#ponzu wasn’t moving her best

[intriga-hounds]

sivi and ponzu moving at boofest

pc: michael boomer

[awesomerextyphoon]

I love your writing. May I have Loki x Reader? The reader is a sweet, delicate dreamer. Loki has come to conquer the world. He saw her and wants her to become his Queen of Midgard. He kidnapped her. She pleads with him to let her go while she is tied to the bed. He caresses her hair and says she will love him (he doesn't want to use the scepter on her).

***Can I have White Reader x Loki, please? Loki just escaped from the Helicarrier. He saw the reader who is a sweet and innocent creature. Loki doesn't want her dead when he will start battle. Loki kidnaps her and locks her up to keep her safe. When he wins, Loki tells her that she will become his queen.***

Hi! I decided to combine the prompts and make the reader plus-sized. I hope you enjoy! 

His Match

Pairing: Dark!Loki x Plus-Sized Female Reader 

Summary: You’ve tried to live by your grandmother’s rule  of being kind to others, even when the world gives you the middle finger. What if a Norse God decided reward you by becoming his Queen?

Word Count: 1,745

Rating: 18+/Mature

Warning: Kidnapping, Implied Dub/Non-Con, Angst, and some Violence

A/N: Thanks goes to the amazing @angrythingstarlight for beta reading this!

Loki was walking around New York City, scouting Stark Tower making sure the final preparations of his plan was perfect when something, or rather someone, caught his eye.

She walked out of what looked like a women’s clothing store with a forlorn smile. She was plumper than the average female Midgardian last time he frequented the realm. His eyes did not miss the enticing curves that lied beneath her clothes despite her efforts to ensconce herself into the background.

She was a vision.

Her eyes met his for the briefest of moments and it felt like time stopped. His heart quickened in his chest and a rush of blood surged to his groin.

He had to follow her. His Elskan.

“Barton, tell the others I’ll be out for a few more hours. Proceed as planned.”

–––––

He found you entering a rather destitute apartment complex. Its lights and foundation were a bit unsound and gave off a seedy ambience.

Loki grimaced at her living conditions. When he ruled Midgard, she would have only the best.

Casting a simple concealment spell, Loki entered her fairly small apartment. She began mixing ingredients together for what looked to be ‘chocolate chip cookies’. He smiled as he inhaled the sweet aroma knowingly; Asgard had only recently started consuming the sweet. She soon laid out a batch of thick, scrumptious cookies with a satisfied expression.

They reminded him of better times when he and Thor would sneak into the kitchens and swipe confections from under the baker’s nose. Loki chuckled at the memory; those were the days.

Not ten minutes after she placed the last cookie onto the cooling rack did her phone ring. It was her mother. Loki felt dread coming off his Elskan in waves.

Loki could only make out bits and pieces of the conversation, if you could call it that. Her mother constantly nagged her about her weight, life choices, and her ‘pathetic’ attempts to get over her ex-boyfriend. His heart broke as he saw tears begin to fall and the croaking of her voice as she bid the odious creature goodnight.

Several minutes after she cried herself to sleep, Loki entered his Elskan’s bedroom. He spied her diary on the nightstand and decided to read a few pages.

He was fuming within two minutes.

How dare that caustic pig sow treat his Elskan, her own daughter, in a such ghastly manner! Her ‘perfect’ sister always slighting and reminding her on how ‘she’ll never be good enough for anything’ and her father’s callous indifference to her cries for help and solace only added to his rage. Combined with the way her ex-boyfriend, the repugnant gnat, treated her (he cheated on her with someone who ‘wasn’t built like a blimp’ and ‘the only thing you thing you had going for you were your tits’) and he wanted to speed up the invasion just to watch the horror become engrained onto their faces.

And yet, she endeavored to treat everyone with kindness harkening back to your grandmother. She strived to be the one light in one’s otherwise miserable existence.

Well, she can be his light as his Elskan and Queen.

Loki took a deep, cleansing breath. He needed to stick to the plan. When he conquers Midgard, she will be their queen. She will grace the undeserving masses with her elegance and beauty and he will worship her every chance he got.

He just had to make her see it that way.

Gently, the light forest green glow of Loki's magic flowed from his hand to the crown of her head like a halo. He leaned in and kissed her cheek with a smile as he left.

He hated to leave her, but he had a realm to conquer. Though he hoped she’d enjoy the introductory gift.

