With Grimoire Heart’s oncoming threat looming, it was only natural that the citizens of Crocus as well as the knights and mages from various guilds prepared for the oncoming battle. Many were preparing the fortification for the onslaught of hell fire that may come, others trained with friends and colleagues in the field for the ground invasion. Fenrir, was doing none of the above today.

“Ah, what a spread.” Fenrir beamed with a toothy grin to the layout before him. He had a picnic setup for himself; it consisted of a blue blanket and red striped picnic blanket, on top of that a variety of foods that one of the local eateries had given to him to build his strength for the coming battle. The meal before him was indeed quite a spread, a bounty of sandwiches, fruits, and other delicacies overall it seemed to be far too much for just one man. That said, the piece of resistance was at the center a chocolate cake made special for him by one of the local bakeries after his little scene with his new friend Alisa.

“Oooh I don’t know where to start.” he mused as a cautious hand stretched over the picnic blanket in search for a good starting spot, “Maybe the rice patties, ooo no no the grilled cheese… Eeeehhh why is this so hard.” he laughed to himself, there was no one with him in particular, then again given the time was there really any question why? It was the middle of the day and everyone was working though he somehow had found time for a picnic of all things despite death possibly looming over his shoulder.

Not wanting to think about the battle Ferir reached across to the edge of the blanket and picked two sandwiches, munching down on them furiously as the disappeared without a trace. His taste buds were ecstatic as he took the last bite now digging into everything on the blanket save for his cake.

Soon half the course would already be gone in a matter of an hour as Fenrir gorged himself.

His sampling knew no bounds as his lips separated, teeth tearing through a sandwich with the utmost prejudice tearing bread, cheese, lettuce and other fixings away like a wolf shredding prey. No matter his pace his mouth would remain full at all times while he ate, jaws working overtime to satisfy his hungry belly. Only for a brief moment he’d gasps to breath before digging right back in like the boar he was at heart. Perhaps it was a bit uncouth to eat like this in public, but Fenrir needed the energy!


Slurping, munching, crunching his mouth smacked with the acquisition of every delicacy on the blanket though regardless of his efforts his blanket was still stacked with enough food to feed a large family. Soon someone would catch his eye and with cheeks full like a small rodent he waved hello to the azure woman only to be shunned immediately as she passed him by. Or so he thought. As the grimacing woman made it just a few feet away her stomach had sent Fenrir an all too familiar message; she was hungry.

In typical Fenrir fashion he smiled widely when he caught a glimpse at the side glance she had spared, “Sounds like someone’ hungry.” he chuckled lightly, while he did want to eat more he couldn’t leave someone with a growling tummy! Thus without hesitation he looked back at his blanket and picked up a bowl of fork placing it in his palm and offering it to the stern lass. “Why don’t you join me? I have plenty to eat and It’s getting kinda boring eating on my own.” he laid the offer on the table with a sincere, warm grin this time. In his past he rarely smiled so much, thanks to Espy and Asmo he was always smiling and wanted to share his happiness with the world! Starting with this hungry soul.

If she accepted he’d offer his entire spread to her, or well, what was left of it. Most morsels still up for grabs was a large serving bowl of rice, a few more sandwiches, his chocolate cake and a few scattered things here and there. He’d scoot over for her to sit before going back to eating himself. “My name is… *gulp* Fenrir by the way pleasure to meet you.”

There was no ill intent nor was there any pressure behind the invitation Fenrir gave the young blonde. At a time he sympathized with the ache of an empty belly and knew the hardships that came with it, the most prominent being stomach growling. Why, if he didn’t get his large square meals a day he’d probably be a skinny little something that never ate a darn thing. As he waited for her to accept he took note of her hesitance, it seemed she didn’t know if she could trust him or not. Wise, but in this case there was no need for such cautition as he just wanted to share.

Once she accepted the bowl he went back to his own meal picking up a fork and a bowl of rice and digging in with quick pace. His legs crossed, his back straightened and his eyes focused only on the bowl of rice in front of him, any stray grains merely ending up on his face or the blanket, the ants share if anything. It hadn’t yet dawned on him that he was eating a bit too fast but Asmo’s servants had given him such a nice spread it would have been terrible if any of it went to waste. Well them, the bakery, diner… Just a few places gave him free food for his troubles with the wall.

