Information

Ti-ana has a minion!

the Anglerpup

Ti-ana
Legacy Name: Ti-ana

The Custom Hydrus Tigrean

Owner: Paula

Age: 8 years, 9 months, 1 day

Born: July 24th, 2015

Adopted: 1 year, 10 months, 4 weeks ago

Adopted: May 28th, 2022

Pet Spotlight Winner
February 23rd

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

CREDITS

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

Pet Friends

Vos
Stay away from me galley!

Satochi
I be nah tellin' ye anythin'.

Empyria
Lass ye be safe wit' me.

Sakaria
Starvin' clients always ahoy.

Zojja
Ye give me the creeps... Arrr!

Aurea
Enough! No more rice fer ye.

Silviel
Scallywag, I wench ye lots!

Orel
Wha'? Leave the galley!!

Byrde
Ne'er seen so much starvin'.

Friske
That's enough spirits.