Meeting With Mother: Part 2

--- Last Time ---

Mother: Now, tell me, what was this dream about?

Boy 2: You just witnessed it….

--- Continuing ---

Mother: *Chuckles* that's not what I meant, little one. I mean your premonitions.

*She smiles sweetly while scooping the child in her arms.*

Boy 2: Premonitions…..Oh…. *Quietly, he puts his arms around his mother’s shoulders and rests his head against her* I don’t like to look at them. They’re scary, sometimes…..

Mother: I know dear, but so is life, scary beautiful and bittersweet. But little one know this you have the power to turn thous scair images into beautiful ones.

*She rises carrying the child to a reflecting pool before walking into the center, setting the child down in the water; slowly images of  six warriors emerge battered and bruised smoke and fallen warriors at their feet.*

Boy 2:  Every time I see things, it’s always the same people…..but I see things, sometimes, that don’t seem to be from the same path. Sometimes, I see them winning, sometimes losing….And sometimes I see them….changed. Like….I know it’s them, but at the same time they look different. *gently running his hand through the water, watching the images ripple and change in the reflective waters* Its like….its different from when you weave fate. It’s almost like you have loads of different ones that come from the same starting point, but if something happens, then the knot that ties them all together would unravel. I don’t know….but I guess….it’s cause of free will? That fate might change if they choose different paths or something? But in all of them…..*Shivering, he hugs himself* I see death, Mother….

*Slowly, the woman's feet descend into the water casting a new image in the water*

Mother:  My sweet boy, look in the mirror, we cast….

*The image of a man and a woman holding hands one moment working together to create a future one moment and fighting the next is repeated, the landscape changes time after time as both time and soldiers rise and fall at both the man and womans feet.*

Mother: What do sense, little one? Not what you see. Tell me what you sense.

Boy 2: Sense? *Closing his eyes for a moment, the boy concentrates. Slowly, his expression softens.* I…. Can sense something else. Is it…..love? Is that what you want me to sense, beyond the pain?

Mother: Mmmh… yes, but not just that. Don't forget: the strongest, yet most fragile thing in the world… hope and faith. It’s what drives the heart of men. It allows even the weak to stand and fight, to protect both their ideals and people they hold close.

*She sighs and closes her eyes.*

Mother: This isn't the first time I’ve danced to the song of war, and it surely won't be the last, but… but I know that even in my darkest hour, if I hold onto hope, love and faith, things will get better. And, if you want an example of this, look no further than your idiot brother…

Boy 2: Uh….I don’t think I want to look closer at him. I might end up with cooties or something, considering all the ‘love love’ he tosses around.

Mother: Hahahaha

*She pets the small child in her arms *

Mother: That's not what I meant. Because of what he is, he doesn't seem to fit anywhere. As strong as his physical, he may just be the most fragile person in my army. But, he found love. He is so desperately clinging onto it, that it drives him closer to his goals and he has faith in his someone to help him to carve a future together. A world where they can live in peace and happiness, without fear of any threats in our current state and a world where they can be free.

Boy 2:  Do you think that if they believe in that strong enough, they can beat the war that's coming without anyone having to die?

Mother: They both know the risks, and the what war reaps. That's why, in the little time they have, they cherish each second. Hence the fools love they both wear like a cloke. If one were to perish, the other would struggle to survive… until their work is done. Then, the poor soul left behind would join the other.  

Boy 2: If one of them died….wouldn’t the other stay for me at all? I’d get lonely…’specially if big brother goes. The others don’t like me much….

Mother: They wouldn’t be able to survive on their own, my darling. They balance each other out. And that’s not true, they all love you in one way or the other. Plus, what about your tutor? You seen to be getting along with him just fine.

*She gives a knowing smile.*

Boy 2: That’s different. Teacher is teacher. He’s not everyone else. But he’s…...he’s my teacher, he’s not my brother….And it’s just…..everyone here is big brother’s comrades for the war. But you told me I can’t fight with them….if they go away….if they all die….I’d…..be alone again. A-and then there’s the others, I mean….like big old grumpy. They don’t like me. I’m unnatural to them...So if my friends are all gone, no one will like me any more….

Mother: I may have asked you to sit this war out, but, little one, you wont me alone. Not now, not ever. The people you meet, the places you will travel to, the memories will all be with you. They live within you. And, when the time comes, you will be with them again.

Boy 2: *holds up his little finger* Do you promise?

*Extends her pinky finger*

Mother: It’s a promise, my boy. Now let’s have a little fun!

*She gives a sadistic grin.*

Boy 2:  ….When you smile like that, it’s really really scary……*Grins back* Are we going to play with old grumpy again?

Mother: Yeeees, but why don’t we play with the love birds, first? I’m still upset about being ignored

Boy 2: Big brother’s in troooooooouble! *Giggling and hugs his mother* What are we going to do? I wanna play!

Mother: You’ll see

Boy 2: Ooooh, a surprise? I love surprises!

