Shot 02 - written

[easierdonethansaid]

[In the late morning, Sebastian Moran opens up his Journal. Today, he just writes in it. Easier than switching between writing and talking right now.]

I don't mean to be a bother, but I did have a question for all you fine folks.

See, I've been craving a little taste of home, and today seems as good a day as any. I know what I need, but I admit I don't know quite what your shops around here carry.

I've got a list, though, and I'd be much obliged if anyone could tell me what you know the shops don't carry.


Coriander
Turmeric
Cumin
Fenugreek
Red pepper
Cinnamon (powdered and stick)
Mustard seed
Ginger
Garlic
Black pepper
Peppercorns
Cardamom

Tomatoes
Onion
Rice flour
Olive oil
Chickpeas
Salt

Plain yoghurt
Olive oil
Distilled vinegar
Chile peppers
Mint leaves
Chicken
Basmati rice
Bay leaves


Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Col. S. Moran

Comments

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

[He has to smile.]

Actually like yours with a little spice. Wonderful.

[A chuckle.]

My employer? Would hardly touch anything Indian unless I favoured cinnamon and garlic over cumin and pepper.

So I'm thrilled to actually give it some flavour.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

I wouldn't go for proper Indian if I didn't like a little spice, so I'm happy to indulge you. And even if he didn't like it, your employer was lucky to have you. A bodyguard and a cook.

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

I'd have had to learn to cook with him. Like I said-- paranoid. Sometimes he'd have a meal out, but usually?

He didn' see it cooked? He didn' touch it.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

Mm. So you're used to people watching you make supper, then. [She grins.]

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

And very unused to help being offered.

[He chuckled then.]

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

Well, luckily for you, I haven't hired you to cook for me. Although maybe I should, seeing as you're clearly better at it than me. What's your going rate?

[She's smirking, just in case he hasn't picked up that she's joking. Although having a person chef would actually be pretty cool.]

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

Wouldn' do much good, tryin' to get paid here.

[A laugh.]

But I'm happy to. No reason to let it go to waste.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

That's what I was afraid of. Although, this is good, actually - if nothing else, being stuck here gives me a chance to learn.

[A thought occurs to her.]

I guess it would be strange if a woman who wasn't wealthy didn't know how to cook in your day and age. They all got married young and cooked for their husbands, right?

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

Good deal of 'em did. Wot was expected, and most didn' see much of a choice.

Met a few exceptions, but, well... [He shrugged his shoulders.] Didn' meet too many young ones in a military set-up in India. An' when I came back, ran mostly in the pr'fessor's circles.

Not too many 'round the university.

[Then there was Adler... But she was better left unmentioned. Too strong a tie to Holmes and, from there, to the criminal world.]

So not quite as strange to me as some of the more city gents might find it.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

Well, it's nice not to be classified as shocking.

So you're not married, then?

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

Met one in India, widow of an eccentric man with too much money. Fancied 'erself an explorer and by God if she wasn' as fearless as the best of 'em.

[It might not be the most glowing of praise... But it's not bad from a Victorian.

At the mention of marriage, he shook his head, but there was no chuckle.]

Never found the time for it. Or not the girl for the time, at least.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

I bet she would have been fun to know.

[Strong women from before it was okay to be a strong woman are a favorite subject of Sally's. It puts the crap she puts up with at the office into perspective.

Okay, not married. No family.] That's good.

[...]

I meant-- Oh god, that sounded terrible. [She laughs at herself in embarrassment.] What I meant was that some people come here and leave their wives or husbands or children behind, and it's...well, it isn't fun.

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

Picked a good one when they grabbed me, then. [Part of him isn't even thinking when he says it.] Don' have anyone who'll be missin' me back home.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Oh. Well this was a depressing line of questioning. She tries for a bolstering smile.]

I'm sure there's someone. Even if you don't know. Mates from the army, right? And I bet India misses you.

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

[India. Yes. There, she was right. And India he would return to. After he killed Sherlock Holmes for the death of James Moriarty. Then, back to the jungles of India.

For a moment, he acts like he's thinking about what she said. He let's the murderous thoughts flood through him. Blood and bullets and money.

Finally, he chuckles. When he speaks, his voice is light, dismissive of what had been, a moment ago, a somber situation:]

The woes of a bachelor. Means I can come an' go as I please, though. There and here.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

That is the best part of being single. That, and no cold feet against your calf at three in the morning.

[action]

[easierdonethansaid]

[He chuckles again, giving a nod.

Now, curry powder complete, he's on to preparing other parts of the side dish: dicing the tomato, chopping the onion and peeled ginger. And also begins preparing the sauce and the like for... whatever he intends to make with the chicken.

He's certainly being thorough as he begins to really start preparing

dinner and the side.]

Can' say I usually mind it much.

Re: [action]

[cop_an_attitude]

[Paranoia notwithstanding, Sally is starting to appreciate why Moran's employer liked watching him cook. It's interesting to watch, in a Food Network sort of way. He's very efficient at it.]

Looks like this is going to be good.