sirianasims

[sirianasims]

Chapter 9.1 - 50 Shades of Enchantment

ALICE

Alice laughs nervously. “You want me to be the boss of you and demand whatever I want? You shouldn’t give me that much power, my dude. There is no telling what I’m gonna do with it.”

Vlad stares unblinking. It should unnerve her, but Alice is enjoying the full force of his focus entirely too much to be afraid. “That’s your out,” she hints. “You tell me you were making a joke. I agree, and we laugh and move on.”

“But I’m not joking.”

Of course, he isn’t. Alice’s mouth goes dry as she gestures at the desk. She might regret this later, but for now, she wants to investigate this electricity jolting between them. “Well, then, step into my office, Mr. Straud, and have a seat.”

Vlad moves with purpose—graceful, but like his muscles are tightly coiled. “I read a book like this once,” he rasps, “Twelve or So Swatches of Woohoo. Next, you’ll tell me to put my hands on the keyboard.”

Alice leans against the desk and cocks a brow. “I thought I was the boss.”

“Y-you are the boss.” He looks at her like he is hanging on her every word. 

Alice takes her time, sliding onto the desk and angling herself closer. “Then shouldn’t I be the one telling you what to do next?”

He swallows and nods, his gaze still trained on her. 

“Good. I read that book, too,” With a smirk, she sits back and pretends to examine her nails. Secretly, though, she’s watching Vlad come undone—listening to how his breath quickens, noting the bulge he doesn’t adjust, savoring the way his hand trembles.  

The control is a heady feeling. 

Finally, she tells him, “Put your hands on the keyboard. We’ve got a secret society to track down.”

PREV | NEXT

New to the story and want to catch up quickly? Click here.

[sirianasims]

Astrid, 

Hope you got my postcard from Phuket, and that the Bangkok one shows up, eventually. Maybe it is actually lost, like maybe I’m doing something wrong at the post office. It’s fine if they all go into the abyss. I am writing just to write, because it feels romantic or whatever. You probably hate the idea of this. I could just text you. I texted you forty-five minutes ago. Still miss you. 

We’re in Phi Phi now. Islands, very beautiful. I bet you already know about them, but I’d never heard about this place before I came here. The landscape is kind of mental, like giants made it. Weird to look at. We went out on a little boat yesterday to see the sights. Jonas jumped off and swam, and I did not. My tattoo is still healing. Stupid fucking thing. I waved over a boat of girls and told them Jonas was saying he fancied them, and then he got annoyed with me, because he wasn’t saying that, and he was embarrassed. I think he should learn to talk to women without wanting to die, and he says I think about women too much, that I’m too invested and I should think about something else. History, philosophy, whatever. Why would I when there are women like you on the earth?

At night, instead of going out and drinking, we go to bed early, in our bunks, him on the top, me below like always, and he tells me all this shit about the Suez canal, or what the Falklands war was all about, since I was stupid enough to ask a follow up question once. Then I fall asleep to escape the boredom. We get up at six and do activities, then. Lots of walking. My body hurts. 

Jonas finally tried those scorpions he was banging on about, and now he’s sick, btw. Food poisoning. I don’t really know how to take care of him, except coming back to the hostel every few hours, making sure he has water. Until he’s better, I guess I’m just wandering around on my own. Luckily, it’s nice to look at. Maybe today I’ll swim with my arm out of the water. Running out of space. Love and miss you can't wait to see you.

xxx Jude. 

I snap open the lid of a bottle of water and carry it into the hostel room. It smells bad there, but I’ve stopped saying it, because it makes Jonas look like he’s about to cry. He’s curled up on his bunk, a complexion like curdled yoghurt, as a chink of morning light spills through the blinds and over his shivering body. Mostly naked. Too hot, then too cold, then sipping water, then throwing it up. I hover in the doorway. 

“I’ve water,” I say, and he just stares. Resigned, half-dead, maybe. “Should you go to hospital or something, do you think?”

“No, I feel slightly better.”

“Oh, okay. Do you want the water, or?”

“Yes. Bring it to me.”

I approach him like a leper, not sure why, as I’m fully aware he’s not contagious, but it’s been ten days since I’ve thrown up, and I’d like to maintain my healthy aura. He regards me with bleary eyes as I back away. “It is good you are an artist and not a nurse.”

“Yeah, I don’t know. I’m not so good with illness.”

“Even though you are always ill.” A tentative sip from the bottle. “You went out this morning?”

