#ESPECIALLY these 'big' community simmers

[cosmicallymundane]

twitter is SO cynical about paralives development its almost funny

[awwhoneybaby]

Very disappointed in the Sims community and their very vocal distain towards Black Simmers for begging for a Caribbean/African themed world, especially because they're literally SO MANY American/European themed worlds...like there's even 3 Asian/2 Latinx themed worlds and we barely have 1, EVEN THE DAMN IMAGINARY STAR WARS WORLD BUT NO...we get edges, hairs, SOME clothing, but not a world? Like the closest thing we have to anything Caribbean is the St.Feu household that Maxis created, and even then that's JUST A HOUSEHOLD ON THE GALLERY. Stop silencing BLACK Simmers, like y'all show y'all asses every time we speak our opinions or real shit. A whole account was suspended because of the mass reporting just because a Black Simmer asked to be represented...I hate how even in the big year of 2025, over 25 years of The Sims, it's never enough being a Black Simmer.

[magnoliapromenadegalleria]

I take no issue with monetizing cc. You release good content and have an agreeable release window, I either choose to subscribe, or I wait. Cool. What I do take issue with is this

Perma-paywalls or ridiculous early access release windows. Anything exceeding thirty days is excessive. My opinion.

2. New creators setting up immediate early access. The skillset is just not there yet to put a price on your creations. You barely have a base to sell to. This includes creators who created for other games, then come over to The Sims and try to sell to us. For example, the creator that makes skins and admitted they don't even play the game. Simply here for profit.

3. Creators that do not qc their work, or steal from other creators. Girl.

4. Customer service. Once you start creating for profit, whether it be supplemental or your main source, you have to have a level of customer service and professionalism. You have now started a brand. A very niche brand, but that's what it is. You cannot be short with people for asking valid questions and catching an attitude with them. Like that one lady with the tree coming out in February. If you are one of those rare creators who is lucky enough money to hire someone to handle your social media, I suggest you do that. Or supply a friend with more patience with their favorite coffee or something and let them handle it. Something.

5. Not interacting with the community you are trying to sell to. Connect with people. Repost their edits, lookbooks, builds, leave comments, give a like. The creator mentioned above commented that no one comments on their stuff, at least not here. Fair. This community does not talk like it used to, but to each other like it used to, but you can go to creator pages and see that they are perfectly curated advertisements. Like a showroom. No reblogs of anyone using their content. If you want that for your main page fine, but at least have another side blog where you can do the outlined above.

6. Pushing something out just to push it. I think we have entered a space, both creator and follower/consumer, where everything feels so fast-paced. What's the new thing coming out, what's next, etc. So much so that I think it has made creators push out content just to keep up, especially if they rely on that income. This has resulted in some creators getting into hot water for releasing the same item(s) in different sets and in different colors. Or creators releasing duplicates of the same thing. It can be frustrating, but I question if it is because they're just trying to keep up, or afraid to try something new or different in fear of it not doing well. Some smaller creators who create different content don't get as much love and I question if they would receive more if they followed the wave, or were big enough to start one.

Now to this community

If a creator disrespects you or others or moves in a way that you don't fundamentally agree with, and you complain but still download and or advertise their content, you're moving counterproductive to your plight. Why would anyone reflect on themselves when you prove that you're going to advertise their content anyway?

2. Show love to these creators. Big and small, especially small, monetized or not. Everyone likes to hear or see that what they release is valued. Don't harass or disrespect creators if they take a break, or they don't get something out quickly. Especially the modders.

3. Interact with each other. Even if your aesthetics or different. This is a community. If you see something you like, LIKE IT. Share it, leave a comment.

4. Create the thing simmer. The edit, cc, build, lookbook, whatever. Create the thing and share the thing. Even if it isn't part of a popular trend or aesthetic.

I'm speaking about myself here too because I want to better about this.

I want this to feel fun again. Not just based on what is in at the moment.

This might be read. Might not. Just my two Abes. Anyway I'm about to make some soup from scratch. Toodles!

[sim-berry]

I'm Tired.

I totally get why many simblrs don't want to name and shame and want to avoid drama, but I'm not one of those simblrs. If I see some bs I'm going to call it out. I only have a few followers (who are lovely and sweet) anyway, so it's not like I'll get a crusade against me. So that's exactly what I'm gonna do, because I'm pissed right now.

I know I don't have a big blog so it's unlikely many will see this, but if you do, please reblog it. Spread the word about creators who have stolen content so that people can stop downloading their cc and supporting them.

