Evan sat and waited for Lysandra's return. She had announced that they would first try the appetizers with the aperitif. He was curious what she had come up with. In the meantime, the vulture kept examining him from different angles.
He was about to speak to Mateo when they heard shouting. He recognized the butler's voice.
"Young lady, such threats are completely inappropriate to the situation!"
"Go fuck yourself, rabbit! Be glad you don't already have a spit up your ass!"
Don and Doña Serrano grimaced.
"What manners…"
"Who could that be?"
Evan felt embarrassed. He should have known it would be like this.
"That's probably Frida. She has an explosive personality."
The club chairman brushed some pollen off his vest.
"Young Miss Vollmond, daughter of Helga. Yes… she takes after her mother. Allow me to greet our guests."
The owl headed off to meet the four girls.
The girls walked down the corridor in battle mode. Frida was dragging the butler by the collar. He looked at her with disgust.
"Where is Evan?"
"I already told you. In the presentation hall," the butler replied, muttering something under his breath.
"I'll show you! Legal? As if! I wonder what my old man will say about this?! He'll be here soon! And then…"
Frida was cursing so fiercely that even the other girls were speechless — and they were used to her swearing. The butler, however, walked calmly, more concerned about his wrinkled collar than her threats. He moved with steady confidence, as if he didn't have an enraged predator behind him, only a loud young lady.
"Honored lady! I tolerate these words only because you are a guest of my master. However, please calm down. Such behavior only brings shame upon yourself."
Frida growled, her eyes flashing red.
"Move, or I'll open the next door with your thick skull!"
At that moment, laughter rang out ahead of them. It sounded like someone remembering an amusing event from the past. The girls looked forward.
Before them stood an owl in a green velvet vest. In his hands he held a tablet, and behind him someone carried a large ledger.
"Fox, is that the Serrano guy?"
"No, the Serranos are jaguars."
"Then who is this?"
He stopped right in front of them.
"Ladies, allow me to introduce myself. I am Edgar Strix, chairman of this hunting club."
Frida frowned and slammed her fist into her open palm.
"Alright, you know what we want."
The owl suddenly laughed.
"What's so funny? Want to get hit?"
The owl wiped his eye.
"Forgive me, but I just thought: the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
The wolf looked at him in surprise. The owl cleared his throat.
"It's a pleasure to finally meet the daughter of Helga Vollmond and Ernst Vollmond — our two distinguished members."
Frida made one big surprised face. The owl took advantage of it and opened the ledger, pointing to several entries.
"Please read. There are many notable records of their hunting successes."
The wolf could hardly believe what she was seeing. There were photos and certificates showing her parents and their trophies. She knew her mother hunted, but her father had always been against hunting — yet here he stood in hunting attire with trophies that were supposedly his. The documents even bore his signatures.
"My father was a hunter."
Frida was in total shock.
"Yes, and a very good one, until that day…"
The owl and Frida lowered their heads sadly. An awkward silence fell, which Aiko broke.
"Mr. Strix, can you prove to us that Evan's capture was carried out in accordance with the law?"
"Of course. Please look."
The owl played a recording on the tablet. It showed the hunt for Evan. After the final second, the girls looked completely deflated.
"Based on the available materials, I, Edgar Strix, certify that all actions leading to the capture were undertaken by the hunter after entering the red zone, and no laws were broken. Mr. Evan also believes so," he turned his gaze away, "though his enthusiasm is somewhat unusual — to say the least, concerning."
"Concerning?" All four girls looked at him, swallowing hard.
"It's best if you see for yourselves. Please follow me."
Severyn Augypius carefully observed Evan. After his examination, he turned to Mateo.
"Have you decided on the form of the trophy, young master? Under normal circumstances I would recommend a bust trophy, but given the circumstances, I suggest a classic head mount or a skull display."
"I think the classic form would suit me better," Evan spoke up. Mateo already seemed accustomed to this.
"I think so too. I'd like to preserve that calmness. Can you manage it?"
"Yes, provided your trophy manages to maintain an appropriate expression until the end. Otherwise, I will have to focus on a neutral expression."
"Something like this?" Evan smiled gently.
"Perfect. The first human trophy in 523 years. I swear I will use all my skills to create a masterpiece from your head that will last for generations."
"Could you smooth out the cheeks somehow?"
Both the hunter and the taxidermist looked surprised.
"That's not a good idea. The skin needs to be properly stretched, otherwise ugly wrinkles will form, and we want to avoid that."
"I understand."
