@hellskitchen ; text

[cutlery]

Good afternoon, all.

If we have not yet become acquainted, then please, allow me to introduce myself. I am Sebastian Michaelis, another recently arrived Outsider, and most pertinent for why I make this address today, recently employed on LILITH’s base here in Neo-Tokyo. My official title is the kitchen manager for the cafeteria, but as needs must, I have taken on some additional responsibilities. I may not be in service to my lord here, but I still feel it important to best offer my skill as a butler.

First, on matters of food.

I am attempting to improve the menu on offer in the cafeteria, and I hope that anyone that has stopped by to try the improved offerings in recent weeks has enjoyed them. However, I would very much like to expand such offerings. If there is a particular dish that you find yourself missing, please, do let me know. I will endeavor to recreate it with your assistance, though I can make no guarantees. If you have a recipe I can follow, all the better.

Second, on matters of facility maintenance.

While our automated services are adequate, I do believe that the order and cleanliness of the base could be improved. Thus, the additional responsibilities I have taken on. If you find any part of the base in disrepair or would perhaps like your personal quarters cleaned regularly, please let me know. It would be my pleasure to do so, as a tidy home makes for happier people.

If you would like a full list of services I offer, I would be glad to provide it. I simply fear that this is already a rather long announcement.

Thank you very much for your attention. Do have a wonderful day.

- Sebastian Michaelis

Comments

[cutlery]

[ The comment about it being for men absolutely bounces off him almost without notice, since. Well. It's not like Victorian England is a bastion of gender equality. ]

I see! That does not immediately ring a bell for me, but fermented foods are somewhat in fashion I have noticed. They are shelf stable, I suppose...? Next time you are out in the city, if you would not mind buying me a sample, I would be happy to incorporate it, regardless.

Stews are very simple, efficient meals, so they will be a staple, I am certain. To share a bit of a kitchen secret with you, a stew was often my choice in the manor when we had meat or vegetables a bit close to spoilage. It was a perfect way to utilize them deliciously, and spice is all the better.

That said, meat and vegetables are somewhat challenging here, so do forgive me if those are not up to par... But I shall at least make up for it with the flavor, I assure you.

[gyve]

I'll try
One of the men from redemption Spock is locating spices and then we're going to buy some so I'll keep you informed
And share the location of the market we track it down in

As long as we have those the flavour shouldn't be far behind
And you sound like a chef of some kind
Or a house servant

( a slave wouldn't be this eager... though, he had known some to commit to their role beyond what was expected of them. impressive survival instincts. )

Did you choose to enter into this line of work
I think our comrades should learn to take care of their own spaces
We're essentially this city's military and discipline is lacking

[cutlery]

Please do. I have been taking some creative liberties with the spice mixtures that are already offered, though I must give all credit for this to Miss Ishmael. They are a bit salty, but should you ever like some flavor in a pinch, those packets of dried noodles always include a packet of spicing and bouillon. But of course fresher and quite separated spices would be much preferred.

I am the head butler of Earl Phantomhive of England, so I am a servant, yes. One of my duties also includes being the chef of the household, for there is no one else capable.

[ They have a chef, technically, but... Bardroy sucks at it, so. Sebastian it is. ]

I would not say I chose it, but I do not dislike it. In fact, I find it all to be very satisfying, honestly. It is pleasing to work hard and have something to show for it at the end of the effort, whether it is a nicely polished floor or a dinner that brings a smile to someone's face.

So, I would not disagree that our comrades should take care of themselves. But it is pleasing to help ease the burden of a difficult situation in what ways I know best.

[gyve]

Never knew dried noodles could be made to taste good but I guess it's the same idea as dried meats or other things
I'll remember your and Ishmael's suggestion when I get sick of the artificial slop
Luckily I'm used to it

Where's England
Anywhere near Las Vegas and Mexico

( i'm just saying things i know because there's so much i don't )

Because wherever it is it all sounds excessively fancy like the palace of a lord
If that's true then you have my deepest condolences
And if I find you sweeping near my quarters I'll be sure to tell you what a fine job you're doing

( the playful sarcasm here is unmistakable. a few days was all it took for him to lighten up a smidgen. )

[cutlery]

Not at all, I fear. But as I did not know Las Vegas and had to see where it was myself, I decided to mark up a map for you. But a moment.

[ And diligently, he sends a picture of a map right after. While Kaladin might not be able to read it, Sebastian's penmanship is immaculate. Naturally. ALSO I AM SO SORRY TO IRELAND SCOTLAND AND WALES HE'S FROM 1889!!!!!! But at least he knows it, since he offers a caveat: ]

With a caveat that the precise borders may have changed, since there are several centuries between my time and the present day here. But that is their general location in the world, and thus, all very far indeed from us! I would have considered myself well-traveled, and yet there is so little of the world I have seen when laid out on a map like this...

I shall not bore you with such pondering, though.

Indeed, I am in service to a lord, and thus I accept your condolences with gratitude. My lord is a young man, so it is perhaps not too terrible... But he is certain to make me earn my keep all the same.

