HanaVulpix - Blog Posts
Happy Munday! I’m like 2-3 weeks late but anyway a million years ago I made a Hana pony aka Opal Essence ✨
Previously: Hana ordered a bowl of Kitsune Udon and Ray asked a rather deep question to which Hana responded with clarity. @pokitsune
Ray listens attentively. But, as Hana takes a pensive stop to think, his hands sneakily shifts to the x-transceiver behind the counter away from their view.
Sounds easy enough...
His attention is brought back to Hana as they started to talk once more. Other than a slight twitch at the words "I hated it-", Ray gives Hana his full attention..
It wasn't long until Rio came back.
She trots off, shooting a thoughtful glance over to Hana to see if her presence bothered them any longer. Nevertheless, she continues to do some "book keeping" away from Hana’s area–most likely to give them the reprieve from the cynophobia she was informed about.
After unpacking the groceries, Ray takes stock of what he has in front of him.
Hana has already humored him with a deep response to a heavy question, so to keep them waiting without food would just be rude. He’s going to have to work with what he’s got and take short cuts.
Short cuts or not, this was a delicate operation. Skipping the steps to soak the seaweed to boil it might risk a bitter and slimy stock if boiled too long. Take time too little to twice fry the tofu and you’ll end up with a sad addition of soggy tofu. He has to time it right…
The broth shimmers with golden clarity. The noodles look like they are not too firm and not too soft. While there may be traces of some of the spice falling to the bottom of the bowl, it looks complete and carefully concocted.
A tasteful addition of the necessary toppings sit proudly on top. The Inari-Age looks like it's not typical of what you'd expect from Kitsune Udon, but reminiscent of the sweet and salty taste despite its hardened and crispy texture.
This is the type of a lunch that will have you ready to take on the afternoon without feeling too bloated.
By all accounts, Ray thinks he did a pretty good job. He’s quite proud of himself for this one.
I followed this recipe to do some research!
I gave myself the limitation of "ok there's a customer who needs their food asap." So 10-15 minutes max. Here's what I found:
The recipe is absolutely right in claiming that dashi powder isn't as good as homebrewed dashi. HOWEVER I live in a place where Japanese ingredients are hard to come by. I'm actually surprised I didn't find bonito flakes.
You can skip the soaking konbu part, but I hiiiighly recommend it. You'll end up with a broth that doesn't feel complete if you skip this part. Speaking of broth, udon noodles are also extremely filling--if you make a broth with it, it better not be heavy because you'll be a vegetable after you eat. But if you get all the ingredients right, you'll end up with a good meal that I totally forgot to take a picture of. Just imagine it's what I drew because that looks better anyway
I didn't read the instructions close enough--the inari-age is supposed to be a marinated/seasoned in dashi, soy sauce, and mirin. I just had bland tofu puffs... In my defense, there's a lot of Japanese terms thrown around and the recipe blog was un-intuitive to follow.
Granted, there's absolutely no way you can make inari-age in the span of 20 minutes, especially if you're making the tofu from scratch. One way to change that, however, would probably be in the process of combining the seasoning/marinating process with the frying process. I can't confirm this, I haven't tried it and I was getting too antsy to let this reply go unfinished.
( Previously… )
Hana watched as the Rockruff walked off, taking note of her simple request. For a moment they felt bad for the inconvenience they might’ve caused the pair asking for something off-menu to be made specifically for them, but the Greninja seemed more than delighted to oblige. They pulled out their phone and wallet, wanting to tip ahead of time for going out their way to make the dish; when they noticed the cooks’ sign faced towards them.
…
It’s not the first time they’ve been asked this question, they’ve answered it more times than they care to remember. Even so, each time, they’ve had a different answer. Admittedly, it’s something they haven’t thought about in a while, at least a few…months? Years?? Decades???. Being a species who’s longevity can last well over a millennia, it’s easy to forget how different it is for other mortals bound by the laws of their own mortality.
Time moves differently for those forced to stand still.
Taking out some money and settling back into their seat, they looked back at the Greninja with a melancholy smile.
…
To be honest, it used to. Growing up, they don’t really tell you how different you are from everyone else when you’ve always been surrounded by others just like you. You just learn to accept it and call it a blessing, I guess.
I hated it, and to be honest I still do. You’re not immortal, but compared to everyone else you may as well be. I used to make a point not making friends with anyone with too short a lifespan than mine, especially humans. The kid you saw last week could be an elder the next, and all the while you haven’t aged a day. It’s…terrifying.
…
Well, I’m not about to sour the mood more than it already is, but long story short is that you find reasons to make the ride better, ‘cause it’s gonna be a long one anyway, so might as well make it worth it.
( @casteliacityramen )
Hey, I know it’s a bit ‘off menu’, but could I get a bowl of Kitsune Udon? I’ve been craving some lately and I’d figure I’d get some. - Hana
“How was supposed to know that? I was asleep. I’m only getting enough for one bowl, alright? You better not mess it up,” Rio says to Ray.
In a short moment, she’s got her delivery box on top of her back with the ingredient list inside. Before she starts to walk down the street, she turns to you.
Rio walks down the street and turns a corner, away from view. Ray takes his whiteboard:
He remembers you, even if Rio didn’t. It seems like he’s eager to try to please, especially after the first bowl you had here was… well it was okay.
It’s strange, you don’t remember showing him this form when you were first here.
He turns around to start prepping the ingredients. It won’t be too long before Rio comes back. Before he turns around to go to work, he pauses for an uncomfortable moment as if he’s contemplating on a decision.
He picks the whiteboard up again.
( @ Ivy ) Hmm…I guess I’ll ask the most obvious question. Shapeshifting is a natural ability for me, but for you it looks like it involves some extra work and even multiple sources, like a humans’ soul. Were you human in a past life, or did you find one on your own? Is the old form of this “soul” the form you take when you change shape or did you mold it into your preferred appearance? - Hana
TW: Death, Death mention below
Mod Note: Ivy's dialogue has been separated for easy understanding. Italics belong to the blue text box while non-italics belong to the red text box. Thank you.
"I was a trainer. An Arceus user or just a human to be exact…" "I'd really rather not speak my name for personal reasons, but it would be a joy to hear it once more." "I wasn't anyone special but I used to be the old East Mouth curator, but that was a very long time ago."
"We would spend so much time together, I really don't think there was ever a time we were apart."
"Everything was perfect..."
"Everything went downhill from there, I thought I had longer, but I was wrong. So very wrong, I was so tired."
"I did everything I could for her. But. It wasn't enough."
"It's not one I happened to pick and choose, It was an impulsive choice I made when I was younger."
"I would never disrespect my old form. Her form... I only added myself to it over the years. Even so. I can't 'mold' it. I just change my appearance. As any human would."
"But, It's still mine and It's still me. I just can't have it all of the time now. At least not forever, as much as I do miss it, being human all the time, I cheated fated, and this is my punishment. So I will accept it, Be as it may." Ivy softly sighed, despite her emotionless exterior she seemed almost... Sad? Though it didn't show for long.
-> Ivy doesn't seem like she wants to talk about it anymore... at least for right now. -> Any questions related will be set aside for later. -> Ivy's profile has been updated.
@???: - Hana, a Very Normal Human™️, stands at a distance, surveying the gym and it’s leader- “Huh…so this is a gym. I’ve heard of these things, where Pokémon trainers challenge leaders in battles and win badges. I know people enjoy these things, but what about the Pokémon? Do they enjoy battling in these challenges? What happens if a Pokémon doesn’t “have what it takes” to keep up with a gyms reputation? Do they get retired or…?”
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