[END]

Meeting with 'Mother'

--- Unknown Location ----

*Deep inside a archaic temple, the sound of a spindle winding can be heard, a beauty is hard at work spinning her threads, all at once she stops… a questioning look appears on her face.*

Mother: ...Now?

Child: Is there something that you can see in the threads, Mother?

Mother: ...It would appear that we are on the precipice of war, my child.  

*She lowers her head, and sighs*

Mother: It is like I can almost hear it the drums of war. They are faint but, they are there.

Child: *Closing their eyes for a moment, before approaching the woman, gently running a hand over the spindle* While my talents don’t lie in foresight, I think it’s something that we’ve known for a while. Some deny it, preferring to live in a world of a beautiful lie, but….There are those of us who know that it’s unrealistic to think that it wouldn’t come to this…. *sighs* But even so, we’re forewarned right now. It would be best to prepare, right?

Mother: Yes… but all the players in this ‘game’ that He and I play, are still small. While He plans, I am raising soldiers to defend both the mundane and this realm. you, yourself, are blooming quite well, while others…

*She looks at the sheeping boys in the corner of her chamber*

Mother: Others are harder to rase…

Child: Perhaps….But I….have faith in them. For what it’s worth. I believe that they will attain something that others of our kind have failed to gain for a long time. Though….*The child turns to face the mother, placing a hand on her arm* If it comes to it, until they are ready, I will protect them, and protect as much as I can. While I’m still relatively young, I am not unskilled. And I….Have too much to lose to allow Him to do as he wishes. *He offers a closed eyed smile* Although….I think I can tell, without asking, what kind of fate that might lead me to. Mother, may I ask something of you?

Mother: Anything, my sweet child

Child: There is something that I’d like for you to hold onto for me. If it is my fate to fall in the battles to come, then there is something that I would like to offer to them, something to help keep them safe and protected, even if I am to pass, or even if my soul is shattered. Even if my body is obliterated, it is my wish to protect them, to protect your true child, no matter what. Can you do that for me, Mother?

*She remains silent for some time and lays her head in her hands, attempting to keep her composer, before looking in the direction of the two boys.*

Mother: I will, but… what if it was not you, but that child, who was destined to perish? What would you do then…? hypothetically speaking.

*She holds out her hand, expecting to receive what the younger had to offer.*

Mother: What would you do if you were to lose everything, including that child?

Child: *places a wrapped bundle in her hands* You know that I would never let the threat get to them before me. Even if it tore me apart….But…..even so, I am not so foolish as to believe it couldn’t happen, that they could never be taken away from me. War is not kind, even I know that, as much as it is my antithesis. But…..Should the impossible happen, and either of them…..especially him….falls before me, then I will carry them with me, their memory, and finish what they could not. And, for their sakes, I would ram the fallen’s weapon straight through the enemy, and they will know that the victory would be that of my loved ones, not my own victory. For the peaceful, beautiful world they envisioned…...And….once the dream is attained….I would join them. I know...I’m sorry, if that isn’t the answer that you wanted to hear. But without them, without ‘him’, especially, I’m not sure that there would be much of a ‘me’ left to live beyond then, you know?

Mother:...

*She chuckles slightly*

Mother: You know, I asked him the same question years ago and he said the same thing. But that child is fated to carry a different type of burden, as each of the heros do. But I don't think he would ever recover… not in one piece. And you, dear child… don't try and change the threads. Don't take it into your own hands. The light you carry, the light you create in each of their hearts will affect the outcome of this war. Dear child, please, when the time comes, I hope that you will understand.

Child: I Cannot say that I will fully understand, at least not until the time comes, but I know that fate is not my domain. Even so, I carry a light within me that might change the course of the future. A light that me and my companions all bare. With that in mind, I will believe. I will believe that with that light, and our bonds, that we will create a path to a better future. I don’t need to toy with powers far beyond my understanding. With our hands, we will bring about the future that we all desire. And I will trust in you, too. I know that, whatever the outcome of our actions, that it was what was needed, to bring about the ideal we are working so hard for. To ‘play around’ with the threads could make a easy victory, but it would be at the cost of the true future. I would not risk the sacrifices of everyone in such a cruel way, that might render their actions in vain. No, Mother, you need not worry about me touching the threads. Instead, I ask that you watch over us, as with our own will, we will save our futures, and will do so in a way that, even if we are fated to meet our ends, that we do so with no regrets.

*One of the two boys begin to stir, staggering over to the first child, clinging on weakly.*

Boy 1: Oh? You’re back…. Welcome home, my love

Mother: Good evening

Boy 1: My love, how was your trip?

Mother: …. Such a rude boy... I am here, am I not?

Child: Haha, well, they do say that fate is guided by an unseen hand, Mother. *walks to the boy and takes his hands in their own* Still, thank you for the warm welcome back, my love. It’s good to be home. I have missed you. Thoughts of you have stayed with me through my journey, but to see you again, in the flesh, is a far more inviting prospect.

*The younger boy blushes a rosy pink, and looks around the room in embarrassment*

Boy 1: I-I, w-well I… My love, the things you say are suggestive...

