Chapter 2: Tin Man with a Heart of Gold
(Vale)
In all of Glynda's life, she never would've imagined such a luxurious lifestyle. All the fancy lights and gaudy decors was something she never thought to experience in her lifetime. As a Huntress she was expressed to be the protectors of the world, defending the people from harm against all unsavory beasts. If someone would've told her that she would one day experience the finer things in life, wearing a beautiful dress and eating a fancy meal with all the proper etiquettes, she'd toss that person in the asylum and throw away the keys. But then again… that person would be laughing at her from behind bars.
The trip to Vale was a short one but a good one at that. She mostly enjoyed how James squirmed at himself uncomfortably, taking a glance over her slightly exposed leg and blushing madly every time he gets caught. It was adorable how he continued to fumble around like a kid on his first prom, making sure his tie was on straight, his breath didn't smell and such. In fact, Glynda could've sworn he did the same thing on their first date years ago.
Well, hopefully this time would be a little different. Knowing Ironwood and his near limitless resources, he probably prepared something special for the two of them. Ordering a limo to pick them up from the airship landing zone, and setting a course for the wealthiest district in the city, she could already imagine the fancy lineup he prepared for them.
She only wished she could enjoy the meals at her favorite sushi restaurant again. Oh how she remembered that place. It had the best seafood dish, the lovely atmosphere overlooking the bay and even a balcony where they can see ships come and go in the moonlit night. A perfect romantic spot.
All they needed to do was turn a left on this corner and… wait…
They just turned a left at the corner. They're going up the hill overlooking the bay. This was…
"Wait… I recognize this place."
James smiled confidently for the first time. "You should. It's where I took you on our first date."
"But… how? We're still banned from that place." Glynda protested.
But the big man himself simply smiled coyly as the limo finally pulled to a stop. "Not… anymore." He finished as he exited the limo offering his hand for the lady inside. "Come on. I have a lovely selection waiting for us."
Glynda hesitantly accepted his gesture and exited the limo with ease. Her eyes shined like stars when she finally got to greet the outside.
There, standing in front of her with those sparkling tuna-neon lights was the Valean Sashimi! It was still standing as it did when they were thrown out. The long extended red carpet, the Eastern architectural design and that waiters and waitresses standing in line on both sides bowing at them as if to welcome them like royalties. Oh how she missed this. The smell, the music, the atmosphere. It was just… how she remembered it.
"Konichiwa." The waiter at the stand bowed to them. Obviously the staff had a change during the last few years. Glynda hoped no one recognized them. "Do you have a reservation?"
"Ironwood and Goodwitch." James answered back proudly.
The waiter scanned the long red book. Though Glynda couldn't see it, only their names were written on the list. The other slots were left blank.
"Ah! Yes, here we are." The waiter feigned a surprised look. "Table for two. You're right on time. Please come this way."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
The restaurant had not changed. It was the same old sushi restaurant that Glynda remembered it. The round tables, the band playing on stage, the Eastern design and decors. They were all there. She felt like she was taken back to her younger days where she would come almost every day just to sample their salmon rolls. But there was one thing missing.
Where were all the customers? All the tables were empty. This restaurant was the font of high class society. It was always full during the evening. Heck, Glynda had to make a reservation a month in advance just to make sure it she gets a slot. But now it was empty. Either there was a change in people's taste or…
Her eyes widened again when she turned to James. "You didn't…"
He grinned. "Oh… but I did."
"Your table, sir and madam." The waiter gestured to the table by the window where two waitresses pulled up a chair for each of them. Once they were comfortable in their seats, two menus magically appeared on his hand. "May I interest you in a special salmon roll we have for tonight?"
Glynda's eyes beamed. "Y… yes please do!" She hushed when she realized how loud she was. "Sorry. I meant to say… yes. I'll have that and… baked Dijon."
"An excellent choice madam." He bowed. "And you sir?"
