Disclaimer: I am not the owner of what you read below. I'll say that I took characters and plots from XxSanitariumxX and threw a new twist into the mix. I only added a character.
Oh, and I apologize if this is too many words too soon; I couldn't wait to upload this part. But if you think I should've waited, you can neglect reading this part until tomorrow. (I'd recommend you do that, by the way.)
Chapter 11
I watched the restaurant grow larger through the window as Jason sped toward it. The inside of the car was almost eerily quiet, but there wasn't a question in my mind about why. Jason wasn't concerned with getting us there safely, just as long as we got there now. I found myself gripping the chair's armrests, and tried to relax as he finally started to slow down.
"Somethin' wrong?" Jason asked when he saw my reaction.
"No, nothing. But do you think you can slow down next time?" I asked nervously.
"What, and show up late? Oh ho, ho, no can do."
"Great," I said under my breath. In that moment, I decided that I would avoid Jason's car like the steely deathtrap it was. He pulled in front of the restaurant and stopped, and I was the first one out. In truth, I was just happy being on solid ground again, but I hid my intentions by opening the door for Krystal before she could. I even reached a slightly trembling hand in to help her out.
"Thank you," she said graciously, ignoring my shaking. Rather than opening the other door, Relics and Lana both followed Krystal, and I almost applauded Relics when he helped Lana out. Sure, both girls were more than capable of handling themselves, even in a fight, but they still let us feel like gentlemen. Maybe because they liked feeling like ladies. I did a double-take when I saw Relics' empty hands, and looked back into the car for the flowers. He'd put them right between the driver's seat and the passenger seat.
"I swear, I always have his back," I mumbled, grabbing the bouquet before closing the door. I held them behind my back and caught up with the others, hoping to somehow keep them a surprise from Lana. With Jason's driving, it wasn't a stretch for me to think she hadn't seen them. Fortunately, Relics managed to avoid the glares of the people around the restaurant, once Krystal broke the ice. Oh...she's good, I thought.
"After you," Relics said, opening the door to the restaurant. Krystal and Lana entered, thanking him politely, but as I passed him, I handed him the flowers.
"You owe me," I whispered good-humoredly.
"Oh, shoot! I forgot those. Thanks, man."
"What did you forget, Relics?" Lana asked, turning around.
"Uhh...nothing," he said, hiding the fact that he'd forgotten. "But I did get these for you," he added, offering her the flowers.
"Zoness Lilies!" she exclaimed, very nearly squealing. "These are my favorite. Oh, thank you Relics," she said, giving him a hug. He clearly wasn't expecting that, and I couldn't help but to laugh. I noticed Krystal looking at me, and gave her a thumbs-up. Once the couple separated, Relics and I took in the restaurant.
A high ceiling stood far above the patrons, with the windows in the walls stretching all the way up. On either side of the windows was a long red curtain, carefully adjusted like everything else to give an air of refinement. Even the lighting seemed carefully calculated for the best dinner possible, but I was sure there were a hundred subtle things they did to make the room more comfortable. From the design and colors on the carpet to the white lacy tablecloths, I had to admit it looked great.
And then there was the smell – I know they do that on purpose. It's like they put the smell of their most aromatic foods in a bag and shoot the air at your face when you walk in. Even with my olfactory senses, which were probably among the worst in the building, I smelled enough to make my stomach growl quietly.
"I can't believe I'm going to eat here," Lana said excitedly.
"I'll say," I replied. Everything looked nice, but I felt like just my being there was soiling the air or something.
"Is the place good?" Relics asked. I resisted the urge to scoff and mention that it was a five-star restaurant.
"Good?" Lana asked. "People have to set up reservations a year in advance to eat here. And yet...you can get a table, just like that."
Lana's excitement must have been growing, because her tail began to twitch and move like it had a mind of its own.
"This is a nice place," Krystal remarked.
"Good evening," someone said very suddenly, making everyone but Krystal jump. I glanced at the speaker and saw an ape who made everyone else seem small. Even "Lee", I thought with a chuckle. The ape continued, "My name is Luis Fraser, proprietor of the Winchester and tonight, your humble waiter. May I just say what an honor it is to have you dining with us, Mr. McCloud?"
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Fraser," Relics said, receiving a handshake to rival Thor's. He eventually got his hand back, and he flexed it repeatedly to make sure he could still use it.
"And this must be your date, a Miss Lana Tress. The pleasure is all mine," Fraser said, shaking Lana's hand much more delicately. I noticed he only grabbed her fingers, and I stowed the information for later use.
"I-I don't really know..." Lana said with a nervous smile.
"My, aren't you a charming young lady?" he asked, smiling at her. "And are those Zoness Lily flowers?"
"Indeed, sir," Lana replied quietly, ducking her head. I noticed he still hadn't let go of her fingers, and I was surprised Relics hadn't bristled yet. But looking at the ape again...yeah, I saw exactly why.
