Whilst Bob had been making progress, Sally had also been extremely busy.
The moment she had turned 18, the floodgates of frenzy had truly opened. From her Wintry Palace up on High, Ice Queen Sally had personally witnessed hordes of Horny Henrys, waves of Wannabe Williams and armageddons of Awkward Andys, all pushing, kicking and shoving each other in their dismal and juvenile attempts to - quite literally - storm her chaste castle.
This onslaught was by no means a simple affair, since the romancing was on a massive scale. Families, empires, nations, countries, were involved, all vying for their chance to get with Sally, which they saw (quite rightly) as a golden opportunity to win the 'life lottery'.
Money, fame, influence, may come and go, but genetic diamonds are forever. In light of such a Heavenly opportunity, 'elites' from various empires, kingdoms and all the nations across the thousand Lands of Rizzdom were unable to resist the sparkling allure and all began to barter themselves, their businesses, their sons, daughters, scions, uncles aunties, even their pet dog, they were willing to do almost anything in order to establish a beneficial connection with Sally. Their sole ambition, of course, was to get into the Sallyson's good graces - and then later hopefully - and here many licked their lips - to get into Sally as well. 💀
All of this was utterly contemptible and repulsive to Sally who like any normal girl, disliked being viewed as an object to be won, or to be used as a chess piece in some political power play.
Fortunately her parents, being peak genetic specimens, and being fabulously self-sufficient and amazing, weren't so easily manipulated, and had held off the crazies for now.
"It's your choice, Sally."
"No matter what you do, we would support you."
"We just want you to be happy."
Sally nodded gratefully and hugged her mom and dad, who looked at each other surprised. It was rare for their sweet Sally to show such emotion.
"Hehe." Mr Sallyson laughed to see his beloved daughter happy.
"Aww... It's probably because of the wonderful readers and their powerstones, otherwise this may have never happened..." ✨ Mrs Sallyson added, whilst treasuring the mother and daughter moment.
___
Indeed, Sally was no longer as cold and lonely as before. As 'Allie', she had finally experienced a taste of what real human connection felt like, and it had felt amazing. This had led her to realise and redefine her ideal future.
Whilst many think of the Anti-Rizz Index as a negative, repelling power, this in fact is not the whole story.
In fact, the Anti-Rizz Index is not a repelling power at all, but rather, a filtering, discerning, selective power instead. Thus, a high Anti-Rizz Index would just mean that the individual's filtering, discerning and selective abilities would be higher.
Thanks to her recent experiences as 'Allie', Sally had now realized that if she were to find someone who could successfully overcome her Anti-Rizz Index, that her genetic resources, and indeed her very self, would experience significant, exponential benefits. Yes, the challenges of finding 'the One' who met the Anti-Rizz Index requirements were higher, but so too were the rewards and benefits if it was a suitable match.
The reason for this was because of the Ice Queen's new skill, which similar to a certain 'possibly significant' person's "Eyes of Rizz" *cough*, had unlocked when Sally had turned 18. Indeed. This was her passive ability, ["All Nurturing Life"].
["All Nurturing Life"] was essentially like having an extremely fertile garden bed that could absorb all kinds of seeds and energies, and which had the unique effect of literally nurturing, multiplying, compounding, and exponentially growing whatever was planted with the profound gift of Life itself.
Planting a kind word might grow kindness, eventually leading to the founding of a Charity for helping disadvantaged children. Planting trust might grow faith, potentially leading to a deep human connection and partnership.
This is of course also why Empress Bing Qi Ling had been so interested in the person who had given Allie her 'rizzed' experience, as she knew that, in the right conditions, Sally may be able to nurture the warmth and kindness she received into the Gift of Life that would affect the whole world!!!
And Yet.
Little known, but no less impactful, is the fact that the reverse was also true. At this point, ["All Nurturing Life"] did not discriminate between so-called good and evil. As a result, so-called negative seeds and energies could also be planted and nurtured. A harsh word might result in an argument, leading to a war. An insult might result in passive-aggression and even actual physical pain such as migraine or back pain, owing to the Ice Queen multiplying and growing these negative energies within herself.
And so, it was because of this inherent exponential growth property of ["All Nurturing Life"], that Ice Queens were forced to be extremely picky and selective with what passed through their selective filters, and the Anti-Rizz Index was hence a measure of not only genetic quality, but also a safeguard to protect them from undue negative influences.
Sally could, of course, play it safe and spend her life alone and sheltered with... cats, but this would have the tradeoff of not utilising her genetic and innate potential to its fullest. She also would miss out on the amazing feelings of human connection that she had recently discovered about. So clearly if it were possible, utilising "All Nurturing Life" in an intimate relationship would be the ideal scenario.
At the same time, the catch however was that you cannot multiplying something from nothing.
Ice Queens, despite their insane potential to nurture and multiply, still needed an initial input, in order to actualize their full potentials. Using the analogy of a garden bed, no matter how fertile the soil, and no matter how perfect the growing conditions, the initial seed still needed to be planted in order for the growth to take effect.
It was a risk. But after her experiencing that warmth by the fire, and being... held... that way... by that guy... (*humph, he wasn't even that good, but still*)
Sally knew that it was something she wanted.
[Relevant Excerpt from Ice Queen Sally's Hello Jasper Journal]
"Dear Diary,
After much reflection upon my recent experiences, I have figured out a few more things about what to do with my Divine Ice Queen blessings in this limited time I have…
Firstly, I have resolved to not settle. I want to find my Prince who meets the criteria of my Anti-Rizz Index, ideally before the age of 25 if possible. This is so my innate Ice Queen's potentials, including my ["All Nurturing Life"] ability... can be fully realised. My Anti-Rizz index has actually increased further, because after getting a taste of what I was missing out on… I don't want a hollow imitation of the real thing, becoming a pawn used for power plays and politics. I definitely want real love, I want real connection. Yes, I am doing amazing, and I have made a difference in the world. But I-I want more.
Am I being too unrealistic? Am I being too greedy? I think understand now why Queen Elisa II and the other amazing Ice Queens never married, it was because they never found that perfect person, who met all the requirements… I think I feel like progress has been made... but one thing is for sure... I would still rather spend my life with as many cats as possible, than settle for something that I do not, and cannot, believe in. Even so... I remain in hope. Even so, I dare to dream.
Love from your future self,
Sally.
___
Sally looks out the window, her eyes shining, as the full Moon begins to rise, bringing with it an incandescent glow that softly illuminates the magical nightscape; it is as yet an unexplored new world... unknown, yet full of exciting possibilities.