fandomhigh | Wine & Dine: Pairing Fine Food with Fine Wine in Fine Countries; Thursday, 4th Period [08/22].

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Wine & Dine: Pairing Fine Food with Fine Wine in Fine Countries; Thursday, 4th Period [08/22].

"For our final class," Ignis announced, in their usual gathering before the Portalocity office, and with a grin on his face, no less, albeit only slightly more subtle than his standard smile generally was. And while one might assume this particularly buoyant mood was fueled by a rather perfect day the day prior, there was, truthfully, a good chance that he would have been just as smugly pleased that afternoon even without that to add to it, "I've saved what I, personally, consider the best for last. This is, of course, entirely subjective, and I would actually be rather interested, should you care to share your thoughts, in what region you have found to be a favorite among the plethora of vintages we have deigned to try. But recently, I have been developing quite the taste of Argentinian wines in particular."

Did that grin increase that slight margin more? Oh, absolutely, and it was downright noticeable, too.

"And so off we are, to South America, and currently the fifth largest producer of wine in the world. The Spanish colonization of the Americas has left a firm mark on Argentinian culture, and, along with that, its wines. The climate allows the country to play host to a wide variety of different grapes, and while the wine culture and exporting drives have often place quantity over quality in many of their over 1500 vineyards, the latter is not always sacrificed for the former.

"So today, we will be headed for Terraza de los Andes, settled in the Mendoza region of the Andes Mountains, where we will be partaking in an exploration of an asado offering: grilled meats and other traditional offerings, paired with a good Malbec and a few other wines. And, so, without any further ado, let us go and conclude our global journey through wine and food, shall we?"

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To the mountains!

Liliana Vess

Stark

Gladiolus Amicitia

Summer Smith

Nell Ingram

And, please, don't spoil the good mood!

Liliana was already feeling melty and relaxed from her own class and the additional two hours that had followed. Hearing that they were going to Argentina increased her own cat-like smile to a full-on smirk, something sharp and a little hungry.

For the asado, obviously.

"The asado represents the synergy of various Argentine traditions: grilled meat, good Malbec wine, and good company. Our traditional barbecue menu offers cuts of beef and pork on the grill, sausages, fresh and warm salads, and traditional empanadas, all accompanied by our red and white wines. "

It's a good thing there are no vegetarians in the group! Enjoy a comfortable casual exploration of food and wine in the estate's restaurant.

It was a truth universally acknowledged that two hours of relaxing in a pool followed by a long massage would leave one desperately in need of a meal, and so Liliana would be tucking into the asada with gusto and a grin.

Stark had not done anything to ruin the mood during the lecture! He'd just silently observed the smile on Ignis's face.

Now he was eyeing the foods available with a smile on his own face. It all smelled delicious.

The Spanish influences are unmistakable as you take the time to explore the winery on your own accord after the tasting, from the vineyards themselves to their wine cellar for a few bottles to take with you.

Exploring the wineries was always a fine way to end these classes. Stark was going to miss spending Thursdays this way. Especially finding a place to stay the night. He hoped tonight would prove no different.

Well, if Summer coming up and leaning into his shoulder with a nudge before looping her arm into his was any indication, his odds were looking pretty good there.

"Hi."

"Hi." Stark smiled very softly at her and tugged her closer with that looped arm.

He loved when the odds were in his favor.

"I'll miss this. Going somewhere new every week and staying there." Most of the time, anyway.

"I'll miss having the convenient excuse of just being able to stay somewhere because we were already there," Summer added, with a snort. "And for school. I mean, we can always just go places, but it was kind of exciting, right? Not knowing where we were going to end up and just going from there?"

"It was fun, the not knowing." Stark grinned.

"Even if I don't always like not knowing. This I liked. Something different but guaranteed to be good every week."

Someday, perhaps, he'd be able to thank Ignis for it without offending.

"I don't know how we'd be able to recreate it without someone else making the plans...but maybe it's best not to try and recreate it?"

"Probably nothing like this exactly," Summer agreed, "but we could always, like, input a bunch of stuff into the portal gun and set it to random and let it go wild. But that could also go just as badly as it could go good, so maybe more of a 'darts on a map' or locations out of a hat method."

"If we just let the portal gun decide your grandfather would be there, somehow," Stark said, pulling a face at the idea.

"Maybe the map or the hat though. Less likely to run into him that way. I hope. Maybe we could try it, next week? Before the new classes start? Just going somewhere. Just us. For...fun?"

"Yeah," said Summer, grinning over at Stark, "let's do it. You wanna stick with Thursdays? As per tradition now? And we can each think of a handful of places we might want to go, and see what we pull and just go there."

"Thursdays have been good so far," Stark said, grinning back. "I don't know what the fall will look like, for classes, not yet. But I wouldn't mind staying with Thursdays. We can't do Wednesdays, of course."

Jello night at the bar was an island tradition not to be messed with.

"I'll have to think of new places we should try."

"Well," Summer reminded him, leaning in to give him a quick peck on the cheek, "you've got all the way to next Thursday to figure out some good ones."

Summer already knew what she was adding to her choices. After all, considering Ignis' mood for class today, she had a pretty strong feeling that Liliana so owed her more than just a townhouse for a day or two...

Stark smiled and closed his eye at that little kiss.

"Plenty of time," he said. "For thinking too much about where to go." He opened his eye again and grinned at her.

