camp vargas ~the happening returns~ 2-4 "you have doubts?"

[mandytl]

 

 

Location: Dwarfs’ Mine - Lakeside

Jade: We were able to drive away all of the fae.

Cater: Phew… This is brutal without our magic.

Lilia: But now we can concentrate on the task at hand. Now, let’s get fishing!

Time passes.

Cater: What’s good, guys? Snag anything? Cay-kun caught seven!

Lilia: Nine here. It’s adequate enough.

Kalim: I caught FIVE! And it’s all thanks to Jade’s advice.

Jade: All that remains is to preserve these fish, and our challenge will be complete.

Cater: There’s all kinds of ways to preserve food, though. How should we do it?

Jade: Drying, salting, pickling in oil… There are certainly numerous ways, but… 

Why not give smoking it a go this time?

Kalim: Smoke it?

Jade: You smolder wood chips in a box above charcoal in order to bring a smoky taste to the food.

Eating food that has been infused with the smoked fragrance of the forest is like tasting the mountains themselves.

I wished to try it while camping so badly that I researched it before we left.

I'll take care of all the planning if you’ll allow me, and even clean up after. So, shall we smoke-cure them? Let’s get going!

Cater: Whoa, scary! Relax, no one said they weren’t for it!

Lilia: I can't exactly say no when he speaks with such passion.

Cater: Well, let’s just roll with it. I’ve bought ready-made smoked fish before, but making it yourself sounds fun. ♪ 

Kalim: Yeah! All right, let’s get to work!

Location: Dwarfs’ Mine - Campsite

Lilia: Jade’s handmade smoker is in good shape. While made of wood, it doesn't burn up too quickly.

Cater: It totally matches our surroundings, too. If only phones were allowed so I could snap a pic of this scene.

Jade: It’s nothing that impressive. Just some scrap wood we collected that I repurposed.

I think they’re about done. I’m going to open the smoker.

Kalim: Ohhh! The fish are turning brown!

Jade: Smoking food gives it a nice, unique sheen. Looks delicious, doesn’t it?

Lilia: The mushrooms and nuts we added smoked wonderfully as well. This proved a huge success.

Grim: But is it really that tasty after just leavin' it in some smoke?

Jade: Why, Grim-kun, you have doubts? Then let’s have you try some right away.

Grim: Down the hatch…

Mmm, yummy! The smell of herbs mixed with the saltiness is enticin’!

The fish is flaky, too!

Jade: The herbal scent comes from marinating the fish before smoking it.

The meat is tender because it is smoked at a high temperature for a short length of time, leaving very little moisture behind.

Although not the best approach for long-term storage, it ought to last us for three days at the very least.

Ghost B: Who woulda thought someone would smoke their catch! That camp-made smoker’s nothin’ to sneeze at either. 

Here’s your badge. Keep up the good work on your other challenges!

Jade: Thank you very much.

Help yourself, Yuu-san. There is plenty of smoked fish left.

> Awright!

> Don’t mind if I do!

Lilia: All that remains is to dig for magic gems. I doubt we’ll be able to take it as easy as we have been…

Cater: Not when it’s pure, physical labor. A bit depressing, but let’s just push through so we can finish this.

Grim: *nibble, nibble* We better get movin’ too… *munch, munch* to fulfill our recordin’ duty…!

Kalim: The nuts are tasty too, Grim! I did exactly what Jamil said and watched them cook the entire time. My piece de resistance!

I can't believe how amazing it tastes just by smoking it!

Jade: Fufu. It appears we won’t be able to move on just yet.