aterat | Leaves are falling

Entry tags:

Leaves are falling

Who; Ignis and you! (closed cooking section for Luna)
What; Autumn stuff
Where; Out & about (pick a place)
When; this week?
Warnings; none, will change if needed

Market - (OTA) Ignis was out enjoying the day. Leaves seemed to be falling pretty abundantly lately and he could only smile. This was the season that he'd gotten married in and his first year anniversary with Nida was only a month away. Ignis was searching for autumnal foods to start cooking, as he always tried to stay pretty prepared. There would be new spices and ingredients to be stocking up now as well. So here he was out in the market (his second favourite place), looking through pumpkins and squash. He'd heard rumours of maple candy in the stalls, so that was what he was in search of for the moment. Turning around when he heard a voice, the strategist shook his head. "I'm quite certain that they told me about this at the Lodge. Have you heard of the merchants selling maple flavoured things?"

Park (OTA) - Ignis turned his head towards the sky as he led his chocobo mount over to a nice soft patch of grass with available water nearby. Once the bird was settled, and he gave it some greens he'd purchased from the chocobo ranch, he sat down on a nearby bench, pulling out a book to read. There were so many things he needed to do around the house, but some break time was needed and he knew that. So he opened his book, and once he realized someone was there, he bookmarked his place and closed it. "I'm sorry I didn't realize I had company."

Cooking (Closed to Luna) Luna had expressed an interest in learning to cook at the beach. And while it had been some time since their meeting, he'd found out where she was and sent a message to one of the people there to let her know that he hadn't forgotten about his promise to teach her. So Ignis had gotten the arrangements made, and procured simple ingredients so that Luna could pursue her learning to cook. The last person he'd helped teach was Jacob, although he did wonder if a certain newer person at the Lodge might care to learn as well.

But at the appointed time, he had tea and cookies ready and when he heard the knock on the door, Ignis opened it with a smile at his new apprentice. "Do come in Luna, I've been expecting you."

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The only coin the teen was going to be made until he got over his fear of becoming like Madarame was going to be through thievery… But the surrounding adults didn’t need to know that. He and his friends were pretty good at keeping secrets. “She has! I only hope my work do the walls of her lovely establishment justice, I think I’m… starting to work past my slump, but I think I have a long way to go yet.” Yusuke finally responded with a small nod, eyes finally moving back to the canvas he’d been working on.

He wasn’t sure if this piece would be the one, but he was feeling ambitious about the project, at least.

The question is met with a small smile. “Indeed, it’s a simmered Japanese pumpkin dish. Let me think…” He murmured thoughtfully, it was a simple enough dish. One that he’d had once or twice while living in the shack, since it wasn’t particularly expensive to make. “Along with the pumpkin, of course… There is dashi, soy sauce, sake, mirin and sugar, I believe. Some of the older pupils would make it during the winter months while they were still around.” He explained with a smile, finishing off the list that he could recall.

He was happy to help with the request, of course, and he nodded quickly. “I shall check with my friends and let you know when I have a free evening to sample, then!”

"I'm quite sure she believes your work is worthy." Ignis smiled and then added "Slumps are only to be expected, so long as we don't linger in them. And self improvement is always a good thing." There were days that he had slumps and days he sure didn't want to get out of bed. But then he would look over at Nida's side of the bed and whether or not the man in question was there, he'd been Ignis' motivation to get as far as he had. Bills needed to be paid and food needed to be put on the table at home so work was a necessity.

At hearing a few ingredients he knew, he nodded. But at some of the others, he had to pull out the trusty green notebook that Llewellyn had given him and wrote them down. "I have to wonder if I could indeed find these ingredients here."

That sounded like a challenge and he could handle that.

But then he smiled when Yusuke offered to let him know when he was free. "I would be in your debt."

Yusuke supposed Ignis was right, even if he was perhaps a little hard on himself, regardless. “I expect you’re right… I’m simply not used to them, to be quite honest. I have had brief moments of art block or frustration, but nothing that has lingered for such a vexing length of time before.” He responded with a small shrug and a light frown. The teen was perhaps being too hard on himself, considering the rather large shift in his life before even arriving at Aterat. An art slump from the stress and upheaval was probably only normal, but Yusuke hardly seemed to see it that way.

But he was trying every day to move forward, rather than give up entirely.

