The town was alive with activity as merchants shouted their wares and people bustled through the streets. The scent of freshly baked bread, sizzling meat, and spiced broth filled the air. Harvis stretched his arms over his head, taking it all in with a grin. "Alright, Liz, where are we setting up?"
Liz stood beside him, arms crossed, scanning the streets with her usual calculating gaze. "Somewhere with a lot of foot traffic, but not too close to other food stalls. We need to stand out."
Harvis sighed. "So much effort... but fine." He strolled down the street, looking for a good spot. After some searching, they found an empty plot near the market square—close enough to attract customers but not directly competing with the larger establishments.
Harvis rubbed his hands together. "Alright, time to get to work!"
With the energy only he could muster, Harvis started gathering materials. He salvaged wooden planks, reinforced them with sturdy beams, and with surprising efficiency, erected a simple but sturdy open-air kitchen. Liz helped by securing nails and organizing the cooking area. By the time the sun began to set, a modest yet inviting structure stood in place—a wooden counter at the front for serving customers, an open kitchen behind it, and a small enclosed space at the back where they could sleep.
Liz wiped her brow. "I have to admit, that was impressive. I didn't think you'd actually build a proper structure."
Harvis smirked. "You underestimate me, Liz. I may be lazy, but when it comes to food, I don't cut corners."
Liz set down a wooden sign with their hastily chosen name: Wanderer's Bite.
"We should've thought of a better name," Liz muttered.
"Nah, it's perfect! We're wanderers, and we bite into food. What's not to love?" Harvis cracked his knuckles. "Alright, time to work some magic."
Soon, the sizzle of oil and the aroma of grilled meat and spices filled the air. Passersby slowed down, intrigued by the sudden appearance of the food stall. Harvis worked swiftly, flipping skewers, tossing vegetables into sizzling pans, and crafting simple but delicious meals.
Their first customer, a weary traveler, hesitated before stepping forward. "What do you have?"
Harvis grinned. "Best street food in town! Try this grilled meat skewer, or if you're feeling fancy, a hearty stew."
The man took a cautious bite of the skewer. His eyes widened. "This... this is amazing!" He quickly ordered more, drawing attention from others.
Liz smirked. "Looks like you're not completely useless after all."
"Tch, you doubted me?" Harvis chuckled, handing out another plate. "Cooking is my calling!"
As more customers trickled in, Liz managed the payments and kept track of their stock. Business was picking up.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in town, Alex wandered the streets with Lily trailing behind him, clutching his sleeve. "Big brother, are we going to be okay?"
Alex forced a smile. "Of course, Lily. I just need to find a job, and then we'll get a place to stay."
He stopped by several shops, asking if they needed help, but was turned away each time. "Too young," one merchant scoffed. "Not enough experience," another dismissed.
His shoulders sagged. They had just enough money to last a day or two, but beyond that…
As they walked through the market, the smell of grilled meat and spices made Lily tug at his sleeve. "That smells so good!"
Alex turned, following the scent—only to spot a familiar figure behind a sizzling grill. "Harvis?"
Harvis looked up mid-bite, blinking in surprise. "Alex? Hey! Didn't expect to see you so soon."
Lily's eyes sparkled as she ran up. "Harvy! You have a restaurant now?!"
"Yep! Pretty cool, huh?" Harvis grinned. "Want to try some?" He handed them each a skewer.
Alex hesitated but took a bite—and his eyes widened. "This is… really good."
Liz crossed her arms. "Of course it is. Harvis may be lazy, but he knows his way around a kitchen."
Alex let out a breath, looking at his sister, then back at Harvis. "You… wouldn't happen to need help, would you?"
Harvis smirked. "Thinking of joining the best restaurant in town?" He leaned forward. "Tell you what, you work as a waiter, and I'll even throw in a place for you and Lily to stay."
Lily gasped. "Really?! We can stay with you?!"
Alex looked at her hopeful expression and then back at Harvis. He let out a small chuckle. "Alright… deal."
Harvis clapped him on the back. "Welcome aboard!"
As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Alex helped Harvis clean up the restaurant after a successful first day. His stomach was finally full, and Lily was already dozing off in a makeshift cot Liz had arranged in the back.
"So, where exactly are we staying?" Alex asked, watching as Harvis packed away the cooking supplies.
Harvis grinned. "See that little room in the back? That's where we sleep. It's not fancy, but it's got four walls and a roof. And hey, free rent since Liz convinced the innkeeper we'd bring him customers."
Liz sighed. "More like I had to negotiate our profits with him. We get to stay, but a portion of what we earn goes to the innkeeper."
"Still a pretty sweet deal," Harvis said, stretching. "Way better than sleeping out in the cold."
Alex nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. They had a place to sleep, food to eat, and now, he had a job. Things were finally looking up.
The next morning, Alex started his first shift as a waiter. Harvis gave him a quick rundown on how things worked, but mostly, he had to figure it out on the spot.
"You take the order, tell me, and I cook. Easy," Harvis said as he flipped a pancake in the pan.
Easy? Maybe for him. Alex quickly learned that waiting tables wasn't as simple as it looked. Customers could be impatient, picky, or downright rude. He mixed up an order once, and a grumpy old man scolded him for five minutes straight.
Lily, however, was having the time of her life. She ran between tables, delivering plates and smiling at customers. "Here you go! Enjoy!" she said cheerfully, melting even the toughest customers' hearts.
"Your sister is better at this than you," Harvis teased as he handed Alex a plate. "Maybe I should promote her instead."
Alex rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just focus on cooking."
As the day went on, he got better at the job. He learned how to handle customers, balance plates, and anticipate orders. It wasn't glamorous work, but for the first time in a while, he felt secure.
That night, as they closed the restaurant, Alex sat beside Harvis, watching the last few people trickle out of the market. "Hey… thanks for this. I really appreciate it."
Harvis grinned. "No problem. Just don't slack off."
Alex smirked. "I should be saying that to you."
They both laughed, and for the first time in a long while, Alex felt like he had found a place where he belonged.
The Wanderer's Bite was officially in business—and a new chapter in their lives had begun.