Chapter 288 - Those Who Can And Can't Feast

Like clockwork, that server sped through the open doors with the apron in hand. Surprisingly, another server was already rushing back with a giant platter over his head. None of the servers wanted to irritate the hot-headed chef, so all they could do was accommodate his orders the best they could. 

"Good, good! Only those who respect us can feast on our delicacies!" Bradok's booming laughter filled the room as he watched the turkey enter the doorway. "Thank you! Feel free to eat any leftovers once this place is clean."

"Thank you, Chef!" 

"That goes for all of you!"

"THANK YOU, CHEF!!" in unison, all servers throughout the room jumped with joy and licked their lips. 

Staring eagerly at the giant bird that took up half the table, Bradok stood up. "Now, allow me to carve!"

When Bradok reached for the bird without a knife or fork, Oli was a little confused. But that confusion quickly deepened when earth essence formed a blade around Bradok's open hand. Effortlessly, Bradok's hand cut through the turkey's flesh. No sawing motion was necessary. Bradok merely lowered his hand through the meat and made perfect incisions every time. 

It was quickly revealed to have no bones inside, but it was instead stuffed with pulled pork with vegetables and wrapped in tearable, steamed cabbage leaves. A new aroma spread over them as the insides were unearthed and everyone was salivating before they could control themselves.

"Here you go!" Bradok then placed a full slice of the giant, stuffed turkey on an empty platter, using it as a normal plate. Placing it in front of Oli, Bradok added, "Be honest. Tell me what you think!"

Oli said nothing and only nodded. He was too busy holding back saliva to talk. Calmly yet eagerly, Oli cut into the slice and loaded his fork with a little bit of everything. Like a reflex, Oli shoved the fork into his mouth, letting the food instantly begin evaporating around his tongue.

"Mmmmm…" Oli groaned, unable to put the taste into words from the first bite.

Still chuckling, Bradok proudly pounded his chest. "I knew it!" 

"Let me--"

"NONE FOR YOU!" Without thinking, Bradok slapped Korvik once more. The unarmed swordsman was thrown away yet again the moment he tried to dig into the never-before-seen delicacy on the table.

"Chef, please--"

"You guys can dig in, but his lying mouth cost him this meal!" stated Bradok, letting Kraz partake in the large platter.

Tilgron immediately shrugged, "Sorry, Korvik…"

"Maybe next time!" Vant jeered, licking his lips.

"But you said it too, Vant!"

"I--"

"YOU!!" 

Without hesitation, Bradok reached to his side and slapped Vant away from the table. 

"But I didn't--"

"Well, you did earlier…" Oli sighed between bites.

Tilgron nodded, savoring his first bite of the giant, stuffed bird. "True… Don't disrespect the chef…"

Seeing the others abandoning him, Vant turned to Kraz with pleading eyes. "Kraz, please--"

"Sorry, Vant. But the servers know too. The chef will just ask around and he'll know your sin…" Kraz accepted the fate of his friends while tearing into a giant slice that was a rare fit for Kraz's mouth.

"Good, eat all you like!" Bradok laughed some more, again taking Oli's wine while Oli was busy enjoying his food. 

"This… is made with Jrabda?"

"IT IS!" Wide-eyed, Bradok looked back to Oli with genuine surprise and enthusiasm. "How'd you know?"

"Did you… use one half for pork and one half for the bird?" Oli asked, trying to think clearly with the food still in his mouth.

"THAT'S RIGHT!!!" 

"What do you mean?" Tilgron asked, completely perplexed. "They taste different. How can they both use jrabda?

Eager to explain now that he had found a fellow foodie, Bradok was all smiles as he looked to Oli and explained, "You're right! I used the outer half to marinade the pork and slow cook it. The inner half was used to brine and baste the turkey while it roasted."

"Outer and inner halves?" Kraz blinked but still couldn't connect the dots. "Oliver, how do you know that?"

"Well… When you grow up a nomad, you try a lot of things," Oli replied with a nervous chuckle. "One reason I remember the gorillas so well was their food… They used jrabda and taught my mom some tricks. That's how I know there are two layers inside the fruit--"

"REALLY?!" Bradok's entire expression changed. The joy and wonder from a moment ago were replaced with anxiousness and curiosity. "Tell me, what were their names?! Who was it that taught about jrabda!?"

"Uhh… I… don't remember…"

"Come on, brat, you've got to try!" shouted Bradok, fervently slapping Oli's back. "Come on, out with it!"

Shaking from his aching back, Oli shouted, "I don't remember! Honest!"

"Are we interrupting something?"

Bradok looked past the table but kept hitting Oli. "Donovan! Come, enjoy the Fat Turkey! You're always welcome to bring your lady friend for a meal!"

"She--"

"Thank you." Jeminine instantly stepped forward and leaned into Donovan's arm. "See… Even the famous chef thinks we should hook up."

Donovan sighed and led Jeminine to grabbed a chair with his free hand. He sat beside Bradok and helped Jeminine sit beside him. "Thank's, Master Bradok. I had heard you've made a new masterpiece so I had to come try it."

"Go ahead, but don't forget to serve your lady!" jeered Bradok, elbowing Donovan's side. 

"Um… Is there no way for us to have even a morsel of the masterpiece?"

Everyone looked to the side, finding both Korvik and Vant eyeing the bird while breathing heavily.

But was Jeminine who answered with the shake of her head. "Sorry boys, but the chef makes the rules here. You may as well go rest while you still can. We don't know what tomorrow will bring if Zelsh was called in to help."

"Okay…" Dejected, Korvik turned and didn't dare deny orders.

Vant, on the other hand, was still eager to try. "Master Donovan, can you please spare me--"

"You want something, then how about this?!" Suddenly, a gorilla fist was thrown and drilled Vant straight in the gut. "Now you can't say I never gave you anything!"

"Uuuuuhh… Thank you…" Vant nodded and accepted the punishment, noticing how Donovan and everyone else no longer spared Vant a glance. "I'll make it up to you… Chef Bradok…"