One of my favorite creators, Toys of Dukeness, has just deleted all their poses from Patreon and stated that they are leaving the Sims community. Their poses have been STOLEN by other "creators" who have locked them behind paywalls. Keep in mind Toys gives their poses out FOR FREE and they've been STOLEN and put behind paywalls! They're making money off of shit that isn't even theirs! How disgusting is that?? And now they don't even feel welcome in the community that they've given so much to.

And it's funny because I just saw a post from the amazing @simmireen (who makes many of my favorite poses) calling out THE SAME CREATOR for stealing their poses!! Simmireen's poses are stunning and she is kind enough to give them out for free, and she's had her hard work ripped off by an early access paywaller. The same one who drove Toys out of this community: simsulani.

This is a screenshot taken from Toys of Dukeness's post (read the whole thing here) that specifically calls out two of the thieves:

If this keeps happening, more of our wonderful cc creators are going to leave simblr. And I don't blame them one bit. Why put hours, sometimes days, of work into creating content when it's just going to be stolen and profited off of by someone else?

And when those creators do eventually leave, do you know what we'll be left with? Scummy perma-paywallers and early access creators who use minority groups to make money. (As a member of the LGBT I can't tell you how fucking sick I am of seeing "Pride Month Collection- Available to the public on June 30th🥰")

We can't let that happen. We need to support and show love to the creators who allow us to have beautiful cc and amazing poses in our games. I can tell you right now my stories would be nothing without simmireen's and Toys' poses. And they aren't the only creators who have had their cc stolen. We're on here about AI stealing art all the time (which is a totally valid argument, don't get me wrong), meanwhile actual humans, fellow simmers, are stealing content right under our noses, right this moment.

I am TIRED of this. Our content creators are being driven off this site and out of the community entirely because their work is being stolen. Storytellers, including myself, have also had their storylines stolen. I once saw someone take my entire NSB Gen 2 storyline, with even the quotes being copied and pasted! If you don't have creativity, then don't make content, that's okay. What's not okay is STEALING from people who have worked hard on their craft, ESPECIALLY if you're making money off of the stuff you stole.

Again, please reblog if you can. And feel free to share some REPUTABLE creators so simmers know who to download from rather than the thieves. They're the ones who need to be driven out, not the hardworking creators. And anyone who is afraid to vent about this on main can come into my anon and rant all they want. We as a community need to stop this.

-Coco xoxo

[lcvecove]

Can you do a version of that with small town luke too pls?

of course , i’ll take any and all chances to talk about blue collar boy luke. see this for contex <3

out of the three I think blue!collar luke is definitely the most humble. I don’t know if I’ve said it but their family is kind of a big deal in the small town (think great great grandfather founding it etc. small town famous). he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t seek praise but appreciates it when it comes.

he’s not a big talker, normally. (with you he’s a non stop yapper) both his older brothers have always fit into the spot light nicely , and he’s kind of been labelled as the ‘quiet, reserved’ brother and although he doesn’t always feel like that’s him, he plays into it cause it’s easier. because he doesn’t talk that much (or at least as much as his brothers) his words carry more weight because of it. you know when luke tells you something it’s honest and thought through. his brothers go to him for advice for that exact reason.

luke’s the baby of the family and despite his family stopping at nothing to protect him and try to take care of him, luke is fiercely independent.

he doesn’t love being the center of attention, as his family is quite often, but when he’s passionate about something —whether it’s his work or his relationships—it shows in the way he lights up when talking about it. he hates public speaking but he will stand in front of the town and tell them why he thinks they should do reconstruction on an old building for hours.

luke values quality over quantity in relationships. he doesn’t let people get close to him easily, but once you’re in, you’re in for life.

luke looks up to quinn more than he’ll ever admit. he admires quinn’s sense of responsibility and the way the town respects him. even though they’re different in many ways, luke would be grateful if he turned out half the man his big brother is.

with jack, luke is a bit more relaxed. because that’s just the effect jack has on people. he brings them out of their shell a bit. jack’s teasing might get on his nerves sometimes, but luke secretly enjoys the banter. they have an unspoken bond and often team up to poke fun at their older brothers whenever they can.

luke is a staple in the small town all on his own tho. people know when they need something or when they’re in trouble, they can call luke (or quinn) and he’ll help.

his entire business started started by just going around fixing some of the elderly people’s houses, as a favour and then tipping him generously

blue collar bf luke is the definition of a steady, dependable boyfriend. he doesn’t need grand gestures to show his love—his affection is in the little things, like remembering how you take your coffee or leaving a note on the counter when he leaves early for work.

