Chapter 38: For Best Effect, Read in the Hammiest Voice PossibleSalutations! I, Orchid, have comendeered this record!
...Except... I don't know who's reading this. Mother says it's a story written for people on the internet built off of a popular videogame in which we are characters... But Mother says a lot of things.
The story that the voice who follows us around, Uriel, backs up, is that this a record of Grandmother and her descendents for posterity. It will be read one day.
So, to you, I say Salutations!
Having arrived in China safely, we've split up to our own adventures! Father has a painting opportunity, Linden's with me...
And Mother's keeping her promise to Evanthe, going fishing to try and improve so they can fish together.
Hey, if I learn Martial Arts, do you think I'll be able to catch fish with my hands?
This will only make me study harder!
And with my whitebelt achieved, I can safely say... No. No, I cannot catch fish with my bare hands...Grrr... That's really unfair, you know?
Well, no matter!
"Onwards, Linden! With this skill, we shall have much more expedient adventures!"
"...You really think we'll encounter mummies in China?""Anything's possible! That is the ethos that drives man to triumph!"
"I suppose preparing for mummies may allow us to conquer mummies... That's reasonable. I'll read up on mummies when I get the chance!"That's the spirit!
Martial Arts don't help with bugs, though... Still! A heroine must perservere! Even when their arm is absolutely coated in about 100 insects.
"Aaaaaaah! Oh my god, it's an empty box!"Yes, the struggles of our young heroes are many!
My parents are enjoying their time away from life, work, and everything but eachother. It's not as if they have skills to max besides my father's desire to learn some cooking recipes. They spent their first evening on a sort of little 'date' around the lot.
Linden and I have been doing well, panics aside! He's done a fine job of collecting treasure and helping hit switches while I run ahead!
"Hey, Linden? You're doing a good job. I'm very glad you came along with me. It's not like you had to!"
"What else is a 'sidekick' for?""Don't say it like that, you dope! You're my partner! Partner! Share the loot, share the risk, share the glory!"
I pat him on the back and he laughs.
Linden... He's really a sweet guy. Sure, he needs some whipping into shape every now and again, but who doesn't?! He's very gentle and sweet, and I think he's a person with so much potential that he doesn't even know...
...But if he liked me, he would have said something, right? So in other words, he doesn't like me like that.
I'm not saying it's hopeless, however! I've just got to find the right moment, and he'll fall for me for sure!
The perfect dramatic moment...
Hm, I don't think it's when I'm getting my VISA upgraded, or anything like that. Such moments are not grand or romantic enough!
But while I'm pondering this challenge, a new challenger has appeared! It is THIS MAN, learned it in the Martial Arts!
While his fists and feet move so quickly that they blur, I cannot back down! I refuse to surrender! While he may -- does -- beat me today... One day, I will be the queen of the Chinese Martial Arts tournament! I'll be able to tell this man that I have overcome that great person at the start of my path.
And to do that...
"Come on, Linden! Let's train!"
We spend a while in the Scholar's Garden, working up our own skills. Lindens' got a talent for it...And when he gets his own gi, I must say... He's really very attractive.
But even more than that, as the boards crumble beneath my hand, as I test my strength against reality itself. The strength that will carve a happy ending for Linden and I...
It's the strength of improving, little by little, honing my body into a tool with which to create that story. That's a challenge I'm all for, for the rest of my life!
And so it comes to me in a flash of outrageous clarity -- a lifetime wish of Physical Perfection!
A small parent check-in before moving on to my next idea.
...This is what adults get up to while the kids are away, hmm? Flagrant skinny-dipping?
I APPROVE!
"This water jet feels odd...Are you sure this is a good idea, Aster?""Look at my foot. It is like a little Africa at the end of my leg. Hello, Africa."My next idea was that, when we were both worn out, I could go about creating that perfect moment!
"Hey, Linden -- why don't we go have a picnic at the Hot Springs? You know, you and me?"
"...L-like...a date?"I put my hands on my hips and laugh.
"Yeah! Exactly like a date!" I say with all the courage I can muster. 'Nothing happens until you act decisively,' I remind my fluttering heart.
Like my parents last night, we lay out a picnic basket and eat. I speak to him warmly. But when dinner's done, he turns to leave.
There's no way I'm letting my quarry escape me!
"Wow, your shoulders are tense. It's all that working out."
"Well, no pain, no gain, right?""Exactly! But you also have to take care of pain, even when going for such wonderful results!"
"...I...suppose?"He's not sure of where this is going. I understand.
"Turn around."
I knead my hands into his back, trying to plan out my next move. Do I just kiss him? Do I lead up to it slowly?
...He's a smart guy. He'd like the words, I'm certain!
"Linden, I wanted you to know...Remember when you thought I was amazing?"
"I-I still do.""Well, you might be right. But you're amazing. You're smart and you're nice... And you didn't have to do any of this. Following me today, helping me out, braving perilous traps by my side, you didn't have to do a lick of it!"
"...I'm sorry.""Don't be! Because what I want... Is to never leave your side."
I lean forward, and we kiss.
Since the invention of the kiss, there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one...
Was pretty dissapointing! I am dissapointed in my weak kissing technique!
Oh, sure, there was something wonderful in having his hand on my shoulder, the intensity of his return... But it was sloppy!
"I'm going to have to practice more! 12 kisses a day, until my kiss is perfection!"
"...I...have no objections to that..." Linden muttered, raising his fingers to his lips in stunned silence.
"W-what? Even after that..."
"We'll get better. Even more important... Is that you want to kiss me. And I want to kiss you. But I think 12 might be a lot of kisses per day. Let's start small.
I-I love you!"Even after my perfect moment fell apart...
"I love you. Thank you, Linden."
I smile, and kiss him again. Already, this one is better than the last.
That is the force of will that creates happy endings!
Aster's RequirementsLifetime Wish: Living in the Lap of Luxury
Career: Architect
Supermax Skill: Painting
Building, Property: Hogan's Deep-Fried Diner, Romper Recreational Park
LTR: Innapropriate in a Good Way, Artisan Crafter, Extra Creative
Best Friends: Ariel Seraphim, Reed (Joy) Seraphim, Evanthe Seraphim, Lindsay Coulter, Helmut Roderickson, Jacob Roderickson, Ross Dorman, Orchid Seraphim, Gabriel Seraphim, Cyriaque Cantu, Ami Oakley
Black Ops: When Dream Come True, Scavenger Hunt: Rare Elements, A fishy science project, Outside Reading, Larger than Necessary Doorstop, Local Artists' GalleryPortraits: Toddler, Child, Teenager, YA, Adult
Sculptures/Photos: Child (sculp), Teen (sculp), YA (sculpt and Photo), Adult (Sculp/ Photo)
Orchid's Requirements:Lifetime Wish: Physical Perfection
Career:Supermax Skill: Martial Arts (unless travelling glitch, then athletics)
Building/Property: Everfresh Supermarket, Riverfront Swim ClubLTR: Opportunistic, Learned Relic Hunter
Best Friends: Aster Seraphim, Reed Seraphim, Linden Seraphim
Black Ops:Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teen
Sculptures/Photographs: Toddler (sculp&photo), Child (sculp&photo), Teen (Sculp&Photo)
