LtJG Gila Sadar - Imperfections Abound
Gila Sadar
((Holodeck 2 - Deck 2, USS Artemis-A))
Gila only listened with half an ear as Lieutenant Silveira described ‘the chef’ - an entertainment character who had, apparently, been part of instilling in him the interest of cooking which was now being displayed in the holographic kitchen.
Silveira: The setting is simple and mostly comical. The Chef speaks in Swedish that doesn’t make any sense, so we don’t really understand what he is saying and his efforts in cooking are just to make us laugh rather than really learn anything.
Gila was immensely relieved that Lieutenant Jovenan seemed as confused as she at the Human’s explanation. How could the Chef impart any knowledge whatsoever if his viewers did not understand what he said? But then, the Lieutenant did say that the Chef’s endeavors were aimed predominantly at providing entertainment rather than educating his audience... She didn’t understand in the slightest, but perhaps, it was one of those things that only made sense once you saw it for yourself?
Sadar: ::surprised expression:: Huh… I never considered that. I-In that case, I’d be interested to see it as well.
Jovenan: Likewise. It sounds fascinating, though I’m not sure if I understand the humour. And if Swedish is considered difficult to understand and silly, why wasn’t it translated?
Silveira: That is exactly one of the humorous parts. Besides I am certain that he never speaks anything but gibberish. And this is centuries old. Don’t you have any kind of kids shows in your home planets? You know, that teaches things but is also funny?
The idea of education being funny was as foreign as many civilizations’ interest in martial arts as entertainment. Completely foreign, and bordering on what seemed barbaric to her sensitivities, but as she realized that this was an entirely internalized cultural thing, she simply shook her head.
Jovenan: We didn’t have anything like that. The most material aimed at children involved teaching them the importance of obeying the law and treating others well.
Silveira: That’s good but, not generalizing, I think we humans need that extra humor in our lives. So even in teaching, we shouldn’t take things too seriously. ::He grinned at them as he went to the boiling pot to check it.:: But that’s just me.
Sadar: Humor isn’t considered the ideal way of conveying learning to my people, as I understand it. But it does explain the attitudes of some of my instructors at the Academy, I suppose.
The pudding was just about ready, and Gila rummaged through the cupboards until she found a mold in a shape resembling what she needed. She started pouring the warm gelatinous mass into the shape, submerging it into an ice bath to flash freeze it. She knew she’d not been fast enough when she saw the tell-tale bubbles inside the pudding, but provided she could do it properly for the next two, she’d consider the experiment a success.
Jovenan: Is the Swedish chef from whom you found interest in cooking? You’re like a professional! Where did you learn it?
The Lieutenant laughed in response.
Silveira: Admittedly he was influential, but I began to learn by watching my grandparents. When I was a kid I tried to mimic them, and they have different influences. My paternal grandparents have their own farm on Earth, although their main job was teaching, we spent a lot of time there and we had the chance to pick and cook our own food. My maternal grandparents on the other hand had retired and mom got their trading company. They settled in Risa and although they weren’t very fond of cooking, they do love the fish and fruits there. So they learned and eventually taught me as well. ::He shrugged and returned to the quick vegetable chopping.:: And how about you both? How did you start cooking?
Jovenan: Response
A bit belatedly, as she was cautiously depositing the now settled pudding onto a plate, Gila realized that her fellow cooking enthusiasts - if she could indeed claim to such a thing - were waiting on a response from her.
Sadar: Huh? Oh! Uhh... N-Necessity? ::shaky chuckle:: As you might have found out, Lieutenant, Mizarian food isn’t exactly a replicator staple, so when I left Mizabet, I had to learn. I’d tasted some alien foods before - dishes left behind from the Tercentenary Submissions - but I’d never seen a replicator before… Took me a while to get used to them.
Returning to the pudding, just as she realized that the infusion glaze was just about ready, she hurriedly turned down the heat below, allowing it to slowly cool to a temperature that wouldn’t ruin the puddings, as she prepared to
Silveira: Interesting. It's nice to learn a bit more about both of you. I am glad you agreed to join me. Thank you.
Jovenan: Response
Sadar: Ah, well, Mizabet is very seclusionist. We have warp capability and such, but more than 80% of our technological advancements in the past century is the result of invaders leaving behind inconsequential or broken down machinery, and our engineers reverse-engineering them in the process of clean-up. That’s how we got warp technology too…
Time to pour the infusion.
oO Gently now Oo
Silveira: Remember that now, as cooking partners, we need to share our secret ingredients.
Gila blinked, clearly confused once more. Which, fairly, described her general state of mind more than half the time she spent in the company of Lieutenant Silveira.
Sadar: Our what?
Jovenan: Response
Silveira: Oh don’t be shy, you know what I mean, that secret ingredient we always put on our cooking that makes it just to the point.
Sadar: ::slight smile:: I think you’re overestimating my cooking, Lieutenant, if you think I know enough of what I’m doing to stray that far from the recipe. I’m barely starting to feel comfortable with ingredient substitution.
With that being said, she was proud to say that the puddings were done. They were all shaped as they should be, though one of them had quite a few impurity bubbles, but the other two were acceptable considering her skillset, and the infusion smelled wonderfully - a good blend of sweet and salt. Now, all that was left was putting them in cold storage until it was time to serve them, and she could instead make the cooling pellets in preparation for the incoming spice.
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
Sadar: Well then, what is yours?
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
Sadar: ::thoughtful hum:: I’ve heard of it. Is it universally suitable, or do you have different ‘secret ingredients’ depending on the taste profile of the dish?
Jovenan/Silveira: Response
TAG/TBC
LtJG Gila Sadar
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1