#Lamb Veal and Game

[askwhatsforlunch]

Herby Lamb Curry with Aubergine and Potatoes

This fragrant Herby Lamb Curry with Aubergine and Potatoes is both hearty and light enough, making it a deliciously more-ish dinner to tuck into on these chillier Summer nights! Happy Wednesday!

Ingredients (serves 2):

4 medium Garden Potatoes 

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon Graines à Roussir 

2 thick slices (about 420 grams/ounces total) lamb leg

1 large aubergine, rinsed

1 large carrots

1 onion

1/3 hot chilli pepper

1 large garlic clove, minced

a bunch Garden Cilantro 

half a dozen large leaves fresh mint

2 teaspoons ground turmeric

1 teaspoon Garam Masala

1/2 teaspoon fleur de sel or sea salt flakes

1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

1 tablespoon demerara sugar

a few sprigs Garden Cilantro

a few mint leaves

Rinse and peel Garden Potatoes and place them in a large saucepan. Add coarse sea salt and cover with water. Bring to the boil over medium-high heat, and cook, about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat half of the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat. Add Graines à Roussir; fry, 1 minute. Add lamb leg pieces, and brown thoroughly, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side. When well-browned, transfer lamb pieces to a plate, set aside.

Cube aubergine, and stir into the skillet, coating in lamb fat and olive oil. Cover with a lid, and cook, a couple of minutes.

Peel and slice carrot. Finely chop onion.

When aubergine has just softened and browned a bit, add remaining olive oil, and stir in sliced carrot and chopped onion. Cook, another couple of minutes.

Thinly slice chilli pepper, and stir into the skillet, along with minced garlic. Cook, 1 minute.

Finely chop Garden Cilantro and mint leaves, and stir into the skillet. Cook, a couple of minutes more.

Then, season with ground turmeric and Garam Masala.

Drain Potatoes, saving their cooking water, and stir them into the skillet, coating in herbs and spices.

Return lamb chunks to the skillet, seasoning them on both sides with fleur de sel and black pepper.

Finally, stir in 1 1/2 to 2 cups of the Potatoes cooking water, and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer, at least an hour.

Just before serving, stir demerara sugar into the skillet, until completely dissolved.

Finely chop Garden Cilantro and mint leaves.

Serve Herby Lamb Curry with Aubergine and Potatoes hot, sprinkled with chopped Cilantro and mint.

[hippiegoddessweirdo]

My journey into vegetarianism is a little loopy; I am currently cutting out meat that comes from animals that have four legs. (Basically: beef, pork, lamb, veal, and wild game in general.), my next step is to cut out poultry.

I'm trying to move towards a plant based life but I'm also doing it slowly because I failed so many times.

[glossahistorica]

THINGS IN SEASON FOR AUGUST.

AUGUST.  FISH.—Brill, carp, chub, crayfish, crabs, dory, eels, flounders, grigs, herrings, lobsters, mullet, pike, prawns, salmon, shrimps, skate, soles, sturgeon, thornback, trout, turbot.  MEAT.—Beef, lamb, mutton, veal, buck venison.  POULTRY.—Chickens, ducklings, fowls, green geese, pigeons, plovers, pullets, rabbits, turkey poults, wheatears, wild ducks.  GAME.—Leverets, grouse, blackcock.  VEGETABLES.—Artichokes, asparagus, beans, cabbages, carrots, cauliflowers, celery, cresses, endive, lettuces, mushrooms, onions, pease, potatoes, radishes, sea-kale, small salading, sprouts, turnips, various kitchen herbs, vegetable marrows.  FRUIT.—Currants, figs, filberts, gooseberries, grapes, melons, mulberries, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, raspberries, walnuts.

The Book of Household Management, Isabella Beeton, S.O. Beeton, 1861, pp.35-36 [x]

A grig is an immature eel. A green goose is a goose slaughtered under 4 months old. A pullet is a hen slaughtered before egg-laying age, or under a year of age. A turkey poult is an immature turkey. A leveret is a hare under a year of age. Salading is mix of leafy vegetables appropriate for salads.

Please note that many of the game and fish species are now threatened in the wild.

[petnews2day]

Meat

New Post has been published on https://petn.ws/Iv0Jo

Meat

Types of Meat Beef: Cattle, including cows, bulls, steers, and heifers Pork: Pigs Chicken: Chickens, including broilers, fryers, and roasters Turkey: Turkeys Lamb: Sheep Goat: Goats Veal: Calves Venison: Deer Game: Wild animals such as elk, bear, and rabbit Seafood: Fish, shellfish, and other aquatic animals Cuts of Meat Beef: Primal Cuts: Chuck, rib, loin, […]

See full article at https://petn.ws/Iv0Jo #DogNews

[vegi1]

What can vegans not eat? Vegan Prohibited Food List

In general, vegans avoid eating foods of animal origin. Following a vegetarian and vegan diet has many reasons, including ethical, health or environmental concerns.

Some foods that vegetarians should avoid are obvious, but others may surprise you.

1-6: Animal foods

Veganism is a lifestyle that rejects various forms of animal exploitation, whether for food or for anything else.

For this reason, vegetarians avoid eating foods of animal origin, such as:

Meat: beef, lamb, pork, veal, sirabi, liver, offal, game meat, etc.

Poultry: chicken, turkey, goose, duck, quail, etc.

Fish and seafood: all kinds of fish, shrimp, squid, scallops, oysters, crabs, etc.

Dairy products: milk, yogurt, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream, etc

Animal eggs: eggs, quail eggs, duck eggs, ostrich eggs, fish eggs, etc.

Bee products: honey, bee pollen, royal jelly, etc.

Summary:

Vegetarians avoid eating animal meat and animal byproducts. These include meat, poultry, fish, dairy, eggs, and bee products.

15-7: Ingredients or additives derived from animals

Many foods contain ingredients or additives derived from animals that most people are unaware of. For this reason, vegetarians should avoid consuming foods containing:

Some special additives: Some food additives can be obtained from animal products. For example, we can mention E120, E322, E422, E 471, E542, E631, E901 and E904.

Cochineal or carmine: skin snails are used to make carmine, a natural red dye is produced and used for food and products.

Gelatin: This thickener is obtained from the skin, bones and connective tissues of cows and pigs.

Eisinglass: This gelatin-like substance is obtained from the bladder of fish, which is often used in the preparation of beer or wine for clarification.

Natural flavors: Some of these ingredients are animal-based. Castorium, for example, is a flavoring and fragrance extracted from the secretions of the anal scent glands of the water dog.

Omega-3 fatty acids: Many products enriched with omega-3s are not vegan, as most omega-3s come from fish. Of course, omega-3s derived from algae are vegan options.

Shellac or shellac: It is a substance secreted by a female insect. It is often used as a glossy coating on candy and fresh food products.

Vitamin D3: Most vitamin D3 is obtained from fish oil or lanolin found in sheep's wool. Vitamin D2 and D3 obtained from lichen are herbal alternatives of this vitamin.

Dairy ingredients: whey, casein (a type of milk protein) and lactose are all derived from dairy products.

These ingredients and additives can be found in a wide variety of different processed foods. It is very important to check the ingredient list carefully.

Summary:

Vegans should check food labels to make sure products do not contain the ingredients listed above.

16–32: Foods that sometimes (but not always) contain animal ingredients.

There are some foods that we might expect to be 100% plant-based and vegan, but sometimes they contain one or more animal ingredients.

For this reason, vegetarians who want to avoid all products of animal origin should be careful when consuming these foods:

Bread products: Some bakery products such as bagels and bread contain L-cysteine. This amino acid is used as a softener in bread and is often obtained from poultry feathers.

Beer and Liquor: Some manufacturers use albumin, gelatin or egg white casein in the process of beer or liquor production and sometimes add Eisinglass to clarify their final product.

Caesar sauce: Certain types of Caesar sauce use Gypsy fish paste as one of its ingredients.

Candy: Some types of candy and gum contain gelatin. or others are coated with a carmine-red substance obtained from the cochineal insect.

French fries: Some types of french fries are fried in animal fat.

Olive tapenade: Various types of olive tapenade contain Gypsy fish.

Fried foods: The batter used to prepare fried foods such as fried mushrooms and onions sometimes contains eggs.

