Information
the Anglerpup
Ti-ana
Legacy Name: Ti-ana
The Custom Hydrus Tigrean
Owner: Paula
Age: 8 years, 9 months, 4 weeks
Born: July 24th, 2015
Adopted: 1 year, 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Adopted: May 28th, 2022
Statistics
- Level: 66
- Strength: 165
- Defense: 166
- Speed: 160
- Health: 165
- HP: 164/165
- Intelligence: 33
- Books Read: 33
- Food Eaten: 57
- Job: Dirty Matty Drink Fetcher
Profile template (c) helix (get yours here);
Free background from Wallpaper Maiden;
Overlay by Necolasa;
Story by Tribe;
Art by me!
I shove the pirate lookout to the floor; he crumples to the floor, unconscious. Creeping along the ship’s deck, I steal between cells to pick the lock and cut each captive’s bonds. The rope leaves mottled bruises on their skin, rubbed raw by the rough weave.
“Dive on my signal: two fist shakes.” I whisper to each one. “We will get to safety.”
With a flick of my head, I motion them toward the water. We each step onto railing, staring into the glimmering navy water—
With their hopeful eyes peering at me in anticipation, I raise my fist and give the signal, springing into the night-dark sea.
I hit the water, bracing for the splash. I hear four more Hydrus hit the water, free at last.
With a few powerful strokes, I dive further down, glancing back to watch for danger.
The ship is at standstill, their shouting on deck distorted through water. Harpoons lance down, piercing the waves in trails of bubbles and seaspray. I propel myself headlong into the paralix who struggles to get reoriented, pushing them out of the arcing trajectory of the barbed spear.
As the harpoons are reeled back up, I motion the freed Hydrus to follow, dipping down into murky deep waters. If we’re quick, we can keep the pirates off our tail.
Little light pierces down to this depth; few eyes can pry into these waters.
But—if you know where to look—the city of the Hydrus glows with bioluminescence, a refuge bathed in soft blue.I bring the freed Hydrus to a safe shelter, where warm meals await them on the table. I task messenger minions to send word of their return to their families, sneaking them bites of steamed buns and seafood dumplings for their trouble.
The Hydrus ask for my name, eyes bright with gratitude.
“No one.” I tersely respond. “Just a helper.”
I slip away to change into new garb, shedding the hood and nondescript stealth garb for flowy plain clothes. The sleeves ripple in the water like delicate fins, their soft coral colors matching my warpaint—it looks as if I spent the night at a party, or perhaps just dressed avant-garde.
With them safely returned, I blend into the city crowds as I swim toward home, a quiet loft above the eatery.
I wash the war paint into the sink; the coral and blue pigments eddy on the pale porcelain like swirls of watercolor paint.
Staring into the mirror, I wince at the newly revealed mottles of fresh bruising on my jaw and shoulder from the lookout’s strikes during our tussle. My forearm also sports a shallow cut from their dagger, which I dress and wrap snugly in gauze.
Could be worse. I sigh, scrubbing away the stubborn vestiges of the bright colors on my skin. The most important thing is they made it home safe and sound.
It must be so lovely to return to the home that’s dearest in your heart. A bittersweet note of envy twinges in my chest. A heavy sense of nostalgia brings me home, the Omen Island coastlines rich with verdant jungle, draped with fragrant vines and curtains of moss; I can hear the birdsong even now, the wash of soft twittering punctuated with more raucous calls.
… a home that’s no longer mine.
They did not ask Merana to transform you. It is not their fault. I snap myself out of the pity party, wiping the bathroom counter clean. They’ve done everything to welcome me, to raise me as their own. I shake my head to clear the thoughts. They deserve to be happy, to be comfortable and safe.
I stare straight into the mirror, trying to mutter a mantra with enough conviction. “I am happy here.”
My reflection stares back, its toughened appearance overtaken by bleary, exhausted eyes. What I am… is tired. I need rest. A lot of it, ideally.
Ach, it’s a prep work morning. Remembering my schedule, I inwardly groan. And I looooove a late night-early morning combo.
I sleep like the dead—
And unluckily for me, I don’t get to stay asleep.
I roll out of bed very ungracefully, grousing about soreness and my love for warm blankets. In the bathroom, I cover the evidence of the night’s rescue operation, patting a thick concealer over the bumps and bruises.
I dress into my crisp chef’s attire, snag a clean apron off the hook by the stairs. Let’s get to work.
I open the refrigerator to pull out trays of thawing tentacles and chilled fillets, giving the platters to gentle wiggle; the seafood, perfectly tender, wiggles in response. I set some rice to cook, carefully measuring my ratios of Hydrus rice to water in the steamer. While it kicks on, I cut springs of garnish and mix batches of sauce.
