[Alucard knows that the bread is good, that the jam is exactly the right kind of sweet without being cloying, the hint of clove just right if one knows to taste for it. Still, the compliment gets to him, and there is a little swell of pride. It's nice, hearing he's at least good at something these days.]

Thank you. I'm sure it'd be halfway decent in reality as well. [There is a pause of consideration, then a soft snuffle that shows that he is wrong about at least one thing.] The jam, I'm not sure. The ingredients for it might not even exist here.

[He's begun to look into the culinary culture of the Free Cities, but time has not been on the dhampir's side for true study. Jams, yes, those exist. Do the same kinds of fruits survive? He's seen a few familiar things, but never mind that.]

So long as at least a portion of the security system is working, I suppose I can stick to only curing meat. That's less likely to perfume the woods, and I do have a fair amount of venison left.

[Venison jerky is the next culinary experiment it seems, but no matter. It doesn't exist in the real world, going through the motions is useful practice. The skill has gone underused lately.]

Then you found more than I did. I'd dare say I need to go back again. Do you recall what areas they were in? [A pause, and then:] Would you like more than just bread?