Pesto sauce: Many types of store-bought pesto contain Parmesan cheese.

Some bean products: Most baked bean products contain ham.

Non-dairy creamers: often contain casein, a protein from milk.

Pasta: Some pastas contain eggs.

Potato chips: Some potato chips are flavored with powdered cheese or contain other dairy ingredients such as casein, whey, or animal enzymes.

Processed sugar: Some manufacturers lighten the sugar with bone char (often called natural carbon) made from cow bones. Organic sugar is a vegetable substitute for this type of processed sugar.

Roasted peanuts: Sometimes gelatin is used to produce roasted peanuts or nuts so that salt and spices stick to the nuts better.

Some dark chocolate: Dark or dark chocolate is usually vegan. However, some types include animal products, such as whey, milk fat, milk solids (the dry powder that remains after the milk is completely separated from the water), clarified butter (a type of milk fat), or nonfat dry milk.

33–37: Harmful Vegan Foods

Just because a food is vegan does not mean it is healthy or nutritious.

Therefore, vegetarians who want to improve their health should stick to minimally processed plant foods and limit the use of the following products in a vegetarian and vegan diet:

Vegan treats: Vegan ice cream, candy, cookies, chips, and dips generally contain just as much added sugar and fat as non-vegan ones. Plus, they have almost no vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds.

Vegan Sweeteners: Nectars, agave syrup, date nectar and maple syrup are high in sugar. Eating too much of them may increase the risk of diseases such as heart disease and obesity.

Processed meats and plant-based cheeses: These processed foods usually contain a lot of additives. They also contain far fewer vitamins and minerals than protein-rich plant foods such as beans, lentils, peas, nuts, and seeds.

Some factory non-dairy (plant) milks: Milks without sweetened dairy generally contain a fair amount of added sugar. Choose unsweetened milk instead.

Factory-made vegan protein bars: Most vegan protein bars contain large amounts of processed foods. They usually contain an isolated type of protein that lacks plant nutrients.

Summary

Health-conscious vegetarians should limit processed foods. Instead, choose more foods that are organic, homemade, or naturally preservative-free.

last line:

Vegetarians try to avoid eating and consuming foods of animal origin in a vegetarian and vegan diet.

This includes animal and meat products, as well as foods that contain any material derived from an animal.

As mentioned, not all foods made from plant ingredients are healthy and nutritious. Harmful vegan foods are also unhealthy foods.

[keyroamos]

Paleo Diet Cookbook

Ingredients

LEAN BEEF

Flank steak

Top sirloin steak

Extra-lean hamburger (extra fat drained off)

London broil

Chuck steak

Lean veal

Any other lean cut LEAN LAMB

Grass-fed lamb chops from Australia or New Zealand

Grass-fed lamb roasts from Australia or New Zealand LEAN POULTRY(white meat, skin removed)

Chicken breast

Turkey breast

Game hen breast OTHER MEATS

Rabbit meat (any cut)

Goat meat (any cut)

Escargot ORGAN MEATS

Beef, lamb, pork, and chicken liver

Beef, pork, and lamb tongue

Beef, lamb, and pork marrow

Beef, lamb, and pork sweetbreads

>>Get a FREE EBOOK with 115 Recipes<<

Here is a list of non-Paleo foods of which you maypartake, but make sure you don’t overdo them. OILS

Olive, avocado, walnut, or flaxseed oil (use in moderation—4 tablespoons or less a day when weight loss is of primary importance) BEVERAGES

Diet sodas (These often contain artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and saccharine, which may be harmful; you’re better off drinking bottled and mineral waters.)

Coffee

Tea

Wine (two 4-ounce glasses). Don’t buy “cooking wine,” which is loaded with salt.

Beer (one 12-ounce serving

....................Keep reading....................

[usfreehealthcare]

foods that trigger gout

A low-purine diet is usually recommended for people with hyperuricemia (high levels of uric acid in the blood). Hyperuricemia can cause gout and kidney stones. Purines in food are broken down by the body into uric acid, so reducing purines in food can help lower uric acid levels.

The right diet for gout

Gout is caused by high levels of uric acid in the blood. Excess uric acid forms sharp crystals that deposit in the joints, causing swelling and pain. Following a low-purine diet helps reduce the amount of uric acid in the body. Reducing uric acid can prevent new crystals from forming and reduce gout attacks. What is a low purine diet? A low-purine diet to lower uric acid reduces consumption of purine-rich foods and drinks and encourages people to eat foods that lower uric acid levels. This diet helps prevent other complications of hyperuricemia, such as gout and kidney stones. food bad for gout

10 Foods and Drinks That Cause Gout:

Sweet drinks and sweets: Each standard sugar cube contains half of the fructose, which is broken down into uric acid. Foods or drinks high in sugar can trigger gout. High Fructose Corn Syrup: This sweetener is a concentrated form of fructose. Many packaged foods contain high fructose corn syrup, even if they are not sweetened. Alcohol: Not all alcoholic beverages are high in purines. However, alcohol prevents the kidneys from eliminating uric acid, allowing it to be reabsorbed into the body and ultimately causing uric acid to build up in the body. Meat Organs: Meat organs of food animals include liver, breast milk, brain and intestines. Game: Goose, veal and venison are among the reasons why gout was known as the "rich man's disease" in the Middle Ages. Some seafood includes herring, herring, oysters, cod, tuna, salmon, and scallops. Red meat: beef, lamb, pork, bacon. Turkey: Turkey is low in fat but high in purines. Gravy and gravy. yeast and its extracts. What foods are good for gout sufferers? Eating a certain amount of food is not enough to treat gout, but research shows, for example, that certain foods and drinks can help reduce uric acid in the body. 1_ milk Some research suggests that drinking low-fat milk can help reduce uric acid and gout attacks. Milk promotes the excretion of uric acid in the urine and reduces the body's inflammatory response to uric acid crystals in the joints. 2_ cherry Scientists are currently studying the benefits of cherries and cherry juice in treating gout symptoms, and initial results are promising. Cherries have anti-inflammatory properties and can also help reduce uric acid in the body. 3_ coffee Coffee is acidic, but the type of acid it contains is very different from uric acid. In fact, daily coffee consumption can lower uric acid levels in several ways. Coffee slows down the breakdown of purines into uric acid and accelerates their excretion. 4_water People who drink 5 to 8 glasses of water a day have fewer gout symptoms than others. This is because your kidneys use water to make uric acid in your urine. Water is also good for kidney health. Kidney dysfunction is one of the factors that contribute to the formation of gout. However, many doctors prefer to focus on general dietary guidelines rather than specific foods. They provide: various protein sources Some meats and seafood are high in uric acid, but can easily be replaced with other protein sources. Intake of fruits and vegetables They are usually low in purines, but fruits and vegetables rich in purines do not affect gout symptoms either. These ingredients are very nutritious and should be consumed. Cereal consumption (except oats) Rice, pasta, bread and cereals are all good for gout. Of course, you should always check the high fructose corn syrup content of packaged products. Whole grains can sometimes be used to control blood sugar. Benefits of using a low purine diet Anyone with high levels of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricemia) may benefit from a low-purine diet. 🔔Reduces uric acid People with hyperuricemia can prevent complications such as gout and kidney stones by adjusting their diet. People with gout or kidney stones can prevent or at least slow the formation of new uric acid crystals in their joints or kidneys. 🔔 weight loss Avoiding foods high in purines, such as red meat and sweets, can indirectly help you lose weight. Gout is closely related to obesity and metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Statistics show that losing weight reduces the risk of gout and relieves gout symptoms by taking pressure off the joints. 🔔Reduce drug use Diet is not as effective as gout medication and is not meant to replace it. However, following a healthy diet can reduce the patient's need for medication. What are the disadvantages of a low-purine diet? Following a low-purine diet is considered a long-term lifestyle change for people with hyperuricemia, limiting the consumption of favorite foods such as sugar, sweets and alcohol. For some people, leaving these things indefinitely may not be realistic. This is especially true for adjunctive therapy. As with most diets, you must follow a low-purine diet to reap the benefits. 🔔 Limit your intake of omega-3 sources Seafood is one of the main sources of omega-3 fatty acids, and its consumption is limited in low-purine diets. Omega-3s have many health benefits, including reducing inflammation and joint pain, especially from arthritis. Most people don't get enough omega-3s on a regular basis, and limiting seafood makes this difficult. However, fish oil supplements may be of some benefit to these diets. Diet can significantly change the amount of uric acid in the blood, but it is not as effective as medication. I recommend combining both. Some people believe that the benefits of diet over medication are minimal, but the truth is that medication alone cannot effectively treat gout, and diet is a preventative measure that can help reduce gout symptoms. Read the full article

[askwhatsforlunch]

Mushroom Veal Roast

Hearty and flavourful, this beautifully juicy Mushroom Veal Roast make a deliciously warming meal on a chill Winter day. Happy Wednesday!

