"Oh my God, look at this!" Martin exclaimed as he eagerly grabbed a plate and headed for the buffet line. "This is the most incredible thing I've ever seen in my life! Don't you think this is incredible, Niles?"
Niles cringed at the seemingly endless line of foods, every kind imaginable) that filled an entire section of the restaurant. The space itself could have easily stretched from Seattle to Spokane and back again. Who in their right mind would possibly be able to consume so much food? And there was no telling what kinds of byproducts were lurking-
"Niles, aren't you coming?"
Niles looked up, appalled to see his own brother (the man he respected and admired-albeit reluctantly at times) eagerly helping himself to the most atrocious meat dish that Niles had ever seen. Instantly, Niles' fingers went to his lips and he took a deep breath. Being in here, surrounded by so many putrid smells had his stomach churning and he found that it was worse than being stuck in a tiny shoebox of a stateroom.
He simply had to get out of here.
"A-actually I have to go." He stammered, reaching for his handkerchief in case of a sudden nosebleed. "There's something… Something I forgot to do."
"Niles, dear God, what could you have possibly forgotten?"
"A-a patient." Niles lied, fully prepared to bring the handkerchief to his nose if need be. "I-I need to contact a patient… by email of course. It's imperative that I do it right this instant. It's a matter of life or death!"
Frasier's eyes narrowed and the familiar warmth trickled onto Niles' upper lip, causing him to quickly move the handkerchief under his nose in the nick of time.
"A matter of life or death, huh? Like that nosebleed of yours!" Frasier snapped. "You are shameless, aren't you? Why can't you just tell the truth?"
Niles rolled his eyes at his brother's snide comment and before Frasier or his father could say anymore, Niles turned and ran out of the restaurant, breathing a sigh of relief when he reached the center of the ship. At first glance, he gasped in disbelief. It was stunning, truly magnificent. If he didn't know any better he would have sworn that he was in the lobby of a luxury hotel instead of an ill-fated cruise ship. Even if it was the biggest ship in the Siren Cruise Line's fleet, The Royal Majesty.
Marble floors at his feet, a sweeping staircase and leather upholstered chairs filled the lobby which seemed to stretch the length of the ship. It was the most incredible thing he'd ever seen. And as he walked up the staircase, he gasped once more. It was as though he'd stepped into 1920's Paris. He was greeted by, of all things, street lamps and a brick sidewalk (Brick! In a luxury cruise ship! Who knew?) Framed by quaint shops (read; overpriced) and a few "sidewalk" cafes.
His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten since breakfast. How in the world had he managed to miss lunch? A glance around the "city" gave no indication of a suitable place to eat. He simply wasn't in the mood for a simple cup of cappuccino (or even a non-fat half-caf latte with the faintest hint of cinnamon) or a croissant. He needed real food. A meal that would satisfy him until morning. But finding such a place could prove impos-
For almost the fifth time in less than a half hour, Niles gasped in disbelief. For there, tucked away in a corner, where only those with a keen eye for detail would see it, was a sign displaying the words Tout Pour L'amour, Featuring the finest French Cuisine at Sea.
At once Niles heart leapt, even if the name suggested romance, he was determined to have a good meal. Could it be that his luck was changing? Frasier and his dad had chided Niles for choosing to wear his charcoal grey suit and his best Hugo Boss tie on what they called "The most relaxing time you will ever spend away from Seattle", but now he was glad that he had insisted on dressing impeccably. With a new sense of fortitude, he strode toward the restaurant's entrance, resolute to enjoy himself.
Even if it killed him.