-Coral Forest-
In a small clearing of the forest, a couple of adventurers were sitting on a fallen coral tree log, where in front of them was a bonfire that was burning brightly. The couple of adventurers, were actually the Double Trouble party, Viktor and Charles. The two of them were resting for the night after spending a decent amount of time looking for the Geis Crab.
"Hey Charles, I am starting to have doubts about what Soren said before. I mean, if there was a big monster crab, wouldn't we have found some sign of sorts like footprints, claw marks or anything else by now?" The first one to speak was Vik who was complaining.
"That would be the case normally. After all a crab's footprints are like multiple little holes on the ground. And as you can see, these holes on the ground are everywhere, so it isn't exactly easy to locate it. As for the marks, it isn't necessary for a monster crab to leave marks unless it's its territory. And don't forget that you somehow managed to pull a bluff out of tail, so I doubt he would be lying for something like this, or rather, there is no way he would be lying." Charles answered back.
After Charles answered back, the two of them sat quietly for a little while staring at the fire. The one to break the silence though, was Vik.
"Man, I wish a had a bowl of spicy clam ramen."
"Well, for now, just grin and bear it. If we don't find it, someone else is bound to find it and report it. I doubt that thing would stay hidden forever, so keep a positive attitude. It never hurts anyone to think positively." Charles tried to comfort Vik.
"Yeah, you are right. Sorry, it was my ramen withdrawal talking. I haven't had one of Shaun's spice bombs in a week and it really is starting to show." Vik apologised.
"Spice bombs? You know those things will destroy your guts if you eat them. This is why I always eat a normal bowl of clam ramen, instead of the infamous "spice bombs". "
"Hey. The spicy ramen is great, at least after the first time. The first time tastes like blazing hellfire, but after you get through that initial burn, it tastes much better." Vik answered back angrily.
"That spicy ramen is nothing more than a recipe for a trip in the bathroom. It doesn't matter how good it tastes, everytime you eat that, you always go to the bathroom aroung an hour later." Charles answered back angrily as well.
"Anyways, the fire seems to be running a bit low. I'm going to get a few more twigs to keep the fire going. The fire stone can keep burning by itself, but having some extra burnable things into the fire, will always make it a bit more powerful." Charles added before he left.
After Charles left, Vik was left alone in the camp for a while.
*rustle*
"Hmmm... Charles is that you?" Vik answered curiously.
...
*cough* "My... Gooooooooood!" *cough* *cough*
"Kyahahahahaha" Lavenza had burst into laughing for quite some time, while seeing the woman's head look like a tomato. Soren had laughed quite a bit, but he had stopped because he felt bad for her and went to a nearby convience store to buy a glass bottle of water. He was a bit suprised when he saw that, but when he checked the bottle, he saw that the water was clean spring water that has been imbued with magic that doesn't allow it to mix with salty water.
"Here miss, drink up." Soren then threw the bottle at her and she caught it immidiately and drank it all before she calmed down. She had a bit of difficulty breathing but she didn't feel like she was on fire anymore.
"Holy sea! What in the Kraken's name was that... thing?" The woman pointed to the bowl of spicy ramen.
"You said you wanted a spicy bowl of ramen and so I gave you the only spicy dish on the menu, the "Clam Burner" ramen. A bowl, so spicy, it will knock your tongue out of your mouth and send you the graveyard. Besides, it's only the first time you try it that it burns. After that, it's on the milder side and it's extremely delicious. I can vouch for it, as well as a couple of customer's who have tried it before, at least a few times."
Then, a man who was eating a bowl of ramen at the far left side of the stall said:
"It's true actully. I have had that bowl of ramen at least 6 times this month and it's only the first time that burns, that's all."
"That is true." Another man who was eating, added as well.
After hearing that from a few more people, she decided to steel her resolve and checked to see if their words held water. After taking another bite from the spice ramen, she didn't feel like her body was on fire, instead it was just a warm feeling in her mouth, which was neither too salty, sweet or sour.
"Turns out you were telling the truth, but why does this plate taste like hellfire only for the first time?" The woman asked.
"Hakuri peppers." Shaun answered back.
"Now I see. No wonder." The woman said in a relaxed manner.
Soren was a bit curious about the pepper and he tried to check the bowl of ramen. Suprisingly, he got a hit.
