Making the most of a morning (Open)

Rachyl couldn't help commenting as Midge and Shirley gabbed on about the japanese restaurants, "I wonder if Meegan would mind if you and I just got a pair of plane tickets and flew there, Nyra. It would be easier than listening to these two..." She garnered herself an Evil Look(TM) from Shirley but shrugged it off.

When they finally walked away, Nyra found a payphone and began virtually interrogating the person on the other end. When she finally hung up, smiling, she seemed ready to go. "I'm ready. You're driving. Shall we?" Rachyl linked her arm into Nyra's and they exited out to Nyra's car in the parking garage.

Sliding into her seat, she observed wryly, "Isn't it a good thing we had everything delivered?"

Nyra knew this was really not a giant bother considering the lengths she normally went to, just to find a place to eat. Smiling at Rachyl for being such a good sport, the two walked out to the car, arm in arm.

The drive was short thankfully and before long they were standing in front of Buddha's Delight. It looked like a standard asian restaurant with a fishtank in the entryway, plants in every niche and hanging paper lanters. A young woman greated them and showed them to a table near a window. Nyra had a perfect view of a lovely fountain sculpture.

After mentioning to the waitress her dietary requirements and having several options pointed out, she resumed reviewing the menu. Deciding upon Miso soup, salad and Zaru Soba with edamame and vegetables. Hoping Rachyl found something to her liking she looked up and studied her friend's face.

"Anything look good to you?"

Rachyl had stared at the menu from the time the two women had been seated, all through Nyra's questions about the food contents, up to the point where Nyra grabbed at her attention with her question. Raising her green eyes from the jumble of unfamiliar words on the menu to the hazel orbs gazing happily and questioningly at her... Rachyl could do nothing but shrug. "Honestly I feel as completely lost here as I did when Meegan first helped me try Chinese. I don't know what any of this is. I mean, I understand 'soup' and 'rice'... but that's about it."

She sighed as she dropped the menu onto the table with a frustrated 'slap.' "I feel so uncultured. Or at least sheltered. Hell, I don't know. I just feel bad that I don't know things and I don't know that I don't know these things until it just about slaps me in the face that I don't know them. You know?" As she ranted, Rachyl felt her eyebrows rising into her hairline and heard her usually low, smoky voice taking on an almost squeaky petulant quality.

Closing her eyes, she focused for a moment and breathed deep. Her face relaxed, her voice back to normal, she apologized, "Sorry. Three words I hate to say - 'I don't know' - especially when there's some sort of illusion that I -should- know."

Nyra's eyes widened as Rachyl spoke. Her hand flew to her mouth. She could not believe how unthinkingly she had hurt her dear friend. Finally in the quiet, after the comments, Nyra apologized.

"I am so sorry Rachyl. I did not mean to hurt your feelings. You always seem so sophisticated and worldly that I simply assumed you would be well versed in anything. I do apologize. I can tell you about what I like, if you want."

While she was not a gourmet cook or Japanese cuisine expert she had an idea of what she liked and what was what occasionally. Pointing out things on the menu she explained miso, soba, udon, tempura and sushi. While she could not explain how the sushi tasted or why people ate it she could say what it was.

Finally she had gone through the entire menu noting what she did know or promising if something sounded good to ask the waitress. Laying her hand over Rachyl's she apologized again.

"Im so sorry hon. Does all that information help any? If your not comfortable we can leave!"

Rachyl saw the shock and surprise on Nyra's face and realized her friend was thinking she had been the cause of Rachyl's frustration. Which, if Rachyl thought about it, was true, and also not true.

"Nyra, you didn't hurt my feelings. I'm not sophisticated, and I'm hardly worldly, and you don't need to apologize. If anyone should be apologizing, it should be me. I apologize in advance if what I'm about to say comes off as me getting my foot stuck in my mouth, but realize it's from the heart and, well, you know me - I'm blunt. This is my first time doing a Personal Shopper trip like this. I admit, I tried to mirror what Meegan went through with me on our first day out when I started at Gothic-Ah. I should have realized you'd feel more comfortable in Avenue, instead of dragging you through Penneys, Vicky's, and all those. Even if we did end up with good choices from those first few stores for your closet." Rachyl reached her hand out to Nyra and squeezed the artist's soft yet calloused digits. "You really are a beautiful woman, Nyra, even though you sometimes hide it with your overly baggy clothes or with multiple layers. There's a sensuality about you that shows itself sometimes, and I'll further admit that I had a bit of an ulterior motive to try to drag that out of you just a bit more, to help you stand a bit straighter. I probably did more to unintentionally hide that, than I did to help awaken it. At least until we entered Avenue. The reaction you had in that store, being so very peppy and happy to find what you did, is what I'd been hoping for all day. I'm glad we were able to find that in you. I'm sorry for... for trying to change in you the things I like, even while trying to help you like yourself a little bit more." When Rachyl stopped speaking, she found wetness running down her cheeks, and realizing that she'd been crying, dabbed at the trails with the corner of her napkin.

