Ring Ring

Ring Ring

Ring Ring

…

In a darkened room a man sighed. "I better answer the phone, otherwise I'll never be able to meditate in peace." The man pulled a phone out of the pocket st.i.tched into the lining of his robe. "h.e.l.lo?"

A lovely voice permeates from the speaker pressed against the man's ear, "did I disturb your practice?"

"No." The corners of the man's mouth rose as he responded.

"Dad I need a favor."

"Anything for you Little Star." The man sitting alone in the dark room was rather curious as to what kind of favor his precious daughter Falling Star would need. After all, she had surpa.s.sed him in both fame and power long since.

"Do you still have connections in the disciple registration office?"

"Eh? You've finally found a disciple? I do, but why do you need help with that? The registration isn't too difficult."

"Well, you see this is a bit complicated. I need someone who won't ask for background information."

"Am I about to have grandchildren?" Falling Star's father got really excited.

"Eh? What's this I hear about grandchildren?" In another room, Falling Star's mother picked up the other phone once she heard grandchildren.

"There are no grandchildren!" Falling Star sighed at the direction the conversation had gone. "I just found a very unique individual that I want to train and don't want their life to get complicated due to certain details about them that I'd rather remain hidden."

"So, you've found us a son-in-law?" Falling Star's mother asked.

"NO! No son-in-law, no grandchildren! Just an interesting young man that I've agreed to teach."

"That's too bad," Falling Star's father said. "We've always wanted grandchildren!"

"Dad! Can we get back to the topic at hand?!"

"I thought grandchildren was the topic?" Falling Star's mother asked.

"No, I was asking dad if he still had connections at the disciple registration office."

"Honey, what was that one fella's name that works there? You know, the one that introduced us?" Falling Star's mother feigned ignorance.

"Ah? What was his name again? Hmmmm…"

Falling Star didn't know whether to laugh or cry, she knew that her parents wanted something when they didn't just outright give her the name. "What is it that you want?" Falling Star asked.

"Bring him by the house," Falling Star's father responded.

"Yes! We must meet this young man who has caught your eye," her mother added.

"Ugh! It's not like that! Whatever, I'll bring him. Then you'll understand the situation. So will you help me?"

"Yeah sure, no problem. Let me just go make a phone call and ask him to keep an eye out for you. When were you planning to go register?"

"Tomorrow afternoon. I'd have done it first thing in the morning but I have another commitment that I can't get out of."

"Right the public appearance thing. Why do you agree to those when you can't stand them?" her father asked.

"Originally, it was a way to be able to see those that were applying to be my disciple, which makes this all the more awkward. Do I just say publicly 'sorry everyone but the position has been filled,' or what?"

"Just go to the event Little Star," her mother cut in. "You can either tell them or not, it's up to you. Just don't get anyone's hopes up if you're not planning to accept them. If they ask directly then just tell them you've already found someone. This is part of the responsibility you've signed up for in agreeing to take on that young man."

"I know, but thank you for the advice mom. I'll figure something out when I get there tomorrow. Well, I better let you go, I've got a lot to do tonight."

"Little Star…" Her father interrupted.

"Yes?"

"Don't forget to bring him by the house."

"I know I know! Love you mom and dad, I'll see you soon!"

Click.

The light in the room turned on suddenly. Falling Star's mother stood in the doorway with a sheepish grin on her face. "Our Little Star is finally growing up. I just hope this young disciple she has found can keep up with her."

Falling Star's father, who was still sitting on the floor in a meditative position smiled back at his wife. "I just hope the young man sticks around long enough to become our son-in-law."

"Regardless, hurry up and make that phone call, I've got a job for you to do tonight."