"Can we find somewhere to eat?" You question, after a final glance to the shimmering silk. Rekhyt nods.
"I know just the place."
You don't purchase much, but Rekhy does purchase something. A small metal case of those herbal tubes. After he orientates himself, he sets off to a food stall nearby. The two of you claim a seat at the counter, and a large woman with dark hair approaches. She eyes Rekhyt, then you, then turns to start preparing your food.
Do all chefs look alik-- ... is that cheese?
The woman sets two wooden boards in front of you. Gooey white cheese oozes from meat patties.The smell of herbs and gravy drift to tempt your nose, and you pick up one of the meat lumps and pop it into your mouth. The meat is cheap and poorly ground, but the cheese more than makes up for any loss of tenderness. Its heavily herbed and spiced, and if you weren't Ascended, it would no doubt leave you dehydrated. She pours two cups of [kefir] as you eat, and a shot of clear liquor for each of you. All in silence. Rekhyt and you finish at the same time, draining the kefir and moving on to the liqour.
He lifts a toast, "To peace."
"To peace." You echo, tapping your glass on the counter before knocking back the slug of alcohol. It makes even your eyes water.
Rekhyt drops a jade coin on the table and rises -- the Vendor's eyes widen in surprise, but she expresses no gratitude.
"Where to next?" He questions, lighting a tube and passing it to you. You raise your brow, then grin, taking a puff as he lights another for himself.
"Take me to the ugly parts. The places where your father's guide wouldn't."
A crooked grin crosses Rekhyt's lips.
"I expected you to be a bit more prim and proper."
"Sorry to dash that assumption." You grin.
"We'll be wanting to go to the outskirts of town. It's a little dangerous, but I'm sure you won't mind, will you?"
The brick houses here are unkempt. Cracking and crumbling into the street. The sound of gunfire echoes in the distance, but Rekhyt pays no attention to it. You trail behind him, avoiding the beggars and dark alleys. You catch sight of a few urchins clad in torn robes, that hover and lounge in the ruins. Gangs of young men and women linger in darkness, their eyes following the two of you as you step by. Sizing you up with quiet hostility.
He leads you through these decript streets with nary a pause. It isn't until you reach a dimly lit house does he come to a stop. The two of you step inside the bar, and Rekhyt claims a seat in the dimly lit, smelly, smoky establishment. You sit across from him. Groups of people huddle together eyeing the other gangs. The barkeep sits behind bars of steel, a las-gun in plain view. "So, this is probably the safest part of the outskirts. From here it depends on what you want to see from here. There's probably a clan war happening we could intervene in, orphans we could get information from, or bars where the booze will make you go blind. A couple of drugdealers are around, selling [Thorn]. There's a black market nearby, selling slaves. Out here, there isn't any of my father's men -- just too many clans that shouldn't be all pushed together."
Rekhyt pauses, eyeing one of the thugs at the bar. "I grew up around here. When I was worthless. This is where the dregs go to live."
Poll
0 (0%)
Author
Topic: McCreary's Planet -- (FINISHED) (Read 252501 times)