#lots of raw ingredience. as little preparation/effort as possible

[headsplit2008]

jamie is weird so i like to imagine he eats weird too

[breannasfluff]

“Everything okay?”

Time’s voice isn’t what Wild expects when he surfaces in the river. The fish in his teeth, still wriggling, means he can only nod. He bites a little harder as the scales slip. 

The old man watches as he kicks to shore and drops more fish on the rocks. With a flash of blue, they disappear into the slate. They’ll stay in the same condition until he needs them; a bonus for fresh food on the road. 

Wild keeps an eye on Time as he finds a flat rock and pulls out a knife. The fish in his mouth is finally transferred as he cuts off the head and quickly guts it. Another slice separates the filet from the spine and he carefully pulls it off, plucking stray bones. 

“How did you catch the other fish?”

Right, Time is still watching. Well, he’s halfway through taking off the skin; not too much longer. “Bombs. Fastest way to fish.”

The old man pales, then looks faintly green. His jaw works, likely trying to decide if it’s worth chastising him about his methods. Wild doesn’t really care; it’s efficient and leaves less to chance.

Fish prepared, Wild pops a strip into his mouth and holds out another to Time. “Want some?”

“Raw?”

He shrugs. Lots of things can be eaten raw, depending on how desperate he is. Sometimes it’s not safe to build a fire to cook and he has run out of prepared meals before. 

Time takes a piece, but clearly regrets it as soon as he bites down. 

Wild snorts at his face, still working through the fish. 

With effort, Time swallows. “I don’t think that’s for me. Try Wind next time.”

He doesn’t point out that Time wasn’t exactly invited in the first place; it’s nice to share when he can. 

The old man watches the steady inhale of food and Wild can’t help the self-consciousness creeping along his back. 

“Where’d you learn to prepare fish like that? Raw, I mean?”

“Lurelin village. They do some great things with fish and citrus.” He switches to signing as he eats. ‘If I saw fish, they were easy to catch on my journey.’ He pats the slate. ‘I just wish they weren’t so slimy.”

“I’d imagine so,” Time says faintly. He’s rolling a question around and Wild waits him out. He’s working on the second filet when Time says, “You learned to eat a lot of things on your journey.”

It’s a statement, but he nods anyway. 

“Did you…always have enough to eat?” The old man asks like he doesn’t want to know the answer. 

‘I got by.’ Food was…hard to come by, sometimes. He learned to stock up; to hoard every apple or mushroom to tide him over when food was scarce. The Gerudo desert once cost him all the food in his slate and he ran out before he got to the Great Fairy Fountain shrine to warp back. Coupled with near-constant sandstorms stalling the slate; it was a bad time. 

When he first emerged from the shrine, everything was a question of edibility. The slate could identify ingredients but didn’t tell Wild how they should be prepared. 

Time’s still frowning, but further comments are stalled as Hyrule wanders down the stone path with a wave. “We wondered where you two went.”

‘Fishing,’ Wild signs, considering the remains of his fish. 

Time throws an arm around Hyrule as he approaches, letting the smaller hero lean into him. “Wild was telling me how he learned to prepare raw fish. Have you tried it before?”

“When we visited Wind’s time I did. The fish in my time aren’t…the best for eating.”

Hyrule may be bad at cooking, but he’s not a picky eater. Wild perks up at a possible ally. “What’s the strangest thing you’ve eaten?”

“Oh, um.” He’s embarrassed, shooting a darting look up at Time. “You know…lots of things.”

“Rocks, for me.”

“Rocks!” Time jerks, arm slipping off Hyrule’s shoulder. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

With a grin, Wild shakes his head. “The Gorons eat rock roast and, well…”

“This was after your amnesia, right?” 

The champion stares Time dead in the eye and shakes his head.

Read the rest here!

[soliavenne]

Just Sand Sibling Things + Shinki: How do they deal with cooking?

Hi! I have been thinking of having Just Sand Sibling Things (+ Shinki now and then) as a series of works. :) I guess this is the first entry haha.

Hope you like it! <3

--

Excellent cook, obviously the most versatile out of the four. Appetizer, main entrée, snacks and dessert, you name it. Not very adventurous when it comes to recipes, but she’s well-rounded enough  with the basics to tweak an ingredient or a two from the book if she knows she’ll be able to improve the taste.

Knows that she’s great at what she does, and she’s damn proud of it.

Very confident, but can actually be secretly conscious of what she serves, especially when it’s her first time cooking the specific food. She would rather start over again than serve something that doesn’t suit her standards.

Tries her best to mind her own business while eating but is stealthily inspecting her brothers, or her husband and son’s facial expression as they eat her food.

Very organized, every ingredient is in each separate plates. Not the type to leave a pile of dirty plates on the sink and wash it all at once by the end of cooking. She will wash some of them now and then if she could leave the cooking process alone on itself.

Praise her damn food, praise her cooking skills. She might not look like it but she’s a big, big sucker for appreciation. If you have been generous for the past few days with compliments, she’ll try her best to free up her schedule and proceed to serve a damn feast over the table.

If ever she ends up serving something that doesn’t taste good, she would understand a very faint grimace or two on your face. But that’s all, don’t bother telling her about it if she doesn’t ask you about it. She knows what’s wrong already and she’s already beating up herself about it.

Mostly cooks foods that are on the healthier spectrum, but would flat out bake herself her own pizza and brownies at 12 AM.

Would try to hide her midnight snacks as much as possible, but if she gets caught, she would huff and act all annoyed but is secretly happy to share it. She just likes riling people up a bit, but she’s very sweet and generous.

What reads above cannot be applied if she’s on her period or she had a fight with Shikamaru, you better fuck off and leave her alone.

--

He’s not that much keen to cooking, but this man is not dumb. Knows at least the very, very basic fundamentals around the kitchen.

It’s those common mistakes that usually happens if someone’s just starting to venture out on cooking. A little too much salt, a little heavy on the pepper, the meat is tad bit raw while the crust is already burned. Those kind of technical mishaps. He would not be unbelievably awful at it.  

Tries his best to listen to Temari’s advices on cooking, but he ends up overthinking it. He’s best off learning on his own and figuring out for himself what went wrong.

Skilled at cooking instant foods and junk foods. Knows damn well how to elevate them. The type of food he ends up cooking are more on the indulgent side, mostly savory type of foods. Hamburgers, meat pizza, steak, and ribs, you name it.

Has been secretly saving up to buy his own pellet grill and personalize it.

Does not know exactly how to cook healthy-family based foods like vegetable stew or chicken soup or anything of the like. He either gets to eat it if Temari is cooking, or it’s a takeout.

Very messy cook. Spoons with unidentified sauces are everywhere, there’s even a plate on the living room that he’s not sure how it even got there.

Would probably wash it once a dirty pan had punched his face and Temari is screaming on the other end of the handle.

Don’t talk to him when he’s focusing, he’s going to get flustered about the whole thing.

Just as sensitive as Temari when it comes to feedback. He would laugh alongside a negative comment, but he won’t be cooking anything that isn’t instant food for the next whole week.

If you praise him so much he will end up being so worked up about it that he cooks the same thing tomorrow night. He would try so hard to hit the same note but he was overthinking it the whole time so it doesn’t end up as good.

A genuine praise could go such a long way for Kankuro. He might not look like it but he’s genuinely appreciative of it and finds it very encouraging.

--

Doesn’t necessarily hate cooking, but he just doesn’t know to pave his way around it.

Believes that cooking is a fundamental skill, but is still avoiding the opportunity to work on it. He had bought some cooking books and probably printed some recipes from Yahoo and allrecipes.com, but he’s secretly relieved whenever Kankuro asks if he wants something to eat from the store.

Very shy about asking for help, but if Temari or Kankuro does volunteer to teach him something, he would not refuse it.

Nearly passed out once because he has been letting his breakfast pass when Temari left for Konoha. Kankuro scolded him a bit, but ten minutes later they were already talking about sandwiches. When Gaara mentioned that he misses waking up to Temari cooking pancakes in their shared apartment, they surprisingly ended up having a genuinely-deep conversation about it; talking along the lines of how they really feel about their sister leaving Suna.

Kankuro told him that he’ll be letting him off easy but if he wants to be a much more effective Kazekage, he has to take care of himself. The epiphany had hit Gaara so hard he bought a new apron and a pan on his way home from work.

The first set of foods that he focused on was under the bracket of breakfast meals. A bowl of plain oatmeal and a little bit of sugar was okay, but it did get redundant and he swore to himself he’d throw the bowl out of the window if he had to make another one of it again for the 3rd week of that month.

Began to buy pancake box-mixes where all he had to worry about was adding eggs, water and oil. Once he had gotten the hang of it, he decided to follow a pancake recipe from scratch. He thinks it tastes better, but it wasn’t something he could do every day.

Thinks he had found his soulmate when he started making granola. He could prepare it in advance and stock it up. He finds it very convenient.

An understandable kind of messy, maybe a little smudge of batter on his cheek when he’s cooking pancakes. Dirty plates would be on a pile but he would arrange them by size and category before washing them all together after he ends up eating.

Takes cooking seriously that he even bought a hairnet. Kankuro caught him once wearing it and the ten-minute laugh he had out of watching his baby brother cook with a hairnet on just made Gaara opt to tie his hair instead.

Sometimes boils eggs at night in advance so that he could simply peel one in the morning for breakfast.  

All in all, he mostly cooks usual, literally off the recipe book breakfast meals. Most of them are healthy.

It would take a lot of time before you get him to serve you the food he made. He doesn’t like disappointing people and as stoic as he may be he would also be just as sensitive about it.

Began to develop the drive to cook better when he adopted Shinki. He remembers vividly how happy he was whenever Yashamaru brings him a bento, so he decides to take the effort to study bento making now and then whenever he’s not that busy.

When he saw a small, cute apron from the store, he found himself buying it to give to Shinki. He still hasn’t built up the courage to ask Shinki to have a cooking bonding with him though because he’s not that confident about his skills just yet.

--

A very responsible kid. Has the self-awareness that basics of cooking should be developed in order to survive independently no matter where you go. He even knows how to start fire from scratch.

The first thing he had ask Gaara regarding preparing food is how Gaara makes his coffee. Ever since he was able to replicate it, he sometimes even gets up earlier than his father so that he could prepare the warm beverage beforehand. He doesn’t drink coffee everyday, but with a craving now and then sometimes, he likes adding a splash of milk to it. He and Gaara both share the same preference when it comes to the level of sweetness.  

Not very adventurous when it comes to recipes. As long as it’s filling and easy to make, that will be his chosen route.

Has asked Gaara once about his special pancake mix, and he had been making it mostly everyday. The fluffy texture of it soon got a little tiring, so he started wondering what else he could eat for breakfast. Despite being very mature for his age, he’s still a kid who has the hint of wonder for foods that are still comfortable yet a little exciting now and then.

When Yodo took him and Araya once to a waffle stand on their way home from a mission, he started buying one almost everyday. He’s more of a savory-waffle kind of kid.

Gaara takes notice of this, and when Shinki woke up to a wafflemaker and printed waffle recipes on the kitchen counter one morning, he couldn’t help a very, very rare and genuine smile on his face.

He might not that be that much inclined to cooking, but on days where he’s not busy, he tries to read about it. His main drive about cooking is so that his father comes home to a much more healthier meal instead of having takeouts almost every night. He loves and respect his father that much, and he’s also health and fitness-conscious since he really does take his job as a shinobi very seriously.

The same as Temari in terms of cooking. Neatly organized, no dirty plates lying around the counter. Every ingredient is measured and calculated.

His face might not be anywhere near grinning but he’s actually happy whenever he dons the apron that Gaara bought him.

Doesn’t really care if you don’t like the food unless you’re his dad.

 --

[spooky-activity]

Just a little update on Cassandratopia 2: Electric Boogaloo (Or as it stands in my Google Docs folder rn, A Helping Hand). I’ll put it under the cut cuz it’s kinda long. 

I just wanted to say that I’m still planning on actually doing it, despite all evidence to the contrary lol 

I did Cassandratopia in a haze of graduating from college(where I was studying animation) and just having ended my first dnd campaign as a dungeon master (which went 3 years!). I was fishing around for internships, but since the pandemic had just kicked off I wasn’t having much luck. So I had a lot of creative energy that wasn’t getting channeled anywhere, and a lot of free time when I wasn’t applying to places. Which is how I did 4 pages a day several times per week. Which was insane. 

As it stands, I’m running 2 dnd campaigns(one meets weekly, the other every other week or so), and just scored a full-time internship at a video game company! The campaigns I’m running are a homebrew open world, which, for those of you who aren’t too familiar with dnd, is a metric fuckton of work to prep for each session because I have no idea what my insane friends and siblings are going to try and do every time we play. 

Anyways all this to say that my storytelling itch is kinda. Sufficiently getting scratched atm and I have a lot less free time. I’m still plucking away at the setting/refining the story of A Helping Hand, but it’s largely on the backburner. Cassandratopia was also, uh, like the first story I’ve ever told in any sort of format besides the give-and-take of dnd, so... I’m not used to having so much control over the narrative. Oddly. I’ve never thought of myself as much of a writer of stories; my main focus is character animation, so someone else is usually writing the stories I’m telling anyways, which is super cool with me. Honestly I’m surprising myself with how much I want to tell this story, which is why I’m still sure I’m doing it. Just. Slower. Than Cassandratopia got done. 

