Here is the rest of it, the result somewhere between nine and a half weeks and Gordon Ramsay cooking a steak.
Wire - one of the role models I consider when trying to write Pooky Da Imp is pretty much any performance by Brian Cox - who does devilish charming
manipulation and persuasion better than perhaps any other actor (watching him in the Sharpe's series and even The Glimmer Man) - is this a fair comparison?
"To start with." Jackie said, "You must be careful in selecting exactly the right ingredients." She paused as Bella coughed once in a
derisively casual fashion. Jackie held up a long, green, vegetable.
"Courgettes. What you in America call zucchinis. These form the basis of a lovely ratatouille. Despite what the media and internet might tell you, size is
not the first indicator of quality." Jackie slowly slid her hand up and down the vegetable. "In the right hands, a courgette of any size can be
enjoyed. What you should look for is freshness and resiliency. If subjected to strain, it should spring back quickly."
"I hope you two are taking notes." Terrence whispered to his partners.
"Tomatoes. Another key ingredient." Jackie continued, picking one up and displaying it, her hand gently caressing the bulging fruit. "Again size
is not necessarily and indication of quality." Bella coughed again, a little more loudly.
"But no one can deny how the larger ones immediately draw the eye and hands." Jackie said nonplussed. "Firmness is a good indication of quality.
Tomatoes are sensitive though and a gentle hand should be observed in the harvest. Note the bud, a properly handled tomato will be eased from the vine with a
series of gentle, twisting motions and soft tugs; not yanked at."
"I hope you are taking notes." Gamma whispered back to Terrence.
"I'm never going to look at vegetables the same way again." Superball announced with a sudden epiphany. "I understand vegetarians at
last!"
"I do not." Bella said with an elbow to Morgan's ribs. "I for one am not ready to forgo a solid slab of well toned beefcake."
"You are far too limited in your culinary ambitions." Jackie chided. "But you have had the good manners to broaden your horizons on rare
occasions." She stretched up to pull down a large stew pot from the overhead rack; her breasts thrusting forward, the hem of her short apron riding up
further and further.
"I have seen the glory of the coming of the lord." Pooky sang reverently only to let the song fall away as Jackie's stretch ended the barest
millimeter from revelation. For the fallen demon it was a joyous moment of realization. The forces of hell, while good, did not have a monopoly on temptation
and mortals could rise to the occasion and outdo even the most sensual of sulfur soaked succubae. The mortal realm was a great place, it truly was.
"First you want to stoke a very hot flame, and then add a dash of oil to your workspace." Jackie said. "Oil provides excellent transfer of heat
and lubrication. This is essential. It is this initial lubrication that allows the natural juices, flavors and aromas to be further encouraged to flow. One can
start without this benefit, but the end result is almost never as satisfying."
"She is still talking about cooking, isn't she?" Lora'lai managed, blushing slightly.
"Does it matter?" Shizuru asked.
"The garlic and onion should be stirred gently." Jackie's manipulated the wooden spoon deftly, the circular motions magnified, rippling outwards.
"Allowing their essences to mix and flow together. Let them do so, speed is not of essence here, it is a slow buildup that will later reward you with even
greater eruptions of flavor. Even now the essences flow outward, scenting the room, fuelling the senses, creating a hunger for the fulfillment that it
promises."
"We now work in the stock." Jackie poured the liquid in with a slow, languid motion. She brought out a small spoon from her apron and dipped it into
the pot. She brought it to her lips. Her lips pursed and she slowly inhaled the broth, a sighing, ripple of satisfaction that spread through her whole body.
"Do not be afraid to taste at any point." Jackie said breathily. "It is the best way to know exactly how you are progressing in your
endeavor."
"From there you add the tomato paste and the rest of your vegetables; bulging eggplants, firm and ripe. Peppers bursting with flavor. Mushrooms, dark and
savory; their caps gently rounded." Jackie said. "Stir more robustly. You do not wish to bruise, but it is essential that your motions be more
deliberate now. Every surface must be fully covered in the glistening broth. Then it is just a matter of heat, motion and time, awaiting the magical moment
when the culmination of your efforts is so grandly rewarded."
She opened the oven and brought out a dish. She whisked the cover off in a sweeping motion that sent the aroma wafting across the assembled heroes.
"Now." Jackie said. "Who wants a taste?"
"I can't stand up!" Superball wailed!
"Morgan. Home. Now. Apply Yourself." Bella grabbed Morgan's collar and dragged him from the room.
