Realm of Opportunity

14: Beer Solves Everything... Right?

^^ Johnny Drinking, Just Cause ^^

--- Johnny ---

I left the Castle, absently scratching ice off my sword. After a few minutes, I found a bench, and sat down, carefully extricating my weapon from the icy cocoon, and then drew it, checking the edge.

I nodded, sheathing it, and started walking, randomly taking turns.

I loved getting lost in cities like this one. You always found the weirdest things... like a Tiny Noodle Shop! score!

I sat down on a stool, and raised a hand at the chef. "Oi, Chief! Biggest bowl you got, eh?" I called above the clamor.

He nodded, and quickly set a large bowl of Teriyaki Udon in front of me. He then held out his hand. "1,000 Val."

I grinned and flipped him a thick coin, which he caught easily. Then I began eating, biting through the thick noodles.

As I picked up my bowl, drinking the soup, some asshole shoved past me, spilling it on my white shirt.

I set the bowl down slowly, and stood. "Not in here, boys." The old Chef grumbled, unfazed.

"Outside. Now." I growled after the man.

The bastard looked back at me. "Eh? Wazzat?Can't hear you, shorty, speak up!" He grinned down at my diminutive height.

I simply grabbed his shirt, and walked out, throwing him into the wall across the alley. "I said, Outside. I don't want to smash up that nice little Noodle-Shop." I growled savagely, stripping the white button-up, and tossing it aside.

He picked up a pipe and roared, swinging at me with all his might.

I blocked with my sheathed sword, pushed him backwards to give myself room to move, and then lashed out, kicking him in the side of his skull.

He rammed into the wall of the alleyway again, cracking the stones, and I kicked the other side of his skull just as hard, to even the damage out.

He flipped upside down, and landed on his shoulders, ass end over tea kettle. I nodded and shook out my wet shirt, then sighed when I saw it was stained orange. "Just got this cleaned..." I grumbled.

The chef called out. "Oii? Want another bowl of broth? I've got extra!"

I grinned and entered the shop, sitting down. "Sure! Thanks, Chief!"

I drank the soup he gave me, and then tipped him with an extra 1,000 Val, walking out.

---

My visit to the Cleaners was painful, but fruitful. Apparently, for repeat customers, they would charge only half the cost, if I only got my clothes cleaned with them.