[Episode] Food Wars!

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March 25th, 1829

Guzzling a bottle of the finest rum, Newport had finally awoken from his long slumber aboard the Wailing Calamity. Forcing Castor to show him around the city, the disguised pirate, this time in the get-up of a priest, he’d be covered in a white veil, tucking his hair below a headdress, and wearing a symbol on his veil’s face which read, ‘Peacekeeper’. Castor’s rock sized beads dangled as he’d walked through the various districts, showing the Helmsman around.

“Sure an upgrade from Lvneel. Everything seems festive and clean. What’s with the get-up this time? Before you were a knight, now a priest? Don’t make me laugh, Cas.”

“Shshshsh. My name is Balthazar, kind sir. I don’t know this Cas, you speak of.”

“Wasn't one of the knights you killed on Lvneel named that... You’re a weird little shit with a sick sense of humor, you know that?”

As the duo continued down the strip, the district they’d be approaching what would be known as the Lantern District. Hung from every stall along the strip, lanterns of various colors and styles would hang, lighting the path for the merchants and food hawkers to strut their stuff. Fireflies often danced around the district, especially at night, unlike other nations, Flevance had seen elongated periods of peace under the Amber King’s reign, the city mourned his absence greatly.

Street performers would put on plays of the King’s abduction, as the bystanders watched in immense glee. At awe either by the quality of the production or the terrible acting of the camp. The Lantern District was known for a vibrant street culture, as light bounced off the white stone paved roads, it’d seem as if the road itself glimmered, like a freshly shone metal.

Eventually, the men stumbled upon a line that’d curved the bend of the street. Voices heckling orders out like madmen in a psych ward came into Castor’s radar. It’d be times like this where he’d turn it off, or at least tune out, he couldn’t stop being a lightning man, even Logia’s had their disadvantages outside of combat. Joining the line, Newport boozed his life away, unsure about his Captain’s next course of action, but as a posse of ladies; out on the town came dazzling by, Newport patted Castor on his back, and became one with the night.

Wrapping his arms around the ladies necks, he’d look over his shoulder with a perverse face, and seemingly drool lapping from his mouth, glare at the Imp, and with one final head nod, he’d be off. Castor understood that gesture all too well, don’t look for him for the next few days. Newport had a common pattern, come into town, meet a lady and her friends, shack up at their houses, rob their significant others/family members, and hit the road once he’d had his fun.

I guess, even old men needed some way to kill their time.

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Standing patiently in line for his time to be served, Castor was approached by his newest recruit in Doctor Ai. As the male teased him about his outfit, he’d wondered why his crew couldn’t be more supportive of his roleplaying hobbies. His eye twitching beneath the veil, “Let’s just… not let Jazzy know about this okay.” Castor whispered, signaling for the doctor to bend over so he could whisper in his ear. To his second statement, “Whatever do you mean? I am but a humble missionary of the lord… Searching for nourishment at the end of a long day.” Castor responded, ignoring the man’s shaming with a display of flamboyant dialogue.

“May Lord Bless You, Brother Ai. Shall we grab a bite to eat?” Castor exclaimed, chuckling slightly after, unable to take himself easily, playing a knight took him some time at first to adjust to, surely, being a priest would as well. The exchange between the two was interrupted by the sound of ‘ooo’s’ and ‘aaahs’ ahead. Misty, the cook of the local stir fry that’d attract the long queue, was busy doing what made her famous, flicking, flipping and searing the ingredients in her large style wok with flare and pizzazz.

Meanwhile, her father, the owner and cashier of the establishments was interrupted from raking in the cash by an odd phone call from the restaurant owner a block over.

“Johnny…. You ain't making much sense. Run that by me again?”


“There’s a giant in Flevance. He’s hitting up all the food spots and buying them out! Our staff can’t keep up to his rambunctious appetite.” the restaurant owner informed his long time friend.

“Ah… A Giant appetite. Hahaha! Why would we be scared of that Johnny Boy-o! You're losing your edge! We welcome all kinds of stomachs in our field.”

“I don’t think you understand! He’s scaring away our other patrons with his… size.”

Unable to follow the reason by his old buddies call, “Look. I’ll be on the lookout! We’re swamped and other staff are on vacation at the moment. I’ll chat with ya’ later, capiche.”

“Jack! You don’t understand-”

As the sound of the Den Den Mushi hanging up translated through the ears of the Highline Food owner, Jack turned his attention to increasing heads that needed to be fed.

Meanwhile, outside on the street strip, the sound of citizens fleeing chimed in on Castor’s radar. Peering over his shoulder, a massive shadow towered towards the sky, and with the murmurs from the fleeing personages and his own eyesight, a Giant’s silhouette came into focus.

However, Castor didn’t mind it much, he’d already seen a Giant in the West, honestly, he was desensitized at this stage but it wasn’t a common sight - so he’d understand the locals angst. Shrugging, he'd avoid the darting bodies like a matador would incoming bull charges.

