As the group got closer to the Bewitching Food World, Éclair felt some sense of security. It was the first time she had since she'd been in Gourmet World. She had no idea what to expect, but something about this place made her feel safe. Perhaps it was because a person like Mappy was overjoyed to return to it. Then again, he was also the person taking a leisurely ride in a sea of lethal thorns.
As they approached, they saw a single firework spring into the air. It was strange, maybe that wasn't a firework at all. The woman squinted, "Is that a flare or..?" Her question was soon answered as the light burst in the air. It made a sound unlike any fireworks she'd ever seen. The woman looked over at her partner, "Makes ya feel kinda uneasy huh?" The man nodded, "Not gonna lie that was pretty weird."
As soon as they got to the entrance, the group hopped off Octo-chan and got ready to head in. The woman smiled optimistically, "It'll be nice to see Mr. Brunch again. ~Alright are we ready to head in?" Mappy shook his head, "Not quite. Did you guys bring any ingredients?" Toriko shrugged, "Why do you ask?" "In the Bewitching Food World, or anywhere in Gourmet World for that matter you need to barter to do anything. That goes for buying food and eveeen getting a place to sleeeep." The blond girl frowned, "So money has no value at all? Well, I guess that makes sense." Sunny agreed, "It is to be expected. This isn't the Human World after all."
As everyone continued their conversation, Éclair couldn't help but notice something in her peripheral vision. She turned around and jumped back, "Whoa! What are the freaky black eyeball wiggly things!?" Mappy took a glance, "Those are Eyemuds. You don't see those too often." Toriko raised an eyebrow, "I guess they're really rolling out the red carpet." Zebra looked over at the small creatures, "Get lost~" As quickly as they came was as quickly as they left. The blond pouted, "That was mean Zebra. Sure they were freaky, but~ nah, I take it back. They were freaky and they should probably have left. But there was definitely a better solution." The man shrugged nonchalantly as to say he didn't really care about what she thought.
Finally they reached the village, and oddly enough, it looked like a normal town~ sort of. They were quickly greeted with a warm welcome. "Welcome to our village!" Éclair smiled, "Wow, you guys are too kind." Yes the people were a little off looking, but they were also very sweet. Maybe it wasn't them that were weird looking at all, but the group she traveled with. After all, it was she who was mistaken for a boy by a perverted old girl crazy hermit. She continued to wave at everyone, "Hello I'm Éclair!"
Mappy pulled the girl over, "This is Nopkichi, the Cyclops kiiid." She pointed, "Cool! You look like a walking donut hole! Tell me, is it tough living without a face?" The man shrugged confusingly, "I don't know. I have a face. It's right here." He pointed at the tiny features that could be cover by a single finger. She rubbed the back of her head embarrassingly, "Oh, um~ sorry. These eyes aren't what they used to be ha~ ha~ ha." She slid right out of that
conversation and over to Sunny who was not enjoying himself one bit. "Gross! Everyone here is gross!" Not wanting to get involved in that either, she stepped away from there and got closer to her partner. The bluenette sniffed the air, "I smell~ takoyaki!" Éclair smiled, "Let's go get some!"
Leaving the welcoming villagers behind, the two were on a set quest to eat the foods of the Bewitching Food World. Everything was so delicious, but at the same time it was not the ideal food one would want to eat. If it were back in Human World, surely there would be a health code violation of some sort. Stopping along the way to look at the knives this village had to offer was a treat that made this trip worth taking. Seeing beautiful kitchen knives always got her heart racing. From there they made their way to another shop to enjoy the delicacies. Everything was so fresh and foreign to many men. The exclusivity alone made the food taste that much better. From there they set off again. This time they were here for drinks. Alcohol wasn't her thing, but she couldn't skip this chance to drink some.
Toriko looked at the woman, "Éclair you aren't a heavy drinker." She nodded, "I know, I'm a lady who only really enjoys a glass of wine occasionally. ~That is why I got something that is not too high in alcohol. ~Well, they said it was the drink with the least in it anyway." She raised her glass along with the kings, "Cheers."
It didn't take long for her to start feeling the effects of the liquor. Minutes in fact. She held her face up with her right hand and stared into the distance. A low and lengthy chuckled eased its way from her throat, "I haven't drank like this since the summer uh~ no wait, it wazzah fall of~ It was that one day at that one time, and like, I didn't even know you guys yet. That's how long iz been." She grabbed Toriko's collar and pulled him close, "Can you believe iz been that long Toriko-sama!?" The man laughed at her behavior, "You're drunk Éclair." She released the shirt and began to laugh hysterically, "All I'm zayin is, who woulda thought drinkin could be so nostalgic!?" She rested her head against the table and waited for herself to sober up again. "I needa seriously walk this off. Here's an idea, let's leave!" Zebra looked around at the drunk group, "Yeah, let's get outta this town already." The woman lifted her head, "Exactly Zebra-sama knows what I'm talking about!"