––––––

You were in your grandmother’s living room; spacious yet comfy with all of her quirkiness and splendor included. It was odd since you haven’t been in her house since your parents sold after her death seven years ago. You tearfully smiled remembering all the good times you had with her, the only member of your family you gave you any true warmth or love.

Her piano was in the corner, barely aged a day with all the music sheets, pens, a light scratches you came to know and love. You took your seat and started to play the piano version of one of your favorite movie themes.

You were so engrossed in playing, you failed to notice someone materializing into your dreamscape.

“What a lovely tune! What is it called?” A smooth, honey-tinged voice broke your concentration.

You turned your head and saw what had to be the most beautiful man you’ve ever seen. He was tall (6’ 10” / 2.08m) easily towering over any man you’ve ever met. He had smooth alabaster skin, light rose undertones with a little blue-red just under his eyes. His cheekbones were immaculate, somehow looked sharp and soft at the same time. He had thin lips with a fair plumpness to the bottom one. His slicked-back, shoulder-length Ponzu/Shadow Purple hair kissed his lean, battle-hardened physique (if the way he’s filling out his outfit was anyway to go by). All of this deliciousness was clothed in a casual Palm Green suit with a Glossy Black tie and shoes.

It took you a full minute to stop ogling him, “Wha-What did you say?”

“I apologize for disturbing you, my lady. I asked what you were playing.” His voice had hints of mirth which was odd considering his appearance. Most people in his league would give you a thinly veiled sneer of disgust, but he seemed genuinely interested.

“Um, well, it’s called Merry-Go-Round of Life from the movie Howl’s Moving Castle. It’s a favorite of mine. I used to play it all the time until…” You trailed off, not wanting to revisit how your grandmother died.

“You do not have to tell me if it brings you such displeasure.”

“Thank you, um…”

“Loki. Please, call me Loki.”

“Loki,” he inwardly moaned at the way you said his name, “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Please, continue playing.”

And you did for what felt like hours, all while your sexy dream companion asked about your hopes, dreams, anything he could think of really. You in turn asked him about his life and interests; you even laughed at a story of his brother having to dress like a bride to get his hammer back.

You soon became enamored with Loki. It was refreshing to be noticed with actual interest, not ridicule or pity. He seemed to taken with you as well, if his gentle caresses and not-so-subtle lustful glances he gave you were any indication.

You were glad this was just a dream. You didn’t want your heart to break like last time.

Loki was about to lean in for a kiss when everything faded to black.

–––––

You jolted up from the mattress and screamed once you realized you weren’t in your room.

No, this room was…spectacular for lack of better word. It had high ceilings, large windows, ornate chandeliers, and magnificent balcony. Luxurious dark greens, gold, and black covered the room in splendor. Extravagant pieces of furniture dripped with precious stones metal worthy of queens or royal mistresses of old.

“What is this place?”

You tried to leave but was forced back onto the bed by a force field. You tried to take calm breaths just like your therapist taught you in order to make an escape plan.

No sooner did you calm down than the door open to reveal-

“Loki!”

Only Loki was wearing radically different clothing; looked like he walked right out of a fantasy epic. And yet, his smile was enchanting.

“What am I doing here? I need to go back home.”

He tutted in response, “That would not be wise, Elskan Mín. This world is mine now and this is safest place to be.” He was right. His brother’s team of desperate souls were no match for his cunning and Chitauri Forces. Midgard’s pathetic leaders gave up in less than an hour once their beloved ‘heroes’ were defeated, broken, and laid bare before them.

“You can’t be serious, Loki. I need to leave.”

“And go where? Like I said, this realm is mine now. That rat poison of a dwelling is no more and I have dealt with your ‘family’ as needed.” Loki smirked at the memories. It gave him extreme joy squeezing the life out of that worthless pig of mother, breaking every bone in your father’s body one by one, and leaving your ‘perfect’ sister alive with partially rotten skin. Not even the scavengers or maggots would find or want the remains of the scurvy insect of an ex-boyfriend, though he was still alive..just barely.

Well, at least until he decided on how to destroy the blight of creature.

Though he did make sure to leave two of your real friend were treated well. You needed to have someone to talk to while he was away.

You gazed into his Spearmint colored eyes in one last attempt, “Please Loki! If you love me, you’ll let me go!”

For a split second, you could’ve sworn you saw hurt in his eyes and he glided across the room. You back hit the headboard in you sad efforts to get away from him.

