“I’d like to, Sett, but that conversation drained a lot from me. And besides, it looks evening already.” It’s dark outside but it’s even darker than before. The glowing bazaar is gone. There’s only pitch-black darkness from the small window we have outside. “I think I want to sl-” I stopped when I heard my stomach growl. “Did Rashid eat before I took over his body?”
“I don’t think so.” Sett thought, “But don’t worry, Farah just finished cooking her new dish.”
Something great is happening in the other compartment of the room. A clash of spices filled the air and embraced the hunger in my stomach. “That smells good,” I said, “What is it?”
“Balaam Stew with a special ingredient,” Faira grabbed the bag of leather we stole this morning and opened it. Inside are golden threads that smelled like fragrant earth. “Golffron”
Once everything is done, we grabbed our bowls and shoveled in. The taste is a thousand times better than the smell. Whatever this meat is, it isn’t pork nor beef but something in between. It melts in your mouth and the sauce gives a velvety butter back-up for taste. I was practically filled to the brim after my fourth bowl.
“Thanks for the meal. I’d like to grab another bowl but this stomach is so small.” Not like my previous pudgy belly in the previous world.
“You really aren’t Rashid are you?” Faira said.
“You’re still doubting me?”
“As of now, no. Rashid doesn’t give compliments and he does not pat his belly like a drunkard.” What’s bad about patting your gut after a nice meal? You don’t get to eat a new exotic dish every day.
“Well, I’m pooped out. See you guys tomorrow.” I said but not before Faira stopped me.
“Since you’re not Rashid anymore,” Faira smirked. “It’s time that you take your turn on washing the dishes.”
Augh…
Washing the dishes took a longer time than I expected to. Their civilization is primitive so there’s not like a tap-water in this place. They don’t have dishwashers or dishwashing liquid either. But they have a loofah and I’m glad that it’s rough enough to scrub the grit and solidified fat. After washing the dishes, I returned to my hammock and slept soundly.
There are no dreams that day except for the sweet embrace of the abyss.
—
“Wake up!” Sett shouted in my ear.
“Wai- What?” It’s so early. There’s no light outside yet.
“Of course there’s no light outside. It’s Wiq’fa.” Faira said as she opened up the torn curtains.
“Wiq’fa? What’s Wiq’fa.”
“It’s the eighth day of the week. It’s a rest day, no one’s working so no bazaar”
“If it’s rest day then why did you disturb me from my rest?”
“Because you’re either going with me and give the excess Gaffron to our superior or go with Sett to the Arcanum and return these,” Faira showed the stack of books behind her.