Before the dreaded descent of the eternal flames and the appearance of the fallen, the humanity which flourished within the old world were accustomed to consuming primarily processed food. Those foods however were still closer to what one could call natural than those which existed almost two hundred years later.
Upon Bastion’s establishment, and with the eternal flames claiming the world for itself, humanity had no choice but to undergo a titanic shift towards artificial food manufacturing. Just like its clothing, almost all food products within Bastion’s great dome were produced by highly advanced machinery mimics. Those that weren’t were the meals that were made using the limited naturally grown ingredients which District 1 produced. However the prices of those meals would make anyone from within the outskirts, or even most of the middle class, eyes pop out from shock.
As a result many could only settle for the machines which replicated any food products which existed before Judgement Day, with the only requirement being the purchasing of the needed nutrients and taste packages. Of course, the chef was not stripped of the honor of forging the meal itself if they so choose, only creating the ingredients instead of a completed meal. Yet that too made the meal’s price rise.
However, beyond the choices of artificial and non artificial, or the choice of it being prepped by a person or not, there was a far more important choice present for the citizens of Bastion.
The mimic did not make the products any healthier than they had been long ago. Instead it recreated its structure faithfully, with only the taste losing some of the original’s luster.
Some were not content with this however, and as such the ‘Guilty Free’ category was forged. These products would be made to appear like the original had, however its nutrients would be altered, leading to a forcible shift towards a guaranteed healthy product.
This meant one could buy a Guilty Free cheese burger for the rest of their lives yet be just as healthy as someone who constantly ate salads and alike.
This came with the side effect of losing much of the food product's original taste which was what prevented it from becoming the norm all throughout Bastion. To the average citizen, a more faithful product was preferable.
Even then, a select few still protested the shift they had taken, wishing to return back to genuine meals instead of what they referred to as: ‘Disguised Filth’.
However, its ability to be mass produced without too many resources needed was what made artificial foods the only viable option for mass consumption within the last stronghold of humanity. This fact cared little for those who wished for what was from a time long since passed.
BEEEEEP!
‘Welcome! Welcome!’
The moment Ciel pushed upon the meat shop’s entrance door, a subtle alarm resounded, followed by a stale robotic voice greeting him.
Paying this no special notice, Ciel’s green eyes calmly scanned the shop’s interior. Before him, to his right and left, refrigerated display counters stretched out, each composed of three layers. To his right raw meats of all varieties laid, all neatly arranged into many categories. To his left were neatly wrapped pre-made meals.
The entire shop radiated a powerful odor fitting of its theme.
How original… Actually, no. This is simply plagiarism…
Sparing the design of the shop a passing thought, Ciel silently took a few steps to his left. To the current him, the taste or quality of the food was of no concern, so long as it would keep his body functioning properly then it would suffice.
The only variable which caused Ciel to spend a minute of inspection was in regard to the item’s price. He was still on a tight budget after all…
After finding the cheapest product, a small dish with roasted lamb accompanied by a side of white rice and a simple toss of greens, Ciel was about to open the glass window to retrieve the pre-made meal when he realized that it was tightly shut.
Only now did he turn his focus to the counter where the register was, finding it empty of any service person. He approached it and soon discovered a small red button. He pressed it expectantly, however nothing occurred.
He waited a few seconds before repeating the action. This time, a voice rang out from the second floor in response.
“Coming!”
Soon heavy steps echoed and a figure appeared from a left corner behind the counter. The figure was that of a broad man with a thick beard, curly light brown hair, and deep black eyes. He wore a black and blue plaid flannel shirt with black jeans and a white apron.
His face seemed somewhat pale, as if he was exiting a sickly period.
Upon locking eyes with Ciel, a wide grin appeared on his thick lips.
“Welcome! My name is Simon, how may I be of service?”
This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.
Ciel’s cold expressionless face suddenly obtained a shallow sense of warmth, he did his utmost to immediately mimic a genuine polite smile.
“Hello Mr. Simon, I wanted to purchase a pre-made meal from your display.”
Hearing his words, Simon’s expression suddenly surged with vigor.
“Ah, of course, of course! I made those meals myself I'll have you know!”
With pure unhidden glee he made his way towards the display and after inquiring as to which one Ciel wished to purchase he unlocked the glass display then retrieved the meal.
“That will be eight credits…”
Simon said.
Ciel quickly withdrew the money then handed a ten credit banknote to Simon. Whilst waiting for the broad Simon to retrieve his change, Ciel inquired casually.
“Say, would you happen to know today’s date?”
Simon retrieved one coin credit and four smaller ones known as bits. He then slid them to Ciel’s side as he reached into his pockets to retrieve his cell-phone. He turned it on then took a second to stare at its screen.
