I won't lie, the food is good. Although their differences in taste and texture-overall-it is good to chew on and swallow.
I remember back when me and my teammates were doing an outing stroll out of HQ and visiting the nearby town, we'd sometimes end up in a specific restaurant (buffet?) and go for the V.I.P seats. Outside we weren't just teammates , we were having a good time as friends. The waitress came and we made our orders., well not really order as we had booked a table for us, but a notice.
Since we were soldiers for hire, the very best-of-the-best, we needed sustenance, a lot of it. The last time we came around to the same restaurant -what do you think the bill was? 100? 1, 000? 10, 000? More than that!
10 minutes later, and the food was placed on food trays and moved by tables on wheels which came out of the kitchen doors. That much food needed at least 10 tables I counted when moved. You wouldn't believe it if I told you. Better yet, I'll go through it with my mates
First up, Wong- a man of muscle and meat. His plate is a battlefield of protein: ribs glazed with honey bourbon, juicy brisket marbled just right, thick-cut steak strips, spicy buffalo wings, and grilled lamb skewers lined up like soldiers. He tears into a rib, sauce streaked across his knuckles, eyes closing with carnivorous bliss. This is his domain.
Next there's Dirdbax, the king of comfort. His plate? A towering tribute to carbs: baked mac and cheese, lasagna oozing with béchamel, garlic mashed potatoes, cheesy garlic bread, and soft pretzels dunked in beer cheese. He hums with happiness as the fork twirls fettuccine into creamy oblivion. No guilt. No regrets. Just good, buttery love.
Third there is Tetson. Dessert first, dessert always. He's skipped the savory and made a mountain of sugar: chocolate lava cake, tiramisu, mango pudding, churros dipped in dulce de leche, and soft serve with rainbow sprinkles. He digs in like a child at a birthday party, face lit by neon jelly cubes and whipped cream. He'll circle back for seconds... and thirds.
Boss is an explorer, a passport stamped by cuisine. His plate spans continents: sushi rolls nestled beside empanadas, Moroccan couscous next to French duck confit, Thai green curry splashing into Ethiopian injera. He samples with curiosity, savoring the stories in each bite. For him, the buffet is a world tour on one tray
The last to come last is me. Dennis Rynbart. The food I was chomping on is just your regular - the minimalist in a land of excess. While the others load trays like they're preparing for a food apocalypse, my plate is less..... populated. Grilled salmon with lemon. A modest scoop of wild rice. Steamed broccoli. A single dinner roll. One glass of water. That's it. I eat slowly, thoughtfully - more like meditating than dining. There's no rush, no frenzy. Just quiet appreciation.
Those were the times.... I do wish miss those times, I thought as silent filled the air and I was left empty.
Well I better do something.
The food that Suhra-the tall elf girl and sister to Senra-gave me wasn't much. It was a small portion-I couldn't blame them; I'm sure they had a reason. But the food did have an effect, giving me strength and a stomach somewhat full-ish.
I stood up and looked around the inside of the room I was in. Just sitting down wasn't gonna cut it. I had to do something, a little exercise won't hurt. Then I spotted a mirror as I sauntered.
"Let's see what changed?" I asked and crouched just a tiny bit to look
To my horror I was shocked.
"Huh?" I'm almost at panic.
My hands were over all my face, touching it, poking it, seeing if the stranger in the reflection was really me. It was me. I gasped and ducked.
When I rose up and saw my reflection again, there was no doubt about it. It is me. Gone are the creases at the corners of my eyes, the gray at my temples, the quiet weight of years. In their place: smooth skin, a sharper jawline, a restless glint in my wide eyes. My hair---once flecked with gray at the temples, is now thick, dark, and untamed, falling over the forehead in a way I hadn't seen during my college years.
Body feels alien yet familiar. The slight belly I had grown used to is gone-replaced by a flatter, lighter torso. Chest is higher, tighter, and limbs are wiry, full of nervous teenage energy. Hands are no longer roughened by years of labor and life; they're lean, smooth, even clumsy-looking, like they haven't yet grown into the strength they one day held.
