《Adventures With a Reincarnated Bush》49 Party
Advertisement
While Arron and Anna consummate their marriage, the children of the village prepare to entertain everyone. Elanor came up with this plan to make the celebration exciting. The two girls decided to dance while the boys decided to put on a play.
Donna and Laurel had picked out a mystical music box from Elanor before she left to hunt. Donna is preparing to take the stage first. The "stage" is just a small clearing set aside for the performances. As Donna is getting hyped for her show, her dad worriedly dotes on her.
Wilbur nervously fixes Donna's hair as he encourages her, "Don't worry, darling. Everything will be alright. Just keep calm."
"Daddy is silly! I'm going to be great," Donna says while clenching her fist near her chest in a victory pose.
While the girl excitedly hops around and the father anxiously tries to comfort her, Elanor walks over. "Are you ready?" She asks Donna while squatting to be at eye level.
"Yeah, I'm super ready!" Donna squeals while patting Elanor's shoulder.
Wilbur stutters as he pats his girl on the head, "Alright, just do your best!"
"Alright, I'm off!" Donna exclaims as she drags a lumpy bag behind her.
Wilbur looks at the bag as it jumbles oddly. 'Is it moving by itself?' he wonders. 'No, that's ridiculous,' he concludes, shaking his head.
Elanor laughs and slaps the father's back. "Stop staring into space and go watch the show," she says.
"Sure, thanks for everything," he replies. He slightly bows to Elanor as he rushes to get a good seat.
As Wilbur leaves, Elanor hears John's voice in her head, "I didn't know you were a music lover."
Elanor shrugs while transmitting back, "I'm not. Everyone in the clan has an interspatial ring filled with the junk."
"Isn't that a waste of materials?" John asks exasperatedly. 'The wealth of ancient clans is ridiculous,' he laments.
"Don't know. But I remember the treasurer once said if we used them as bricks, we could rebuild the entire domain twice," Elanor responds while playing with her silky hair.
Unlike Donna, Laurel is much tenser about her performance. She never seems to be able to get the steps in the way they should. Instead, she stands there taking deep breaths, trying to calm down. Her mother is stroking her head kindly.
Advertisement
Mellisa smiles at her girl having a typical problem. She cups Laurel's face with her hands and consoles her, "You shouldn't worry about what people will think. Just show them your bright smile."
Laurel looks at her mom and sucks in a deep breath before smiling at her. "I understand, mom. I won't let the crowd bother me," she replies.
"Not the fake smile you use to cover up your worries, the real one you had before you had these diviner eyes," Mellisa counters with a motherly smile. Her eyes dart about a bit, trying to find the words she wants to say before continuing, "I know you're worried about living and how important learning to dance is. But we don't even know if this will work. I want to see you happy and living. Not hiding behind a mask until the end." Tears form in her eyes as she watches her daughter's emotions.
"Mom, I..." Laurel says as she chokes back sobs.
"Red eyes won't look good during the routine," Elanor interrupts. She walks over and puts a hand on both of the women's shoulders. "Everyone is different. I taught you and Donna differently, so you shouldn't compare. The steps I show you are more complex and are essential for your future foundation. Donna has a different path and is only doing this for fun. Still, your mother is right. When I met you, you had much more life in you. But recently, you've limited yourself and fell into darkness," Elanor comforts.
"But I don't know what to do," Laurel says.
Mellisa hugs her tightly while trembling. She is way over her head on these magical things. She can't help her daughter at all, and it's been driving her insane.
Elanor smiles and looks over towards Donna as she prepares to dance. "Why don't you watch Donna. Perhaps there is something you can learn from the carefree girl."
As they look over, Donna jumps in the middle of the stage. "It's Donna's dance time!" she exclaims as the music starts. A steady bongo beat with a jaunty flute plays, forming an upbeat song. Donna throws open her bag, causing demonic rabbits to fall out.
"Alright, guys, let's go!" she yells. She begins her dance with heavy steps thumping with the drumbeat. "Jump hop step, step, step," She says without a care in the world. Her brow begins to sweat with exertion as she goes. The rabbits act as her backup dancers as they hop and step with her.
Advertisement
Laurel watches the girl bounce with a peppy attitude. She remembers the fun she used to have, her excitement at meeting Elanor, and the future she used to see. She clenches her fist. Even the other hers in that hellish ocean looked like they were living life to the fullest. They Danced with flair and passion. 'When did I become like this?' she questions herself.
Donna's dance routine reaches its climax as Laurel is thinking. "Shake, fist, fist, jump," she continues. She then makes an A pose and yells, "Time to go, fluffies!" She exclaims. The demonic rabbits then jump one by one off of Donna's head. "Go Fanny, go Paulie, go Senior, go Witney, go Thinky, go Sands, go Hairy, go Bitey, go Jill, go Jack, go Lovely, go Bouncy!"
As Donna finishes her dance Laurel clenches her fist. 'I shouldn't let the future control me,' she decides. She walks out with a determined face. Everyone is clapping and hollering for Donna. As she passes Donna, she smiles at the bubbling girl. "You did great!"