[gyve]

( the map is illegible, but the red circles show him enough. key points, four of them, likely the places mentioned and their current location.

with the tip of his finger, he counts the characters in each word.

three and five must make up the only location with two distinct terms: las vegas. the rest is guesswork. japan sounds like the shortest word of the choices he has remaining, and it's five characters, which would make it the country in the far east. the two left are immediately placed incorrectly, as kaladin assumes, by syllable, that mexico must lie in the centre. )

Looks like you could easily walk to Las Vegas and learn about it that way
It might be similar to your own country you ought to take a look sometime
The dessert is vast and hot but it was pleasant there and you could see great distances

( swiping the map off of his screen with a harmless arrogance, considering himself done cooking. it's hard being naturally fucking gifted at everything )

I'm not very well-travelled myself

( WHAT? REEAAAAAALLY??????????? )

I've seen a lot more than most men though and I think that counts as worldly experience
I hope you're not doing him these favours for free and are demanding fair payment from him

[cutlery]

[ ...Well, he could walk, sure. But he can also just make a quick trip across the ocean in the span of five minutes, so. ]

It would be quite the walk! Forgive me, for I did not include the scale... But from Las Vegas to Mexico City (which is roughly in the center, as I recall) would be about 1,500 miles or about twice the length of England, for reference. So, it would be much easier to go at it by train!

I would indeed like to visit both, though, for I have never been to Mexico at all, and my time in America was extremely brief. They seemed like exceedingly lively places, though I would not know about them now... I shall simply have to hope that our travels take us to new places.

I do appreciate your concern, but do not worry on my behalf. I am well-compensated for my work for the young master. I might have complaints of it as anyone does of their job, but I enjoy it deeply.

[gyve]

1500 miles

( holyyyyyyyyyyy mackerel )

Never mind then
I learned what a train is in another conversation which is fortunate
They've got a more direct route to Las Vegas though as a few outsiders are searching for worm segments
Could be a good opportunity for you

The stipend won't likely compare to what you made previously but it's enough
Were you assigned a civilian job

[cutlery]

Indeed, I saw that opportunity, and if I am able, I would very much like to join in on that little hunt. I will do my best to assist, naturally, but I would be lying to say that most of my interest is simply to see the place.

As for the stipend, I find it very generous, actually. The young master did pay me, but honestly, I am not very materialistic... Even with the young master's stipend, I tended to use it more for the household than myself. I do not need much. It will be the same here, I am sure.

And for my job, I believe this is it, actually? I have only been assigned to work menial tasks upon the base.

[gyve]

Great we don't have to share you with the outside world
We can keep you in there cooking

( we're all desperate man )

I think I'm making fairly good money in my position so if you need anything to help in the kitchen then I'll see what I can do about getting it for you
Food is good for morale and the people I've met here need the boost

What is England like compared to this place

[cutlery]

That is very kind of you. I shall keep it in mind, but at the very least, I do not think it should be too much trouble. Admittedly, I am not one for material things, so I imagined most of my compensation simply going towards the kitchen... I agree, after all. There is little better to improve one's mood and morale than a good meal.

England is a much simpler place, but part of that is surely because of the centuries that separate us! But even so, most of my time was spent at my lord's manor, which was settled in the countryside. We would go into the city of London for business, but day to day, it was an idyllic place of farmers and pastures. Most of the country is like that, really.

London, on the other hand... Well, it is a rather dirty place, to be honest, but that is what is to be expected of a center of industry. The soot can be quite bad some days from all the factories' smoke.

[gyve]

( centuries?

oh, finally. someone he can project his struggle onto. )

You must still be getting used to this advanced technology too then
People keep telling me it's faster and easier
Maybe that's true but it doesn't feel that way

I can't imagine toxins in the air like that
Gases being inhaled and damaging the lungs

[cutlery]

Indeed I am. It is very interesting to learn, mind you! But I have always been a lover of technology... So, faster or easier it may not be, yet I still enjoy learning about it all the same.

Though that is not to say it does not give me trouble from time to time. Many of the machines in the kitchen I have simply ignored, for example. They may be able to do a task, but they do not do it well.

As for London, you get used to it, I suppose? [ or you're a cheater and it doesn't matter at all ] The young master has a somewhat frail constitution, so we do try and stay away from the city as much as possible... Or, rather, if there is urgent business and it is especially bad, I tend to go in his stead.

[gyve]

You've seen the air fryer too then

( laios told him it was convenient... maybe for them, but sebastian seems to like cooking. it'd probably be a hindrance to him. )

If I were in charge of the kitchens I wouldn't want to use something automatic
What if you forget it's on and it burns everything

( he just doesn't like it because it's noisy........... )

Is it some kind of medical condition that makes him frail or was he born like that

[cutlery]

Yes... I was not impressed with it, I admit to you. The crispness was nice, but the flavor was lacking.

[ he doesn't know wtf calories or heart disease is you fry everything in FAT and you will LIKE it ]

And indeed, I would have some concerns about leaving things unattended, but honestly, if things ended up on fire, that would almost feel like home. Unfortunately, the man who has the title of chef in the household is beyond terrible. Truly, abysmal. [ did he really have to say it twice... ] So, at least I am adept at putting out fires too, and thus, I am not terribly worried about it.

As for the young master, it is both, I believe? I do not understand it very well (though, now that it has been brought up, I shall have to look into it more here while I am able), but it is asthma.

[gyve]

Who knows what weird rays it's blasting at your food

( it's hot air )

Whatever
I think everyone's so concerned with making their lives easier that they're forgetting how to do things with their own hands
I bet that chef tries to cut corners
It's not the way a man should conduct himself

( this is becoming an extreme boomer conversation... )

I've heard of asthma
Inflammation and muscle constriction in the airways
They have advanced treatment for it here you should find plenty
Hopefully you'll be able to bring the knowledge home with you to help him further