As Halloween approaches, the various Animalian colonies were making their preparations for the celebration. Heiya Island in particular has been quite busy since the theme for this year is mainly based on Chinese legends. Though what in specific way that Heiya Island was going to be involved is being kept under wraps for now. Though Chinese mythology did have many strange monsters in it. Most people are familiar with monsters like the jiangshi, the Chinese vampire. Then there are obscurer and stranger creatures like Xingtian, the giant who lost his head in battle when rebelling against the Heavens and grew a face on his chest to continue the fight. Even stranger and less known are the Four Perils, monsters that represented different evils like confusion, gluttony, ignorance, and deviousness.
Liao in particular was looking forward to the event. While some of Halloween’s peculiar traditions didn’t make sense to her, she got enough of its central meaning of costuming and having fun. It will also be Maya’s first Halloween, though the young calf won’t be able to process all that was happening yet. But in a few years, her parents will be able to have more fun with her on Halloween. There was also the question of whether Tuxing was going to Idaho for Halloween or Lenard and Mikey were coming here. The Quasi-Raccoon Cuties were rather unprofessional when they did that video about Samurai Prep, but they weren’t completely inaccurate about their guesses. Liao could still remember the discussion she had with Tuxing after her graduation.
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Liao's graduation from Samurai Prep wasn't as extravagant as high school graduations in other countries like the US. Partly because Heiya is a somewhat small island and her class wasn't too big. She was just glad she got to graduate with GP and Indira. They made an odd trio, with GP being a guinea pig and Indira remaining human. Though she hinted she might convert after graduation. Liao was a bit skeptical. Indira is a sweet girl, but after she was rescued from those human traffickers, she had always been rather shy. And Liao doubted she bold before that. She had often talked about converting, but chickened out when the discussion got more serious. Well, if she does get the nerve to go through with it, Liao hoped it would help her confidence.
But after the graduation ceremony, Tuxing took Liao aside and talked with her. "Well, Liao, now that you've graduated high school, something I never got the chance to do, what are you going to do now?" asked Tuxing.
"I hadn't thought that far ahead," admitted Liao, "I just assumed that as soon as I completed high school, I can resume my training full-time."
"That doesn't sound like much of a full-life plan," said Tuxing.
"The only family I have is the Five Elements," said Liao, "I have other friends, but I don't really plan to go anywhere with them."
"I do hope you find something else in life to make yourself more complete," said Tuxing, "But I'm not entirely disappointed either because I do have some news. I'm going to be stepping down from the Five Elements."
"What?!" snapped Liao.
"Please keep it down," whispered Tuxing, "I don't want to be revealed until the right time."
"And what time will that be?" asked Liao.
"Well, I think things are progressing nicely between me and Lenard. I expect that he'll eventually be proposing to me," said Tuxing.
"So you're just waiting for Lenard to pop the question?" asked Liao.
"And I'd rather hold off the gossip fest until it becomes official," said Tuxing, "So don't tell anyone else about it."
"Ok, I hope it won't be too long then," said Liao.
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Of course, the problem with that is this depended on Lenard making the first move. And while Liao understood he had responsibilities back in Idaho, she had expected him to propose at some point during his summer visits. But summer came and went and there was still no confirmation. It's not that Liao wanted to oust Tuxing from the Five Elements so she could take her place, but she couldn't really just sit on her hands and wait for them to get on with it. The way it was progressing, it could take years for Lenard to get around to it.
So Liao decided to talk to Tuxing a bit more directly about this. "So, are you going to be doing Halloween here or in Idaho?" she asked.
"I'll probably be doing more in Idaho," said Tuxing, "Though Billy will probably want to see the decorations here this weekend."
"And you think that Lenard will finally get around to proposing?" asked Liao.
"Maybe, though Halloween may not be the best time," said Tuxing, "I'm sure it'll happen before long."
Liao sighed. Earth is such a passive element and Tuxing was exemplifying that now. "Tuxing, it's not that I'm trying to rush you, but perhaps you should take the initiative on this," said Liao.
"What do you mean?" asked Tuxing.
"Like drop some hints that you're interested in a closer relationship, maybe dress up a bit more sexy for Halloween," said Liao, "Heck, this is the 21st century. You don't need to wait for Leap Day to propose to him."
"On Halloween? Doesn't that clash with the theme?" asked Tuxing.
"Give me five minutes and I bet I can find a dozen proposal videos that take place on Halloween. I can probably find another dozen weddings that take place on Halloween," said Liao.
"But what if Lenard's not ready?" asked Tuxing.
"No one says you have to be married immediately afterwards. He can at least take time to think it over. But if you're both waiting for the other to make the first move, it'll never get started," said Liao.
"I'll give it some thought," said Tuxing, "And I wouldn't mind having a sexier costume this year. Though hopefully nothing to scandalous since Mikey's still there."
"I'm sure Mikey will be thrilled to have you for a big sister-in-law," said Liao.