This date will be difficult to do in story mode, so bare with me and please feel free to offer any advice (it appears that my pleas for caution may be discouraging any comments at all...so go ahead and critique away)! The truth is, it really wasn't all that exciting in terms of a “story.” So I’ll just give you the details for those who are interested.
Why isn't dinner just part of the date? I am making it anyway, I might as well just include it. After the thought, Aaron reminds the Princess that the date doesn't start until after they eat, “Dinner’s ready!” He calls.
Anastasia joins Aaron at the table as they share their meal. She quickly finishes before moving to get up and get ready.
“What exactly do you have to get ready for?” Aaron asks. We’re just going rock climbing. It’s not like she needs to do her hair and makeup or anything.
“I have a date tonight,” she snidely responds. “Duh.”
The matter-of-fact tone forces a small grin onto Aaron’s face. Maybe I should be taking this date a little more seriously. “Well, the start time for tonight is general, so don’t be too worried about being on time. It’s meant to be a little more casual tonight.”
Anastasia nods in understanding as she retreats to change. Aaron gives her a moment then quickly slips in behind to make a few quick changes himself. After a few quick moments, he emerges to gather their gear together and get everything else ready. Anastasia doesn't take long until she comes out, ready to go.
Once they arrive at the gym, Aaron is blasted with another wave of nostalgia. He had been here many times with Ana before, and nearly all of those memories were wonderful. Their recent lack of attendance caused this moment to be classically bitter-sweet.
“Two day passes, please.” Aaron tells the girl behind the register.
“Have you been here before?” She responds.
Another reminder that it has been too long. “Yes. You should find my name under ‘Aaron the Speaker.‘“
“And Anastasia the Princess,” Ana chimes in.
“Great!” the counter-girl starts, “Your total comes to thirty-two dollars.”
So callously! “Seriously? When did the price change?” Aaron asks astounded. I swear it used to be only ten per person.
“We just recently raised em, yeah.”
Aaron half turns to Anastasia, “Maybe we should just get some passes.” Even from the corners of his eyes, Aaron could see the Princess immediately light up like Christmas. Of course she wouldn't object. “I mean, we would only have to come once more before it paid for itself.”
Anastasia deflated slightly, “That and the sign-up fee, of course.”
“Oh yeah, right.” Aaron had forgotten about that small detail. But this needed to be wrapped up, it had already gone on for too long. “That’s okay, we’ll just get the day passes for now.” Watching Anastasia dim a little more, Aaron resolves to reconsider buying the passes in the near future. There really is little sense in worrying about it now.
Making their way to the main floor area, the couple sits down to don their gear when a familiar face appears to greet them. “I haven’t seen you guys for a while? Did you move? Or have you just gone awol?”
Aaron slightly cringes at the confrontation. Big Soft had been one of Anastasia’s last flings and one of the compelling forces that pushed Aaron into action by taking his relationship with Ana up a notch. Which ultimately helped in his conclusion to ask for her hand. Seeing him always reminds Aaron of that past. The past always seemed simultaneously simpler and more agitating.
“We've just been busy with school and work mostly.” Ana takes the lead in filling the silence.
“Ah, yeah.” Soft uninterestingly replies, maintaining a friendly air.
The conversation quickly ends as everyone seeks to go about their business.
As the evening goes on, Aaron and Ana see a few more friends and share moments of excitement at being reunited in the specific setting. Aaron lets the Princess set the pace of the evening, keeping the difficulty of his climbs on par with hers. By the end, however, both are expressing their exhaustion.
With no more energy to give, Aaron calls it a night as they head for home.
No comments:
Post a Comment