OOM: Cooking with Moist

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart leads the way upstairs, to his room, and opens the door.

There are books stacked beside the divan now, and a long table with bowls and knives and fruit in basket.

"Bath first, or cooking first?"

Comments

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart puts some salt into the now-boiling water, stirs the onions in the oil, then measures rice into the salt water, stirs, puts the lid on, and turns down the burner.

"A turtle," he says. "And that made them stop how?"

His world might learn from it.

[morethanprops]

"I'm not exactly sure, but they're much more peaceful now. Though I won't recommend arguing theology with them, you'll get a headache."

[scots_wolf]

"I never argue theology with anyone any more," Urquhart says. "Can you stir the onions as they are frying?"

[morethanprops]

"I rarely argue it, but I've learned enough to seem like I'm a member of a few religions,"

Moist moves over to stir the onions.

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart laughs, and kisses Moist's cheek, leaning over from where he is standing.

"That is the best use for any religion," he says.

[morethanprops]

"People are quite trusting when they think you believe what they do."

[scots_wolf]

"Yes, they are very silly that way," Urquhart says. "The people in the orient never tried to convert me because they all assumed I already had, living among them as I did. I could fake Christianity and Islam both very well, depending on which I needed."

[morethanprops]

"If you know the right phrases and have the right props, people will believe almost anything as long as you look like you belong."

[scots_wolf]

"I didn't," Urquhart says. "I was tall and blond among mostly short and dark people. But that served to reinforce their trust. If I lived among them, I had to have converted. It was natural to them. Religions make people stupid. All religions. All people."

[morethanprops]

"They do, since it all comes down to everyone wants to belong to something,"

Moist has used that so often, if you fit, you don't get questioned.

[scots_wolf]

"And they can't understand people who don't," Urquhart agrees.

[morethanprops]

"No, so its that much simpler to make them think you belong."

[scots_wolf]

"They are practically asking for it," Urquhart agrees. "Now, add the eggplant to the pan."

[morethanprops]

Moist nods and puts it in, being careful of the oil.

[scots_wolf]

"Now, add some salt," Urquhart says, taking the lid off the rice pot and stirring it.

[morethanprops]

"How much?" He peers into the pot.

[scots_wolf]

"A pinch or two," Urquhart says.

Beat.

"Well, that measurement is a bit vague. Let me show you."

He reaches into the salt jar, takes up some salt between three fingers, and sprinkles it over the frying pieces of eggplant.

[morethanprops]

"Oh I see," Pinches vary so much depending on a person's hands.

[scots_wolf]

"It's not something that can be explained or defined easily," Urquhart says. "A pinch of salt is a pinch of salt, really..."

[morethanprops]

"Of course, well, some things you just have to learn."

[scots_wolf]

"There are some things one can't explain," Urquhart says. "All trades and skills have them. How can one explain when ink is the right thickness, how to handle gold leaf, or when a dagger is sharp enough?"

[morethanprops]

"You just have to learn it. It smells delicious."

[scots_wolf]

"Yes, but it will be better with spices," Urquhart says.

He starts adding them, some just a tiny sprinkle, some by the generous spoonful.

[morethanprops]

"Is this a combination that you learned or created?"

[scots_wolf]

"Learned," Urquhart says. "Or rather, improvised from among a number of options."