Donna grabs laurel's arm as the bunnies jump all over her. "Yeah! Now it's your turn," she encourages.
"Right," Laurel acknowledges as she strides forth. She grabs her dress and pulls it up slightly as she enters the stage, showing her feet and ankles. The music starts playing with an agile fiddle accompanied by an aggressive piano. She slides one foot around her before making a quick kick on the ground.
Laurel's steps are quick and light, making sharp tapping sounds as she moves. It's almost the opposite of the thumping stomps of Donna. Each of her steps relies on shifting her foot and ankle correctly. She's yet to come close to mastering the dance. Laurel can see every misstep before it happens. Each mistake feels unavoidable causing her to curse herself.
As Laurel is spiraling in worry, a voice pierces the music. Mellisa yells, "look up!"
Laurel snaps out of her funk and looks up. She sees everyone laughing and enjoying the dance. They don't seem to notice her mistakes at all. The light autumn breeze carries the laughter along with the leaves, creating the feeling of home. She locks eyes with her mom and gives her a bright smile.
When Laurel looks around, her field of vision seems to expand. Each step becomes lighter and swifter. Even the mistakes seem to have some power pushing her forward. As the music carries her away, the burdens fall from her shoulders.
Then a miracle happens. Part of a step is off. Then a whole step one here another there. At first, she didn't notice, but soon the ground around her seems to glow with missed steps. 'They're different from what I saw!?' she asks herself. Her eyes grow wide, and she smiles, showing her bright white teeth. This is the first time a vision had mistakes. 'Is this the power of dance?' she wonders.
As the music ends, everyone cheers happily. Laurel runs off the stage and jumps into her mother's arms. They both laugh and cry at the same time.
As the boys begin their play, most adults have already become drunk. They stumble onto the stage and begin. Douglas, Louis, Roy, and Franklin enter the stage together. In unison, they say, "Evil demon, your day has come!"
Louis complains, "Franklin, you're the demon. Don't say the hero's line! The rest of you are just minions. Stop stepping on my toes." He then swishes back his hair and gives a heroic pose.
Franklin shakes his head angrily and shouts, "I told you I wouldn't play the bad guy!" He then slashes at Louis with his wooden sword.
The play devolves into a sword battle. Since everyone is drunk, they at first think the boys are performing a comedy. But eventually, the real bruises prove otherwise. The brawl ends when Elanor stands up after downing her 20th bottle of high-grade wine. "Let me join in, too!" she slurs. With this declaration, the boys nearly pee themselves. They quickly scatter to their mother's skirts leaving Franklin to hide behind the old man Gregory.
Advertisement
Extermination Order
So it turns out that anime got something right: If you get hit by a truck, you're going to another world. Dennis became subject to that unknown quirk of reality when crossing a busy city street (despite having looked both ways). But that was quite some years ago. He's been around this new world 'Nassur' a time or two and knows how to live a good life. He also knows that adventuring friggin sucks. So, what is a man to do in a fantasy world with a shoddy leveling system that constantly suggests getting more XP, and a condition set by the gods that you must make the world a better place? Pest extermination. But reality is often fickle. Perhaps one day it is only rats, another, mechanical centipedes with lasers. Maybe the Dark Lord needs a shoulder to cry on because his dungeon simply can't be ready in time for the adventurers he likes to do battle against. Another poor soul from Earth could appear just as dazed and confused as the day you'd first arrived, requiring a good long talk about 'hey, what the hell is this, man'. And maybe... just maybe, that thick book of owed favors comes back to haunt you. For a man who desires a peaceful, productive life, Dennis can find it rather difficult for a week to go by where something doesn't go awry. This series originally started on r/HFY, [Link] but I decided to post it here since people are so positive about it! Posting rate is, and likely will continue to be, rather inconsistent. Cover art by SSJLuxray! If you like his art and are interested in commissioning a piece, he can be contacted at [email protected] or PMed on his Reddit account at u/SsjLuxray Please do not attempt to pay him in exposure alone. People die from exposure every winter.
8 176The Man Who Killed the First Monster
Jason Park, a man with ambition. At a ripe age of twenty-nine, he took the risk to struck big at the cut-throat world of finance at Wall Street. Like any human in the whole world, money is everything. Yet for him, things didn't happen as he expected. Burnt out and failing another one of his job interviews, he dragged his feet over the sidewalk of New York City. Yet something unexpected happened, a cry for help coming from the dark alley of the city. A city well-known for its two sides of light and dark. He hesitated at first but his morality swayed him. He came to help but what he found only opened a door that he wishes it wouldn't open. He was the first and it wouldn't be the last. From green dollar bills to blue game-like windows. His reliance shifting to the latter. An encounter that will bring forth a New World order. A world hungry for blood, sweat, and tears. Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
8 137The Voice in the Woods
Franca, daughter of a small noble family, has it all except for beauty. To gain it, she might strike a bargain with something she does not truly understand... nor might she understand the full extent of the price. A twisted fable about a deal with the devil - seven chapters to accompany us to Halloween.Updated daily.
