Tales of the Jewel

''With a fork, of course.'' he pointed to the tool wrapped in a piece of blue cloth, rising as he did so. ''I will get you another cup to see if you like a different taste but it would not do to drink too much in your first sitting.''

"Oh, no rush," Rettousei says.

He unwraps the fork, tries to think back to earlier lessons.

Now, what did Sensei say about this kind of thing?

His brow furrows again, and he picks up the utensil awkwardly, holds it, well...

Bazir came back with another tray only to discover the rokugani trying to eat with a fork

He said nothing, however, wondering how long it would take him to work the ustensil properly.

Rettousei looks up, his brow yet furrowed.

"I...do not think I am doing this right. I've not seen one of these used before."

He raised an eyebrow

''You really have no such utensils in the land of emeralds? It is fairly easy sayyed.''

Bazir took a fork from another table

''Here is how one holds a fork''

Rettousei shifts his grip, far more easily than his player's child is wont to do, and nods.

"That does seem to work better, yeah. But, no, we don't have this kind of thing there. Not really. No, we use chopsticks to eat with. Unless it's soup, when we use spoons."

He pauses.

"You have those here, yes?"

''Spoon?'' he tilted his head, keeping a straight face ''No sayyed. We eat our soups cold using tubes made of hollow reeds through our noses''

"Well, if that is the custom," Rettousei says, "then I am glad I do not have soup today. I am not ready for such an endeavor."

He takes another sip of the coffee. "I am enjoying this, though."

Bazir stared at the stranger for a second wondering how far he could take this. Perhaps he could convince him that...ah...nevermind

He waved a hand, smirking

''I jest sayyed. We do have spoons. Knives as well if you must know.''

"Oh?"

Rettousei sets down his cup.

"I had no idea. But then, I am new in this place."

He eats more of the fattoush.

"This really is quite good, though!"