Raul/Stories
Alk delivers a parcel to a man named Raul, who runs a seaside bar. There, he utilizes his cooking prowess and the World Flipper to help finish an incomplete dish.
Alk: Raul's Bar... This must be the place.
Raul: Oh? Here's a new face. The name's Raul, and welcome to my bar.
Alk: Hi there. I've got a package for you, actually.
Raul: For me? Let's see it then.
Raul: Very interesting. What was your name, son?
Alk: Er, Alk.
Raul: Alk, my boy. You must've been in desperate straits to deliver this to me.
Alk: Huh?
Raul: This was sent by pirates, was it not? You ought to fraternize with a better crowd.
Alk: Oh. Yeah... I think it's a bit late for that.
Raul: Regardless, thank you for the delivery. If you're not in a hurry, how about a drink?
Alk: Sure. Well, uh... Do you have juice?
Fisherman: Hey, barkeep.
Raul: Long time no see, friend. What'll it be?
Fisherman: Nothin' fer me today, Raul. I'm still tryna make enough to pay off my tab here.
Raul: That's very noble of you—and greatly appreciated.
Fisherman: Yeah, well, that was the plan, but... the fish ain't bitin' lately!
Fisherman: I was wonderin' if for the time being, you'd take this as payment.
Raul: What's this?
Fisherman: I was thinkin' I could offer you this instead o' cash.
Alk: What's in there?! It reeks!
Raul: Ah, anchovy sauce. Considered a delicacy in some regions, it's made from fish that have been fermented for years. A perfect seasoning or base for some dipping sauces.
Alk: And people... like it?
Raul: Quite so. But this one... It's not complete, is it?
Fisherman: Ngh... You got me there. Hard to get a hold of the right herbs this time of year.
Raul: Unfortunate. With the right herbs and spices, it would be much more... palatable than its current state.
Alk: Yeah, it might be a bit TOO strong.
Raul: It can't be easy to grow herbs out at sea, I imagine. Although I don't think I could get much use of it in its current state, unfortunately.
Alk: What kind of herbs do you need?
Alk: Got it. I think I can make this work somehow!
Raul: Yes! This is it! How in the world did you obtain this so quickly?
Raul: Scratch that—we can talk about it later. For now, there's a sauce that needs saving!
Alk: Whoa!
Fisherman: *sniff* Oho! This is it! It's been so long since I've smelled such a fragrant sauce!
Alk: I just realized how hungry I was.
Raul: Wait right there. I've just got the dish for this.
Raul: Thank you for waiting. Enjoy.
Alk: Wow, this looks delicious!
Fisherman: Hot, hot, hot! B-but so... so good!
Alk: I'm workin' up a sweat too, but I can't stop eating it!
Raul: We'll be able to serve this dish for some time thanks to you, Alk.
Raul: You've done me a great favor, so if there's anything you should need, don't be a stranger.
Raul: Actually, it seems that you're involved with some potentially dubious fellows. Perhaps you could use some protection?
Fisherman: ...! Raul here doesn't offer his services to just anybody, you know! In the underworld, he was once feared as—
Raul: Now, now. There's no need for any of that.
Alk: You'd be more than welcome to join.
Alk: And could you teach me how you made that dish with the anchovy sauce? I'd like to try making it myself.
Raul: Of course. It's the least I could do.
Alk gets into a tangle with a pirate with a bone to pick at Raul's Bar. When a fight breaks out, the restaurant's patrons begin to take bets, to Alk's surprise. Alk easily trumps his foe, and Raul collects the winnings to buy everyone drinks.
Raul: Welcome to Raul's Bar.
Alk: Hey, Raul! I've brought you the spices.
Raul: Ah, Alk, my boy! Much obliged.
Alk: Hey, we're happy to swing by any time to get a taste of your cooking!
Raul: Hahaha! Excellent. Just sit tight and I'll have something ready for you soon.
Light: I take it business has been good lately. This place seems much more—
Flirty Guy: Here, babe. Say "ahh".
Flirty Girl: Oh, gosh... How embarrassing. Okay. Ahh...
Flirty Guy: Ahaha! You love it, didn't you? I'll bet it was delicious... Not as delicious as you though...
Light: R-Raul! A-are you okay with such a shameless display of affection here?!
Raul: As long as they aren't disturbing the other customers, I don't see a problem.
Alk: Yeah... Just relax and eat your food before it gets cold, Light.
Raul: My customers are happy, and I make a profit. All is well.
Raul: Although with my newfound popularity, there HAS been an increase in incidents.
Sailor: Hey, barkeep.
Alk: C-can I help you?
Sailor: Hey... Haven't we met somewhere before?
Light: Alk...
Alk: Uh, you must be thinking of someone else! My face is pretty generic, you know?
Sailor: Wait, I remember now! You're that punk who's sailin' with the Crimson Blades!
Sailor: I had to file for unemployment because of you!
Alk: That doesn't even make sense!
Sailor: Shut up! I've got unfinished business with you!
Light: Raul! I'd say we have a real incident on our hands now, right?!
Customers: This is what we've been waiting for, baby!
Raul: Showtime, ladies and gentlemen! As usual, all bets require a minimum order of one drink and start at one gold coin.
Swashbuckler: Seaside Chardonnay! And two gold on the sailor!
Thrill Seeker: Five on the sailor! And I'll have a Sunset Cocktail!
Raul: Excellent. Anyone else wishing to partake, please do so before all bets are off.
Light: What is happening here?!
Raul: Now then... What's this? It seems no one's placed a bet on poor Alk yet.
Swashbuckler: Yeah, well, I guess we ain't tryna throw away our hard-earned cash today, y'know? Ahahah!
Raul: Is that so?
Raul: Let us begin, then! The hardened sailor versus the lad with the sword! FIGHT!
Sailor: You ain't getting away this time, chump!
Alk: Seriously?I just wanna eat, man.
Alk: I guess we'll do this the hard way.
Raul: K.O.! Winner: Alk!
Customers: You're kidding me!
Swashbuckler: No way... I was on a roll today too! Then this guy had to show up and ruin everything!
Raul: Let's see here... Oh? It seems that no one bet on Alk.
Swashbuckler: Hah! You really cleaned up this time, Raul!
Thrill Seeker: A lesson well learned... Next time I'm putting it all on the underdog!
Alk: Yeesh... I can't believe you're using local kerfuffles to profit your restaurant.
Raul: Anywhere there's a profit to be made, yes?
Raul: And the customers are more than happy to partake.
Alk: Let me guess—everyone's happy, and you still profit?
Raul: Now you understand how I run my business.
Raul: Enjoy, everyone! Tonight's meals are on the house!
Swashbuckler: Mighty generous of you, Raul! Is it really okay?
Raul: Not to worry. You've all technically paid for it, after all!
Thrill Seeker: Hah! Cheers, I'll drink to that, friend!
Alk: Wait, so we basically did this all for free?
Alk: Light?! Hey, are you okay?
Light: They made me... drink... How... unbecoming...
Raul: My sincerest apologies. Allow me to make you our house specialty
Light: Ah, Princess... Lily...
Alk: Hoo, boy. Here we go...