"Noir?" Feta asked.
"Yes?" Noir asked. Currently chopping some onions from the Green Garden. A place where the planets were literally alive in the sense there was a sense of intelligence to them. From 'smart' venus flytraps, to which Noir was currently cutting, Onions that walked on spindly roots and had massive teethy smiles like Jack o Lanterns.
Apparently, According to Feta, their intelligence was closer to complex sensory of Chemicals and Pheromones as opposed to Instinctual and Neurological of Animals. All of it was edible. The teeth were more dense layers of onion, while the legs were merely roots.
"I know its been 10 months. But what kinda food do you usually make? And why?"
Noir stopped for a moment. The knife resting its edge against the dark wooden cutting board. In the 10 months, he had grown more facial hair than the small stubble, which all scrunched as he thought.
He thought about what Leroy usually Ate…Kirk. Raven…The Swordsmen…
All of their favorite dishes going through his mind. And a single thing stood out. The same thing that made the Rose Arbor so popular in the first place. With a quick scrape of the blade against the wood, pushing the Onions into a large pot, he spoke.
"Simple. Good Food. Thats what I make. I dont make deconstructive bullshit. I dont make food that makes you ponder a moral quandary or esoteric story like some. Food is supposed to be Good. Filling. Healthy in some form. But tasty above all else." He pinched some salt and sprinkled it into the pot as the broth boiled and popped.
"It can be complicated. It can be large. It can be small. Maybe even fancy. But its good food. Something that will fill you and leave you Satisfied rather than wanting more when you're done. Fried, Sweet, Unhealthy, Clean, Marco Packed and Managed. As long as it taste good. And keeps you going with a fire in your belly. Thats what matters to me."
"As for what I make. I make what ever the crew wants. And then I take that request, maybe do something more, maybe something special. They want Pizza? I give them 4 inch deep dish. They want soup, I'll make a big pot, with some few special ingredients. Maybe dress up the bowl with some garnish. But its still what I, and they wanted."
"Good. Food." He punctuated.
The cutting and scraping that had served as background noise as Noir spoke, stirring the pot of amber and dark brown popping liquid, had suddenly disappeared. Causing him to turn around. Feta stood there. Hands against the counter, propping him up.
A gentle smile on his wrinkled and coarse face.
"What?" Noir cocked a brow.
"That was a Real answer. A true one. I'm just…." He closed his eyes as he continued to grin, shaking his head slightly. "Satisfied to know real Chefs still exist with a heart for the people than the focus on the Dish. Not to say all that other stuff aint bad– But, thats not the point of Meals and Dishes."
He pulled a cig from his pocket and bent down, lighting the end with the flame of the stove.
A minute later, as they were out on the Balcony of the Resturant they were currently using to test and practice dishes with a random assortment of people each day to figure out the perfect one for his full course, They looked at the sparking Lights of the Gourmet City. Smells filling the air. People walking the dinner time, darkened sky near dusk. Both of them took drags from the same Cigarette.
"Do you see now why a Chef is so important to a crew?" Feta asked. Handing the cig to Noir for his turn. They were letting the Soup simmer.
"I've always known. But now, I think I get it more." He took a longer drag, deep into his lungs, and exhaled the acrid raw tobacco smoke. Handing it back to his mentor.
"Cooks, Chefs, Fryers. They're one of the most important aspects of the crew. With out them, people don't have nourishment. But also no joy in their meals. No community and morale at the table or sharing the same meal on different plates. I always thought it was because people needed food, yes. But also Cooks were close confidants to the crew. Food is a way to the soul and all. In truth…"
"Its both" Noir looked to Feta. Soft smile on his face. His mentor taking the last drag before flicking it away.
He'd fought on 2 more Gardens since the first one. And he'd been learning some quick fundamentals. All these unique experiences, had drawn out his Haki. Just as it had with His Captain and Swordsmen. Even if the Former was a months ahead, while the latter was only two.
With their discussion over. They got their results back for Noirs newest soup course dish…
Pho.
