Inside the farmhouse, everyone excluding Striker was at the table eating. Millie's brothers were devouring their food like there was no tomorrow, while Eli ate using the cutlery provided. He had been going to the Goetia's mansion more often thanks to Octavia, occasionally calling to hang out because she was bored, so he had picked up some fine-dining etiquettes since Stella insisted that he should join them for dinner.
Lin made sure to cook as much food as possible since she knows that her sons have large appetites, though that wasn't really the real reason why she made so much. The real reason is because she now have a grandson, and as a grandmother she needs to make sure he was well fed. "Here you go, lil pumpkin." Lin said, using her spoon to add more meat to Eli's plate.
From others' point of view, Eli may have looked like he hadn't touched his food yet, but thanks to his grandmother, who was adamant about making sure her grandson was well-fed, kept adding food whenever Eli eaten half of his food. Despite that Eli was very grateful for it, since maintaining a temporary transformation is very difficult and it chips away on his energy ever so slightly.
"Thanks, Nana." Eli said, using a knife to cut the meat into small portions so he'll have a much easier time swallowing the meat.
The meat was very tough, needing to use a significant amount of force just to cut it. Even chewing it was torture, it felt like he was trying to chew five chewing gums even though he put in a small piece of it inside his mouth. Eli was starting to have a small appreciation for sharp teeth because it made the job much easier, well as easy as it could get it was still quite a chore.
Joe was very impress by how much Eli was able to eat, not even his boys was able to eat that much, and that was saying something since the amount his sons and daughters ate is large. He grabbed one of the steak and took a large bite. "Hoo-wee, now that hit the spot. Nothing like a wrath grilled meat to get you goin' eh son." He said with hearty laugh, swinging his food much to the disproval of his wife.
Eli swallowed his food, more to avoid his mother's ire than accidently chocking. "Cooked to make you scorn your enemies?" He said. It was meant to be a question, but his monotonous tone made it sound more like a statement.
Joe let out a joyful laugh, seeing that his daughter had thought his grandson a lot more than he gave her credit for.
"Ma, we're finished!" One of Millie's brothers called out. Their side of the table was a complete mess, in stark contrast to the opposite side, where the others were still eating in a slightly tidier manner. Millie and Sallie chuckled as one of their brothers let out a burp, sending a stray bone landing onto his plate.
Lin sigh in exasperation. "Someday, I'm gonna give you boys a lesson on table manners." She said, picking up the empty plates at their tables. Despite that she was still happy that her boys enjoyed her cooking, it always warm her heart to see them light up whenever they took a bite of their food.
Eli finish his food and wiped his mouth with a napkin. "Delicious." Eli said, trying to be enthusiastic.
Lin observed Eli's facial expression and saw that his face is still sporting the same impassive face. She then let out a chuckle when she saw him visibly deflate when he realizes that he wasn't showing the reaction he hoped for. "Thanks, sugar. Want me to take yer' plate there?" Lin said, sauntering over ready to take the empty plate.
Eli shook his head. "Nah, I'll put away my own plate. Actually, let me help you, Nana." He offered. Since he had nothing better to do, he figured he might as well make himself useful. Besides, watching his grandmother work so hard in the kitchen while he sitting by made him feel like a lousy grandson.
Lin smiled at the offer. "Well, I'll be damned. Millie and Moxxie must've taught you well. Makes me wonder what kind of techniques they use to raise you—maybe they could teach this old imp a thing or two." She said with a chuckle. She noticed her daughter unconsciously puffing out her chest in pride as she ate, earning an eye roll from Sallie May. When Lin glanced at Moxxie, she caught him nodding subtly, just as proud as Millie.
'That's the fun part, he came in like this." The M&M thought simultaneously.
Eli was feeling a little mischievous. "Pain." He said. Lin let out a hum, making his uncles jolt in fear and instantly turn to his mother silently asking whether if it was true.
Millie could feel Eli's subtle little urge to fuck with his uncles and couldn't help but join in. "Yep." She said, popping the p.
"Ahhh..." Lin let out, nodding her head. She could tell that her daughter and grandson wanted to mess with her sons, and much to her amusement it worked if their silent pleading to their sister was any indication. Lin could only chuckle as she went to the kitchen.