“To the post office.”

“Another postcard to Astrid.”

“Yes.”

I can tell he wants to laugh but lacks strength, managing only a feeble wheeze. “Is she missing you as much as you are missing her?”

“No, I don’t think so. She’s much better at distance.”

“She’s an independent person.”

“Yeah.”

“Tell me what she is doing today.”

“It’s Wednesday, so probably going to reformer pilates. Then she’s supposed to meet a friend from university for lunch. After that, I don’t know. Something spontaneous and thrilling, probably.”

“And you?”

“What about me?”

He manages a watery smile. “You’ll be doing nothing again today? Missing her?”

“I was thinking I might wade into the sea, actually. Keep walking out until I disappear, wailing after Astrid like the pathetic little freak I am.”

“It’s Wednesday?”

“Yes, Wednesday.”

“I signed up for something today.”

“Well, I don’t think you’ll be going, by the cut of you.”

“No,” giving up on the water for now, he rolls onto his back, watching insects congregate around the plastic light fixture. “You could go in my place. It’s a… meditation thing.”

I pull a face. “Meditation? That thing where you sit cross-legged and go like ‘om’?” I demonstrate, but feel bad for making him laugh. Apparently a bit painful for him. 

“Yes,” he says. “Kind of. You might find value in it.”

“Is that the kind of guy you think I am? With like, dirty feet and harem pants?”

“Since I am the one who signed up, is it the kind of person you think I am?”

“Not far off.”

“Well, meditation has many benefits. It’s not just for the dirty-feet-squad. It’s good for people who suffer with various mental health concerns, and people who have racing thoughts they cannot stop and such things. Maybe it will inspire you to stop thinking about women’s breasts.”

I scoff. “Why would I do a thing like that?”

“So you can think of more productive things that will inform you, and grow your mind rather than rotting it away.”

“Like the Falklands war, for instance.”

“Yes, like the Falklands war,” he says, suddenly animated. “Thank you for saying that. Or the targeting of Libyan migrant workers on suspicion of being mercenaries by—”

I take a brisk and decisive step out of the room. “Well! Glad you’re feeling better, Jonas. See you later. Keep drinking that water, et cetera.” I swing the door shut and amble away, down the hostel hallway and back to the beach, rearing for another day of nothing, bored senseless by the edge of a lonely ocean.

Beginning // Prev // Next

[sirianasims]

Prev // Next

Transcript below the cut:

[Dog Barking]

Iris: Hello there.

Iris: You’re so sweet. What’s your name, baby? ???: That would be Milo. Iris: Hi Milo.

Iris: Is he yours? ???: He is. We were just making a quick stop on our way to the vet. Iris: The vet? I hope he’s okay. ???: Yeah, it’s just a checkup.

Iris: Well, Milo, don’t let them give you one of the stale biscuits they leave out on the counter. The receptionist keeps the good ones behind her desk, and she’ll give you one if you ask nice.

???: [laughs] Good tip. Do you have a dog? Iris: Did. He passed away last Fall. ???: I’m sorry. Iris: It’s okay. He had a very long and happy life. ???: I’m glad to hear that.

???: Well, we have to run or we’re going to be late, but it was nice to meet you--? Iris: Iris. ???: Iris, I’m Ezra. Iris: Nice to meet you, Ezra. And you too, Milo. Good luck at the vet. Ezra: Thanks. See you around.

Iris: See ya.

[sirianasims]

Odd sensation, the tattoo gun. On the internet, they said the forearm wasn’t bad. One of the least painful spots, which is why I try to suppress my wince as the needle buzzes over my skin. 

“It’s more painful when you’re tired or dehydrated, by the way,” says Kwan, the artist, her chewing gum smacking in her mouth over the sound of thrash metal. 

“Right, right. I guess I’m always dehydrated a bit.”

“He never drinks water,” Jonas pipes up from the sofa. “I remind him of it all the time, but he won’t.”

“Everything wrong with my life probably comes back to that,” I grin at Kwan, and the corner of her mouth ticks up. 

“You’re cute,” she says. “Pretty little face. How old are you guys?”

“Twenty,” Jonas says. “At least me. Jude is still nineteen.”

“Wow. Little babies,” Kwan wipes pooling black ink with a tissue, revealing a thin curved line along my forearm. Weird, I think, looking at it. That’s there forever now. Every day until I’m dead, I’ll look down and there’ll be something on my arm. 

