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[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[Have a Handy humming to himself in the kitchen as he goes about getting ingredients out of pantries and the refrigerator.  After speaking with Ray and Chris earlier, he is almost certain he knows how to make pancakes.  He has never actually done this, however.  He figures now would be as good a time as any to distract himself by testing out this assumption]

Comments

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[is that a greater failure than him making assumptions about her intentions? IS IT?]

Even if you are only making enough for one, I would suggest that not only am I a lady, I am your guest. And I do know you to have manners. It is not as if I eat a great deal.

[not with those corsets]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Still, impolite to show up unannounced. I suppose I can let it go this once.

[and he's up to the bit in the pan, but it's making those weird pancake bubbles, which he pokes at a bit, before deciding to have a go at a flip. he sort of misses half the pan, with half going back in the pan and half folding over it. he will now attempt to push it back into the pan]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

How reassuring to know that all my sins have been forgiven.

[and in case he should glance over, she is absolutely not laughing]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Isn't it?

[trying not to be too distracted by his bad cooking skills, he opts to go over to the trash and toss his attempt]

How do sandwiches sound?

[he looks back at her after that statement and sees that "absolutely not laughing" and rocks a little on his heels, embarrassed, before turning around to start his new task]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[at that she stands, seems to consider her silk skirts and then give an elegant lift of her shoulders]

How does crepes sound instead? I could demonstrate how?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Crepes?

[stops and turns]

That could be good, yeah. I'm a bit rubbish with the pancakes it seems. I thought I knew how to make them. Still, not to late to learn. And crepes would be brilliant.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

Well, you have already procured all the needed ingredients.

[she collects four of the eggs and cracks them deftly into a mixing bowl. Though she does not cook often, this is obviously something is familiar with]

My favorite chef in France never used any particular recepies. He used his head, and his hands and let the rest come. Perhaps that is how it will be for you.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[he follows her as she moves around the kitchen, taking note of how she goes about making crepes]

Maybe. Or it just might not be part of my skill set. Still, I'm sure there are other things I can manage much better.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I believe you can manage this, if you really wish to. With most things, it is only a matter of desire.

[she considers this]

With the exception of water colors. We simply cannot manage to agree.

[she adds the flour, and after several minutes of whisking, the milk]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Well, water colors do enjoy being stubborn. Still, I'm sure there are other mediums you're a bit more at harmony with.

[continues to take note of the process. he might be hovering at this point over her shoulder]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

The colors were never what I wanted. I found I favored oils.

[if you stand that close, you know, you are bound to catch an elbow]

There. The batter is ready. Is there anything you would like inside them?

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[backs off a bit to ponder]

Bananas maybe? Whipped cream, that's always good. Oooh, and chocolate. I think I saw some chocolate, too.

Can you do that?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

No. I am afraid I cannot do all that.

in complete seriousness]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh.

[thinks]

You can do the bananas at least though, yeah? Or strawberries. I had that before, banana and strawberry crepes.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

I mean to suggest that I cannot do it all. But we can.

[a bright smile]

You shall make the cream.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Oh!

[smiles, and then a thoughtful frown]

How do you make cream?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she moves towards the icebox - a marvelous machine - and produces heavy whipping cream. She pours it into another mixing bowl and then adds sugar]

There. All that is left is to whisk. And you shall make cream.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

Whisk. [nods to himself] I can do that.

[looks around and grabs the electric hand mixer and gets to work, and ooooh, look at it ripple!]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

When it -- well, when it resembles cream, you will know you are done.

[Reinette isn't the only one addicted to the shiny]

You might even steal a taste.

[with that she heats the stove, then deftly pours a thin layer of batter into the bottom of a small skillet.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

That seems simple enough.

[come on now, he is part-Doctor]

Might I?

[and mix, mix, mix some more]

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[she laughs, then]

Absolutely.

[she is carefully rotating the skillet, creating an extra thin layer with the batter]

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[he lifts an eyebrow, and takes her up on that and samples some before coming over to the oven and watching her cook]

Never knew you had managed to master the culinary world either.

[exagerated tone] Where do you find the time?

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[with the crepe complete she begins to slice a banana on of it, allowing the heat to simmer through. After several more moments she folds it over on itself, again and again]

I had a great many lessons in my youth. This was just one of them.

[she glances over at her shoulder at him]

I borrow it from sleep, and claim the time as my own.

[handysparehand.livejournal.com]

[watches this process]

Well then, from now on, if one of us has to make something, you best take the lead.

[moves to the side so he's standing next to her now, placing the bowl on the counter]

You don't like sleeping. I think it's brilliant. One of the pleasures of being human. All those places your mind can take you.

[ambitious-woman.livejournal.com]

[once the bananas have simmered into the remaining batter, creating a sweet glaze she carefully folds it over on itself, again and again until a imperfect triangle is formed. It is one of the few things in her life where she does not seek perfection. Practiced ease moves it onto the plate]

On occasion it is not my mind.

And hours slept are hours less that I have to claim as my own.

[finally she turns to face him, a smile evident. She presents the plate]

Cream?