Informal visit (For Metody)

[evillurks]

The Shadow is hard at work coordinating things from the Rettigue apartment, today. The break from hunting out Khan's activities in his alternate's world is merely an opportunity to chase criminals in his own. Unavailable to gather forces for multiple raids and without the time to head up those operations himself, he's stuck compiling information and passing it to legal authorities through very careful channels. It's a lot of paperwork, and very tedious, but it gives him a physical rest he needs from his other activities.

When Metody arrives, he's in the most worn spot in the whole place; the center of the black plush sofa, bent over the coffee table. He regards his visitor over the rims of his reading glasses. "You've looked better. Coffee or tea?" The paperwork is shuffled neatly into a folder, out of sight.

The apartment is spacious and spartan, with sleek dark furniture. There's a grouping of the sofa and a few black armchairs around a black metal coffee table, all arranged on a vast Oriental rug. A bookshelf built into the wall opposite the sofa holds a television set that is archaic by Metody's standards, fewer books than one might expect, a sleek stereo system, and in spots of honour a card bearing Chinese calligraphy by Myra and the wrappings and knife Metody sent for Christmas. A floor to ceiling window dominates another wall, but the drapes are only open a crack. Apart from the kitchen doorway and a hall, there's little else to be seen in this room. It has quite a bit of open, empty space and the feel of somewhere that is only sporadically lived in.

Comments

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

He hesitated, good manners warring with the desire for a luxury. A luxury he knew wasn't very prized in other worlds.

"...perhaps...a little...?"

If nothing else, he could serve it to The when he visited.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

Certainly the knowledge that he'll have The Shadow's own favorite brand of coffee will make a valuable incentive to visit. That Metody is willing to accept the offer seems to put the old man at ease. "Do you have a grinder?"

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"Yeah."

Both of the mortar and pestle and the hand cranked variety. Between the two, he feels he can deal with anything.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow would find such methods only slightly primitive. Most people simply grind theirs in the store, but he is a connoisseur. With a nod he stands, and fetches a fairly sizable bag from the kitchen. It is more than a little, and it does not appear to have been opened yet, as he's still finishing off another bag.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

In theory, Metody was communing with nature. The PIN ran rather counter to that, as did the generator hooked up to a nearby stream, though that last one was to run the radio.

He blinks once at the size of the bag, but reaches out to take it with a smile. "Gosh. Thankyou."

Maybe he'll make one cup of coffee for himself. Just one.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

If The Shadow knew Metody was meant to be roughing it, he might disapprove, but on the other hand he might consider going without coffee inhumane. Certainly he could make an entire pot of coffee, with this bag, and still have enough left over for another pot or two. It is whole bean coffee, however, so there will be slightly less when it's ground down.

"Not a problem. I always keep some on hand, in every apartment." He resumes his seat with a quiet wheeze, and settles back.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

In his defense, the generator was provided by the Service. Even on a pattycake assignment like Metody's, radio contact was considered important. You had to report the hundredth straight day of nothing happening somehow, after all.

He grins, cradling the bag in the crook of one arm like a small baby. "I will have to keep that in mind."

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

"It's relatively easy to come by, here. Just ask when you run out." Whether he means to let Metody purchase it in his world, or simply intends to keep giving him coffee as some odd payment for his reports is left open to interpretation.

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

Metody hugs the coffee, looking rather thrilled. There's a difference between popping into the Nexus and going to a Starspawn's to get a cup of coffee and being able to make it in the comfort of your own hovel.

"Sure. But I hope you'll accept some meat in return. I promise, only standard animals."



((Sorry! The past few days were a bit tougher than I thought they'd be.))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow raises one eyebrow over Metody's overt enthusiasm, but something about his eyes hints at mild amusement. "That's... fine, but not too much. I end up having to put things in the freezer." While he has no great need for what Metody's offering, he is also too tired at the moment to start an argument over it.

((That's fine! You might look into the writing meme I posted the other day, when you have time.))

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

"Okay. Not too much," he agrees, amiable. Single serving things would probably be best, because he somehow doubts The spends a lot of time on cooking for himself.

He hesitates, then fidgets with the bag of coffee as he tries to think of something else to say. Nothing comes to mind.

"I...guess I ought to, uh - "

((Oh, spiffy. I'll be sure to check it tonight!))

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow is, in fact, a perfectly capable cook. A lifetime of living alone and not always in ideal circumstances has taught him to be resourceful, and he can manage something palatable even with limited ingredients. On the other hand, the modern age has left him somewhat prone to grabbing take-out of one kind or another. Metody's offerings have been a welcome break.

"Mmm." The old man regards his nervous attempt at speech with an impassive face. "You should go home and rest. Make the next report when you feel up to it."

[metody-green.livejournal.com]

He smiles apologetically. " - I should stop filling up so much of your time, too. Um. But thankyou very much. I feel much more clear headed now."

Much-much-much. He had the brief urge to chant the word after saying it so many times. He resisted; it was more from a cracked kind of social perversity than any real craziness, and would not have helped. Chanting never helped.

[evillurks.livejournal.com]

The Shadow shrugs, and moves to stand, albeit with a hint of reluctance. "I needed a break." He seems prepared to see Metody off and return to his paperwork, but the chance to have a few cups of coffee and converse about something other than his current work has been appreciated.

Likely he wouldn't know what to think if Metody started chanting, though.