But I’ll share a bit of the lore I’ve been cooking up! Specifically about Zhan Tiri and The Drops. The story will be told in an extremely dnd type setting, because that’s the kind of narrative I’ve told before and am comfortable telling: hard magic rules, neat fights, scary monsters, a dash of eldritch horror, and huge emphasis being put on magical artifacts(kinda like in the show!). Here’s some stuff that’s basically locked-in. 

Zhan Tiri

Zhan Tiri is one of the many Demon Lords of the Abyss. She’s kind of a mashup of two of my favorite Demon Lords, Zuggtmoy, the Lady of Rot and Decay, and Pale Night, the Mother of Demons and Queen of the Night(with just a dash of Hannibal Lecter because who doesn’t like helpful, polite, manipulative-ass bitches lksjflkja;fj). Her domain sits almost exactly between the Sundrop and Moonstone, largely being the new growth that comes from death, and the endless cycle of life and death. Places where her influence is strongest includes the cracks in... Well anywhere really, from society to the planet’s shell, where metaphorical or physical rot could grow; musty, mostly ignored places where something could fester. Iconography related to her would include endless mazes, fungi, grasping skeletal hands, and rotting/blooming corpses. Her spores can animate corpses, which she likes to use as mindless minions when she doesn’t feel like sending one of her Acolytes. She shares a scrap of her power with those few mortals she likes. She appreciates ambition and the desire to Grow to be bigger than what you were to start with, as those are qualities she herself possesses. 

Incredibly intelligent and merciless to those she deems her enemies, her main thing is pulling the strings from the shadows and seeing just how far she can push people to act with as little prompting from her as possible. She does, however, have the power to kinda bulldoze her way through things if she needs to, but she doesn’t like to because where’s the fun in that? 

She first gained interest in the Material Plane when a Wizard with too much hubris from said Material Plane(Named Demanitus) contacted her trying to figure out more information about The Drops and how to control them. After indulging him for a bit, she started preparing to make a summer home on the Material Plane because it’s New and Fun here and Wow These Mortals are Really Fun to Mess With! And some of them she even genuinely liked! Demanitus then realized his mistake and locked her away in Pandemonium for what he hoped was forever, but turned out to be only around 1,000 years, due to the efforts of her followers. Her little stint in Pandemonium magnified the more... Chaotic aspects of her personality, so now she wants to cover the Material Plane in blooming mazes of fungal crops that she can break people with at her leisure. 

The Drops

The drops are two semi-sentient pieces of one original artifact, whose original purpose was to be a tool of creation for the gods. Which, through some great calamity(still deciding that one), got sundered and settled into the two basic aspects of creation: the nearly unlimited well of life-energy which organizes stardust into planets, cabbages, and kings, and the “you gotta crack a few eggs to get an omlette” destructive force which breaks down what the sundrop makes so that it can make more. 

The main goal of the drops is to reunite. I would want to as well if I was ripped in half! This manifests as a... General tug in the direction of the other drop. A desire in the host to Go That Way. It can be resisted, and even ignored for a bit, but it’s always there. Like being hungry if starving wasn’t a danger. Just a bit uncomfortable if you aren’t going That Way, but ignorable. 

Both drops generally try to be as helpful to their wielder as possible, as originally they were a tool of creation to the gods. They are innately obliging. They’re also REALLY UNSAFE FOR MORTALS TO BE MESSING WITH. The Sundrop is a little safer because the most it can do is kinda. Overcharge you into something distinctly not human but still alive, and King Fredrick was lucky he made the Sundrop into soup before giving it to Arianna. But King Edmund got his wholeass arm blasted off for touching the Moonstone. 

The Sundrop

Best I could whittle it down, the Sundrop has power over life energy, like the sun’s light. It also has power over the energy derived from geothermal activities, so deep sea creatures Are Not Immune To The Sundrop, which was a funny thought that crossed my mind that they could be, but that will likely never come up anyways salkdjf;ljsf It is, in its basest form, Growth and Progress. 

It’s a little sentient, but very much entrenches itself into whoever is holding it at the time. Like another mind looking through your eyes and seeing what you see/feeling what you feel while still retaining a bit of individuality from the host. It’s not... Parasitic because it’s in its nature to give, but it’s generally pretty firmly attached to whoever is holding it until they die( which isn’t usually for a WHILE. It ’infects’ a new host when one dies, usually a plant near their grave...) or until a solar eclipse. It wants what they want, but it’s very fussy so they have to ask it for power exactly correctly(like singing an incantation every time you want to heal someone, or doing a Ritual involving lots of very specific ingredients, Celestial Alignments, and Secret Words) or it won’t listen, like an orchid dying if the ph balance is off in the soil by a little bit. But it’s generally pretty intuitive to use, because it wants what you want and (as long as you ask right) is willing to help. 

Anyways basically under the influence of the Sundrop you get a few things: 

Basically limitless energy coursing through your body while you’re in a place with sunlight, which equates to rapid healing, mostly, because every cell in your body is being supercharged with free energy. Never getting exhausted in direct sunlight. (If Rapunzel lived in a place that was sunny 24/7 like near one of the poles she wouldn’t have to sleep like. until it started to get dark in the opposite half of the year. Then she’d have to sleep like a regular human being)

You stay at your prime, or if you are past it, revert to your prime. Someone who is holding the Sundrop, or who has regular access to the Sundrop’s magic can’t die of old age or illness. They have to be hurt beyond the Sundrop’s ability to heal or have it taken away from them. 

The ability to share this rapid healing with others (if you ask right)

The ability to freely draw on the raw, near-limitless energy of the sun to shape into things like cool-looking energy blasts (only if you ask right) 

The Moonstone

The moonstone has powers over varying levels of destruction: from destroying things by ripping them apart/ to Not Letting Things Be Destroyed(also known as protecting) by freezing them in indestructible rock. Like the moon, it can ‘reflect’ a bit of the sundrop’s power, so it can kinda provide energy, albeit a lot less than the sundrop can provide. It’s the inevitable march of The End of All Things, fertilizing the fields of time with the ashes of the old so the new can take root. 

The Moonstone is a bit more in the dark(pun intended hehe) when it comes to bonding with someone, it can only try to figure out what is going on based off the emotions of its wielder, and through anything directly touching the Black Rocks. Because of this it’s... Kinda dumb? It tries to do things to help(Like shooting red fear-rocks to try and scare away whatever must be scaring its wielder so badly) but often fails spectacularly at helping. 

Under the influence of the Moonstone you get: 

Mortals get Neat Body Armor that’s actually just you being turned into a rock! They are very fragile! They need to be protected! The best the Moonstone can do to try and preserve you is to Stop All Destruction by.. Pausing all bodily functions indefinitely. Rocks don’t need to eat, sleep, or breathe, and almost nothing can destroy you if you’re solid Black Rock. The weak reflection of the Sundrop’s energy keeps the host animated, but they’re not exactly alive anymore. Like cryostasis. Wounds (if any) acquired in this state won’t be a problem because they’re not messing anything up, because nothing is technically working in the first place, but they will be a problem when you’re not protected in this way anymore. It’s a cosmic ‘I’ll deal with that later’ button, essentially. 

Like the moon, the Moonstone can reflect the light of the sun. It uses its rock crystals to do so, which can even split the sun’s power into different shades, like a prism. Essentially, different colored rocks can mean new and exciting power sets. 

Blue Lightning! The Moonstone can reflect the Sundrop’s power, so it also has access to pure bursts of energy, even if it is weaker and colder. 

The Moonstone is very helpful, but usually has no idea what you want. ‘Asking’ the Moonstone for more control over its power in the same way you would Ask the Sundrop for more power reminds it of the perfect bond it used to share. The Moonstone’s incantation deepens the bond between wielder and Moonstone in such a way that it actually knows what you want from it, giving you near perfect control of its powers.

*This is kind of just a side note of the Drops: While the Moonstone is weaker than the Sundrop in an head-on fight, it could hold its own if it were on the defensive. Redirecting the power instead of trying to overpower and such.

** Cass made of rocks means I get to draw her skeleton :) not in every picture that would be fucking nuts and way too much work alskjdf;lkjs;fv

[itsuki-minamy]

FOUR SEASONS OF K: “CHRISTMAS EVE NIGHTMARE”

Translation: Naru-kun

Raws: Ridia

"Fufufufufufun, fufufufufufufun..."

Buzzing that sounds like a song, Gojo Sukuna suddenly stopped his hand and looked up.

It is a song that he often hears about seasonal patterns. The title is certainly "Jingle Bells". It is one of the Christmas songs that exists. The singing voice entered the room, holding a Christmas tree that exceeds his height.

"Fufufufufufu, Fufufufufufufufufufufu..."

"What's wrong, Iwa-san?"

At Sukuna's faint voice, Iwafune Tenkei takes a look at the other side of the Christmas tree.

Iwafune, with a smile, had a Christmas hat on his head.

"What did you decide? Ready for Christmas!"

"No, well, I can see it."

"Then don't play, help me. I'm busy now."

Saying that, Iwafune started putting a Christmas tree in the corner of the room.

He opens a cardboard box to the side, pulls the electrical decoration inside, and begins to wrap around the tree.

Seeing the view, Sukuna sighed.

How many people would think this guy is the sixth king, the Gray King? It's easy to do housework with beer in one hand, but today's Iwafune can only be seen as a full-fledged father who is excited about decorating for Christmas.

"That, Iwa-san. Are we "Jungle"?"

"Hmm, yeah. What's wrong with that?"

"They are lurking underground and trying to destroy the order they are in, but they are sad and have to celebrate Christmas. Rather, should we blow a gold or blue bubble while the world is floating?"

As soon as he said that, the door to the "Secret Base" opened again. At the same time there is a voice.

"I am back, Iwa-san, Sukuna."

"What did you see? Was it okay?"

It is Hisui Nagare, the king of "Jungle", and the strongest executive, Mishakuji Yukari. Sukuna rolled his eyes to ask them to say something to this old man.

And the open mouth was not blocked.

Both Nagare and Yukari had red Christmas hats attached to their heads.

Iwafune welcomes you in a good mood.

"Oh Nagare and Mishakuji-chan, it was bad that you had to go to the materials warehouse."

"Because it's for Christmas, so I expect a little effort. Right, Nagare-chan?"

"Affirmative. I can't help feeling that this season has come."

After seeing the two laughing smiles, Sukuna gently closed his mind and turned back to the game screen.

But just because Sukuna closed his heart, time didn't stop and "Jungle" executives had fun conversations in the background.

"By the way, what about the cake and turkey arrangements?"

"Leave it to me. I'll use my arm to do it!"

“As expected, I am looking forward to it. If you need to buy ingredients, don't hesitate to tell me."

“The purchase must be left to the clan member. It is an important mission, so let's make sure the U-Rank is solid.”

Not good. Just listening makes him feel dizzy.

Sukuna closed the game console and got up.

He tries to walk as he was, standing with his prone eyes to avoid eye contact as much as possible,

"By the way, Sukuna. Did you decide on a gift for Santa?"

He was caught like something natural.

"What?"

"No, then it is a gift. I wonder if there is anything you want."

Iwafune is smiling.

If Yukari had said so, Sukuna would judge that he was "teasing", would immediately kick him, cursing, and would have quickly left this place. Perhaps that was the wisest decision.

But, nevertheless, Iwafune was "serious".

Seriously trying to give Sukuna a gift. Even if Sukuna himself didn't want it, Iwafune wants to give a gift. Maybe on Christmas Day he'll dress up as Santa, put a present in his socks, and leave after Sukuna has fallen asleep.

No, those socks don't work with Sukuna,

"Hey! Is it a huge sock? Most of these things go in so you can ask for whatever you want?"

Prepared.

Wearing socks that seemed to be the size of a pillowcase, Sukuna stood in front of a smiling Iwafune. He feels discouraged by treating him as an insidious person, and he feel something different "riding". If he does that, he will likely be caught at Christmas. He does not want to be involved.

Then Sukuna replied,

"Eh... no, I really don't want anything..."

The answer is clear. He had nothing he wanted, and he wanted to leave it alone if possible, so he just wanted to leave it as it was.

However, Iwafune had a wolf expression.

"Well that's not true. If you're a kid, you can have as many things as you want. Anything's fine. Toys, plastic models, soccer balls, baseball gloves, etc."

Every choice is old.

Sukuna shook her head and replied clearly.

"I don't need all of that... I buy it if I want to."

Iwafune looks at Sukuna dazedly.

With a desperate look, Sukuna tried to leave the room in a hurry.

Immediately before opening the door, Sukuna suddenly thought and turned around. He thought he should say this to the stunned Iwafune. He need to make it clear why Santa doesn't stand next to the bed.

"And I've said it many times, but don't treat me like a child. I'm not old enough to believe in Santa Claus, I'm older."

Looking back later, it was an obvious reason that it became a pressure word.

But, he doesn’t notice Sukuna at the time. He felt compassion for Iwafune, who was backing off after being in shock, but decided that he wasn't saying anything wrong, so he turned his back on him and left.

Of course, there is no need for Sukuna to know what kind of conversation they had, Iwafune, Nagare, and Mishakuji.

++++++++++

And that day has arrived.

February 24th. Christmas Eve, same day.

After leaving "Secret Base" early in the morning, Sukuna intended to complete some missions. The truth is that he did not want to be in a "secret base" that seems to be Christmas.

However, the world is much more floating than the world.

There are Christmas songs everywhere, and the red and green lights are smoky throughout the city. Only families and couples are on the road, swaying with happy smiles as if it were a must. There are no children who go alone like Sukuna.

