7 Ch. 6 The Curse of Taste

Just touching it, I'd send the book into my inventory, and hopefully open it up to see if I got lucky. Unfortunately, what I saw was not what I fully expected.

History of Linea Continent First Edition: A Partial-Fiction production of the history of the continent you are currently on, the author took quite a number of liberties and prejudices when writing this book.??????

"Fuck, I thought I'd be able to like absorb it's knowledge... Well, maybe I can. The question marks do make things a curious sort. Still, at least I know not to fully believe what's written in this book. Taking it out of my inventory, I'd walk over to a reading chair, climbing up onto it and would set the book in my lap.

The book wasn't that big, and seemed to contain only a fragmented history, on top of that it was handmade just like that anatomy book, it appeared as if this world didn't have a printing press yet. Finally it's words were written sort of large, so with all that, by the time Helmsford had come with a tray of food, I was closing the book with a sigh, murmuring. "So this is definitely a fantasy world, Goblins, Elves, Orcs, all of that nonsense... This will be an interesting world."

"What will be interesting Young Master?" Jumping slightly, I'd look at Helmsford and would finally chuckle softly.

"Well I just finished reading that there are Elves and I'm curious by the book's description. It spoke of them as being some of the most beautiful creatures in all of nature... But the way their society is described... It's like they're all idiots who worship nature to a self-destructive degree."

Setting down the tray on a table that was next to the reading chair, Helmsford would lift up the book I had been reading and after a short investigation would scoff and carried it back to the bookshelf. "I've always told Arnold that this book isn't good to keep around, first edition or not." Placing it back, he'd look a moment then picked out a leafy green book and brought it over. "Elves are nothing like that bigot described, they are worshipers of nature, yes. But Young Master, they are not self-destructive; instead they built their culture around the tending of nature." Placing the book in my lap, I'd look at the cover and grew curious, it was focused on the nature and history of Elves and looked to have been more comprehensive then the general history book from before.

"Please, read this to learn more, it also includes drawings of Elves that more accurately show their appearance." Moving to the tray, he'd pour me out a cup of warmed milk tea from a kettle, holding it out to me. "But first, eat Young Master, your health is very important.

Looking up from the book, having already opened up to the beginning, I'd stare at the cup in confusion before realizing that I need to act like I'm hungry. Nodding, I'd reach out and feeling the weight of the saucer and teacup, I'd move to take just the cup. It was a bit difficult thanks to the weight of the milk tea being heavier than simple water steeped with tea. It's going to take a long time to get used to this weakness, need to find a solution quickly.

Anyways, I'd take a slow sip and the taste was actually quite nice, though I think that came from the sweetness of the milk more than the tea. Still, I drank it all quite readily and quickly to enjoy it. As the weight lowered down, I was able to move easier, setting it aside on the table. Finally I'd also take a look at the food.

On the tray was a plate of simple eggs sunny side up complete with some strips of bacon and finally a kettle with the warm milk tea and finally some thing slices of what appeared to be potatoes that were fried. Picking up one of those slices I bit into it and found that it wasn't seasoned well, seemingly only fried in the fat of bacon grease rather than seasoned properly, there wasn't even any salt! Frowning slightly at that, I'd still eat it and would grab some bacon to nibble on as well. Unfortunately, the taste of it wasn't all that great either, it still had a characteristic smokiness, but it didn't seem to contain any distinct flavors and instead seemed rather simple, as if they smoked it by just chucking in wood. On top of that the meat was probably air dried rather than salted. After figuring all that, I looked at the eggs with a seeming since of dread.

Still, Helmsford was watching, so I'd shift and take a spoon. Holding it carefully, with small muscles on my arms bulging from the effort to pick it up, thankfully it wasn't something really heavy like the tea cup. Hell, maybe I could lift this to gain muscle mass. Anyways, I'd use the spoon to slice off a piece of the egg and brought it up to slurp into my mouth. After only a second though, I'd swallow it and sigh. "Not even salt or pepper, just the egg slightly fried in the same bacon's grease... It's like the whole thing is just flavored by the bacon which in itself isn't that flavored either..." Realizing I spoke out loud, I'd gulp and look at Helmsford, who was looking at me strangely.

