[BACKSIM] Lt. Commander V'Nille - Home is Where Is the Spice Rack Is
Renée Chalfant
(( Shuttle Terminal, New Orleans, Louisiana, Earth ))
C’Reem: And before you ask, our relationship is strictly platonic. We’re housemates and business partners. The fusion cuisine was her idea, actually. Apparently, Cajun food is already a blend on its own historically so it just kind of came naturally.
V’Nille: Ah gotcha. We’re all really looking forward to tasting it.
S’Rorr: Yeah, absolutely! I haven't had any real Caitian food since I left Cait. It's been.. gosh, ten years. I'm really excited to see what kinds of twists Molly's got for us, mixing in some of that Cajun.
Shivara: I bet it tastes as delicious as it smells.
S'Rorr: It's our first time in New Orleans, C'Reem, what should we go and see while we're here?
C'Reem: Oh, that’s a good question. There’s a lot of good places to drink or party at. There’s a couple museums. I’ve only been here a couple years, though. You will need to ask Molly for specific recommendations. She’s from here.
S'Rorr: You know what I'd really like to do? Ride on a Mississippi steamboat and play some card games. That sounds fun.
Shivara: I hear there is a Blues scene here. Not a big fan, but live music sounds fun.
V'Nille: Live music, drinks, and cards. I’d go along with any of these.
S'Rorr: Oh, is that Molly's van?
V’Nille looked over where he was indicating and noticed the brightly colored boxy vehicle pulling up. It was louder than she would have figured, indicating Molly kept the internal combustion engine rather than going for something more modern like an electric vehicle. That was an intriguing choice.
Shivara: How interesting. I bet it is a fun ride.
C'Reem: :;chuckling:: Relax. It rides smoother than you would think. Molly takes good care of it.
V'Nille: I’ve heard of these. This is the first time I’ve seen a human vehicle quite like this in person.
The van came to a stop and Molly got out of the vehicle. V’Nille looked up at her and then the others, gauging their reactions.
Molly: Alright, here we are! ::beat:: Oh right. Don’t worry. It’s quieter inside the car. Mostly.
C’Reem put a paw-like hand on V’Nille’s shoulder and rubbed her little sister’s head.
C’Reem: “All aboard” is the term we use here, I believe.
V’Nille sighed and pulled her sister’s hand off her head and shook her head at her.
V’Nille: I can’t believe I’m about to get into a van.
She got into the van and pulled herself into a seat at the opposite of the door that Molly held open.
S’Rorr: Responses
Shivara: So, this Cajun flavor, what’s it like?
C'Reem: It’s delicious is what it is.
V’Nille: I think she was asking about the specific flavor profile, C’Reem.
Molly: ::chuckles:: It’s on the spicy side, but it doesn’t have as much heat as a lot of what humans consider spicy does unless you really pile it on. We use a lot of cayenne pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, and black pepper. There are a few others depending on the dish, but if you want the basics, that’s where you start.
C’Reem: Oh, V’Nille. A lot of Cajun dishes are seafood, which I know you have a bit of a fondness for.
V’Nille nodded eagerly. That much was true. Her home village hadn’t been very close to the sea, so seafood was a rare treat unless you used the replicator or traveled.
S’Rorr: Responses
Shivara: I am excited to try it.
C'Reem: I’m excited to see your reactions to it! If you have any favorite dishes from home that you think might work, let me know and we’ll figure it out.
Molly, having satisfied her initial inspection of everyone’s placement in the van and that they were buckled in, pulled it out of park and got it going.
Molly: Alright, here we go. Anyway, from what C’Reem has shown me of Caitian cuisine, it’s a very natural match for Cajun, I think. You guys all seem to like it really spicy and flavorful, and Cajun will definitely deliver on that!
V'Nille: C’Reem describes you as a chef. You went to school?
Molly: I did! More than that though, my family has been living here for generations. I’ve got all sorts of recipes passed down through the centuries.
S’Rorr: Responses
The ride really didn’t take long. Molly and C’Reem spent the time fielding any questions the trio had before Molly drove the van into a garage. Once they were parked, the two women didn’t waste any time before herding them into the modest house and sitting them in the dining room adjacent to the open kitchen.
Molly: Righty then. So what would you like to drink?
V’Nille: What do you have?
C’Reem: Well, we do have a replicator so anything you can get from one. Other than that, I think we have some whisky and wine.
Molly: What about that mead you were making? Isn’t that ready about now?
C’Reem straightened in surprise at forgetting about that and quickly nodded.
C’Reem: Right, I got a box of different fruits from Cait and I have mead ready that used them. Also an option.
S’Rorr/Shivara: Response
V’Nille: One of those for me too.
C’Reem: I’ll be back with those then. Molly, why don’t you show them the kitchen?
Molly nodded and C’Reem ran off, disappearing through a side door from the kitchen. The human woman waved at the kitchen behind her, then gestured for them to follow.
Molly: I don’t think there’s much different here than there would be in a Caitian kitchen. Counters, silverware, sink, pots and pans, stovetop and oven….
V’Nille: Well, we don’t cook the meat as much so not nearly as many heating elements.
S’Rorr/Shivara: Response
Molly: Huh. That makes sense. You can eat raw meat. Humans can’t. We have to cook just about everything that’s not a fruit or a vegetable. Oh, all the spices are over there and that’s the fridge and freezer. C’Reem said Caitians prefer fresh whenever possible and honestly, I feel the same way so we managed to get our hands on some decent salmon, shrimp, and crawfish. Tonight’s chicken and beef are going to have to be replicated though. ::beat:: The gator meat too, if you want to try that.
V’Nille: Are chicken and beef harder to get?
Molly: Not really. C’Reem just forgot to grab some and I’ve been too busy getting everything else ready for the restaurant.
S’Rorr/Shivara: Response