Backpost: Dinner with Nezuko

Posted on Sun Mar 23rd, 2025 @ 4:42pm by Commander Thomas Johnson & Lieutenant Talia Johnson & Lieutenant JG Nezuko

1,934 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Andromeda

Thomas and Talia walked up to the door to Nezuko’s quarters, they both knew that this was probably a big deal for her considering the atmospheric conditions that had to be met, and her seemingly hesitation to ask for things that she could partake normally for her. Dinner with breathers, they would be experiencing something new, but new experiences come with the territory especially with the three of them now.

"I wonder what amphea meals are like? Are they all meat based?"

“I’ve no idea” Talia shrugged her shoulders. “No doubt we’ll find out.”

Ringing the chime, they waited for the answer.

Nezuko was in a brightly coloured light summer dress covered by a white apron, partially stained with a few different sauces, as she set the table. Dinner was almost ready. She had a grill (secured with forcefields to keep the right amount of smoke in and safely dispose of the rest) and a hot plate going, getting the flavours of the food she was cooking just right.

Critically, she was free of her rebreather. It was in its charging station. A forcefield glowed near the door, keeping an alcove of standard Class M air available for her guests, a vestibule where they could don the masks she replicated.

The door chimed and she went to open it. She held her breath as she entered the vestibule to welcome her guests and guide them inside. Each got a peck on the cheek before she crossed to her own side.

{Welcome!} she signed to them. {So I replicated these breathers from a template used in diplomatic meals. There's a forcefield in the bottom that you can put a fork or a straw through. Please put them on and join me!} She could hardly hide her excitement. Getting to host her closest friends like this was a dream come true.

Taking them off the table, he gave one to Talia. After testing it out, he paused at the field that kept the atmosphere inside. Then walked through. The air felt different, the aroma, surprisingly being able to smell the air through the mask, was a pleasant one. "Smells delicious. So whats on the menu."

Talia smiled as she too smelt the food through the rebreather. "Mmm it certain does smell delicious, I can't wait to taste what you're cooking Nezuko."

Her friends had never seen her smile so warmly and lovingly. She giggled a bit at the distortion of their voices, but she was so pleased they could enjoy this experience together.

The forcefield on their masks had been expertly crafted. It kept the gaseous nitrate and other gases out but permitted solids and liquids through, as well as the large-atomic-weight aromatics that carried the scents of her cooking. She led them to the table, where three places had been set, and pulled out a chair for Talia.

"Thank you" Talia smiled warmly as she took the offered seat.

The host opened a bottle of Amphea wine, kept for this occasion. Made from the Kampalaberry of her homeworld, it was fermented and aged over the course of two years to get the right sweetness, flavour profile, and gravity. Two of the glasses looked comical with a pair of straws sticking out.

{I looked through Earth culinary styles and I believe the closest you have to Amphea cuisine is from Brazil,} Nezuko explained. {I’ve prepared several meats, replicated raw which I then seasoned and cooked over a carefully controlled flame. I’ve also similarly prepared some grilled vegetables and fruits from my homeworld. I hope you like it.} She held her wine glass up to her friends.

Talia gave Nezuko a curious look. "I've no doubt you've considered it Nezuko, but does the wine contain much alcohol content? I can still have a glass if it does, but no more than one."

Nezuko positioned her thumb and forefinger a mere centimeter apart. {Some vintages are more potent, but this one has very little alcohol, less than 3%. This one is a favourite among those seeking a more subtle flavour and has the benefit of being enjoyable by all. I also have a bottle of Kampalaberry juice to open later.}

"Sounds good. We will limit it to one glass to be on the safe side." Thomas replied as he looked to Talia. "Perhaps we can try the more potent ones at a later date."

Talia nodded. “That’s a good idea, and thank you Nezuko for thinking ahead.” She offered a warm smile.

Nezuko nodded and clinked her glass against her friends' straw-equipped glasses and took a sip, savouring the delicate flavours.

Then she stood and brought out the first plate. A cut of dark meat with rib bones sticking out the side was held on a long skewer. Nezuko held the skewer over each of their plates and with a sharp knife cut them each off a sizeable chunk and a bone, about the size and shape of a lamb chop. First Talia, then Thomas, then herself before setting the skewer down on its tray. Coated in seasoning and the right about of char and sizzling with juice, the meal looked and smelled divine.

{Enjoy!} she signed before picking up her own piece with her hands, the way Amphea usually ate.

Taking a piece of the meat, and sliding it through the breather device. He looked at the meat on the table, and he couldn't think of its similarity of Dr. Zeus's Roast beast image from the old earth tale. The Grinch. The meat, just as it smelt, was one of the more flavourful, he'd tasted.

