After filling the
spiritual den
with every irritating noise and scent I've experienced in this city and in my last world - including car alarms, the perfumes of passersby, and that
orange colored fruit
over there with its sharp acid bite - I take the little placard that the server is offering.
"I'll look, but I'm not much of a drinker..."
"Alright, just signal for me if you need anything. I'll check back in soon."
She took the device back with her as she left, her tight blonde
ponytail
swishing a little behind her. A mix of relief and irritation settled over me when she was gone.
It was good that the card worked without any
hassle
. But being treated in the opposite direction based on
perceived wealth
felt... uncomfortable.
> Shame for the actual funds not even being my own? Only a little. I spent my family's stipend without regret in the past. As well as earned some private funds from my... partners... for showing them extended favor. <
The way I acquitted myself as Princess certainly was not
common knowledge
. However, I have no doubt that people
smarter than me
knew what was going on.
Including my father.
Tacit approval of my
dalliances
, so long as it did not blow up in
scandal
.
Without a doubt, the moment it did, I would have been married to
whoever
was left interested in such a... vixen. Then evicted from the palace to live out my days as some
important enough
noble's wife.
Eventually,
public interest
would be lost in me - just like the other people eating in this establishment. The woman walking away with a smile had apparently
legitimized
my presence.
How quickly
judgments
change. Even though they say
fortune is fair
, it is a bit odd to experience.
That the whispers
behind your back
and
in your front
are so loud: rich or poor.
"Just in case, I had them stagger your order. That way it stays fresh if you end up wanting to wrap the rest up as takeout."
The woman's voice broke me from my musings as she brought out a plate. First up, was the
breakfast special
.
Fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes arranged in a neat display. Food which Helene had consumed before, but I have
not
.
Scents alone made my mouth water and pupils expand. I nodded at whatever it was she had just tried explaining.
I managed to maintain some semblance of proper dining behavior by grabbing the fork and knife. A little
awkwardly
, for a few reasons.
The utensils are just a little
different shaped
than I'm used to. And my wolf snuck past my
lowered mental defenses
, urging me to devour everything at once!
At least, I think it was the spirit companion...
The first few bites were hot and flavorful. After days of
wilderness survival
and eating as a beast, which
I didn't particularly mind
, the taste was almost too much.
Pancakes are nothing like the
honey-drizzled
flatbreads from my royal breakfasts. However, they had their own appeal. Fluffy and drenched in
cloyingly sweet
brown syrup.
The sandwich arrived next, filled with
bird meat
- 'chicken' specifically, according to the menu. Which I have to say, leaves me excited to find one of them in the wild some day.
More bacon leaves me
feeling happier
as well!
Vegetables I could take or leave, though the red one... tomato... is rather savory. With a satisfying
mouth feel
.
The same could be said, more or less, for the burger that followed. Satisfying meat, more of the leafy green, juicy red, and two new
crunches
.
Onion is sharp tasting and kind of
stings
my palate, but it is still quite good in moderation. Meanwhile, the pickle is strong in a different way. A more bitter, tangy acidity.
Even in my world, human cuisine is somewhat like this. They seek to
mesh
so many flavors at once that it feels like a new kind
entirely
.
My
brothers
never really developed a taste for it. Though they may have actually liked these cut and fried potatoes. Quite simple, but delicious.
While licking the
salt
from my fingertips, I gaze at my surroundings.
I've been observing people as I worked my way through each dish. What I can see and
overhear
from this position, at least.
Two businessmen - judging by the
black suits
as they were seated at a nearby table - discussed something called their 'quarterly projections'. The reminder of the CEO whose money
made this food possible
is a little unwelcome.
A family with small children struggled to keep them seated and not causing trouble for other guests. I smiled at the sight more than once, understanding the desire to be
rambunctious
.
An elderly couple shared a single slice of another
intriguing
looking 'pie'. Each of them took turns with the
same fork
, like they were very used to sharing everything.
The glimpses were at
normal life
in this city for humans, that I would have to imitate if I was to survive here. A
rhythm
and existence I would need to understand.
"Excuse me."
I spoke to my waitress, Melissa, for the first time since she brought the breakfast items. Her
hand shook
a little with a
weird look
on her face.
"Y-yes?"
She'd just brought the chicken pot pie out and was grabbing for the
next emptied plate
.
"Would you mind telling me how to get to Crystalline Spa from here?"
The complicated face squeezed even further into
disbelief
. Part of me was enjoying her amusing reaction.
I'm not
so unobservant
that I don't understand that I've already eaten enough for
at least three people
. One dish per sitting seems to be the norm.
"The very... fancy place on Seventh Avenue, right?"
A certain one of those words was spoken as her
hazel eyes
flickered over my
appearance
again, making it clear that not all of her bias had disappeared.
"I have an appointment."
Curiosity
brewed when I admitted to that, obvious on her face. Seeing her attempts to calculate and reevaluate our
entire meeting
was kind of fun.
"Just go three blocks east, then turn north. You really can't miss it. A very big and blue glass building with a... whole waterfall out front."
I nodded my thanks, as I compared the information with my system map. It did seem to be
roughly
the same spot where Kyrie Voss described.
Then I stuck the fork in the pot pie and watched the
steam billow out
as she left me to the last of my meal.
When the
fog of hunger
had lifted from my mind earlier, it also took the tendency to be so
temperamental
. Clearer thoughts about my situation could be arranged.
It's interesting, that despite having her memories and
no feelings
from before, being in this current body really does affect even my
superior
fox spirit.
Though perhaps... it is at least partially the other way around?
While the
allure
of an Alpha may be strong, I doubt Helene herself would have 'swung that way'. In fact, I know she actually... if not
despised
the concept of two women together...
"Certainly was not the most understanding non-fan."
All of that aside, I need to start thinking ahead for tonight. I'll need
shelter
.
Then further out, the child growing inside me would eventually need more than just day-to-day survival. The apocalypse countdown and whatever that means for...
living
, must be addressed.
As if she was
waiting
, the woman approached again as I sat down the fork.
"How was everything?"
"Quite satisfactory."
I replied with the usual
royal assessment
. It just slipped out before I could stop it!
"Would you like any dessert?"
She smiled at me, seeming to take no offense to what might
barely qualify
as praise here. I considered that I may be
underestimating
how gruff some patrons may usually be.
I run my finger over my still slightly
grease stained lips
then quickly dab with the napkin provided. Really, I should use their restroom to
clean up
just a little while I'm here.
"What would you recommend in that regard?"
"The apple pie is fresh right now. With ice cream?"
I'm pretty sure that was what the
two old lovebirds
were eating. The cinnamon and fruit smell was pretty enticing.
"That will be perfect."
"Alright."
The woman didn't turn to leave, again. I knew something must be on her mind, though she did not seem quite as tense as when it was about
payment
.
"You know, I kind of had to ask that since it's my job... but I feel like I have to cross a little line now."
Her professional smile turned
awkward
and
amused
.
"Where in the world did you *put* all of that food? Do you mind telling me the secret?"