“And what brings you to Phuket?” 

“Well, to be honest, Kwan, we came here just for you,” I say. Her eyes flick to my face, and she sighs with resignation. “You’re good, you know that? You’re going to go far. Going to break some hearts.” 

“We’re backpacking,” Jonas clarifies. “Bangkok for a week, Phuket for another, then we’re going to the Phi Phi Islands and Koh Samui. Jude is acting on complete impulse with this tattoo. I think he is probably trying to flirt so that you like him.”

“And the mango,” she says, now delicately inking the leaves. “Is it personally significant?”

“No, I just liked it. Your art is nice. Never thought I’d get a tattoo because I thought they were all, you know, big thick lines and shit, but yours…”

“Thank you.”

“And like, I guess the mangoes here taste really good, so I could say it’s a memento of my time in Thailand.”

Kwan exhales a laugh. “And not too much between your ears, I see, which is good. Otherwise I think you would doom womankind.”

I grin. “God, Kwan, I love when women insult me. It’s my bread and butter.”

The tattoo gun hits a nervy patch of skin near my inner elbow and I hiss through my teeth. “Ah!”

“Too much?” 

Then I laugh. “Yes. No. Maybe it depends, doesn’t it? I hope this is worth it.”

Later, strolling the beach, I take a photograph of my arm wrapped in plastic and send it to my mother. 

Look what I did.  Why would you do that to your body???? 

She gets back. 

Is that permanent??? 

I cackle. 

“What are you laughing at? Did you send that to Astrid?”

“No, to my mom. She doesn’t approve.”

“Oh,” he frowns, as though this is of deep concern. “Doesn’t her reaction disappoint you?”

“No, I knew she’d hate it, and now she’s going to show my dad and he’ll hate it even more. It was the same when I pierced my ears on holidays. He doesn’t think men should do things like that, and whatever.”

“And you like that he is outraged?”

“Yeah, it’s funny. He hates everything I do regardless, so like, might as well lean the whole way in, you know?”

“You should send the picture to your dad.”

“Nah, I don’t really… I don’t, like, text him… or anything like that.”

“Never?”

“Nah. He wouldn’t respond, anyway. It’s better to get a reaction from my mom.”

He hesitates, getting ready to attempt some conversation, no doubt, that I haven’t much interest in having. I feel my defences rise before he opens his mouth. A blanket of emotional exhaustion settling over me. “You haven’t spoken too much about your father before,” he says. “I assumed you are not close, but—” 

“Please,” I say. “Let’s not.”

“But I am just thinking about how—”

“Jonas, it really doesn’t have to be like this. It’s really not a fun conversation to have.”

“Right. It’s just that you’ve even had dinner with my stepfather when he came to visit, and you know all about my father and my half brother and–”

“Yeah, I know. Max was a nice man. It was a nice dinner, but just because you’ve shared stuff with me doesn’t mean I have to share back.”

“But don’t you think since we’ve known each other for months now, and we are friends, that you should tell me something about your family?”

“You telling me personal things doesn’t make you entitled to know things about me.”

“Yes, but just some basic facts. What is your father’s name?” 

“Chris.”

“Christian?”

“Topher. Christopher.”

“And he is American.”

“Yes.”

Jonas leaves space for me to elaborate, and I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. How old I do feel when people ask me about my dad? Twelve, every single time. Twelve, and destroying his stupid rare collector’s book purely for attention. He lost his mind and whacked my face with the back of his hand. Wedding ring rapped across a cheekbone. Was exhilarating to see him display an emotion. I remember laughing on the floor with hysterical glee among the shredded pages. A vindictive little winner. 

“He was born in California. He has four brothers. He studied dental medicine at the University of New Mexico, then he got my mom pregnant and married her.”

Another pause. “I see it was difficult for you to say that.”

“It was fine.”

“He was in university when you were born?”

“Yeah. He was twenty-one.”

“And your mother?”

“Nineteen.” 

“Your age.”

“Yes, my age. Terrible for her, I suppose. I don’t know. She’s fine. They’re both fine.”

He nods. “So you are determined to remain a mystery.”

“I’m determined to enjoy my trip, to be honest.”

“Well, thank you for sharing facts about your father.”

My arm is already sweating under the layers of plastic, beaten by the sun. Kwan said I shouldn’t expose the tattoo to sunlight. Then why did I get this thing? On holidays by the beach, about to spend another two weeks island hopping, and how hot is it? Thirty-seven? Forty? Sometimes my own reasonings are mysterious to me. 

