At a quarter to three, Dirk, Kaye, Kyanosa, and Canopus walked into Sydnei’s, the restaurant where the welcoming dinner was to be held. Fashioned of thick-walled wood like most of the village but left unpainted to give it that rustic look, it was conveniently set right near the arena and the combatant housing. Canopus joked that even Kyanosa would be able to find it and was promptly smacked. They passed through the first room, which held five rectangular tables filled with six people each, and into the larger one, filled with three rectangular tables and eight circular ones, across from the front door. They sat at the closest table to the door and looked around.
Dirk nodded. “Lots of seating, televisions in nearly every corner, hopefully some staff…she has a very nice setup here.”
“Hopefully the food’s good. I mean it is free…” Kaye said.
“Oh, it is. I’ve eaten at her place before. And it’s only free to the sixty-four of us.”
“Well good. I’m pretty hungry.” Kaye said.
“I’m famished. When do we eat?” Kyanosa looked around for a waitress.
Dirk shrugged. “I guess when everybody gets here.” He looked around for a second and was met with a flash of black and red as Kyanosa sailed out of his seat and tackled the next person to walk in the room.
“Kyanosa. That’s no way to get service,” Canopus said rolling his eyes.
Kyanosa smiled and sat up, opening his arms wide. He looked at the thin young man under him wearing the white sneakers, black shirt with frayed edges where the sleeves had been torn off, plaid pants held up by a length of thick chain, and studded bracelets on his wrists and neck. He ran a hand through the new guy’s spiked yellow hair. “Josh! How’s death been?”
Josh shoved Kyanosa off, grinning. “Kyanosa, you bum! Where’s my gun and dagger?”
Kyanosa laughed and stood, helping Josh back up to his full six feet. “Come on, sit, sit. Everybody remembers Josh, right?”
“Hey Josh. It’s great to see you.” Kaye said with a smile.
Canopus simply waved. Josh snarled at him.
Kyanosa sat Josh down at the opposite end of the table. “Hey hey. We’re all friends here.”
Josh crossed his arms. “Yeah, well, I would have been alive for the last six months if Mister Ice-Veins over there hadn’t sat in that shield.”
Dirk continued looking around the room. “You don’t know that.”
“I really am sorry Josh,” Kaye said.
Josh waved a hand at her. “I’m mostly okay with it now. Besides, that’s why I’m here, right? To wish to be alive again?” He smiled at them all. “And looking at the competition, I have this in the bag.”
Kyanosa laughed. Kaye and Dirk smiled. Canopus focused on the wall.
“I’m glad you have that confidence,” Kaye said. “I don’t.”
“Hey.” Kyanosa placed a hand on her shoulder, realized what he was doing, and rubbed it back and forth quickly before retreating it. “You’ll do great. Wind masters excel at ring-out matches.”
“Somehow I don’t think it’ll be that easy, but thanks for the vote of confidence.” She grinned.
Dirk looked at her. “Depends on who you fight.”
“Hello. Welcome to Sydnei’s. Here are your menus.” A human with lavender hair pulled up under a handkerchief stood next to their table. She placed five menus on the table. “What would you like to drink tonight?”
“Water’s fine, but I’d also like some mint tea please.” Kaye said, when it was obvious everyone was waiting for her.
Kyanosa looked over the menu. “Whatever your main soda is, please.”
Canopus nodded at Kyanosa. “Same.”
Josh looked at Sydnei. “Coffee, please.”
Dirk stared ahead. “My usual.”
“I thought I’d see you three here,” Sydnei said with a friendly smile as she wrote down their orders. “Who are your friends?”
“This is Kaye Glenwater and Joshua Renil, some old friends from back when I first met Kyanosa. They’re competing too.”
“Pleased to meet you both. I’m Sydnei. This is my restaurant.”
“Nice to meet you.” Kaye said.
Josh nodded.
“I’ll get your drinks, go over the menu and I’ll be back in a few minutes.” Sydnei headed back toward the kitchen.
Kyanosa grinned at Dirk who decided to ignore him.
“So if you guys know this place, that means you can recommend what’s good on the menu too.” Kaye said looking it over.
“All of it. Why do you think I recommended her?” Dirk replied.
Kaye laughed. “Well that’s not much help.”
Sydnei appeared again, expertly balancing a tray on one hand, she dispensed everyone’s drink to the correct person. “Everyone ready to order?”
The group quickly placed their orders, which Sydnei wrote down, and then she headed back to the kitchen.
