Human!AU based on the movie "Bella Martha"/"Mostly Martha" ("No Reservations" = American remake of that movie), in which Ludwig is a perfectionist chef, Feliciano is not a perfectionist (but still a chef), and they fall in love. Along the way, Ludwig learns a little about living.
Ricette d'amore [2a/?]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 00:26:33 UTC
In the master bedroom of the fourth floor apartment of one Ludwig Beilschmidt, the bedside alarm went off every day, without fail, at 05:40. Five minutes later saw Ludwig Beilschmidt out the door of his apartment, ready for his daily morning run; one hour later saw his return. By 07:00, every morning, Mr. Beilschmidt was washed, dried, pressed, starched and ready to make his well-balanced, nutritious breakfast in the largest room of his apartment.
The kitchen.
Ludwig’s life revolved around cooking; partially because he wanted it to, and partially because he had nothing else. He worked every evening as the head chef in a four star restaurant called… well, called The Black Magic. Despite the strange name (the owner was British, what could you expect?), The Black Magic was one of Köln’s most popular restaurants. Because although it was small, and had a rather eclectic staff, The Black Magic could boast some of the best Italian cuisine in the world.
Ludwig was very aware, and incredibly proud of this fact
( ... )
Ricette d'amore [2b/?]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 01:21:52 UTC
Regulars knew the unspoken rules of The Black Magic. For instance, they knew that the chef would be annoyed regardless of the reason if he was called out of the kitchen. However, they also knew that if he was called out for a compliment (and why wouldn’t it be?), Chef Ludwig would merely issue a very red-faced “Thank you, sir” and disappear, pleased, back into his chaotic domain
( ... )
Ricette d'amore [2c/?]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 01:47:00 UTC
The restaurant closed its doors at 22:00, and theoretically, Ludwig should have been home and asleep every night by 23:00. But he always found excuses to stay behind. He double and tripled checked the clean up jobs done by Berwald and Mikkel, respectively. He quadroupled-checked his own. No pot, nor pan, nor clove of garlic could be a millimeter out of place by the time Ludwig would finally take off his apron, put on his coat and leave.
He assured Dr. Zwingli every Wednesday that the five hours and fourty-five minutes of sleep he got every night was all his body required to properly and healthily function. But she would have none of it, and had suggested (threatened) that his hours be cut if he couldn't manage a solid eight hours every night
( ... )
Ricette d'amore [3a/?]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 04:42:49 UTC
"You are the next of kin?"
For a moment his heart stopped, although Ludwig knew that was an exaggeration. Because if his heart had really stopped, then he would be dead and not standing in the bright white hallway of a busy hospital, talking to a nurse wearing scrubs patterned with chicks and bunnies.
"Oh, excuse my choice of words, Mr. Beilschmidt. It's been a long night... You are Ludwig Beilschmidt, correct?"
"The message said he was in critical care, but stable" was rightly taken for a 'yes'.
"If you’re Gilbert’s brother then that’s true. Or was true, several hours ago.” Ludwig’s heart… “Your brother has been released to a quieter ward; he was released from surgery a few hours ago
( ... )
Ricette d'amore [3b/13]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 05:49:53 UTC
By the time he made it back up to the floor Gilbert was on, Ludwig was composed. He had washed his face and rinsed the acid from his throat. He was ready to tell Gilbert that his wife was dead; when he woke up. The doctor had told Ludwig before they had parted ways that Gilbert was on some pretty powerful painkillers (He’d need them).
But when Ludwig finally reached the open doorway of the second room from the end of the hallway, Gilbert was not asleep. In fact, he was already sitting up, and if there wasn’t the matter of his legs (one in a cast, one missing) then Ludwig might not have been able to tell why Gilbert needed to be in the hospital at all.
He looked like he always did. All smirks and laughter and irresponsibility.
Gilbert noticed him standing there. It was only a matter of time. “…Ludwig? Is that really you Wessie?” his brother chuckled to himself. “Oh, I get it now. It takes a car accident for little Wessie to visit big brother Gilbert. Some little brother you are.”
He didn’t know.Ludwig entered the room and choked
( ... )
Ricette d'amore [3c/13]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 06:38:32 UTC
Ludwig couldn’t tell him, he couldn’t, he didn’t know what to say, this was wrong, it shouldn’t have happened, it shouldn’t be happening, he couldn’t, he couldn’t couldn’t couldn’t, “Elizaveta is dead
( ... )
Re: Ricette d'amore [3c/13]
anonymous
April 6 2010, 18:54:45 UTC
Cooking!anon here. Yay! Update! Even if this part is so sad, dawww. Poor Gilbert and poor Elizabeth and... well, poor everybody, actually, including Ludwig. Now I wonder who the nephew could be... You're a really good writer thought, both at sad/angsty and funny.
About cooking: you're doing well, until now. My father had a restaurant for a while (noting fancy, more like a trattoria) and the description of the kitchen works imo. Chefs are usually really anal about their instruments of work, especially knives (good sets are pricey, and hard to come by!).