“Let’s do something else,” I say, agitated by myself and everything around me. “What’s next?”

“You just got a tattoo, and now you are already looking for more excitement?”

“Yes, come on, I’m bored.”

“Okay, okay, let’s think of something.”

Beginning // Prev // Next

[sirianasims]

Prev // Next

Transcript below the cut:

Asher: Atlas!! Ow… fuck.

Asher: Atlas! Atlas: What’s wrong? Asher: Check your email. We have a message from the clinic.

Atlas: Here it is. “See the attached for good news about your embryos :)”. Asher: Ohmygod. Atlas: Are you ready? Asher: Yes! Open it.

 Atlas: Six! We have six healthy embryos. Asher: Six is good. And?

Atlas: Five female. Asher: Uh-huh? Atlas: And one male.

Asher: Holy shit.

Asher: [laugh-crying] He’s there.  

Asher: What? What’s wrong? Did it say something else?

Atlas: Five females. Asher: Yeah? Atlas: At our next appointment, we’ll have to decide which ones we want to use. How do we choose? How are we supposed to know which one is Sadie?

Asher: Sadie? Where did you get that name? Atlas: From you. In the dream I had, after the temple, that’s what you called her. Asher: [smiles] Atlas: What?

Asher: That was grandmother’s name. Well, her name was Sarah, but everyone called her Sadie. I was really close to her when I was little. In fact, before she got sick, this used to be her room. On nights when I had trouble sleeping, rather than going across the hall to my parents’ room, I’d come in here with my pillow and blanket and sleep on the floor. Atlas: That’s cute.

Asher: Y’know, there was a part of me that wondered if we were reading too much into these dreams. I had this doubt lingering in the back of my mind that, even as strongly as I felt, there was a chance they weren’t… real. Atlas: And now? Asher: I don’t have any doubts anymore. If we trust our instincts, we’ll make the right choice.

Atlas: So, you’re okay with naming our daughter Sadie then? Asher: It’s perfect. Atlas: What about the boy?

Asher: I don’t know his name. Atlas: Well, we have time to figure it out. Asher: [sniffles] Yeah. Atlas: You okay? Asher: Just happy.

[sirianasims]

He'll get the hang of it.. probably 😅

[sirianasims]

Obsessed with the new party cake.

[sirianasims]

I'm still dealing with a bit of burnout from exams so I haven't been very active on Tumblr lately, but thank you to the lovely @citylighten @igotsnothing @lynzishell and @likelyamused for the tags ❤️

last song:

favourite colour: Teal!

last movie: No clue, haven't had the patience for an entire movie for a long time, my ADHD makes it difficult to just sit and watch something for so long. I prefer stuff where I'm actively engaged, so I either play games or watch stuff on youtube while I do something else like eat dinner or fold laundry.

last book: I genuinely don't remember, I haven't had time to read books for ages but probably something by Joe Abercrombie. Otherwise, it's been either academic papers or Simblr stories, but I did get a book about creative writing for Christmas that I look forward to.

sweet/spicy/savory: Sweet and savoury. I can't handle spice at all, but I am a sucker for both sweet and savoury stuff, they balance each other out.

last googled: A paper my thesis supervisor suggested I should read to see if I like how they designed their study, might get inspired.

current obsession: I finally got Baldur's Gate 3 during a Christmas sale. I've played both of the previous ones back in the day, and Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn was the first game I fully completed. I've started a Dark Urge run with my drow sorcerer Neera and I am obsessed.

looking forward to: Getting back to my story. I miss writing, but I'm in the process of a major cleanup of my CC and mods because I kept having issues but hopefully soon™️!

[sirianasims]

Prev // Next

Transcript + Name/Logo Reveal below the cut:

💖 massive shoutout to @honeyjars-sims for helping me with their logo! it's even better than i'd imagined! thank you SO much 💖

*knock*knock*knock*

Atlas: Yeah? Asher: Can I come in? Atlas: Of course.

Asher: We finished the logo. Just need you to sign off before we make it official. Atlas: It’s perfect, I love it. Asher: Really? Atlas: Yes really.

Asher: Good. [lets out a relieved sigh] It’s been a long day, I’m gonna get to bed. Atlas: Okay. My deadline is in the morning, so I’m gonna stay up and finish this.

