Snowed In

[shocksock]

The Snowed In Meme

What a perfect meme for winter amirite. You were just having a normal day out when an angelical snow shower hits you... hard. And now you're trapped with someone else until it passes by. Are you at a cafe? A bookstore? School? In the middle of crime-fighting? Location, duration and snow intensity are all up to you!

Rules:

• Post with your character's name and canon on the subject line, indicate preferences as needed.
• Tag other people
• Have fun!!

 

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Sebastian Michaelis | Black Butler / Kuroshitsuji

[extensively]

[bloodofthegoddess]

{ ooc: Would you be interested in an thread between Sebastian and Zelda? She could be in a contract with him. }

[extensively]

[Sounds perfect - I'm down]

[bloodofthegoddess]

[ She was furious. If one did not know the Princess of Hyrule, one wouldn't have been able to tell. It was apparent in the way she held herself whilst pacing the small enclosure of the cabin they were currently in. It seemed too ideal, the location of the cabin, as if whoever was behind this whole thing knew exactly where her envoy would be at the right moment. Which lead her to such conclusions. ]

I believe we have a betrayer in our midst. [ Despite the fury, her voice remained calm, her demeanour collected, yet she was anything but. Beneath the surface, anger was roiling, and there were minute tells that would alert Sebastian to such. She clenched and unclenched her hands, as if the action itself would be enough to ease the anger out of her, but she was so fixated on this revelation that it seemed impossible.

After what felt like long moments, she stopped at last and turned to fully face him. Her cool, blue eyes relaying a promise for retribution. ] Were I not mortal and bound to its coil, I would have dismissed the raging storm and pressed onwards. Alas, I am stunted by these limitations. If there is indeed a betrayer, then surely they have allies who are willing to do their biding.

[extensively]

You need not worry about any allies pursuing you, Mistress.

[Sebastian hardly seems worried - then again, he never does, so sure is he that he can safeguard his future meal from any interruptions. Never has an assassination attempt come close to the Princess while he was in her service - never within hearing range, certainly never within eyesight. In a cabin surrounded by a snowstorm, where he can be free to stretch his demonic muscles without worrying about bystanders, and he's quite certain that his Mistress will continue to remain safe and sound]

The betrayer will likely be too intelligent to come with any ambush parties.

[Sebastian can tell that his Mistress is most displeased, even if she displays more grace and control than most mortals would. Sebastian draws the curtains shut after checking each window, making sure that not even a single flake of snow can sneak in, unbidden]

The larger threat, I believe, may be the storm itself.

[With how it howls and rages, and he assumes the snow will breach the creaking walls faster than any assassins]

[bloodofthegoddess]

[ She watches with a placid gaze as he goes about securing the cabin, though she knows well enough that security is not really the issue. She is safe, safer than most, and the irony is not lost upon her how she finds solace in a demon's presence. The mark of their contract is hidden upon her body, concealed by the regalia she dresses herself with, though its presence is a heavy weight upon her as she fully understands what it means.

Her soul, upon the contract being met, will be his to consume.

The very thought brings a wry smile to her lips, the first of few emotions she has displayed throughout the evening upon their notice of being trapped here in a traveller's cabin. ]

If not the storm, then surely the wolves. The beasts are ravenous. [ She takes a moment to listen to the wind as it howls through the mountains, at how the snow moves along the pristine surfaces of the mountains in Snowpeak province; this region has remained unexplored for decades. Her advisors had been hesitant about the whole endeavour to begin with, that it would have been more sensible to send a messenger with an envoy instead of the princess journeying with them.

There is no strength, nor good will, if a monarch sends someone in her place for matter such as these. The point had been final when she spoke those words, having Sebastian accompanying her and remaining by her side throughout the journey. ]

Do you remember when our contract was first struck, Sebastian? [ She walks towards him, the distance a short one considering the cabin is rather small. She stops just a few inches away from him, and she can feel the heat of the fire spreading warmth through her. She gazes into the flames as memory of that night rears itself to the forefront of her mind. ]

There is something I must tell you that I had not mentioned before...something that you will find interesting.

