***
When she woke up, her room was dark and still. There was a tiny bit of moonlight coming in through the window, but her body was aching. Her stomach was demanding sustenance, and she realized she’d need to eat a whole lot to support the changes. Grumbling to herself, she felt her way to the door and started her trek to where she’d seen the kitchen earlier. She felt like she could literally eat a pig. She dismissed the notification telling her she’d siphoned a whole bunch of people and then started to feel her way down the stairs. Time to raid the kitchen! Thankfully there would be no one to stop her since it appeared to be the middle of the night.
***
“What on earth?” She heard Raphael’s voice behind her and turned to view him, a giant slice of ham halfway to her mouth. She stared at him guiltily, then slowly put the ham into her mouth and started chewing, all while maintaining eye contact. He had his sword out and looked seriously badass. There were even little fluctuations in the air around the blade, making her think that he was probably doing something with wind. Cool, she’d have to learn that.
“What are you doing?” He lowered his sword and the air currents disappeared.
She glanced down at the giant plate of meat in front of her and then back up at him. “Eating?” He fully sheathed his sword, coming over to sit across from her as she shoved another piece of meat in her mouth on the off chance that he was going to take the rest of it away.
“I can see that. Let me rephrase; why are you attacking a giant platter of meat in the middle of the night like a robber?”
She looked down at the plate, choosing to take another piece of meat and eat it quickly before she responded. When she swallowed, she announced, “Needed protein.”
“What’s protein?” She stared blankly at him. Right, dieting and nutrition were probably not a thing here. That only lasted for a moment before she quickly shoved another piece of meat in her mouth, chewing furiously. He sighed, running a hand through the glorious hair like he did when he seemed frustrated. “I’m not going to take it away from you. Now, will you please answer the question?”
Relieved, she stopped trying to shove food at the fastest speed possible into her mouth. Looking thoughtful, she shrugged and tried to expound, “It’s...a molecule.” He looked even more confused. She sighed and shrugged. “Medicine and nutrition were way more advanced in my world. Short and fast of it is, I need to eat a lot of food to support my changing biology, and meat is a big part of that. Well, that and it’s the first thing I could find. Eggs and veggies would be good too, but the meat is probably more important because it will support the higher cellular reproduction I’m experiencing.”
He just stared at her, so she started eating again, ignoring him. When she finally paused for a moment because she was thirsty, he asked simply, “Are you done?”
She reflexively pulled the platter towards her, protecting it. “Mine.”
He was staring between her and the platter she was protecting like a mother hen. “Can you even fit it in your stomach? You’re going to make yourself sick.”
“Nuh uh.” She kept eating, fearful that if she got up for water, he’d try to take it away again.
“Where are you even putting it all?” he mused softly, and in response, she held out her arm. He looked stumped. “You’re putting it…in your arm?”
She shrugged. “Close enough.” Shove, shove, shove. The thirst was becoming unbearable though, so she stood up, pointed at her meat, and instructed imperiously, “Don’t touch. Mine.” She then proceeded to wander through the kitchen, opening every door and drawer she could find.
He sighed and stood up. “What are you even looking for?”
“Drink.” She continued to rummage, cackling happily when she found some apples. She grabbed two and continued her search.
“Stop, okay! I’ll get you something to drink.”
“Deal.” She walked back to her meat and sat down, staring at him expectantly as she bit blissfully into an apple. He shook his head, staring at her for a second before walking out to the common room. She called out quickly, “Bring lots!”
He grunted in acknowledgment and she heard him rummaging around. He came back a minute later with a small cask and two glasses that seemed dwarf sized against his arms. He poured a pretty red liquid from the cask into each cup, and she grinned with glee. “Juice!” Before he could say anything, she grabbed one of the cups and immediately downed it, putting the glass down again after. “Juice!”
He was staring at her like she was an alien again, but he dutifully filled her cup, so she ignored it. He could stare all he wanted as long as she could eat and drink until she was full. She didn’t drain the whole cup this time, instead taking a small sip and going back to her meat, alternating between it and the apples.
She ate for a good fifteen minutes, draining five more glasses and emptying the platter before she was done. He had sat there across from her, not saying anything, just sipping his juice. She leaned back with a satisfied sigh.
“You done?” he asked.
She covered her mouth as she let out a happy little burp. Grinning, she smiled blissfully at him and said, “Yup, time to go sleep it off now. Have a good night! Sleep well and sweet dreams!” She took her platter and cup to the sink, depositing them there and staring for a moment before she muttered, “I’ll clean up in the morning.” She then tripped happily out of the kitchen and back to her room under the sharp gaze of Raphael, who had walked silently behind her to make sure she didn’t fall and hurt herself.
***
It was too bright! She hadn’t even opened her eyes yet, but she could tell the sun was shining directly on her face. Groaning, she flopped onto her side away from the light. However, that little movement was enough to send the signal to her body that she really, really needed to pee. It was weird, she hated the feel of the huge diapers they put on her, but the lack of one made her panic. She didn’t want to be lying in her pee until the nurses could come and change the sheets. Had they forgotten to put one on her last night?
Her eyes shot open. Last night? She vaguely recalled walking to the kitchen… Wait, walking? She sat up, giggling madly as she got to her feet. “It wasn’t a dream!” she exclaimed while giggling, before groaning when standing up so fast caused her to get woozy. It felt a little like she was thinking through mud, her brain pounding against her skull. Plus, now that she was standing, she was going to pee her pants unless she found a bathroom soon. Stumbling to the door, she flung it open and walked into the hall, heedless of her state of attire.
A girl was coming out of a doorway just down the hall from her, and she staggered over to her, ignoring the flashing lights when she grabbed her as she begged desperately, “Where’s the bathroom?”
The girl pushed her off, pointing in disgust behind her. “It’s right here, obviously.” She then turned and walked snootily down the hall. Jade didn’t even care; she’d immediately lurched into the open doorway, discovering a room a little larger, but overall similar to the one she’d been in at Sharon’s shop yesterday. After relieving herself, she washed her hands, rinsed out her mouth, and splashed her face. Her head was aching something fierce and her stomach was rumbling loudly, demanding attention.
She stumbled out of the room, choosing to head downstairs in the hunt for food before anything else. Entering the common room, where eight other people were seated in small groups eating, she slumped to the bench of an empty table and put her head down, covering her ears with her arms.