The Sample Platter
Chapter 16
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The marketplace was bustling with life. Vendors and merchants from all walks of life came to this specific town to show off their wares and products. It was a bi-annual festival and Yugi was there with Atemu to see about all the new and fascinating items brought. "C'mon Atemu! Pick up your feet!" Yugi exclaimed, dancing on the balls of his feet, waiting for his rider to join him.
Said rider huffed when he fell in step with the dragon. Upon landing just on the outskirts of the castle town, Yugi had jumped into his human skin, bright blue cloth like a banner round his neck, darting off for the gate before Atemu was ready. He had seen this festival in passing, flying over this particular town during his travels long ago. Drawn in by the colors and sounds of merriment, Yugi had dropped in as close as possible to observe.
There was so much to see! From clothing to food, there were a number of things to perk Yugi's interests. Of course, back then, one couldn't convince the Gandora to change form and enter a human settlement with no money or etiquette to be among them. Changing forms was beneath me, Yugi would've said back then. Boy, how that opinion changed! Past Yugi missed out on a grand opportunity, present Yugi made it a priority and had company to join him.
Inside, the dragon was overwhelmed with no direction of where to start. Did he want to try on new clothes? Perhaps enjoy a new dish? The possibilities were endless however, before he could run off again, his scarf was tugged on, holding him in place. "Don't run off." Atemu chided, a soft smile crossing his face while the dragon pouted, obeying his rider's request.
Atemu did have their money so best not to leave his side. Lacing their fingers together, they walked into the marketplace. People were shouting across the streets left and right, promoting everything they had. Yugi's head was on a swivel, taking it all in and deciding on what he wanted to do first. Colorful, patterned fabric drew his eye, the dragon in him all for color to decorate his mate.
He tugged on Atemu's hand, taking him over to the booth to look over the clothes. They left in time with a couple new clothes, Atemu's pile sizable than Yugi's thanks to the dragon not able to stop picking up what he thought would look good and Atemu unable to tell him no. Growing hungry from their excursion so far, Atemu suggested they look into some food.
The collective scents were doing a number on his empty stomach, needing something to placate it before they continued exploring more of the market. The two went to examine the food stalls, taking in the sweet pastries, crisp fruits and savory meats prepared over a roaring fire. Yugi was salivating already, lured by the cooked meats which Atemu politely offered to buy a few pieces to soothe the hunger.
Food bought, they continued their perusal of the stalls, Yugi's hands full of meat skewers grilled to savory perfection. He was stuffing his face while Atemu found a few things he wanted to bring home. purchasing a basket to use, Atemu began to look into some fruits and vegetables, buying a few to which he could harvest and plant the seeds back home. As he did so, Yugi was finishing up his last skewer but not quite full.
He wanted something else, something sweet. Sadly, his mate was off the table to sate that craving. So he turned to the booth selling fruit. There was definitely an arrangement of choices, things he was familiar with and others he was not. One in particular caught his eye with its bright yellow flesh and egg-shaped appearance. It reminded him of a specific breed of dragon that laid eggs in a similar fashion except the color.
His curiosity had him draw closer, picking up the fruit and examining it. The male behind the stand told him it was called a "lemon", grown from trees and was quite the delicacy back home. Yugi hung on every word, furthering his interest in the foreign fruit. It looked appetizing and Atemu did give him a couple coins in case they separated. So Yugi decided to give it a shot! He purchased five of them, the vendor placing them into the bag for him to take and took his payment. "Enjoy!" He called as Yugi left the stand, running back over to Atemu who looked over to him.
"Find something you like?"
"Yeah! I bought these! They look really good!"
Yugi pulled out one of the lemons, showing it to Atemu. Atemu remembered seeing lemons before, used as garnish or flavoring for seafood and teas. He expected Yugi brought them for some cooking ideas spurned by the food at the market. His eye widened, however, when he saw Yugi open his mouth wide to take a massive bite from the palm-sized fruit. He couldn't call the dragon's name in time. Rind and all, there was an audible chomp as Yugi took his first and last bite of the lemon.
Heads turned when Yugi squealed, the sharp, stinging pain of the sour citrus hitting his sensitive tongue. The poor thing jumped in place, spitting out the bite and crushing the rest in hand, tossing it to the ground, trying to rid his mouth of the taste. Atemu felt for his precious Gandora, he truly did, but the smile to cross his face at his misfortune won out.
