fandomhigh | Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques

This week, the class met at Portalocity, where Hannibal handed out a list of fruits and vegetables. "The first lesson to buying good produce is whenever possible to buy things which are local, organic, and in season. It's healthier and tastes much better. That said, there are some foods it's more important for than others. Also please note that if and when you move elsewhere, you'll need to compile your own list, as growing seasons change."

He held up one of the lists, drawing a line down it with one finger. "This will tell you what we can expect to find here in September. I've also listed some simple reminders about choosing each, and will go into more detail once we arrive. Instead of cooking today, you will each be choosing your own produce to purchase and bring back." Which did not involve heat, and hopefully some of the more hopeless students — Isabelle — would manage without too much difficulty.

He frowned faintly at them all. "I expect you to stay close and pay attention while I'm speaking. If you have questions, please see me, Sparkle, or Zhari."

He waved them toward the portal and hung back with Anna. "If you're unable to come, I'll use the video so you can do your best to choose; it goes directly to the classroom." He smiled gently. "I won't hold against you what you have no control over."

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Emma started poking through the fruit and vegetables, trying to remember what a parsnip was actually supposed to look like.

Her fingers mightn't have been as sticky as those of some people in the class, but she still knew opportunity when she saw it, and a couple of stray items began to migrate towards her pockets instead of her basket while a farmer was otherwise occupied.

The farmer might not have been looking, but the teacher was.

Hannibal stepped casually next to her. "You do know we can afford whatever you like?" he asked curiously.

Crap. Emma did a very good job of not starting, if not as great a one looking like she had no idea what Hannibal was talking about.

She put the pear she was holding down as if she'd only just noticed the bruise on the side instead of choosing it for that reason. "It's not my money so it's not really 'we'," she said, her tone matter of fact.

"In that case," Hannibal amended, "I can afford whatever you like. Though if you prefer, I'm sure I could find something for you to do to earn a bit of money."

He picked up a better pear and handed it to her. "What you do on your own time is none of my business. What you do while with the class reflects on the school and on me. If you can't be good, be much more careful, please."

Emma weighed the knowledge that older men who offered kids like her ways to make money were always something to be suspicious of against the fact kids like her often needed that money. "What kind of something?"

Emma, no, fairy tale princesses and cannibals were not a combination that ended well.

Was it sad that Hannibal was probably safer than a lot of older men in that respect?

He thought for a moment, having not really expected her to take him up on it. "Are you at all good with plants?"

Yes, yes it was.

She mightn't have if she wasn't acutely aware of how much she didn't have to her name. She shrugged. "I haven't killed any pot plants yet?" Though it'd only been the one foster family that'd had them.

Hannibal nodded. "I have herbs in my office at the school; they could probably use a bit more attention than I've been able to give them. Watering, pruning, and such. I can show you what needs to be done for each, say in the mornings?"

Edited 2013-09-10 18:52 (UTC)

That didn't sound too suspicious, and as far as Emma could tell he didn't seem to be lying.

"Sure," Emma said. "I can do that."

Why would it ever sound suspicious? Hannibal was completely above board!

"Wonderful. See me after class or during office hours and I'll show you what to do. What do you think a fair wage would be?"

Emma was just naturally suspicious, except when the plot required it.

"I don't know." Since she hadn't yet experienced the wonders of minimum-wage exploitation, she tried to remember what kids who'd been paid allowances for chores had said. "Twenty-five a week?" A couple of bucks a day for taking care of plants seemed fair, right?

Two times seven was fourteen, Emma.

She'd probably have to spend ten to fifteen minutes each day, which would come to maybe an hour and a half over the week... "Fifteen?" he counter-proposed. It didn't seem right to agree without haggling a bit.

Fifteen was still fifteen more than nothing, but if Hannibal was going to haggle it couldn't hurt to split the difference. "Twenty?"

Hannibal smirked, enjoying Emma's stubbornness. "Seventeen fifty."

Two-fifty a day seemed fair enough to Emma. "Done."

Hannibal nodded. "Seventeen fifty it is. Would you prefer to begin after class? Or I have office hours on Thursday."

"Sure, I can come by after class," Emma said. After all, the sooner she started the sooner she started getting paid.

Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques | Tuesday, 1st Period

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!

Re: Listen to the lecture (or not) and choose your fruits and veggies!