"Wow, King, is this not the best place to be?"
Straw had sauce at the corner of her mouth and did not bother wiping it. Her eyes were bright, cheeks slightly puffed as she chewed.
"Obviously yes. I have never had this much fun or eaten this much."
Apple spoke between bites, his words thick with bread and meat. He swallowed hard, thumped his chest once with a fist, then reached for the next plate like it might disappear.
"But we have to keep eating if we want to take first prize."
Straw did not slow down. She grabbed another piece, dipped it, shoved it into her mouth. Chew. Swallow. Reach again.
Apple's hands were beginning to tremble. Just slightly. He flexed his fingers before picking up another drumstick. They had been stuffing food into their mouths since the beginning. Plate after plate had come and gone. Grease on fingers. Crumbs on clothes. Laughter from the crowd rising and falling like waves.
