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 Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2025 8:25 am
Ultear 1
His cousin had been dealing with a persistsnt funk ever since his disasterous trip to Oba. Ultear was going to attempt to change that today. He had a plan, he had never done it personally but he had some friends that said it was a hoot of a time and he was no stranger to complicated disguises. Maybe Thal could also pretend to be someone else for a while and it would help him transition out of survival phase. It was never fun to be stuck in fight or flight mode.
He hadnt told him where they were going but that was okay. Thal trusted him and that would be enough. The place they were headed would have all the custuming and expertise they would need. Ultear tried very hard to hide his delight.
"Hopefully after today you will have gained a new perspective." He bit his lip to hide his chuckle. A new perspective indeed.
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Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2025 6:11 pm
Thallassa 1
He had been in a funk ever since rescuing his son from Oba. Nothing seemed to really excite him and even some much needed camping alone time hadn't for once broken him out of the rut he was in.
"Whatever you think will help Ul, I will try it." Sometimes you just had to trust that your family had your best in mind. Ultear was unique in that he was a very sensitive thinker and Thal appreciated that about him.
He was not however expecting what his cousin brought him to. "Ultear is this uh, is this what I think it is?" He had an astonished look on his face as he faced his much younger cousin. "Is this a drag club?" They were not all that common but they were out there. Well...he was here wasn't he..and he was adventurous...and Ultear thought it might help. Ahem. So long as no one flirted with him seriously and uh so long as Terrwyn didn't walk in mid performance he would be..okay.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:13 am
Ultear 2
"Apparently its actually really fun. I already like perfecting disguises so I think its good practice for me. You would be surprised what a mute woman can get into." It was harder in disguise to hide his deep voice inherited from his father, that was something he couldn't alter properly. But the rest of him could be morphed into a feminine figure or well enough to pass with enough layers of clothing.
"Better start working on your act cuz, there is a prize every show for Miss Congeniality." He giggled, slapped Thal on the shoulder and dragged him in.
The 'ladies', fellow drag contestants helped them with their make up and get up and after about two hours they were both ready for the hijinks to follow. He had taught beast taming seminars as had Thal so public speaking wasn't that new to them though he did spend an inordinent amount of time in the shadows himself it was a release to come out in the sun and just have fun.
"We are up next." He would volunteer as tribute to go first, in the hopes it would make Thal look a little less nervous.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:13 am
Thallassa 2
This had to be the strangest day he had ever lived. So far it was doing exactly what it was intended to, knocking him off guard, making him forget his troubles and depression and allowing him space to be someone else..for a while. Even if that someone else that he now looked like was a rather terrifying woman, some of the contestants he wouldn't have been able to tell anything off about them if he met them on the street but very very few precious woman were blessed with muscles like these.
The anouncer happily introduced Ultear as Ulla, a shy woman who liked to spin her own fabric and expounded a little bit on her water and ice heritage. Ultear stepped on stage to cheers from the crowd and Thal was hit with excited stage fright, a most interesting combination of emotions. No he could face down a snaptrotter, his cousin was already out there, he could do this, he would do this.
There were a few different portions to their acts, first was this the introduction and talent show and then came..dancing.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Ultear 3
He demonstrated how he wove the blankets that he did. Something that he had been taught by Aunty Nin a long long time ago. Working with wool and his hands helped his shadow magic by making it easier to form. He wove shadows into the piece and it deepened the color of some of the yarn for display, it would fade out as the magic faded but created exactly the effect he was looking for.
He garnered a decent amount of cheers and grinning with his head down he shuffled off the stage. He high fived Thal and then smacked him playfully on the arse. "Go get em tiger." He snickered. He had finally made the unshakable shudder.
