I was tempted to go straight to the museum. Getting a jump start on the quest was the smart thing to do, but much like a child out shopping with their mother during the holidays, I was easily distracted by the things displayed in the other store windows. There were a few more weapon shops and it seemed like each of them specialized in a different type of armament. One store had a plethora of large barreled rifles that sat on racks, while the store right next to it hung out grappling hooks and spears. I imagined putting one of those on the beetle and trying to reel in something with it. Then I imagine the beetle getting dragged down the highway because of how small and light the car was. A thought that actually made me chuckle.

“Find something you like, Little Worm?”

The voice made me jump and knock my head against the glass window. I rubbed my head and turned to a woman with pointed ears and long brown hair cackling at me. With the zipped up leather jacket and matching pants she looked like an elven biker chick.

“Hello Venomgrin,” I said, recognizing the woman.

“Well, well. Glad you remember me.”

“Why wouldn’t I? It’s only been a couple of days since we met.”

Grinny shrugged. “Feels longer. So, since you're here, I take it you’re on the slayer quest.”

I nodded. “I was on my way to the museum.”

“Just came from there myself.” Grinny glanced down the concourse. “Dull place. I was about to go into the gambling room when I saw you. Figured I could have some fun and ask for some help since that’s where everyone is.”

I looked around. “I wondered why it was so empty in here.”

“According to the information woman, everyone spends most of their time in the gambling room. Only when it closes for the night does everyone come out to buy things, sleep and eat.”

My stomach gurgled. “Speaking of food.”

Grinny cackled again. “I’m hungry myself. Let’s eat and then see if we can’t figure out this quest.”

We walked down the concourse and ended up in a food court. Five counters were set up in the wall each with a different color and theme. The one to the most left I recognized as a pizza place with its red walls and the silver circular pans that sat on the other side of the counter windows. The pans were of course empty.

Grinny walked past that one and led me over to the center counter. It was beige and brown and looked like it was carved out of the same stone they used to build the pyramids. This one did not have any glass windows. Several deep holes were dug into the counter and covered with pieces of cloth.

“This one is like the road stalls we have on the Night Sun side of Solara-Solarem.” Grinny said.

As we approached, one of the disembodied floating cloaks appeared on the other side of the stall. “What would you like?”

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“A full stinger kebab.”

The hood of the cloak nodded then turned to me. “And you?”

“I..uh,”

“You should try one,” Grinny suggested. “One of these and it’ll fill you right up.”

As a younger kid, my mother was always trying to get me to try new foods. Whenever she cooked something I had never tried before, she would put a small amount of it on my plate and insist that I eat it. She called it a “thank you helping.”

I shrugged. “Alright, I’ll try it.”

The cloak produced two curved sticks larger than my hand. On them were cuts of thick browned meat patterned with orange and green vegetables. The smell that came off of the kebabs reminded me of over-steamed broccoli.

“That will be two gold a piece,” the cloak said.

I pulled out the bag of coins from my race suit pocket, which was surprisingly roomy, and put four coins on the counter.

Grinny tilted her head. “You sure?”

“Consider it a thanks for the other day. It was fun.” Grinny slapped me on the back, grabbed both of the kebabs and guided us towards one of the tables that was set up in the area.

After we sat down Grinny wasted no time digging into her food. She ripped off a piece of the meat with her teeth and noisily chewed it. I had to admit, the display was a little sickening, but I wasn’t going to say anything. Instead, I took a bite. The kebab wasn’t bad, but it tasted, burnt. Like a burger that had been on the grill a little too long. The vegetables on the other hand were juicy and crunchy and made my mouth water as I ate them. And Grinny was right. By the time I had finished eating it, I felt more full than after a thanksgiving dinner.

I put the now empty stick down and the table and accidentally let out a loud burp that echoed off the walls. Embarrassed, I tried to apologize but it was drowned out by Grinny’s louder and more deliberate belch.

“That’s how you know it’s made well.” She said letting out another one.

“Solarem’s and Humans have no manners whatsoever.” I turned to see a short pig-like creature sitting at a table by themselves. Their snout was flat against their head and they had small tusks protruding out of the corner of their mouth. They were spooning something out of a bowl and quietly drinking it.

I was going to apologize when Grinny stopped me. “Ignore them. They are upset because they also couldn’t figure out the puzzle.”

The pig person snorted. “Unlike you, I only need the scabbard to complete the slayer sword.” Grinny rolled her eyes.

“How hard is it to get the other parts for the sword,” I asked. The pig ignored me and went back to their food.

Grinny burped again and then eyed me. “I’ve been wondering. Did you buy those clothes on purpose?”

I looked down at my race suit. The clashing pattern of the pale yellow and pink stripes didn’t look any better from a top down view. “I got it from a treasure chest on a quest I did for Harvey. It’s surprisingly comfortable.”

“If you say so. Perhaps while you’re here, you might want to buy some better clothes, Little Worm.”

I shrugged. “It’s not that important. Anyway, tell me about the museum.”

“I can’t.”

“Why not?”

“No manners and an idiot,” the pig snapped. “You can’t discuss the specific details of the puzzle or the quest out in the open. If you do, bad things will happen.”

“Oh yeah,” I said challengingly. “What kind of bad things?”

The pig stared at me with a serious expression. One that told me they very well knew what happened. A shiver went down my spine.

“They’re right,” Grinny said, standing up. “Talking about it out here might give an unfair advantage to anyone listening. We have to figure it out ourselves. Shall we go?”

I nodded.