Ingredients (serves 3):

2 tablespoons olive oil

a small (685-gram/1.5-pound) veal roast

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

a dozen button mushrooms

1 large garlic clove, minced

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

a couple of sprigs dried thyme

2 bay leaves

a small onion

2 tablespoons plain flour

2 tablespoons Modena Balsamic Vinegar

1 teaspoon coarse sea salt

1/2 tablespoon freshly cracked black pepper

2 cups water

1 tablespoon demerara sugar

Preheat oven to 180°C/355°F.

In a large Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.

Once hot, add veal roast, and brown evenly, about 2 minutes on each side.

Once browned, transfer veal roast to a plate. Set aside.

Add butter to the Dutch oven.

Dust button mushrooms, and cut them into thick slices.

Once the butter is just foaming, add sliced mushrooms, and cook, 3 minutes. Add garlic, dried oregano and thyme and bay leaves, and cook, another couple of minutes.

Peel and finely chop onion. Stir into the pot. Cook, 1 minute.

Sprinkle in the flour, and cook out, 1 minute more.

Deglaze with Balsamic Vinegar.

Return veal roast, along with its resting juices to the Dutch oven, and season on each side, with coarse sea salt and black pepper.

Stir in water, and bring to the boil.

Once boiling, cover with the lid, and place in the middle of the hot oven. Bake, at 180°C/355°F, for 45 minutes to an hour.

Whilst cutting the roast, return Dutch oven over medium-high heat, and cook, stirring often until sauce thickens. Stir in demerara sugar until completely dissolved.

Serve Mushroom Veal Roast hot, with Bay and Fennel Rice.

[swan2swan]

Okay Science and Animal Husbandry Tumblr (you know who you are, I’m asking you specifically).

What is the criteria for slaughtering lambs and game hens and calves for veal and such?

Is it “well, you didn’t hit 50 lbs within 30 days, so you’re clearly not gonna be a mommy milker”? Is it “well, you hit 50 lbs within 30 days, nice growth and muscle, you will make good meat”? Is it “sorry, the coin was tails, so it’s your head!”?

What is the selection process?

[scarletarosa]

Belial

One of the goetic demons and is a king who serves under High King Lucifer in his domain. Like all other goetic demons, Belial is a deity who served the Source as an Angel many ages ago. This information was shared to me by Belial and also learned through my workings with this magnificent infernal god. 

Rulerships: politics, law, rhetoric, tactics, strategy, diplomacy, prosecution, truth, and justice/retribution

History: In the distant past many eternities ago, Belial was created as the second being within this Universe, many ages after Lucifer (the First-Born) came into existence. These two and the rest of the elder Angels were all directly created from the Source, the supreme god, who is formless and incomprehensible. The Angels were all created to manage the Universe and be agents of the Source and his feminine counterpart, the Queen of Heaven (who created some Angels as well). As the first-born deity of this Universe, Lucifer is the most complex, so he became leader of the Angels and was at the head of the Seraphim order. As the second-born, Belial was in charge of the Cherubim (the second-highest order of Angels) and was appointed as an Archangel as well. This lasted for countless ages until the corrupted Aeonic god, Jehovah, entered the Universe from the Void; leaving behind his duties of forming Universes in order to usurp our Universal Throne.

After arriving, he immediately began causing mass destruction and giving out malicious orders to the Angels. Lucifer began a rebellion against this, with Belial being the second Angel to join him in the Fall. After a long traumatic war, Jehovah defeated the rebels and threw them into Hell; condemning them all to this bleak wasteland. Once here, the dark and twisted energies of Hell began to alter the essences of the Fallen ones, making their energies dark as well. Their wings blackened, they grew horns, and some developed red eyes, spikes, claws, or other strange features. They were now a race that came to be called “demons”, and the strongest of these became the three High Kings of Hell: Lucifer, Satan, and Leviathan.

Since Belial had always followed close to Lucifer’s own values, he joined his kingdom and was made one of the kings. And due to Belial’s natural talent for persuasion and finding the truth, he was also appointed as Lucifer’s Truth Tester, or General Investigator. Overtime, Belial gradually became just as much connected to deceit as truth, since he realized the convenience of lies and their many uses. With deception, he often uses it as a method to teach truth (similar to how Lucifer does at times), test whether someone is telling the truth, but also lies whenever he feels the desire to. For this reason, the Christians began calling Belial the “Father of Lies”. Besides this, there was a time in the past where Belial was fond of the Samurai of Japan and encouraged their ideas of Bushido. Yet this was not to last since the Samurai were eventually all killed off by their Emperor. Nowadays, Belial does not much care for humanity in general and has very low expectations of others since people constantly make the same mistakes.

Rank: King

Elements: Air and Fire

Colours: Cream, Black, Vermillion, Metallic Grey, and Peridot Green

Appearance: An elegant gentleman in his late 30’s with short, wavy black hair, dark brown eyes, and light skin. He wears classy outfits or suits that are usually black in colour and wears leather dress shoes. Normally, Belial doesn’t manifest his horns and wings but tends to do so when angered. During battles, he wears elegant dark armour and his choice weapon is either a longsword or katana.

Personality: Belial is very confident, suave, intelligent, strategic, sophisticated, and is a connoisseur of refined tastes. He speaks smoothly and can be sarcastic, though never reveals much about himself to others. He is also willing to speak to anyone of any religion as long as they don’t waste his time or are interested in seeking truth. Belial especially loves speaking to Abrahamists in order to challenge their perspectives (which he never fails at) and takes great amusement in the terror they feel when their veils of ignorance are being lifted. Yet this is too easy of a challenge for him since it doesn’t take much for Belial to convince others of things. So far, the only one who can match Belial in the intellectual art of persuasion is Lucifer.

Overall, Belial tends to have very little patience with humans and doesn’t wish to be disturbed unless someone is serious. He wishes to either provide truth (if he chooses) or assist in certain matters. Otherwise, he won’t show up and does not like to stay around people just to be friendly. For those who work with him, Belial may act as a pedagogue and will have patience for those who try to succeed, even if they fail. However, if a person complains about things without ever trying to make things better, he will have no patience for them at all. As for those who try to sexualize Belial against his will, he severely punishes them and does not forgive it. The same thing goes for those who mock him, call him nicknames, or make him appear “soft”.

In regards to politics, Belial strongly prefers to cunningly solve things through diplomacy and making intelligent maneuvers towards prosperity (even if we must manipulate or deceive in the process). Therefore, Belial may also teach that lies have their place and are not as bad as we have been taught. He also says how truth is the most hated of all virtues because this world is in love with lies. Those who speak the truth wholeheartedly are often called liars and are usually murdered in the end. Because of this, lies are often very necessary and can be used to gradually teach certain truths that would not usually be accepted. Along with Lucifer, Belial is a master strategist able to create incredibly complex plans in order to make the best future possible. He is even in favour of space colonization, provided it is done intelligently and not greedily. For this value of progress, he tends to share his plans of a better world to promising politicians (which is difficult since the majority of politicians in every country are corrupt). Besides strategy and rhetoric, some of the other things Belial tends to enjoy are elegance, classical music, sword fighting, martial arts, horse racing, chess, the game “Go”, expensive things, Versace fashion, luxurious libraries, stock markets, Rolls-Royce cars, satin sheets, mahogany, and the following instruments: violins, pianos, clarinets, and saxophones.

How to call him: Speak to Belial as you would with any other god, be polite and considerate. Contact him through telepathically speaking in your mind, directing the words to him (you can do this verbally, but if malicious spirits hear, they may pretend to be him). When inviting a Goetic demon to you, try to dress well for them since they are divine and royalty.

