OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

“AH.” a pinch of his fingers touch the top of her menu. even without looking at it, he can spot where the text begins as black lines bleed through the thin parchment.

“it’s quite simple.”

his finger moves slides along the side before pinching where each subsequent item starts. “it’s a multi-course meal designated by the chef. they present each piece, one by one, and reveal what it is and where the meat is sourced from.”

which would explain why he never showed any curiosity toward the menu, much less ask to see it. it also reveals why there’s only one despite there being two patrons.

“and all you have to do is enjoy.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

“DECISIONS ARE IMPORTANT,” is both his explanation and deflection. “i try not to squander them.”

with her attention to the menu dulled, fernando takes the chance to pocket a look himself. where he seemed dismissive seconds earlier, he now scours it to see what actually is up for grabs tonight.

“but you should know, we won’t have a personal chef without reservation. they’ll bring it all at once and have them ordered from right to left.”

he clicks his tongue.

“you don’t have any dietary restrictions, do you?”

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Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

WATCHING HIS GAZE WILL REVEAL A FEW POINTS OF INTEREST. while he doesn’t spend too much time on any one section, the small reactions on his face make him seem readable. expressional, even.

“how to handle a meteor that threatens our existence, for one.”

he sets the menu down.

“and how to make sure your next omakase never lives up to this one.”

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Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

“OH?” she fashions a mild laugh out of him. “i would hope so.”

he leans in to her question, shoulders hunched, as if carrying the burden of her answer across his back.

“only when i think i can meet them.” his tone changes little but the volume hushes to her level. “i’m fairly confident i’ll see a line item for it in the not so distant future. a fair change from burgers, no?”

suddenly, the door opens. the sound of sanded wood glides until it stops with a firm thud. several servers, all dressed in uniforms that resemble kimonos, enter. each one has a pair of medium sized dishes, large enough to center piece the sushi and accompanying condiments. without so much as a word, they circle the table, each one placing a plate in particular order until the clockwise distribution forms an ornamental pattern of circles and ovals.

“gorebyss,” she comments, starting with the plate to elisabeth’s right, “mossdeep ocean. corphish, petalburg coast. barboach, fallabor creek.”

each server lists their own dish along with its locale. its finished with a small bottle of sake and two matching ceramic shot glasses. fernando says nothing throughout this, merely nodding along, until they’re left again once more.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

HER BLUFF FINDS NO PURCHASE HERE. for she is not the first that fernando has introduced to kantonese (adjacent) cuisine. here, in hoenn, many find the switch hard to grasp. a humble game of waiting often allows them to follow by example.

“the culture here is a bit different,” he counters. “should we have gotten a spot at the bar, we’re expected to eat at the same time.”

he places a bowl of clear liquid in front of her. one sits in front of him as well. from a small dish of sliced nomel slices, he squirts a few drops into hers and then his.

“complimentary to wash your hands before eating,” he explains before letting his fingers sink into the warm water.

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

“AT TIMES,” is his love letter to non-committal answers. “it depends where i was.”

his hand rises, dripping, as he dries himself on a long nap cloth. the bowl is tucked away, out of sight and out of mind, which just leaves them to their food.

“there is fun in discovering other cultures. whether you enjoy them or not, i find it interesting in learning about them. in how different people can be just because of a separation of sea.”

he makes no move for the food, instead, reaching for the first plate that sit closer to her side.

“did you want the authentic experience?”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Elisabeth Fiorelli

OMAKASE

THE PRIVACY OF THE INDECISIVE

AMPLE BAIT IS ALL IT TAKES TO COERCE HER INTO AGREEANCE. trust sits at the forefront of what comes next and for her to comply requires some preparation. otherwise, the request seems too sketchy to entertain. historically, anyway.

“close your eyes,” he lulls as his eye move toward the first dish. “and open your mouth.”

[attr="class","spiralpee"]
Elisabeth Fiorelli