Chapter 54: A Heartfelt Meal
Buttercup did not expect her walk with Boomer, or Tom as he's known in this world, to be so nice and relaxing. If this is the Boomer she know, this would end up with some kind of cringe-worthy pun or lame joke. But here in this dreamworld, Boomer is particularly charming and the way in which he carries himself is just a cut above the rest. She may be a tomboy, but she does appreciate a well-mannered gentleman and one that can talk to her without any fear or unease of her. The boys in her life are either brutish or idiotic, and this Boomer is not any of those. Unfortunately for her, the sights of the city is marred by the simple fact that she is color-blind in this world.
Everything's gray, Buttercup lamented as they stroll down the walkway. Tom tapped Buttercup's shoulder,signalling that they had reached their destination.
"Well, here we are. I just need to get something over here." Boomer informed the peridot-eyed girl.
They stood in front of a structure that can best be described as a particularly dull building in a walled compound. Despite its rather unassuming architecture, Buttercup is perplexed by the uncanny familiarity of structure's layout. As Boomer lead her towards the gate, Buttercup's eyes are trained on the courtyard through the grills of the gate, her mind still trying to piece the puzzle together.
"Father Maxwell! Are you in?"
Ah, Buttercup realized why this structure is so familiar. If one take out the trimmings and added in a few more green bushes and some playground equipment, this is the Maxwell orphanage in a flash. Now she knows for sure that she is in Boomer's dreams as none of his brothers know the structure well enough in such detail. Only thing that Buttercup did not see are the orphans, and she wondered where they are.
"Coming Tommaso, coming." The doors to the building opened to reveal a priest with graying dark hair dressed in a cassock and clerical collar comes forth. His eyes are framed by the frames of his glasses and giving them his undivided attention. As Father Maxwell walked down the steps, Buttercup can see that the dream even replicated the particular body movements of the priest, his left leg walking with a little limp that is not obvious but to those who know him long enough. The older man make his way towards the gate and Buttercup can see the crow's feet around Father Maxwell's eyes. The man extends his hand and Boomer shakes the priest's hand. The bespectacled man glanced over at Buttercup before facing her eye to eye.
"What is your name, dear?" Father Maxwell asked in a soft-spoken and nurturing manner.
"I'm Buttercup. Nice to meet you, Father Maxwell."
"Ah, such a beautiful name." Father Maxwell said with a smile. Buttercup is reminded of how she first met Father Maxwell. Word for word at that too.
"Anyway Father Maxwell, I'm here to get some rosaries for Mama Valentina. It's a favor I owe her for...um...her help." Boomer interrupted Father Maxwell, but he hesitated for a moment with a light rosy blush on his cheeks. Buttercup is aware that it must be something about the dresses he got for her. Father Maxwell ignored Tom for a moment ,his eyes focused on Buttercup.
"Um...is something wrong?" Buttercup is uneasy about the priest staring at her.
"By the way young lady, are you going out with Tommaso?" Father Maxwell's inquiry caused Tom to cough uncomfortably while Buttercup jaw choked. Fortunately for the Powerpuff Girl, she manages to compose herself and try to give the man her best reply.
"We're just-" Buttercup was about to explain when Tom interrupted her.
"She's just staying over at my house until things get sorted out." Tom's eyes are looking down on the ground in an unconvincing manner.
"Yeah...I'm just staying over in Tom's house for a-" Buttercup wanted to add more to the comment, but Tom interrupted her again.
"Yeah, that's right, I didn't do anything of the sort with her and-"
"Nope, nothing at all Father Maxwell. Nothing with him and-"
The priest looked at them as they stammered and blundered into each other's speeches, and it was very adorable. However, the priest had enough of it after a while and a sudden shush from the elder man stopped both teenagers in their tracks. Both Tom and Buttercup stiffen up and as they watch the man reached into his pocket and hum a tune, Buttercup and Tom are now stealing glances at each other from the corner of their eyes. Both parties are now wondering what else they can say without making things any more awkward than before.
"I can always wed both of you right now to do the Lord's work, and that should put a rest to His commandments of coupes not having premarital sex." Father Maxwell's comment turned both teenagers beet-red.
"Father Maxwell!" Both Tom and Buttercup cried out at once, both being embarrassed and outraged by his suggestion to them. Father Maxwell gives out a hearty laugh before putting a few rosaries into Boomer's palm.
