Scrumptious and Sumptious

All resounding whines and whimpers in the bar slowly died down. The outburst of emotions was a neccessary step to process their nightmares.

And the next step would be to show, that the worst of times had passed, and life is finally taking a turn for the good.

What method could be better than a scrumptious and sumptious dinner?

Jessie slowly let go of the snotty kids in front of her. By now her own face was flushed red and wet with tears. Snot, tears and dirt spotted her white blouse when she broke off the hug.

As a woman, she inevitably felt the tapestry of emotions of the young kids in front of her very deeply, causing extensive ripples in her own. She wanted to do something good for the forlorn kids.

"Joey, bring some tissues."

"Ah ... yes - one moment," Joey reacted quickly and brought a paperroll of tissues from the kitchen. Distributing paper tissues to everyone present, tears were wiped away, and all present faces started to show human features again.

"Now, let's eat, kids! Don't hold back!" Jessie clapped her hands two times, after wiping her own face clean. She didn't pay any mind to her dirty blouse at all and arranged a chair to every single kid.

The golden monkey was the first to choose a seat, and from then on, his greedy eyes couldn't be contained anymore. He stared holes in the pot, but no matter how hungry he seemed to be, Borza showed etiquette and waited for the food to be served.

Once everyone was seated, Jessie took the ladle and poured every plate up to the brim. A rich aroma tickled the noses of the hungry kids as they could not hold back anymore and started to wolf down the stew.

"There is enough for everyone! Don't forget to eat the bread, fruits and nuts, and remember! Eat slowly! You haven't eaten in a long time!" Jessie sweetly added.

Lily and Tali were also seated at the table and shared supper with the others, but the grown-ups decided to let the kids eat among themselves for now.

Loud munching noises accompanied satisfied groans and snivels all around the table. A soft levity replaced the depressing atmosphere from a moment ago.

Well... some dried rivers started to flow again, but this time around, it had other causes.

"It's my specialty stew! Do you like it?" Jessie giggled and asked around after distributing second helpings to the faster eaters of the table.

The kids looked at her like a Saint, an angel sent from heaven above to spread justice and love. Whole-hearted nods and 'mhmm's' came from the busy mouths in absolute agreement. Loving gazes and appreciating looks was the best praise they could muster with their mouths filled to the brim.

Even Borza shot a warm look to Jessie, unbelieving of the delicacy she prepared. Bread was ripped apart and chewed to molecules inbetween spoons of the saucy delight. Everyone looked content and happy, forgetting about their current situation for a moment. They lost themselves in the grand world of taste.

A trained tongue could probably tell that the stew wasn't anything abnormally delectable, but hunger is the best cook, and such a rich dish was a rarity in the slums.

There was not a lot of talking during the meal, as everyone was busy devouring the stew, but as the bellies got rounder, the kids also became more talkative.

"Ahh, I'm stuffed," a brown-haired boy, with fierce eyebrows said in a contentment.

"Mrs. Jessie, this was very delicious, thank you very much," the older girl, Marianne, thanked in a high and emotional voice.

The golden haired monkey also thanked her in broken human language:

"Thank you ... very .. tasty."

...

One after another, the cook was vehemently praised. The compliments strung higher and higher, until the last girl, Berenya, of about 14 years of age concluded:

"Auntie, you must be an angel."

Jessie couldn't help but laugh at the exagerrated sentiment and dismiss it, but it somehow seemed like she really thought of her that way. And not only she did, all of the kids opened up to Jessie in matter of moments.

Spark noticed the shift in emotions instantly:

'Sending charcoal in the winter, surely makes you popular! Well ...if it had been me in their position, I think I would have complicated feelings, too hahaha.'

Not being able to voice such an embarassing comment out loud, Spark laughed inwardly, while supressing his outer facade to a warm smile. He was truly thankful for Joey and Jessie. Without them, he couldn't have helped any of the kids as much as he did. He wasn't strong yet, and he had next to no means available at all.

But now they plundered a rich treasury, achieving wealth practically overnight and rescued a dozen of helpless kids from the fangs of slave traders.

Who knows when the kids were scheduled to be sold away? It was way too much luck involved, from beginning to end.

Just thinking about the chain of events, and circumstances involved for everything to pan out like it did made Sparks head spin.

'Maybe, I was destined to do good in these slums, after the tragedy that broke the outskirts asunder... Perhaps it is all willed. Perhaps it is all fate.'

Spark felt like he had been woven into a web of fate. Those feelings grew tauter, the longer he pondered.

