Lt. JG D'Cyra Varati - Hot & spicy
D'Cyra Varati
((Bixiban’s Family Style Kitchen, Paxau District, Amity Outpost))
Ramixia (Talaxian hostess): So my dears, here’s your aperitif and a little welcome from the kitchen to whet your appetite for the meal. ::arranges everything on the table:: Have you already decided what you would like the kitchen to prepare for you?
D’Cyra had already chosen something and almost forgotten about it again... for the appetizer she would join Seleya, for the main course she had her eye on a typical poultry dish from the Delta Quadrant.
Varati: ::to Ramixia:: I think we wanted the Talaxian mixed herb cream dip with domph bread as a starter for the two of us and the Luhvian quail with roasted chadre'kab as a main course. But I'd prefer it mildly spiced. And you, Seleya?
For the brief moment of ordering, Seleya took her eyes off her. Not that she hadn't noticed. D’Cyra felt flattered as long as someone merely looked and didn't stare. Seeing and being seen was part of the hedonistic Orion lifestyle. She knew how the game worked, even if it didn't always align with her personal preferences.
Seleya: ::to Ramixia:: I was going to have the roasted Chadre’kab as well, but I am fine with medium spicy. But just that. Thank you very much.
Ramixia: Of course, I will put those orders in right now.
Ramixia took the order, stepped away, and left the two of them alone with their unfamiliar aperitif. Seleya, playing host, poured two of the small glasses full from the oddly shaped carafe, and just to be safe, a glass of water for each of them as well.
D’Cyra watched curiously as a reddish-brown, slightly shimmering liquid with a spicy aroma flowed into the glasses. The glasses were chilled, as they immediately fogged up with condensation.
Varati: ::to Ramixia:: Thanks… ::to Seleya:: I'm really curious now... it smells a bit like, for example, Italian herbal liqueurs from Earth, if you know what those are.
She looked closely at the little glasses, but Seleya already had her next question ready.
Seleya: So what is Orion cuisine like? Should I ever get the chance to try some, what would you recommend?
Since Seleya was apparently interested in exceptional cuisine, D’Cyra didn't want to withhold from her the special dishes available in the Rigel system.
Varati: Well, classic Orion cuisine is quite exotic for most people and often prepared with very hot, tear-inducing spices. Some of these "spices" are so intense that they are largely banned in the Federation and even classified as drugs or narcotics. And some of them, depending on the dose, also have aphrodisiac effects... As for whether the wing slugs are truly a delicacy – that's for everyone to decide for themselves. The drinks are also quite strong. ::pauses:: Demma and Xiqai are certainly the best-known dishes. Demma is a type of vegetable casserole, and Xiqai was originally a spice, similar to curry. Various dishes can be prepared from these spices. And both can be cooked in such a way that no tears are shed and cravings don't get out of hand.
Seleya: That sounds rather delightful. Do you cook these dishes yourself sometimes? I am guessing you have to use replicated ingredients. I could imagine having them brought out to the Delta Quadrant is rather tricky.
Varati: Actually, not really; these dishes are too exotic for most palates. And yes, without reasonably fresh ingredients, it's just not the same. Especially since many ingredients aren't officially available. And what the replicators "offer" is usually something that doesn't have much to do with the actual dish. Occasionally, though, opportunities arise to at least get "samples" of these ingredients...
Of course, there were ways to obtain the ingredients officially classified as "forbidden." The only requirement was that the Starfleet or Federation logo couldn't appear anywhere. One just had to find creative solutions… But she didn't have to tell an officer from the intelligence service any of that.
Varati: But let's have a toast first, before our drinks get warm...Cheers!
D’Cyra picked up one of the glasses and raised it to Seleya with a warm smile
Seleya: Response
The aperitif was something else... a sip that irritated all the taste buds and mucous membranes.
Varati: ::coughing:: Uff! … Really… strong! I certainly can't manage more than one glass of that... ::try to chuckle::
Fortunately, the sharp first sip was quickly followed by a warming and soothing sensation that spread along the oesophagus. Nevertheless, she playfully twitched the corners of her mouth and put the glass down again.
Varati: Truly something completely new... And what about Kazleti food? Is it also quite spicy and unusual, or is it more subdued?
Seleya: Response
D’Cyra knew very little about the Kazleti, especially not about their customs and lifestyle. But trying new dishes and adapting has always been part of the Orion way.
Varati: Right, right... we should give that a go sometime. What does the future hold for you, by the way? Are you heading back to the Beta Quadrant soon, or will you be staying with us for a while longer?
Seleya: Response
Tag/TBC
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