But it was all in good fun. They were not professionals by any means and would revert back to their regular selves later once they had wrung the club out of all the fun they could possibly have in the space of a night. He wondered if his woman would be in the crowd though he was not sure she knew that he had an interest in her yet. He would have to address that at some point.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Thallassa 3
Thal swallowed his fear and waited for the announcer to call him out. When he did he was introduced as a bold woman who brewed her own beer, cooked specialty meals, (stew), and tamed her own critters. For his demonstration he was provided with a small camp stove and ingredients. He made a quick version of his stew as the meat was tender enough that it didn't really matter. Then he served the judges said stew.
He was complimented on his pallet, the flavour and the expediency of his cooking. He may make a proper housewife yet. He was actually quite proud of that even though Terr usually did most of the cooking. He did help and he was slowly branching away from his 'signature dish'. Things were looking up he thought he might have a chance at winning the prize! He was bouncing when he walked off the stage a feral happy grin on his face.
"I think that was the most fun I have had in years."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Ultear 4
"Oh good, because it ain't over yet." Next up was dancing where each of them paired up with each other, fotuitosly for them, having been the last two to sign up they were allowed to dance with each other. There were many dances at home and both of them new all the steps required to show off their skills. He may have squeaked just a little bit when Thal dipped him though. He was not all that used to being the one uh manhandled.
"Whoever did your make up cos has real talent. I know girls that would kill for that eye shadow effect." He didn't but that was besides the point, the real point was to make his cousin laugh. The judges were watching and they wanted to see the contestants having a grand time in their pretend world. This was unconventional healing but it really did seem to be working. Thal was relaxing, the lines between his brows vanishing and concern faded away into nothing. Yay! Tathy was fine there was no need to dwell on the past.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Thallassa 4
The dancing was called to a halt and they had come in second overall! Then the long wait while the judges deliberated over the final point tallies. Thal overall came in third, Ultear came in second and first place when to one of the fellows who really did look like a girl and who could sing as one, there was no competing with that. These folks did love their music. Overall he had had a blast.
"Alright get your ribbon and lets go get something to eat, all of this being a lady has given me a man sized hunger let me tell you." He snorted into the water that they had given them for free after all the hoopla they had had to go through today. "I for one had a great time and you look like you did too, maybe we could stop at the book store before going home huh?" He loved to read, though now he had a small pair of spectacles he needed to see the words, "Let's go."
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Ultear 5
They cleaned up and went out when they looked more like themselves though both had a distinct aura of glitter about them. Shame. He hadn't thought he had a sparkling personality at least not like this anyway.
His stomach grumbled too and he eagerly agreed to both the food and the book shopping. He liked to read at night to calm him mind although sometimes it did make him stay up just a bit too late that was a common hazard when escaping for a while to another world. He had travelled so far in the pages of his books and he had a good stash in his room at home.
His parents joked about making him a library, he wished they would. Thal also enjoyed a good book by the fire. It sort of ran in the family to some extent though everyone tended toward their own genres. He liked adventure mysteries. He thought Thal liked biographies of adventurers and practical things like woodworking. Though he wasnt exactly sure if he read other things, they lived in separate houses after all.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:14 am
Thallassa 5
Magically when they went looking for good food they found the kart that was only around this market two days a week. How excellent! They would get to taste the best ramen in the whole land once again. He was always excited when it was here, it was so rarely in town when he was in town. Oh what a happy happy day.
"Come on Ultear lets get a seat before it fills up and we have to wait and watch everyone else eat the best raman ever." He had to admit that he had a sore spot for really good ramen and this chef had been doing it for so very many years.
Which made his broth thick and rich with memory and fat. Just the way Thal liked it. His meat was always tender and the noodles were springy and curly and chewy, it was seriously good overall and made fresh right in front of their faces except the broth which took a day to boil. He wasnt sure how the ramen artisans did it honestly. Good ramen took time and love and emotion.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:15 am
Ultear 6
He knew his uncle loved this ramen but he hadn't quite been sure why until he sat down to try it. First of all like a true connoisuer he took in the surroundings. A small kart on a stone pad beside the ocean. Matori god symbols strung about the kart in particular; Ome Essd, Drach'ti, Len and Atun. Kind of the things related to ramen itself if you thought about it. He found that really deep and interesting and decided on the spot to try to find this man again. He was a sturdy male, a Matorian by his looks with tree green hair.
