The 24th Day of Writemas 💚🤍❤️🌟👩💻✍️
It is now Christmas Eve! The last day of Writemas is here! Thank you so much @agirlandherquill for making Writemas possible!🫂 It helped me reach my writing goals, be productive, and get creative. I've enjoyed posting snippets of my writing. Thank you to all who have complimented and accepted this gift! 🤗
For the 24th Day of Writemas I chose the prompt "One day, everything we know will be gone. Until that time, you owe it to history to enjoy it." I liked how this and a couple of the dialogue prompts fit in with my YA Dystopias where a character speaks up against the oppressive region. I realized that it was something my Sanctuary Calling OC Luana would say in the scene where she invites Nari to join her cause, especially with the context of how the two enjoyed VR simulations with historic periods. This was a great excuse to write a scene I wanted to write for so long. I hope you all enjoy this girl 🎀🎁
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Luana sits in my tea table chair while I sit in my desk chair. She glances around at the old toys, Korean decor, and plane models.
She looks at me as she says, "One day, everything we know will be gone. Until that time, you owe it to history to enjoy it."
I rarely hear something like this, if ever. The WC’s media focuses on the immortality of a civilization they believe will last for thousands of years. They describe humanity’s ancestors as fools who defiled Sanctuary’s beauty as a basis for how the WC will foster a greater humanity.
“Yes,” I agree. “We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the hard work and sacrifices of our ancestors. We can’t take life for granted.”
I watch Luana’s face, taking in every detail of her long dark hair, observant dark eyes, floral crown and leis. A feeling tells me there’s something inside her, brewing in her mind. I have no idea. I brush it aside.
She points at the models of my planes. “Is that why you do what you do? Making the most for our future just as our ancestors did?”
“Of course,” I say. “I mean I love it. From the time my father first taught me. I was really little. And if I can use what I love to create a better life, a better future for humanity, why not?”
Luana nods. “I…I should be honest with you.” Her voice draws melancholy. “I overheard that argument with your parents. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop….”
I sigh. “Oh, it’s fine. I was afraid you heard it. I’m not surprised. Honestly, that’s how it is every night.”
Luana closes her eyes for a second, then opens them. “I take it your parents have a different view of what’s best for the future than you do?”
“Well, yeah,” I say because of how obvious it is. “My parents are biased. They’re from families full of doctors. They believe medicine is superior. They believe I need to save as many lives as my father has to continue the family legacy.”
“I’m sorry,” Luana says softly. “Having to put up with that every night. I can’t imagine.”
I nod. “That's why it’s so important to go to the Lunar School. I’ll finally leave them behind. Do what I want to do.”
Luana tightens her lips. “Will it ever end though? What if five years from now, you’re an aerodynamics engineer and one of the best in the field. Will your parents talk about how proud they are of you? Or will they talk about what could have been?”
I hang my mouth open. I try to process. All that had dreamed the Lunar School would give me seems to drift away. “I never thought about it but…” But yes. For all that I envisioned of going to school, graduating, and designing the flying machines of the future, there’s not a light at the end of the tunnel when my parents are standing where the light should be. I know them well enough to know they will spend the rest of their lives ranting about what could have been, even if I develop the fastest flying land vehicle ever.
I raise my voice a little. “Why are you saying this?” I almost forget the wonderful day we spent in the simulators with Myeongseong and Liliʻuokalani. I now wonder who this exchange student is who had to come into my life.
Luana slowly looks around the room.
“Well?” I ask, losing my patience.
“Nari,” Luana says gently. “Are you able to turn off the home AI?”
“Oh, sure,” I say. I’m not supposed to cut Cho off from my bedroom, but my parents won’t notice if it’s only for a few minutes. If we’re going to keep talking about my parents behind their backs, it makes sense. “Jin, turn off Cho’s connection in this room.”
“As you wish!” Jin chirps giddily.
“Also,” Luana adds, “are you fine with turning off your quant?”
I blink. I’ve never heard that phrase before. I suppose it makes sense for a few minutes if we want a private conversion. “Um, okay. Jin, turn my quant off.” I’ll have to manually turn it back on when we’re done, but I’ll live.
Luana smiles satisfactorily. “Sorry for the secrecy. I have to be extra cautious with your parents. They’re so close to the Chancellor that I’d say they’re friends.”
I chuckle. “My mom is friends with the Chancellor!”
Luana nods. “So I had to be careful.” She stands up. “Nari, what if I were to tell you that you have the chance to connect the roots of our ancestors with the present for a better future?”
I tilt my head. “I would ask what does that mean?”
Luana strides around me. I watch.
“Nari, you are very different from everyone else. The speech you gave at the student aviation show. Everything that I’ve seen you do and say today. You have a good head on your shoulders. And a good heart. That’s why I’m trusting you with a secret. What if I was part of a group who knew a way to free you from your parents while freeing all of humanity? Giving you the chance to live your dreams? Giving your chance to walk where your ancestors walked? Enjoying the beauty of this universe?”
I freeze. I feel tingling. Butterflies in my stomach. Chills running up my veins. “I would ask what’s the catch?”
I turn to watch as Luana sits on my bed. “It doesn’t come free. It comes with a lot of sacrifice, but it’s worth it.”
I peer at her. I’m catching on to what our visitor is really about. I should have known back when I saw her profile’s bold bio line: You deserve to be free.
“Come on,” I say. “If you’re part of the Return to Earth Initiative, just say it!”
Luana laughs. “You’re smart Nari! Nice of you to call us that instead of the not so nice names the WC calls us.”
I tap my knee. “Look, I have no interest in reporting you. But I believe you’re barking up the wrong tree. Whatever you’re asking of me, forget it.”
Luana leaned forward. “I can walk away. I appreciate you keeping this a secret. If you give me a chance to make my case, will you listen? I think you want to hear it.”
“Ok,” I say amused. “I’m listening.”
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