My voice was also changed forever, no more was its familiar deep voice. Words that came out of me was like brand-new. Lighter, but still a resemblance of me stayed. Why didn't I recognise it earlier? I thought I was still injured, that I couldn't move properly. That it took me this long to know of it, I really am old-fashioned.
For all this change whether it was permanent or not, it looked, sounded, and felt real to me. Yet, I hadn't the slightest clue make of it, though, clearly from the reflection I gotta say: I do find me looking kinda good.
Two things stuck around on my memory dashboard: the first is my suit-What happened to it. The second is my transformation-How did this come to be? There was one who might know, you too know them from prior hostage-situation. So without furthur or do, I took the empty plate on hands, opened the door, and went out
On the other side, I could find no one. It was empty. Maybe they're outside, I thought. Plate left on another table, I pushed the exit door and got out.
Out in the open, I didn't expect the reveal of where I was. Trees, trees, and trees. It was everywhere. A very big forest, the very same one I fought against the elf warrior, yeah, elf warrior....just thinking about it makes my head ache.
As I scan the place, I see that this forest is very dense but light from the sun filters, casting at my place or was it the cabin. That must be it. Everywhere I look at, I can't seem to find one single building in sight except this cabin, not troubled by it either. It looks like a cabin alright, pretty sure it's for hikers and campers to rest, sleep, eat, and continue on their journey....
That is when I turned to my left side and I was met at a glance with Senra.
"Oh, hello," I unexpectedly said
Senra who is a wee young elven girl, around 6-7 years old (I might assume), with the soft elegance and grace typical of her kind. Her body is slender and lithe, standing at a height just shy of 5 feet (again I'm not sure, it's just my own estimates). Her skin is fair....almost luminous, with a subtle glow almost radiating from her...magic?
She is youthful, framed by a cascade of long, silky hair that shimmers with a pale shade of silver or light blonde. Loose and straight, it is short and stops at her neck. Other features include her large almond-shaped eyes, the color of which is a captivating shade of soft green or amber, reminiscent a forest at dawn (which is a memory of mine).
She dresses in a simple white dress-light-it is an airy fabric. The dress is cinched at the waist with a delicate silver or leather belt, which holds a small satchel or pouch. Then thee is embroidery along the hems, depicting leaves and vines.
I was about to talk again but her shaky body might say otherwise. Before I got the chance again, she ran off from me as if scared, frightened. And she should be. Still doesn't mean I had to give up!
Hearing noises coming from the side of the cabin leading to the backyard, I walked there immediately, fully knowing and prepared.
I then met up with Suhra, and behind her—Senra hid
"Hello there Suhra, I don't mean to suprise you do I?" I asked.
"No not at all," she calmly said.
"....I see she is still afraid," I say at her.
Senra peeked but hid again. "She is. You don't have to worry, she'll be alright," Suhra responded.
Of course she'll say that, yet, I'm still not convinced.
I crouched. I spoke this time on my behalf to Senra. Although she hid herself behind her sister's back, I was going to put my all at it, if, I wanted to get a smile for a change. So I tried.
"Hey there, Senra, I so sorry that I hurt you. You help me and I, repaid your kindness with fear, sadness. I myself am horrifying. I myself can't see to do good. So Senra, I want to say thank you. You helped along with your sister-Suhra. Thank you very much; with you I don't think I'll have a life!" and bowed.
Then it was Suhra that said, "W-wait, what are doing-please stand up, you mustn't!"
"No I must!" I said strongly, keeping my word. "I hurt you and Senra, so I must pay in which I must bow to show respect!"
Finished, I straightened my back
"Uh, thank you, you didn't really have to bow," Suhra kindly said though in an awkward sense.
Now at least I've made my apology to my utmost importance. Now I could finally ask Suhra questions. Questions which is very important the second topic came into mind. I needed answers.