Ninovan (Hypernaturals 10)

Dinner with the MiB

Melody Applewhite and John Jones, or MiB agents 'Smith and Jones', our contacts in the Governments top, top super top-secret agency that monitors all the Hypernaturals sat in our living room. We just finished dinner and are having drinks as a prelude to us telling them about Ninovan. Morgan and Angel are still at the office, working late. That is weird because they knew we are having guests.

Vera is here. She left 'The Firehouse' early, in Leslie's hands I assume. Danny, Lori, Mom, Dad, and the kids are eating out and would come back later, and as it is Friday night, they could be out a little late.

"Where did you get that recipe for the red beans and rice? Or for that matter the chicken and sausage Gumbo? Fabulous. I will be at the gym for two extra hours tomorrow." Melody said. She had three servings of the Gumbo, so I assumed this is more than just being polite.

Morgan had been amused when I told her I planned Cajun for tonight, but given the topic, I thought it appropriate.

"Thanks. I have never really cooked much of this style, so I was kind of winging it. Morgan told me to use more of everything because of the way the rice, beans, and sausage absorb the spices. Sort of how I cook. More of everything. I would not know how to make a subtle dish if my life depended on it." I said.

"Not true. Your Steak Diane is fabulous." Helen said.

"Well. OK. That one." I admitted.

"The Cajun food was perfect." John complimented. "What time is the gym tomorrow?" He asked Melody.

"10 AM. For hours. I have never had cornbread like that." Melody said.

"Sort of a fusion thing. Mexican / Cajun. The recipe said to use a few jalapeños cut up small, so I used a lot, cut large, but mild so they don't overpower. Also chipotle. Subbed in some sour cream for buttermilk, but not too much. Avocado Oil instead of soy or corn or whatever. Way more and way sharper cheese. I like the cheese bite and the pepper bite to bite each other. On like that." I said.

"So you don't have a recipe to share." Melody lamented.

"I do. Morgan threatened me with bodily harm if I did not write it down, because she or Nakoma normally document our food experiments. Same with Jessica and beer brewing. Every batch, documented to the hilt. The beer that you have, Melody, is their American Pale Ale. It's more of a Midwestern IPA, I think."

John looked at his glass, and asked: "And this?"

Jessica and I are intertwined on the couch. Since the trip to West Texas, we have rarely gone long without some kind of affectionate touching. I love having her back like this.

"Stole that recipe from a friend over at Hops and Grains. They like hazy, organic beers there. It's an IPA they call Dankus. The hop character lives over in the Dank, ganja end of things. No weed in that one though, so you are fine." Jessica told him.

"In THIS one, meaning there are others you do that are seasoned with herb??" John asked, sipping, and then looking at the haze again.

"As you are government folks, I assume you cannot know the genuine answer to that." Jessica replied "But if I am wrong about that, let me know. No entrapment please."

John sighed. "Correct in the letter of the law. Not that there are not plenty of people across the government that break that one. It is legal in numerous states, if not this one."

Helen is having wine from our Claremont winery, smuggled here. We don't export from France, except for ourselves. She swirled it to watch the 'legs' as she said: "Vera, you have a close relationship with the people we are about to talk about, so I am going to let you give most of the information to Melody and John. Just so you know Melody, John, there is a reason we had cajun tonight, and it is a bit larger than Adrian's sense of humor. You may already know about this, but you may not, and in the spirit of sharing information we felt we should tell you about Ninovan."