“Stand down, Rakowsky.†Orsin’s large fist caught Rakowsky’s, stopping its path toward Bionca’s face. “Our priority is to escape back to our village. Let them be.†The slender man glared and wrested his limb back. “Whatever you say, boss.†He shouldered his way past Drake, who yet refused to look at his son. Gaia’s…
             Though most think of Japan when they hear about cat cafes, the world’s first actually opened in Taipei in 1998. After the first opened in Japan, they’ve exploded in popularity. Now you can find them in most Asian countries and in a growing number of European and North American cities. Most are fairly similar….
Malaysia’s first center was Melaka, which served as a key port for several groups of people. As with the rest of the country, it was colonized by Europeans and developed a unique mix of architecture as a result. Singapore was also a port town for much of its history. It was ruled by the…
“Come this way,†Gaia murmured into Drake’s ear. “We need to get out of here.†The pair slipped away as surreptitiously as they could with their chains. Gaia led them down a maze of alleyways before they stopped near a sewer grate. She had been worried about being seen, but the only people they…
Shivering, the sleeping woman pulled a ratty sheet tighter around her shrinking frame. She moaned out in fear, visions of a talking throat fueling her dreams. Red stained her eyes as the throat rasped “Be strong,†and she shrunk back. She couldn’t be strong. Had instead felt weak and helpless ever since she…
Kuala Lumpur and Penang Upon their discovery of Malaysia in 1511, Portugal took control of the region for about a century before relinquishing control to the Dutch. Another century later, Britain began gaining control, starting with George Town, and spread their influence thereafter. As with most countries in Southeast Asia, Japan invaded during…
In 1910, the once-independent Korea became a colony of Japan. Korean culture was repressed by Japanese rule, and this together with war crimes committed during World War II has led to an antagonistic relationship between Japan and South Korea. Following the war, the peninsula was bisected, with the USSR installing a communist government into…
The shadow loomed ever larger over Bionca, her eyes widening. In awe, she whispered “What is that?†Dr. Carlton hobbled beside her, chuckling to himself. “That, Bionca, is a tree.†One of its leaves gently descended on the light breeze and came to rest on the woman’s left shoulder. “What do trees do? What is…
             For many centuries, Hong Kong was under the control of Imperial China. However, following the First Opium War, control of the islands shifted to the United Kingdom but for a brief period in World War II when the Japanese occupied. As a colony of the UK, Hong Kong westernized and became rather democratic. In…