#the mildly organic soup

[quinn-fucks-shit-up]

THEY MADE IT WET

I don't know what those '90s sci Fi TV writers were putting in their shows but I wish they'd start doing it again

[tiny-cloud-dragon]

What does TCD do when he gets sick?

Does he wake people up at 2am because his tummy hurts? Does he demand attention or hide somewhere and make everyone panic?

How much does Momgeal freak out and worry? Is Genesis scared of contagion?

❤️❤️❤️

Tiny Cloud dragon rarely gets sick, so his loyal subjects are not well versed in how tiny dragons handle it. The rare tummy ache will wake Tiny Could up, and he will very quietly sneak away to hide. He will crawl under a bed, into a secluded corner, or a comfortably crumpled paper bag. This causes mass panic. Did he run away? Was he kidnapped? Is he injured? Did something horrible happen to him? Is their tiny king being held for ransom?

Momgeal is having a mental breakdown. He completely freaks out when he finds the puddle of puke in Zack's boot. What has happened to his tiny precious boi??? He is sick and needs comforting, and nourishing soup! Where is he???

Zack is rightfully worried, and slightly grossed out by the puke. He is crawling around on his hands and knees, sniffing the carpet to find the freshest scent trail. I'm coming, Smalls! Dad is on the way! I will find you my smol son!

Genesis has volunteered to search his own room. Sickness! Disease! Plague has been released upon us! Germs are everywhere! He's going to come out and help search the rest of the house...eventually. But he's going to do it wearing his plague dr mask, gloves, and plastic bags over his shoes. And then he will spend an hour showering with very hot water and lots of soap. You can't be too careful!

Sephiroth is sitting quietly on the couch, watching the chaos. He appears to be outwardly calm, and even mildly annoyed by the happenings, but make no mistake! The man is one frayed thread away from snapping and organizing the entire army into a search party. Tiny Could dragon will be found! He will--! What's this--?!

Tiny Cloud dragon crawls out from where he's been hiding in the potted plant and climbs shakily onto Sephiroth's shoulder. He's pale and a little bedraggled, and Sephiroth immediately scoops him up.

THE KING HAS RETURNED! Happy day! The most precious babey is safe! He has been found!

Tiny Cloud dragon is bathed, dried, and wrapped in a fluffy blankie. He is passed around, each SOLDIER taking a turn cuddling him while Angeal makes him delicious shrimp soup.

[arecaceae175]

Gratitude Part 3: Hyrule

Summary: Sky takes Hyrule to the Lumpy Pumpkin. 1.2k, fluff.

Thank you to @rastro-writes for the idea for this chapter!!!

"Hold on!" Sky yelled over his shoulder.

Hyrule's already tight grip around his torso tightened to a nearly crushing level. The position of Hyrule's arms under his was making his undershirt fabric rub against and irritate his scars, but it wasn't enough to be more than mildly distracting. Especially since the alternative was Hyrule potentially falling off his loftwing, Sky happily accepted his fate.

Sky whistled a low tune, signaling for Crimson to loop and land. Crimson squawked his agreement and flapped his wings to soar upwards. After gaining enough height, Crimson screeched enthusiastically and twisted into a loop. Sky whooped in laughter and Hyrule screamed as the loftwing twisted, dove, then leveled off right above Pumpkin Landing.

Sky whistled again so Crimson would land on the island. He did so begrudgingly, shaking and fluffing his feathers as soon as he touched the ground.

"Thanks, buddy." Sky gave Crimson a hearty pat on the neck as he slid off the side of the saddle. He turned to offer Hyrule a hand and couldn't help but giggle at his windswept hair and awestruck expression.

"That," Hyrule accepted Sky's hand and slid off Crimson onto shaking legs. "Was awesome!"

Hyrule had a spark of gratitude floating above his head almost constantly. It was one of the things Sky found most endearing- and most heartbreaking- about Hyrule. The sparks wiggled in Crimson’s direction, today.

Sky's grin widened and he laughed gleefully. "Right? Crimson's pretty great."

Crimson squawked his agreement and pecked at Sky's hair.

"Between you and me," Sky said, leaning towards Hyrule with a hand between his mouth and Crimson, "I think he was showing off."

Crimson pecked at his hair in annoyance and Sky laughed as he pushed him away.

"It worked," Hyrule said. He gave Crimson a few strokes on the feathers on his chest, and Crimson fluffed them out happily.

"Alright, you can go now. I'll call you back soon." Sky whistled the tune for Crimson to leave, as well. Sky was never sure how much of their communication was verbal, through the whistles, or through the intentions of their soul bond. No matter how it worked, it worked very well. Crimson understood the message and squawked a greeting before he shook out his feathers and darted into the sky.

"Bye!" Hyrule waved.

"Welcome to the Lumpy Pumpkin!" Sky turned and raised his arms to show off the large, pumpkin-shaped building.

"Wow. That sure is a big pumpkin," Hyrule said. "Is this the surprise?"

"Well, yes, I wanted to bring you here so you can try the soup ‘cause I need more people on my pumpkin soup superiority team. But that’s not the surprise.” 

With carefully projected movements, giving Hyrule plenty of time to choose to move away, Sky looped his arm around Hyrule’s and led them around the building towards the back. Hyrule gleefully let himself be pulled along, humming to himself as they walked. When they reached the stairs and the pumpkin patch came into view, Hyrule gasped. 

“There’s so many!” Hyrule’s wide eyes roamed from edge to edge of the island. “This has to be the surprise, right?”

Sky giggled. “Sort of? Over here!”

Sky pulled Hyrule to the workstation set against the ledge beside the stairs. The pumpkin farmers were hard at work with the second season harvest. The climate on Skyloft was stable enough that they could get two harvests a year of the hardy plants like pumpkins, which was why it was such a staple of their diet. Sky dearly missed pumpkin dishes while traveling and always made a point to take as much as he was allowed when he had the opportunity. 

“Kina!” Sky called, waving with his free hand. 

Kina turned and smiled at Sky. Her hands were buried in a pumpkin. “Link! It’s been a while.”

“I’ve been traveling,” Sky shrugged noncommittally. He gently tugged Hyrule a little closer to his side. “This is my friend Hyrule. Hyrule, this is Kina.”

“Hello,” Hyrule said with a small wave.

“I haven’t seen you around before.” Kina narrowed her eyes suspiciously. 

“Uh…” Hyrule glanced nervously at Sky. Sky patted his arm and smiled.

“He doesn’t get out much. Anyway, Kina, I was wondering if you had any extra pumpkin seeds?” Sky asked.

“Hm, we should have some. Big harvest this season. You can take some from that basket.” Kina inclined her head to point.

“Amazing. Thank you so much, Kina,” Sky said. He pulled Hyrule towards the basket and scooped out a handful of seeds. He carefully poured the seeds into an empty bottle, letting the ones that missed fall back into the basket. The bottle wasn’t quite full. Sky glanced at Kina to make sure she wasn’t looking, then poured a second handful into the bottle.

One handful of seeds wouldn’t mean the difference between starving or not, Sky reasoned to himself, but they very well could determine the success of a new pumpkin patch. 

Sky corked the bottle and looped his arm through Hyrule’s again. “Thanks Kina!”

“Bye, now!” She called in return. 

Sky pulled Hyrule back up the stairs and around the side of the Lumpy Pumpkin. He turned and held the bottle out to Hyrule. Hyrule looked at the bottle, then back at Sky with a blank expression. 