Just two days went by, and he ended up in this room with the Bartender family, with the Tailor family, who escaped their grim fate, and turned gloom into favour. And lastly, with eleven forlorn children, who were found again, against all odds.

And then there was him.

A soul from another world. Stranded in another galaxy, bound in a young and unfamiliar body.

But somehow, only God knows how, he managed to have just enough impact to change everyones lives for the better, his included. He felt strange ... strangely good.

...But time is relentless and unfeeling. He knew that fact the best. There were still things to plan, and plans to implement. He couldn't afford to sit still, especially now, when his zest for action acted up like never before.

"I take, that everyone has enjoyed the meal?" Spark asked in a knowing tone while taking a step forward.

"Yes!" the kids, even Lily and Tali, replied in unison.

"I'm happy to hear that ... It's all thanks to Uncle Joey and Aunt Jessie that you can sit here in warmth, with your bellies full. To not forget that, I want you to practice gratitude. Deeply bow to them and thank them from your heart."

The last words he spoke sounded disciplined, strict and crass, but Spark felt the need to do it. Having discipline and gratitude in one's mind is a vital part of growing up, and it was not an understatement to say that they owe Joey their lives.

His authorative disciplining was unbecoming of a 15 year old boy, but Spark decided long ago to not act his exterior age. After all, he was not 15 years old, and neither was he some willy-nilly hypocrite who would alter his character entirely.

He was ambitious, disciplined and took on the role of an authoritive figure for the better part of his past life. Spark also had a sense of responsibility concerning their future. That was all the more reason to act like this.

Joey and Jessie weren't made to play such a ungrateful role. He was used to it and it could be said that it became a incumbent part of his character.

So naturally, he was the one to bend any crooked arrows straight again.

The kids listened to him and did as they were told, while he watched with his hands behind the back. Obviously they had no problem to expressing gratitude, where it is due.

"Lily, you didn't have to ..." Spark sighed as he saw the daughter of Joey and Jessie also bowing and thanking her own parents.

"Hahaha, no need to be so formal and serious Spark," Jess laughed heartily at the sight, "I just cooked a bit more food than usually."

"Right, right ... it's only natural," Joey added while he itched his nose in embarassment.

"Alright ... I would say now is the time to wash up and get everbody clean again," Spark said and turned to Jessie.

"Any ideas on how to do it?" Spark asked for advise.

Jessie thought for a moment before proposing:

"I'll take the girls first, and when we're done, Joey will take the boys to wash up at our house."

Spark thought for a moment, before he announced his decision.

"We'll do it differently... You take the girls, I take the boys!"

He didn't ask for permission, and his– now parents– had yet to hear anything about what happened today, but he doubted they would leave these children standing in front of their door after hearing their story. Spark needed to show his face anway, so the idea popped into his mind.

"We should be able to get them all clothed that way, too. Let us meet here as soon as everyone has washed up... See if you can find extra bedding, too."

"Perfect, that'll save us half the time! We shouldn't have enough mens clothing anyways, not in right size at least," Jessie chuckled while giving her tall, broad-shouldered husband a playful look.

Then she clapped her hands and gathered the girls around. Six girls, four boys and Borza, were saved from the cold cellar, and after she left with the girls, only four boys, Borza, Milo, Bilo, Tali, Terry and Joey were left in the tavern.

Spark lingered and shot Joey and Terry a look.

"Before we go... I have something to talk about with you two."

Then he glanced at the brothers and hissed in a low voice, while Joey also landed a very cold stare.

"And you two ... don't think about anything but being a good play-date."

"We're giving you a chance here."

"We wouldn't dare!" Milo assured as sweat formed on his forehead once again.

He must have lost a pound of weight already just by sweating, judging by the paleness of his face.

„Y-Yes. You can count on us!" Bilo, who hasn't said many words since leaving the hideout, also reiterated.

Both of them were awfully quiet during the time in the tavern. It seems, they too, had a lot of rumination to do.

Seeing the inner workings of the gang they were part of, and the devastating consequences on a dozen innocent children was a big hit to any human being with a shred of morality left.

And it appeared like they still had a trace of morality in them.

With Celas dead, Milo and Bilo weren't bound to commiting misdeeds in fear of punishment. Spark strongly believed they wouldn't try to do anything messed-up, now that they were in the lions den.

...If they did, they probably would not be able to handle the repercussions.

"Of course, give me a moment."

Terry replied in response to Sparks request while struggling himself off the stool.

"Tali, you go play with the boys, too."

"Okay" Tali mumbled anxiously.

