collateraldamaging | Duplicity Inbox

[ As the man gets acquainted with the kitchen, Albert will point out where the common items are. Pans in that cupboard. Spices here. Knives there. While Kazu is slightly taller than his host, it isn't by much, so he shouldn't have any difficulty reaching things on the higher shelves.]

That is why I do it, I'm afraid. There are too many people hunting for sheer bloodlust. They want trophies. Westerners have successfully wiped out almost all the wild bison from the plains, and with them the native people that followed the herds. They think nothing of it. They feel no guilt.

[ Albert forces himself to take a deep breath, steadying himself. ]

My apologies. Let's talk of something less horrible. What is your home like? I must say I know very little of Japan.

[ ...oh, Albert. If you want a less horrible topic, Kazu's world is the last thing you want to hear about. He winces slightly, beginning to prep ingredients, but figures as long as he keeps the focus on Japan specifically this should be fine? ]

Is there anything in particular you'd like to know? It's an island country, but depending on where you are the culture varies. Despite being fairly small we have beaches, snowy mountains, hot springs, forests... in cities the population is so high you might be living in a single room apartment the size of this kitchen, but out in the country not even be able to see your neighbor down the road. It all depends.

[Albert listens with great interest, sipping his drink as he stays out of Kazu's way, but still attentive in case he should need anything. An island, with great cities and sparse agricultural areas, with a wide variety of habitats.]

I must say, it sounds as if it is an incredible and varied place. Snowy mountains, forests... much like the heartlands that I used to wander. Tell me a little, if it is no trouble, about those places? The animals there? I imagine there must be an enormous variety.

[He can't help it, he really can't. Learning about wildlife has always been his passion, and while he could ask about all manner of things, like the food or the literature or the art of Kazu's homeland, his imagination is already fired up about the creatures that share that land with humans.]

[ Of course that's the first thing he asks about. Kazu's expression falters a bit, but luckily it's not very noticeable with how his attention is on the cutting board in front of him. He just can't bring himself to clarify the situation back home, so... yeah. It won't hurt to talk about how things used to be, right?

As he cooks, he tells Albert about the deer in Nara, the cats in Aoshima, the wild rabbits in Okunoshima, Arashiyama's monkeys and the Machida squirrel garden. He describes tanuki and sable and serow, all animals he's only ever seen in photographs. But they were there once, native to Japan, and remembered. ]

[ Albert listens with fascination, making small observations to compare the animals Kazu describes with the ones he knows. He has a feeling though, perhaps from the set of the man's shoulders, the stiffness of his spine, that it isn't a topic he should press. Possibly for the best, when Kazu seems to finish telling him about creatures, Albert moves on to another matter. ]

Fascinating! And I have to admit, I have been curious ever since you mentioned it when we were corresponding. Western food and Japanese food. Are they greatly different?

[ Definitely for the best, yes. Food is also an easier topic for Kazu specifically, since he has so much experience with it. He nods at the question, his posture relaxing slightly. ]

Yes, very much so. Our flavors are generally more complex, and we traditionally favor ingredients like fish, rice, and soy. The west is more reliant on meat, grains, and dairy. If you're curious I'd be happy to make you something from home to try? I wouldn't be offended if you didn't like it, some tastes must be acquired.

[ He watches the man relax, and from where Albert stands it seems that Kazu is much happier. ]

Oh, I would be quite delighted to try! I am familiar with fish, my mother would make a delicious pie of various kinds of fish, poached in milk and herbs and topped with slices of potato.

But I suppose that is quite different to what you might make.

[ Kazu huffs softly, amused at how enthusiastic Albert sounds. ]

Was she from the UK? That sounds English... and you're right, quite different. All there is in common is the fish, which likely aren't the same types. And we prefer ours prepared raw or fried, depending.

Tell me, what are your favorite foods? I can make something using those ingredients, so that it isn't completely foreign.

Ah, no. My mother is German. My paternal grandfather was English. I believe the recipe might have been his favourite too, hence the reason it was made so often in our household.

I've never had fish raw. Nor any meat, in truth. How very unusual. That is something I would be interested to try, if it is something you would be happy to prepare?

[ As for favourites, Albert makes a soft laugh, a little shy. ]

In truth? I'm not sure I have a favourite. I'm quite content to eat most things. I spend, or rather, I used to spend, a great deal of time in the wilderness working on my photography, and I managed on what I could forage or had brought with me. What about you, sir? Is there something you particularly enjoy? Of your own culture and of Western food?

[ Okay, that does make sense. Everything Albert just said gets a nod of both understanding and agreement, since he would indeed be happy to prepare something like that. ]

They actually do have sushi restaurants here -- raw fish -- but I can make it here to show you how it's prepared or curate a selection for you to try.

[ He needs a moment to consider his own favorites. Hmm. ]

I do lean towards protein-heavy dishes, and prefer rice or noodles to bread even in Western food. But like you, it would be easier to list things I don't like since there are so few.

[ That makes Albert smile, a kind and pleased smile to know that on this they were quite similar. ]

Rice is something I have become more familiar with here than I was at home. But bread is something of a luxury, when you travel. It doesn't keep half as long as I would like, but Rice? I understand that lasts a great deal longer.

I'll admit sir, I am very curious. Tell me, what food is it you like the least?

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