This was something Vaughn had not expected to hear. His father actually made something for him, instead of having him make it himself. This was not only a great surprise but was something Vaughn hadn't had in quite some time. The last time he had anything that was remotely like this was on his mother's last birthday, in which she gave him a bite, it was a glorious bite, but still just a bite. All the other times if he's ever been hungry his father has made him prepare his own food as a sort of training exercise, and some nights turned out better than others. This was such a drastic contrast though, but that was the least of Vaughn's worries right now. The main thing he had on his mind was devouring this beautiful and expectantly delicious food that lay before him.
Almost as if being hypnotized he sat down slowly and picked up the knife and fork that were close to the dish without saying a word, and wearing nothing but a look of awe on his face. The smells were bombarding his nose much like a castle siege would. He wold pick out each induvidual scent and where it was coming from. He didn't know where to start at all. He stared at the plate, simply lost for a moment.
"I 'ope ya like it, son."
His father's words cute the silence, but in an odd way. The more commonly study voice that his father spoke in did seem a little off. Almost nervous for Vaughn to try the dish. It was probably cause Vaughn was so critical of food, its flavors, its presentation, its aroma, if it didn't meet a particular criteria Vaughn would certainly let everyone know it wasn't 'up to snuff.' Vaughn could sense that feeling having been broken from concentration for a moment. He looked over to his father for a moment and let him have a large smile before he turned back to the dish where he would begin.
Vaughn always liked to try each individual part first before attempting the dish as a whole. He started with the bread, which he expected to be great. He broke off a small piece and the steam poured out from the bread that was freshly made. He popped the little piece into his mouth and it almost melted. His father always had a particular way of making his specialty. It was sweet, warm, buttery, completely amazing in every way. There was not a single gripe with his father's bread, which there never way to begin with. Next he went for the greens, the Yunall Greens that were steamed and blanched. They're were such a powerful color you would think it was glowing if you where not careful. As he put them in his mouth and began to bite down, nothing else could be heard but a slight crunch. They were prefect! Vaughn hadn't noticed at first but these greens were also not boiled in water, but some sort of stock and they had an amazing meat flavor to them. In addition they had been handled marvelously, which is where the small crunch, but no mush came from. Lastly, he went for the meat from the Human country. The meat from this animal was something he was unfamiliar with, but it did smell good. He was able to discern that his father boiled them to an extent, then removed them and put them in the over for the moisture and stock aspects of the meat. There was something he had to check before he started with the meat. With his fork he went to check the meat ability to stay to the bone. He poked it ever so slightly in hopes that it wouldn't fall right off. Of course it didn't, this did just kept getting better. He put a little more force and is peeled off instantly. This was perfect! His father really knew how to cook since that was a very delicate cooking method, and messing it up was very common. He proceeded to get a piece and bring it up to eye level to examine. He noticed the fibers of the meat and which way the grain went, for his future cuts. He couldn't wait any longer, thrusting the piece that was cut to his taste buds. It hit them in a whirlwind of flavor. Vaughn closed his eyes for just a moment to let his brain only focus on just the flavor. It was inpecable, easily a ten out of ten on his scale. It was likely yhr greatest thing he had ever tasted in his entire life. Brilliant use of the crystal as a coating for the outside of the meat to lock in its juices and flavor, the perfect slow cooking method that made the meat so tender on the inside of the crust, and the perfect amount of seasoning. Not to mention this meat was stellar when it came to its grain as it broke apart into luscious shards of meat. He savored that bite to its fullest. When he was done tasting he grabbed the goblet to taste how the drink was. After his sip he could tell how much different it was with the mint. It was smoother, lighter almost, but still the good ol' grog he was used to. With an appropriate breath he set it down and went back to his meal savoring the meal as a whole as opposed to its individual parts.
After he finished up his meal and beverage he sat back in his chain more satisfied in a meal than he had ever been in all of his years of living. Once he was finished he was addressed by his father.
"Listen, I know how ya feel 'bout leavin' the village an findin' ya own way. Your mum an I 'ave talked 'bout it lots. I can't say I wan't ya ta leave, but I 'ave to agree with ya mother. She thinks it a grand idea for ya to see th' world, experience new things, an' meet new people. An honestly, after 'avin these exotic ingredients, I can't blame ya!"
Vaughn say that this really tugged on his dad's heart strings in a certain way, to see his only son leave off to the world in exploration of new things. There was a certain level of happiness and sadness in his words. He smiled at the fact that his father cared enough to feel the way he did in front of him, he respected him and there was nothing that could fill the void of his father. This man taught Vaughn every thing he knows about almost everything, save for the vast elven knowledge his mother attributed. He let his father continue speaking as well.
"Ya should go. I think ya want to, and I think ya will like the experience....but ya 'ave to promise me...ya gotta bring some rare ingredients back 'ome sometime!"
Vaughn laughed with his father, but recoiled with a confident statement still while smiling,
"Don't worry, I'll find all of the ingredients of the world, and bring them home."
His father always appreciated Vaughn's broad goals, making sure he was keeping a very optimistic view on life.
"And ya best go say goodbye to ya mum. I'm not sayin' ya 'ave to leave today, but i think ya should so ya can travel with that Gilhom boy. He's leavin' to go back out into th' over world in just a few 'ours time."
In most cases it would seem very odd to leave so suddenly but this was a great opportunity, to leave. Vaughn was expecting to venture in the next couple of weeks anyway, and its a much better decsion to travel with someone from home than alone. Not to mention Vaughn had zero combat training and would have a hard time defending himself; he would have to rely on Gilhom for that. Fortunately Gilhom was somone that Vaughn knew but they had never been too close because of having to work all the time. From the few times they did meet up though he seemed like a nice guy, traveling with him would be a piece of cake.
"I like the sound of that."
Vaughn replied to his father's statement, without letting on that the real reason would be to that he could be protected. He didn't want to die on his way out of the village, that would just be a waste.
"And remember, I love ya"
"I love you too Dad."
As his father began to clean up, he could hear his mother's beautiful singing voice being muffled by a close mouth. Even her humming sounded nice, he followed the sound to that he could let her know he would be on his way momentarily.
