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Post by Pickle on Jul 3, 2008 11:14:17 GMT -5
I'm posting from school because I'm so ahead in my keyboard/customer service/job searching class I have time to fool around.
So here it is!
I feel we need a time line. This whole story will only take place in a matter of two months. That's how I plan. I actually like this story. And here Lord of Light thought I was crazy for writing a LuminaxKai. But I'll show him it can be done and can be done well.
Oh, and there is mentions of Won and Apples and Won doing a gambling trick, but just the apples themselves are a reference to MFoMT. It's one of the few things that differs that game from FoMT. Yet, this story could take place in the realm of FoMT or MFoMT. So yah, if it is similar to the apple game but not really at all, I know it's a mistake but I just wanna do something different with apples. So…yah. Hope that made sense.
Lumina came at the beginning of Spring. Not the first day, but the Third of Spring (Spring 3). This should be noting merely because it is now the Twenty-First of Spring (Spring 21). This means that Lumina had been staying under the roof of the Poultry Farm for eighteen days. Over two week and a half. Popuri was still happy to have her. It felt like an extra-long sleep over. Almost like having a sister. No other girl in town had a girl sibling, only brothers. So it made her feel really special. Though they obviously were no relatives (only barely enough alike to be cousins if you tried to match Rick's hair with Lumina's), Popuri had her fantasy.
Ann adored Lumina’s clothing, wondering where she could get a bandana like that. Karen seemed to size up the girl, and then gave her a pat/noggie, complimenting her on the little headband. Mary and her talked about most things Popuri could not understand but at the time was more then happy to skim through a plant book to look at the pretty pictures (later, Mary confided in Lumina who then confided in Popuri that Karen felt no threat towards this new girl so Lumina could be a friend). She had yet to meet Elli, but there was a reason for this.
For her part, Lumina helped out as much as she could. The first week she did nothing but let herself be around by Popuri to see all of her friends and anyone else walking in the day. Even played with May and Stu. Lumina told them about Hugh and Kate and how the two girls met and now they wanted some pen-pals. Lumina promised she would see what she could arrange.
On the eighth day, Lillia felt quite sick and collapsed. Rick and Popuri nearly fought over who would take her to the doctor. Their guest, quite scared but a little use to such fainting spells, said they should both take and she'll stay here. Lillia spent the night at the Clini while Rick stayed with here and Popuri slept next to her mother in the same bed (until Rick told her to go home to check on Lumina). This is the reason Lumina has yet to meet Elli. Popuri likes Eli just fine, but she always acts more adult then the rest of them and has a steady job at the Clinic. When Popuri actually goes to visit her, its only concerns her mother. Such a shame.
When mother and son came home, Popuri was up feeding the chicken (because she so could even if Rick thought she could not or should not!) while Lumina made a breakfast of porridge and scramble eggs for the return home. She could not cook well and wanted to make some fried eggs, but she lost two that way so decided to do the easier method. And she could boil water.
On the evening of the ninth day, Popuri and Lillia turned in early, so all that is left around was Rick and Lumina. Rick goes out and does his late afternoon chores while the girl watches the desk. Of course, the place is closed by now but never the less someone should watch the desk. It goes off with a hitch. Rick drops off the shipments and brings some for food for the house. He also learns a trick Lumina can do and finds it very interesting before leaving for his nightly ritual of going to the watering hole. Rick does care about his mother, but the two girls can take care of everything.
It is pretty much determined if Lillia needs to go to the doctor, Lumina will stay behind and keep watch over the house.
Lumina's trick is not mentioned right, but there is a reason for that as well.. On the eighteenth day, specifically. Which is the current date.
Lumina had never been really exposed to a social crowed. Of course, many people in Forgot-me-Not Valley visit her home and she makes a nice hostess. But this is a different setting all together. Like any other day, she keeps next to Popuri: Her hostess. Today Popuri wanted to go to the beach and visit Zack, mainly to get some ideas on what to get Lillia for her birthday next year. Some stuff took forever to order! There were other reasons, but Zack was the important one.
Since Lumina had no idea it was the older woman's birthday two days ago, she volunteered to cook the cake. She followed a simple recipe out of a book, but the household thought it tasted great. Cake was cake. How can one say cake is bad!?
