(WP) Too Hot to Handle
Everything started when she tried curry for the first time, weirdly enough.
Her friends had been raving about the new Indian restaurant, and Morgan had just managed to save enough to go with them. Morgan was also the only one who wasn’t yet able to summon her spirit animal, and the thought left a bitter taste in her mouth.
“You’re gonna love it! If you don’t burn your tongue off, that is,” Riley told her, laughing. Her spirit animal, a chestnut horse, shimmered right above her right shoulder, neighing in tandem with her mistress’s laughter.
“Aw, come on, Riley, don’t scare her off before she even enters the damn place,” Riley’s boyfriend, Mason, shook his head, his shaggy hair blowing in the breeze. His spirit animal, a bear cub, trotted after him, growling low in his throat.
Alyse brought up the rear, hands in the pockets of her dress, hiding a smile. Her spirit animal was a swallow, and its merry chirruping provided a soundtrack that only their group could hear.
“I like spicy food!” Morgan protested, frowning. “God, Riles, don’t ruin this for me!”
She followed her nose, letting the aromas of garlic, chili, and ginger led her toward the building. It was tucked into a little alley, and the glass door was already open, with a hand-drawn sign that said Welcome! Please seat yourself.
Morgan led the way in, her mouth watering. She was so hungry, and her stomach grumbled. Mason smirked, but said nothing as they all sat down around the table. There was a short wait, and then a tiny woman shuffled out of the kitchen, armed with a notepad and pen.
“What would you like, dearies?” She asked, giving them all a bright, full smile. Alyse ordered green curry, with a side of yellow rice. Morgan was feeling daring, so she ordered one of the spiciest curries on the menu. Mason ordered garlic naan and red shrimp curry, and Riley opted for a vegetarian lentil soup. Taking their orders down, the woman disappeared back into the kitchen.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more excited for food in my life,” Morgan said sheepishly, feeling her cheeks warm. Riley grinned at her; eyebrows raised teasingly. Mason waved a hand, and the bear disappeared. The other two girls followed his lead, and their spirit animals dissolved in a flash of bright, glittering smoke. Morgan bit her lip, hoping that her envy didn’t show on her face.
How she wished that she had a spirit animal of her own. Was there something wrong with her? Something flawed deep inside that she couldn’t see? Morgan was soon distracted by the arrival of the food, and it all smelled so good.
“Please, everyone, enjoy, and do let me know if you need anything else.” The woman smiled at them, and Morgan grinned back, before digging into her food. The first bite set her tongue ablaze, and she gasped, feeling her eyes water and her nose run. But her cursing was impossible to make out clearly. Tears ran from her eyes, and through the tears, she could see a huge, blurred shape hovering above the table.
“Morgan, I think you finally summoned your spirit animal.”
“And it’s a fire dragon! How cool is that?”
**
