The moment Blitz's tongue made contact with the so-called "food," his soul screamed.
His face went pitch-black.
EUGHH!!!
Blitz spat the entire bite back into the plate as if the food was toxic waste.
The taste wasn't just bad - it was catastrophic.
A flavor so vile, it felt lethal.
One swallow and he really did think that his obituary would be written on the spot.
Squeak! SQUEAK!
Blitz loosed a storm of angry squeaks upon Sophie.
Poison!
Whoever recommended this is a criminal!
Is this an assassination attempt?!
He swung his tiny rabbit fury next at Rivera.
Squeak! Squeak!
The message was clear: I am NOT eating that monstrosity. Not today. Not ever.
Rivera was shocked the moment he threw up the food.
Finally-she finally-connected the dots.
"Oh… it looks like Blitz doesn't like it."
You think?!
Sophie looked crestfallen. "Why? Every magical rabbit beast loves this. Even normal rabbits do."
"I guess every magical beast has their own tastes," Rivera replied gently.
"That must be it…" Sophie hung her head. "I'm sorry, Miss Rivera.
"Oh no, it's not your fault," Rivera reassured her.
Sophie grasped the plate of accursed greens, bowed, and quietly left the room.
The door closed.
The abomination was gone.
Blitz exhaled, with the relief of a survivor.
That was close.
But I'm alive.
Barely.
She turned to him then and brushed her hand over his head. "I'm so sorry I didn't catch it sooner."
Squeak…
He assured her it wasn't her fault, even though his stomach was still empty.
Right on cue, his belly growled louder than a pocket-sized thunderstorm.
Rivera's eyes widened. "Oh - you still haven't eaten anything."
There wasn't enough time for the kitchen to prepare something new.
Rivera looked at her own plate… then at him.
"Why don't you eat mine?"
Squeak! Squeak!
Blitz lit up in an instant. Rivera's food wasn't just edible, it was divine. His mouth was watering profusely as his eyes were set on the eggs, sausages, beans, and toast like a starving wolf in a rabbit body.
"Well, I can't finish all of this by myself," Rivera smiled. "So let's share."
Squeak!
They dug in together.
Blitz felt like he was ascending to heaven with every single bite.
The sausages were rich and juicy.
The eggs, perfectly fried, golden, glorious.
Each piece tasted like a blessing after the nightmare he had survived.
By the end, Blitz was full.
Deeply, blissfully full.
His tiny tummy was blissful.
But fullness brought another thing with it-sleepiness.
He wasn't sure if he had eaten too much or if his rabbit body just ran out of energy.
Either way, his eyelids drooped. Rivera noticed immediately.
"Are you sleepy?"
Squeak…
She lifted him carefully, setting him on her lap. Warm, soft, comforting.
Not as perfect as her chest but still heavenly. Blitz closed his eyes.
And fell into sleep.