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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 5, 2009 18:51:40 GMT -5
Lily watched Julian work, mentally running through some recipes she had for chocolate desserts. Hmmm....perhaps..no, those had to sit overnight. Ah! She had it! But...hmm...maybe not. There were so many choices! Loving chocolate as much as she did, it was so difficult to narrow it down to one...or maybe two. Julian's question jolted her out of her thoughts. "Any entities?" What was he talking about? Oh! Her friend was asking about another man, although she had to say, he'd been incredibly tactful about it. Nearly too tactful, because she'd almost missed his point. "No, there aren't any other "entities". A couple of friends, but I doubt Allegra and Sofia will mind. How do you feel about tarte choco-poire? Or perhaps some zabaglione? We could always have some chocolate tiramisu, of course, unless you've had your fill of tiramisu for today," Lily said with a wink. She fully intended to make at least two things, and wanted his opinion on her ideas.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 5, 2009 19:43:22 GMT -5
"A fruity selection," Julian remarked, laughing as he did so. "Why, yes, those would be great," he said in reply to her suggestions. He continued to work on the tomatoes, slicing and seeding them carefully before placing them on top of the parmesan layer, arranging the tomatoes, mozzarella and basil leaves in a manner that seemed meticulous, but having made this pizza for countless times before, Julian was merely doing it by memory.
Even if he commented no more on the topic of Lily's boyfriend (or lack thereof), Julian was more than relieved to hear that there was no other man in the young woman's life, not because he was aiming for that spot, but because he didn't want any complications with the host-guest relationship that he was getting into with Lily. There had been many instances in the past where Julian was mistaken as "the new man of her life", and even if he was a peaceful, diplomatic person, Julian wasn't really equipped for dealing with jealous lovers of the women he's acquainted with. Usually it ends with Julian sporting a bruise in his face, and right now, the former Eau wanted none of that.
After oiling the top once more, Julian placed the first pizza in the oven. He nearly forgot the boiling pot for the pasta, so he opened a pack of spaghetti noodles and placed them in the pot to boil while he worked on the carbonara sauce.
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 6, 2009 16:11:31 GMT -5
Lily smiled. "I like fruit with my dessert, I think it really sets off the chocolate," she said as she got to work on the tart. Falling silent, at least for the moment, Lily began slicing the pears. She found it easier to have them sliced before melting the chocolate so they could be placed right away. Thanking Merlin she had double ovens so that the tart could bake while the pizza was also cooking, Lily started melting the chocolate, stirring carefully to avoid burning or binding. Satisfied that it wasn't going to burn, she quickly whipped up a pie crust, having done it so many times she could probably manage it in her sleep.
Knowing how easily she could manage her tasks, Lily allowed her thoughts to wander, and found herself wondering if Julian had someone she should be concerned about. After all, a girlfriend of his would likely be just as unhappy about their arrangement as a boyfriend of hers would be. Lily thought about it for a moment, wondering if it was tactful to ask, and certainly not wanting Julian to think she was asking for...ulterior motives. Finally deciding it was better to know, Lily spoke up.
"So, are there any...entities I should be worried about finding out about you staying with me?" Lily asked, focused on her tart.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 8, 2009 19:09:34 GMT -5
He wasn't that surprised to be asked the same question; it was only fair deal. Julian was currently working on the pancetta in olive oil while pondering the best answer: was there an entity that cared the least bit about him moving in a young lady's place as a guest for one week? There was, yes, but right now she didn't know where he was hiding, so literally, no one would really know about it.
Julian decided to simply tell the truth, for it won't do good to Lily if he colored his answer the way Julian was known to do in the past. Beating eggs and adding the Parmesan, Julian replied with a smile, "I'm pretty sure at least some one would feel scandalized about my moving in here, even if it's just for the rest of the week. But she doesn't know where I am right now, and perhaps, given the situation, I don't think she would go out in search of me."
"I'm just glad I get to manage myself though; I'd hate to imagine if I've got maniacal managers hounding my footsteps," he added casually. So what did he just say? Depends on how Lily would interpret it.
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 10, 2009 17:47:01 GMT -5
She? There was a she? Lily felt her heart sink a little, although she wasn't entirely sure why. He was, after all, just a friend. She should be more worried about the repurcussions if this "she" found them, not feeling...dejected. Pushing the thought to the back of her mind, Lily smiled at his comment about his managers, or rather, the lack thereof.
"Ah, yes, managers would be rather annoying, no doubt. I know mine is, and I only have one, and certainly not your degree of talent even if we are in completely different fields." Lily stopped. She was rambling again. Biting her lip for a moment, she continued her work on the tart in silence, at least for the moment.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 10, 2009 18:33:46 GMT -5
The pan sizzled and aromatic smells wafted through the kitchen as Julian went on to cook the spaghetti. In a few minutes, the pasta will be ready, and so would the pizza be. Julian wondered if he had killed the conversation, but cooking was like a form of meditation sometimes, that talking might somehow ruin the momentum. He would have wanted to ask who was the manager Lily had mentioned earlier, but he was so concentrated on the process of cooking that he just had to remain silent. After a while, Julian served the pasta in a large plate and paused for a bit to watch Lily work on the tart.
"Did you say you have a manager?" he asked, piqued with curiosity. Julian could smell the pizza, and if he and Lily were to continue working, they'll be just in time for lunch.
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 10, 2009 18:41:20 GMT -5
The tart ready to pop into the oven as soon as the pizza came out, Lily quickly began whipping up the zabaglione. It only took a few minutes, and was quite simple to make. Easily she lost herself in her cooking, briefly recollecting the few times she'd done so. Usually it ended with her having far more food than she could ever eat, and at those times, her neighbors became quite happy with her. Who else would she have shared the food with? She certainly couldn't let it go to waste.