Using Beef from the Mammal Garden, Vegetables from The Green Garden; Rice that Grew on Rice pads connected to Canopies of Trees, Cilantro that dug and 'slithered' in the ground, bean sprouts that exploded like land mines enormous cinnamon stalks, Star Anise that was a meter long, cloves that fell like coconuts, Coriander that grew in massive hedges, all used from the rice to make rice noodles, beef for protein, Onions for tang; to create an amazing bowl that steamed with heat and radiated with aroma.
It cut two lessons. Presentation (As the Bowl was delicate ceramic with floral patterns, the dish with garnish, and it was all brought out on a traditional board.) Ambiance (Candles lit, giving a more classical feel that matched the Pho culture, lanterns hanging covered in paper, and subtle light plucked strings from a guitar to add to it all)
Learn how to present yourself, and the dish. And thus your strength. As a cook, or a fighter. Ambiance to be aware of mood and how to best make the conditions to bolster yourself, dish–
Or power.
And thankfully. The Pho was a break out success; earning its spot as the Soup Course for his Full Course Menu.
Perhaps the biggest lesson. Was not how to concentrate his Calores flames. Or figuring out in his own way that his Affinity was that of Modification, or how he was much more attuned with Conduit than other branches, causing him to do something quicker than even his Captain had, in manifesting his purple Flames on command rather than needing friction to set them alight through Conduit Kata…
Was a new found view on scraps, waste, and left over food.
It was on the first of the New Year. Noir wearing a large heavy coat as he was on 'Ice Garden' A place where every thing seemed to be fundamentally aligned with the Ice and cold of the Island, from Primal lumbering ice sculptures, to a spring soda water that was deep in the glacier.
The Lessons was this. This Glacier had nothing of true use, it was all water or similar crystalline structures or had no nutritional value or flavor. This left Noir with a sense of disappointment as he defeated animals, but could not use anything for cooking…
'Use what you can. But not everything can be used. Let the world reclaim it. Its not just People who need to eat. Nothing is ever wasted. Even if someone doesnt finish their food…' Feta said.
There was this strange sense of…Melancholy to Noir thinking about that. Ducase had told him that Food waste was the sign of a bad chef. But this…It flipped everything on its head. He remembered when he watched Leroy force himself to finish something because it would make Noir sad to see any of it go to waste…
But if you have to force yourself. Then whats the point? Why make something thats supposed to be enjoyable suddenly uncomfortable just to fit some form of ethical decision of doing the good thing.
Peoples enjoyment of food, also came from the simple fact they go into it knowing they eat what they want. Not suddenly more or less. You dont eat the shell of a Mussel.
"You dont need to burden yourself with the expectations. Because that plate, that dish, those ingredients. Are none the wiser. Sometimes you throw out the husk covering corn. The hooves of a Cow. Let them return back to the world that they came from. Fertilize the Ground, feed the fish, or begin growing again from the seeds left behind."
Noir murmured to himself as his hand dipped a bottle into the ice cold glacial spring sparkling water. The lake bubbling and fizzing just like a freshly opened bottle of soda would.
" Imagine this lake has some sort of CO2 vent at the bottom. Meaning that the Bacteria that relies on Oxygen Die, leaving this spring water highly carbonated." Feta deduced. Arms crossed trying to keep his hands warm even with the gloves.
"How the hell are you doing that?" He then asked, Noirs hand utterly unphased by the cold of the water. It was almost at freezing.
"A few weeks back. I dropped something in boiling water. I'd been awake for far to long taking notes and mixing boiling sugars for the right mixture." His hand was covered in amber haze like a fog that was barely able to be seen by either of them.
"And, on reflex. I dunked my hand in it. Before I realized what I'd done. I got it out. But there was no burns. Instead, there was this strange Haze." Noirs brow sweat as the Haki disappeared.
"I feel like I've seen it somewhere. But I can't quite place it…I remember something like this being used by Barbary. He called it Haki. But I mean before. Maybe when I was a kid…" Noir pondered.
"Haki?" Feta said "Yeah…I know what youre talkin about. Dont know how to use it myself or anything complex. But I've gathered over the years what its about. Armament for protection. Observation and senses…? Uhh….Supreme for something like uhh I don't know. The one about positives and negatives. And some fifth one."
"Hm. Its like Wokan from Skyderia. Using their soul. Maybe it works on the same logic." Noir had just been bottling water and corking them before finally standing up.
"Wokan?" Feta inquired.
