Note: These posts guest star Nathaniel C. Pierson of The Pierson and Friends story created by Jes2G of Tumblr. Check out her incredible work here: storiesbyjes2g
I begin baking a cake for Mase and pull it out of the oven just after midnight. Mase steps over and pauses with his eyes closed for a moment.
Kai: Did you make a wish?
Mason: Yes. I wished for you to have a safe trip up the mountain.
Kai: You didn’t have to waste your wish on me.
Mason: Yes, I did because nothing else is more important.
This kid always seems to have a way of bringing out my emotions. I watch in pride as Mase blows out his candles.
Mase ages up to a teen, and just like his brother, Dray, he insists on us taking some selfies. Then he turns and gives me a tight hug.
Mason: Be careful, dad. Come back in one piece.
Kai: I plan to!
(Mason’s Aspiration: Goal Oriented/Relatable Old Trait: Animal Enthusiast New Trait: Loyal)
Mase and I head to bed, and after only a few hours of sleep, I’m back up, preparing to leave my family for the first time to finally take the trip I’d been working towards since before college – the big climb up Mt. Komorebi.
After a short flight, I arrive in Mt. Komorebi, and my S-Uber drops me off near the Onsen Bathhouse, where Mo and Stef are already waiting with our fourth guy.
As soon as I get a good look at Nate, I regret not asking him his age when we talked on the phone. He’s young, as I suspected, but I’m shocked to see he doesn’t look much older than Dub. Suddenly I’m feeling responsible for somebody’s kid. But it’s too late; he’s here. I know how much Dub hates being treated like a child. I’m sure Nate would react the same way, so I decide not to address it.
Kai: You must be, Nate. I’m Kai, Kai Banks.
Nathaniel: What up? I’m Nathaniel Pierson, but everyone calls me Nate.
Pierson? That sounds familiar.
Kai: It’s nice to meet you. I’m glad you were able to join us on such short notice.
Nathaniel: It’s all good. I’ve been waiting on a chance to do this forever.
Kai: Same here. Have you already met Mo and Stef?
Nathaniel: Yep, we’re all acquainted and everything.
Nate’s attention is pulled to his phone after he receives an alert.
Nathaniel: One sec, it’s my lady.
I turn to Stef, giving Nate a moment to respond to the text.
Kai: So, are you ready for this?
Stefan: I am hoping so. Lia says we could die here, so now I have some doubts.
Kai: We’ll be fine. We’ve trained for this, remember?
It occurs to me that I have no idea of Nate’s climbing level. For all I know, he might not be skilled enough to join us.
Kai: So, Nate – where have you trained?
Nathaniel: I have my own climbing wall. I’m out there almost daily.
Okay, that’s good news.
Kai: And have you been here before?
Nathaniel: Me and my boys were out here a while back. I barely did any climbing, though. I didn’t have the skills then, and my boys chickened out on me. But I’m ready now if you’re wondering.
Kai: Well, if you’re ready, then I’m ready. I guess we’d better get started.
Nathaniel: Cool. I just wanna go inside and grab a few supplies.
Stefan: I will join you. I may have forgotten to bring some things.
Nate and Stef enter the bathhouse in search of some supplies while go to find Mo.
Mo is standing off to the side. I jog over.
Kai: You good?
Maurice: Yeah – just walking off a little nervous energy.
I realize that I’m feeling a little nervous myself.
Kai: I feel you
Kai: It’s like I said to Stef, we’ve trained for this.
Maurice: Since college
Kai: Yep – seems like forever ago. *pause* What do you think of the new guy?
Maurice: He’s young
Kai: I’m wondering if that’s good or bad.
Maurice: Probably neither. I just hope we can keep up.
That’s a good point. Mo, Stef, and I are all middle age, but this kid looks like he’s barely started college.
Stef and Nate leave the bathhouse and head our way.
Kai: Are you ready?
Maurice: Now or never, right?
We all start down the paths toward the lifts. I take deep breaths to steady my nerves. I’m the leader of this expedition, and it’s up to me to keep us all focused and calm.
We stuff ourselves into one lift which carries us up the mountain. I take it upon myself to learn more about Nate before we start our climb.
Kai: So, Nate. Where do you live? Are you in college?
Nathaniel: No, I decided not to go that route. I’m a lifeguard in Sulani.
Kai: Oh, nice. I was born in Sulani.
Nathaniel: Yeah? I pretty much grew up there, but my family moved away right before I graduated. .I moved back right after my birthday.
Kai: I never had the pleasure of living there. My mom left with me for Britechester when I was still a baby.
The lift arrives at the top, and we all step out. The first climb is right in front of us.
Kai: Nate, are you sure you’re ready for Mt. Komo?
Nathaniel: The question is – is Mt. Komo ready for me?
I like the confidence, but I hope it doesn’t get us in trouble later.
Kai: I guess we’ll see.
I change into my climbing gear and put the pack with all our gear on my back. Standing at the base of the first climb, I look up as the guys get started. I’ve decided that I’d take the rear on each climb. Since this whole thing is my idea, I want to ensure everyone gets up safely. I watch Nate momentarily and see that I was worried for nothing – the kid has skill. Once everyone is up and gathered at the top, I start my ascent.
Piece of cake – I’ve worked through more challenging climbs at home. Nate is extra excited.
Nathaniel: WE’RE DOING IT!! We’re climbing the mountain, guys!!
We are! I’m equally excited but trying my best to keep my cool. We still have a long way to go.
Full of energy, Nate races out to the front.
Kai: You should be leading us. You’re a man on a mission.
Nathaniel: You just don’t know, bro – I was born for this.
His contagious enthusiasm helps us put a little more pep in our step. He has us all feeling like we can conquer the world.
(Generation 3 Chapter Summaries)
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