[Hakuri Pepper: An extremely spicy pepper that leaves a soft and mellow after taste. It is said that whoever tries one for their first time, they feel like the hottest pits of hell have opened up to swallow them whole. After that though, it is considered as a great delicacy.
Caution: This pepper has also been titled as the "Hell Gates" pepper and after taking just one of these, can easily shred your bowels within the next hour, if you have a weak stomach.]
This entry made Soren uneasy. A veggie that tastes like hell at the start, tastes like have heaven in the middle and then feels like hell at the end, feels like this a pretty scary veggie. After Soren finished the rest of his bowl, he realised that he never managed to ask her anything and she seemed like she would finish her bowl soon, so he decided to ask:
"You know, I never got your name, miss. I thought that maybe some introductions are needed and-" At that moment, the woman put her finger on his mouth and said:
"Shush. Aren't you getting a little ahead of yourself? Besides, we are stangers and I doubt we would meet again." The woman said indifferently.
"While that may be true, it hasn't killed anyone knowing their name, even as a passing by aquintance." Soren answered back.
She felt like she lost her only reason to force him to quiet down, so her next plan of action was to use a fake name.
"Fine then. The name's Lavena." The woman answered back. She knew it was a flimsy name but she thought that it would be more than enough to force Soren to quiet down.
"Lavena, huh? Well, my name is Soren. Happy to make your acquiantance. Also the little sea serpent on the table is Lavenza, my companion, partner and friend as well." Soren answered back confidently. Then he continued:
"So, what brings you to the town, aside from the summoning tommorrow?" Soren decided to ask another bold question.
The woman was a bit suprised, seeing that Soren had the guts to ask about her business, so she decided to say casually:
"Work, nothing and nothing else. What about you?"
"I just go wherever the currents take me to. I don't have a particular destination in mind, so traveling through the sea is the reason I am staying in Crystalia City for a little while." Soren answered back mostly honestly. He felt like he could say more, but he didn't intend to lay on the table his goals.
"Interesting little story that you have there Soren. Say, how did you meet up with your little friend?" The woman asked curiously.
"Lavenza? Well, I hatched her from an egg in the forest. She happen to be mostly buried under the sand, except the top part, I hatch her egg and now we are friends." Soren said casually. This was the only story the others would only know for Lavenza.
After the woman finished her bowl of spicy ramen, she got up and said:
"Well thanks for the meal and company Soren. Now that I have rested a bit, I feel like I can find my friend now. Take care!" The woman said before waving her hand and left.
"Take care Lavena!" Soren also waved his hand and then left with Lavenza from the stall.
After swimming for a bit, Soren decided to ask Lavenza something:
"Hey Lavenza, what is your opinion of Lavena?"
"Kyuu~?" Lavenza seemed confused and decided to think for a bit.
"Kyuu~ Keee~?" She had an idea but she just couldn't put it into words.
"Well if you can't find the right word for it now, you allows try again later. Anyways, let's go to Rohan's place to rest."
After they reached Rohan's house, they saw a note stuck on the door with tape that said:
[Hey Soren,
If it is you who is reading this note right now, you should know that I'm going to be absent for a week or so, since an emergency came up. As for food, i have a decent amount stocked up in the fridge so feel to feed youself with a bit of that. As for the mission, just talk to Jay to complete it, he will give you the assessment. Also the key for the place should be in the bag that i gave you so use that to enter.
Take care, Rohan.
P.S. The summoning ceremony is at midday, in case you are interested]
"Did he know that this would happen, or is he way too cautious?" Soren wondered for a bit but he didn't bother with this thought for long. After checking the bag for the key, he found it near the coin bag and used it to open and enter the door. After entering, he locked it and when they saw that the entire place was completely empty, it felt unsettling.
"Let's see... If I remember right... Ah there they are. Lavenza, come help me a bit." Soren said.
The duo then grabbed a blanket and a pillow and went to tllay down on the couch-bed of the guest room. After setting it up, the two of them laid down and started to rest. Lavenza fell asleep immidiately on top of Soren's torso, while Soren was thinking about the events that transpired today, as well as the events that will transpire tomorrow. After thinking for a little while, he also fell asleep.
...
A woman was staring at Rohan's house where both Soren and Lavenza were sleeping inside. After standing there for a little while, she left with a smile on her face, into the dark streets of the city.