Welcome to the life of Eric,
A pie that has only one slice missing, only this time we are looking to fill and complete the circle
[[Meet the Character->The Introduction]] Eric woke up to another day in his life, a life that was neither too dull nor too flashy. He preferred to stick to parts of the stage just out of the spotlight. He enjoyed a life with a job he enjoyed, working on tuning and setting up cars for various sporty tasks like track racing and drifting. Over the weekend he would enjoy slowing down to the sound of music as he played his guitar. Friends and family loved and kept him company on and off work, from within his house and whenever his circle would leave to hang out.
Most would be content with this life and leave it mostly at that, but he could feel something…. Rather lacking.... A certain hole that could only be filled by another person… but he could not figure out… Problem for down the priority list then.
[[The Dream]]The weeks passed by without anything for the journal to note down. One night though brought about such a fantasy “You must go and meet this woman…” the dream was trippy to say the least. “Must be the fantasy movies seeping into my head” Eric said.
He woke up with certain breaks to the normal routine schedules he was normally used to. The only question is where does he go? Does he go to his friend for support or does he go and try dating?
[[Setup]]
[[Just Friends?]] A nicely dressed lady walked into the restaurant. Her name was Mich, she wore a black dress that hugged her relatively slim frame. She definitely had the “cute girl from next door vibe”. Eric was relieved by what he saw. The night went on and the two discussed everything under the red and gold lit ceiling. She was a writer by profession. She showed a certain scientific fascination about romance. “I feel like I can find THE answer to love” Mich passionately shared. “THE answer? What do you mean?” Eric curiously asked. The night went on the revolve around Mich’ stories and Eric’s cars.
[[The First Prospects Courting]] Eric gets a text on his phone whilst relaxing at home after work at around 5pm...
"Hey! Get ready! Dinner at the library, come over.. I want some company and my favorite person in the audience" Eric felt a certain warm sensation within his chest area. He did support and enjoy seeing his current love interest do what she loves, but tonight very much felt like a night for staying in. He heavily got up from the couch and Went off to be the supportive date he feels he should be
[[The Conflict]] Eric and Mich go on to enjoy the dating scene together for a few months. One day however, things go south. Eric begins competing in various events along with the rest who work in his garage. Mich has enough of it and decided to break things off between the two of them.
“I’m sorry Eric… but if I can’t have some time to be a part of your life then I’d rather not let you have a part in mine.” Eric tearfully read the text in between working on the car and watching the noisy chaos unfold. The smell of rubber mixed in with the sounds of roaring engines filled the air for miles with the car world’s symphony.
Eric got distracted for a few minutes desperately trying to patch things up. Things only end in empty replies and blank tones.
[[The "Second" First Date]] Eric's sadness and tears were interrupted by a tap on his shoulder from behind. "Hi. I'm sorry... I didn't want to disturb you seeing as you seem so down... but I was wondering if you could join me on track? I could use a partner"
Eric wiped the last few tears yet to roll down his cheeks and turned around. "You know what? I could use the distraction. Actually... thank you.. this may just be what I need." Eric decided to join the mystery girl out on track and felt his sorrows drown away within the engine music and flying rubber from the tires. "This may be it!" Eric, in that instant, forgot his sorrows and turned to look forward...
[[The Second Prospects Courting]] Eric moved forward with the mystery girl, not even knowing her name at least. They would just meet up whenever events at the local track would take place. Each person would just recognize each other and that would somehow signal an informal date of sorts..
A few rounds on track pass and they meet up as they park their cars beside each other in the pit lane. "Alright.." Eric started the semi planned spontaneous conversation. "..We've driven together what? 3 or 4 trackdays? I find it somewhat funny that we have never gotten to know each other.. Who would I have the pleasure of racing with.. and thanking for cheering me up?"
"Oh I've known you for the longest time. Actually surprised that you don't recognized my car. You've worked on it actually... My name is Vienna by the way. It's nie to finally officially meet you hahaha" She smiled and handed Eric a drink she had to spare.