Asher: ‘Kay. Love you. Atlas: Love you too.

Atlas: G’morning.

Asher: Morning. How’d you sleep? Atlas: Awful. You? Asher: Not great.

Atlas: I could use some fresh air. D’you want to go for a run with me? Asher: I hate running. Atlas: I know, but we can enjoy a long, hot shower afterwards. Asher: [smirks] I’ll go change.

Asher: [sighs]

[sirianasims]

I was going to send an ask along the lines of "as Paul and Julia's number one fan" but I realized that there's way too much competition for that title and I don't want anyone coming for my neck. love your sims and your story!!!

Thank you so much!! This is too nice of you omg 😭💖 I've been so busy, I can't wait to get back to the story (and soon!)

[sirianasims]

Save the Alice, Save the World

Alice feels a disturbance in the force and heads to StrangerVille with her boyfriends to investigate. Someone's in trouble; could it be her?

Please accept my humble homage to the EXCELLENT Strange Daze by @citylighten. I love it so much! It has drama, humor, hangdog Geoffrey Landgraab investigating (badly), and her OC, Michael Impellizzeri trying to balance his family and this mysterious case. It is STORYTELLING GOALS 😭

(also, many thanks to all her encouragement/advice bc I have not made a video in a long time, and my skills were RUSTY)

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

A few days later, the uncomfortable situation with his mother is more or less forgotten. Matteo is busy with his school project when he hears Woofer bark excitedly outside.

It's Dani, coming for a surprise visit!

Matteo is happy to see her. He doesn't remember San Myshuno, but he knows it's far from here, you can't just "drop by". Dani must really love them if she's coming all this way.

Matteo likes how happy his dad seems when Dani visits. He doesn't really understand all the kissing, but his dad smiles more and laughs louder when she's here.

Matteo secretly wishes Dani could just move in with them, the farm is so big, surely there's room for her too? But for now, he's just glad that she's here and making his dad happy.

Dani helps Matteo with his school project while Don makes dinner. She pulls up her sleeve to prove that she's still wearing their friendship bracelet too. She really is his best friend - after his dad and Woofer, of course.

During dinner, Matteo tells Dani about the nightmares he's been having. Dani suggests he confronts the monsters, ask them what they want. Maybe they just want to be friends?

Matteo considers this, and gets an idea. Luckily, whenever Dani visits, it means his dad goes to bed early for some reason, so Matteo should be able to stay awake until then.

When he feels pretty certain that his dad and Dani are sleeping, he sneaks down to the bathroom to give himself a pep talk. He can do this. Nothing changes just because it's dark... right?

Matteo opens the front door quietly, leaving it open behind him - just in case he needs to get back inside quickly. The light that leaks out through the glass doors feels like a sanctuary, but beyond the small golden circle, it's pitch black.

Matteo swallows hard and steps into the void. The night feels like a living thing around him, the leaves rustling like something huge is breathing. His eyes dart to the stables for comfort, but Horsie is sleeping, just a large, dark shape nestled in the hay. No comforting snorts and soft whickers to answer his plea for reassurance.

A shiver creeps up Matteo's spine. The front door behind him is so close still, so tempting, but he clenches his fists and takes another step into the dark. Then another.

A sudden splash startles him, and Matteo freezes, his heart in his throat. Something is moving, pale and ghostly, floating on the black water of the pond. The ducks. Of course. It's just the ducks. But they look different in the night, ethereal, drifting soundlessly in the faint moonlight. Matteo stubbornly sets his jaw.

Another step.

The weight of the night presses harder on him with each moment and his skin prickles as his mind starts running wild. The trees by the chicken coop loom large, their dark silhouettes against the sky, branches almost reaching towards him. The low stone wall that surrounds the garden seems to shimmer slightly, like an illusion that might disappear at any moment, revealing something terrible hiding in the vegetable patch.

And then it happens.

Something brushes against his leg.

Something big.

Matteo's knees almost buckle and his heart races, slamming against his ribs like a trapped bird. A sound, somewhere between a whine and a sob escapes his lips before he can stop it. He forces himself to look down, not sure what to expect. Claws? Teeth? Tentacles?

Instead, a wet and familiar nose nudges his trembling hand.

Matteo sinks to his knees, burying his fingers in Woofer's soft coat as the dog licks the tears off his face. Woofer wiggles excitedly. He's not allowed outside at night, so he took a huge chance following Matteo through the open door and he's very relieved that the boy isn't mad at him.

