As I exited the castle grounds I found the night air cool and filled with the smell of pine. Though the capital was just outside the woods they still planted a few trees within the city to give it some more color.
My clawed feet met the cobblestones with a clacking sound as I moved. The motley mix of people in the night were not few. But it was a nice level of busy to be around. The bars were filled with music and laughter and the food stalls and stores released their fragrance.
My stomache growled loudly and I chuckled before patting it. "Alright, alright. First meal in over a hundred years. What should it be?" I hummed as I looked about and found a nice looking restaurant. It's marble pillars were roman in how it was carved. And the atmosphere seemed happy, busy, but not rowdy.
I had already shrunken myself to a nice 7 foot height. Not hiding my draconic scales or face. I did hide my wings for convenience and summoned a nice set of clothes as the ones I bore were... Worn.
A dark black suit covered my body. Having a hole were my tail could still swing freely. My gold and jewel crusted scales shined nicely against the contrast.
But when I finally entered I was met with a few scowls.
A large man in a waiters uniform approached me.
"I'm sorry sir. But this establishment doesn't serve dragonmen. I will have to ask you to leave." He said with an apologetic face.
I frowned. "I see racist bastards judge by appearance these days." I grumbled as I shifted my form again in front of every observer. My horns and scales disappeared as my face shifted to that of a human. My height remained the same as did my suit with a few holes repaired.
The waiters face shifted noticeably into shock as he retreated.
I adjusted my cuffs a little as he ran to a place in the back where a commotion rose.
"You're telling me some dragon just turned into a man? Are you daft boy?!" I heard an angry shout as a man in a white chefs uniform stormed out the back.
His large body was more bulk than fat. His hands bore calluses and his arms were muscled as he wiped his hands with a towel.
"Lad. This ain't a parlor trick I hope." He growled as I eyed him up and down.
"I came for meal. He said dragon men weren't allowed. So am I allowed now?" I growled. My hangry faze was starting to set in. The smell of the food was too much.
The chef blinked and went to grab my shoulder. "Aye. We don't serve dragon men. Now off with you." He went to push me but found I didn't move. He tried even harder to move me but even as the ground beneath me cracked from my weight he couldn't move me an inch.
"First. I am not a dragon man." I said as I gently grabbed his wrist.
"Secondly. I am not to be trifled with when I am hungry." I said as I lifted it with ease off my shoulder and started causally walking him back toward the kitchen. His feet skidded as he tried to keep me from pushing him back.
"And thirdly. If I wanted to level this place to the ground on the basis of a racist man like you. I would've done so already." I said as my grip tightened a little around his wrist making him wince as his legs gave way and he ended up kneeling before me.
"Now. What were you saying about me not being welcome here?"
He nodded as sweat began to pour down his face. "I'll have someone bring you a menu right away sir." He grunted with his head lowered under the force of my grip.
"Good. I will pay well for the best food you have." I said as I let go of his arm which he started rubbing.
I reached into my suit and pulled a few gems from my side. There wasn't any pain and more grew back almost immediately.
I held them before his gaze and he saw the topaz, emeralds, and rubies sitting in my palm.
"Now I understand normally gold and silver are used. But these are what I have on me at the moment." I said and he nodded thoroughly. "For such a well paying customer we will certainly give you our best treatment." He said as the waiter from before came and helped him to his feet. The chef's eyes not leaving my palm for a minute.
"Please show our guest to the gold star area. Make sure he has plenty to eat. And the best service we can arrange" He whispered to the waiter before shuffling back off to the kitchen.
The waiter bowed to me. "Please follow me to your table. I will retrieve a menu which I am certain will match your tastes."
"Hmm." I grunted as he led the way to a more extravagant part of the restaurant. The floor changed from stone to a wine colored carpet. The walls were adorned with carved sculptures and beautiful paintings of every color and scheme. This was truly a gold star area if ever I saw one.
The tables were long and covered in clean silk cloth. Even the smells changed. Alcohol was replaced with the sweet smell of baking and savory food. If alcohol was served it would be wine. And even the strongest alcohol had to combat the surrounding smells and lost.
"Truly worthy of a gold star area." I hummed out as the waiter pulled out a seat.
"For you dear customer." He said as he placed a menu and wine glass with practiced motions.
I nodded as I sat and opened the menu. It's contents bore no prices and the materials listed were very extravagant. Ones I had never even heard of were listed.
I couldn't help but smile and hand the waiter the menu. "I will have them all if it's possible. I have an appetite that could span centuries." I said calmly.
The waiter's expression didn't change as he bowed low to me and left. Apparently rich folks ordered alot around here.
I waited calmly for the food to come my way. The smells were calming and there was noone to bother me. The only real sounds I could hear were a violinist playing in the corner. Low and slow strings hummed as he drew his bow. The sound echoing nicely across the room.
I remembered the violin being one of the hardest instruments to play for me. Eventually I had given up. My body had simply been incapable of playing it properly. Hence why I focused more on piano.
The piece he was playing was unfamiliar yet nice. It started like a storm. The hum of power crossing the horizon before it began to play itself into form. The dark cloud that crackled. The energy that sang through me was one that was natural and beautiful. The raging storm surrounding the calm eye within.
It was a great piece. Though it was bittersweet I was interrupted by my foods arrival. Plate on plate of foods. Rice, potatoes, soups, stews, boar, serpent, and other dishes that had aromas that I had never experienced before.
I picked a plate and started. It was the boat with a pink fruit in its mouth. It's rosy skin baked and crispy locked the juices in perfectly. The taste was earthen but slightly fruity from what sauce the chef had used.
The next dish was serpent. Wound up like it was ready to strike I was unsure where to start but decided on the head. It's head was the size of a baseball but I was easily able to put the thing in my jaws and crunch down. It was like chicken but had a richer more iron-like flavor added in. Something similar to pepper had been used.
Spicy but flavorful. It's what I liked. I never enjoyed things that just went for heat. So this was perfect.
Once finished that I ate something similar to a large... Toad? It was presented sitting and like it was ready to jump from the leaf covered plate beneath it.
I started at the legs. Greasy yet satisfying meat was crushed in my jaws. The skin wasn't as crispy but it did have nice flavor similar to the snake without the heat. The smell of herbs filled my nose as I chewed.
The dishes continued like this. The vegetables and fruits were top quality just like the meats. Truly a great choice for my first meal in a century.
As I finished the last dish I felt satisfied. My figure hadn't changed at all. No stomache distention and I didn't feel sick at all.
When the waiter returned he was surprised I had finished the table of food. He looked at me and shook himself out of his stupor before asking me if I wished to have an after meal wine as they had a wide variety from all over the world.
I looked over the new menu and decided on a fine red from Melra. It's rustic smell was fruity yet smelled like cut wood. The flavor was similar as the after flavor left something like the taste of pine.
"A great meal meant for great people." I said as I raised my glass. "My compliments to the chef and kitchen staff. Now. I will compensate." I said as I moved my hand on the table and placed several dozen gems on its surface. Their rich color and shine made the waiter swallow nervously.
I smiled as I stood up. "Is this enough?" I asked to which he nodded energetically.
I smirked as I strode out of the establishment. My body slowly shifting back to my normal form as I walked down the street. My suit faded away as my armor replaced it. The gold reflecting the surroundings as my claws clacked once more against the cobblestones.
I was satisfied by something for the first time in a century. Everything else was in chaos. But it was nice to know food still gave me the satisfaction I remembered. Though a meal with Sam would've been better. Even if it was a horrible one.
But now that my meal was over I had to admit that I had chaos to deal with. Cultists to punish. And a goddess to make whole. Then perhaps another meal. Who knows.