As the dark oak doors swung open, propelled by unseen hands, Elyza and Alex stepped into Marrow, a realm of culinary enchantment. Instantly, they were enveloped in a symphony of fragrances, a delightful departure from the town's pungent air. Alex led her in, their footsteps against the polished marble floor echoing as he approached the lone podium standing beneath the chandelier swaying above, its soft light able to illuminate the entire area with ease.
Unlike most of the top restaurants in the country, many of which he had visited with Elyza, the feeling radiating through the air was of calmness, perfectionism, control. The clinking of utensils against ceramic plates, the quiet roar of people's conversation, the noise that he was used to in a restaurant, were all but muffled through another pair of doors facing the entrance.
As Elyza joined him to wait at the podium, the doors creaked closed behind them and the one opposite to it opened in unison. The noise of its patrons bled in to the room as the host slid between the doors to greet the two.
With a warm smile, Alex extended his hand to the host, who reciprocated the gesture. Except the smile on his face seemed off, somehow feeling like every single smile Alex had ever seen, seemed almost too perfect, replicating the warmth of hospitality. The host's hand almost collapsed as he shook it, as if it was a facsimile of how a hand should feel, an imitation. Moreover, it lacked the warmth of a life, the flow of mana that was present seemed too insignificant for the man standing in front of him.
With each passing moment, Alex's perception of the host became increasingly surreal. Every subtle movement, every nuance of expression, each breath, each tug of muscles, they all seemed exaggerated, yet oddly artificial.
But as the seconds passed, the 'mistakes' became harder to spot, except, as Alex stared into the host's eyes, it felt like there was nothing behind them, as if they were a reflection in a mirror, or a hyperrealistic painting.
Alex maintained his composure, concealing his suspicions behind a religiously practised smile. The host turned his attention to Elyza, extending a hand in greeting while delivering his message with a calm and friendly tone.
"Unfortunately, Marrow closes early on Sundays, to allow for the staff an extended break," the host explained, his voice a melodic cadence, "Fortunately, we have a special service before we do, and while it has just started, we can easily adjust both of you into it, if you two are interested."
"What is so special about this service?" Elyza asked, a look of unease spreading beneath the smile on her face as well, her eyes flicking to Alex's as their thoughts aligned.
The host's demeanour seemed to brighten at the question, his posture straightening as if infused with a sudden surge of enthusiasm. "I'm glad you asked," he began, his voice tinged with a newfound vitality. "We have a new four-course meal planned every weekend that utilise our edible leftovers from the week, and this week it is incredibly divine if I say so myself. And, since we would be using leftovers, we can offer you both our delicacies for a lone gold coin." His smile grew as they thought about the offer.
"I think that's delightful," Alex admitted, flipping a gold coin at him, which he caught without even looking at it, his eyes drawn to the glimmering circle way after his arms shot to intercept it.
"Great! May I get your names?" He asked, opening the ledger, hidden in the podium.
"Nemo and Penelope."
"Alrighty..." The host muttered as he jotted something else along with their name into the paper, looking up as he continued, "If you could follow me."
The doors into the inner chamber swung fully open this time as the two were led in by him. As soon as they stepped into the main chamber, it was like they had stepped into a grand hall. The white marble beneath them soon faded into a kaleidoscopic array of coloured marble circling around the centre of the room. Four massive chandeliers appeared to float above the tables, slowly moving in unison, radiating a warm hue for the guests sitting beneath. There was a strange scent present in the air, but neither of the two could point to what was emitting it.
YOU ARE READING
NEMO: Into The Depths
Fantasy"After you achieved your revenge, after that brief moment of ecstasy at finally doing it, killing the person who caused you so much harm, you felt empty inside. It's as if all the actions you took, all the sacrifices you made, all the people you cut...
