“Uh.” Seymour looked to Sariel.
“The Arby’s, I believe,” Sariel replied politely.
“Then to the Arby’s we will go.” Zolrya nodded as he took a reserved nibble of his burger. He hummed and then nodded, apparently having a thought and then agreeing with himself. “And the Wendy’s after that.”
“Uh, so…” Seymour stared at the rose on Zolrya’s jacket, wondering if it had been a person before. He coughed and put on a smile, saying, “Yup. Whatever you want, Your Majesty—for fast food! I mean for fast food. Yup. That’s what I said.”
Sariel sighed.
Seymour prayed to survive this without becoming a corsage…
Or something worse.
Arby’s wasa lengthy visit because Zolrya had insisted on trying at least four different variations of baked potato to spread on his Classic Beef ’N Cheddar. Seymour had first suggested butter and sour cream, and then he showed him how to mix it all up into a baked potato paste to apply to the underside of the top bun. After that, however, Zolrya wanted to experiment with chives, Arby’s sauce, and ketchup.
A blend of butter, sour cream, and ketchup was declared the winner.
Wendy’s was decidedly brief since they were only here to sample a Frosty and french fries, and Zolrya even waited in line—like a peasant, he’d said, but otherwise he was very well behaved and no one lost any body parts or were turned into any form of flora.
Day emerged from within the Inro to sample a Frosty.
After tasting it, she sweetly asked for five more and then vanished.
“This is absolutely genius,” Zolrya praised as he ate the last of his fries, each carefully and methodically dipped into his Frosty. “The sweetness harmonizes so perfectly with the saltiness of the fries. I am definitely bringing some home for my beloved Talos to try. He will be so happy!” He snorted softly. “Well, he’ll be even happier once you find his brain, of course. His head is simply not the same without it. Oh! And me too. That one is my favorite.”
“Let me guess.” Seymour smirked. “It was the one he had on when you first met?”
“Ah! Excellent taste in food and so smart.” Zolrya waved a fry at Seymour. “You really are quite impressive for a mortal. I understand now why Talos trusted you with this mission.”
Seymour was not going to point out that it was technically Zolrya who had wanted him to do this, but he was definitely not bringing up how Zolrya had considered getting laid more important than handling this personally at the time.
Nope.
Not about to do anything to upset the crazy faerie man.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Seymour passed the napkins over to Day as he sat back down beside Zolrya. “I sure am tryin’ my best.”
Zolrya eyed Seymour. “But do you feel your best right now?”
“Excuse me?”
“How can you try your best when you’re not feeling your best?” Zolrya stared at Seymore more intently, and the color of his eyes shifted between blue, green, and then a vivid darkness that swirled like a galaxy. “Something troubles you.”
“A lot troubles me.”
“Such as?”
You turning me into a petunia.
No, shit. He couldn’t say that.
“I had a weird tarot card readin’. Oracle card. Whatever.” Seymour decided that worked as a response since it was the truth. “Kinda got me on edge.”
Zolrya laughed in delight. “Oh! Mortals and their silly prognostication!”
“Prog-what now?”
“Ah, trying to divine the future. Hoping the right energy will lend itself to you and let you see your fate. It’s so cute.”