Child: Are they? I just speak what is in my heart. Is it wrong that I often long to be by your side? Even to merely be in your presence makes my heart sing. So, if that makes me seem ‘suggestive’ then I have no regrets, so long as you are near me.

Boy 1: I... um… well…

*The boy blushed a few shades more, wrapping arm around the older child.*

Boy 1: You really know how to make my heart sing. Your words are like fine silk... how many have heard such words while we’ve been apart? How long do you intend on keeping me waiting here? I want to be where you are. Do you really wish for me to stay by you? Then why don't you bring me with you? I may be weak but… I….

Child: The only one to hear such words from me is you. To say such things to another, I would rather cut out my own tongue. *Touches the boy’s cheek* No, for me, that I can affect you in the way you can effect me, that is my one true happiness. *Sighing, the child looks away* My heart aches when I have to leave your side, but if something were to happen to you, before you are ready to face it, it would destroy me too. *Meeting the boy;’s eyes once more, gentle squeezing the boy’s hands in their own* Once you are strong enough, I will welcome to in the battlefield at my side. Until then, you are my reason to fight, and to return. You are my reason to live, and so I will do my best to protect you, until you can protect yourself as well. But know this, that even if we are apart, that it is you who brings me home, your warmth, your light, your soul. Though I know it is selfish of me, to wish for the war never to have to taint that. Still, become stronger for me, and when the time comes, we will be by each other’s sides, through darkness and light, forever.

Boy 1: My love!!!

*The Boy clings to the Child even tighter, placing a airy kiss on the Child’s lips*

Boy 1: I will work hard, so I can be by you forever! Just wait, I will become both a beauty and the strongest fighter and tactician in this realm! This I promise you, my love.

Child: That is something that I will not, could never, doubt. If it is you, my heart, I believe that anything can be possible.

Boy 2: Any sweeter in here and I’ll get a cavity. Yuch, yuch! Too sweet!

Mother: I know, right? But it’s entertaining.

Boy 2: Get a room already...

Boy 1: Oh mother, when did you get here? Hi little brother, you’re awake already?

Boy 2: *Sarcasm* Oh, no, I’m tooootally still asleep. I’m having a nightmare right now of drowning in sickly sweetness. And you’re in it too. Wow, a horrible dream, right?

Boy 1: My love, they said something about going to our room. Let’s go!

Mother:  He didn’t hear a word of that, did he?

Boy 2: Nope.

Child: *Laughs* It would seem that my presence is required elsewhere. *Sweeps up Boy 1 in their arms* I believe you said something about rooms? What are your orders, your majesty?

Boy 1: Oh, um, I… we should go to our room and, um. you’ll have to tell me about your time away from me… That’s all.

Mother: No deflowering the little bud. He hasn’t finished blooming yet.

Boy 2: Blooming?

Child: We’ll tell you when you’re older. But that you would believe me of doing such a crime, it hurts my soul, Mother. My passion is in growing plants, after all. I know how to treat a flower that is not yet bloomed fully. I promise to treat him well, and care for him until that time. With his permission, of course.

Boy 1: M-mother! My love! Don't tease me like that! And permission for what?

Mother: My sweet child, you of all people don't need permission ‘when the time comes’; he is already yours… I’m counting on you to raise him well.

Child: Of course. Well, if you excuse us. I believe I have a date with a lovely rose right now. *Carries Boy 1 out of the room*

Mother: *Chuckle*

Boy 2: Do I want to know?

Mother: Probably not… Now, tell me, what was this dream about?

Boy 2: You just witnessed it….

[END] 

Tanra Lore: The Dreamscape

Hey Everyone! Tara from TanraStudios here and today, I thought we can do something a bit different.

As you know, our main title, Pandora, is often the focus of our blogs, be it Nadia and I talking about the lore, or our Side Stories which involve our ‘universe selves’ being in different Pandora related scenarios. This time, I’ll be talking about a lore in the Tanra Universe that is explored mostly in one of our other titles, dreamwalkers, but is also touched upon in other titles, like Pandora and other future ones.

So, today, we talk about the lore on dreams. Or rather, the Dreamscape.

So, Dreams. As I’m sure most people know, to put into simple terms and without delving into too much dreamology or sleep interpretations, dreams occur during certain stages of sleep and are often influenced by the subconscious (Which is why some dreams are linked to certain troubles in real life, though it could just be that the dreamer ate something funny before bed, too!), but in the Tanra Verse, dreams are a little more complicated. If you’ve read some of our other Tanra Lore’s, you probably noticed that there is a lot of supernatural, even divine activity that occurs within the universe and dreams are no less influenced. Thus, the Dreamscape.

The Dreamscape in and of itself could be considered a kind of ‘world’, if one considers that dreams don’t tend to follow any one particular logical path. As such, when it comes to the dreamscape, one should keep something of an open mind as to what might go on there. So it can have a lot of opportunities for interesting confrontations. But not only that either, but since the mind is in a more vulnerable state during sleep, it makes sense that it would also be the target of gods, demons and other mystic forces.

