278 A shock before lunch

Last thing I need to do is take care of that camera. We don't want to leave behind any video evidence of Jake's new style of fighting. The pugilist was wearing a camera mounted on a helmet. Before he stepped close to the broken hive containing the honey, he placed that helmet a distance away.

I grab the piece of technology and smash it to the ground a few times. My efforts aren't rewarded as the equipment proves quite durable.

<This stuff is specially made for dungeon delves. It's really durable and, unlike most technology, can work inside the dungeon. I'll be right there.>

Space beside me ripples and one of Navi's bodies steps out next to me. How come you are here?

"Why wouldn't I be? That camera is not going to take care of itself, you know."

"I just thought high level forces weren't allowed to be dispatched to low level areas."

"Well, technically I wasn't spawned in but used space magic to come over. Also, I'm not here to fight so there will be no problem. Now, the camera?"

She expectantly presents me her opened hand. I give her the helmet and watch her fold that helmet like a sheet of paper. Then, she rips the camera off the helmet with little to no effort and tosses the folded piece of metal to the side.

With the camera in hand, she winks at me and blinks back out of existence. So, we are back to just the voice in my head.

<Awww, are you disappointed that you can't ogle my magnificent form any longer?>

I have a wife and while you are beautiful, I prefer Melody over you any day. It's actually quite weird when you are present with a physical body. I've grown way more accustomed to you just being a disembodied voice in my head.

<That does tend to happen.>

How's Jake doing? He got killed but managed to almost wipe these guys out.

<He leveled up a bunch of times and is now visiting Ptorimea to see his evolution choices. He'll probably take the bee kin evolutions if it's an option and at that your job is already considered completed.>

Really? I though I'd need to help him acquire a few more skills.

<You will but he seems to be over the hill. Now we just have to keep him rolling. And, speaking of skills, you will be making some skill books this afternoon. That means you don't get to stuff yourself with Pata's food.>

I don't do that of my own free will! The moment I start eating I can't stop!

<I never said it was your fault. I'll make sure to tell Pata to limit your portions.>

I enter the darkness for a while until I reappear in my room. Off to grab another fantastic lunch.

I enter the employee dining hall and my heart damn near stops. Melody is standing behind the counter of Pata's kitchen. She's cleaning the place and I don't see Pata around so there might yet be time to get her out of there. I don't want to be served my wife for lunch!

"Melody!"

I call out to her in a hushed voice.

"Oh, Guy! Have you come to get some lunch?"

"Shush, quick, get out of there!"

"Why are you shushing me? And why should I get out of here? I am working!"

"That's Pata's kitchen, he serves people who get in as food! Get out before he comes back!"

Melody completely disregards my sense of urgency as she half turns and yell towards the back of the kitchen.

"Pata, is it true that you serve people who enter your kitchen as food?"

I swear, that woman has no survival instincts!

Pata comes out of the back before I can do anything more and I already prepare myself to fight him and buy Melody time to escape.

"Serve people who enter my kitchen? Well there was one young scylla lass who was prancing about. I cooked her up good, taught her not to mess with my kitchen!"

"Will you cook me too then?"

"Why would I? Ever since you came along, my favorite pot shines again and the kitchen is spotless. I'll have to learn have to make sure to learn how you get stuff that clean!"

"Only if you teach me how to cook stuff to the point where people can't stop eating it."

"Deal!," he spots me and saunters over, "My Guy! Didn't see you there. You here to eat?"

"Indeed, what's on the menu today?"

"Menu? Forget the menu! Everyone keeps ordering whatever they feel like anyway so we are serving a la carte. And by that I mean tell me your wishes and I'll make them."

I have to choose? But there are so many delicious dishes to choose from… what should I pick?

Melody sees my plight and decides to help me out.

"I'll take my lunch break now. Pata, we'll both have pumpkin-curry soup with sausage. And please, add a dash of milk, we don't want it too spicy."

Melody gathers her cleaning supplies and leaves them in a corner of the dining hall so they get into no one's way. We both sit at a table and wait.

"That dish…"

Melody gives me a knowing smirk.

"I thought a run down memory lane might be fun."

"Oh, I sense gossip, care to share?"

Navi materializes on the seat next to Melody with a cajoling smile. Someone has been listening a bit too much.

"This is the second time you've done this today. Are you bored and need to find something to occupy your time?"

"Quite the opposite, I've been running around all day. With Darwin on holiday and Tele on an outside mission, I have to pick up the slack when it comes to spatial transportation. It's terribly exhausting so some good gossip would really make my day."

I don't intend to tell Navi about this but Melody seems inclined to share.

"It's not like it's a secret or something worthy of being called gossip. But if you really want to know I guess I can tell you."