Matteo scratches Woofer in his favourite spot, the fear dissipating as his heartbeat goes back to normal. Maybe it's just because his eyes have adjusted to the darkness, but next to the labrador's inky black fur, everything else seems just a little brighter.

chrono - previous - next

[sirianasims]

The Don Diaries

A few days later, the uncomfortable situation with his mother is more or less forgotten. Matteo is busy with his school project when he hears Woofer bark excitedly outside.

It's Dani, coming for a surprise visit!

Matteo is happy to see her. He doesn't remember San Myshuno, but he knows it's far from here, you can't just "drop by". Dani must really love them if she's coming all this way.

Matteo likes how happy his dad seems when Dani visits. He doesn't really understand all the kissing, but his dad smiles more and laughs louder when she's here.

Matteo secretly wishes Dani could just move in with them, the farm is so big, surely there's room for her too? But for now, he's just glad that she's here and making his dad happy.

Dani helps Matteo with his school project while Don makes dinner. She pulls up her sleeve to prove that she's still wearing their friendship bracelet too. She really is his best friend - after his dad and Woofer, of course.

During dinner, Matteo tells Dani about the nightmares he's been having. Dani suggests he confronts the monsters, ask them what they want. Maybe they just want to be friends?

Matteo considers this, and gets an idea. Luckily, whenever Dani visits, it means his dad goes to bed early for some reason, so Matteo should be able to stay awake until then.

When he feels pretty certain that his dad and Dani are sleeping, he sneaks down to the bathroom to give himself a pep talk. He can do this. Nothing changes just because it's dark... right?

Matteo opens the front door quietly, leaving it open behind him - just in case he needs to get back inside quickly. The light that leaks out through the glass doors feels like a sanctuary, but beyond the small golden circle, it's pitch black.

Matteo swallows hard and steps into the void. The night feels like a living thing around him, the leaves rustling like something huge is breathing. His eyes dart to the stables for comfort, but Horsie is sleeping, just a large, dark shape nestled in the hay. No comforting snorts and soft whickers to answer his plea for reassurance.

A shiver creeps up Matteo's spine. The front door behind him is so close still, so tempting, but he clenches his fists and takes another step into the dark. Then another.

A sudden splash startles him, and Matteo freezes, his heart in his throat. Something is moving, pale and ghostly, floating on the black water of the pond. The ducks. Of course. It's just the ducks. But they look different in the night, ethereal, drifting soundlessly in the faint moonlight. Matteo stubbornly sets his jaw.

Another step.

The weight of the night presses harder on him with each moment and his skin prickles as his mind starts running wild. The trees by the chicken coop loom large, their dark silhouettes against the sky, branches almost reaching towards him. The low stone wall that surrounds the garden seems to shimmer slightly, like an illusion that might disappear at any moment, revealing something terrible hiding in the vegetable patch.

And then it happens.

Something brushes against his leg.

Something big.

Matteo's knees almost buckle and his heart races, slamming against his ribs like a trapped bird. A sound, somewhere between a whine and a sob escapes his lips before he can stop it. He forces himself to look down, not sure what to expect. Claws? Teeth? Tentacles?

Instead, a wet and familiar nose nudges his trembling hand.

Matteo sinks to his knees, burying his fingers in Woofer's soft coat as the dog licks the tears off his face. Woofer wiggles excitedly. He's not allowed outside at night, so he took a huge chance following Matteo through the open door and he's very relieved that the boy isn't mad at him.

Matteo scratches Woofer in his favourite spot, the fear dissipating as his heartbeat goes back to normal. Maybe it's just because his eyes have adjusted to the darkness, but next to the labrador's inky black fur, everything else seems just a little brighter.

chrono - previous - next

[sirianasims]

Geneva Island Legacy┃Chapter seven┃Wedding Day!

Today is finally the day that Autumn and Darion are getting married!! Even though it's kind of a last minute shotgun wedding, it's still held at one of the best estates in San Myshuno. Of course it had to be raining, but some people believe that's a sign of luck. Darion was busy settling his nerves with a bit of liquor while Autumn chilled with her bff Judi before putting on her dress. For a sim wedding, it went pretty well! Everyone stayed in their seats for the most part (except for Rowan who needed to sit campfire style in the aisle for the best view) and I got some great pictures of the ceremony. Afterwards, they took some family pictures, had their first dance, and her father made long drawn out toasts to family and tradition (sigh) and with the exception of her sister, who is just evil af, they enjoyed everyone's company. Of course Rowan brought along a little party favor as he likes to do every now and then. Overall, it was a success!

