The three of us squished together as we gazed at the tablet. This was the first time we had sat together like this to pore over what was on offer. It was a new experience for me. Even Teiren—my previous incarnation—had lived a solitary life.
However, we seemed to be getting nowhere fast. “What would you like?” I prompted. “Perhaps something more filling than a dessert?”
“I would be perfectly content with either the meat or the ‘doughnuts’ we partook of yesterday.”
“I wanna try this ‘dried fish selection’! I can crisp it all up with my fire!”
Alas, my suggestion had done little to help matters. It was the morning, so Alk had a healthy appetite while Salamander seemed to be feeling wildly adventurous. However, I wasn’t quite confident enough to try cooking anything myself yet. But even if we couldn’t agree on anything, I could hardly think of anything more fun than this. Once the food was here, all we’d have left to do would be to eat it. And we might end up disappointed at the missed opportunities.
That wasn’t to say that I wasn’t looking forward to a delicious meal, of course! I loved eating and laughing with my companions. It was just that I found it surprisingly enjoyable to just imagine the tastes and aromas from each product’s photos and description while talking the decision over with Alk and Salamander. It felt like our conversation would go on and on if we let it.
Alk snorted impatiently and waved a dismissive hand. “At this rate, we shall never come to a decision. Fran, you are a master of the skill. You will order whatever you like.” He was either tired of our discussion going around in circles or was reaching the limits of his hunger. Or both.
“As you wish. In that case, I shall select something light for the time being.”
Despite the short time we had known each other, right now, I was able to read Alk like a book. I could tell by the indignant look on his face and his lazy movements that he really was fed up. Nevertheless, when I glanced at him, his eyes remained glued to the tablet screen as I swiped through the options. Regardless of the size of his appetite, we had all just woken up. I made the judgment call that it was a little early for our stomachs to handle anything too fatty just yet.
As for what Salamander had his eye on—the products that would require cooking—I hoped that he wouldn’t mind if I let his anticipation build for a while longer. I preferred to start with something a bit simpler to build up my skills.
Some delicious cold brew tea wouldn’t be amiss, although I should try a different brand than yesterday’s. Then, I’ll get some bread and...cheese, maybe? And some ham would be sure to please the meat-loving Alk.
With the items selected, all that was left was to press the button to order!
The moment I did so, an array of packages fell onto the dilapidated altar with a thump, thump, thump. They really did arrive instantly. I didn’t believe that anything would come so quickly, even in Teiren’s world.
I immediately set to work unpacking everything. I passed the paper cartons and packaging over to Salamander—he was doing a poor job of concealing his excitement. The packaging also contained some...“plastic,” was it? Since he seemed to be able to gain mana from that too, that went right to him as well.
“So what have you bought for us this time, Fran?”
“Today, we have luxury roast ham and a cheese-tasting set. I have also ordered us some fresh bread and cold brew tea.”
I placed the ham and the different varieties of cheese on the cutting board I’d ordered yesterday and presented them to Alk. His golden eyes squinted in delight. Given that he was a dragon, it was only natural that he should have a liking for such goods. I was so pleased that my hunch had been correct!
Incidentally, I had also ordered some cutlery, dinnerware, and chef’s knives. I’d decided that cutting could be one of the first skills I’d try my hand at. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step, as they say. I also wanted a shelf or something along those lines to store the cookware and dinnerware, although I didn’t yet know when I could make that a reality.
“Oh, I know! Salamander, I would like to warm the ham and bread once I’ve cut them. Can you tell me how I might do that?” I asked, distracting him from his work consuming the boxes and packaging with flames.
He turned to me and blinked. “Couldn’t ya use the li’l pedestal from the room ya slept in?”
“But that’s for the god of the shrine. I would feel...conflicted using it for our food,” I said.
Its original purpose seemed to have been burning animals for the god of this shrine. It was a sacred item. I had scruples about damaging that sanctity by repurposing it. Although I hesitated to explain my thoughts, Salamander seemed to grasp what I was trying to get at.
After setting the rest of the paper mountain alight with a smooth blue fire, he turned his body fully in my direction. “Then how ’bout cookin’ over a bonfire, m’lady? Wouldn’t that be nostalgic?”
Salamander winked at me playfully, and sparkling blue flames sprang up out of the ground. They came together to form a small magic circle, which then gave rise to a much larger fire.
This was my first time witnessing a spirit using magic, and I was utterly amazed. It was a truly beautiful sight.
“A li’l makeshift bonfire, courtesy of my magic! I’m in total control of the heat, so cookin’ with it’ll be a breeze!” Salamander grinned at me from in front of the flames, and honestly, he looked very masculine!