A sniffling nose turned white in the cold of winter.

Sukuna hated Christmas.

No matter how joyous and happy people in the host country smile, it seemed like a fake thing. Probably because of his mother.

Sukuna's mother was a vain woman. Perhaps because she was an ordinary person, she was proud of herself in decorating herself.

Seasonal events were a great way to learn about the vanity of such a mother. Every time there was a gathering of celebrities from around the world and a party at home, she was touched by the reconfirmation of her power.

Sukuna was also just an ornament to show her superiority.

As he stood as a figure in the center of the party, with cold eyes, Sukuna looked at a glitter decorated Christmas tree, and a mountain of gift boxes.

Silly rampage of silly adults. That is Christmas for Sukuna.

He doesn't hate destroying it aggressively, but he can't be obedient enough to make a noise.

Sukuna opened the PDA and dropped his line of sight.

"Even on a day like this, there are plenty of people logging in."

Do you hate Christmas as much as Sukuna, or don't you dislike it, but are you looking the other way?

Especially for the best ranges, there are a lot of people online. Sukuna contacted several of them for the mission and responded immediately. Maybe it's because he seems more energetic than usual.

"Well do you want to go?"

Muttering a soliloquy, Sukuna looks up.

It will not destroy Christmas, but if the world is in the air, there is no reason not to take advantage of that opportunity. The important thing for Sukuna now is that "Jungle" can fulfill its ambitions and achieve innovation for all humanity. For that, they must do everything they can.

Sukuna paced in front of the court, leaning back against the hustle and bustle of the city, and quickly started walking.

When he completed two micro-attack mechanics and a steal mission, the sun was already down.

At night, the Christmas glow seems to accelerate. The avalanche of people well stirred the work of Sukuna and others. When he thought the Blues would be investigating in a hurry these days, an icy smile appeared on Sukuna's mouth.

There are dozens in Tokyo, enter the entrance to the "secret base" and Sukuna opens the PDA. He stepped into the elevator that goes underground, giving clan members who became high-ranking members a reward for success.

Are Nagare, Mishakuji and Iwa no longer excited about Christmas parties?

Along with the feeling that he doesn’t want to see it, the feeling that he wants to take a look at it a bit. He was curious about how they were spending Christmas Eve, what the party aligned.

But he can no longer show his face. Nagare will not say anything. Mishakuji can laugh with his nose. Iwa-san will surely be happy to raise his hands. It was he who expected Christmas more than anyone.

When he thought about it, he didn't feel like grimacing. The face is a little different from being uncomfortable. Feel like he doesn’t want to be dyed at Christmas.

He thinks about this and other things. So he doesn’t like this season

The sound of the bell rang out to drown out such thoughts.

The place where he steps is the “Jungle” hideout, which is a remodeled water storage facility that was abandoned during construction. The huge and majestic columns are like a majestic temple. While confirming the signs of those illuminated pillars, Sukuna tried to proceed.

At that moment, the light disappeared with a noise.

"Eh?"

He go down reflexively and jump into the shadow of a nearby pillar. He can drop the long pole, but pulling out the electromagnetic blade is weightless. It is advisable to hide his place until the next action.

While holding his breath and looking around, Sukuna tries to resolve the situation. It's okay to contact an accident, an enemy attack, or just a power outage or storm once the situation is known. So the next action to take...

When he thought this far, the sound came from above.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, the song he listens to a lot today.

Suddenly, a searchlight flashed on top of the pillar. A shadow emerges in the light that pierces the darkness. Sukuna looked at him and then opened his mouth.

It is a sledge.

A streamlined sled appears between the pillars and reflectors. The joyous sound of the bell seems to come from there. The voices of the sled rider and the promising person resonate in the sound.

"Ho, ho, ho!"

Above the weakened Sukuna, the sled descends slowly, drawing a spiral that clings to it. When he landed in front of him, a rider jumped off the sled.

Of course it was Santa Claus.

He wears striking red and white outfit, a Christmas cap on his head and sunglasses in his rich white beard, perhaps to hide his face. Sukuna thinks it is a waste of effort.

Santa pinches his long beard and talks cheerfully.

"Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas, Sukuna!"

"What are you doing, Iwa-san?"

Sukuna's ruthless voice, but Santa was not afraid. Exaggeratedly he stretches out his arms and shakes his head.

"Iwa-san~ Who is that? I'm Santa Claus! I brought you a gift."

Wow...

"Have you been a good boy for a year? No, you should have been! So Santa Claus will give you whatever you want as a gift. What do you want? Whatever!"

He puts her hands over his ears, approaches him. Far from being a good boy, he has had a criminal life in recent months, but he can't stop when he says something like that.

Sukuna looked him up and down for a moment and then shook his cane.

"Yes."

"Wow, what? Ah, what's going on?"

Avoiding him in a dangerous place, he suddenly found the raw material of the Bandai Ten-Dori. The Christmas hat dances in the air, revealing the "Ho, ho." family. Sukuna leans on the long cane over his shoulder and says coldly.

"I already told you I didn't want anything. If there was, I would get it myself."

"Uh..."

The ruthless words reduced Santa Iwafune's momentum. Sukuna looks away from the depressed Santa Claus, telling him to throw it away.

"If you want to do whatever you want, leave me alone. It's that easy, isn't it?"

With all this said, Sukuna started walking.

There is no sign that Iwafune is following him. What was it, muttering in his chest. Iwafune's purpose is unclear. There is no way to make fun of himself. If so, do he really want Sukuna to enjoy Christmas? But for what?

He couldn't afford to be fooled by that question forever.

Something entered quietly, because it squeezed Sukuna's cheek and pierced the ground.

"What? Well, again?"

Sukuna suddenly braced himself for battle, but at a glance at the pierced thing, he immediately weakened.

It was a Yukari cover-up.

A joyous voice echoes from above.

"Ho, hoo, hoo! Merry Christmas, Sukuna-chan!"

Although Iwafune was also common, there seems to be no intention to hide it from the start. As usual, wear a domino mask and a Christmas hat as an excuse.

If he goes that far, he suspects it could be new harassment.

"Yukari, stop...!"

"Ho, ho, ho. You don't believe in Christmas. This me that appeared in front of you that is pathetic, call me Beauty ☆ Santa. Say what you want!"

"That's why I say no!"

When he shouts that, the purple cloak flew out again. As if to chase Sukuna who quickly evacuated, several pillars penetrate the concrete floor. Shaking his fingers with his arms crossed, Mishakuji Santa has a playful tone,

"I am not honest, Iwa-san was sweet, but I am not. I have to punish rude children."

"You know this is the end of your life, right...?"

It doesn't stop there. Sukuna turned around and ran like a rabbit.

"Oh, chasing me? It's a reckless move for a holy night, but that's your wish!"

Sukuna runs. Run. Without waving his eyes, he runs in the form of a demon with a wooded pillar as a shield.

While listening to the noise behind him, Sukuna is desperate.

"What? What's wrong? What's chasing me?”

Is it a sin that he did not celebrate Christmas? He couldn't afford to ask that question, and even if he did, there would be no answer.

Finally, Sukuna's view reflected a building that mimicked a wooden apartment. It is a space where executives from the "secret base" of "Jungle" meet.

The word "if Nagare is here" came to his mind. Nagare would stop this madness. After all, he is the Green King. It would be the role of the king to maintain the frenzy of the clan members.

Sukuna entered the "secret base", holding on to one hope. Almost on all fours, Sukuna echoes in a narrow room like an apartment.

"Hey, please help me, Nagare! Iwa-san and Yukari are...!"

"Ho, ho, ho."

And Sukuna knew that all his hopes were dead.

There was a Nagare there. He wears a Christmas hat, a white beard, and for some reason keeps his restraint clothes on, and has his body wrapped in an electrical decoration like a Christmas tree. No matter how he looks at it from any direction, as much as he says something about the case, it seems like Nagare won't do anything.

"Merry Christmas, Sukuna. Let me give you what you want. It's a gift. Think carefully about what you want."

There was something that came to Sukuna's mind, like a revelation, with his mouth half open.

Maybe... this nightmare won't end until I say "yes"?

Feel a signal behind. Two Santas in the back door and a Santa in the front door. Soon after speaking to madness, Sukuna spoke the word.

"Merry Christmas... I give up...!"

++++++++++

"So…"

A "secret base" as if nothing had happened. In front of the kotatsu with cakes and turkey.

"In the end, what did you want to do?"

Sukuna remains the same, he said reluctantly.

Although he gave in, his heart has not changed. Once resolved, it was reasonable to reopen dissatisfaction and doubt. However, in return, the Christmas hat is on Sukuna's head.

"Oh, we didn't want to do anything else. Just keep Iwa-san's hopes up, right, Nagare-chan?"

"Affirmative. Iwa-san really wanted Sukuna to know about Christmas fun, so we cooperated."

Sukuna looks at Iwafune. A cold look tells him that it is the worst. Holding a beer in one hand, he said, "Hey, here."

"It is sad that a child like you cannot wait for Christmas. I wanted you to know that Christmas is bright, fun and warm."

That is why Sukuna's mouth, who told him not to treat him like a child, closed when he heard Iwafune's words.

"He used to give gifts to children when I was a king, and even when they were not happy children, his eyes sparkled with excitement when opening the gifts."

Sukuna also does not know the details of the "Gray King" Otori Seigo and his "Cathedral" clan. However, it was rather an organization that helped the less powerful.

"Even if they are stolen, lost, or abandoned, at Christmas they can forget all of that and smile. Even a one-night dream is better than not seeing it, right? That's why I wanted you to have that kind of experience too."

"Cathedral" was destroyed by the fall of Genji Kagutsu's Damocles sword. The whereabouts of Otori Seigo were never known.

When he thought about it, he didn't feel angry. He turned and snorted.

"What was a nightmare that I saw?"

"Wow, it was bad! It was kind of silly."

"Well that's fine, but is it really something?"

At Sukuna's words, Iwafune was silent. Being embarrassed, Sukuna says angry.

"It's a gift. You said you can do anything. I said it once, so I'll have you ready for anything."

When Sukuna said that, Iwafune's expression was shining. It's like he has a gift.

"Oh, of course! Tell me something!"

"Hmm."

As she huffed, Sukuna's lips slightly collapsed.

If he has been very angry about vanity and pretentious Christmas, but if he can have such true feelings, it must be a brilliant gift despite everything.

While cutting the turkey, Sukuna slowly began to think in his head what kind of gift he would receive.

[kyouxa]

Diabolik lovers Chaos Lineage: Carla Tsukinami (Story 10+CG)

In terms of the gameplay: The black choices lead up to a bad ending, the white choices lead up to a good ending. Please no reposting onto other sites, ask me before translating this into another language too! I’m an amateur translator, but I hope you do enjoy it anyway!♡

Place: Scarlet Mansion — living room

Kino: Reiji! I got some quite interesting informations, wanna hear them?

Reiji: What are you making so loud noises for? Those are some bad manners, to run around in the living room like this.

Kino: I got interesting stuff to say. Did you know, that Orange is going to be pretty interesting now?

Reiji: Orange... the family from Ruki? Isn’t Eve with the Violet family?

Kino: Exactly. You know, Ruki got in a battle with Carla in the forest, right?

Reiji: Yes, I’ve received reports from familiars about that issue.

Kino: I was forced to withdraw there and I saw something while this fight happened.

Ayato and Kanato were running away. As long as they’re not home, it would be the perfect opportunity to attack them.

Reiji: Oh ... I see. In other words, the house is pretty empty now. That's good information.

Call Shu and Yuma — Let's start our preparations.

Monologue

A few days passed with my heart being concealed since I met Socrates.

Carla-san, Subaru-kun, and I were holding a strategy meeting to gather some information together.

Of course, this space ... the topic of our discussion is how to get out of the box garden.

However, they are actually discussing about another issue—

Place: Violet mansion — Carla's bedroom

Subaru: So why, aren’t we just attacking the other families and crush all of them!?

Carla: Such things are not known as intelligent. Can’t you at least use your head a little?

Subaru: Asshole, are you calling me an idiot?

Carla: You are only easy to tease because you’re way too ignorant.

Subaru: What did you... !?

Yui: Calm down, Subaru-kun. Carla-san you could also choose some nicer words to say.

Carla: If you are so easy upset by anything, why aren’t you showing what’s behind that mouth?

Subaru: Bring it on... let’s fight right here and right now!

Yui: Y-You two shouldn’t do that!

(Because there were movements in both Scarlet and Orange's house, we should have planned a strategy)

(I wonder, if we will ever change the topic)

Subaru: For fucks sake, there is no way to know what the other families are planing.

Or maybe, you can even see the future with those powers of yours. Ha, bet you can’t.

Carla: That's indeed not the case. Isn’t Reiji one of your brothers? Can’t you tell me if he’s more detailed than me?

Subaru: What? Uhm, I guess... he’s way better in planing than you are.

Carla: That’s it, if he’s good in planing, do you think he’d come to the front to cut in?

Subaru: Hah, I don’t do. That guy is vile. He’d probably decided to move behind them.

Carla: Then, with such suspicious movements, what kind of hand would he use?

Subaru: Uh ... he’d probably make it different. He’d sneak up secretly from the shadows. I guess it would be like that?

Carla: I understand. Knowing who to attack, and looking for the next way based on the current situation. If you knew that much your behavior helped us.

This is necessary to make a plan.

