Akiol stretched, the conflict with Stabbed had worn him out mentally. After doing some exercise an idea struck him. He should find someplace to eat.
There were many different foods that needed to be eaten. Akiol found himself addicted to the worlds various tastes. He hadn't even tasted a fraction yet too!
Getting dressed in some basic jeans, a plain pale yellow t-shirt, and a black sweater he headed through the door.
He wandered through the streets, waiting for something to catch his eye. While he did have several places in his memory, he decided to let fate carry him to his destination.
After two hours he hadn't found anywhere yet. The residential area he lived in wasn't a popular spot for food chains. From his memory he recalled a small business at a corner, but Akiol was on the opposite side of the area.
He decided to take a train, perhaps the next city would bring him a tasty meal.
Paying his fare he joined the large group into the train. It was quite cramped, he felt a bit suffocated. This put him on edge, he found his hand reaching towards his waist in an attempt to grab a sword's handle. Flexing the same hand he grit his teeth and instead took steady breaths. He needed to adjust to this world, but perhaps the train was a little too big of a step.
It felt like several hours before the train stopped, even though it only happened to be fifteen minutes. When Akiol got off the train he heaved a sigh of relief. He would avoid trains next time.
Wondering how he was to get home without taking the train again he walked through the streets. As he was browsing through windows a reflection caught his eye.
Several men in suits surrounded a somewhat old man in an alleyway. Akiol moved closer towards them to eavesdrop the conversation.
"We need the payment Mister Jones." One of the men said.
"I told you already! I had already paid!"
"That was insufficient, you still have yet to pay the full amount."
"What?! According to our contract I had to pay you part of my profits! Forty percent at that! This month business was slow and I hadn't made a lot. I still gave you the forty percent though!"
One of the suit men walked closer intimidatingly, "That's not our issue Mister Jones. If you continue making this amount it would be a loss for us."
"Bah! You want money? Fine! I will give you sixty percent of next months profits. Will that suffice?!"
"Now that's much better Mister Jones. We do hope you keep your word..." the man in the suit turned and snapped his fingers, "Let's go."
The men in suits walked out of the alley. Akiol quickly moved away and pretended to look at some window display. One of the men looked at him, but they continued walking.
As soon as the men entered a car and drove off Akiol walked over to the somewhat old man.
"You good there?" He asked.
"Oh? It looks like you were listening in. Ha ha. . ." the old man said sadly.
"May I ask what that was about?"
"Nothing much, just some angry investor who sent some hired some goons. Don't mind me."
Akiol inwardly shook his head. No matter how much humanity could excel, there would always be the darker side.
The somewhat old man, eager to change the subject, asked, "You wouldn't happen to be hungry would you? I run a small restaurant, I could treat you if you want."
Akiol was overjoyed, "Yes please!"
. . .
Akiol was lead into a small building on a quiet street. Inside the building amazed him. It wasn't grand or anything, but it felt like a home. With orange-ish lights, dark wooden furniture, brown marble floor. It looked like some sort of getaway home.
In the middle of the building stood an open fireplace, wood crackling. Akiol couldn't help but ask, "Isn't that a bit dangerous?"
The somewhat old man laughed and replied, "Probably yeah, but there are several safety features installed around it. So if the fire ever got out of hand it would be extinguished instantly. Since most my customers are regulars I don't usually have to worry about people messing with it."
While admiring the place Akiol sat at one of the tables. While the table was wooden, it was polished and smooth to the touch.
The old man asked, "What do you wish to eat?"
Akiol looked at the menu that was already on the table. Most of the food was soups and stews. There were some other baked ones such as pie and quiche. While the type was limited, there were several different kinds. With so many choices of food Akiol couldn't decide.
"Can I pull the chef's choice card?" Akiol asked.
"You indeed can, that's mostly what people choose anyway." The old man nodded.
As the somewhat old man went behind a wall to begin cooking Akiol mentioned, "I never caught your name. Those suit guys called you Mister Jones."
A reply could be heard from the kitchen, "It's Harvey, Harvey Jones."
Akiol relished the homely atmosphere. He felt like he could sleep happily in here. A pleasant aroma found its way towards Akiol. He enjoyed the smell too.
