The Mantis Queens Reign

Fish?

We're all sitting around the table eating breakfast.

"Y'know, it's nice being able to taste again."

"What do you mean?" Cinnamon chimed in.

"Well, for a while nothing had any flavor. As far as I knew, it was all tasteless mush."

"That's terrible! I don't know how I could live like that."

"Yeah, but I can appreciate food that much more, now. Though, it makes me question something..."

"And that is?"

"How do you stand eating so much fish?"

"What do you mean?"

"In my previous household, we would usually alternate between different meats everyday. Like, maybe we'll have chicken for a few days, then maybe we'll have steak or ribs the next, then the next we'll have some take-out, then some chicken again. Not just, chicken day in day out."

Maple gets a grin on her face, and speaks up.

"Well, what if you make dinner tonight? Show us how you like it."

"I don't really have any money, so..."

Shigure, not one to let a good idea down, adds, "I'll give you the money, and one of the girls could accompany you shopping for ingredients."

"I mean, sure. Been a while since I've last cooked, but I'd gladly do it."

I put my plate in the sink, and my cup.

"In that case, I'll get going now."

"Now, really?"

"Yeah, greatness takes time."

"sigh, sure. But who're you gonna take with you? If they want to, that is."

"hmm... Azuki, could you come with?"

"Sure, but why me?"

"You seem to be the most... knowledgeable, about food."

"I mean you're not wrong."

"Let me know when you're ready, and we'll head out."

"Alright, give me five minutes."

...

...

We're walking down the street, with lots of food lining different stalls.

"So, any idea what we're gonna make."

"Not a clue."

"Did you really accept the challenge with no plan?"

"Yup."

"You're an idiot."

"Maybe, but plannings not my strong-suit."

"Obviously."

"hmm... I have an idea, let me run it by you quick. "

"Shoot."

"So, you guys can eat dough, right?"

"yeah?"

"Can you eat fat off of meat??"

"Yeah. though rarely. It's bad for our fur if we eat too much."

"Seasoning are fine too, right? Like salts, paprika, etc."

"Yeah. that's fine."

"Alright, I know what to make."

"What is it?"

"Benin, one of my favorites."

"Sounds foreign."