#offering salted fish to master

[dangermousie]

A danmei lover's biased and incomplete het web novel rec list

@mercipourleslivres thanks for inspiring me!

When it comes to Chinese web novels, I mainly read danmei. I tend not to care too much for OP heroine with a hero who dotes on her for no reason as she fights with 14 year olds narratives, nor inner courtyard fights. BUT!!! There are some het web novels I like and so here is my biased and incomplete rec list. Most of these don't have OP heroines, and very little to none courtyard fights.

Before I start, my favorite het web novel authors are: Gong Xinwen, Mo Shu Bai, Peng Lai Ke, and Jiu Lu Fei Xiang. I have yet to read anything bad by them.

Anyway, rec list:

1000 Miles of Bright Moonlight - one of my ultimate favorites, this would make such an epic drama! A smart as hell heroine, a hero who is a monk and a warrior (but also terminally?) ill and such a vivid world and amazing secondary characters (heroine’s brother is possibly my favorite supporting character of all time) and so much angst and happy ending. This has an amazing romance but it’s not romance-centric if it makes sense - ML doesn’t appear for a while. But once he does, it’s worth it!

Accompanying the Phoenix - the one that just got adapted into The Legend of Shen Li, this is high adventure and cottage core and funny and tragic and powerful ML being putty in the hands of capable FL and just EVERYTHING.

Apocalypse Arrival - Gong Xinwen’s novels are made just for me. Her heroines are always powerful as fuck and rescue abused MLs. In this novel, our heroine who lives in the post-apocalyptic world, wakes up right before that apocalypse happens. She forms a survival crew and also rescues ML who has miraculous blood and has been drained of it and is now hunted after the rescue for it. SO GOOD!!!

Black Moonlight Holds the BE Script - so fucked up, so good, with monster hero who learns to love and be human and heroine who learns to love and be human (but from the other side, her tower of perfection.) Much better than the drama which I did enjoy.

The Blue Whisper - the drama was so-so, but the novel is a bona fide angst masterpiece, which really delves into what it feels like to be imprisoned or to love.

Counterattack of the Cannon Fodder Chambermaid - I remember starting this and loving the realistic feel and the heroine and wanting to stab the hero and @mercipourleslivres telling me to be patient. She was right, by the end I was on board with both the hero (who was abused and is rather autistic-coded) and the OTP. Anyway, heroine is a servant who was a concubine in the last life and got killed as part of a rich family’s harem intrigues. In this life, she just wants to keep her head down but her life gets derailed anyway. She gets sold away and eventually made a servant in the household of an exiled prince who takes a fancy to her and she endures it because what choice does she have? All she wanted was to serve out her term and become a small time merchant. This is quite realistic about lack of options for women, especially lower class women or upper class male attitudes (ML is never vicious or mean to FL but it does not initially occur to him to wonder if she fancies him or enjoys being his concubine or w/e.) It is a DELIGHTFUL slow burn tho as they grow to love each other and grow together and become one of the most wholesome cnovel couples out there.

Dandere General and His Lord - hi there, Gong Xinwen! God, I love this one. Heroine transmigrates from modern world into a brutal slave-holding world at war (think something like Warring States era.) Our heroine transmigrates into the body of a noblewoman who just hung herself. When she comes to, she discovers that woman’s twin brother was the ruler of a city poisoned by a rival claimant and the besieging army of said claimant is about to take the city and original occupant of the body and the rest of the family chose suicide as a way to avoid dishonor. Our heroine refuses, schemes with advisors to pass as the brother and rally the troops. Once the invaders are defeated, she keeps on the masquerade and rides off to one of the never-ending wars “she” is summoned to. Our hero couldn’t be farther from this. A slave and a son of a slave, he’s escaped a horrific, starving childhood during which he narrowly avoided being murdered or raped, and ended up in the army. When the story opens, he distinguished himself in battle and as a reward, he and a few of his fellow slave warriors are invited to a banquet, where they are given some alcohol and to be playthings of any nobles who want them. One of them does not survive this but ML is lucky - heroine feels terrible and so “claims” him for herself. Instead she just tends to his wounds and sends him back. She does not fancy him or anything, she is just a human being with a conscience. And the story goes from there.

Demon King's Repayment - another delicious Gong Xinwen tale with a powerful ML dedicated to capable FL. This one is a great fantasy plot (I keep imagining it as an animated series) and a sprawling cast of amazing secondaries (and secondary OTPs - there is, I swear, an OTP that is Dong Hua x Feng Jiu done thru GXW lens) to boot.

Doomed to Be Cannon Fodder - I hesitated to put this one on the list because by the end I was not keen on how misogynistic novel got to original female lead but it was one of my earliest novels and I loved it for 90% and it’s fucking hilarious at times. Heroine transmigrates as bit villainess into a novel, all she wants is not to die, but her new attitude of “pls stay away” catches the attention of her terrifying general husband. Honestly, imo still worth it.

Dreamer in the Spring Boudoir - my n1 novel on this list, smart and fierce and don’t really read this for romance because it does not start until really late, but ice cold heroine x ice cold hero both of equal brains and ruthlessness is everything. I went from loathing the ML to finding him fascinating to adoring him (and yet he softened around the edges only for FL, he never became “nice”) and loved FL throughout; secondaries are epic. If you read only one non-danmei web novel, make it this one.

The Emperor’s Beloved Ugly Girl - my n2 novel on this list. Our heroine is the unlucky laundry maid A’Chou. She is a di daughter of an upperclass family but her family got destroyed in one of the political upheavals of the time and A’Chou, only a small child at the time, was the only survivor and was made an enslaved laundry maid. Due to various events, at the start of the novel she is a laundry maid in a minister’s household and the minister’s beloved daughter is having a fit because she’s supposed to marry the former Crown Prince which may have been great a few years back but Crown Prince had since been deposed, tortured, imprisoned and now is living in the middle of nowhere under conditions that are too meager to be called house arrest. And he’s seriously crippled too. Understandably, the young lady doesn’t want to marry him! She’d rather kill herself and so she does. And so, a desperate plan is hatched - why don’t we pretend the laundry maid is the di daughter of the minister’s household and send her off? And so A’Chu is sent as the bride. She arrives to discover a broke, seriously injured man on the verge of death…and we go from there. This is so gorgeous and tender and slow in just the right way and like AAAAAA! Secondary OTPs (one of which is MM) are also epic.

Futu Tower - the drama (Unchained Love) was a mess but the novel is such a lovely, dark exploration of coming back to life, for the ML from his dark revenge-strewn path and for heroine from not being allowed wishes of her own. She is a tribute bride, he’s a (fake) eunuch, they are both servants who use themselves to achieve goals and find peace and happiness together.

The Grand Princess - a tale where both members of the OTP reincarnate as their younger selves after killing each other in their 50s, and get a new start, this is smart and slow and so good in portraying old souls in young bodies. Their rediscovery of not just each other but themselves and their passion for living is just AAAAAA!

Heroine Saves Gentleman - Gong Xinwen novel so we have a tough martial artist lady saving a very upper class scholar and it goes from there. If elegant gorgeous ML being saved and protected (and lovingly dommed) by awesome FL is your bag, pls come right in.

Husband Be a Gentleman - schemer meet schemer. He’s an idle prince she’s perfect daughter, in reality both are wolves out for blood. Mmmm. Very OTP gets together early and is us against the world.

I’ll Be the Male Lead’s Sister in Law - one of my all time favorite novels. Heroine is made to marry a disabled nephew of the emperor. He used to be a victorious god of war but went mad and now is basically locked away and kept as a beast. GOD I LOVE THIS NOVEL SO MUCHHHHH! So much hurt/comfort and awesome OTP and after he eventually recovers, all he wants to do is to fight and murder things and dote on wifey. MMM. He’s honestly one of my fave MLs.

I Married a Disabled Tyrant After Transmigrating - if you have a Florence Nightingale complex, this is for you. Heroine wakes up as tribute bride to an almost dead dragon lord and slowly nurses him back to life as his rivals try to murder him. They are both utter adorable babies!

Let the Villain Go - another Gong Xinwen novel, this and Apocalypse Arrivals are AUs of each other. Heroine is surviving in the apocalypse, ML is the “bugbear” of the world but in reality just reacting to all abuse and torture and after she accidentally saves him, devotes himself. Fun fun fun!

Long Wind Crossing - Amazing ML and FL who grow together, clever plot, arranged marriage to love etc etc. Oh, and one point he feeds her his blood to keep her alive, what’s not to love? (Adapted into Chang Feng Du/Destined)

Lost You Forever - this is a short but delicately wistful tale of trauma and loss and love, wrapped in a high fantasy setting but so relatable despite it.

Love In Another Life: My Gentle Tyrant - so so fucked up in the best way! ML cannot live with OR without heroine. It opens on them banging in jail night before her execution (ordered by him) with corpses of men he killed for trying to defile her cooling nearby. If you want healthy relationships with respectful boundaries, gentle and considerate male leads who are modern men in period clothes, OP heroines who have everyone help them and are OP to the max, fluff and wholesomeness, that is about the worst book for you.If you want complexity, dysfunction, darkness, pain and an absolutely lyrical even if fucked up story, come right IN!!!!I am so fucking in love with the melancholy heroine, with ruthless psycho hero and the endless regret and devotion and paaaaain!

The Marquis Is Innocent - our heroine is a beautiful woman married to a warlord who hates her family. (Yes, this was gonna be The Prisoner of Beauty until SZE tax scandal.) Except she's a transmigrator from the future who knows how it ended last time around and has no interest to end up this tragically. This is in my top 5 - FL is smart but believably so (and doesn't have super battle powers) and ML is a believable period warlord. The way their relationship develops so gradually and the way his character changes so gradually as well (and the way they slowly fall in love, her slower than him) is just amazing. It is such a smart, nuanced, gorgeous slow burn. With some gonzo sex scenes :P

Mulberry Song - you like tragic endings? Come right IN! This is short and heartbreaking and wistful and very what-if.

Nightfall (Ever Night) - so long but also so smart and unusual and bloody and tho it’s not primarily a romance, you will never see another ML who loves his FL as much as Ning Que does his Sang Sang. 

Offering Salted Fish to Master - in some ways, this novel is a mess, but I am recommending it because this is a rare example of "nope he's 100% a villain and murderdude and odd, but he does love the heroine" that the author commits to.