"Or maybe just the right amount?"

No. Definitely too much.

"Definitely way too much," Summer insisted, and, no, she couldn't read the narrative, but she could spit straight facts.

There wasn't really any arguing with that so Stark just nodded in acceptance.

"I'll try not to think too much. That's all I can do."

Work in progress and all that.

Who does not imagine this will be his only stop in Argentina today, fate willing.

After the asada was finished, Liliana forewent the exploration to find her paramour, though rather than saying anything initially, she just slid her fingers through his and rested her head on his shoulder.

A maneuver that certainly kept that lingering smile firmly on Ignis' face, slightly softer, as he, too, didn't say anything at first, and just enjoyed the feeling of her hand in his and of her head on his shoulder.

When he did speak, his words were preceded by his head turning, to lightly brush a kiss against her forehead. "You know, darling," he said, "I was thinking I might stay a bit longer here, as well. Not at this location, obviously. I was thinking elsewhere." She'd know exactly the place. "Would you care to join me?"

"You know, I just happen to know the perfect place right here in Mendoza," Liliana said with a soft laugh. "If I remember correctly, their whirlpool baths are excellent and I have some very fond memories of the lounge chairs in the back of one of their private villas. I don't suppose you're familiar...?"

"That description does seem to scratch a familiar sort of itch," Ignis mused, and her soft laugh was reflected in a light chuckle. "I suppose I'll know for sure when we get there, won't I? Though I must admit, I'm afraid if I spend too much more time in a pool, I'll likely turn into a veritable prune."

"Well, we can't have that," Liliana declared, though she absolutely intended to climb back into the pool at some point. You know, after thoroughly climbing something else. "Perhaps some time spent in the villa itself is in order? A bit of, hmm, rest and relaxation after such a delicious meal and excellent pairings?"

Edited 2024-08-22 15:42 (UTC)

"A capital idea, darling," Ignis said, and he might have leaned into her, just a little more, head turned her way once more. "You've been truly on the top of your game when it comes to brilliance lately, haven't you?"

Just wait, Igs, there were plenty of brainworms for later!

But for now, he was clearly enjoying this rare state of bliss that had not only descended upon him, but that he had suddenly found the ability to fully embrace for once.

"And, also, as soon as this class is over, we've got the end of a successful semester to celebrate, as well."

Wow. Wow. Shoot lightning into your face one time and suddenly your beloved says you have brainworms.

"I can't think of a better way to celebrate," she said, squeezing his hand. "Although...how would you like to begin celebrating early?"

And from the pocket of her gown, because non-Earth fashion gave her pockets of sufficient width and depth...

Came a very familiar can.

Technically speaking, that was the narrative that said that. The beloved in this instance, was, (un?)fortunately blissfully ignorant of any said brainworms!

Well. Most of them, anyway.

"Mmm." Ignis was just going to take a moment to truly appreciate just how good and natural a can of Ebony felt in his hand, before bestowing upon Liliana a substantial kiss of gratitude. "Well. I suppose if you insist..."

Granted, in the small sliver of time he'd insisted on taking between Liliana's class and his own to 'finish up final preparations', he'd enlisted the assistance of the steward to ensure that everything they should need for a long weekend be ready and waiting for them before they even arrived at the villa, Ebony absolutely included, but, well, this was a celebration, was it not?

And she hadn't done the lightning thing yet, either! But we all know.

Well, that explained why her steward had had a can all ready to go in the even shorter sliver of time she had been home before heading for class today.

"We did just have a class on indulgence," she said with that laugh he loved so. "I'm pleased to see you've taken it to heart."

And another kiss for him. Also for indulgence's sake.

In his defense, Ignis has been subtly planning that particular use of the steward for weeks now, really. Almost since the inception of the class itself, he'd already envisioned that this was how he intended this last lesson to go.

"Well, what can I say?" he asked, the quirk of his brow and the quirk of his grin a fine match to each other as he lifted his can gratefully before having a sip, and then....he hadn't intended to pause there, or to hesitated, but he had to admit, feeling that flavor bursting on his tongue again after all these years would likely have that slightly...transcendent effect on him for quite some time, and he just needed a moment to appreciate it, to savor in it, to just exist it it, and perhaps, for a moment, hesitate in his original intention of then offering the can back to Liliana for her own sip, if she should feel so inclined...After all, she did bring it with the intention of it being for him, and if she'd have wanted some, surely she could have just brought her own...

But he did offer it out, and continued.

"I am a consummate scholar and a most exceptional student. Pair that with the deft hand of an instructor who is clearly an expert in the field, and, well...it's important, as well, to be able to apply what one has learned in the classroom to the world outside of it, is it not?"

Liliana took a sip - a shallow one, even though the coffee was quite good, but she knew she couldn't possibly appreciate it as much as Ignis did - and handed it back.

With another kiss, of course.

"We make quite an exceptional pair, don't we?" she said, with a soft happiness as she leaned against him a little further.

"Indeed," Ignis agreed, grinning, and in that low rumble that he generally tried avoiding in the classroom, as it were, but it was the last class, and practically over already, besides. So with yet another kiss, to taste again that faint flavor of Ebony on her lips before it faded, he added, decisively, "We most certainly do."

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Wine & Dine: Pairing Fine Food with Fine Wine in Fine Countries; Thursday, 4th Period [08/22].

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