[[The Love Triangle]] Is this it?
Eric and Vienna spent majority of their non working time together, working on cars, racing, or just sitting at a bar... not drinking...? Not important.
Tonight was a not drinking at the bar night *...At least the food was rather decent.. for a bar..* Eric opened up with a rather curious thought... "Could you see me being gay?" Vienna spat her food right into Eric's Face.. "How ladylike..." Eric smiled, let off a slight laugh, and wiped himself clean. Vienna was well shocked and had to ask, "Where in all of your insane mind did that idea come from...??" "I don't know... I'm prone to these weird crazy thoughts..." Eric and Vienna figure out or at least try to figure out where the idea came from...
[[Stay the Course]]
[[Change Orientation]] Sun beaming down, shades on, and wind in their hair.
Eric and Vienna roared throught the mountain canyons for a Sunday drive to a mountain resort for lunch. "Remember our little conversation last night...?" Eric opened up while leading a dance betwee the car and road.
"I remember your face turning red..." "....With tomato sause launched from your mouth!" joked both persons. "...But yeah I remember... what's up?"
"Yeah... I'm straighter than a ruler... HAHAHAHA" burst Eric into laughter as he smiled from both his realization overnight and the dance he was orchestrating.
"I'm... glad you came to your senses... I'd hate to see you lose your greasy blacken hands to pick up designer clothes and walk down the runway. It may be for most other guys... but definitely not you." responded Vienna with relief.
"..Oh here we are!" The pair arrived at a rustic yet sizable looking resort backdropped by lush mountain ranges and flowing river. A nice departure from blacker asphalt and ear deafening mechanicals.
The two went in to have lunch.
"Hey Vie, I like you." said Eric with a straighforward yet slightly blushed expression. "Aw as I like you Eric. A nice decent guy who happens to also keep me scratching just to stay on pace" "Oh I'm holding back..." "..." Vienna paused with a slight irritated look, but laughed instead. "Funny."
"I'm serious though... when I say I like you.. I might be considering certain choices..." quietly shared Eric. "Like moving in? Or letting me win sometime?" replied Vienna with joy on her face..
[[The Final Vow]] "The first one... Vie..." smiled Eric hoping to get a positive reply from his interest. The conversation was interrupted by a uniform clad man dropping by and leaving a message for Vienna. "Your car has arrived for you madam." "Oh thank you sir, Hey Eric..." "Yeah?" replied Eric still waiting for his hopeful response.
"You know my placce? Where I live?" poked Vienna. "Yeah! I couldn't forget the time I nearly binned dropping one of your cars over.. why?"
"Beat me there and I will consider you sleeping there till we can figure out how long and how far we want to take this" Vienna rushed her instructions and bolted a head start out of the restaurant and to her car.
Eric followed and the two sped off out of the restaurant and down the roads... maybe to each other's hearts...“Maybe I should back out.” Eric shyly thought out loud. “Come on man, where is that signature loud confidence everyone knows you for?” Wik measuredly gave Eric confidence. Wik helped Eric through the door and they sat and waited a short while for the mystery girl Wik setup for the blind date.
[[The First Date]] Eric invited one of his closest friends for help. Lani was Eric’s closest and longest friend from the group. They have never separated for too long, and even when they “fell apart” and grew a certain level of distance, they always found a way back to be the best of friends.
“…You don’t do drugs do you? Hahahaha” Lani jokingly said as they shared coffee and the local shop. “Hahaha no no, I may just have just watched one too many fantasy movies.” Eric replied
“And you didn’t invite me?” Lani poked. “Maybe we could head home and continue this conversation while watching another movie” “As long as I get to pick the movie” Eric and Lani continued to share a conversation about love and life and friendship
[[Keep Things Platonic]] "Hey... I got a question..." Eric curiously put his drink down and handed the question to Lani. "What's up?" Lani accepted the request. "Could you see us dating..? It's just a curious thought I had.. I don't know.." Eric got shy and slowly put his question out. Lani turned on her friendly mode and replied with support "Mmmmmm I would be lying if I said I was never curious... but I feel I'd rather not risk things between us... sorry.." Lani pulled Eric to face her and smiled. "Oh no no, the sorry isn't necessary! I was just curious.. felt like the safe choice maybe? Or the choice that would'nt really harm us. But thank you for the honest reply."
