Well, first attempt at a Knives Out Story. This is an OCxMarta story. Now this story is rated M but that's mostly for gore and swearing. I honestly don't know how to make love scenes and I've tried in the past with other story drafts and I just can't do it. But what I can do is do a 'what if' sequel to the first story and add some gore in there. Mostly because I like the cast and crew but I never saw the second Knives Out movie. I was mostly boycotting Netflix because after the Cowboy Bebop debacle. Still am too.
Chapter 1
Lien age 5. Lien was in her adoptive parent's car as she looked outside the window seeing the new world called America. She had just been adopted by her new parents and they were on their way to meet her grandfather Harlan Thrombey, the famous mystery author of his time. Some even say he rivals Agatha Christie, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Dashiell Hammett, Thomas Harris, and mostly those who died before their fame was recognized after the fact. Lien was already reading one of his novels when she was at the orphanage that was translated to Chinese and was reading to the kids. Ironically that's how she got her new parents. They were so impressed that Lien loved to read mystery novels that they adopted her. She has yet to meet her new brother let alone the rest of her new family, but to say the least, she was happy to have a new family. Before the change of the 'rules', she would've had a mother, a father, and an older sibling. But given the 'rule' says differently, her bio parents decided it was best to take her to an orphanage and sign their rights away instead of sending her 6 feet under. Anyway, soon enough they arrived at a grand house. Lien looked outside the window and was in awe when she saw it. "哇。 这是我的新房子吗 (Wa. Zhè shì wǒ de xīn fángzi ma?)"
Her mother said, "Read your book and try again."
Lien looked at her Chinese to English and tried again. "Wow. Is this my new house?" she asked with her thick Asian accent.
Her father said, "Not sweetheart. This is your Grandfather's house. He's the same guy that wrote the book you read the other day."
Soon enough, they arrived at the driveway and the car was at a complete stop. Soon her parents came out of the car and helped Lien out of the car as they walked up to the house. "这真太了不起了 (Zhè zhēn tài liǎobùqǐle) (This is amazing.)"
Soon they walked up to the door and once open they walked inside. Once in the parlor, her parents left the room leaving Lien alone in the room. Line looked around and she started to wander around. Soon she made it to the weapon room and saw a wheel made of knives with a chair in front of it. She tilted her head as she looked at it. Then she heard footsteps thinking they were her parents, "为什么刀轮前面有一把椅子 (Wèishéme dāo lún qiánmiàn yǒuyī bǎ yǐzi) (Why is there a chair in front of a wheel of knives)"
Then she heard a gruff voice replying to her in Chinese as well. "这是我一直很喜欢的谜语
(Zhè shì wǒ yīzhí hěn xǐhuān de míyǔ) (It's a riddle I'm always fond of)." Lien turned her head and saw an old man looking down at her. "I'm guessing you're my first granddaughter."
Lien felt nervous at first given he was so tall and his body language vibes told her he was like a British Lord or something, but then she felt his kindness, his calmness, and saw his sweet smile. She replied, "I am sir." Then she asked about the chair. "What's the riddle of the wheel?"
Harlan walked to the chair and sat down. "From what can you see, which weapon on this throne is the deadliest? Think carefully, I've asked my children this and they can never answer it."
Lien looked at the while, at all the knives on it, and looked to see how to solve the riddle. Then she pointed at her Grandfather. "You are." Harlan smiled. "You are the deadliest weapon."
Harlan said, "That's right. Human nature is the deadliest weapon. But tell me dear, how can you tell?"
Lien walked up to the wheel and picked up a knife that was close to her and looked at the blade. She put her translation book down and pushed the blade into its hilt showing it was a fake. "It's a fake." She replied. She looked at Harlan. "The workers at the orphanage used to take us to festivals and we would see the performers and everyone once in a while I would see a blooper. But I wouldn't say anything to ruin it for the kids and the workers."
Harlan asked, "You're quite a detective aren't you?"
Lien shrugged. "Learned a lot from your books but I have other hobbies besides reading."
Harlan asked, "Oh yeah," He pulled on his lap. "What others do you like?"
