imported>Harmonea |
imported>Elaeagnifolia |
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| {{tab/header|Story 1}}
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| '''Scene 1: Street'''
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| The sun was waning when you left the client's house. Going back to the office now would be too late.
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| You called Celestine to make sure there was no urgent matter to take care of, and then started your weekend early.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Huh? Isn't this Luke's antique shop?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Come to think of it, doesn't that novelist live nearby the antique shop?
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| You are just about to drop in on Luke when you see a man lurking about suspiciously by the door.
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| The man is holding a large cardboard box, looking hesitant. He looks familiar.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' That cardboard box... Could he be wanting to sell his antiques? Why linger by the door?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Excuse me... Are you...
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| The man turns. Upon seeing you, he drops the box and runs.
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| He's definitely up to something!
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| You pull out your phone and are just about to call Luke when you hear his voice behind you.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' (Name)? Why are you here?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I thought I heard you. Turns out I wasn't imagining it.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Luke! Just in time! A suspicious man left some dangerous items at your door! Did you piss off anybody lately?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Dangerous items?
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| Luke looks about, and then notices the cardboard box.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' You mean this box?
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| Luke kneels down to inspect the box. Upon seeing him touching the box carelessly, you stop him.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Be careful! What if it's a bomb?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Bomb... Really, (Name)? What got into you lately?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I just took on a case about a famous novelist being blackmailed.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' His latest novel has a tragic ending; a fan got upset because of it and started mailing razors to his house.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' He didn't take it seriously initially, but a few days ago, a bomb was delivered to his door!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' That's so unbelievable! Did anyone get hurt?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Fortunately, the bomb maker seems to be quite the amateur; the bomb turned out to be a dud...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So the novelist called the police, and then came to our office to file a lawsuit.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I mean, the guy's only a novelist! As a detective dealing with a lot of money, you should be more careful.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Don't worry. I know what my job is like. I know how to protect myself.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Maybe I was really spooked... That suspicious man just reminded me of that case I'm working on.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Well, would it put you at ease if I inspect it for explosives? Stand back. I'll get my equipment.
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| Luke has the equipment to find explosives? Did he make it himself?
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| You stand aside while Luke comes back out with something that resembles a handheld POS machine.
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| He performs a complete circular scan of the box with the machine, but nothing shows up on the machine.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' No hazardous materials or explosives inside. I peeked inside and saw only books. We should be fine.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I've been collecting second-hand books to donate to orphanages. Maybe the man just came to drop off some books.
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| He points at the sign outside the door that reads, "Second-hand books wanted."
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' If that's the case, why did he run when I confronted him?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Well, it is better to be safe than sorry. I'll look it over some more after I get it inside.
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| Luke picks up the box, his coral-colored eyes full of smiles.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Though I'm living alone, I do take good care of myself. I also prioritize my safety when out on jobs.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' No need to worry about me anymore. I'm no longer that emotional and reckless kid you knew back then.
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| Luke's words break the awkward silence. The way he cherishes and cares for you is evident and heartwarming.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You have always been reliable, even when you were just a kid...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Anyway, let's check out the box. I'm a bit curious myself...
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| Suddenly, the bottom of the box collapses from the weight of the contents inside. All the books fall out.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The guy didn't even tape it up? What was he thinking... Books are heavy. Did he not take into account that the box might not hold up?
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| You kneel down to pick up the books for Luke. A small crimson box among them catches your attention.
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| The box is made of wood, about the size of your palm, with animals made out of mica flakes inlaid on the surfaces.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' What a beautiful jewelry box!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Hmm... Mahogany, delicate craftsmanship... Probably from the Old Dynasty period.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So it's an antique?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Possibly. I'm no expert, but it definitely shouldn't be given to me instead of some antique market.
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| Luke tapes up the bottom of the cardboard box and puts all the books back in.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Come. We'll take a better look once inside.
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| {{tab/header|Story 2}}
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| '''Scene 1: Antique Shop'''
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| You've seen a suspicious man outside of Luke's antique shop.
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| The man left a cardboard box full of books and an antique mahogany jewelry box.