Her words would soon not continue as she heard the yells of an angry man. "You guys are so slow! How long are you gonna keep me waiting at my shop!? What the hell do you mean you're gonna leave!? What did you come here for!? I got some food ready for you! I should beat the crap out of you guys!" The blond girl stumbled from her seat, "Mr. Brunch! I was talking about you before! Don't worry, I said all good things~ How have you~" She'd not finish her sentence as she gagged on her own words. Nothing came up, but it was surely on its way. The red man frowned, "You're friggin drunk off your ass! All of you are!"
Stumbling and slurring their words, the kings and Éclair made their way to Brunch's castle. As they took a seat in the dining area, Brunch got out some of his fine tea cups. "I'm makin' you guys some Yay Tea. It'll sober ya up real quick." As soon as he poured the first cup, Éclair snatched it from his hands and guzzled it down. She looked around and was able to take in the surroundings that was Brunch's restaurant. "I've gotta admit, this place is pretty cool Mr. Brunch. If this place existed in Human World, I could imagine people standing in line for days to taste the food." The red man took a seat at the table, "Every now and then we open shop at the Bewitching Food World Products exhibition. So it's not completely cut off from Human World. Based on that alone I was actually able to get a high rank as a chef." Zebra took a sip of his tea and rolled his eyes, "Meh, foods okay I guess. You just have to ignore the chef's character." Brunch snarled, "You're talking to me about character? I should beat the hell outta you!"
Before things got to heated Toriko interjected, "Hey Brunch, back when Human World was in a crisis, it was you who delivered them food right?" He nodded, "Yep, and thanks to that all we had to eat were those Takoyaki Balls. ~It wasn't your entire fault we resorted to that though. It was that Bishokukai boss. He did some awful things. I am gonna smash that guy's head open." Toriko took another sip of the Yay Tea, "Yeah, Éclair and I met him in person. It felt like he had enough power to destroy the entire world. As of right now I'd say he's the strongest one out there." Brunch shrugged, "I really don't care. I'm still hungrier than the guy." Zebra frowned, "You're an idiot. I'm the hungriest. Speaking of which, when are you gonna bring us some food?"
Coco looked over to Brunch before they forgot why they were here in the first place. "As far as the Human World. What happened and as it is now, there is much to discuss, but we can't stay long. We've come for a person named Daruma Sage." "Old man Daruma? You're lucky you've come in time. The old man's sick and he could die at any moment." Just as they were getting up, Mappy came running in, "It's awful! The village chief Daruma's condition he's~"
Brunch's words sparked an immediate reaction out of the group, and the urgency to speak to him grew. ~But it was Mappy's words that really got them off their butt's. Running to the hot spring where the man was said to be, they wanted to waste no time getting there. Brunch ran to the man, "Are you okay old man Daruma!?" The large man's life seemed to be fading~ then he came back. If this was him dying, then it was very strange. It was similar to the reaction Toriko and Éclair had when they reached the Dodurian Bomb. Brunch screamed at the man, "What is with you!? If you're gonna die then do it already dammit!" He looked over at the tengu, "~Brocken Junior~" "Who the hell is that!?" The red man yelled. A woman with long black hair walked over, "It's alright. He just peeped into the Kappa Female's bath. He's just a little over excited is all." The old man smiled, "My heart~ It's still pounding~" Brunch shook the man, "Why don't you just die already!?"
Éclair glanced over at the woman, "Finally! Another female to grace my presence. Who are you?" "I am Atashino, the Gourmet Surgeon." Sunny looked at the woman impressed, "The same genius surgeon that is said to cure any illness with a kitchen knife? You're one of the strongest Bishokuya in the world." Coco nodded, "Yes, and you were a member of the 0th biotope. A year and a half ago you were one of the members sent to acquire Acacia's full course. You're still alive." The black haired woman nodded, "Yes, and it wasn't just me." As her words ended, Melk the first stepped out.
Éclair pointed, "You're Melk the First!? I have never met you in person, but I had a feeling I'd know you when I saw you. Wait, you are him right?" The man opened his mouth to speak, but no audible words came out. The blond shook her head, "Sorry I~ I can't understand. You've gotta speak up sir." "He said he'll tell you what happened a year and a half ago and how to capture Acacia's Salad, Air."
Zebra spoke the words of Melk as he finally caught up to the group. He was the only one who wasn't truly in a rush to see the condition Daruma was in. The freckle faced woman looked over at Melk and waited to hear his every word. She was so attentive now that even without an amplifier stone, she'd probably still hear the words he spoke.
The instructions had been given, and their destination was Slow Rain Hills. There were going to be four teams, and each team would be led by a Bewitching Food Warrior. Her group was going to be her, Toriko and Mappy. Their coordinates were locked in, and they were ready to get Air!