[extensively]

[Sebastian only smiles condescendingly patiently at the mention of these wolves. No, he isn't worried about a pack of beasts, not at all, and he is of the opinion that his Mistress shouldn't be either. It doesn't matter how these wolves starve so, how they hunger for a fresh meal. They will simply have to seek it elsewhere.

But her Royal Highness is still mortal and it seems even with a faithful butler at her side, such unnecessary concerns still worry her so.

Sebastian moves about the cabin, checking the candles, the supplies. The cabin itself is small, hardly fitting for someone of Princess Zelda's high stature, but it's vastly preferable to the brutal chill outside. When he turns, he finds that his Mistress is quite close, her gaze drifting away from him to fix on the crackle-pop of the fire.]

Oh?

[Sebastian has gotten used to the princess's way with words, how she carefully weighs what she divulges to others - even to her most trusted servants. Naturally he remembers that night quite well - the fear and desperation coming off Princess Zelda like a living thing, a wave, a tsunami powerful enough to attract a demon]

[bloodofthegoddess]

[ It, too, is branded into her memory; the night she summoned a demon. It had not been when the Dark Lord was at his most powerful, as he was a foe destined to be slain by the hands of the Chosen Hero, but it had been a night of bloodshed. Another attack upon the kingdom. The only explanation that could be given was that sources indicated that Hyrule was weak from a terrible battle that would decide its fate. Realms that lay far beyond its borders sought this opportunity to strike--a despicable blow to a realm that was grieving its dead and of the revelations that were borne from such an event.

The thought is enough to draw a sneer onto her fair features, an expression accentuated by the light of the flames as they cast deep shadows across her face.

That night, she had rallied as many as were able to defend their country and fought. More souls were lost and hope was slim. However, defeating the enemies of Hyrule by summoning a demon was not only her plan, though Sebastian had certainly turned victory into their favour. ]

I had summoned you to vanquish my enemies. My enemies are the crown's enemies. My peoples' enemies. You did. You did in such a way that I could never doubt your power or the lengths you would go to honour a contract...it is, after all, what you most desire.

[ She raises a hand to trace the insignia of their bond, hidden at the base of her skull, behind her right ear. She has memorized its patters and intricate design, unable to confirm its origins but had come to understand its power was ancient. ] Before I continue, will you draw me a bath? Even with the fire, this chill has settled into my bones.

[extensively]

[Sebastian doesn't say anything as the princess continues. Perhaps she relives that fateful night again, just like she has before. It's something in her eyes, the way they go hard, the blue irises go distant and then cold. Yes...yes he did do that and he considered such a massacre a most basic thing a demon can carry out, as a first order from a new Master. The souls he relieved of their bodies that night were many but not worth his time. Not worth his attention.

Not like Princess Zelda's.

Sebastian hovers around the princess's personal orbit like a moth to the flame, always there, a dark shadow ready to fulfill her every wish and keep her safer than the standing crown army could.

Now he smiles, the expression polite as always]

It would be my pleasure, your Majesty.

[The bath is ready within mere moments, Sebastian opting to simply summon the water instead of venturing inside to draw buckets of ice as he normally would, if he was before more mortal eyes. With none here aside from his Mistress, and Sebastian will take a little shortcut in order to more quickly address her discomfort.

Soon Sebastian will stand by the bath, an oversized wooden tub that he must admit, is a far cry from the shining porcelain at the palace. But the water looks deliciously warm, hot curls of steam dancing across its surface, and it even smells pleasant, as if the demon has scented it with sage and lavender]

Shall I help you disrobe or would you prefer I wait outside?

[The howling snowstorm would kill a human quickly, but to a demon, it makes no difference to him]

[bloodofthegoddess]

[ Despite the cabin being what it is, the princess still finds it charming and quaint. It's built solidly enough that the cold cannot get in, though it is far from impenetrable. She knows well enough that the province of Snowpeak has more than just wolves prowling about; there are other manners of creatures who roam the mountains, creatures of myth and legend. A cabin, though a safe harbour against the raging snowstorm, would be no match against any of those monsters should they ever decide to go looking for it.