Beginning / Previous / Next

[sirianasims]

Previous // Next

Aster: Okay, okay.. I’m thinking - dangerous, I know - but bear with me! What ifffff you try and record yourself then play it back to me? It might like, break the ice or something..? … Aster: Woah.. it’s cool to hear your voice, but you could’ve said more! Did you panic? Did it work? [Robin shrugged apologetically; he hadn’t really known what to say, and it hadn’t worked] … Aster: Okay, ummmm-.. oh! What if I leave the room and you just talk to yourself? I’ll come back in without telling you and “accidentally” hear you! [Robin’s nose wrinkled as he shook his head, though he couldn’t exactly explain why that wouldn’t work and Aster had already decided to run off excitedly] [Robin diligently repeated the word “Hi” a few times before Aster ran back up the stairs with mounting impatience, giving Robin’s silly little brain more than enough time to abandon ship; all he managed was a pathetic, strangled hissing noise as the H of the measly word hi, died a death in his throat] Aster: Hah, I get enough of that from Sally. [Robin snorted, laughing along with Aster briefly-.. though the deafening silence soon returned] Aster: Ugh! This is so frustrating; I can’t imagine how you feel. [Robin shrugged casually, fairly accustomed to his special flaw by now. He wasn’t sure he’d ever understand why people took his mutism so personally, or made it their mission to make him speak. Why was everyone so convinced he had anything interesting to say?] … [Robin’s mind wandered as the night wore on…] [The more he thought about it, the more he wondered if he and Aster would even have anythi-…] Robin: Ow! What the fuck?! Aster: Oh! Ohh! [Robin’s eyes watered as he fervently rubbed his throbbing shin] Aster: Did it work?! [Robin whimpered dramatically, unable to resist the perfect opportunity for a prank] Aster: Shit, I’m sorry-.. I don’t know why I thought that’d work! Are you okay? [Robin couldn’t help but snicker as Aster fussed over his leg-.. Wren had kicked him harder in her sleep] Aster: Oh, you dick! It worked, didn’t it?! Robin: Amazingly… Aster: OH MY GOD! Robin: [laughs] Shh, shhhh! Joelle: [muffled yelling] Will you two be quiet or go to bed already?! It’s 4AM!

[sirianasims]

Part 2 Prologue #3: The Big 2-0

It’s the day of my and Chantal’s birthday party and our dads are helping us set up. We kept it small, just family and close friends. Of course, Paul is coming, too; we’re not super close, but he does live here so it’s only fair to invite him. Plus with Lucy here he won’t feel too out of place.

Pops takes a look around the grounds. “I’ve got to say, I really enjoy it out here. It’s so peaceful. What do you say, David? Can’t you picture us living off the land?”

“Oh yeah, scooping up goat shit is what I’ve always dreamed of.” Dad smirks. 

“Dad wouldn’t last a day here!” Chantal laughs. 

“I guess we’ll stick to visiting, then,” Pops concedes. “Ah, here come Cece and Ben!”

“Happy birthday!” Cece calls out and she gives us both hugs. “How does it feel to be 20?”

“It’s awesome! I finally feel like a real adult!” Chantal replies. Even though we’re twins, sometimes I feel like Chantal is my older sister–technically she is, I guess, by a couple of minutes. She’s always been more put together, more mature, more goal-oriented.

Even though I’ve been doing a lot more planning for my future, a lot of the time I still feel like a kid cosplaying as a grownup. I keep waiting for the day everyone realizes I don’t actually know what I’m doing.

“Not me,” I say. “I still feel like I have a lot of growing up to do.”

“You do,” Dad responds.

“Gee, thanks.”

“I don’t mean it like that,” he laughs. “You don’t suddenly become an adult one day and have it all figured out.”

“You’ll learn and grow, and make mistakes, and learn some more,” Pops adds. “Just like we all will.”

“Well, at least I know I’m not the only one,” I say.

“So, Cece, have you and Ben picked a wedding date yet?” Chantal asks.

Cece groans. “Ugh, not yet. I don’t even know when I’ll have the time to plan anything. We’re going to be traveling so much with the band this year. I don’t want to be engaged forever, but we might have to wait until things slow down.”

