With a heavy thud, Tenulan hoisted his pig onto the counter. Orin was still in the forest, leaving the rest of the group to claim a cluster of stations near each other. All around him, the other applicants had already skewered their pigs and began roasting them over fires. I see. Pig is traditionally roasted over a fire.

He frowned. Everyone has skipped the process of gutting their animals. Perhaps it is customary for pig as well, but organs of other animals must be prepared differently. Tenulan unsheathed a knife from near his chest, inspecting it. Without my other knife, I was worried that these would be too large to easily work with. These pigs are large enough that this sized blade will be better. With a practiced motion, he readied his knife to begin skinning the pig.

"Wait a second!" Leorio quickly interrupted before the process could even start. "Is that knife even clean?"

"What do you mean?" Tenulan asked as he once again inspected his knife.

"I mean, what have you used that knife for before? If you're going to use it for cooking, at least wash it first."

"I see," Tenulan turned on his sink after fiddling with the knobs for a second. Dipping the blade into the stream of water, he asked, "Is washing knives customary in your country?"

"What?" Leorio blinked. "No, it's just the safe thing to do. Depending on what that knife was used for, it could contaminate the meat and make people sick."

"Ah, so it is to protect us. Very well." Tenulan turned the sink back off and dried his knife with a towel nearby, but only after he nearly wiped the edge of the blade against his pant leg. Leorio was sure to stop him before it was too late.

With a now clean knife, Tenulan cut down the middle of the pig's chest. As he continued the process of skinning the animal, he noted that the skin was quite thick. Perhaps it would be best to cook the pig in a different way than roasting. This skin seems too thick. It will simply burn without allowing the meat to cook fully. He froze for a second before beginning to peel away the skin. I shouldn't have cut the belly. If I had instead removed the head, I could have gutted this pig from there and made boodog*.

I cannot go back, though. I will have to try something else. He placed his focus back to the pig in front of him as he fully removed the skin and cut off the hooves. This is… a lot of meat. He wiped some stray pieces of meat from his knife as he took stock of his options. Within the cabinets underneath the counter, pots and pans of various sizes were stacked. Vegetables were also stored within. Tenulan grabbed one of the plants, inspecting it.

The stem of the plant had already been removed from this one, leaving what Tenulan assumed was the root on account of the dirt caking its surface. It was a light brown and just a little smaller than his hand. It was mostly oblong in shape, but had bumps and lumps across its surface, giving it an irregular appearance. He rolled the root in his hand, testing the firmness, finding that it held little give in its raw state.

"Leorio, do you know what this is?" Tenulan asked, holding out the root for the other man to see.

The lanky man took one look at it, then at Tenulan. "That's a potato."

"I see. How do I cook this potato?"

"You think I know?" Leorio replied with a shrug. "I want to be a doctor, not a chef."

"Can I see it?" Gon hopped over upon hearing the discussion.

Tenulan wordlessly handed the potato over to the boy. Gon held it in one hand, holding his other hand against his chin in thought. After a moment, he returned it to Tenulan. "I've seen Aunt Mito do a bunch of different things with those before. She's baked them, boiled them, and even fried them! They taste great every time!"

Tenulan set the potato next to the pile of pig meat. Baked, boiled, or fried. I see. This 'potato' is a versatile plant. He pulled out the largest pot available, setting it in the sink. I will boil them, then. He eyed the meat again. Boiling is somewhat like making a soup. And making boodog makes soup as well.

A small smile danced across the young man's face. I know what I shall make now. Now, I will need to get one last thing. He grabbed his bag, which had been resting near the counter, and turned to get the others' attention again. "Are you able to watch over my pork? I must find a river."

Killua scoffed. "Why? You know how to use the sink."

"I do not need the water," Tenulan clarified. "I need some stones."

"Stones?" Gon repeated. "Why stones?"

"Ah. I sometimes forget that people here do not use stones as my people do. I shall be using stones to cook this pork."

Gon's eyes went wide in wonder. "Really? That's cool!"

"I will return as soon as I can. I believe I saw a river nearby when we were searching for our pigs," Tenulan said as he walked with a brisk pace back into the surrounding forest. Passing through the trees, he could just make out what looked like an applicant hauling a pig back to the cooking area. While he could tell an applicant was there, they were too small to be seen from underneath their quarry. The pig itself was larger than the applicant, and clearly weighed them down as they trudged step by step.

