Luke "Peaceful Place"/Rewards

Story Summary

This story takes place in Year 1. Luke is not yet in a relationship with the MC.

During their trip to the Tambyani National Park, Luke and the MC happen across a baby elephant who seems very ill. Luke risks getting out of their safari car to give it water and cover its delicate skin while rescuers from a nearby elephant sanctuary are called. The baby elephant grows attached to Luke and refuses to go to the sanctuary without him. The sanctuary staff explains that some small elephants become mistrustful of humans after witnessing abhorrent poaching practices, and this elephant probably sees Luke and the MC as "proxy parents." When asked to name the elephant, Luke reluctantly supplies the name "Peter Pearce," a name he says he was saving for something he chooses not to explain.

While the other baby elephants in the sanctuary have playtime, Peter refuses to leave Luke's side. Luke juggles the soccer balls the elephants are playing with to draw Peter in, and Peter comes out of playtime with a new friend named Elsa, even sharing his food with her at mealtime. The sanctuary staff ask for Luke and the MC to stay in a cot near Peter overnight, adding that two rangers who happen to be from Stellis' nation will protect them. The rangers, Kai and Elias Page, arrive and are stunned to discover their unforgettable instructor from the military is half of the pair that saved Peter.

Just before bedtime, Kai and Elias have someone stall Luke so they can ask the MC what kind of person he is. When the MC describes him with warmth, they tell a very different tale of Luke as a cold, strict, and elite special forces instructor. When Luke arrives, the two make up an excuse about Luke learning childcare skills to help the MC in their future and scramble away. Luke and the MC argue about who will take the cot and eventually decide to push a bench against it so neither of them has to sleep on the floor, but Luke has difficulty controlling his thoughts and chooses the floor anyway.

After a few days, Kai and Elias find Peter's herd, and an emotional reunion takes place, with Peter trying to coax the humans to join the herd and Peter's mother trying to remember their scents. The MC becomes very emotional worrying about the difficulties Peter will face as the herd disappears over the horizon. Just as they're about to leave, a gunshot sounds from the herd's direction.

Elias reports that the entire herd is being hunted by a group of organized poachers. Luke and Kai pursue while Elias calls for backup and protects the MC. A dangerous firefight ensues in which several poachers are shot and some elephants sustain injuries. Luke is nearly shot as well, but he shields himself with one of the poachers' horses. In the aftermath, Kai leads the MC to believe something has happened to Luke by saying that the password to whatever she'll receive later is her birthday. She panics upon seeing Luke resting against a tree covered in blood, but it's the horse's blood; Luke himself is uninjured. The poachers, who are part of an elusive gang, are handed to local police.

Luke "trains" Kai and Elias as punishment for Kai's prank. The MC questions Luke about Kai's password comment, and Luke grudgingly admits that he has to have a will ready at all times because of the nature of his job. While Luke gives his statement to the police, the MC falls asleep and has a nightmare about Luke's death. When Luke wakes her from the nightmare, it's already early the next morning, and the two have a picnic in the nature reserve while discussing Luke's job. The MC explains that she'll support Luke despite the danger he faces, just as he supported her when she insisted on joining the NXX Investigation Team, but she makes him promise never to deny himself happiness out of concern that he'll bring sadness to those around him.

Illustrations

InterrogateThere may always be an accident waiting to happen, that's why Luke is always prepared for anything.

Luke "Star Athlete" PearceSince he was young, star athletes in interschool competitions would always have beautiful girls cheering for them. Luke's cheerleading team was a bit special- it consisted mostly of children.

Video Call

Video Call		Luke: Peaceful Place (After Story 6)

Video Call script

Luke: Did you see the video I sent you?

Luke: Kai and Elias recorded it. They ran into Peter's herd while on patrol a few days ago. He's doing great.

Luke: Does that make you feel a little more at ease now?

Luke: Of course, I can tell how you're feeling. You've been staring at Peter's photos and videos ever since we got back.

Luke: You even said that it was fun watching me take care of him, like I was a househusband.

Luke: It might be because I'm good with children, so I picked it up faster.

Luke: How many children can I look after at the same time...? I've never given that any thought...

Luke: How many children do I want to look after at the same time? Are boys easier to look after than girls? You're asking some weird questions...

Luke: All right! If I must give an answer... then...

Luke: I could probably look after three or four with no problem.

Luke: Seeing how Peter and I get along swimmingly, I guess boys should be easier to take care of.

Luke: However, I think I would be good with taking care of girls too. I'd do well playing house considering how much I've played it with you in the past!

Luke: ...! I'm not anticipating anything at all...!

Luke: Okay, okay. Let's talk about something else. I'm free today, so why don't we go somewhere?

Luke: Yeah. I'll come pick you up. Wait for me!

Story Locations

Tambyani
Tambyani National Park

Tambyani
Elephant Sanctuary

Tambyani
Elephant Sanctuary

Tambyani
Elephant Shelter

Tambyani
Heart of National Park

Tambyani

Tambyani
Elephant Sanctuary

Story Characters

Luke Pearce

Kai Page

Elias Page

Peter Pearce

Caretaker

Local Police