“These are for you,” Sky said. Hyrule gasped and whipped up to meet Sky’s gaze. Sky held the eye contact for as long as he could, then wiggled uncomfortably and looked back down at the bottle. He pushed it into Hyrule’s hands. 

“For… me? Sky, are you sure? This is a lot of seeds, I can’t accept this-”

“You can and you will,” Sky interrupted. “You heard Kina, we had a big harvest. Skyloft will be fine.”

“Okay, if you’re sure…” Hyrule gently took the bottle and held it up to inspect the seeds. “Uh, what do I do with them?”

“Well, I’ve noticed how much you enjoy the pumpkin meals me, Wild, and Twilight have made. Pumpkins are one of our hardiest crops, so they should be able to grow in any environment.”

Hyrule glanced between Sky and the seeds, connecting the dots in his head.

“You can start your own garden. I can show you how to plant them next time we’re in your era. There are a few other plants I think will be good, so we have a few more stops to make. After we get soup.” 

As Sky spoke, Hyrule’s smile widened. By the time he was finished, Hyrule had a huge grin on his face and was looking at the seeds with clear excitement in his expression. Sky’s grin matched Hyrule’s and he bounced on his toes in excitement. 

“Sky, that’s… I don’t know what to say.” 

“Do you like it?” Sky asked. 

Hyrule barrelled into Sky, wrapping his arms around Sky’s chest and hugging him as tight as he could. Sky laughed happily and had to resist the urge to spin in glee as he hugged Hyrule back. 

“I love it,” Hyrule said. His voice sounded thick with unshed tears. Sky chose not to draw attention to it.

Sky heard the melodious pop of a gratitude crystal bursting into existence. Sky hugged Hyrule even more tightly as he felt the crystal travel to his chest and its warmth filled his body. He started swaying lightly from side to side, content to let Hyrule hug as long as he wanted to. There was nowhere else Sky would rather be.

[necroticyuzu]

Thx for tagging me in this fun little "Get to know your Tav/Durge" tag game @falcatamandarina. Was hard to figure out who to write about since I got a fair amount of Tav/Durge's but landed on my current 4th playthrough.

Since I'm new on Tumblr again and still getting to know people I legit have no idea who to tag without feeling like I'm being bothersome. So feel no pressure to join in this tagging game you who got tagged. @tealfling, @the-biggest-soup & @voloslobotomyservice

Name: Tamia Geraldottir

Gender: Female

Pronouns: She/Her

Sexuality: Heterosexual

MBTI: INTJ-A (added this because I find this stuff fun)

O T H E R

Family: Her father Gerald, a Half-Dwarf who managed to woo her traveling mercenary Orc mother Vel who then had her and her younger sister Sarina during their rocky relationship. With their mother mostly traveling only to see her 2-3 times a year if lucky, they were primarily raised by their father. Tamia gets along with their knowledge-loving father while adventure-seeking younger sister Sarina once old enough went to travel with their mother. They also have paternal grandparents Dwarf Grandfather Bendal and Human Grandmother Siv.

Birthplace: Blackgate in Baldur's Gate and where she lived up until her early 20's when she moved to Waterdeep for work.

Job: She's a Record Keeper and Cleric at the Font of Knowledge in Waterdeep in the service of Oghma.

Phobia: Acrophobia that started out mildly as a kid from falling off the roof of her family home to then get worse as she fell out from a giant tower in her late teens.

Guilty pleasure: Reading Smut during work hours when in need of a break from record keeping and with no one around to witness and judge her.

Hobbies: Experimenting with food recipes she finds from different countries with mixed results.

M O R A L S

Alignment: Neutral Good

Sins: Terrible at keeping secrets because they tend to speak first only to realize soon after that "maybe mentioning this sensitive part was not such a good idea?". She has worked on it since she was a kid but every once in a while, she slips up once again.

Virtues: Offer healing to those who are in need of it, share your knowledge with those who wish to learn, and treat others with the same kindness that you wish others to treat you. Take what she offers for granted or abuse it and you'll lose those privileges until proven worthy of it again.

T H I S O R T H A T

Introverted / Extroverted (An Extroverted Introvert)

Organized / Disorganized (Assumed dead if things are in Disarray)

Close minded / Open minded

Calm / Anxious / Restless

Disagreeable / Agreeable

Cautious / Reckless / In between

Patient / Impatient / In between

Outspoken / Reserved

Leader / Follower / Flexible

Empathetic / Unempathetic

Optimist / Pessimist / Realist (With a mix of Optimism)

Traditional / Modern / In between

Hardworking / Lazy ("What do you mean it's already dinner time?")

R E L A T I O N S H I P S

OTP: Ohh sweet Rolan! Tamia had no idea how deep she'd fallen for him until some months after the Netherbrain while she'd been helping him explore every nook and cranny of the tower to then record-keep everything they'd have found together.

Other ships: In an alternative universe that would have been Gale (which is who she romanced in-game)

Brotp: Conversations with Gale about random facts they've both learned through books has been a great activity to keep sane while tadpoled. Karlach's ability to bring out Tamia's more playful self is also a breath of fresh air that she didn't know she needed in life. As for other "tav's" that joined then Yarmaes the Drow Bard has been a great friend and resource for new information to learn from his unusual upbringing alone.

Notp: Lorroakan she'd gladly yeet out the window from the top floor of Ramazith's Tower with no means to save himself from gravity.

[mdhwrites]

Thoughts On Honkai Star Rail's First Three Arcs

This isn't going to be comprehensive and I won't talk about it from a gameplay perspective. Gameplay wise, I actually REALLY like Star Rail and wish it wasn't a free to play Gacha game as those elements are mostly what I feel hold it back. However, unlike most free to play games, let alone Gacha games, I find the writing of Star Rail actually pretty decent and even good much of the time. It's why I came back to it after taking like half a year plus off so I could see what new story they had for me. But like I said, this post at least won't be extensive. You can send me asks if you want my further thoughts on other parts. Also, just as a heads up, a lot of this is going off of kind of old memories of content I could literally only go through once. Oh, and final disclaimer: This isn't taking into account side content. Not only have I not done the Xianzhou's side quests yet, I only just got told I need to wait for more story, but reviewing that is a lot harder given the time lapse unfortunately. I could review specific companions but not overall side quest quality probably other than it being alright and the Xianshou have my favorite puzzles so far probably.

With that said:

1: Herta's Space Station and the Antimatter Legion

As a story, it's fine. As a tutorial it's... Bumpy to put it mildly. The biggest issue is a problem that will come back: Proper Noun Soup. You get a lot of information thrown at you and a lot of terms having to be clarified very quickly, made worse if you try to read the DOZENS of documents scattered around even the literal tutorial part of it. It makes sense for that information to be here, this is a research station and archive. There's a lot of info here. It does mean a lot is being thrown at once at the player though.

But as a tutorial, the most important element isn't actually so much if the story is innovative, it's not as it's just saving a station under attack, as much as it is about whether or not it hooks the player. And for that...

7/10 overall for the story here.

It's quick, the action is good, the stakes are high and aren't really undervalued or undersold and the boss battle is an incredibly satisfying conclusion. The enemy may be faceless but the face we get is both literally attractive and narratively tantalizing, giving a lot of interesting questions both about our character and our rival organization just by the act of us coming to consciousness. It's only real issue is trying to retain everything thrown at you and the time that has to be spent mostly explaining stuff to you in kind of awkward ways. It's far from bad though, especially since I use the whole scale so a five is a passing grade for me.

