34 Picnic 3 (2/2)

The site choose for the picnic was a wonderful meadow wich was surrounded by forest on three sides, while the last one was a small beach, which gave access to a wonderful clear lake, which really invited someone to go for a swim.

When Ivan saw the view as he entered the meadow he couldn't help but sight in admiration. This view was just to different than what he had gotten used to. Even though the campus too had parks they were different. They just didn't give him the same feeling as the majestic trees which framed this meadow.

Seeing Ivan standing there with a look of admiration the others broke out in laughter.

”Haha, you have never seen something like this right?”

”Yes, it is beautiful.”

”Then after you finish admiring it come help me put down the blankets so we have something to sit on.”

Soon he shook himself out of his reverie and went to help his mentor to put down the two big blankets for them to sit on. They then opened the baskets which were filled with food and drinks. He wondered why they didn't just put all of these things into their inventories.

His mentor leaned towards him and asked in a whisper, ”I'm sure you are wondering why we don't use our inventory, right?”

He nodded and Carl gave him the answer, ”It is because of the atmosphere. Lara has always been of the opinion that using your inventory for everything will lead to you forgetting about enjoying the simple things. She learned that from my father who took this philosophy to the extreme.”

Ivan could see the logic behind it, after all if everything was to comfortable and easy one would forget to value these things and the work others may have put into it. It was like training skills. If one would only learn the skills through skill books, then how would one be able to really understand them and use them in the most optimal way, not even mentioning improving them.

Seeing that he understood the reasoning Carl nodded in satisfaction, it seemed his student wasn't spoiled by the living style at the alliance.

They chatted and played some games together until it was time for lunch. All the food was designed to be eaten while cold and it consisted of sandwiches, fruits, vegetables and other more complicated delicacies. Especially the content of the small basket was awesome.

Seeing the admiration in his eyes the lady smiled at him and asked, ”Do you like it? I made it myself.”

”It looks awesome, ma'm”, because of her aura he decided to use a respectful form of address.

”You don't have to be so respectful. Just call me Miranda or mother, after all I am your mother in law.”, she said with a grin, which only widened when she saw the look of shock on her daughters face.

”What? Did you really think I wouldn't know?”, she then asked her daughter with a playful smile on her face.

”Um”, Lara had no answer for her question because she herself knew that it would have been impossible to hide it from her mother who was even better informed than her father when it concerned family matters.

”Does daddy know?”

”What do you think?”

”Yeah, if he knew he would already have gone ballistic but since he hasn't come over he shouldn't be aware of it.”