Olivier woke up in his comfortable bed, stretching his limbs. One day had passed since he was sent to Sam's world. He let out a sigh, enjoying the warmth of his blanket. After sitting in an ally for one night he had already started to miss his bed.
It was strange how quickly people were able to adapt. When he had just arrived here, he was fearing for his life, rejecting the new environment. But after a few weeks he had already accepted the café as his new home. Of course, there were people he missed, but considering the quality of living, the café was multiple levels better than his former home. Actually, now that he had discovered a way to travel to other worlds, Olivier had a faint hope. Perhaps the strange book could send him to his old home world? He could visit the people he cared about and live in the comfortable café. Wouldn't this be great?
However, Olivier also had some worry. Yesterday before going to bed, he went into the study again to take a look at the strange book. He wanted to try if it allowed him to travel at will. And the answer was a resounding no! In fact, he couldn't even open the book. Thus, he came to the conclusion that the book would only send him to other worlds if it had a mission for him. Since that was the case, he wouldn't be able to freely visit his home world.
Thus, the strange book was a source of danger rather than joy. Olivier didn't know when he would suddenly receive a call again. He had to be mentally prepared.
After coming back from Sam's world Olivier tried to calm down by reading a book, but his thoughts were constantly revolving around his experience. He realised that the process of his mission this time was too chaotic. If the gendarmes had arrived a few minutes earlier he would have been unable to destroy the anchor, and the hunter might have escaped. With the hunter at large and himself in jail one could imagine what Sam's fate would have looked like.
Olivier didn't know where the hunter came from or why he tried to kill Sam. However, with Olivier's character he naturally abhorred murderers. If he had the chance to save someone, he would definitely be willing to do so. Thus, his resistance to the strange book decreased greatly.
But this didn't mean that he enjoyed risking his own life. Thus, it was extremely important to be prepared from now on! He would try whatever he could think of to minimize risks. First, memorizing the information he had about Sam's world. Second, storing some coffee beans in the study so he could take them with him. Third, perhaps learning some combat skill. However, the third point was currently on halt as he didn't have anyone to teach him.
Today Olivier planned to take care of the first two matters as soon as he finished work on his little garden outside. Well, it seemed there was actually something to do. It was time to stop lazing around…
Olivier reluctantly left the warmth of his bed. He walked to the closet and donned one of the many tailcoats. Turning around he admired himself in the mirror. However, at that moment he was somewhat surprised. Yesterday there were too many things on his mind, and he didn't explore the changes to his body. Now that he saw himself in the mirror he had actually returned to his 20-year-old appearance.
Admiring himself Olivier let out a profound sigh. At this point such a change could only stun him for a moment. The Café of Dreams dealt in lifespan and suddenly returning to a youthful appearance was within reason. Especially when looking at the rows of text floating next to Olivier's body.
Lifespan: 28,8/416,8
Initial eyes of truth
Small monocle
More than 400 years of lifespan? Could this be real? Just like that, he was supposed to live more than 400 years? Olivier was somewhat puzzled. He couldn't even imagine what one would do with so much time. Just look at Old Demon. The alien had a lifespan exceeding a hundred thousand years, but he was spending all his time in the café just sitting around, drinking one cup a day. Could one even call this a life?
Well, Olivier didn't want to demean his guests. Someone like Old Demon surely had his own thoughts. He couldn't be measured by the standards of humans.
Olivier shook his head and thought about another issue. Where did the lifespan come from? Was it granted as a reward by the black cat? Unlikely. Yesterday, after destroying the anchor, Olivier already received a surge of lifespan. The most probable explanation was that it was taken from the hunter. But then, what about the second burst he received after coming home? Judging from the intensity this second burst was actually the main source of his now more than 400 years. Unfortunately, Olivier had absolutely no explanation for it.
"Just ignore it for now…"
Since arriving at this place Olivier had found himself employing such a mindset more than once. If he couldn't figure it out, he would ignore it. He still had other things to check. For example, the new line which had appeared in the mirror. Small monocle. What was this all about?
The moment Olivier thought about it he felt something hanging from his tailcoat. Looking in the mirror he noticed an inconspicuous monocle hanging from a thin chain which was attached the tailcoat's neck. Had this been there before? Surely not, right? Olivier moved his eyes from the mirror to his own body, looking down at his chest. In his eyes there was nothing other than his usual tailcoat. However, when he tried to perceive it carefully Olivier felt something touching his chest.
A shiver ran down Olivier's spine. He couldn't tell if the monocle was real or not. He kept staring. A few seconds later a flash went through his eyes. Under the scrutiny of his eyes of truth he could finally see a monocle hanging in front of his chest. It was indeed real! But apparently it couldn't be seen with the naked eye.
Under the eyes of truth, the monocle couldn't hide any more but even this miraculous ability didn't present any additional information. Olivier could only figure it out by himself.
Curious, Olivier turned the monocle between his fingers. He couldn't spot anything special. Raising it towards the height of his eyes Olivier looked through the glass but the world behind didn't show any changes.
"Here goes nothing…"
Murmuring to himself Olivier slowly brought the monocle to his eye. His heart beat loudly as the monocle came closer. Only a centimetre. Suppressing the shiver in his finger Olivier finally put the monocle on. And… there was absolutely nothing. Turning his head, studying the room, there was not a single thing off.
Olivier let out a sigh. He was somewhat relived but also frustrated. Another mystery he couldn't figure out. Perhaps the monocle only showed a special effect when pointed at living beings? This was Olivier's next best guess. Thus, he went down into the café. The gramophone was playing soothing music and only Old Demon was present. It seemed the two customers from yesterday left without drinking a single cup of coffee. Well, this was their decision. Olivier surely wouldn't force them.
Ignoring the matter of the two customers Olivier turned his head towards Old Demon. He patiently focused.
[???
Lifespan: 10.000+/100.000+
Origin: ???, ???, ???]
Again, no new information. Could it be that this monocle was useless? Surely not. Perhaps it was time to ask the black cat. Olivier glanced towards the feline sleeping on the counter. Just by lying there she gave him a provocative feeling. Forget it.
Olivier lightly shook his head. He loosened the monocle, allowing it to hang in front of his chest as he got to work grinding some coffee beans. The rhythmic sound of the mill could be heard. Olivier was not in a hurry, calmly turning the crank.
[???
Lifespan: 10.000+/100.000+
Origin: ???, ???, ???]
Suddenly Olivier froze. Wasn't this Old Demon's information? But why? He was looking down at the mill. Why did he see Old Demon's information? Could it be…
Olivier had a hunch. As the monocle was swaying in front of his chest it was actually turned in Old Demon's direction. Was this the answer? Could the monocle function as an extension of his eyes of truth?
Moving to verify his conjecture Olivier took the monocle off the chain it was hanging on. Fortunately, this was quite easy. A flick of the wrist and the monocle came off. Although it might look strange in the eyes of others, but Olivier didn't care about that right now. He took the monocle and laid it in a drawer below the counter, right next to the red beans. Then he demonstratively looked in another direction. And a few seconds later…
[Red Beans of Ognaxth
Whoever drinks coffee brewed from these will be susceptible to suggestions. Increased effectiveness if suggestion aligns with desire.
Price: 1 year]