[He was expecting tea, and then, maybe a few biscuits on the side. Given the time Kaspar was gone, he really should have figured something more was happening. But maybe he was a little distracted by mildly dissociating because he made a friend??? He wasn't expecting it to happen so quickly. He'd called Kaspar stupid and then Kaspar had asked to be friends anyway??? And he'd said yes??? Why did either of them do these things.
[ That comment almost surprises him as much as the pancakes did to poor van Zieks. Though they hardly know one another here, so it is less obvious save for the blink in his direction over his tea cup. The warm feeling makes it into his smile again. With that honesty and time spent alone in the kitchen, Kaspar doesn't cling to staying too upset about being ignored earlier. Though he didn't forget.
There is just food to discuss, to test the palate of those used to things grown and raised in the sun. And that is far more fun than serious talk. ]
[ Kaspar slides the syrup that has totally been on this table this whole time because the residents of this farm eat a lot of pancakes.
To the question, he hums softly as he nods and readies his own plate with some of both flavors of pancakes. There is no mention of the effort put into expanding from the recipe in the book. How he took the extra step of whisking egg whites to layer them in, or achieving the lemon flavor with fresh lemon zest and spice from the store or his forest wanderings. ]
... Prefer? [He's suddenly embarrassed to admit that he typically is so focused on his work that he gives tea very little thought, and the majority of the time whatever service is provided is simply decided by the staff. It's not as if he often takes tea with others.
But if he were to actually give it thought? Hm. His brow is creasing as he's clearly ruminating over it, his hands finding the convenient distraction of sampling the pancake.]
Smoken salmon and dill on dark bread. And scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam.
[A pause, as arriving at an answer allows his thoughts to come back to the moment.]
But these are quite good, Kaspar. The sharper flavor from the zest is an interesting contrast with the soft texture.
[ Salmon, dark bread, scones, clotted cream, jam-- Kaspar wonders at what some of those things even are. But the way van Zieks says it so easily, makes him hum with the energy of exciting and unknown things. It's a unique feeling, hungering for tastes he's never known.
He blinks at the comment though. More genuine surprise than most get from him. Many might be able to tell his alterations tasted better this way, but not the exact reason. He'd been beginning to think his sensitive palate was unique above ground.
Being ignored is now water beneath the bridge. One paved with compliments from someone who would not say it if he did not mean it. It isn't quite gratitude, but paired with being declared a good host it still hits him in the chest and has him smiling happily into his own plate of pancakes. There is a beat, casually enjoying his first bite before he speaks again.
[It does take van Zieks a moment to parse what he's asking, but luckily he's able to intuit it. He thinks it over as he continues eating.]
Around holidays, we'd often have game pie. I'd join Klint for a hunt and the cooks would use whatever we brought back, along with wild mushrooms, and a red wine sauce. Though they're typically served cold, Klint preferred it served warm, and so that was what we did. I personally liked to have it with a bit of cranberry sauce as well. [But obviously, it's a favorite for more reasons than just the flavor.]
[ This is the information that delights Kaspar, in that subdued way of his. The detail van Zieks provides keeps his gaze enticed away from looking outside or to things he plans to fix later.
He has no idea whether van Zieks means fishing or if game is yet another strange meat related term from animals he never knew existed until arriving here ]
[He blinks. Well, maybe they don't hunt where Kaspar is from?? They are In A Mountain, he supposes that might as well be the case. It doesn't occur to him that there's basically no other meat options, that will have to come later.]
Ah, well, that's a catch-all term for a variety of meats that are common in sport hunting. Rabbit, pheasant, quail, venison, and such. The flavors will vary depending on what animals are included, but in general, these are wild animals rather than domestic ones, and thus their flavor is usually... hm. Deeper, more earthy, I suppose?
[ Not any type of hunting that van Zieks might think of. There were trying times in the distant past under the mountain. It is a wonder they eked out survival there at all. Meats that most humans from other worlds know of are still a mystery to him.
Kaspar finds he enjoys listening to him describe such things. The very type of sentiments over taste and feel that he has always struggled with in real time. But here, van Zieks makes it look easy.
He hums in understanding, without explaining the full depth of his ignorance. It is hardly relevant now that he endeavors to try his hand at making the things van Zieks mentioned today. Or some approximation of them. ]
[Pausing, before it occurs to him why Kaspar might be asking.]
That said, you certainly cannot extend any further hospitality to me before I return the favor. [No pie!!!! He already feels like he's imposing a little!!!]
[ Kaspar blinks, unused to being so easily read. It is brief, feeling seen for once. For some, it might be an unsettling thing, but for Kaspar it only brushes at his deeper need for being understood and puts color high on his cheeks.