Pihanjin - yet another awesome PLK novel, this is once again, like with Marquis, a ruthless man and a beautiful woman getting a second chance on a second go-around. FL is a lot more wounded this time around though. If you LOVE watching ML grovel and slowly, gradually win FL over, this one is for you.

Princess Agents - a dark tale with an incredibly competent and militarily powerful/ruthless heroine and two terrifying men who love her (but neither is as terrifying as she is.) There is an OTP switch halfway through that shockingly makes sense and it's just SO SO GOOOOOOOD

Rebirth of the Malicious Empress of Military Lineage - this is probably the one “typical” novel on this list, heroine is reborn as her youngest self and gets revenge on those who wronged her last time around. It is really really well-written and heroine is competent, hero is doting and powerful etc. It’s not a trope I tend to love but I do when it’s done THIS well.

Rebirth of the Tyrant’s Pet: Regent Prince is Too Fierce: Borgias cnovel style! Our heroine was empress in last life and put her husband on the throne tho he did not love her. However, he had her executed and had his half-brother carry out the orders and heroine died horrifically. She opens her eyes and she’s a little girl again. The OTP this time around is heroine and half-brother executioner. Why do I love it? Heroine is smart and tough but also this is a rare rebirth novel where heroine does NOT decide to seek revenge for past life wrongs because they haven’t happened yet! In fact, she sees ML abused and stands up for him because he’s a kid and no kid should be mistreated and this go around he hasn’t done anything wrong. She also gets and likes her former life husband. Anyway, this is fakecest galore because she’s supposed to be their half-sister and while she knows (from past life) she is not, they do not and fall for her anyway. ML is especially gonzo, at one point carving chunks of his flesh to save her. He’s feral and unhinged and she’s the one person he worships because she protected him and like - it’s all awesome. (I love secondary ML too.)

Reborn to Love Lord Qiansui - yes, this is a eunuch novel! If you like gender tropes reversals, this one is for you. Heroine is a tough martial artist, hero is a smart as hell and powerful eunuch. A real eunuch. Heroine finds out she owes him her life and decides to protect him. This is a total delight and an awesome love story between two really scarred people. And yes, there is sex - heroine literally reads manuals on pegging :P

Return of the Swallow - so freaking long! But really good. Heroine is neither transmigrator nor reincarnator, just a smart period woman. She is a lost family daughter taken back in. Her father is a minister in a dying empire (father-daughter relationship is one of the best things in this novel), her OTP is enemy general, and the smartness and the awesomeness of this all knows no bounds.

Seven Unfortunate Lifetimes - probably the wackiest JLFX novel I read, this is quite different from Love You Seven Times drama that was adapted from it. Our deity protagonists go through a bunch of lives figuring out they fancy each other. It's light like a souffle but just as delicious.

To Be a Virtuous Wife - some people prefer 8 treasures trousseau but I never warmed up to that one. This one is so good, with smart people (who actually enjoy sex, a ratity) and a perfect mix of plot and romance.

Transmigrator Meets Reincarnator - my very first web novel. A lot lighter than a lot of the ones on this list but a total delight. Heroine transmigrates into a novel as the heroine; she has no interest in drama or chasing true love, she just wants to live a nice life with her nice husband. Too bad for her, her husband has reincarnated into his younger self and remembers how she betrayed him, so is not interested. This one is funny and light and romance doesn’t start till late on but a total delight!

Wishing You Eternal Happiness - this is tied with Dreamer as my favorite het web novel ever though it couldn’t be more different from Dreamer, with its hard-edged and hard-souled protagonists ruthlessly cleaving their way to the world and, eventually, each other, its smart cynical air. Except in one thing - the world of Wishing is just as bloody and dark. Its two protagonists are gentle, deeply wounded souls who may find salvation in each other but even something as basic as safety almost seems out of reach.

Jliafu, our heroine, is neither a modern-day transmigrator, nor some exotic princess or demoness. She is very much a period woman of her time, from a weathy merchant clan, whose beauty is her curse. You can tell the novel’s tone from that utterly bleak opening chapter where she, a favorite concubine of a capricious dying emperor, is ordered to be buried alive with him and is not even given the “grace” of white silk but slowly suffocates in the coffin, scrabbling at the lid. There is no grand threats of vengeance on her part, not dramatic opera events. Just despair and death. The whole introductory chapter is haunted by emotional ghosts - the empress’ unrequited love for the monster on the imperial bed (turning into desire for Jiafu’s suffering after he dies), the emperor slowly dying in his prime after waging too many wars, and his fear of being haunted by Pei Youan, a brilliant if sickly minister who died of illness long ago on one of imperial campaigns. There is no triumph for anyone, only loss.

When she wakes up as still a young woman, all she wants is to escape the same fate. There are no plans for power or revenge, only a desire for survival. And so she latches on asking for help from Pei Youan, the only man in her past go-around who showed any consideration and desire and ability to protect her, though he barely knew her. Pei Youan is probably my favorite het web novel ML. Despite his brains and ability, he drifts through life. In modern terms, he clearly has depression. One of the biggest, best joys of the novel is watching these two very good, very quiet, very wounded people discover happiness and love with each other. I sort of want to cry just thinking about it, tbh.

The Yandere Came During the Night - a bit of fluff that’s oddly delightful. Heroine is reborn as a (fake) sister of ML, she hurts her legs saving him and the “siblings” form a bond that ends up in fakecest delight. They are both smart and efficient and he becomes a sexy marquis etc.

[azure-cherie]

𝓥𝓮𝓷𝓾𝓼 𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓼𝓸𝓷𝓪 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓽 𝓸𝓫𝓼𝓮𝓻𝓿𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼₊̣̇.ෆ˟̑*̑˚̑*̑˟̑ෆ.₊̣̇.

These are based on people ik irl , so idk if you relate , well i hope you do (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ , i am not a professional astrologer so take this with a grain of salt. Have a good read :)

This is based on tropical astrology

Refer to your Venus Persona Chart

♡︎Having an exhaulted sun makes you Intimidating to the other gender , they fear your attitude .

♡︎Air sign Ascendent will give you a manic pixie dream girl vibe .

♡︎Aries mercury wants someone to actively approach them or they themselves will do it , they don't like to wait for love confessions.

♡︎Saturn in cancer are prone to crying when their crush gets into a relationship.

♡︎Saturn in cancer becomes extremely irritable when they go through a heartbreak and if your Saturn is in 1st it may also affect your appearance .

♡︎Neptune in Aquarius gets prophetic dreams about their love life . Uranus pisces and Uranus conjunct Neptune as well .

♡︎Pluto in Saggitarius are the ones who give advice although their own love life is messed up .

♡︎Node in earth signs may like to go for the nerd ,or be a nerd or be kinda sapiosexual .

♡︎The wild untamed archaetype is very Lilith in gemini .

♡︎I don't know about anyone else but pisces to me is a sign of detachment, although it represents two fishes , to me it's like two energies within us like yin yang , but they're mostly closed off to the outer world , likewise a pisces moon doesn't desire a relationship they like to dream about it but they have no wishes to pursue it .

♡︎Jupiter in Scorpio or Aries can go for the dark feminine aesthetic if they wish to succeed with the help of their looks it will give them abundance.

♡︎If you have your sun conjunct mercury people might be attracted to your voice or you can pursue a creative career regarding singing , and yes it can give you a raspy or a Alto or baritone voice as well .

♡︎All baddies have moon trine venus , in their natal or persona , I'll tell you why , moon represents the unconscious, no matter what you think unconscious is a dark place to be , and moon also represents emotions when one is aware of their emotions only then they can master it , this aspect is of development, to be detached you need to surpass attachment.

♡︎Chiron in Capricorn must engage themselves into a self care routine after any harsh phases of life , this will help them feel better.

♡︎Venus conjunct mars are the type being active in love , bringing each other's gifts and going for adventures, about oneself, they like to buy themselves gifts which is amazing!

♡︎Jupiter trine saturn is a glow up placement .

♡︎Sun trine Pluto likes to burn themselves down , they like the idea of growing from ashes like a phoenix.

♡︎Venus - Pluto femme fatale vibes but prone to oversexualisation .

♡︎Venusian mars in Venus persona chart can go into the fashion industry or any industry that deals with aesthetics.

♡︎Gemini venus are indecisive in love , they get many offers for companionship, they mostly reject them , they don't know whom to love . I have seen them go through so much because the person whom they want doesn't want them and they can't love anyone else .

♡︎Moon opposite mars - passive aggressive in love .

♡︎Leo mercury gets or gives a lot of love letters .

♡︎Mars in leo bold expressive, confesses their love regardless of how scared they are .

♡︎Sun /Venus / jup in cancer gives the native a mommy vibe , bigger breasts as well .

♡︎When lana del rey said "because i am pretty when i cry " she meant sun-moon , sun-pluto, moon-venus , Venus -neptune .

♡︎One of the most beautiful person I know has a Capricorn and aquarius stellium in her vpc.

♡︎Mars in Aries , masculine vibe they generally need men who can defeat their masculinity, they aren't much into feminine men.

♡︎Sun in Libra , soft girl aesthetic, likes shiny things , super friendly, everyone loves them.

♡︎Mercury in Virgo , really polite knows how to craft words , I've seen them always saying thank you sooo much, welcome, good morning etc

♡︎Venus in Libra don't tell me you didn't have a phase when you binged on fs readings.

♡︎Virgo stellium -people fall in love with them because of their intelligence.

♡︎Venus in cancer - becomes beautiful in their later life , attracts a lot of jealousy.

♡︎Venus in Scorpio, people being jealous of their good looks .

With love, 🌷💞

-Azure

[ghoulsbeard]

In practice it will be done properly; Mirabelle must have everything done properly. Enthir said more than once the old bridge held on for so long only because Mirabelle Ervine expected it to stand. Faralda can understand its position.

The ritual will be shorter than the succession of an archmage, and the faces in the crowd… they will each be what they are. She will guard them through every turning season as she has always done. The college will be rebuilt. The wounded will mend. Faralda will limp to the front, with her arm still hanging in its sling, to be named and recorded in a long chain of the dead.

She’s put too much thought into the matter to struggle with the idea of it now. Only she had always assumed Aren would be there.

