Really short chapter here, but I care not! It's a chapter, be satisfied! I'm cutting off here because I feel like it, expect the next chapter up soon! For this chapter I did quite a bit of research. I've based the food of Windia off medieval Europe, and the empire off of Ancient China. My reasoning is complicated, but I won't go into detail…
12 reviews! Keep 'em coming!
ChibiChaos- Thanks! I also love Fou-Lu, which is why I'm writing this story! ^_^ I also don't get why few people review, seeing as those who do positively love my work. Guess not everyone is interested in BOFIV. *Joins ChibiChaos in whacking all the non-reviewers*
Aaron D- Thank you, though I wouldn't really say I'm 'grown-up' seeing as I'm only 15… ^_^ As to the spelling of the princess's name…Well, it originally started out as a typo ^_^; After a while, I realized I liked it better than the original… That's all. And yes it is supposed to rhyme with Nina, but… hey! Who cares! *Laughs at self*
me- LOL! Well, I don't find either sexual orientation gross, but that…that just cracks me up. Sorry! *Grins* It's just one of my friends is homophobic, and her reaction would have been the same as yours if I made it a slash fic! ^_^ Thanks for saying my story's good! You don't have to read it if really nauseates you…Then again, I need the reviews. Face your fear, me!
Please see introduction for disclaimer regarding this work.
Chapter Fifteen
An Unexpected Meeting…
Yahla fully expected a servant to come inform her when the evening meal had been prepared, and was surprised when another individual came instead. At least it wasn't the maid…
"Are you ready?" Elena asked brightly, dolled up in a pink and white dress colorful enough to give Yahla a headache. The fact that she seemed unable to hold still didn't help. The little windian practically bounced from foot to foot, and Yahla swore vengeance on whoever had gotten her in such a perky mood.
Too many hues of sanguine colors…'tis cloying, to say the least. Yahla averted her eyes from the blinding collage of pink as the windian chattered, her voice verging on singsong. And in truth, cloying likewise describeth her most aright…
"Oh! You look wonderful! That dress goes so well with your skin! Come, let's head to the dining room, dinner will start in a few minutes!" the princess exclaimed as she pushed her way into the room and got a look at the dragoness.
The dragon-goddess frowned at that, a language barrier suddenly erecting itself. "What be thy meaning? Dinner is taken at the break of morn." Several hundred years ago, dinner had originally been breakfast, while supper had been the evening meal. In Yahla's case, she considered the three meals of the day dinner, luncheon, and supper. Elena thought them breakfast, lunch, and dinner, thus presenting a problem.
"What do you mean? You have breakfast in the morning, dinner at night!" Elena looked confused, blurting out, "Where in the world are you from, to think otherwise?"
Yahla glared at her and replied acidicly, "Several hundred years hence, human. Whence didst thou thinkest I hadst mine origin?"
The little windian's eyes widened and she stared at Yahla, averting her gaze when the dragoness raised a rather derisive eyebrow. "Well…whatever you want to call it, let's go eat, okay?" Elena at last timidly ventured, seeming to have lost some of her high spirits.
Unable to restrain a smirk, Yahla swept past the princess and out the door, followed closely by the pink-clad mortal.
The feast was to celebrate the return of the missing princess of Windia, and as such it was filled with relieved subjects and more food than Yahla had seen in one place since leaving the Empire. Elena was greeted with cheers and fanfare, while the dragoness was mostly ignored, much to her relief. She wasn't eager to have her name and presence gossiped across the Alliance, especially as she didn't yet know her husband's intention towards their rivals. Though her seat was near the head of the table with the king and princess, most of the eyes on her were from individuals whose reason for interest was obvious. They were younger males, blond and blue eyed like all windians, their young faces mostly devoid of guile. Many of said males blushed and looked away when she turned golden eyes their direction, much to the goddess's amusement.
No one bothered her as she sat and put away large portions of food, fulfilling the eating requirements for two. All the other diners were busy talking to Elena or about her, and Yahla was content to be left alone.
She filled her plate with another helping of roast bird, her second of that particular dish. She could not help but notice the substantial differences between the food of her homeland and that of Windia. They seemed to emphasize salt and spice here, rather than using a mix of the five flavors that the people of the empire employed. Bitter, salt, sour, hot and sweet, all used in order to maintain a variety. The Windian table was set with salty and spicy foods only, accompanied by bland dishes to make the salt palatable. Most of the more saline meats had been preserved with salt, even though they would have been soaked in water before serving. The fresh cuts of meat and the dried fish available were fairly bland, but diners smothered them in spicy sauces and ate them with piquant pies and fritters. The empire rarely made bread of any sort, but here baked goods were everywhere, in quantities much greater than Yahla had ever seen on a table. Not only that, milk produces were used in every way imaginable, cheese and puddings and rich sauces. In yet another difference, there was beef at the table! In the Fou Empire, the main meats were pork and seafood, and beef was only available in small amounts to the very rich.
There was no rice, and at first it threw her off. Rice was a staple for her people, and was used for everything, from flour to rice wine. Here there was none, and the drink provided was ale, which she did not have a taste for.
Easing a piece of meat into her mouth on the tip of her table knife, Yahla chewed and swallowed, the tender flesh yielding easily under her teeth. She finished off the rest and reached a clawed hand out to get another slice. As she positioned her knife to cut off a portion, someone cleared his throat and took the chicken from her. Startled and vexed, the dragoness looked up to see a young man deftly slicing off portions. His eyes were a pale cerulean against tanned skin, and his hair was platinum blond. He had the typically delicate features of a windian, and unusually broad wings.
"Allow me, my lady," the youth said chivalrously before placing several pieces on her plate. Finishing the task, he withdrew to his side of the table, still smiling at her.
Incredulous, Yahla raised an slim eyebrow and gave the young man a sharp look, which failed to daunt him. Was he flirting with her?
The boy grinned at her before returning to his food, and she had the distinct feeling that yes, he was flirting. As they both ate they watched each other, Yahla calculating and somewhat disbelieving as the youth eyed her appreciatively. She found it rather annoying after she got over the initial shock. No one had dared flirt with her for hundreds of years. Well, that foul mortal Yom had, but he didn't really count for anything.
At last the goddess leaned across the table towards the youth and demanded abruptly, "Art thou dallying with me?" If he was, she intended to put a stop to it. Only her husband was allowed to flirt with her, and this child certainly wasn't him!
The young man demurred, saying unconvincingly, "I'd never flirt with such a lovely lady," His grin widened. "But if you were interested…" His voice trailed off, a clear innuendo. Whatever this mortal was, he certainly wasn't subtle.
The human's behavior starting to amuse her, Yahla found the corners of her mouth turning up into a slight smile. The idea of her ever getting involved with one like him was more than ludicrous. "The verity that I be uninterested notwithstanding, the dissimilitude of years is laughable."
"I've always liked older women." The incurable young windian seemed not to take a hint, continuing in his pursuit.
Older women indeed…
"Thereto, I be wedded," she added sweetly, unable to keep from smirking as the boy's face fell. There were some things out of reach of even the prettiest mortals, and she was one of them.
The youth sunk back in his seat, looking discouraged. The dragoness was fairly certain she heard him mutter under his breath, "Always taken or gay, always taken or gay…"
Supper went smoothly after that.
