C10 The cafeteria

But it was too late, they were off like a rocket. She ran up along the wall as if gravity simply didn’t exist for her, leaping out across a sand garden, then climbing up the sheer glass wall.

Gerald felt like his arm was going to come out of its socket.

The kitchen area protruded out into the spacious cafeteria like a horseshoe.

“Five hundred forty-five different species here at Central Exeter, and these chefs work round the clock to prepare haute cuisine for each of their distinct pallets,” Ilrica explained, handing him a tray.

“Wow, that’s impressive.”

Gerald had never seen so many different kinds of exotic foods in his life. Tanks of swimming creatures, bubbling stews swirling with glowing mist, trays of living noodles.

All the strange and exotic spices kind of fused together into an aroma which was both bizarre and heavenly at the same time.

“Central Exeter is a marketplace of philosophies and cultures. They stress respect and tolerance for all,” she explained as they walked. “Seriously, don’t go over to that aisle. That is where the carrion-eaters are served.”

She shivered. “Bleh. Nasty people.”

“Wow, look at this, little dried baby alligators,” he said, pointing to a barrel.

“Kamanchhi, so what?”

“No, it’s just I’ve never seen alligator-like thingies that small, and there’s a whole barrel of them with a scoop. Just like gummy bears.”

Ilrica snatched up a bat wing from a tray and began nibbling on it. “You wanna try some of them?”

“Absolutely,” he said, grabbing the scoop.

While she prattled on, he searched through the rows of fresh produce, finally settling on a little root vegetable that smelled like a cross between a turnip and feet.

“Aren’t you going to have anything?” he asked as they approached the register.

“I only eat what I hunt. The free range cafeteria is outside.”

“You really weren’t kidding about the hunting, were you?”

When he reached the register he found it abandoned. He peeked behind the glowing monitors floating in the air and saw an adorable little purple kitten sitting on the stool.

“Aww, that’s cute, someone brought their pet with them.”

“Who are you calling a pet?” the kitten spat. “My people are warriors. We have conquered hundreds of worlds over the millennia.”

“Hi Esma,” Ilrica said, leaning over Gerald’s shoulder.

The purple kitten bowed formally. “Your people hunted alongside us during the Age of Ragnarok, you have my respect.” Esma turned back to Gerald. “We crap bigger than you.”

“Sorry about that,” he said, swiping his I.D. through the reader and scurrying away. The reader heated up and then died, letting out a whif of smoke.

“They really do, too,” Ilrica added as she sat down, the chair reforming itself to comfortably match her body shape. “Their physical bodies are only how they manifest on a planet. Out in space, their true form is over a hundred meters tall.”

“That’s amazing.” Gerald paused as his chair fluctuated for a few moments, then took the shape of a bicycle seat. He lifted the hem of his robes and awkwardly straddled his legs over it to sit down as best he could.

“So, do you like me yet?” Ilrica asked, intentionally batting her big emerald eyes.

“You’re not very subtle are you?” he said, taking a bite of the turnip-thing. “Woo! That is pungent.”

She leaned back and laughed. It was sharp and predatory. “Subterfuge is a tool of the weak. A true hunter has no need for it.”

“I see.”

“But seriously, you’re not going to tell anyone, right?”

He picked up a dried Kamanchhi. “I dunno, wouldn’t that be a kind of subterfuge?”

The humor left her face. Her tall ears dropped in irritation.

Gerald chuckled. “Yeah, sure, why not?”

She smiled. “Good, let’s go to class, then.”

“Wait, I haven’t finished my...”

She grabbed his hand and they were off again.

When they reached the classroom, Gerald had twigs and leaves in his hair from being dragged through a tree in the courtyard. He moved to clean them out, but Ilrica didn’t give him a chance.

“Go ahead and introduce yourself, I have a couple errands to run. If they call out my name, just say I’m here.”

“But...”

The door swished open and she pushed him in. Before he could say anything it was closed again and she was gone.