I suppose I should have made it clearer, but I decided not to have a nephew at all. Or rather, Gilbert's the nephew; he'll hardly be able to live on his own after this. And I'm sure he has it in him to be as much of a pain as the little girl in the movie was. So you're going to get to see the grieving process from the POV of two brothers, instead of an aunt and niece. I hope it still works!
I'm so used to writing funny that sad isn't really in my comfort zone, so I'm really happy to hear that the sad bits worked for you.
Ah, specifics. I guess I have to reveal my embarrassing secret: I don't even know what to ask because I can barely manage warming up Eggo waffles in the toaster (they're on par with cockroaches, on a live-through-nuclear-winter scale. And I still manage to ruin them). I guess... is there a restaurant quality dish that you really like? Frankly, if I asked you for a specific recipe it'd be because I browsed through a google search of "italian dishes that are difficult to make" right beforehand. (My cooking fail is a
( ... )
Re: Author here
anonymous
April 8 2010, 14:15:27 UTC
Yes, I got it just after I posted actually (it makes sense and I love the German bros being bros, so it works really well for me).
Hmmm... Lemme see... Some basics!
- Base for sauces (battuto): carrot, onion, garlic, parsley, celery, everything cut in pieces (not minced!), let it cook in olive oil (a couple spoons every two people) until the onion and the garlic are golden. You can fish the pieces out then, they're just for flavor and not for eating. Then pour the rest of the ingredients in the oil (eg. passata). Watch out, boiling oil hurts! With passata, don't use garlic. Garlic and onion need to have the 'skin' peeled off.
- To take the edge off the taste of garlic: cut it in half and cut the green part off. Or: cover it in milk and boil it. Or: cover it in water, boil it, change the water, repeat five more times (always start 'a freddo', with the water cold). Or use shallot ;) (but if you use shallot, don't use onion
( ... )
I should add...
anonymous
April 8 2010, 14:29:19 UTC
... even if all of those aren't that complicated, I can def. see them served in a restaurant, especially if it's Italian-style. The basic idea behind a good Italian restaurant, even fancy ones, it's that, just like "there are no small part, just small actors", there are no easy recipes, just bad cooks.
However, I could put together some more difficult recipes, but you have to give me (read: my mum ♥) a day or so. I hope it's ok for now!
Ok, mum says (whew, that was fast)...
anonymous
April 8 2010, 14:51:39 UTC
... 'hard' recipes are of two kinds: - long and elaborated. Eg. Ragù. This kind is not 'difficult' to make, but requires attention and long cooking times. I can make a good ragù and I'm no cook, but it takes at least three and an half hours. Another type is pasta all'uovo, pasta with egg in the dough. You can buy it, but it's better home-made, and requires a long kneading (with strong arms, and sexy hips movements;)).
- elaborated and 'it-may-not-work'. The classic example is soufflé, which may not rise (or rise and then deflate!) if the doses aren't just right, the oven isn't at the exact right temperature, or, believe it or not, the room's windows are open!
Both kinds are def. restaurant recipes.
Sorry for multiple posting! I'm dumb sometimes >_>
Authornon is impressed. I've got plenty to work with now, thank you! And tons of thanks to your mom, too. (Reading this made me start to get hungry... all I had for dinner was a peanut butter sandwich... I really need to try to learn how to cook real meals again)
Never underestimate mothers when it comes to cooking.
anonymous
April 9 2010, 10:31:54 UTC
I'm not the author, but I just felt like commenting on this:
with strong arms, and sexy hips movements;)
I am now imagining Ludwig doing that ._. this image won't leave my head. Ever. German!Anon feels ashamed.
To the author, because I don't want to post two comments: In my eyes, this story is pretty much... perfection. I've never seen a fic with everyone so IC (I kind of wish you'd, how do I say this... bring the Nordics in more because I'm sure you wouldn't mess up their characters like others do, but oh well)
Re: Ricette d'amore [3c/13]
anonymous
April 7 2010, 03:13:48 UTC
There's going to be 13 parts? Be still my heart! *_____*
This is so perfectly IC. You rarely see fanfics that emphasize Ludwig's 'efficient' side (and by that I mean anal retentive) without making him into a caricature, but you managed to capture it perfectly while still keeping him believable.
So far, I really love the universe you've set up. I SO love your decision to replace the niece with Gilbert--mostly because I think kid characters are annoying, but also because I think that their brotherly relationship can be very, very interesting in this context.
I cannot wait to see what you do with Feliciano *_____* Keep up the good work, author!anon!
(Direct to part 1: http://hetalia-kink.livejournal.com/13125.html?thread=34015813#t34015813)
Human!AU based on the movie "Bella Martha"/"Mostly Martha" ("No Reservations" = American remake of that movie), in which Ludwig is a perfectionist chef, Feliciano is not a perfectionist (but still a chef), and they fall in love. Along the way, Ludwig learns a little about living.
Reply
The kitchen.
Ludwig’s life revolved around cooking; partially because he wanted it to, and partially because he had nothing else. He worked every evening as the head chef in a four star restaurant called… well, called The Black Magic. Despite the strange name (the owner was British, what could you expect?), The Black Magic was one of Köln’s most popular restaurants. Because although it was small, and had a rather eclectic staff, The Black Magic could boast some of the best Italian cuisine in the world.