Wire - one of the role models I consider when trying to write Pooky Da Imp is pretty much any performance by Brian Cox - who does devilish charming
manipulation and persuasion better than perhaps any other actor (watching him in the Sharpe's series and even The Glimmer Man) - is this a fair comparison?
"To start with." Jackie said, "You must be careful in selecting exactly the right ingredients." She paused as Bella coughed once in a
derisively casual fashion. Jackie held up a long, green, vegetable.
"Courgettes. What you in America call zucchinis. These form the basis of a lovely ratatouille. Despite what the media and internet might tell you, size is
not the first indicator of quality." Jackie slowly slid her hand up and down the vegetable. "In the right hands, a courgette of any size can be
enjoyed. What you should look for is freshness and resiliency. If subjected to strain, it should spring back quickly."
"I hope you two are taking notes." Terrence whispered to his partners.
"Tomatoes. Another key ingredient." Jackie continued, picking one up and displaying it, her hand gently caressing the bulging fruit. "Again size
is not necessarily and indication of quality." Bella coughed again, a little more loudly.
"But no one can deny how the larger ones immediately draw the eye and hands." Jackie said nonplussed. "Firmness is a good indication of quality.
Tomatoes are sensitive though and a gentle hand should be observed in the harvest. Note the bud, a properly handled tomato will be eased from the vine with a
series of gentle, twisting motions and soft tugs; not yanked at."
"I hope you are taking notes." Gamma whispered back to Terrence.
"I'm never going to look at vegetables the same way again." Superball announced with a sudden epiphany. "I understand vegetarians at
last!"
"I do not." Bella said with an elbow to Morgan's ribs. "I for one am not ready to forgo a solid slab of well toned beefcake."
"You are far too limited in your culinary ambitions." Jackie chided. "But you have had the good manners to broaden your horizons on rare
occasions." She stretched up to pull down a large stew pot from the overhead rack; her breasts thrusting forward, the hem of her short apron riding up
further and further.
"I have seen the glory of the coming of the lord." Pooky sang reverently only to let the song fall away as Jackie's stretch ended the barest
millimeter from revelation. For the fallen demon it was a joyous moment of realization. The forces of hell, while good, did not have a monopoly on temptation
and mortals could rise to the occasion and outdo even the most sensual of sulfur soaked succubae. The mortal realm was a great place, it truly was.
"First you want to stoke a very hot flame, and then add a dash of oil to your workspace." Jackie said. "Oil provides excellent transfer of heat
and lubrication. This is essential. It is this initial lubrication that allows the natural juices, flavors and aromas to be further encouraged to flow. One can
start without this benefit, but the end result is almost never as satisfying."
"She is still talking about cooking, isn't she?" Lora'lai managed, blushing slightly.
"Does it matter?" Shizuru asked.
"The garlic and onion should be stirred gently." Jackie's manipulated the wooden spoon deftly, the circular motions magnified, rippling outwards.
"Allowing their essences to mix and flow together. Let them do so, speed is not of essence here, it is a slow buildup that will later reward you with even
greater eruptions of flavor. Even now the essences flow outward, scenting the room, fuelling the senses, creating a hunger for the fulfillment that it
promises."
"We now work in the stock." Jackie poured the liquid in with a slow, languid motion. She brought out a small spoon from her apron and dipped it into
the pot. She brought it to her lips. Her lips pursed and she slowly inhaled the broth, a sighing, ripple of satisfaction that spread through her whole body.
"Do not be afraid to taste at any point." Jackie said breathily. "It is the best way to know exactly how you are progressing in your
endeavor."
"From there you add the tomato paste and the rest of your vegetables; bulging eggplants, firm and ripe. Peppers bursting with flavor. Mushrooms, dark and
savory; their caps gently rounded." Jackie said. "Stir more robustly. You do not wish to bruise, but it is essential that your motions be more
deliberate now. Every surface must be fully covered in the glistening broth. Then it is just a matter of heat, motion and time, awaiting the magical moment
when the culmination of your efforts is so grandly rewarded."
She opened the oven and brought out a dish. She whisked the cover off in a sweeping motion that sent the aroma wafting across the assembled heroes.
"Now." Jackie said. "Who wants a taste?"
"I can't stand up!" Superball wailed!
"Morgan. Home. Now. Apply Yourself." Bella grabbed Morgan's collar and dragged him from the room.