All week her prentices have peppered her with hopes and fears. Will she still teach them how to juggle lightning. Will their warding runes still be due at the end of the month. Does the Staff of Magnus grant extra credit. And so on…

The night is turning into morning. Faralda files her grading away and snuffs the candles with her fingers. She hikes up the salted bridge from the gatehouse much slower than she’d like. But it is a windless night, calm as you can get in far northern Skyrim; the stars are clear as glass.

Mirabelle catches her attention, standing alone in the courtyard. It’s unlike her to wander the grounds this late.

“Archmage,” she calls. Mirabelle turns and lifts a hand. Her dark hair is dusted in snow.

“You’re up late.”

“A week left," Faralda replies. She stumps noisily on her crutch and her good knee to the archmage’s side, and they set off, of all things, together. “A week until you’ve a master wizard to irritate and disappoint. Six days, even.”

“No regrets, I hope.”

“Why, have you seen any?” She pretends to look over their shoulders.

“I’m sure they will come to you.” Spoken so archly it could even be a joke. “You will serve as the College of Winterhold’s master wizard, Mistress Faralda. Not mine.”

“Not only yours,” Faralda corrects her.

The archmage issues a sharp stare.

“I used to sail crow’s nest, you know,” Faralda begins for the hundred-thousandth time, and Mirabelle nearly cracks a smile. “The ship was the soul of the captain; and the captain the soul of the ship.”

“And which were you? — the brain, I suppose.”

“I’d rather be the liver,” Faralda muses.

Mirabelle raises an incredulous brow. “Catching lightning?”

“A brain…?”

“The thoughts,” Mirabelle says, as if it should be perfectly obvious, and thumps open the front door. Even faced away like this Faralda can tell she’s coming dangerously close to a fit of good humor. “The— ideas. Crackling.”

“I don’t follow,” says Faralda, to be obtuse. “Did you hear what I said?”

“I don’t follow,” she repeats, with a flicker of a smile, “what that metaphor has to do with you.”

“What is the archmage of Winterhold?”

“That depends upon the person wearing the robes.” She offers Faralda her elbow and clasps her hands behind her back when it is refused. “For my part, I believe the archmage ought to serve as the college’s caretaker; to nourish and protect its students and staff. But I hardly think you were fishing for a lecture on pedagogy.”

“You know my feelings on the matter.”

“I thought I did.”

It’s late. It’s too late to be up talking like this. Faralda’s eyes and knees are aching. Her arm is worse. Besides she’d languished on the edge of a cold well before Ancano torched everything. It’s late and the halls of the college are cold.

“There are nights… I wonder at the things you say to me,” Mirabelle says, lowly. Her eyes shine like black seawaves. “Yes, on nights like these. Sometimes I can almost see you. I start to think— I’ve been looking the wrong way.”

She reaches for the bandages on Faralda’s arm, where she lays a light charm to relieve its pain.

“Have I?”

“That remains to be seen,” Faralda lies.

gatehouse headcanon by @jiubilant edit: the HC that faralda used to sail as a storm-mage is jiub’s too. can’t find the exact post to link </3

[lex-the-flex]

Atomised

Luke Skywalker x reader

Summary: Serenity falls on the ocean planet of Naboo where a Knight transforms into a newly appointed Master.

Word Count: 831

Warning(s): None! PURE FLUFF, first kiss and brief mention of injuries.

A/N: A special gift for @acupnoodle and @dreamliners who put up with me simping for Luke on a regular basis.

A fresh breath of wind glided in beautifully crafted marble hallways of the enormous Palace. The frigid air brought a shiver to your core, and the brand new scent of the vast sea foam ocean felt forever foreign in the depths of your lungs. You had never experienced witnessing the ocean before — no matter the planet.

The morning layer of fog hovered along the courtyard built from stone balconies and lush gardens. Breathing in deeply, the strong scent of salt soothed your presence, and the knots in your shoulders began to come loose.

Draping your arms over the high stone railing, you leaned your head back, fully relaxing for the first time in months. Enjoying the peaceful sounds of the idyllic oceanic planet, the comforting presence of another came into the aura.

“I was wondering when I’d get to see you.” You announce, lowering your head.

“It seems Leia released me from the Council meeting. For now.” The man replies, joining your side to admire the waves.

Turning to view him, the sight of Luke Skywalker makes you chuckle. The dirty blonde leans against the railing, admiring the state of your clothing. Admiring the thinly strapped dark sage green silk gown, a smirk fills his lips. 

“I see Leia’s gotten you to blend in with the locals.” He jokes, motioning toward the flowy dress. 

“She insisted after all. You know Leia.” You reply, trying to cover the sight of your bare skin in the deep v-neck.

“I swear, these handmaids are infuriating. They don’t know how to keep anyone warm.” Luke explains, unfastening the latch of his cloak.

Draping the dark cloak over your shoulders, the soft fabric brings an endless warmth to your naked arms. Fixing the tiny chain around the base of your neck, the tender action allowed a wave of butterflies to rise in your stomach.

Upon discarding his cloak, you silently eyed the new set of kimono-like raven robes. The man who stood before you was no longer the Knight you once met five years ago.

Luke was now a Master in his own craft.

“Come with me, Y/N. I want to show you something.” Luke says, leaving the railing behind.

“Luke, where’s your lightsaber?” You ask, noticing the state of Luke’s empty sash around his waist.

“R2’s keeping it safe for now. He and 3PO are trying to find the poison agent that was on the hilt.” He explains, leading you deeper in the gardens. 

“Oh...” Is all you can muster to say, as you nervously rub your hands together. 

Coming to an old wooden door, the hinges are practically rusted off. Taking the handle in his hand, Luke opened the door with a quick shove, and you were inside. A gasp escapes your lips at the sight of the beautiful and lush garden on the other side. 

“I discovered this place the last time I came to Naboo. So I never showed this place to anyone.” Luke explains, offering his hand to you to help you over a destroyed gap in the forgotten balcony. 

Taking his hand, Luke guides you to a corner of the garden where another surprise awaits you. Mending with the moss and algae lies a small pool of water surrounded by a protective wall of stone debris. In the midst of the clear still water, a large family of koi fish swim freely in the undisturbed ecosystem. 

“A koi pond! I’ve only seen sketches of them, but never in person.” You exclaim in wonder. 

“I knew I had to keep them safe the moment I found them. So I’ve been coming here every year to make sure they’re out of harm’s way.” Luke explains, briefly lowering himself to the pond’s level. 

“Well, it’s what good Masters do.” You reply, glancing down at your hands. 

Turning his attention away from the pond, Luke’s ears perked up at the sound of your voice recognizing his title. Standing tall before you, he faces you in a calm manner, taking your shoulders in his hands. 

“Do you...mean that?” Luke asks with a pause floating in the air. 

Gazing up at the new Jedi Master before you, his bright icy blue eyes glow with all the love in the world, fully appreciating his training and your encouragement. While you only knew Luke for five years, you could tell that he was one of a kind. He was meant for this life. 

As a Jedi Master and with you as a Knight by his side. 

“Of course I do, Luke. You’re one of the most wonderful people in the whole Galaxy and I love you for who you are.” You admit, slowly closing your eyes to having Luke press his forehead against your own. 

“I love you too, Y/N. From the moment I met you.” Luke confesses, inching ever so slightly to you. 

Pressing his pink lips to yours, the serenity of the garden grew quiet as did everything else. The two of you were no longer cold or distracted by the means of the outside world or the Rebellion. Everything was just right. 

taglist ~ 

@dreamliners

@thefunniestavenger

@full-time-make-believer

@ladyrebel25

@maybeimart

@nonbinary-tatooine

@kaleidoscope1967eyes

@tearsleftt

@thereallchristine

@partofmejustwantstosleep

@xxx-aurora-swirls

@remusstefon

@annoyinglythoughtfuldestiny

@giona45-5

@0paperairplane0

@mrskenobi677

@jobean12-blog

@iamhavingamomenthere-crowley

@winter-soldier-101

@dindjarinishot

@kethamine

@pantaeudaimonia

@bonky-n-steeb

@kindnonny23

@ell0ra-br3kk3r-writes

@acupnoodle

@flawroses

@skx-wxlker

@tatooineknights

@myevilmouse​

@porcelainmind​

@kanaekocho​​

[ltwilliammowett]

Sailors Superstition Part 5

You can find the other parts here- Part 4 -  Part 3 -  Part 2  - Part 1

(x)

Pour some Wine

Yo Ho and a buddle of rum. Now let's leave the rum with the crew. But a sip of wine is a must. And that's where the captain comes in. Because a few sips poured on the deck not only calmed the ship but was also an offering to Neptune for a good and happy voyage. There is also the variant of pouring the wine into the sea. But that can make the ship jealous, so pouring it on the deck is the best option. Because no one wants the wooden lady to become a fury.

Throw a coin

What also works is to simply throw a small coin overboard. This is also considered a sacrifice to Neptune and serves to ensure a happy voyage. By the way, Neptune doesn't really care what the coin is worth, so a penny is also fine.

Stir your tea

But let's go below deck and have some tea. But don't stir it with a fork or knife instead of a spoon. That invites misfortune aboard.

Aubrey, may I trouble you for the salt?

The same applies to the serving of salt. You remember the part in Master and Commander where Jack told about Nelson asking him for the salt? Well, he wouldn't have handed it to him directly. Because that brings bad luck. To avoid that, the salt had to be passed clockwise to the person sitting next to him until it reached where it was needed.

It stinks of fish

Let's jump ashore for a moment and take a quick look at our fishing colleagues. To ensure that the session would be a successful one, a crewmember was first selected to be thrown overboard and immediately recaptured to ensure a good catch. Equally auspicious was the method of salting the nets to attract the fish and if the nets were cast in an odd number, a good catch was assured.

Green are my colour- or not

If you are thinking of painting your longboat or the ship itself green, you have a problem. Because that would make the wooden lady so mad, she would throw herself onto the rocks and drown herself and everyone on her. The same applied to the boat.

[lavendermage]

Lost in Inazuma

Characters: Itto(Romantic), Shinobu (IDK), Arataki Gang, Thoma(IDK)

Genre: Sagau, gender neutral reader

TW:fear, panic attack?

1.9k words

AN: Not too happy with this to be honest, excited for the next part though!

