Title:           [Satyr] Mini-Golf (Lyra/Anon)
Author:          who_am_i
Pastebin link:   http://pastebin.com/wbL4UqAd
First Edit:      Saturday 5th of October 2013 06:40:55 AM CDT
Last Edit:       Saturday 5th of October 2013 06:40:55 AM CDT

>"What's that, Dad?"
This?
>You show Hope something.
>A driver.
>A putter.
>A golf ball.
>A golf hole.
>And they're all plastic.
It's a mini-golf set. I found it at a small shop in town. Want to play?
>Hope looks at you with a grin.
>You can't tell what she's thinking.
>But she has one answer.
>"No."
>Huh?
>She said no.
>Usually, Hope would be excited for these types of scenarios.
>Maybe there's a way to convince her.
You sure, Hope? Winner gets ice cream.
>Hope's eyes bug out.
>"Really?!"
Yes, so how about it? You want to play?
>"If you lose, you get no ice cream?"
Hm? What makes you think I'd lose?
>Hope grabs the putter.
>"Let's play!"
>She completely ignored your question.
>You grab the driver.
>Isn't this used for drives?
>Hope has the advantage, but you'll manage, somehow.
Let me set up first.
>You place the yellow golf hole down.
>It has a small incline.
>A little force will be needed to enter easily.
>Too much will send the ball flying.
>"Hurry up, Dad!"
>You walk about 10 feet from the hole.
>A short distance between here and the goal.
Over here, Hope.
>Hope joins you.
>She's raring to go.
>The ball is in your hand.
>Hope snatches it and puts it down.
>"Ready!"
>She takes a backswing and smacks the ball hard.
Ah!
>You chase after it.
>When you return, you're huffing and puffing.
>Hope is giggling.
>"You ran so fast, Dad!"
>You cough.
>Your body is in terrible shape.
Yeah, I did. Listen, Hope. No more backswinging. All you need to do is gently putt it.
>She needs an example.
>You take a stance.
>Feet together.
>Hands on the handle.
>And a light touch.
>The ball doesn't roll far.
>Not even halfway.
Hope, you get the idea, right?
>"Don't hit like you?"
Exactly! Wait, no! Just hit it with enough force but not too much. Got it?
>"Got it!"
>Your daughter grabs the golf ball and places it on the cement crack, the "starting line."
>"I'm first!"
>You want to argue about that decision, but Hope has already taken her position.
>She smacks the ball.
>It rolls and rolls.
>And completely misses its target.
>Hope runs to the ball, grabs it, and sets it back on the line.
>"Do over."
Do over?!
>Your cunning flesh and blood does not abide by the rules.
>She takes another shot.
>You watch the ball roll straight towards its destination.
>Your hand tightly grips the club's handle.
>It's... it's... in?!
>The ball sits idly in the hole.
>Hope jumps for joy.
>"I did it! Look, look! Ice cream!"
>NO. WAY.
>This can't be.
>A bitter feeling grows inside.
>You take a breath and make your way to the golf hole.
>As you pick up the ball, you say a few words.
Two out of three.
>Hope's shoulders drop.
>"Nuh uh! I won!"
>You chuckle evilly.
>This will hook her in.
Double the ice cream.
>"Double!?"
You in?
>"Mmhmm!"
>You take the ball from the hole.
Alright. It's my turn.
>First attempt.
>Failure.
>The ball curved to the left.
>Second attempt.
>Hope barely misses.
>It makes your heart pound.
>Your turn.
>The ball curves again.
>Argh!
>What are you doing wrong?
>You need to assess the situation swiftly.
>Third attempt.
>Hope hits a little too hard.
>The ball pops in and out of the golf hole.
>You breathe a sigh of relief.
>Hearing your own heartbeat can't be right.
>Your turn again.
>You can do this.
>Concentrate.
>Check the angle.
>Know how much power you need.
>And tap.
>The ball rolls.
>It's looking good!
>Looking real good!
>Come on!
>Score!
>You pump your fist rapidly in the air.
Yeah! Did you see that? It went zoom and bam! One more to go!
>As you continue to celebrate, Hope retrieves the ball.
>Fourth attempt.
>Her sudden silence worries you.
>The ball barely stops short at the hole.
Guh!
>Close call!
>Hope's focus has become dangerous.
>Missing here could spell trouble.
>You try to relax.
>A slight tap.
>The ball misses its mark by rolling to the right.
>Ugh! Not good!
>Fifth attempt.
>Hope sets her next shot up.
>Fear is dwelling inside.
>This might be the end.
>You need to hinder her.
>Quickly!
>Hope takes the swing.
HOPE!!
>She flinches and smacks the ball hard.
>It goes off course.
>Hope turns around and glares at you.
>You put on an innocent, stupid smile.
Hm? What?
>Your quiet daughter goes to recover the ball.
>Hoo, hoo!
>You have a chance now!
>Hope hands the ball to you.
>She's quite upset, but there's a bigger stake on the line.
>Your shot.
>You got this.
>All you need to do is...
>WHACK!
Ow!
>Your foot kicks the club.
>Which causes the ball to be hit and spin away.
>You face Hope while rubbing your butt.
What was that for?
>"Payback!"
>Hope proceeds to strike your rear again.
Ouch! Hope! Stop hitting me!
>You back away, but your daughter has a mischievous smile on her face.
>Run!
>Your legs move automatically as Hope chases you.
>Her delighted laughter shatters the intense atmosphere.
>You form a "T" with your hands.
Truce! Truce!
>Hope immediately pauses.
>You rub your cramped sides.
>Running around is killing you.
Truce, alright?
>Hope lowers the putter.
>"Don't scare me like that again, Dad. It wasn't fair."
>You rub your neck.
Heh. Sorry. I promise I won't do it again. Really!
>Hope smacks your behind again.
OW!
>"Accepted!"
>Both you and Hope return to the start.
>Sixth attempt.
>The pleasant air changes.
>You can't shake the nerves.
>Is it hot?
>Oh, jeez! It's hot!
>Hope takes the putt.
>The ball rolls smoothly.
>No.
>You walk to the hole.
>Stop ball!
>It approaches the target.
>Stop your stupid ball!
>Turn! Turn! Go left!
>But it doesn't listen.
>It makes its way up the incline.
>And...
>You lose.
Ahhhhhh!
>You fall to your knees.
>The club hits the floor.
>Gloom.
>Misery
>Despair.
>They loom over your defeated body.
>Hope cheers to her victory.
>"Ice cream! Ice cream!"
>She darts to you.
>"Ice cream!"
>As you look at your daughter's cute smile, you pop up from the ground.
>Your mood turns bright.
>Hope grabs your hand and pulls you.
>"Let's go! Double the ice cream!"
I'm moving! I'm moving!
>Walking to the ice cream store and heading back home takes no longer than five minutes.
>Hope happily licks her soft served vanilla ice cream.
>In her other hand, she has an unopened Wonderbolts bar.
>She's saving it for later.
>The ice cream looks delicious.
>You decide to raise a risky question.
Mind sharing?
>"No!"
>Hope continues forth.
>You sigh.
>Lyra's going to scold you for ruining Hope's appetite.
>But that's not all.
>You've learned a valuable lesson today.
>Never, ever make a bet with your daughter.
>It only causes disaster for YOU.
>And Hope always gains the upper hand.
>Still, you had fun.
>So did Hope.
>She frantically waves to you.
>Bits of vanilla surrounds her mouth.
>Hah.
>It's worth the consequence you'll confront later to see that expression of hers.
>Her joyful, messy face.
 
End