Two hours later, beneath the soft candlelight, an appetizing fragrance filled the air.
Rare delicacies were brought forth in an endless stream across the enormous dining table, vanishing into Zim's bottomless maw. Broken bones and sparse grease were tossed beneath the table.
Below the grating, the beasts raised in darkness fought desperately, tearing into one another's flesh and devouring the grease that fell from above, putting on an invigorating spectacle for their dining master.
Or, once they had whetted his appetite, becoming the next fragrant feast.
After dinner, while Zim enjoyed dessert and the service of his harem, he finally found a moment amid his busy schedule to look toward the minotaur warrior standing at attention below the palace steps.
"What is Hedi doing?"
"Living apart from the others. Aside from his daily patrols, he has taken no other action."
The minotaur warrior replied, "But today was an exception. While he was at the market, he spoke with an outsider kobold for a while, though we did not hear what they said."
"Why not just catch that kobold and question him?"
"Before I could catch him, the people at the market had already taken him away," the minotaur warrior answered.
"Mm, and then?"
Zim waited for a long while, but received no response.
The minotaur warrior stared at him for a while with an expression that said, How could you not know? "And then there was no then."
"...Those bastards."
Zim smacked his forehead. "They have been getting more and more outrageous lately, eating anything they can get their hands on. Even my god's teachings need to be picked carefully. Forget it, I'll talk to them about it next time."
"Then what about Hedi?"
"Hmph, troublesome bastard." Zim snorted. "Do not lower your guard. In two days, find an excuse