"That was disgusting!" Yugi hissed, face puckered, looking at the squashed fruit like it offended him and his entire family. Atemu stepped forward, patting his shoulder before guiding him away from the booth. He could see people snickering at Yugi, feeling sorry for them if they knew. If the dragon didn't love this marketplace as he did, the entire town would be leveled.
"Well, Yugi, lemons are quite sour and weren't made to be eaten like that. But lemme show you what they can be really used for."
"No! I don't want bitter! I want something sweet!"
"Then you'll get it if you trust me."
Yugi bristled but wouldn't argue with his mate. He always trusted Atemu and his mate would never steer him wrong. But what could be sweet made from such a cursed, bitter fruit? Not even the bitter berries he munched on when wildlife wasn't abundant in places where he stopped and rested were so horrid.
Following Atemu, they headed for another food stall, this one loaded with a variety of decorative sweets. Atemu looked over the collection, seeing a familiar treat he had before and purchased two for himself and Yugi. When he turned back, Yugi was skeptical by the bright yellow squares in his hands.
"Alright, try it."
"No."
"Try it."
"Nuh uh!"
"Fine, more for me then."
Yugi was like a picky child and Atemu would've been exasperated by it if the previous event didn't turn Yugi from trying something new made from fruit he utterly despised. At least he didn't dump the bag clenched in his fingers despite his adversity to lemons. Atemu gave a warm smile, lifting up one of the squares which drew Yugi's eye to watch. He took a bite, humming in delight at the flavor to hit his tongue. Tangy yet sweet. A proper, perfect blend that neutralized the sourness from the original fruit. "Delicious~"
Yugi watched Atemu enjoy the dessert, powdered sugar dusting his lips after each hearty bite. Yugi wanted to lick away the sugar yet worried the treat was just a ruse to another sour experience he wasn't ready to try a second time. But...if Atemu was enjoying it...
Atemu saw movement from the corner of his eye, Yugi reaching for the second lemon square in his other hand. He held it out as a peace offering while taking another bite of the one he was halfway through. The dragon plucked the treat from his hand, sniffing it experimentally just to be absolutely sure, then took a bite.
This...was much different than the whole lemon he tried to eat. It was sweet and tart, nothing like the fresh lemon. His eyes glittered with joy, taking another welcoming bite of the treat, moaning brazenly as the sweetness washed away the sour taste that clung to his tongue. "Oh Atemu~ Atemu, this is wonderful! And it was really made from these?!" Yugi lifted the bag Atemu thought he had forgotten, holding the remaining four lemons.
"They are. Lemons are bad on their own but once you cook with them, they are amazing. Lemon squares were something I liked back home. I actually miss them so I'm happy to see this wonderful vendor have some to help me prove a point and enjoy something from a good memory." Atemu spoke, dusting his free hand clean on his pants to ruffle Yugi's hair before walking off.
The dragon watched him, heart breaking at the fond memory he had then looked back at the dessert in hand. Well, he had the lemons already...
"Ma'am," Yugi piped up, looking at the woman behind the dessert booth. "How do you make these?"
When Yugi met up with Atemu again, he showed the dragon a few more memorable dishes using lemons and with each one he tried, Yugi asked for the basic recipe to make it himself. They were all good and such a contrast to the lemon alone that Atemu made him a fan of lemon dishes. Especially ones that paired well with fish.
Overall, their day at the marketplace was amazing and Yugi was all too ready to plan the next trip shortly after landing back home. "We have plenty of months before the next one, Yugi. Settle down." Atemu said, laughing softly as he took the bags inside so he could put everything away. He was tired and ready to pass out for a few hours but he enjoyed himself.
Any day where he could spend time like this with Yugi was enjoyable. He wouldn't change that for the world. Collapsing in bed, Atemu snuggled up to his pillow, drifting off to the sound of Yugi puttering about the kitchen ready to prepare something. Probably dinner, he thought, losing consciousness to slumber.
When he woke, he was hit with emotion seeing a plate of lemon squares on the bedside table. They weren't the best for a first execution but the dedication was there. A tear slipped from his eye, picking up one and taking a bite.
There were bits of pulp inside, the crust a little burnt and a little too much sugar dusting the top but the effort Yugi took to ask and make them was enough for him, even if he was having dessert before dinner.
"By the gods, I love you, my darling Gandora~ Love you so much..."
Atemu truly didn't deserve the dragon but was so, so grateful to have him.