He jokes airily and without the tone to indicate it as such, before returning to his pancakes-- ]
[ Kaspar believes him, smile warm despite the wave of his hand to dismiss the necessity of returned favors. He still plans to learn how to make them regardless. ]
That-My thoughts are hardly worth that much. But thank you, for your company and your kindness, but I really must be going. [Yes he's just running away because it's all become too much for him. He's standing up.]
[ Kaspar is nonplussed by this, though he supposes he must improve his food pairings with tea in the future. He nods without losing his calm smile, and without rising from where he reaches for his tea.
Something tells him his new friend would rather make the walk home alone. ]
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Anyway, there's pancakes?? He's visibly surprised.]
I- Do you- [HE'S SO CAUGHT OFF GUARD. He can't say that wasn't necessary because that would be rude now that they're already made??]
That's... you're quite the host. I don't even know the first thing about baking.
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There is just food to discuss, to test the palate of those used to things grown and raised in the sun. And that is far more fun than serious talk. ]
... have you eaten them before?
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[That said, he's not going to be rude. He takes a lemon one.]
Is cooking something you enjoy?
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To the question, he hums softly as he nods and readies his own plate with some of both flavors of pancakes. There is no mention of the effort put into expanding from the recipe in the book. How he took the extra step of whisking egg whites to layer them in, or achieving the lemon flavor with fresh lemon zest and spice from the store or his forest wanderings. ]
What do you, prefer with tea?
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... Prefer?
[He's suddenly embarrassed to admit that he typically is so focused on his work that he gives tea very little thought, and the majority of the time whatever service is provided is simply decided by the staff. It's not as if he often takes tea with others.
But if he were to actually give it thought? Hm. His brow is creasing as he's clearly ruminating over it, his hands finding the convenient distraction of sampling the pancake.]
Smoken salmon and dill on dark bread. And scones with clotted cream and rose petal jam.
[A pause, as arriving at an answer allows his thoughts to come back to the moment.]
But these are quite good, Kaspar. The sharper flavor from the zest is an interesting contrast with the soft texture.
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He blinks at the comment though. More genuine surprise than most get from him. Many might be able to tell his alterations tasted better this way, but not the exact reason. He'd been beginning to think his sensitive palate was unique above ground.
Being ignored is now water beneath the bridge. One paved with compliments from someone who would not say it if he did not mean it. It isn't quite gratitude, but paired with being declared a good host it still hits him in the chest and has him smiling happily into his own plate of pancakes. There is a beat, casually enjoying his first bite before he speaks again.
He probably means food: ]
... do you, have a favorite?
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Around holidays, we'd often have game pie. I'd join Klint for a hunt and the cooks would use whatever we brought back, along with wild mushrooms, and a red wine sauce. Though they're typically served cold, Klint preferred it served warm, and so that was what we did. I personally liked to have it with a bit of cranberry sauce as well.
[But obviously, it's a favorite for more reasons than just the flavor.]
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He has no idea whether van Zieks means fishing or if game is yet another strange meat related term from animals he never knew existed until arriving here ]
What does, game taste like?
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Ah, well, that's a catch-all term for a variety of meats that are common in sport hunting. Rabbit, pheasant, quail, venison, and such. The flavors will vary depending on what animals are included, but in general, these are wild animals rather than domestic ones, and thus their flavor is usually... hm. Deeper, more earthy, I suppose?
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Kaspar finds he enjoys listening to him describe such things. The very type of sentiments over taste and feel that he has always struggled with in real time. But here, van Zieks makes it look easy.
He hums in understanding, without explaining the full depth of his ignorance. It is hardly relevant now that he endeavors to try his hand at making the things van Zieks mentioned today. Or some approximation of them. ]
... and do you prefer it warm, too?
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[Pausing, before it occurs to him why Kaspar might be asking.]
That said, you certainly cannot extend any further hospitality to me before I return the favor.
[No pie!!!! He already feels like he's imposing a little!!!]
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He jokes airily and without the tone to indicate it as such, before returning to his pancakes-- ]
You cook, as well?
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I... do not... so I will have to find some other way to return your favor.
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Your thoughts, are favor enough.
[ Van Zieks is a great taste tester. ]
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[STOP BEING NICE TO HIM?? IT'S CONFUSING!!!!]
That-My thoughts are hardly worth that much. But thank you, for your company and your kindness, but I really must be going.
[Yes he's just running away because it's all become too much for him. He's standing up.]
Capping this offfff
Something tells him his new friend would rather make the walk home alone. ]