Smoke, Signals, and the Hidden Table
After entering the stall, Charlotte Bonds handed Julian D'Aurelius a plastic basket for picking food.
Warm smoke drifted through the night air from the grills, carrying the rich scent of charcoal, spice, and sizzling meat. The stall was crowded with late-night diners—workers, students, and night owls laughing loudly under flickering neon lights.
Charlotte casually pointed toward the display counter filled with skewers.
"Take whatever you want to eat. I come here often," she said while tying her azure hair loosely behind her head. "Their smoked honey taro slices and golden dragon dumplings are pretty good. You should try them."
Julian raised an eyebrow, studying the food selection like a man preparing for battle.
"I'm going to pick the expensive stuff and eat you broke."
Charlotte snorted.
"Fine. You look like you have kidney deficiency anyway," she said bluntly. "Take a few more skewers of fire-roasted lamb kidneys."
"…."
