buttered bliss

Part 17: Buttered Bliss

The hotel kitchen was unusually quiet, save for the soft hum of the refrigerator and the occasional clinking of dishes as Audrey rummaged through the shelves. She had managed to climb onto the counter—her tiny hooves dangling off the edge—and was now holding a full stick of butter in her hands, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Audrey peeled back the wrapper with surprising precision, as if she'd done this many times before, and took a big, enthusiastic bite. Her little teeth sank into the creamy stick, leaving a neat crescent-shaped chunk missing. She chewed slowly, savoring the strange texture and taste.

Alastor, who had wandered into the kitchen moments later, froze mid-step. His crimson eyes locked onto the sight before him: Audrey happily munching away on pure butter, her cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk.

"Audrey," he began, his voice smooth and unconcerned, "is that what I think it is?"

She turned to look at him, her face covered in a slight sheen of butter. "It's yummy!" she declared, holding up the stick triumphantly as if to offer him a bite.

Alastor blinked, his sharp grin widening in bemusement. "Ah, well, I suppose I should be glad you're diversifying your culinary tastes," he said lightly, walking over to lean against the counter.

Audrey took another large bite, completely oblivious to her father's less-than-standard reaction. Most parents would have been alarmed—or at least mildly concerned—but Alastor simply observed her with a mixture of mild amusement and detached curiosity.

"Is it really that good?" he mused aloud, watching as she licked her fingers. "Perhaps I've been underestimating the appeal of such simplicity."

"Wanna try, Daddy?!" Audrey asked, holding up the now half-eaten stick toward him.

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh no, my dear, I'll leave that particular delicacy to you. I'm rather partial to more... sophisticated fare."

Audrey shrugged and returned to her buttery feast, completely at ease.

Charlie, who had walked into the kitchen at that moment, stopped in her tracks, her eyes widening in horror at the sight. "Audrey! That's—she's eating straight butter!"

Alastor turned to her with an unfazed expression. "Yes, she is," he said smoothly, his grin unwavering.

"And you're just letting her!?" Charlie exclaimed, throwing her hands up.

"Well," Alastor drawled, glancing at Audrey with a touch of amusement, "I hardly see the harm. She seems quite content, doesn't she?"

Audrey beamed at him, her mouth still full. "It's soooo good!"

Charlie buried her face in her hands, groaning. "I can't with you two," she muttered, grabbing a glass of water from the sink and walking out of the kitchen, muttering about how much chaos she had to deal with.

Alastor simply chuckled, patting Audrey gently on the head. "Carry on, darling. Just don't let your dear Auntie Charlie's dramatic tendencies ruin your snack."

Audrey giggled, happily returning to her butter as if nothing unusual had happened.