Eyes wide as Rachyl explained herself, Nyra felt tears emerge as her friend continued. Finally blinking fiercely and waving the waitress off once, she got herself under control as Rachyl wound down. Returning the hand squeeze firmly she mock scolded the wonderful woman in front of her.

"You are worldly and wonderful. Blunt is good and I like you just the way you are. Today was fine. You helped me get out of my comfort zone then landed me in the perfect place for me to feel comfortable but apply everything I had learned prior. You did wonderfully."

Glancing at the anxious waitress she smiled and waved her over. "Could you bring us a pot of green tea, two bowls of miso soup, small house salads, zaru soba, veggie tempura and this tofu dish. Thank you. Oh and two waters."

Returning to pat Rachyl's hand she hoped everything brought out would be to her friends taste, if nothing else they could order more!

Rachyl looked up at Nyra, surprised that her friend was complimenting her and, well, meaning it. She had a wonderful way of making her blunders positive; after all, it was a learning experience for both of them.

Barely able to keep her head from walking her over to the other side of the table to collapse into Nyra, Rachyl simply nodded at the artist's order. At least what was ordered would be items Nyra would eat, if she herself didn't care for them.

Sniffing and dabbing at her face with the napkin, Rachyl grinned at Nyra as she scooted to the end of her seat. "I think we both need to freshen up a little?"

With a soggy smile, the artist nodded. The waitress impeeded her progress exiting the table with a pot of tea and two small cups. Smiling at the woman, Nyra asked the way to the ladies room and then followed the direction the woman pointed. Standing up once the woman had left, Nyra wrapped Rachyl up in a big hug before heading to the restroom.

Making her way across the restaurant was easy, she simply pretened no one else was there. In the ladies room she splashed cold water on her faced and blotted dry with the papertowels provided. Quickly taking care of other business she was out of the stall and washing her hands in moments.

"All better now." Speaking mostly to herself as she patted her cheeks with her freshly washed cool hands. Smiling widely she made her way back to the table.

Rachyl waited half a moment before following Nyra into the rest room. Her own instinct was to relieve the pressure in her bladder first, which she did quickly before joining Nyra at the sink just as Nyra herself turned to the stalls.

Standing in front of the sink, water running, she held her forefingers under the cool water and after a moment pressed it to the swells under her eyes. Taking deep breaths and cleaning up any streaky makeup, Rachyl found herself more calm than she had been.

Rejoining Nyra at the table, she poured the tea and, as she reached for the sugar, asked, "Uhm, I put a lot of sugar in my tea. Is that acceptible?"

Settling herself in the seat once more she smiled at her friend across the table. Thankful for the warm tea and cool water, she looked up at Rachyl's question.

"I do that myself honestly. But mainly, its your food, enjoy it however makes you happy and satisfied. Though if you want to taste it prior to adjusting sweetness just to see what it tastes like plain, that can help give you an idea of how much you want to add."

Putting words into action she took a tiny cautious sip of her tea, savoring the green flavor. Since the cup was little she took just one packet and poured roughly half of the white granules into it before pouring a tich more tea to swirl it together. Her second sip was sweet and still green which warmed her belly and heart.

Soon the waitress brought them two small bowls of clearish soup with floating seaweed and green onion. The spoons were large oval shaped with short handles. Knowing that Rachyl was probably watching for cues, Nyra stirred her soup gently, watching the tofu rise and flow on the tide of miso broth. Scooping up some of the delicate flavored soup she sipped from the spoon delicately. The rich flavor of the miso was nicely paired with a crisp onion bite while the nori gave it a green, salty sea tint. The chunks of tofu were warm and tasted like solid squishy squares of soup. It was perfect.

Nyra loved this soup. It was warm, comforting and mild. She wondered where the ingrediants were found so she could make it at home. Smiling at Rachyl she asked politely when her spoon was in the bowl. "What do you think?"

Rachyl raised the tea cup to her lips and, after blowing lightly across the surface, sipped gently of the steaming liquid. Her face instantly scrunched and screwed up as the sharp bitterness of the tea hit her tongue. Twitching her neck and head, she counted out two packets of sugar, ripped them open, and dumped them into the cup. "Sorry. When I drink my sugar, I always put in tea."

