cutter

Some people say mercenaries are like MREs. Meals, ready-to-eat.

Can be eaten right out of the bag. Disposable. High efficiency, low risk. The best kind of field ration.

But if given a choice, practically everyone would choose to eat fresh, hot food. And practically no one would choose to risk their lives just to earn their next meal.

If given a choice.

All units take note, the target has entered the alert range, and is expected to reach the defense point in one minute.

All units are to complete emergency preparations within thirty seconds. Repeat, all units are to complete emergency preparations within thirty seconds.

Over.

Um, I'm here to see if you need any help?

Oh, there you are, Cutter.

You're just in time to try my veggie flatbread, fresh from the oven!

Thanks, I think I will.

Mm... It's really good.

Haha, I don't call it my specialty for nothing.

Why not take a few more for the road? Don't be shy now.

Uhh, I appreciate it, but I'm good. I'm just here to see if there's anything I can help you with.

Ehh? I'm pretty much done cooking on my end. Maybe you can go check on Matterhorn though!

Oh, Cutter! Perfect timing. Here, try my Kjerag-style braised meat.

I substituted scalesaur meat because it's easier to get, and changed the seasonings accordingly. But I was just thinking I needed a taste-tester.

Mm, sure. I'll try some.

(Chews)

Very good. I can't say much else about it... but it's very tasty.

Nothing to write home about then? Hmm... Looks like I'll have to work on the flavor to make it more distinctive.

No, that's not what I meant. I'm just not very good at... describing things. Believe me, Matterhorn, your cooking is top notch!

By the way, could you use any help?

Haha, I'm all squared away over here. All the dishes are already cooking, so all that's left is to turn off the heat later. Gummy might need help though, in a bit.

Actually, wait. There is something. I experimented with a few more new dishes today, and I'd like your opinion on all of them, if it's not too much trouble.

Cutter! Come try some of Gummy's fried pies!

I'm kind of full...

But do you need help with anything, Gummy?

I've already finished frying up my pies~

Then, I suppose I can try one.

Is it good?

I... think so?

Urgh... Can't take another bite...

I just wanted to lend a hand, but ended up getting treated to an early lunch and then some.

(Sighs)

Well, at least everyone's been real good to me.

I'm here to help!

Oh, Sideroca, right on time. Two of our logistics operators took the day off, so the three of us are a bit short-staffed right now.

We might be able to manage if we all went full throttle, but I'd rather not burn ourselves out for no reason.

My arm's all sore...

Well, your savior has arrived! Good work hanging on so long.

Oh, and I happened to see Cutter in the cafeteria just now. Had a real mopey look on her face. Any idea what's wrong with her?

Right, you don't come by the kitchen a lot, so you might not know...

One month ago...

Good work everyone. Um... but is there anything I can help with?

Ohh, you must be Cutter, the new arrival. Perfect timing—could you chop up those potatoes into chunks, if you don't mind? We'll be making soup soon.

Mm, got it.

Cutter! I asked you to chop the potatoes, not the cutting board!

I'm sorry!

It was an accident! I'll pay for it—

No, it's fine, don't worry about it. I guess you're not very experienced with a kitchen knife? Just keep an eye on the pot then. Remember to stir it around with a ladle every now and then, so it doesn't burn.

Understood. I won't mess up this time!

Stir, stir... Don't let it burn, stir...

Stir, stir...

(Sniffs) What's that smell?

As much as it pains me to do this to her, as one of Rhodes Island's kitchen staff, I absolutely can't have a repeat of last time.

The lady in the logistics department even thought about adding a 'Cutter is not allowed in here' sign next to the 'Kay is not allowed' one...

I'd rather avoid unnecessary food waste, if possible.

Oh, I see...

But I won't stand for it!

Cutter! Get back here!

Huh? Sideroca?

You're not allowed to throw in the towel, ever!

It's for the best. I just mess things up for everyone else anyway.

Don't worry about that. We've got plenty of time until dinner, so who cares if you make a few mistakes on the way?

Are you sure? I really appreciate it.

Don't mention it. I just think that if you want to do something, you should see it through to the end.

So starting from today, I'm going to give you a crash course in cooking!

Relax. With me here, there won't be a repeat of last time.

I'll do my best, Sideroca!

Thank you very much!

I'm your instructor now, so let me hear a 'yes, ma'am!'

Yes, ma'am!

(Haha, so this is what it feels like to be an instructor.)

Ahem... Pop quiz! What do you think cooking is?

Making food fit to eat?

Wrong! You couldn't be more wrong!

It's not as simple as making something edible. Remember this: cooking is the art of bringing out the characteristics of each ingredient to make something delicious!

I, I'll keep that in mind!

From the looks of it, you don't even know the fundamentals. In which case, I'll have to start from the basics. Stand at attention and follow my orders!

Yes, ma'am!

The first, most basic thing you need for any dish is knife work.

Listen up! First, raise your knife!

Um, with my left or right hand...?

Well, with your dominant hand. Then hold the potato with your other hand, and run the knife along the contours and gently peel off its skin, like this...

Follow the contours... Gently... Oh, it flew across the room.

How in the—

How can someone named 'Cutter' be this bad with a blade?

Cutting vegetables feels completely different from cutting my enemies.

I mean, I get you, but... the ingredients are not your enemies.

In any case, practice makes perfect, same as any skill. So let's keep practicing!

Y-Yes, ma'am!

You're amazing, ma'am. I never knew mashed potatoes could taste so good.

Haha, we can't let perfectly good food go to waste, after all...

(After seeing so many potatoes gutted like that, I couldn't think of any other way to use them.)

See, cooking isn't so difficult. Once you've gotten the feel of handling a kitchen knife, you'll be peeling potatoes, no problem.

But then I almost burned a hole through the pot while waiting for it to heat up...

You're still too tense, Cutter. Cooking isn't like swordsmanship. You can't expect to get it down just by mechanically imitating a teacher, like finishing an assignment.

It's about understanding your ingredients, and turning them into what you hope for.