Free Food?!

For a moment, it felt like an earthquake passed through her stomach. The noise of her complaining stomach hardly unable to be held quiet made the yokai frown, the thought of embarrassment pushed away by a greater strength of will. The power of sass was not to be trifled with, and the oni had plenty of that. Too fatigued to hold up her human disguise since she had practically used that to spread the flyers without having to deal with gawking Humans, the pale skinned oni stepped inside the cafe. With a coupon in her possession and a hunger that could make any oni legendary, there was little doubt about the next course of action.

The cafe revealed itself to be clean yet simple. The sort she could find in Kabukicho but with much better hygiene, less dubious food and drinks and clean tables and chairs. The people seated around were not the poor sods hoping to find a spoonful of watered down soup (was it even soup?) but comfortably dressed people eating hearty meals. Even if this was not a chique high-class place, in the eyes of the oni it was a huge step up from what she was used to deal with.

Taking place at a two-person table a little out of the way of most glances, plenty of eyes would not fail to spot the anomaly in the Human area. The oni cared little for them. Black eyes would apathetically glance back before breaking eye contact, gliding over the menu instead where the list of dishes and drinks would practically drown her mind in options. More than just soup and old bread. Amazing. Not even knowing half of the dishes, Akari eyed the coupon she had received as a bonus reward and eventually settled for something that sounded tasty - spicy duck.

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Ordering: Spicy Duck - 4,500 ryo | +2 adv Str and Coor
Using: Coupon ^-^
XP: 5

A waitress would approach her table, eyes darting up and down in incertitude when she saw the yokai sitting at the table. She wasn't sure how to deal with a non-Human client but Akari disregarded her discomfort and placed her order without second thought. Pointing at the menu, she simply requested a filling of 'Spicy Duck' and waved the coupon she got as a payout for a job well done. The waitress scribbled down the request and moved on, leaving the yokai alone to deal with her gnawing hunger and the hope its preparation wouldn't take too long. All by herself, she'd observe the table. Its quality, its form, the materials used. The cuts left from former users, the wettened surface still drying from the dishrag that had quickly passed to take away dirt and spill. Every inkling of detail would be noticed. Everything so she didn't need to think about the hunger in her stomach and the tick of the clock that passed so slowly in the moment.

With little more to see she'd move over to using her ears. Listening in on conversations, picking up gossip and local banter. Something about spilling lemonade on a dress, the market doing rather well, doubt about buying shares in some company or another, a friend being too much of a braggart. Nothing of real interest for a wanderer or shinobi like herself. Nothing to have time tick faster as she waited for the food to be prepared.

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XP 10

After what had felt like an eternity, food had finally arrived. The scent of roasted duck brought to flavour with spices teased her nostrils, baked potatoes covered with sauce and hearty vegetables greeted her. Mouth watering. Akari had not seen or had anything remotely as tasty looking as this and didn't hesitate to dig into the dish after she gave a quick thanks. Starved as she was, finishing the plate took far less time than preparing it and after a couple of minutes all that remained was the white plate with some blotches of sauce. Leaning back with a satisfied smile and dreamy eye, the oni enjoyed the sensation of a full belly.

Moments later, the empty plate would be taken away and the bill would come. Akari handed in the coupon, which got accepted comprehensively and with the waitress thanked the oni for her visit, Akari left her table to the next customer, walking out of the cafe with satisfaction.

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EXIT

XP 15