Devil's Food Cake - Part the Second

"Fine." He grimaced and grabbed his second glass of wine.

"You don't look...." She began, but he game her one of his grumpy 'I'm not an alcoholic' looks and she knew that there was no point pressing the issue. "We'll be out of here soon. Just hold it together till then." She shot him a reassuring smile.

</Snip>

Alex frowned back. For the first time, Jade noticed the slightly haggard look to his face, as if he seemed somehow older.

"Pompous ass doesn't even show up to his own frecking dinner." Jay grumbled, piling a plate with curry and popadoms. Next to him, the stranger that no one really understood why he was there, was doing the same, an almost identical plate of food.

"Heh. Nice taste." 'Phil' said.

"This curry is... Oh man... the lamb in this is just so tender." Jay shoved another mouthful in. Much to Katrina's distaste.

"Oh! Tell me about it! this Vindaloo is the spiciest I've ever eaten." The stranger retorted, the two getting on like best buddies. Jade reserved the right to not eat. The whole situation was too much like Persephone and the dangerous pomegranate. It all seemed too good to be true. Although a lot of them were talking in hushed whispers and eating their favourite food, the doctor just couldn't bring herself to trust in the situation. The obvious guards looming by the entrances to the grand hall were just one reason.

The ostentation of the room was beyond grandiose. It positively dripped with drapes, carvings and artwork that must have been centuries old, centuries ago. It glittered in the light of hundreds of candles and several crystal chandeliers, Jade heard a quip that it's probably what the miners were digging up. The wooden table felt smooth and polished to within an inch of someone's life, reflections almost in the smooth dark surface, the chairs lavish, cushioned and soporific.

Yet, beneath the surface, Jade couldn't shake the feeling of being watched and monitored. That it was all some giant test. That they were nothing but rats in a maze, given cheese to distract them whilst the exterminators moved in. It felt too good to be true.

Yet the majority of people still ate, as if nothing was wrong. Jade shot another look down the table at Cassandra, and suddenly got her confused fork display. It was an excuse not to eat. The woman looked up and caught Jade's gaze, between them flashed a look of knowing. Cass knew something was up as well.

It was just a matter of time till they all found out what.

<Tag>

OOC - I know it's later than I promised and does nothing to move the plot on, but I have no idea what you have planned Artie and didn't want to step on anything.