"If yer' really want to help around here, son, then make sure to go to the barn out back when you finish, I'll be waitin'." Joe said, winking at his grandson. He wanted to show how a man should work, and there were ton of manly works outside.
Eli nodded. 'Might as well.' He thought. It would be a good way to pass the time until the festival. Besides, it could be an interesting experience—learning about farming and tending animals, even if they were demonic.
After he finished helping his grandmother, he went the barn and saw his grandpa waiting for him.
"Heya sons, are you ready to experience the rough work me, yer uncles and aunt do around here?" Joe asked, slinging his muscular arm around over his grandson's shoulder.
"Yes, I am ready." Eli said, his voice steady despite the excitement simmering beneath the surface. Though his expression remained unreadable, he could feel his blood begin to boil—a natural effect of transformation magic. It didn't just alter one's form; it rewired instincts and behaviors, molding the mind to match the new form.
"Then let get at it! Yee—haw!" Joe exclaimed, running outside which Eli followed from behind. They started by feeding demonic goats, with large hay stacks. The stacks of hay were not really much of a problem other than being really big, annoying and itchy. It was feeding the demonic goats that really gave them trouble, they fought each other for the spoils, heck Eli even managed to ride one after it tried to head butt Eli's rear, which he noticed last second and jumped over it before landing on it's back.
It was like bull riding just more intense. Joe cheer his grandson on and cheered harder when Eli slipped and unintentionally RKO'd the hell goat. Joe picked him up with a hearty laugh, and walked towards a large chicken coop. That is where Eli learn that the chickens of hell can shoot their eggs like missiles after catching one that nearly hit his face, earning an impress whistle from his grandfather.
Mary was silent the entire time since she didn't want to be discover, there were already a few close calls. She did, however, managed to sneak out with some food in order to eat while watching her great-grandson have fun, and right now it's like she's watching an action, comedy film. There was a shootout and the gunners were chickens, the main characters was her little miracle and his grandfather both catching the egg bullets with their bare hands.
After all that finished Joe bring his grandson on a tractor ride, much to Eli's surprise it was moving at an unbelievable speed, for a tractor at least. Joe laughed like a madman as he slice pests that was in the way. Finally they ended the chores by milking hell cows, one of the cow moo'd in appreciation when Eli gently milk it. While Joe got kicked after milking the other one for all she's worth.
"Hoo! Now that really get the blood goin' ain't that right son?" Joe asked, carrying four buckets of milk. That was probably the most eventful day in the barn ever, he couldn't help but sniffle, he really was living every grandfathers dream right now.
"I agree, it really was exciting." Eli said, also carrying four buckets of milk.
Millie came out of the barn door and saw her father bonding with her son. It seems her son had fun too, the glowing aura surrounding him really showed how much fun he had. She should bring Eli to Wrath Ring more often, leaning against the door with a smile and arms folded. "Eli, sugar." She called out, catching the two's attention. "Come on it's time to go." Millie said, gesturing to the door with her head.
Joe chuckled and pats Eli's back. "Go ahead, sonny. I'll handle the rest." He said, gently pushing Eli forward.
Eli place the bucket down, and bowed to his grandfather. "Thanks for showing me the work around here, Papa." He said, before walking away leaving an obvious teary Joe.
"Shuck..." Joe sniffled, rubbing his nose with his finger. His grandson really treated him with a lot a of respect, don't get him wrong his sons and daughter also respect him. But this, well, let's just say not many really thanked him the way his grandson did.
Eli saw Striker feeding his steed as he walked away and for a brief moment the two stare at each. Eli gaze was calculated and calm, while Striker was more manipulative and colder. That brief was enough for Mary to let her presence known by flickering behind Eli something that caused Striker's eyes to widen ever so slightly.
Striker shook his head and turned to looked at them again only to see Eli walking away, that's it. "Weird..." Striker said, he then chalked it up as his imagination. There was no way The Shattered Queen is here she is a sinner so she could not leave Pride... It was bad enough that he almost lost his life against that bitch.
A/N: Dun dun dun. Striker knows Mary but how? Anyways sorry for not updating for a while, it had been a busy week, literally, and my home country don't really have a good connection that's for sure. And I was also trying a new writing style this one is supposed to be more narrative and descriptive, I'm pretty sure not much changed but hey it still something.