Chapter 132: A date

Walking through the wooden streets, slipping between stone huts on every turn, a nature-based city. Puts that natured themed city I spotted to shame.

Eventually breaking into a winding street of restaurants. Opting for open-air, I see a long line of carts selling food and drink. To attract customers, they go for a rarer format.

Rather than stylish signs and loud sellers, they opted for decorated stalls. Approaching a winter wonderland within a tropical climate, I find a seller selling slushies. Walking towards the blue-haired fellow as he throws snowballs at a target in boredom.

Spotting us, he quickly dons his businessman’s mask, a neutral face of boredom replaced with a bright smile. He glances at us, freezing, then taking blinking. His smile crumbling, replaced with an open mouth and face of confusion.

Not abnormal, we have gotten a hundred and one glances for our unique bodies, which unnerved Cassie too say the least. I would be concerned, but currently, 3 flying avian men are watching us from the trees. I won’t take it personally; I wouldn’t let me walk out unwatched.

“Hello, can we order?” I ask with a smile.

He quickly realizes he was talking to customers, “errm, yes.”

“We are unfamiliar with the currency here; what do you use?”

“Air, fire, elemental crystals.”

“I see, how much for 2 blue raspberry slushies?” For some reason, all the signs auto-translate. I assume some function of the Tardis.

“Quarter shard.”

Handing him a whole air shard, “wanna split it for us?”

He takes it carefully, nodding towards us. Taking out some quick of tool, a wooden handle with a sharp gem tip. He scores the shard into 4 before hitting it with a stone hammer. It shatters into 4 similar shards. He takes one of the crystal pieces; I notice it is the largest of all 4. He quickly pockets the gem before preparing the slushies.

Handing is 2 large cups of a blue ice mixture and a mini wooden shovel. “Thanks.” I say.

Cassie gazes at the drink with great curisotiy. “Drink it. Not a science project, a beverage.”

She takes a hesitant sip, eyes going wide. “it is really good.” She says.

“I know.” Taking a sip of my own drink.

We quickly find ourselves at a desert-themed restaurant. An open grill with sizzling meats and a rolling smoker; brisket within.

“Heya, can we get some food?” I say to the loosely clothed muscly elf behind the grill. He turns with the same reaction as the other shopkeep to Cassie’s frustration. She murmurs to me, “Is this what you live with?”

“Every day, I say with a smirk.”

“Half a shard for 3 type meat meal.”

“Enough for two?”

“Enough for 4.” He says with a smile.

“We will take it.” Handing him the shard.

“What meats ya want?”

“Surprise us.” The easiest way to buy without knowing what you want.

“Maka, Roc fillet, and buff brisket; coming right up.”

Turning to the grill, he skillfully prepares our food. Cassie recoils away from the blaring heat the release of the flame. Handing us a large platter of sliced meat.

Smelling the fragrance of sweetness and spiciness, I am salivating at the thought of eating it. Sitting down with Cassie on a wooden 2 seat table. With an oversized fork, closer to a farming rake than wooden cutlery.

A knife we found wasn’t needed. The meat, having gone through some godlike tenderizing process, it fell apart.

A buttered loaf of bread was placed on our table by a scantily clad young maid. Cassie threw her a dirty look as she left. Returning to my meal, I begin to eat with vigor. Cassie spotting the quickly disappearing meat, eats with equal vigor. Between the two of us, we fell just short of cleaned the plate. Stuffed to the brim, we only left a few bites. The heavy Maka meat too much for us.

I get the attention of the grill chef, nodding towards him. He nods as well; we both smile, having shared unspoken words.

“Cassie, up for some drinks. I don’t think I can fit any more food.”

“You ate enough to feed a small family; I am not surprised.” She thinks for a moment, “okay.” We get up, I put my helmet back on.

Walking along the path, we see a water park that appears to serve alcohol. A wall of glass cylinders with a rainbow of bubbly liquids; a woman in front in an autumn dress; “looks like a bar.” I comment.

Walking up, Cassie steps forward. “Hello, do you serve alcohol?”

The woman turning to us doesn’t bat an eye. “Yes, we do, darling.”

“I love the dress!”

“Thank you, cost me two and a half shards; a great trade.”

“I can see why, what a bargain.”

“I know right, anyway, what can I get you?”

“Something sweet, we are both sweet tooths.”

“Ah, someone who doesn’t care for appearances, a good choice in partner.” She says with a wink, gazing through me with her amber eyes. “I will whip you guys up to something special; take a seat. It will be a whole shard, fire if you can.”

I hand her a fire shard, “a breadwinner too, not bad.” Sharing a knowing look with Cassie.

“I have got to ask; most gaze at us like aliens. Why not you too?”

She smirks, pulling out a pendant from her bosom. “My husband, he broadened my horizon.”

We look into her pendant, seeing a photo within. The bartender is next to a cyclops in black robes. Cassie takes one look at the picture, turning to the bartender. “Does it even fit?!” she says in surprise.

The bartender just chuckles, sending us to a table. Turning to Cassie, “that is the most confident I have ever seen you. It makes a nice change.”

“You saying I am not confident otherwise?”

“Errm…” I stutter.

She just shakes her head, “thank you.”

We quickly have 2 large bowls of purple liquid brought to us. The tint varying from top to bottom, with bubbles rising; I question if it is corruption. Smelling the beverage, I get punched in the face with lavender.