She was nervous, because she knew the two ruffians. It was them, who chased her street to street earlier this day. But she followed her fathers words religiously anyways.

"Sure."

Joey shrugged, before giving Terry a hand.

Spark stopped Tali from leaving by gentle catching her as she ran past him.

"Actually, Tali, we need you with us."

"Oh, okay!" she replied, this time way more cheerful.

Spark also supported Terry and when they entered the kitchen, they seated him on a cornered wooden chair, prudent with the wounded thigh, and frankly elucidated

"The thing I wanted to talk to you about is the Clearing Cloud Circulation Technique."

The atmosphere tensed a little before Spark elaborated further:

"Since it clearly is a rare and vital treasure for Cultivators, it naturally attracts a lot of pigs and rats... Sadly, we had to experience this fact first-hand today. I wanted to take this chance to ponder about how we will proceed from now on."

Spark let out a heavy breath and continued to lay down his thoughts as he faced Terry.

"Correct me if I'm wrong ... but the only people who clearly know about the technique would be: everbody in this room, Jessie, Celas, the person who overheard Tali blurting it out and directed it to one of the bandits, said bandit and possibly Milo and Bilo, excluding the person who gifted the technique to you, of course. Am I right?"

Terry's face contoured a serious countenance. He pensively thought about this matter countless of times before. He knew just how dangerous ignorance could prove to be in this case. This problem required careful thought and attention.

"You got everything right. I never revealed this matter to anyone besides my late wife," Terry agreed, before adding a suspicion of his own, "...but who knows how many people know about it now that the bandits learned of its existence."

"Especially because you used a copy of the technique as bait to free me," Terry added in a concerned voice, supressing his worry with honest intention.

"True ... I did do that, but they shouldn't have realized it was a Cultivation Technique! After all, the distance was enormous and only razor sharp eyes should have been able to clearly see what I was holding in my hand... Also I rolled the book into a rod to change its shape. Only Celas should have gotten the clue."

Spark sighed in frustration and glowered at his own heedlessness.

"But ... Sigh. Of course you are right to accuse me. It's my fault... I was very careless in hindsight... No, I was even foolish! Sadly, I wasn't able to think of a better method which would bait the dog with success."

Terry jolted up in shock and wildly shaked his head.

"How could I accuse you of anything! Don't misunderstand! It's just my worries plaguing me..."

The Tailor held nothing but good-natured thoughts towards the two men.

"If everyone knows about it already, then ... " Joeys face also formed a frown at the thought, "that would spell trouble."

"Right ... So let's hope that only Celas caught wind of it at that specific moment," Spark shrugged before turning to the little girl to his left, "Tali, can you tell me who overheard your blunder?"

Tali looked anxious as she listened in on the conversation and about the potential trouble that was brewing. A very guilty look was written all over her face. She stammered her account:

"I- ... I only spoke to two kids from the neighbourhood, Kaine and Sarah. And when I said I am gonna be a Cultivator one day, t-then Obek overheard me and mocked me for it, s-so... it just came out."

She sobbed at the end of the sentence. She was only about eleven years old but she understood what could have happened to her father today. Her gaze shifted on the bandages wrapping around Terry's sores.

"Obek?" Spark asked with a questioning expression.

"...He is a bit older and a neighbourhood ruffian. He is known for being a bully..."

"Hm, is that so ..."

Spark pressed on.

"What exactly did you say?"

He needed to know the specifics, to plan for countermeasures.

"I said ... I already have a book for Cultivation." she said quietly.

"Thank you, Tali." Spark softly replied and turned his gaze back at Joey and Terry who calmly listened and inwardly went over the happenings on their own.

Spark also lingered a bit, before voicing an unfit chuckle. Terry, Joey and Tali looked at him, as he onfidently declared:

"The good thing is... I doubt that every bandit knows about the technique! Such a precious thing is better left a secret, so only a handful of people should know about it at most. Noone wants to share the good things, after all."

Joey and Terry both nodded, agreeing with this statement. If it were them, they wouldn't want this information to spread either. That much was common sense, if you think about it.

The real question was, who of the bandits knew about it?

"So now it's time for what I call damage control," Spark smiled, "but before we interrogate Milo and Bilo, though, I have a request on my own."

'We're almost having a black swan event here... well, not really... There's much more on the line here than the bankruptcy of a business. We stake our lives! ...If we're careless.'

When Spark composed his thoughts, he shot Terry a complicated look and seemed a bit shy in voicing the request, judging by the tilts of his head and the scratching of his temple.

Just as he was about voice his request, a loud, hearty laugh sounded next to him.