Sipping again after gently stirring, most of the bitterness had gone and she relaxed under the sweet slide of steamy steep down her throat. "Not bad, actually."

Rachyl watched Nyra closely as she stirred her soup. Looking down at her own bowl, she stirred it carefully. She watched the particulate cloud of... something... float up from the bottom, and stared apprehensively at the floating bits of seaweed and onion. Poking a square of tofu with her spoon, she stirred it again to collect some of the particle stuff and sipped carefully. After holding it in her mouth for a moment, she swallowed and pondered the aftertaste. "It tastes like floury lettuce water."

Spoon paused halfway to her mouth, as Rachyl made her declairation of the taste. Swiftly Nyra put the spoon back into her bowl and covered her mouth with both hands before she giggled so loudly they got kicked out. All that escaped was one small giggle snort and a high squeak. It took several minutes to calm herself down before she could speak and even contemplate trying another bite of her soup.

"Flowery Lettuce Water it is! Though I like the mild subtle combination of the salty miso, oceany seaweed and crispy onion. The tofu is just like filler." She giggled. It really was a very subtle thing and not everyone enjoyed it. Just because it was one of Nyra's favorites didnt mean she could not poke fun at it or enjoy the poking of fun.

Finally getting down a few more spoonfulls before their waitress brought out a simple salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, shredded carrots and cabbage under a miso ginger dressing. The dressing was tart and tangy. Nyra usually pushed most of that aside for the veggies and used it sparingly. Taking a small bite that was not totally drenched she savored the combination of flavors that danced on her tongue.

Rachyl steadily spooned the soup into her mouth as Nyra shook. It wasn't so bad... it needed more ... body though. It was very thin, and Rachyl wasn't really a fan of thin soups. The tofu had a nice salty bite to it, and the onions did give it an interesting crispness, but she just didn't think it would be a soup she could enjoy on a regular basis. Not like wonton or egg drop.

The appearance of the salad struck Rachyl as ironic. "You wouldn't think a plain old salad would be a regular fixture at a uniquely cuisined local like this."

She picked up her fork and began spearing bits of lettuce. Suddenly changing her mind, she pushed the lettuce off her fork and dipped very end of the tines into the salad dressing. Tasting it, she gave another involuntary twitch of her head and torso. "Weird."

Nodding, Nyra pondered the comment. Finally she decided why they offered such a dull salad. "I think they just want to showcase their dressing."

Knowing that not everyone enjoyed the cuisine, she hoped that there was something in the meal that Rachyl liked. Perhaps the tempura or soba noodles. Finishing her salad while leaving a large portion of the dressing on the side, Nyra returned to her soup.

Stirring up the larger specks of miso made it cloudy but also evenly distributed the flavor. She spooned up the broth, sad it was cooling down but still enjoying its unique flavor.

As soon as she pushed her bowls away to the edge of the table, their waitress was coming to their table with soba noodles and a dipping sauce. This was the fun part. They got to wind the buckwheat noodles upon their forks and gently dip the forkfull into the sauce. The sauce was normally made of soysauce and occasionally shitake mushrooms as the menu had listed in this one. The plate had daikon, wasabi, green onion, nori and sesame seeds to flavor your sauce with.

Placing a reasonable amount of noodles from the serving plate to hers, she then poured a small amount of the sauce into her dipping bowl and added the onion, seeds, nori and daikon. She explained as she went.

"Soba is buckwheat noodles. Zaru means cold noodles, that get dipped in sauce. You get to flavor your sauce individually on your plate with either the radish, hot wasabi, crisp onion, salty nori or roasted seeds. Then you scoop up some noodles like this, dip and eat." She carefully got a forkfull of noodles and dipped it in her now chunky sauce and brought it to her lips. It was cool and salty, with so many good flavors exploding on her tongue.

Feeling a bit foolish as she mirrored Nyra's every move, Rachyl was admittedly very appreciative that her friend would walk her through constructing her lunch in such a way. The whole idea of cold noodles made her picture - for some really strange reason - that old elementary school song, "The Littlest Worm." Collecting a forkfull of noodles, she dipped it in her sauce and held it over the little plate in front of her. Closing her eyes, she forced herself to think "noodles, noodles, noodles" as she opened her mouth and slipped the forkful inside.

