The street between the Galaxy Lip and E-teary had been entirely cleared of traffic. Dozens of tables had been set up and covered with tablecloths. Large arc-lamps had been hung between the two buildings and flickering candles were placed on the tables. A line of patrons was already starting to form on the Galaxy Lip side of the street.
Rosy met them at the edge of the additional seating and curtsied before the Councilor.
“Your table is all ready sir.”
The Councilor flared his nostrils a moment. He looked at the sword strapped to Rosy’s chest.
“Aren’t you the Sword-”
“Not tonight sir. I’m only your hostess. Follow me and I will lead you to your seat.”
Rosy led them through the collective of tables into the center of the street. A large nonagonal table had been set up in the middle between the two restaurants. Rosy pulled out a seat for the Councilor. Councilor A, Platina, and Ave each sat down in a chair.
Nevre moved to stand behind Platina.
“We’ve got enough Guards standing at attention. Stop looming and take a seat Nevre.” Platina pointed at a chair.
“Are you sure sir? Our current company is well above my rank.” Nevre tucked his chin into his chest.
“Sit!”
Nevre took a seat next to Platina.
“And these will be your chefs for the evening.” Rosy made a sweeping gesture.
Lux and Cophin approached the table.
Councilor A leaned forward. “Ah yes. Chef Lux, I’m looking forward to an incredible meal delivered by your exquisite skill.”
Lux put his hands together and bowed.
“And you. The Street Bee.” The Councilor turned to Cophin. “You can get us our waters.”
Cophin pinched his eyes closed for three seconds.
#
Lady House arrived moments later, fashionably on-time. Her Bouncers fanned out along the street taking up positions next to the Guards that were already there. Tourists looked around uncomfortably. They had never felt so oppressively safe before.
“Lady House. So nice of you to join us. Please take a seat.” Councilor A waved at the opposite side of the table. He did not get up.
“Thank you Councilor.”
Lady House took her seat. Angel, dressed in a blue jacket so vibrant it could reflect moonlight sat down beside her and next to Nevre.
“Guardsman.” Angel nodded as she sat down.
“Officer.” Nevre said out of the corner of his mouth.
Platina frowned.
Bede and Privati walked up behind them and moved towards the empty seats. Bede reached out a hand to take one of the chairs.
Rosy smiled as she placed herself between the two of them and the table. “Actually, those seats are reserved for Mayor Letterman and the winners of today’s contest.”
“Excuse me?” Bede flinched.
“Of course.” Rosy maintained her smile.
Privati put a hand on her chest. “We are Lady House’s personal secretaries. We are responsible for entertaining the winners of the Ocean’s Bounty contests.”
Rosy put a hand on her chest. Her arm crossed over the sword. “I do apologise but this table is full. And seeing how Lady House is personally here to attend her guests, allow me to personally escort you to other seating accommodations. If you would please follow me.”
#
“Welcome to the kidding table.”
Vance was seated at the back of the E-teary at a long table. Wooden crates were stacked all around him. As Bede and Privati were led back Vance pulled a wineglass out from one of the crates, polished it with a terry cloth, and then put it back into a different crate.
Privati put a hand on her hip. “We’re not sitting here. It’s right by the kitchen. We demand a better table.”
“Also this one is infested with a parasite.” Bede looked down his nose at Vance.
Rosy was all smiles. “I know, I know, and I will try my best to accommodate you. But we are very busy and very short staffed tonight. Wait here for now and I’ll see what I can do.”
“But we-”
Rosy was already walking away. “Thanks so much, I appreciate your patience. Keep polishing that stemware Vance. I don’t want to see any water spots.”
Vance held a glass up and rotated it in the light. He wiped the rim with his terry cloth. “Well go ahead and sit down. Or does the sight of manual labor cause the two of you to shrivel up like slugs.”
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Privati slouched into a chair at the table. “I assume that this is some sort of punishment Vance. There’s no way you would willingly do an honest day’s work.”
Bede sat down on the opposite side of the table. “Why do you call it the kidding table?”
Plinth pushed open the door to the kitchen. He placed another wooden crate full of glassware onto the table. “Because I told this young man that if he gets up before he’s finished with his work that I would break his legs. All he has to do is stand up and learn whether I was kidding or not.”
Plinth smiled. Vance polished.
#
“Ted! There you are!”
Mayor Letterman pushed his way through the crowd. Ted was seated on a stool next to the bar in the Galaxy Lip restaurant. Lux was behind the bar giving instructions to his staff.
“Mayor?” Ted turned.
“I’ve been looking all over for you.”
“I didn’t realize sir. I’ve been here talking with Mr Starling. Did you know? He’s a Combat Baker.”
Champ Letterman waved a hand. “Yes, I know. I’m supposed to be seated with Lady House and the Councilor. But here I am chasing after you. What would your father say? If he saw you chatting with an
“Sorry sir.”
“I am supposed to be a well respected Mayor. But this whole trip… *Sigh* First my son winds up in jail, and now my aide is getting stabbed in the streets. This is not a good look for me Ted.”
“Sorry sir. I’ll try to avoid getting stabbed again.”
Champ shook his head. “No, no, it’s not your fault. I’ve made a real drongo of myself lately Ted. I need tonight to go well. An official dinner with Lady House and one of the White Council, I can put this in my newsletter.”
Ted’s face lit up. “I know the perfect font sir.”
“That’s a good lad Ted.” Champ put a hand on Ted’s shoulder.
