A Fragment . . .

[omorka]

Fragile stems, feathery leaves. Tiny thorns, biting the pads of the fingers; even smaller ridges along the leaf scars. Finding the weakest place, where cellulose fibers stop, branch, change texture. *snap*

Subtle shades of green, under the sparkle and motion of perfectly clear water (so glad She installed the filter, the tiny particles of particulate were driving us crazy). The imperfection of a single bug bite; pinch it off, that fleck of scar-brown against the pretty, pretty green. The network of veins criss-crossing - there, another break in the pattern; ah, just a growth flaw. Leave it. Now, cross-cut into pieces of graduated size, from smallest to largest.

Water vapor, then the tang of salt. Fresh rawness. Starch - no, several starches. Proteins - a few animal, but mostly plant. Cellulose. More salt. Pungence! Aromatic herbs.

Salt. Capascin. Chlorophyll. Fructose, glucose. Myoglobin. Fatty acids of all descriptions. Needs more starch to absorb the excess salt. And another bay leaf. This - lactose. Yeast. Gluten, brans. More fiber? A little dull as it is. Ah, fructose syrup with dissolved waxy impurities - perfect!

Soft, lumpy - push it. Turn, push down, push across - there, the first few strands forming. Sticky - the starch isn't tamed yet. Turn, push; the powder of more to keep it from sticking. Dry and moist. Turn, push, push; a few more strands, pulling into place. Sticky turns to satin. Turn, push, push, roll. Pick off individual pieces, each exactly the same weight.

Roll, roll. No - too much on one side. Not exactly the same length. A bit off here, a bit more there - perfect. No, these two are of slightly different thicknesses - fix it. No, that's not right either. Help me!

Heat changing the proteins, softening the starches, breaking down the cellulose, releasing the essential oils from the aromatics. Yeast, dying under heat; gluten browning. "It's ready!"

--

"It's wonderful, boys. You did very well. Where's Oido?"

"He's sulking. He said he couldn't help."