Returning to the table with a paper thin flaky almost brittle type of pizza Terrchel had a sulking expression as he looked down at the edges of the pizza where is began to crumb exposing air pockets that let out a sad hollow whistle.
Sitting down at the table with Leghorn his eyes fell on the sizzling hot much better-looking food already waiting for his arrival. He placed his pizza reluctantly on the table.
Terrchel: They said it's made of sorrow dough and named it the ghost of fly day nights, but I'm pleased to see you got something better. Is that chicken wings I, see, coated in shimmering, iridescent glaze?
He reached over and grabbed one, delighted at the aromas and the at the first bite the flavours exploded in his mouth. The glaze is a perfect blend of sweet and spicy, but the texture was not what he expected. While chewing Leghorns various foods he pointed to the pizza.
Terrchel: Might I tell you they added it's best delivered cold and coded in my synaptic flavor memory, what is that even! I should have listened to you.
Leghorn: I did warn you, no? but the chicken wings you like?
Terrchel: It's not what I expected
Leghorn: That's because it's not. They used a food 3D printer, who knows what substance they are using for the core ingredients, but the human mind is easily fooled. Think about it, if it looks the part and smells the part plus added flavorants. How would you know?
With a sudden jerk Terrchel spat out the food sending it flying across the room in a dramatic projectile. The food splatters against the wall leaving a messy trail as it slides down. The sheer force of his reaction was a testament to the overwhelming disgust he felt in the moment.
Terrchel: So what you're telling me is that I might have eaten a human itself and not know it.
Leghorn: Well, I definitely did not say that
Terrchel leaned in arms folded "I suggest we build something that can detect what we are eating before we eat it".
Leghorn: That's not a bad idea but is this scientist memory speaking or wanna be inventor flyman innovator extraordinary.
Terrchel: I am quite extraordinary I won't deny that part.
Leghorn: (eyeroll) Let's see the toppings of this pizza. Place it here on this scanner on the table.
The scanner lit up bright pink and read aloud, "Your Pizza Toppings is as follows:
1. A bittersweet reduction of heirloom tomatoes slow roasted with melancholy.
Toppings consists of shaved loneliness truffles, rare aromatic with notes of abandonment.
2. Crystallized larval capers, an acquired texture pops with the memory of decay and strange hunger. Fried insect wings slivers, iridescent but flavorless, they crunch like the buzzing noise of something long dead and still echoing.
3. Wilted basil, not rotten, just tired of trying.
4. Cheese a sorrowful stretch of brie and blue, veined like an old heart scanned and copied.
Terrchel: Sounds like one bite in and you're spiraling in nostalgic nausea, needing another slice just to feel something.
Leghorn: well that's a flavor profile no AI chef should ever recreate sounds very unstable.
They both laughed and decided to leave as the bill was already scanned by the table using Leghorn's built in cryptography swatch function.
on the way out Terrchel observed other guests paying their bills by a simple scan of the arm and instantly a holographic display card will shoot up showing rating stats and stars which seemed linked to each individual.
The atmosphere outside was unnaturally calm and less people were seen operating, a huge clock appeared in the sky, people of Arcadia called it the skyclock but it was set on count down.
Terrchel: Hey Leghorn, guess what? Once a human shut me close in a fridge and I nearly froze to death but luckily, I made it out alive in the nick of time, only to die later that same day of course.
Leghorn: You might not know this Terrchel, but usually when you ask someone a question you wait to hear if they want to participate in the conversation before just answer for them but, it was inevitable... I'm of cause referring to your death I mean.
Terrchel: You know, I've surely been speaking to myself alot since my reincarnation, it's a habit I must have picked up subconsciously, with Arnold being alone for so many years as a human previously. Muscle memory I guess?
Leghorn: "I see..."
Terrchel: But at least I have you now. As a fly everyone was irritated by me; swatting me away all the time. I didn't understand it back then but now that I'm human all these emotions are added with each memory. It honestly makes me zone out from time to time and just stop and think you know? but I need to snap out of it and focus on where we are going? and when will we get those Hybrid Velocity Boots, I see everyone wearing. You were right they are fancier here but I think I preferred The Undergrid design.
Leghorn: Pertaining the shoes, here they called Rover Turbo Boots mostly for flying purposes as you see its the main mode of transportation here in The New City Aracadia.
He paused for a moment considering Terrchels current mental and emotional state before continuing.
Leghorn: I noticed you zone out often yes and you ask questions without waiting for answers because most of the time your thoughts are racing at a speed that automatically answers it for you, and you change topics in seconds without properly acknowledging what was last said.
Terrchel: Earlier you mentioned Arcadian patrols or something like that. Last night I saw someone watching me from a distance. Do you think it could be them?
A slight smile appeared on Leghorns face he thought of Terrchel as an irritating inquisitive child that wasn't aware of the dangers of the world he is in. It was both sad and beautiful.
Leghorn: [sighs and rolls eyes] See what I mean.. but in regard to your question; I doubt it, you haven't done anything reckless...YET...Nevertheless, it is unlikely that they can comprehend who you are, as you are still figuring that out yourself. The most likely answer is an admirer. There has been news about stalkers in Arcadia.
Terrchel: Are you mocking me? How could I be admired if nobody knows I exist. Oh wait, maybe Arnold's wife!? I don't remember what happened to her but part of me knows she was there and then she wasn't and there's this yearning you know? I don't know if it's for her or something else...there's too many unanswered questions and feelings floating around. Do you think she noticed me as him and she thinks I'm HIM! I knew this would happen.
Leghorn: Here we go again, I guess we will have to wait and see what's going on. Let's not overthink and make assumptions. Now that you're human, it seems your speed ability went straight to your brain too, and damaged that.
Terrchel: Keep that attitude up and I might just speed walk ahead into the rest of the main city without you! Just know, I've been dragging my feet for your benefit.