Jarilo-VI and the Eternal Freeze

9/10 overall for me. The biggest issues come down to two things. The first is the general pitch for the world: Final Fantasy 14 Heavensward but without the dragons and gods. That's both actually not a bad thing but also slightly bad for it. Removing dragons from anything is always going to be a bummer and you would think removing gods and cults would be a bad thing but it's not.

I'm actually being reductive even calling it a ripoff. The sort of classist story that it's telling is actually pretty normal fair for speculative fiction. By removing the extreme fantasy elements though, it focuses a lot more on the actual human stakes and the suffering that's being caused by the class divide. It's honestly a very human story with a well rounded cast of all sorts to give perspective and neat twists and turns. Nothing mind blowing but pivots that add charm to the archtype. Buuuuut it's still doing the archtype and so as a fan of fantasy, there's little new about it and what is new makes me chuckle like everyone having came from the same fucking orphanage. XD

And it playing it so by the numbers feeds into its second issue: It's. Fucking. LONG. It moves at a crawl due to its factions and the like, or that's how it feels to me. It had little to escalate to by being so human so it's kind of just buzzing along for at least half of it, which is the majority of the time you're in the slums. You're not making progress outside of turning some hearts and so you're just kind of twiddling your thumbs happily as you wait for when you finally get an option to jump back into the real action.

The climax is genuinely fantastic though and pays off that slow build with a grand crescendo as allies either come in now or have been helping you the entire way. Afterwards, you feel like you genuinely accomplished something and that things will be better. Honestly, I wonder what the production process for the worlds are because this COULD have been split in half probably and been more satisfying to do it.

Speaking of:

The Xianzhou Loufu and the Stellaron Crises

5/10

Like I said, I use the whole scale and I'll admit that this might be skewed due to me having spent so long away from the story right in the middle of it. Or, more like 3/4s which you would not be expecting when you got to the moment where the main story content used to cut off at.

Pacing is the big murderer here. Despite the fact that there is a ticking time bomb somewhere on this planet ship, you don't really feel like you're doing a lot. You're stuck in bureaucracy more than anything and it takes multiple dungeon areas for you to finally talk to any of the actual villains in the ship. Otherwise, it's almost literally twiddling your thumbs and waiting. Once things happen, they happen all at once. Not even with great payoffs but almost like they were just stomping out plot points that were in the way of the final boss and they didn't have the resources to finish the story properly so it could pay off wider elements.

Now, there was this element back on Jarilo but the situation was neither so immediate and the elements being introduced came back around. Much of what makes the Loufu's sky Venice have ANY flavor doesn't really lead to anything. It gestures towards it with the cult that eventually shows up but it's actually only briefly in the story and undercuts any interesting arguments it has by going "WE'RE PURE EVIL RACISTS WHO WANT IMMORTALITY BECAUSE IT MAKES US STRONG!" and suddenly they're not interesting in anyway... Only to then be replaced by a threat that is somehow even MORE one dimensional than 'evil cult'.

There's a real lack of personal stakes in it either. It has an interesting hook by going back to that pretty face who put a bomb in our chest back on Herta but they're more a cameo. Literally for her friend, Blade who gets one moment and then just pisses off because... *shrug* The statement he made about prices needing to be paid never amounts to much of anything besides that being the first cutscene of the entire arc. It doesn't make me excited for the end cutscene of this arc because we'll see where it goes.

BUUUUUT even if the main plot of the Loufu is a lot of wasted potential and kind of meh in general, it is dragged back to treading water by the B plot. This is the first one with a B plot away from your main group and the mystery it presents is actually neat. It shows a lot of good nobility for a pretty stoic character and a pretty interesting backstory that also doesn't have to weight the character down going forward. It's the one element I would say that really pays off with the Loufu.

That doesn't save it and it has a pretty laughable epilogue where a character who died with very little personality besides being good at their job is suddenly made out to be this charismatic saint who was friends with everyone and enriched the Loufu so much and I'm just sitting here going "SURE WOULD HAVE LIKED TO HAVE SEEN THAT EARLIER!"

Plus side, the gameplay lets me reanimate her corpse since she is a playable party member in the gacha which does make having her death be a big deal less of one.

Overall Thoughts on Star Rail's Writing:

If I am judging its writing quality just by whether or not the writing is good, without context, it actually ranks pretty darn high. Probably a 7/10 which is better than most MMOs, let alone free to play gacha games. That is the draw of Hoyo admittedly. A gacha game that's closer to at least AA quality, if not AAA.

But it being a Hoyoverse property also hurts it. A LOT. I played the first arc of Genshin Impact after all and while I think the plot is better here, there's very little distinguishing the two. That shouldn't happen though because one is fantasy... Star Rail is Scifi. If you look up pictures of the Loufu though and its characters, you would almost never guess that it's scifi. They have divination, they have alchemy, there's a sidequest where you bring someone's soul out of the soul containment part of the ship to put into a robot that's effectively a golem so you can communicate with the dead. The entire final part of the story is all about gods, reincarnation and magic and NOTHING else. Its boats are grown out seeds.

And that IS frustrating. Jarilo VI is also bad about this but they're at least a civilization who's development was pushed back. Them having a contemporary/fantasy style works better there, even if not perfectly. And I am a bigger fantasy fan than scifi but I came to this expecting a scifi game. If I'm lucky, I get a scifi aesthetic, MAYBE a little flavor... But often not even that.

It's why I pause on hard recommending Star Rail for its writing. It took the traveling wanderers excuse and so far hasn't done anything with it that having isolated islands wouldn't do just as well.

And while I may be Nameless, I would like the story to start forming its own identity.

======+++++======

For anyone curious btw: I have bought the first season pass when I completed it but have spent no money on the game otherwise. I don't have the money to spend on free to play games and in general I just don't. If I play consistently enough to clear a season pass though, I usually feel like the devs have earned a bit of money out of me in return.

I have a public Discord for any and all who want to join!

I also have an Amazon page for all of my original works in various forms of character focused romances from cute, teenage romance to erotica series of my past. I have an Ao3 for my fanfiction projects as well if that catches your fancy instead. If you want to hang out with me, I stream from time to time and love to chat with chat.

A Twitter you can follow too

And a Kofi if you like what I do and want to help out with the fact that disability doesn’t pay much.

[ancientgrainsteton]

Spelt Flour for Sale: A Nutritious, Versatile Addition to Your Kitchen

When it comes to baking and cooking, many of us are looking for healthier alternatives to refined wheat flour. Enter spelt flour, an ancient grain that offers numerous benefits for those seeking a more nutritious, wholesome option. Whether you’re a home baker or someone who enjoys preparing hearty meals, spelt flour can be a fantastic addition to your kitchen.

At Grand Teton Ancient Grains, we offer spelt flour for sale, certified 100% organic, and of the highest quality. Our spelt flour is food-grade, ready for milling, sprouting, or even serving as a whole grain in salads, pilafs, and soups. With its rich nutritional profile, spelt flour offers a more health-conscious choice compared to traditional wheat flour.

What is Spelt Flour?

Spelt is an ancient grain that belongs to the wheat family. However, unlike modern wheat, spelt has retained much of its natural goodness. This makes spelt flour a more nutritious option for those looking to enjoy the benefits of whole grains without the drawbacks of highly processed wheat flour. Spelt has a mildly nutty, slightly sweet flavor, which enhances the taste of baked goods and savory dishes alike.

Nutritional Benefits of Spelt Flour

One of the key advantages of spelt flour is its high nutritional value. Spelt is an excellent source of dietary fiber, protein, and a range of vitamins and minerals, including manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron. The fiber content in spelt flour helps support digestive health, while its protein helps build and repair body tissues.