"Let's talk about the shield. That's half of a good trophy. The shield should create contrast. Your trophy has light skin, so I recommend dark oak wood."
"How about ebony?"
"Extravagant, but I have ebony wood. On the other hand, you have black hair. We'll need some contrast, otherwise the silhouette will lose clarity."
Evan looked at his jade necklace.
"Could it be incorporated somehow?"
"Unfortunately not, but I can do inlays. What do you think, young master?"
Mateo cleared his throat.
"An elongated trapezoidal shield made of ebony wood with carvings and inlays of gold and jade."
"Yes, that will be a truly exceptional shield, just like the head itself. It is an honor to work with such a remarkable specimen. A living legend. I will preserve it in time for generations."
"Thank you."
Suddenly they heard something fall to the floor. They looked in that direction.
"You're already here!"
Callisa had completely stiffened. Like a statue in a gallery. The only flaw was her wide-open mouth.
Frida's legs gave out and she collapsed to the floor. Severyn looked at her and approached.
"Miss Vollmond, daughter of Helga Vollmond?"
The wolf nodded mechanically.
"I am Severyn Augypius, master taxidermist. I had the opportunity to work on your mother's trophies. Here is my business card."
Frida accepted the small card and tucked it into her pocket. She had no idea why or for what purpose.
Aiko's mind was spinning. Her entire brain had turned into one big kaleidoscope.
"Is this a Mesoamerican culture museum? Is this an art gallery? Is this the set for Obsidian Feast?"
"No, but it's nice that you appreciate the setting," Doña Serrano said.
Lucia approached the cat and looked at her.
"You're NekoDrawn34. I've seen your work. I really like it."
"Thank you… leave a watch and favorite."
Morona froze and began reciting a long text about the inevitable. Hernando approached her and adjusted his glasses.
"100 Days of the Banquet by the Marquis de Herburres, Act 4. I've seen many performances of this drama, but you managed to perfectly capture the essence of that monologue."
"Does the fact that we are praised and exalted testify to our destined greatness, or is it preparation before the fall?"
Hernando smiled.
"A truly wonderful poetic talent."
Suddenly Lysandra entered, followed by several assistants pushing carts with platters.
"The appetizers for the aperitif are ready… Callisa, you're already here?"
The vixen walked over to her sister. Callisa braced herself for a blow, but it never came. Instead:
"Who came up with the idea to invite us?"
Lysandra's eyes darted left and right for a moment before she answered.
"Evan. He asked the Serranos and…"
"And…?"
"He also invited our parents. Callisa, with yours…"
At that moment Callisa collapsed to the floor.
"I guess you already know…"
Don Serrano clapped his hands.
"Help them up."
The girls were set back on their feet. Emilio poured red wine for everyone. Lysandra began to speak.
"Honored Serranos, esteemed hunting club chairman, dear guests — I present to you my aperitif offering on the occasion of the inauguration of Mateo Serrano's first hunt."
She spoke fluently and with full professionalism. However, the twitching tips of her tail and ears betrayed her true state.
"First, corn cream with a touch of chili and lime."
Everyone tried it. Evan was still bound, so Callisa lifted the bowl to his mouth. A light sweetness that transitioned into a smoky caress, then struck with a slight spiciness and finished with a citrus note.
When Evan tasted it, he thought for a moment.
"You roasted the kernels?"
Lysandra first widened her eyes, then nodded. She cleared her throat.
"Mini tacos with black beans, chili, corn, peppers, and a touch of cocoa."
Warm, soft filling. Sweetness of corn, earthiness of beans, slight bitterness of cocoa, and spiciness of chili.
"That's my filling."
"Yes, exactly." Lysandra nodded. She trembled slightly when Evan smiled.
"Next, grilled pineapple with chili, salt, and lime."
Evan thought for a moment. Almost caramel-like sweetness combined with sour juice, all enhanced by salt and chili.
"I've never had grilled pineapple before. Interesting flavor."
Lysandra simply focused on the last dish.
"Foamed chocolate with chili, dark rum, vanilla, and agave honey."
Bitterness of chocolate, softened by vanilla and honey, warmed by rum, and finished with chili.
Evan smiled. So sincerely and radiantly that the sun seemed like a dying lightbulb.
"Wonderful. I see I don't have to worry about anything."
Don Serrano smiled and looked at his watch.
"Excellent. The guests will start arriving soon. Emilio, take the ladies to the changing room."
The girls allowed themselves to be led away without resistance to prepare for the aperitif.