Chapter 10: There’s some differences

“Shall we try this again?” I hold my hand out to Cecilia.

“I think we shall.” Cecilia happy grabs on to my hand and we once again leave the room inside the inn, locking the door behind us.

As we are leaving, no one inside of the inn dares to even look us in the eyes. I like the feeling of not having to worry about getting attacked again right away, but at least pretend I’m a human! I mean, I do exist, right?

The time right now is just after lunch. We missed lunch, but if we have a small snack, we can have a large dinner later in to the night. So where does one take someone for a snack in a fantasy world? A food stand, a small café? Maybe.

“Ready to go?” I ask Cecilia who had started to stare off in to the distance.

“Yeah, sorry. I was just thinking how nice it is to finally be going on a date with you, even though everything feels real here… there’s just a few differences.”

“I see.” I nod my head, thinking of creating a plan for later, but focusing on right now instead. “I think we should have a small bite to eat, since we missed lunch.”

“That’s a good idea, do you know any places?” Cecilia holds my hand tightly as we start to walk. I wonder how much my strength has improved with the level ups I’ve gotten. Let’s not test it on Cecilia’s hand.

“No, I don’t know of any, but, if this is a proper fantasy setting, there should be some food stalls nearer to the city center.” Cecilia nods as she moves closer to me, hugging my arm. I’m glad that there is a cool breeze right now.

Cecilia and I walk throughout the streets that are lined with modern houses and oddly paved roads. The clear skies letting the bright sun shine down, heating up everything in sight.

Many people were sitting in the shade along the sides of the streets, trying to avoid overheating. Cecilia was still trying to cling close to me, despite the heat. I allowed it, even though I felt like I was dying from the heat. So much for a cool breeze being enough.

I owe this much to her, don’t I?

As we get closer and closer to the center of the city, the streets start getting wider, and busier. I look around and notice that the buildings are looking older and older. Some are starting to be made of stones that look similar to the city walls.

The closer we get to the center of the town, the more fantasy like it gets. The roads are still the same throughout. The lamps that line the streets look like they run on some sort of gas, rather than electricity or magic.

Cecilia and I look around as we see many people carry bags of goods, varying from weapons to food items. I look around and I finally see a few food stands down one of the side roads off of the main road we were walking on.

Large horse drawn carriages easily navigated the streets that were filled with many people. People actually respected the animals and when they could, would make way for the horses. Most likely since they would be trampled otherwise.

“Cecilia, let’s go over there, I think I see some food stands… I think.” Cecilia smiles while clinging on to my arm.

“You think? Just as reliable as always. There’s no harm in getting a little lost, don’t you think?”

“Well… Yeah. You’re right. There’s no harm in getting a little lost when I am with you.” I smile slightly.

Cecilia laughs happily as she clings to me and walks. She feels really happy right now. Her smile is cute. I smile as I lead us down a few wrong paths ‘accidently’.

“Selling mostly fresh Devil Bear! Killed just a few days ago!”

“Selling fresh fish! Right from the coastline city of Galewater!”

“Selling dried meats from assorted monsters! Freshness matters not for properly aged meats!”

“Selling fruits from the forest cities nearby! Picked fresh today!”

I motion my head toward the food stands while looking at Cecilia and she nods, slightly leading me towards the Devil Bear stand.

“Hello, young master.” The man at the stall smile brightly when it is mine and Cecilia’s turn to buy something. “How can I help you?”

“Two skewers of Devil Bear meat please. The freshest pieces you have available.” I look at Cecilia and she nods as I order.

“Right away!” He quickly hands us two skewers freshly off the grill. I wonder where the raw ones are stored. “That will be twenty Silvers. Ten per skewer.”

“That’s expensive, but I guess that devil bear was strong when it chased me.” I hold out my Assistant in order to pay. The man at the stall smiles as the transaction goes through.

“Have a good day, come back again soon!” He waves at us as we leave. Obviously preferential treatment. I can’t hear because of how loud the place is, but I bet we got a discount as well. Information really does travel fast.

We sit down on an empty bench in a nearby green area and sit very close to each other, not once letting go of each other.

I take a bite of the skewer and the meat practically melts in my mouth. The meat was so tender and the smoky flavor was just wonderful! The juices just envelop my taste buds and it even feels amazing! Before I had realized it, the skewer was finished and all I could do was cry silently at my loss.

I look over at Cecilia and notice that she had also finished her skewer. The smile on her face was so large, I was amazed her jaw was still attached to her head.

“Did you enjoy that Cecilia?”

