Sometimes, he missed the simplicity of Mars. WHO: J'onn and Ella WHAT: A meeting of strangers; confusion and help between them. WHEN: Wednesday WARNINGS: None STATUS:Closed and Complete
J’onn stared somewhat at a loss at the herbs and spices section, holding a large chicken in his hands, above his cart, and several more being in that cart. He was attempting to get ready to make dinner for his closest companions, and he hoped to make it well, but he knew little of chicken, or of mass cooking. He nibbled on lip, eyes narrowed as he read the fine print on the different bottles from where he stood.
Humans and their endless possibilities. Sometimes, he missed the simplicity of Mars. Sometimes.
***
Ella was very much looking forward to her garden once the weather turned more toward spring. She didn't quite enjoy the supermarket, but it was better than nothing and she felt better when she was cooking. This was all just a bit unsettling, since she'd been told that Kit was her husband and the father of her child, even though she had no recollection of it.
Shopping was a bit of a distraction, so she took her time with it. When she saw a man standing in front of the herbs and spices, she could tell that he wasn't sure of what he was looking for. Ella felt it her obligation to help him.
"Pardon me, but do you need assistance?"
***
“I… could probably use some, if you are offering?” J’onn turned to this human and smiled, giving her a nod. “I’m looking to cook a large chicken dinner, and I have not cooked either much chicken or large quantities of anything, before. I fear I am unsure which spices and additives to use.”
He waved a hand at the spice rack and the further shelves that seemed to reel away like a long road.
***
"I am," she replied kindly. Helping others made her feel a little less at loose ends about herself and the situation she found herself in. It seemed like he was trying to do something nice for a large group of people and Ella hoped it was for his friends.
"Chicken is a good choice. It's fairly easy to make, and very forgiving for new cooks," she explained, hoping to give him a bit of encouragement. "How many are you planning on cooking for? Are there any allergies or preferences you're aware of?"
***
“Seven to nine people, I think.” He smiled at her. “My family, here, and their significant others.” And perhaps a date of his own, if all went well.
He smiled warmly as he listened to her, nodding. “No allergies that I know it. No other preferences, other than… something I can make easily?” He chuckled.
***
Ella thought it was rather sweet of him to want to cook for his family, so she of course wanted to help him as much as she could. "You've got plenty of chicken then, with enough there just in case you make a mistake. I think something simple would work perfectly," she replied.
She used her mobile to find a recipe to show him. It was one of her favorites and it would be perfectly reasonable for him to complete with minimal difficulty. "Perhaps with some vegetables you can cook on the stovetop?"
***
J’onn smiled, relieved she thought he had enough. “Thank you.”
He read the recipe and nodded, committing it to memory. “I can, yes. And that would be… yes!” He smiled wider to her.
“Thank you, miss.”
He extended his hand to her. “I am J’onn J’onzz. I am in your debt.”
***
"You are very welcome," Ella replied brightly. He introduced himself and she shook his hand as a matter of course before inclining her head politely. "Ella, my lord, and there is no debt to be repaid for asking for help," she explained. Now that she had his name, she sent him the link to the recipe on the device.
"I am happy to help, and to share my expertise. Perhaps asparagus or broccoli?" Greens were certainly her favorite, so that was what she tended to gravitate toward. It would have been too forward for her to offer her assistance, but Ella did wish it was the appropriate thing to do. She felt invested now in his dinner, so that it went well.
***
“Please, just call me J’onn, Ella.” He smiled at her. “And thank you for that.” He smiled as he received the recipe and nodded, noting the necessary ingredients. “How long have you been cooking?”
He nodded to her suggestion. “Or both?” That made sense, right? J’onn liked vegetables.
“I’m hoping I can do this right. I’ve never cooked for more than just myself, and only simple dinners even then. My wife was the cook in our family.” She had been the hunter and gatherer, so it had made sense for her to know the best ways to cook things. J’onn had marvelled at her abilities before.