Part 1

You fit in easily with the Arataki gang. You shared their values but were much gentler. While Shinobu had to struggle to control the members, your presence would naturally calm down the gang. Even Genta’s violent temper relaxed when he was with you. Shinobu was grateful for the help. Her job was much easier now and she was not going to complain about it.

As soon as Shinobu deemed you healthy enough, you started foraging around the headquarters. You could find all sorts of fruits and vegetables that the others couldn’t. Itto swore they grew around you but you just laughed. You convinced Shinobu to teach you how to fish and mastered the skill quickly. The fish practically jumped into your net. Whenever the gang was out and about in the city, you would find dinner and the next day’s breakfast and lunch.

The gang sat around the campfire as you busied yourself grilling today’s catch. Itto had tried his best to help but the fish he tried to cook ended up burnt and inedible so he settled for providing moral support.

“The fish looks great, Goldie!” He had taken to calling you that. You never bothered to ask why. 

“You can get it once it’s done cooking.” 

“I don’t know what magic you put into that thing, but it’s the best fish I’ve ever eaten!” 

“No need to go that far.” You give him the fish. “It’s basically just salt and sake.”

“Mmhmm. Soooo good.”

You laugh at his exaggerated enthusiasm and start cooking another fish. 

“Oh, want to see the Creator’s shrine? Shinobu’s visiting tomorrow”

You thought for a minute. You did want to learn more but….“I wouldn’t want to intrude on her worship.” 

“I don’t mind.” Shinobu shrugged. “It would be nice to go with someone. Does tomorrow morning sound good?”

“Sure!” You cleaned up and got to bed early, preparing for the next day.

“Ready, Goldie.” 

“Yep! Wait a minute, mask!” You darted back into the house and returned, tying the mask onto your face. “We match!” 

Her eyes crinkled at the thought. “I guess we do.”

You held her hand as you walked along the crowded road. She glanced at you and squeezed your hand slightly. “We’re almost there.” 

You saw a large statue, almost like the statue of the omnipresent god, but you were nowhere near where that should be. Shinobu led you around the base and you saw its face. Your face. It had your face. You pushed down your panic as you assessed the situation. The crowd split ever so slightly as you made your way to the base of the statue. Shinobu followed. Hundreds of flowers were laid at the foot of the statue, along with coins and charms and little toys. A man to your right had servants place a large chest of gold, with the top open, of course.

You scoffed. “Wouldn’t money be meaningless to a god?” You mumbled.

“What use would it have for any of the other offerings?” Shinobu asked, curious for your opinion.

“Probably none, but they still mean more if they were chosen carefully. If a was a god, a small shrine like Itto’s would mean much more than a chest of gold.” You shook your head and redirected your attention to a little boy making his own offering.

It was a handful of flowers, the type that wouldn’t last when cut, the type that people thought of as weeds. He held it tightly in his little hand as he prayed, his eyes screwed shut. You noticed his worn out clothes and the dirt on his arms. “Please help Mama get better.” He mumbled.

Your heart twisted in your chest and you heard his stomach growl. He frowned and pulled out a little bag, counting the mora in it. It clearly wasn’t enough for what he wanted. He left, dejected. 

Shinobu left an offering, a small bouquet of dendrobium. The two of you left and headed back down the road as it thinned. About half-way back to the headquarters, you saw the boy again. He was surrounded by treasure hoarders. You didn’t have time to think as you rushed in front of the boy. Shinobu hurried behind you.

“I didn’t know you’d stoop this low.” You glared at the armed men.

“What’s it to you?” The leader leaned over you.

You didn’t flinch at the movement, anger fortifying your will. “I’m not the type of person to stand by while children are being hurt. Leave.” 

The man dropped his weapon in surprise. You almost rolled your eyes, that was a bit dramatic.

Shinobu took this opportunity to knock the man out. The rest of the men ran, tails between their legs. She lifted the man off the ground and turned to you. “I’m bringing him to the tenryou commission. I assume you’ll walk the kid back home.”

You nodded. “Thanks, Shinobu.”

“No problem.” She started dragging the man down the road.

You crouched down to the kid's height. “So, little guy, do you know if there’s a place we can get you a treat on the way back home? You were so brave today!”  

He nodded excitedly. “Yeah! I’ll show you.” He led the way, skipping and pointing out landmarks. “Here it is!” He pointed at a small food stall by the side of the road. 

“Pick your order.”

He thought for a moment. “Can I pick two?”

“Of course.”

“Takoyaki and dango, please!”

You nodded and placed the order, adding an extra takoyaki for yourself. In a few minutes the food was done and you continued on. The boy happily ate the takoyaki but didn’t touch the dango.

“Are you saving it for anyone?” You motioned towards the dessert.

“Yes! It’s Mama’s favorite!” His face fell. “She’s always hurting, so I bring it back for her.”

“You’re a good kid.” Chronic pain sucks, poor mom.

You reached a small house and the boy ran ahead, dragging you behind him.

“Mama, Mama, you won't believe what happened! This stranger saved me from bandits!”

“Oh my.” The boy’s mother sat in bed, boney hands clasped in her lap. “Did you thank them yet?”

“Umm, not yet.” He turned to you and bowed. “Thank you Mx. Stranger.”

“You’re welcome.” You looked at her frail state and started to worry. “Is there anything I could do to help?”

She sighed. “If you could brew tea, that would be nice. I hate to ask, but Katsu’s too short to reach.”

“Ok!” You brightened. You could finally do something to help!

Katsu showed you where the tea was and you brewed it quickly. You brought it back to the woman.

“Would you like honey?”

“No, it’s alright.” She sipped it slowly before tears spilled from her eyes.

“Are you alright?” You examined her face for any sign of complications.

She sobbed. “It’s gone– my pain, it’s gone. Thank you, thank you, whatever you did.” She held your hand.

“It’s really no big deal. If you want, I could probably come by and brew it again tomorrow.”

“You’re a blessing from the Creator.”

“Thank you. I might be able to come by tomorrow, to make tea again.”

You left, happiness warming your chest. Next, you’d ask Shinobu about the statue but for now you allowed yourself to relax. 

When you arrived at home the atmosphere was tense.

“What’s wrong?” You asked Shinbu, trusting her to know what’s going on.

“It might not be safe for you here.”

Your breath caught in your throat.

She continued. “Itto and the gang get in trouble with the law often. If that happens while you’re here, you could get caught up in it.”

“I have a buddy that could take you in.” Itto said.

You shook your head. “I’ll leave.”

“Absolutely not!” Genta yelled.

You flinched, it had been so long since his last outburst.

Shinobu sighed. “What Genta means is that it’s not safe. I’ve vetted the guy you’ll be staying with, you’ll be safe with him.”

It took a minute for you to review your options. While you trusted Itto’s intentions, you weren’t sure if you trusted him to read others. With Shinobu’s approval though... “I’ll meet them and then decide.”

“Someone will be coming tomorrow, but if it’s too fast for you we could reschedule.” Shinobu, always so responsible.

“No, that will be ok.” Better to get it over with. “And could we talk? Privately.”

You moved away from the fire and to the beach, the waves would help to mask your voices.

“Why did that statue look like me?” You monitored her face. She looked confused, as if this was some test.

“What do you mean? It is you.” Then, when you didn’t reply. “Don’t you remember?”

“I don’t. Why do you think I’m them?”

“Even ignoring the fact you’re identical, your aura. Your emotions reflect onto us. When you’re happy, when you’re scared, and when you’re angry we feel it.”

“How come the boys haven’t noticed?” 

She sighed. “I’m not sure. They don’t visit the shrine often, so maybe they don’t remember what you look like. And they're a bit… you know.”

You chuckled. “Yeah. Not the most aware bunch.”

“You knew us all even before we met, didn’t you.”

“Yes, I did. You were always some of my favorites.”

Shinobu blushed a deep red. “Thank you, your grace.”

“No, keep calling me Goldie. I’m not even sure you’re right yet.” 

“Allright, Goldie.” 

“Let’s head to bed.” You helped her up and walked together with her to your rooms. The night was mellow and the sound of the ocean lulled you to sleep.

In the morning you headed out to quickly brew tea for Katsu’s mother and told her it would be a while before you could meet again. She accepted it easily, just nodding. Then you gathered some mushrooms and fruits for a good-bye gift to thank the Arataki gang. Foraging cleared your mind. You got home at noon and started cooking. Lunch was onigiri decorated like sumo wrestlers and soup.

“I love these little guys!” Itto leaned over your shoulder to watch as you worked. He was always the first to show up at any meal. He straightened and hollered, “There’s food!”

The men and Shinobu gathered quickly, eager to eat. In the few seconds it had taken them to appear Itto was already on his third onigiri. When he reached for another you jokingly slapped his hand away.

“Let the others have some!” You scolded him. 

He laughed. “Sorry, Goldie.”

“Excuse me, Arataki Itto?” A voice called from the front of the house. You quickly slipped on your mask as Itto answered.

“Arataki ‘the one and oni’ Itto here! This way!” He waved wildly as a man walked around the house.

Thoma. 

Itto slapped your shoulder. “This is the friend I told Ayato about. They cook the best food and can heal any injury!”

“Is that so?” Thoma smiled.

“Itto’s exaggerating a bit, but I am willing to work to earn my stay.” You kept your head down as you spoke.

“What’s your name?”

You didn’t know how to answer and grasped for an excuse to leave. “Oh, I forgot the tea!” You bolted into the house leaving Itto and Thoma behind.

“They seem skittish.”

“Goldie’s not usually like this.”

“Goldie?”

“Yeah, cause they’re like our treasure!” Itto beamed. 

“Ah, a nickname. What’s their real name?” 

“I - uh - can’t remember off the top of my head...”

He didn’t remember at all did he. Thoma sighed.

______________________________________________________________

Itto, Slaps reader's back. : This bad boy can fit so much kindness in it!

Reader, scared out of their mind: Thanks, Itto

[captainbogwitch]

Excerpt: The Hands That Wield the Sword

And it truly was a feast. What would be multiple courses in a more Hylian setting was presented all at once on the Zora’s table. Sidon give Link the name of each dish as they pass it, happily placing however much of it the Hylian wants onto his plate (his first plate, anyway. Sidon quickly went to grab another when it was full.) Many of the dishes had names in Hylian, but the prince was eager to share what they were called in the Zora tongue as well and enthusiastically offered to learn their signs in the Zora Sign Language, as well as Hylian Common Sign.