Her lips closed on the fork as her teeth pulled the noodles off the tines. A rush of strange spices flowed over her tongue as her mind chanted, "noodles, noodles," and her teeth slowly chewed. The noodles weren't as cold as Nyra's description led her to believe; they were cooler than room temperature but not like fresh-out-of-the-fridge leftover pasta.

She opened her eyes slowly as she chewed, then swallowed. The mind-chanting helped a little, but after tasting them Rachyl realized she wasn't as grossed out as she thought she'd be. Carefully licking a tiny drop of sauce from the edge of her lip, she commented, "Interesting." She didn't think telling Nyra "oh, well I was expecting something the consistency of earthworms" would go over at the table.

Nodding enthusiastically before dipping more noodles into her sauce. After she finished her bite she cautioned Rachyl. "Be careful with the wasabi, its hot and if you add too much it can be quite distressing."

Nyra had watched someone eat these noodles with a pair of chopsticks once, but since she had never mastered picking up more than a broccoli tree with them, she stuck to the fork. All too soon the pile of noodles dwindled and the waitress placed the veggie tempura and tofu on the table. Knowing the tempura had egg in the batter, she concentrated on the tofu. It looked fried, and covered in a carmelized sauce with sesame seeds atop it. Pointing everything out to Rachyl as she helped herself to some of the accompanying white rice.

"Tempura is a batter fried dish. Since I ordered veggies you may have carrots, mushrooms, squash, potato, and other in season veggies. Foolishly I forgot the batter contains egg. If I had remembered I would have asked them for something else, like chicken for you."

Scooping up some of the tofu and placing it on her plate, she discovered much to her delight, broccoli and carrots under the pretty tofu cubes.

"This is a sweet and salty dish, with fried, glazed tofu. Sesame seeds make it yummy and they even gave me veggies too!"

Scooping up a bit of rice and tofu on her fork, the artist savored the complex flavors dancing on her tongue.

"Wasabi, wasabi... Which one's the wasabi again?" Rachyl nodded as Nyra pointed to the container nearly full of green... something.

She watched as Nyra pointed out the new food on the table. "You needn't worry about ordering me chicken; you're introducing me to something new!" Smiling, she listened to the rest of the descriptions. Her mouth watering more than it had been with the salad, she scooped some of the batter-fried lumps when something Nyra said caught her full attention. "Contains egg? That means you won't eat it, doesn't it? I'm sorry! Is there something else we can get you?"

Rachyl's concern that her friend wouldn't get a sufficient portion to eat hadn't quite overridden her own hunger when she realized she had a pile of food on her plate. Spearing a lumpy battered object, she cut into it with her knife. The broccoli inside steamed gently, and she raised the bit with the florets to her mouth, to try it unadorned.

Nyra looked at the table. It was laden with noodles, rice, two entrees and their glasses. They had already had the soup and salad bowls whisked away. Trying not to giggle with a mouthfull of tofu she looked at her friend. Making a sweeping gesture that encompassed the entire table she finally swallowed and could speak.

"There is so much food on this table we will need a doggy bag. Not being able to eat the tempura is ok with me. Though, I think you should try this dish if you are feeling adventurous."

Dipping her fork into the bowl of plain white rice and then spearing a cube of tofu she brought it to her mouth. The flavor was subtle, sweet, salty, and earthy. Perfect. Next she tried the veggies which were just as excellent. Wiping her mouth with her napkin delicately she looked at her half eaten meal and towards Rachyl.

"Well, what do you think of Japanese food so far?"

Rachyl giggled at a sudden thought that occurred to her. "The sarcastic nit in me wants to give a vegan name to a doggy bag, but I guess it works either way."

Scooping some of the white rice, she poked ineffectually three times at the tofu, breaking the cubical lump she was aiming for in the process, before finally lancing it sufficiently to get it up to her mouth. Tofu kind of reminded her of jello, with an almost bready taste, but it was quite good, and the spices and sauce it was doused with made her lips tingle.

As Nyra asked her what she thought of their meal, she chewed and swallowed thoughtfully. "I think that, what Japanese food lacks in hearty fullness, it more than makes up with spicy and saucy variety. Full of flavor, but not unnecessary stuffages. Tastes great, less filling, but satisfying just the same."

Nyra finished off a few more bites of her entree before calling the nice waitress over. Asking her to package up the remainder with half the noodles, she sipped tea as the meal settled.

"Its different. So flavorful and light. You dont leave feeling weighed down and fatty." She would have to remember this place and bring Connie some night. Feeling happy and content, the artist smiled happily.

"This has been a fabulous day Rachyl. Thank you so much. I cant even begin to tell you how deeply I thank you for this."