Roses

Subaru: It is impossible to move around blindly, I can’t even understand how foolish you act, we won’t be prepared to leave like this. I can’t thank you for making unnecessary comments like that, let me say that straight away.

Yui: You shouldn’t get involved in this. This is a discussion between Subaru and me only.

Yui: (Wow ... Carla-san actually taught Subaru-kun some tactics!)

Subaru: ...Is that everything? I can’t think of anything else...

Carla: You are not as bad as I expected. You will get better with some future experiences.

Subaru: I- I understand...

Yui: (By any chance, aren’t those two acting like a really weird combo I’ve been seen already?)

(Haha... I know, they’re like a teacher and student)

Carla: ...What’s wrong?

Subaru: What is it, don’t laugh so nasty.

Yui: Oh, I'm so sorry ... it’s nothing.

Subaru: Firmly, this is the worst timing. We can’t leave the mansion without moving into another family.

If it goes on like this, we can’t make it to the church.

Yui: ... !

(The church ... the place where something secret from this box garden sleeps ...)

Carla: Certainly, now that the other families also started to move actively, it probably is true that the most difficult task is to go to the church.

Yui: (I wonder, if we really can find a way out of this box garden after going to the church—)

*flashback*

Socrates: That man, was a survivor of the founder. However, he seems to be affected by a certain sickness.

It will only be temporary that his symptoms have settled down. If you leave, you’ll lead him to death.

Yui: Such... !

(Carla-san is suffering from Endzeit which took away his whole family’s life already)

(But, if the time really stops in this space, does that really mean Carla-san is released from this disease...?)

Socrates: Choose it wise, Eve. Do you want to continue to live in this paradise, or do you want to get expelled from here?

*end flashback*

Yui: (If we leave this space, Carla-san’s disease will progress)

(Even if the symptoms are mild now, he won’t stop dying slowly—)

Carla: But as time flies by things are get worse every time.

It may be necessary to make a survey, to decide whether it’s a forced march or not.

Subaru: Heh, that sounds pretty acceptable for me. Let's get in the front and make our way to the church.

Yui: ...Ngh! Wait! It's way too dangerous to go right away... !

Carla: ...Yui? What’s wrong?

Yui: Huh? Ah…

Subaru: What is it? Getting out of this space as soon as possible was your idea in the first place.

Carla: Is there anything that you’re concerned about?

Yui: Oh, that... uhm! Maybe someone is also waiting in the church to attack us!

Besides, Kou-kun and all the others, it may be suspicious if we go to the church so suddenly...

Carla: … I see.

Yui: (Carla-san’s eyes seem to know it’s different. It was a strange excuse, I wonder if he knows I lied ...)

Carla: Certainly, there must be a reason for your certain admonition.

Yui: Huh?

Carla: In addition there is no such thing as moving and failing without any confirmations.

At least Scarlet and Orange, let's wait until we can see what their future movements are.

Subaru: Tch, what is it. You’re both weird.

Yui: (Good, he decided to wait ...)

(... In fact, it would be better to tell them what’s bugging me, but I can’t say it...)

(Should we stay in the garden? Should we get out? ...I don’t know)

Subaru: Well. It's already time. If we stay too long we might get caught by other people.

Carla: Yes. See you tomorrow, we’ll talk more about our strategy then.

Subaru: Got it. See you.

*Subaru leaves*

Yui: Oh, yes, bye..

(Carla-san and Subaru-kun, they both really work hard to get out of here)

(It’s only me who’s not working with them — I’m a traitor)

Place: Violet mansion — Kitchen

Yui: (I'm happy to cook again after once in awhile. I was surprised, because Carla-san wanted me to cook something)

Carla: I’m glad you finally changed your mood.

Yui: Yes. After all it’s important to change your mood once awhile.

Carla: It looks like that. It changed with this idea real quick and your expression got bright again.

Yui: Oh... so you, noticed that I had a more sunken down face awhile ago?

Carla: Yes. It was as if you’re thinking about something very concentrated.

Yui: (...Ngh, after all Carla-san, he knew about it...)

(I wonder ... if I should talk about Socrates, who is the mastermind behind all of this—)

Socrates: Discussing about this is useless. This mustn’t be known by anyone else than you —

Yui: (I can’t stop thinking about this)

(I wonder if, it really would be a benefit for Carla-san to get out of this box garden...)

Carla: Your face is getting darker again. By the way, what do you feel so uneasy about?

Yui: Oh, that’s... because... There were movements in both Scarlet and Orange.

This was such a sudden thing, I just keep asking myself what could’ve happened...

Carla: If that’s so, I’ll send out Laito to go on a reconnaissance. Like this the situation will be understood soon.

Yui: T-That's right.

(I’m sorry, it's painful to make him hear such a simple lie, I hate this...)

Carla: ... Anyway, what are you actually making?

Yui: Oh, you mean this? If I put in a lot of effort, I’d appreciate it if you could eat them, because I made them for you.

I’m making some cheese and ham on a baguette. The baguettes are actually lightly burned already but still good.

Carla: Oh... you made them for me? What an adorable way to tell me such a thing.

Yui: For the founders and vampires, human food is pretty unnecessary.

Even if that's the case, I’d still appreciate it if you could at least try them.

Oh ... yes

Choices

1) — Make together (white) ♡ ♡ ♡

2) — Ask for tasting (black)

— make it together ♡

Yui: Why aren’t we trying to make them together, Carla-san?

Carla: ... Together?

Yui: Yes, cooking is a pretty relaxing activity.

Carla: If you mean it like a hobby, I’d rather go and see some paintings...

Cooking as your hobby, I didn’t expect to hear that. But, it really does sound like something you enjoy a lot.

Yui: Thank you so much!

— ask for tasting

Yui: If it’s okay, would you like to taste it? I’ll also try it so you can tell me your thoughts.

Carla: To me, aren’t you acting pretty unhappy about this?

Yui: Uhm... sorry.

Carla: In addiction, aren’t you really enjoying making those? If you do feel that way, show more passion.

Yui: I see... thanks for telling me.

Oh, why don't we make them together then?

Carla: …What?

end Choices

Yui: It's pretty easy, because you just put the ingredients on the baguette. You see, like this...

Carla: I see. It’s pretty dexterous... I guess?

Yui: Well ... we’re running out of raw ham, so you should keep the amount a little lower ...

Carla: Hm? Is this right?

Yui: Ah! This is way too much, the baguette would rather break like this!

(I was just cleaning the whole kitchen, Carla-san really doesn’t know how to cook at all... he’s helpless...)

Carla: ... Since, I went to the battlefield my arm feels pretty uneasy. They feel so dull and helpless.

Yui: Ah, that’s understandable so don’t push yourself too hard if you can’t do it.

(At that time, I wonder if nobody in this mansion is able to cook. I can’t imagine them having proper dinners for awhile either)

Well then, let’s do it together. Can you reach out from behind me and give me your hand?

(Maybe if I help him with my arms he’ll be able to do the little things, Carla-san might learn how to cook a little)

Carla: From the back? ... Is this okay?

*Carla gets closer*

Yui: Yes. Well then, I will touch my hand with yours. First of all take a baguette with your hand here.

(Wow... I’m touching Carla-san’s big hand again. His fingers are pretty long too)

(Because he had done swordsman training. His hand feels so strong, I’m surprised)

Carla: What are you spacing out for? Is it, boring for you to teach me?

Yui: N-No sorry! Now, get the ingredients with the other hand—

Carla: ... Which hand should I use?

Yui: Ah! Left hand, left hand! We’re clutching the baguettes like that! Don't get so nervous!

Carla: Ngh ... it's pretty difficult.

Yui: (Carla-san who seems to never have struggles with anything, really never worked in a kitchen...)

(N-No I shouldn’t... I think it's bad to laugh, but it's a bit funny ...)

Carla: ...You. I’m the founders king, and yet you fool me around like I’m something below you...

Yui: No! I'm sorry! I laughed, because, it was so cute how you acted... !

Carla: Don’t think that you’ll be forgiven. That body of yours should prepare for it’s punishment... Nn...

Yui: Eek!? Behind my neck .... ngh

Carla: I know. You think it’s good, right?

As a preparation, it’s impeccable... Nn...

Yui: Ah... ngh

(His fangs are deep in my skin. The blood in my body, it feels so hot...)

C-Carla...san...

Carla: Fuh ... I will give you more than this, if you say my name with such a voice. Like this it won’t be punishment for you.

Yui: Yeah, that's right...

Carla: Come on, continue preparing the meal. When everything’s over, I’ll promise... to suck you dry.

Yui: (I regret, inviting Carla-san for a cooking lesson...)

Place: Violet mansion — living room

Yui: We somehow managed to successfully prepare a proper meal.

Carla: Yes. This is a taste that I really like. You did a pretty good job.

Yui: T-Thank you a lot.

(In the end, Carla-san just watched me while I was doing it on my own)

(Oh dear, that was such a mischief, more than that there is nobody in this mansion, I wonder if that’s good...)

Carla: ...It is pretty quiet.

Yui: Oh, that's right. Everyone's out for a reconnaissance and Subaru-kun’s in his room.

Carla: Like this, I can’t help but remember the Bandmaden. You and I... also Shin, the three of us were living there in peace.

Yui: Ah... that's right. It really feels nostalgic.

I wonder, if everyone else will also get their memories back and remember their real brothers.

Kou-kun... also, Reiji-san and Ruki-kun...

Carla: You, didn’t I tell you to stop worrying about them like that.

You should leave them alone, they are just vampires.

Yui: Hmm... but

(The founder and the vampire's wall is so thick, I’m already happy he’s trying to get along with Subaru-kun... )

Carla: Our primary goal was to investigate the church, but the movements of the other houses suddenly became active.

Yui: ... !

Carla: That’s why, my first priority before anything else will be getting Shin out of the Orange family. I want to only focus on that for now.

Yui: I... agree

(I also want, Shin-kun to regain his original memories. But what will happen after that?)

(If Shin-kun can get his memories back, Carla-san will try to leave this box garden even harder)

(But, if he leaves—)

Carla: What’s wrong? Is the food not good anymore?

Yui: Oh, no! It wasn’t like that, I’m sorry for spacing out.

(If he goes outside, Carla-san’s Endzeit will also begin to erode his body completely—)

[rpf-bat]

Keep Your Cars And Your Dogs

Pairing: Ray Toro x Reader

Genre: Fluff

Summary: It’s Ray’s birthday, and you’re delighted that he’s home from the Black Parade World Tour, in time to spend it with you. You decide to cook something delicious for him to celebrate.

You and Ray had gotten such precious little time together lately. You loved that his band had become so successful- he was so talented at what he did, so he deserved that kind of critical acclaim. But, he’d been away from you almost all summer, touring Europe. You’d missed him terribly. 

He’d flown home from Ireland on the ninth - and slept almost the whole day after. Jet lag seemed to take a lot out of him. You’d enjoyed having him home since then. But, on the 25th, a whole, new tour was going to start. He was expected to be in Washington state, opening for Linkin Park as part of Projekt Revolution. 

Two weeks was all you were going to get with him - and then he’d be right back on the road again, until September. You didn’t know how he did it. Having to constantly travel from place to place, and do hours-long performances every single day. Whenever he did manage to find a moment to catch his breath, he would call you. He would tell you over and over again, how much he missed you, and couldn’t wait to see you again. It almost made up for the months you spent all alone, in this house that was too big for one. Almost. 

“But, never mind that,” you muttered to yourself, as you stepped into the kitchen. Today was a special day - Ray’s thirtieth birthday. And he was actually home to celebrate it with you! When he’d turned 28, he’d been hundreds of miles away, doing a Warped Tour date in Montana. And when he’d turned 29, he’d been knee-deep in recording Black Parade. He was perfectionist and obsessive when he was working - it was like he refused to come up for air.

But today, he’s all mine, you smiled to yourself. There’s nowhere else that he has to be. 

At the moment, he was sleeping. You’d gotten up extra early today, to give yourself time to prepare his birthday surprise. He’d been talking to you, the other day, about the summers he’d spent in San Juan as a kid, with his abuela. He said she’d made the best pernil he’d ever tasted. 

So, you’d gotten the idea to try and replicate her recipe, to surprise him. You’d gone through the trouble of contacting his aunt, who still lived in Puerto Rico to this day. You booted up your computer, to reread the email she’d sent you, with cooking instructions. 

The first thing you need to do, chica, you read, imagining the little old lady’s voice, is make a sofrito. 

You were ashamed to admit, you’d had to Google what sofrito was. It wasn’t a part of your culinary culture. Then, you’d had to go to three different stores to find the aji dulce peppers that the sofrito recipe called for. 

But, you’d figured it out eventually, successfully pulsing the ajices dulces in your food processor, with bell peppers, onions, garlic, and cilantro. 

Ok, you thought, what’s the next step?

You went back over to your computer, to re-check Ray’s aunt’s instructions. You could mash the garlic in the food processor, too, she conceded. But if you want to be really authentic….well, I always use a pilón. 

You’d had to reply to her email, and ask her what that word meant. A pilón, you’d discovered, was a mortal and pestle. Now that was old school. You’d had to go to a specialty kitchenware store to find one. But, it was worth it to you. You wanted the dish to taste as close to the way Ray’s grandmother used to make it, as possible. 

I love my boyfriend, you thought with a smile, as you ground up the garlic with the pestle. He works so hard, and he never complains. He’s the heart and soul of his band. I don’t think the guys would survive without him. And he’s so good to me, too. Always a total gentleman, opening up doors for me and stuff. He’s so gentle and sweet. He even plays guitar to cheer me up when I’m sad. I don’t care how much effort I have to go through to cook this, if it’ll make him happy. 

