Submission (#4337) Approved

    “Alaistair, can you please pass the spice bottle?” Takami reached out a paw as he stood by a large bubbling pot. “No, not that one, the one next to it with the red wax seal.” he corrected without looking, using his other paw to stir the violently bubbling liquid. "Almost time to let this get down to a simmer but first we need to add some heat of a different kind." 

    The smaller red and purple kittom looked through the collection of spice bottles until he found the sealed one that fit the description and carried it over, placing it into Takami's waiting paw. "What is it?" He asked curiously, wondering if this was the magic ingredient the older elnin had been talking about before. He had requested to help out with some of the food prep for the last festival of the season and this was one of the final things that needed to be prepped.  The festival marked the last big gathering before miasma made it too difficult for any but the most foolhardy to travel from place to place. This huge vat of stew would be used to feed the village during the coldest part of the night. Though 'coldest part' was relative in this mountainous desert region of Zevija.

    Taking the bottle and cracking the seal, Takami dumped the entire contents into the stew and then kicked at a lever that restricted air to the fire beneath the pot to lower the temperature. "Nah, this isn't the secret ingredient but it is an important one. We have the broth boiled down, now it is time to add in the vegetables." He turned and gestured towards the pile that was partially cut up after making sure the liquid was down to a rolling boil. "Lets get the rest of these diced and toss them in. Then we'll worry about the secret ingredient." He gave a mysterious wink and then got to work dicing carrots. 

    Alais nodded and picked up his own knife, taking his time to cut up the small mound of purple potatoes and other root vegetables by his side. As he worked he looked out of the window at the rocky outcropping where a small red flag caught his attention. The red kittom knew that it marked the small square of tilled soil that had been carefully cultivated into a flourishing garden. Said area was where these root vegetables had come from, the mineral rich earth being the cause of the rich purple tones of the plants that grew there. While it was difficult to get a wid array of vegetables and other crops to grow in Zevija, certain root vegetables were made for the harsh, dryer climate. In the small shaded spaced nestled between overhanging rocks and crystalline structures, enough moisture gathered to provide sustenance to grow the food that kept this village healthy. The rest of their diet consisted of mushrooms gathered from the cavern networks and hunting to animals that traveled through the area. His mind drifting for a moment, Alais wasn't looking to where his fingers were and the knife grazed one paw, biting into flesh instead of food. He gasped audibly and put his finger into his mouth to stop the bleeding, tasting copper for a moment. The implement of betrayal was put aside the pile of purple potatoes and he hopped down from the step stool he had been using to look for a finger wrap.

    "Everything ok over there?" The adult elnin immediately sensed what had happened and almost materialized out of thin air next to the kittom. "Looks like someone wasn't paying attention. Come on, lets see it."

    The kittom reluctantly removed the finger from his mouth where a small red line cut through his already red paws. He heard his elder tut a few times upon seeing it, twisting the finger from side to side to make sure it was a clean cut. The movements made him wince but Alais bit his tongue to make sure he didn't say anything. The kittom did not want to let on how much it hurt. After being shown where the bandages were kept, Alais wrapped up the wound tightly, and internally wondered if they kept willow-bark tea on hand, though he knew that would probably have to be imported from Kyendi or somewhere similar if they did. He knew willow could be used as a painkiller but as he wiggled his fingers he realized the bandages must be treated with something because he did not feel the pain of the cut anymore. 

    Takami nodded as he saw the kittom walk back up to the table, finishing off his portion of the vegetables with a flourish and moving over to the potatoes. "Now you are not dieing, let me show you the best way to chop these up." He spun the knife in his hand before swiftly dicing up the last of the purple potatoes. "The biggest thing is to keep your wrist steady and your fingers out of the way of the blade." With another flourish, he slid the tray and its contents over to the simmering pot and dumped in the last of the ingredients. "Now it is time for the secret ingredient. This will make sure everyone stays very toasty tonight." Takami reached up and took a long box off the shelf, opening it carefully to check inside before placing it onto the table. After grabbing a pair of gloves he took out five long peppers and sliced them up with the sharp knife, deftly adding them into the rolling liquid.  Almost immediately he placed both the knife and the cutting board into a ready basin of water and stoked the fire a bit to get the temperature back up. With a grin he tapped his nose as if to include Alais in the secret. "Very toasty indeed..." 

    With an answering grin Alais made a mental note to not touch the stew when it was served that night. While he knew Takami could probably take the heat, his taste buds would not be prepared for the assault and he was grateful for the warning. Though he was also secretly looking forward to the closing meal and the responses the stew may get with its added kick.