Good progress, right on. I smile with quiet satisfaction, giving my knives a quick sharpen before slicing thin cuts for sushi and sashimi. The blades glide through, forming perfect delicate sections of fish. I pry thick scallops from the shell, thick white rounds of juicy, delectable flesh. I gently pack and roll a variety of maki, plate a few of each.
A prepwork morning is a cascade of little routines, all neatly dovetailing each other. Once in the flow of things, it’s soothing work, predictable steps working toward the next little goal. The morning quiet without the customers grounds the hurry, a peaceful calm before doors open for customers. With each passing hour, new plates take form and the display case fills with tasty dishes—
I look over my handiwork, marveling at the orderly arrangement of ingredients and plates. Time for the day to really start.
I flick on the main lights, the eatery’s sign also jumping to life. Inquisitive passerbys peek in, drawing open the door.
“Is this Ti-ana’s?” They look up at the menu display with curious eyes. “I’ve heard such good things!”
“You’re in the right place.” I smile brightly in response. “What delicious fare can I get started for you today?”
Pet Treasure
Fallen Wisteria Blossoms
Fallen Plum Blossoms
Fallen Magnolia Blossoms
Fallen Dogwood Blossoms
Fallen Cherry Blossoms
Lotus Petal
Oleander Tea
Sweet Petal Tea
Chajin Matcha
Traditional Daisy Sweet
Soothing Petal Water
Osechi-Ryori
Toshikoshi Soba
Citrus Carp Dish
Turnip Cake
Traditional Cherry Blossom Sweet
Miniature Vegetable Spring Rolls
Shrimp Eggroll
Chicken Eggroll
Beef Eggroll
Eggroll
Wonton Shrimp
Taiyaki
Tempura Shrimp
Roe Filled Rice Roll
Preserved Egg Boat
Tempura Green Beans
Tempura Lotus Root
Crab Rangoon
Kinako Mochi Donut
Cookies and Cream Mochi Donut
Strawberry Mochi Donut
Ube Mochi Donut
Matcha Mochi Donut
Hanami Dango
Yakitori
Mitarashi Dango
Anko Dango
Green Tea Mochi Ice Cream
Vanilla Mochi Ice Cream
Strawberry Mochi Ice Cream
Mango Mochi Ice Cream
Chocolate Mochi Ice Cream
Goma Dango
Tang Yuan
Tsukimi Dango
Kashiwa Mochi
Chocolate Dipped Fortune Cookie
Strawberry Daifuku
Yomogi Mochi
Monaka
Momos
Gyoza
Kitsune Udon
Sake Oyakodon
Ramen
Tanuki Udon
Oyakodon
Tanindon
Gyudon
Katsudon
Oyakodon
Tekkadon
Unadon
Miso Soup
Curry
Kayu
Sacrificial Rice
Forbidden Rice
Eight Treasures Rice
Sekihan Rice
Brown Rice
Steamed Rice
Fried Rice
Rose Rice Ball
Red Bean Zongzi
Salted Egg Yolk Zongzi
Fireside Zongzi
Chestnut Zongzi
Matcha Tea Cookie
Chai Tea Cookie
Lavender Tea Cookie
Lemon Tea Cookie
Raspberry Tea Cookie
Natto Hand Roll
Unagi Hand Roll
Tuna Hand Roll
Veggie Hand Roll
Salmon Hand Roll
Salmon Roe Canape
Ebi Sushi
Unagi Sushi
Ika Sushi
Hirame Sushi
Hamachi Sushi
Maguro Sushi
Sake Sushi
Sickener Topped Fungus Sushi
Octopus Rolls
Inari Sushi
Takoyaki
Sweet Potato Sushi Roll
Mango Avocado Sushi Roll
Orange Seaside Roll
Seaside Roll
Extra Raw Sushi
Sushi of the Evening Moon and Stars
Rainbow Veggie Roll
Shirako Sushi
Spicy Eggplant Roll
Radish Hosomaki
Kampyo Hosomaki
Tuna Hosomaki
Avocado Hosomaki
Negihama Hosomaki
Sushi
Wasabi
Dish of Pickled Ginger
Sake
Roast Venison Cutlets
Preserved Egg Boat
Instant Nutrition Packet
Bonito Furikake
Vegetable Furikake
Egg Furikake
Salmon Furikake
Tofu Bao
Pork Bao
Leek Bao
Chicken Bao
Beef Bao
Fresh Fuu Statuette