The Next Great Story Chain Game - The Restaurant
Ok everyone, it's time for another fun-and-awesome Story Chain Game. We will be using a scene this time without any conversation or plot to drive the story chains.
If you're new to this, here is a run-down of the rules:
- I will post the initial scene (this time without plot or conversation hints)... 1 paragraph of description with as little influencing terms as possible, no conversation, and no plot.
- You, as the reader, will read the scene and put together the next segment of the story in 3-5 paragraph chunks.
- You can read each branching story as it takes on a different path (be it fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance, or any other genre), vote on the ones you like, and add to them.
- You can respond to your own responses, but keep them in 3-5 paragraph chunks.
- If I make it above $10 in upvotes for this specific Post, I will take 80% of those excess earnings and split them evenly between the most-upvoted chains.
... the story commences here:
Red-oak wood, polished to a natural glow, made up the width and length of the large doors of the Restaurant. Through the large window could be seen a vast open space at the ground level where each table held steel plates, crystal vases, and its own unique ice sculpture. The seats for the guests at the ground level were high-back, with scrolling vines of gold crawling down the silvery framework. Thick-woven cushions were on the seat and the back. Each of the thousand ground-level tables had its own hanging light, framed from a cylinder of silver and dangling on a vine chain of polished steel.
The warm glow of those lights hinted at the finery of the upper balcony, where cups were etched and personalized, dishes gleamed with the finest porcelain sheen, and diamond drops littered the marble floors. Seats were opulent and unique, each one a different animal or creature with a padded cushion of the most luxuriant fibers. A pair of scroll-worked staircases led from a small alcove at each side of the ground level to the upper balcony, and any guests had to pass through a set of double-doors to enter the upper balcony. A lifted platform hinted at the skilled musicians that played for the balcony guests with liting melodies and soft tones.
The smells of cooking were pure and deep, drifting through the entire room and even to the outside world. The meats and desserts were the richest that the ground level patrons could ever dream of eating, and the shelled creatures that were split and sliced for the upper balcony guests were clean and wispy like a cool stream of air. The kitchen was immaculate, with the tools of the trade cleaned and polished to perfection. The chefs were the highest paid and renowned for having the greatest skill. Every night they would even march out to the open area of the ground level and put on a show for the patrons, where the guests would ooh and ahhh to expert skills and showmanship.
The waitstaff was tailored to the job, with suits that fit to perfection. They were trained for years to do this job as if it were second-nature. Glasses never went empty, plates never sat for more than a minute past eating, and guests never felt their presence. They were ghosts of articulate prowess, able to turn a table in a moment for the next guests to arrive. They hand-sculpted each ice creature themselves and rolled and folded each napkin as a work of art. Their voices never raised and their moods were always bright. They served for the joy of serving and were part of the perfect environment.
Even the restrooms were great, with a server in each one to keep it clean, odor-free, and up to standards. Each patron was respected and treated well. Towels were made from the finest woven cloth and the soaps and scents were pure, free of dyes and allergens.
At the back of the restaurant, tucked into a corner and well-out-of-sight, was another door. It was small, crushed by the sheer magnitude and magnificence of the rest of the restaurant. It was unadorned and shadowed on every side. There was a handle, but it was concealed as well and made to be hidden. Most patrons never even noticed that the door existed, but those that saw it were quick to ignore it. The bars on the tiny window gave it the look of fangs, and the humid drippings from the door rolled down the wood and through a narrow grate just before the door.
Links to other Stories:
Let's use Fantasy this time...
Let's Play a GAME!! Once Upon a Time...
Let's do some Sleuthing!!!
Today's Story Game: Horror!!!
The Symbiosis
I'm going to try my hand on my own Chain and see who likes and upvotes it.
I pushed open the door and felt the eyes upon me, but I wasn't worried. I was wearing the robes of my station and not one of the other patrons could degrade me when I was in my Katoosh. They hung snug at my neck, draped down in glossy white folds and pleats, then flared out from beneath the ornate belt at my waist. The belt alone probably cost more than most of these people made in a year, with its hand-woven steel seamlessly blended with platinum fibers around hundreds of small diamonds all-in-a-row. My boots, however, were utilitarian and made for comfort and protection.