However, when she sees that Sebastian has prepared her bath almost immediately after requesting it, she knows she is in good hands against any threat. The irony is that she is currently sharing a space with the biggest threat to her person of all...even more so when she willingly entered a pact with him for her soul. ]

You may disrobe me, [ she says as she brings her hair and leaves it hanging over her shoulder so that he may have access to the lacework of her bodice. She removes her gloves and gently lays them over the back of a chair before she begins undoing her braid and taking off her diadem. The gold work of the laurel and the gem that sits at its centre glitters in the light of the fire. ]

Heavy is the head that wears the crown, is it not, Sebastian? [ She runs her fingers through her golden hair, a small part of relief washing over her as she feels herself decompressing with every article of regalia being removed.

The faint scents of sage and lavender waft throughout the small space of the cabin and she feels herself smiling--a genuine smile of contentment. ] Sage and lavender...you remembered those are my favourite.

[extensively]

[At Princess Zelda's permission, Sebastian immediately gets to work, moving behind her smoothly as he works at the laces running down her back to her waist. She will find it a little easier to breathe as the normally tight laces loosen row-by-row, Sebastian's eyes fix discretely down]

Of course. I wouldn't be worth a second of your time if I didn't.

[He wouldn't know about the crown, having had no such aspirations or upbringing himself. Everything he has learned about royalty has been from mortals such as the young Mistress here. There had been those before her who took the crown as a right, as a weapon to be wielded. Princess Zelda is in the more rare side - she seems to have moments of intense self-reflection, and sometimes even he doesn't know if she asks such questions rhetorically or if she is so far gone to ask a demon for her judgment!

Soon the kiss of the cabin's air will touch Zelda's skin as Sebastian moves each article of clothing, ending with helping her out of her dress as he slides it down over her legs and delicately lifting each royal ankle from the fabric. Of course every piece of her royal raiment will be carefully set aside, folded so as to avoid any unsightly wrinkles.]

I would be honored to assist you into the bath.

[Sebastian gracefully holds out his hand, palm up, only a step or so before the path so his Mistress won't have to inelegantly balance on one foot like some commoner. No, her bath should be as smooth and seamless in such small details even if they are stuck in a snowstorm, even if the wind howls and moans and screams outside, sometimes with enough force to rattle the eaves.]

[bloodofthegoddess]

[ Despite the presence of a fire in the cabin's hearth, cool air assaults her exposed flesh and she can feel the tingle of goosebumps erupting across the smooth surfaces of her skin. There is but the slightest tremor that passes through her; however, it is brief and lasts for no more than a second before she's helped into the bath by Sebastian. The water, scented with lavender and sage, is hot, but just as she likes it, and the chill that had settled in her bones is dissipating.

She sinks into the water so that her head may rest against the back of the tub, a neatly folded towel at the base of her neck for support and cushioning so that she is not pressed against the cool porcelain of the tub. The princess takes a moment to simply enjoy the feeling of being partly submerged beneath hot, scented water; the crackling of the fire and the howling wind mere background noises as she regards Sebastian with a placid expression. ]

I will not have you wait any longer. [ She toys with a tendril of her hair, darker at the bottom now that it's wet, but she feels the need to busy her hands as she speaks to him. ] I am unaware if you are familiar with my family's history, Sebastian, but it is not what it appears to be. Most of the people believe the royal family is just and true and have ruled over this land with fairness. As with any kingdom, such are the lies we tell ourselves to conceal the dark and bloody history of monarchs and those who go seeking power.

[ Her eyes roam until they rest upon the flames in the hearth; she focuses on them, seeming it to be fitting that she would delve into her family's history by the mesmerizing fire eating away at logs and kindling. ] My soul is not only my own. Within it, I carry those who came before me--those who were destined to rule; those who were chosen by the gods. It sounds silly, and even I, at the beginning, thought this to be some kind of ruse. I suppose one could say that a soul has lived multiple lifetimes, though that has yet to be proven.

