"Well, do you know what we do?" Dakota asked as she and Catherine entered the dining hall. The room was large, even larger than she expected. The tall, sloped ceilings and the dark beams running the room's length only added to its grandeur. On the far end was a stage, and the remainder of the spaces was filled with rows of tables. Some were filled with groups of scantily clad women, although the room was mostly empty; perhaps it was still early for lunch. Regardless, it was a bit overwhelming, and Dakota was glad when Catherine took the lead.
"It looks like people are lining up over there; I guess we should join them."
Near the back of the room was a table, behind which two women wearing the camp's uniforms stood. They were dolling out ladles of something, although Dakota couldn't tell what it was until she and Catherine got closer. Grabbing a tray and set of dishes each, they were fortunate to be at the front of the line before too long.
"One scoop or two, dear?" the woman at the first pot asked Dakota as she approached.
"Um, two, I guess."
"Here you go," the woman doled out the portion before turning to serve Catherine.
Looking into her bowl, Dakota discovered that their lunch was some sort of stew. Judging by the beans and ground meat, she guessed it might have been chili. The toppings station all but confirmed this, bowls of shredded cheese and sour cream filled to the brim. Dakota took a big spoonful of each, grabbing a piece of cornbread from the table.
"Don't forget one of these," the second woman working the table set a white, individually wrapped tablet on Dakota's tray. She thought it may be a dinner mint, although it didn't look like any she had seen before. Fortunately, the woman cleared up any confusion. "It's to keep you from getting sick," she winked, "You just let it dissolve on your tongue; don't swallow it whole or chew it. Oh, and take it only after eating your lunch."
Dakota clued in that it was likely the medication Amelia was telling her about earlier. Studying the pill more closely, she could just make out a few letters etched into the surface. "What's in it?" Dakota asked the woman.
"Well, I can't tell you that. Both because I'm not allowed, and I don't really know," the woman chuckled, "But I know it's safe. Staff have to take them every day too, just in case."
"Oh, OK." Dakota had more questions, but Catherine was soon at her side again, tray full of food.
"Where do you want to sit?"
Dakota looked around the room. "Um, I don't know."
"Well, Melissa is over there," Catherine gestured to the right corner of the room with her head, "Do you want to eat with her?"
"Yeah, works for me," Dakota replied, navigating towards the counselor. Sitting across from Melissa was a brunette whom Dakota didn't recognize. Regardless, set her tray down and took a seat on the bench beside the mystery woman.
"Oh, hey Dakota," Melissa greeted her, swallowing a mouthful of chili, "I see you've had some fun."
Looking down, Dakota was starkly reminded of her filthy state. Next to two fully clothed women, the towel covering her lower half did little to help her pride. Nor did the trail of filth that she suddenly realized was following her from outside. Fortunately, Catherine looked about the same, so Dakota wasn't alone in her depravity. "Yeah, just enjoying some of the facilities."
"Take a spin in the outhouses?" the woman to her left asked.
"No, um, actually, we were using the hot tub. I haven't gone to the outhouse yet."
"That's Faith, by the way," Melissa explained, taking another bite of her lunch.
"Right, sorry; I didn't even think to introduce myself," she stuck out her hand, "Faith Watts, I'm the troop six counselor this year."
Dakota hesitated, unsure if she should shake hands and get Faith covered in shit in the process. However, Faith didn't seem to mind as she locked hands and gave a few quick shakes before returning to her food. "Nice to meet you," Dakota smiled, "We were actually just talking to one of your troop members outside. Her name was Jenna."
"You did a little more than talk," Catherine chimed in.
"Hey, I can't blame you," Faith grinned, "I love me a redhead. Although you're not too bad yourself," she eyed up Dakota.
"Oh, um, thanks," Dakota blushed, eating a spoonful of chili. It was spicier than she was expecting but didn't taste bad. Very meaty with a hint of something she couldn't quite place.
"If you haven't tried out the outhouses yet, what would you say to a grand tour by yours truly?"
"Yeah, if you're free."
"I'm always free if it means getting a chance to play with a cute girl," Faith took a bite of her cornbread, "After lunch of course; it's important to fill up as much as possible when you're here. Don't want the tank running empty," she patted her stomach.
Catherine stirred her bowl of chili, taking a bite before talking with her mouth full, "I was expecting lunch to be a little less... on the nose."