Food, Food, Food

“As for you applicant Yamakuma.” The guild master looks at me while speaking. “Thank you for doing us a service.” He finishes putting out a hand for me to shake.

“Just doing my duty.” I respond while shaking his hand.

I step out of the room. Well that went better than expected. Nice to see nobility actually get punished.

“You’re very interesting.” Nadia says after stepping out of the guild master’s office. Shit. Catching the attention of one of the higher ups was bound to happen eventually, right? But still does not feel good.

I stand in the small room leading to the guild master’s much larger office for a time until my stomach grumbles.

“I need to eat.” I mutter heading off to the cafeteria, hoping it is still open.

-- -- --

I look at the closed gate in front of the cafeteria.

“Damn it!” I mutter as I kick the gate causing it to jingle from the movement.

“You know the coliseum is open and has food all the time.” A male voice says to me. He is trying very hard to sound intelligent or suave, probably both.

“Where’s the coliseum?” I ask turning around to see a tall muscular elf male. So all elves really are buff here, damn…

“Follow me young miss.” The elf says to me knocking me out of my thoughts. He puts a hand out for me to grab. I look at him for a moment before I grab his hand. It is softer than I expected.

-- -- --

After what feels like an eternity, we make it the coliseum. The elf lets go of my hand and opens one of the doors in front of us.

“After you miss.” He says once again trying too hard to be suave. He clearly does not realize this body is ten. Or he does… I am not finishing that thought.

“Thank you.” I respond meekly passing the elf into the building proper.

Despite being the middle of the night, the inside of the coliseum is still quite lively. I look down at the field, court, whatever to see a group of men practicing what appears to be something like rugby.

“All the events are over for the day but at least you can still eat.” The elf says behind me.

“Umm, who are you?” I inquire the elf while he leads me to what appears to be concession stands of a sort.

“Apprentice Atoll Hawthorn.” The elf stops and introduces himself with a showy bow. Okay, this man is just very theatrical. “And who might you be hungry miss?” He asks me meeting my gaze.

“Applicant Yamakuma Lydia.” I answer. “First year applicant to be precise.” I add.

“A pleasure to meet you little Yamakuma.” He responds with a smile as he stands up straight. We begin to walk again towards food. “Wait.” He interjects putting a finger to his chin. “You’re that girl with affinity for all the elements, aren’t you?” He asks me stopping in front of me once again.

“I am.” I answer truthfully. No need to hide it from people, we are literally trackers or training to become trackers so it will be easy to find out anyways.

“You’re no medium.” The apprentice says looking me over trying to see if he can find some secret about me. That is not how he will find it and my lips are sealed.

“I don’t know what that is.” I say rather uncomfortable with how close he is to me. He stands back up but does not move his eyes off of me.

“Don’t worry about it.” He says before turning back around and leading me to food, finally!

My stomach grumbles at the smell and sight of food. I run to the nearest stall to see a large burly green fellow flipping some kind of meat on a small stone grill.

“Hello!” The cook says to me without turning away from the grill. “I could hear your stomach from here!” He adds with a bellowing laugh.

“Hey Amaruq.” Hawthorn greets the green man leaning onto the counter of the stand.

“Ahhhh apprentice Atoll!” Amaruq responds cheerily turning around and standing up with his arms outstretched. “And who is this little lady?” He asks the apprentice but looking at me.

“Applicant Yamakuma Lydia.” I answer while putting my hands on my hips. Hopefully that sold the lie of me being a child. The man seems to be eyeing me up before he smiles wide showing off his crooked teeth.

“So applicant, what can I get you?” He inquires cheerily.

“We’ll both take an order of wyvern noodles.” Hawthorn answers for both of us. Rude, but I am hungry and just want to eat. Wyvern noodles?

Hawthorn and I wordlessly watch Amaruq begin to prepare the dishes. Ever since I helped in the kitchen back at the orphanage I have had an appreciation for the cooking process. It does not take long for the cook to finish making the noodles.

I excitedly grab the bowl of noodles and begin to eat. I am too hungry to worry about etiquette at this point. Hawthorn puts a coin on the counter before grabbing his order as well.

“Thanks Amaruq. Keep the left overs, it’s to pay off my tab.” The apprentice says before blowing on his noodles and walking away.

“Thank you!” I hurriedly say to the cook while I follow Hawthorn.

“Oh!” Hawthorn says setting his bowl done at a raised table. “We should get something to drink.” He explains before taking a step away. “Water fine with you?” He inquires with a roguish smirk. This man…

“That sounds good.” I answer setting my own bowl down. As he walks away to go grab us water I get up into the raised chair. I blow on the noodle dish before I take another bite. I had no idea wyvern is so tasty! It is like alligator but also like steak. And these noodles! Perfectly cooked!

“Here you go.” Hawthorn says setting a cup of water on the table. “Glad you like it.” He says sitting down to finally eat.

“It’s so delicious!” I exclaim barely pausing myself from eating while talking.