Room 10 (Canibalism)
“Just so you know, you pay the bill.” Lukas said as both he and Hermes walked into the Tantalian cuisine.
The God looked amused at the Hellkeeper. “I forgot you were greedy.” His feathers rustled a bit. “I’ll pay, not that I’m in charge of money and economy and such, but hey, We do what we must to keep Zeus happy.”
Lukas looked up at the God in surprise. “What do you mean by that?” he asked.
Hermes just smiled. “Oh nothing darling, Let’s keep our evening together a fun one, shall we?” The God reacted while they were being led to their table.
“Thank you.” Lukas said to the waiter when they pulled out a chair for him. “What’s the reason you asked me to come with you to this restaurant?” Lukas asked the God when they both got the menu.
Hermes looked at his menu with a deep concentration. “What do you want to eat?” He asked.
Lukas quickly scanned the menu. “The Hellish sea bass sounds delicious.” The Hellkeeper responded.
“Why do you always want fish? Like, they got so many different stews here and you pick the fish.” Hermes responded with a smile.
A waiter came by the table and asked with a deep voice if he could take our order. Before Lukas could reply Hermes already answered: “Yes, We’ll both have the Pelopian stew.” Lukas looked at the God in silent judgement.
When the waiter went back to the kitchen, the God turned towards the Hellkeeper with an innocent look on his face. “Trust me.” He started. “You’re going to love it.”
“This is just great, you bring me to one of the most expensive restaurants in Hell, won’t tell me why and I don’t even get to eat what I want.”
“You just figured that out?” A voice called from behind the Hellkeeper.
“Why are you here?” Lukas asked Sugar.
“The same reason you’re here. To eat.” Sugar reacted dryly. They then noticed the God. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were going on a date.”
“I’m not… We’re not… This is not a date.” Lukas reacted.
“It can be.” Hermes said.
Lukas swirled his head to look at the God. “This is not a date! And stop grinning.”
“Why are you blushing?” Hermes asked in a playful tone.
“If you’re not going to tell me why I’m here, I’ll leave.” The Hellkeeper said angrily.
“I think I’ll go now. Don’t want to disturb your evening together.” Sugar said before walking to the other side of the restaurant.
“This is not a date.” Lukas said under his breath.
“Where are you from?” The God asked when the stew arrived.
“The Hellkeep.” Lukas reacted. “This is what you wanted to ask me?”
“Yes, but you’re not from the Hellkeep, you don’t fit the image of any religion I know, and believe me, I’ve seen a lot of them pass by.” Hermes said.
“Why do you think I’m connected to a religion?” Lukas asked tentatively.
“Well, You’re able to open up an inn in Hell, Neither me or Charon brought you across the river and you’re not scared when you anger Osiris. None of the above scream ‘mortal’.”
Lukas started eating his stew picking out pieces of bone as he did. “Last I heard, you weren’t part of a religion anymore, neither was Osiris, so why can’t I be part of an even earlier religion?” The Hellkeeper said.
“We got replaced, and people still believe in us, we get prayers. Do you?” Hermes asked in a neutral tone.
“I’ve never had prayers directed to me, but yes. I get them to some extent.” The Hellkeeper said without looking up from his stew.
“What sort of prayers?” Hermes pressed.
“Short ones, mostly just people wailing.” Lukas answered. “This stew is good.” The Hellkeeper said in an attempt to change the subject. He took a piece of bone from his spoon.
“Did you ever respond to one?” The God asked.
“No.” Lukas said plainly. “I never saw a reason to do so.”
Hermes stood up and started leaving. “Where are you going?” Lukas asked while taking another piece of bone out of his mouth.
“If you’re not going to answer my questions in a decent way, I see no reason to ask them in the first place.” The God said in a cold tone. He laid a stack of Soul Coins on the table. “These are enough to pay for both our stews.” He turned around again and disappeared.
“I’m sorry that the date didn’t go as planned.” A voice said from behind Lukas.
“STOP CALLING IT A DATE!” Lukas screamed at Sugar who somehow sneaked up on him.
“I can’t really call it an interrogation, can I? Oh my god. Was it an interrogation? Are you really a deity?”
“No, Yes and No.” Lukas said. He started eating his stew again. When he found another bone in his stew he turned around to look at Sugar.
“Do you know why there are so many bones in my stew?”
Sugar looked at the Hellkeeper with big eyes. “You ordered the Pelopian stew?” She sighed when the Hellkeeper nodded.
“The cook of this restaurant is believed to be Sweeney Todd.” Sugar said under her breath.
Lukas almost vomited his guts up when he heard that. “The one from Fleet Street?” He asked sickly
“The one and only.” Sugar reacted. “That’s why I always order the Hellish sea bass.”
“I’m going to kill that God.” Lukas said before running towards the bathroom.
