Chapter 9
Garrus
September 3rd, 2190
"Primarch, Madam Vakarian," A human woman wearing a chef's jacket nodded to us as she approached, her French accent flowing into my ears. "I am Marie Aberso, and this is my husband, Temus Aberso, and we will be your chefs tonight. Thank you for dining with us this evening."
The turian standing next to her nodded, "Good evening."
"Thanks!" Amelia said, taking a sip from her glass of wine, "I've been looking forward to this for weeks."
"Magnifique!" Marie exclaimed, "Ah, here is your first course. For you, Madam, chicken confit slow-roasted in olive oil and seasoned with the finest turian spices."
"And for you, Sir, Avus Tenderloin served rare, seasoned with Himalayan salt and fresh pepper. Enjoy." Temus described to me.
I watched as Amelia's eyes closed, and she breathed in deeply through her nose, letting it go in a contented sigh, "This smells amazing."
"Mhm," I hummed in agreement, wafting in the aroma of my food.
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"How was it?" Marie asked, emerging from the kitchen a few moments after we finished our first dish.
Amelia gave the chef an immaculate smile, "Indescribable."
"I am glad to hear it. Now, I have your second course. For you, Madam, lamb shank navarin roasted with onion and potatoes. And for you, Sir, aparatae steak, marinated in its marrow and cooked sous vide until it melts in your mouth."
"Thank you, Marie," I said as the chef bowed slightly and backed away.
"Oh, my lord…," Amelia said, swallowing her first bite of lamb while trying not to float off to nirvana. "If yours is as good as this…."
"It is," I confirmed, taking a bite.
"Can I try it?" She asked a little sheepishly. There wasn't much risk, as neither of them had any allergies to the other chirality, so I agreed, taking a small piece from her plate in exchange.
True to her word, the lamb melted in my mouth, sending a bolt of familiar flavor through my body, reminding me of meals I ate as a child. "Wow, that is good. How was mine?"
"It was great. We should cook dual-chiral. I'd like to try more turian food."
"You've cooked countless meals since moving here, and you haven't tried any of them?"
"Nope. Clearly, I've been missing out."
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"Hello," Marie greeted, approaching the table once more, "I hope your entree was satisfactory."
"More than… I'm stuffed," Amelia answered, patting her flat stomach and leaning back in the chair.
"Surely you saved room for dessert?"
"Not at all, but the rest of the food has been so delicious, I think I can make some room." She joked.
"You might recognize this, Madam. For you both, a chocolate lava cake, made with cocoa and kava beans, with a side of vanilla and caprificus ice cream." The slight human woman had a mischievous smile as she set the cake between us, breaking into the edge with a spoon before withdrawing, letting the chocolate run over the breach.
"Oh my…."
-0-
"How was everything?" Marie asked, approaching the table again with Temus in tow.
"That was the greatest meal I've ever had," Amelia answered, "You two outdid yourselves."
"Fantastique. I am so glad you enjoyed it." Marie said.
"So, how did you two meet?"
"After the War, I went to the aid camp to help prepare food. Temus was the provisions officer on the Indomitus and had been loaned out to do the same. We taught each other how to cook for the other species; from there, it's history."