So, much like the rest of the Tanra Verse, the dreamscape is also ruled over by gods, such as Hypnos, Morpheus (not the Matrix one! lol) Vishnu, the Sandman, etc are gods whose domains cover sleep. As such, in the universe, dreams can sometimes be messages from the gods, acting as warnings or even getting heros to go into a direction certain gods might want them to, especially as the gods in the story universe (except in some unusual cases or because it’s part of their divine duties) cannot directly interfere with humans unless everything goes FUBAR.

Sometimes, dreams are also indications of other supernatural events within the universe. Since Tanra Verse includes the idea of reincarnation, it’s entirely possible that there are cases when a reincarnated soul might even dream of their past lives.

It can also be said that there are supernatural creatures that may be taken care of, either by Pandora, or freelancer groups like S.O.S (the main team from Dreamwalkers), can also affect dreams, or cause sleep, be it creatures like Succubi or Inccubi, or by Freddy Cruger like beings that can kill by influencing the dreamscape directly. As such, for Supernatural based teams, it is entirely possibly that the dreamscape is just another type of battlefield. Teams like S.O.S specialise in dealing with these kinds of threats, and might even be hired by Pandora as consultants during some cases, especially if it’s an extremely specialised case.

To sum up, in the Tanra Verse, while some dreams may literally just be dreams, other times they might be a bit more telling than you think, so it’s always good to keep an eye on even the most bizarre of dreams, it might just be a dream, or it might be a god, or a mystical interference. Who knows?

So, until next time, Agents!

Tara

Dysfunctional Down at the Con: NYC Edition

Tara: Hey everyone! Tara and Nadia here! So, we mentioned last time that we went to the con while we were in New York, but we kiiiiiinda spent so long talking about the other days that we didn’t get to talk about it. So, today, we’re going to talk about our NYCC day and our (mis)adventures on that day. And….oh boy….it was a day….

Nadia: Ooooh god, where do we start?

Tara: The beginning is always good.

Nadia: *Glare* Snarky bastard. ANYWAY! We woke up early the morning of the con. Even though i wasn’t feeling it and getting ready was a bitch my corset wasn’t working for me by fuck toothbrush was misplaced, and my shoes were pinching my feet for some damn reason.

Tara: Well, we had been doing a lot of walking around the day before, which probably explained the shoes. But anyway, we eventually got ourselves in our outfits for the day. Though it wasn’t exactly the best start. I mean, I fought with that wig of mine for ages. I’m pretty sure it came alive at one point and was trying to strangle me or something. It had it in for me! Honest!

Nadia: pft! Really?

Tara: Yes, really. Wig’s can be a bit temperamental and can wig out on you at any moment *solemn nods*

Nadia: Eeeehhhhh? Ok, now I’m looking at my wigs and locking them in the closet. But anyway, before we set off downstairs to get breakfast i went to the bathroom and, oh lord, the level of bitching I heard from the stalls

Girl 1: ‘Oh god, they’re coming along too?

Girl 2: ‘Unfortunately. Hopefully they won’t take a year to get ready. I mean, how long were we waiting for them again?’’

Girl 1 ‘45 minutes to an hour… I think’

Grl 1: ‘It’s ridiculous though, we had a time to meet up. Don’t waste everyone else's time, like, I mean, we should have just left them there.’

Nadia: ‘Bitch you wanna come say that again? Is it our fault we only got a response after myself and T were back at the hotel? Is it our fault that the trip leader changed plans on us?! WELL, an’, bitch, if you have something to say say it to my damn face because, the next time you do this shit again, ima piano key you teeth out!’

Girl 1&2: …… (both leave without a word)

Tara: Well….the threat probably wasn’t needed, but….well….it did kind of hurt. I mean, the day we were late for the meetup, we had asked the where and when that we would need to meet before we split up from them, with us being told to meet back at the hotel at 4pm. However, there wasn’t really a good internet connection outside of wifi points (something the other group knew), so when they changed plans on us, we didn’t know anything about it until we got back to the hotel. So in all honesty, it wasn’t our fault that the info we were told that morning was wrong. So that we were being spoken about like that actually really hurt. I’m the kind of person who really hates upsetting others, so….well….it kind of made the day a bit depressing to start with...I mean, it was a bit uncalled for anyway, as we were ready before half of the people going.

Nadia: not just that the whole trip was disorganized  we came down early got food met up with the trip leaders, waited another 25 minutes for every on a person STILL got left behind and not no mention the mayhem that was arriving and getting the tickets.