After all, Giant’s didn’t have the greatest reputation for being friendly towards human folk - well when it comes to story books and historical accounts, as Castor based most of his opinions off of the pages he’d frequently browse as a youth.

As the crowd caught up to their position on the street, the news of the giant's arrival spread like wildfire, diminishing the queue in front of the duo until it'd be ghost town numbers. Though the Giant hadn’t arrived at their position, not showing any signs of moving shortly, either and as such Castor decided since Lvneel to take incidents as they came.

After all, the giant hadn’t troubled him and he wasn’t in a position to keep too much noise on Flevance.

Traversing to the front of the line, Castor entered into the small street side shop, glaring at the shop owner through his veil. Hopping onto the stool, opting dine at the counter, Castor ordered two bowls of the famous stir fried noodles for himself and The Doctor, “Ah. If I could get them not so spicy. May Lord Bless You, Kind Sir.” Castor declared.

Nervously cringing at the man’s words for some reason, something was off about this priest in Jack’s eyes.

“Sure. You plan to remove that veil though… How are you going to eat?”

Flicking off the veil, and revealing his long spiky white and black hair, the Captain’s off white ceremonial hung loosely off his slouched posture.

“Gashi Gashi… You’re right.” Castor declared with no real argument to the man’s statement, just a blank expression and a pondering face as per usual, creating a super awkward silence. The already silent mood in the shop due to the fleeing customers also didn’t compliment the new situation as it unfolded.

Approaching from behind the curtain, handing over her duties to the sous chef, Misty exited the kitchen in her traditional buttoned up chef wear, and examined the customers before her.

Scanning the room commenting in her thoughts, “A priest and a pretty boy… Sounds like the setup for a lousy joke.”

Turning her attention to the white haired man’s hairstyle, Misty would march to her father’s position behind the counter.

“Yer a lousy conversationalist ain’tcha midget?” Misty inquired, her crude manner of speech could’ve been interpreted as rude but that’d be the only way she’d know to express herself.

Tilting his head to the side momentarily to ponder at the woman’s inquiry, “Depends on who I’m talking to and the topic at hand. I only became a priest today though, preferably no deep dives about the Lord, whoever that is.” Castor retorted, slouching into the palm of his right hand.

“You’d think the Lord would be yer speciality. You're a weird dude. Pops! What’s with all the noise outta here? Where did all the customers go?” Misty inquired.

“No clue. I heard some murmurs about a giant going around but I don’t know what’s so scary about a monster appetite. All men must eat, for a price.” Jack concluded.

“Ah. Someone who likes to eat, eh? I accept the challenge.” Misty declared, father and daughter breaking into laughter abruptly after the statement.

“That’s my gal!” Jack shouted.

“Umm... I don't mean to interrupt your family comedy act but I think they aren't talking about a Giant of an Appetite. They mean a real giant. You know… The ones from the stories who eat humans. Sink ships. Towers over several feet into the heavens-”

Castor’s statement was cut off by laughter once again.

“Mr. Priest. Come on. You must be joking. A giant in the North Blue? Those things are story book events. Flevance hasn’t ever seen a giant race member in… centuries maybe? To us, that’s just the fictional creations of authors.” Jack chimed in.

“That’s like… Three Eyed people! Impossible.” Misty reinforced, nodding her head in approval.

Smirking, Castor would motion his finger, summoning the chef before him.

Lifting up the spiky parts of hair, Castor would reveal his hairline, and more importantly his third eye, which would consecutively wink at Misty.

Her skin became swamped with goosebumps and she’d freeze in place. Extending her finger out, she’d poke the man in his eye, causing Castor to wince in pain and Misty to screech out in terror, fainting onto the floor.

Next up, the father, unable to see the man’s forehead from that angle, looked on at the situation puzzled. Following in her daughter’s footsteps, he’d circle around at the Three Eye Tribesman, gawking at his extra eye, and once again, he’d extend his finger to inspect if the eye was real.

This time, Jack would’ve been met with a slight jolt of lightning.

“Stop tyring to stick your dirty fingers in my eyes, jeez.” Castor said slightly annoyed but in a lazily manner.

Jack was now also out for the count.

Sighing, “Let’s hope they wake up in time before our food gets cold, Doc.” Castor stated, motioning his hand in a fanning manner, a gesture done in a labor of hunger.

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Gashi Gashi Gashi

Extending his index finger in a gun like manner, Castor would discharge a small volt of electricity to ‘restart’ the slumbering cooks. Both daughter and dad would wake up screaming at the top of their lungs before staring at each other, ceasing the frantic noise.

“See. Fixed it. Now that stomach of yours can stop roaring shortly.” Castor responded, adjusting his hair to conceal his third eye once again. The Doctor would come to the realization that the giant present in Flevance was an old acquaintance of his, a man by the name of Jim Boboddy.

“Strange name. I’ve met a Giant once in the West Blue. His name was Stannis. I promised to meet him again one day in Paradise. Even offered him a spot on my crew. If your friend has a bit of the temper, I can intervene if his rampages get too violent.” Castor stated, slouching over on the counter as he’d wait for his two chefs to realise the food was coming to an almost burned state.