“It is November 7th, Thursday…”
Paying no special notice to Ciel’s request, Simon answered nonchalantly.
Ciel’s smile grew a little wider, yet somewhat eerie as he thanked the broad joyful man.
*****
By early afternoon, the Sun-Ray Stations attached high above on the earth-sky were already growing dim. Since district 11 was located upon Bastion’s third and bottommost layer, not only was the intensity of the sunlight reflected inside less than that of the base layer but by 3PM the brightness would begin to diminish, vanishing entirely by 4:30PM.
Using this knowledge to determine the approximate time, Ciel made the decision to return back to the Hazard Hotel. He was hoping to leave everything behind within room twelve before heading out in the night to at last begin his initial contact with the Red Tiger Gang.
As he walked, his mind churned with swirling thoughts.
November 7th, 183 AJ… That is troubling…
Ciel had previously judged that he was within his preliminary stages of being a homeless rat. Perhaps within June or July. His parents had passed away within April of this year, and it would not be until he made first contact with the Red Tiger Gang in late August that he would have exited the slums to live a life within the outskirts.
However, discovering the date only made his previous state become further enshrouded by mystery.
Why was I buried? Have I already made contact with the Red Tiger Gang? Who took my ‘corpse’ to Stone-Dive's Burial Managing Shop?
He had spent this day accomplishing two goals, those being: reconnaissance, and the acquisition of life necessities.
He had accomplished both to an acceptable level for the day, but come tomorrow he would need to grow aggressive in his approach. His pace was acceptable, however the lingering mysteries were possible hidden dangers that could surface within the near future.
On that note, I need to find a monster to hunt for Rin as well.
Normally, both monsters and aberrations were not encountered through simple desire to do so alone. Ciel however had a strong suspicion that the outskirts were experiencing a surge in aberration activity. His evidence for that conjecture was based on the overly heavy presence of the NSRA officers.
Soon Ciel arrived back at his room after a short exchange with the elderly Neil.
Upon entry he was met with Rin’s familiar figure, one still as motionless as a statue. Her frozen body, which rested beside the sofa, was currently bathed under the lights of a large holographic monitor. Her dazzling crimson eyes seemed eerily focused, not blinking once as they reflected a movie which Ciel did not recognize.
When she heard the door close, followed by his calm steps, her neck twisted slightly. Her lips then parted, exposing the room to a weak but unexplainably sweet voice.
“W-Welcome back…”
She said simply.
Ciel acknowledged her greeting, this time his voice and demeanor were devoid of any false emotions, remaining cold.
He placed everything which he obtained upon the kitchen table before he heard Rin suddenly speak once more.
“Say, were you aware that to activate this device one must merely say the words ‘Start Confirm’ within that order? I-It can not be any other words it seems, o-only those…”
Ciel was first left at a loss as to why she was suddenly speaking of such useless common knowledge, however Rin’s voice carried with it a sense of fascination which quickly allowed for him to make a guess.
Has she never been exposed to human technology before? Hmm, were my assumptions regarding her age incorrect?
“I am.”
In the end, he did not question her and merely answered with an indifferent tone.
“I see…”
Rin said, her vision having returned to the display before her.
Ciel discarded her from his thoughts, instead he shifted his focus towards the meal which he had bought. He began unwrapping it whilst searching for a suitable set of utensils. As he did however, a sudden question arose within his mind.
“Hey Rin, will you need any food? Does your kind live off of the consumption of blood?”
Rin’s head did not stray from the holographic monitor as she answered.
“B-Blood only has mystical significance for my kind. I-I only ever need its replenishment when I have exerted a significant amount of my power. F-Furthermore, I am perfectly capable of surviving without a meal. I-I merely eat for pleasure…”
Ciel nodded.
A monster which never starves, truly the vampiric race are an insidious bunch.
What exposed most monsters was their need for food. No matter how good they may be at concealing themselves, eventually a mistake was inevitable. Once made, the NSRA would soon deal with the issue accordingly, never sparing the resources needed to do so.
Whilst pondering, Ciel walked towards the kitchen table and took a seat. In his hand was a fork with a spoon placed at the plate's side. He had no water, nor did he add any sauces or spices found within the room’s kitchen to liven up his meal.
He simply did not care…
Rin, who was situated not far from where he sat, suddenly felt the presence of a strange odor. Her nose twitched slightly as her deep scarlet eyes shifted towards Ciel’s direction.
Ciel was already lifting the fork, which held a piece of roasted lamb hostage, to his mouth. Rin’s eyes widened slightly before they began to emit a bright crimson glow.
“Halt!”
Ciel’s hand immediately froze mid-motion as his face contorted. Once more his mind was under a powerful attack, that being the unrestrained authority of Rin’s charm.