"Young Master, what are you talking about?" He was confused, probably why I knew what bacon was, as well as giving such a description of the breakfast. Blushing, I'd think about what I could say but... Well, it would be awkward no matter what, so why not?

"I haven't been fully honest with you Helmsford... I, I don't have memories... Of this life. But, when I was asleep, when I was drifting between life and death... I had a strange dream." Okay, so I'm not gonna tell the whole truth, I don't wanna poke that bear until I'm sure this man will not try to kill me for heresy or something.

"In the dream, I lived in a strange world, that had many marvelous things and... I was a young man who loved to cook as well as loved his parents greatly. Anyways, when I woke up the dream has still kind of stuck with me. So when I tasted this, I was able to connect the dream's cooking and this cooking." Then to prove my point, I'd point to the bacon, "This wasn't salted to dry it out, on top of that the blood wasn't drained from the pig so it still has a gamey taste, and when it was smoked they didn't choose a specific selection of woods and just chucked in whatever they had on hand. Because of that, the flavors of smokiness are muddled rather than focused." I'd then point to the eggs then the potatoes describing the inherent problems that stemmed from the way they were prepared and the seasonings used.

All the while, Helmsford listened, at first with some light curiosity and then his expression slowly turned serious before listening more intently. Finally when I had finished, he himself sampled what I had and would sink into silence. Seeing that, I'd sigh lightly and would leave him to this thoughts while focusing on the book. He'll figure out what I said or he was an inept cook, for now... Let's find out how Elves are!

About a minute into the book though, I was sure of one thing. If Elves were put onto Earth, they'd make PETA and Eco-Terrorists look like Oil Barons. I actually kind of think the other book was right, they are self-destructive in the way they treat nature. But it's balanced by their magic, which apparently helps them to encourage the growth of plants and even allow them to shape trees to create homes. Seeing some of the drawings of Elven homes and I have to admit that it's beautiful, as are the creatures themselves. They're a lot like the plants they worship and seem to find most of their energy from absorbing nutrients from the ground and sunlight. Might explain thei- "Young Master, you're right." Of course I'm, wait who's? Oh!

Looking up from my own ruminations I'd look at Helmsford who was looking at me intensely, it kind of made me shrink back a bit before the man realized what his gaze was doing and softened it. "I'm right about what?"

"What you said about this breakfast, about the bacon. I honestly never noticed before what you've described but after you mentioned it I couldn't help but to notice. Why did I never notice that the bacon didn't have a focused smokey flavor?" He looked confused, curious and expectant of an answer... How could I deny such a cute expression?

Smiling a bit, I sat up straighter and said to him. "It's actually understandable. It comes from how your tongue is trained and your own mind's expectations. Before, it was expected for it to be that way, even before you took a bite of bacon you expected the normal taste to be how it was before. You never thought that it could have something more, so when I mentioned that, your mind now knew what it was looking for and could more easily notice it."

With a look as if he had suddenly gained enlightenment in something, his eyes seemed to fade for a moment. At least for a few seconds, and just when I was about to return to reading, he'd come out of it and gave a polite bow. "Thank you Young Master."

Now it was my turn to be confused as I asked him, "What are you thanking me for? Now you're gonna be disappointed whenever you eat bacon... I should be jailed!"

Looking at me in surprise, he'd think a moment before laughing lightly. "No, I'm thanking you for the discovery you've given me in something else. I never once thought that a person's mind can be tricked like you said to expect something that's already there. It's helped me to reach a new height in my skills."

Oh, that's all, "Okay then." Looking down, I'd heft up the book a bit. "Can I return to reading? And umm, please don't tell the chefs about what we discussed... I don't want my food to contain spit, or worse..." Continuing to read, I'd leave Helmsford alone now who'd look at me in confusion before chuckling and walking out. He did at least pour me another cup of the milk tea before going though, so that was nice.

Anyways, with the distractions gone, I could continue reading, focusing on learning as much about this world as possible. It wouldn't take long before I changed out the book on Elves for another book about politics of the Continent and further on from there. The study quickly became my new room, as I'd read whatever I could get my hands on, with snacks delivered personally by Helmsford.