With the crew finding itself deep into the escalating racial conflict that threatens to tear Solbrecht apart, trying to put a stop to all the violence has become a secondary priority as some are now forced to fight for their own survival.
Author's note: Oof, I know it was a long wait. This chapter was very tough to write because of the sheer amount of ideas and details I just had to fit in and it's worth it! Enjoy, and have a taste!
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Houn and Yukiko
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Original artwork by EpsilonGruis
"Houn, are you... I mean, are we sure about this? Isn't this a really fancy place?"
Yukiko had insisted on him being the one to pick a place to have dinner together. Not quite sure at first about his choice, knowing she would've been just as happy with having dinner at one of the beach clubs where the food was good and the atmosphere a bit more casual, he decided to go through with it and reserve a rug for two at Yu'loa Maweht.
Located on the top floor of one of Canarii-Ynearr's luxury apartment complexes, the restaurant was known for offering one of the most refined dining experiences in the city. With its private seating arrangements and sky terrace, live music evenings and exquisite staff, one often had the opportunity to meet Solbrecht's rich and famous who liked to show themselves here as well.
Its kitchen was the domain of a trio of renowned chefs, capable of creating dishes that would satisfy even the most well-developed palettes on the planet, made with the best ingredients sourced from select regions all over Solbrecht.
The only reason why he was able to sneak in a visit on such short notice, the restaurant having a waitlist a season long on average, were the limited number of seats available for same day reservation, plus the fact that the place owed him a favor for a previous reservation canceled on their part.
That Yukiko was a bit anxious he could understand. Just the fact that they were supposed to wait until the exact time of their reservation in the preceding lobby, to be guided to their rug by a member of the wait staff, made him feel a little on edge too. Having had dinner with his parents here before, he knew what to expect, more or less, for the ever-changing menu was always full of surprises.
The lobby looked like the living room in one of the homes of the wealthier portion of his people. The burgundy and forest green floor pillows were edged with gold trim and the navy blue rug in front of them was gold embroidered with the name of the restaurant and surrounded by spiraling Preidogian welcoming messages.
The walls and floor were made of a light marble-like stone, the light of the floor lamps scattered between the rugs diffused by their shades composed of strips of poetyo, which looked like they were draped around their light sources in a spherical shape. Houn's nostrils picked up a mild flowery scent coming from potted plants that lined the walls, as well as subtle tones of exquisitely-prepared food that made his mouth water.
The other guests sharing the lobby with them were guided to their seats group-by-group through the broad transparent sliding doors that offered a view of the dining room, which was set up to optimally host members of his species. The rugs and floor pillows were accompanied by the same type of floor lamps and spaced far enough apart to allow for comfortable passing.