The teen’s eyes lit up though at the idea. “I wonder, there do seem to be a lot of things available to us here. Even if not, perhaps it might not be difficult to replicate it in a near enough way.” That would be a lovely treat as the weather continued to chill, and it did seem like pumpkin season was nearly upon them again! Yes, such a simple dish would be considered quite the treat to Yusuke.

“Oh, I would hardly call it that! After all, I get the privilege of sampling delicious food. That is reward enough in itself!” He responded with a brief smile again, given he was used to either being fed by his friends or subsisting off of whatever cheap ramen he could get from the corner store on his budget back home.

He smiled kindly. "This is a new world and there are many adjustments that need to be made in order to get one's feet on the ground so to speak. So if there's a slump, I would imagine would be quite natural until you got settled in."

However, once Yusuke began speaking about the food, Ignis listened. Green eyes looked back at the unfamiliar ingredients, and was certain that someone here may have at least heard of these things. But whether or not they were actually here was going to be quite another matter altogether. "I will most certainly do my best to find them." He could do that much at least.

Another smile came out and Ignis nodded. "Then I shall begin looking today, and if I can't seem to locate anything, I will inquire in the morning since that seems to be when most vendors have the majority of their food stuffs."

That being said he sighed and sat back a moment. "So let me know when you're not busy, and I'll schedule a meal at the hunting lodge. I'll have you walk me through it."

Normally Ignis was a pretty self sufficient person. But he wanted Yusuke to feel involved, especially since he'd be making a dish from the boy's own world. And when it could be perfected, he might put it on regular rotation.

Yusuke hoped the man was right… It was a little more complicated than the situation in Aterat, of course, but he was endeavoring to move past it all. Perhaps finding some stability and getting settled here would be enough, at least in time.

The teen nodded. “Of course. If I should happen upon any or here of them being here, I shall be in touch to let you know as well.” It seemed only right, after all, to offer that much if Ignis was willing to try out the recipe. Though he knew the man ran the hunting lodge and was in charge of the kitchens, so it would undoubtedly be easier for him to find such things through his connections for purchasing for the kitchens there.

“I promise to let you know once I have an idea of what the others may have planned, though I’m sure I can find the time.” Ren and Haru were both flexible after all, and they were all used to balancing the lives of ‘normal teenagers’ with ‘phantom thieves’ quite well by this point. Perhaps better than him, given they were from a future he had yet to reach himself. Besides that, he was sure they would enjoy the opportunity to enjoy a taste of home themselves! Although he wondered what kind of food Haru did enjoy, given her upbringing. Perhaps such a simple dish would be a new experience for her as well?

And it would be nice, really, to be involved in the process, as Ignis suggested. It had been a while since he’d helped out in the kitchen with anything that was a proper meal. Which could be an experience at times, as he was known to substitute or add things that could… make a bit of a food crime… But such was the life of someone with a limited food budget. But it would be reminiscent of helping the older pupils out around Madarame’s shack before he was alone. “Thank you for the opportunity, Ignis. I shall look forward to assisting with the recipe!”

Ignis smiled with a nod. "I will keep a lookout for you then in case of any new developments." The Lodge and Nida were where he had found his own stability and he was so very grateful for both.

"Again should anything come up, do let me know. Otherwise I will be expecting you." This was said gently because Yusuke wasn't one of the lads. To hear Ignis go easy on someone else would undoubtedly ruffle their feathers. But this whole endeavour was exciting, and Ignis was very much looking forward to hunting down new ingredients.

Usually he didn't involve the lads back home but then again they never really showed interest and all of their dishes he was familiar with or learned on the road.

"Will it be only you or will there be company? I simply ask so that I know how much to purchase in order to have enough."

“I promise to be in touch should something change, though barring something strange happening with Aterat itself, I imagine that all should work out accordingly.” Because, well… Aterat was an odd place, it was hard to rule that possibility out entirely. But should something happen, and it be in his power to let Ignis know, the teen would. Yusuke always tried to be truthful and to keep his word, which was a bit detrimental at times considering the secrets he harbored, but it wasn’t too difficult back home given most people at school didn’t talk to him… But here could prove to be a complicated thing, given people did socialize with him and it was a bit chaotic at times with the changes that took place.