"You two looked adorable together, and Buttercup looks like a really swell gal to be with. You'll be able to fulfill your old man's wishes, Tommaso." The man turn around and as he walks towards the door, he raise his hand and wave them goodbye. The now conscious pair faced each other before Buttercup elbows the sand-blonde teenager in the arm. Tom sensed the sharp prod of Buttercup's elbom and Tom's attention is now on the boyish raven-haired girl with the peridot eyes.
"What's that all about?" Buttercup asked, sensing something is amiss. Tom moved his eyes around to avoid looking at the Powerpuff Girl. Buttercup is not liking the fact that the young man is not looking at her directly. Every time Tom looked away, Buttercup will move to his view of vision. This went on for a few moments before Boomer decided that this will not end until he spill the beans or Buttercup beating him to get the truth out. The sand-blonde teenager sighed before looking at Buttercup's peridot eyes with his own sapphire eyes.
"Well...um...I came to America with my dad from Sicily. My dad wanted a better future for both of us and we made the journey to America and stopped at New York. But soon enough, we moved out from New York. After a while, we landed here in Townsville. That was six years ago."
"Huh, I didn't see your dad when I was there. Is he out of town?" Buttercup asked as she did not see Tom's father in the apartment unit as it appear that Tom is living alone. Tom's expression turned a little darker at Buttercup's query.
"He passed away from consumption two years ago. His last wish is for me to get a good girl and live a long and happy life." Tom scratches his head, clearly uncomfortable in revealing this piece of information to Buttercup. Buttercup cursed inwardly for her insensitivity and realized that the topic went down a depressing route. Buttercup need to apologize for this blunder.
"Boomer, I'm-"However, Tom shakes his head, not faulting the onyx-haired female for not knowing his situation. Tom looked up to the skies with a sad smile on his face.
"It's okay. We immigrants always get the short end of the stick. Running from one mess only to end up in another-" Tom's gloomy mood and talk was soon interrupted by a loud sound followed by a sharp but brief pain burns on Tom's arm. The force of the blow cause Tom to temporarily lose his balance and he bend sideways before regaining his balance once more. He looked up to see Buttercup giving him a rather warm smile.
"Lighten up! You're a tough one! Nothing's gonna let you down right?" Buttercup's encouragement lights up something warm in Tom's heart and he smiled at Buttercup as well. There is something about her smile for Tom is surprised that the girl can smile that sweetly. Tom is soon met with another slap on his head, making him realize that there is no point being gloomy and down about his life.
"Yeah, nothing's gonna let me down." Tom answered her.
Anyway, I'm off to work. Just don't get into any trouble alright?
That is the last thing that Tom said to Buttercup before he left off for work, leaving Buttercup with nothing much to do but to roam around the streets of Little Italy. Buttercup noticed that many of the men are now glancing or staring at her as she passed by the street, and she became more self-conscious with every step she takes. It is not every day that she wears a skirt, and this always happens when she wear a dress. To make it worse, even the women are staring at her.
Buttercup soon faced a rather sleazy looking man, with a thin mustache and a striped coat. Buttercup did not even bother to take the man's appearance in mind as she is utterly annoyed that someone is already hitting on her this quickly. Buttercup decided that if the man responded in a way that disrespected her, she will bust a nut to lighten her day.
"Hey lady, you look mighty swell in that outfit. Let's get back to my place and-" The man extended his arm towards Buttercup's shoulders, and unbeknownst to him that will be the move that will bring about his downfall. Literally.
Busting his nuts it is.
Buttercup grabbed his arm and pulled it towards her while she leaned backwards and extending her knee like a spear towards the man's groin. A yelp confirmed that Buttercup's knee made its mark and soon the man is down on the ground. The male onlookers are wincing from the sight, while the women are now murmuring among each other. Buttercup decided to step on the grumbling man and continued on her merry way. Buttercup lifted a small part of her skirt and wondered if the dress is making her a target for sexual harassment.
"Signorina! Signorina!" Buttercup heard a call from behind her. She turned around to see the plump woman from the night before approaching her. Buttercup remembered her name as Madame Valentina, the same lady that Tom asked for the dress she's wearing.
"Hello Ma'am, um...thank you for the help yesterday, and um..." Buttercup was cut short by the lady's comment.
"Sei incantevole." The lady said to Buttercup, a gleaming smile on her face.
"Um...Okay?" Buttercup realized that she is unable to converse with the lady as she is conversing with Buttercup in Italian.