I, however, do have that proof. In essence, it is not only my soul you will have, but those of who have borne this crown and title. [ She wonders if he understands, if he can comprehend what she is saying. She believes he does, as he is, after all, a demon who has lived for thousands of years. Perhaps he is familiar with the royal family of Hyrule; perhaps he is aware of her lineage to the goddess, Hylia. She wonders, a darker part of her mind, if a demon can consume the soul of a god... ]

also going with prose here, feel free to stick with brackets

[extensively]

Sebastian listens, as he should. While the affairs of mortals tend to blend together, it's always worth paying attention and sitting up straight when a Master deigns to speak of such affairs. He watches the princess without judgment, one elegant eyebrow arched attentively.

The idea of false royalty is hardly something worth noting to Sebastian. But the idea of her soul not being her own is something else, something that hadn't been negotiated in their unholy contract, and the look he fixes on his Mistress is sharper now, searching. What is she actually saying, if you peel back any metaphorical or allegorical meaning? The contract had been for her mortal soul, hers specifically, and frankly, Sebastian isn't interested in a soul tainted by absorbing others. So what does she mean, truly?

"Your Majesty, please, I beg pardon of my forwardness," Sebastian begins, even as he lays her long hair out and begins to work up a lather starting from her roots to their ends. "Will this have an impact on the contract so bound? My services are to protect you, not an unknown number of souls who have shared your crown."

The truth is, Sebastian desires Zelda's soul. He doesn't care about her father or his father - neither had fallen far enough to contract him - and the idea of bearing the weight of her ancestors is...somewhat undesirable. Why would he want a soul that could possibly be overshadowed by her ancestors?

Sebastian's grip on her scalp might tighten unconsciously, his nails digging in for a split second to rake a brief hint of paint.

[heavenlybrawler]

[ She's taken stock on their situation multiple times now, but nothing's changed. There's a massive blizzard out there and the Great Glacier region looks to be quite impassable at this point. She's not even certain if there'll be rescue parties going out in this storm to look for survivors.

Right. Before the snowstorm, there was a massive avalanche and Tifa can't quite help but feel despondent at their current predicament. She's also thinking about the people who are still stuck out there while she's in here with another person. At this, the martial artist glances back, her red eyes taking in the form of a man who seems...out of place here. ]

Oh! You got a fire going. [ There's a tinge of relief to her voice when she notices the flames in the hearth. The warmth that floods her when she steps a little closer to the fireplace rushes through her, creating an obvious release of tension in her body. She sits down on her haunches on the rug that's before the hearth and stays there, making a decision to not look at the windows that pretty much tell her there's no getting out of here, not while that storm is still raging. ]

Not every day you get stuck in some cabin because of an avalanche and snowstorm, huh? [ She's trying to make conversation--more so for her own attempt to calm her nerves as she tries, and fails, to not look at the windows. ]

[extensively]

[Despite being cut off by an avalanche promptly followed up by a blizzard - almost as if it's on purpose, if you believed in higher powers! - Sebastian Michaelis appears to be taking their immediate isolation and theoretical demise in a stride. After all, what sort of butler would he be if he can't handle a little gloom and doom?]

No, but it's quite a stroke of luck to have shelter!

[Keeping a warm hearth isn't even a thought. Making sure the windows were shut and a fire stoked and crackling had been his first automatic instinct. But he notes that Tifa still seems to be quite cold, perhaps due to the fact that if she'd come with any winter-appropriate clothes, they have apparently been lost in the shuffle. Coming up behind Tifa, Sebastian will drape his tail coat around her shoulders as he beams, unhurried]

I believe we can make do. We made it this far, after all!