8 125The Arcane Prince
Book 1 is complete and fully posted here on RoyalRoad. The story is on break as I work on Book 2, which will be posted once I have finished writing it. Max is a twelve-year-old boy from the slums who dreams of seeing the world, learning magic, and adventure. On the same day that Max learns his first spell, he meets Colt, a noble-born lad on his own path to power. Colt is kind. Oblivious to the world, but kind. By his grace, Max begins to learn under Colt's instructor, even hunting monsters in the forests to the north. Max is talented and grows in power quickly, but as he prepares for the first of his adventures, the kingdom faces the greatest threat in centuries. Posting Schedule: Every 3 days until the end of Book 1 (Chapter 45). IMPORTANT NOTES: 1) This is a story about an OP boy doing OP boy things. By the end of Book 1, there will be few fights that he struggles with, and he will rarely, if ever, find his life in peril. 2) This is a slice-of-life and adventure story, which means that there will be periods of chapters without any action or conflict, but also periods of chapters with battles and exploration/adventure (the latter mostly being Book 2+). 3) There will be NO petty squabbles or conflicts going on in this story, because it is meant to be a fun one, not a high-tension, drama-filled story. So it will NOT be that. If you want lots of action or lots of conflict, then find another story to read because this isn't it. 4) There will never be an overarching evil/villain/conflict to deal with in this story past Book 1. Ever. 5) Book 1 is entirely written and can be considered a standalone story on its own. Right now, the story may last 2-3 books, or it may last 7-10 books. It is guaranteed to make it through Book 2 or 3, and if I decide to go with the bigger journey I have planned after that, then it will be longer. There will be a several-month wait between Book 1 and Book 2. 6) The story contains the sexual content tag, but it will not contain any unless Max and his future boyfriend reach 18+ years of age in-story. If I decide to bring the story to a conclusion with Book 2 or 3, or they never reach that age in the full story for the long journey, then I will remove the tag. 7) There are currently absolutely no plans to make this story into a harem if I write the extended story. If I write the extended story and decide at some point to make it one, then I will add the appropriate tag and inform readers of this decision. However, there are currently zero plans to make it one. 8) This story takes place in its own story universe, with its own rules. Please keep that in mind when reading it and other stories.
8 83Hero Leveling (Old)
After Jin-Woo's war with the sovereigns in the gap between dimensions he returns to earth. But when he returns the rulers request of him to save another world. When he accepts he is summoned to the world of rising of the shield hero.
8 113So What If I'm Trash? Who Needs Cultivation?!
Qing Shan Long. They say he isn't human. An escaped experiment from some government facility, a reincarnation of a saint, a freakish superhuman. Whatever he was one thing was clear. Be it Music, Martial Arts, Science, whatever he does he excels. He was a whimsical man. A great man. A man who craving for knowledge and excitement knows no bounds, whose collection of books and personal library would even make Alexander the Great green with envy. He donated to all manners of charities and funded many projects for helping the poor and disabled. A self made man who single handedly founded one of the largest corporations in the world, Wen Qu Technologies, whose influences reach from vast fields of expertise. From objects of war such as the newest aircrafts, droids, and body armor; to life saving medicine and vaccines; to even the mundane such as video games and the fast food industry. A legendary example of determination and hard work. He was in his car being driven to a business meeting to disclose a deal that would help ensure the country could have access to clean energy and help reduce the pollution that has been plaguing his homeland for the past millenia when he was assassinated and woke up in a strange new world. How will Qing Shan deal with his new environment where the strong suppresses the weak? From the top of the world he suddenly finds himself free falling to rock bottom. Unable to cultivate, a weak body, and all but disowned by his family. (For those who read comics and watch cartoons, imagine him as being Tony Stark, Richard Reeds, Jimmy Neutron, etc level of 'Genius'. ) My own spin on some familar tropes. Another reincarnation into another world story. The MC will take over the body of someone with a trash body that can't cultivate and will be hated and neglected by his family. Pretty typical so far right? Except there won't be some amazing miracle to heal our MC, there isn't some magical grandpa to teach him some OP thing which only his trash body can use, there isn't a hidden op bloodline, and he is not from a super amazing assassin clan or genius doctor. He isn't the chosen one, he's just a guy trying his best to make something with a crap situation. First attempt at a wuxia type story! I like playing with common tropes, maybe adding a twist, to playing it straight as a classic. I have absolutely no idea where this is going to take me but please do give your input and I'll do my best so that everyone has a say in where our journey will go. I'll admit the only knowledge I have of chinese history and ancient society is from reading light novels translated to english and some old dramas, so if I make some social passe just take it as because this is another world, not exactly an AU where magic and stuff actually exist. I'm also not actually Chinese and will basically using google to help me with names and other such, if I make a mistake please let me know! (Even if you don't like the story or couldn't bare to get past chapter 1 please leave a comment so I can find out where to improve, thank you!)
8 92