“How could I not? Only someone who had no taste buds could not enjoy that. I’m sure even vegetarians would eat that it was so delicious!” Cecilia nods her head, clearly forming some weird ideas.

“It was indeed very delicious.” I sigh as I stand up and grab Cecilia’s hand once again. “Where would you like to explore next.”

“It’s up to you, master.” Cecilia smiles as she gestures to her white colored Assistant.

“One of my sources told me that there was a river running through the city from the east to the west,” I ignore her comment and continue on without missing a beat. “It separates the districts. We are in the north district right now, the south district is supposedly bad for crimes and such, but some of the restaurants are better than up here.”

“Oh really? Even if we do get attacked, I know you will protect me.” Cecilia smiles as she once again clings to me as we walk through the streets.

After we take a few more ‘wrong’ turns, I take her to the river crossing that connects the north and the south sides of the city. There were three bridges that connected the two sides of the city. The east, west, and center bridges. I was now taking Cecilia on the largest of the three, the center bridge.

Under the bridge, boats floated up and down the river. The noisy people walking across the bridge, trying to get from the south to the north, and vice versa. It all made a pleasant scene to view, especially since the sun was starting to get lower in the sky, the shadows it cast over the bridge were getting larger and larger as time passed by.

Cecilia smiles as she walks with me close to her. I smile as well as we make our way across the bridge, occasionally stopping to enjoy the views together.

We see many boats floating across the surface of the mirror like water. Some of the boats carrying lots of fish, others carrying barrels of assorted goods. Metals floating downstream, produce and marine life pushing their way up the stream.

I guess that means the caves and mountains are towards the west in some direction, and the coastline is to the east. I wonder how large this continent is. The world is supposedly twice as large as earth. If that is so, the continent must be quite large. Meaning most of it is probably unexplored. The other continents probably aren’t even explored. This game will never be finished at this rate.

After we cross the bridge I notice that there is a shopping district, weapons, armor, clothing, flowers, and a small café. I knew there would be a café! I motion my head towards the clothing store. It looks fancy enough. Probably won’t be cheap.

“You are okay with taking me to a clothing store? Every time we went out and I looked at a clothing store for too long, you’d ditch me and end up in the nearest, anywhere else.” Cecilia laughed, “You’ve changed Phillip.”

“Everyone changes at some point. I remember hearing that every seven years, your taste buds change and your favorite food might change.” I smile as Cecilia wanders in to the clothing store with me, finally moving more than an arm’s length away as she browses the store. The male clerk wanders their way over to me.

“Thank you for coming to our store, young master Phillip.”

“Oh? My name is being spread. But man, the customer service here is really odd, why not help the lady that is clearly interested in getting more clothing?” I look over to Cecilia who had started looking at colorful skirts and dresses.

“My mistake sir.” He bows quickly to me as he wanders over to Cecilia and greets her. She sends him away like most people do in the real world, but it’s the thought that counts.

Cecilia picks out a few outfits and asks the clerk if she can try them on. He nods happily as he walks over to a room and opens the door, I hear him say the common, ‘Take your time.’ I slowly wander over and sit down in front of the dressing room on one of the ‘husband’ chairs.

She comes out and shows me a few outfits and I call the clerk over.

“How can I help you sir?” The male clerk smiles.

“How much is it for all of the outfits she brought in to the room with her?” I ask with a happy smile.

“I… I’d have to see what she went in with…” The clerk hesitates. I look at him as the smile fades from my face.

“I said. How much for all of the outfits she brought in to the room with her?”

“Um… one thousand Silvers…” The clerk sweats visibly as he looks at my eyes that coldly stare back at him, “No! Seven hundred Silvers!”

“Good, I’ll pay for it now. Please bring a few bags over so I can carry the outfits with me out of the store. Thank you so much.” I hold out my Assistant and start smiling again. The clerk collects the money from me and quickly runs to the front counter.

Cecilia wanders out in a nice light blue sundress that looks extremely beautiful on her. I give two thumbs up and smile at Cecilia.

“Ready to go Cecilia?” I stand up and walk towards her.

“I still have to choose my favorite from this bunch…” She looks back at the pile of clothes in the changing room and I almost fall over from the mess she made.

“No need, I bought it all. Apparently there was a sale today and there was a large discount. So I just bought it all for you.” I smile happily.

“You threatened the clerk, didn’t you?” Cecilia sighs.

“I never said a single threatening word. I only repeated myself once when I thought he didn’t hear me.”

“Oh well.” Cecilia smiles as the clerk comes over with a few bags. We nicely fold all of the clothes and fit it in two large bags. Very large bags, but they felt pretty light.

