[FINISHED] Out of The Woods

[Vyn]

After asking Seki to lead their guest into the kitchen, Ophelia cheerfully made her way into the kitchen to tend to dinner. It was done and simply warming on the stove -- Ophelia was used to her family arriving for dinner at all sorts of random hours, so this wasn't at all unusual. All Ophelia really had to do was serve it, though the kids did that as well more often than not.

Seki, meanwhile, ushered Rocky into the dining room and then slid down into a chair himself, tucking his knees up to his chest while he waited. He was obviously a little uncomfortable, but this probably wasn't a new sight for Rocky either. He was at home, yes, but everything still seemed so...off.

Not to mention that Dad would bring out food soon and he'd be forced to eat.

"Thank you again, Rocky, for helping me home." He smiled gently, trying to ignore the stress of eating. "I really appreciate it."

[Kari Muffin]

"It no problem at all Seki!" Rocky said cheerfully as he looked around the room. This was such a nice place. "I'm happy you were willing to come back with me. Sometimes I'm a bit of a handful." He grinned. He was only half serious. Sometimes his cheerful attitude was too much for people to stand.

His tail swished absently as he glanced at the chair he was supposed to be sitting in. It was a little embarrassing. He mentally sighed to himself. He still felt stupid about doing that with a mysterious substance. If he had only waited and tested it on a bander or some stray animal, but no he had to listen to an angry bird.

"If you want anymore help than I'm more than willing to help you. You were great company on the way back, and I wouldn't mind traveling with someone like you again. Maybe it would help a little with your nerves?" Rocky grinned.

[Vyn]

The feline was absently fidgetting, wringing his hands beneath the table, as the raccoon spoke. Try as he may to distract himself, Seki couldn't get over the lingering fear of the meal to come. At this rate, the meal most likely wouldn't stay down long even if he did manage to eat.

Rocky's offer brought a small smile to his features and, for a moment, he got a grasp on his fidgetting. "You weren't a handful at all, I really enjoyed your company." The thought of traveling with him again was nice...though Seki wasn't at all sure as to where he'd go, or if it'd help his nerves any. "I... I'd like that, to go traveling sometime. Do you travel often?"


When Ophelia stepped back into the dining room, she was pushing a tray which was stocked with plates and silver -- since they all had their bipedal forms -- and steaming pots. She settled everything onto the table and put down placements for the three of them (with extra plates left on the tray in case of unexpected visitors) before looking up to notice Rocky.

"You can just slide the chair out of the way, Rocky." Ophelia smiled warmly. "Just go ahead and make yourself comfortable."

[Kari Muffin]

Rocky grinned. "I don't travel as often as the next person. However, I often bounce between Corvistowne and the Capital City because I have an office there. Any traveling I do is for the sake of my aging mother or clients."

He would have explained further that sometimes he just needed an excuse to get away, but by the time he was ready to Ophelia had walked in with dinner. He smiled widely as he tucked the chair away like Ophelia requested.

"Thank you very much for being so hospitable," Rocky said with another smile. He was terribly happy to be treated to food and good company. This hadn't happened for a while, had it? Well, no point in dwelling in the past. He had to focus on actually eating food and the present conversation.

He glanced at the meal in front of him. He wasn't sure how to proceed. Everyone had their different customs.

[Vyn]

Seki was smiling. A bit awkwardly, mind you, but it was a smile nonetheless. Rocky was nice and didn't frighten Seki outwardly. Hopefully he could eat without feeling too self conscious..the last thing he wanted to do was really embarrass himself in front of the raccoon.

"I go to Capital City every now and again, or...I used to. That'd be nice." He smiled a bit wider and then slumped down again as his father began to set out food across the table. He was still so full from all the food that had been forced down his throat in his time away from his family, he really didn't want to eat more.

Ophelia, as any good parent would, quickly noticed her son's hesitance but said nothing of it. Due to his slight increase in weight she had hoped he had possibly conquered his disorder... no such luck, it seemed. Though, of course, he could still be working on it... That would be a great relief.

"You're very welcome, Rocky. I can't thank you enough for bringing Seki home." She smiled warmly, settling into her seat. "Feel free to dig in, Rocky. You two must be hungry." The doe didn't really have an eating ritual, no blessings or anything of the like. It was the bad habit of a scientist who worked far too much and spent far too little time at the dinner table.

[Kari Muffin]

Rocky wasn't one to hesitate when it came to food. He didn't notice in the slightest about the lack of blessing. He was, after all, a scientist as well, and he was terribly used to eating grilled cheese while pouring over his papers. This was a wonderful change.

He dug in, and practically inhaled his food. After a bit, he paused to drink and glance over at Seki. He wasn't eating again? He hadn't really had anything today except for a small breakfast.

"Aren't you going to have something? You barely ate today." Rocky wasn't going to stop himself from being blunt. Seki didn't need to be any thinner... and missing meals was probably a bad idea. He hadn't mentioned much along the way but now...? Didn't people normally find their appetites when they came back home? He know he did...

