanting to let his figure go.

The last painting he was able to properly register before Firnell stretched her small hand towards the door knob, was an an image of some young woman being sacrified to a humanoid cow. The woman was tied to a alter of sorts, smiling at the cow who held a fork and knife in each hoof. However, the cow did not look down at her, instead intently following the last steps of Michael before he exited the corridor.

Firnell finally dragged him through the door, and they were now standing in a fancy dining hall.

There was a long and beautiful table, only ever seen used in a fancy banquet which stretched itself infinitely outwards. The well carved wood shone slightly as the lanters hanging from the roof locked every inch of it in place. Several white plates were lined up for every available seat. A long line of empty chairs and white plates stretched like a sort of road on each side. Were they having a dinner party of sorts?

He walked alongside Firnell towards the end, watching all the empty seats pass by, until finally finding three people on the other end.

The first was a tall bald man. He wore a black robe with some dark brown stripes vertically crossing over it. A heartfelt smile was resting beneath his glittering blue eyes and heavy wrinkles. This guy must be quite old, yet he still held a youthful aura.

Next to him was a blond haired lady. First thing you would notice would be her tight dark blue dress, displaying the subtle curves undernath. Working their magic onto any who passed. Easily enticing any man foolish enough to not remove his gaze in due time. A light set of make-up covered her exquisite facial features, helping to line out her green eyes with two black circles.

The last one was a girl looking a little like an older version of Firnell. They shared many of the same traits, only, she gave of a more womanly charm.

They both closed more and more in, making all three look in their direction. Noticing their daughter dragging poor Michael alongside her, the first one who chose to speak was the mother.

"My god, you sure are forceful when finding something you like, my dear."

Changing her gaze from her daughter to Michael, a seductive smile bloomed on her face.

"And you must be sir Marss. My daughter tells me you have an affinity towards the element of gold. Is this right?"

Michael gave her a warm smile back. A sincere energy was emitted from it, successfully masking his thoughts.

'First thing she asks me about is the gold affinity?'

"Ah, yes. That is true. Well, I also have some other's, but they don't really matter that much."

She graced the palm of her hand against her smooth white cheeks, appearing much more interested in him. Following every move he made.

However, before she had the opportunity to continue, the husband merely laughed at the scene. Waving his big hands towards them.

"You sure are in a hurry, dear. Let the children sit down first!"

Hearing her father speak made Firnell blush more. Silently sitting down on the opposite side of her parents and sister. Michael just follow suit, dragging out the chair next to her.

"I...I turned eighteen last month, father! P..Please stop calling me a child!"

Although shy, she looked back at the bald man with some resentment and unfairness.

He only smiled softly at her, quickly moving over to Michael, who his wife and eldest daughter were currently eyeing down.

His voice was deep, but held a hint of welcoming within. It helped ease his mind a little.

"Sir Marss. It is an honor to finally meet you."

Michael nodded at him, tucking his fingers togheter while leaning both elbows on each side of the white plate before him.

"Likewise, sir....?"

"Haha, you may call me Branson. Or of course, father if you wish."

Trying not to break the iron smile he currently had carved out, Michael let two different sets of thoughts run separately through his mind and mouth.

'What the hell?'

"A..ah, then sir Branson, It is my pleasure."

Seeing Michael going for the first one, his smile weakened a little, but not enough to make any noticable difference.

Immediately after, the wife began to question him again. Wanting to continue with their previous conversation.

"So, Marss darling. You said you have other essence affinities? Please, I would love to hear more about it."

she followed up with a small wink and a last sentence. Now waiting for him to answer.

"And yes, you can just call me Lissanna. Or mom, if that is what flows better."

After hearing her question, he turned his eyes towards Firnell's quiet older sister, which was currently starring at him as if she was possessed. It was the sort of gaze the paintings from the hall gave him. Unfeeling, yet very eager.

"Well, Miss Lissanna. I have a affinity towards wind, darkness, ice and blood too. However, I never really meditate much on any of them."

He was planning on seeing her reaction, but was left speechless when all three were widened their eyes. Looking at him down like a incredible gold trophy.

Lissanna leaned forward and crossed her leggs. Seemingly even more interested in him now. Too bad she wasn't able to ask anything, as three servants walked in from now where, each carrying a silver plate filled with some sort of steaming meat.

The plates were placed down in between each of the dinnerware. Making sure that everyone could easily access each dish.

Branson's smile returned it's former glorious radiance, looking at Marss while the servants speedily left.

"Sir Marss, as you are our guest, you may pick first."

Only nodding back at him, Michael stretched his body out with a plate in hand. Throwing a fairly sized piece of beef onto it with his fork.

After retracted, the rest began to fill their own. Shoving their plates full like a bunch of wolfs.

Seeing that everyone began to intently eat, Michael slowly cut a piece of with the fork he used to retrieve with. Taking a small dice of the tender steak into his watering mouth.

The meat slowly entered, and a soft yet warm feeling danced over his tounge.

The fragnant sauce, and the grand aroma emitted from the food amplified all his tastebuds, making the slice he chewed on quickly fly down into his stomach.

Michael's suspicions were slightly lessened as he swallowed. Firnell's family was not like the other ones he had met as young, but they at least knew how to please their guest's.

Satisfied with the food, he removed any thoughts on holding back. Planning to devour everything and mabye some more.

'This is actually quite goo...'

However, before he could finish his thoughts, the system began to talk in his mind.

[New genetic code stored!]

A weird smile seemed formed on his previously satisfied face, as the suspicions feeling once more krept up behind him.

'What? Was there some sort of rare animal meat I ea...'

[Gentic storage: Wood elf(new)]

He could not stop himself from throwing his eyes wide open as he looked down at the translucent screen which overshadowed his plate.

As his eyelids hit their limits, a familiar gaze surrounded his body again. It was the same one he felt from the maids when first arriving.

Looking up, The mother, father, and sister were stiffly smiling at his shocked expression. Their eyes all wriggled in different directions. Formin the familiar crescent moon he had seen on Firnell not too long ago.

His pupils shrunk drastically, making all of them stare deeper at him. Their pupils were the only parts of their body which was currently moving, as it could be seen trembling within each of their twisted eyes.

He saw Lissanna's smile was strengthened every passing second. Her facial muscles shook as it rapidly grew in lenght.

"Is the food not to your liking, Sir Marss?"