fandomhigh | Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques

The class was meeting at Portalocity again, this time to head out to a local butcher's shop.

"Now that we've discussed how to cut meat, we will go over the various types of meat you may encounter," Hannibal said once they were gathered. "Different cuts are useful for different things. The flavor and texture of meat on an animal varies depending upon where it comes from, as well as owing much to genetics and the way in which it's raised.

"I have arranged for the butchers to show you the various cuts of beef, pork, and lamb, and where on the carcass they come from. We'll then be bringing a number of cuts back with us, and I will demonstrate the different ways each of them cooks. You may count this all as a bit of early holiday, as we're unlikely to have time for you each to cook today as well." He knew that would come as a relief to some of them. "I would rather you pay close attention to the similarities and differences in the meat."

Things you will learn on this trip:
Cuts of beef
Cuts of pork
Cuts of lamb

Things you will not learn but might wonder

Before the students left, Hannibal spoke up. "One more thing, not entirely related to the class. Miss Blythe," he nodded at Rilla, "Ms Baker says that you are going home for the break, and I have promised her we will do what we can in the way of donations of things for your boys and for your pledge drives."

He looked around at the students. "If any of you would like to help, I'm sure it would be much appreciated. If you have any goods to contribute, you may bring them by my office. Also, in lieu of office hours on Thursday, I'll be setting aside some further time in here. I hope to see some of you."

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"Don't know Rilla that well," Sparkle replied, shrugging. "She's Canadian, I know that. And there's a kid she's been taking care of."

But most of what came out of Sparkle's mouth would probably scandalize the poor girl ten ways to Sunday. Still...

"So... we're talking, like, donations for troops heading off to, like, Ypres? Vimy? Passchendaele? That kind of thing?" The first World War had been pretty damn eventful for Canada. Sparkle had nothing but failing grades back in Canada, but that was for lack of caring about what work he handed in. He also mainlined educational television, and in the weeks approaching the eleventh of November, Canada had some doozies.

But, ssh, Sparkle didn't care.

"And they need what? Food? Clothes? Just money?"

"Money would probably be ideal, but unless you have anything dated before 1916, I doubt it would be useful to them. Ms Baker said that food and blankets would be welcome."

He smiled at Sparkle. "You know your history." He looked around to make sure Rilla wasn't nearby. "Most of these men are in the Somme."

"Fuck."

That was about all the acknowledgment that Sparkle was going to give indicating that he knew what he was talking about, here, along with a hiss between his teeth and a shrug of his shoulders. He knew Canada's history. Lewis' family had a military history, too, which upped the appeal of learning about it, some. The Somme had been brutal. All of the battles Sparkle had listed off had been brutal. But Canada had earned themselves a reputation during that war-- one of the reasons they were a nation of their own, now, instead of still bending over backwards to kiss Britain's ass.

The Somme had also nearly annihilated the entire Newfoundland Regiment. Sparkle had no idea what province Rilla was from, but her accent sounded Eastern and they'd passed around troops from regiment to regiment through Canada, so...

"Even all of my money right now is American," he grumbled, shaking his head. "But I get a discount at work, I might be able to rig a few orders to get some blankets in, fast and cheap..."

Edited 2013-10-08 20:19 (UTC)

"I'm sure they would appreciate them." Hannibal nodded. "I know that I could buy several, and I'm sure if we let people know, others would as well. Thank you."

"Yeah, don't mention it," Sparkle replied with a little shrug of his shoulders. "I mean, you know, it's kind of... important. Part of our heritage and all that."

Ah, Canadian in-jokes that nobody else would probably get.

"And... I mean... I can't just... not."

Well, he could just not. In fact, not doing would be way, way easier. But at the same time, for someone who didn't care, he cared a hell of a lot. A hundred years ago, those boys could have been him.

Hannibal ~~and his player~~ certainly didn't get the reference.

"Of course you can." Hannibal shrugged. "Many people would, and do. Doing something is a choice you make because of the person you are." He raised an eyebrow. "And what does that say about them?"

It's okay. Canada's Heritage Minutes were an institution that the rest of the world could only side-eye from afar. It was safer that way, and left you far less worried about smelling burned toast.

"It says that other people are way more inclined to playing it safe," Sparkle decided, shrugging. "You don't get involved, it won't come back to bite you in the ass. I'm usually better at that."

"Sometimes noninvolvement can also bite you," Hannibal pointed out. "But most people don't recognize that possibility. They don't allow themselves to see beyond their fear."

"Well, not much to be afraid of, at least here," Sparkle replied. "I mean, this is history, for us. If me getting involved or not is gonna bite someone in the ass, I guess technically it already has. But hey, we won."

Ish. Depended on if you were talking about ground gained, or human lives lost.

"I can't afford many blankets myself, but I'll order a crapload of 'em and put a sign up or something saying they're there to buy at cost if people want to donate."

He didn't imagine his coworker would be too choked if the store was suddenly full of blankets.

"Demonstrably true. And yet I imagine there are still those who will choose not to help." He didn't judge. It was good to have people around with a reputation for not caring; it made him look a less likely suspect.

"My point is only that I do appreciate your help. And I'm sure Rilla's town and your troops will as well."

Beginning Gourmet Cooking Techniques | Tuesday, 1st Period

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