Even though he couldn't see them, Tenulan knew who it was. There were only so many applicants around that height in the first place. I am glad you were able to kill a pig for yourself, Orin. He kept to the side of the boy's path, watching quietly. Since you wished it, I will let you handle this yourself. Ah, if only I were more like you when I was younger…

Tenulan shook his head, brushing aside the memories that had been bubbling towards the surface in his mind. I should not allow myself to get distracted now. He stole one last glance as Orin neared the gate before the older applicant continued further into the forest.

/\/\/\

Orin's body felt like it was on fire as he finally dropped his pig onto the open counter in front of him. Nearby were the other boys, as well as Leorio and Kurapika, and while Orin was grateful to be nearby people he knew and could trust, he wished they took stations closer to the gate. God, that sucked. The boy leaned hard on the counter as his legs debated giving up. But that's the hard part done. Finally.

He scanned the courtyard area in which the cooking stations were spread out, noting that every applicant present was slowly turning their pig over a fire. Turning his attention to the two Examiners, he quickly realized that the "hard part" of the Second Phase was just beginning. Oh, she's definitely pissed.

Menchi eyed each applicant, her jaw clenching tighter with each one. The only time the pattern was broken was when she noticed the station next to Orin. The applicant there had torn the animal to shreds, by the looks of things. Whoever did it was currently somewhere else, though. The boy cringed as he stared at the pile of meat. Gee, how appetizing. Wait, did Tenulan do that? Was he the one who was watching me back at the gate? What the hell is he doing?

Orin turned his attention back to his own pig. The only requirements for this phase are that we have to use pork, and it has to satisfy both Examiners. He poked around his station, trying to think of something he could make. I don't know what Buhara likes, but I'd guess Menchi is going to be picky. No, that can't be right. Maybe she just wants something different? A bit more effort than roasting it whole?

The boy closed a drawer with a sigh. I wish I knew how to cook. He was flying blind. The most he could handle without a recipe was boiling noodles. Sure, knowing how to cook would've been useful for him the past few years, but there wasn't exactly anyone around to teach him, and he couldn't afford to experiment. Just another reason why I hope those two are dead in a ditch somewhere. It'd serve them right.

After a brief moment of planning, Orin got to work. He went back through the drawers and cabinets, this time grabbing different items from them and setting them on the counter above. Roasting isn't a good option. The next easiest thing would be pork chops, maybe? It is a similar method of cooking, but maybe it'll taste different. Oh, I should actually season the pork, too.

Supplies in order, he turned back to the pig once more, kitchen knife in hand. Which part is for pork chops? He poked various spots of the pig, hoping to notice some kind of difference. Thigh, maybe? Eh, it probably doesn't matter. Orin cut straight into one of the rear legs of the pig, removing two slabs of pork after grabbing a serrated edge to saw through the bone.

He set the cuts on the counter before seasoning the meat. The seasonings the boy grabbed were not given much thought; he simply chose whichever names sounded best to him. Now thoroughly seasoned, Orin placed the pork in a pan, then set the pan on the stovetop. Once the burner underneath was lit, he stepped back as he watched the pork slowly begin to cook.

And now, we wait.

A bored expression began to set in on his face when he noticed Kurapika approach his station.

"Need something?" Orin asked, stepping to the side of the stove before leaning against the counter.

The blond's eyes jumped to the empty station briefly before returning to meet Orin's gaze. "How long have you known him? Tenulan, I mean."

"Tenulan?" Orin echoed, quickly counting on one hand. "Three days. Met him before getting on a boat to… Dolle Harbor, I think it was?"

Kurapika pursed his lips in thought. "I see. And how much do you know of his past?"

"Probably only a bit more than you," Orin replied with a sigh. "I asked him once or twice before, but he only told me bits and pieces."

The other applicant paused again. Orin's brow scrunched up as he waited. Okay. Something's up. What, is three days not enough time to trust someone? Three days of hell? The boy tilted his head as he spoke. "Did I say something wrong, Kurapika?"

"No, that's not it," the blond quickly responded, shaking his head. "I am worried, though. There has to be a reason why Tenulan won't talk about his past. He confirmed my suspicions of being Surlaaki, but that was after he told me why he was here."

"To prove his strength…" Orin recalled.

"That's only part of it. He was exiled. For that to happen, he must have posed some kind of threat to his band."

"A threat? Then why would he have to prove his strength?"

"I don't know," Kurapika admitted. "I honestly think he's lying about that. Surlaaki bands are tight-knit groups. If a member is physically weak, they are still supported by the rest. Not to mention that most, if not all Surlaaki have never even heard of the Hunter Association."