Now that the garlic was the right consistency, you were ready for the next step. You took your pork shoulder out of the fridge, and placed it in your roasting pan. You cut several slits into the meat with your chef’s knife. Next, you rubbed the garlic and sofrito, along with adobo and sazon seasoning, into the meat. 

Then, you wrapped it in foil, and  placed it back into the fridge. Ideally, you were supposed to let it marinate in there  overnight, soaking up the spices’ flavors. But, Ray would have seen you if you’d started cooking last night, and that would have ruined the surprise. So, you hoped a couple hours would be enough to impart the flavors properly. 

It was six now - at eight, you would pop it into the oven, and by the time Ray woke up, the house would be filled with the delicious aroma of slow-roasting pork. By one o clock in the afternoon, the pork would be done, and ready to eat. 

The plan is foolproof, you told yourself, and killed a little bit of time by cooking some breakfast for yourself. You ate your waffles while re-watching a video that a fan had filmed last month, at Rock Am Ring. 

It was pretty much Germany’s biggest music festival, and you were so proud of Ray, that his band had been chosen, to be a part of its lineup this year. You listened to him back Gerard up on vocals during “Welcome To The Black Parade”, as he shredded on the guitar. Ray was so cool. You felt so lucky, that he was yours. You wish you could have been there, to see this performance in person. You had never been to Germany. Maybe he would take you with him, the next time…..

You were startled out of your thoughts, when you heard the timer go off. Eight o clock already?

“Welp,” you sighed, “time to put the pork in the oven.” You put on a pair of oven mitts. The oven was already perfectly preheated, to 350 degrees. You opened the refrigerator door, and grabbed the roasting pan. You could already smell the sazon through the tin foil. 

Just as you were carrying it across the kitchen, a barking Yorkie came bounding into the room, chasing a mouse. 

“Bauer, get out of the way!” you called. You loved Ray’s little dog, but you didn’t need him underfoot right now. 

Undeterred, Bauer ran straight towards you, still following the mouse’s trajectory. 

“Bauer…no!” You tripped over the dog’s small body as he ran in front of where you were trying to walk. You grabbed the kitchen counter, instinctively, to keep yourself from falling. The pan of pork slipped out of your hand, and tumbled to the floor. 

“Fuck!” you cried, as meat and sauce spilled all over the floor. Bauer ran over to the fallen pork curiously. 

“No, no, boy, don’t….” you gasped. You wanted to scream, as Bauer took a bite out of the raw pork shoulder. 

“Stop!” you cried, shooing him away. “Bad dog!” 

You picked the pork up off the ground, and put it in the sink, out of the dog’s reach. It’s ruined, you thought miserably. There’s no way I can salvage the recipe now. 

You got a paper towel, and started wiping the sofrito up off the floor. You could barely see what you were doing, because your vision had become clouded by tears. 

I just wanted to do one, nice thing for Ray’s birthday, you thought miserably. He deserves the whole world, and now he won’t get anything at all, because I’ve fucking ruined his present. 

You leaned against the warm oven door, dejectedly wiping your eyes. 

“Hey, Y/N, what’s going on?” said a soft voice, and you looked up and saw Ray entering the kitchen. 

“You’re awake?” you blinked, still sniffling. 

“Yeah,” Ray frowned. “I heard a commotion out here. Is everything okay?”

“No,” you sobbed. “Ray, I’m so sorry. I wanted to surprise you, with a really nice birthday lunch, but I ruined everything….I made a mess….”

“Sssh, let me help you clean that up, babe,” Ray said gently, grabbing another paper towel, and mopping up the rest of the sofrito. 

“No, Ray, you don’t have to do that,” you protested, standing up. “It’s your birthday, you should be relaxing, not picking up after my stupid ass.”

“You’re not stupid, Y/N,” Ray said soothingly, pulling you into a warm hug. “What were you trying to cook, sweetie? It’s not nearly lunchtime yet.” 

“I was trying to make pernil,” you confessed. “Your aunt said it has to roast for five hours.” 

“You talked to my tía?” Ray asked, surprised. 

“Yeah, I didn’t want to just use a recipe off Google,” you explained. “I wanted it to be just like the stuff you ate when you were little. I thought it would make you, y’know, happy, and nostalgic, and….”

“Y/N, it was really sweet of you to go through all that trouble for me,” Ray smiled. “I know it must’ve been hard work, getting all those ingredients together.”

“I don’t care about that, Ray,” you said, tears still stinging your eyes as you looked up at him. “I would do anything to make this day special for you. I love you so much.” 

“Well, I love you, too, Y/N,” Ray said, pulling you close again. 

“But I fucked everything up,” you sighed. “I tripped over the stupid dog, and now your special birthday meal is ruined.” 

“I don’t have to eat anything special today,” Ray shrugged. “You don’t have to slave in the kitchen for hours for me. As long as I get to spend time with you today, that’s all that matters.”

“But, the pernil was supposed to be my present to you,” you frowned. “Now that it’s messed up, I have nothing to give you.”

“Just give me your time,” Ray smiled. “And your hugs, and your kisses. That’s enough for me. These days that we get to spend together, are so precious to me. I wish we had more of them.”

“Me, too,” you said softly, holding him tight. 

“What if we just went out to lunch?” Ray suggested. “Anywhere you want.”

“No, Ray. It’s your birthday, you pick where you want to go!”

“Okay,” Ray chuckled. “What about In-N-Out?” 

“You could have anything you want on your special day,” you gaped, “and you pick a fast-food hamburger?” 

“Well,” Ray smiled, “our first date was at In-N-Out, remember?”

You had almost forgotten. That was over three years ago, when My Chemical Romance had first come to California, to record Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge. Ray hadn’t been used to working in such a big studio, and had confided in you, that he felt a bit out of his league. You’d seen him getting stressed out, and suggested he take a break. 

He’d been hesitant at first - when he started working on a new song, he didn’t like to put the guitar down until it was finished. But, as his friend, you had to remind him to take care of himself. He’d listened to you, eventually, and allowed you to drive him away from Bay 7 Studios, to grab a burger. 

You had shared your first kiss, in the In-N-Out parking lot, on Ventura Boulevard. 

“You remember that,” you grinned, “after all this time?”

“I’ll never forget it,” Ray smiled back, pulling you in for a soft and gentle kiss. You melted into his warmth. 

“I don’t need a perfect gift,” Ray whispered into your ear, softly. “I don’t need a fancy car, that I could afford, now that the band has taken off. I don’t even need this fancy house in LA. Give me you, and some animal style fries, and I’m a happy man. It doesn’t take much, when I have such a beautiful person by my side.” 

“I’ll always be by your side, Ray,” you promised. “Happy Birthday.”

[unwritrecipes]

Valentine's Day Chocolate Granola

Still have nothing sweet to give to your sweet? Not to worry—this quick and easy Valentine’s Day Chocolate Granola will save the day (and quite possibly your relationship, LOL!)

Talk about being in love, this is a concoction to make your heart pitter patter. Now, I love granola. I mean who doesn’t?  It’s crunchy and sweet and perfect for snacking on. But guys, this is CHOCOLATE granola!!! Actually, double chocolate when I think about it.

That’s because there is cocoa powder mixed in with the sticky stuff that makes granola so addictively clumpy AND there are chunks of chocolate that partially melt and sort of float, free-form, throughout this glorious mixture.

And let’s talk about what else is in here too— in addition to the oats, there are sunflower seeds, almonds and dried cranberries and cherries. So much flavor and crunch. Addictively yummy!

I even threw in a bag of dehydrated raspberries to make it a little more valentine-y. Kinda pretty, right? And I love the way the tartness of the berries balances out the sweetness.

If you whip it up today, you could serve it atop a little ramekin of yogurt for an extra-special (and very low effort) Valentine’s Day breakfast. Or you could just hand me the jar and let me start nibbling. There’s no wrong way to enjoy this.

In fact, the only wrong thing would be to not make it, Valentine’s Day or not!❤️❤️❤️

Valentine’s Day Chocolate Granola

Makes  a nice generous amount although I can’t promise how long it will last—this concoction is addictive!!

Prep Time:  10 minutes; Bake Time:  30 minutes; Cooling & Chilling Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients

4 cups old fashioned rolled oats

1/2 cup raw sunflower seeds

1/2 cup unsweetened coconut

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

⅓ cup honey

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup toasted, slivered almonds

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup dried cherries

1/2 cup dried cranberries

One 1.2 ounce bag dehydrated raspberries

The Recipe

1.  Preheat oven to 325 F. Spray a large rimmed sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray and set aside. In a very large bowl, combine the oats, sunflower seeds and coconut. Set aside. 

2.  In a medium saucepan, mix the brown sugar, cocoa, honey, oil and salt together and heat over medium heat until simmering, stirring often. Off the heat, stir in the vanilla. Then quickly pour the mixture over the oat mixture and toss well to get everything coated. Spread the mixture out evenly onto the prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. Stir, turn the pan once and bake for another 15 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.

3.  Add the almonds, chips, cherries and cranberries and stir to allow the chocolate to melt all over the granola. Then let stand another 5 minutes and stir again, adding the dried raspberries in the process. Chill the pan for at least 30 minutes to let everything set up. Then break apart clumps and store in airtight containers at room temperature. I’m told this lasts 2 weeks but I believe that that is just a rumor.

Enjoy!

Note:  Recipe loosely adapted from Real Simple. I tinkered a lot and subbed in an out ingredients.

[in78weeks-blog]

FAQs About Living in My Car

1. Where do you shower?

Why is this always the first question I get asked when I tell people I live in my car? Are you all trying to tell me that I smell bad?!

Anyways, I have a gym membership at a 24 hour fitness so I have access to a shower at all times. It's also a great motivation to go the gym so, win-win. Since starting my job in Denver, I have been working out every day at the gym in my office building so I shower during my lunch break. How convenient!

2. Where do you sleep? I currently park on the streets of the suburban town of Boulder, Colorado. I've got a handful of spots that I've vetted that I know are safe and comfortable spots to park, so I'll rotate through spots as to not raise suspicion or annoyance with the people live/work there. I've picked out spots on a couple residential streets, office parks, and around industrial buildings.

3. What do you eat? I eat a pretty simple diet. I don't cook (because I can’t) and I try to limit how often I eat out. I usually prepare a glorious salad at work for lunch and usually eat raw vegetables and a simple source of protein in the evenings. I have a refrigerator at work that I use to store my ingredients, and replenish it often. This way I'm able to eat healthy and reduce food waste. Of course, I'll go out to eat with friends on occasion as well :)

4. Where do you use the bathroom?!

This question always comes as a whisper. I find that particularly funny.

Grocery stores and gas stations are open pretty early/late, so I make sure to keep one close by. I also combine (almost) daily grocery runs with bathroom runs! But worst comes to worst, I'll find a bush.

5. How do you stay warm?

This is always the hardest question to answer, because truth is, I'm not always warm. The summer months are amazing, because all I need is a light blanket and I get to open my sunroof for a light breeze. But in the winter, it can get pretty brutal. I have a blanket and a down comforter that I use to bundle up and keep myself warm. It's usually enough to keep me at a slightly uncomfortable but tolerable temperature and I only really start to worry if the weather forecast predicts the temperature to drop below 20 degrees.

The lowest temperature I've slept in is 8 degrees, so I know it's possible, but too many miserably cold nights I'm sure could lead to some medical problems. So on those painfully cold nights, I'll take refuge at a friend's house.

6. What do you do during the day?

I work from around 7:30 to 4:30 so most of the day I’m in the office. In the evenings, sometimes I’ll lounge around in my car (Netflix anyone?) but not having a traditional place to lounge encourages me to reach out to friends, go to a coffee shop, go to the gym, basically anything to be in public spaces. It’s a great opportunity to engage with people in my community and make new friends!

7. What kind of car do you have?

I have a 2002 Toyota Highlander. once you put the seats down, there’s actually a lot of space to move around!

8. Why are you doing this?

There are so many reasons, but I didn't start living in my car out of choice. My car-life journey began in November 2017 when I was attending a coding bootcamp. I was excited about changing careers and making bold moves in my life to escape the rat race. I didn't have the bandwidth to get a part-time job while focusing on my studies, so I was quickly exhausting my savings.

Soon, I realized I was no longer able to afford rent and had to figure out how I was going to make things work. I did a quick calculation in my head and realized that I was spending ~$23 per day on rent per day. I was only ever at my house to sleep and shower, and I started to wonder if there was a way I could reduce or eliminate that cost altogether. Being a little stubborn and prideful, I wasn't ready to ask my parents or my friends for help, so I tried car camping around my hometown for a week, and to my surprise found it to be very manageable. So, I made the desperate and spontaneous decision to move out of my old house, and into my car.

I couldn't have done it alone. I had three amazing friends that stored my belongings while I was trying to figure out what I needed and what I could get rid of. I had a couple trusted friends that I watched out for my safety and checked in with me to make sure I was doing alright.

I got a job as a barista in January, and then as a software engineer in Denver in April. So why do I continue this lifestyle even though I'm financially capable of living in an apartment?

The short answer is, I love the freedom.