Taking a sip, it is almost like parma violet gin. A sweet floral drink with a mighty kick; I love it. “How is it, Cassie?” I ask.

“It is okay.” She says, clearly not too keen.

“How are you liking this foreign place so far?”

She thinks for a moment, “I really like it. It feels fantastical, so foreign and strange.”

“You can say that again. It is more fantasy-like than some fantasy books.” Getting a nod from Cassie.

I finish my drink quickly; Cassie is only half-finished. “Want to hit the bar? You don’t look too keen on that drink.”

“Okay.”

Heading back up, “finished already?” The bartender says.

“Yeah; another surprise please.”

“1 shard.”

Handing her the shard, we return to are seats. Quickly, she brings over an amber drink this time. A bit milder with a rich honey flavor, “I like this one too.” I say to Cassie.

“Me too.” She replies.

Feeling the buzz kick in from the large containers of alcohol. “You know… This is the first time I’ve drunk alcohol after dying.”

“Glad I could be here for your alcoholic cherry.” She chuckles.

“I never really drank back home. I enjoyed it occasionally, but after a night of being so smashed, I didn’t know what I was doing… I slowed down.”

“Smashed?”

“So drunk I couldn’t walk, talk or think.”

“I like that term. It fits really well.”

“Glad I could expand your earthen slang.”

After finishing the beverages, we mutually agreed we should head home. Or in this case? To the Tardis. Noticing her half-finished violet drink, I down. “Waste not, want not.”

On the way back, the alcohol really started to affect me. Cassie doesn’t look affect, which impressed me.

I likely don’t look too drunk, but I sure as hell feel it. Stumbling ever so slightly as I enter the Tardis.

“What is the plan? do we have beds in that magic bag of yours?”

“I, in fact, do.” Walking towards the large room inside the Tardis. Removing my Geochest, I spawn my tower.

Cassie looks at me in amazement. “So you just keep a magic tower in your bag?”

“Yeah,” I reply.

“You are… Unpredictable.”

“Thank you,” I say half-drunk.

Entering, I head towards my king-sized bed. Before I can fall into it, Cassie grabs me. “Get a shower first.”

Nodding, I head to my shower. Getting rid of the day’s worries. Returning, I see Cassie lightly reading in the bed. Cuddling up next to her, we fall asleep together. Me being far too tired to even read, I must have passed out in seconds.

Waking up with a glass of water to my side and an empty bed, I rise steadily. Drinking the water, soothing my parched throat. Getting out of bed, still a little tired. I quickly head downstairs, hearing the sizzling of meats. “You slept like a rock,” Cassie says as I enter the living room.

“Alcohol will do that.”

“No headache?”

“No.”

“One crazy constitution, you drank more than me. I woke up with a migraine.”

“I see; I am sorry about that.” I wince.

“No problem, used mother’s old pain med recipe; killing the migraine. Of course, I couldn’t use anything below the waist for about 2 hours, but it works.”

“I see, one hell of a pain med. What are you cooking?”

“Brunch.”

“A universal term, I see.”

“It is afternoon by their time.”

“Wow, I seriously slept in.”

“Yep.”

Placing a plate of bacon and eggs in front of me, “thank you, Cassie.”

“No problem, eat up.”

I enjoy the meal, going down into an empty stomach. I burped from the lavish breakfast, “excuse me.” I say, covering my mouth.

Cassie just chortles.

“Tardis should be fixed soon.”

“Good, I need to return to my job. My boss is gonna shoot me.”

Wincing, “I am so sorry.”

“About what, not your fault.”

“Still, sorry. If you need me to, I will pay your boss as an apology.”

“As much as I appreciate the gesture, that will send mixed messages. I will sort it; I am a good enough employee to get away with a day off.”

Tension leaving my shoulders; “I see, good.” She continues to scoff her meal. “I will go check the Tardis. See how long until it is fixed, and check the Elves.”

“Got it good luck.” She says, waving goodbye. “I can’t stop you, but if it smells fishy, don’t take them. The world has enough dangers.

Well, I can’t just leave a bunch of Elves to float in the void. Although, adding a superpower to the political mess back home is a terrible idea. Screw it, lives over politics.

Walking up to the telepathic console, I initiate it. “Status on repairs?”

“2 hours, 3 minutes, 15 seconds, remaining!”

“Thank you.”

“Your welcome!” The robotic voice replies. Which gave me a little scare; I didn’t expect that.

Stepping out the Tardis, I am welcomed by an army of scientists. Most of the objects were removed from the room, replaced by a mountain of supplies and lab coats, “hi.” I say, waving weakly.

Assaulted again by waves of questions before I tell them to get stuffed. “Okay, who is going to do the readings while we fly?”

Two scientists step forward, a man and a woman.

“We are, sir.”

“Aeternum, not Sir.”

“Yes, Aeternum. The man replies.”

“What are you going to do for the readings?”

“We have a few spatial gyroscopes and spatial coordinate sensors. They will allow us to learn the distance between the dimensions and the rate of dimensional drift.”

“Interesting.”

“We will also use energy and radiation sensors to figure out everything we can about how the ship moves.”

“Nothing too invasive, okay. Let me prepare a room for the travelers.” Nodding towards the large group of scientists.

Stepping into the Tardis, I create a separate large room. Heading back out, “Okay, one by one, let’s go. I have a room for you guys.”