Earlier this year, I got the idea to dedicate a whole month to celebrating one of my favorite characters ever, Claire Redfield from "Resident Evil." And so, I created Clairember: a month-long challenge in which participants post some sort of Claire fanwork based on pre-released prompts every day during the month of November. (Think Inktober but with Claire and any medium - or media - you choose.) I enjoy writing, so my medium this year will be ficlets, which I will post here. Enjoy! -Akumu
CLAIREMBER 2022
Day 1 - Chris
"You know, we could just go for sushi," said Claire.
Chris sat across from her, his fishing pole cast over the side. The line limply drifted in the water.
"If I'm gonna eat raw fish, it's at least gonna be fish that I catch and clean myself," he responded.
"There are cooked options on the menu."
Sweat rolled down his face and neck, staining the blue button-up he wore under his green fishing vest. "And give up the satisfaction of preparing my own meal like our ancestors did and their ancestors before them? Absolutely not."
Sighing, Claire slapped a mosquito that landed on her leg and flapped the hem of her red plaid button-up to cool herself. It was only 9am on the first Saturday of May, but it was already as hot as a mid-July afternoon. It made her miss the cool, air-conditioned classrooms at CU Denver – even the one where she'd spent last semester suffering through Trig II.
I should have guessed this is what Chris meant when he said we'd celebrate me surviving my freshman year, Redfield-style. At least we rode our bikes here. We haven't ridden together since I graduated high school.
A light breeze began to blow. She flipped up her ponytail and aired the front of her white tank. It was soaked with sweat. Her feet were baking inside her red hightops.
To hell with the mosquitoes.
She slid off the hightops and tied the button-up around her waist.
"Hey, gimme your bug spray," she said.
Using only one hand, he opened a vest pocket and handed her the canister. She sprayed herself until the chemical was running down her arms and legs. Even so, she kept it. She had a feeling she'd need it again soon.
"I got one!" said Chris.
The line had pulled taut. Leaning back, one boot against the lip of the boat, he reeled in the line.
"It's a big one," he grunted. "Claire, get the camera."
She grabbed the disposable camera they'd gotten on the way to the lake. Through the camera window, she watched as Chris turned the reel. His muscular arms shook with struggle. With both feet, he pushed himself away from the lip.
"You got it?" she asked.
"Yeah," he panted. "Just a little more…"
He stood. When he did, a giant bass popped out of the water. Claire snapped a photo.
She kept snapping as Chris carefully reeled in the bass, unhooked it, and dropped it in the bucket of water he'd brought aboard. He slipped his fingers under the bass's gills and stood, smiling.
"Would ya get a load of this big boy," he said. "I'd say 12 pounds, 20, maybe 22 inches. Almost two feet."
"Shut up and hold still."
He did so, setting his fishing pole on his shoulder. She snapped another photo.
"Yes sir," said Chris as he looked at the fish. "He's gonna make us a big, tasty dinner tonight. Much better than his cousins wrapped in seaweed and rice."
The fish thrashed so hard it smacked Chris in the face. Startled, he fell back, and then everything turned sideways as they crashed into the water.
Claire surfaced by the capsized boat. Chris appeared next to the upturned motor.
He grinned sheepishly. "So, uh, how about that sushi?"
Here are the prompts in case you'd like to participate:
1. Chris
2. Birkin
3. motorcycles
4. pink
5. Burton
6. fierce
7. Let Me Live
8. Raccoon City
9. angel
10. Steve
11. TerraSave
12. college
13. monster
14. fight
15. Umbrella
16. Wesker
17. dark side
18. Valkyrie
19. Leon
20. Ashford
21. zombie
22. compassion
23. Rani
24. family
25. DIJ
26. warmth
27. red
28. queen
29. Rockfort Island
30. Made In Heaven
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this first ficlet. Thanks for reading, and happy Clairember! -Akumu