Ixion loomed over his slice of the ginormous cake with a confident grin.
"Dig in!"
He shoved his fork down and into the sponge, tearing at the cake and smearing the red all over the plate. Then he shoved the skewered piece into his mouth and savored the delicate flavor as it danced on his tongue. After he swallowed, he screamed:
"Delicious!"
Then he looked over at his jester, who was stuffing her face full, and Zabaniyah, who was twirling the fork while side-eyeing Cecelia.
"Runa, Seb! Come on! Eat! Eat to your heart's content! Follow Lord of Truth's example!"
Ixion gestured to the bird, which had its grey face smashed into a pile of cake.
Runa shook, and her tail whipped to the side.
"Uh. Yes, Your Majesty."
Ixion shoved another piece of cake in his mouth and laughed.
"Remember. Ixion! You can simply call me Ixion, dear kitty."
Sebastian and Cecelia looked over with alarm.
"In fact, all in this room can! Actually, I want you to! We're all friends here, are we not?!"
The cat nodded, then shoved a forkful into her mouth.
"R-right."
Zabaniyah looked over at Sebastian with a sardonic look on her face and said in an even tone:
"Why do you keep looking at me?"
The chamberlain shrieked:
"Arghbudah!"
The jester, with cake piled in her mouth, mumbled:
"I don't thin I'fe heard thath one bephor!" The jester swallowed then cheered, "Tell me, tell me! What does 'arghbudah' mean?"
Sebastian's face paled as his gaze flipped repeatedly.
Ixion decided to join in on the fun.
"Pray tell, Seb. What does 'arghbudah' mean?"
The Lord Chamberlain shook and began to babble.
"Uhh. Um. Ah."
A moment later, Lord of Truth dug its head from the ocean of cake and screeched:
"Arghbudah! Uhh. Um. Ah."
Ixion's eyes widened.
"By the gods, Seb. Were you speaking the language of the legendary parrot? You have most impressed me!"
The jester added on:
"Well done, Lord Chamberlain! You've impressed Ixion! Now he'll spend more time with you!"
The corners of Zabaniyah's lips curled up.
"Teach me your ways, Sebastian."
Sebastian's eyes spun, and his face paled tremendously.
"I, uh…"
The jester clapped and leaned in toward him, hovering her face right next to his.
"Oh, is he about to reveal another word? Do tell, do tell!"
Zabaniyah slowly leaned in as well.
"Share, won't you?"
Then, Lord of Truth screeched:
"Fuck you!"
Ixion pointed at the bird and shouted:
"The Lord hath spoken! Sebastian has been recognized as Lot's own, and Lot demands the secrets of his kind be kept within Sebastian's mind alone."
Zabaniyah chuckled quietly as she drew away from Sebastian.
'She's quite enjoying herself.'
The Head of the Royal Assassins never had a minute off; this was the closest she'd ever had to freedom of self-expression. She was using this opportunity to its full potential.
***
'Ah, that cake was most wonderful!'
After the group ate more of the cake than seemed humanly possible, Ixion ordered that the remainder of the cake be burned as he returned to his quarters with Zabaniyah in tow.
The assassin held a smug look on her face.
'Cake after cake!'