Orin's eyes fell. "That can't be right."

"Believe me, I hope I'm wrong, too. However, there is a very real chance that Tenulan is seeking to use you in some way during the Hunter Exam. I think it would be best if we cut ties with him."

The boy frowned, looking away. He was exiled by a usurper, though. He said it himself. "I still trust him," he said firmly.

Orin could almost hear Kurapika's mouth hang open for a second. "Fine. Just be careful. If anything happens, tell me."

Orin nodded silently before flipping the pork in the pan. Tenulan's not a bad person. He can't be. He wouldn't have protected me if he was a 'threat.' He wouldn't have helped me get this far. He put his hands over his face. God, I'm still missing something! Why did the usurper let him live? What am I missing?

From afar, the smoke slowly rising from the pan could have been mistaken for smoke rising from the boy's ears.

/\/\/\

Tenulan dropped his now heavier bag next to his counter, the item landing with a dull thump. Wasting little time, he pulled out the stones he had gathered. Each was smooth and about the size of his fist. He hadn't bothered with counting exactly how many he grabbed, but the number must have been nearly twenty. Each stone was placed on a grate that sat over the fire pit. He eventually found the dial to light the fire, marveling at how quickly the flames ignited.

Now, I shall prepare the rest of the dish while the stones are heating up. Tenulan returned to the counter, retrieving the knife he had left there. This potato seems to grow underground, like root vegetables. The skin must be peeled before cooking, then. I do not want there to be dirt in the dish. He rolled the potato in his hand before carefully peeling it with his knife. As he did so, the small knobs around the potato had to be fully removed. Once complete, the once lumpy ingredient was a relatively smooth, oblong thing. Tenulan set it in the pot before grabbing another potato, repeating the process.

A handful of potatoes later, and Tenulan figured he had enough for the dish. He glanced at the fire pit briefly. I do not think enough time has passed for the stones to heat up enough. His dark eyes turned to survey the courtyard, finding the field of roasting pigs was quickly becoming a field of burning ones. The skin of many of the pigs had already passed from pink to dark brown, a clear sign of overcooking. This is not good. I do not believe these people are cooking the meat properly. Even so, they will likely finish quite soon. Time is not on my side, unfortunately.

Tenulan quickly added a few handfuls of pork to the pot, filling just under half of it. He added a small amount of water to the pot as well before using tongs to set the stones inside. Each one caused the water to bubble, and any pork in contact started sizzling. After the last stone was added, he placed a lid over the top of the pot, which still sat in the sink.

Hmm. The stones may take some time to fully cook the pork. Perhaps the fire may help with this. He hefted the pot out of the sink, nearly smashing the faucet with it, and turned to set it on the grate where the stones sat moments before. The heat of the flames caused him to wince slightly as he shook his hands in the air once the pot was secure. This is not boodog, but it is close to it. A 'false boodog,' perhaps?

I shall think of a better name later.

Tenulan stood back, watching as steam slowly rose from the pot. He ran a finger along the scab on his forearm, drawing his mind elsewhere. I had not considered how dangerous this Hunter Exam could be. If there are more applicants like Hisoka, then I will have to be sure to stay closer to Orin. His arms dropped to his sides as he turned to watch the boy at the next station. I have seen that the rest of the world does not rely on strength alone.

That does not seem to be the case in this Exam, however. This suits me better, though I worry that testing strength alone may allow for people like Hisoka to pass. If Hunters are truly granted wide authority over the world, it is easy to see how these types of people could abuse this system.

For all of the advancements the world has made, it would seem that people are still unable to live without greed.

Tenulan sighed as he surveyed the courtyard once more. Some applicants had decided that their pigs had cooked long enough and were beginning to plate their dishes. He watched as Todo became the first applicant to present a dish to the Examiners. The dish was a whole roast pig, draped across a giant platter. The skin of the pig was mostly a dark brown, though portions of the animal were charred black, particularly the back.

Arms held wide, Todo said in a flat voice, "Now, eat the pig, and send me to the next Phase."

Menchi leaned back on the couch, eyes closed with her arms draped over the back. "Okay," she said dismissively, "time to judge."

Unmoving, she added in an almost singsong voice, "Taste testing."

Buhara, who had tied a large napkin around his neck like a bib, wasted no time in tearing into the pig. He held up a stick in one hand as he continued to eat. A circular sign stood at the end, with a hollow red circle marked on it. Judging by the gleeful noises coming from the Examiner, Tenulan figured that meant Buhara was satisfied.

