#C7131D - winter preparation guide

[cutlery]

[ color and with apologies for the length i'm so sorry about sebastian ]

All,

Before I get to the matter at hand, please allow me to introduce myself if I have not yet met your acquaintance. I am Sebastian Michaelis, the head butler of the Phantomhive household, though from my conversations thus far, I do expect that this may not mean anything.

Regardless, as the season seems to be autumn, I have some inquiries and matters to bring up with regards to winter. After speaking with Mr. Arisato, I was given the impression that this may not be being prepared for. So first, if you are making preparations for the upcoming season, please let me know. This brings us to the main reason that I am reaching out.

From my understanding, no residents have experienced the winters here, and so I would believe it to be of critical importance that we over-prepare with the idea that the winters may be quite harsh. It is better to assume the worst and have extra rather than the opposite, after all. As such, here is a list of the most important tasks that should be undertaken to ensure a survivable, if not comfortable winter:

• Firewood - Wood should be collected and cut for firewood at a steadier rate than current. While it is not impossible to collect firewood during the winter, if there is a snowfall, it is much more difficult and could not be used immediately. I am used to preparations for a manor, so my estimation may be off, but I expect that for a particularly harsh winter, the houses here should expect to keep between nine and eleven cords of firewood. Storage for keeping the wood dry should also be built if you do not wish to or do not have room to keep your stockpile indoors.
  
  
• Chimneys - Similarly, all chimneys (should your home have one) need to be cleaned in preparation for increased use. If you do not know how to clean a chimney, I offer my skills for this, since it is not a straightforward task.
  
  
• Winter Clothing / Blankets - The clothing that can be found in the town may not be glamorous, but it is a good start for clothing more suited for the cold season. As you are running errands, pick up the clothing you find, since simply layering clothing is the best option to beat the chill. If you truly despise it, keep the fabric and begin making blankets, or donate it to someone who has the skill to do so. Similarly, for those of you hunting, please take care when skinning your animals to keep the fur as solid as possible. This fur can be used to line existing clothing, or larger pelts can be combined to make quite comfortable blankets once it has been treated.
  
  
• Garden Preparation - While there are some crops that can be grown in the winter, they will not be as simple to undertake, especially in the case of snow. As the garden seems to be staffed by quite competent individuals, I will not delve into this topic too much unless requested, but I bring it up as a reminder, should it be needed.
  
  
• Food Preparation - And most importantly, a portion of the food being currently harvested needs to be preserved. There are many methods with which to preserve both crops and meat alike, but the methods to best preserve each are dependent on the type of food it is. For example, some crops are best dried, while others should be pickled. If you would like my recommendations for a particular item, I will be happy to provide it.
  
  
• General Maintenance - If your house is in a rather dilapidated state, now is the time to make any repairs you may need. The less sealed the house is, the more cold will seep in. It is especially important that you try and repair your roof if it is in poor shape, since it will help the most in keeping your home warm.
  

I personally have begun with these tasks, so if you would like instruction or simply company for them, either would be my pleasure.

And finally, as a general offer, if you are ever in need of assistance, do not hesitate to reach out. The nature of my profession has left me with a great many skills, and so I would imagine that I would be able to help with a great many tasks.

Thank you,
Sebastian Michaelis

Comments

[cutlery]

I would say so, yes. Even a poorly made quilt serves its purpose, but poorly stored food could kill someone.

[ nbd honestly ]

Not that I say so accusingly, mind you! I can say with some confidence that even the poorest craftsman would do far better work than my usual coworkers, after all.

[allweather]

I'll keep the lumpiest quilt for myself, worry not. That should be enough fumbling for me to improve.

[who tf do you work with, Sebastian.......]

[cutlery]

Certainly. It only takes a few squares of a quilt to figure it out, especially if you stick with the most basic sort of squares rather than some design.

I believe I have seen basic sewing supplies about, which may have to suffice for now for thread... I do not believe I saw cotton or the like, so I will have to think more on a suitable fiber to make more should it be needed.

[ people that absolutely should not be in charge of household activities ]

[allweather]

Basic squares it is. Color is mostly a non-issue, at least.

I've read about other plants from which threads can be made, but I'm not sure how suitable they would be to quilting.

[hemp sewing? is that a thing?? he's useless here.]

[cutlery]

Quite. Though as those colors are restored, they may make quite amusing creations, since I doubt anyone could be so lucky as to match them well!

It may work well enough, though I do hate to say it. It will not be fine work, but "fine" is not as important as "functional" in this case... Even a rough thread to hold together panels must do.

[allweather]

I will deal with the mismatched colors in due time, when I must. We'll all have to imagine very fine blankets from now on, instead of expecting too much.

[cutlery]

Excellent. Then in due time, provided this is taken seriously, a winter may not be too terrible a prospect. I still worry, as the general impression I get is one where the people of Chroma do not take the current situation as seriously as they perhaps should, but no matter, I suppose. It means preparations by those willing to undertake them are all the more important.