[Vyn]

Ophelia smiled as Rocky eagerly dug into the meal at hand, though she focused more on her own meal than watching either of the boys. Rocky was happily devouring what was put before him, and...well, she already knew Seki's eating habits.


The feline was slumped down in his chair, pushing food around his plate more than eating it. After all the food that had been forced down his throat over the last few weeks he would've been happy if he'd never had to look at food again. This, of course, wasn't possible and with people staring then he'd really have no choice but to eat.

So he picked and poked and nibbled and was, as usual, the last one eating. If that was what it could be called.

Rocky's words, however, caught the feline entirely off guard. He squeaked a little and sunk back from the plate before seeming to reconsider and lean back in. His nervous prodding at the food intensified and when he spoke it was more to the plate than to Rocky.

"I... I'll eat... I'm just shy..." Seki managed to slow his fidgeting and lift his gaze to Rocky's. He must look like a freak to the raccoon... "I've never been very good at eating around others, I'm sorry." The feline smiled weakly, hoping desperately that Rocky might not be angry...that he wouldn't force him to clean the plate like those wolves had... He couldn't stand that again.

To prove his point that he would eat, Seki spooned a slightly larger bite into his mouth and set to chewing quietly.


Ophelia was silent for now, watching Rocky and Seki. No one had ever gotten Seki to break his bad habits, but...Rocky seemed to be making some sort of break through. At least the boy wasn't worrying over his weight,...at least not out loud.

[Kari Muffin]

Shy? Normally shy was code for something else, like an eating disorder. Rocky raised an eyebrow. Yes, Seki was thin enough to have and eating disorder, and that would make sense, but... he had eaten what was cooked for him when they were in Avington.

"Shy...? That normally means something else entirely when food is involved. If you don't mind me being blunt." Rocky said quietly before taking another bite of his meal. Being so serious after a homecoming didn't seem right, but after all with was a serious problem--not eating. He wasn't angry or frustrated, that showed on his face, it was simply a fact. Eating disorders were a condition that could be fixed--but it needed a lot more of help. He could hardly help with that. "If we go to Capital City anytime soon, there's someone I want you to meet, Seki. She's an herbalist and is rather good with "shy" people."

He cleared his throat. "Heh! Shouldn't be so serious when you're having a happy home coming!"

[Vyn]

Seki's face flushed furiously beneath his dark fur as he realized that Rocky was all too aware of what he meant. His father was staring too, causing him to shrink down even further. Rocky, though, didn't push about his weight though and for that the feline was insanely grateful. Too many people had commented on what Seki believed was less than acceptable... They were all so blind, and yet he valued their opinions so.

"I... I don't mind you being blunt." At an absolute loss of words, Seki stuffed some food in his mouth and set to chewing... Perhaps for far longer than was actually needed, but it kept him from having to speak and satisfied everyone's concern about his eating all at the same time.


Ophelia filled the silence with her own conversation. It was just easier that way, especially when Seki went so far as to cram food in his mouth to avoid expressing his anxieties.

"That would be lovely of you, Rocky. He's due for a trip to the Capital already, a few of his siblings live there and they've been worried sick..." She paused, turning her attention to Seki as she caught his curious expression. "Xylia and Solo specifically, and they've been keeping an eye on Mocha for that matter."


That was the magical word, it would seem, for the boy's attention perked considerably upon hearing it. He swallowed hastily, eyes lighting up. "O! I'm so glad! I was...worried, ...I didn't want to ask about her if she were..." Gone? Dead? ...He didn't entirely know what he'd expected when he'd entered the house to find her missing. Perhaps he'd thought she'd run away, she would have every reason to. He'd abandoned her, after all.


Ophelia smiled faintly, almost sadly, but perked quickly and turned her attention to Rocky with a large, genuine smile. "Does that sound alright to you then, Rocky? You can visit your herbalist and pick up his bander, and I'm sure Xylia and Solo would love to have visitors."

Now if only Rocky could do the one thing Ophelia herself could not do... Seki deserved a bit of happiness in his life and, honestly, someone that could keep some meat on his bones was more than Ophelia could ever ask for.

[Kari Muffin]

If Rocky had any idea how this situation was being read, he probably would have imploded. No, they were not in a relationship, they were only on the level of acquaintanceship, but then again... Rocky rarely distinguished between friends.

"Yes, that sounds like a plan." Rocky said cheerfully before he continued to eat his meal. The raccoon never let food go to waste. Then something popped into his head while he was eating. Seki was a mix breed and he didn't seem to dabble in much of anything, maybe he could find some sort of specialty in the city?

But while he was on the thought process of specialties he might as well let his curiosity get the better of him. "Do you mind if I ask you something Miss Ophelia? I've always been curious about genetics...but I never really had the patience for it." It might look like it, but it really wasn't the case. When it came to genetic mutations the raccoon was at a completely loss.