What he can help with: mutually served interests and dynamic progress through smart resolution and maneuvering. Helps with resolving conflicts through strategy, silencing and/or harming enemies (if he agrees they should be punished), advises on intelligent political maneuvers towards prosperity, and teaches harsh truths

Belial’s Enn (for meditation or devotion): Lirach Tasa Vefa Wehl Belial

Offerings: champagne, pink champagne, expensive wine, spiced rum, dry gin, Irish coffee, beef liver, smoked salmon, lobster, caviar, truffle chocolates, veal, veal fillet, pigeon meat, ostrich meat, basmati rice, truffle mushrooms, ground black pepper, cinnamon, Siberian ginseng, red roses, white roses, black roses, daggers, katanas, longswords, mahogany writing desks, black marble, black tourmaline, black star sapphires, snowflake obsidian, peridot, expensive pens, expensive wristwatches, Italian leather men’s shoes, expensive men’s coats (high society), gold, gold foil in oil, silver, bonsai trees, fancy chess boards, black dice with white dots, fancy playing cards (preferably black and white), expensive colognes

*no pork or lamb offerings, he detests them

*also don’t offer chicken or turkey since he will not accept these

[batbusiness-schooldropout]

I was trying to articulate that earlier! I had to just discard the post because I couldn't figure out how to say it. His most successful method of avoiding detection is by being so eccentric. He serves food that is either uncommon or he presents it in an uncommon way, and people are too dazzled by his song and dance to question anything.

We can assume that it is difficult if not impossible to make humans taste like beef, pork, lamb, veal, and who knows what else but any difference can be easily explained away as "Well Hannibal made it. Of course it's different"

I'd imagine he'd get a kick out of listening to his guests praise his food as being the best version of the dish they've had or that they never thought the dish could be this delicious while knowing what it actually is.

It'd probably be a fun game for him to figure out who's being genuine, who is just being polite and how a particular person would react to knowing the truth

I think it would've been hilarious if Hannibal got in trouble for his food way before he was even suspected of being the Chesapeake Ripper.

Lung meat, ortolan, and foie gras are illegal in the US (fun fact: horse meat is only technically illegal. Also, blood isn't allowed in animal feed. Was the sausage he fed to Will's dogs blood sausage?)

Not to mention that he claims he gets his meat from an "ethical butcher" (technically true. No animals are harmed when he sources his meat), but there is no way to ethically force feed a bird until its liver swells. So now he's a filthy liar.

And importing meat into the US is heavily regulated. So he can't claim that his butcher outside the US. He's basically confessing every diner that he's abusing animals and/ or buying illicit items.

So imagine the embarrassment if someone decides to arrest him over the lies he tells about his food instead of the truth

[bbrandy2002]

Fool’s Rush In

Part 15

Book: The Royal Romance

Pairing: Liam x MC

Warnings: mild violence

Series Premise: With two weeks until Liam is to marry Madeleine – his pick during the social season – the guys throw him a bachelor party in Vegas. After a drunken night, he finds himself with more than he bargained for.

Thanks @burnsoslow​ for the beta read.

---------------

Supposedly, the more a person suffered in the name of love, the more it showed they really cared. 

At least, that's what Riley thought. 

After nightfall of this particular evening -- when she least expected it -- she never realized how much truth that belief held. 

Or how much it would hurt to sacrifice the one person who made her believe she was worthy of love and saw who she really was on the inside.

Her dainty arm -- a delicate bronze in color, sleek, with a glittering red strap across one shoulder -- linked through the arm of the man she had grown to love more than life itself as they entered the palace ballroom. Working tirelessly over the last week to ensure everything went off without a hitch had taken its toll on her. All she could think about, as she shook hands and charmed dignitaries with a sparkle in those twinkling brown eyes, was how much sleep she planned to make up for after the ball ended.

This ball was to introduce the King and his new bride to the Cordonian court for the first time. A show of solidarity and, hopefully, strength. A way to establish that what happened in a tiny chapel 10,000 miles away weeks ago between two strangers wasn't a careless mistake, and that she could handle the duties bestowed on her as a common American woman. 

Or at least pretend she could for now.

However, for the King and the "Jewel of His Heart" whom he escorted through the curious crowd of pretentious naysayers in extravagant gowns and tuxes, with their fake smiles and tedious posturing ...

It was nothing less than fate. 

Riley was the key that unlocked that safe space deep inside Liam's heart that had been sheltered for so long, waiting for the perfect person to come along and open it. This was the place where he kept his most sacred feelings: a genuine love, never-ending laughter, joy, romance, ecstasy, and every dream he ever held for the future -- one he presumed would never exist in any form he longed for. 

But she didn't just unlock it. Riley shattered it wide open, where everything came flooding out at once and consumed him like a raging wildfire. 

And it was the most remarkable, intoxicating experience of his life. 

Liam showed her off all evening as they mingled during their rounds, danced, and conversed with the variance of nobility. She was the sexiest woman in that room, and he'd dare say the looks of envy shot in his direction from high-class men as he proudly cavorted her around didn't bother him in the least. Not that that was her only quality -- far from it. There were so many things about Riley that were special. But he couldn't help feeling a sense of pride that she was all his.

And without question, he was all hers.

Seated at the head table, Riley swallowed a morsel of the veal medallion she wanted to be served for this occasion. When given a choice between fish and lamb, the fish never stood a chance. The memory of that smelly, god-awful lunch with Regina three weeks ago was not something her palate had forgiven her for yet. As wonderful and savory as this extravagant meal, covered in a light brown mushroom sauce and served with a side of broccoli rabe, was, it couldn't hold a candle to what she craved the most: a slice of white pizza from Carmine's back in Brooklyn.

Or a slab or two of the New Yorker.

With maybe some cheesecake.

Covered in chocolate.

And a sausage rice ball. A Frito pie smothered with sour cream. Definitely a rainbow bagel from The Bagel Store. Barbecue ribs and beans from the mom-and-pop diner hidden just off the strip in Vegas. 

Of course, her grandma’s country fried steak with white gravy sounded delicious too.

For sure, a fried Twinkie like the one she ate at the New York State Fair in 2013. 

"You've outdone yourself, sweetheart," Liam marveled while wiping at the corner of his mouth with a napkin. "The meal was delicious, and our guests appear to be enjoying themselves." The others seated at the table looked up, adding their compliments.

Still dreaming about a fat slice of New York-style pizza, Riley smiled graciously back at him, until she noticed the server refilling Liam’s glass with merlot, causing her to do a double-take. 

Hot tears pooled in her eyes, and a heavy feeling of sadness swelled in her chest as she panicked. "I asked for the Pinot Noir. Not the merlot,” she rasped meekly. “You don't like merlot, Liam. And the Pinot Noir was from the 'C' place where Duke Hakim lives. He'll be so disappointed and think I'm slighting his duchy. They’ll all hate me forever and ... wait a minute." She trailed off as a realization hit her, and Riley quickly glanced down at her plate before scanning each of the dishes from those seated around her.

The anxiety intensified; she could no longer suppress the heartbroken sob that wailed out of her. "Where are all the potatoes? We were supposed to have the potatoes, Liam. They didn’t serve the potatoes. Now the whole night is completely ruined, and it’s all my fault. I'm such a failure as a queen, and you should just send me to the dungeon now and throw away the key. I apologize to all of you for my incompetence and the lack of potatoes with your meal." Riley’s red-hot face, full of tears, plunged into the palms of her hands, then quickly sprung back up as Liam hesitantly tried to place a hand on her shoulder. A strong urge to use the restroom ended her crying spell as if it never happened. “Oh, oh. I gotta pee so bad. I’ll be right back.” She gave a warm smile and excused herself as she pushed her chair back and scurried merrily toward the nearest restroom.

Liam, Regina, Leo, Maxwell, and Olivia watched with confusion as she happily took off, not knowing what to say or what to make of the sudden shift in her moods.

“What the hell was that?” Olivia scowled, her eyes fixed on Liam.

“Is she all right, dear?” a concerned Regina asked.

