Community [Isekai Hell] 2024 Resolutions Writing Event- Self Reflection

[slifer37]

This is my entry for Rowan- A canon event set in the world of Isekai Hell​

CS: Fantasy - [Isekai Hell] Characters - Current
Isekai Hell: Fantasy - [Isekai Hell] Resolutions Writing Event

 

[slifer37]

Rowan's Resolution
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The winter season had come, and with that, thoughts of the new year that was approaching. In the coziness of her home, Rowan had done some introspection- mainly with the snow falling gently outside, a mug of warm tea, and a cozy fire- the perfect place to think back on her year, and see what she wanted to focus her attention on.
Thinking it over, she wanted to find a new skill to enhance her life, that wasn’t just about combat, about barriers. Something that she wouldn’t have to rely on others to do for her, especially if she was outside in the wilds without anyone else to find food for her.


Rowan decided then and there, that it was best to learn how to cook- using the world around her to create things that she and others she could eat. It would benefit everyone- herself, the people who hire her- and she could learn enough healing that if anyone tried to sabotage her, she could save the unfortunate victim, while also learning a valuable skill that she could use in the future. Besides, she could expand her business by providing home-cooked food she could eventually elevate, well, it would only benefit everyone, especially herself.


It took time to find someone, even though Rowan did travel a lot of places, stopping in more taverns and pubs and bars than unusual to find the best cuisine. She had slowly asked around for someone who knew how to cook, as she understood the idea of cooking, but didn’t have anyone to teach her. She asked the women who seemed open to talking, especially the sweet grandmotherly-looking types- plump and kind especially. Before talking to the cooks, she would sit and try their cuisine. Only if she liked the food would she quietly ask for someone to train her to cook- to help her find ingredients, to learn how to cook at least at a basic level, to give her a base line to start at.

Finally, she found a lovely older lady, working in what would only be described as a backwater tavern on the outskirts of Ryke. The woman didn’t have anyone with her, as her children had left the area to find work opportunities and her husband had died five years ago. Her purpose was essentially providing home-cooked meals for everyone in the tavern, and had welcomed Rowan with open arms.

They had started small, going outside to the herb garden, with Rowan being taught about the common herbs and plants that could be used for cooking- rosemary, cilantro, parsley, basil, oregano- the herbs used to flavor the best dishes.

Then, they retrieved the ingredients from the animals, the spices that would be gifted to Rowan later on to spice up her own food- salt and pepper and ground herbs that could keep for a long time. The vegetables needed picking, the eggs needing picking, and she even learned, although quite regretfully, how to kill and prepare the meat, taking out the innards, plucking and skinning the various meats until they were ready to cook.

Rowan started out as the assistant, with the older woman carefully teaching her step-by-step how to cook hearty recipes that would warm the soul of a weary traveler- beef stews chock full of thick cuts of meat and thick vegetables, left to stew to become wonderfully tender. Chicken soups with thick, warm bread to cure the colds of the patrons with the wisdom of the wise elders- the culinary magic that could cure what ails the soul with something prepared with love.
The pastries were made with the love of a grandma making cookies with her children, flavored with powdered sugar, cinnamon, flaky crusts and even honey dripping to make the pastries sweet and sticky, a perfect way to end the meal.

By the end of her culinary journey, she had become the sous-chef, aiding in making the recipes herself, cutting the cooking load in half, and even on the final day, preparing the day’s menu for the residents of the tavern- her own pick of breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert based on what she learned from the week.

She thanked the older woman, giving her a warm hug and of course, a decent amount of gold, perhaps enough to last the rest of her life, hoping to one day see each other again. It may not have been possible, but Rowan had learned so much from her, and at the very least, she could ensure the rest of her days were not plagued by money troubles, before taking the knowledge with her, to cook for herself and others.