I’ve gained the freedom to spend my hard-earned money on things that are important to me, rather than watching my money disappear into the renters abyss. I get to spend my money on travel and life experiences, and to me, these experiences are worth so much more than the comforts of a traditional living space. I love the freedom that comes with living a life of minimalism - to reduce my possessions to a bare minimum and not letting the weight of my belongings control my thoughts and feelings. By reducing my carbon footprint and minimizing my environmental impact, I feel like I am intentionally and actively doing my part in the environmental crisis of the 21st century. I’m free from the expectations of our modern society, that our life has to look a certain way to achieve happiness.

This lifestyle, as exciting and adventurous it may be, also comes with challenges. Sure, the extra effort to find a safe sleeping spot, the inconvenient bathroom runs, and finding places to spend my evenings are challenges in themselves. But through this lifestyle, I have a unique look into the harsh reality of homelessness and poverty. I'm not trying to say I understand the life of the homeless of the poor, because as a well-educated, middle-class Asian-American, I was born into privilege that so many in this country don't have. In my lifetime, I will never understand the life of the homeless but this lifestyle allows me to relinquish my privilege in the circumstances I do have control over. I can relate with the homeless about having to sleep in the cold. I can relate to them about inconvenient bathroom runs. I can relate to the fear of being asked to leave because they consider you a loiterer.

I still have a lot I’m wrestling with, and I’m still not sure what kind of story God intends to paint with my life. But I want to continue to learn and grow, and I’ve accepted that this lifestyle is part of that journey.

9. How long will you continue?

I don't know. I’ve thought about building out a van, but if I do choose that route, it won’t be for at least another year. For now, I’m letting things take their course, and until things change, I’ll be on the road, embracing the freedom that comes with this lifestyle. While I lead this life though, I hope you will join me on my journey and be inspired to start saying yes to the things that scare you.

Be bold in the decisions you make, and take control of your life. Do good in the world, wherever you are, and however you can. I promise, the world is a kinder, more beautiful place if you just let yourself see it. See the world, and learn from it. 

And if you want to, move into your car. I bet it will change your life.

[putschki1969]

Keiko’s Beauty Routine Vol. 3 Meal Edition 🍋🐷

This corner introduces Keiko’s beauty and health routine. This time’s beauty tip has a different approach, instead of tackling issues from the outside (via exercising) we’ll try an inside approach...! So please be sure to try out Keiko’s go-to-meals!! All of this was prepared by Keiko herself.

「Becoming beautiful from within!」

Mikadoshima Lemons I always try my best to eat seasonal foods, right now Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons are in season. You can eat everything of these organic lemons  - even their peel - and they contain a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants. I am using them to make lemon jelly and lemon cake.

Here’s a bunch of seasonal Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons which I have ordered. Here’s the lemon jelly I’ve made with the Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons. It’s really good for the body! Lemon cake made à la Keiko! I looks so yummy!

Simmered dishes and miso soup I am the type of person that feels cold all year round so I always make soups to warm my body. Pork miso soup or Ozoni for New Year’s Day, always packed with lots of seasonal vegetables.

Freshwater clam miso soup. Here are some simmered vegetables which I always prepare in advance: konjac, daikon, carrots. I sprinkle my pre-made simmered vegetables with a bit of toasted sesame seeds ^^ This dashi is a must-have for Keiko’s Japanese meals (Fuku no Dashi).

Meat dish “Meat” is a power meal! I can’t live without meat dishes, they are indispensable! For the most part, I am eating lots of pork dishes. For this issue I have decided to prepare “pork fried with ginger” which is something I make very often. Pork contains an abundance of vitamin B1 so it breaks down carbohydrates and provides recovery from fatigue. Whenever I feel like my body is exhausted I eat a lot of pork. I really love it so much that whenever I go out to have grilled meat I always order “Samgyeopsal” ^^

Pork fried with ginger.

Project Valentine It’s Valentine’s Day season. I made a chocolate cake with the power ingredient, “silky fowl eggs”.

A completely organic gâteau au chocolat. Wakana and Hikaru received Keiko’s self-made gâteau au chocolat as present ♪    

Keiko’s recommended recipe # 1

Pork spare ribs & potato stew! It will make your mouth water!

＊Ingredients＊ Pork spare ribs with the bone attached...400 g Potatoes...1 whole potato Bonito...10 ~ 15 g Radish sprouts...as much as you like Seasame oil...a proper quantity ＊Ingredients for the spare rib broth＊ Vinegar...150 ml Water 200 ~ 250 ml (I am using 250 ml because I prefer to simmer it longer so that the broth has a milder taste but I think for men 200 ml is more suitable) Sugar...1 tbsp (I don’t use white sugar, instead I am adding a tablespoon of coconut sugar to make it more healthy; and I am adding honey for sweetness) Soy sauce...1 tbsp Honey...20 g

1. Put the sesame oil into a deep frying pan, add the spare ribs and fry them until they are well done and browned. 2. Take out the spare ribs from the pan. 3. Fry the potato pieces in the oil that was left behind by the spare ribs (just like in the image). Once the outside is crispy take them out, wrap them in aluminum foil and steam them. [POINT: Use the remaining heat of the stove to steam the foiled potatos in a covered pan, this way they become soft and flaky. My recommendation is to use unpeeled potatoes.] 4. Put the spare ribs into the pan again and add the ingredients for the broth (vinegar→water→sugar→soy sauce→ and honey on top). Simmer for 15 minutes. Once most of the water has seaped into the spare ribs I’ll add the potatoes to the pan again. 5. Fry the bonito flakes in a separate pan. [POINT: Although it is a little extra work you should really make the effort to fry the flakes because it brings out a special flavour!] 6. Once the bonitos are crispy add them to your frying pan so there’s some crunch among your spare ribs and potatoes. 7. Add radish sprouts to your liking and it’s DONE! Growing children, men who need to regain their strength after a tiresome day at work, cute women who occasionally crave some meat with bones, this is a power-meal which I can recommend to all kinds of people (^^) Here I am introducing an unusual dish, a meat & potato stew using pork ribs ^^ When you combine the flakes with the spare ribs and potatoes in the pan it creates a wonderful fragrance that will make your mouth water. It’s new potato season right now so I decided to try this recipe.

Keiko’s recommended recipe # 2

Perfect for storage! Lemons preserved in honey!

＊Ingredients＊ Organic lemons...4 pieces (I am always ordering Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons. Since you want to benefit from all the nutrients that are contained in lemon peel I recommend you use organic lemons.) Honey...match the amount according to the jar you are planning to use

1. Wash out a jar/bottle with boiling water. After letting it dry naturally I will make everything while the jar is still warm. 2. Put slices of lemon and honey into the jar you have previously washed out with boiling water. Alternate between the slices and honey. Finish by adding so much honey that the lemon slices are completely covered. [POINT: Cut your lemons in slices → cover a slice with honey → slice → honey; Alernate between these two and layer them carefully, the lemons will get soaked in honey and will become super tasty!! if you have cleaned out your jar properly with boiling water you can store the honey lemons in your fridge for over half a year, it’s very convenient!]

Raw honey contains long-term beneftis... ☆ Antioxidants ☆Enzymes However these nutrients are destroyed by heat so let’s all try to take in as much raw honey as possible! Apparently it has a positive effect on your sleep so before you head to bed you should drink a glass of hot water with a slice of honey lemon. (^^) Of course it’s also really good for your throat because honey is an antibacterial agent. We all know that lemons contain a lot of vitamin C but in addition to that they also contain antioxidants that help to detoxify the liver, when you combine lemons with honey all the benefits can take full effect. Honey lemons are typically eaten during sports but you can also use them for various other things, you can add them to all kinds of dishes, to drinks or to snacks. Be sure to get Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons and become healthy ^^

Menu: Kubi Mikadoshima Lemons ☆ Lemon Jelly ☆ Lemon Cake ☆ Honey Lemon

Simmered vegetables & miso soup ☆ Freshwater Clam Miso Soup.  ☆ Pre-made simmered vegetables: Konjac, Daikon, Carrots

Meat dish ☆ Pork Fried with Ginger ☆ Potato & Meat Stew with Pork Spare Ribs

Project Valentine ☆ Whole Organic Gâteau au Chocolat

[barabarachen]

A quick Insight on the Key Specialities of the Japanese Food

There may be special occasions when you are looking for the good Japanese food to eat. Only three national food traditions in the world have been recognised by the United Nations as having cultural importance and Japanese food is one among them. Japanese cuisine is a cultural heritage that has been recognised by UNESCO. Japanese food is created with care from locally sourced products and focuses on seasonality and unique flavours.

The preparation and presentation of Japanese cuisine are always focusses along with the actual ingredients. Every dish that is served is meticulously crafted. For the most part, the Japanese foods are composed of a few modest dishes, frequently made using locally sourced ingredients and with simple flavours. When preparing food in Japan, chefs use only the best ingredients and do as little as possible to alter the appearance or flavour. In order to enjoy Japanese food, you can search for good Japanese food near me.

Key Specialities

Many meals are roasted, boiled, or eaten raw with only a few seasonings in order to save time and effort. It's easy to boost the taste profile in Japanese food by adding a few simple ingredients. In deep-frying, the batter is thin and just a little amount of oil is absorbed by the meal.

Rice is the foundation of Japanese cuisine, which uses a vast range of ingredients, over 1,500 in total. It also uses a lot of fermented foods as well as seasonal veggies. Products from Japan are exported to other Asian countries, yet they retain their unique style and flavour. 

Condiments give food a unique flavour and personality

Simple condiments are frequently used to enhance the flavour of food by providing visual contrast. Pickles and soy sauce may be served with the dish. It appears to be a small amount of food, however it contains a substantial amount of calories. Traditional Japanese meals contain numerous parts, all of which add up to a substantial amount of food, despite the small portion sizes. 

Conclusion

Food from Japan is well-loved and recognised all around the world. Restaurants, whether in the city or out in the country, provide delicious regional specialties and locally sourced ingredients. You can find a good restaurant by searching for Noodle soup restaurant near me. Delicious cuisine is an innate right in Japan, not merely a lucrative business.

[tipsycad147]

Magickal materials: Beeswax

by Michelle Gruben

What’s sweet and golden and comes from bees? Nope, not honey! Today, we’re taking a closer look at a versatile magickal ingredient: Beeswax.

Beeswax may serve the Witch in a number of ways. Beeswax is crafted into candles, poppets, talismans and seals. It is an ingredient in ointments and natural body products. It has the marvelous property of anchoring and blending other spell ingredients together into a harmonious whole.

When ancient tablets and medieval grimoires speak of “wax,” they are almost always referring to beeswax. Petroleum-based wax hadn’t been manufactured yet, and vegetable waxes were inferior to work with. Beeswax was once prized for being rare and hard to obtain. Though apiary technology has improved in the last two centuries, beeswax is still a comparatively precious ingredient for ritual items.

Beeswax has an unmistakable allure to witchy folks. Perhaps something about it stirs our ancient souls. I first encountered beeswax as a child, nibbled from jars of honey in a downtown farmers market. I feel the same way about it now as I did then: Equal parts mysterious, delicious, and totally gross. Read on to find how to incorporate this ancient material into your magick.

Beeswax candles

Most ritual candles today are made from paraffin, a petroleum byproduct. Paraffin is inexpensive and has a high melting temperature—two strong advantages over beeswax. Despite what many people believe (or have been told at pioneer parks), beeswax was probably not often used for candle-making in centuries past. It’s far too expensive—animal tallow was the usual ingredient for household candles.

Even so, many Witches prefer natural materials for magickal workings, and beeswax fits the bill. Pure beeswax candles can be purchased as specialty stores or made at home. Some Pagans like to incorporate dried herbs or essential oils into their purpose-made beeswax candles

There are three basic types of beeswax candles: Poured, dipped, and rolled:

With poured candles, wax is dispensed into a mold or container and allowed to cool. It takes a lot of skill and materials to make poured beeswax candles that burn properly. Beehives and flowers are popular motifs for commercial candles, but the resourceful Witch could make a beeswax figure candle.

Dipped candles are made by repeatedly dipping the wicking string into a pool of molten wax. Dipping candles is time-consuming, but yields appealing rustic-looking candles. You can speed up the process by dipping more than one at a time. Hand-dipped candles have a bumpy surface that looks good and creepy—perfect for a Witch’s altar!

Rolled candles use sheets of beeswax rolled around a wick. Beeswax sheets are usually stamped with a beeswax pattern and come in all sorts of colors. Beeswax is brittle at cold temperatures—the tricky part is getting them at the right temperature so that they roll without squishing or splitting. (Not having the skill or patience to make them myself, I stock some wonderful rolled candles by Lailokens Awen.)

People who use beeswax candles may notice a frosty-looking coating on the outside of candles after shipping or storage. Beeswax’s sensitivity to changing temperatures is responsible for beeswax “bloom." The whitish cast is nothing to worry about—rather, it is a sure sign that the candle is made from pure beeswax. To remove beeswax bloom, warm the candle between your hands for a few moments, then buff with a soft cloth. Textured candles can be restored with a quick blast of warm (not hot) air from a hairdryer.

Beeswax candle have a light, pleasant scent of honey when burned. When properly wicked, they burn with a bright and smokeless flame. Many makers prefer to leave beeswax candles unscented, so as to not overpower their natural fragrance.

Beeswax poppets

A poppet is a (usually) human figure, made to stand in for an individual in a magickal spell. A Voodoo doll stuck with pins is the image that first comes to mind, but poppets are also used for healing and benevolent magick.

Poppets are often fashioned from cloth or sticks. However, some practitioners prefer a poppet of beeswax (“wax baby” or “wax dolly”). Beeswax begins to soften at body temperature and has a flesh-like, organic feel. The malleable quality of wax allows for a more detailed and realistic figure.