Lien answered, "Crocheting, knitting, and sewing. When there were times we went to the museum, I would see crafting displays and I always wanted to try." She got her book back, opened it to a page, and pulled out a picture she took of the clothes. "The clothes from the Tang and the Qing dynasties look beautiful to me and I always hoped to one day make my clothes."
Harlan looked at the photo. "Well I don't know much about crafting but my mother, your great-grandmother, is great at it. Maybe one day she can teach you."
Lien smiled and hugged him. "谢谢您,爷爷!(Xièxiè nín, yéyé!) (Thank you, Grandpa!)"
Harlan hugged her back. "不客气,孙女 (Bù kèqì, sūnnǚ.) (You're welcome, granddaughter.)"
That night, Lien was having her first family meal with her new family. Her mother, her father, her aunts, her uncles, her great-grandmother, and her brother. Lien looked at her new brother, and he was more interested in boy stuff. The family were talking among themselves not paying attention and Lien didn't know how to get into their conversation. Her grandfather noticed and whispered in her ear, "Hard to understand weird adult stuff huh?" Lien looked at her grandfather and giggled.
Her brother, Ransom, asked, "What are you laughing about?"
Lien shook her head. "Nothing 兄弟 (Xiōngdì) (brother)."
Her mother said, "English Lien. We speak English here."
Lien nodded and said, "It means brother."
Harlan said, "Since we have a new member in our family, here's a nice rule we will all follow, Lien is allowed to speak Cantonese and we will LEARN that language to reply."
Her high aunt asked, "What is the word for 'niece'?"
Lien replied, "You need a book to find out."
Harlan asked, "Does everyone understand?" His kids understand.
Lien said, "你的孙女明白 (Nǐ de sūnnǚ míngbái) (Your granddaughter understands)."
That night, Harlan was taking Lien to his secret room. "So how do you like your new family so far?" he asked.
Lien held his hand as they walked. "They're alright. Auntie is a bit tricked out though. I guess she loved the 60s."
Harlan chuckled. "That was my first thought when I met her. But my son loves her and that's what counts."
Lien said, "I hope I get along with my brother though. He seems the show-off type."
They made it to the secret door and opened it. "That's because your parents spoil him a lot. I did the same for my kids so you can expect that kind of behavior."
Lien said, "I know Auntie is trying for a child so I wouldn't mind a little one to play with. Uncle on the other hand…I don't know yet."
Harlan asked, "Joni's husband?"
Lien shook her head. "不 (Bù) (No). I mean Uncle Walt." Harlan nodded. "You say he runs your book company, but he seems like your biggest fan than your son."
Harlan said, "And he has so much potential. When he was your age, he would write his own stories." He sighs. "But I don't know why he stopped doing those." Once inside, Harlan got his Go game out. "Do you know how to play Go?"
Lien smiled. "有些。 我以前自己玩这个游戏,会拍出漂亮的照片。(Yǒuxiē. Wǒ yǐqián zìjǐ wán zhège yóuxì, huì pāi chū piàoliang de zhàopiàn.) (Somewhat. I used to play the game on my own and would do pretty pictures.)
Harlan said, "我打赌你也会做同样的跳跃动作吧?(Wǒ dǎdǔ nǐ yě huì zuò tóngyàng de tiàoyuè dòngzuò ba?) (I bet you do the same with jump-ups huh?)"
Lien blushed a bit. "Yeah. When I'm by myself. I would get the Chinese Checker board out and would play with the marbles."
Harlan smiled as the 2 started to play the game. "You said you're into the Tang and the Qing dynasty. Why those 2?"
Lien replied, "Mostly for the fashion they had back then. They look elegant and beautiful, and which colors belong to whom depending on the dynasty and the royal. I would love to learn about their history one day. But it's very limited back in China."
Harlan nodded as they continued to play. "I can understand that. Well, there's a museum not too far from here. Maybe one day I can take you there."
Lien smiled as they finished the game. It was a tie. "我会爱那个爷爷的(Wǒ huì ài nàgè yéyé de) (I would love that Grandpa)."