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| Luke studies the wooden box under a magnifying glass and finally finds something.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Here it is. A date at the bottom of the box. It's from the Old Dynasty period and made for the royals.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If it isn't a knock-off, it'd worth quite a bit. It makes no sense to just throw something like this away.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Maybe he didn't realize it was in here?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If that's the case, we better give it back to him.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' But we don't have any info on him...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Also, if he didn't even want to be seen donating the books, I don't think he'd want to come for this box.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' True. Dunno what he's thinking...
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| Luke pulls on the seemingly pure gold ring on the box, and then puts it to his ear and shakes it cautiously.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' It's locked, and there's something inside.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Hm... I better try to open it. Such a luxurious box must hold something of great value.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If that's indeed the case, we'll have to report it to the police.
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| Luke really has thought everything through. You nod your head as he takes out several small tools from his tool bag.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You better be careful. We don't want to damage it...
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Have some faith in me. The box is valuable, sure, but the lock on it isn't anything complicated.
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| By the time he finishes the sentence, he has already unlocked the box with a clean "click."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Photos! You rarely see actual photo prints nowadays!
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| You glance at the photo and then it hits you.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' | just realized why he looks so familiar. He looks like [[Jacque Dennis]]!
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| The photo features the man and a woman at one of Jacque Dennis' live performances.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Jacque Dennis? The famous singer from here who uses a foreign stage name? The one who's topped the charts for 15 years?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The resemblance is striking...
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| One of the pictures features Jacques Dennis with the couple. Anyone would be fooled into thinking the two men are twins.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' He looks familiar to me, too, not because he looks like Jacque Dennis, but because I've seen him somewhere...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Could this woman be the man's girlfriend or wife?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Both of them look like fans of Jacque Dennis.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' From the pictures, they seem to have toured around the world with Jacque Dennis.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If I were to analyze, the woman wasn't in a romantic relationship with the man... At least, not yet.
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| Luke picks out two pictures and hands them to you.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' See. They stood together side by side, but there was no physical contact at all.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' They kept a friendly distance away from each other.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Com'on, don't tell me you don't see how they look at each other.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Really? Well... This is why I don't take any relationship-related cases... I really can't tell.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Hey! There's a card!
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| There is a hand-written card with an embossed rose amidst the photos. The handwriting is neat and elegant, evidently written by a woman.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "You don't have to do it like this. You are like nobody..."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' That sounds like a rejection.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Wait! Now I remember! I did meet the man! Follow me.
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| Luke suddenly grabs your hand and leads you upstairs.
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| His hand is soft with some calluses on the upper palm that tickle your wrist.
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| This is in no way a casual distance. Looking at Luke's back, you can't stifle your internal laughter.
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| He would definitely blush if you were to tease him about it. At the same time, you hear your heart beating louder.
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| '''Scene 2: Detective Agency'''
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| Luke heads straight for his file cabinet upon reaching the second floor and soon takes out an old and yellowed book.
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| He opens the book, snatches out a photo from within the pages and hands it to you.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Look. Doesn't it look like one of the photos from the wooden box?
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| {{tab/header|Story 3}}
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| '''Scene 1: Detective Agency'''
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' It's from an old book that I got last month, [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pablo_Neruda Neruda]'s "Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair."
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| You take a look at the photo. It does look like it belongs with the photos found inside the wooden box.
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| The same locale, the same man and woman, but taken at different angles.
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| The photo that Luke has seems to be a selfie taken by the woman.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' There's also a letter that came with the photo.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I've read it. It's a love letter to the woman.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' A love letter?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yeah... and a pitiful one at that, if I may say so.
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| You take a look at the letter in question, and find yourself agreeing with Luke's assessment.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "I know you love only him, but don't I also resemble him in many ways?"
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "If you'd just give me a chance, I can become even more like him. All I ask for is to love and take care of you..."
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' "Even if I were just his mere reflection..."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I didn't get what it's about at first, but if the woman in the picture was whom the letter was for, it makes sense.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man and the woman were both fans of Jacque Dennis. They probably met each other during the tour.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man wishes to court the woman, but she loves Dennis and Dennis alone.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The man resembles Dennis to begin with, but he's willing to imitate Dennis in every way just so he could get the girl... However...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' The woman turned him down?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' If the card inside the wooden box was indeed her reply, then yes.