"I think I'll need protection, this time," I said to myself. The music drifting about the place buried my voice so that even the Head Waiter couldn't hear me. I raised my voice to an appropriate level and said "My normal seat, Louis."
"Of course, my Lord," he responded, dipping his chest to waist-level as was appropriate.
I smiled. This man knew what was what. I followed him to the stairs and climbed the upper balcony around to the top. At the top the High Waiter took my bag that I had almost forgotten about and hung it gently on a concealed wall hook. Then he pressed a button on his wrist to trigger a second raised platform. I smiled again... I loved being treated with such respect. Even if it was out of fear.
I climbed the handful of steps and took my allotted seat. It fit like a glove, curling around my back and pulling me into its embrace. I had fallen asleep in this chair on many occasions over the past few centuries since this Restaurant Mac'Naghau Aulindale, was built.
When the High Waiter came for my order, I pointed down at a table on the Ground Level. Surrounding it were five Morians. It was not their lucky day. "The female will be my guest. The rest, you know what to do." The woman, covered over in a multitude of glowing tattoos and wearing a shimmering gown of iridescent silk, had the face of perfection and a look of fear-mixed-with-guilt-mixed-with-pride. As she ascended the staircase, the others were herded over and shoved through the small door that I knew was at the rear. Their screams could be heard, loud and obnoxious, even above the din of music that elated my soul. I just had to motion to the secondary chair at my table when the woman arrived.
"M-M-My Lordship," the woman stammered. "You are pleased with me?"
"I am," I replied flatly. "We shall dine and then we shall dance and then... dessert I believe to finish off the night."
My eyes moved across her features, noting the dimension and curvature of her skin at the bridge of the nose, the slight imperfections in each of her eyes, and the lift of her breast beneath the dress. I breathed in the scent of her and ached for the touch of flesh, bumps rising on my skin and crawling around like insects. Her eyes skittered in different directions, not wanting to see the scars that I knew were harsh on my face. Her chest heaved with nervous excitement and sheer terror.
I couldn't calm her, because she knew what would come of this night. It was documented in every book. I was above all and I could take my share; and my share was a large share. I smiled warmly, or at least what I thought was with warmth. I was not well-informed on that side of the emotional spectrum. My tutors never taught me of those things.
"Your meal, My Lord," chimed in the High Waiter at my elbow. "All now, or will you be breaking the meal for dancing?"
"I shall be dancing this night," I responded, to which he nodded and motioned behind him. "We will take the first three courses now." My stomach was dancing with hunger.
The woman wore a panic-stricken face. She knew the stories. I didn't have to paint a picture, for which I was glad. It was tiring having to tell someone they would be eating their friends and family and then would be ending the night in my cold bed as I ravaged them. It always set a poor tone for the night. I drifted through the meal, retinal soup and finger sandwiches followed by seared flesh of Man with a side of chopped-and-seasoned brain, listening to the discordant melodies from the musician's platform. I teased my feet over hers when I saw she was not eating, giving her a fang-filled grin to reassure her. She hesitantly took spoonfuls of soup and then devoured the rest. She cried as she ate, knowing what she was eating and knowing that she was thoroughly enjoying it. I let her feast on her family while I savored every mouthful, enjoying the first of many fine courses to come.
I just can't let the stories die, so I am continuing them.
The first three courses were delicious and I could not have been more pleased. The Blood Wine was a smooth addition and warmed my aching bones. I watched as the lady cleaned her plate. Her sobs had subsided and she reveled in the meal.
"I never knew," she began. "I never knew what a monster I was until now."
"No, not a monster," I responded with ease. This was the common eventuality that I had seen so often before. "You are more beautiful than I could have hoped. Please dance with me."
"No, I want to skip the rest of the meal and jump to dessert," she said, her eyes fixated on me. She hesitantly licked a lip and smiled slowly.
I nodded and motioned to the High Waiter. When the man approached, I whispered to him to ready the dessert. The man looked perplexed for only a moment before nodding acceptance.