Tara: Ah yes, that was a bit….uh….interesting. So, basically for the con, there was two ways you could get your tickets. The first was by having the tickets delivered directly to you, for a price. This was what I did (mainly as I panicked a bit when buying the ticket due to a time limit). The other way was through something called ‘Will Call’, where you get a confirmation email that you take along with you and pick up your ticket on the day. Nadia did this method. In our group, there was some who chose delivery, and some that chose Will Call. As we had two trip leaders, both of whom picked different ticket methods, we split into two groups as there was two entrances for the different methods. (or rather the Will Call people had to go to a different area to get their tickets before going through the main entrance). So…..here’s where things got a little messy. Basically the Delivery people followed the crowd to the main entrance with our secondary course leader (we’ll refer to as C from this point), and joined the cue, which was literally doing laps around the building. So, eventually, some of the Will Call group joined us. But…..well, not all of them. We found out from C that Course Leader One (We’ll refer to as A from now on) had….well….left the others. It was only by chance some of the group managed to find us, and the rest were missing, with no idea how to contact us. C was furious at A for this, and I was worried out of my mind for Nadia, who had no idea where to meet me, either.

Nadia: My only saving grace was the fact that our friend (we’ll call B from this point) was with me. I swear, I was going to kill A for doing his little disappearing act AGAIN! (one day, I’ll tell you guys about that other story).

Also to the hag that was working at the desk, if you don’t know how to use a computer, get the FUCK OFF IT AN’ LEAVE IT TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION, YOU OLD DECREPIT BITCH! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

I was standing there for 20 or so minutes waiting on her to figure this shit out. 4 people had to help her scan and register one ticket! I’ve never seen anything like it in my life. And here’s me getting annoyed, B trying to calm me down and I’m not taking it and, as soon as I’m about to cuss a bitch out ‘here’s your ticket. Go down the hall to the left, they’ll let you right in’. So we go to the left and they tell us NOPE, gotta round the building…. I’ll spare you the long details and let’s just say that it was the longest slow march to death of a mile that I’ve done in my life! I was hungry, I was pissed, my feet were killing me (at that point I just took off my shoes) and people were shoving each other just to get in… B ended up holding my hand just so we wouldn’t be separated and at that point, when we finally got in…. Where the fuck was our group? All I could see was a sea of people at this point. Even B was all types of pissed! I came up with the idea that these sorts of places usually had wifi. Once we had that sweet sweet delicious wifi, we final found Tara n C.

Tara: Me and C had a similar idea, leaving Facebook messages and the like. We thankfully ended up making a meeting point and the four of us were reunited in front of the lego stand (with a creepy giant Lego Supergirl glaring at us. Oh well, not my fault if creepy Lego figures don’t like the fact we were relieved that we finally found each other, right?)

Nadia: we were all types of pissed and relieved by the time we met up and if i wasn't feeling it before i certainly wasn't now.  It was packed my feet were hurting C was fangirling over a few artis. We got a few cards but that was about it.

Tara: I kinda felt a little bad for sort of dragging Nadia around a bit. Well, I say I, B and C were still with us for most of the time. B ended up drooling over a Nightwing statue, and I ended up with a comic and some books. Oh, and this adorable dragon ‘pet’. But honestly, after that point when C and B had headed off to some panels, I had to admit that I was feeling pretty ready to go, as much fun as I did have after the panic was over. I mean, the shoes I had were cosplay ones, not really suitable for the hours we spent on our feet and I was practically crippled myself by the time we were done. So we sent a message to C saying we’d be going early and we’d meet everyone back at the hotel (I say ‘early’, but it was….like….two at that point. We spent most of the day there and it was only an hour before we would have left anyway). We didn’t want to upset anyone again and C has internet access, so we thought that was fine. After that, we made our way back to the hotel via the Subway - yay for downloaded subway maps! But honest, we were knackered. I literally was limping at that point too.

Nadia: By the time we got back to the hotel and wound down, it was, like, 3:30 and then I get an angry phone call

A: ‘Where are you guys? It’s past our meeting time’

Nadia: ‘We’re back at the hotel, A. We sent C a message. What happened to it?’

A: ‘Oh, well, C’s phone isn’t working right now.’

Nadia: ‘Is that so? Ok, well, we’re at the hotel because we’re quite tired, but we will be leaving later tonight and will be going to dinner later.’

A: ‘Ok’

Nadia: ‘Alright, A, see you later’ *click!*

Tara: So, basically, our plan to make sure what happened last time didn’t happen again didn’t work. And now I felt bad yet again. I know it wasn’t my fault or anything that a phone went dead, but…..Even so, it made us seem like terrible people yet again…..

Nadia: At that point, I was so pissed I couldn’t bring myself to care… honestly, but we lifted our spirits with good food though.

Tara: Yeah, we went to Yupduck again, since we liked the place the first time we went. So some good food, nice chatting and giant rice balls again that we had to take away so we could go to the hotel to watch youtube vids and unwind. It was a nice ending to the day, even if there was a lot of ups and downs and complications. I think, if I would sum up the day in a word, it would either be ‘Dysfunctional’ or ‘Complicated’

Nadia: Not much I can add to that, there, but yeah rice balls and Markaplier makes my days better.

[END]

New York: Our Food Adventure

Nadia: Sup guys, Nadia and Tara here.  We’re back and well…ill… First of all, I’d like to say fuck all those assholes who fly/ travel sick!!!! You inconsiderate jack asses, an’ now I’m stuck with a bloody head cold. FUCK YOOOOOOOU

Tara: Eh…..that’s practically standard procedure. I always seem to end up with a cold after a plane journey. But hey, at least we got it when we came back, rather than while we were in America?

