CHAPTER 12: LANA LOUD
.
Lana Loud. The big sister of the twins Lana & Lola, separated by 2 minutes. The eighth sister of the Loud siblings.
Fangs: "Skree?" [confused]
Lincoln: "We're about to help a handful of beavers make a dam. Right, Hops?"
Hops: "Ribbit!" [nods]
Not many children nowadays have the guts to stick their nose around some dirty, rusty, and stinky places like mud pools or trash cans, let alone playing and sleeping on them. Ewh, gross. But surprisingly, that's who Lana is. She loves being stained by nature and grease, and she somehow finds home in them. Live by nature, eat from nature, die by nature.
Lynn Sr: "We have some leftovers here after dinner. I think I'll just throw them to the trash bin!"
Lincoln: "Wait! Dad, no! Leave them be. I can eat those."
Lynn Sr: "You… You want to eat this leftover dinner? Ain't it gross?"
Lincoln: "Nah, I'm fine. People say that it's not good to waste such food. For hobos, leftovers are a gracious gift!"
Hops: "Ribbit!" [nods]
Lynn Sr: "…Ooooookaaaayy… Whatever. I'll just leave these to you two then."
But that does not mean Lana has no care about sanitary, no. Although she feels home with mud so much that she refuses to take bath over once a month, when the time comes, Lana is seen in charge of cleaning, especially car washing. There used to be a saying that one must learn about being dirty to judge their cleanliness, that one cannot exist without another. Lana is a perfect example.
Lincoln: "Here's the fertilizer, mom!"
Rita: "Thank you, sweet- Omigosh, you are covered in mud! Where have you been!?" [gardens in the front yard]
Lincoln: "Well, Liam had trouble with his piglets running all over the farm. In return, he allowed me to bring home this handful of dunks." [giggles]
Rita: "You smell… awful! Eewh! You gotta have a long bath after this conversation!"
Lincoln: "…Or better yet, how about I help you gardening? My hands are already dirty, more doesn't hurt, right?"
Although still in vulnerable progression, her hands are somehow born to do labor job. No, not heavy lifting, nope. Lana's a mechanic, and oh boy, is she good at it. Electronics, cable works, sewer cleaning, water plumbing, car repairing, and even house renovation, just give her tools and materials and she'll get the job done. No sweat.
And because of this, Lana has been pretty much everyone's call for help. Handy kids like her are reliable and not hesitant to aid just anyone. There's no counting how many times her family has been relieved until this day, thanks to her. No wonder she's kind of a figurine among rednecks.
Chester: "Jettison's Chute! Thank you, boy. I am used with stereo wiring, but I was about to call a mechanic to fix my broken van when you came."
Lincoln: "No problem, dude!" [smugs]
Chester: "By the way… you're Lincoln Loud from The Moon Goats, aren't ya?"
Lincoln: "Yep, it's me!"
Chester: "As a sign of gratitude… If you want, I can take your band anywhere you want to be. You're welcome to hop in my van. Here's my number if you need a ride." [gives Lincoln a slip]
Lincoln: "Hmm… Chunkster. Alright, I'll let Sam know." [takes the slip]
And talking about being reliable for everyone, she's also a sanctuary for animals all across the countryside. See, Lana's not only a fan of waste and mudpies, she's also a great friend of animals and wildlife. In fact, she loves being dirty because it makes her as free as the wilderness, and it is cool. This kind of behavior also develops her courage upon taking risks.
Sam: "Hi, Lincoln!" [comes into the Louds garage]
Lincoln: "Heeey, Sam! What a pleasant surprise! I was about to meet you!" [trains a community of wild animals]
Sam: "Heh. No sweat- Oh hey, is that a bunch of wild animals you're taming?"
Lincoln: "Oh, right! Let me introduce you our new family members! This is Izzy the gecko, El Diablo the green snake, Duncan the possum, Bitey the grey mouse…"
Sam: "Aaaawhh, sweet! Look how adorable they are~!"
Lincoln: "You like them?"
Sam: "Definitely! They are just as calmful as calming music can be… Hey, how about that white hare?"
Lincoln: "This? I don't know… I still have no thought of its name yet…"
Sam: "Hmmm… How about, 'Gary'?"
Lincoln: "Sounds good for me!"
Hops, Lana's best companion and soulmate never to break apart, is originally just like any ordinary pond frog you'll commonly find in Tall Timbers Lake, but look further and you'll see it's not just any story. They happened to meet in a lovely atmosphere like any Tuesday, but in that moment, magic worked. The voids were filled, and they knew for the first time that they were destined to be together.
Lincoln: "…Hops." [alone with Hops]
Hops: "Ribbit?"
Lincoln: "I don't know if you're listening or not. I know this is stupid, but what else can I do? This whole ordeal is driving me mad, and people just think that I am! Who else can I talk to?"
Hops: "Ribbit!"
Lincoln: "…Sigh, I guess I'm just going to spill it. I'm not the person who you think I am. I'm not someone who can easily get along with mud and wild animals. I am not Lana!"
Hops: "Ribbit?"
Lincoln: "Well, you don't know or remember her for now, but I still remember how you two were used to getting close with each other. The thing is, I'm doing all this insanity just because I want some girls, which are not even supposed to exist in this world, back! Because they are my sisters! I love them and I'll do anything to see them alive again!"
Hops: "…Ribbit?"
Lincoln: "No, no! I mean- Sigh. You know what? Who am I kidding? You might be right. I'm not doing this for you, or those I helped along the way. I'm doing this just for my sisters. I'm doing this for myself." [pensive]
Lincoln: "…I'm such a selfish man. I'm sorry, Hops." [leaves]
Hops: "…Ribbit!" [follows Lincoln]
Lincoln: "…Hops?" [stunned by Hops' reaction]
Hops: "Ribbit!" [sits on Lincoln's shoulder]
Lincoln: "You're… You're not mad at me?" [confused]
Hops: "Ribbit!" [shakes head]
Lincoln: "You don't even care if I take care of you not for yourself, but for someone else?!" [even more confused]
Hops: "Ribbit!"
Risks, like durian's thorny skin, will do harm to anyone. But woe to those who lack courage to take them, as once revealed, lies a treasure worth the struggle. To put it short, Lana is brave, open to risks, handy, crafty, honest, loyal, and she loves the Earth. Maybe, all of them make Lana a perfect knight and the second healthiest Loud sibling after Lynn Loud Junior.
Lana(?): "Lincoln, relax." [appears in front of Lincoln, tries to comfort him]
Lincoln: "La- Lana!" [shocked]
Hops: "Ribbit?"
Lana(?): "Oh hi, Hops! Glad to see you fresh and healthy! Hehe." [happy]
Hops: "Ribbit!"
Lana(?): "Anyways. Lincoln,"
Lana(?): "For now, maybe you don't love Hops like I do, and it's okay. But trust me, brother. Let time do its part, and I believe you two will eventually get along." [smiles]
Lincoln: "How… How do you know?" [confused]
Lana(?): "Love is like building a car from scratch. It is never instant. True kindness works through time, persistence, and honesty, like what you are doing for us right now. With your caring and affections, Hops, and the people you help will finally open their heart for you."
Lincoln: "…You're right." [sobs]
Lana(?): "Heeey. Cheer up, big bro! You're on the right path and you're getting close! Just a few more steps!"
Hops: "Ribbit!"
Lincoln: "I'm trying." [tries to smile]
Lana(?): "Anyway, I must go. Thank you for keeping my pets. Keep up the good work!" [glitches away]