Additionally, spelt flour has a lower glycemic index compared to regular wheat flour, making it a better choice for those managing blood sugar levels. It's also packed with antioxidants that help fight free radicals and promote overall health.

How to Use Spelt Flour

Spelt flour’s versatility is one of its biggest advantages. It can be used in a variety of ways in both baking and cooking. You can substitute it for all-purpose flour in recipes for bread, muffins, cookies, pancakes, and cakes. Many people also use spelt flour for making pasta or even as a thickening agent for soups and stews.

At Grand Teton Ancient Grains, we offer spelt flour for sale that’s perfect for any recipe. Whether you’re milling it into fine flour for baking or using it as a whole grain, you’ll find it to be a nutrient-dense addition to your meals. Try incorporating spelt flour into your next baking project, or add it to your favorite salad or soup for an extra boost of fiber and protein.

Why Choose Organic Spelt Flour?

When choosing spelt flour, it’s important to opt for organic varieties to ensure you're getting a product free from pesticides and harmful chemicals. At Grand Teton Ancient Grains, our spelt flour is certified 100% organic, ensuring that it’s grown without synthetic fertilizers, herbicides, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This makes it not only a healthier choice for you and your family but also better for the environment.

Order Your Spelt Flour Today

If you’re looking to make a healthier choice in your baking and cooking, look no further than Grand Teton Ancient Grains. Our premium, organic spelt flour is ready to help you create delicious, nutritious dishes with ease. Order now and start exploring the wonderful benefits of spelt flour in your kitchen. Whether you’re milling, sprouting, or serving it as a whole grain, spelt flour is a versatile and nourishing addition to any meal.

[strongbookthoughts]

Notes on Every Season is Soup Season by Shelley Westerhausen Worcel

Another digital check out through Hoopla! Let's see how well the formatting goes in this one! Oh, and after I started reading, it turns out that the core recipes are all vegetarian, but some of the sides are not. Each recipe also has a suggested meat addition, for those that crave flesh.

Okay, so if the title wasn't enough of a hint, the soups are organized by season. Some of that is genuinely based on what's in season, like asparagus in Spring, and some is just kinda vibes. There are a few dessert soups! And there's a section of recipes for toppings and sides. So honestly, a pretty good set of recipes for those who want soup!

I REALLY like that every soup recipe also has a suggested recipe for using the leftovers in a non-soup format. I also really like that every recipe has a note on how to use a pressure pot or a slow cooker as an alternative cooking method. To be clear, each recipe has one or the other, but not both.

Y'all. The leftovers recipe for the French Onion Soup is a bread pudding. I'm dead. I'm dead of needing to keep this book longer and EAT ALL THE THINGS.

Anyway, all the recipes have at least one pic. Yes, Hoopla is mildly freaking out about the page formatting, but it's not horrendous compared to craft books.

The book has a decent set of multicultural nods in the recipe notes. Mexican, Cuban, assorted European, Indian, one African, and Middle Eastern all stayed in my memory. I want to say nothing Asian, but don't quote me on that. I'm still thinking about the French Onion soup.

[imsantil]

Food of Meghalaya: A Culinary Journey Through the Hills

Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states in Northeast India, is not just known for its breathtaking landscapes but also for its unique and flavorful cuisine. The food of Meghalaya is deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of the indigenous tribes, particularly the Khasi, Garo, and Jaintia communities. The cuisine here is a delightful blend of fresh local ingredients, unique cooking methods, and a rich heritage that reflects the state's vibrant culture.

1. Influence of Local Ingredients

Meghalaya’s cuisine heavily relies on locally available ingredients, which include bamboo shoots, fermented fish, pork, and a variety of herbs and spices. The state’s lush green forests and rich biodiversity provide a range of fresh produce, from leafy greens to medicinal herbs, which are extensively used in daily cooking. The use of fresh and organic ingredients is a hallmark of Meghalayan cuisine, adding distinct flavors and health benefits to their dishes.

2. Popular Dishes of Meghalaya

Jadoh: This is one of the most popular dishes in Meghalaya, particularly among the Khasi tribe. Jadoh is a flavorful rice dish cooked with pork, ginger, garlic, onions, turmeric, and black pepper. Sometimes, it is also cooked with chicken or fish. The rich red color of the dish, which comes from the use of turmeric and black rice, makes it visually appealing and incredibly tasty.

Dohneiiong: A spicy pork delicacy, Dohneiiong is made with black sesame seeds, giving it a unique nutty flavor. This dish is typically slow-cooked, allowing the spices and sesame seeds to infuse deeply into the pork, resulting in a rich and flavorful experience.

Nakham Bitchi: A popular dish among the Garo tribe, Nakham Bitchi is a soup made from dried fish, specifically Nakham fish. It is often served as a starter to stimulate appetite. The soup is seasoned with local spices and is both tangy and spicy, making it a perfect introduction to a traditional Garo meal.

Pumaloi: This is a unique steamed rice dish that is a staple in many Khasi households. Pumaloi is prepared using powdered rice, which is then steamed in a special pot called "khiew ryndang." It is often served with meat or vegetable curries and is known for its soft, fluffy texture.

Tungrymbai: A popular Khasi delicacy, Tungrymbai is made from fermented soybeans cooked with pork chunks, ginger, garlic, onion, and spices. This dish is known for its pungent flavor and is an acquired taste, but it is deeply loved by the locals.

3. Traditional Cooking Methods

The traditional cooking methods in Meghalaya are as diverse as the dishes themselves. Most dishes are prepared using minimal oil and rely on steaming, boiling, and slow cooking techniques. This not only enhances the flavor of the dishes but also retains the nutrients of the ingredients, making the cuisine healthy. The use of bamboo tubes for cooking certain dishes, like fish and meat, is a distinctive technique that imparts a subtle earthy flavor to the food.

4. Influence of Culture and Festivals

Food in Meghalaya is an integral part of their cultural identity. Festivals like Wangala, Shad Suk Mynsiem, and Behdeinkhlam are celebrated with great enthusiasm, and food plays a central role in these celebrations. Special dishes are prepared to mark these occasions, showcasing the community's rich culinary heritage.

5. Unique Beverages

Apart from food, Meghalaya is also known for its unique beverages. Kyat, a local rice beer, is a favorite among the Khasi people and is often consumed during social gatherings and festivals. It is made from fermented rice and has a mildly sour taste. Another popular beverage is Pudoh, which is a millet-based drink enjoyed by the Garo tribe.

6. Contemporary Influences and Fusion Cuisine

While traditional recipes continue to be cherished, contemporary influences have led to the evolution of Meghalaya's cuisine. Modern cooking techniques and fusion cuisine are being introduced, blending traditional flavors with contemporary styles, which are popular among the younger generation and tourists.

Conclusion

The food of Meghalaya is a reflection of the state’s rich cultural tapestry and natural bounty. It offers a unique culinary experience that is both diverse and flavorful, showcasing a perfect blend of traditional practices and local ingredients. Whether it is the spicy Dohneiiong, the flavorful Jadoh, or the refreshing Kyat, each dish tells a story of Meghalaya’s vibrant heritage and its people’s deep connection with nature.

[spirestar]

@heartinhands : ❛ we're finally having some good luck, why can't we enjoy it? ❜ (mia + ethan)

Ethan glances from his plate to his hands, palms turned up and forearms exposed. He doesn't wear clothes that leave his wrists uncovered much anymore. They're at home, though, where it's safe. Or, where they want it to be. To keep himself from being swallowed up by the fear the creeps under his skin like hands trying to break through, pushing against his veins and tissue until they burst out, he drops his bad wrist to his lap and retrieves his fork with his other hand. Tries to smile.

