The Most Wonderful Time of the Year? open

"Thats the point. Is that you take time to enjoy the random flavors you dont know youll get." I smiled, poking her side. "I just remember from previous visits. They dont change them much."

I shrunk away, unable to hide my mild amusement. "Well then it's nice that they're consistent. What other stuff do they got around here?" I asked, looking around to see if anything caught my interest.

"They have Onigiri Rice balls, but im not sure you would like the ones they do here." I said, pointing one of them out.

"why? What do they put on them?" I said, looking on the gestured direction.

"Its what they put IN them. They put random fish, Octopus sometimes, seaweed to grip it, sometimes fruit. Its basically a ball of rice with a filling of your choice inside. They are a personal favorite of mine, and i make them for myself all the time."

"Octopus sounds scary.... So does random fish.... I think id try the ones with fruit in them..." I said, thinking aloud.

"Lets go see if they have a fruit one. If not, ill make a bunch when we get back to the states." I said with a wide smile, obviously having a good time just learning more about her. "However, I seriously hope they have a salmon centered one. I love seafood in general, but Salmon, when prepared properly, is up there with crab."

"Crab tastes like salmon?" I asked, surprised. I had tastes crab before. River crab. Then again, I had eaten it in a seafood medley soup. I hadn't tasted those huge crabs, so maybe those tasted like salmon?

"No, i meant that Crab and Salmon are in my top five favorite seafood. Snow crab in particular." He said, pausing to look at her. "Remind me to take you to get seafood tomorrow, or later tonight if you get hungry. Ill show you some really good ones."

"There's snow crab?? I mean, of course, your call," I nodded, pleased he was taking some sort of incentive.

"Yes, there is snow crab. It's found in several places, but the most common one, and the one I like best, is from Alaska." I said with a chuckle. "Lobster is really good as well, if you can get a decent one and get it cooked properly. I've had a few bad experiences, but I've learned my lesson now."

"How do you cook it improperly? Do you undercook it? Or...?"
(Sorry I haven't been posting I keep getting the virus message DX)

(Dont worry, the other site i use is actually down due to use of bandwidth XD)
"Some places cook it, some sear the meat. Boiling it and serving it with a side of melted butter is the best way ive found." I replied, wandering around the area with a buyers eye.

"So butter sauce? That... Doesn't quite sound healthy..."

"Depends on how much you get on the seafood. With my diet, it's actually recommended i get something unhealthy in my diet. I chose that." I responded, pausing to look at one of the games.

"Thats an interesting diet," I mumbled, following his attention to one of the games in the area. "Im guessing youre kinda bored of small talk?"

(Some time ago i had octupus. Not bad at all. I also found i dont like shrimp if it hasnt been cured or fully cooked. That was an experience.)

"Not at all. I just dont know what to talk about..." I said sheepishly, rubbing my neck. "Despite how much ive learned, i still dont know much about what subjects are okay with you, so i figured its safest to remain quiet..."

Glancing back down at the game, i looked to her and sighed "You doing alright?"

"Hm? Yeah, I'm fine, I just.... This isnt really something I do often, so everything is kinda like adventuring in uncharted territory," I giggled sheepishly.

"I'd say we could go adventuring at a theme park some time, but people might overload you with how much fear and excitement they will have in their systems..." I smiled, her laugh making me chuckle a bit.

"Hmmmm," I bit my lip, realizing I had never wondered why i had never been taken to an amusement park. School was often more emotional- the most emotional- i had really dealt with thus far. Everyday things like shopping were pretty...non emotional in comparison, even with the small lifts or drops in spirit as one shopped. But did i want to chance full on... festival emotions? "...Actually, is there a park nearby?"

"Not in this city, but in the next one over i think there might be one." I stated, raising an eyebrow at her words.

"Oh. Forget I asked. What else is there to look at around here?"

"Well, besides the usual crowded tourist sights, there are shines and temples that are very calm and relaxing. I actually learned some meditation from a monk who used to live here during one of my visits as a child. Father hoped it would mellow me out." I smiled, shaking my head at the memory.

I smiled as well, "How amusing. I wouldn't have expected someone like him to take an interesting method of mellowing you out. Seems more like the guy who would rely more on science."

"He tried. Couldn't keep me still long enough to get me to take medicine. The monk was really nice. He played some games with me and in return i had to meditate with him. I think my father learned a bit after that." I smiled, obviously found of the memory. "He wanted the monk to come with us, but the monk wouldn't have it. So instead, we made a promise. If i was good while i was away, then when we visited, me and him would play a few games, and meditate together." I laughed, forgetting about my usual restraints to just let it out.