[heavenlybrawler]

[ Wherever he's from, he seems to be handling this situation rather well. There is, of course, the fact that they're in a cabin that seems stocked pretty well to weather situations like these, and she allows herself to hope that the patrols of the Icicle Area will, no doubt, come looking for anyone who needs help.

His chipper attitude seems to help the situation, choosing to dwell on the positives rather than the negatives and what if's. It's a better strategy that what she's got, considering she's not used to be impeded by tonnes of snow. Also, the fact of being unable to move about and just staying put adds to the increasing anxiety that remains just below the surface.

She jumps a little when she feels his tail coat being placed over her shoulders. ] You're not gonna be cold? [ There's a fire going and she takes a step forward, fingering the lapel of his coat; it's not something that could withstand the cold, but there is a residual warmth inside of her that makes her burrow into it more, seeking it out. She catches herself and looks away, hoping he didn't see her just do that. ]

[extensively]

I'll be fine once I sit by the fire.

[Sebastian reminds himself that he ought to appropriately shiver every now and then to sell the effect of a mortal man. Perhaps hold his hands out before the flames as if he needs to warm them, as if these fingers he wears are real flesh and blood things. (And yes, he did see Tifa getting acquainted with the coat, which will feel quite comfortable - certainly worth a snuggle in it).

Sebastian gathers a few more pieces of wood that someone had left inside by the door, carefully feeding them to the fire until it grows in size in the hearth, cheerfully popping and crackling away.

It's only then that he sits next to Tifa, the flickering of the shadow casting his face in harsh shadows]

How are you holding up, miss?

[heavenlybrawler]

[ She feels his presence as a palpable thing. He's sitting beside her, of this she knows, but there's something...off. It's a feeling that comes and goes quickly, to which she pays no mind and shrugs it off as the residual chill that's ebbing away from within her. Or, it could be just from the situation she's found herself in.

The Great Glacier is certainly not an area one would want to lose themselves in, and the only other place she can compare it to is the desert wasteland just outside of North Corel; however, it seems peculiar that whenever someone on their last leg always seems to find their way back. She gives a minute shake of the head, wondering where these idle thoughts have come from.

It's of no consequence now; she's here, stuck in this storm, with a complete stranger who's in the same boat she's in. Nothing to do but to wait it out and hope that help is on the way. ]

I'm fine...I guess... [ She looks up and can see how shadows play upon his face; they cast him in an eerie image that feels like it's branded into her mind and she gets the sense that whenever she'll close her eyes, she'll see that image every time. It's enough to pull a shudder from her, though she hopes Sebastian thinks it's only from the cold. ]

What about yourself? Were you travelling with someone are you on your own? [ Talking is better than stewing in silence, she thinks, and it'll keep her mind occupied. ]

[extensively]

[Sebastian's face tilts ever so slightly toward Tifa, a sidelong glance that renders his hazel eyes almost blood red, glowing and flickering with the fire's light]

I was. But I'm quite certain that my young Master will be fine for a day or two in a mere blizzard.

[After all, Sebastian had hired the staff surrounding his Master and they can handle this inconvenience. If they don't, Sebastian will surely feel any distress his Master feels. If it gets to a certain point, then he will have to leave Tifa here to brave the elements herself while he tends to matters closer to home. The good news? It hasn't reached that point and so Sebastian will safeguard Tifa, make sure she is warm and comfortable and not wanting for material needs.

Tifa seems to be settling in admirably. Her shivering has already(!) dropped, and her fingers tremble less as they cling against the tailcoat draped around her shoulders. An impressive specimen for a human, quick to bounce back instead of blubbering in a corner!]

Worry not about a butler, Miss. Please, let me know how I can assist you instead.

[Sebastian's head turns a fraction, glancing sidelong even as he smiles, the expression tight-lipped but oddly approachable. While his Master is safe, Sebastian has no problems at all entertaining himself, even if it means catering to a stranger's whims. ]

[heavenlybrawler]

The fire is doing wonders, keeping her and this small interior of the cabin warm. It's easy to lose her focus as she becomes transfixed by the flames that devour each of the logs; the wood crumbles and tumble to the bottom of the grate where they will be reduced to ash in a matter of hours. It's certainly a better sight to behold than to lose herself to misery about the possibilities of not being able to leave this place. She knows that, however, a blizzard can't go on forever, but she worries about her friends nonetheless. And Sebastian has stated that there is someone who awaits for him as well, though from what she can gather he's not worried about being separated from them.

