Svet pulls up to the little hole in the wall restaurant. It's canopy sagging, and the neon sign which blinks it's name, is half burned out. So it now flashes "T E ME UCK." The parking lot is only half full of cars, and Svetlana grabs a good parking spot right near the door. She gets out of the car and strides around to the passenger side. She helps Seraphina out of the car, and then motions for her to proceed her. As they walk up to the door, Svetlana instinctively looks around the parking lot for any danger. She smiles in amusement at her automatic reaction to the environment. She opens the door for Seraphina and once inside, they are both greeted by a tiny little Chinese woman. She bows to the two women and then leads them over to a table. The only source of light for the restaurant proper coming from the multitude of candles. They sit down at the table, and Svet informs the woman that she is expecting two more people to arrive soon. The woman nods and quickly disappears into the back of the restaurant.
"I know the thought of food is one that you don't want, but I do suggest you eat something light."
Seraphina turns pale at the thought, but nods slightly and begins to read through the menu.
Svetlana sits back in her chair, and doesn't even glance at her menu. She watches the door quietly, when the little old lady who seated them, comes back out carrying a tray of water, a bottle of sake, and two little cups. She sets them on the table and looks at Svetlana expectantly. Svet stares at the woman for a second, then nods slightly. With a smile and bow, the lady disappears again into the back. Svetlana pours the sake into one of the cups and shoots Seraphina a look that says you better not have any. She sips the sake quietly as she scans the restaurant. Only a handful of people are sitting in the restaurant, eating and talking quietly. An old water fountain gurgles water into a small pond of koi fish in the middle of the restaurant. It's soothing sound adding to the ambiance of the place. She looks back over to Seraphina with a small smile.
"Everything will be alright."
The little old lady comes out of the back of the restaurant again, carrying a large tray full of food. She comes over and starts setting the food on the table. Seraphina looks at Svetlana in shock, then down at the menu in her hands. Her thoughts were clearly audible. I don't remember placing an order. With a small secretive smile, Svetlana begins to server herself from all the platters of food.
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