Page 32 of Hollow

“Currency is easy to acquire if you have the right friends.”

“Did your murder army of birds steal the money?” Jack asked. “I heard it’s illegal to train crows.”

Dimitri scoffed. “As if I could ever train obedience into Nikolai. He is as defiant as the earth is round.”

“Well, it’s not that round. At least, not according to the folks who passed high school biology with a C minus.”

Dimitri quirked a brow.

“Some people think it’s flat, so your defiant crow comment wouldn’t work on them.”

“Is this one of your online trending jokes? I do not like it.” Dimitri made a face, studying Jack, who stifled a giggle.

“No, the only joke is the American education system,” Jack said. “And the healthcare system. And the legal system. And well, basically all the systems…and anything privatized for the sake of capitalism.”

“Whatever, I do not care.” Dimitri finished the food and began plating. “Let me know when the people uprise. That, I always find entertaining.”

“They don’t do that anymore.”

“Shame. Guillotines are quite effective for policy reform in bad systems.”

Dimitri did his best to properly plate the steak, mashed potatoes, and green beans. Once he had the food, he added the crispy onions on top of the green beans, then pressed a spoon over the potatoes to create a perfect crater for the gravy, and he finished by adding a dollop of horseradish sauce for the steak.

Dimitri wanted the dinner to be as pretty as all the competitive cooking shows. When he wasn’t exploring the woods, Dimitri spent a lot of hours watching television and catching up on the world. Apparently, humans were very obsessed with exotic ingredients, little to no time for prep work, insults, and pretty plating. Dimitri ignored the first two, worried they’d ruin the flavors, but thanks to Nikolai, he received plenty of insults. He hoped the pretty aesthetic would enhance Jack’s eating experience.

“Please, take a seat.”

Jack did as he was told, and Dimitri set the plate in front of him.

“Wow. You made this?” Jack’s shadowy eyes bulged in surprise.

Dimitri adored the extra animated expressions Jack would make.

“I wanted to enjoy a good meal together, a good night, a uh…a date night.”

“Date night?” Jack’s expression shrank into something soft and surprised. “I wish I’d have known. I would’ve done something special.”

“This was meant as a surprise,” Dimitri said, eyeing Jack’s plate. “You can do something special for another date night.”

“Already planning future dates?” Jack nodded as if to concur. “I can get on board with that.”

“Now, please, eat.”

Jack cut into his steak. Dimitri kept it medium rare, preferring just the lightest hit of char. He wasn’t sure of Jack’s preference, but this allowed him the ability to sear it a bit longer if Jack preferred something well done.

“Oh, damn.” Jack let out the most outrageous moan beneath his pumpkin mask. “This is delicious. Whew, that sauce has some kick. Gah, this is awesome.”

Jack went on, praising the food with every bite, insisting Dimitri try it too. He did. It was great. Mostly, it was great to see Jack lost in the joy of the meal.

It didn’t take long for them to lose themselves in idle chitchat. Jack did small talk better than anyone in the world, never running out of things to say. Dimitri nodded, keeping his attention fixed on Jack. Even if he didn’t have much to contribute, he liked to engage in the discussion in his own little way.

“It’s strange just enjoying someone else’s company,” Jack said, poking at his food with his fork. “Nice, really.”

“Surely, you have had more than just Astaroth here in the chateau.”

“Yeah, there’s been a few folks who’ve befriended me over the centuries.” Jack picked the biggest bite of steak, smashed it into as many of his potatoes as he could fit onto his fork, and shoveled it into his mouth.

Even beneath the pumpkin, his chomping was quite loud, but Dimitri figured this sudden hunger came as a much needed distraction from speaking.