Liam scratched the back of his head, nearly at a loss for words. “I ... I don’t know. I’ve never seen her that upset … especially over potatoes.” He paused in thought. “She was a little on edge this morning. Still, she’s been working a lot on the preparations and everything else going on. It must have gotten to her.”

Maxwell shrugged. “Maybe she just finally snapped.” 

Leo shook his head, swallowing a forkful of beef. “Or maybe she has the premenstrual syndrome.”

“Leo!” The group admonished.

“What?” Leo bit back, taking in each of their disappointed glares. “Don’t act like it’s not true. Trust me, when I have cramps and bloating, I can go from a happy little Leo to a Bertrand, just like that.” He snapped his fingers, following it up with a frown. “It ain’t pretty, you all.”

Maxwell looked across the table at Liam and agreed, “He has a point.”

Wanting to shed his skin and slither away, Liam pinched the bridge of his nose. “Can we not discuss something so personal and private, especially while several hundred people are dining around us?”

“I’m just saying, little brother, that you need to be understanding and gentle during this special time of your wife’s 'lady business.' You should speak softly and slowly to her because Shark Week messes with a girl's mind, man. Their brains short-circuit, and there’s nothing left up there but a couple of crickets and man-eating rattlesnakes. One second, you think she’s fine, but if you’re not careful, in the next second, you’ll find yourself with two venomous fangs rattling from your nut sack, dude. She will tear you apart and spit you out like a rabid dog. You can make it through these next few days, but only if you take my advice.”

“That is the single dumbest thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Olivia spat, boring her eyes into him. “And you’ve said a lot.” She turned to Liam, whose face was slightly pale and void of expression. “Don’t listen to his sexist drivel. Why you haven’t declared him insane yet is beyond me. You should have sent him away with that filthy hairball to Valtoria you had caged earlier.”

“IT WAS MONGO!” Leo erupted, causing the dishes on the table to clatter as he jumped to his feet and hovered over the redhead. Every head in the ballroom whipped around to see what was happening, and a deafening silence filled throughout. Even the orchestra stopped playing their classical tune.

A wide-eyed Regina smiled sheepishly as she glanced out at the quiet audience who were waiting to see what all the fuss was about. She thought fast before calling out, “We were just playing a little game of … 'It was Mongo.'” The former queen snatched Maxwell’s Sunset Rum punch from his hand, thrusting the drink up at her stepson, towering beside her, and instructed in a grandmotherly tone, “Be a good lad, Leo. You lost this round. It's time to chug-a-lug, my boy.” With his face burning, Liam slid down in his seat.

“Ooooo, I wanna go next.” Maxwell bounced excitedly while the guests resumed the festivities. "How do we play?"

“I think I want to go, too,” Liam replied, straightening back up before hurling his napkin on the table. “I’m going to go find Riley.”

-----------------

Riley exited the ladies' room, clutch in hand and a fresh dab of clear gloss gleaming on her pink lips. She stopped walking just as the door closed behind her and smiled with a look of surprise at seeing Liam leaning against the opposite wall. "What are you doing out here?"

He pushed himself off the wall, closing the distance between them and meeting her in the middle of the empty corridor. They wrapped their arms around each other, indulging in the warmth of their lovers' embrace. "Would you believe me if I told you I just missed you?" he answered, placing a tender kiss on her lips that skimmed lower to her jawline. 

"I missed you, too," she moaned with each gentle pressure of his seductive lips, suckling and nibbling along the spot that trailed behind her ear that he knew drove her crazy. "But something tells me that's not the only reason you left the ballroom."

Their gazes met simultaneously. "Leo."

Riley chuckled softly. "Do I even want to know?"

Liam sighed, smoothing back a loose hair behind her ear. "You know my brother and his wonderful words of wisdom." There was no way in hell he would tell her what they really discussed after she left; he could only imagine her embarrassment. "Everyone was just a little worried about you, that's all."

"I didn't mean to scare everyone. I just wanted tonight to be perfect. Instead, so many things went wrong. I can only assume what the court thinks about me now." She lowered her gaze to the red carpeting where they stood. "I let you down."

"I don't want to ever hear you say that again. Riley, sweetheart, you can never let me down. Do you understand that?" Liam lifted her chin; her tentative eyes stared back at him for a moment before nodding. "Good. And just so you know, our guest are used to bombings, stabbings, kidnappings, shootings, and terror plots at most of my palace events --"

"Wait. What?"

" -- I assure you, just the fact alone, that none of that took place tonight, and they're all going to leave here soon -- alive -- will be huge for them. Not having potatoes with the meal or the right wine was the least of their worries. They will consider this night a success. And a testament to their new queen. You should, too. I'm so very proud of you."

"I have so many questions about everything you just said."

Liam smiled, caressing Riley's petal-soft cheeks and lowering his head to kiss her again. "All in due time, my love.”

Riley let out a deep, drawn-out yawn she lightly covered with her palm before stretching and rolling her neck. A couple of weeks' worth of planning and endless decisions had left heavy tension in her shoulders and overwhelming exhaustion like nothing she'd felt before. None of it went unnoticed by Liam, who placed his hands on her shoulders and gingerly kneaded the taut muscles. 

"What do you say about heading back to our quarters, taking off all of your clothes, and I'll be up soon to massage this gorgeous body from head to toe? And hopefully, when I'm through, you'll massage parts of me, too … with any part of your body that you'd like." His lips curved into an inviting smile.

"Mmm, that's tempting," she purred, rubbing her hands over his ample chest. "But I can't just leave. It's the Queen's Ball. Without me, it's just ... The Ball." She chuckled, despite herself.

“Don’t you worry your pretty little panties over the ball. Just go upstairs and take them off. I’ll handle everything down here. Then … “ He squatted down to her eye level. “ … I’ll handle you.”

Her heart fluttered every time Liam spoke to her that way. The way he desired only her. She bit the corner of her lip teasingly. “I love you so much.”

Liam smiled. “You better. You’ve got one hell of a husband. I’d even venture to say you’re the luckiest woman on the whole damn planet right now.” Before Riley could respond to his jest, he put both of his hands on her cheeks to hold her head still and began placing playful, wet smooches all over her face, causing her to laugh riotously. After a few seconds of her squirming around and cackling at his antics, he paused to look at her. “You know I love you, too. Now go on up. I’ll be right behind you soon.” 

With a pat to her backside, they went their separate ways.

---------

Liam returned to the ballroom, having offered to finish what little time was left without her. He would offer his apologies for her absence, but in reality, the King couldn’t have cared less what anyone there thought. Since his bachelor party weeks ago, he had grown from a man who had no choices to one who made his own. His marriage and relationship with Riley came first. Her wellbeing was the main priority -- to hell with anyone who had a problem with that.

As Riley placed a hand on the elegant wooden handrail of the grand staircase and took the first step up, her thoughts meandered to where she had been in her life one month ago and how vastly it had changed in such a short time. For the first time in years, she was happy, and it felt so good to be in that place where she could finally let go of the past and move on. Liam was a game-changer, and she was thoroughly convinced he was the only person on the planet who could have gotten her out of her own head and to this level of blissful existence.

Rounding the corner at the top of the stairs, she reached into her clutch to pull out the key card to her quarters, exhaustion slowing her strides. Shuffling past a row of closed office doors and framed artwork, she made her way to the residential wing. 

The squeak of a door behind her and the click of heels drew her attention, causing her to stop and turn to see who was there. 

The color drained from her face as Madeleine casually stepped out, her hands behind her back and a devious, unsettling grin cemented on her face. 

It wasn't the fear that made Riley's heart pound with a sickening thud, but more shock than anything. No one had seen or spoken to the Countess since the confrontation in Las Vegas when she showed up unexpectedly after finding out Liam had married Riley the night prior. 

Now, suddenly, there she was, as if out of nowhere, a gleam in her eye, looking all too pleased to have this run-in with Riley.

"A little dramatic, don't you think?" Riley scoffed, taking one step back the closer Madeleine approached. "What are you even doing here?"

"I'm not going to hurt you, if that's what you're worried about," she answered contemptuously. Her green eyes drifted to one of the cameras mantled at each end of the hallway. Riley placed a shaky hand over her stomach, letting out a low, relieved breath, hoping that was the truth. "Not physically, anyway."

"Well, that sounds promising," Riley replied sardonically. "Now, if you don't mind ..." She turned away, wanting nothing more than to escape this conversation and make it back to her quarters. 