“Elskan Mín, I promise to always love, cherish, and worship every part of your glorious body. You will become Midgard’s queen and my goddess. No. One. Will. Ever. Demean. Or. Slight. You. Again.” he punctuated each word of the last sentence with soft, open-mouthed kisses to your face, neck, shoulders, and collarbone.

You tried to fight him, but it felt so good. His touches sent shots of lightning to your core; plus his lips and fingers were cook to the touch provided excellent contrast to the spike in heat.

You started crying realizing how pathetic this was, to have the first person to profess such feelings be a kidnapper. You were actually contemplating whether or not he was telling the truth.

Loki sensed your sorrow and kissed your tears away. “I know this might be ‘difficult’ at first, but you will love me in time.” He hoped he did not have to use the scepter.

You thought about your dream and all of the effort he was putting into this. It was frightening, but it came from a place of love.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad to stay.

–––––––

@lookiamtrying @jtargaryen18 @sapphirescrolls @jobean12-blog @sweeterthanthis @gotnofucks @mcudarklibrary@saiyanprincessswanie @golden-ariess @navegandoaciegas @stargazingfangirl18 @opheliadawnwalker3 @tilltheendwilliwritee  @imanuglywombat @bucky-the-thigh-slayer @navybrat817 @anyatheladyclown @buckysbunny @nacho-bucky @donutloverxo @stephanieromanoff @threeminutesoflife @angrybirdcr​ @angrythingstarlight @chixkencxrry @hurricanerin @marvelfansworld @the-soulofdevil @captain–barnes @drabblewithfrannybarnes @thebanprincess @winteralpine @leslie2898 @buttercandy16 @propertyofpoeandbucky @hevans-angel @thorfanficwriter @afriendlyblackhottie @avintagekiss24 @syntheticavenger @phant0m-queen @tuiccim​ @blueberrythor​ @river-soul @justthehiddleswrites @sweetkingdomstarlight-blog

[crying-gay-tears]

Brighter Than the Sun

August 25th. Today was the day. Gon had been waiting for this day for years, and the anticipation only intensified when he received his acceptance letter in the mail a few months ago. After a teary goodbye with Aunt Mito, he was finally off on his own and starting college.

A freshman in college AU!

Chapter 1: New Places, New Faces

August 25th. Today was the day. Gon had been waiting for this day for years, and the anticipation only intensified when he received his acceptance letter in the mail a few months ago. After a teary goodbye with Aunt Mito, he was finally off on his own and starting college. Whale Island wasn’t that far from York New City, though Mito fervently disagreed--”Not that far?! It’s a boat, train, and bus ride away!”-- Either way, Gon had arrived safely, and as promised, he texted  her to let her know. The entrance to the campus was a large iron gate, and a statue of a catbear stared down at him.as he crossed the threshold of his father’s alma mater.  

Ging had walked these same grounds decades before and went on to become a world renowned Archaeologist. His career was demanding and exciting, so much so that it kept him abroad most of the time. It became Gon’s dream from a very early age to follow in his father’s impossibly large footsteps, traveling the world exploring and discovering artifacts and lost civilizations. It had to be amazing if it was worth missing out on so much of his son’s life.

Suitcase in tow, he climbed the stairs leading to the administration building two at a time, and eagerly tugged on the large oak doors. Once inside, he noticed a small line forming across the lobby. A banner reading ‘Freshman Check In’ was hung above a long table on the back wall. He joined the line and waited, shifting from foot to foot as excitement coursed through him. When it was his turn to step up to the table, a petite woman with blonde pigtails came into view. She smiled warmly at him as he approached. 

“Hello! Welcome to York New University! What’s your first and last name?”

“Hello, thank you! My name is Gon Freecss.”

She sifted through some folders lined up neatly in front of her before pulling one out of a stack and handing it to him. 

“This packet has your room number and key in it, as well as a brochure of course options. You’ll want to select your classes and build your schedule online as soon as possible. You’re in Hunter dorm located just North of the library. Follow the brick walkway through the courtyard and you can’t miss it. Best of luck and welcome to YNU!” 

Before he could say anything more, the next student in line was being motioned forward, so he turned and headed out the door and to his dorm. Grass and trees decorated the space between buildings, and the walkways were buzzing with students. The biggest and oldest looking building he passed had a cool tower on the side of it. He wondered what it was, and couldn’t wait to find out!