Talia politely ate, savouring every morsel as she took her time enjoying the flavour and texture of the meat. She smiled and nodded to Nezuko, letting her know she was enjoying the meal.

"So...whats the meat? Its delicious... but can't really put a finger on it."

{We call it Pale-Tailed Ibis,} Nezuko explained. {It is similar to an Earth goat. We farm them in the plains near my home village, and occasionally hunt wild ones in the highlands.}

When they were finished, she brought another skewer, this one with round cutlets of red meat surrounded by something Thomas and Talia would find familiar. {This is Khaki Saola, wrapped in bacon made from something we call Porcala. Very popular. My brother always made it for me with a Lhasa Fruit Sauce.} She gestured to the reddish-orange sauce on the table. {My brother was always the chef of the family. But he taught me well.}

Taking a bit of the meat and dipping it in the sauce, and putting the chunk into his mouth, he smiled, {Very good Nezuko, this is... quite honestly... one of the best dishes ive had in a long time.... besides Talias, and my mothers home cooked meals... of course...}

Talia smiled at Thomas then looked at Nezuko. {I agree with Thomas, this is absolutely delicious! Your cooking is amazing Nezuko. Thank you.}

Their plates were filled and emptied for a couple more small servings when it came time for dessert. First, Nezuko took their empty glasses and refilled them with a non-alcoholic juice made from the same fruit as the wine. Then she put on the middle of table a plate of assorted fruits, larger ones cut into slices, all arranged beautifully in a colourful spiral pattern. {Dessert!} she signed. {Well…phase one of dessert…} she added with a wink.

Talia couldn’t help but grin at that. {You know me, I never say no to dessert!}

{Seeing what dessert is on the menu... I will take everything... and everyone.} Thomas replied with a smile, that even with the apparatus on, could still be seen.

Talia couldn’t help but smile at Thomas’ enthusiasm. {Ohh well take everything you have to give.}

{And you both will get to see what I can do with my mouth when I don’t need to stop every thirty seconds to breathe,} Nezuko signed and projected. {You know…the fruit can wait…}

Talia gave Thomas a wry smile. {You know us, always happy to enjoy Dessert whenever the occasion arises.}

Thomas turned to Nezuko, {You know, we shown you our bedroom, how about we see yours.} He reached for both their hands.

Nezuko bit her lip in anticipation, and then her lips curled into a grin. {Thomas, could you actually do me a favour and put this food in stasis for me first? Come join me and Talia after?} She took the apron off, set it over the back of her chair, slid her dress off her shoulders and letting it pool on the floor at her feet, leaving her completely naked, and led Talia by the hand to the bedroom.

Talia gave Thomas a wry smile as she was lead away by Nezuko, she was looking forward to another night of enjoyment.

Thomas watched her take talia to her bedroom, and took his time putting the food away.

{Just relax. I have you.} Nezuko gave Talia a light kiss on her breather’s faceplate and worked her friend out of her clothes. She guided her to the bed and took her time showing just how much fun they could have when Nezuko didn’t have to worry about her airway.

{How could I not be relaxed in your presence in this situation?} Talia grinned as she let Nezuko lead with what she had in mind.

With the food finally put away, he walked into Nezukos bedroom, and watched for a few moments, at the two, "Room for one more?" He inquired with a smirk on his face.

{There’s always room for you Imzadi} Talia smiled and nodded as she motioned Thomas to join them.

{You know what to do, Thomas} Nezuko signed playfully, ‘presenting’ herself while eagerly showing how good she could be to Talia.

{You heard Nezuko Imzadi, you know what to do.} Talia smiled.

**

It was much much later when Nezuko extricated herself from her friends. She threw on a light robe and got the fruit dessert back out and set it on the table. The three of them needed hydration and calories, after all.

She also put on a rebreather and cycled the air. It was a very kind thing they did for her, living briefly in her environment — and incredibly fun! — but they needed their own air more than she needed hers.

Once the food was back out, she went to the bed and signed that they could take their face masks off.

{You don't have to cycle the air for us. This is your home, your sanctuary, a place for you to be safe and under your conditions.} Thomas still sweaty, naked, and out of breath replied, {You have to change things every day just to be outside this room. And I... we wont be the reason for you not enjoying being safe in your home. Please return it to your settings.}

{Tom is right Nezuko, you need your environment we'll be fine} Talia gave Nezuko a smile and a nod of agreement as she moved to head to the bathroom to freshen up a little.

Nezuko’s eyes watered and the truly kind and loving gesture her friends made. She nodded, switched the air back, and breathed in deeply.

These were truly people who loved her. And she was happy to be part of what they had.

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