Rising Shards

Since first meeting Mahina Koridia, I'd never seen her even a little sad. Even when I had to break bad news like her daughter Kalei getting into trouble, she was never anything but cheery and upbeat and funny.

So it was a bit disheartening seeing these start to wear her out two dates in. We'd go through three one on one dates before we moved onto the next event (but those who wanted to just keep trying the speed dating thing could stay).

Mahina sighed deeply.

"Maybe I'm just...not suited for romance," she said.

"It wouldn't be the worst thing if that were the case," I said. "Still, I don't think that's the answer you want, is it?"

"Hell no, I'd like one romantic partner that isn't a complete disaster," Mahina said. "And sorry for letting two duds completely ruin my mood, and pawning said mood off onto you."

"I'm good, vent away if you gotta," I said. "Before I met Stella, I thought the same thing."

"And look at you two, like peanut butter mixed with more peanut butter," Mahina said.

"And I was way less outgoing than you, so my chances were even lower," I said. "But it still ended up working for me, so I'm sure it will for you, too. I know that's probably not what you want to hear right now."

"No, it's good advice," Mahina said. "I can see why Kalei speaks so fondly of you."

"No way does that girl have a single nice thing to say about me," I laughed, and Mahina joined in.

"OK, OK, you got me," Mahina said. "I had to try."

"If I fell for that, you would have to tell her, I'd have every joke coming," I said.

"You know it, but...she doesn't hate you, obviously," Mahina said. "She inherited my need to lash out at authority, but you're not on her hated teacher list by any stretch."

"Well, that's nice, at least," I said. "You're raising a good kid."

"Thanks," Mahina said. "Sincerity is tough for me and my family, so I'm trying to resist the urge to say 'bullshit you think I'm a good parent,' so I'll leave it at thanks."

"You are a good parent," I said. "I wouldn't be able to keep up with that girl all the time. Just in class can be exhausting."

"Heh, that's my Kalei," Mahina said. "OK, that's enough moping and sincere heart to hearts, let's strategize. How do we make this next one not suck? I know a lot of this is a lottery and a luck of the draw, but what do you think would give me a better shot?"

"I think...maybe it's time for you to loosen up a bit more?" I said, turning her advice to me back onto her. "You've been a bit stiff since we started."

"Phew, calling me out," Mahina said. "But you're right, I can feel it in my back. OK, I'm gonna stretch, let's stretch. I bet if my muscles are loose, so too will my personality, and as such I can score a hot date and maybe win a Brambler tent or something for having the hottest date."

I laughed. "I dunno if it works like that, but most of that sounded good."

Mahina got up to stretch, then gestured for me to do the same.

"What, me?"

"Yeah, you, you're still stiff too!" Mahina said. "Let's stretch. Let's see where Stella is so you can do a downward facing dog for her."

"Pfft, what?" I said.

"We just have to get her attention. Trust me, this will definitely work," Mahina said. "She will be all over you tonight. I too will lure someone in with the power of my ass."

"Mahina, what the hell are you saying?" I said.

I wasn't sure it would work at all, but having her infectious energy charged up again was nice.

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