Julian's question pulled her out of her thoughts. "Huh? Oh, I just meant my manager down at the hospital. She's....not a very nice person. I tend to avoid her as much as possible, but it's difficult. The dratted woman's everywhere, always hovering, waiting for you to make a mistake so she can correct you." As she talked, she poured the chocolate into two pretty glasses she'd gotten for cooking projects such as these.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 10, 2009 18:58:28 GMT -5
The meal was nearly ready, and Julian took out his wand to start cleaning the kitchen up and preparing the dining table. The excess, unused and unopened packets of ingredients were neatly and safely stored away within the kitchen cupboards while the counters cleaned themselves and the used utensils piled themselves near the sink. The table where they were about to partake the lovely meal was prepared as well, where the plate of pasta floated over to and clean plates and forks and knives arranged themselves for two people.
Fresh from the oven pizza followed and settled itself beside the pasta, while the second pizza was cooking away in the oven. Julian checked the clam chowder in the stove, and opening the pot, he ladled two servings which neatly placed themselves on the dining table as well.
"Ready?" Julian asked Lily, finding himself answering in the affirmative if the question was directed at him.
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 10, 2009 21:50:20 GMT -5
The tart was in the oven, the zabaglione was ready, and the chowder was done, as was apparently everything else. Lily looked on with appreciation as Julian cleaned and set the table with a wave of his wand. "Nicely done," she commented on the older man's skill. "And yes, I'm ready. Starving, actually," she added as the delicious aromas of their lunch began making her stomach growl. Setting the timer for the tarte, she took out a bottle of wine and poured each of them a glass before seating herself at the table.
"This looks and smells amazing. Lucky I ran into you, or I'd be eating much worse," she said teasingly.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 20, 2009 21:55:33 GMT -5
Julian laughed, pleased to have his culinary ego stroked. He sat across Lily and waited for the young woman to finish pouring each of them a glass. Julian took his glass and raised it in cheers before saying, "Let's dig in, shall we?"
But instead of digging the fork in the plate of pasta, Julian simply watched and waited for Lily to go first.
(sorry! will post better in the next round, promise!)
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 20, 2009 23:47:52 GMT -5
(That was a very sad post. Good thing I like you so much, Mai!)
Lily raised her glass in response to Julian, then lifted it to her mouth and took a sip. Noting that he waited for her to eat, Lily picked up her spoon and dug into the chowder, trying to still manage to eat in a relatively ladylike way. Considering her long history of clumsiness, it took a bit of concentration to eat without spilling things everywhere. But the food! She hadn't tasted anything that good in a while, and after taking several bites of everything, decided to say as much.
"This is amazing, Julian," she said before taking another delicious bite of pizza.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 21, 2009 0:03:41 GMT -5
(Yeah, I almost cried when I gave up on it as being a lost case.)
Once the "ladies first" tradition had been followed and Lily had her first few bites of the dishes, Julian followed suit and began eating. It had been his routine that whenever he cooked for someone, he would wait to see their reaction first before tasting any of his creations. At first, it had been his way of sparing himself of the awful tastes during his early attempts at cooking, using friends and family as willing guinea pigs for his culinary experiments and practices. Only when he had gained a bit more prowess did he simply wait for people's reaction to his masterpieces so that his own eating mood might reflect theirs.
That moment when Lily praised his pizza, Julian felt encouraged to taste his own. He might even believe that the pizza tasted better than it actually does, but if Lily didnt particularly like it, he might have lost his appetite.
"Thank you," he said, beaming. "Think this can impress the neighbors as well?"
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 21, 2009 18:21:49 GMT -5
Julian's smile was infectious, and Lily couldn't help grinning back at him. "I think the neighbors wouldn't know what hit them! They're not used to such fine cuisine," she added with a wink. It appeared that he, too, was enjoying the food, and that made Lily happy. Granted, Julian had done most of the work, at least on the main dishes, but she was excited to see his reaction to dessert later on.
Happily Lily continued to dig into her food, enjoying every bite of it. Good thing she hadn't taken more food, she didn't want to get too full as she cleaned her plate. There were still two different, delicious desserts waiting for them.
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Post by Julian Auriole on Mar 29, 2009 15:25:00 GMT -5
Julian enjoyed the lunch so much that he didn't notice how the two of them managed to eat most of the food on the table. Granted, there was still another pizza in the oven, but apart from sending it over to the neighbors in an attempt to either be generous or gloat, the two former Eaux could easily have it for dinner later on. Wasn't Julian spending the week?
"Well, I just felt my waistbands shrink," The man commented, making fun of how satiated he was with the meal. He gave his rather firm stomach a couple of pats while giving out a small chuckle. He was full, but knowing what treat was awaiting him, he felt it was just right to leave room for the sweets that Lily made.
"How about we get to those desserts?" he suggested.
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Post by Princess Ami Selomna on Mar 29, 2009 21:17:22 GMT -5
Julian's suggestion to move on to dessert came at just the right moment. Standing and clearing the plates and dishes, Lily took them into the kitchen and dumped them into the sink to be washed after they were finished with dinner. With the ease of practice, Lily piled up clean plates and silverware and balanced the tarte and zabaglione before her, moving back into the dining area and quickly setting the table. After placing the glass in front of Julian containing the zabaglione, Lily cut a large slice of the tarte and served it to him before serving herself.
Much like Julian had done earlier, Lily paused and allowed him to sample the desserts first, anxious to see his reaction before she began eating them as well.
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