D9LA, Hot Lunch (Expecting)

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 3:09 pm

"Starches help to soak up the heat," he says before taking a bite of his own. He's accustomed to it, it seems, as he chews and swallows without comment or problem.

Noting her trepidation, after he swallows, he adds "It is a commonplace for youths and braggarts to have pepper-eating contests." He smiles, as if remembering an event of his own. "I remember a cousin of mine trying such a thing, popping a slice of pepper into his mouth. It did not take long until tears streamed from his eyes and sweat beaded out on his face.

"But what was really funny was when my mother popped a whole pepper into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed it--and went about her business with a smile!"

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu gave a little laugh into a sleeve. "What an interesting family Kasuga-san! It's always good to hear about such close knit families."

Trying another bite with the more traditional soy based sauce, Poemu waved a hand in front of her mouth to cool it again. "Atata... Ah, you know, your story reminds me of pickled and fermented foods back home. It was always interesting to see who could stand the most preserved foods. The kids never understood how the adults could eat such strong tasting foods and actually enjoy them! My mother always enjoyed reading my Seppun born father about eating the kid pickles."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:37 pm

"Agasha-sama will find that a bit of rice works better than fanned air to cool the heat of spice.

"But 'kid pickles,' Agasha-sama? That's...different."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

"It is quite common in Agasha lands." She smiled brightly. "Winter's are quite harsh, and food is hard to raise besides, so we pickle a lot of our vegetables. Many adults call the sweeter, less sour pickles 'kid pickles' since that is what the children always wish to eat. I only have gotten to quite enjoy the bitterly sour pickles myself about a few years ago."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:45 pm

"Ah." Seitouna nods. "That makes sense."

He takes another bite, chews thoughtfully, swallows, and continues.

"We do a lot of pickling and preserving, as well. Some of our voyages...extend, and having supplies on hand helps."

He smiles a bit, takes a sip of sake.

"Admittedly, a lot of the pickling is a simple method, especially for fruit. Namely that we put the fruit in alcohol and seal it." The smile broadens. "It does make for enjoyable time at mess."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Their talk reminded Poemu to try the umeboshi sauce, and found it quite pleasant with the chicken indeed. "We don't have many fruits that grow well in the mountains. Pears and plums are rare treats, and most rice is eaten rather than made into sake, so that sounds like a treat indeed."

"Your family must have a lot of seafood as well Kasuga-san. Pardon my inland wonder, but the idea is quite fascinating. I hear samurai at sea even eat fish that are still alive." She looked to Seitouna with innocent wonder.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 4:57 pm

He nods, clears his mouth of the bite he'd had in it.

"We do eat a great deal of fish, yes, ashore and at sea. But it is only the Mantis who eat what's still living, Agasha-sama. It's quite enough work to haul a tuna or a swordfish onto the deck without having to fight food between plate and mouth.

"But I have heard of delicacies in the Dragon lands, as well. 'Mountain tuna,' I believe was the name of it, though what fish swims through stone, I do not know."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She flushed just a bit. Whether it was at the tuna comment, or the mixing of Tortoise and Mantis eating customs, one couldn't say.

"W-well, they don't swim on rocks, but there ARE lakes and rivers in Dragon Land's after all. Quite rare though. I never had a chance myself."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:05 pm

"Ah. I shall have to ask about it, then, if I am ever among the hills and valleys of the Dragon."

He looks at her as he says it.

"It would be a good trip, I think, to explore such places."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Poemu gave a soft sigh before smiling more warmly once more. She paused in her meal as she spoke with a touch of wistfulness. "They are truly beautiful lands Kasuga-san, though harsh. The foothills are safe enough, in Mirumoto and Tonbo lands. If you traveled up to Agasha lands, I'd have a guide just in case. There are many areas where one could get lost, and there are plenty of natural dangers."

"I would show you myself if I found the chance. To see Lady Sun setting over the mountains is a sight to remember."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:16 pm

"What would I see, were you to guide me amid the setting sun?"

He places his skewer down, leans slightly in to hear her answer.

She does have a nice smile, he thinks.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She looked a bit thoughtful. "Well... it would depend when you came. In the winter, you'd see snow everywhere. There's an occasional snow hare, and maybe you'd see a mountain goat, but it'd be so bright and chilly, you'd see it all as quick as you could before asking to get inside!"

"It'd be completely different in summer. You'd still see snow on the peaks all around you, but there'd be bright little streams cutting paths everywhere from snow melt. Little flower buds would stick out in the strangest places, small but hearty. All the animals would be out, and you might even see a bear!" She trailed off after that, tucking a strand of hair behind an ear. "It really is like nowhere else Kasuga-san."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 5:32 pm

"You make it sound wonderful. Indeed, I should very much like to see it with you."

He takes another drink of sake, looks to her cup, raises an eyebrow.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Her own sips were infrequent, but she had not stopped. At the glance, she took another one and smiled softly again. "Ah, well, who knows what the future will hold after this? There were plans for me to return home to move my household to Morikage Toshi, but anymore? Perhaps I will, perhaps things will change."

"If I do, and you are free, I would be honored to show you though."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:26 pm

"The future is uncertain, certainly. But it makes such events as this all the more precious, all the more to be savored. And not only because of the food.

"'Hunger is the best sauce,' they say, but good company is not far behind it."

Seitouna refills her cup, his knuckles brushing against the back of her hand--surely an accident--as he rights the bottle.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

Her hand flinched away just a bit, but it was Poemu that murmured a soft, "Sumimasen," as she did so. She took another drink, this one a tad bigger, her cheeks flushing at the drink.

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 6:40 pm

Seitouna catches the apology.

"Why do you apologize, Agasha-sama? I don't know how you've offended."

It's a pretty blush, he thinks as he sees her cheeks redden.

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

She just shook her head softly, then smiled and took another bite of her yakitori, putting more of the hot sauce onto it. Poemu gave another smile over, changing the topic. "What about if I were to visit Earthquake Fish Bay? Tell me about your own home Kasuga-san. I realize the territory must be smaller, but I am guessing that makes it no less special."

Kasuga Seitouna · **Posted:** Wed Apr 22, 2020 7:04 pm

"I couldn't speak to Earthquake Fish Bay in any detail; I've been on those waters, but not often.

"Golden Sun Bay, though, is a wonder and a marvel. The Kasuga manage most of the lands around it and up the peninsula, the flat lowlands a contrast to the pitching seas. But looking out over the Bay as Lady Sun rises, or over the Umi Amaterasu itself, is a glory. The day blossoms in radiant colors, approaching in stealth at first before brimming suddenly into reds and oranges and golds with the first glimpse of the golden disk over the edge of the world."

He takes a deep breath, releases it.

"Ah, to see the end of a night and the towers the Tortoise maintain still standing strong! I think you would like it, Agasha-sama. I think you would like it greatly."

Agasha Poemu · **Joined:** Fri Apr 03, 2020 5:47 pm **Posts:** 896

This new flush was obviously from the geographic mistake, but by the time he was done with his own tale, she had returned the color to her cheeks, smiling. "It sounds a lot more flat and warm, but it DOES sound quite lovely indeed. I got a good view of the ocean from my room at Morikage Toshi, but I was always so busy with court, and the town was between. On a tower, with nothing in the way... I think I would enjoy that indeed."

D9LA, Hot Lunch (Expecting)

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