He was sure the man had a daughter, he had seen her around and she shared his very dark Matorian skin the freckles and the hair. Though her underbelly was a different color. He made note but didn't think too much of it. The food was what he was really here to observe. The area looked clean and well kept. He was excited to pick up the menu from the man who bowed to them and handed it over on decent cloth. The menu was woven into the fabric, good for wear and tear and an amusing touch. It never changed then or at least would take the time of weaving to change.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:15 am
Thallassa 6
The stand looked as it always looked. He took an interest in selecting just the best chop sticks for this particular special meal. He knew what he was getting into and was going to love every single second of it he was that determined. Food was amazing on the beach and this stuff was absolutely 5 start stellar. He enjoyed the atmosphere as well. It was cozy, and yet informal and comforting all in one roll though you may be sitting next to a stranger. Fortunately he wasn't, he had Ultear.
"Thank you sir we would like pork and green onion dumplings to start. With two black tonkotsu ramen extra meat, extra eggs please." They were men and they had ahem worked up quite an appetite with all of that galevanting. It had been quite exhilarating though and had for two hours given him a break from his daily trials. It had been good comedic relief that was for darn sure. Couldn't fault them for that no he could not. Couldn't fault them at all really, they had been most welcoming of curious strangers.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:15 am
Ultear 7
First they were given the dumplings, small, wrinkly and kidney shaped they came in a delisciously chewy wrapper and usually contained cabbage green onion or garlic and pork and occassionally egg. Dumplings were done slightly differently by everyone to their preference. This menu also made quhar dumplings and shrimp dumplings. Waste no want not. But pork was his favorite. So that was what he ordered....every time.
He and Thal had nearly identical tastes. Ultear also ordered some salmon sushi to dip in soya sauce. Now it was a party. A celebration of the best beach food ever, a celebration of the ocean and the islands gifts and finally a celebration of family and being there for each other in times of trial or turbulance. He knew that Thal had needed this break from reality perhaps more so than he did. Though he did love a good disguise too. There was nothing that beat that so far in his life. Taking on the persona, being the spy it was written into his dna.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:15 am
Thallassa 7
He crunched through his dumplings, both chewy and crispy they were perfect. He ignored the dipping sauce but did put a bit of soya sauce on here and there. He left Ultear his share of dumplings and eagerly watched the graceful movements of their chef as he saw to his customers needs and cooked the food at the same time. A talented man, young and ambitious he had the kind eyes of a fatherly figure and a fatherly figure.
Thal found that comforting in a man that made food. It meant he liked his own cooking. Always a good sign when you were not the one cooking. He watched the dance of broth then noodles than topping go into their bowls. It was an art indeed and the steaming bowls set before them were masterpieces. Bowls big enough to fill him up. Rich bone broth steaming in the evening air, fresh green onions drizzled on top of thick roasted pork belly. Okay yum. He would miss Terr's cooking of course but this was a worthy substitute. He would bring her dumplings they were her favorite.
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Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2025 7:15 am
Ultear 8
In tandem they grabbed their chop sticks and took a chew of noodle, then a sip of the broth on the broad spoon provided for the purpose. Rich and creamy with a dynamic bone broth taste. Yes. This was the best ramen in the land hands down. The taste of the meat was equally as inviting balance by the tang of the green onion just spicey enough to notice. He sighed like he had just come home after a long journey.
He could see Thal's shoulders relax and then shake a bit with laugher. Oh yes his old friend was turning back to normal. A few more of these ramen dates and Thal would be right as reign once again and Aunty Nin wouldn't need to worry so much about her eldest sulky son. The other was regularly sulky and the younger two were their own creatures entirely. Ultear chased a chunk of pork around his soup with his chopsticks. "This is so incredibly good." He wanted to cry just the tiniest bit and that was the hallmark of truly wonderful food.
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