Chapter 4.2 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 4.4

Generation Four: Orange

Appearance: Orange hair, Island clothing style
Traits: Foodie, Good, Active
Aspiration: Friend of the World
Occupation: Lifeguard
House Goal: 40,000 worth

A Change of Heart

My little beach had been transformed within a couple of days. I was, once again, saving away for the upstairs and roof of my house ... and perhaps some doors and stairs to actually get INTO said house. I cavorted in the waves nearby, reveling in the fact that things were moving along so fast.

Magnus had been with the crew that had built the house, and I was glad to see that he appeared to be suffering no after-effects from me breaking up with him. In fact, one of the work days, he had taken off his shirt while working, and I had noted that he looked good without it... and a niggling unease started in my mind. Why was it I had so much trouble finding chemistry with such a good looking island man? He should have been perfect husband material... but somehow, I couldn't see myself with him.

Shaking my head to rid myself of the thoughts, I turned my thoughts to my jobs. Both of my jobs had now officially started, although the dive job had required another decent chunk of change out of my meager savings to get some extra dive gear, which was unfortunate, because it would be another few days before I could replace that money and have the work on my house continue.

My thoughts again shifted back to the fact that I was newly single. Magnus had mentioned he was taking a vacation to Mt. Komorebi in the next couple of weeks to try out skiing and go on a Mountain climbing excursion, and I wished him all the luck. His upcoming trip reminded me that there was a Romance festival in San Myshuno this evening. I remembered Mom mentioning the Guru there giving her a silly fortune during one such festival, and suddenly, I decided that I'd go. Perhaps the Guru could give me some advice and point me in a direction.

So, a fun bus-ride later, I found myself in a Karaoke bar for the first time, waiting on the festival to start. I wandered up to the bar, noting the lovely redhead behind the bar, and decided to introduce myself. She marveled at the fact that there was a genuine Mermaid in her bar, and mentioned she'd need to tell her wife about it later.

"Wife?" I thought, wondering if she mentioned it because she thought I'd been coming on to her. I hadn't thought I was flirting... but maybe it had seemed like it to her?

I sipped a fizzy drink of some sort that the bartender had recommended, and scoped out the rest of the bar. I didn't see anyone that caught my eye, especially among the men... and by the time I was done with my drink, I noted that the festival folk had finished setting up for the festival, and I wandered outside.

There was a few people milling around, but again, nobody of note, unfortunately. I saw the Festival Punch bowls, and grabbed myself a flirty cocktail. By the time I finished it, the Guru had set up "shop" nearby, and I walked over to introduce myself with a refilled cup.

"Ahh.. " she said with a knowing smile, "You come seeking advice?"

"Well, yes, but how could you tell?" I replied, confused. I hadn't mentioned that I wanted a fortune yet.

She laughed, "Well - other than the fact that pretty much everyone here comes for at least some sort of small advice - I could sense a confusion in you. Did you recently break up with someone you feel you should have liked more?"

Floored, I had to physically close my mouth when I realized my jaw had actually dropped.. but that I had nothing to say to that. I nodded to her, and she smiled a knowing smile.

"You confusion shall soon be cleared up." she predicted, "In fact, the thing you need to remember the most... is this: Your Destiny is Closer Than You Think."

I wanted to ask what on earth that meant... but she had already turned to talk to the next customer, and I realized that a line had formed behind me. Sheepishly, I stepped out of the way and sipped my drink absently.

Still wondering what, on earth, that fortune could POSSIBLY mean... I ended up finishing my drink, but I was still thirsty, so I grabbed another, and wandered over to the painting area. A stunning dark haired girl was finishing up a painting, and I watched her in awe for a while as she worked.

By the time she had finished it, we had introduced ourselves, and she had decided to give me the painting. It was a lovely sea-side scene with a sailboat, and it reminded me so much of home, I couldn't help but mention my picturesque little beach back home.

Greta gasped and replied, "You live in Sulani? On the BEACH?! Oh, that's awesome. I've always wanted to visit there. In fact, the beach has always been one of my obsessions, despite the fact I've never actually seen one."

"You've never seen a beach?!" I asked, incredulous. "But the painting seems so life-like... I assumed you had at least been to the beach once!"

She giggled, and leaned towards me to whisper, "It'll have to be our little secret. I paint beaches, but it's all based on photos. I really have never seen one in person."

"Well, perhaps you should come visit my beach sometime!" I said with a blush, then added, "You would be more than welcome there."