Nadia: I’m not happy about it. Next time, we’re traveling with surgical masks -.-’

Tara: I’ll bear that in mind when I’m packing. It’ll go in the essentials. But cold wise, I’m so used to them at this point that I sort of just force myself through them. Ah well, we’ll recover, even if we’d rather we didn’t get it in the first place. So, guys, if we sound more weird than normal, we’re probably just dosed up on cold meds. Lol

Nadia: Dosed up? Humph, I’m injecting this shit into my fucking veins just to breath for five minutes…. But anywaz, the title on this blog is ‘Our Food Adventure’, so let’s get on with it. Tara, would you like to go first?

Tara: Sure! :) So, as you probably gathered if you guys have been following us on our blog, twitter or Facebook, Nadia and I had gone to America (for the first time in my case!) - New York, to be precise. First thing I got to say is, next time we go, it’ll have to be longer than five days - there is just so much there to do, see, eat, etc, and half of the time I was doing my hardest to not fail miserably at navigating. I’m practically a country bumpkin, with only a little experience in big cities from the few times I’ve been to London for Cons and the like, so…..yeah…..had a few mess ups, there *blushes*

Nadia: Awww *pet pet, cough cough, dies of coughing* You did ok, my little navigator. Plus when we did get lost, we did my approach and just asked for directions. For the most part people were helpful we got the occasional asshole but yea everything worked out.

Tara: It kinda surprised me a bit, actually. I always thought that people in big cities would be busy and wouldn’t want to help out - you know, since they’d be in a rush or something - but some of them were really kind. I’m glad, cause they really did help a lot. It’s a time when I’m very glad to be wrong, you know?

Nadia: Eeeeeh, you realise I’m from London, right? What does that say about me? My little bumpkin. We're not all like the movies :P

Tara: Well, I’m mainly thinking that people round my area can be a bit like ‘who the heck is this’ sometimes too if you ask directions, so it’s not really a jab. Lol. Though to be fair, considering how many times I get jumped in town by people trying to talk to me about religion, or donating to charity, or getting a credit card, most people probably think you’d be trying to sell them something. Lol. But old thoughts aside, they really were quite friendly. Though….in some cases a bit too friendly. Like the Flute guy we met on the subway that one time while trying to navigate?

Nadia: OMG, that fucking flute guy who can’t even play, looked at me (the only black person on the fucking train at the time) and telling me about how many times he’s been arrested and never gone to jail. Good for fuckin- FOCUS!!!!! We’re here to talk about the food. Foood Tara!!!!!

Tara: Woops! Well, true, that was one of the main things we did our best to try out while in the US, other than to go to the ComicCon, was the various kinds of food that we couldn’t get over here in the UK. Seriously, it was the first time I’ve tried some of the stuff we had there! So, yes, While I played Navigator, Nadia, our resident Foodie, had researched some places for us to try out :)

Nadia: Yes, we did and unfortunately, apart from a few of the restaurants, I’ve lost some of the names so I’m gonna do the best that I can to remember most of them. Since Tara and I love East Asian food, I’ll focus on that.  

Tara: If I recall, the first place we went to was on our first night. We were tired and hungry (cause the plane food was…..nightmarish, and I’m not even a person with varied palette), so Nadia and I, along with our good friend Hansel, ended up making our way to a restaurant called Yupduck, which is a chain that I’ve never seen before. It was actually really nice, I have to say. :) I’ll admit, my favorite thing I had there was probably the giant rice ball you could get. The chicken over rice was really nice too! We ended up going there a second time on our last night, too.

Nadia: Now, that was one restaurant I do remember! The waiters were amazingly funny and charming, the atmosphere was chill and the food was delicious. Truly, a hidden gem… literally, we walked passed it the first time we went there. The food was amazing and spicy the way I like it. I was definitely a happy bunny and would love to recreate some of there dishes.

Tara: If nothing else, I’d definitely go back there, when we go to New York again in the future. 

Now, the next place we went was the next morning, since we wanted pancakes. I can’t fully recall the name - something like Joeys….something. But me not recalling the name was no fault of the place itself (I just suck at names. lol), but I did get my first taste of actual American pancakes. Chocolate and banana ones for me. I liked it, either way, though I think that if I was to go again, I might try just banana, or maybe try the blueberry ones as, with the amount, the chocolate part was a tiny bit too sickly for first thing. But I liked it, either way :)

Nadia:.... You’re kidding me, right? Next time we go back, we’re going to a proper pancake house. I could literally taste the grease and baking soda -.-’ The blueberries weren’t fresh and the tea was awful. No real sugar either just chemical sweeteners. Also it was claustrophobic as hell in that tight ass strip of a building.

