Lianna Luz: 100 Baby Challenge

Lianna’s Backstory: Part Seven

Back at home in Forgotten Hollow, the Luz's went back to their normal life: Tobias and Camilla schmoozed other elitist spellcasters and practiced their magic. They were often found in the Magic Realm rubbing elbows with other powerful spellcasters in Magic Headquarters. Dante was expected to continue honing his abilities, and to socialize with young spellcasters of his age with the goal of finding a suitable match for marriage. Instead, however, he practiced magic in solitude while thinking of Kalani every single day. His parents had never asked where he was or what he did on their Sulani trip, but that vacation had changed his life and perspective entirely.

Dante was too caught up in his daydreams about his island girl to notice that his parents had been spending a significant amount of time with one elitist family in particular: the Youngbloods. They often mentioned Ethalia, Edward and their beautiful and powerful daughter Kyera, but Dante brushed them off each time.

One evening a few weeks after their Sulani trip, Camilla informed Dante that they would be attending a dinner at the Youngbloods' home. “Attending a dinner” was a very formal event in their world; they would be dressed to the nines, chatting up other snobby spellcasters and bragging about how rich and powerful they all were. It was exactly the type of event that Dante despised. He knew he did not have a choice in such matters, however, and begrudgingly got ready for the stuffy affair.

The Youngbloods were gracious hosts, having an extravagant feast catered while they woo their guests. Dante had been stuck in his own head for weeks, fantasizing about going back to Sulani. He was very friendly toward the Youngbloods – as was his personality – and they seemed nice enough. Ethalia and Edward questioned him about his life plans and intentions, interests and goals, and he spouted the same nonsense he’d memorized by this point: to become a great and powerful spellcaster, to have a successful magical family, to continue his family’s legacy; all the things his parents wanted for him. He didn’t even have to try to pretend, as he’d been doing it his entire life.

While the parents all drank and chatted for hours, their young daughter Kyera was bubbly and friendly with Dante. He didn’t know this, but she had very little experience with men and was bursting at the seams to get to talk to a handsome man one-on-one. Dante engaged in fun conversation with her, the two of them laughing and joking. He thought absolutely nothing of it, this was just his role to play in his family’s schemes. Kyera, on the other hand, was completely and utterly smitten by the gorgeous and charismatic Dante.

After the night ended and the Luz’s were driven home in their private car, Camilla interoggated Dante on what he thought of Kyera. “Isn’t Kyera just stunning?” she pushed. “Oh, yes she is a beautiful girl,” Dante replied, barely listening. “Yes, indeed. She is also quite gifted with magic; her mother tells me she is even farther along in her training than you, Dante!” “Mhmm,” he replied, staring out the window at the dreary landscape they lived in. “Although she is not from a strong bloodline…but her raw power more than makes up for that…” Camilla continued. “She would make someone a very happy husband,” Camilla mused persistently. She then nudged her husband hard. Tobias stuttered and then quickly agreed with his calculating wife, “Oh, uh yes, Kyera would be a great match for a powerful spellcaster.” “Yes, I’m sure she would…” Dante mumbled, remembering the bright blue sky and vibrant foliage of Sulani, a perfect backdrop for his stunning Kalani.

Meanwhile, back in Sulani…

Kalani woke up early like she did every day, ready to tend to her garden and maybe sell some produce at the local market. Before she even made it outside, though, she felt a strong pang of nausea. Kalani ran into the bathroom, vomiting into her toilet. Had she eaten something bad? She strongly doubted it, given that her diet was made of the same island staples daily. Not thinking much of it, she continued about her day, wondering like she did every day if and when she might see the man she’d fallen in love with so quickly again.