Excess: A Monster Hunting GameLit Crafting Adventure (Monster Punk Horizon Book 3) by H.P. Holo & Jacob Holo

Author:H.P. Holo & Jacob Holo [Holo, H.P.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-22T16:00:00+00:00

* * *

“Can I cook tonight, Miss Pix? I’ve been practicing!” Nova begged once the bedrolls and her tent were set up.

Pix had packed herself a substantial supply of jerky, and it looked as if the others had, too, but she was also in no mood—nor was she ever in any mood—to turn down Nova’s bright, eager eyes.

“Sure!” she said.

At once, Nova opened her backpack to produce a small cookpot and collapsible hanger, then filled it with water from a nearby stream and set it to boil. Then, before anyone could stop her, she set off bounding into the jungle. She returned soon, dragging an unexpectedly successful brace of bronze Fernhares, which she deftly skinned and chopped all on her own before assembling the diced pieces in the pot with some chunky vegetables she’d also unwrapped from her backpack. Finally, she topped it all off with an ambiguous spice she shook from a fancy little bottle in her bag.

“What’s that?” Pix asked.

“My gram’s special Field Spice Blend,” Nova said, gently stirring the pot with a wooden spoon. “Gram says good food is all about the seasonings, and there’s no reason to not eat well-seasoned food, even in the jungle. She came up with this blend when she was a hunter. She says it’ll go well on just about any wild game.”

Nova presided over the stew until she approved of the taste and texture, and then ladled the dish into some little bowls and cups she’d brought with her.

Pix blew on the dish, then drank a cautious mouthful of the soup. She’d never eaten any of Nova’s food before, but Nova had obviously planned this dish to show off a new skill, and she didn’t want her face to give her away if it was … not a face worthy of Nova.

Fortunately, she didn’t have to.

Jaz chugged such an amount that she burned her throat, choked, and then declared, “You are hereby assigned to cook this on every hunt. Even the short ones. I have spoken.”

“It’s probably tastier if you don’t try to breathe it,” Kaito commented over his cup, but Nova beamed with glee all the same. She’d gotten exactly the response she was looking for, and they all enjoyed the unexpected luxury at the end of a rough day.

They drank down their stews in rare silence, all seated around the campfire as day drifted into nighttime. Soon Pix finished her first bowl and looked to the skies as she pondered whether she wanted another. The Dazzling Skies twinkled overhead, obscured by a smattering of dark, fast-moving clouds. A chill wind blew across the plateau, and she shivered and inched the pack she was sitting on closer to the flame. She decided to see to Kylvester.

“How do you feel?”

“Like the Boss Ignifex himself sat on me,” Kylvester groaned hoarsely, but he did so with a smile.

Pix smiled back.

“I should’ve listened to you when you told me to let go,” he continued.

“You’re looking well for having a leg that bent the wrong way just a few hours ago,” Jaz said.

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