Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged a glance.
That glance held far too much: shock, wariness, and the particular composure of seasoned veterans faced with an unexpected situation.
Shakky smiled first.
Her smile was natural, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly to reveal a row of even teeth, as though she were welcoming an ordinary customer.
"Hehehe~"
"Of course."
She stepped out from behind the bar, sweeping the cigarette butt that had fallen onto the counter earlier into the trash as she went.
"What would you like?"
Wangchuan tilted his head, his gaze sweeping over the menu on the little blackboard behind the bar.
"Fried rice."
"And a serving of roast meat."
"Got any liquor?"
Shakky nodded.
"Yes."
"Then a bottle of that, too."
"Anything will do."
Shakky acknowledged him and turned to enter the kitchen.
Wangchuan stood where he was and glanced down at the chain in his hand.
At the other end of the chain, Saint Marcus huddled in a corner by the door, his arms wrapped around his knees, his fat body curled into a ball, tears and snot smeared all over his face.
The iron collar around his neck was pulled by the chain, like a dog tethered outside the door.
Wangchuan turned his head toward Rayleigh.
"Can I tie my dog up by the door?"
Rayleigh froze for a moment.
Then he grinned and burst out laughing, revealing a missing tooth.
"Bwahahaha! You're an interesting brat!"
"Tie him wherever you like. Not as if there are any respectable people on this lousy island anyway."
He picked up his bottle and took a swig, wiped the liquor from his lips, and studied Wangchuan with interest.
"But... dragging a Celestial Dragon through the streets like a dog? You've got more guts than Rocks did back in the day,