luke isn’t overly verbal about his feelings, but when he tells you he loves you, it’s always heartfelt and sincere. he shows his love through actions more than words.

when luke commits, he’s all in. he sees a future with you and isn’t afraid to talk about it—eventually. he’s the type to dream about building a house together, literally and figuratively.

blue collar bf luke is so acts of service. he’ll do things like fill up your gas tank, fix things around the house, or build you something meaningful just because he knows it’ll make your life easier.

luke loves the little moments in a relationship. dancing with you in the kitchen while dinner simmers on the stove or holding your hand while you walk through town are his favorite kinds of romance.

when he says, “I love you,” it’s in the quiet moments—like when he thinks you’re asleep and he brushes a strand of hair from your face, murmuring it softly.

kids in town adore him. he always has time to toss a ball around or fix someone’s bike, and he’s got an easygoing nature that makes them feel at ease.

he volunteers for community projects when he can, especially if they involve building or fixing something. the town sees him as reliable, trustworthy, and kind-hearted.

luke is up before the sun, heading to job sites and putting in long hours, but no matter how tired he is, he always makes time for you when he gets home. His hands are rough and calloused, a testament to the hard work he puts in every day.

after a long day, luke walks through the door in his dusty boots, blue jeans, and a snug t-shirt that shows off his strong arms. the first thing he does? wraps his arms around you and presses a kiss to your forehead, murmuring, “missed you today.”

he’ll keep your car running like a dream, always checking your oil, filling your tires, and making sure it’s in top shape. you tease him for being overprotective, but he just smirks and says, “can’t have you breaking down on me, sweetheart.”

sundays are sacred for luke. after a quiet morning, he spends the afternoon working on his truck or tackling a small project at home, always with you close by. he loves when you sit outside with him, maybe handing him tools or just keeping him company.

he’ll leave little notes in your lunch bag or on the fridge, reminding you how much you mean to him. or, if he finishes a project early, he’ll stop by your workplace with coffee or lunch, just to see you smile.

after a long, hard day, luke loves nothing more than curling up with you on the couch, letting you run your fingers through his hair while he holds you close. he’s not big on words, but his actions always let you know how much he loves you.

luke notices everything. If your favorite mug breaks, he’ll replace it. If you casually mention wanting to visit a local fair, he’ll make sure to take you, even if it’s not usually his scene.

there’s nothing better than luke coming home, peeling off his dusty shirt, and pulling you into his lap on the couch with a beer in his hand.

[sativaonsaturn]

astro observations about my own placements

virgo sun

people who just get it. laugh at pretty much anything, may not smile much but definitely love to laugh. type of people who absolutely need to say “i told you so” even if it’s in a loving way. good at spending time alone; can hang but if the circumstances are not optimal, we will opt out 😂 definitely the type to do it ourselves if it’s not exactly the way we want (ex: dish at a restaurant isn’t as good as it could be, so we make it ourselves at home) also do not sleep on a virgo, we are silent killers 😂 i’ve found that we also really value people based on merit. so even if we don’t like someone, if they’re hard working or go getters we respect them just for that.

pisces moon

water moons in general experience real emotional rollercoasters. scorpio is like a storm of emotions, cancer like constant rolling waves and pisces like a back and forth between still waters and crashing waves. pisces moons are usually between extremes of numbness and deep feelings. this can vary from moment to moment, week to week, even years apart - especially when we master our emotions (as in being aware of emotions rather than being consumed by them) can be prone to putting others’ emotional needs before their own but can also disregard them and be cold. super intuitive; many have prophetic dreams, can read energies, know what others’ will say before they say it. also people close to us may feel like they’ll never truly know us as we have a tendency to be elusive.

libra mercury

The Diplomat. usually have pleasing voices and know how to talk to people, especially if it’s in the 1st house. great at conflict resolution; will hear everyone out and find a solution. also rely heavily on logic when communicating, really understanding people and want whatever will keep things balanced (can avoid conflict for this reason). like every libra placement, look at both sides of everything but i would say on the scale of indecisiveness it goes: 1. libra moon 2. libra mars 3. libra mercury.

