Chapter 85: A fine Establishment (2/2)

“Got you!” Eve said, after she had stopped laughing.

“You’re sent a clone after me?” Ilea asked as she walked closer to the two. Kyrian’s reaction had been much more subdued though Ilea had missed it in her flight.

“They’re illusions. And no, this is me.” Eve said and smirked.

“I can’t perceive you...” Ilea said, trying to see the woman with her sphere. There was nothing there, no matter and no smell. She didn’t even hear her.

Eve grinned as she locked eyes with Ilea. “I think I figured your skill out…” she said and giggled again.

“I swear if I find you in my room again...” Ilea said and continued to focus on the place where her eyes told her the woman was standing. Slowly she realized something. Though her skill couldn’t see her directly, she noticed the air flow was different around her. There was weight pressing down on the snow below Eve’s feet and where there was the smell of trees and snow around her, there was nothing where Eve stood.

‘God, now I have to focus on things like that too...’ Ilea thought and sighed, before shaking her head.

Eve’s smile turned into a frown. “You found a way to see me?” she asked and Ilea shook her head.

“It’s more that I can see the absence of you if that explains it. Maybe you should try to blend in better. Invisible yet not leaving a void. Like a chameleon.” Ilea explained, asking herself why she helped the woman hide even better.

“What’s a c...chameleon?” Kyrian asked from the side but Eve seemed to have understood the meaning.

“I’ll try though I think it’s gonna take me a while...perception skills like you have are pretty rare though, as is mental resistance.” she said, smiling at Ilea.

“Let’s go eat.” Ilea said, tired of being cursed and sneaked upon.

“I suggest Ravenhall itself and I have some restaurants I like already but I’m open for suggestions. Haven’t tried nearly all of them yet.” Ilea explained as the three walked back out of the forest and towards the city.

“How long have you been here? I have a really nice place in mind!” Eve said, lifting her arms to signal her good idea. At least that was what Ilea thought it meant.

“I… might n...not be able to pay that.” Kyrian said from the side and Ilea frowned.

“First off, I’ve been here a couple days so it’s only reasonable that I haven’t tried all the restaurants Eve. And Kyrian, how the fuck do you not have money for food? You’re level 204, you probably get paid more for a single day’s work than most of the people in the city get for a year...” Ilea said. She knew he likely couldn’t pay the Hand and was now in debt but it was food they were talking about.

“It’s more a saving strategy. I’d rather not waste money on luxuries and be done with paying my debt earlier.” Kyrian explained and Ilea nodded, seeing some sort of sense in his actions. She for one would never try to save on food, though remembering her solo days on earth without the financial support of her family made her question her thinking.

“I’ll invite you then and I won’t accept a no.” she said and the man looked at her briefly. “I said N O.” Ilea said and he closed his mouth again, continuing in silence.

“So how’d you guys get here?? Why join the hand and how’d you get to level 200?!” Eve asked as they approached the city gate. Ilea handed the guard a couple silver coins before they were let in, getting a look from Kyrian.

“Let’s wait with the socializing until I have food in front of me, ok?” Ilea asked a minute later, walking behind the woman as she led them to her restaurant of choice. It turned out to be an incredibly high class place. The building itself was already decorated and styled quite more intricately than most buildings in Ravenhall.

The inside didn’t disappoint either though Ilea wasn’t sure if she arrived in a restaurant or an art gallery. There were paintings on all walls and even some structures behind barriers. Magical ones at that.

“I really really like that piece...” Eve commented on the abstract looking piece Ilea was staring at. To Ilea it looked like several miniature beams of metal were melted into some sort of star or sea mine.

“I don’t get art.” she said and looked back towards Eve. She wondered how the woman hadn’t stolen everything in this place yet. Looking back at the piece Ilea wondered how the art looked modern, at least what would likely be considered modern on earth. ‘I’m glad they haven’t discovered guns yet...’ she thought, wondering if her speed and reflexes would allow her to dodge a bullet from a modern rifle already and how much damage it would do to her skin or armor. It was hard to tell how much the previously encountered Taleen machinery differed.

“...depends on the caliber...” she mumbled when an attendant walked towards the standing group.

“Aaah, miss Aillan. I am glad to see you back and you’ve brought… company.” the last word was obviously meant as an insult though as Ilea looked at the man she was convinced he didn’t mean it to attack them. It was a simple fact to him that Ilea and Kyrian were lesser beings.

‘Maybe he’s a demon of art...’ Ilea thought and smiled at the man.

“Filemon my dear. I apologize terribly for their attire though it couldn’t be helped. I’ve joined the Hand today and they were assigned to me. I will do my utmost to teach them, do not be concerned.” Eve said while walking around the man and winking at her two waiting team members.

Filemon seemed to be torn between pity and sadness as he looked at the guests. “Alright, alright. Follow me please. Your usual space?” he asked and Eve confirmed with a gesture.

“He’s very sensitive.” she whispered to Ilea and Kyrian.

The group was led upstairs and then towards a corner of the room. Their table was set a little higher than the middle of the room which was a opened up, though Ilea wasn’t sure for what. A dance floor perhaps. At least they could see the whole room and all of the art spaced around it and on its walls.

Ilea had to agree that it looked nice. “How is the food though?” she asked, looking towards Eve who was whispering and giggling with Filemon.

“The food is exquisite my dear warrior.” Filemon turned and said to her, bowing slightly.

“I’d like to start with something you would suggest then. To get a taste.” Ilea said.

“With the refreshments then?” he asked towards the whole group.

“Yes please, some wine and ale as well if you would.” Eve said and Filemon nodded to her.

Ilea found the place to be a little empty, only a couple tables even occupied any customers. “How do they stay afloat?” Ilea asked, a little confused at an establishment like this placed in a rather rough city up in the snowy mountains.

“The hand houses some very rich members and the few who appreciate service and art like this finance the place themselves.” Eve explained, relaxing in her chair.