The Rook was a bar, not a restaurant, but it did serve two meals a day to the patrons who could afford it. Breakfast, which was typically bacon or sausage sandwiches, and dinner which was whatever the meal planner for John's establishments bothered to send. There was no kitchen in the bar so both Leo and Justice also lived off the food which was served to the patrons. That particular night, it was Korean food.
A young man, not as pretty as John's boys but still a good looking young man, was serving dishes out at one of the bigger tables in the bar. Pale skin, black hair and dark brown eyes with pink lips. He barely blinked at the comments the men were giving him, just smiling and serving out the food. Yoh, a city resident for the simple fact he had been born and brought up in the city.
Elison didn't know him that well but his family cooked good food and the smell had his stomach rumbling. First, though, he moved over to the corner where a fireplace was and put Jaspar down into one of the soft leather chairs which were next to it. They were the only free chairs in the joint. The Rook was only really meant for twenty people at max but at dinner times it often went over the limit as the day and night patrons mingled enjoying their dinner. Several people shifted to let him through, no one blinking at the sight of the blind young man in his grasp.
"I hope you like Korean food," Elison smiled at Jaspar as he brushed off the man's knees. Justice was already standing at Yoh's station holding two plates for their share of food. Yoh smiled as always and served the portions out, Elison looking around the room for signs of troublemakers.
"Can't say I've ever had it," Jaspar murmured, clearly uncomfortable in the sound din of the room. Elison didn't blame him. He himself preferred the Rook when it was quiet and not during its more busy times. He had eaten dinner there once or twice but preferred eating in his own space. The room was full of smells, the constant smell of cigarettes and booze being slightly overpowered by the smell of food. Elison had the sudden thought that he was going to have to get used to the Rook in all its forms now he was living there.
Elison pulled up a stool so he was sitting next to Jaspar, leaning against the arm of the armchair so his back was brushing against Jaspar's leg. "It's good. Not sure how often the Rook serves it, but Yoh's family runs the best restaurant in town so," he shrugged. "Justice and Leo might know the menu for this place better."
"I'm guessing there really aren't any options then," Jaspar said sounding almost amused by this for some reason. "Is the Rook the name of the bar where we are?" he asked idly, his hands fidgeting in his lap.
"Yeah. The Rook is the place. It's not big but has a pretty regular crowd so it just gets one meal option. Occasionally there is a buffet with odds and ends of different foods but normally it's just one dish. If one of the regulars don't like it, they just have to go get their own food from somewhere else." Elison mused, watching over Justice as he made his way towards them.
Several regulars greeted him with customary winks, butt pats and teases. Justice blushed and smiled and took it with all the grace of someone who had no choice to. Elison felt something in his stomach settle unhappily. It wasn't his job to look after Justice or his right to worry over the man, but he couldn't help but feel Justice was going to snap soon. There was only so long people could survive in this environment if they weren't the right mind-set.
"Sounds like a big crowd," Jaspar commented softly.
"Thirty or so people are here today," Elison commented, "Justice, what's the meal today?" He smiled at the man who was holding two trays.
"Bibimbap," Justice commented, passing Elison his tray before settling the second on Jaspar's lap. Jaspar visibly sniffed the air in front of him and made a happy sound. His stomach rumbled at the delicious smell of the food..
"Smells good," Jaspar smiled, "What is bibimbap?" he asked as Justice gently took his hands and put a knife and fork in his hand before arranging them on the dish so Jaspar could feed himself. Elison was glad. The last thing he wanted to do was spoon fed the young man and make him feel even more helpless than he already was. Sometimes it was the small things which could really break a man and that was definitely one thing which could have.
"Mixed rice with an egg on top and some chicken mixed in because serving vegetarian meals in here is not a good idea," Justice chuckled. "Last time we tried was the fastest this place has ever cleared out. Half tempted to request it on occasion," Justice said with a slightly mischievous look.
