As it turns out, Takka could also be called a city of the gods, because it hardly seems like a place that could be built by humans.
Everything is polished, and perfectly angled, and not one thing is out of place. Even though it's mainly stone and steel, I haven't seen a speck of dust. The food is unbelievable. Fruit is perfectly ripe, and brightly coloured without any sign of blemishes. There are a few places where you could eat for free, but only in exchange for a contribution towards the city. Not monetary, it is required of you to do some voluntary deed for the betterment of the city. We didn't ask, because Graham was the first to turn his nose at the suggestion. Mason, followed suit, and declined as well, leaving me and my curiosity. I wanted to know what one needs to do to get free food in Takka.
Hindsight is a bitch.
Before they gave us the promised food, they led us through a very well-lit underground tunnel, to receive our task. Or better said punishment.
Even though, the man in front of us appears to be nothing more than a civil servant for the city, his clothes are nothing short of glamorous. But his general demeanour is perfunctory. We stand out as outsiders. One could pick us from the hill, in a crowd with ease.
The man shoves a shovel at my chest," Clean this," He points to a pile of what appears and smells, like rotten food. I don't consider myself squeamish, but the heavy scent of decay is cloying my nose, to the point of suffocation.
Graham and Mason have not signed up for this, but they agreed to keep me company. Or better said make fun of me while I work for the food I want. Nothing shameful about that, but still this seems a bit too much.
" When you finish loading up that pile into the vat, come find me and you will receive your food," He says so sweetly, that I have to bite my tongue to stop myself from thanking him.
Graham snickers and then coughs, while Mason chuckles and taps my ass to get me moving as soon as the man is out of the underground chamber.
" Come on. Get on with it," Graham cheers from the side, doing a little jig on the spot.
Mason laughs and grabs a shovel that's been leaning against the wall and stands by my side. Unsurprisingly, the shovel is pristine, perfectly polished, gleaming in the dim light provided by the sconces on the wall.
Turning to the mountain of rotting food we both sigh," This is not what I had in mind," I say under my breath, disheartened.
Mason slides a hand over my shoulder, and gives me a light squeeze," At least now you know," He smirks and begins to shovel rotten food into the vat, sloshing to the sides, splattering both of us. We haven't even begun yet, and my appetite has already vanished.
It takes a while to clear the considerable mound, but we do it with Graham's help. Even though, they won't get anything out of it. I conclude that this is a horrible deal.
My muscles ache, my arms feel boneless, and my poor knees are about one step away from giving up. All in all, it was a horrible experience and a good way to deter me from future endeavours.
We reemerge into the gloomy afternoon, sweaty, smelly and with no will to carry on visiting the city.
More than anything we need to wash because we simply reek.
Mason leans in and sniffs my hair, " We need to wash," He says blandly as the civil servant approaches us wearing a triumphant smile.
He gives us a cursory look, " You look horrible," Why, thank you. I was going for the homeless look. Glad that you noticed.
I'm tired, and hungry, but too disgusted to eat, and cranky as hell.
I'm one breath away from snapping at the man in front of me.
Mason must sense that I'm on the edge," We know. We will take the food and be on our way. The lady is on the verge of passing out," The bite in his tone is unmistakable, and it doesn't go unnoticed by the ones within earshot.
The others present turn to us in a synchronised manner, so eerie that I begin to fear.
" Do you not enjoy our city?" A woman asks from the back of the crowd. Mason frowns noticing just as much as I do, how strange it is with so many eyes on us.
" Nobody said anything of the sort," Graham chimes in with his customary jauntiness and toothy smile.
" Obviously, we are tired and a bit on the edge,' He tacks on while the crowd seems to ease a little bit, at Graham's intervention. Everything else, this place is bizarre, defying multiple principles of nature, logic, and human behaviour.
The man who assigned me the task of clearing all the rotten food shoves a plateful of food in front of me, sensing the dishonesty in Graham's tone.
" Take it and leave. We cherish our city and what it has to offer. If you cannot appreciate it, then you are not welcome here," Eeek. That didn't go as expected. But then again they are just a small faction. Hopefully, the word doesn't spread around that we are a snooty ungrateful bunch.
We could have paid for the food without any problem. I suppose they will take any kind of payment, in return for the food they provide. It doesn't seem like an unfair exchange. Does it? I don't know.
We take our food, and as soon as we are out of the somptous building we find a ledge out of sight and settle ourselves to pick on the salted meats, and pickled vegetables.
It is such a strange choice but then again it's too late to be choosey with what we have.
Mason slips his jacket back on and stands crushing the thin foil plate and throwing it in the bushes. I'm pretty sure that littering in a pristine city such as Takka will be punishable by death or something.
When he doesn't look, I pick the ball of foil from the bushes and tuck it in the pocket of his jacket. Let's just say that I'm not keen on finding out what are the repercussions of such an insignificant act. It may seem small, but in a place like Takka, I have a feeling that is a grave insult.