"She say that you looked enchanting, miss." A little girl's voice explained and Buttercup nods her head downwards and she saw a little girl with two braided pigtails. Unfortunately Buttercup is unable to discern the color of the little girl's hair and eyes but to her surprise, the little girls looks exactly like Annabelle. Buttercup was about to give the little girl a bug hug, but soon come to her senses that the people within this dream world are not the same as the people in the real world.
"Oh, thank you. Please inform her that I say thanks." Buttercup commented. The little girl nods her head and started speaking in Italian to the plump lady. The plump middle-aged woman gave the largest smile on her face and she continued on speaking to Buttercup in a very excited manner followed by a frown and a cry with her arms raised above her head. Buttercup is not gifted with the ability to understand all spoken languages by all living beings like her sister Bubbles, so she will have to wait for the little girl to translate for her.
"Mama Valentina knew that you are better off wearing such simple clothing as compared to that flapper outfit you wore yesterday night. She dreads the idea that Mr. Calvatoni will force you to wear his clothes all the time, or worse nothing at all. Mama Valentina prayed upon the heavens to not let Mr. Calvatoni take your chastity away last night. She will personally make him a castrato if he had done such a thing to a maiden such as yourself."
"That's nice...and um...what's a castrato?" Buttercup is clearly a little overwhelmed by the assumptions by these Italian people when she stayed over for a night in Tom's home. Also, she hoped that castrato is not what she think it is. The little girl translated Buttercup's question to the older woman and the woman covered her mouth and giggled before explaining to the little girl. Buttercup saw the little girl's confusion and the little girl continued on with the translation despite not understanding what the older lady said.
"She said that it is a man who can sing a high pitch due to him not having nuts. I honestly don't know what Mama Valentina is saying here." The little girl answered with a shrug and a very confused look.
"It's okay." Buttercup said with a slight cringe, understanding the woman's macabre humor. The middle-aged lady winked at Buttercup before continuing on speaking to her.
"Anyway, Mama Valentina was wondering why are you walking around Little Italy by yourself. She was asking if Mr. Calvatoni is with you." Annabella translated Madame Valentina's query towards the peridot-eyed Powerpuff Girl.
"He went to work, and I'm left to walk around this place." Buttercup answered, and once the little girl translated the message to Mama Valentina, she howled and shook her head while clicking her tongue. The woman grabbed Buttercup's arm and started pulling her. The woman started voicing out several groans and appears to be furious as she is venting out loudly.
"Wait, hold on what's up?!" Buttercup is clearly uneasy by this action, but the little girl giggled before she speak to Buttercup.
"Mama Valentina is furious that Mr. Calvatoni left you alone in this street, and she will have a very strong word with Mr. Calvatoni later. Meanwhile, she will take care of you herself."
Oh crap, Buttercup thought to herself as the woman more or less dragged her across the street and into her home.
Buttercup finds herself climbing up a flight of stairs, accompanied by the little girl. The little girl is giggling as they continued up the steps with the grumbling of the Madama Valentina a constant background sound. Soon enough, all of them entered into a home and Buttercup noticed that the architecture is similar to that of Boomer's home but it has what Bubbles call 'a woman's touch'. It seems that the home is filled with children of various ages, and Buttercup once again noticed that quite a number of the children have exactly the same facial features as the kids in the Maxwell Orphanage.
Ah, so this is where some of the orphans went, Buttercup thought to herself.
The other kids are now looking at Buttercup, and she can empathize with them. A weird stranger is brought into their home while their guardian (or at least she assumes the lady as such) is grumbling is a very odd sight. Madame Valentina finally lets go of Buttercup's arm and points towards a couch. Buttercup nods her head and makes her way towards the chair while the woman walks towards the kitchen.
"It's okay, Mama Valentina always makes coffee for her guest." The little girl with braids whispered to Buttercup, causing Buttercup to smile. The little girl is exactly like Annabelle and she can not help but to wonder what is the name of the little girl in this world.
"By the way, what is your name?" Buttercup whispered back.
"Annabella. Nice to meet you." The little girl with braided pigtails introduced herself.
"Nice to meet you too Annabella."
"A proposito, conosci qualche abilità casalinga?" Madame Valentina asked, but she soon realized that Buttercup speak not a single word of Italian. As Buttercup and Madama Valentina are now staring at each other in confusion, Annabella realized that she needs to translate the middle-aged lady's question to Buttercup.
"Um...Mama Valentina asked if you know anything that can help in a home." Annabella translated for Buttercup.
"Ur...I guess I can cook." Buttercup shrugged.