In minutes the balcony was cleared of watchers, musicians, and staff. The blinder was raised and the lady began to remove her dress and undergarments, hands shaking. I lowered my robe and the real dance began. Her screams and shrieks were liquid pleasure to my ears as we mated fully. When the act was over, I felt the ripping as my abdomen split open to bear a new Etymarchian Lord. While I lay in the throes of passion and death, my offspring began to feast. I smiled as the High Water came to plunge my dagger into me.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by dbzfan4awhile from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
Ok, the upvoting is closed!! Then winners are myself and @anarcho-andrei as the only writers to extend the stories. Since all of my upvotes are either bots or the other contestant and the chain started by @anarcho-andrei had @steemlover vote for it, that chain wins!
So I will go through and calculate up the winning amounts based on the totals minus $10 (I'll just use 10SBD as the baseline for the winnings).
Thanks for participating and look for my next contest! I'd like to make this a weekly thing or every other week, if it grows legs.
After looking at this, I believe the fair share winnings for @anarcho-andrei will be 40 SBD. How does that sound to you?
Works for me boss! Thank you for the opportunity to share in your creativity.
It was fun.
-cracks knuckles and begins-
"I look ridiculous in this," Kalen muttered, readjusting the straps of her shimmering sapphire evening gown. The whole endeavor made her feel out of place, a state of mind she avoided like the plague. Prior to her ignominious termination with the United Earth Defense Fleet, Intelligence Division, she ordered her life carefully. Everything had its place, and she knew the next ten steps she was going to take on any given day. Now she was an outlaw, hunted by the very government she'd devoted some of the best years of her life to. Now, she was accompanying an equally unsavory character into what she knew was an unsavory place in a city renowned for not asking questions.
"You look like you're supposed to be here," said the man beside her, readjusting his tie for the umpteenth time since they parked their transport. "Just play the part, and we'll be out of here soon enough." Simon King didn't wear tuxedos. He certainly didn't wear tuxedos when approaching a notorious gangster with the intention of negotiating a contract. It's either this or keep running the Hound on fumes, he thought, raising his arm for Kalen to take. She made a face, but she placed her hand with all the poise and composure of the upper class.
As soon as they entered the door, the maitre d'hotel took notice of them. He moved with a practiced grace and precision past the throng of people in the foyer, silently bidding the pair to follow him across the ground floor. More than a few of the waiting patrons took notice, and one particularly angry lizard nearly three feet taller than King made his disdain for "meat bags" clear. He ignored it, keeping his eyes trained to the nearly unnoticeable door on the far side of the room, tucked in quiet corner away from the rest of the ostentatious interior. A quick knock by the maitre d' opened it, and he stepped aside to let the pair through.
Very nice. I can see some good things in this branch! Let's see how my vision works this branch.
Kalen glanced around quickly, noting the dark tunnel and the pair of Gurflokian Thugs standing against the greasy walls. Their tall tufts wiggled above their aquamarine skull-plates, some sort of silent signal for the next batch of Gurflokians.
"Be on watch," she hissed. Her hand squeezed his arm tightly and she felt his agitation. Her other hand slid down her side, reassuring her with the feel of the hidden Baron-512 at her waistline. The pistol was narrow with enough kick to stun at least one of these guys. The other would be up to Simon to take care of.
Simon shifted until she loosed her grip. She watched his eyes scan a tracer back-and-forth rapidly and then breathed a bit easier. She felt his leg move and slipped into a rhythm beside him, swaying her hips to and fro just to make sure neither of these guys were able to concentrate too hard on attacking them.
"This way," one of the pair grunted. She could tell Earthyn was not his native tongue, or even his 2nd or 3rd language. He moved in front of them and the other moved to the rear, just behind her.
In this line, they began a quick procession down the dingy corridor.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by dbzfan4awhile from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
good
Thanks.
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by dbzfan4awhile from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, and someguy123. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
If you like what we're doing please upvote this comment so we can continue to build the community account that's supporting all members.
Thank you @minnowsupport for all you do, for even though you are a bot you have done well in providing more money to my posts.
Very nice images, I likes
I love to join steemit and to help earh other
#vote and follow you
Do not forget to follow me
Thanks. Let others know by resteeming the article as well.