The night ended in an agreement. Friends should stay friends. They parted for the night and went their separate ways.
[[The Slow Realization]] Eric spent today at the track. No tuning for today, just testing..
"What is it...??" Eric spoke his thoughts. "What did you say? I didn't get that!" A voice at the other end of the radio broke his thoughts. "Oh Sorry I was just thinking is all" "Well you are going seconds slower so maybe take a break? You have had a pretty decent and long session. Box this lap and take a breather. Car could use some rest as well anyways" "Alright. Coming in.." Eric lowered the pace down and went back to his thoughts but quitely this time.
"What am I missing here... I know I can feel it. But what is IT?" Eric fell into the deepness of his thoughts. People passing by the paddock along with various team engineers and various other drivers could see it, Eric was one step from being imortalized into some statue
[[The Confirmation]] VROOM! A race car passes by as Eric and Vienna sit within the grandstands of a racetrack a certain distance from their city.
"You sure you wanna do this... you seem like a... tight? fellow hehe" Vienna supportedly joked. "Sure? nah. Curious... definitely... I wouldn't want to leave this out of the conversation." Eric replied. "Well... I am happy to have a male friend who is actually genuinely interested in the same hobby as I am... but considering you worked on my car, along with many other cars within the city... Some would say that it's on me for not going after you sooner... shame we couldn't continue what we have... I was just starting to have fun.." "You were just starting to make gains on me." Eric and Vienna joked and enjoyed their shared passion whilst slowly putting to end.. or pause what feelings currently floated around them like an aura...
[[The Curiosity]] Eric invited some couples from his group.
The night turned into a interverntion, *Insert Ubiquitous Society Problem* Anonymous help group. The various couples shared their various experiences and helped clear the sight of Eric. "Eric, maybe this idea and thought is... false? Take a step back and think clearly." "Yeah... thank you, everyone, for all this. I now know that maybe it was never love that I was after... love with another person at least. I think I will go out and.. "explore".". Eric sent everyone out and home for the night, relieved that he had another angle to see his dilemma. He went to bed ready for the next day and his new plan
[[The Road Trip]] Eric woke up with a new plan so to speak. He started his day and filled his bag. The early morning alarm came from his car instead of the usual sun which had yet to rise, or the maybe ironically odd way that people are normally woken up to within his neighborhood.
Eric drove off onto the highway and into the distance. A vacation to see the world. A vacation to see more and see clearly his current situation.
"possibilities"Eric patienly and nervously waited in a club. A man sat beside him and confirmed "Eric..? From date.?" Eric didn't know where to go to so his answer lied within technology.
"Yep, that be me..." Eric nervously confirmed..
"Heeey I would never expect someone like you to be into something like this... "
Eric began to regret his curiousity.. "Oh you know... curiosity got the ruler and the ruler tried to bend"
"Be careful cowboy, rulers aren't meant to bend" The mystery date for the night winked and handed Eric a drink. "This... is definitely one for the great story books..."
Time for Eric to finalize his thoughts on this. The night carried on for Eric.. for better or for worse...
[[Stay the Course]]
[[The Second Thoughts]] Eric stood in the shower... slightly shaken.. a littler more confused...
Vienna was on speakerphone... laughing...
"HAHAHAHA YEAH... THE RULER MOST DEFINITELY DOES NOT BEND" Vienna could not help but laugh at the story she heard. Vienna definitely became a good friend if nothing more.
"Okay. so I'm definitely straight.. but I am back at square one!!!" Eric frustratedly got out of the shower and went onto his bed to continue his conversation with Vienna... and his journey... to figure out what was missing... who maybe what was missing...