Now, two hours later, Kael was standing outside of Tralin-Station, waiting for Martin to arrive.

Martin had been the one to suggest meeting here when Kael told him about the shopping he needed to get done today. Kael could hear the tension in his friend's voice when they had talked earlier today. Ever since he had told Martin that there was something he wanted to talk about but refused to do so over the phone, they had not messaged each other a whole lot. The tension did not feel bad as if they had had a fight, but it was still there, waiting to be released soon.

Martin had texted Kael just a few hours earlier, indicating that he would be free after twelve o'clock today. Kael knew that he could not postpone the conversation any longer. Not that he really wanted to in the first place. A relaxed day with his friend would at the very least keep his mind occupied. The only downer was waiting beside one of the busiest stations in the city.

Thankfully, he did not have to wait long. Just five minutes later, Kael could see the burgundy clad figure of his friend coming out of the station entrance. The two exchanged a quick greeting before moving, both unwilling to spend more time than necessary surrounded by way too many people.

Soon they were strolling through the big pedestrian area that they had come here for. Kael did not have a plan for what he needed to buy but a few essentials, so they decided to get their shopping done before getting a coffee and sitting down to talk. Most of what he needed was quick to find or could be brought in one of the local super-markets. One item that was harder to find and thus required more time were clothes.

In the past, it had always been his mother that brought him his clothes. Then, when he was in the orphanage, there were hand-me-downs or the staff that brought clothes for the kids. And on the street, well. On the streets, there was not much choice involved. Now that came back to bite him, as the only clothing stores, and consequently their fashion, he knew, were the ones he had entered looking for work. Thus making him somewhat reluctant to visit them once again. That was where Martin came in. While not a fashion aficionado himself, he would at least be able to show him a few shops that sold quality and reasonably priced attires.

A few excruciatingly long hours later, Kael and Martin sat in one of the local bakeries, sipping a coffee. For the tenth time since they sat down, Kael looked at the mountain of shopping bags that sat beside them. Never in his life had he spent that much money on, well, on anything really. It made sense that he would buy a lot since he needed not just one outfit, but multiple, but damn. Did he really spend almost his entire advance just on clothes?

"So, Kael. What happened? What was so important that you could not talk about it on the phone?" Martin's question brought Kael's attention back to reality. "Haa. It's not like I don't want to talk about it on the phone. There is just a lot to unpack, and I felt it better to do it in person. Also, I needed some time to clear my head before I could talk about it in the first place." - "Sounds serious. Is it about us? I am sorry about bringing you to that restaurant without telling you about it first. In my defense though, I did not expect the owner to come out and meet us. If you" - "No! No, God no. It's not that. This is not about us, well, not directly anyway."

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And so he began telling his friend about what happened after they left the restaurant. His indecision, fears, and finally his realization after the visit to his sister.

"Wow." - "Yea. Wow." Agreed Kael. "And now you work in that restaurant? In the very same restaurant that served food so good, I was still dreaming about it hours later? Do you get some kind of discount? Do you even know how hard it was to get a reservation there? They only reserve about 70% of their tables, you know. So that passersby can have a chance, I guess. Do you think you could, maybe, like, get me a table?" Martin's words were beginning to trip over themselves. "Woah! Slow down there, buddy. Slow down! Take a drink or something." Kael said and demonstratively pushed Martin's cup closer to him.

Martin, apparently not done talking, took his cup and emptied the rest of its contents into his mouth, before pushing the now empty cup away. "Fuck! Don't you know how amazing that is? Argh. Look who I am asking. Of course, you don't. Listen. While the restaurant may seem ordinary from the outside, there are so many stories about what goes on in its back rooms. Meetings between high-ranking mages. A secret dining room that only certified mages can visit. Food using magical ingredients, and don't get me started on the rumors surrounding your new boss."

His friend's rant stunned Kael a little. The restaurant and his coworkers just seemed way too... normal for what Martin was describing. "I don't know, Martin. Everything seems perfectly normal to me, and I have never seen Edward use anything more magical than his hands. And honestly? Even if there is more to it, that is not my problem for now. I'll just try to fit in, and, if everything goes well, join the school later this year." That finally calmed Martin down somewhat. "Yea, sorry. There was just so much interesting stuff to read when I investigated that place. You sound like it, but are you doing well there?"

Kael smiled as he said: "Yes. There is much to learn, but... I feel good there. Doing something productive, you know." - "And the great food helps too, I imagine." - "Haha! You know it. Yesterday Edward, the chef, made this amazing fish stock. Pure it was already divine, but when he used it to make a risotto... I am really, really glad that I get to work in the kitchen!" He had not even finished uttering his heartfelt statement when Martin dramatically clutched his chest. "Ouch! You hurt me! My heart can't take this abuse much longer. You get to try something YOU describe as divine, and I have to eat dry tofu over a bunch of grass that my mother calls a salad. How are you going to make that up to me, Huh?"

Seeing his friend's act, Kael could not stop himself, and he let out a loud belly laugh. Martin joined him soon after, and the disapproving looks they were getting from the other guests only made them laugh harder. Still giggling, they grabbed their bags, paid, and left the bakery. As they wanted to continue talking, Martin quickly decided on escorting Kael back to the restaurant. "And you're sure you don't just want to leech some food off of your friend?" His vehement denial was not helped by his frequent mentions of the amazing food on offer in the restaurant or how it was time for dinner already.