Tara: Well, I did say it was the first I tried. *Shrugs* So I will have to take your word for it. Though to be fair I don’t drink too much tea, either (shock horror). I can’t argue with you about the room, though. It was long and thin - you could barely move around in there. It was as if someone stretched out the room or something. It was a really odd feeling. But either way, if we do go to a proper pancake house when we go again, I’ll be happy to give them a go! Speaking of not to good places, we did have a bit of a bad time at this place called The Bao…*Puts fingers in ear and waits for Nadia-miggedon*

Nadia: OMG DON'T LET ME START WITH THAT SHITTY ASS PLACE!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Tara: *Uncovers ears* As you can see, it really didn’t go down well. Now, considering my variety of foods that I’ve ever tried, and that I could pick out things that were bad too, goes to show that big foodies would have similar reactions to Nadia, here. An example was that the squid was like rubber - you really had to chew to get through it. Plus (and note we weren’t dawdling, either) the food (we had hot pot, by the way) was cold half way through. Not to ‘hot’ pot, you know?

Nadia: Ok, I’ll tell you why we were there at that piece of shit establishment that had the ever loving nerve to charge us $69.00 plus tip. Someone please tell me how the hell do you fuck up spice? Now, I believe in the philosophy of ‘if it ain’t got spice, it ain’t got flavor’, but someone tell me HOW THE EVER LOVING FUCK DO YOU FUCK UP SPICE THAT BAD that it has no heat, but the numbness of chilly? The potato was, like, way under cooked, the fish cakes were not al dente, but like rubber and the rice what was supposed to be like flavorful was like rice for old people - MUSH! Last I remember, I had teeth! I wouldn’t give that shit to a stray dog, let alone a human and the only redeeming factor was the chocolate dumplings. The dimsum was the reason why we were there in the first place. The waiter managed to convince us in getting a hot pot dish instead, saying that it was better and then we were given week ass tea that wasn’t even brewed properly. It was slightly coloured water and, yes, I looked in the pot, there was a teaspoon of tea leaves -.-’  Do you think that just because I’m a foreigner, I don’t know how food is supposed to be cooked? No sir, no sir, no sir. I know what good food is supposed to taste like. I know what authentic food is supposed to taste like. I may be a self taught cook, but even I know how to make better shit that that! Then you have the gall, the audacity, to charge as much as you did and ask for 15% tip? FUCK YOU and your piss poor service!

Tara: Uh…..yeah…..see? I didn’t need to say much here. But I have to admit that they did demand a tip, rather than anything else. In the previous places we gave one cause we wanted to, so demanding one kind of ruins the point of a tip. We tip because we like things after all, not because we’re forced to. So….yeah, all in all, we really didn’t enjoy that place. On a slightly better note, we went to a different chain restaurant in the evening, called ‘Red Lobster’ - first time I ever had Lobster, too.

Nadia: *Sigh* I think that you’re gonna have to take that over from here. All I’m gonna say is that I don’t understand the hype. All I’m gona out right complement is the drinks…..

Tara: Well, I more meant ‘on a better note’ as in, ‘in comparison to the last place’. Though I’m glad you enjoyed my drink recommendation! - a drink called Frangelico, by the way - if you like hazelnut, or things like ferrero rocher, then you’d like it - but honestly, I’ll admit while the Lobster was ok - kinda like eating a giant prawn - the vegetables were….well….overdone. I couldn’t actually eat the potatoes, though the corn on the cob was ok. I liked the starters that we had too. But overall….yeah, it was ok, minus the potatoes, but true, the ‘hype’ wasn’t something I was overly feeling either. But it was still better than the previous place. At least a tip wasn’t demanded of us.

Nadia: No they didn’t, it was included in the VAT, *sigh* for a while i honestly thought we weren't going to get a good meal. Since we came, all I wanted was bubble tea.

Tara: Well, we did get that :) We went to a place called Vivi Bubble Tea, though admittedly that was after our convention day - it’s a shame we couldn’t get there before then. And we even had ramen and sushi there, too.

Nadia: I know right -.-’ *Pouting* Not the best place i’ve ever been to, but the bubble tea is a very close second. The ramen  itself was good. Wish I had a spoon for it though. The ramen noodles were atrocious - it was like interwoven together. I got splashed several times just trying to separate it and I wasn't prepared for that in the slightest. BUT, I will say the sushi was on point, and the bubble tea was good too. I just wish they had a visible bathroom. We had to go to another establishment just to get one *Sigh*. But, all in all, it was a good meal we even took a little pick me up to go.

Tara: Indeed, we always have Bubble Tea. :) lol. Oh, before we went there, we did have breakfast that day, too, though we had to go out of our way a bit and travel to Fletching. I unfortunately don’t remember the name of this place, though, so I apologize. My brain seems to dislike longer names.

Nadia: Don’t bother, we’re never going there ever again. The service was rush rush, like they didn’t want to be there, the food was lackluster and the oil is real in these streets! Not to mention the stares, my god, the way the whole restaurant was staring at us was horrible! It made me lose my appetite and made me more than uncomfortable. I may not expect service with a smile, but I damn well don’t want to wait 30 minutes for breakfast and a comfortable atmosphere. DONE!