Cecilia and I exit the store and the clerk doesn’t even say the standard lines. Oh well, we will probably go there again anyways. The clerk was a good guy.

Cecilia clings to my right arm, while my left carries two bags of clothing. I notice the sky starting to turn red and I look at Cecilia who yawns a little. As I fight the urge to start yawning myself, I talk to her.

“What kind of food would you like for dinner?” I laugh as Cecilia moves close to me while we walk through the busy streets.

“I was thinking…” Cecilia pause and then looks at me, “That it doesn’t matter what we do as long as I get to spend more time together with you.” I smile widely as we continue to walk.

“I have to say, you caught me off guard with that one.”

“Isn’t that the idea? You always act so cold. You only open up when the topic suits you, or you feel the other is superior to you. When I catch you off guard, you always smile, and it makes me happy.”

“Do whatever you please then.” I smile as I look around to try and find a restaurant that doesn’t look like it will try to kill us.

We wander down a street with many restaurants that look similar. I guess they are trying to appeal by making each one seem as welcoming as the last. Oh well, let’s just pick one. I walk towards the building with the least amount of customers, and it appears to be the most run down looking building as well. Is it a failing business? Let’s make a gamble.

“Trying to see if a joint like this will have even half decent food? Normally you would test these places on your own before you try to impress your date.” Cecilia smiles.

“Why would I try to impress you?” I stick my tongue out at her and she does the same back to me. “Come on, this place probably has good food, but a bad reputation. We can use our fame to earn not only discounts, but also repair reputations, right?”

“Since when were you the good guy?”

“Since when was I the bad guy?” I smile happily with Cecilia as we wander in to the restaurant with the name ‘Homeside’.

“Welcome to Homeside, for how many?” A kind waitress greets us at the door. Her smile looked extremely fake, but I don’t care.

“For two please.” I smile as I respond and the waitress nods waving for us to follow. I shrug my shoulders as I look to Cecilia, “I guess we follow.” Cecilia nods as we follow the waitress to our seats.

“Here is our menu, please take your time.” She hands us two pieces of thick paper and grabs two glasses of water and sets them in front of us.

Cecilia and I sat across from each other in a booth style seat. There was not a single other person in this restaurant. I have a feeling that if our fame hadn’t spread so far and wide, we wouldn’t have been treated as nice as we were. I sigh as I look at the menu, see Cecilia’s odd expression.

I look at the main courses:

‘Chef’s special’-20 Silvers

‘Breakfast platter’-18 Silvers

‘Fresh fish platter’-19 Silvers

‘Meat platter’-21 Silvers

‘Veggie platter’-14 Silvers

The choices don’t actually look too bad, I think the prices are a bit much, but maybe the plates are large. I look at the drinks section of the menu and pick one of their more expensive beers on the list. I feel like splurging a little. I turn my menu towards Cecilia and point to one of the more expensive wines, fifty Silvers a glass.

“That’s so expensive.” Cecilia complains, and the waitress comes over.

“Have you decided on what you would like?” The waitress asks with her trademark fake smile. I don’t know why, but her smile bothers me. We both nod and say we are ready to order.

“Ma’am, can I get your order first?” She looks to Cecilia. Ooh, getting the lady’s order first, that’s plus one to the tip.

“Uh, could I get the Chef’s special… and a glass of this, I’m sorry, I can’t pronounce this.” Cecilia laughs as she points to the expensive wine that was on the menu.

“It’s okay, I can’t either.” The waitress laughs as she turns to me, “And for you, sir?”

“I will try the meat platter, and could I get your specialty beer?”

“We have a half pint and a full pint glass.”

“Full pint glass, please.”

“Of course, your food will be ten to fifteen minutes, maybe longer for the meat platter, I greatly apologize in advance.”

“I don’t mind.” I wave with my hand, “As long as she’s happy with her food, I’ll be happy with mine.” I smile towards Cecilia and she blushes slightly. Aha! Direct attacks seem to work.

The waitress gives a genuine smile as she wanders off to the kitchen to tell the chef our order and probably to grab our drinks. Cecilia waves her hand and gets my attention.

“What are we going to do after we eat?”

“I don’t know. Want to go catch a movie in the real world?”

“Hm, maybe, but I don’t think I’d even watch the movie. I’d just want to sit next to you.”

“Then we can just sit at home and watch something. I don’t have to pay for a movie that way.”

“Cheapskate.”

“Uh… yeah? How do you think I have so much money? But I will run out of money eventually. I need to find another job sooner or later.”

“Yeah, you’ve never really told me how much money you have. For all I could know I’m getting myself in to a hole of debt…” Cecilia suddenly hesitates.

