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You Won, But Did You Really?

Posted March 31, 2023, 9:57 a.m. by Civilian Dorma Fen (Governor's Assistant) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in You Won, But Did You Really?

Posted by Civilian Dorma Fen (Governor’s Assistant) in You Won, But Did You Really?

Posted by Civilian Cort Belanger (Executive Assistant to Lt. Gov.) in You Won, But Did You Really?
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

She nodded and said “Mmm-hmm. The restaurant has been open for over five hundred years, actually… in various forms, of course, but the same name. Same location. And same family running it. It started as a noodle house, was a sake bar with a kitchen, fine dining,.. the whole spectrum really. Now it serves traditional Japanese cuisine. That is actually how I came to be teaching here. Someone recognized my last name and asked if I was any relation to the restaurant.”

Dorma Fen

“Wow, that’s a long time! I mean, I understand family legacy personally, but there’s nothing like that with mine,” he said, gazing at her with curiosity. “Do you think you’ll return at some point to help run it, or that even an expectation they have of you?” He understood that family legacies often came with a host of expectations, but it really depended on the family as to how they approached tradition versus the personal freedom of choice.

~Cort Belanger

She nodded as the dishes were removed and another course came in. It was a bright red soup that was surprisingly cold. The student, a human male with olive skin, said “A traditional Terran gazpacho. Tomato base with citrus, vegetables, and a bit of heat from peppers. The recipe originated in my family hundreds of years ago, but I have expanded the flavor profile with the inclusion of non-Terran vegetables. Enjoy.” and he gave a short biw and went back to the kitchen.

Cort gave a nod of thanks and a smile to the student as they left.

Dorm said “I will return someday, yes. My family is very traditional. The only reason I am here is because the Governor is Japanese and his family is held in high regard by mine. Serving as his aide is a great honor not only to me; but my family as well. That, and I really miss home. I am o spired by Oed, but no sight is more moving to me than my village.”

Dorma Fen

Figuring their method from the first dish went well, Cort tasted the soup. It was a dish he knew quite well, as his family had originated in southern France near the border of Spain. While his parents had encouraged broadening their horizons and sampling the cuisines of many different cultures, the basis of a lot of everyday meals had been foods from around the Mediterranean. He wrote: Reminds me of summer in Seville. The different vegetables give an unexpected twist that is really nice. Could perhaps use a touch more seasoning.

Dorma’s comments were less… diplomatic. Underwhelming, but a good base. Lacks the punch of true gazpacho. Consistency is excellent. More heat! More zest!

“Tell me about your village?” he said. “I have visited Earth a few times, but unfortunately I never made it to Japan. What little I know is from reading.”

~Cort Belanger

Dorma said “It is a small village in the mountains between the cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Kōya, it is called. It is located on a wooded plateau atop Mt. Koya in Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is known as the headquarters of the Shingon sect of Japanese Buddhism. There are only around three thousand people in the village, but we get many visitors because of the many temples. It is…serene. Peaceful. Many of the children born there say ‘boring’-” and she laughed slightly, “- but as we get older, most of us learn to appreciate the tranquility.” She took a drink and then said “Thoughts on the gazpacho?”

Dorma Fen

“You know, regardless of the technical stuff, I always thought the best foods for any one person were the ones that evoke pleasant memories. In this case, it reminds me of a summer side trip in Seville, Spain while visiting family in France. But… it needed more salt or something. I’m not sure what but it was decent for what it was and I was glad for the memory,” he said before taking another sip of wine.

“Invoking pleasant memories is a sign of a good dish, but thus fell short.” Dorma said. “It lacked the punch and bite if a true gazpacho. Salt would have helped, yes, but I think he de-seeded the peppers. That is a costly mistake.”

Cort studied her for a moment. “I hear that a lot from people, that when you’re younger people want adventure and excitement and then as you get older you wish for more quiet, more peace. I think you can have both, though maybe not always doing our jobs,” he said with a grin.

~Cort Belanger

Dorma nodded and said “Our jobs tend to favor one side far more heavily. That is why I asked the Governor as part of my hiring if he would have a Shrine built here. It is in a small park on the far southwest side of the city. They used wood from my village to make it. There are a few people who practice Buddhism and Shinto on Oed, so we all share the shrine. It helps me find that balance… especially with the Vren arrival.” and she sat back heavily and opened her eyes wide. “I mean… what was the Federation thinking? Dropping that on all of us at the last minute? I tell you… our bosses were not happy when that meeting was over.” Dorma never spoke of work with people from outside the staff; but Cort was her counterpart, so the talk was not out-of-bounds.

Dorma Fen


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