"I'll have what she's having." The Tin Man answered. "And a bottle of your best wine. Oh and those lovely appetizer soup."
"Of course sir."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As the waiter entered the kitchen he was immediately greeted with a cohort of soldiers dressed in cook's clothing standing at attention. He eyed them before barking the order.
"Two orders of salmon rolls and baked Dijon! Two orders of chicken soup extra chicken and a bottle of Chardonnay! Get to it!"
"Yes sir!" The head chef nodded turning to his men. "You heard the lad! I want that salmon dead in 30 seconds! Open the gas tanks! Let's get cooking!"
"Oui chef!" The little ants scattered about rolling the kitchen like a well-oiled machine.
"Don't forget the free bread appetizers!"
"Oui chef!"
"I need oil here! And don't skimp on the vegetables! Salt is important!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
As the sol… err… chefs went on to work, the head waiter quickly turned to the adjacent room where the janitor's closet was converted to a secret military listening post. Several cameras were viewing both the restaurant and the General and his date from different angles making sure the mood was perfect.
"Report, Lieutenant."
"Sir. We're regulating the temperature now. It should be cozy. Fake candles are dimming to romantic settings and the band hasn't missed a beat."
"Excellent." The head waiter smiled. "What of our patrols?"
"All sections are reporting all clear. We caught a couple trying to take a shortcut home but we scared them off."
"Good. Keep this up and we should…"
"Hold on!" Another com officer called out, her face horrified. "Patrol unit six is calling for support. There's a frat party two blocks from the restaurant and they're playing… loud modern techno music!"
"With electronic beats!?" The room gasped. "That'll ruin the feng shui in the area by 15%!" The Head Waiter raised his scroll calling in backup. "This is Eagle Eye calling Blue 4. We need a frat party in the area quelled immediately. Send in the special team. Copy?"
"Already on it."
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"This is a raid!" Soldiers stormed into the party like a swat team. They came in through the door, the windows and even the roof. The kids in the area panicked and fled but no matter where they went they were caught. "Alpha Squad here. First floor secured!"
"Second floor and bathroom secured!"
"Excellent! Private, stop that music!"
"Yes sir!" The soldier grinned pulling a rocket launcher out and blasting the cool looking and possible, expensive sound system to pieces. "This show is canceled!"
The Captain of the raiding party cringed at the suddenly explosion and destruction. "Perhaps I should've rephrased that better. When I meant stop the music, I meant pull the plug!" He pointed at the single plug that miraculously left standing from the explosion.
"Oh…"
"You moron…"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What are you looking at you dumb fish? What? You didn't have enough the first time we fought? You think having that cool looking mustache makes you better than me? You think you're so special because you're bigger than all the fishes? Keep up with that dumb look and I might just…
"James!" Glynda's voice brought the General out of his private staring contest with the Catfish in the aquarium. "Don't… even… think about it."
"He started it!" James defended even as the fish floated away. Yeah, you'd better run!
"Come now. Let's just enjoy this time. It's been so long we had some alone time like this. Don't ruin it with another one of your antics."
"Of… of course." The General sighed, keeping himself calm, even though he knew that the catfish was probably talking behind his back telling the other fish some ridiculous far-fetched stories about him. "Here… let me pour you a glass."
"I would love that." Glynda accepted, taking a sip from the finely sweet white wine. "Emmm… I can't remember the last time I had such exquisite wine."
James nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It takes forever to ferment wine. Atlas has to import them around the world just for the high-class."
"Ha! I'm sure." Glynda smiled. "I still can't believe that you rented the entire restaurant just for us?"
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh don't play with me James." She grinned coyly at him. "This is one of the most popular restaurants in the residential district. It's always full. You can't make me believe that you didn't bribe the owner."
"Glynda." Ironwood put down his glass feigning hurt. "I would never do such a half-baked thing like that." The witch eyed his choice of words as his smile widened. "I bought the whole thing…"
Pfffft!
The woman spat her wine out.