"Is it just you who works here?" Akiol asked.
"Not always, usually my daughter helps out with orders. I am not open today, you looked hungry so I offered." Harvey replied.
An hour later Harvey came back with a steaming hot bowl. Placing it in front of Akiol Harvey said, "Hope you enjoy."
It was a stew, filled with beef chunks and various vegetables. Using the spoon provided Akiol first tasted the broth. It was, of course, beef flavored. Salted and seasoned to perfection. Tasting a beef chunk next Akiol was even further pleased. They were tender and soft. Easy to chew but not to the point where it falls apart. The meat was seasoned differently than the broth, but worked so well together complimenting and patching each other's flaws. Akiol tasted a potato next, it was soft and perfect, solid enough to withstand a stab from a fork but soft enough to be mushed easily.
Akiol tasted each vegetable, they were all done well. Finally he gathered a spoonful of everything and ate it at once. It was like he was hit with a truck of flavors, the broth acted like the base with each ingredient building up a tower of flavor. Just so it could crash down onto Akiol with a wonderful taste.
Akiol thoroughly enjoyed the meal, he ate the entire serving. He couldn't help but compliment, "So good!"
Harvey chuckled, "Glad you liked it."
"I am immensely pleased. Tell me, how much do I owe you?"
"Oh don't worry about the price this time. The less I make means the less I got to pay."
As he said this a group of three stumbled through the doors.
"Oi! We heard something about free food!" One of them said, slurred.
Harvey put on his best customer smile, "I am afraid you misheard. We are closed today."
"Ha?! Then why does he get food and we do not?!"
Harvey looked back at Akiol and winked, "He is someone I owed, I was simply paying them back by making some food."
"Then all we gotta do is make you owe us?"
"No, for I am done for today. If you want I can recommend a good noodle place down the block."
"Nonsense, we came here to taste your food. Why can't we eat?!"
Harvey looked tired so Akiol came over and whispered, "Let me take things over."
Before Harvey could reject Akiol walked over to the three drunks.
"Brothers! This food won't taste as well with alcohol purging your taste buds! I am sure this fine man wouldn't like you to be displeased with your food."
"What?! Says the one who ate!"
Akiol shook his head, "But I have not ingested alcohol right? It's not worth eating here, let's go find you somewhere else."
The drunks looked at one another, whispering to each other.
"We got payed to make a ruckus here right?"
"Yeah, but I can't think of a way to rightfully do so."
"Nonsense! Let's just get that guy out of here!"
They all nodded and moved towards Akiol.
"Sorry about this but we need you to leave, after all you are the one stopping us from eating!"
One of them threw a punch, it was easy to dodge. With a small step to the side Akiol let the punch hit air. Sticking his leg out he tripped the drunk. Before they even began to fall Akiol caught them.
"Woah now, watch where your stepping. After all we can't have you getting hurt."
"Why you!"
Another one charged forward towards Akiol, intending to slam themselves into him. Doing two steps to the right he dodged the charging drunk.
The third one started to swing madly at Akiol. Dodging through the simple trajectory punches Akiol remained unharmed. Spinning to their side he put his arm over their shoulders and started to lead them through the door.
"Come now brother, you're drunk and aren't thinking straight. You wouldn't want to do something that could get you in trouble right?"
The drunk, confused by what was happening, nodded furiously in agreement. Akiol pointed him in a direction and said, "I am sure something you can eat is over in that direction."
The drunk started stumbling in the direction, confused on what they were just doing.
The other two saw their buddy walking away and demanded, "What did you do to him? Say it!"
Akiol raised his hands, "I remain innocent."
The two became furious and charged towards Akiol. Going through the doors they wound up their fists. Akiol ducked under and caused the drunks to miss completely. Thrown off by the hit missing the drunks stumbled and fell.
Akiol turned to look at them, "You should leave before you get hurt further. I wouldn't want that to happen right?"
One of them became even more furious and wanted to continue fighting, the other held them back saying, "It's not worth it man, let's go."
The other looked hesitant but then joined his buddy in leaving. As Akiol watched them go Harvey thanked him.
"I should put up a sign saying I have the right to reject drunks or something."
Akiol chuckled at that, "Maybe."