“Hey! It’s a pleasure to meet you too Asura!” his tone didn’t waiver as he looked up from his bowl for only a moment to greet her properly with a wide smile and nod of his head. Once the rice had vanished from the bowl he put it down and clapped his hands. He was starting to feel a little full, but that wasn’t going to stop him from enjoying the cake later on. When she apologize he’d offer a tilted gaze and cocked brow, “It’s fine! I can’t blame you honestly, plus if your stomach didn’t growl I might not have gotten the chance to meet you!” he reached for a bottle of water and offered her one before turning his up for a spell. The water was crisp and clean, delicious H2O.

“Oh no! No thanks necessary just one person wanting to help another.” he chuckled, just as he made a go for a slice of cake he noticed her glance and reach for it, “Oh you like chocolate cake too huh? Well in that case let’s see who can eat more! Winner gets the first slice.” he smirked, “But warning, I don’t go down too easily when it comes to food.”

Where she put it all was unknown to him, he appreciated having the company while eating! Really, he truly did, but he began to worry that his lack of manners may have begun to deter the blonde away from the picnic. He was used to eating on his own with Esperia always with her girlfriend and asmo being well, Asmo there was often no one for him to spend time with thus when the chance arose for some company he welcomed it with open arms… It sounded selfish, but he also found the woman quite interesting. She had quite a poker face and any emotion she had shown vanished within seconds of arriving.

When she spoke about not wanting to impose he couldn’t help but laugh, “I don’t mind, and think of the contest as payment if anything!” he dusted his hands and looked down at the cake. It was quite a grab and the Baker was friendly enough to give it to him for nothing. He was curious ast first as to why but then at the mention of it being double chocolate he had fallen in love with the treat. Now, he could have easily told her that he wanted the cake for himself, but given that she had already reached for it he had known that she was a woman after his own heart, someone with a love for quality sweets. Of course, with that, he was well aware that she wasn’t one for many expressions, but to him that only made her more interesting! Maybe he could even make her crack a smile by the end of the contest.

“Am I full? No way, I can eat tons more plus I wouldn’t want to disappoint my new friend.” he smirked, “Unless you’re scared you’ll be eating more of my dust then you will cake.” he wasn’t the best at trash talk, but it was generally just gentle teasing to goad her into the competition. If With that and his offer still on the table he’d serve her a piece off of the cake platter with a knife onto a small paper plate. He’d hand her the cake with a warm smile, “If not for the contest, I bet it can help you crack a smile.” he was sincere about it, he didn’t mind if she continued to be monotonous in her tone and expression, but he didn’t mind she was what Esperia would consider “pretty” and what he would consider “pretty” plus she seemed very nice so it didn’t matter if she spoke with tons of emotion or none he didn’t mind either way.

“Ooo, let’s put a wager on it! If I win you smile!”

Friend, perhaps he used the word prematurely, or he didn’t use it soon enough. One thing was for certain Fenrir liked this woman a lot. Sure, she didn’t seem the type for things like eating contest and idle conversation but the aura she presented around herself commanded respect. That said, the Lycan didn’t quite understand what it meant to be so serious looking all of the time. She could have been hiding something, she could have been tranquill or she could have just always been bored. No matter the case he was going to see her smile and break that shell of hers! He didn’t quite understand how he’d do it, but even if he lost the eating contest he’d try to at least get her to break a giggle. That was his mission for the day; Make his new friend smile! Or at least get her to laugh at him, either one would make his day even more!

When she made the mention of not eating dust he couldn’t help but break a goofy grin as he listened to her newly quirked words. It seemed a small victory in the war he was waging on her monotone demeanor. He was going to beat her! He had to beat her! Thus in retort to her words his grin turned into a smirk as he watched her make a move for the first plate. This was going to be quite a contest! His stomach was already growling in anticipation, that cake was gonna be so good going down and her smile was gonna be icing on the top! He knew it!

