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The Dining Table–Story 9 of 31

By Ta'kom Ironhoof

For the sixth year in a row, Florence, a beautifully patterned snow leopard, had successfully organized and executed her annual “Halloween Friends" gathering. This year presented many challenges, though. Some had passed away and some had lost touch. However, during the course of the year, Florence had used her natural charisma to make new friends to replace the ones she'd lost. And tonight, all of them were gathered around the large, darkly stained oak dining table.

According to the person Florence had gotten it from at the antique store, it was made with from red oaks that had grown in the forest that surrounded her home on top of Snake Hill. Florence was very excited to have such a fantastic piece of history sitting prominently in her home. Not only was it beautiful, it gave her the drive and passion to host these little soirees; almost a need to do so.

With an extravagant flourish, Florence danced her way from the kitchen and into the dining room. In her hands, an enormous silver platter obviously meant to be tonight's main dish. In the middle of the table, there was a perfectly spaced place for this platter, surrounded completely by various smaller plates and bowls containing side dishes and appetizers.

Florence had tried to think of all of her individual guests, to make sure that each of them at least had something to choose from. The meal was always a veritable banquet! It would almost be easier to make a list of things that were not being presented on the table.

As the snow leopard gently placed down the platter, she announced, “I believe we are ready to finally get things started! Once again, I'm so thrilled that you could all make it this evening."

From around the table, the guests murmured their approval of her announcement, shaking their heads in agreement with satisfaction. Mr. Flanders, a large moose, almost appeared to be dancing in his seat. He was so excited about everything. And Mrs. Addison? Her dolphin tail and flippers were slapping the table and floor in anticipation of what was to come. And how could we forget Florence's darling and oldest friend, Darlene? The hippo had been to almost every single one of these events, all but the very first one. Florence and Darlene hadn't met yet and the snow leopard was still fairly new in town at that time.

That was all except one. This particular guest, a gray hare named Chase that Florence had met only a few short weeks ago, stared at the table, his eyes wide at everything he was seeing. His foot was nervously and uncontrollably thumping against the floor and his ears lay flat against his head.

“Chase," Florence spoke, her voice calm and friendly. “you appear to be troubled. Are you alright?"

The hare's unblinking gaze slowly moved over to Florence before shaking his head, showing that nothing was wrong. However, his eyes remained wide and the nervous thumping of his foot continued to ring out through the room.

“Ah, very good. I'm glad that you're having a good time. I guess I mistook your amazement for" Florence pause for a moment, trying to think of the right word for what she was trying to say. “…fear, I suppose. You seemed absolutely mortified for a moment." Florence then made her way around the table, placing her hands on Chase's shoulders, before lowering her muzzle down to his ears.

“Good, now please, stop tapping your foot. You're disturbing the other guests."

Wordlessly, Chase consciously stopped his foot and willed his nerves to calm as Florence made her way back around to her chair at the head of the table. With a flutter of her dress, she elegantly sat down.

“Now, friends and honored guests, please eat to your heart's content!" Florence announced with a passionate flourish of her hands. However, all the guests only continued to sit there. Mr. Flanders rocked back and forth mindlessly, and Ms. Addison began softly squeaking through her gag as tears began to fall from her eyes. As for Darlene, she appeared to have fallen asleep, her head falling off to one side, the sinewy fibers of her neck the only thing holding it from falling completely to the floor.

Then, with some effort, Chase managed to push out his own gag down to his chin. And even though he shook nervously, sweat beginning to stain his fur from freight, he knew he had to do something.

“Lady, what the fuck is wrong with you? I never asked for any of this!"

Florence lowered her arms, replying, “Chase, my sweet bunny boy, back at the bar, you said you wanted to have a good time. Are you not having a good time?"

Chase's face was suddenly flush with anger, shouting his words. “You crazy cat, of course I'm not having a good time. First you drug me, then you abduct me, and when I wake up? I'm tied to a goddamn chair, surround by a hippo corpse, two people who do not know what's going on, and a crazy snow leopard who thinks she's having some kind of grand dinner party in a fancy mansion!"

Florence sat calmly for a moment, allowing the hare's words to finish echoing through the dilapidated house. And then she began to chuckle, slowly building to full on maniacal cackling.

“I guess you and I are still getting to know one another." Florence then lowered her voice to a whisper. “Chase, I do not believe I need to tell you what happens to unruly guests. I would suggest that you enjoy yourself or I promise, you'll experience pain that is beyond this mortal plane."

Florence then leaned over the table and, with a chime from the silver platter, she removed the lid. From beneath, Chase couldn't believe what he saw.

“Mr. Henderson here also questioned my methods. I imagine, him being a pig, he will pair well with the Chianti that I've so graciously poured for each of you."