Yuka noticed that the more she walked, the more it seemed that she was getting further from civilization…and more importantly..internet connection. She tsk-ed and shook her head, tossing her bag over her shoulder she sprinted up the last hill and stood before a massive ivy-covered house. Well-more like an old mansion. She checked her map again, and stared dubiously at the place. While it looked impressive at first sight, she noticed it did look a bit run down…She smiled widely. Meaning that if she roomed here she wouldn't have to face any snobs there! Humming her favorite tune, she walked through the entrance and stared around. It looked SO much better on the inside than outside, suppose appearance really doesn't matter that much. A large chandelier hung from the high arched ceiling, and doors were on either side of a wide wooden staircase leading to the foyer of the entire thing. She called out, quite loudly, "EXCUSE ME IS ANYONE HERE?" She rocked on her heels as she waited to see if anyone would reply, and jumped a bit when a voice sounded right next to her. She whirled around to see a copper pipe with a open hatch. She bent down and peered through the opening curiously. "Hello?" She spoke to the pipe. This time a voice from in front of her said "Hello there young lady, you must be Yuka Ichisada?" Turning to the voice, she saw a wizened old lady with a headband through her gray hair, standing in front of her, looking a bit cranky. "Ah-yes, I'm Yuka, it's very nice to meet you—-?" "I'm Fumio-san the caretaker of the Polar Star Dorm, and right now, you have to get to the kitchen!" "EHHHHH?"
Yuka grumbled under her breath as she was shoved along by the lady into a shining chrome kitchen, again surprising, but welcomed with wide eyes. "To board here, you will have to make me something using any items you've brought along and the ingredients found here, perhaps something that could help me feel like the weather doesn't affect me anymore, you don't have a time limit, unless I get bored before you are finished, understood?" "Yes, I understand completely, I'll start now then." Yuka quickly rummaged through the kitchen's refrigerator and freezer, cupboards, and nodding her head along to an imaginary beat, she took out a few things, and plopped them down onto the counter. A few potatoes, cheese, onions, mushrooms, flour, yeast, eggs, milk, white wine, salt, pepper, and paprika. Washing her hands, she tied her hair back, and started prepping the ingredients for her version of Tartiflette au Reblochon. A mere hour and a half later, she had placed a plate of steaming food in front of Fumio-san. The scent making her expectant of the what the dish could possibly taste like. It was a small pie, browned to perfection, and crimped tightly around the edges. Using a delicate spoon, it broke the surface, and cut into the pie nicely.
Holding a spoonful of vegetables mashed beyond recognition, with cheese melted on top, so it clung to the heated spoon, looked like a porridge almost. The first bite felt warm, and chewing only brought the flavor deeper. The taste of potatoes and cheese resonated throughout, and the sweet taste of onions in the background, and mushrooms lingered. Seasoned carefully, it didn't overpower the other ingredients, in perfect balance. What about the pie's crust then? Taking a piece of the bread, the crust was crispy, yet the eggs brought layers to it, making it soft and chewy like she had used tapioca flour. It was in complete harmony with each other as they didn't compete over each other's existence, yet allowing the full flavor of everything to come through to the diner. It felt like sitting in front of a warm fire in autumn and having a soft lull in conversation whilst eating dinner with family. Noticing the lack of conversation from Fumio-san
Yuka decided to start explaining how she made the pie-version of Tartiflette au Reblochon. "Originally the dish has potatoes, reblochon cheese, onions, white wine and spices, I just added the flour variation to it. It's quite common to find in French restaurants, and it's actually the first time I've made it with a pie in mind, I really do have to thank you Fumio-san for giving me that idea!". "First, I steamed the potatoes and onions together with some garlic in between so they gave each other some space while steaming. Then after, I boiled the potatoes for roughly 5 minutes, while frying the onions until they were golden-brown in the pan. Then, I rolled out the dough I had prepared using flour, milk, yeast, eggs, and swiss cheese. I rolled it out flat, then spread it out over a circular pan, just deep enough for filling. Using a fork, I crimped the edges, and then placing foil over it, I laid some nicely sized pebbles on top. To evenly bake in the oven. After 40 minutes, the pie's filling was ready, and so was the pie crust. I mixed some white wine into the mix, to give it a more comfortable feeling, and after the filling was in place, I sprinkled a handful of cheddar cheese on top. Placing the last of the dough on top of the filled pie. I placed it back in the oven for around half an hour or so, and let it cool a little before serving. By the way Fumio-san the glass next to the pie" *at this remark Fumio-san looks at the wine glass next to the tray with the pie on it.* "The liquid in that glass is just some warmed up skim-milk, two drops of vanilla bean, and a hint of brandy to complete the effect, feel free to try it with the pie". Could heaven be as good as it was as some foods on the ground? Fumio-san hoped so, because the taste was delightful. "Do I pass, Miss Dorm-keeper, Fumio-san?" Yuka asked a bit cheekily at the lady, "Oh, for goodness sake, yes, yes, you pass on the first try, here's your key *key labeled 227* Go meet the others now, while I finish up here okay? Go! Go now, shoo!" Yuka laughed as she picked up her things, and raced up the stairs to the second floor, thanking Fumio-san over her shoulder as she did so.