Down the beach they went. Popuri sighed a little when she saw the empty shack house. Lumina paid no mind, more in favor at staring at the ocean. How pretty. Both stopped daydreaming and slid to the small house, if the little pile of wood could be called a house. Without a knock the two teenagers bustled in with a shout of, "ZACK!" from Popuri.
Unlike most of the other homes in the town-all made of wood exterior and interior-the place looked half complete. Boxes used for important and exporting dozens of times over were stacked somewhat neatly in the corner. On the other side of door barrels were set for whatever they were used for. Walking forth from there lead to a kitchen, complete with stove, sink, and fridge, but nothing more. No tiles or counter space unless you counted the crates. Nothing sat in the middle of the room, but in the middle of the north wall was a bookshelf with books filling every space. Next to it was a king-sized bed with articles and pictures and other fantasies taped above it. The whole place felt a bit dingy and looked more like someone lived their temporary, but Popuri only saw this home perfect for Zack.
Oh, and Won, too. But Popuri doesn't hang out with him.
Zack, of course, was there. His daily 'walking around and checking everything and dropping off any packages' was done but not time for 'need to collect everything so I can ship it out and bring in income to the town' time.
The tanned man greeted the petite girl with a smile. "Hey Popuri. What can I do for you today?"
She jumped a little, "What should I order for Mom next year?" She was very excited!
Zack stared down at the little girl with a bit of a shock expression on his face. "Um…don't you think it's a little early to be thinking yet? That set of bone china yah bought hasn't even been unpacked."
"Well, I know! But it's a good idea to plan ahead. That's what Mom says, so I really want to be very prepared!" Oh was Popuri ever clever. She bet nobody planned advanced in a year. So proud!
Zack, personally, did not agree, so he tried very nicely to stir her away from such thoughts. "Yah, but if you plan too early, you might forget where you put the item or why you got it in the first place. Maybe another season.”
This did not please Popuri. She liked her plan. So she used her weapon: The puppy eyes. Those puppy eye. Not many adults could resist them. "But…But…I wanna get Mama something reeeeealy special." Zack looked a little frighten at the girl. Oh he knew he lost. He always seemed to with the pink-haired ladies for the Poultry farm. With a resigned sigh, he went to grab some catalogs.
At the same time the two older Mineral Resident look for a great gift for one-hundred and eighteen days from now, the two newer Residence were talking. Or rather, Won was trying to get Lumina to play a game or buy something. Lumina, being taught not to fall for tricks, did not buy anything. However, she did watch Won's game. It was one of those "hid the ball under the cups and find it." Lumina had guessed them all right. She only placed ten GP down. She had won so far six games. Each game was doubled or nothing. Lumina was going to be earning six hundred fourty GPs, for all those who do not like to figure out math equations. Won was not looking happy.
Won gave the cups a very vigorous swirl and waited for Lumina to pick, "Which cup?" Lumina looked, then frowned. Won waited for a moment, but Won was not a patient man. "Well?"
"It's not here."
"What?!"
"It's not here."
"But you haven't lifted any of the cups up." He looked very irritated.
"Doesn't mean it's there." She looked at Won, "I think it got caught in your sleeves."
By now, Popuri and Zack were paying attention to the conversation (small space plus Won's loud voice equals everyone hearing).
"What is Lumina talking about?" Popuri really did not know. All she heard were 'the cups up.' That made little sense.
"I have no idea!" Won looked edgy.
"It's in his left sleeve." Lumina said bluntly. She really had not idea how bad this was for Won.
Neither does Popuri, "Why would it be there?"
But Zack does. "WON, YOU…You cheated me out of you paying your RENT THIS MONTH!" Zack was not a happy man.
The girls exchange glances. Yes, they totally had no idea what is going on here. Zack strutted over to Won, shook the left arm and out rolled a little white ball. Lumina picked it up. "Yep, that's the one."
Zack looked ready to do something far more illegal then Won ever did. Lumina looked at little scared, not really wishing to be a witness to anything bad. Popuri is curious. "How did you guess it fell up his arm?"
Ignoring that falling only happened when things fell down, Lumina shruged, "I just saw it, I guess."
"Kind of like how you count the eggs so fast?" Lumina nodded to Popuri's question.
Ah, here is that pervious note. You know, the trick Lumina can do. The one that Rick found out? It is here, folks.
