Dr. Kelnor adjusted his glasses and glanced over his notes before looking up at the couple sitting across from him. Ronda Riy sat with her arms crossed, her big round glasses slightly askew as she glared at her boyfriend, Faro Faros. She wore a white tank top tucked into a blue jean’s shorts, long socks, and white tennis shoes. Faro, looking sheepish, shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding both Ronda’s and Dr. Kelnor’s gaze. He wore a gray t-shirt, dark jeans, and brown boots.
“So, Faro,” Dr. Kelnor began, his tone calm but firm. “Ronda tells me that you promised to stop your… habit.”
Faro exhaled sharply. “I did! I swear I tried, doc, but… I slipped up.”
Ronda scoffed. “Slipped up? I caught you red-handed! You were in the bathroom with a bag full of her dirty laundry, Faro!” Her voice cracked with frustration.
Dr. Kelnor nodded. “Faro, I need you to be honest. Why do you do this?”
Faro hesitated, rubbing the back of his head. “It’s… it’s hard to explain. aunty Rita’s scent—it, uh, motivates me, keeps me focused. It’s like… a power boost. I don’t get the same feeling from Ronda’s scent, and I don’t know why.”
Ronda’s face turned red with anger and hurt. “And that’s exactly the problem, Faro! Do you even hear yourself? You’re saying my smell isn’t good enough for you! How do you think that makes me feel?” Her voice wavered as she blinked back tears. “I feel belittled, like I’m second place to my own boyfriend’s obsession with his aunt’s… used clothes.”
Faro reached for her hand, but she pulled away. “It’s not like that, Ronda. I love you, but I don’t know how to stop. I want to stop.”
Dr. Kelnor sighed. “Breaking an addiction isn’t easy, especially one that provides a deep psychological comfort. But Ronda is right to feel hurt. This is affecting your relationship. If you truly want to stop, we need to set boundaries and find healthier coping mechanisms.”
Later that evening, back at Ronda’s apartment, the atmosphere remained tense. Faro sat on the couch, head down, while Ronda paced back and forth.
“I just don’t know if I can keep dealing with this, Faro,” she muttered. “I need to be enough for you. If I’m not, then what’s the point?”
Before Faro could answer, the door swung open, and in walked Rita Faros, looking radiant in a bottle green mini skirt and a tight red top. She tossed her long brunette hair over her shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “What’s going on here?”
Ronda’s eyes blazed as she turned to face Faro’s aunt. “What’s going on? I’ll tell you what’s going on. My boyfriend is addicted to your dirty laundry, ‘aunty’ Rita! And apparently, my scent isn’t ‘motivating’ enough for him.”
Rita smirked slightly before her expression softened. “Oh, Ronda, you’re overreacting.”
“Overreacting?” Ronda shrieked.
Rita walked over to Faro and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Look, Faro is a warrior. He needs something that fuels him. If my scent gives him the drive to fight, then what’s the harm?”
Ronda threw up her hands. “The harm is that it makes me feel like I’m not good enough!”
Faro, still seated, finally spoke up. “Rita, thank you for understanding, but… Ronda is right. It’s not fair to her. I have to stop. No more sneaking around, no more excuses. I’ll do my best to cure myself of this dirty habit.”
Ronda stared at him for a long moment, then sighed. “I just want to be enough for you, Faro.”
He stood up and took her hands. “You are enough, Ronda. I just need to rewire my brain.”
Rita clapped her hands together. “Good! Now that that’s settled, I brought groceries. I’m making dinner—Faro’s favorite! Roasted chicken in garlic sauce.”
Despite the lingering tension, the aroma of Rita’s cooking soon filled the apartment. As they sat around the dinner table, a strange sense of peace settled over them. Maybe things weren’t perfect, but at least they were trying.
Thundarr-Style Roasted Whole Chicken with Garlic Sauce
A bold and hearty dish inspired by the rugged landscapes of Thundarr Forest and the rich culinary traditions of Thundarr City. This roasted chicken is infused with aromatic herbs and spices, served with a creamy garlic sauce made from the finest Thundranum-fired ingredients.
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 1 whole chicken (about 4-5 lbs)
- 2 tbsp Thundarr salt (or coarse sea salt)
- 1 tbsp cracked black pepper
- 1 tbsp smoked paprika
- 1 tsp ground Thundarr soil spice (or cumin)
- 1 tsp dried Snow Land herbs (or thyme)
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 4 tbsp melted Thundarr butter (or regular butter)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lemon, quartered
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 2 sprigs fresh parsley
- 1 large onion, quartered
- 2 tbsp Thundarr oil (or olive oil)
For the Garlic Sauce:
- 6 cloves garlic, roasted and mashed
- 1/2 cup thick Thundarr cream (or heavy cream)
- 2 tbsp Thundarr butter
- 1 tbsp Thundarr flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) or set up a Thundranum-fired roasting pit.
- Pat the chicken dry with a clean cloth. Rub it all over with Thundarr salt, black pepper, smoked paprika, Thundarr soil spice, Snow Land herbs, and red pepper flakes.
- Mix the melted butter with minced garlic and brush it generously over the chicken.
- Stuff the cavity with lemon quarters, rosemary, parsley, and onion.
- Truss the chicken (tie the legs together) for even cooking.
- Drizzle Thundarr oil over the chicken and place it in a roasting pan.
Step 2: Roast the Chicken
- Roast for about 1 hour 30 minutes, basting every 30 minutes with its own juices.
- Increase the temperature to 425°F (220°C) for the last 15 minutes to crisp the skin.
- Use a meat thermometer—once the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F (75°C), remove it from the oven.
- Let the chicken rest for 10-15 minutes before carving.
Step 3: Prepare the Garlic Sauce
- In a saucepan, melt Thundarr butter over medium heat.
- Add the roasted garlic and mash it into a paste.
- Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute to form a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth and bring to a simmer.
- Pour in the Thundarr cream, salt, black pepper, and lemon juice.
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes until thick and creamy.
Step 4: Serve
- Carve the roasted chicken and serve with the warm garlic sauce drizzled over the top.
- Pair with Thundarr Forest root vegetables or fresh Thundarr Land greens for a complete meal.
Enjoy this legendary Thundarr-style feast worthy of warriors and adventurers alike!
