Wasabi

“Are these walls paper?” asked Trey, poking his finger at the partition behind his head. The room was separated into different seating areas by these short walls. He heard a quiet conversation from the other side.

“Yeah, I guess,” Hanna replied. “Though these are probably plastic.”

Rhea reached across the black lacquered table and touched Trey’s hand. “You’ve really never been to a sushi bar before?”

Trey smiled uncomfortably, shifting his position on the pillow he sat upon. “Oh no. Never heard of such a thing before this day.”

“Oh, you’re in for a treat,” said Martin. “This place is really great.”

Hanna smiled warmly at him. “You can try some of mine. I think you should stick with the teriyaki steak.”

“I can handle a steak.” Trey scanned down the menu. “I don’t know what any of this is.”

“It won’t be quite courtly fare, but I think you’ll like it,” Hanna said.

“You can’t come to a sushi bar and not eat sushi,” giggled Rhea. She leaned toward Trey. “But sashimi’s the way to go.”

“What is that?” said Trey.

“Raw fish on rice,” grinned Rhea.

“You eat raw fish?” Trey grimaced.

“A lot of sushi is raw, too,” said Martin with a shrug. He took the menu from in front of Trey. “The spider roll is great.”

Trey turned to Hanna aghast. “You eat raw fish?”

“Yes.” Hanna rolled her eyes coyly.

“Ugh.” Trey shuddered.

“It’s really good.” Hanna touched his shoulder. “But it’s not all raw. You can try some of the cooked stuff.”

“Sweet potato roll!” said Gareth, joining them at last and sitting down heavily.

“Potatoes?” said Trey.

“Yeah,” said Hanna. “So sushi is usually sticky rice and whatever else you want on it. Then you add some soy sauce, ginger, and wasabi…”

“Wasabi!” interrupted Gareth.

“Wasabi,” said Hanna. “And it’s delicious. We’ll get a sweet potato roll…”

“Several,” said Gareth.

“A spider roll…” said Martin.

“Philly roll,” said Hanna.

“No harm in a California Roll,” said Rhea.

“And a bunch of maki,” said Hanna with a giggle. She turned to Trey. “And teriyaki steak for you.”

Trey’s face was blank. He sighed. “Raw fish? You have all of this technology and you’re eating raw fish?”

“Yes,” Hanna replied. “And it’s wonderful.”

“You’re mad.”

***

“How is your steak, Trey?” asked Martin.

“Different,” Trey, “but good.”

“Ready to try some sushi?” Rhea held up a piece of salmon maki.

“Um, no,” said Trey.

“Try this one, Trey,” said Hanna, offering him a piece of California roll. “All cooked. Harmless.”

Trey took the piece from Hanna with his fingers, and examined it. “I’ll regret this, won’t I?”

“Eat it,” said Gareth.

Trey popped the piece into his mouth, and chewed cautiously, wrinkling his nose.

“Huh? Yeah?” said Rhea. “Good stuff, huh?”

Trey nodded. “All right, I guess,” he said after swallowing.

“Bah,” said Gareth. “Now try it with soy and wasabi.” Gareth dipped another piece of the California roll into the small dish before him. It was a mixture of soy sauce and the green paste they called wasabi. “Here.”

Trey took the piece. A great glob of wasabi clung to it. “’Tis better this way, aye?”

“Wasabi makes everything better,” said Martin.

Trey shrugged and popped the piece into his mouth just as Hanna said, “No, wait!”

He chewed. “Not bad.”

Suddenly Trey’s mouth was aflame. His ears burned and his scalp itched. He leapt to his feet, knocking the partition behind him askew. He coughed, spitting rice from his mouth. Blinded by tears, he frantically reached for his sword, which was not there.

“Oh no!” Hanna grabbed at him. “Water!”

“Oh, dear God!” Trey gasped. He snatched the glass of water from Hanna’s hands and poured it into his mouth, spilling it down the front of himself. He gagged and coughed again, dropping to his knees. Hanna fell with him, supporting him while he fought for breath. After a minute, he calmed and lifted his head to gaze at Hanna. “What poison is this?”

Gareth roared with laughter, joined by Rhea.

Martin smiled. “Poison? Some would call it that.”

Hanna smiled. “Oh Trey. Too much wasabi.”

“Wasabi.” Trey wiped his running nose and rubbed the tears from his cheeks. “Wasabi?”

“You don’t need much,” murmured Hanna.

Trey grinned. “Aye. What a weapon. One could fell hordes with that.”

Gareth howled.

“And you like this?” Trey asked.

“Yeah. Crazy, right?” said Hanna.

“You’re all mad,” laughed Trey. “But I like you nevertheless.”

“Good man, Trey,” said Martin, helping him up again.

“But you!” Trey pointed accusingly at Gareth. “You I’ll not trust again.”

Gareth bellowed. “Wise man, you are. Wise man. Want another piece?”