Love begets Fortune

A couple cursed with erratic work schedules and a long distance relationship finally found an opportunity to take a vacation together.


For their long desired vacation, they decided to visit the old capital by the coast. It was once the jewel of a sovereign kingdom alone, but due to an increase in overseas tourism, it is now an international culture center ruled by a plethora of performers and artists alike.


However, the couple had been working for so long that they did not realize travel fares and passage tolls to the old capital had drastically increased. By the time they reached the city, they were already completely out of money. Holding on to hope as dearly as they held each other's hearts, they sat down by a river to think of a plan. Surely a shortage of money would not suffice to spoil their long awaited vacation.


Watching passing troupes perform their trade, the wife comments, "Dear, it seems making money here will be difficult. As our talentless selves, how could we ever hope to compete with the brilliance that we came here to witness?"


The husband let out a short sigh. Turning his gaze toward an artist painting the river landscape, he ponders, "Lest we waste our time with trivial tasks for a paltry sum, we'd better think of something. I'm so sorry, I should have better prepared for our precious time together."


"Do not fret, dear. None of this is your fault. We're blessed to even have this time together," the wife sullenly reassures her love.


With a bolt of inspiration striking him directly, the husband suddenly stands up. He exclaims with thunderous resolve, "I've got it! I know of the perfect performance that only we can give to rival even the greatest spectacles gathered here today!"


After explaining his idea to his wife, she wholeheartedly agrees. Together, they set off to prepare for their act. By the goodwill of other performers, the couple manages to scrape up the necessary props. Now comes nightfall of their first day. Despite the chilling winds and dim light held only by scattered flames, the couple has no problems gathering an audience from the bustling old capital.


Blindfolded, the husband greets the audience with a bow. Smiling, the wife curtsies in suit. In the midst of her gesture, the husband strikes an exaggerated pose, pulling a knife in each hand. Initially, this prompts scattered laughter to emerge from the audience. However, their chuckles are cut short when the husband chucks the knives toward his wife.


"Have you gone mad?!" shouts a man. Indeed, it looked that way to many trained performers. His wife hadn't even finished taking her bow yet, and so starting the performance early is a dangerous feat.


Despite the worried jeers, the bombardment carries on. The wife moves not a muscle as her husband performs again with a knife in each hand, then two, then four, and even eight. As the last set of blades whizzed by her gentle smile, she breaks out into a modest dance. The knives did not end here -- starting again with one in each hand, then two, then four, and eight. Through the treacherous rain, the wife manages to twirl and weave through, with nary a scratch.


Whether it be by fear, bemusement, or amazement, the audience soon became thoroughly entranced.


Signaling the end of her dance with a hard step, the husband throws all of his remaining daggers into the air, arcing towards the love of his life. The couple once again faces the stage and takes a bow, with silence cut only by the thick thud of each landing blade.


With a momentary pause, the audience begins to erupt into an applause. Many with mouth agape, they can't believe what they had just witnessed.


"Wait!" a shrill voice cries. A young boy at the front points out the actions of the wife. As spectators fall into horror yet again, the wife finishes tying her blindfold, still warm from the efforts of her loved one. The warmth of the band is overshadowed by the searing flames flickering just above her hands. A blazing hand-and-a-half sword unsheathed, a novice stance, and an unarmored husband stand on the stage.


A single step from the man signals the beginning of his wife's onslaught. She charges at him, flailing the weapon every which way. The husband fearlessly continues to stand in her way, going so far as to place himself in the trajectory of her swings. The light scent of embers permeate the plaza.


As if by foresight, the woman somehow manages to avoid slaying her husband, beautifully dancing just as she was previously, but now even more dangerously. Now convinced that the husband and wife are no amateurs, the crowd overcomes anxiety and begins to cheer. Flourishing wildly, the flames reach out to savor the flesh of the husband, to no avail.


Finally, the wife hurls the sword at her husband to free her hands. With a quick draw of two matchlock pistols, she fires at eye-level. The lead bullets barely fail to graze her husband's ears as he extinguishes the blade. Unscathed, the couple again takes a bow, with the wife facing the wrong direction. Amidst a roar of laughter and cheering, the couple catches their breath. Bathing in coin and praise, they were acknowledged as stars freshly fallen from the night sky.


During the public banquet, several performers approach the couple to discuss the performance. Just as many were in awe as they were curious. Everyone was shocked when the couple insisted that none of it took much practice.


"How did you two manage to do it?" inquires a man, blue still smeared across his hands. "I noticed both of you at the river earlier today. You're both tourists, and neither of you had time to practice your routine, yes? Yet, everything was executed so perfectly. Neither of you are even slightly hurt! Pray tell us, how did you do it?"


The painter's testimony piques the interest of all nearby. The crowd falls into silence, waiting for the couple's response. With interlocking arms, entwined fingers, and closed eyes, the couple takes a moment to think of an answer.


Finally, the wife opens her eyes and takes a breath. With her signature smile, she begins to speak.


"Well, we figured we've been apart from each other for so long, that we would always miss each other."