"I'm not trying to be difficult," he says, smiling mildly. He's really not. Ethan loves their new home -- It may not be where he wants it to be and it may be stressful to be so far away from anyone they've ever known, but he understands -- and he loves Mia. Enjoying their time together isn't hard for him, not usually; Even when he's afraid, when she's hurting and refuses to talk to him, when he feels like he might lose her over and over without any mold to blame at all, Ethan could never say he doesn't enjoy being with her. Through it all, the thread binding those moments is their love for one another. He'd never consider otherwise. "I just--I'm trying to adjust."

It's unlike Mia to think anything Chris's people have done for them is worth praise, but -- and it makes Ethan's heart twist to consider -- maybe she wants him to feel a bit better. Maybe she wants to comfort him. Things could be worse, that's for sure. He's don't the same thing for her before, tried to find the good in the bad when they both knew things could be far better. So how can he blame her? They have a massive house, enough room to do what they like, they're allowed to visit the nearest towns for food and to talk to people. It's more than they've had under the thumb of organizations in the past several years. Ethan swallows and offers his scarred hand across the table, the kind of olive branch that's become a way of offering out his heart. "Sorry." The rest of his complaints from before, about feeling trapped and hints about wanting to find a way to quit his job -- an impossible thing, but still, still -- slip back under his smile. "Did you really make this soup, Mia? What happened to," he lifts his fork-clad hand to make air quotes, "'I burn frozen dinners?'"

[healthyfoodforyou]

Exploring the Best Indian Spices

Indian cuisine is renowned for its depth of flavors, and at the heart of this culinary magic are the spices that make every dish come alive. If you're on a quest to elevate your cooking with the Indian spices, the online marketplace offers a treasure trove of aromatic delights.

1. Garam Masala: This quintessential spice blend is the secret behind many Indian dishes. Comprising cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, and more, it adds warmth and complexity to curries and stews.

2. Turmeric: Known for its vibrant color and earthy flavor, turmeric is celebrated for its anti-inflammatory properties. It's a staple in curries, soups, and even teas.

3. Cumin: Cumin seeds, when toasted and ground, lend a nutty and smoky flavor to Indian dishes. They're an essential spice in many spice blends and rice dishes.

4. Coriander: Both the seeds and fresh leaves (cilantro) are used in Indian cooking. Ground coriander adds a citrusy note to curries, while cilantro leaves provide a fresh garnish.

5. Fenugreek: Often used as seeds or dried leaves, fenugreek adds a distinct, slightly bitter flavor to dishes like butter chicken and lentil curries.

6. Mustard Seeds: These tiny seeds are used for tempering in many Indian recipes, releasing a nutty and mildly spicy flavor when popped in hot oil.

7. Cardamom: Green and black cardamom pods impart a unique fragrance to both sweet and savory dishes. They are a key ingredient in chai tea.

Buying these spices online offers convenience and access to high-quality options. Many online spice shops provide a wide range of Indian spices, allowing you to explore and experiment with different varieties and brands. Look for reputable sellers that offer organic and pure spices without additives or preservatives.

By purchasing Indian spices online, you can embark on a flavorful journey through the diverse and tantalizing world of Indian cuisine right in your own kitchen. Experiment, savor, and sizzle with the aromatic symphony of the best Indian spices at your fingertips.

[hound-dog-development]

Amy's - Organic Fire Roasted Southwestern Vegetable Soup - Case Of 12 - 14.3 Oz

Amy’s organic fire roasted southwestern vegetable soup is a treat for those looking to reconnect with natural, simple ingredients. This soup is mildly seasoned with spices for which america’s great southwest is known. Our 14.3 oz. Cans of soup are crafted with organic diced tomatoes, potatoes, corn, black beans, onions, carrots, bell peppers and celery. Each can of gluten-free, all-vegan soup…

[projecthipster]

Soy Milk

I did not license this stock photo.

I’m changing up the pattern. I’m shifting the paradigm. I started Project Hipster thinking I would go through the first list, which was a (quite good) list of books, and then I’d move on to the second list, and so on. But I’ve had the revelation that it’ll be more fun to rotate through the lists - rather than establishing what seems like a hipster book blog and then pivoting to suddenly talking all about food, I’ll discuss my thoughts on books, and food, and music, and movies, and whatever, as established in the mission statement, the internet has decided is Hipster, all mixed up together in some horrid pretentious wonderful artistic alternative soup.

So here I am– This is me– Your archivist on all things Allegedly Hip– Reviewing milk.

As alternative milks go, soy is a pretty good one. It’s the widely available universally accepted non-milk milk, the crowd-pleaser, the Beatles of fake milks. Almond milk has its fans, but anyone who’s seen The Good Place knows, the water needed to grow fields of almonds has an ecological impact - not anything on the level of emissions and land needed for animal milk, but closest among the plants. Coconut milk is of course delicious, but it’s too fatty and sweet for an everyday milk. I once had cheerios in a bowl of coconut milk while only mildly hungover and then I spent that whole day throwing up. Makes fantastic curries though. People seem to like oat milk, but to me it’s always tasted like, well, oats. Dry porridge. Cashew? I’ve never believed it’s real, even if they do sell it at Save-On. Nothing recommended by the Portland Milk Advisory Board should actually be advised.

Soy milk dates back to Han Dynasty China, giving it the same pedigree as paper and negative numbers. Improvements in technology over more than 2000 years have made it the milk that may not be best for every purpose, but is the best for all purposes. I enjoy its creamy thickness. I enjoy its off-white colour, one of the only times I'll enjoy a colour mostly associated with soulless resale-value-uber-alles suburbia, but here visible as a product of beans. And who doesn't like beans? Especially the same beans that give us edamame, and tofu.

I give this hipster food four organic cappuccinos out of five.

Project Hipster is a futile and disorganized attempt to dive into the world of things that the internet has at some point claimed "are hipster," mostly through ListChallenges search results.

This review comes from the second list, Hipster Foods.

Stay deck.

[gotjacobian]

[Fun fact I learned writing this - tumblr’s mobile app will not let me copy/paste text into a post. From any source, as far as I can tell. What the fuck, tumblr? Anyway:]

I decided food gets its own category. My general eating pattern here was very different than in Japan, because I was eating almost every meal with my gf’s family, who either cooked or ordered for us. Most of it was not new to me, plus or minus some ingredients that I suspect are less common in the US depending on where you go (local fish, river eel, bitter melon, [organ meat that no one can tell me what is in english]*) I read a lot about styles of chinese cuisine before coming because I was curious - we weren’t trying to track down all 8 of the ‘official’ styles, but I think we hit 4 in one way or another:

Shandong, which includes local cooking styles in Beijing. Lots of stewed dishes, soups, thick and sweet sauces, and finely sliced meats.

Sichuan is probably the most recognizable, and is also my favorite. It makes heavy use of chili oil and specific spices, most notoriously numbing sichuan peppers. This is the regional style in Chengdu.

Hunan, which has a lot of braised or stir-fried meats and vegetables in sweet or salty sauce. Often more spicy than Sichuan food on average, just less Visibly Red. (If you’ve been to Sumiao in Cambridge, many of its offerings are specifically Hunan cuisine)

Cantonese, which has a focus on plain ingredients over spices, and does a lot of steaming and fermenting. Also includes Dim Sum.

It’s not like there was a perfect mapping of meal to cuisine for every single place we went - a lot of meals offered dishes from a variety of backgrounds, especially since they were nearly all hugenormous family-style meals with ten bazillion side dishes. But there were definitely differences and patterns across places we went, and that was cool!