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| You never would have thought to discover such a story from a pile of books...
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| However, there is no mistaking the way the woman looks at him in the photos. They even have the photos printed out as keepsakes...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Neruda! Did you say the photo and letter were tucked inside Pablo Neruda's poetry book?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yeah, Neruda's "Twenty Love Poems and A Song of Despair." Is something—
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Ah! I get it!
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| [[File:Luke "Perfect Partner" CG1.jpg|300px|right]]'''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' This poetry collection's fourteenth poem...
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| Luke frowns slightly, trying to recall the poem.
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| The gentle and warm waning sun fills the whole room, adding a sense of devotion to his eyes that are looking beyond the moment.
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| He then stares into your eyes and recites those beautiful lines softly.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "You are like nobody since I love you."
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Let me spread you out among the yellow garlands. Who writes your name in letters of smoke among the stars of the south?"
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| His voice is a bit low and course, delivering your favorite poem from your student days to perfection.
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| His recitation moves you deeply. You can't resist the urge to recite with him.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Oh let me remember you..."
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| '''You & Luke:''' "As you were before you existed."
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| Both of you recite in unison. As two voices become one, you also find your heart riding on the syllables of the lines.
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| The poem has ended with that last line. Still, both of you remain silent.
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| Submerged deep within your thoughts, you feel like you were drowning in the sense of melancholy floating in the air.
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| Luke closes the poetry book, and then his eyes.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' "Aquí te amo..."
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| The evening breeze brushes past your burning cheeks. You turn around, slightly flustered, but are suddenly reminded of the rose-embossed card in your hand.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' She... I don't think it's a rejection at all.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' I mean, though backwards, she IS quoting Neruda here, right?
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| You hear Luke breathing deeply behind you, followed by the sound of pages flipping.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The woman must have loaned this book out from the library.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The last borrower on the library book card is a... [[Yolanda Jenkins]].
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| You turn around to look at the library book card in Luke's hands.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Yolanda... Her reply was misinterpreted... How sad.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' You received that book last month, and the man just discarded those treasured photos...
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' They probably never ended up together.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' We can't be sure of him discarding those photos yet. There's a chance he didn't even know they were here.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' The photos are dated eight years ago. Why would they keep the photos all these years just to throw them away so casually?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' One misunderstanding drove them apart for eight years. Maybe over the years, it has grown into a grudge or obsession.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' In my opinion... If it were me, I'd do my best to make sure there's no misunderstanding even if everything was set in stone.
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| There's a sense of sadness in his tone so unlike his usual self. Something he may not even be aware of himself.
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| What happened during those eight years...?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Are you going to try to find Yolanda and the man to see if you can help them?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Although it may be rude to meddle with someone else's relationship like this... But yeah, I do want to try.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I'm probably too nosy, right?
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| {{tab/start}}
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| {{tab/header|Yes.}}
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' A little. But I don't think it's wrong to want to help them out from the bottom of your heart.
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| {{tab/header|No.}}
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Can't say I blame you, because... I'd want that for them as well.
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| {{tab/end}}
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I knew you'd be behind me!
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' So, the real question is: how do we find them?
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' This poetry book! It was signed out of the Stellis Public Library. We can start by asking them for Yolanda's contact info.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Yolanda may be in contact with the man. If we find Yolanda, we can probably find the man as well.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' The library should already be closed for the day though...
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| Your stomach suddenly growls.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' ...
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| You feel embarrassed and try to think of something to get out of this awkward situation when Luke rubs his stomach in an exaggerated manner.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' I'm SO hungry I could eat a horse!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' We can go to the library tomorrow. You're not working tomorrow, are you?
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Nope. It's a Saturday!
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Great! We'll meet up at the library tomorrow morning.
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| '''[[Main Character|You]]:''' Sure.
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| '''[[Luke Pearce|Luke]]:''' Now... Dinner!
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| {{tab/header|Story 4}}
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| {{tab/header|Story 5}}
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| {{tab/header|Story 6}}
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| {{tab/header|Video Call}} | | {{tab/header|Video Call}} |
| {{tab/end}} | | {{tab/end}} |