The question gets a thoughtful hum, though. “I believe for our attempts at making it, it shall just be myself. Should we succeed, though, I might like to bring my friends by the lodge at a later date for them to enjoy it as well if it becomes something you make for the season.” He responded finally, coming to the decision that it was best to make sure they could pull it off first, rather than risk disappointing people.

"Fair enough." Ignis replied with a nod. He knew all too well how this place could be calm one moment and topsy turvy the next. Fortunately he married a fellow warrior and someone he knew would be out there alongside him even if they happened to rush out the door in the middle of a meal due to some fire to put out so to speak.

For domesticity's sake, he preferred the downtime when all was quite and there weren't any monsters to chase after and hunt down. He'd done more than enough hunting back home and occasionally went out for a day of that himself here. That gave him extra work and extra money when he dressed the kills for the hunters and helped them get the furs cleaned and ready for trading.

Yusukue's comments about bringing others was sound. But of course that last part had him tilt his head. "Is this a seasonal dish back home where you're from?"

“It is!” The teen confirmed with a bright tone and a short nod. Calling back to when it was usually made back in his world, thinking of the cooler months where it became an easy inclusion at meal time between its low cost and the easy to find ingredient. “It’s most often cooked during the colder months, fall and winter.”

"I see." Ignis replied, pulling out his green notebook again. "Then this would be about the perfect time of year to create this meal."

Funny how that all worked out.

"And how often does one eat this meal? Would it be consumed weekly or just every so often?"

His pen was poised to take more notes when he received answers.

“Indeed, it really would be.” And it was about the season for pumpkins to be abundant in general.

Though the question that Ignis followed with was one that gets a thoughtful tilt of his head. “I believe that would largely depend on the person and their own situations. We ate it fairly regularly a few times a week during the later months; given it was inexpensive, delicious, and easy to prepare.” Madarame had kept his students in slightly rough conditions, pretending to be a starving artist and leading them to believe he’d been ‘doing his best’ to provide for them… While he lived elsewhere with a rather lavish and comfortable lifestyle if he wasn’t trying to keep up appearances.

A few more notes were written as Ignis listened, lifting his head for a moment. "Inexpensive for your world then." Whether it was that way or not here, he was going to find out, but it wouldn't deter him either way regardless.

He smiled. "We'll have to see how it turns out, but once it's been prepared as it was in your home, when I serve it at the Lodge I'm going to have you there to see how others enjoy it if you don't mind."

Still, he would put the boy's name somewhere in the dish or just credit him in general.

To credit Yusuke at all would be a nice change of pace for the young man, considering how often he’d gone without it over the years concerning things he’d put a lot more hard work into… But he hadn’t even considered it over the dish, at the moment. Instead, he was smiling rather excitedly at the idea, keen to see how it all turned out.

“I would be happy to be there and see what people think. Thoughts and opinions are important after all.” And it was important that people liked it, after all, if Ignis was going to cook it again after they worked out how to do the recipe here.

Ignis nodded. "In my experience with cooking, others thoughts are certainly important." He couldn't say that with the lads if they didn't like something he'd never serve it again. That was because a certain king of his would try to survive on meat as much as possible and no vegetables.

"And what is a good thing to serve with it as far as a drink goes?"

He sat poised with his pen, waiting.

The question is a good one, though admittedly Yusuke couldn’t really think of anything particularly special that one might drink with it. At least when one considered that, again, it wasn’t like it was a dish they served with much to begin with at the shack. Inexpensive and convenient, which generally meant Yusuke would have water or some kind of soda if there were any in the fridge. “I can’t say that there is anything special one might serve as a drink, usually I’d just have a glass of water with dinner… Perhaps a cup of tea, like Hōjicha after dinner if we didn’t all go our separate ways to work on our projects.” He responded with a small shake of his head.

"I see." Ignis replied, jotting the notes down in his green notebook. However, there was that word he didn't know. "And what is this Hōjicha that you mentioned? Is it a special type of tea? Is that something that can be made here?"

Again he could go ingredients hunting. And of course he was willing to learn to make it by hand if that's something that he had to do too.

This was all really interesting to him because he was getting quite the education here in more than a few ways.

Yusuke tilted his head thoughtfully at that, he supposed different worlds likely meant different varieties of tea as well. “I am unsure what we have available for teas as of yet… But Hōjicha is a variety of tea from my world that has been through a different process. Instead of the green tea leaves being processed by being steamed and dried before sale, they’re roasted in a porcelain pot over charcoals.”