Some of the stuff that stood out:

Beijing/Peking duck. Roast duck sliced up and served communally - you wrap it up with sauce and cucumber (and sometimes sugar on the fatty skin) in a steamed bun or rice wrap to eat it.

A whole stewed fish in an earthy broth served, to my amusement, with what were basically johnnycakes cooked in the same pan. It kind of tasted like gumbo - it had that kind of earthy brown flavor. I’ve become mildly obsessed with trying to identify the origin of this dish. It was described to me as Beijing cuisine, but Beijing isn’t a port city or anything, so it must’ve come from somewhere specific before that. I haven’t been able to find it yet.

Soup dumplings

Dim sum that also included soup dumplings that were inexplicably colored black. Also Dim Sum again but at the Hong Kong airport (which was better).

Sichuan Hotpot at what I am convinced was the absolute most tourist-trap place in all of Chengdu, but in a good way. We had a private room overlooking some traditional opera-style performances - dances, instrument playing, and 'face changing' (where the actors do a sleight-of-hand trick where they swap the masks they're wearing out for other masks). Notably featured pork intestine served in a sphere made of ice, for some reason.

“Green pepper” flavored ice cream that had sichuan peppercorn in it, and was delicious. It made me want to try and make more desserts with that flavor.

Lamb Hotpot (meat cooked in plain broth, as opposed to the spiced sichuan-style broth.) If you’re gonna do just one hotpot, I strongly suggest the Sichuan over this. This is pretty plain except for a sesame sauce you can dip in, and to me that always feels like dipping meat in peanut butter. Not my favorite.

A really, really good egg tart from a bakery chain ("butterful and creamorous") that my gf and I kept walking past. Every location had a giant line outside of it. We eventually gave in and stood in a half-hour line to figure out what the hype was. It was worth it.

KFC in china also has really good egg tarts for some reason. I really like egg tarts. These had peach in them.

A katsu restaurant near my gf’s old high school that entertained me greatly because it was putting SO much more weight in the “authentic japanese restaurant” thing than the actual sorta-canonical katsu restaurant I went to in yokohama. The non-english-speaking server tried to convince me to grind sesame seeds in a mortar and pestle to put on my rice while my gf was in the bathroom, and I had no clue what was going on.**

A lot of jasmine, oolong, and “butter” flavored lattes. Nowhere seems to agree on what “butter” flavor is. Some seemed to think it meant buttermilk, some went with cookie butter. The jasmine latte thing should come to the US though, it’s very good.

A truly absurd number of handmade dumplings, probably about 1/4 of which I folded.

I liked most of the food a lot. I really like sichuan spices and chinese styles of cooking vegetables especially. I have only two consistent complaints: first, the tendency in some styles of cuisine to steam or stew meat into a paste. This came up at dim sum, and also with several of the fish dishes. I’m already not a huge cooked fish fan. I am SUPER not a fan of picking pin bones out of musty fish mush. The braised fish was better, though still bony. There’s an art to getting the pieces that are more meaty, I think, but I admit I have not learned it.

The other, most egregious violation was serving unsalted soup. I’ve garnered a reputation in some circles for my Salt Takes. My personal taste and cooking philosophies both favor more salt than I know some people’s do, and I can respect other positions, to a point. But being served unsalted pork broth by my high school girlfriend’s parents years ago (i.e. a social situation where I felt obligated to consume all of it) is, to this day, one of the worst culinary experiences I’ve ever had. It was like drinking blood. You CANNOT serve meat-based soups without salt. You can’t do it. This was basically the only thing served to me that I didn’t even attempt to eat past a single spoonful. (There were not usually seasonings at the table) The black soup dumplings also had no salt but eating a soup dumpling requires commitment and I was forced to power through. I gagged. You CANNOT.

To end, I also had a lot of tea. A LOT of tea. A lot of tea that I took home. I have literally 15 canisters of pu’er tea that I assume I was given for passing whatever implicit Boyfriend Evaluation was happening, but I do not need 15 canisters of one kind of tea and also four canisters of another, and five extra samples, and one plastic bag of an unidentified black tea I apparently said I liked at a restaurant.*** My suitcase coming back was only under the weight limit because we shoved half the tea in my backpack. Let me know if you are in the Providence area and want tea.

*My gf’s family got worked up several times about whether I’d want to eat [various green vegetables that when sampled basically tasted like collard greens or lemongrass or etc], but would offer unidentified organ meats without batting an eye - something I think would be WAY further outside the average American’s comfort zone - which I found very funny. The set of things I actually avoid eating (mushroom, tofu, eggplant) is weird enough that I get if that was confusing, I guess. I am not usually a big fan of organ meats, but tried any that were served and was pleasantly surprised. I think either they’re prepared better here than in the US, or that it helped having hosts who knew what to order.

** I got out "对不起，我的女朋友不在“ (Sorry, my girlfriend isn't here), and she continued to attempt to explain but in pantomime.

*** I often had 3-4 drinks served to me simultaneously - water, a wine or beer or small glass of baiju (chinese liquor) (pretty universally regarded as bad even in china. it’s bad. i brought some back if you want to try it.) , and one or two teas. I felt very called out about the [LARP character who I’ve declared often orders like 4 drinks at once] thing about it.

Coming back from China tomorrow. I wasn’t able to do the chronological journaling thing I did from Japan (this was jointly a tourism and “meeting my gf’s family” trip, so I had a lot less solo downtime overall.) BUT I got to do a bunch of cool stuff I want to have feelings about, so instead I’m gonna share in a sort of ranked list. First are Things I Think Are Worth Going To China For. Like, on their own - the once-in-a-lifetime stuff that’s worth structuring a trip around.

- The Great Wall. Probably the least surprising thing I could put here, but like, the name says it. It’s a pretty good wall. We went my second day here, to the stretch that’s near Beijing and is some of the most heavily touristed. The view is amazing. It’s one of the most “wow, this looks exactly how people draw it” things I’ve seen in my life. I couldn’t stop myself from commenting repeatedly on how photogenic it was for something that very much predates cameras. Like, just look at this:

It requires a lot of walking on stairs and uneven ground. If you pay extra, you can take a chair lift up (great if you can handle heights) and a toboggan slide-thing down. It’s like, slightly sketchier than your average US six flags experience? But only slightly. You get a brake that controls your own speed going down. I got assigned “young person who’s eyeing that toboggan a little too hard” by the ride operators and they made me wait a few minutes behind the group in front of us before starting the slide, and I’m proud to say I did still catch up to them.

Another thing, because I don’t know where else to put it - I was expecting to be taller relative to the general population in china than I am in the US. But I was surprised there were a few times I had to squeeze myself into whatever people infrastructure was available. I’m not *that* tall, but have absurdly long legs for my height. In the shuttlebus up to the wall, my knees were jammed into the seat in front of me even when it wasn’t leaned back. There wasn’t really any way to avoid it. I have no idea what i.e. my 6’4” father would’ve done.

One last note - there were cats! No one told me there would be cats, but there were a LOT of them. People were lined up to take pictures of the first one here, who was just chilling on the wall itself.