After a while he arrived at a large, multi story brick building. Gold lettering over the entrance read ‘Hunter Dormitory’. With a deep breath, he headed inside. His room number was 405A, so he boarded the elevator, and pressed the button for the 4th floor. It let him out on the top level of the building and into a long hallway. He passed room 400, then 401, 402, 403, 404, and finally, at the very end of the hallway, 405. 

The front door opened to a common room with a couch, mini fridge, a tv, and a coffee table. On the far wall there was a door to the right labeled ‘A’ and one to the left labeled ‘B’  His room was pretty standard, just four white walls with a bed, desk, and dresser. It looked so plain and boring, he couldn't wait to make the space his own. He had to remember to thank Mito for reminding him to pack some decorations. There was a window by the bed overlooking a courtyard, and on the left wall was the door to the bathroom. When he stepped into the shared bathroom, he saw another door on the wall opposite his. Curious, he turned the knob and peeked inside. It opened to a room that was identical to his own. His roommate must not have arrived yet, as the room was still empty. Disappointed, he closed the door with a click.

He returned to his room and flopped onto the bed. His mind was racing, imagining what his roommate would be like, what his classes and professors would be like, what friends he would make and what clubs he would join. This had all been just a dream for so long, and now he was, finally living it. His phone buzzed in his pocket, letting him know that it was 12:45. Oh! He almost forgot! He stood in a flash, slung his backpack over his shoulder, and skipped out the door for freshman orientation.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Killua was not very excited about being forced to attend a freshman orientation. Wasn’t the whole point of college to get away from people telling him what to do? Nevertheless, here he was, making his way to the small group forming under a large oak tree in the center of the campus’s main courtyard. As he approached them he noticed a tall man standing in the center of everyone and motioning for people to move as he called out. 

“Please gather around me so everyone can hear!” The man was wearing white slacks, and his dark hair was shaped into a large pompadour. When the group was settled, he spoke again. “Hello everyone, and welcome to York New University! My name’s Knuckle Bine, I’m a junior here and the RA of Hunter dorm! I’ll be your guide around campus today. It’s my job to help you guys get acclimated to your new environment, and to teach you the in’s and out’s of life here at YNU!”  

His eyes scanned the group from one end to the other, a smile on his lips. “To start, I’d like to break the ice here with an introduction game! We’ll go around the circle and introduce ourselves. When it’s your turn, tell us your name, your major if you’ve chosen one, something about yourself, and a reason you’re here at the University! I’ll go first. I’m Knuckle and my major is Pre-Veterinary Medicine. Something about myself is that I love animals! I came to college to make a career for myself that helps them!” His smile was warm as he turned to the person to his left with expectant eyes. “Now, your turn!”

Killua did his best to focus on the petite girl who was now speaking--shit, what did she say her name was? Ponzu?--but his mind was busy rushing to think of the right thing to say for when it was his turn to speak.They were a group of complete strangers, standing together in the grass, and they were really expected to just… introduce themselves? With such weird and arbitrary questions? What was he supposed to say? This was not how he wanted to start meeting new people once he finally got away to college. 

Alright, name was easy, major was undecided so also pretty easy, if a little embarrassing. What was next? Something about himself? What? That was such a broad thing to ask! And he only had a few more people before his turn. And shit! He had not been paying attention. He glanced up to see where the next person speaking was. Okay, he had about 6 more people before it was his turn. His eyes fell on the next person, a boy about his height with black spiky hair and bright, round colored eyes the color of honey.

“Hello!” he waved cheerily around the semi circle, a bright smile on his face. “My name is Gon Freecss. I’m not exactly sure of my major just yet, but I’m thinking about Environmental Biology or maybe Anthropology. I’m from Whale Island and I love hiking and exploring. I’m here because this is my life’s next adventure and I’m excited to learn and make some new friends!” 

Killua thought this guy was a little overzealous, but he seemed nice enough. He was wearing green shorts and a cream tank top that revealed tan, muscular limbs. His gaze roamed up the boy’s body, noticing broad shoulders, a strong jaw, full lips, and then, those eyes…eyes that were now staring right back at him. Crap. He quickly turned his head away, a blush creeping across his cheeks. Welp. That was awkward. Oh shit, now there were only 2 more people before him. When it was finally his turn, he spoke quickly and avoided eye contact. 

“I’m Killua. I’m undecided and I’m here because I graduated high school and this was the next step. I guess something about me is that I like to skateboard.” He felt a rush of relief as the next person started speaking, and focused intensely on the rest of the people as they spoke so his eyes wouldn’t wander back to that boy--Gon--again.  