Despite her blank expression returning he noted his last victory and gave her a pat on the shoulder as she accepted his win condition. Seemed the next fight was on! There was no way he could lose now! With the stage set and his mind sharpening with focus he would surely knock this contest out of the park. Strange thing that was, his sense of determination. It always came when he didn’t need it. Rather it be on the battlefield or in his mind he was always looking to push the envelope. Call a bad habit or good one, he had a will to win that could only be rivaled by his appetite. Her lips would curl. It was certain.

Picking up his own plate he’d watch her, “Alright! This is gonna be so much fun! I hope you’re ready to crack a grin.” he did his best not to sound too much of a tease, but he just wanted to lighten her up before her defeat.

Just as he was about to start she stated a win condition of her own which made him freeze for a moment. If she won.. He danced? He wasn’t the best dancer, in fact he had two left feet when it came to it. The last time he tried he caused collateral damage to Asmo’s place. Surely he didn’t have to worry though, he could beat her easy! There was no way such a slim figure could pack away food easy.

“Alright! I accept!” he nodded, “You win I dance, I win, you smile! Ready, set, go!” with that he made a move for the first thing insight and wolfed it down, nearly choking a moment before beating on his chest. A rough start, but he’d finish strong.

He tried his best to steady his breathing and to eat the cake, but before he could muster up another piece from the original two, he munched on. His throat was getting full of chocolatey goodness, and before he knew it, he was already behind Asura as Fenrir had taken more time than he should have to throw down in the beginning. There was no losing! Not to her! But the pressure was getting to him badly, the weight of choking and the influence of losing. She was moderate in her pace but oddly effective in slowing down his desire.

He looked at her from the corner of his eye, and a pair of questions arose from the back of his mind; how is she so calm? Did she not want to lose?

While so perplexed by her, she would find herself to now be beating him in the contest. His mouth was so full of moist, cakey goodness that he hadn't realized that his lagging behind and overthinking would indefinitely cost him the win. In all of his pondering, she would indeed beat him, and he would come to realize this when he reached out for another piece of cake after finishing his third and realizing it was gone. The Saiyan, the Lycan, the warrior, was defeated by a quiet beauty. How could life be so cruel? He paused and looked at her with a stunned gaze.

Defeat tasted an awfully like cake. Fenrir licked the crumbs from his lips and fell silent with a downturned gaze. Of course, she was free to celebrate while he threw a down casted gaze on the ground. For the first time since he got to Crocus, he had been defeated in an eating contest. Bowls of ramen, rice, whole slabs of steaks all paled in comparison to the might of one moist chocolate cake and a gorgeous woman.

Not too soon after he began to frown his expression lit back up with a beaming, toothy grin as he scratched the back of his head. "Hey you beat me!" he chuckled as he had caressed down to the back of his neck, "I guess I shouldn't have underestimated you."

While it would have been easy to be saddened by the lost in truth Fenrir was just glad to have met someone who could eat more than him! That was a rare trait, and he would want to keep Asura around as a friend for sure!

"That was more fun than training." he'd pat her shoulder and stand up, "But now I need to keep my end of the deal."

With no shame, he'd jog to the middle of the park and take a deep breath. Boy, he was talking a lot, for some reason she made him nervous, and the loss to her. It made him happy for some reason.

"Hi! I'm Fenrir!" he called out before beginning, he had no idea how to dance but that didn't stop him from trying. He'd do a pelvic thrust, his arms in sync with his crotch as he reared them back and thrust his waist doing these actions in sync.

He'd stop in place after one and kicked the air, continuing to punch and kick the air a few times, more or less performing martial arts as he 'danced' he was beginning to have fun while he embarrassed himself. He'd backhand his right and then his left before clenching his fist and.

"Grah!" a golden surge of mana surrounded him as he transformed, his hair going from black to gold, "Wew, this is pretty fun! Wanna join me?"

Hopefully after his little display she didn't cringe out of exitence, he'd walk back up to her and offered her a hand, "Nothing wrong with dancing in a big park right?"

r]