“Well, I’ll help out however I can,” Chantal offers. “You know how much I love planning things.”

“Paul’s sister-in-law is an event planner,” I chime in. “Maybe you can hire her, or she can give you some information on vendors and stuff.”

“Thanks, guys,” Cece says. “I need all the help I can get. It’s just so overwhelming.”

“I told you, we don’t have to do anything big,” Ben tells her, rubbing her shoulder. “I don’t think you’d want that, anyway. As long as I get to be your husband, I’m cool with whatever.”

“I know, but I want to do something. Maybe we could have a small ceremony before we leave so we don’t have to put it off.”

“Sounds good to me!” Ben agrees. 

“What are you planning on doing about your last name?” Dad asks her. “You’re already double-barreled, so I’m assuming you won’t be taking on a third.”

“Well, I was planning on leaving it as it is. Ben doesn’t care if I take his and we won’t be having kids, so no need to worry about that.”

“That’s a good plan.” Dad sighs. “You know I support your decision to remain childfree, but it is a shame to think that my family name won’t be passed on.”

“I’m sorry, David,” Pops tells him. “I’m not really attached to my surname, but I know how important your heritage and your family are to you.”

“It’s okay. I have 3 beautiful children, a soon-to-be son-in-law, and a loving husband. I’m blessed no matter what their names are.”

I think about my own name. Like my Pops, I’ve never really felt attached to my last name. I was so young when my mom got married that I barely remember her being an Ayers. Besides, now that I'm no longer speaking to her, I feel even less connected to her side of the family.

Destiny and Trinity were both given their fathers’ surnames, and Chantal plans to change hers whenever she gets married. I guess I can pass the Ayers name down to my kids, but do I even want that? I guess that’s not something I have to think about quite yet.

Right now, the most pressing issue on my mind is when we're going to cut the cake.

Previous | Beginning of story | Beginning of chapter | Next

[sirianasims]

WIFEY. PT 2 | EP TWO (2.0)

start / previous / next [haven’t read part one?]

typically, it was lena’s preference to wake alone. the quiet dawn brought comfort, allowing her to exist only as herself instead of the product of what made her. today though, she’d  woken with a scowl. sleep had been restless which was somehow worse than none at all. if asked, she would blame the unfamiliarity of her surroundings, but in truth, her mood had soured from the moment she reached across the mattress and realised no one else was there.

it was midnight when she arrived at her mother’s home. san myshuno to copperdale was a three hour drive and while traffic had been merciful, lena remained tense. she'd never quite settled in the northern town. the family ran a decent operation up there but it was nothing compared to the speed and grandeur of san my.

[click for hq]

(continued prose + transcript below)

(cont.) for a time she’d been a gun for hire. the work was tedious but it blessed her with independence more importantly, forced her away from familial dysfunction. the early days of the scott’s exile from san myshuno had been brutal and sticking around would have made it far worse.

(Max): Hey. Did I wake you?

(Lena): Nah, I was gonna go for a run. Why are you up so early?

(Max): Ugh…I can’t sleep. Danielle's bed is way too soft.

(Lena): Poor baby. 

(Max): It’s fine, I can nap on the sofa when Simone’s gone to work. How was the drive last night?

(Lena): Okay, and decent. Traffic was alright for once. 

(Max): Good…do you know if your brother’s still there?

(Lena): I don’t. But it’s not like he’d be anywhere else.

(Max): Fair... How long are you staying again?

(Lena): I'm driving back tomorrow. Why, you missing me already?

(Max): Not if you’re gonna be a freak about it.

(Lena): You’re such a brat.

(Max): [feigned ignorance] I don’t know what you mean.

(Lena): See, if you were being good, I could’ve helped you get back to sleep.

(Max): …I'm being good now.

(Lena): Oh really? [a thud sounds from outside the door] for fuck sake. 

(Max): Huh?

(Lena): Sorry baby but I’ve gotta go. You’re still looking at flats later, right? Let me know how that goes, okay?

(Max): Yeah, okay b- [the call ends]

[***]

[Lena pulls open the door]

(Lena): Can I fucking help you?

(Lourdes): Don’t be like that. I just got here and mami said-

(Lena): [mocking] ‘Mami said’-oh fuck off, Lourdes.

(Lourdes): Lena, you can’t keep ignoring me. It's been weeks!

(Lena): Why don’t you go and bother Luis since your head lives up his arse these days. 

(Lourdes): You are…such a bitch.