"What trick?!" Won says, but he is really thinking, 'Oh please let Zack get distracted, oh please let Zack get distracted.
Distracted he did. For Zack paused from shaking Won like the bastard he was and instead glanced on Popuri and Lumina. Because usually questions made by Popuri should be thought upon since the little lady did need such attention. And they do no always make a great deal of sense. Or in those very rare cases to question the sanity of existence.
Yah, she was that good.
Popuri also liked to brag. About how pretty her dress was, about her imagination, about how not-dumb she was anymore, how grown up she was becoming, how lady-like she was, how she could punt Rick if she so choose to. Bragging about Lumina became something of a hobby now for her since Lumina was just so shy. Someone had to speak for her!
"Yah! It's a cool trick. Um…" Popuri looks around, sees the wall above the bed, and points at the articles and such. "Lumina, how many piece of paper are hanging."
Lumina looks. Lumina stares for a second. Lumina's mouth opens. “Ten. ” (NOTE: I might be wrong, I correct this at school)
Popuri beamed, Zack looked a little impress, Won frowned. The salesman, clearly, was not overwhelmed. "That was no trick. I can count those."
"No!" Popuri waved her arms. Obvious, he so did not get it. "She can count really fast. Like, just look at something and she knows how many there were. It was pretty helpful when I thought I lost a chicken!" This is to never be mentioned to Rick because Popuri insisted she could take care of them for a day. It was not her fault they wouldn't hold still so she could count them. Or watch them.
Won is more then ready to test. He could see a way to earn the money he owns back. And even make some. "Alright, let's do a test." He shuffled behind his orange crates and picked up a basket. From his spot, Zack sees they are filled with apples. Won motioned for the other man to hold up a blanket. Zack sighs, but complies. If he was not so curious to see what would happen, Won would get a throttle. He deserved one. Won put the apples down. He held up three fingers.
"Are you ready?" It sounded like a match. Popuri and Lumina share the same blink and blank look to one another, then shrugged. Zack was debating about throttling again. But Won pulled out a stop watch from somewhere, maybe his hat, and shouted a loud "Go!"
"Twenty-three."
A pause in the room. Won looked at his watch. He more or less clicked it on and off like a child playing with a pen.
It didn't even get to a full second! Well, it did, but that was due to the time for her to actually say the word. It took her less time to count then it took her to say the three-syllable, eleven letter word.
Well, there goes that idea of winning his money that way.
The tanned man looked intrigued and ignored the Eastern salesman mumble and grumble. Zack turned to Lumina with a bright smile "Like a human calculator, huh? Does Lady Romana know you can do this?"
Lumina shrugged a little. "I think so…I've always been good in math, but…she always wanted me to be more lady-like and concentrate on more…artistic skills."
"HEY! THERE IS TWENTY FOUR!" By and by, Popuri just got done counting.
"…There are twenty-three apples." Won looks at the pinky-but-blonde girl.
"Are you sure?" Popuri pondered loudly, but goes back to counting. Won debated if he could swindle her, but decided that he would only upset Zack more. He still may be able to avoid paying rent.
Once all the little beauties are added up finally by Popuri, she is yet again in a deep thought. Like two little monkeys jumping on the bed, she thinks with a bob. Yet her thoughts do not answer her question. So what do you do when you don't have an answer?
You ask an adult, of course! One you trust.
"Hey Zack?"
"Yes?"
"What could a skill like that be used for?"
Let us pause in the story a moment. The frame is frozen as the author gives these narrations. Remember the mention that there were other reasons Popuri came to visit Zack. This is where this comes in. You see, Lumina is looking for employment. If you are wondering why, there are excuses that will be given. But the real reason is simply for the author to know and for you, the reader, to find out. Though it might not be what you think it might be…
Now, let us go back to the mayhem.
Zack brought a hand under his chin and really thinks. "Well, I guess math teachers would be a good one." A rather dirty look to the side for Won, "Or for cheating."
"Hey!"
"Though I know little Lumina here would never become a scoundrel." Zack gave the girl a pat on the head and a huge smile. Lumina smiles, but there is curiousness in her eyes.
"What else could I train for?" She asked without so much as a hesitation.