- Next, the Beijing Lantern Festival. We ended up here as a last minute thing. It was *technically* a Mid Autumn Festival attraction, which was before my trip. But it lasted into October and my gf’s parents offered to take us on a night we had no other plans. Parking was hell, it took us 15 minutes to figure out how to get in, and then:

It’s basically a small theme park of foods, souvenirs, and giant lantern displays. It was gorgeous. Walking through it was maybe my favorite part of the trip. Pictures don’t do it justice - a lot of the displays flashed or moved or reacted when you walked past. The construction and use of the lantern ribbing in the design were so, so cool. I was walking around with my jaw dragging on the sidewalk. Like, let it be known that I’m an easy mark for this kind of thing. But if you also are, I honestly think it’s worth timing a trip around.

You could also buy a small lantern to carry around as a souvenir. My gf and I got this red lotus one. I cannot express enough how gratifying it is in practice to get to carry around a pretty light at the pretty light show.

- Seeing China. Weird thing to include - like, obviously you want to see a place you’re going - but it was a defining feeling on the whole trip for me. I was really struck when we were driving into Beijing from the airport how much less I knew about what places in China look like than I did about Japan before going there. It’s not like it’s a secret, exactly, but I think the additional barriers to western tourism (it’s the only place I, an American, have been that I had to pre-apply for a visa to go. More on that later.) and uncensored internet access make a big difference in how the information diffuses. And China is bigger than Japan (and South Korea, but I feel less able to compare my experiences there bc I was only in Seoul, and only for a couple days). So there’s less of a centralized picture to sell, and when there was, it felt very… politicized. Not to mention that information on China in the US often comes with a lot of political and cultural baggage on the receiving end. The information landscape is just different.

Potentially reflecting that, there were way, way fewer western tourists here than in Japan. I was the only obviously non-chinese person anywhere I went except the Great Wall and Forbidden City. Some of this might’ve been timing? And some of it might’ve been that a lot of my travel was facilitated by people who literally live here, so I probably spent less time in “touristy” areas overall. But even there, the vibe was different - much more geared towards chinese tourists than western ones (think no english audio guide at a museum, or a guide assuming knowledge of china’s history beyond a US AP World History level). My layman’s read, fwiw, is that China feels like it has put a lot less effort into “courting” western tourists in general, and presenting a united picture of China For Tourists than i.e. Japan has. And has put more effort into selling a picture of What China Is to Chinese citizens. I’m now very curious if this is what the US (especially DC) feels like to non-american tourists.

But anyway, tl;dr: It was cool to actually see the country I’d only heard about secondhand. Maybe the one I have the most secondhand connection to, across several close relationships. It was interesting to try and put the cultural diffusion to the US in context. And it was affecting to go there and see even mundane stuff that was hard to see otherwise. I found some of the exact souvenirs I’d been given as gifts by friends in middle and high school. I took a lot more pictures than I normally would. Beijing felt a lot like Dallas to me in some ways (lots of 70s era buildings, lots of highways connecting a wide radius of suburbs) and a lot like a brutalist DC in the rest of its vibes. Chengdu felt like a cross between Chicago and Orlando- a beach city with no beaches. Tianjin was… beautiful but weird. I have too many photos to put in a tumblr post, but would be happy to share more with anyone who’s interested.

[piss-bong]

okay so ik the organization that's throwing food at art rn is funded by an oil heiress but does anyone have any like,, legitimate evidence that it's an intentional attempt to sow discontent for climate activism?

[barbenheimer-core]

AUDERE EST FACERE !

하나. chanel : part two — 1.7k words

TURN.

The lights in the shop lowered in their intensity, and Ahyeong gasped, drawing in heavy breaths of air as her limbs finally moved of her own accord, bending low to clutch her knees and balance herself when she slightly stumbled.

"Are you okay?" Wangja the Shop Owner asked, concerned about the sudden change in demeanor.

"I,"— Ahyeong found herself at a loss for words, what was happening to her?— "I don't know."

An abnormal lucid dream, she thought, that was what she was experiencing. One in which she was aware of her made-up fantasy world but couldn't control her speech and actions at times.

It was like the dream itself had a script of its own.

Huh. Maybe that was it. She just had to follow the script.

"Umm... I think I should get going," she mumbled, hoping her hunch was right.

Wangja looked a bit disappointed that he couldn't carry on the conversation, but nodded in agreement. The sleek black car outside that he had spotted while coming in was probably her driver waiting on her.

Suho was still coughing on their way out, and upon the two shooting concerned looks at him he merely ignored them, gaining his composure and zooming past them and into the dimly lit night in his mildly flustered state.

As Ahyeong stepped into the cold night air, she saw her family's personal car, finding Driver Kwon sitting in front of the wheel through the tinted windows.

Her family and acquaintances must be the same as before then.

"Well, do come by often," Wangja said, handing her the copy of Shiver that she had been sifting through previously, and when Ahyeong looked at him confusedly, he winked, "as an insurance that you do visit, I'm letting you borrow it. Remember, the shop's policy only lets you borrow items for two weeks. Any more and you'll have to compensate."

The girl tucked the comic under her elbow, amused at his antics as if she'd known him for a long time, and said without thinking, "Does ramyeon work as compensation?"

The shop owner grinned, "Aye, you know me so well. Now go. Your driver is giving me the creeps with his glare."

Ahyeong chuckled at that. Driver Kwon was rather overprotective over the Song siblings and got suspicious of anyone who got within six feet of them, even the people the two kids had explicitly stated were their friends.

Bidding Wangja goodbye, Ahyeong slipped into the leather seats of the car, fastening the seatbelt around herself as was the clearly stated rule by the person in front of her who turned the key as soon as she got in, revving the engine before taking off into the night and to, presumably, her home.

Ahyeong paused at the front door, looking at the front lawn with puzzled eyes.

Why did it look even more extravagant than it was on a usual day?

The flowers were in full bloom despite spring having passed months ago, the garden lights were still switched on, illuminating the finely-trimmed shrubs and foliage, and the cars were displayed out in the open instead of being in the garage.

It was as if someone was trying to make a drawing of a picturesque rich household, perfect in every aspect with next to no flaws in its design.

The mahogany doors opened abruptly, halting her thoughts, and the housemaid, Eunjung, hurriedly ushered her in, putting slippers in front of the girl's feet as she toed her shoes off.

"Why were you out so late? It's past curfew. Thank goodness Mrs. Song hasn't returned from work yet, or you would've been in trouble," she fussed.

Trouble with her mother? That was odd. That never happened because Ahyeong usually informed Eunjung of where she was going, and her mother didn't really mind if she was out past curfew as long as she had alerted someone of coming in late.

"I'll prepare your dinner while you wash up. Do you want to eat at the table or should I bring it to your room upstairs?"

"My room, if it's not too much trouble."

Eunjung waved her hands, dismissing her, and scurried off to the kitchen while Ahyeong headed up the stairs to the West Wing of the house where her bedroom resided.

Contrary to what she thought, her room had not been what she expected.

It was littered with cardboard boxes and suitcases, most of them unpacked and organized but there still being enough to do that the floor looked messy.

Ahyeong remembered her involuntary words back at Prince Comics.

So her family moved to Seoul in this dream?

From where though? She's never lived anywhere else other than this city.

Oh well, too bad. There was no use dwelling on it. Her dream would end as soon as she would go to sleep and wake up anyway.

But her nagging mind urged her to clean her room up, and despite knowing that her efforts may be in vain she obliged, and by the end of the hour, her room looked just as it had been in real life.

Setting her towel by the bathroom rack to dry, Ahyeong sat down in front of her desk in her pajamas, where the maid had spread out a variety of steaming dishes on fine china while she had been tidying up.

Leave it to Eunjung to make mouth-watering food for any time of the day.

Just as she raised her spoon to eat the seaweed soup, her door swung open.

