A Silver Lucifer Tampers with Time [Part 1]

“Hmmm… This is interesting… The food…”

This plate before me steamed with the smoky scent of what looked like charred peppers, their vermillion skin covered with spice. Skewered between them were chunks of some unknown meat, slightly Juicy which made the flavor savory. Though whether it was beef, fowl. Possibly fish, I couldn’t tell. Maybe it wasn’t meat at all, just some dense vegetable mimicking flesh. Beside it lay slices of warm bread, judging from the yeasty aroma and the way its crust crackled under my fingers.

The drink must be some form of wine, deep red and smooth with the sharp aftertaste of Alcohol. Water accompanied it, clear and unremarkable. A small comfort. At least some things here followed similar elements: Oxidane, ethanol, the basic chemistry of my own world. That familiarity is enough to steady my nerves, for now.

“It looks quite different but tastes like any other food product.”

This thought sprung in my head during the meal Valaquendë and I are having. I had so many strange things to think about. Like the language. I can understand everyone, but the written language was very different. I also couldn't read the menu, so I just got the same thing Valaquendë ordered. I kinda wanted to examine the food and menu more, but it really wasn't necessary. Besides, Valaquendë looked like she wanted to talk to me again.

“How's your meal?”

A simple question to break the ice. This way, I can get a little more information about the food.

“Good! I really like this place; I like to come here every year right after I finish trying to recruit new members… How's yours?”

“Mine is good too!”

I match her tone of voice. Mimicking the way a person talks shows interest and her voice was pretty high pitched. Considering that, I think she wants to keep the conversation going. She definitely seemed excited to talk to me.

“Nice! It is a little pricey, but I think it is totally worth it!”

I instantly had another thought pop up when she made that comment. Damn. I have no money… I panicked in my head. It’s going to be difficult to manage without it. Or even give a reason why I have no money right now! It’s fine. If it comes up, I’ll just say I was pickpocketed. Yeah! That’s something that can happen in any world, right?! Whatever, I’ll just continue with the conversation.

“Yes, definitely! I haven’t had food this good in a long time.”

“So, um… Where are you from? Probably someplace interesting, because I've never seen clothes like yours before!”

She said that with a gleeful smile… but… Damn, I was afraid she was going to ask that question. I have to make something up. Who knows what will happen if I just blatantly tell the truth. I just need to say something vague yet convincing enough. That way, I can build on it later when I get more information.

“Just a small village, you've probably never even heard of it.” I remarked with a meek tone.

“Yeah, I probably haven’t. Haha. I’ve lived in two places my whole life and I've only traveled to big cities, so I haven't really seen a lot of the world.” She giggled. I did as well but only because I was relieved that my answer was good enough for her. Now, time for some questions of my own.

“So Valaquendë.”

“Hhm?” She answered while she was drinking.

“You said that you’ve been doing this for a while, right?”

“Yup! Every year, four times a year!”

She’s really enjoying the small talk. I am too. I don’t go out of my way to meet new people very often, so it’s nice to get to know someone new. My reasons why it’s nice may have some different motives. Nevertheless, she said that she hasn’t lived in very many places. That makes me wonder how many people she knows, or how large her Guild is?

“But now! You're here so I won’t have to do this anymore!” Valaquendë eagerly announced it to me.

She lightly grabbed my hand and smiled at me. But that wasn't what grabbed my attention. Why would she not have to do this anymore? Sigh. More questions.

“Bu-but that’s only if you actually decide to join our small Guild. It’s totally your decision, of course.”

She quickly recoiled her hand under the table once I noticed it, I think she was mildly embarrassed. I looked at her for a moment with a smile, she did the same. I think she-

A blunt crack sounded in the eatery like shattering furniture, or maybe glass, ripped both of our attention from each other. Soon followed by something heavy toppling, silverware clattered, and someone's sharp gasp cut through the sudden silence. Tons of racket, chaos of shouts, scrambling footsteps, and the splintering groan of wood.

“How dare you!!”

“What! You know damn well that our Guild is superior!”

“I’ll show you who is superior!”

Two tough men got into some type of quarrel about their Guilds. Creating an unwelcome uproar, normally something like this would bother me, but… I had a strange feeling watching them. I had no idea what it was, until I whispered under my breath.

“A chair is going to break.”

“Whatever! I don’t need this kinda nonsense!” The man yelled, walking away in a huff.

As soon as that man turned his back, the other man grabbed the nearest chair and broke it over their back, sending him to the ground. His Guild members then went after him and so did the other Guild members. Within seconds, the quarrel erupted into a full on brawl of needless tribalism.

“We better get out of here quick, Ryosuke!” Said Valaquendë alert and focused. In a rush she left some money on the table, then grabbed my hand to lead us out the eatery before things got too heated with the rival Guilds.

⧫⧫⧫

Hastily leaving the eatery, I quickly had to adjust myself to the new environment again. It was late in the evening; the sun was returning to the horizon and the moon was starting to become more visible. All I could hear was the determined strides of Valaquendë’s ankle boots on the brick road. She still had a rather tight grip of my hand. I’d compare this sudden impulse of hers to a babysitter making sure that the child they’d been looking after was returned home safely.

I had no idea where we were, that being said, I think we're lost. This seems to be a pretty large city, so I’m not surprised that we might be. I had the feeling that Valaquendë just wanted to get us away from conflict as quickly and safely as possible, that she didn’t think of a proper escape route. This, of course, didn't bother me too much. I was just a jellyfish moving with the current at this point. Directionless, once again.

Valaquendë made a sudden stop with her hand still locked onto mine, she looked around for a moment, making several glances at the area. In this small moment, I felt the urge to shift my thumb around her hand. With that light touch of her hand; her warm, soft hand. I then felt the need to look at her person with more detail. To study, one could say. I want to see the design of her colorful eyes, the glossiness of her lips, and the luster of her skin. Sad to say, Valaquendë prompted me with a crooked smile when she turned to me. I had a good feeling of what she was about to say.

“I-I forgot which way was the hostelry… hah-ha.”

I copied her crooked smile. She had a disappointed tone; she was probably expecting me to get upset or something. I didn’t really know how to respond. So, I just tried to say the first positive thing I would think of.

“No worries Valaquendë! I’m just glad we got out of there.” Her odd smile became more relaxed. I think saying that calms her nerves a little bit.

“And how hard can it be to find our way back? There’s two of us! So that means it will be twice as easy to get back, right?!” I grabbed her hand and raised it into the air, all while making sure my voice and movements were meaningful and exaggerated.

“Yeah! You are absolutely right!” She puffed with determination.

Her face really lightened up. I’m actually surprised that small speech made that kind of impact on her. I wonder if she has bipolar disorder. No, it’s way too early to even guess something like that. She probably just wanted to impress the new recruit and simply got a little disappointed with herself. So, any kind of positivity was going to help her confidence.