Madeleine reached out and grabbed the Queen by her elbow, pulling her back and harshly twisting her around so they were now face-to-face. "You're not going anywhere until I'm through with you," she hissed with an icy glare. "I told you I would make you regret what you've done."

Riley jerked her arm, trying to free herself. "Let go of my arm, Madeleine!" 

"Not until you hear what I have to say."

"I'm not interested in anything you have to say! Now LET ME GO!" Riley hoped someone heard her yell or at least witnessed what was happening on the camera. Where the hell is security?

While continuing to struggle to free herself, she reached up with her free hand in an attempt to pry off Madeleine's bony fingers that were squeezing tight grooves around her elbow, her manicured nails digging deeper into Riley's skin. "You're hurting me. I said to let me go."

"Very well, then." The woman, who had twice lost her chance at the crown, released her firm grasp, knowing that the momentum would cause Riley to stumble back as soon as she let go. 

Just as predicted, Riley planted a foot behind her for leverage before drawing her arm back as hard as she could, one last time. Her eyes grew wide, and she let out a sharp gasp that sounded well down the corridor. Riley sailed backward, tripping over herself and toppling to the ground. She finally landed with a hard blow on her backside, the rear of her head just inches from slamming to the floor.

A shockwave of pain coursed up Riley's spine from hitting so abruptly. Before she had a chance to respond or process what happened, Madeleine crouched down beside her, holding a DVD up and gaining Riley's attention. 

The pain had morphed into a throbbing ache that was soon forgotten as the Queen stared quizzically at the object displayed in front of her like a grand prize. 

"What is that?" her voice trembled.

"It's my ace in the hole," Madeleine stated, then wagged a finger. "Someone used to be a very naughty girl." 

Furrowing her brows, Riley responded. "I don't know what you mean."

"You know precisely what I mean, but just in case, please allow me to refresh your memory," Madeleine smirked before rising to her feet and prancing around as if she were having the time of her life. "I did a little digging after my brief visit to Las Vegas and came across a man who knew you very, very well at one time. I made some calls. We exchanged e-mails, a transfer of money or two. And he was all too eager to accept my offer of payment for any dirt he could give me on you."

There was no point in asking "who" -- she already knew; the thought made her nauseous. Riley closed her eyes and muttered. "Tyler?"

"Yes," Madeleine beamed, " Your ex-husband. He had a lot to say about you."

"I'm sure he did. Does it even matter to you that he's a liar and a cheat -- not to mention greedy? He would make up anything if he thought he could profit off of it."

"Oh, it matters. Personally, I don't believe a damn thing he had to say. Honestly, Riley ... even someone like you could have done better than that slime."

Riley cringed in pain as she pushed herself off the floor and turned to her oppressor. "Just get to the point, Madeleine. Clearly, he gave you something you thought was valuable enough to use against me, so just spit it already."

Madeleine smiled, "How very astute of you. You're correct. He did." She held up the disc as Riley regarded it suspiciously. "On this disk are several hours of the two of you ... together. Very graphic, if I do say so myself." Riley's jaw dropped upon hearing those words as Madeleine continued, "Now don't worry. I only watched it long enough to make sure the video was legit --"

"Give me that!" Riley reached out to snatch the DVD, but Madeleine pulled it away just out of her grasp. A burning sensation filled inside her chest and spread across her face. "You're lying. I never made videos like that."

"Oh, I think you did," the blonde countered with a mirthful tone. "You just didn't know about it. Your ex admitted as much to me ... an asshole move, for sure. But nonetheless, I purchased the copy from him for a hefty sum. And ... well ... here we are now. You're more than welcome to take this disc and see for yourself; I have it downloaded as a backup, knowing you'd want proof."

At that moment, all Riley wanted was for Liam to walk down that corridor where she now stood, pick her up in his arms, whisk her away to safety, and tell her it was all a bad dream. Not that she did anything wrong -- she was married at one time to the man, presumably on the video, and would have been a consenting adult. 

No, it was the fact that Tyler Brooks had taken intimate videos with her during their marriage, without her knowledge. Now Madeleine had possession of them.

God only knew what she planned to do with them, but Riley had a pretty good idea. "What do you want?" she whispered in defeat, afraid to hear the answer.

Madeleine grinned from ear-to-ear. "For you to leave Cordonia tonight and never return, or I release everything to the press."

Riley shook her head. "No. As much as I don't want anyone to see that video, I did nothing wrong, and I won't be blackmailed or intimidated by you so that you can get your grubby little paws on the crown."

"Is that so?" It wasn't a question so much as a remark meant to convey who was in control. 

Maintaining her position, Riley raised a brow, refusing to give in.

Madeleine was far from giving up, though; she had manipulation in her blood. "Very well, then. I'll release the video in the morning. It should be interesting to see how the world reacts to yet another scandal by this monarchy. Their Queen plastered all over the internet again, except this time, uploaded on every porn site on the web. 

"The news will run the story with your blurred-out silhouette in the background. Your father will see it, and his business will become a target.: Your friends. Family. Students. They'll all be inundated with your sexual proclivities. But the worst part will be the tribunal. The council will have no choice but to question Liam's decision-making abilities after not only squandering his pick of queen on some American nobody, but now one whose ass will be featured on the desktops of teenage boys across the world. It's a shame that he'll lose his reign, all because of you. Would you really do that to Liam? Do you genuinely believe you're worth all the trouble it will cause him?"

Riley froze. She knew Madeleine was taunting her with the people she cared about the most. The last thing she wanted was to embarrass each of them. But to possibly cause Liam to lose his legacy, his birthright, and the rulership of a country he loved so much? It was something she couldn't shake. 

Staring blankly, twisting the bands of gold that belonged to Liam's mother, she couldn't get the question Madeleine just asked out of her mind: Did Riley believe she was worth the trouble it would cost him? 

Nothing was damning on that video, aside from the fact that she never knew it existed. But she already had so much to prove; another video in the press' hand would tarnish Liam. Maybe the Countess of Fydelia was right: He would lose it all.

"Time is ticking," Madeleine reminded Riley as she tapped her watch. "What's it going to be?"

----------

@burnsoslow​ @dcbbw​ @ao719​ @hopefulmoonobject​ @jessiembruno​ @texaskitten30​ @janezillow​ @merridithsmiscellany-blog​ @mskaneko @callmeellabella​ @queenjilian @sirbeepsalot @drakexwillow @caroldxnvxrs​ @jovialyouthmusic​ @forthebrokenheartedthings​ @bebepac​ @kingliam2019​ @lovablegranny​ @cordoniaqueensworld​ @amandablink​ @liamxs-world​ @choiceskatie @iaminlovewithtrr @hopelessromanticmonie @charlotteg234 @annekebbphotography​ @txemrn​ @thecordoniandiaries @alyssalauren​ @cordonianroyalty @monsoonbloom12 @mom2000aggie​ @theroyalheirshadowhunter​ @princessleac1​ @kimmiedoo5​ @graceful-leah​ @iam-the-kind-and-thoughtful @thegreentwin​ @gkittylove99​ @cinnamonspongecake @lifeaskim @neotericthemis​ @pink-diamond13​ @walker7519 @natureblooms24​ @yourmajesty09​ @gabesmommie1130​ @sweatyrysconnoisour @kat-tia801​ @debmcg1106

Liam x MC: Cordonia-gothqueen

FRI Series Tags:   @narrytheworld​​  @queenwalton​  @cordonianprincess​        @zaffrenotes​ @zilch3​  @drrookie​ @sfb123​​

[nicestpamkale]

Happy WBW.

Are there any dishes that are considered holiday food? If so, what drinks / food are associated with particular events or times of the year?

It largely depends on the people and where they're located. I meant to give like two examples and accidentally Went Off, whoops! (Food, it's obtainability, and why they eat those foods were something I had to think about a lot as per DM'ing a game in this world.) I used the southern and northern orc tribes as reference and then there’s a cutoff below that.

Northern (Opathu) Orcs generally consider plant-based diets unsustainable and so they don't really eat them a lot- but when the winter snow breaks for those few months they take that time to harvest any naturally growing vegetables and that tends to accompany the usual spread. (Northern Orcs see summertime as a time of rest and sanctity.)

