every second is a lifetime (thius)

Leaning over one of the counters in the kitchens, Atticus sucked through his teeth as he leaned over one of the cookery books he'd got from America, with some of the spices he'd got from James. It was a missed opportunity to not cook for the two of them, so he was writing down some notes to set aside once Melanthius showed up.

He was trying not to think about it too much. Perhaps he should charge him for it instead, seeing as he wasn't doing a favor for a friend, but somehow he felt as though he'd get a very snooty remark back if he tried asking for money. Something about falling out of his Father's fortune or something. Urgh - no thanks - he'd rather just do it for free and get some good sticky toffee puddings out of it.

@Melanthius Burke

Thius nearly lost track of time before finally heading to the kitchens to learn a thing or two from Atticus; Louis had the bright idea to give him copies of some healing literature right at the end of dinner, so he had to rush to put them away in his dorm. And then he ended up having to bust a quick one so his mind would be clearer. He was doing all of this to woo Bellona after all, and it'd be incredibly distracting if he didn't get it out of his system.

He pulled his hair back as he entered the kitchens, having changed into some of his more casual clothing and a subtle fragrance he figured Bellona would like. In case they bumped into each other after...

"Hello, Nott," Thius greeted with a nod. "My apologies for not arriving sooner."

@Atticus Nott

"Hi."

His apologies didn't really mean a lot. Most Slytherins were insincere anyway.

"Doesn't matter, come here," he beckoned him over with an incline of his head, pushing the American recipe book to one side and pulling over a piece of paper. He tapped the top of it with his pencil. "This is what I've got planned. Everything is pretty simple and doesn't have very long cooking time, except the puddings. The starter is scallops with a glazed reduction and grilled asparagus, the main is minted lamb chops with parmentier potatoes and bacon-wrapped tender stem broccoli. Sounds a lot, but it's pretty easy as you can take a lot of my pre-prepped stuff."

He looked at him.

"Sound okay?"

@Melanthius Burke

Going towards Atticus, Thius stayed a few feet away from him as he observed the surroundings of the kitchen, taking much notice of the excessive amount of cauldrons and pans that lined one of the walls. Were all of them used for a specific dish or what?

He looked down at the notes, resting his elbow on top of the counter and nodding along. "Yes, that sounds swell. A very refined choice of entrees you've picked out. I worried it'd be worse after all of those weeks with the Yankees..."

Those Americans and their fast food; just the idea of it disgusted him. If he was going out to eat, he was going to choose a place not meant for the plebs.

"Though I must inform you, in case you've already forgotten, that she has a raspberry allergy, so take care that there won't be any cross-contamination."

Not like he knew the turnover that went on in the kitchens...

@Atticus Nott

"I purposefully picked out things I thought you'd probably approve of. Bellona too."

As if he had any idea what Americans ate. He probably just had some preconceived notion from somewhere.

"I haven't forgotten," he said, referring to the allergy, "The only way this food would trigger her allergy is if you dropped a raspberry in on purpose. All of my pre-prepped things are kept together, and there's no raspberries in any of it. Even the jams: I've got blackcurrant, peach, pineapple, strawberry, apricot. No raspberry."

It was somewhat tempting to chuck one in there though: he knew how much Bellona had upset Alayna.

"I didn't think Bellona would be your type."

He had to get that thought out of the way.

@Melanthius Burke

"That is well thoughtful of you, Nott."

Perhaps Bellona would enjoy main courses more if it was made by him than an elf; there would be different intentions behind such an act, and it was his job to pursue.

He raised an eyebrow at Atticus slightly skeptical that none of the jams contained raspberries. "I'll keep you to your word." If there was even just the slightest hint, he'd get back at him in some form. He'd just have to find out where it'd hurt him...

"And why's that, Nott? Were you under the assumption I'd have the same type as my brother?"

Ugh, Hector and his love for frilly daintiness. He and such ladies would both end up being blown away in a windstorm. Although he wouldn't particularly mind if that happened...

@Atticus Nott

"Not necessarily," he said, "I just didn't think you'd like someone who was so feisty and blatant about their opinions on things. Although I suppose she doesn't seem as high maintenance as some. I can't really see her kicking up a fuss just because you've forgotten the quarter anniversary of the first time you played cards together."

He smiled slightly, but it soon disappeared.

"Wash your hands and put an apron on, just in case there's any splattering of mixture. Then we'll get started."

@Melanthius Burke

"Unlike my brother and others in our community, I find her approach to life quite refreshing. She's icy, both physically and emotionally, with a warm heart. I really love that about her..."

And of course, there was the fact that she was smoking hot, but this was Atticus he was talking to. If his brother made a fuss over the mention of curves, it would be even more annoying for a gay man to hear him verbally swoon over Bellona.

He already washed himself up before coming down here, now he had to wash his hands again? Very well... Thius walked over to one of the sinks and cleaned his hands and the very minuscule dirt under his fingers. Then, Thius examined the selection of aprons and grabbed one of the beige ones before rejoining Atticus.

"What's next?"

@Atticus Nott