"A pretty flower, and a pretty scent, for an even prettier lady," Fraser said, before finally letting go.
"Thank you, Mister Fraser," she said, brightening. I finally saw why the ape had done all that. Make your guests feel like royalty, and they'll want to come back for more.
"You're very welcome. And who might this be?" he asked, turning to Krystal.
"Krystal," she said, holding her hand out like Lana had. I really started to hope he wouldn't give such a long introduction with her, too, or this would be a long night.
"So many fine young ladies gracing my establishment," he said, shaking her hand delicately. "I do hope you enjoy your visit."
"Thank you," she replied. Fraser stood upright and turned toward me, the same gracious smile adorning his face. Oh, boy, I thought, bring on the pain.
"And you are?" he asked. I held out my hand toward him, deciding to squeeze his hand as hard as I could, in hopes of not seeming like a pansy. But once his hand closed around mine, I lost all hope of that. He may have been trying to fuse my fingers together, but I still tried to shake his hand, rather than letting him shake my arm off. All this I did while trying not to look like I was about to get in a fight.
"Ditto," I said, only after I got my hand back.
"Very well. If you'll follow me," he began, when I reached up and tapped him on the shoulder, or as close as I could reach to his shoulder. He stopped and turned toward me again.
"Could Krystal and I have a separate table?" I asked. He smiled knowingly.
"You would like some privacy, I take it?" he asked.
"Not for us, for Relics."
"Of course," he said. "I will return to seat you both. Mr. McCloud, Miss Tress, if you would please follow me."
I watched the three walk away, and Krystal came up beside me.
"How do we help them from a different table?" she asked.
"We don't. I think it'll go fine."
"And what do we do in the meantime?"
"Enjoy our meal," I replied as Relics and Lana were seated beside a fireplace. He talked to them for a few moments, apparently asking for their order, and then stood and approached us once more.
"Right this way," he said, gesturing into the restaurant. I followed him, and Krystal walked beside me. Fraser led us to a much less spectacular seat near the corner, but we were still in sight of Relics and Lana, which was enough for me. Fraser pulled Krystal's chair out for her, so I just sat down, unable to help and unwilling to be helped. I could've done that, I thought.
"Can I get you anything to start with?" he asked once we were both seated, handing us menus that he must've grabbed on the way over here. I looked over the menu for a few seconds, looking for drinks, before realizing what I wanted.
"I'd like water," I said.
"Very good, sir. And for you?" he asked Krystal.
"I...um..."
"You can get whatever you want," I said. She gave a look that said I wasn't helping, and looked back at the menu.
"I'll just have water, too."
"Nothing but water?" he asked. Well, I can't imagine what kind of drinks would be in a five-star restaurant on a foreign planet in the distant future, I thought. Probably not root beer.
"Very well. I will return shortly with your drinks," Fraser said before walking away.
"So, what should we talk about?" Krystal asked. "Because their date is already going well."
"I'm wondering what to eat, personally," I replied, staring at the menu. I quickly realized I'd need my translator, and I turned it on. "Besides, if we talked the whole time, it'd be a date," I finished, glancing up at her.
"And what would be so wrong with that?" she asked with a smile.
"You said it wasn't a date, not me," I chuckled.
"But you were the one who got us our own table," she countered.
"Touché," I said. My eyes locked on a meal I hadn't had in too long, and I set the menu down, certain of what I wanted.
"So...?" she asked.
"Well, why not tell me about yourself?" I asked. I knew almost nothing about her, since she hadn't yet done anything in Sauria.
"What do you want to know?" she asked.
"How about we start with your name?" I asked. Maybe she actually has a full name.
"You tell me; you're supposed to know everything," she said.
"If I knew everything, I'd be rich by now."
"Well, we are eating in the Winchester," she said with a sly smile.
"So, your name?" I asked again. She smiled, and picked up her menu to look over it. "Of course," I said, turning to look at Relics again. He was itching under his collar, and I knew exactly why. But then I saw Fraser returning to their table from the other side of the restaurant, and I smirked. "This'll be good," I said under my breath.
Fraser approached the table much too quickly for someone his size and said something to Relics. Lana jumped, and Relics had a sudden coughing fit, before turning angrily to the waiter.
"How did you do that?" he asked. I couldn't hear Fraser's response but I heard Krystal laughing softly, so I turned back toward her. I managed to get a conversation going eventually, and Relics and Lana were soon forgotten.
The date – if it could be called that – went well, despite my own misgivings about it. Fraser gave us our waters, and I ordered my meal – chicken parmesan. I think she ordered a soup, but I was daydreaming about the meal already, so I didn't quite catch it. And we continued to talk. I never did find out her last name, but I did find out she lived on a planet called Cerinia. Apparently her telepathy wasn't uncommon by any means there, and her parents were some sort of royalty, though she made me well aware that they weren't "in charge" of the planet. A princess? I wondered. Way out of my league.