“Well, in the game, I gave you quite a bit of money to do with whatever you see fit.” I take a sip of my water. “I’m guessing you haven’t touched it though.”

“Well…” Cecilia hesitates, “I’m talking about the real world.”

“I see. You are worried about the finances, fine. I will tell you how much money I have. Please make sure you don’t have any water in your mouth.” Cecilia nods and puts down her glass of water. I would like to keep my clothes dry. “Last time I checked, it was still close to four hundred thousand dollars.”

“Pfft!” She makes the spit take noise, but thankfully, I stayed dry. “How’d you make so much money!?”

“When I was fired from the company I worked for, they paid out my bonus. For reference, I make one percent of everything I make for the company, and I managed to score them a huge score involving a dying business.”

“Why were you fired then? Wouldn’t someone like you who makes a huge deal like that normally get a huge promotion?”

“Normally, but the corruption within one of the CEO’s underlings was too much to handle and he tried to take my entire bonus. The CEO noticed, but it was too late and I was already kicked out of the office. He tried to take me back, but I politely declined.”

“Why don’t you just go back there when you need another job? I’m sure the CEO would be smart enough to at least offer you that.”

“He did. I said I would think about it. It isn’t like I am mad at the CEO for his underling’s mistake, but I am a petty man, I’ll go back when money hits two hundred thousand, just to keep a large buffer in case something bad happens.”

“That’s actually a really good plan…” Cecilia stays quiet for a moment as she looks around, “Why didn’t you tell me all of this earlier?”

“You didn’t ask, so I figured you didn’t care, as long as you could be with me.” I stick my tongue out at her and she slams her head on to the table with a blush on her face.

Soon after, the waitress and a man wearing a chef’s hat walk out of what I presume was the kitchen. The waitress is carrying a pint of beer and a bottle of wine, do we get the whole bottle? It said fifty per glass.

“We apologize for the wait.” The waitress sets me beer on the table in front of me and looks to Cecilia as she holds the bottle, she then pours it carefully in to a glass that was carefully placed on the table. It was a beautiful red color. Cecilia carefully accepts the glass, she looks afraid to drink it.

The chef then put’s the Chef’s special in front of Cecilia.

“The special tonight is a carefully cooked T-bone steak, made to my personal preference, mushrooms and sautéed onions, along with mashed potatoes and a sweet gravy on the side.” The chef the places my plate in front of me, “The meat platter is half of a top sirloin steak, two freshly stuffed pork sausages, three deep fried meat balls, and steamed broccoli to add a little green to the plate.”

Cecilia and I say out thanks as the chef and waitress retreat back to the kitchen.

I nod to Cecilia as I take a bite of my top sirloin. It practically melts in my mouth. It wasn’t as tender as the Devil bear, but the seasoning was great! I then carefully cut a bite off of the sausage and eat it. The sausage was cooked perfectly all the way through. The outside was a golden brown and the inside was… well gray, but that’s perfect for a sausage!

“Phillip…” Cecilia looks at me after having a bit of her steak. “I feel that my skills as a woman have been overshadowed by a chef at a failing business.”

“Yep. This is probably a hundred times better than the steak you made. Be it the tenderness, or the flavoring, it is all better.” I nod my head as I cut a piece off my steak and feed it to Cecilia. She smiles as she chews the top sirloin.

“Normally I would complain, but I can’t even argue with you.” Cecilia smiles as she eats the steak and then feeds me a bite of hers. It felt like it melted in the same way, but the tenderness was different.

Time passes and we eventually finish our meals and our drinks. My beer went perfectly with the tender meats and the broccoli was a nice touch to make the plate liven up and not feel so heavy.

Cecilia sighs and the waitress comes back out with a large smile on her face, it looked almost genuine this time.

“Sir, the total for your meal is one hundred and thirty six Silvers.” She holds out her wrist to charge me, but instead I smile and give her one hundred and sixty total.

“I’m sure you wonder about the extra, it’s your tip.” I smile as I stand up and grab the bags of clothing. “Let’s go Cecilia, this place was good, we should come here again some time.” Cecilia nods her head and smiles as she takes my arm after standing up.

“Thank you for visiting Homeside! We hope to see you again soon.” The waitress gives a happy smile as she watches us leave.

Cecilia and I make our way back to our inn and lay down on the bed.

”See you in the real world, Cecilia.” I laugh as I log out.

“Yeah.” Cecilia smiles as she relaxes her body and logs out of the game. I quickly do the same.

I had a good day. I think in my head with a large smile on my face.