On the table set in silver or stone bowls are foods Link had never seen. Hineska’ Agaga’, the Hylian rice dyed red with achote seeds, spiced with onion, garlic, and a hot pork sausage Sidon called chorizo; salads made of cucumbers and daigu’ radishes pickling in a bowl of soy sauce and lemon juice sitting beside a plate of stir fried bok choy, Hylian shrooms, and spicy peppers. The smell of hot frying oil filled his senses as they passed the fried vegetable lumpia, its rice paper wrapping dark brown and sizzling. A few bońelos uhang, small, pan-fried cakes of shrimp and vegetables sat next to the lumpia and red rice creating a small wall between it and savory breadfruit swimming in fresh coconut milk. Link recognizes the smell of kelaguen and tityas from the meal Kodah and Kayden gave him the morning before, but Sidon explains that this is kelaguen månnok, made with poultry rather than seafood. Its spicy aroma sent Link’s mouth tingling, the taste of sharp lemon, crisp spice, and fresh, earthy niyok coming back to him joyfully.

The “entrees,” as they would be called on Hylian tables, comprised of pansit bihon månnok; clear, thin rice noodles dressed brown with fish and oyster sauce, tossed together with sautéed snow peas, poultry, carrots, and bamboo shoots, topped with bright white, crunchy bean sprouts and lime juice. There was fresh, seared sizzelfin trout encrusted with sesame seeds that fell apart beautifully when you took a bite, the sesame seeds adding a delicious texture to the soft fish. Tender grilled pork spareribs sprinkled with only pink rock salt and course pepper sat at the end of the line followed by three small bowls of desserts, which, once they finally came into view, made Link’s eyes widen in excitement. In one sat steamed sweet niyok and cassava, its smell bringing a sense of freshness and cleanliness after the line of strong, savory dishes. Sidon has to turn Link away from the baked pumpkin empanadas (påstets) and crumbly inafliton roset cookies before he could stuff them in his mouth, promising that he will bring them once they sit.

At their place settings are cups of fresh water and an earthenware pot of lemon ginger tea. Link, a master of restraint, waits for Sidon to finish making his own plate and sit down before he explores the vast richness in front of him.

[081314]

Sebek Zigvolt (Voice Lines) – Master Chef

Following is my translation of the voice lines from Sebek Zigvolt’s Master Chef card.

Spoilers after the cut!

Summon

⚡: As I’ve received the chance to participate in this program, I shall be sure to pass with the highest marks possible! It matters not that I am treading unknown grounds here, in the realm of cooking.

Home Lines

⚡: So, this is how chefs dress.

⚡: Linguine, penne, farfalle… There is certainly a wide variety of pasta. I wonder which type the young Lord favors.

⚡: There are those who possess an acute sense of smell, just as Jack does. I feel his evaluation will begin as soon as the aroma of the dish wafts over to him, so I shall be keeping that in mind as I cook.

⚡: The first fish that I prepared for the judges, I shred it up so much I couldn’t even stick the skewer through it. My cutlery skills at that time were much too unrefined.

⚡: Through completing this program, I shall master the art of cooking. Human! Prepare to be amazed at the speed of my progress!

⚡: Excellent! I made it exactly per the recipe. The scent alone is enough to entice one’s appetite, if I do say so myself. I’m certain this time there will be no complaints.

⚡: The salmon pasta they serve here at the cafeteria is certainly a fine dish, but since it’s only offered as part of the day’s special - which changes throughout the week - one isn’t often able to enjoy it. I find that quite a shame.

⚡: When I was young, I did not fare well with bitter vegetables, but I’ve long since conquered that hurdle. For I am a man who can overcome any hardship!

⚡: What’s this! This soup ladle has a hole through it!? Is it broken, perhaps…?

⚡: It appears I should be salting the water to 1% salinity when boiling pasta. I’ll go ahead and measure out the salt now… What on- I’m supposed to add this much!?

⚡: Darn it, the noodles are all sticking together! I’ll need to separate them at once.

⚡: Hmph. You appear to possess a rather refined palette, for a human. Alright, I shall bring out another serving just for you, then!

Groovy

⚡:  This was a job well done. Be it cooking or martial arts, strengthening your foundational knowledge is truly the path to improvement!

You can listen to his voice lines in this video here.

And you can read my translation of this card's vignette here!

[weilongfu]

PalmDiao - Continuation of “A Resort by the Sea With a Fishing Fleet for Me,” maybe with Diao visiting Palm’s fishing fleet and all of his men teasing him about his pretty boyfriend?

Teasing was to be expected on a fishing boat and Palm knew that. The men who worked under him were all coarse, sun and salt doing plenty to their outer appearance and manners, and older than him, but good people at heart. So naturally, some manner of ribbing and jabs were going to be had and Palm gave as good as he got. Usually.

Today was initially no exception until Palm's boat approached the pier to offload the day's catch.

"Oh ho ho!" Palm looked over at the fisherman who'd cried out. "I spot a beauty on the horizon!"

"If this is another mermaid joke," Palm groused, "I'm going to be very disappointed."

"Nay! A true beauty! Pale as seafoam and softer than summer breeze." Flex pointed at a figure waiting on the pier. "Tis boss's young master!" Palm would have made a face, but he was too busy running up to the front of the boat to wave at Nueng. "Look how quickly boss forgets us for the young master. It truly hurts."

"P'Flex," said another fisherman at the wheel, "You should be thankful he can't hear you or he'd shove you off the boat for getting in the way."

"Oi, N'Harrow, you better watch yourself! If I get shoved off the boat, I'll drag you with me!"

Harrow laughed as Palm walked back towards the center of the boat and made a motion. Harrow jerked the wheel to the side and Flex lost his footing and nearly tumbled off the boat. All the other fishermen roared with laughter.

Palm extended a hand to help Flex up and Flex accepted. As Palm helped dust Flex off, he casually said, "It's true, my young master is a true beauty. But if you try anything funny when we hit the pier, I'll use your eyes for bait tomorrow."

Flex took in Palm's casual tone and dangerous eyes. "Understood, boss."

"Hands to yourself too."

------

By the time Palm's boat reached the pier, Nueng was sipping on a bottle of coconut water while his head driver, P'Ling, held an umbrella over his head to keep off the sun. Nueng had insisted on a large enough umbrella that P'Ling could also comfortably stand in the shade of it. Nueng slipped a pair of sunglasses on as Palm approached before offering him a cool towel.

"Khun Nueng, we're honored you've joined us today," Palm said as he scrubbed at his face before pressing a kiss to Nueng's cheek. "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Nueng looked over to Palm's giggling gaggle of fishermen. "I wanted to pick something for dinner tonight personally. So I figured I should go to the best fisherman I know." The fishermen behind Palm all catcalled for a second before Palm made a gesture behind his back and they all fell silent.

"Of course, Khun Nueng. I'd be happy to assist you in working something out."

"No need, the best fisherman is right here." Nueng hooked a finger into Palm's shirt collar. "And I've gotten the best catch of the day in my hands right now." Nueng gave Palm's shirt a tug and Palm stepped forward willingly. "I trust there are no objections?"

Palm covered Nueng's hand with his own. "Never, Khun Nueng."

"Are you both eye fucking in front of us right now?" Flex yelled out before laughing.

Palm whipped around to glare at the older man but Nueng pulled Palm behind him and smiled. "P'Harrow, it looks like P'Flex is too excited. Can you and the crew help him cool down please?"

Before Flex could react, the crew shoved him into the ocean with glee and laughed as Flex sputtered and cursed.

"It's as you wished it, young master," Harrow said with a salute. "I'll take care of today's catch and send up something special to the hotel. Please feel free to take boss with you as you return, young master."

"Excellent." Nueng gave Palm a look. "Give yourselves tomorrow off for such hard work. Except P'Flex." Another round of laughter and cursing erupted as Nueng lead Palm away.

"Khun Nueng-"

"Oh, don't worry, I'm not offended," Nueng said before Palm could get any further. "I'm just being selfish." Nueng rested his head on Palm's still sun-warmed shoulder. "I've decided you're taking tomorrow off and we're going out so you can tease all your men more the day after."

"Going out? Or staying in?"

"Depends on your performance at dinner tonight."

"As always, I aim for the best of evaluations. Please guide me, Khun Nueng."

[agentrouka-blog]

The worse part about D@ny rejecting the idea to plant saffron and prefer to tax slavery taking the tenth part of the price, is that months before, when she wanted to buy slave soldiers, btw, she was told:

"...these ships carry more than your Dothraki and their horses. They took on trade goods at Qarth, I've been through the holds and seen for myself. Bolts of silk and bales of tiger skin, amber and jade carvings, saffron, myrrh... slaves are cheap, Your Grace."

D@ny I - ASOS

And you can't say that it was something that she didn't pay a lot of attention, because she then had this conversation (buying slaves, btw):

"Are you having gold and trading goods sufficient to be paying for all these eunuchs you are wanting?"

"You know the answer to that better than I, Good Master," D@ny replied. "Your men have gone through my ships and tallied every bead of amber and jar of saffron. How much do I have?"

"Sufficient to be buying one thousands," the Good Master said, with a contemptuous smile. "Yet you are paying double, you are saying. Five centuries, then, is all you buy."

And she decides to tax slavery to pay her war...

You know, I was curious to know about the real world saffron. Yup, it's pretty expensive, but easy and simple to cultivate. Grow in 3-4 months and it's better to grow in fertile soil and a dry, moist soil, and a lot of sun... like Mereen! Some real world plants that are mentioned in the farms of Mereen confirm that the soil is ideal for it...

I can't believe it...

(post referenced)

I hadn't even considered the idea of them actually trying to grow trade goods. 

Trade is at the center of Dany’s efforts in Meereen for a while, next to food. Meereen’s main trade was slavery, but they had some other products that were destroyed, like olives. She desperately wants to trade with Qarth. 

Meereen's trade had dwindled away to nothing since she had ended slavery, but Xaro had the power to restore it. (ADWD, Daenerys III)

The whole issues is at the center of her discussion with the visiting Xaro Xhoan Daxos. 

Without slaves, Meereen had little to offer traders. 