"Lei sa cucinare, Mama." The little girl replied. The woman smiled and started speaking once more. The plump woman points towards a bunch of meats, vegetables and other foodstuff on the dining table.
"Mama wants you to cook dinner for us if that's alright. She said use the ingredients here and make something."
To Buttercup's surprise, she is finally seeing color on the food produce. Buttercup is now perplexed by the sudden riot of color before her. Buttercup's mind is now racing as she wonder what on earth is going on as everything else is still in various shades of black, gray and white. Realizing that this is a piece of a puzzle that will get her out from this dream, she decided to go all out to find out what is going on. At the same time, Buttercup is also able to do something decent to repay the kind lady for the dresses.
"Alright, you got it!" Buttercup cracked her knuckles and she is prepared to give them all she got.
Tommaso, or Tom as he is also known, is utterly beat from an entire day in the construction site, and he honestly just want to go back home and lie down. However, he remembered that he need to find his new roommate or else he will never hear the end of it from the rest of the Italians in Little Italy. As he entered into Little Italy, his nose picked up a particularly appetizing smell and the smell is not like the usual cooking smells found in Little Italy. It seems that the rest of the residents of Little Italy also smelt the aroma and are now crowding in front of the apartment unit where Mama Valentina made her home. Tom walks towards the apartment unit and finally he joins the crowd.
"What's going on Fredo? I smelt something really good." Tom asked one of the people in the crowd. The man appear to be a half-balding man with a rather thin mustache and lanky composition.
"It's coming from Mama Valentina's home! But we're not allowed in!"
"Mr. Calvatoni!" A young girl's voice called out from the window and Tom recognize the voice as belonging to Annabella, the youngest of Madame Valentina's children.
"Annabella! What's going on?" Tom asked the little girl.
"Buttercup's cooking dinner!" Annabella answered Tommaso with a wide grin.
"Wait...Buttercup cooks?" Tommaso is particularly surprised by that information. All of the onlookers turned their attention towards Tom, and the sand-blonde teenager realized that he is about to be bombarded by envious comments.
"You lucky bastard! You got a heck of a choice of calico right there!"
"Yeah, she's one heck of a sheba!"
"Tom! Come up here now!" A voice shouting out in Italian cuts through the crowd and Tom knew only one woman can have such authority in this street.
"Alright Mama, I'm coming up!" Tom replied back in the language that she only truly understand and he made his way towards the entrance of the apartment. As Tom climbed up the stairs, his noise is slowly being permeated by the smell that he recognize as tomatoes and eggplants cooking and he did not even notice any other sights and sounds until he entered into the unit. His mind immediately melted at the sight before his eyes.
A short-haired woman with lime-green eyes in an apron is watching the pot attentively as she stirred with great care. Beside her, Tom spotted several tomatoes, garlic, eggplants, ricotta cheese and a stock of basil. The young woman is now tasting the food that she is cooking in a pot to see if there is a need for any further seasoning. Tom did not expect that the rather strong-headed woman that he had met the night before to be such a feminine figure. He slowly walked into the home and saw that there are already several dishes on the dining table, and Tom recognize the foods as those native to his home of Sicily.
On one plate, he noticed a dish consisting of a cooked vegetable salad made from chopped fried eggplants and celery with capers in a sauce and as he scans the table, a large bowl of yellow soup with some parsley for color is right next to the plate of vegetables. A plate of stuffed sardines with pine nuts, raisins and breadcrumbs is also present on the table and a plate of tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough filled with a sweet, creamy filling is also present on the table. Tom did not realize that he was about to bump into Mama Valentina until the last possible moment, and the bump snaps him out from his elder plump woman turned around and smiled at Tom before both of them watched the young woman cook.
"Tom, you got yourself a good woman here." Mama Valentina said in her reedy voice.
"But how-" Tom is still surprised by Buttercup cooking a full-course Sicilian meal.
"I asked her to prepare me something. It is always a good way to test out a measure of a woman if she can cook or not. But she definitely surprised me there. A flapper that has depth. Like that Pasta alla Norma she's making now. She even made Maccu, Caponata, and Sarde a Beccafido. This is a proper Sicilian meal through and though, and even you have to admit that she knows what she's making. "
"But Mama, she's kinda rude and-"
"Rude? More like strong-willed. A woman needs to be strong to become the pillar to support their man. She's definitely a well-bred lady fitting for a Sicilian man." The plump woman raises her chin and gesture towards Buttercup taking out the pasta dish into a large plate.
