Everything and nothing changed. Lillia and Noki did the same things, but there was an honesty in the space between them. They'd agreed without really saying as much to take it slow, so there was no mad tumble into bed but where before they'd had stepped back from a brush of fingers while walking, a head on a shoulder during a movie they now leaned in.
Noki knew all her secrets, her worst parts and he wasn't going anywhere. She knew all his, from the mad family to the disaster of his finances and she was still in it too. For both of them this was new territory.
Hello Chums. I know we’re not here yet but there are logistics that need to be logisticed (and my blog is several chapters ahead) so I need to pick the Gen 5 heir for my lil legacy. I’m really happy with how the tweaked genetics went.
From top to bottom, R-L we have Rumi, Asa, Matisse, Revel and Hero.
More info is under the cut if you don’t wanna go by look - you can vote here until 21/3.
Monroe Gen 5 is going to have a mystery element that connects (loosely) to the Gen 1/2 Arc so there are things that need setting up. Whichever kids wins will have adventurer as their fifth.
Option 1: Rumi Monroe
Full Name: Rumi Blaise Monroe
Traits: Virtuoso, Good, Vegetarian, Heavy Sleeper
Vibe: Rumi is a drummer, a bit of a hippie and a pretty laid back chick. If she wins the vote she'd pursue the mystery on location, living nomadically and trying to stay grounded, despite the madness.
Option 2: Asa Monroe
Full name: Asa Gray Monroe
Traits: Loner, couch potato, slob, computer whiz
Vibe: If Asa is heir, he'll try and use tech to progress the mystery, using whatever parts of the internet he can to avoid having to physically dig. Ew. He will be a reluctant explorer and work alone which may cause issues.
Option 3: Matisse Monroe
Full name: Matisse Maev Monroe (yes MMM I suck)
Traits: Artistic, brave, excitable, technophobe
Vibe: Matisse couldn't be more different from her big brother, she'll pursue the mystery with great energy, if not much finesse. Her hands on approach may put her risk but she figures maybe it'll also inspire her great work.
Vibe: Matisse's twin, Revel has spent a lot of time cleaning up after her impulsive sister but it's never gotten her ahead. In pursuing the mystery, she believes that order and preparation will see her triumph, if only her luck will hold.
Option 5: Hero Monroe
Full name: Hero Shay Monroe
Traits: Rebel, eccentric, heat lover, nurturing
Vibe: Hero has always gone her own way, and she doesn't really care if it's legal or not. To solve this mystery and protect her family, she'll not only think outside the box, she'll burn the box down.
Rose claimed to be disappointed there had been no fireworks, no steamy bar bathroom hookup but Lillia could tell she wasn't really. Nobody was disappointed. Her parents hadn't even blinked when she'd told them her and Noki were feeling things out romantically, for the first time in a long time Lillia wasn't hiding anything from anyone, there were no games being played, it was easy.
Noki told her he loved her over beers they hadn't waited to get cold while watching a hospital drama. Lillia told him back after she'd had a second to collect herself while refilling the popcorn. Knowing it and saying it were two different things. Letting herself feel it was yet another.
It felt right though, another clear truth in the increasingly simple life she was building.
The moment he saw his mother step out of the taxi, Noki started to think that sending a courtesy wedding invitation home had been a terrible mistake. He'd started to make something worthwhile for himself here in Lucky Palms, he was about to commit to someone truly his equal and join a family with honesty at its core and hard work as their ethic.
He still loved his parents. He missed them, especially his mom, but now he was away from the heavy shadow of the Moon business and the life it dictated to its ruling family, he could see how unhealthy it was. He wasn't going back to that, no apology or plea could undo how he now saw what he'd left behind. Still, he didn't want to fight with his mother on his wedding day.
'I'm not changing my mind Mom.' He was careful to keep his voice gentle but didn't want to waste time getting to the point, if that was why she had come. She looked the same as always, careful surgery had paused her at about 45 for as long as he could remember.
She nodded. 'I didn't think you would, but your father would only let me come if I agreed to pass on a message.'
Reading back over some of her family's journals she supposed persistence was what had really defined each of the heirs before her. Maybe her trials had been self-constructed but that didn't mean overcoming them was meaningless. She could build something better for her kids. Her family would support her in doing that and Noki's were out of the picture.
They had a clear shot, a real chance. That was better than some bullshit fairy tale happy ever after and nothing was going to get in their way.
In all the great love stories, the destined lovers come together in a shower of sparks. Stars align, shoulders bump in a coffee line and the twists and turns are gentle and minimally painful. Lillia calls bullshit.
She'd had a lot of boyfriends. Sometimes it had been romantic but more often than not it had been transactional, calculated; the elite of two circles extending their status, ensuring some meaningless title, proving she could get what she wanted. And now?
Whatever it was she had with Noki was certainly not rose petals and sunset strolls. She loved him. Lillia could admit that to herself now, and she was pretty sure he felt the same but they'd both hurt so many people it would never feel the pure and exciting rush of storybook love. And anyway, they were "just friends".
Her dad and Oscar were waiting to lead her in, and Rose was peeking impatiently out to get a look at the dress. They'd kept things small, wanting to live within their means and celebrate their hard-won happiness with only those closest to them.
She'd made it almost all the way down the aisle, finding strength in the warmth on Noki's face, the solid presence of her father beside her when she spotted the stranger in the crowd. The woman looked at her with curiosity, confusion even, before arranging her face into a neutral impression whose similarity to Lillia's almost-husband told her who she must be. Noki's mother had come to Lucky Palms.
She stumbled slightly, blushing and thrown, sure that Mrs Moon must be judging her, finding her lacking and the panic was back.
Watching her idiot cousin and ex circle each other like self-flagellating martyrs had been fun for a few weeks but now it was pathetic. Anyone could see they wanted to be together and trying not to yell "JUST KISS HIM" in Lillia's face every time she turned up for a coffee or a drink looking all sad and faraway was tough.
Rose and Mugsy were getting married, and not wanting a morose Lillia at the engagement party they hatched a plan.