Lux turned around behind the bar. “Mayor Letterman, it's so nice to see you. I am Lux. This is my restaurant, the Galaxy Lip. Welcome.”
Champ held out a hand. “Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard of your reputation.”
Lux ignored Letterman’s hand. “I was just talking to young Ted here. I was telling him all about how cooking and fighting are very similar disciplines.”
“Is that right?”
“They both require skill and patience. As well as the ability to wield a blade without fear of being cut.”
“I really should be getting back…”
“You were also saying that combat and governance were similar weren’t you Mr Starling?” Ted spoke up.
Lux nodded. “That’s right. Both require ruthlessness and a keen observation of your opponent. Our instructor, Master Jar, taught us that conflict without observation is bound for chaos.”
“Hmm.” Champ put a hand on the bar.
“As a chef I’ve had the opportunity to observe many people that have come here to Kaseihgaeu. I’ve actually become very familiar with Lady House. She has a number of techniques that she employs during negotiations to ensure favorable outcomes.”
“... really.” Champ sat down at the bar.
#
“Hello, my name is Tasha and I’ll be your server for this evening.”
The Breton Bully leaned back in his chair. “You’re our waitress? But you’re not dressed shooting star, or a nebula.”
“Those are the Galaxy Lip servers. Our restaurant, the E-teary.” Tasha pointed behind her. “Has joined them tonight for a fantastic double culinary event.”
“Ah good. I was about ready to order, and hold on… do I know you?” The Breton Bully narrowed his eyes.
Tasha coquettishly covered the bottom of her face with her hand. “No. I don’t think so.”
“Anyway. I think I’ll have the-”
“Sorry, but you haven’t looked at our menu yet.”
The Breton Bully looked at the large laminated menu in his hands. “I haven’t?”
“Not yet. You should see a second menu. There it is. The paper one.”
“I thought that was a napkin.”
“Sorry, no. That’s our menu.”
“Hmmm, let me look at this.” The Breton Bully lazily scanned the sheet. “So what I’m seeing here… You don’t serve any processed food in your restaurant?”
“That is correct.”
“So, what, it’s mostly salads?”
“It’s mostly salads.” Tasha gave a generous smile.
“But I could still order from the Galaxy Lip instead? The most famous restaurant in town.”
“... yes.”
“Then I think I’ll do that.” The Breton Bully set the paper sheet back down.
“Of course sir, but everyone is going to do that. I mean absolutely everyone. Their kitchen is going to be completely swamped. So maybe, while you’re waiting, a little something for the table?”
“Huh, you make a good point. I suppose, maybe an appetizer. Some spring rolls while we wait.”
“Excellent choice sir.” Tasha made a note on a sheet she was holding. “If you will excuse me I’ll go give your orders to our chef.”
#
“Excuse me, Ash.”
Ash looked up from where he was washing cucumbers in the sink.
Rosy poked her head through the kitchen window. The sword on her chest rattled against the counter. “There’s someone here saying you have a table reservation for them.”
“There is?”
Ash looked out the kitchen doors. Jack and Bellfrey were waiting at the front of the restaurant.
Ash frowned. “Does he really expect me to-” Ash looked over at the table where Vance, Bede, and Privati were sitting. “Oh, okay. Sure Rosy, go ahead and tell them we have a table specially reserved for them.”
Rosy followed Ash’s eyes and shrugged her shoulders. She walked back to where Jack and Bellfrey were standing.
Ash went back to washing his dishes. He couldn’t help himself smirking.
Jack and Bellfrey were led to the back of the restaurant. Jack looked around in confusion.
“Hey, Ash!”
“Hmmm?” Ash crouched in the kitchen window.
“You promised me a table.” Jack hissed at him.
“I did no such thing. And you have a table.” Ash feigned innocence.
“This is a prep table.”
Ash put on his smarmiest grin. “Yeah, we’re reeeal busy tonight.”
“I need a real table.” Jack pressed his knuckles against the kitchen window.
“You’re welcome to have a chat with the waitress.” Ash shoved a plate onto the shelf of the window. “Order up!”
“Hello sir. Is everything to your liking this evening?” Rosy strode up and grabbed the plate off of the counter.
Jack turned. He tried not to stare at the sword that was strapped to her chest. “Uh, great, yes, actually it’s about our seating.”
Rosy beamed. “I know. Isn’t it wonderful? You are so lucky to have made arrangements with our staff ahead of time. The restaurant is completely packed. We’re seeing a line down the block. I don’t think there is any way someone could get seated now unless they were willing to wait all evening.”
“Huh, yes, that is, so good.”
Rosy turned and walked away. Ash went back to cutting cucumbers. Bellfrey rolled her eyes and sat down at the table.
Jack stood there tapping his heel for a few moments. Then shuffled over to the corner of the restaurant next to a window. He took a tiny whistle out of his pocket and blew on it. In seconds a squirrel wearing a red and black checkered vest climbed up on the window next to him.
Jack removed a scrap of parchment and a fountain pen from his jacket. He made a quick scribble on the paper, folded it, and handed it to the squirrel.
The squirrel rolled the parchment and stuffed it into a pocket on its vest.
“Here you are. Try to make it quick.” Jack then handed the squirrel a stack of pennies. The rodent packed the money away in a different pocket. It turned and leapt out the window becoming hidden by the long shadows of dusk that stretched across the city.
Jack smirked and sat down at the table.