"Why shouldn't I worry about you?" She looks to him now, perplexed he would say such a thing, though maybe it's because she doesn't fully understand it. He's a servant to this young master he mentioned before, and to Tifa this puts forth a display of two different worlds she's not accustomed to. "If someone's in need of help, I help them. Doesn't matter what their status is," she says as she draws the coat around her shoulders a little tighter. If she can guess, the material is made from wool. It reminds her of a blanket she once owned as a child; Nibelheim was a town nestled below towering mountains and while rather small, the livestock were accustomed to the environment which were mainly sheep and goats and, of course, chocobos.

She thinks about the reasons behind Sebastian's words. Perhaps he likes to be of service, whether to his own master or just helping others. She sits in quiet contemplation for a few minutes more when hunger strikes. Her stomach rumbles a bit and she closes in on herself, embarrassed at such a sound being heard. "S-sorry...I haven't eaten since yesterday," she says, sheepishly. She looks to the small area where food would be; it's not much in terms of a kitchen, but she thinks there's something here that can tide them over. After all, if this cabin belongs to someone, they'd want to stock it with food specifically for these reasons.

"Would you like me to make something for you?"

[extensively]

Perhaps he worded it incorrectly - the circles that he operates in, a butler is expected to take care of himself and those around him that his Master deems worthwhile. Certainly not someone who needs to be concerned about (he wouldn't be doing his job correctly if someone stopped and considered his well-being, he thinks!).

"You are most kind," Sebastian says, to cover for his surprise. Obviously Tifa isn't of the higher class, otherwise she would never have made that offer or talked to him in such an overly-familiar manner.

The gurgle of her stomach is a welcome interruption. Not surprising, that. Humans need to eat far more than a demon: a surprise considering how small and weak their bodies are, that they must constantly fuel it at what seems to be an insatiable rate. The corner of Sebastian's mouth quirks slightly, so slightly, and one eyebrow lifts.

"...I would enjoy that, if I may help."

Naturally he must discretely make sure she gets the lion's share of what provisions they have, as he has no interest in the human idea of food. Helping with the preparations should make stretching the supplies easier. Sebastian wanders over to the closest of the cupboards, reaching up to open it and peer inside. Some cobwebs, a dead insect hiding between the two rows of old canned food and yellowed packages of sugar and rice. No doubt some of it has expired. A search of the other cabins produces a small portable stove, a canister of salt, and some pepper.

"The options appear to be on the limited side; perhaps this cabin hasn't been in use for some time."

[heavenlybrawler]

She was fearful that whatever the cabin had in terms of food would be on the limited side. Turns out that when Sebastian does a quick check, she'd been right. She goes to look and sees what he sees, her skeptical expression falling and turning something into mild disgust at the dead insect and the cobwebs that litter the nearly bare cupboards.

"Canned food and some rice...," she says, mostly musing to herself as she figures out what she can make. There's the portable stove he mentioned earlier and she thinks she saw a pot, or a Dutch oven, near the fireplace. "I could make us a curry." She reaches for one of the cans and tries to read the label. Unfortunately, due to the passage of time, it's weathered to the point where anything legible has simply worn away, making it difficult to discern its contents without opening it. She can't even see a best before date that would've been stamped onto the lid.

There's also salt and pepper, but not much else in regards to spices that might add to the flavour. She gives another half-hearted glance at the window and wonders if it's too perilous to go hunting. At least with some meat, she can cook it in the fireplace and season it. However, the blizzard is just as bad as when she last looked and she's not about to voice the possibility of venturing out there in such a terrible storm.

