Yanxia Okazaki
Uninspired alchemist turned unconventional chef.
Roe/Hyur - 23 - Taken
It could be argued (and has among his family) that Yanxia's unique outlook on life and personal fulfillment came from his upbringing.Named in the memory of his father's beloved homeland, Yanxia was born the first son to a Doman refugee father and a Hannish mother, to be raised in the port town of Yedlihmad.With a mother whose career centered around the traditional art of alchemy, her constant treks to the nearby settlement of The Great Work saw their young son left in the primary care of his father, a retired chef who had exchanged one passion for another - becoming a devoted house-husband.It was under his father's tutelage that Yanxia learned to create not only traditional Thavnairian dishes but Doman recipes that had been adapted to more readily available local ingredients. That sort of unique twist on cuisine had caught Yanxia's imagination and taken hold, following him into adulthood.In the footsteps of his mother, Yanxia learned alchemy but never discovered the same passion for it. However, that didn't stop him from jumping at the chance to travel to Ul'dah to learn from the Alchemists' Guild there to further broaden his knowledge.Being in a new place where no one expected anything of him turned out to be a breath of fresh air.
A newfound freedom that led the way to following his true passion as he found himself switching from a burnout path in the Alchemists' Guild to apprenticing under a chef in the tavern he had eaten at on a near daily basis when he'd first arrived in Ul'dah - the Quicksand.This learning and experiencing a new culture by its food and combining it with his own knowledge and recipes reminded him of watching his father create new dishes merely by taking an existing recipe from his homeland and adding in local ingredients to make something completely new and delicious.This was what he'd been missing to find his passion for alchemy.
Not of the traditional sort but of a new, edible alchemy - fusion foods.
Away from the glittering Ul'dahn attractions like the gambling halls and Coliseum, there are back alleys that transform into colorful night markets after sundown. Though first created for the needs of locals in a city-state that never seems to sleep, the night markets have become popular with travelers as well that are drawn in by the glow of the lanterns and the scent of grilling meat.Yanxia was one of these travelers and the lively atmosphere was a small slice of home in an otherwise foreign land. A frequent visitor to the night markets, he discovered one night that a stall owner was retiring and looking to sell her stall and the much coveted street space it inhabited.In a small but fiercely competitive market, buying the stall and the rental space it sat on didn't come cheap. Effectively wiping out his savings and then some, he struggled for some time to establish himself not only as a new face in the night market, but a foreigner as well.Now he's tentatively settled into his new life of running his own business and is known for his flashy use of fire in most of his dishes, even if playing with fire has cost him. Covered in burn scars and face constantly reddened from heat, Yanxia is a striking presence amongst his fellow stall owners but he treats his customers well and is spoken highly of for his manners and cooking alike.UPDATE: After using what savings he had to buy a modest stall in the night market, Yanxia has since earned enough to purchase a plot of land and build a home and restaurant, fully intending to settle down in Ul'dah as his new home and perhaps start his own family in the future.
Art by Owwllly
Art by SD09
Tai - they/themTimezone: ESTAvailability: AskSeverely undercaffeinated 30-something year old just looking for chill RP partners. I'm a bit shy at first but easy to get along with and value OOC communication. What my OCs say/do is a matter of being a fictional character with their own strengths and are separate from my beliefs as the writer. Don't be afraid to reach out with any concerns you have.