"A pillar..." Tom hung on to the particular description that Madame Valentina used to describe Buttercup.
"Also Tommaso, you are an idiot to leave her alone on the streets of Little Italy. You know how the men are like when they see a pretty little flower like her." The middle-aged plump woman's eyes disapproved of Tom's action.
"She's a tough one. And I believe that she will bring down any idiot that tried anything stupid."
"Well, you are right. I saw Fredo squirming on the ground once she landed her knee into his groin."
"Fredo's the biggest idiot of them all, Mama."
"Anyway Tommaso..."
"Yeah, Mama?"
"Buttercup has a very nice body. She'll give you a good night if she choose to do so." Mama Valentina winked.
"Mama!" Tom said out loud, and Buttercup turned around and he realized that he had said out a little too loud for his own liking.
"Boomer?" Buttercup called out to Tom in a soft and surprisingly gentle husky voice, her face surprised at his presence in the home. Buttercup almost dropped the plate of pasta, but managed to grab it at the very last moment.
"Oh, hi!" Tommaso is also just as surprised as Buttercup's sudden meekness.
"Huh, about time I guess. Anyway dinner's ready." Buttercup grins at a work well done, and Tom finds that it is the right moment for him to get closer to Buttercup.
"Here, let me help you with the pasta." Tom offered his assistance, and Madame Valentina smirk with approval. Buttercup passes him the pasta and the teenage boy takes it to the dining table and soon the older woman called out. The other children, five in total rushed to the table and their eyes are sparkling when they saw the food.
"Wow, these look really good!" One of the kids called out, and the other children nod their head in agreement.
"They look good and they will taste good! Either that or you get your money back!" Buttercup give out a guts pose, and the children are giggling and laughing. As everyone takes a seat, Buttercup stretches her arms upwards and a look of relief is etched on Buttercup's face.
"By the way Buttercup..." Tom decided that this is a good way to start a conversation on the dining table.
"Yeah, Boomer?"
"Where'd you learned how to cook these dishes?" Soon enough, the Italian's eyes are now upon Buttercup, and Buttercup's eyebrow raised for a moment before changing into a realization that she had accidentally cooked a Sicilian cuisine without thinking too much about it. Her passion for cooking and her desire to have the best food for her athletic activities had given her the incentive to make the best cheat-day foods that is healthy made her the best cook in the Utonium household.
"Ah...well, I like cooking and um...I saw the ingredients, and I thought it'll be good to cook it in this way. Is there something wrong?" Buttercup tilts her head with a smile best described as being a mid-way point between being embarrassed and proud.
"No, in fact it is perfect! We're all Sicilians!" Annabelle cheered, and the other kids joined her in cheering.
"Well, glad that it's alright with you guys! Dig in!" Buttercup beckons the children to dig in and they look as if they are about to pounce on their food until the elder woman clear her throat.
The children immediately held their hands together, followed by Tom and Madame Valentina. Buttercup wondered what is going on until the woman started to mutter prayers.
Ah right...prayer over food, Buttercup watched as they prayed, and the prayer stopped for a moment. Buttercup soon noticed that all eyes are now upon her and she recognized her folly and held her hands together. Seeing that Buttercup is also giving grace, Madame Valentina returned to her prayer once more. Buttercup watched as they prayed and she never had anyone giving grace over a meal she had made, and this is a very welcoming sight for the green-eyed teenager.
"Alright, let's dig in!" Tom said out once the prayer is done, and soon everyone is scooping some food into their respective smaller vessel, and passing the food around. Buttercup decided that she will be the last one who will take her portion, as is should be in her mind. As everyone filled their plates with food, Buttercup reached out for the pasta when everyone else takes a bite of the food she had prepared. Then there is something that Buttercup never heard before when someone is eating her food; silence.
"Guys?" Buttercup asked as they all paused in silence. Buttercup face is now worried that there is something wrong with the food and her mind started racing. Did she messed up something?
"È DELIZIOSO!" Tom cried out, and Buttercup realized that tears are running down his eyes. Buttercup is stunned that someone is crying over her food, and soon the other compliments from the rest of the diners poured in, causing Buttercup to blush. No one had ever been so ecstatic over her food, and Madame Valentina soon started speaking to Buttercup in a very hurried and excited manner. Buttercup had no idea what she said to him before Annabella helped Buttercup understand the lady.
"Mama Valentina say you'll have what it takes to be a perfect wife!" Buttercup chuckled nervously at the woman's words and she looked down on the table, though inwardly she is immensely flattered by the compliment that she is considered as 'wife-material'.