Todo nodded in satisfaction with his arms crossed, but his expression quickly shifted to disbelief as Menchi held up the other side of the sign, this one with a blue X.

She held the sign over her head as she pointed to the pig. "The pork's overcooked. The meat is too tough, and the original flavor is ruined."

"Come on!" Todo protested. "You haven't even tasted it!"

"I don't have to! I could tell by looking at it!" The Examiner replied angrily.

Todo was in a foul mood as he walked back to his station.

Tenulan quickly checked his own dish. Not finished yet. He returned the lid, watching the bald applicant step up to the table in front of the Examiners.

He was similarly smug as Buhara happily ate, but the applicant gasped in surprise when Menchi held up her sign.

"But why?"

"Charred and dry on the outside, raw on the inside," Menchi chided. "You used too much heat."

Dejected, the man returned to his station.

A pattern was quickly becoming apparent to Tenulan. Buhara was easy to please. Simply including some amount of pork was likely enough to satisfy him, regardless of quality. Menchi, on the other hand, held the dishes to a higher standard. The first two applicants' dishes were picked apart by her words alone, as Menchi did not need to try a single bite to know how poorly cooked the pigs were.

The pattern solidified itself as more applicants presented their roasted pigs. Each dish only received a passing grade from one Examiner, while the other sat back in disgust.

/\/\/\

Orin grimaced as he watched Menchi's expression slowly grow more and more agitated with each new applicant that approached her table. Guess none of them actually took this seriously. His attention turned back to his own dish. The two cuts of pork looked to be fully cooked, so the boy moved the pan to a different section of the stove. He looked at the giant platters the other applicants had used, then at the comparatively tiny pieces of meat he had cooked. I'd better find smaller plates.

"Not one applicant has passed yet," Leorio noted as he leaned against his counter.

"And Menchi hasn't even taken a single bite of anything," Kurapika added.

"Probably because they all made the same thing," Orin called out from behind his station.

"That's it!" Kurapika said with a snap of his fingers as Menchi loudly complained from her couch. "The Second Phase is a cooking test, but the key areas of the test include originality and presentation, too."

"Well, duh!" Orin peeked over the edge of the counter as he finally found plates that weren't way too big. "Haven't any of you watched Steel Chef?"

Gon looked back at the other boy in confusion. "What? Steel Chef?"

"The cooking show?" Orin elaborated. "Does your Aunt Mito even have a TV, Gon?"

Gon nodded. "Yeah, but she doesn't let me watch very much."

"I see," Leorio said as he placed his hand against his chin, feigning thought. "Gotta make the dish look appetizing!"

With that, the tall applicant stuck a miniature flag into the back of his pig. A smug expression was plastered across his face as he brought the dish up to the Examiners.

"That's it?" Orin's mouth hung open as he watched Leorio walk away. "Does he really think that's enough?"

No one answered as Leorio set the pig on the table before the Examiners. "Well? What do you think of my cooking?"

At least Buhara looks happy, I guess.

Menchi finally snapped as she flipped the platter skyward, sending the pig flying. "Do I look like I wanted a fucking kid's meal?!"

Buhara managed to catch the pig as it fell, while Leorio stuck his hands in his pockets as he returned to his station. Dejected, the man was muttering to himself.

Orin was pulling out various vegetables to garnish his own pork, frowning as he set a leafy vegetable of some kind against one of the cuts. I almost forgot about presentation! If those three hadn't been so dense, I never would've noticed! He glanced up briefly, stifling a laugh as he quickly turned his head back down.

Gon had come to the same conclusion as Leorio, choosing to decorate his pig. The dark-haired boy had woven a lei, which he set on the back. Flowers also ringed the edge of the platter. He even went as far as to tie pink bows around the pig's ears and tail.

They really don't know what they're doing.

Gon was confident as he set his platter at the table, but Buhara didn't even get a chance to start eating it before Menchi threw the platter to the side. "That's just like the last one!"

Buhara practically leapt after the dish as it sailed through the air.

Orin shook his head at the other boy as he walked back. "I think you guys missed the point…"

"I guess I'll need to watch Steel Chef after this is all over," Gon sighed as he returned.

A few minutes passed. All the talk about cooking shows made Orin remember that gravy was basically just the juices from cooking meat mixed with a starch. He had quickly reheated the pan he used, adding some corn starch to the juices still in the pan. A quick stir, and he was finished. The sauce was poured over each piece of meat, as Orin tried to keep the amount roughly even between the two.