Tara: To be fair, it wasn’t much of an exaggeration - people did keep looking at us the entire time after we entered. So we sort of ended up rushing our food and leaving. And it wasn’t because we were doing anything particularly noisy or anything, either. We were on our best behaviour, so it felt really uncomfortable that we were stared at as if we were total outsiders or something. Ah well, as said, we’re unlikely to go there again. And that evening, after the bubble tea, we did get to go to Yupduck again, so the day wasn’t all bad, even if it was a bit of an uncomfortable start.

Nadia: *Sigh* And then there was our last meals the day we had to go home you be surprised at the crap you find in NYC

Tara: I don’t think the birds minded it. Lol. It was funny when you got food from those stalls though and the crowd of followers you ended up with!

Nadia: OMG, the ninja birds! Ok guys, so here’s how it went down! I bought these crappy caramelized cashews and almonds. They were so hard and stale that I thought they were gonna break my teeth! So I decided to feed the birds. At first, it was about one or two of them then 5-7, then a whole fucking flock of random and beautiful birds. I couldn’t reach some of the little guy in the back so i decided to throw a couple. And the first one I threw *swoop!* this little BIrd-Lee flew up in the air, quicker than a flash and caught it mid air and flew away in less the a blink of an eye.

Tara:It got so funny that I just kept watching it happen as Nadia kept testing this bird out. It was awesome! I have to wonder if it’s just naturally skilled or if that bird had been trained, but either way it was a freaking smart bird! So yes, we dubbed it ‘Ninja Bird’ :)

Nadia: Oh… Oh i almost forgot that hot dog…. I don't know if it was the vender I went to or what! But the NYC hot dog was disappointing it was a glorified frankfurter in a sweet bun and soggy ass onions. I was expecting this great thing and…. I could make better myself.

Tara: It might be just how things are in the UK, but to be fair I didn’t try the stall food, mostly because of how many bad ones there are in the UK. So I can’t really comment there. Still, it couldn’t have been as bad as the plane food we got on the way to and from home. Then again, even the worst of what we had in New York wasn’t quite that bad….

Nadia: To be fair, the majority of stall food in the UK are pretty good. The rule of thumb with that is, if it looks sketchy, don’t eat it. Also, if there’s a long ass cue, then go for it.

But dear lord, don’t get me started on that mess they call plane food.  T, you’re gonna have to take over here, then I’ll jump in. JaZuS!

Tara: Well…..First impressions on appearance was generally something someone just regurgitated. Which isn’t exactly a good first impression on food. I had this bread crumb chicken with a sauce in the middle - I forgot what it was actually called. As I said, not a foodie myself - but I could only manage a bite before I had to give up. The bread crumbs were soggy, the chicken was dry and the sauce just tasted really weird. It kinda smelt iffy too. I really didn’t want to risk it, so I think all I ate on the journey back was the single cracker with cheese and the pudding that went along with it. Oh, and a yogurt much later in the trip. I think next time I’ll just see if I can’t bring a packed lunch.

Nadia: You wanna talk about ‘regurgitated’, try the smell and taste of that ravoli. Oh my god! The most rubbery, cheap and vile thing that I have ever put in my mouth. N the shrimp cocktail was just inedible. It came with a sauce so far from it I didn’t even find it until after my meal. And, OMG, that fake ass bread that I found out was potato bread…. Listen, delta airlines, if you can’t afford normal bread, just don’t serve it, plain and simple. I rather go without than eat that shrill and if I’m paying £400+ for a plane ticket, I better get fucking service with a smile and a damn good meal. The only thing I can say was passable about that meal was the drinks. And even they were in piss poor quality. I had pepsi and JD and the pepsi was watered down to fuck! The JD that was poured was waaaaay too much! I’m a heavy drinker, but even I was like i need something to mix this. Thank god I brought a can on board with me from the terminals.

Tara: I was glad that drinks were included, though. Considering the flight was about….6 to 8 hours long, it probably would have cost a fortune to buy each drink separately. And most of the staff were quite nice, even though they were probably knackered at that point. Though I was a bit unhappy that we got passed over when it appeared that any of us were dozing at all. A couple of times I either saw it happen, or it happened to me. But I suppose that people would probably complain if someone kept waking them up, too, so I suppose I can’t fault them that bad. You can’t please everyone, after all.

Nadia: Are you serious? They’re paid to be awake at those hours! Listen, if you know you have a late night long hours, you sleep during the day. I know 5 family members that have the ‘graveyard shift’. It sucks, but you’re payed to do a service, so paste a smile on your damn face, get rid of that boshi attitude the majority of them had and pour my damn drink correctly.

Tara: Eh, well, at that point I was just tired, so I might have been miss-recalling. I only had one alcoholic drink on the plane and that time they just gave over the mini bottles and you could more or less mix it yourself, though I do remember one time they mixed it for you. Either way, I think our main plane issue was the fact that we both got colds from it as well as jetlag. Yay…?

Nadia: Oh, there’s more, but I think that will be all for today. The con was another thing and, by god, there’s more to tell. But, until next time, guys!

Tara: See ya!