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Humans were such interesting creatures.
Then again, Quixote didn't know many humans to begin with. And while his books provided plenty of information about them, there was a slim chance they were outdated.
Or perhaps this was another hidden detail about Bari he was destined to learn. She was an odd one after all.
The first time he invited her for dinner, he provided a separate tray of food just for her. He was certain their meals made with blood and human meat would be something she wouldn't fancy. But to his disbelief, she happily served herself a helping portion of human meatloaf, all while he sat there and stared. He could have stopped her and guided her to her proper food, but he had a feeling she knew what she was doing.
"...This is most odd... I thought you'd stick thou nose away from meals like this...." He murmured as he put on his thinking face, tilting his head as he stared at his human guest.
Bari took a careful bite, chewing for a few moments as she hummed in delight. "When you've traveled as much as I have, you experience new tastes.. new flavors.. a new world of sensations for your tastebuds..."
"I wasn't aware that humans ate their fellow humans.."
"It happens for a variety of reasons.. survival during the most desperate of times.. general curiosity... blissfully unaware of what's being served on their plate..." She took another bite. "Or it's just another custom people have added to their lives..."
"I see..."
To say learning Bari was a bit of a cannibal was quite a shock for Quixote, but he couldn't judge her for her lifestyle. After all, it happened in nature all the time, so such behavior was to be expected even amongst humanity. Also humans were quite tasty, especially in a nice lasagna or wondrous meat pie.
Though one day, Bari approached him, a gaze of curiosity in her eyes as she looked him over.
Then she spoke. "Have you ever wondered what you taste like?"
Such an innocent question led them to this moment. They had agreed to try one another. In a food tasting sense, of course. The smell of iron hung in the air as they were in the midst of cleaning up. Two slices of flesh laid upon a plate, still fresh and bloodied from harvesting. Bari smiled, stomach growling from anticipation. The stinging pain in her arm was worth the upcoming moment.
"Are thou sure you wish to try it like...this?" Quixote questioned as he tightened another bandage on her arm. His earlier excitement had mellowed just slightly, replaced by a calm air of contemplation. "I'm just curious as to how safe this is for thee..." There was a thoughtful look upon his face, and he was looking down at a point on the carpeted floor. He had second thoughts, mainly concerning what would happen if this went south.
"I'll be fine... I've had some before..."
"...Beg pardon?" Quixote blinked, his jaw agape for a few seconds. "I'm quite sure you are jesting? Correct? You're jesting Bari?"
"I've told you before.. I've tried a lot of things thanks to this city..."
"Oh...So I'm not thou first?" Quixote's eyes flickered, a frown pulling at his lips.
Bari raised a brow. "Really? That's what you're more upset about?"
"Well yes I'm mortified you've eaten a bloodfiend in the past, but I'm also upset I wasn't thou first. I thought this would be a special moment, a once in a lifetime taste of a forbidden me-MPHM!" Quixote paused immediately at the sensation of flesh being shoved into his mouth. The flavor was that rich, metallic almost pork taste his taste buds found so delicious. The blood, though bitter, had a delightful aftertaste as he finished chewing and swallowed. A warmth traveled through his body as the delectable treat slid down his throat. While he yearned to sink his fangs down on her flesh properly, this was a wonderful alternative for now. He exhaled, seeming shivering at the sensation, corners of his lips curling gently upwards, his fangs briefly flashing.
"There we go. No more sad puppy eyes. Tasty wasn't it?"
"It was... thou are quite delicious my princess..." He placed a gentle kiss on her hand. "Now... it's your turn.."
Bari picked up the remaining piece of flesh, taking a careful sniff at it. "Just so you feel a bit better, this will be the first time I try it raw. So at the very least you'll have that." Carefully she took a chunk into her mouth. The meat was rather cold, a tad too chilled for her liking, but it was to be expected. A tad bit more metallic tasting then she was used to, however she wasn't opposed to such a flavor on her taste buds. The aftertaste was a sweet ecstasy that made her hum in delight. Bari licked the tips of her fingers. "You're not half bad... though I guess it's better cooked.."
"Haha I see.. hopefully I won't wake up someday in a pot filled with vegetables and water, correct?"
"That doesn't sound half bad."
The two stared at one another before erupting into laughter.
"...I do hope thou are jesting.”