Salt, copper, wine, none of that is attractive enough. It sure wouldn’t hurt if some valuable alternative could be grown there. (Not that Xaro actually cares, he just wants her gone so the slave trade can resume.) Ironically, while they can’t forge a trade deal because she refuses to sell him slaves, the one thing they do agree on is that he can buy a slave. 

Dany tries to argue with him on a philosophical level before she gives up. 

That made him wince. “And what would they do with freedom? As well give a fish a suit of mail. They were made to dance.”

“Made by who? Their masters? Perhaps your dancers would sooner build or bake or farm. Have you asked them?”

It’s Dany at some of her most sympathetic, but even there you see her inability to be consistent. This quote from the text is really just so fitting to what you're saying:

He was too eloquent for her. Dany had no answer for him, only the raw feeling in her belly. “Slavery is not the same as rain,” she insisted. “I have been rained on and I have been sold. It is not the same. No man wants to be owned.”

Xaro gave a languid shrug. "As it happens, when I came ashore in your sweet city, I chanced to see upon the riverbank a man who had once been a guest in my manse, a merchant who dealt in rare spices and choice wines. He was naked from the waist up, red and peeling, and seemed to be digging a hole."

"Not a hole. A ditch, to bring water from the river to the fields. We mean to plant beans. The beanfields must have water."

"How kind of my old friend to help with the digging. And how very unlike him. Is it possible he was given no choice in the matter? No, surely not. You have no slaves in Meereen."

Dany flushed. “Your friend is being paid with food and shelter. I cannot give him back his wealth. Meereen needs beans more than it needs rare spices, and beans require water.”

“Would you set my dancers to digging ditches as well? Sweet queen, when he saw me, my old friend fell to his knees and begged me to buy him as a slave and take him back to Qarth.”

She felt as if he’d slapped her. “Buy him, then.” (ADWD, Daenerys III)

Ultimately, it’s as you say: slaves are cheap. They are so cheaply made, all you need is force. Or desperation. “Pay” with food and shelter. Let them resell themselves, it buys a 10% cut. In gold, of course, never saffron. Never valuable trade goods.

Dany desperately wants to trade. But where are her merchants and traders?

Digging ditches.

[dangermousie]

The wrap up video for Offering Salted Fish to Master shows that while they had to drastically change the story and remove the majority of murder or sect cannibalism, they tried to keep as many make-outs as they could:

PS yup, choking is def having a cdrama moment.

[novelistash]

When I was a Pokemon trainer, an aspiring master, these waters felt full of life. Staring at the water through a window in a boat, it all looks lifeless. Tentacools and Wingull don't bother boats. They only Pokemon that come aboard are there to beg for food. When you're surfing on the water, they all consider if you are food. I never was. It's honestly strange that so many Pokemon thought of me that way, only to nurse a would that might be fatal.

Lilycove chives into comes into view and I breathe a sigh of relief. For me, it's the city where sea ends and land begins. Lilycove promotional material will say the opposite. Even from the shore, signs of commerce are everywhere. Pellipers carry huge promotional banners, luxury cruises advertise the very services they offer, and unseen rotoms display a floating screen reminding us all that Hoenn is the home of pageantry. It's all very slick and very nauseating.

To think the was a time I wanted to be part of that.

Coming in close. Fishermen wave back to the excited children. They haul in edible Pokemon and I spend entirely too long contemplating how far that distinction ends. There's a group of youngsters surfing in in their Pokemon. Anxiety and fear paint their face. Every defeat is a life defining moment for them; every purchase a tactical decision. Some Jennys are on the coast keeping trainers from getting on where they shouldn't. Obedient only to the law, the clones will never relent, and that kid down there won't get the help they need. The image of the pleading teenager stays with me as I come into port.

Hotels, pachinko parlors, fish markets, and restaurants all greet me. Of the mass of advertisements, the fish market is by far the less obtrusive, but shoulder to shoulder crowds discourage me. I've come in around dinner time and I'm starving. I've only eaten salted nuts.

The further from port I wander, the more stylish the local's attire becomes. Imposing malls and department stores dominate the skyline. With the sun on it's decline, I'm more illuminated by ads for tea drinks then anything natural. What's more, is that the prohibitively expensive clothing makes me painfully aware of how much I'm slubbing it. I've fallen from my time as a Duke in more ways than one.

I spot a few Aces in the crowd and they're making their way south. Contest enthusiasts congest the streets. Some have taken over corners to amaze with a show. Others line up for book and DVD signings with a favored contestant. The magic trick kid seems more popular than I anticipated and his imitators are everywhere.

The window of a book store reminds me that book 4 of World Without is on shelves. If it wasn't for the hype around these YA novels, I might've picked one up years ago. The series claims to imagine a world without Pokemon, but all of the promotional material shows beautiful heterosexual couples painfully enamored.

I find myself daydreaming about what it would be like to live in that world, and I almost miss the entrance to a PokeCenter and restaurant. It's at the back of a hotel and the three in one are appealing to a trainer in the rode like myself-though I haven't trained anything in years. My salt swept hair and thread wore duds give the concierge pause, but the premier and ultra ball in my set mullifies his skepticism.

I'm shown to a table. My server looks too young to be offering me smokes, let alone drinks, and I remind myself that smoking in doors is legal here and that I'm the one who has aged. I order an overpriced shot of whisky and something with chicken in it. My brain is too hungry to appreciate the fine dining, but at least it'll be the best meal I've had in a few years.

Waiting for my meal and my PokeBalls, my mind wanders back to the world without them. I've been defined by Pokemon since I was a child. Without them, I probably would've stayed at home even longer than I did. Fifteen was old to start my journey, but young for striking out on my own. Could I have survived another the years with my family? Would I hate them less without Meowths and Persians to neglect?

I'm brought my Pokemon. I attach the six balls onto my belt, but I've got bad news to swallow. There isn't any room for me to rent. My bags will be waiting for me at the hotel entrance, but from the sound of things this little magician Kadabra trainer has people coming in from all over town. His name is Masho Honin, and this time I remember it. The kid has officially gotten on my nerves.

Another overpriced whisky helps me forget about the trip I'm gonna have to take out if the city. Though considering how much this meal is setting me back, I might need to sleep outside.

The meal smells great and is modestly plated. Whatever herbs they used are making my mouth water. I fork a delicious cut of chicken and find the side dish underneath, in a basin hiding the depth. Good gravy this is good gravy-veggies are perfect too. I'm really enjoying this meal.

A server comes around and I let them know I'm fine. They're still here. "I don't need another drink, it's fine."

"You misunderstand me, sir. You've received a challenge." The server is holding a token with a number.

I'm in one of those dinner and battle places. Last time I was in Hoenn, they didn't have any of these places. Things have changed. I keep thinking that. I'm definitely the one that needs to change.

The server points me to a table and I decide that I'm done with my meal. The moment I stand, I realize how absolutely plastered I am. Drinking on an empty stomach. Real smart. There's two socialites at the table I'm approaching. Both a vision of class and beauty though each a gendered version of the other. The man clearly thinks a lot of his freshly styled quaff and the woman wears a garment blue enough to make her brown hair appear auburn.

Meriel. I've been challenged to a duel by Meriel. She's with another boyfriend, of course. Though it's been long enough that he could be her fiance or husband. He'd be a fool not to. Even at forty, she's more attractive than anyone else in the room.

"Evening, Meriel." I try to sound formal, but I'm pretty sure I just sound drunk.

"Hello, ASH. How have you been?"

Before I can answer, the well styled man stands up to get between us and test my grip. A handsome twenty something like him normally wouldn't have a reason to be so insecure, but then Meriel wasn't a normal woman.

Pleasantries are exchanged and I find myself sitting at their table in less than a minute. I try to protest, but Meriel has a way of making me agree before I've known what other done. Besides, someone did challenge me.

Wine glasses touch lips and I'm left to ask, "Who issued the challenge?"

Meriel laughs. "Who else?"

I smirk. Back at the chateau she wasn't much of a fighter. She fought like a lass with a limitless bankroll. My intuition tells me that she's going to annihilate me. "Listen, I don't have anything worth fighting with."

The playful air about her is snuffed out by a heavy disdain. "I never thought I'd get that from you would patronize me."

"I'm not," I say with a chuckle.

Her eyes go from shimmering to sharp. Alluring and dangerous all at once, the thing that drew me to her to begin with.

"I'm not!" I say too loud.

Awkward looks abound. I gesture apologies and scoot in.

"Enough with the games," says her boy toy. "Name the stakes, so we can be done with this. I didn't want to bake after our meal."

"I do," snaps Meriel. "Please don't speak for me."

The Roserade of a man sneers. "Next you'll be telling me to leave."

"No. I don't trust him."

There goes my lungs.

"He's in love with me, and he clearly hasn't gotten over me."

And all of my blood is in my cheeks.

Her beau looks me over again. "I wouldn't thought you'd have more class, but I-"

"I did. He never paid a hand on me as anything other than a friend."

And even then, not much more than a cordial hug. It's hard to take in a breath. It feels like everyone's looking at me. My head is hanging low. "I'd never hurt you."

"No, but you'd get ideas about something happening between us. It wouldn't. Nothing's changed. You're still a man without vision and I refuse to be a salve to your endless depression."

Content that I wasn't a threat to anything, her man gets up and kisses her on the cheek. Meriel makes a show of pulling him back for a long kiss full of a heat I've never known. She smiles long at his departure and returns her gaze to me with a civil demeanor.

"What's he to you?" I ask.

"What's it to you?" she demands.

I shrug. "I want to know you're happy."

"I am." She drinks.

I have nothing witty to say. "I meant what I said about not having anything to fight with."

"Then why the return to Hoenn? Why the secret trip to Fenomenal Labs?"

I shrug. "It wasn't a secret, I just didn't think any one would care."

She laughs and shakes her head.

"What?"

"Nothing. I apologize."

"You clearly don't care about sparing my feelings, so just... Fire away."

She rolls those deadly eyes. "You really haven't changed, have you?"

I poke at my plate. There's very little on there, but I'm still drunker than I'd like. "Big surprise! Going to Alola didn't cure me of my my depression."

"Is that why you left?" Her tone isn't neutral, but I can't pinpoint what she's feeling or getting at.