A few people later, and Knuckle was the one speaking. “Alright! That’s everyone. Now that we’re all acquainted, we can begin the campus tour! Follow behind me closely, and feel free to ask any questions you may have along the way!” With a bright smile, he turned on his heel and walked across the lawn. 

The tour was relatively uneventful, Killua was pretty bored most of the time. Hadn’t these people done a campus tour? His mother barely let him attend a college so far away, let alone without touring it first. The only thing keeping him occupied was occasional glimpses at Gon’s facial expressions. He was very easily amused and his face lit up with each new place they entered. Killua had never seen someone so happy and energetic before. It was almost tiring to watch, but he found himself looking up at the boy frequently. They walked through some of the classrooms, followed by the main campus administration building, a few of the degree program offices, the campus gym, and finally the cafeteria.

“Okay guys, we’ve got one stop left, but first, we’re going to break for lunch! I like to eat my lunch on the green,” he motioned to the expansive lawn they were standing on, “but you’re welcome to eat inside as well. Just make sure you meet back here in 45 minutes!” 

With that, the group dispersed. Killua, deciding he wasn’t hungry enough to venture into the cafeteria, sat down under a shady tree. He was scrolling mindlessly on his phone when he heard soft footsteps in the grass next to him. He glanced up to see who it was and his breath caught in his throat. Golden eyes were staring down at him, accompanied by an ear to ear smile.

“This seat taken?” 

“Uh, no?” Killua watched as Gon crossed his legs and plopped down in the grass next to him.

“You don’t have any food, aren’t you hungry?” Gon asked, voice tinged with concern.

“Oh, I guess I just didn’t feel like dealing with the cafeteria line.” 

Gon immediately began rifling through his backpack. He pulled out a sandwich, an apple, and a bottle of water. “Here, have some of my lunch!” He passed the apple to Killua, and offered him half of the sandwich as well. 

“No thank you, I couldn’t take your lunch from you.”

“You’re not taking it from me, I’m sharing it with you! C’mon, at least have the apple.” 

He wanted to argue, but Gon’s smile was almost a pout and his eyes were burning into him, so he quickly grabbed the apple and took a bite. Gon grinned in response and took a bite of his sandwich.

“So, your name is Killua? I’m Gon! It’s nice to meet you!”

Killua swallowed hard and ignored how his stomach flipped when Gon said his name. 

“Yeah, it’s nice to meet you too.” The two sat in comfortable silence for a bit, eating and watching the activity on the lawn around them. Gon was the first to speak. 

“So, are you from York New City?”

Killua shook his head. “My family lives on a compound in the Kukuru Mountains, a few hours North of here.”

“Oh yeah? That’s so cool! My Aunt Mito and I went on a hiking trip there a few years ago. The forest at the base of the mountains is beautiful!”

Killua raised an eyebrow. “The forest is also pretty dangerous, y’know.”

Gon chuckled. “Don’t worry, I basically grew up in nature, my survival skills are pretty good. Not that Mito would’ve let me hike off trail or as far as I wanted to anyway.”

“You said you’re from Whale Island, what’s it like there?” 

“Whale Island is beautiful. The forest there is lush and the wildlife is diverse. I spent all of my free time outside exploring alone, learning every inch of the island.”

“Alone?”

“Yeah, there weren’t many kids my age. It’s a small port town; so a great deal of the population there is people in town for business for a few weeks or months at a time. The locals are mostly older folks. There were only a few families around when I was growing up, but they all had girls. I made friends with them just fine, and with the kids that would move in and out of town. But I never really had solid friends, and never a best friend.”

 Killua nodded solemnly. “Yeah, I know what you mean. I never had any real friends either. No one I could trust or that I actually enjoyed spending time with. I got to know the kids that my parents’ business partners would regularly bring to parties, and I knew some kids at boarding school too; but most of them were boring or snobby or both. So I was alone a lot.” Killua’s gaze shifted down, his fingers nervously raked through the grass. He wasn’t sure why he was suddenly spilling his guts to a stranger, but something about Gon being so open made him want to open up as well. He could feel Gon staring at him, and when he looked up he was met with a pair of warm golden eyes, and an understanding smile. That smile made his stomach flip...again.

“Killua?”

“Yes?”

“Would you like to be friends?”

”I--w-what?” he stammered, eyes wide with surprise.