***
"You are very welcome, J'onn. I have been cooking ever since I was a young child," she answered him. He seemed quite nice, and also rather eager to make a good impression on his family and their loved ones. That was quite honorable and she hoped he found success.
"Both would be perfectly acceptable," she replied encouragingly. "It is the intention that matters most, but I'm certain it will turn out beautifully." It didn't surprise her that his wife had done all the cooking, as it was a woman's job to tend to her family in all ways. Perhaps it would still be acceptable for her to offer a more hands on instruction?
"If that is the case, I would be pleased to walk you through the dish, if that is agreeable to you?"
***
“I was in the military on my world from a young age, then an investigator. I had no time to learn such skill until I came to Earth.” J’onn nodded. His world was harsher, more dangerous, than Earth. He has grown softer since arriving, he knew. Sometimes, he regretted that, but not most of the time. Especially not here.
Her offer made him so and consider it, then nod. “I would appreciate that a great deal. Your instruction would be very useful, thank you.”
***
"You are not from Earth?" she asked, her curiosity getting the better of her for a brief moment. "Please, forgive me. I did not mean to be so forward." Ella felt the flush of embarrassment coloring her cheeks. It was terribly rude to ask such a thing, particularly when it truly was none of her business.
"I understand if you would not wish for my help, after being so rude."
***
“I am not from Earth and---” he blinked at her, then put a hand on her shoulder. “Ella? What are you talking about?” He shook his head. “You were not rude, you were curious. There’s nothing wrong with that?”
He narrowed his eyes. “Who told you that asking question was rude?” there was a smoldering anger rising in him toward that person.
***
She very nearly flinched as his hand came toward her. No one had ever laid a hand on her of course, but it would have been warranted. "It is not right, in my time, for a servant such as myself to question anyone, let alone a man of higher station," she explained softly, her gaze on the floor.
Ella could feel his anger raising, but mistakenly thought it was directed at her. "It is the way of the world, sir. I am so very sorry." She hoped he would not hit her, but she most certainly deserved his ire.
***
“I am no higher station, milady. In fact, I am sure most would not see me as a man at all.” he gently poked her. “Here, you are no servant, but a free woman.”
He smiled softly.
“You did nothing wrong. You deserve joy, young one.”
***
His kind words were undeserving, but surprising all the same. Everyone seemed to be so very kind, but it was still something that she was adjusting to. "It is very hard to remember that, sometimes," Ella admitted softly. Lady Tremaine had done a very thorough job of digging her claws into her, and it was very hard to keep her spirits up knowing that she didn't recall being married or pregnant, though she was both now.
"I have done many things wrong, Mr J'onn, but I can accept that I have not offended you. That is the important part," she replied, doing her best to be cheerful. Her smile didn't quite reach her eyes, though.
***
J’onn was so confused, but he was sure she did not deserve wrong. “I am sorry, my friend. I do not know what darkness has been done to you, but believe you me that I think you are a good person.”
He canted his head to the side, and sighed. “Is there anything I can do for you?” She seemed so sad. She reminded him, in a little way, of his daughters.
***
It was harder, but Ella pushed down her own sadness. This was about him and his desire to cook a good meal for his family. She appreciated that he was willing to do whatever he could to ease her heart. In all honesty, helping him would make her feel better.
"There is nothing for you to apologize for, J'onn," she assured him. "I would very much like to help you ensure that this dinner goes smoothly for your family. If you would like." Because of course, he must be given ample opportunity to turn her down.
***
“I would enjoy that. Thank you.” He saw her need to be sure he wanted her aid, and he was an at loss as to how to help her, how to reassure her, save to continue to rely on her expertise.
“Could you then advise me on the best parts of chicken to use?” And he led her toward the chicken aisle.
***
Ella smiled warmly, even though it didn't quite reach her eyes. She would get there soon enough.
"I would be happy to," she replied, falling into step next to him. "Just about every part is edible, and if you have any leftovers, it can just as easily be turned into a stew." Ella was a wealth of cooking information and she was much more comfortable giving him advice and pointers.