After filling the spiritual den with every irritating noise and scent I've experienced in this city and in my last world - including car alarms, the perfumes of passersby, and that orange colored fruit over there with its sharp acid bite - I take the little placard that the server is offering.
"I'll look, but I'm not much of a drinker…"
"Alright, just signal for me if you need anything. I'll check back in soon."
She took the device back with her as she left, her tight blonde ponytail swishing a little behind her. A mix of relief and irritation settled over me when she was gone.
It was good that the card worked without any hassle. But being treated in the opposite direction based on perceived wealth felt... uncomfortable.
> Shame for the actual funds not even being my own? Only a little. I spent my family's stipend without regret in the past. As well as earned some private funds from my… partners… for showing them extended favor. <
The way I acquitted myself as Princess certainly was not common knowledge. However, I have no doubt that people smarter than me knew what was going on.
Including my father.
Tacit approval of my dalliances, so long as it did not blow up in scandal.
Without a doubt, the moment it did, I would have been married to whoever was left interested in such a… vixen. Then evicted from the palace to live out my days as some important enough noble's wife.
Eventually, public interest would be lost in me - just like the other people eating in this establishment. The woman walking away with a smile had apparently legitimized my presence.
How quickly judgments change. Even though they say fortune is fair, it is a bit odd to experience.
That the whispers behind your back and in your front are so loud: rich or poor.
"Just in case, I had them stagger your order. That way it stays fresh if you end up wanting to wrap the rest up as takeout."
The woman's voice broke me from my musings as she brought out a plate. First up, was the breakfast special.
Fried eggs, bacon, and pancakes arranged in a neat display. Food which Helene had consumed before, but I have not.
Scents alone made my mouth water and pupils expand. I nodded at whatever it was she had just tried explaining.
I managed to maintain some semblance of proper dining behavior by grabbing the fork and knife. A little awkwardly, for a few reasons.
The utensils are just a little different shaped than I'm used to. And my wolf snuck past my lowered mental defenses, urging me to devour everything at once!
At least, I think it was the spirit companion…
The first few bites were hot and flavorful. After days of wilderness survival and eating as a beast, which I didn't particularly mind, the taste was almost too much.
Pancakes are nothing like the honey-drizzled flatbreads from my royal breakfasts. However, they had their own appeal. Fluffy and drenched in cloyingly sweet brown syrup.
The sandwich arrived next, filled with bird meat - 'chicken' specifically, according to the menu. Which I have to say, leaves me excited to find one of them in the wild some day.
More bacon leaves me feeling happier as well!
Vegetables I could take or leave, though the red one… tomato… is rather savory. With a satisfying mouth feel.
The same could be said, more or less, for the burger that followed. Satisfying meat, more of the leafy green, juicy red, and two new crunches.
Onion is sharp tasting and kind of stings my palate, but it is still quite good in moderation. Meanwhile, the pickle is strong in a different way. A more bitter, tangy acidity.
Even in my world, human cuisine is somewhat like this. They seek to mesh so many flavors at once that it feels like a new kind entirely.
My brothers never really developed a taste for it. Though they may have actually liked these cut and fried potatoes. Quite simple, but delicious.
While licking the salt from my fingertips, I gaze at my surroundings.
I've been observing people as I worked my way through each dish. What I can see and overhear from this position, at least.
Two businessmen - judging by the black suits as they were seated at a nearby table - discussed something called their 'quarterly projections'. The reminder of the CEO whose money made this food possible is a little unwelcome.
A family with small children struggled to keep them seated and not causing trouble for other guests. I smiled at the sight more than once, understanding the desire to be rambunctious.
An elderly couple shared a single slice of another intriguing looking 'pie'. Each of them took turns with the same fork, like they were very used to sharing everything.
The glimpses were at normal life in this city for humans, that I would have to imitate if I was to survive here. A rhythm and existence I would need to understand.
"Excuse me."
I spoke to my waitress, Melissa, for the first time since she brought the breakfast items. Her hand shook a little with a weird look on her face.
"Y-yes?"
She'd just brought the chicken pot pie out and was grabbing for the next emptied plate.
"Would you mind telling me how to get to Crystalline Spa from here?"
The complicated face squeezed even further into disbelief. Part of me was enjoying her amusing reaction.
I'm not so unobservant that I don't understand that I've already eaten enough for at least three people. One dish per sitting seems to be the norm.
"The very… fancy place on Seventh Avenue, right?"
A certain one of those words was spoken as her hazel eyes flickered over my appearance again, making it clear that not all of her bias had disappeared.
"I have an appointment."
Curiosity brewed when I admitted to that, obvious on her face. Seeing her attempts to calculate and reevaluate our entire meeting was kind of fun.
"Just go three blocks east, then turn north. You really can't miss it. A very big and blue glass building with a… whole waterfall out front."
I nodded my thanks, as I compared the information with my system map. It did seem to be roughly the same spot where Kyrie Voss described.
Then I stuck the fork in the pot pie and watched the steam billow out as she left me to the last of my meal.
When the fog of hunger had lifted from my mind earlier, it also took the tendency to be so temperamental. Clearer thoughts about my situation could be arranged.
It's interesting, that despite having her memories and no feelings from before, being in this current body really does affect even my superior fox spirit.
Though perhaps… it is at least partially the other way around?
While the allure of an Alpha may be strong, I doubt Helene herself would have 'swung that way'. In fact, I know she actually… if not despised the concept of two women together…
"Certainly was not the most understanding non-fan."
All of that aside, I need to start thinking ahead for tonight. I'll need shelter.
Then further out, the child growing inside me would eventually need more than just day-to-day survival. The apocalypse countdown and whatever that means for… living, must be addressed.
As if she was waiting, the woman approached again as I sat down the fork.
"How was everything?"
"Quite satisfactory."
I replied with the usual royal assessment. It just slipped out before I could stop it!
"Would you like any dessert?"
She smiled at me, seeming to take no offense to what might barely qualify as praise here. I considered that I may be underestimating how gruff some patrons may usually be.
I run my finger over my still slightly grease stained lips then quickly dab with the napkin provided. Really, I should use their restroom to clean up just a little while I'm here.
"What would you recommend in that regard?"
"The apple pie is fresh right now. With ice cream?"
I'm pretty sure that was what the two old lovebirds were eating. The cinnamon and fruit smell was pretty enticing.
"That will be perfect."
"Alright."
The woman didn't turn to leave, again. I knew something must be on her mind, though she did not seem quite as tense as when it was about payment.
"You know, I kind of had to ask that since it's my job… but I feel like I have to cross a little line now."
Her professional smile turned awkward and amused.
"Where in the world did you *put* all of that food? Do you mind telling me the secret?"