He explained, trying to recall what he knew of them. He wasn’t quite as knowledgeable as some might be, of course. He was sure Haru would probably know the most on the subject of tea and coffee varieties since she wanted to open a cafe. “The process means it has less caffeine than green tea traditionally has, so it makes a nice cup of tea in the evening. It has an almost… Biscuit or nutty flavour profile, if I had to describe it.”

"That is rather interesting." Ignis replied, writing down every word that was said. He would definitely get his hands figuratively of course on the merchants in town and find out if they knew of this tea. Perhaps it might have to be procured in a different way, but he was more than willing to find out first on his own.

Raised eyebrows looked over at Yusuke and he took more notes about the flavour. "That would be rather interesting to do here. I could put it on the menu if I can somehow find a resource with this sort of tea."

He smiled. "It might go well with a dessert or two here."

Yusuke smiled lightly. “It is a nice flavour. I’ve had it with several desserts over time myself. I cannot say if it’s available here or not, though my friend Haru may be able to say more on the subject of tea or coffee varieties.” He commented with a smile in his voice, she was someone he didn’t know yet in his world… But they’d already become fast friends here, it was almost like they had always known each other rather than be complete strangers. Her creative streak and ideas were something he’d grown rather fond of hearing about and encouraging in the last few months. She seemed so knowledgeable on the subjects compared to others he knew, aside from perhaps Boss back at Leblanc on the subject of coffee.

“Do you think? What kind of desserts do you make, if I might ask?” He continued a moment later, finally moving on to work, continuing his current art piece.

"Haru." Ignis echoed. He was definitely going to have to remember that name if they knew about tea and coffee. It would be an interesting thing to be able to get to know what this person knew and of course in turn he would give what information he had.

But it was enough for now to feed his scholarly mind.

At the question about desserts, he smiled.

"Have you ever heard of cheesecake in your world?"

Yusuke was glad to think he might have assisted in his friend getting to know more people, especially those that might share interests. But the question gets a pleased tilt of his head as he began setting out the paints he needed. “Indeed, I have! I’ve had a few varieties over the years, as it’s made slightly different from where I’m from than it is in North America.” Both were delicious though, depending on how sweet and rich you preferred your dessert. “What kind of cheese cake do you make, then?” The teen asked with interest, rather curious how it might differ in other worlds as well.

"Different varieties?" Okay there went the scholar again. "Do tell." He didn't quite get what North America was, but with this knew information, he might be able to work on these new things until he could perfect them.

"I make a Kupoberry cheesecake, but I have made a Pumpkin one last Fall. And that of course reminds me that I should be procuring the ingredients for that to put on the menu."

And that had him scribbling some notes.

“Yes, the Japanese variety actually uses less cream cheese than the north American variety, while also using a lot of whipped egg whites and cake flour to give it a soft light texture as opposed to the north American variety that is more dense and creamy, often with a crust of crushed biscuits around it with a very rich flavour.” They were a decidedly different, individual experience as desserts went. Some people preferred one over the other, but Yusuke thought they were both quite good depending on one’s mood.

The teen had to admit, he was rather curious about this cheesecake that Ignis made. Was it also different from the other two he’d just described? “I have never heard of a Kupoberry. What is that kind of cheesecake like?” He voiced his curiosity, eyes turning away from the canvas for a moment. A small smile graced his face, though, at the comment. “Then I am glad I could remind you to pick up the things you need.”

More notes went into his trusty green notebook as Yusuke went on about how cheesecakes were made in his homeland versus America which Ignis guessed was another country or something. Green eyes then looked up at Yusuke and he smiled. "Well then we shall have to try both."

Because that was the way that he was.

His pen paused at the question and he thought a moment. "The cheesecake has sheep's milk, sweet potato and orange in it. But it sounds a little lighter than the heavier cheeses you mention."

“I look forward to it! It would be interesting to see what people think of both varieties.” The teen responded lightly, glad to have been able to offer some ideas and new potential recipes for the chef. Cooking as much of an art as other things could be, so it was nice to have spread such potential inspiration.

The description of this other variety of cheese get gets a particular look of intrigued interest. “I have never had one like that. I should very much like to sample it as well. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for if I find myself near the lodge to try it.” Yusuke responded with a smile, finally taking up his brush again to add a few more strokes of colour to the canvas.

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