Zack yet again pondered with his chin in his grip. "Oh, at lot of things it would be useful. With counting chickens (Popuri giggled at this), counting crops, counting money, maybe even books if you so wished…"
"Counting shipments." Won put in.
Zack pointed, "Yes. Like shipping."
"That sounds like a good idea!" Popuri said with a clap.
Well, this threw the two men in a loop. What was she talking about? "What does?" Zack asked. He had a feeling this maybe something that would not be a good thing for him.
"Working with shipping, of course!" Popuri commented in an almost plain manner as her hand slipped around Lumina's shoulder, "Lumina needs a job. And since she can count really fast, it would be useful for shipping, right?"
Now Zack let his jaw hang out. "Wait a minute. I think we are getting ahead of ourselves."
Popuri knew that Zack, for whatever strange and stupid reason, was not liking where she was going with this conversation. This was apparent. She needed to make a counter as fast as she could. So she put on the brightest smile she could. "Oh but why not?! She could be your apprentice or whatever. It would only be until the end of summer! She wouldn't need to be paid that much and everyone else is all set with employment. And how can you say no to us." Popuri looks to Lumina, then nudges her a little. Lumina realized her cue and instead of looking afraid with a sulk, she instead looks afraid with a bright smile. It does show very healthy teeth. "Besides, she is so responsible, I bet she'll really help things go along"
"I know, but-"
"And she is very bright, and she'll understand whatever you tell her!"
"I'm sure she-"
"With that new farmer, now becoming use to the hard work, I'm sure you are getting more products then you ever had before!"
"That may be tr-"
"And she can push stuff. I know she looks really skinny, but she is really strong!"
"I don't need he-"
"I think Old-Lady Romana would appreciate showing her grand-baby some new ways to succeed in life! She would defiantly trust you to take care of her."
"As much as I agree-"
"And you know, maybe having a young, pretty face around could…I don't know. Make people…like it more!"
That last one, Popuri was reaching just a little bit. But he was caving in. Popuri could see that.
Zack looked to the side. He needed a good way to back out of this corner. You would think it would be easy to tell two little children to get away.
You would think that.
But how could he refuse the dependence of people who helped him out in the past?
"…Just until she has to go home. But she is not doing pick-up! And she'll only be helping me in the evenings. Maybe some early help on Saturday."
Already the two lasses were giggling and jumping up and down and hugging and giggling some more. Popuri giggled a lot louder while Lumina became springing in her step. Soon, Lumnia gave Zack a bear hug. Well, tried to. Hard for the reed-thin girl to hug the bear-like fellow. "Oh thank you! I will promise to be here at…um…"
"Come in at 4:00 tomorrow and I'll explain everything then." He couldn't help but smile.
"Yes Boss! Er, sir!" She does a curtsy. It is how proper ladies greet, after all.
When Lumina let go, Popuri flung herself at Zack who pretty much had not choice but to catch her unless he wanted her to bounce off him and crash into a barrel. "Oh thank you thank you thank you!" She gives him a hug too, but her arms wrap around his meaty neck and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek.
His face goes red as he brought a free arm to rub the back of his head. His other hand rubs the back of Popuri's back. "Yah, well…it's nothing."
Popuri noticed the blush and found it rather funny. Well, the coloring. It's really weird. It goes, but it doesn't go. But it is cute how it only hovers around his cheek. Popuri let go and quickly grabs Lumina's hand, "Let's go tell Mom!"
Lumina nods and the two bolt out of the door in a hustle. That calmly silence flowed over the room.
"You're nothing but mush."
Until it is broken.
"Yah…"
Kai will be in the next chapter. And yes, there is a little Zack/Popuri. It will be developed more in the future chapters as well. I'm guessing maybe three or for more chapters. As I planned it. But contrary to Laugh, this is only having a light romance (thought really, Laugh didn't have much of a romance…per say). Not random proclamations of love out of no where (or random naked in bed). Sorry if you wanted that, Coco. It just…didn't happen. It's just a hinted thing for perhaps the distant future in my head. I have no plans for a squeal, but maybe if Coco wants it…
I think I'm thinking too ahead.
Though on the plus things, this thing is practically writing itself. OH AND HOW EVERYONE KNOWS EVERYONE WILL BE REVEALED!
Because yes, this is planned.
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[M:3]
