awhitecrow | Second Prayer - written / action

[The temperature outside has dropped dramatically, and that means Jonathan Hollom finds it perfect weather to make stew.

The supplies for it are still on the counter, organized but spread out, and a pot is on the stove, simmering. The dish is a bit Irish... but he doubts his housemates will mind. Pieces of lamb have been seasoned and added to vegetables in the pot.

He's nearly done preparing it-- only five or six hours of staying on the stove to finish it off. And so he can keep an eye on it (once the mess from preparing it is cleaned), he has brought his Bible and notes on another not-quite-sermon he's prepared. It's something to occupy him, nothing more.

He has his Journal out as well and, between stirring the stew again and putting away the supplies, he writes a quick message.]

A very generous group of young ladies has allowed me to stay in their home. In return, I am trying to make myself useful, particularly by providing them with meals.

I would be obliged if anyone had recipies they might share.

Jonathan

[It seems only polite to sign his name, and... nearly everyone in those house had insisted on being called by their Christian name.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Better. [ she smiles over her spoon. ] We eat as a family here, Jonathan. At least -- we do when we're all here. Our schedules don't always line up. But we try.

...A family?

[He can't help but half stare at her. After all, he's a complete outsider. Plucked from near death and simply taking up space in their home.

That hardly brings him into their "family."]

I'm not proposing that we cut our palms and shake hands, Jonathan. Just -- we share a roof. Share it.

I-- Yes. Of course.

...Whoops. I went and spooked you again.

[He ducked his head a bit. Anyone with any kind of air of authority tended to... well. To prompt a very compliant, skittish nature.]

I'm sorry.

...D'you know what a swear jar is, Jonathan? 'Cause I'm pretty close to setting up an apology jar. But I don't know what we'd put in it -- in a world without quarters.

[Well... That got him to look up, at least.]

Ma'am?

[ she takes her sweet time before saying anything else: ] It's delicious, by the way.

[He manages a slight smile.]

Thank you. I'm glad you like it.

[ it's a little bit like a game -- making hollom smile. ]

Gotta admit. I never expected to actually like lamb.

I'm glad you like it.

...Do you like it?

I do. But. [He offers a small smile.] I am not someone who did not think they would like lamb.

[ is this some sort of a breakthrough? she also smiles. ]

You're very right, Jonathan. You know -- I used to know a Jonathan. Back home.

[Baby steps.]

You did? [It's a common enough name, but he still smiles a little, waiting.]

We...went to school together.

[He will hold back from commenting, keep his surprise at a minimum. Different time, different place.]

I never, uhm, spoke to him. Much. He was always kinda quiet. But he still managed to surprise me.

How? [A gentle prod from an attentive listener.]

He...noticed me. [ perhaps it sounds a little on the stupid side -- someone quiet and unassuming noticing her and that somehow being a surprise. except...except buffy had not been in the spotlight at sunnydale. she had purposefully lived a very double life. ]

And he saved my life, once. You can always count on the quiet and unassuming ones.

[His expression falters for a moment.

Not always.

But he forces that hint of a smile back as he nods.]

I-- I'm glad. That he was able to help you.

Me, too. Of course -- this was after months and months of him actively trying not to help me. He kinda fell in with the wrong crowd.

O--oh. I'm... sorry to hear that.

[ that was, of course, the other side to being quiet and unassuming. of being too easily led. shaped. coerced. ]

He figured it out eventually, though. [ a beat. ] I guess that's not such a great story. Not even a story, really. Barely an anecdote.

He was really short.

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