Standing behind Nigel, Other Gordon was holding himself stable with a white-knuckle grip on the back of a chair. Jason poured lemonade into each of the glasses, taking an approving sip from his own. Vermillion and Asya took glasses without hesitating.
“This lemonade is incredible,” Asya said. “I definitely want to stock some of this. Where did you get it from?”
“Lemons,” Jason said. “The secret is to put the lemon peel in with the sugar for about twelve hours so the sugar soaks up the fruit oil. That’s where the flavour is. Now, I need to show Anna how to make a proper sandwich, but we can talk while I do. Why don’t we start with introductions?”
Interlude
Jason’s Lemonade
Item: [Jason’s Lemonade] (normal rank, common) A delicious citrus drink (consumable, beverage).
Effect: Refreshing.
Crafting requirements:
Materials:
6 lemons.
1 and ? cups of sugar.
5 cups of water.
Amounts of sugar and lemon juice can be adjusted, if you like it extra sweet or with bit of a twang to it.
Tools:
Mixing bowl.
Cooking pot.
Mesh strainer.
Lemon/vegetable peeler.
Lemon juicer (optional).
Serving pitcher.
Steps:
Wash lemons. If they feel waxy, scrub them under hot water.
Peel the zest from 6 lemons with a veggie peeler. You want the yellow zest, but don’t be too worried about getting some of the white. Set the peeled lemons aside.
Cover the lemon zest with 1 and a quarter cup of sugar in a mixing bowl and combine by tossing. Cover with some cling wrap and leave for at least 2 hours, but longer is better. Leaving them overnight works very nicely.
Bring 5 cups of water to the boil, in a pot on high heat. Turn off heat and pour in lemon-sugar mix.
Bring water to a boil in a pot over high heat; turn off heat and add the lemon-sugar mixture, including the peel. Stir, then leave as the sugars dissolve, which should be about 5 minutes.
Strain the liquid back into the mixing bowl through a mesh strainer to excise the peel.
Do not add the lemon juice immediately. Let the liquid sit until room temperature; about half an hour should do.
Cut the lemons in half and squeeze into the bowl through the mesh strainer. Pour lemonade into a serving pitcher, cover in cling wrap, and refrigerate until nice and chilly.
Pouring the lemonade over ice without chilling it first will melt the ice and water it down, so get it nice and cold. I’d recommend a couple of hours. Then pour over some ice and prepare to get seriously quenched.
37
OTHERWISE BEST AVOIDED
Jason and his guests were sitting around the bar lounge of his houseboat.
“I think we should start,” Keith began, “by getting everyone on the same page in terms of who we are and what we do.”
“I think that’s my cue to go,” Vermillion said. “Now that the meeting has been facilitated without anyone trying to kidnap anyone else, I’ll bow out to allow you to share secrets without concerning yourselves over a third party.”
“Thanks, Craig,” Jason said. “We’ll catch up later, yeah? Hang on; I’ll put your sandwich in some paper.”
Jason wrapped Vermillion a sandwich and Shade escorted the vampire away, leaving Jason with the Network contingent. Jason was standing behind the bar while the others had taken seats at Jason’s invitation.
“How about I get the ball rolling?” Jason said, continuing to assemble sandwiches. “We can go through my story, I can tell you what I’ve figured out about your little club and then we can do questions and corrections as you tell me about yourselves.”
“Before we begin,” Gladys said, “I’d like to ask about your scars. My understanding is that scars shouldn’t be possible for people like us.”
“Why is that?” Jason asked.
“Because we heal using the soul as a template,” Gladys said.
“Doesn’t that answer your question?” Jason asked.
“Wait,” Gladys said. “You’re saying that your soul is scarred?”
“I think ‘marked’ might be a more accurate term. Soul scars are usually what they call it in the other universe, but I have more experience with this than most. The soul is a resilient thing, and it can’t truly be harmed by external forces. Even the most extreme, which I have tested quite thoroughly.”
“Then what causes those marks?” Gladys asked.
“Your soul is who you are, at the core,” Jason said. “Some experiences change you, fundamentally. Standing against an enemy you didn’t think you could survive. Enduring a tribulation you thought would annihilate you. The scars left behind may seem to be from the wounds you suffered, but the reality is that you put them there yourself.”
“Psychological scars made manifest,” Gladys said.
“Something like that. I spent some time with a healer well-versed in soul trauma. I learned a lot from him.”
“What about that tattoo on your back?” Nigel asked. “We use magic tattoos ourselves, but nothing that elaborate.”
“I’ve used a regular magic tattoo in the past,” Jason said. “I lost it when I ranked up to bronze. From category one to two.”
“The same happens with ours,” Nigel said.
“This one on my back is different,” Jason said. “It’s called a personal crest and it’s a physical representation of my soul. It allows me to prove that I’m me, regardless of how much my aura might change. It’s impossible to replicate, as far as I’m aware, which stops some shapeshifter from assuming my identity. Of course, that’s only if someone checks it. If a dragon takes my shape to steal biscuits, for example, then people probably won’t go to the bother.”
The Network team shared uncertain looks.
“Dragon?” Anna asked.
“His name’s Stash. Adorable little fellow, but he does get up to mischief.”
“You expect us to believe in dragons?” Other Gordon asked.
“Mate, I got sucked through a dimensional solar flare into an alternate universe. If you’re going to balk at the first magical creature that comes along, then you might as well just sit there quietly and be grateful your name isn’t Other Colin.”
“What?”
“I think, Mr Truffett,” Keith said, “we might be best served by listening instead of talking.”
“Can I get a better look at your tattoo?” Asya asked.
“I’m not sure turning my back on you lot is the smartest choice,” Jason said, “but that’s more of a metaphor.”
Jason turned and let them look without it being half-obscured by a towel. After a moment, Jason turned back around and retook his position behind the bar.
“That’s what your soul looks like?” Asya asked.
“From the outside,” Jason said. “From the inside, it’s more like a garden.”
“You’ve seen the inside of your soul?” Gladys asked.
“I’ve had some experiences that have developed my capacity for self-reflection,” Jason said. “I’m sure we can talk about the specifics at a later date. What you need to know now is that I went to a magical alternate universe, died a couple of times, obtained cosmic power and knowledge and came home.”
“What do you mean by ‘died’?” Anna said.