Rushing into the kitchen, Misty resumed her role at the helm, dumping the burned dishes and opting to re-cook them both for Castor and Ai. Curious at the Giant’s personality, Castor inquired about any scrap metals they have lying around the kitchen, after commanding her father to gather them all before him, the Pirate Captain would conduct all the metals, merging them into a giant size bowl.

“Fill as many orders of what we’re having into this bowl. I’ll cover it. Ai. Since we’re waiting on our extra orders, how about you go and invite Jim to eat with us? I’d be fascinated in meeting another Giant.”

“G-G-Giant?! You’re going to have that monster eat here-” the father’s words were silenced by both Misty pressing a knife at his back and Castor extending a finger towards his forehead.

“Paying customers no matter the size or race aren’t monsters!” Misty shouted with authority.

“Any friend of Ai’s, a friend of mine. I’ll ask you to treat him with respect, Gashi Gashi Gashi.” Castor declared, laughing shortly after the declaration. Sighing, the father was silenced, opting to go wash up the dishes in the kitchen.

“I’m sorry. My dad means well but… He’s not exactly the most open minded.” Misty declared, scratching her head nervously. “It’s fine. I’m accustomed to the discrimination. I'm also aware that not all humans are of the same opinion.” Castor retorted.

Meanwhile, in the streets, news of the giant's arrival made it to the Amber Lead Kingdom’s Royal Guard. A platoon of knights are being disbursed to inspect the situation within the Kingdom, as Giant’s were exactly a race that was common on Flevance. Especially, with the Giant’s reputation of being a fierce warrior race.

As the knights marched on the town, the leaders of the platoon exchanged ideas on how to deal with the situation at hand. Everything from commanding the Giant to leave, engaging in combat or maybe even communicating the massive beings wants and needs. One things for sure, it wasn’t an issue the men could’ve ignored.

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As Ai exited the shop in search of his friend, Boboddy, Castor watched as the woman passionately prepared the dishes for the posse. The window peered into the kitchen from the counter-side seat perfectly captivating the woman’s expertise, her hand gracefully dicing the fresh daikon, parsley and various spices for the noodle’s soup.

Fully decorating Castor’s bowl with noodles, beef cutlets, soup, the women presented the pirate with a dish which aroma would flood the shop, trickling into the streets. A scent so robust it’d cause water to spring from the pirate’s mouth, reaching for a disposable pair of chop-sticks from the holster on the counter.

“Dig in. It’ll take me awhile to finish everyone else’ order. That’s just to hold ya’ over.” Misty announced proudly, as she’d return back into the kitchen with a confident strut. Her father on the other hand was less accepting of the situation, sitting in the corner behind the counter-top examining the man’s every movement.

About to set sail on a journey towards all new flavors, Castor’s utensil went but mere inches into the broth before hearing Ai’s mention of hostile men on his electro-radio’s radar. Sighing, the Captain would rest the chop-sticks atop the bowl, and giving notice, he’d simply disappear from his position seat in an instant flicker.

The eyes inside of Misty’s father’s eye sockets almost ballooned outward, as the man seemingly disappeared like a ghostly figure would, complimented even more so by the fact the priest was dressed in all white.

“Be right back. Gashi Gashi Gashi.” the Captain offered before being spirited away.

Bursting into the kitchen, Misty’s father knocked the wok out of her hand in frustration.

“Why are you agreeing to feed those monsters?! Did you see how nasty that extra eye of his looked?! Peering at us! It made me sick to my stomach!” Misty’s father barked in fear.

Snatching the wok from the man’s hand, the woman continued to cook her spicy noodle dish

“I just serve paying customers. I don’t care about their race or occupation. Whether it’s a priest or a wanted criminal… Hungry customers just need us to be their safe haven. That’s all.” Misty announced proudly, continuing to slave away over the stove.

Stunned at his daughter's response, the restaurant owner understood that his daughter didn’t share his views on the situation, and opted to take matters into his own hands.

“I’m sorry, Misty.”

Striking the woman in the nape of her neck, a look of astonishment filled the child’s eyes as her body fell into her father’s arms.

“I’m doing this to protect us. If the guards are looking for that Giant, we can’t be held housing criminals. The world isn’t as kind as you think.” Misty’s father concluded, carrying his daughter in the recreational room adjacent to the kitchen.

Heading over to his personal cabinet, the man ruffled through the cupboards before stumbling across a small vial. It contained a colorless liquid, which was accompanied with an ‘X’ made of bones on it’s labelling. Putting on his apron, the chef entered into the kitchen, then to the front of the shop, dropping two single droplets into Castor’s meal.

He’d then return to the kitchen, and empty the vial into the lion’s share of noodles, which were to be divided between Ai and the Giant’s bowl. With a grim expression, the chef continued to finish off the meal that his daughter had already started, with much more nefarious ingredients added to the pot.