Gon didn’t waiver, his smile only grew wider. “I think you’re really cool, and I’d like to be your friend! Would you like to be mine too?” 

“Uh, s-sure. Yeah, we can be friends.” he rubbed at the back of his neck, trying to calm his embarrassment along with the excitement bubbling up inside of him. 

Gon was positively beaming. “I’m so glad! This is gonna be great!” 

Gon’s excitement was contagious, and Killua couldn’t help but smile.

~~~~~~~~~~~ 

For the rest of their lunch break, the two talked and laughed. They were really hitting it off, and Gon was so happy to have made such a cool new friend. Killua even promised to teach him how to skateboard if he taught him how to fish! Before they knew it, Knuckle was clapping his hands and waving for everyone’s attention. 

 “Okay folks, it looks like everyone’s finished eating, so it’s time to finish our tour!” He pointed to the large building behind them and motioned for them to follow. They all stood and headed across the lawn towards a large brick building with a marble staircase on either side of the double door entrance. It was the building with the tower Gon noticed earlier. 

Knuckle led the group up the stairs and inside. When he spoke next, it was in a hushed tone. “Everyone, welcome to the library! This is the biggest building on campus, and where you will probably spend most of your time.The best way to learn this place is to explore it yourself, and since this is the last stop, feel free to stay as long as you like.You’re also free to go whenever you’d like. I’ll be around for a bit if you have any questions or want to chat. I hope you enjoyed the tour today and again, welcome to NYU!!” He ended with a bright smile, and the group began to disperse. 

After a chat with Knuckle, Gon headed straight for the elevator to explore each floor. He asked Killua to join him, but he declined saying he had some stuff to do, so they exchanged numbers and went their separate ways. By the time he finished in the library, it was well after 5. He stopped at the cafeteria for a quick bite to eat and then headed back to his room. 

He was unpacking when he heard shuffling in the other bedroom. His roommate must be home! He headed out to the common room and knocked on the other door. Gon heard some more shuffling before the door swung open to reveal a familiar face. He stared in surprise and ocean blue eyes stared right back through a frame of silver hair.

[clouddander]

Here is my oc for Hunter x Hunter. She started off as a random doodle before I decided to turn her into a character. Also I thought it would be funny to have a literal hunter for my oc.

Name: Roxanne Riley

Gender: F

Hobbies/ interests: Puzzles, animal documentaries, reading about mythical creatures, hunting for sport and taxidermy.

Friends: She is mostly a loner, but she makes friends with Ponzu and Pokkle during the exams. She is reluctant to hang around them because she prefered to do things alone. They wound up stuck together in Trick Tower and they’ve become friends since then.

Enemies: Just Hisoka. He was a terrible bully when they were in high school. Honestly, Hisoka started bullying her because she kinda had an insulting condescending attitude towards him when they were assigned a group project. Roxy just had this “Its okay, you don’t have to worry about getting the materials if you can’t afford them :3” attitude and she totally meant well (and did apologize) but it pissed him off. Since then he’d steal/ break her things, beat her up, randomly shove her face into her lunch tray, etc. He let up after high school ended, but only because he had moved. Years later they’re both taking the hunter’s exam and he continues bullying her just because.

Personality: Roxanne is a bit introverted and reserved. Roxy can sometimes give off a stuck up sheltered girl vibe. Despite this, she does try to help others when she can and she always tries to repay her debts. Ironically she doesn't like to ask for help. She is also a collector and tends to collect things to an obsessive degree.

Hatsu and abilities: Roxy is a manipulator. Her ability allows her to control the taxidermy animals she creates.Once she activates her ability Roxy can use the animal’s special ability until it gets destroyed or is rendered immobile (which isn’t hard b/c the mannequins she crafts aren’t the best). She can also shrink the animal down to small figurines, so it is like having a small toy collection. This ability does have limitations: She must kill and stuff the animal herself. Roxy cannot just order the animal to do anything, she must take into account its natural instincts. For example, she can’t order a horse to rip someone to shreds like a wolf. Horses don’t do that. Her ability will work better if she befriended the animal while it was alive. Roxie has no problem with befriending an animal then killing and stuffing it. It is not out of malicious intent as she really does love animals, she just has attachment issues and would rather add each animal to her permanent pet collection than see it slowly fade and die. That way it can be preserved forever.

