Sword Art Online-Encroaching Shadows

Chapter 14

Restaurants, pubs, and other various eateries within Aincrad tended to offer food that corresponded to the local wildlife of the floor it existed on. In particular, the second floor was home to countless bovine creatures and in fact was the main theme of this floor. As such, the meals were typically of the beef variety including steaks, chops, and roasts. The higher quality dishes typically were quite expensive. A fact not lost on Jayce who now glared across the table at Jemza who happily chewed on another bite.

"Enjoying yourself?" The disdain in his voice was thick and the effect not lost on Jemza who looked up and flashed a wide smile.

"Oh yes. I am very satisfied with this meal thank you very much." She jabbed her fork down into another piece of meat and lifted it slowly towards her mouth. Her movements were so slow that she was clearly trying to irritate him more than he already was.

"Good, because this place cost more than the entirety of your new wardrobe." Jemza popped the meat into her mouth and chewed it while pointing the fork at Jayce wagging it around.

"You know...the other day you barely said more than a few words. Now, you don't know when to keep your mouth shut." Her smile came back once more as she finished speaking before quickly stabbing the prongs of the fork down into another piece of meat that she sarcastically ate.

"Why were you even in the Town of Beginnings today?" He had already promised her a meal so there was no point in continuing to vent his frustration about the cost to her. Instead, he was still curious as to how easily they seemed to bump into each other in Urbus.

"Isn't it obvious? The second floor was opened up. A lot of people were there for the opening of the portal." Jemza was a lot of different things. She was complex to be sure and being a woman meant that Jayce could not fully understand her at times. It was probably the same way she felt about him being a man. However, for all her complexities at least for right now it was clear she was lying. Or, rather than lying she was obfuscating the truth behind the convenience of the portal being opened.

"You were in Horunka, how'd you know it was opening?" The girl stopped chewing and set her fork down on the plate. It was her turn to glare at him from across the table in response to his question. A question that undoubtedly came out more like an accusation.

"Why are you so concerned with where I go all of a sudden? Is there a problem with me being in the Town of Beginnings?"

"Alright...fine." Jayce answered flipping open his system menu and navigating to the <<Messaging>> tab. Her eyes widened slightly as she watched him.

"Hey? What are you doing?"

"Did you know that if someone purchases information about you, that in turn you can pay to find out who did it and what they found out. Basically you can purchase information regarding the person who made the original inquiry. Just part of Argo's business." Her wide eyes grew and panic swept over her face. The sound of plates and silverware clanged loudly as she half dove over the table grabbing his arms to stop him.

"No don't! I was worried alright?" He stopped tapping on the keyboard looking down at the girl half laid across the table holding his wrists. They both glanced around at other patrons who were now staring at them in amusement. Jemza slinked back into her chair while Jayce canceled the message and closed the window.

"You could have just messaged me directly. What happened in Horunka was my fault and between you and I. It makes sense now why Argo showed up this morning at my room. I assume you told her what happened in exchange for my location right?" Jemza nodded timidly folding her hands on the table.