Southern (Vidarok) Orcs are the other way around- meats can be preserved and plants cannot (save for grain, if they're lucky enough to get it through trade) so they save meat harvested from animals for special occasions. Winter is time for (relative) rest. Vidarok orcs are a bit more odd about when certain foods can be eaten aswell. On the solstice or equinox of every season, they cannot eat foods harvested in that season.

Dark Elves are an odd case because they'll eat anything at anytime, but generally speaking they like to set out lush overgrown fruits as a celebration of their liberation from the underground. (Will be elaborated on... eventually.)

Wood Elves don't have cattle- so meals like steak and lamb take over fanciful celebrations; a show of your connections through trade. Sugared meats are popular amoung those that live more northern in the continent. The southern parts of Mudia (the land of the wood elves) have access to the trade necessary for sugar and don't see it as a big deal. The northern parts are just a *little* far.

High Elves usually eat greens and their forests are too dangerous- even for them- to go hunting, so standard hunting catches like veal are considered a rarity and thus it's a symbol of status to get your hands on some. Some elves might even pay extra for live animals, though that's considered a bit too extravagant.

Dwarves see baked goods as particularly holy as per their religion, so breads, cakes, and pies are set out en masse for the few large celebrations they have. Though, they don't really celebrate much, either. The only time they do is if someone of note dies, in which they throw 3 nights worth of parties before they get back to work. (They have to send communications between the orc tribes, as birds get lost in the winter storms and Orcs aren't fond of wizardry.)

Dark Dwarves, (Duergar) unlike dark elves, miss the underground, and so they tend to focus on making mushroom and lichen-based meals, unafraid of poisoning due to their resistance.

Humans are generally fond of anything flavourful. Baked goods, salted meats, the whole spread. Being in a central area means they have lots of options and what matters is not what they cannot eat normally but HOW MUCH they can put on the table.

(Because they are on my mind due to my players.)

Firbolgs like to use flowers on their standard meals, as simple recognition that they're celebrating something. They'll use alliums to season like garlic and onions, and marigolds to make them a little spicy. (Any other flowers or spice have their own meanings.) Even then, most of their meals involve plants in some capacity anyways.

Goblinoids of all kinds LOVE sweets. Even moreso than humans or wood elves- sugar is a high-cost item and most other things can be supplemented easy. But maple syrup takes a long while and cane sugar can only be obtained through trade so for celebrations and holidays they always make sure to pick out the sweetest foods. If it is by chance winter and they cannot find anything more than berries, though, they will make a sort of ice-cream instead. (More like a snow cone but the cultural Vibe is there.)

Tabaxi love to eat new meals for celebrations. It can be anything so long as it's something they've never had before. This can get a bit hectic in city-wide celebrations but interpersonally it's rather adorable.

'Demon' Elves (and tieflings of all kind) don't really have celebrations. They don't see many reasons to celebrate birthdays and as such don't really have 'special' meals. If they do celebrate something- say a wedding or a succession- then usually they will make the favourite foods of the subject(s) of the celebration. Their country has access to several foods, as it spans their whole length (not width) of their continent- so most things are available, even to smaller, poorer families.

[busterkeatonfanfic]

Chapter 29, Part I

Buster had hoped that the picture would progress more smoothly back in Culver City. New York had been recreated on Lot Two in no time and was ready for filming by the time he returned to M-G-M on Monday the 30th. He was finding that even without the onerous script, however, he just couldn’t go back to the way he’d done things a few short months before.

When arrived on the set, he hadn’t wanted to get into the scenes of him and the girl right away. Instead, he pulled Bruckman aside and chewed over ways to lead the audience into the story, break the ice a little. Maybe a fussy grande dame carrying too much weight wanted a portrait of her little boy. Buster could see them in his head, the fat lady brushing the shoulders of the kid’s jacket, posing him just so. When she wasn’t looking, the scoundrel would stick out his tongue or thumb his nose. In the meantime, he—that is to say, the photographer—would be growing more and more frustrated with the boy. After being scolded by the lady, who wouldn’t hear that her perfect angel was monkeying around, he would finally take the portrait and show her the result. Upset, she’d blame the kid’s behavior on him. The conversation would get heated, drawing the attention of a drunk panhandler who would ask for his portrait to be done too. After all, his cup was full of pennies, wasn’t it? He could afford it. The lady would object. No, her boy was first in line. There’d be a yelling match between the two, the finely dressed fat woman and the ragged skinny drunk, followed by some shoving, in which Buster became collateral damage when the drunk ducked a punch. The hullabaloo would attract a crowd, and finally a policeman (giving Buster a suspicious look as though he was the cause of it all) would disperse the crowd. Buster would be left on the sidewalk, unpaid for his portrait of the kid and worse off than when he started.

This idea having occurred, he’d called to the crew to get him a fat lady, a kid, and someone who could play a drunk. They just looked at him like he had three heads.

“What’s the big idea?” he’d said.

“C’mere, I wanna word,” Sedgwick had said, frowning over the cigarette between his lips.

They’d gone around the corner until they were out of earshot, then the older man rounded on him. “What in the fuck was that?”

“What in the fuck was what?” said Buster, genuinely baffled.

“All the business of ‘Get me this, I want that.’ You made me look like a damned ass in front of my men.”

“How?” said Buster, astonished.

“By undermining my authority, that’s how. I’m the director. You barking orders makes me look like a spare prick.”

Buster had tried not to gape. He felt his own anger begin to rise. Wanting to keep the peace, though, he’d swallowed and said, “Well, I’m awful sorry. It’s nothing personal, honest, I just never worked another way. It won’t happen again, alright? You have my word.”

Sedgwick’s shoulders had relaxed somewhat and his expression softened. “Thanks. Look, I know it’s got to be tough to adjust, but we do things different. Just watch. You’ll see it’ll get taken care of.”

The scene didn’t get taken care of, despite Sedgwick’s assurances. Buster had stood back chain-smoking and watching calamity unfold. The kid was uncooperative, too green to be anything other than nervous in front of the camera. The fat lady couldn’t seem to understand that the camera couldn’t see the kid when she stood in front of him in all her overproportioned glory. The drunk couldn’t take direction at all, to the point that Buster suspected the drunkness wasn’t an act.

Finally, Sedgwick had thrown up his hands. “This is a disaster. Buster, line these god damn people up and get this fucking shot over with.”

Buster stubbed his cigarette out. “Me?”

Sedgwick had looked pained. “Yes, you. Who else?”

Feeling satisfied inside, Buster had taken over and soon had all parties in line and the scene rolling right along. In the days following, Sedgwick didn’t try to interfere with him and he didn’t try to interfere with Sedgwick, and they grew to like each other. A large man, he had a big appetite and liked to come over to Buster’s half of the bungalow to eat an elaborate lunch cooked up by Caruthers rather than patronize the studio cantine. Buster dubbed him Junior.

Even though Weingarten was up his ass about something every other day, shooting was going alright, too. Maybe it wasn’t the way he was used to working, but at least he’d gotten three-quarters of his control back and could dispense with things like jewel thieves and kidnappings.

As April gave way to May that week, he stayed overnight at the bungalow. On Wednesday he managed to sneak Nelly in. They had to forgo their usual activities beneath the sheets owing to her monthly visitor, but they had a nice dinner of roast lamb and potatoes and tried a few foxtrots in the front room, bumping into furniture because was hardly any room, then Nelly practiced her lines while he smoked and perused the latest pile of newspapers and magazines that Caruthers had left.

On Friday night, he drove back to the Villa. He arrived just in time for dinner, catching Natalie as she passed through the atrium.

“Hello, Nate,” he said. He’d just hung his coat and hat and kicked off his shoes.

“Oh, you’re back in time for dinner,” she said without a smile. He could tell by the way she said it that it was a question in disguise: Why haven’t you been home for dinner?

“Well sure, it’s Friday night. Ain’t filming tomorrow. I’m staying at the bungalow while we’re filming,” he added.  “Toldja that.”

“You didn’t,” she said, unsmiling. “You didn’t say you were staying at the bungalow this week.”