Ludwig was very aware, and incredibly proud of this fact ( ... )
Reply
This is wonderful, anon.
Reply
Reply
He assured Dr. Zwingli every Wednesday that the five hours and fourty-five minutes of sleep he got every night was all his body required to properly and healthily function. But she would have none of it, and had suggested (threatened) that his hours be cut if he couldn't manage a solid eight hours every night ( ... )
Reply
For a moment his heart stopped, although Ludwig knew that was an exaggeration. Because if his heart had really stopped, then he would be dead and not standing in the bright white hallway of a busy hospital, talking to a nurse wearing scrubs patterned with chicks and bunnies.
"Oh, excuse my choice of words, Mr. Beilschmidt. It's been a long night... You are Ludwig Beilschmidt, correct?"
"The message said he was in critical care, but stable" was rightly taken for a 'yes'.
"If you’re Gilbert’s brother then that’s true. Or was true, several hours ago.” Ludwig’s heart… “Your brother has been released to a quieter ward; he was released from surgery a few hours ago ( ... )
Reply
But when Ludwig finally reached the open doorway of the second room from the end of the hallway, Gilbert was not asleep. In fact, he was already sitting up, and if there wasn’t the matter of his legs (one in a cast, one missing) then Ludwig might not have been able to tell why Gilbert needed to be in the hospital at all.
He looked like he always did. All smirks and laughter and irresponsibility.
Gilbert noticed him standing there. It was only a matter of time. “…Ludwig? Is that really you Wessie?” his brother chuckled to himself. “Oh, I get it now. It takes a car accident for little Wessie to visit big brother Gilbert. Some little brother you are.”
He didn’t know.Ludwig entered the room and choked ( ... )
Reply
Reply
About cooking: you're doing well, until now. My father had a restaurant for a while (noting fancy, more like a trattoria) and the description of the kitchen works imo. Chefs are usually really anal about their instruments of work, especially knives (good sets are pricey, and hard to come by!).
Anything more specific? Recipes, etc.
Reply
I'm so used to writing funny that sad isn't really in my comfort zone, so I'm really happy to hear that the sad bits worked for you.
Ah, specifics. I guess I have to reveal my embarrassing secret: I don't even know what to ask because I can barely manage warming up Eggo waffles in the toaster (they're on par with cockroaches, on a live-through-nuclear-winter scale. And I still manage to ruin them). I guess... is there a restaurant quality dish that you really like? Frankly, if I asked you for a specific recipe it'd be because I browsed through a google search of "italian dishes that are difficult to make" right beforehand. (My cooking fail is a ( ... )
Reply
Hmmm... Lemme see... Some basics!
- Base for sauces (battuto): carrot, onion, garlic, parsley, celery, everything cut in pieces (not minced!), let it cook in olive oil (a couple spoons every two people) until the onion and the garlic are golden. You can fish the pieces out then, they're just for flavor and not for eating. Then pour the rest of the ingredients in the oil (eg. passata). Watch out, boiling oil hurts! With passata, don't use garlic. Garlic and onion need to have the 'skin' peeled off.
- To take the edge off the taste of garlic: cut it in half and cut the green part off. Or: cover it in milk and boil it. Or: cover it in water, boil it, change the water, repeat five more times (always start 'a freddo', with the water cold). Or use shallot ;) (but if you use shallot, don't use onion ( ... )
Reply
However, I could put together some more difficult recipes, but you have to give me (read: my mum ♥) a day or so. I hope it's ok for now!
Reply
- long and elaborated. Eg. Ragù. This kind is not 'difficult' to make, but requires attention and long cooking times. I can make a good ragù and I'm no cook, but it takes at least three and an half hours.
Another type is pasta all'uovo, pasta with egg in the dough. You can buy it, but it's better home-made, and requires a long kneading (with strong arms, and sexy hips movements;)).
- elaborated and 'it-may-not-work'. The classic example is soufflé, which may not rise (or rise and then deflate!) if the doses aren't just right, the oven isn't at the exact right temperature, or, believe it or not, the room's windows are open!
Both kinds are def. restaurant recipes.
Sorry for multiple posting! I'm dumb sometimes >_>
Reply
Okay, back to work on the next part!
Reply
with strong arms, and sexy hips movements;)
I am now imagining Ludwig doing that ._. this image won't leave my head. Ever. German!Anon feels ashamed.
To the author, because I don't want to post two comments:
In my eyes, this story is pretty much... perfection. I've never seen a fic with everyone so IC (I kind of wish you'd, how do I say this... bring the Nordics in more because I'm sure you wouldn't mess up their characters like others do, but oh well)
Reply
This is so perfectly IC. You rarely see fanfics that emphasize Ludwig's 'efficient' side (and by that I mean anal retentive) without making him into a caricature, but you managed to capture it perfectly while still keeping him believable.
So far, I really love the universe you've set up. I SO love your decision to replace the niece with Gilbert--mostly because I think kid characters are annoying, but also because I think that their brotherly relationship can be very, very interesting in this context.
I cannot wait to see what you do with Feliciano *_____* Keep up the good work, author!anon!
Reply
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