The Prince and the Priestess

[Ryuu Ishikawa]

He blinks. Oh, it's up to me now? "Ah, perhaps we should adjourn to a family dinner? Are you hungry?"

[Raja kumarie]

"As it pleases you my husband." I say softly raising at his words making sure to put my best face forward for my new family.

[Ryuu Ishikawa]

Ah yes. I forget -- she is so assertive, so daring, that I forget she is a woman and to be commanded. "Then, let us adjourn." 

He leads her over to where his family sit: two dark-haired men, a dark-haired woman, a brunet male about Ryuu's age, and a rare redheaded woman. The two women look similar, as though related -- actually, it's a very similar face on each of them, though the redhead is smiling and the dark-haired is scowling. 

He bows before them, then turns, presenting his wife. "My wife, the lady Ishikawa Rajakumarie. Wife, please meet my father, Ishikawa Ryuuji, his wife, Ishikawa Seiya, my aunt, Ishikawa Tsukikage, her husband, Ishikawa Saru, and their son, Ishikawa Akio, my first cousin. My brothers have presumably gone ahead to alert the chefs we will require dinner."

[Raja kumarie]

I bow and in stilted Japanese say "it is an honor to meet you father, mother, auntie and uncle." Bowing to each in turn i incline my head to my cousin in greeting

[GamesMaster]

The smiles indicate that she's done this correctly. "Pleased to meet you," says Seiya, formally, inclining her head. 

Ryuu places a hand at her back, turning her towards the door. "This way to the dining room," he says, and the family begin travelling -- his father at the head of the line, Ryuu falling into place behind him with his wife at his side. 

[Raja kumarie]

It's a conservative room warm and comfortable I take my seat next to Ryuu and look over the strange dishes and sticks... where are the forks? The tagiens? Is this why papa told me to bring dishes?

[Ryuu Ishikawa]

As dishes of rice are brought out, as well as dishes of fish, pickled vegetables, and soups, the family serve themselves onto their plates using... are those sticks? A pair of wooden sticks? Held between the first finger and thumb, with a second held between the second and first fingers. Ryuu serves her some rice with a scoop, and then offers her some of what he tells her is eel from a dish using the sticks. 

[Raja kumarie]

I nod gently trying to mimic how they hold them. Stil my hand shakes in this odd position. I look to Ryuu silently for help.

[Ryuu Ishikawa]

She... doesn't know how to use chopsticks? He puts down his sticks, moving to use both his hands to correct her grasp -- and slide the sticks further up her hand than she sees anyone else doing. "It is easier to control like this," he says in a low voice in Turkish. 

[Raja kumarie]

I blush slightly "thank you. We don't have sticks like this at home." I say softly managing to pick the ear up. It's bland. Tastes of nothing bur eel they don't have spices? But they eat with sticks? My poor family is very confused

[Ryuu Ishikawa]

Upon eating a few more bites she can finally determine that it's not that it tastes of nothing, per se, it's just... the subtle, earthy, salty taste is very odd to her taste buds. The vegetables are better; they're saturated with vinegar, so at least it tastes sharp and clean. Ryuu offers her a small bottle of a brown, runny sauce that also has a stronger taste than the fish she tries next, though it's mostly salty. 

And the beans...

Before she even gets them to her mouth, the pungent, mustard- or cheese-like odor startles her into dropping them. 

[Raja kumarie]

I flush slightly and recover my grip. It's pungent but the taste.. it tastes like my grandmothers piak. My body relaxes into the memory of it. Of festivals and family visiting the temple. It's less spiced but it still warms my heart maybe their not so backwoods

[GamesMaster]

As they eat, musicians play; softly, Seiya asks, "Is the food to your liking? They must eat very differently where you come from."

[Raja kumarie]

"It's different but good. The Piak is delicious, mother tastes like my grandmothers." I smile fondly at her

[GamesMaster]

She gives a happy sigh. "Ah, yes, I knew retaining that chef was a good idea. My husband was unsure about him, but I had a good feeling, and he produces such wonderful food." 

"I guess," mutters her sister, the dark-haired Tsukikage. She picks up a small bowl of soup and drinks from it -- so that's how you eat soup with sticks apparently!