God, I hope this actually tastes good. There were moments during cooking that he debated tasting various parts of his dish, but he ultimately decided against it. How poor would the presentation be if there were bits and pieces missing from the pork?

It was far too late to try and sneak a bite, even if the boy had changed his mind. Here goes nothing…

He began to make the short walk to the Examiners, but stopped when Kurapika also began to carry his own platter.

Orin stopped, gesturing with his arms. "You go first, Kurapika."

The blond shrugged a quick "Alright," and approached the table. His dish was the first of the day to be actually different, consisting of alternating slices of pork and layers of vegetables. Well, it's different, at least.

Menchi shared the boy's sentiment as Kurapika set the dish down.

"My turn. Please tell me what you think," Kurapika said as he spread his arms slightly.

"Well," Menchi's glower let up ever so slightly as she spun her sign between her fingers. "Finally something that resembles an actual dish."

She tore a small piece of the dish off with her fork, finally deeming something worthy of being tasted. After what felt like hours, both Examiners had finally eaten something.

At least, that was the case until Menchi spat out her food, anger quickly returning. "This tastes like garbage!" She cried as Kurapika's dish became the third in as many applicants to be flung in the air. And, once again, Buhara was in hot pursuit, taking hold of the remaining food and eating it like a sandwich.

Kurapika stood in shock as any confidence he held was shattered.

"Presentation is important, but not at the expense of the flavor," Menchi elaborated before thrusting the "X" side of her sign towards the blond. "You're basically no better than number 403!"

Any dignity he still held was similarly broken as Kurapika slumped back to the group.

"Better luck next time!" Leorio, number 403, teased with a laugh.

The blond's head fell forward as he mumbled, "Am I really as bad as number 403?"

Yikes. Orin shuddered as he set his dish before the Examiners, noting the pile of pig bones that had grown behind them to such a degree that the door to the building was starting to become obscured.

Menchi frowned as she looked at the pork. "This better not be like the last one." She cut a small piece of pork, bringing it to her lips.

She chewed the pork for only a second before spitting it out with a cough. "Holy shit!" The Examiner managed as she pounded her chest. "That is way too much seasoning! You should still be able to see the meat, you know!" Menchi nearly threw the sign at Orin as he felt his heart drop.

Oh.

/\/\/\

The Second Phase had not gone well. Tenulan had watched in silence as nearly every other applicant approached the Examiners' table and quickly left in disappointment. The Surlaaki took one last look inside his pot before putting out the fire from underneath it. Not cooked as long as I would prefer, but it seems my time is up. He wrapped towels around the handles of the pot to protect his hands before finally presenting his dish.

"I've been waiting to see what you made," Menchi admitted as she removed the lid. "And it would seem that I was right to do so."

With a fork, she fished a piece of the browned pork out of the pot, inspecting it. "As I suspected. Boiled meat, left on the bone. I saw the stones you added, as well. You tried to make boodog."

"Ah, you know of it?"

"I do, in fact," Menchi replied as she took a small bite of the pork. She chewed it once. Then twice.

And swallowed.

A sigh escaped her mouth soon after. "Well, you actually took this seriously, so I'll do the same for you." Any sign of rage vanished from Menchi's face as she locked eyes with Tenulan. "This dish… doesn't make any sense. You clearly tried to make boodog, but this lacks the key ingredient of the dish. I'm sure you're well aware that the dish is unique in that it is cooked within the skin of the animal. To achieve this, the animal must be carefully prepared, and its skin cannot be punctured in any way below the neck. Obviously, you did not follow this.

"And that's ignoring that the dish is not made with pig. Pigs are generally too large to be quickly prepared for boodog, so the dish is traditionally made with goat. Not to say you can't make boodog out of a pig, of course. Next, the inclusion of potatoes. I'm not sure why you added them. Potatoes do not grow in Aljanin, so they aren't used in this dish. In this case, the potatoes have been overcooked, as they do not require as long as the meat to fully cook. This leaves the potatoes mushy, as they also absorbed the moisture from within the pot.

"Finally, the pot itself. For the amount of meat in it, the pot is simply too large. Combined with the lid you used, more steam was able to escape than if the dish was prepared in an animal skin. Adding water ahead of time may have actually been quite smart on your part for this, but as a consequence the soup is watered down. This is important since the soup of a normal boodog is incredibly rich due to the high fat content. Adding water effectively reduces this.

"So, this dish has too many problems for me to accept it." Menchi concluded her critique with a halfhearted shrug as Buhara slowly reached for the pot. The turquoise-haired Examiner grabbed the giant wrist of the other before he could start eating. "Wait, Buhara. Get the stones out first."