Gilyeong stood by the threshold, racing to her and shoving his phone in her face, a rather horrible picture of a mangled body on its screen.

"What the-" Ahyeong dropped her utensils with a clang, pushing the device away from her face with a disgusted expression and glaring at her brother, who giggled mischievously, "I'm trying to eat, you gremlin. Don't make me lose my appetite."

"It's payback for the time you showed me a clip of a gutted person when I was trying to eat pat-bingsu. Now get a taste of your own medicine, grinch," Gilyeong laughed evilly, shoving his phone into Ahyeong's eyesight as she tried to stop him from ruining her eyes in front of her food.

Even in dreams, her brother was as nasty as they came.

"You evil little-" Ahyeong wrestled the phone out of his hands, making the younger Song frown and whine at her to give it back to him, and got an idea as she glanced at the shelf on top of her desk.

"If you promise to behave yourself this week, I'll let you borrow that," she said, pointing at the Junji Ito comic that Wangja had let her borrow.

Gilyeong looked up, and his eyes glimmered in anticipation as he jumped up to grab it from the shelf.

"Woah, where did you get this from?" He exclaimed as he started to peruse the pages, "It was out of stock in every bookstore I dragged you to."

"I got it from a hippie who starred in a drama," she smirked at her brother's puzzled face , "so, do we have a deal?"

She raised her hands as she said so.

Her brother looked up at her suspiciously, eyes narrowed in contemplation, then nodded briefly, "deal."

He raised his palms, meeting Ahyeong's halfway as they did their Handshake of Temporary Truce.

Yes, they had different handshakes for a whole list of situations.

"But you still have to pay up for your flinches from yesterday and now," he drawled while walking out of her room.

Wait, yesterday?

"What do you mean the flinch from yesterday?"

Gilyeong stopped midway and turned around, confused.

"Don't tell me you've been getting amnesia too. We were at the restaurant yesterday with Mum and Dad's investors, remember?"

With that ominous comment, he stepped out, shutting the door behind him.

Sunlight peeked through the half-open blinds, beaming on Ahyeong's face as she woke up and looked around her room, same as ever.

What a crazy dream.

She remembered it as clear as day.

But it was over and done with, and she was in reality now.

For a moment she pondered how she had gotten into her bed, but then trashed the thought. One of her parents had probably carried her here when she had fallen into a deep sleep in the lobby of the restaurant.

She got up, picking up her phone to look at the day and time.

It was around 8 on a Sunday morning, and Ahyeong yawned, kicking off her blanket to freshen up. She woke up too early for a weekend.

Deciding to explore the city for the day, she changed into a button-up and denim trousers, picking up a set of Doc Martens on her way out for breakfast.

"What's new this mornin', gremlin," she greeted Gilyeong while running down the stairs, who sat by the couch reading something, its cover blocked out of her eyesight.

She slightly tripped on the last two steps and hit her knee on the railing, hissing in pain and lightly hopping towards the dining table.

"Good morning, Eunjung-ssi," Ahyeong smiled through her discomfort at the maid, in complete contrast to the way she greeted her brother, and he scowled at her from his spot but didn't say anything.

Eunjung rolled her eyes in good nature at the sibling's antics, all too used to it, "Good morning to you too."

She set down two servings of rice, soup, and a variety of side dishes for breakfast, and the siblings came to sit at the dining table.

As Ahyeong scooped up a spoonful of rice, she saw Gilyeong putting down his book, finally spotting its cover.

She paused.

"Hey, dongsaeng, how did you get that?" She said as she pointed at the copy of Shiver.

The young Song stopped eating, pointing a fake grin at her.

"From the grinch who got it from a hippie who starred in a drama."

This was not a dream.

masterlist

© 2021 Alfia Sheikh, All Rights Reserved

[drawing-way-outside-the-lines]

Sophie Swan *Supporting character

Voice Claim: (Eliza Taylor) https://youtu.be/JwbdGoRGfzM?t=41

Partner(s): Daphne Fitch. Parents: Cordelia & Harry Swan. Kids: None Siblings: Dana Swan, Meredith Swan and Phillip Marshall. Age: 32 (2021) Birthday: 19th of June. Height: 174cm (5.7ft) Body type: Skinny Eye color: Bright blue. Classification: Human, immortal. About: Active, Fun-loving, Adventurous, Friendly, Playful, Considerate, Organized, Caring, Fair, Creative, Independent, Optimistic, Resourceful, Supportive, Responsible, Balanced, Logical, Observant, Practical and Relaxed. ~ Has long ashy blonde hair. ~ Pretty easy going, rarely ever complains about anything.   ~ Sexuality: Lesbian. ~ Very down to earth. ~ Works at the local trailer diner, but would love to open her own little diner one day. ~ Has a big birthmark covering almost the half of her face ~ Likes to hang around at home, but once she’s out it’s hard to drag her back home. ~ Is very close friend with Daniel, and best friend with Sam. ~ Met Sam as he briefly joined a bachelor tv experience. He was there to escape his feelings for his best friend Adrian, she was there to escape her homophobic family. ~ Is very much an Autumn person. ~ Also a soup person. Every time the temperatures drop, she practically live of soups. ~ Have been dating the 8 year younger Daphne, since February 2021. ~ They are getting serious and just moved in together in a small rented house. ~ Really great cook. ~ Smells like: Woodsy perfume oils and lotions Sam makes her. ~ Have no contact to her homophobic family the past almost 2 years. ~ Is a very supportive friend, but wont support you on your BS. ~ Will call you an idiot if you are being an idiot. ~ Bakes a lot, specially muffins and pies. ~ Very calming to be around.  ~ Likes to read. ~ Have a food blog which looks to become quite popular. ~ Likes to sit on the beach and watch waves for hours. ~ Surfs a bit when the weather allows it. ~ Would like to have kids some day. ~ Could eat hazelnuts on everything! ~ Environmental friendly. ~ Lights candles to save electricity. ~ Can’t stand Celine Dion. ~ Fluffy pillows or no pillows. ~ Mildly afraid of jelly fish. ~ Plays mouth harmonica pretty well. ~ Can’t stand shower drain hair, and absolutely wont touch it! ~ The same goes for wet sink food! ~ Loves: Daphne, Ferrero Rocher, Hazel nuts, Christmas, Autumn, board games, nature, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, Alpacas, bonfires, candles, Seinfeld, fuzzy sweaters and blankets, sunflower seeds, figs, knitted scarves, pine trees, lavender, pigs, snuggling, salmon, the sea, cookie dough, Marzipan, Almond milk, cranberries, bacon, waffles, soup, pancakes, maple syrup, whipped cream, Basil and burgers. ~ Her style is: Casual and comfortable, often with brown leather sandals. ~ Grew up as a farm girl in a very conservative small town, but couldn’t force herself to fit into the stereotypical wife scenario of the area, with working husband and 5 kids running around her skirts. So she ran away.

Sophie’s tag Sophie’s house/home Sophie’s moodboard Handwriting/ask answer pic:

One song to describe her: Jewel - Last Dance Rodeo. Personal Playlist: 1. Nina Simone - Here Comes The Sun 2. Hindi Zahra - Beautiful Tango 3. Jo Hamilton - There It Is 4. Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa - I'll Take Care Of You 5. Anoushka Shankar & Norah Jones – Traces Of You 6. London Grammar - All My Love 7. Simon Alexander - In The Rust 8. Incubus - Talk Shows on Mute 9. Milky Chance - Tainted Love 10. The Lumineers - A.M. RADIO 11. Winnie Raeder - She 12. Sarah Jaffe - Don't Disconnect