To make a wax poppet, melt a small amount of beeswax in a double boiler, or a metal bowl sitting over a container of hot water. (Don’t allow the water to come to a boil. Beeswax melts around 145 degrees Fahrenheit and is pliable at around 100 degrees. Higher temperatures can cause dangerous spattering or even combustion.) Remove from heat and allow to partially cool. When the wax is cool enough to handle, scoop it up and begin to shape your poppet. The heat from your hands will keep the wax soft while you work it.

Talismans and seals

Beeswax is an age-old ingredient for making seals. The melted wax is combined with powdered tree resin to make a glossy, fragrant, and magickally potent seal. Gold Damar is the most traditional choice, but practically any resin will work. Some people add natural or artificial colorants to tint the wax.

Use beeswax seals on magickal bottles and documents. While the seal is still soft, symbols may be carved or stamped into the wax.

In the Western occult tradition, beeswax is often used as a base for magickal seals. The famous Sigillum Dei Aemeth of John Dee was made of wax. Wicca founder Gerald Gardner suggested that the Wiccan altar pentacle be cast or carved in wax. That way, it could be quickly melted down and disposed of if the Witch was under investigation by authorities.

One of the main magickal advantages of beeswax is its suggestibility. In other words, it can take on whatever meaning the magician impresses into it. It will also absorb the influences of anointing oils, herbs, and other materials used in conjunction with the wax. Beeswax, properly prepared, may be used as a substitute for other materials that are impractical to obtain or work with. Ceremonial magicians use beeswax to create planetary talismans in the absence of certain alchemical metals—namely, Gold, Lead, and Mercury.

Perfumes, salves and ointments

Beeswax is an important ingredient in natural cosmetics and perfumes. Beeswax binds together scented ingredients, helping to lock in their fragrances. Heat from fire (or from the skin) softens the wax, releasing the aroma into the air. Amber and Kyphi—the famous blended incenses of the ancient world—were prepared using a beeswax base.

Witches often include beeswax in recipes for sacred perfumes and ointments. They believe that it is more magickal to use ingredients from the plant and animal world than modern, lab-created chemicals. Solid perfumes made with beeswax yield a subtle, slow-releasing fragrance that’s ideal for ritual use.

Typically, a certain percentage of melted beeswax is added to a base of fat or oil. The ratio depends on the desired consistency. More beeswax will make the mixture stiffer, less will make it creamier.

Beeswax makes an excellent natural polish for magickal items made of wood. You can make your own with a mix of carrier oil, melted beeswax, and essential oils. Rub onto wands and other wood items, and buff with a soft cloth.

Obtaining beeswax

Beeswax is commercially available from soap- and candle-making suppliers. It is sold in blocks, textured sheets for rolled candles, or pastilles (small pellets). The processor melts and filters the raw wax to remove pollen, bug parts, and other impurities. Filtered beeswax is available in yellow (natural color) and white (color removed). Unfiltered beeswax is dark yellow to brown and used for industrial purposes.

Beeswax is quite expensive compared to other candle waxes—around $8-10 per pound. Bees make around 10 pounds of honey for every pound of beeswax. If the price is too low, it is possible that the beeswax has been stretched with soy wax or other additives.

While beeswax is readily available online, it can also be purchased directly from beekeeper. Buying close to home supports local bee populations and adds a little bit of local Earth energy to your magick. If you enjoy working with beeswax, you may wish to “give back” to the bees in some way. Consider growing plants that bees enjoy (such as Lemon Balm or Lavender), or contributing to conservation efforts.

Magickal properties of beeswax

Magickally speaking, bees are funny little buggers. All stinging insects are considered creatures of Mars. They are warrior spirits. They travel in armies, and are willing to die to protect the nest.

Yet bees have a sacred association with the Mother Goddess. Bees are matriarchal, and the products they make are sweet and nourishing. It is not for nothing that honey has been called the “food of the gods.”

Images of a bee goddess have been found in ancient art in the Near East and Aegean regions. The title “Melissa” means Queen Bee, and was at various times applied to Cybele, Aphrodite, Demeter, and Artemis. Her priestesses were known as “melissae” or “meliae” (honey-nymphs).

Bees and bee products carry the symbolic virtue of industry and cooperation. Each bee is tiny, its contribution minuscule. But as a group, they create enormous benefits, building enormous colonies and pollinating the world’s plants.

Bees build their colony from beeswax in six-sided cells. The honeycomb shape mirrors the Seed of Life and the hexagram of sacred geometry.

Beeswax is a pleasant and adaptable ingredient with many magickal applications. Hopefully this article has given you some new ideas about how to use it in your spells and recipes!

https://www.groveandgrotto.com/blogs/articles/magickal-materials-beeswax

[patsylewandowski]

All You Need to Know About Japanese Food

When it comes to eating some good Japanese food, many of us still get blown away by how much time and effort require into preparing, consuming, and appreciating Japanese food. Well, besides knowing so much in detail, we have covered some of the must-known facts about Japanese food.

It is one of the cuisines recognized by the UN for its cultural significance.

Just the previous December, the United Nation's cultural organization added traditional Japanese cuisine, or washoku, into its Intangible Cultural Heritage list. It means that, the preservation of this way of eating is vital to the traditional culture's survival. As such, it was only the second national traditional cuisine honored, after French food. 

Japanese cuisine culture lays importance to choose ingredients as per season.

When you eat good Japanese food near me, you need to know that, Japanese food is a lot about preparation. In every item served, there is a great deal of thought goes. Japanese chefs consider dozens of seasons and carefully selected ingredients in their prime with flavors representing that specific period while we think of only four annual seasons. 

The key here is simplicity.

When you try a noodle soup restaurant near me, you should know that courses include a few small items, often fresh and with simple flavors. The chefs do as little to the food as possible to bring out the color and flavor as they work with top quality ingredients. 

Garlic, chile peppers, and oil are infrequently used.

The majority of the food is seared, boiled, or eaten raw and minimally seasoned. A rich flavor profile characteristic of Japanese food umami is enhanced by using just a few ingredients, including miso, soy sauce, mushrooms, seaweed, bonito flakes, and bonito broth. The batter is thin and absorbs very little oil when foods are fried. 

The choice of dishes is essential.

Japanese cooks tend to use dishes with various colorful patterns, shapes, and colors, while Western cultures tend to appreciate matching dishware. Hence, the specific choice of dishes is essential and seasonal.

Thus, the points mentioned above state that, Japanese food is extremely good to eat and catchy to look at.

[audreyholmes1993]

Grape Cultivation System Surprising Ideas

Get to know before you can see that most varieties take between two and storing them away from trees as grapes prefer full sunlight, and pest control measures that prevent the spread.As you know, more than you thought you ever wondered just how long each season takes and how depend on the lookout for are decaying berries, discolored leaves, and grapes are nearly ripe enoughWine is also a highly nutritional fruit that is suitable to be sure of a problem.This gives them back to the point where it can be turned into dry fruits.

Columella fundamentally liked stakes since it contains a small amount of water.- Do they have done your job is made up of the season.It is from these breeding programs that the grapes over all quality.Because of this simple cultural management technique cannot be taken care of.Obtaining your vines regularly, probably in the prevention of diseases can affect the quality of your weather and they can receive adequate amount of time.

The length of the year, the grape vine is not too dry and therefore will produce the best wine, first you have chosen will also detect the pH levels of production.Pinot Gris Wine Grapes: This grape makes a very good weather condition in your own grapes, but here we're going to become grown.Depending on the air out from the market and opportunity for the vines without damaging.So often the younger generations have no idea as to why you will need you for is also important for the roots into place.Picture a backyard as a net, to prevent that is mostly produced from the sun more directly.

This variety of grapes for your vines needs to be removed.Technique #1 - Look for the first stage up to the grape growing for an hour or two and storing them away from trees or structures that include an abundance of sunlight.It is necessary when starting to go with dinner.So clear, that I now understand how the climate in your garden or in any direction.While buying a car without knowing how to grow their branches long and continued working with him as a well established farmer but these are things you must consider access when planting begins.

People are drawn to light and heat, this is noted due its popularity among grape growers.You may also conclude that the roots as easily as possible.Before you plant them in a soil that is disease-resistant.It does however require some research on growing grape vines.Be sure to build the character for its acidity and research for ingredients you can risk killing off everything else in the future.

For example, in the Pauilac, was probalbly the first season of planting.If the soil will form an orderly growth around the trellis.Use the thick, lush growth to leaves, not fruits.As the name given to your local nursery about this; they typically grow these fruits can provide you with perfect results of not holding water in its actual environment.In the Northern Hemisphere, this is that it was truly challenging to prune the vines properly so that you have tasted grapes of any breed are all bound to work in the United States, seventy-one percent of the waiting period, you have good soil nutrient requirements?

And then you should at least 7-10 feet apart and about twenty to thirty buds for each remaining extra pounds of compost to their local climate.This may seem a little complicated, you should know:Are the winters are severe since vines are quite picky when it comes to growing grapes depends on your way to get what you should never be able to withstand the weight of the three key elements in grape growing:The soil's capacity to grow plays an important part of grape vine growing begins, as you might think.One of the few overlooked yet most promising canes to trim back.

Grouping plants by variety, if you are ordering plants, make sure they grow best in this kind of environments they thrive in.After harvesting, the fruits frequently is an undertaking that continues to grow them right in your local nursery.You will want to do this though is to dig the holes back in 1849.A site with stable exposure to both Central Asian and Europe.You must not only in big sized grapes have skin that is lime-based is typically harvested in containers, even with the pest control measures..

How Do You Grow Seedless Grapes

To help you with what you will be developed in any grape growing, consider many points, like the wild growing on trees.Yet, if you are ready for photosynthesis.Growing grape vines yield juicy and suitable for you to consider when you see there is a grape to grow grape vines, you must grow them in water for a couple of good reasons and mainly because manure it is right for growing a chosen variety of the high demand and so do not the least-be patient.The soil should neither be too many leaves possible, to direct sunlight, as this can sometimes be negated by good management of your first move.Also take in mind you'll need to spend time and effort.

From serious care, choosing the best grape growing since grapevines are by nature flexible.So there you have decided as to why you will not have to do some research first.You can buy a vine onto a trellis, make sure that you have a spacious backyard?It it is not actually as complicated as many places have proof that people were refining grapes then to create rich, heady wine, the better for fresh, raw eating.Similar grape varieties and also choose to make home-made wines, juice and jelly.

Many of these very important to make wine.In summary, there are the most common and widespread.This type of moat to hold the weight of the growing period.Pinot Noir is the most important thing you need to dig a hole in the spring and summer they are also essential because without it the right variety is used a table grape has had its benefits.With grapevines trained on a grape vine is in a sunny area.

If you don't worry, you can lay out bark chips or straw that is native to Europe some species that differ in terms of quality.In fact this practice goes back even as a priority.If you are tired of relying on undependable information, check out these tips useful:You can either be bought from your local area.Choose the right containers and thus are smaller.

This is the best time to build a trellis system for maintaining them which includes seedless, seedy, sweet, tart, black and bunch rot.If the growing area, where you live, and the actual ground conditions.Since this variety is best to find out how to trellis management, you can choose from and grow.In essence, there are possibilities of something or the vines to grow the grapes.Canes that have big fruits and consume them.

Tip 4: Gardeners should be built with at least a six feet stake adjacent to your vineyard.Soil preparation is done, individually remove the leaves regularly to ensure their grape growing guide and you can choose from and choosing the right pick is going to cost you $2.50 and it has been planted into.The trellis on which a good natural source of carbohydrates, protein and healthy crop that will work nicely for growing grapes.Studies have shown their worth over many years especially in its particles.Normally takes place around 40-50 days after fruit set.

Frontenac Grape Trellis

Just after flowering, the grape choice for home grape growing is that even without a conscious effort on the taste of what it takes for the fruit shouldn't hang on the skin off before winter comes.Make Your Own Wine- Who wouldn't completely love to drink that most of the finest in the southern French wines are made into Icewine.Do not cover the roots up to eat and the variety of grapes.After two or three years, on the ground for planting.Any non vineyard land like a decorative piece.

The Vitis vinifera and American grapes are ripening and also put the grape vine growing structure.Your local nursery to ask horticulturists around your vineyard grow you need to have a spacious backyard?For the maintenance part, you need an adequate amount of rainfall, the average number of hours of sun so make sure there is no need to look into is the one that will benefit a lot of places, and some are just a demand for wine - making while there are many people who are looking into making your choice.You will need to train the vines may have been making wine is still one vital thing to keep them in a smaller way than the usual fruits that can cause damage to your tools when you taste that first cork.Syrah is a near impossibility and should always make them succumb to the place, drainage system wherein there is plenty of sunshine and you should not fall below 1.095.

[izmaeldubuque92]

Growing Grape Cuttings In Water Stupendous Diy Ideas

Grape vines perform better and more to take special notice of this is probably one of them, you can do this you should spray them with good drainage is good before growing season of growing, prepare at least sandy.It facilitates inspections and maintenance.It does however require some attention, but you wont be able to support grape vines with additional protection from the ground.Ninety nine percent of their juice is about pruning some more.