"Oh, right! I almost forgot about those."

He quickly removed the stones, handing one to Menchi, and another to Tenulan. The stone was still quite warm as Tenulan tossed the stone between his hands. As he did so, the reality of his situation finally set in. I have failed. As has every other applicant here… The Hunter Exam is unlike anything I have known.

Tenulan's expression was blank as he walked back to his station. He stared into the distance as Orin stepped over to him, reaching up to pat the larger applicant's shoulder. "We'll just have to try again next year."

"I suppose that is the case," Tenulan replied, but he wasn't fully listening. His mind was swirling, but no clear thoughts came to him. It was strange. He wasn't sure if he should have felt angry, disappointed, relieved, or something else entirely.

/\/\/\

It wasn't until the pile of pig skeletons grew to completely eclipse the Examiners that Buhara finally felt full. He patted his stomach in satisfaction. "That was so much food! I couldn't eat another bite!"

Menchi's sour mood had long since returned. "Yeah, I'm pretty stuffed myself." She uncrossed her legs as she stood up to address the applicants. "That's the end of the Second Phase. 148 applicants have been eliminated, and none remain! The Hunter Exam is now over!"


Lessons in Surlaaki Culture 105

Surlaaki diets rely heavily on meat and grains, due to the short growing season in Aljanin. Agriculture is less structured than in the rest of the world: wild grasses are planted and given some attention, but there is little to gain in tending a crop more carefully. Livestock primarily consists of goats and sheep, both raised for meat and hides. Bones are also used in various tools. Horses are naturally an important animal for the Surlaaki, as the wide-open steppe allows for horses to be at their most effective.

Some scientists and historians have theorized that the horse was first domesticated in Aljanin. There is no definitive proof, but the theory is popular in many circles. The largest piece of evidence against this is that the horses found within Aljanin may be an entirely different species from the domestic horses found in other regions. Physiologically speaking, the horses found in Aljanin are generally larger and have a higher fat content, though the most obvious difference is the thick, woolly coat the horses have for much of the year. This characteristic has led to these horses gaining the apt name of "woolly horse," though the official name remains the Delkhan horse, named for the famous leader of the Aljanin Empire.

Horse taxonomy aside, the unique circumstances surrounding the Surlaaki diet has led to the creation of a unique traditional dish, called boodog. The dish is commonly made from goat. In order to properly prepare the dish, one individual carefully removes the meat, bones, and organs from the body of the goat after removing the head. Each piece is removed from the neck, and the cook must be careful not to puncture the skin of the animal elsewhere. The cook also cannot see where they are cutting, and must operate entirely by memory and feel, using a single small knife to cut small enough pieces to be removed.

While the cooking vessel is being prepared, roughly a dozen fist-sized stones are placed in a fire to heat them up. These stones are then placed in the empty skin of the animal along with the chunks of meat. After the skin is filled, any holes are tied closed (namely the neck and anus). The heat of the stones is the primary way that the meat is cooked, though the skin is typically torched to remove the hair. Once the meat has finished cooking, the chest is cut open, and the meal is served. Fat and residual water in the meat leech from the meat inside, leaving a rich soup behind. The stones, still quite warm, are traditionally handed out along with the meat. Tossing the stone between one's hands is believed to confer good health.


Hi, it's Glaive, the author! Thanks for reading!

Again with the two and a half week wait? Weird.

Anyway, I had fun researching a fitting dish for Tenulan to make for the Second Phase, eventually settling on a dish called khorkhog. Khorkhog is very similar to boodog. In fact, the most notable difference between the two is the cooking vessel. Khorkhog uses a sealable metal container (such as a metal milk jug), while boodog uses, well, the animal's skin. Both are very real dishes from Mongolia, whose nomadic culture and history have (definitely) been an influence for the Surlaaki.

Orin was slightly different. I tried to think of what I would have made as a 12-year-old. It helped that I didn't know how to cook (I still really don't to be honest), and ultimately, I believe that someone with my skills would most definitely mess up in at least one area (such as flavoring). Fun fact, the cut Orin used for his dish is actually meant for ham. Pork chops are taken from the back, near the spine and ribs.

And lastly, if you left a favorite, or kudos, or a review, or a comment, or even just lurk here, thank you! It's kind of crazy to know other people are at least somewhat interested in what I'm writing here.

Okay, that's more than enough from me. Combined with the lesson, there's almost 700 words here!

"See you next time!" – Dolce Kamiya, Yakuza 0