She looks up at Sebastian. "I'm afraid to see what's inside these cans..." It's an irrational fear, she knows this, especially considering the foes she's gone up against and the perils she's faced, but finding something unsightly and possibly wriggling inside these cans sends a sharp, cold fear through her.

[extensively]

A curry would be more than he would expect with substandard fare such as this. Perhaps Tifa is an optimist.

"Very well - if you would prefer to avert your eyes, I shall open them."

Sebastian has the benefit of not being squeamish, unlike a human, about anything at all. It is times like this that he's doubly glad not to be burdened with such an inconvenient knee-jerk reaction to anything even slightly "unsavory".

It would be easy to open it by sprouting a claw, but, as a lady is present, Sebastian will instead reach into his breast pocket and produce a knife that's as black as his true form, the blade seeming to glint even as it swallows up the light the next moment. A quick circular motion, as if he's cutting through half-melted butter instead of a metal lid, and the first can is opened before Tifa can brace herself if she so desires. The butler peers inside. The corn inside seems to be satisfactory; nothing wriggles and writhes amongst the kernels.

The rest he will open with the same quick, almost inhuman efficiency. Soon several cans will be opened and laid bare for Tifa to examine. While Sebastian by now is quite experienced with what can kill or sicken a human, the issue of bugs has sometimes thrown him for a loop. After all, some of the cultures he has come across eat them with regularity, and with human's fleeting lifespans, it's always something of a challenge to see what food types are in vogue this time.

"If you would like, I could open more, but I would advise saving the rest for later."

Sebastian plasters on a smile, perfectly affable as always.

[heavenlybrawler]

She doesn't look away. Curiosity gets the better of her, even if the possibility of encountering something squeamish might present itself. There's a sigh of relief that escapes her when she sees that the can consists of corn and nothing else. They seem to be well preserved and she tastes one. It's sweet in the way canned corn is sweet (she remembers eating actual corn on the cob, back in Nibelheim, but fresh produce, while in the slums, had been difficult to come by), and gives Sebastian a nod as she looks on while he opens a few more cans.

She's taken in by that knife of his; the blade is obsidian, or maybe even darker, yet its elegant in a way she's not familiar with. Clearing her throat to shake her out of that stupor, she takes stock of what they've got.

"Yeah, we should," and heads back to the pantry and starts pulling the cans that were further back into the front for easier access. If they're here for more than a day, they'll need to stretch out these rations for as long as possible.

"Lets see what we've got here," she's since returned to the table, where the opened cans are laid out. There's corn, a can of diced tomatoes, and a can of skinned and chopped potatoes...which she didn't think was a thing, but she's not going to complain. All seem to be preserved well enough for consumption and without the threat of food poisoning...or worse, bugs.

"If you can find a colander, you can wash the corn and potatoes, get rid of the extra starch. I'll wash the rice and then start with the base." This is far better than just sitting in front of the fire. She's in her element and while the choice of ingredients, or lack there of, is on the very limited side, she can still work with this.

[extensively]

"A fine idea," Sebastian chimes up, as if they aren't stranded in the middle of a blizzard with questionable supplies.

While Tifa deals with the rice, Sebastian hunts for that elusive colander. What he finds in the dark depths of cupboard is intact but rusty, and he'll wait until he's sure Tifa's back is turned before it scrubs the rust clean with a demon's special brand of efficiency. In fact, he can't help that it will sparkle like new, gleaming as brightly as nobility's silver. The base will be starting to simmer as Sebastian returns with the salvaged colander, the washed corn and potatoes. He'll peer for a brief second over her shoulder. The rice looks fine, as does the base discretely simmering away, oblivious to the howl of the snow outside.

"The corn and potatoes are ready. I took the liberty of cutting them into more agreeable sizes to fit on the spoons we have," Sebastian says. "The base looks excellent!"

Even a demonic butler has to admit that Tifa is quite proficient, even to his standards. The color, texture, and smell are exactly what he would expect in his kitchens, except she has managed it with far less supervision and less high quality ingredients.