If Hadama was disappointed that Melita didn't have more insight into the world of herbs and spice, he didn't show it. The mermanta merely dipped his head in acknowledgment and rested his elbows on the sand. "Indeed," he agreed with her declaration of enjoying the taste of her concoctions regardless of intimate understanding of the science behind the flavors.
He was certainly capable of doing the same. It was only recently - and largely thanks to Melita's guidance in the world of human gourmet dining - that his curiosity had started to stretch for the 'whys' and 'hows' as much as the 'yums.'
"You are more skilled than I am," he pointed out with quiet amusement. "It is enough." And he nodded at the turning spit (Fangorn was doing an excellent job staying on task). "How long does it stay over the fire?"
Hadama nodded equably at her expertise, unhurried and content to wait on the shore in the company of a friend. The scents coming from the fire were enjoyable enough on their own, while the antics of her companions provided a pleasant diversion.
"Thank you," he rumbled in response to her offer, watching in particular for the timing and amount of her application of spices and carrots to the meal.
He didn't ask her any more questions about the process, respecting her lack of enthusiasm for teaching, but focused on learning what he could through observation. Though one thought did finally find release as he considered the fire and the meat being turned over it. "Do drylanders ever eat uncooked meat?" Rhampire sashimi, anyone?
Hadama relaxed back down to lean his elbows on the sand again as Fangorn took a break and it appeared that the meal wasn't done yet. He watched Melita applying the spices curiously, taking note of how much spice and how much pressure was used to work it into the meat - if any. He listened to her answers to his questions and tucked them away, absorbing these quirks of human tastes and preferences.
'Rare' he had heard of recently and considered what he could see of the slice from the distance he was at. Cooking the food so thoroughly would surely impart a different flavor and texture than he was used to, and his sense of anticipation for the food increased accordingly.
"Will you cook the carrots as well?" Was there any limit to what could be seared over a fire?
It had been a question asked in curiosity rather than a suggestion or request, but the mermanta wasn't going to turn down a new culinary adventure if Mel was willing. He made note of how she applied the carrots to the rod for future experiments and settled in to wait until she declared the meal well-cooked and ready to taste.
And for all her insistence that she wasn't an expert, Hadama found the food to be delicious. Both the flavors and the textures were different from his usual fare in ways that intrigued and inspired, and human, mer, and companions alike enjoyed the tasty treats.
He took his slab wrapped in a banana tree leaf and tucked it into the waterproof bag with the rest of the day's finds. Transporting it to the festival would be an adventure yet to come, but for now he enjoyed the afternoon with good food and good friends in spite of the chilly weather on the Torchline coast.
~Fin~