Twisted Wonderland - Beanfest: Bean or Be Beaned

Chapter 26: Difference in Training

Soon, the Farmers Team begin running away from the monsters.

Kalim yelps, "Whoa!"

And is caught by Jamil, "Got you, Kalim!"

And soon, Kalim is eliminated from the game.

Kalim groans in , maaan... And I thought I was pretty fast. I guess you're faster, Jamil."

"You can chalk it up to a difference in training," Jamil replies. But Cater and Jade got away. We should probably clear out of this place soon, if we want to play it safe."

Then one of the Monsters says, "We've nabbed a lot of farmers on our end, too!"

Another student says, "They were all so absorbed in their shawarma that they were practically blind to the world around them. Easy pickings."

"Oh, duh! It's not like only farmers would smell the food and come running. Monsters would pick up on it too. Guess I messed up big time..." Kalim says, realizing his mistake.

Jamil chuckles, "Heh heh heh... Your 'fun' is only just beginning, Kalim. Enjoy spending the rest of the game doing Vargas's special weight training in the gym with the other eliminated players.

"Fair enough! Those are the rules," Kalim says.

He then asks, "Could I ask one teeny tiny favor of you, though, Jamil?"

"What is it?" Jamil questions, "If the next words out of your mouth are 'let me go,' I'm going to pretend I didn't hear them."

"Nah, perish the thought! It's just, well..." Kalim says. But then asks, " Could we please at least wait until we've finished all of this shawarma?! You painstakingly prepared this whole meal for me. I wouldn't want any of it going to waste." Then turns to everyone, "Aren't you guys hungry, too? This is the Beanfest lunch of a lifetime, seriously!"

One of the monsters asks, "You sure you're okay with sharing it with monsters?"

Another student scoffs, "Psh, I'm not about to turn down free grub! I was just getting hungry anyway."

"I hear Jamil's cooking is top-tier, so count me in. I'd be a fool to say no," Another student says.

Jamil begins to scold everyone, "Hey! This is no time for a lunch break. What if the farmer team comes back and surrounds us?!"

"Don't worry, Jamil! It'll go way faster with you chipping in. C'mooon, pretty please?" Kalim says with a smile.

"Rrrgh..." Jamil says, annoyed.

He then says in thought, "Kalim's already eliminated, so he's not technically an enemy right now. And it would be unacceptable for an employee to refuse an order from his boss...) Curses! Hoisted by my own shawarma spit!"

Then Jamil gives in, annoyed, "Argh, just give me the scissors! I'll have all the meat carved in five minutes."

"Yesss! You're the best, Jamil," Kalim happily says.

Soon, Rook and Trey arrive.

Rook happily says, "Ooh là là. I followed my nose to the source of this rich scent, and who do I find but the two top officers of Scarabia?"

Kalim happily turns to them, "Hi, Rook! Hi, Trey. Here for some shawarma? Have a seat and give us two shakes. Jamil will get some for you both."

Trey soon notices. "Jamil's cutting meat at breakneck speed with one have and stuffing vegetables into pita bread with the other... And around them I see monsters and captured farmers all eating shawarma together," Confused by this, Trey asks, "What is going on here?"

"I captured Kalim, but he pleaded with me to let him stay instead of letting the food go to waste," Jamil questions, annoyed, "The prep goes fastest with me doing it, so here I am, helping against my will. Believe me, I would much rather be as far away from the botanical garden as possible."

"But why? From the look of things, I would guess that your group has captured most of the farmers present," Rook questions.

"We did, but we had hoped to catch everyone. Cater, Jade, Briar, Sereia, and Grim got away," Jamil says.

"Ah!" Trey & Rook say, a little surprised.

"I'm worried they'll round up help and come back, but here I am, feeding people lunch instead of making tracks like a sensible monster would," Jamil says.

Looking at the food, Trey says, "To be fair, the food looks world-class."

"It would be an embarrassment to House Asim if I served anything less than the best," Jamil says.

But Rook says, "I must hand it to you, Jamil. There is but one word for your professional level of dedication in all things: beauté! I tend to avoid more...pungent provisions, but out of respect of your spirit, I will gladly avail myself of your generous repast."

"We've got sweet and unsweet tea here. Which would you guys prefer?" Kalim says, offering the drinks.

Jamil practically scolds him, "Kalim, enough with the hospitality! All of you, finish your food, NOW."

Suddenly, a familiar voice says, " My, my. One finds the strangest things when following their nose—in this case, an entire rogues' gallery."

Rook becomes surprised and turns to the source, "Ah... I know that voice!"