Octavian, Ovelia, and Oceans

Ovelia smiles as I ruin yet another pancake. This time, I had put too much milk into the batter. I let out a dissatisfied sigh as a crepe forms, and sniffle as I move the crepe into the trashcan.

"You're hopeless when it comes to cooking." Ovelia says with a glimmer in her eye. She moves from the dining table to the stove. I mock glare at her before handing her the spatula.

"And that is why the kitchen is yours, your highness." I say with a bow. She laughs.

"Octavian, let's take a walk through an ocean town."

I scoff. Then, my eyes turn wide. "Wait, are you serious?"

"Yes, I am."

"You know we're a long way from any oceans, right? Iowa, remember?"

"Yes, I know."

"Then... How?"

Ovelia rolls her eyes. "Dude, remember that thing that lets you go places? You know, virtually?"

"Oh... I forgot about that." I say, blinking several times. She brandishes her weapon of mass cooking destruction.

Ovelia looks at me with contempt, "It's been a month since it was released."

"I know." She gives me her best puppy dog eyes.

It works.

Like every time.

I sigh and throw up my hands like I'm surrendering to the police. "Alright, alright, I'll do it. Now stop with those eyes, otherwise I'm handing you over to the cuteness-overload police."

"Yay!" She cheers and twirls in a little circle.

I can never say no to her.