Jemma Simmons is a terrible liar (needanewplan) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2018-10-30 06:02:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, !partner thread, eliot waugh, jemma simmons |
Who: Eliot and Jemma
What: Talking about dinner plans for the prewedding stuff
When: First week of October (before the 3rd)
Where: Place Eliot knows
Warnings: Low
Status: Partner Thread | Complete
Eliot knew that Felix had the wedding itself under control and he wasn’t even going to try and offer to help with that. But he wanted to do something for Cosima and Jemma - they were practically family after all and deserved something special before the wedding. A low key bachelorette party type of thing. But considering who he was talking about - there wouldn’t be any strippers or anything too outrageous. Just a dinner for them and their friends. That Eliot would cook. And anyone who knew him knew he didn’t cook for many people.
“Jemma? That you? I’m in here!” He called over his shoulder when he heard the door open to the space he’d managed to talk a friend into loaning him for a few hours. It was close to her office so it would be easy for her to stop by for a bit on her lunch break. Or at least that was his hope.
***
There was a lot that needed to get done and suddenly not all that much time to do it. Jemma was just relieved that Cosima was the proper age again. Given her luck and the way of Orange County, that had been a major concern. And one of the reasons the wedding was taking place in San Francisco - a way to avoid family being subjected to any potential Orange County strangeness. But it had been a close call. But it was over, things were normal and Jemma didn’t need to worry.
She was also thankful that Felix was helping with the wedding. Otherwise she’d probably be feeling even more overwhelmed. Right now she was meeting up with Eliot on her lunch break. She wasn’t entirely sure what he had in mind but that was fine.So long as it was lowkey, she really was not the type for more extravagant things, nor was Cosima. At least not in situations like this.
Hearing Eliot’s voice (and relieved since a month previous and she’d still be relying on the glasses the Doctor had made for her so that she could see what was being said to her which wouldn’t help when she needed to follow the sound of someone’s voice), Jemma headed in that direct and smiled.
“It is.”
***
Eliot, for once, was planning on something lowkey. Something just for the brides and their friends here before the wedding out of town. He knew that some people just weren’t able to travel as easily as others thanks to his years in this business. People having responsibilities or some nonsense like that that meant they couldn’t just take off for a few days. Yet another reason he loved his job - he didn’t have to worry about that stuff.
He looked up from the cookbook he’d been flipping through and gave her a grin. “So...here’s what I’m thinking - a dinner party for your friends here before the wedding. Especially people who might not be able to get away for it so that they can celebrate with you guys too. The most elaborate things I swear will be the food I fix because - you know I won’t be able to live with myself if I don’t give you both the best foods I can.” He didn’t cook for any of the parties he planned so only people he really cared about got to enjoy his food and most of them knew that he’d actually thought about becoming a chef before going into party planning. “And if you’d be okay with it - I thought I might try something a little magical with the drinks.”
***
While Jemma hadn’t been entirely certain on what to expect, she also knew that Eliot would know her and Cosima well enough to know that outlandish and lots of music and noise or things generally associated with bachelorette parties probably wouldn’t be so much their speed. And Cosima had also mentioned he had said it would be low key. Still, home cooked meal for friends in a nice location? That hadn’t even crossed her mind. Then again with everything Jemma dealt with both for work and Orange County in general - like suddenly de-aged fiancees - she was usually a bit preoccupied. So she just smiled brightly and nodded.
“I think that sounds perfect.” She also wasn’t oblivious to the fact that Eliot was going to be cooking as well and so that also meant a lot just because of the thought that would go into it.
Though luckily for him, she was a bit more open to the idea of magic here than she had been before and she was in the dreams. Then again she had to accept a lot when it came to Orange County, and magic was just one of those things (even if she still believed a lot of what people claimed to be magic was just science they didn’t understand yet - she knew some things and dream worlds were different).
“Oh? That could certainly be interesting.” She had no idea what magical drinks might entail but it did sound interesting.
***
“I know the person who owns this space and they’re willing to let me have it for the night. And there’s a kitchen in back so you won’t have to worry about the food getting cold in transit. So since you like the plan…all we have to do is figure out what you’d like for the dinner. My only request is that it not be chicken. Because I’m not sure how creative I can be with chicken by this point in the year.” Eliot confided to her. Every one of his brides this year had wanted chicken and he was tired of it. Even though he hadn’t had to kick for any of the weddings he was tired of having to try to come up with menus involving it. If it was what Jemma wanted though - he’d come up with something fantastic for her and Cosima’s dinner. And then get Margo or Felix to let him fix anything else for dinner that night at home.
“What I’m thinking for the drinks is a simple spell that will automatically refill the drink when it gets below a certain point. That way you don’t have to worry about the dinner getting interrupted because of people coming in and out with refills or getting up to get a refill. I’ve been practicing it at home with Margo and Felix on our drinks. I’ve gotten pretty good at making it work with different ones at the same time.” He was also working on making the drink function almost like a potion by adding something in when he mixed it himself but he wasn’t going to offer that to her. Not yet anyway.
***
“That’s certainly helpful.” Knowing the person and being able to have a kitchen there so that nothing would get cold? Always a good thing. As for what should be on the menu? That did take some thought.
“Well seeing at how I’m a vegetarian, that’s not an issue. Or at least I wouldn’t know much about chicken based dishes. I know Cosima really enjoys Italian as well for those who do eat meat.” Or vegetarian based Italian dishes. Also a good idea.
Hearing about the magical drinks, Jemma nodded.
“That should work. And I see how it would be beneficial.”
***
Eliot had actually forgotten that Jemma was a vegetarian and he gave her a sheepish look as he made a quick gesture to close up some of the books on the table, using a small bit of his magic. “Thank you for reminding me of that. Actually makes it easier to plan. And Italian...Actually fits with what I’m thinking for decorating really well because - this place needs some decorating since it’s empty. What are your feelings on eggplant?” He asked, knowing that not everyone like the texture of it. Or the flavor. Or in some cases both. “Because not to brag too much, I do hate to sing my own praises after all, but I make an excellent Eggplant Parmesan.”
***
Well if that made it easier, then Jemma was happy since she knew sometimes people found it more difficult to figure out vegetarian dishes. She had briefly worried that would be the case but since it wasn’t? Well, she just nodded some with a small smile.
“Of course.” Add in decorating plans seeming to fit in with Italian food? Well it seemed things would definitely be coming together quite nicely.
“I’m fine with eggplant, I’ve used it in recipes myself. But that sounds lovely.”
***
Eliot gave her a quick smile as he pulled out his phone to make himself a note of Eggplant Parmesan. “I’m also thinking we could do a salad and a nice bread. Some wine and I’ll be lazy and pick up whatever pastry you both want from a bakery of your choice.” Also it would take him a while to make the eggplant perfect and being able to buy the other things would help him. “How does all that sound to you?”
***
“That all sounds perfect. Really, thank you for this, it means a lot to both Cosima and me.”
And it did. Jemma hadn’t known quite what to expect with any of this, but here they were a few days before she was to get married and everything actually coming together.
***
Eliot slid his phone back into his pocket and on impulse, reached out to give her a quick one armed hug. “You’re welcome. I just wanted to do something nice for both of you. And what’s nicer than a small party. Just make sure I get the guest list so that I can get only the people you two want here alright?” He told her.
***