Chapter 3.1 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 3.3
Generation Three: Red Appearance: Red hair, scandalous clothing style Traits: Romantic, Hot-headed, Art Lover Aspiration: Serial Romantic Occupation: Art Critic House Goal: 30,000 worth
The next major town party came none too soon. I felt like I had been working way too hard, but the payoff was showing in the promotion I had gotten, and the increase in my paycheck. Add to that the bounty of shells I found the other day, and I had a nice little nest egg. Not a lot, mind you.. but enough. Without me even asking, a local handyman had approached me asking whether I would need help getting my new home built, and offering his services at a fraction of the cost a big company would charge. Of course, I jumped at the offer, because the skies were darkening each day, and the winter monsoons were definitely on the way. Sleeping in the ocean was okay - even wonderful - but for some reason, doing so with lightning coming from the sky seemed like a poor idea. Even mermaids conduct electricity. But - I digress. The party.
I tried out fire dancing for the first time, and was surprised by how easily it came to me. It helped catch the attention of a few of the island men, too... which was a topic on my mind, since the guys I'd spent time with lately were still teenagers.. and therefore, were off-limits. I casually put the fire away, secured myself a plate of delicious island food, and "wandered" towards the nearest picnic table.
Before long, one of those handsome bronzed men made his way to my side and introduced himself. ... Again, as the case may be. He was apparently one of the bears I'd met at the bar the other night, although I certainly had had no idea he looked like THIS under that fluffy costume. His name was Hawea, and he was a Charity Organizer from San Myshuno, but he based himself mostly here in Sulani. When I mentioned who my mother was, his eyes twinkled. Her work repairing the islands was well-known, apparently, and he'd worked with her in the past for donations during things like Turtle Hatching Season. We chatted for what felt like forever, and I hoped I wasn't reading the signals wrong... and I leaned in a bit closer.
His smile widened, and I couldn't help but smile back. Clearly, he was into me... and I wasn't going to pass up on an opportunity like this.
He was a bit surprised... but he certainly wasn't slow on the uptake.
Ignoring the sideways looks from some of the others at the party, I accepted the deepened kiss, and wasn't sorry I did. Man, the guy could kiss! With a sly wink, I took his hand and mentioned my new home. I mean... it wasn't much, but it was private.. and .. would he like to come over??
He accepted easily, and we snuck out of the crowd assembled, and left the party. I noticed my parents were in and among some of the new faces showing up at the party, and smirked to myself. At least they didn't seem to have noticed me.
Hawea didn't seem to mind that the floor was still concrete and the walls were barely dried drywall... and I wasn't going to make a big issue of it, either. I had other things on my mind. We barely noticed when the skies opened up and the thunder started. My home had been "completed" just in time, it seems.
Afterwards, we cuddled a bit, turned the lights out, and decided staying in for the rest of the night was the best choice. I certainly wasn't about to complain. And round two turned out to be even better than the first one.
The next morning, he excused himself early, and I made my way to the bar to sign in on the computer to get the day's work done. By the time I got home, my house was transformed. I brought home some decorations and a large cooler of food (since I didn't really think I should be eating out all the time with my limited funds).
I curled up into bed that night alone... but happy. Even with it being stormy again (as it so often is in wintertime here in Sulani), I felt comfortable and safe in my little hut, and I slept soundly.
The next evening found me at the bar again, working away on the computer, hoping for a break in the storm before making a dash for home. I wasn't paying attention, so I was a bit surprised when the chair next to me was suddenly occupied, and Hawea's smile lit up the dreary evening. I wrapped up the column I had been working on, and happily shared a drink or two with him while we watched the rain. When there was a break in the rain, I excused myself and headed towards home. I hadn't invited him home, and he certainly didn't ask.. which was okay, because I had another full day of work tomorrow.
When I had gotten almost all the way home, I ran into a face I didn't recognize. And wondered what a child was doing out and about in the area at this hour. I wandered over, and asked him if everything was okay. To my surprise, he immediately recognized me and handed me a package. It was a gift from my uncle and aunt! Inquiring the lad's name, and how he came to be in possession of this, his face lit up. His name was Justin, and apparently he had just been adopted by my uncle Austen and his wife, Meilani. How exciting! I congratulated him, gave him a huge hug of welcome, and as quickly as I could - sent him home. It was already dark, and I could feel another storm coming, so I wanted him to get home safe. He skipped off into the distance, and I smiled to myself, heading home with what I soon found out was a house warming gift. They had sent me some produce, and a cake (NOT made of fruit, thank goodness!) .. and a note. Looks like I knew what was on the menu for dinner tonight!
The next day dawned gloomily over the horizon, and I blearily greeted the day with a refreshing swim as I always did. Then, suddenly, I remembered what day it was. Winterfest!! I hurried home, and pulled out the decorations I had brought home. The lights looked perfect on my little red hut, and - with the day off of work - I spent the rest of the day cavorting in the waves and collecting seashells to sell.
Father Winter apparently hadn't forgotten me, however... and despite the rain that had set in once the sun had gone down, he had poofed in from who knows where to drop off my Winterfest gifts. They weren't much, but that was okay.. since I didn't have much of a home to put them in.. but they were welcome none the less. I waved goodbye and headed inside to set up the desk he had brought me. Perhaps soon I would be able to afford a desk chair and a computer to go with it!
Author's Note: Hello again! I was able to carve out some time to write this chapter tonight - and I have another couple in the works after it. At least I have the pictures to prove I've played ahead, and they're just waiting for Kali to whisper in my ear what to say to go with them. If you have been reading along on my home page, you'd have noticed that both my Drifter Challenge and my Master Simmer challenge are back on "rotation," as well... so I'm hoping for some spare time this weekend to work on them, too. Enjoy!
Chapter 3.1 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 3.3