"I don't know why I left Battle Chateau. Maybe I just wanted a fresh start. Maybe I couldn't get over you. Maybe I was just too embarrassed about having to see you knowing that I'd never be good enough for you. Maybe advertising warped my brain and made me think that a new region would somehow magically fix anything."

Freshly preened boy toy is back. I try not to let him bother me, but I stare and stammer.

"I tried to do the league equivalent in Alola. I didn't get that far. I stopped winning. I hit a-a-a wall like every other time in my miserable worthless life. So I gave up. I couldn't go back to Kalos. I got... Depressed. I gave up and didn't know what I was doing and so I thought back to a time in my life when I actually thought I was smart. I tried doing some stuff with topography and math and I was invited to come back here and help with research."

The guy at her side whispers something in her ear but she shakes her head. Their meal has arrived.

"I don't have any secret plan. There's no comeback in the cards for me. I have a few Pokemon on me, nothing worth battling over. You're obviously on a date, so I'll pay my tab and get going."

"Nonsense. I'm paying for your bill and you can't leaving without fighting," Meriel explains. "Refusing a challenge here results in a fine of ten times the speculative earnings."

"Ten times!" A quick estimate puts that figure at around 100,000 pen. There was no way out of this. I had to battle!

[20k-leagues-speedrun]

CHAPTER XIX THE GULF STREAM

This terrible scene of the 20th of April none of us can ever forget. I have written it under the influence of violent emotion. Since then I have revised the recital; I have read it to Conseil and to the Canadian. They found it exact as to facts, but insufficient as to effect. To paint such pictures, one must have the pen of the most illustrious of our poets, the author of The Toilers of the Deep.

I have said that Captain Nemo wept while watching the waves; his grief was great. It was the second companion he had lost since our arrival on board, and what a death! That friend, crushed, stifled, bruised by the dreadful arms of a poulp, pounded by his iron jaws, would not rest with his comrades in the peaceful coral cemetery! In the midst of the struggle, it was the despairing cry uttered by the unfortunate man that had torn my heart. The poor Frenchman, forgetting his conventional language, had taken to his own mother tongue, to utter a last appeal! Amongst the crew of the Nautilus, associated with the body and soul of the Captain, recoiling like him from all contact with men, I had a fellow-countryman. Did he alone represent France in this mysterious association, evidently composed of individuals of divers nationalities? It was one of these insoluble problems that rose up unceasingly before my mind!

Captain Nemo entered his room, and I saw him no more for some time. But that he was sad and irresolute I could see by the vessel, of which he was the soul, and which received all his impressions. The Nautilus did not keep on in its settled course; it floated about like a corpse at the will of the waves. It went at random. He could not tear himself away from the scene of the last struggle, from this sea that had devoured one of his men. Ten days passed thus. It was not till the 1st of May that the Nautilus resumed its northerly course, after having sighted the Bahamas at the mouth of the Bahama Canal. We were then following the current from the largest river to the sea, that has its banks, its fish, and its proper temperatures. I mean the Gulf Stream. It is really a river, that flows freely to the middle of the Atlantic, and whose waters do not mix with the ocean waters. It is a salt river, salter than the surrounding sea. Its mean depth is 1,500 fathoms, its mean breadth ten miles. In certain places the current flows with the speed of two miles and a half an hour. The body of its waters is more considerable than that of all the rivers in the globe. It was on this ocean river that the Nautilus then sailed.

I must add that, during the night, the phosphorescent waters of the Gulf Stream rivalled the electric power of our watch-light, especially in the stormy weather that threatened us so frequently. May 8th, we were still crossing Cape Hatteras, at the height of the North Caroline. The width of the Gulf Stream there is seventy-five miles, and its depth 210 yards. The Nautilus still went at random; all supervision seemed abandoned. I thought that, under these circumstances, escape would be possible. Indeed, the inhabited shores offered anywhere an easy refuge. The sea was incessantly ploughed by the steamers that ply between New York or Boston and the Gulf of Mexico, and overrun day and night by the little schooners coasting about the several parts of the American coast. We could hope to be picked up. It was a favourable opportunity, notwithstanding the thirty miles that separated the Nautilus from the coasts of the Union. One unfortunate circumstance thwarted the Canadian’s plans. The weather was very bad. We were nearing those shores where tempests are so frequent, that country of waterspouts and cyclones actually engendered by the current of the Gulf Stream. To tempt the sea in a frail boat was certain destruction. Ned Land owned this himself. He fretted, seized with nostalgia that flight only could cure.

“Master,” he said that day to me, “this must come to an end. I must make a clean breast of it. This Nemo is leaving land and going up to the north. But I declare to you that I have had enough of the South Pole, and I will not follow him to the North.”

“What is to be done, Ned, since flight is impracticable just now?”

“We must speak to the Captain,” said he; “you said nothing when we were in your native seas. I will speak, now we are in mine. When I think that before long the Nautilus will be by Nova Scotia, and that there near New foundland is a large bay, and into that bay the St. Lawrence empties itself, and that the St. Lawrence is my river, the river by Quebec, my native town—when I think of this, I feel furious, it makes my hair stand on end. Sir, I would rather throw myself into the sea! I will not stay here! I am stifled!”

The Canadian was evidently losing all patience. His vigorous nature could not stand this prolonged imprisonment. His face altered daily; his temper became more surly. I knew what he must suffer, for I was seized with home-sickness myself. Nearly seven months had passed without our having had any news from land; Captain Nemo’s isolation, his altered spirits, especially since the fight with the poulps, his taciturnity, all made me view things in a different light.

“Well, sir?” said Ned, seeing I did not reply.

“Well, Ned, do you wish me to ask Captain Nemo his intentions concerning us?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Although he has already made them known?”

“Yes; I wish it settled finally. Speak for me, in my name only, if you like.”

“But I so seldom meet him. He avoids me.”

“That is all the more reason for you to go to see him.”

I went to my room. From thence I meant to go to Captain Nemo’s. It would not do to let this opportunity of meeting him slip. I knocked at the door. No answer. I knocked again, then turned the handle. The door opened, I went in. The Captain was there. Bending over his work-table, he had not heard me. Resolved not to go without having spoken, I approached him. He raised his head quickly, frowned, and said roughly, “You here! What do you want?”

“To speak to you, Captain.”

“But I am busy, sir; I am working. I leave you at liberty to shut yourself up; cannot I be allowed the same?”

This reception was not encouraging; but I was determined to hear and answer everything.

“Sir,” I said coldly, “I have to speak to you on a matter that admits of no delay.”

“What is that, sir?” he replied, ironically. “Have you discovered something that has escaped me, or has the sea delivered up any new secrets?”

We were at cross-purposes. But, before I could reply, he showed me an open manuscript on his table, and said, in a more serious tone, “Here, M. Aronnax, is a manuscript written in several languages. It contains the sum of my studies of the sea; and, if it please God, it shall not perish with me. This manuscript, signed with my name, complete with the history of my life, will be shut up in a little floating case. The last survivor of all of us on board the Nautilus will throw this case into the sea, and it will go whither it is borne by the waves.”

This man’s name! his history written by himself! His mystery would then be revealed some day.

“Captain,” I said, “I can but approve of the idea that makes you act thus. The result of your studies must not be lost. But the means you employ seem to me to be primitive. Who knows where the winds will carry this case, and in whose hands it will fall? Could you not use some other means? Could not you, or one of yours——”

“Never, sir!” he said, hastily interrupting me.

“But I and my companions are ready to keep this manuscript in store; and, if you will put us at liberty——”

“At liberty?” said the Captain, rising.

“Yes, sir; that is the subject on which I wish to question you. For seven months we have been here on board, and I ask you to-day, in the name of my companions and in my own, if your intention is to keep us here always?”

“M. Aronnax, I will answer you to-day as I did seven months ago: Whoever enters the Nautilus, must never quit it.”

“You impose actual slavery upon us!”

“Give it what name you please.”

“But everywhere the slave has the right to regain his liberty.”

“Who denies you this right? Have I ever tried to chain you with an oath?”

He looked at me with his arms crossed.

“Sir,” I said, “to return a second time to this subject will be neither to your nor to my taste; but, as we have entered upon it, let us go through with it. I repeat, it is not only myself whom it concerns. Study is to me a relief, a diversion, a passion that could make me forget everything. Like you, I am willing to live obscure, in the frail hope of bequeathing one day, to future time, the result of my labours. But it is otherwise with Ned Land. Every man, worthy of the name, deserves some consideration. Have you thought that love of liberty, hatred of slavery, can give rise to schemes of revenge in a nature like the Canadian’s; that he could think, attempt, and try——”

I was silenced; Captain Nemo rose.

“Whatever Ned Land thinks of, attempts, or tries, what does it matter to me? I did not seek him! It is not for my pleasure that I keep him on board! As for you, M. Aronnax, you are one of those who can understand everything, even silence. I have nothing more to say to you. Let this first time you have come to treat of this subject be the last, for a second time I will not listen to you.”

I retired. Our situation was critical. I related my conversation to my two companions.

“We know now,” said Ned, “that we can expect nothing from this man. The Nautilus is nearing Long Island. We will escape, whatever the weather may be.”

-CONT-

[elenasunshinemagazine]

Culinary secrets of using flowers. Master class 20

You will be surprised, but many more colors are suitable for food than you can imagine. Flowers have been used in cooking for a very long time.

Today, flower buds are used in haute cuisine to decorate dishes and as a piquant additive that gives dishes a special sophistication. Flowers have found their development in cooking primarily thanks to desserts and drinks.

Which flower do we use most often in everyday life? Every second person will answer - a daisy. And all thanks to its medicinal properties. In addition, it will not be difficult to find a flower in the summer. And in winter they save stocks in the form of dry inflorescences.

To arrange a meal beautifully is a minute of effort in the name of a hundredfold pleasure that the right slices melt in your mouth with a completely different energy. That the red dish seems sweeter, and the yellow color gives the illusion of sourness.

(1) - "The biodiversity of ornamental and wild species with edible flowers is one of the most promising resources for gastronomic innovation aimed at offering new tastes and new combinations of flowers with other foods (including vegetables and meat, fish and types of beer and wines). Their nutraceutical potential benefits human health also in terms of a psychological impact by combining the beauty of flowers with their tastiness. Future studies will increasingly underline the nutraceutical potential of the various species of flowers that can prevent certain pathologies and thus be part of “personalized diets” aimed at specific health problems."