"Nothin. We've got our palette cleaners." Noir said with a slight smile. Shaking the bottle.
"So. Lets go over it one more time. What have you got so far?" The old man asked.
"Appetizer. Soup. Palette Cleanser." He slung the bag over his shoulder, raising three fingers.
"Not as easy as you expected?" His mentor asked.
"Yes and No. The Cooking is easier. But the planning is harder. The ideas aren't coming to me. The Fights are getting easier."
"Heh. Yeah. Happens to the best of us. Maybe you should take a break from the Menu?"
"What? The Hell for?"
"Give your mind time to think. Let a spark fly and ignite an idea when youre not actively getting overly focused."
"Uh…What else would I do? I gotta get stronger in my body and mind. This menu is what I need for when I actually get my real one planned out. Remember my Improved Dream?" He said with a barely held back confusion.
"Yes. But clearly the Gardens are getting easier. And youre ideas arent flowing. So we gotta do somethin different."
"Okay…But what would I DO?" He punctuated his words. Getting frustrated.
"Well. That Haki stuff is a start. Do you know anyone you trust that you may be able to learn from or may have the Capabilities of this Haki stuff?"
Noir stopped. The both of them on the shore of the Ice Garden. Tug boat bobbing on the frigid waters as his mind began to think. Slowly he pulled out his pack, and bumped a cigarette, though he did not take it between his lips. He sat there. Pondering.
The Crew was a No go. Even if he knew where they are. They made a promise to stay split until the time was right. Maybe someone on Arabasta? No…That was quite the distance away. And a government Island. Not wringly. Or Water 9. Hard Rock was a no go.
Then. A neuron fired. And a small smile formed as he finally took the Tabacoo into his mouth and flicked the lighter open to ignite it.
It took days for Feta to properly get everything in place. And get in contact with the person that Noir had finally come up with. But eventually, it was time to meet. And they were coming to him. The Tug Boat was not well off for long distance travel in the Grand Line.
A voice, that same low pitch but effeminate tone filled the air. Jingling of bells and loose fabrics sounding them out.
"Ahhh! Noir-boy!"
But before Noir could react. He was lifted up and pulled into a bearhug before being spun around by none other than-
Mar-Syl.
They sat at a table on the Ship. Mar-Syl pouring some yellow tea into a glass up. Noir sparking up another roll. Hand covering the flame.
"Yeah. I know Haki. Not too good at it though. I've got some basic fundamentals down. I'm at about a Low grade 6th Dan." She pulled the cup up to her lips and took a deep sip.
"A what?" The Chef said.
Diva then spoke to them, but from behind. "Dan is a Ranking system for ones proficiency in Haki." Suddenly appearing out on the deck for a proper introduction! "Woah…!" Noir said suddenly standing up. Diva, now wearing a long fashionable trenchcoat, and their eye shadow redone to a brighter color, cocked a well groomed brow.
"Woah?" She smiled.
"Are…Are you that guy–" He turned around "The guy you mentioned back in Arabasta?"
"The Inventor of Queer Kenpo? Yes. But I am not that GUY…I'm that QUEEN." She enunciated each word with dripping sass. Hand on her hip, nails long and every word oozing as she animated her words with slow gestures of her head. Truly…A Diva.
"Drag Queen?" Noir asked with a smile.
Diva rolled her eyes. "Yes. But as I was saying. Dan System is essentially belts, but for Haki. Rather than your strength, its how much you know and can use. But strength helps."
Before Noir could speak, Diva continued. "But. Thats not here nor there right now, hun." She leaned on her hip. "I must introduce myself."
"I am Diva. Division Commander, and Secretary of Internal Affairs for the MIlitia Revolutionary Army and Political Party." She extended her had. Noir took it. "Milita?"
"Yes. But I'm also God-Auntle to your Captain. Falcon D. Leroy." That– Got Noirs eyes to widen.
"God…Auntle?"
"Ya know…Like God-Mother? Auntle being Aunt and Uncle cuz well…Dihaha…Ya know." She shook.
"Right…Man and Woman…And both at the same time…" Noir let go and pulled his cigarette from his lips, a drag following it.
"Indeed. Now."
"I hear you've been having Haki troubles…." She smiled a large tooth and black lipped grin