She eventually did ask about me, and I answered her questions. I'd had an average upbringing, where my short attention span was considered a good imagination. Eventually, after discovering that I picked up everything I tried really fast, I'd decided to take up writing. I went into the dream-adventures, and that's where she became more interested. After the food arrived, she actually asked me to recount the details of the first journey entirely. I hadn't wanted to take control of the night, but once I forgot that we were there for Relics (whose date was going better than mine), I relaxed and talked openly. I didn't even finish the tale until we were already finished with our meal.
"So, wait, let me get this straight," she said with a laugh, "you were a fairy?"
"Oh, not only that. I was the most infamous fairy in the history of Hyrule," I replied, laughing with her. "It sucked. But I found myself annoying the kid more than Navi ever did. But I helped him through every single fight, so he couldn't really complain."
"Were you a girl?" she asked, laughing harder.
"No, no, no," I said firmly. "Thank goodness, I kept my gender and my voice."
Krystal finished laughing, and then looked back at Relics and Lana. "I'd almost forgotten about them," she said.
"Huh?" I asked, turning around. Relics was drinking wine of some kind, and I could tell already that Lana was buzzed. I finally noticed how few other people were in the building.
"Are we the last ones here?" Krystal asked. Not quite, I thought.
"No, but looks like everyone else is leaving."
"Indeed," Fraser said, suddenly next to our table. I very nearly fell out of my chair in surprise. "It's near time for us to close."
"Oh, I'm sorry," Krystal said, standing.
"No, no, you're quite alright. I wouldn't ask friends of Mr. McCloud to leave until they're ready."
"Thanks," I said, also standing, "but I think I've got to get her home. Jason's probably waiting for us anyway."
"Very good, sir. Now, if I may..." he began.
"I...uh...don't have any..." I began.
"Oh, no, that's not it," he assured me. "Someone else has agreed to pay for your meal."
I sighed my relief.
Fraser continued, "I was just wondering what you'd thought?"
"It was great," I said.
"Yeah," Krystal agreed with a laugh.
"Everything was to your approval?" he asked.
"Everything was better than I could've hoped," I said. "And you can quote me on that if you really want to."
"Of course," he said, before walking back into the nether regions of the building.
"Think we should get them?" Krystal asked, nodding toward the tipsy couple that was oblivious to the silence in the restaurant.
"Nah," I said with a smile, putting an arm around her shoulder and walking toward the exit. "They'll be fine. Besides, I really ought to get you home."
"I can watch out for myself," she insisted, but she didn't pull away.
Once we got outside, we walked toward the street slowly, knowing how dangerous the drivers could be. It was much darker outside than it had been when we'd entered, but at least some kind of streetlights had come on. Once we got to the sidewalk, I leaned forward and looked as far down the road as I could both ways.
"Jason?!" I shouted. He was nowhere to be found. Not many people were passing on the sidewalk, but a few looked askance at us.
"I don't think it's too far," she said. "We could walk."
"Isn't the city dangerous at night?" I asked. I looked at her and added, "Especially for beautiful women?"
"Oh, stop it," she said with a giggle, "But I think I can keep you out of trouble."
"I guess we'll see," I said, starting down the sidewalk to my right. She wasn't moving, though, and I stopped before taking two steps. "Something wrong?"
"It's that way." She said, pointing the opposite direction.
"Oops," I said. She giggled and started walking that way. "See, this is why you're with me."
"Oh, so I'm 'with you' now?" she asked.
"Not like that," I said without a hint of embarrassment. "See, I would literally be lost without you."
"I don't think so. Couldn't you use those Sin things to get home like that?" she asked, snapping her fingers.
"Probably," I admitted. "But nobody is supposed to know about those."
"Just like nobody's supposed to know that you were a fairy once?" she asked.
"I think we should agree to never talk about that again," I said.
"No promises," she laughed.
"So," I began, "you still haven't told me your full name."
"Why's that so important to you?" she asked.
"Oh, I don't know," I said. "It's just that nobody where I come from really knows –"
Suddenly, I felt a small stinging on the side of my neck. I let out a small "ow", and reached up to touch that spot.
"Nobody knows what?" she asked, turning around. My fingers grazed something soft, and I pinched it and pulled. I looked at what was in my hands, and saw a small dart with short blue feathers sticking out of the back. I was already feeling groggy.
"Ditto, are you okay?" she asked, but my head was swimming, so I barely heard her words. I fell to my knees, but I knew that no matter how hard I tried, staying awake would be impossible. I looked up through bleary eyes and saw Krystal take a small dart from her own arm.
"I think we...we're being..." I tried, before falling face down on the ground. "...kidnapped..." I finished, before my eyelids became too heavy to hold open.
Thanks for your patronage, reading it. But this is where I commit an evil deed: this update counts as tomorrow's. I won't upload more until Saturday. After all, I have to make sure I meet expectations, which will be high by then. *troll face*
Also, I'll ask again for Beta Readers. And if anyone wants me to Beta Read. I think that's all. Enjoy the wait.