1. Cold dessert with chamomile

Interestingly, this symbol of romance is used not only to maintain health, but also as a gastronomic pleasure. Sweet sorbet with chamomile and lemon is proof of that. This dessert will not only surprise with its taste qualities, but also contribute to improving digestion. The perfect end to a light dinner!

Ingredients: Water 4 cups Lemon 1 pc. Chamomile flowers 2 tablespoons Liquid honey 2 tablespoons Sugar 6.35 oz

Instruction:

Cooking time 45 minutes

1. Boil water in a medium-sized saucepan. Turn off the heat, add honey, sugar and dried chamomile flowers.

2. Squeeze out the juice of one half of a lemon, pour it into the rest of the ingredients. Also add 1 tsp lemon zest. Mix thoroughly.

3. Cover the saucepan with a lid and leave to cool completely. When the liquid has cooled, strain it through a sieve so that there is no chamomile left in it. Then put it in the refrigerator for 40 minutes.

4. Pour the broth into a plastic container and send it to the freezer. Every 10-20 minutes, take out the container with sorbet and mix until solidified. If you have an ice cream container, this will make the task much easier.

5. Before you treat yourself to dessert, send it from the freezer to the refrigerator for 15 minutes — slightly melted sorbet is much tastier!

2. Almond tortillas with lilac

Cooking recipes with flowers are very beautiful, delicious and healthy! This time it's time for flower desserts. Get ready for the temptations!

Ingredients:

Flour 17.64 oz Sugar 2 tablespoons Baking powder 1/2 teaspoon Baking soda 1/2 teaspoon Salt to taste Butter 1 tablespoon Sour cream with a fat content of 20% 7.0 oz Seeds of half a vanilla pod Chopped roasted almonds 2 tablespoons Lilac flowers 1 cup Instruction:

Cooking time 30 minutes Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Cut the butter into small cubes and mix them with the dry mixture until crumbs form.

Mix sour cream, vanilla seeds, almonds and lilac flowers. Add to the prepared mass, quickly knead the dough by hand.

Dust the table with flour. Roll out the dough into a thin layer. Cut the dough into triangles, transfer them to a baking sheet lined with baking paper. Lightly sprinkle with sugar. Bake at 356F, about 12-15 min.

3. Green salad with flowers and avocado

And the recipe today is one of the most frequent salads on my table, for which I grow pansies and nasturtium on the window. The whole secret is in the gas station. And of course, in the life-giving energy of floral ingredients.

Ingredients: Ripe avocado 1 Lemon 1/2 piece Salt to taste Any green leaves of your choice, it's better all at once: lettuce, arugula, spinach, watercress, basil, parsley, sorrel, dill. Petals of edible flowers of the size of 3 tablespoons Mustard seeds to taste

For refueling:

Cups of red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons Extra virgin olive oil 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard 1/2 tablespoon Honey 2 teaspoons Dry dill 1/2 teaspoon Garlic 1 clove Salt and freshly ground black pepper

How to cook:

Cooking time 15 minutes

Cut the avocado in half. Remove the bone. Put the pulp with a spoon and mash with a fork, sprinkle with lemon, salt and put on a plate over the entire surface. Rinse the green leaves and flowers thoroughly with water, put the flowers aside for now. Carelessly tear the leaves with your hands. Mix the dressing ingredients. Put the lettuce leaves in a sealed transparent plastic bag, pour the dressing into it, tie it securely and shake it so that the dressing mixes with the leaves. Put the greens on top of the avocado, sprinkle the flowers on top and serve immediately. Bon Appetit!

ATTENTION: even with well-known edible flowers, it is better to be careful. Add them little by little so that they do not cause allergies. Of course, you can not eat flowers even if the garden has been recently treated with pesticides.

(2) - "In conclusion, edible flowers – ornamental and wild – have the potential of providing an important “ecosystem service” to satisfy the growing desire for new organoleptic discoveries that are healthy both from a biological and psychological point of view."

(1),(2)-The Biodiversity of Edible Flowers: Discovering New Tastes and New Health Benefits. Stefano Benvenuti and Marco Mazzoncini; Published online 2021 Feb 22.

https://elenasunshinemagazine.com/cooking/culinary-secrets-of-using-flowers-master-class-20/

[desiturka]

Flavors Unleashed: Exploring Vegetarian and Non-Veg Fritters Platters

Making of Fritter platters

Before we delve into the specifics of our fritter platters, let’s understand the artistry behind fritter making. At its core, crafting the perfect fritter is an alchemical blend of selecting the right ingredients, mastering the art of batter creation, and achieving the ideal crispiness through precise deep frying. It’s a delicate balance where creativity and precision converge to deliver an unparalleled sensory experience.

Vegetarian Fritters Platter: A Symphony of Flavors

Paneer Delight

The Vegetarian Fritters Platter opens with the luscious Paneer Delight, where succulent cubes of paneer are transformed into crispy wonders. Bathed in a besan (gram flour) and rice flour batter, these golden nuggets boast a symphony of spices,Exploring Vegetarian and Non-Veg Fritters Platters including masala and herbs, creating a tantalizing dance of flavors.

Veg Pakora Extravaganza

The Veg Pakora Extravaganza takes centre stage with an assortment of vegetable slices dipped in a besan batter and deep-fried to perfection. The medley of onions, potatoes, creates a riot of textures, offering a delightful contrast between the crunch of the exterior and the softness of the vegetables within.

Crispy Samosa

No exploration of vegetarian fritters is complete without the iconic Crispy Samosa. A culinary gem, the samosa boasts a crispy, flaky exterior encasing a delectable filling of spiced potatoes and peas. Each bite is a journey through layers of flavour, enhanced by the accompanying chutney and sauce.

Mogo Magic

Rounding off the vegetarian platter is the Mogo Magic, featuring cassava slices enveloped in a besan batter. The cassava, or mogo, takes on a delightful crunch, creating a unique fritter that marries the earthy flavours of the root vegetable with the aromatic spices in the batter. A spicy sauce serves as the perfect companion, adding an extra kick to this culinary masterpiece.

Non-Veg Fritters Platter: Seafood Sensation

Chicken Bliss

Description: The Non-Veg Fritters Platter kicks off with the Chicken Bliss, where succulent pieces of boneless tasty chicken are marinated in a blend of ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, soy sauce, salt etc. Coated in a crisp batter and deep-fried, these fritters offer a burst of savoury goodness with each bite. Paired with a spicy dip, the Chicken Bliss is a celebration of poultry perfection.

Fish Fantasy

Description: Enter the Fish Fantasy – a mesmerising fusion of fresh fish fillets and a bespoke batter. Marinated with red chilli powder, turmeric, a hint of lemon juice and many more, the fish fillets are transformed into golden delights. Accompanied by a tangy sauce, the Fish Fantasy is a symphony of oceanic flavours that leaves an indelible mark on your taste buds.

Prawn Perfection

Description: Concluding our seafood soiree is the Prawn Perfection – a showcase of plump prawns enveloped in a crisp flour coating. Seasoned with garlic powder and paprika, these prawn pakoras offer a tantalising blend of spice and succulence. A zesty sauce provides the perfect counterpoint, completing this triumphant trio of ocean-inspired fritters.

Building the Ultimate Fritter Platter

Now that we’ve explored the exquisite offerings of both the Vegetarian and Non-Veg Fritters Platters, the time has come to build the ultimate fritter feast. Imagine a vibrant platter adorned with a symphony of colours, textures, and aromas. Arrange the fritters artfully, allowing guests to mix and match, creating their own personalised fritter experience.

[tkhuluq]

Swedish Gravlax: Mastering the Art of Crafting Homemade Cured Salmon

Start a cooking journey as we introduce the splendid world of Swedish Gravlax - a delicacy that changes fresh salmon right into a superb work of art. In this assist, we'll discover the art of crafting home made healed salmon, permitting you to relish the abundant tastes of Scandinavia in the convenience of your personal cooking area.

Area 1: The Significance of Gravlax

Uncover the significance of Gravlax, a standard Swedish recipe that weds the quality of salmon with a symphony of tastes stemmed from a special healing procedure. This cooking joy, instilled with a unified mix of dill, sugar, as well as salt, uses a superb preference of Nordic gastronomy.

Area 2: Crucial Active ingredients

To start this gastronomic trip, collect the crucial active ingredients that make Gravlax an amazing cooking experience. Beginning with premium salmon fillet, fresh dill, kosher salt, white sugar, as well as split black pepper. These active ingredients operate in consistency to develop a delicious as well as flawlessly healed salmon.

Area 3: The Healing Procedure

Understand the art of the healing procedure to attain the best Gravlax appearance. Layer the salmon fillet with the dill-sugar-salt blend, making sure an also circulation of tastes. Cover it securely as well as allow it remainder in the fridge, permitting time for the healing magic to unravel. This careful procedure assures a superb, melt-in-your-mouth experience.

Area 4: Taste Mixture

Discover the subtleties of taste mixture as the salmon undertakes the healing procedure. Look into the marital relationship of dill's organic keeps in mind, sugar's refined sweet taste, as well as salt's transformative power, developing a account that's both innovative as well as indulgent. The outcome is a Gravlax that captivates the palate with each fragile attack.

Area 5: Offering Ideas

Boost your Gravlax experience by discovering imaginative offering ideas. Whether very finely sliced on rye bread with mustard sauce or as a sophisticated enhancement to a brunch platter, this home made healed salmon includes a touch of class to any kind of celebration.

Area 6: Cooking Virtuosity

Emphasize the cooking virtuosity associated with developing Swedish Gravlax, showcasing exactly just how the stabilize of tastes as well as the healing procedure boost this recipe to exquisite standing. Enjoy the contentment of offering a home made delicacy that opponents the most effective offerings from high end fish and shellfish facilities.

Verdict:

Finally, understanding the art of crafting Swedish Gravlax brings the attraction of Scandinavian food in your residence. With its fragile stabilize of tastes as well as the transformative power of the healing procedure, home made healed salmon comes to be a cooking work of art. Welcome the abundant practice of Gravlax, as well as allow its splendid preference come to be a centerpiece in your gastronomic arsenal.

Tags : Swedish Gravlax, Homemade Cured Salmon, Nordic Culinary Delight