"Oi," one of the patrons who had been obviously listening in. "We all work in hard, bloody jobs. Having meat with our meals is a luxury we can afford. Plus when you work in the underbelly, if you are trying to be ethical, you aren't going to last long," he complained. Justice only chuckled as several others joined in the debate, Yoh's warm smile growing into a big grin at the sentiment around in the room.
Jaspar slowly ate his food, letting the conversation around the room flow over him. Elison crept his eye on him as he ate. Justice moved through the crowd again, grabbing his own meal and sitting at the bar where Leo was eating himself. Leo grinned at him and whispered something in his ear. Justice chuckled and ate his food. The room had a content feeling in it. It was part of the addiction of coming to the Rook. Most of the men in the room literally had bloody jobs and Elison was no exception. To be able to be in a room with people who understood that and didn't judge was a great reprieve from the hate they normally dealt with. Still, that did not make the room safe.
With Elison sitting at Jaspar's knee, no one dared to move near them or even to look at Jaspar for longer than a few moments. Elison's demon purred happily at this. No one was dumb enough to try to challenge them.
After Jaspar finished his food, he put his knife and fork down neatly on the plate. "Thank you for the food," he murmured. "Can I have some water?"
"Just water?" Elison asked, taking the tray from him and condensing the two trays he had on his lap into one to give to Leo and Justice.
"Just water. My head's beginning to ache again," Jaspar admitted, his hands gripping the ends of the fluffy robe again nervously.
"Hopefully the Doc will have something to give you for that," Elison mused, standing up. Jaspar tensed as Elison's warmth left his leg. "I'll just get you the water," he reassured, a hand patting Jaspar's shoulder before he moved across the room to the bar. Justice took the trays away to sort the cleaning out and Leo handed him a glass of still water. Elison grinned at the man who winked at him.
"Listening in my dear?" He teased Leo who shrugged, fluttering his pretty pink eyes, leaning over the counter in a seductive pose. There were honestly times Elison wondered if Leo had some sex demon blood in him somewhere. Either that or the brothel drugged their workers so the changes in their personality never left.
"Isn't that my job?" Leo grinned innocently. "The boy's cute. When you're ready, just take him upstairs again. I think Justice had the Doc set up in his room," he added, pulling a pint of beer for one of the other clients.
Elison nodded before making his way back over to Jaspar who looked a little like a lost lamb. The half of his face, which was visible, was a neutral if not slightly nervous expression. He had his hands in his lap and his shoulders were stiff and upright. More than a few of the regulars were giving Elison enquiring looks but Elison ignored them in favour and sitting next to Jaspar again.
"Here's your water," he said, gently placing the glass into his hand. "Drink up and then we can head back upstairs."
"How come we're not allowed to eat and drink upstairs?" Jaspar asked softly, having obviously figured out it was a rule of the pub and not them being cruel to him. John was strict on those sorts of rules and while Elison, and in turn Jaspar, were technically Calder's, they were staying in John's establishment and had to play by the rules.
"I suspect it's to stop new workers from hiding away from their clients," Elison commented as Jaspar began to drink his water, his eyes looking back over at Justice. "The Rook is one of many of John's establishments and the staff at all of them are expected to eat and socialise with the customers. When the boys and girls are new, it can be a little daunting so John doesn't let anyone eat or drink in the private area unless they are bedridden."
"Boys and girls?" Jaspar frowned.
"Don't worry they are all over eighteen. John prefers over twenty-one but he does pick up younger on occasion. They are referred to as John's boys and girls, though," Elison commented, patting Jaspar on the knee. "You're not one of John's boys. You're still one of Calder's acquisitions until further notice."
"Right," Jaspar croaked sounding more unnerved than before. "Can we go see the doctor now please?" he asked sounding queasy. Elison felt sympathy for the man and picked him up again.
The crowd moved to let them past, but one man moved too softly and ended up brushing against Jaspar's hand.
Jaspar squealed in pain, holding his hand close to his now very tense body, his head burying into the crook of Elison's neck. Elison frowned as Jaspar trembling like he was in immense pain in his arms. The man just looked at him strangely.
"I didn't do anything," the other customer said sounding confused.