19 The thrill of the seasoning

The wind blew listlessly through Izzy's long hair. Her eyes were trained on the figure in the distance, sitting nestled between two bushes, was a rabbit. It's long ears drooped to the side and its red eyes glanced around.

The rabbit was a Red-eyed Rabbit, Ruben had said they were the most common type of rabbits in Thule.

They were a less vicious breed of rabbit and a common source of meat for people.

Today Izzy was practising her magic. After Ruben had pressured her into hiding her 'powers' Izzy had to hunt by herself. The phone was in the back pocket of her jeans but Izzy could not rely on it.

For above Ruben was standing in a tree, watching her.

Izzy silently approached the rabbit and just when she was in range she stopped. Taking in a deep breath Izzy was about to release a low note to stun the animal.

When suddenly its head shot up its droopy ear stood erect and it bolted.

" No!!!" Izzy cried " My meat!" she pouted and Ruben jumped down.

" You forgot to cloak your smell," he said and Izzy slapped her forehead " Ah I forgot".

" Maybe we should call it a day".

It was already nearing late afternoon and Ruben didn't want to out any longer than he should. His paranoia for being outside still lingered, despite him being cured.

Looking in the direction the rabbit ran an idea popped up in Izzy's head.

" Just one more try" she pleaded and clasped her hands together, putting on her best puppy-dog-eyes.

Ruben coughed, he was unaccustomed to a woman showing such a cute face. He looked away from Izzy in embarrassment.

"O-okay just one more try".

Izzy thoughtlessly hugged him and then scurried away to find the rabbit.

Ruben stood frozen from her hug.

Men and woman were not supposed to touch. Such interactions were reserved for lovers and family.

Of course in Izzy's world hugs were a form of greetings, a way to express happiness and a form of goodbye. She had no idea that her abrupt hug, had caused Ruben to freeze in shock.

While she was off hunting Izzy rubbed her hands together. She was going to find a way to bait the rabbit.

" Theo" she whispered trying to be as quiet as possible, in case the rabbit was nearby.

" Yes," he answered near her right ear and Izzy leapt backwards clutching her ear.

" Could you not do that", he let out a cheeky smile.

" What is it?" he asked, Izzy had already assigned him the tasks of finding herbs and fruit for today. She had promised that it would be worth his while, so that was the only reason he decided to go out and gather some plants.

" Do you have bucket and lid?" Theonymphi thought her request was odd. He shook his head.

" Or even a bowl with a lid something big enough to capture a rabbit."

He folded his arms and tapped his chin. Then his eyes brightened and out sprang a turnip-shaped vase.

The vase nearly fell through Izzy's arms as it had appeared so suddenly. It was slightly heavy made of glossy ash-coloured wood. The lid was this with the handle shaped like two spheres stacked on top of each other. The base sphere was larger than the tops sphere and was made of expensive looking material.

" Can I use this?" Theonymphi waved is hand in an uncaring manner.

" Oh, one more thing. What do Red-eyed Rabbits like to eat?"

" Berries" Theonymphi answered swiftly " but not just any berried they like snow-berries" one pooped into his hand " like these, but they're not exactly snowberries they're-"

Izzy grabbed the berry stopping Theonymphi from rambling on.

" Thanks" the berry was a faint pink colour and larger than a cherry tomato.

Izzy followed the tracks of the rabbit imprinted on the soil. Theonymphi flew behind her, interested in seeing how she would use a common vase, to capture a rabbit.

Once Izzy tracked down the rabbit again she placed the vase down on its side. Theonymphi had provided her with more berries which she stuffed into the vase and set the lid on top.

She told Theonymphi that as soon as the rabbit entered the vase, he must shut the lid.

Izzy moved away and watched from afar waiting for the rabbit to take the bait. Finally, the purple-furred rabbit's little nose wriggled, it had caught the scent of the berries. It hopped in the direction and found the source of the berries.

Clutching her fists Izzy silently urged the rabbit to move faster.

' Go little rabbit go!'

The rabbit's round body hopped into the vase.

" Now!" Izzy shouted.

Clang!

The lid shut and Izzy raced to the vase holding it upright.

" Yeah!" she shouted and held up her hand to high five Theonymphi.

He looked at her hand, " Huh?"

She sighed, " You slap my hand with your hand. It's called a high five, you do it a form of congratulations".

" Oh," Theonymphi said and then slapped her hand.

" Yeah!" they shouted in unison.

On their way back Izzy and Theonymphi found Ruben and she excitedly showed him her catch.

" You guys are in for a treat tonight!"

They walked to the cabin and Izzy got everything together. Theonymphi laid out all his collected herbs and Izzy asked the system to analyse which ones were the best for flavouring food.

The system examined the herbs through scanning it but easily learned that the system could only make dead things and inanimate objects disappear. The herbs were alive and thus didn't disappear when she scanned them.

[ Scan Complete: Identified Herbs;

Akili-A healing plant (common)

Susiakam-Superficial wound plant(common)

Oggarika- A healing plant(common), after analysis if boiled the Oggarika will enhance the flavour of food giving it a slight spiciness.

Occider- Healing plant ( common), after analysis the Occider will provide food with a sweet taste.

Pearl Bloom-Fruit (rare) commonly known as the beauty fruit.

Ash Clove- Fruit( rare) slightly poisonous if ingested raw, must be boiled first.

Blush Snow Berry- A sweet berry (common), known as the people's fruit. ]

Izzy was satisfied with the in-depth analysis the system had given. She gathered the herbs she would use as spice and cut up the fruits.

She began to cook a basic stew using what she could. Once Ruben had skinned the rabbit and cut it up she placed it into the pot to cook.

A pleasing aroma filled the cabin and Theonymphi inhaled the rich smell. His wings trembled.

"What is this amazing smell?"

Izzy dished the food into bowls and made sure to add no meat in Theonymphi's food. When they sat down she watched them intently before eating her own food.

" Go on taste it," she said.

Theonymphi gladly started first, while Ruben elegantly picked up the silver spoon on the table. He scooped some of the meat and broth up and tasted it.

Silence.

Theonymphi and Ruben looked at each other, then at Izzy. Her excited expression turned into one of expectation, their silence made her feel worried the food was not up to standard.

Then Theonymphi shouted " This is amazing! I knew I chose a good master!" he gobbled up the rest of the food asking for more.

Ruben had a look of bewilderment and said that this was like, unlike anything he had tasted in his life.

Pleased Izzy happily served them more food and enjoyed the stew that was a combination of sweet and spicy with a tinge of sourness that stemmed from the Ash Clove and Pearl Bloom.