Roxy can also do some damage with a hunter’s knife. She’s gotten pretty good at quickly skinning animals over the years and could do the same thing to a person, if she had it in her. Roxy is pretty good with a rifle and crossbow as well. She is also pretty ok with carpentry and woodworking. She doesn’t have a lot of confidence in her abilities and will often undermine herself.

Basic Description: Roxanne is a hunter and taxidermist. She hunts animals and stuffs them for both her nen ability and small business. Roxy wants to extend her collection and find mythical creatures to hunt, so she takes the hunter exam because having a license will help her gain access to places unreachable to the general public. Since her job does require her to be fit, she thought the exam would be really easy. It turns out the the exam would be a lot harder than she thought and Hisoka actively messing with her wasn’t making things any easier.

After getting her license and going a few other adventures, Roxy decided to play Greed Island. Once she was there she pretty much went all “Minecraft” and built her own supplies. Though Roxy was really interested in the weird monsters there. Even if she couldn’t take her monsters into the “real world” she’d have fun catching them, right? Turns out the monsters would just turn into stupid cards whenever she killed them (still collected the cards because she has a problem), so they were completely useless to her. Roxy was unable to leave until she had the correct card and decided to explore more in the meantime. Eventually, she ran into Gon and Killua. She offered to join their team for the Soufrabi quest so that she could repay Gon for the time he helped her back on Zevil Island.

[tottblog]

  I missed it! Well sort of. I left you a message on Christmas Eve. If you haven’t seen it I should remind you that 2016 was a busy year in which some terrific and some terrible things occurred. This year proves to be just as busy so far. Between some activities at work and moving in to my new place, I’m battling for posting time.

Nonetheless, after I wished you a Happy New Year, I headed to Yokohoma where something was bound to be happening. Culture shock: that wasn’t quite the case. There were some countdown events happening at select restaurants and hotels but it wasn’t as electric as I imagined, especially when compared to the States. For the Japanese, the new year (shogatsu) is widely a family holiday. Work comes to a halt (The shops on my street were  closed for the first half of the week). Homes are cleaned and refreshed. And the ending year is celebrated with bonenkai (forgetting the year parties). For me, this means a quieter New Year’s Eve.

But no matter the holiday, food is always an appropriate celebration. I ventured to Tsukada Farm not too far from Yokohoma Station. I ventured up a set of stairs and was greeted by the hostess who was standing in the entrance. She offered the kind of greeting that makes you think twice about walking away. Nonetheless, I continued down the hallway to examine the other offerings, only to return to Tsukada Farm. Tsukada Farm is something of a farm to table izakaya- the Japanese pub, or even “gastropub”; they’re take on small plates. Tsukada has a very rustic, and relaxed feel, furnished with wooden tables and chairs. The kitchen staff wore black shirts with denim aprons; brown towels concealed their hair. The servers were denim button downs with black aprons.

  I was welcomed by the crew, cheerful and lively, with some loud Japanese greeting. They clearly enjoyed working together. I was lead to my seat at the counter facing the cooks and the coal fired grill.  With a wide smile, my server explained to me the menu, and I stared back at her smiling…until she asked me a question, at which point I tried my best to express my elementary Japanese vocabulary. Till now, she had been flipping through a Japanese menu, explaining to me in Japanese. But she quickly exchanged the Japanese menu for an English one and took her time pointing out some things in the menu and making her recommendations.

I ordered the Tori Kawa Ponzu, Salmon Tataki, and the Yam Omelet with Scallops. As I awaited the arrival of my food, she brought me a cup of soba soup. On New Years Eve, she explained, the Japanese eat soba for good luck. I was hungry and therefore grateful. It consisted of the soba noodles, a deeply shoyu, or soy sauce broth. and strips of chicken skin with a color and flavor that could only come from charcoal.

Torki Kawa Ponzu

When I ordered it, I saw a face of disapproval and heard the warning that it’s very chewy. I thought I’d take my chances. I though that despite the chew, the char or crunch would be sufficient to counter. Plus it appears to be common in Japanese dining. Tori kawa is chicken skin. Ponzu is a citrus based sauce with a name that almost forces me to order whatever it’s in.  It arrived, with what appeared to be shaved radish on top and a helping of wasabi hanging onto the side of the dish. My first bite was slow and inquisitive. A little sweet, a tad sour, and a bit salty- the flavors were working so well together. But after the second and third bites, I had pretty much figured the dish out and I was just ready for it to be over. Chewing and swallowing as fast as I could. It wasn’t terrible. I just didn’t see reason to order it again when there was so much else to chew from. It was very chewy, as warned.