The chat continued, and before I knew it, this drink was gone, too. Excusing myself to go throw it away, she mentioned that she would get me a new drink while I was gone, because she wanted one, too. I walked a few steps away, and tossed the empty cup in a trashcan next to some flower bed displays, and glanced at them admiringly. There was an especially pretty rose just there... I glanced around, and nobody was actively looking at me, so I picked it, and hid it behind my back as I walked back towards Greta.

"I just want to thank you for this lovely conversation." I said with a smile, unable to take my eyes off her, "This is for you." ... And.. for better or worse, I handed her the rose.

Greta looked at me with a considering eye, smelled the rose, and smiled broadly. "It's lovely, Charlie. I am so glad I met you here. I saw you before, you know."

Stunned, and racking my brain for where I might have seen her, I replied, "But I thought you've never been to Sulani?"

She smiled, and took my hand. "It wasn't in Sulani. It was at the thrift shop in Copperdale. I wanted so badly to meet you, but you were very busy with an older red-haired lady. I didn't want to interrupt, so I never got a chance to say hello."

"OH!" I said, trying to think back to remember if I'd noticed her at the shop that day... and I had to admit, sheepishly, that I had been so busy talking to my Mom, I hadn't noticed ANYONE there. "Are you glad you've met me now?" I asked, blushing slightly.

"I am." she replied, taking my other hand.

Before I could stop myself, I had leaned in and kissed her lightly. She didn't pull away, instead, she kissed me back, and ran a hand down my cheek.

I pulled back slightly, and watched her face for a long moment. Then, I threw caution, and perhaps sanity, to the wind, and bent to one knee.

"Marry me. Then you can live in your very own beach paradise with me." I said fervently, and without thinking (or knowing where the ring had come from) - I offered it up to her.

Her face lit up immediately. She took the ring from my outstretched hand, and admired it, then looked back to me. "Okay." she replied, pulling me up off the ground, and kissing me lightly. A smattering of applause went up from behind us - and I turned a little woozily to realize we'd attracted a bit of an audience. One of the people pointed to the nearby wedding arch, and, with a giggle, Greta and I ran over to it. With such an impromptu ceremony, the vows were said, we were announced, and the kiss was given. All around us, the festival workers were tearing down the festival decorations, signaling the end of the evening, but I barely noticed.

Unbeknownst to me, the Romance Guru was nearby as well, smiling broadly. Fireworks went off overhead, and I wondered if they were real or just in my mind.

Taking a deep breath, I reached into my pocket, and pulled out a gift box I always kept with me. "Greta... now that you're my wife, I must confess something. I'm a Mermaid. And now, as my wife... you can be one, too. Here." I offered the box to her, noting her shocked, but happy expression.

"What is it?" she said, looking at the nondescript pile of kelp in the box with a fair dose of confusion.

"It's Mermadic Kelp." I replied. "Eat it when you're ready, and near the water. Then, when you enter the water, magic happens."

She looked down at it again, then closed the box reverently. "I guess we better head to your islands then." she murmured.

With a wide grin, I took her hand and led her towards the nearby bus depot. "Let's go!"

A few hours later, she shook me awake. Apparently I had fallen asleep curled up in her arms on the bus. "Hey, Sleepyhead. Which stop is yours?"

Shaking my head groggily, I giggled. "The only Sulani stop there is."

"Oh! There's only one bus stop here??" she replied with raised eyebrows.

"Yeah," I replied, "It's a small town."

The bus stopped, and we left bus bus, hand in hand. I chartered a boat to get us to our little island, and before I knew it.. we were there. I loved watching the wonder in her eyes and she took in the sights... then, she pulled out the kelp, grinned at me, and quipped, "Here goes nothing...."

One large, icky bite was all that was needed, and she waded into the sea out by the pier I usually painted on. In mere moments, the deed was done, and she looked down at her gorgeous tail, amazed. "I thought you were kidding." she said, Then leaned in to kiss me.

The kiss lasted forever.. and I was somehow surprised that there weren't more fireworks going off overhead.

"Where do you sleep?" she asked, glancing at the grey monster of a building behind me in confusion.

"Right here." I said, and demonstrated how to lay on one's back in the water. "It's really quite comfortable." She gave it a go, and immediately yawned. Giggling, she said, "Maybe we should get some sleep, then. Before we end up passed out on the beach."

I heartily agreed, and soon, we both floated on the waves, sound asleep. It had been a magical night.... but it wouldn't be until morning until I realized the gravity of what I had done.

Bonus Out-Take:

(A/N: Apparently, something was glitched with poor Charlie.. for a while, every time she transformed back into a mermaid, this is what she was wearing. I have no idea why. But it was pretty funny.)

Chapter 4.2 | Rules for this challenge | Chapter 4.4