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The Gift

Edward's Storyline, Chapter 4.4

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Knowing full-well that Medved liked fish that left one more Spirit. "Tom-- fish is kosher, right?"

The Rhino crossed his arms. "It can be."

I realized at that moment that I had to be more specific. "Canned Tuna?"

He responded simply. "Sometimes."

I cut it down to even simpler terms. "If I made some, would you eat it?"

My answer finally came, and, thankfully, it was an easy answer. "Yes, Nehed. I would."

With the difficult part out of the way, I figured something easy would be good but I'd had a sandwich for lunch so I decided to make tuna salads. "Okay. Cool... and if there's any issue with dressings or anything I'll just let everyone choose their own."

No objections came from the collection of spirits so I grabbed two cans of tuna from the cabinet then began sifting through my fridge for everything I'd need. Lettuce, spinach, and tomato started things off then I grabbed the carrots, cucumbers, and, to top things off: the secret ingredient. Apparently what I added to the menu had caught at least one spirit's attention. Tom was surprised. "An apple?"

I nodded, flipping the Red Delicious into the air before catching it. "Yep!"

He looked at me as I pulled out the cutting board. "Why are you adding apple to the salad, Nehed?"

It was a reasonable question; the first time I heard about pairing tuna and an apple I was pretty surprised too. "Well... apple is used in lots of salads, like a chicken salad, for example. My grandfather used to add all sorts of things to tuna-- pickles, celery, red onion, and, yeah: apple."

The Rhino stared, dumbfounded. "Why?"

Medved had an answer ready. "Apples are good, and tuna is good. Is it hard to believe that they could be good together?"

Treboada spoke up from the living room. "Aye... it can. Fesh an' apple t'getheh dunnae soun' all that great."

My only retort was a 'heh' of superiority followed by that wonderful adage my grandfather used to use on me. "Well, you don't get to say you don't like it until you've tried it. I want something everyone can eat, so this is it."

Despite his objecting of me pairing fish and fruit, Treboada did ultimately come and join the rest of us as I finished cutting up the apple into thin little matchsticks-- I know there's a cooking term for it but I don't know what it is... not important anyway. I did the same thing with the carrots, and it took me plenty of time because I'm not as good with a kitchen knife as I am with a socket wrench or a ratchet.

After that, with my hands starting to cramp up, I took the easier route with the cucumber and sliced it thin, making little discs I could throw into the developing salad. The spinach I just threw in as-is after washing it and the lettuce was easy enough to prepare; I just pulled it apart with my hands and tossed the torn leaves in with everything else. A quick stir later and I was able to divide the veggies and apple into five bowls. Tuna went in on top of that, and then came the dressing. "Okay... we're good to go. Is everyone going to tell me what kind of dressing they want or do I have to guess?"

The Ancient One, who was, at that moment in Green's massive, scaled form stared down at the bowls. "Something with meat in it?"

I shook my head. "Dressing doesn't have meat. It has cream or vinegar or oil other stuff like that in it."

Green did not relent. "Oil can come from animals. I want that kind."

Red, thankfully, came to my rescue, as the furry Dragon's voice came out of Green's scowling maw. "We will be content with lemon or lime juice and salt."

Fortunately I had one of those plastic lemon juice containers in the fridge so that was an easy request. "Got it. Who's next?"

Tom, who was watching everything with interest, said nothing, but Medved was happy to step in and be heard. "I will take whatever you have for me, Robert. You may choose."

My preference has always been to add a little mayo to some Italian dressing... it kind of reminded me of a combination of a tuna fish sandwich and a salad, which completes the dish as far as I'm concerned. When I prepared my own I did the same for Medved. The Bear accepted his with a brief thank you and I looked to Tom. "So? What'll it be?"

The Rhino flicked an ear, glancing down at my dish. "If that is how you enjoy this meal then that is how I shall have it as well, Nehed."

It was the first straight answer I'd managed to get out of Tom regarding the food so I was happy to comply. Once the Rhino's large bulk was out of the way that left only me and Treboada standing at the counter. Looking to the Wolf, I spoke plainly. "So... you want to try some or no?"

Although his face remained unreadable, I saw a faint flicking of his tail back and forth. "If yeh be willin' t'share, lad, then it'd be rude o' me t'say no."

I pressed the issue. "Then, that's a 'yes'?"

Something about me forcing the question on him must have been funny because his tail picked up speed and his muzzle finally creased with a hint of a smile. "Aye, boy-o... ah'd be 'appeh t' try it, an' yeh 'ave mah thanks fer it too."

It was another straight answer; I remember thinking at the time that I was finally getting the hang of dealing with Spirits. "Okay... and what dressing then?"

He motioned to the salad. "Ah'll 'ave it as-is, lad... ne'er much got th' taste fer anythin' wettin' it down."

Content to let him have it at that, I picked up my bowl and wandered into the living room; although there were still four bowls sitting on the counter, all four Spirits joined me with their not-physical versions of what I had made. Tom and Medved ate their dinner with a fork while Treboada had no qualms about picking out a few pieces of various foodstuffs one or two at a time. The Ancient One, however, could easily have eaten the whole bowl for as quickly as he demolished his meal. Fortunately, the bowl remained intact, and completely clean.

He held his talon up and the spirit bowl faded away. Green declared what I thought was as close to 'thank you' as I could expect. "It was not as bad as most plants."

Red was much more pleasant about it. "A fine new experience, Edward. Thank you."

Ch'upikaq was also quick to add "I am thankful for your effort, and have enjoyed the fruits of your labor."

Green snorted. "I preferred the fish of his labor... but the apple was not horrible."

Tom and Medved were also quick to convey their thanks, each offering it with heartfelt enthusiasm; the Rhino was even very clear when he stated that he was surprised that it was not horrible and he was glad that I encouraged him to try it. Treboada, despite being a Wolf, had definitely not 'wolfed' his down, and was, at the end, the very last Spirit still eating. With all eyes on him, I waited until he put the bowl down and then I--