Tori Kawa Ponzu: Sorry, this picture was taken after the third and second bites.

  Salmon Tataki

Tataki is another one of those things that I’m often a sucker for. It usually refers to meat or fish that as quickly been seared and then thinly sliced. The salmon was beautifully spread over sliced red onion beside a salad of coriander, dressed with some soy based dressing. It was a breath of fresh air. With every bite, it was fresh and sweet, kissed by that aroma that fills a room when slicing into fresh citrus fruits, watching the mist  shoot from the bursting cells between the skin and the core. The texture was neither chewy nor slimy.

Yam Omelet

I was informed that the omelet was prepared similarly to an okonomiyaki, often defined as a Japanese pancake. But I would rather describe it, or at least the omelet as a thick crepe, only because it was filled. The sound of bubble wrap in my ear and a warm sensation kissin me on my neck. I snap to my right to witness the arrival of my omelet on a hot plate. “Be careful. It’s hot.” From side to side, a line of mayonnaise zigzagged over the omelet with a sprinkling of green onion and a generous wave of bonito flakes.

I was looking forward to the yams and especially the scallops. But I didn’t really taste either. It was creamy, despite the crunchy bites of vegetable that I could only guess were the yams. I’ll talk to you some other time about the usual joys of Japanese yams. And I’m not sure if scallops was lost in translation but I didn’t catch any in my omelet. It looked, and tasted more like surimi (imitation crab) though I wouldn’t believe that’s what they were serving. Sorry I didn’t ask; conversation was already strained as it was.  Should I order anything else?

I stole the photo. I’ll explain in a bit.

  Dessert?

Yes please. I had ordered it with the rest of my food. Ice Cream and Cheese Cake with Haskap Sauce, server recommendation. Who could pass that one up? The waitress lowered it to the counter in what appeared to be a chilled mortar on small, square wooden plank. Two spoons in hand, she asked me a question that I couldn’t repeat to you. But with a head nod, the Cold Stone Creamery integration of the ice cream cheese cake and sauce began, transforming an otherwise composed dish into a home-style dessert.

As I lifted the contents of the spoon onto my tongue, the first thing I tasted was COLD! The cake, like the ice cream. was nearly frozen. it wasn’t as silky and creamy as I’ve know cheesecake to be. Granted, on their menu, there’s a space between the words cheese and cake. Perhaps a cheese flavored cake was their intention. At an Asian market in Virginia, I tasted a cheese cake that was more reminiscent of a sponge cake with a bit of tang. Speaking of tang, the ice cream, which felt a little more like sorbet, oozed the taste of buttermilk. Nonetheless, it interestingly worked well with the haskap sauce. What’s haskap sauce? Right. haskap (lonicera caurulea) is a berry not just related to honey suckle but in the honey suckle genus. The sauce has so far been my only encounter but it brought a lovely balance to the dish. It bled the color of blueberries but had a flavor more similar to raspberries, yet with greater depth- more than sweet and sour.

Down to the final bites, it was time to say goodnight. It was about ten minutes till midnight by the time I made it to the door.  Arigato gozaimus! Oyasumi nasai! Bows were exchanged and I was out the door. But not so fast. One of the servers chased me out and I turned around almost startled. (When I had seen this earlier, I thought that guests had forgotten something.) “A souvenir!,’ she offered with here out stretched arm, widened eyes, and gaping smile. She handed me a pack of mints embellished with a denim print.

On the train ride home, watches and phones beeped to signal the New Year. The man next to me casually checked the time with his wife, as they compared their phones and watches. Raising his head, and turning to look her in the face smiles and whispers “Happy New Year.”  I missed the countdowns but I got to the station in time to witness the line of people wrapped around the buildings and pointing at the shrine as they made their way to the gates to present their offer their gifts and prayers, a tradition referred to as hatsumode. As I got closer to home, I discovered another shrine. There was a raging fire. If I were in America I’d call it a bonfire. There was a line headed toward the fire and groups of people headed away in the other direction with cups in hand, broth daring to leap given the opportunity.

It was an intriguing evening, but only the start of a year of discovery. How’d you spend yours? How do you intend to spend the rest of it? Happy New Year. May yours be rich and prosperous…and delicious.

      Shogatsu: My New New Year I missed it! Well sort of. I left you a message on Christmas Eve. If you haven't seen it I should remind you that 2016 was a busy year in which some terrific and some terrible things occurred.