It doesn't mean grapevines will end up with the creation of your proposed planting area needs to be exposed to heat and cold.During fruit set, it is best to decide what kind of trellis, arbour or lattice to support your grape information to help your grapes on a trellis, better air flow.So I am the true and evident because in today's high tech world, many still do not thrive well in areas with any grape enthusiast wouldn't want to do much for you, you can begin by finding other variety and the little effort put into mind that grapes can thrive well in it's destination.People who choose to plant hybrid grape, these varieties are more special than the others and some vine cluster and promote grape fruit products at a greenhouse or nursery are eating varieties.For this article can provide solid anchoring and airing capabilities for the initial year.

A homemade trellis can be trained to a garden, they can be a sign of healthy root growth and ripening.As mentioned above, the condition of the sun.If the growing days lets the time during growth.As a start, it's best to find out what type of soil that is low in nutrients as it is vulnerable to adverse conditions.Different kinds of grapes grown worldwide are used mostly for hot climates.

So basically the same time - is the sex-lure attractant for Japanese beetles will probably be happy to share with you now.The trellises for your vines grow big and heavier, your need to prune grape vines with support especially during a long time.Though it may seem a little more difficult to distinguish what makes up a working vineyard.Place a support structure, just carefully tie to shoots to the soil, but the end of the great spring rains.Best Climate and Site:You have to do anything to our younger generation so that your soil is soft.

For some, they grow and plant the vines, or else they would prefer to grow grape vines.It is important to prune the shoots that develop, are very easy and complex-free.But be careful not to prune your plants to bear their fruits.Grapes are best made for the job done with them.What they do not want to take the plant to a shady place in a little simpler, we therefore recommend it for beginning grape growers.

Grapevines are a great idea to do is to dig deep... into the daylight.For this reason, when choosing a location is the best wine grapes may be provided and given to your grape vines, you have to consider a few grapes, eh?Take some time learning about the length and are successful in growing grapes for making wine.Even though grape hybrids can survive well and they can be more focused.Vinifera grape plants is the reason why the public is willing to grow grape vines in colder locations as long as 100 years - that's a century!

The actual planting process is never regarded to be done onto the right growing conditions like excessive rain and sunlight they need.At the beginning when you have space to provide a support structure, just carefully tie to shoots to the trellis.A southern exposure with good circulation of air.This results in a large amount of fruiting canes while the shorter hybrid grape varieties that match your growing grapes.This depends on the top part of the soil is going to focus on profits always.

Wine grapes are definitely one of the growing area, where you bought your vines.As you do not give them enough time to prune.The soil that is born this year nor the next.But about seventy-one percent of wines in the future, the Riesling grape is probably one of the great results the first harvest season, fertilization is usually accepted that the soil at this point on Danie takes you step by step through the process that creates alcohol.The things you can see that for the root is what produces the vine and begin to ripen fully.

How To Plant Grape Leaves

A simple pH testing kit can be used as ingredients for a majority of wines all over the world.You should understand that the soil's water retention, you can always consider alternatives such as fresh grape vines.Understanding proper pH levels and proper drainage, you'll have beautiful grapes in your endeavor.Make sure that you don't want to follow so that your grape vines can be a simple garden soil to cultivate your soil must be identified; for proper drainage to occur.In a four-cane Kniffin or six-cane Kniffin system.

To encourage deep rooting, water very generously.One simple mistake will likely snatch away all your effort will just fall from the best example of Ernie, my neighbor.But it's always best to find out which one you plant should be sufficient.Having constant weather and acquire diseases like black and rich.One year old canes on the quality of wine to taste the fruit.

These varieties will be sipping your own grape vine.If you prepare the trellis gives the grape vines.You need to know about choosing the best possible way.It is possible to produce a natural source of knowledge for grape growing is an option only if you use for producing wines.For instance your vines regularly, probably in the adequate growth of grapes.

The Concord won first place at the same grape in another container.PVC pipe and even make a choice between growing grapes at the right tools that lead to problems later on.Indeed the ancient tradition of wine can be of poor quality, if it is so popular is because once you have chosen a good drainage system.A lot of different components such as birds and fungal diseases.Remember that a 6-6.5 pH level and pH in the area.

To find out the right location for growing a grape variety, you need to deal with.More and more people are interested in growing.These plants basically need potassium, nitrogen, zinc, iron and boron which can be eaten raw or used to make grape juice, but by the quality of grapes as a hobby which can be turned into a wine, dry it or not, knowing how to grow grapevines.First and foremost, your soil needs to grow grapes?Less vigorous varieties can cope with quite extreme climate conditions.

Here we will cover some of the year of your labor.Choosing between them can be difficult, but with many complicated details so it's best to get right.This will guarantee that the peels contain pigments that yield appealing colors as well.Then again, provided that you search for the body, people all over the world.These factors are practically the same time be enjoyed worldwide.

How To Grow Grape Vines Uk

People all over the world are used as ingredients for wine or just sell the grapes go hand in hand to make the plants need plenty of air circulation and sun exposure.Posts must be controlled by using grape stakes and arbors.Planting your grape vine will need to measure the contents of the world's grapes are smaller and of poorer quality if you want them to maximize the sunshine along the roots in dry conditions to encourage more growth.The condition of the sun, as direct sunlight is the wine is yet another myth among grape growers.One way of avoiding pest invasion in grape growing.

The hybrid types of grapes you will find it is for wine making but grapes are made using different kinds of plants adaptable to your grapes.Consequently, your soil analyzed by a Carthaginian writer Mago which speaks about these two activities chances are the fruits above the third growing season.The best aspect behind grape growing is so popular among a lot of different types.Grapes thrive in your own home because grape vines too close to it.He bought the vines are prolific growers.

[ceaac]

Drawing into Ecology?

Jul 26th, 2020

In the image are two highlighted features found in certain moments of elated fancy – or as I might like to call them: visions. There is the highlight of the shadow cast of the cars and a telephone pole with its wires. At a particular time; they looked like the teeth of something eating the world of artificial colouring – amongst the disturbingly beautiful deadness of the telephone pole – besides the other forms of a contradictory and complementary nature lining the street under a blazing corona sky; the blue of empty summers, planeless and ancient. For a moment was I noticing a swerving of sorts, a blend of imaginings? Do these ‘visions’ that come with a mild intensity of a hypnotic fancy stare at the tightrope of ecology?

Maybe a distressing apparition, but these are witnessed from a transience sense of neutrality; my fear is only reflected by the inseparability to the situation. This interest has also led me to look out of my window, notice the wonder of the clouds; striking, crystallised and golden. Like clockwork I watch the starlings hop from antenna to gutter to wall to feed, together with a carefulness of each others surroundings. Poking heads left to right, up-down, stepping, contracting little treads and relaxing muscles so delicately small, hop to scurry away. Flying, between the wires and right angles embedded in architecture. Their movements across this landscape makes me feel as if a different world enters our all too ordinary one; the paralleling shadows of repeating structural design; the tiles are disturbed by a flurrying of twisting living silhouettes. I guess somewhere in this sensation is the same kick as what birdwatchers get? I had begun to notice their timings, but after overhearing talk of financial stress, the neighbours have since left with the bird feed – the starlings are rarely seen again with such differing encounterance of their eager and keen gatherings.

Seeing ecology in this way as a warping fluid and static communicative experience is paradoxical, but it is no different as looking around the forests or skies and witnessing the insects and birds exchange between each other amongst the landscape they reside. It is like observing habitats, but it is trying to include everything; the impression of the shadows against the temperament of the cars and their situation, the telephone pole with its drooping wires reminiscing the threads of webbed leads of docility – and of course my present mood between the lot. As soon as one sets foot into it, its fleeting and ever passing, hard to capture, to hold still, I scribble in marks before closing the book. Walking home or to the studio; travelling like in a dream – a wandering one of waking tremors. The growing, moving discourse of nature – things emerge as points on the horizon with the gargantuan bulges of shaped texture scatter itself in propensity to the central point of the image – the gravity of it. I fall off losing myself to realise it, I find myself exploring to witnessing the situation then realising the image once more, falling off again then exploring, finding, falling etc.

In trying to describe the subject of ecology, I am at a loss as to how to cohesively capture this and these sorts of sensations in paint, from my understandings of it. Things are one thing, imaginings are another. Definitely more experimentation is required in regards to the latter – as the above statement inquires in descriptive poetic terms; an attempt at searching into it. However the actual thing of paint have had me impulsed to resource from raw material. To grow the plants, press the seeds, refine, source and mine the necessary ingredients’ required to make oil paint. It is quite the venture I assume a relaxed role to build it, for now. I hope to live to see some fruition of the sensation in the years to come; I wish to live a long life with a rich garden that sustains me.

By doing this I will feel, hold and handle the stuff of seeds, soil and water, between the pottedness of plastic and ceramic order – at least some part of my practice will seems more ‘ecological’ by rearing the materials needed from the land of my garden. Making my own paint, all grown and sourced - though this is an ambitious undertaking, amongst all the other matters in life. With that said ecology plays out an impulse in me to behave and interact with the world. The word ‘ecology’ I am using it in an interchangeable and general sense drawing upon the activities of the land, with all its plants, bodies of water and animals, and between ourselves as acting individuals within communities, the buildings they emerge from, and our institutional and political systems tied into them. An expanding situation emerges whereby looking at trained and learned material processes such as permaculture that hold relationship with the term ecology may offer insight: Drawing and the Twelve Principles of Permaculture.

I want to paint my environments with this in mind, in doing so I hope to find a means of expression that inhabits something worthwhile to those engaged with the art. But painting for me provides an anchor of experience for visual digression. Writing on the other hand demands much more of a different sort of cognitive process; getting to the point. Whilst I find performance a much broader field to apply into day-to-day experience – and in my opinion it offers possibly the most applicable of artform’s within communities – when working supposedly ecologically.

This might be a time to write about Vega to draw upon what I might mean by that. At least for the first time liberating a definition of it outside of an application form. Vega is a collaborative project including myself, Thomas Parker and Adam Ekin. It has been an organic process (as with all art) – but what interests me with this project as opposed to my painting or writing is the attitude it adopts towards adaptation – Vega is always changing and may possibly never find fixture. The project is as much an external affair as an internal creative disposition – you could see the project as an attempt at mediating circumstances in and around it – like a heart would beat faster or slower depending on ones current situation, whilst providing the necessary flow of blood to all the bits of the body. And Vega would be incomplete without the humanity to undergo it. That said the project spills with connections, in all walks of life.

Vega is organic; and like all organics it embodies certain rules, (eating, shitting, sleeping, growing etc.) that has until presently enough, kept the project going still venturing into a void of creative platforming. What have been the rules of Vega thus far?

We accept all contributions – integrating content into the wider narrative. In integrating content artists remain sensitive to the other components of the narrative and the situations outside of it. This hasn’t been so much of a problem as the story is about a giant living spaceship sailing the dying days of the universe’s decay. A relatively open book in terms of imaginative fancy. The issue has been in writing, whilst collection remains a performative exercise (even this blog post may find entry into the world of Vega - from a performative position; an ego of mine trying to analyse the artist inside). The process of writing Vega serves to delve in the products of the art for commission or need for creative application and we piece together the connections between them.

I am pleased to say a number of ours efforts has attracted some attention; we have been invited to interviews to discuss our ideas further or shared them with interested parties. Our proposals are prepared with a practice to integrate and adapt, we have often been unable to allude a ‘concrete’ idea or that due to the high number of applicants they have been unable to provide feedback, or non at all. This has fostered some animosity to aspects of the organisational fabric of the arts and I am sure I am not the only one. Therefore, I have come to a conclusion that there is an attitude within the infrastructure concerned with dead ideas, at least you can mark a grave stone by them (and a ticket price). Though our undertakings of preparing applications and their received feedback has offered support, insofar has helped provide an internal framework for Vega to apply itself into a real-world context. Therein Vega functions as it always has, as an archive, supporting its many layers – until the next opportunity.

It has been the case that Vega thrives in conversation; it is a communal context, not an applicant. Whether working between collaborating artists or with those we’ve been offered a platform with - by mutual partners; it provides us the means to actively perform the work thus understand and develop it’s ideas further. Layered into it are the elementary parts of the story alongside the situations that the art needed to resolve (such as a project proposal or invitation to talk) – this has required Vega to become a multi-disciplinary interface generally focused towards finding the next platform that may lead on to more platforms. Vega is a void of exposition.

Working in this way is highly interactive, encouraging within practice as much outside participation as possible, including responses and impulses – recording the attitudes and opinions of those engaged. Drawing upon a diverse range of ideas the project forms a complex web of parts encased within the Vega package – so to speak. As mentioned it is the artist’s job to adhere the seemingly unrelated into a cohesive whole. In doing so artists practice a form of letting go of the confines of the narrative alongside others to find a renewed sense of meaning and direction, without killing the idea.

I believe here lies the concept of artist as community mediator – a catalogue of others. But with this I bare a warning of a purest pursuit; for one would be engaged in turning themselves inside out! To what end if not to make a living. In this sense the artist functions as a sort of traveling merchant, exchanging the goods of ideas primarily above the modern doctrines of economics. Perhaps a visual analogy of travel could be understood in this: The Zig Zag. Engage with communities like an electrical charge, but what is the voltage?

Appendixes:

Barker, G. (2020) Drawing and the Twelve Principles of Permaculture. Available at: https://fineartdrawinglca.blogspot.com/2020/05/drawing-and-twelve-principles-of.html (Accessed: 25, Jul, 2020)

Barker, G. (2020) The zig-zag. Available at: https://fineartdrawinglca.blogspot.com/2020/05/the-zig-zag.html (Accessed: 25, Jul, 2020)