He considered his wife’s unhappy countenance and tried to remember if he’d called her on Monday. He’d had dinner with Sedgwick, then there was a bridge game and drinks with some of the M-G-M brass. Sam Goldwyn had been there. Or had that been Tuesday night? He couldn’t remember, and couldn’t remember calling her. “I thought I did. Honest. I got caught up in stuff, I guess,” he said.

“Oh, your card games?” she said, hand on her hip. She looked beautiful, all polish, poise, and elegance. “Maybe with that girl from your picture? Marceline?”

His eyes widened. “Marceline? You mean Marceline Day?” He knew he ought to be used to Natalie’s jealousy by now, but sometimes it flew at him out of the blue and smacked him straight in the face like that baseball last July. He’d hardly filmed a single scene with his newest leading lady, let alone entertained thoughts of seducing her.

“I simply find it incredible you’d forget to call me over a card game.”

“Well, it’s true whether you believe it and I said I’m sorry.” He reached for her arm. “C’mon, let’s not fight about silly stuff.”

“Oh, I agree it’s silly alright,” she said, brushing off his hand. “I didn’t make it so, you did.”

“Nate,” he said. “The kids. C’mon, they’re in the other room for Christ’s sakes.” In an attempt to extinguish the argument, he grabbed her by the shoulders and kissed both her cheeks in quick succession. “Please? You’ve got me tomorrow and Sunday. I’ll spend all that time with you. I’m all yours.”

Natalie grimaced. “I’m leaving tomorrow afternoon for Lake Tahoe. With Norma. Don’t tell me you forgot that too.”

“Of course I didn’t,” he lied. He had no recollection of her telling him about Lake Tahoe, though supposed it had been discussed in New York when he was listening with half an ear. “Let’s make the most of tonight then, and tomorrow morning.”

“We’re having veal for dinner,” she said, ignoring his offer.

“Good. I’m hungry.”

It wasn’t much of a truce, but he treated it like one and put his arm through hers and walked her to the dining room.

Natalie went to bed early that night complaining of a headache and was too preoccupied the next day buying new outfits for her trip with Norma to trouble with him. “I’m sorry, but it’s supposed to be warm and we’ve got to have some lighter dresses for the trip,” she’d said just before departing.

He tried to distract himself golfing with Tom Mix, but kept getting stuck on thoughts of his wife like a skip in a record. There had been a time when Nate had loved him and they’d gotten along, he could almost swear by it. He’d once spent hours with her mother and sisters, not resenting them for taking up Natalie’s time and attention. Rather, he had been glad to be in their midst even though Peg had never made a secret of the fact that she didn’t think him good enough for her middle daughter. It had been easy then to love the people who loved Natalie.

There had also been a time when Nate and him had talked about more than the children, kissed in more than a perfunctory way, and shared more than just a house and money. To this day he couldn’t understand why it wasn’t that way between them anymore, couldn’t remember when they’d begun to drift apart. He was pretty sure she had still loved him when they’d moved into the Villa. When had she stopped? Why had she stopped?

Tom would bring him back to reality at intervals, reminding him that it was his turn to put. He’d forget about Natalie for a couple minutes, but the needle would return to the beginning of the groove and he’d start worrying all over again. If only if he just—maybe if he just …

That night, he got roaringly drunk at Marion Davies’ party, not bothering to see Natalie off at the train station when she left late in the afternoon.

The Villa was vacant the following day, his sons having been kidnapped by Constance and all the servants but Caruthers dismissed until Monday. Their benevolent mistress had decided they could do with a little holiday as a treat. Tired of fretting about Natalie, he drank some black coffee to tame his headache and called Nelly afterward.

Note: I know you’re all sick of waiting, so I decided to publish Chapter 29 into two parts. The second part will likely be longer. Sorry I’m so busy, but 🤷‍♀️

[cromwellharvests-a]

just a little one, but worthy to mention: Easy doesn’t eat much meat— less than the average person, to be sure. doesn’t begrudge anyone who does eat it more frequently, and isn’t opposed to cooking it herself, but she really does have a bleeding heart for many of the critters she knew growing up and can’t shake the thought. for those very sentimental reasons, she doesn’t eat any duck, rabbit, veal, or lamb. beef, also fairly infrequent, but occasionally. 

generally only buys from butchers who she trusts to operate humanely. because! she gets it! humans are omnivores, it’s natural. so long as it’s done the right way, and cruelty-free. needless to say she probably wouldn’t consume ANY meat from supermarkets in modern-ish settings because the ethics of it boil her blood, but, local is still a maybe.

oh, also, fish don’t have nearly enough brain-power to comprehend pain (or be very cuddly, besides) so they’re fair game.

[crashhale]

Tag Game

Tagged by my little sweetie, @riverdaledreaming​

1. what is the color of your hairbrush? Just all black, like my soul.

2. name a food you never eat: There are actually many foods I don’t eat, lamb, shrimp, shellfish, etc.

3. are you typically too warm or too cold? I’m very 50/50.

4. what were you doing 45 minutes ago? Working, I’m on my lunch right now.

5. what’s your favorite candy bar? Cherry Ripe.

6. have you ever been to a professional sports game? Yes, American football, baseball, and basketball games on the East Coast.

7. what is the last thing you said out loud? "Let’s go back downstairs,” to one of the cats.

8. what is your favorite ice cream? In general chocolate, BUT to be very specific, Strawberry ice cream but ONLY in Europe. It’s just different there.

9. what was the last thing you had to drink? Vanilla Draft Latte by La Colombe Coffee. I was trying to avoid it but I was falling asleep while working so I gave in.

10. do you like your wallet? Yes. My best friend got it for me. It’s Mimco, animal print, which is usually not very me but I love it. So unique. She has bought all my wallets since we were teenagers. I never choose them myself. Fun fact.

11. what is the last thing you ate? Eggs for breakfast.

12. did you buy any new clothes last weekend? No.

13. what’s the last sporting event you watched? I don’t watch sports on tv.

14. what is your favorite flavor of popcorn? Movie theater butter.

15. who is the last person you sent a text message to? My husband, asking if he’s cooking tonight.

16. ever been camping? Yes.

17. do you take vitamins? No.

18. do you regularly attend a place of worship? No.

19. do you have a tan? No.

20. do you prefer chinese or pizza? Pizza.

21. do you drink your soda through a straw? I don’t drink soda.

22. what color socks do you usually wear? Gray.

23. do you ever drive above the speed limit? Usually 5-10 miles over.

24. what terrifies you? Being a failure.

25. look to your left, what do you see? Cat, Penny.

26. what chore do you hate most? Ummm, I hate washing dishes.

27. what do you think of when you hear an Australian accent? LOL I’m Australian so I guess I don’t think anything. I think ‘oh, a fellow Aussie,’ I guess.

28. what’s your favorite soda? I don’t drink soda but when someone else has it, I do take a sip of Dr. Pepper! Yum!

29. do you go in a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Both.

30. what’s your favorite number? 8.

31. who’s the last person you talked to? A client for work.

32. favorite meat? I hate meat, other than when my mum makes it, and I love her Veal. But no one else’s.

33. last song you listened to? Us by James Bay

34. last book you read? Currently reading ‘It Didn’t Start with You’ and also ‘After’.

35. favorite day of the week? Saturday.

36. can you say the alphabet backwards? I’ve never tried but I’ll say no. I don’t even want to try.

37. how do you like your coffee? I only drink lattes and sweetened cold brew.

38. favorite pair of shoes? All my Allbirds. Most comfortable shoes ever.

39. time you normally get up? Since Covid 8:30, but before that 7.

40. what do you prefer, sunrise or sunsets? Sunsets

41. how many blankets are on your bed? One.

42. describe your kitchen plates? I’m currently staying at my in-laws and their plates are white with little designs on them, like squares of something.

43. describe your kitchen at the moment: Again, I’m currently at my in-laws and they legit have the worst kitchen in all the world. It’s falling apart and all the draws are tiny and don’t fit anything. My poor mother-in-law deserves a new one.

44. do you have a favorite alcoholic drink? Blood Orange Vodka Martini.

45. do you play cards? No.

46. what color is your car? Goldish-Silver.

47. can you change a tire? No.

48. your favorite state or province? Out of the states I’ve been to in the US, Massachusetts.

Tagging: @kagszzy @shymeg @ohmisskate and anyone that feels like doing this.