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 Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 5:27 pm
When the Englishman looked so astounded at his offer, Shane could no longer hold in the laugh he'd be holding in and let out a genuine laugh. It took him a couple of moments to recover as he wiped an imaginary tear from his eye and grinned over at the man. The grin almost fell, though, when Archer asked when their lesson would be and Shane took on a more pensive posture.
Just when would they sneak into the kitchen for a lesson? He hadn't really thought the offer through - it had been completely spur of the moment. It was a typical Shane situation. Great idea...no idea how to follow through. Shane tapped at his chin as he folded one arm across his chest thinking on the matter as hard as he might. Finally feigning defeat, he comically tossed his hands into the air before winking at the man before saying, "Well, lad, I hadn't thought it through to be honest. I've no idea when we might get together - what works best for you?"
What would Moira say when she found out he'd be giving cooking lessons to an Englishman? She'd probably laugh at him. A lot. She knew about the problems the two countries had with one another and she'd probably find it amusing he was teaching another man to cook at all.
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Posted: Thu Dec 25, 2008 11:28 am
Archer frowned as the other man started to laugh, Perhaps he had said something wrong after all? He reviewed the conversation in his head and found perhaps the Irishman did not fully mean it when he suggested the idea.
Blast.
Presently though, the Irishman straightened up, asking for a time to get together. Archer stroked his chin. "Considering the rather dispiriting quality of desserts around the place, I suggest we go in the evening. It seems to me the chefs must light off as soon as they can after dinner is served." As for what time would suit Archer, he was a man with no social life. His appointment book was free till his next mission or Doomsday. Not quite ready to admit this, he said instead "I live for the convenience of others. Whenever is convenient for you, Sir, I shall make time in my schedule."
This seemed a good and proper plan. Archer felt a brief surge of pride for his attempt at bring friendly.
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Posted: Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:16 pm
As he laughing thoroughly, Shane entirely missed the misgivings Archer displayed with a frown and so was unable to reassure the man he hadn't meant anything ill by it. Ah well, there was nothing the Irishman could do either way as the man before him seemed to be formulating his thoughts as Shane finally stood silently. Was the Englishman that busy? Perhaps it had been a mistake to invite him to cooking lessons at his leisure...
Many thoughts flitted through the Irishman's fairly scattered brain as the man before him began to speak, at last. Slowly, Shane nodded his head, he had noticed the chefs took leave near after dinner. But he had also noted they often arrived early to prepare dinner. And somehow, one of them always managed to catch him no matter what hour he went in the kitchen. But, of course, he'd not tell Archer of this. It would spoil the fun of it all, anyhow! It was much better, in Shane's mind, to cook in someone else's kitchen when they might find you and to have that bit of adrenaline rush through your veins, than to cook in your own without the threat of being chased with a wooden spoon.
Of course, the leniency with which Archer gave him in planning the when also made Shane curious. Did the Englishman have few friends here? Maybe they should throw a party...come to think of it, he was sure that Russian lad would be willing to assist in such an endeavor. Maybe...he'd just have to find him once again, wouldn't he?
Tilting his head ever so slightly, the Irishman finally beamed, "Well, lad, let me have some time to acquire the ingredients...and the knowledge of when precisely the lasses'll be outta the kitchen. But I should think in two weeks' time would be all right. How does that sound? In two weeks, two or so hours after dinner?"
It was a vague plan, but at least there was some semblance of a plan, after all.
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Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2008 7:29 am
Archer nodded. "it sounds to me to be an excellent plan." he confirmed.
Then he paused. What did one say after that?
Archer decided that though it would be proper to remain and make more conversation, the fact that the most he could manage on a good day was uncomfortable small talk, and the further fact that half an hour or so ago he hadn't been able to say ANYTHING amiable to the Irishman warranted a quick getaway whilst they were still on speaking terms. He didn't want to ruin all his work, after all. Getting up, he concluded,
"Well. Thank you for offering the lessons, Mr. Rian. I am sure they shall be most helpful for me." He gave a stiff bow. "However, I am afraid I must leave your company for the moment. I have business to attend to in the library, and though it was delightful meeting you again, I must attend to it." He paused. "Cheerio, then." he said, trying an amiable tone on for size. He began to walk away, a bit relieved.
Homesickness briefly forgotten, Archer Wells had somewhat triumphantly faced down the challenge of talking to the Irishman.
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Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2009 10:02 pm
It was rather amusing to see the Englishman bow and Shane was tempted to respond with a silly one of his own, but in consideration for the tenuous relationship the two were slowly creating, he chose to instead respond with a simple nod and a smile. To a man so proper as Archer, it may have seen stiff and rude, but Shane hoped it came off just as he'd meant it - a goodbye amongst friends. (However new they may be.)
As the other man walked away, Shane grinned his own farewell, though perhaps too quite for Archer to have heard,
"Not a problem, lad, not a problem."
And as he headed off to his own room, Shane began to wonder just what they should cook and when - and if the Russian should be invited as well. But then, perhaps it was too soon to throw another unknown person into the mixture...?
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