"Thanks I guess..." Buttercup said as she scooped some of the pasta on her plate.
"Seriously, everything's amazing. The only thing lacking from you is just your manners!" Tom said out loud before a slap on his head by the plump woman caused him to stop, and a chorus of laughter followed. Buttercup decided to ignore what Boomer said as a whole, as she is happy that even a bonehead can acknowledge her cooking in such a way.
Ain't that the gospel truth, Buttercup said to herself as she watch Tom feast on the meal she had prepared.
[The Ghetto,Downtown Townsville,10.00pm]
It is a cold night for the law enforcement garrison forces at this particular side of Ghetto border,though they are more akin to an occupation force. It had been a while since any incursion or ambushes by the gangsters and hoodlums within the Ghetto area, and it is precisely because of this lack of activity that a larger than usual garrison is stationed here. The audacious attack upon the TOCTSeF, or otherwise known as the Townsville Organized Crime and Terrorism Security Force, Headquarters had eroded the public confidence over their capabilities to hold the tide back. The present President of the United States of America had ordered the mobilization of further military forces to Townsvilleto purge the 'animals' from American soil, but the citizens of Townsville know that the POTUS is underestimating the villains.
"Man, I honestly just want some meatballs right now..." A heavily armored guard in full combat armor and weapons sighed as he watched over the invisible 'wall' that separates The Ghetto from the rest of the town. Even thought there is nothing between them and the crooks, but the uneasy presence and hostility of both heavily armed forces had prevented both sides from breaking through the barrier.
But tonight is different.
"Very well,meatballs it shall be." A raspy voice answeres the armed man, causing the armed man to jump up and aim his weapon at the source of the voice.
The man is engulfed in a beam and the same goes for the large garrison of law enforcers stationed at the border. Several pulsing lumps of meat are now on the ground where the law enforcers once stood. The lump of fleshs are a grotesque amalgamation of tuffs of hair, eyes, teeth and random pieces of cloth and items. The flesh pulse with every second and those with eyes are crying while those with mouths are screaming in horror. A desiccated arm with necrotic flesh and exposed bones picked up a lump of flesh with eyes and a mouth from the ground. As the owner of the necrotic arm watches the flesh with its red glowing eyes, a mewling sound emanates from the mouth on the lump of flesh.
"That is uncalled for." A nasal accented female voice voiced out her displeasure at the grotesque sight.
"Alas, it solved your issue did it not?" The gravelly reedy voice answered, and the dark magician faced the braided brunette. Fennec crossed her arm, clearly displeased.
"Unfortunately it does." Fennec answered reluctantly.
"As promised, I have cleared the garrison forces guarding Little Italy. Now, for your part of the deal." Abracadaver's eyes are now upon the blue-eyed woman, waiting for her response. Fennec's silence is all the eldritch magician needs for approval for what he is about to do next.
"Bon Appetit." Abracadaver grinned menacingly.
A popping sound rings in the air and Abracadaver's jaw unhinges to open wider than humanly possible and he bites hard on the lump of flesh, causing the grotesque meat to scream out in pain and horror. Fennec's ears pick up on the chorus of horrified screams as the lump of flesh realize their fate. The chewing sounds mixed with a wet mushy sound and screams continues on.
CHOMP!
Abracadaver's yellow and rotting teeth is now covered with blood and pieces of flesh are stuck between its teeth as it devour the flesh-things one by one.
CHOMP!
Abracadaver takes another bite at another piece of flesh-things.
CHOMP!
And another.
CHOMP!
As the zombie picks up another grotesque flesh-thing, its insatiable appetite for the essence of the living grows larger. Fennec had seen enough and turned around to see the sea of flesh that were once men. Fennec is displeased about this grotesque display of the revenant's dark powers, and the walking catastrophe will only become worse as his power grow stronger.
"Monster." Fennec voiced her displeasure before fading away in a reddish-pink fog.
Abracadaver cares not for the living's perception, for he is beyond good and evil. He is but a living manifestation of vengeance and it would not be easy to believe that the corpses of the dead should rise from their graves, and should wander about to the terror or destruction of the living. But here he is, not resurrected by a demon's whim nor god's will, but by his own undying vengeance upon the living. Abracadaver is the bringer of death. He will never eat, he will never sleep, and he will never stop.
"And behold, I shall be a blight upon the land and anything I touch shall wither and die." Abracadaver's declared to the world at large.