leo venus

a love on fire. there are two sides to this: passion that burns hot and a fire that can get snuffed out just as fast. generous (in every sense) lovers to all loved ones, friends and romantic partners alike. fairly high standards, not as high as virgo venus but definitely know what we want. love to adorn ourselves with carefully picked jewelry, perfume, etc. like we pay extra attention to what complements us (including partners). on the same note, unless aspected negatively, a leo venus will never go for someone who doesn’t want them. we’re very big on being loved, wanted, desired and there’s a lot of pride to consider as well. so even if we really want someone, if it’s not reciprocated or we feel a void/ lacking, we’ll leave. (this goes for any kind of relationship) also very passionate in love, need that back in all our close relationships.. especially romantic.

sagittarius mars

strong minded, have unwavering values (my mercury helps balance this). as sag is ruled by the 9th house, i’ve found that it’s really important that i travel. whether it’s a weekend in another town or a week in another country, it’s essential to feeling sane and grounded. when i haven’t changed scenery for a while, i find that i become restless. new experiences can fill that gap too. like trying a new cuisine or getting a piercing. i find that we tend to view sex as a sport 😭 i personally don’t feel like this is a negative thing; with the right person this can make things more fun/ exciting. have predominant thighs/ hips - can be the fullest part of the body. we can get angry quite quickly but simmer down just as quick, esp if we get our points across or find a fulfilling outlet (like throwing things or working out). also HATE being told what to do. this isn’t to say we can’t take instruction but being given direction where it isn’t needed is a sure fire way to set us off.

sativaonsaturn 🍃🪐

[thesmpisonfire]

Hey lads!

So, it's amazing waking up and seeing so many supportive posts towards the Brazilians of the community and also towards Cellbit. It rlly makes me feel safe here and reassures I choose the right community to be active on (qsmpblr <3)

But I need y'all to know that the reason the xenophobia against brazilian fans and cellbits doc are connected is bc a bunch of brazilians managed to gather screenshots of people (both from the english and the hispanic side of the community) being xenophobic and racist towards us and we made a big thread with them to showcase we were not crazy and overreacting. And so, the same people that were xenophobic decided to bring up AGAIN the whole deal with Cellbit's ex as a smoke bomb and to diverge attention from their shit and to "justify" it, bringing up brazilians from other spheres outside qsmptwt that hate on Cellbit for the fun and made it bigger than it should

And bc of that, she saw it and made that terrible fake accusation, leading to the document

Also. Please don't feel pressured and forced to make a post showing your support to both Cellbit and the brazilians. If you want to, okay! Thanks for doing it! But if you don't, it's okay. It's a tough topic. And most of us are here because we don't want the twitter stress and some don't even have twitter to know. Not everyone campers the tag to be always up with the news

I'd just say that if you wanna show your support but feel too shy to make a post or anxious and now is feeling worse, send a dm or an anon ask to a fellow brazilian blogger. I can guarantee, it's enough and we feel really good with it too

And also. People. Don't fucking go around shaming others for not speaking up about the whole mess. Don't go "your silence speaks volumes" ESPECIALLY since you didn't scroll far enough to see we weren't silent. Yesterday we talked about it, we spread Cellbit's doc link, we made posts about the xenophobia. But the qsmpblr community don't want to stir and simmer in the drama so long. We want peace and feel comfortable here. I can assure you, private communities from bloggers on discord keep talking about it, but most of us want to go back to normal posting so people go back to feel safe and not triggered about such a heavy topic

Don't. Fucking. Shame. People. For. Not. Posting. About. It.

This is not twitter. When someone is a dick, you WILL know, and it wont be bc they didn't talk about smth that twitter made into a bigger drama than it should be

Anyway, stay safe y'all. Thanks for the supportive messages towards the brazilians <3

[najia-cooks]

[ID: A wide cylindrical pile of rice, eggplants, and 'lamb' on a serving platter, garnished with parsley. End ID]

مقلوبة / Maqluba

مَقْلُوبَة⁩ ("maqlūba," "upside down" or "turned over") is a Levantine casserole in which spiced meat, fried vegetables, and rice are arranged in a pot and simmered; the entire pot is then inverted onto a serving tray to reveal the layered ingredients. Maqluba historically uses lamb and eggplant, but modern recipes more often call for chicken; tomato, cauliflower, potato, bell pepper, and peas are other relatively recent additions to the repertoire.

A well-made maqluba should be aromatic and highly spiced; the meat and vegetables should be very tender; and the rice should be cohesive without being mushy. A side of yoghurt gives a tangy, creamy lift that cuts through and complements the spice and fat in the dish.

Maqluba emphasizes communal eating and presentation. It is usually eaten during gatherings and special occasions, especially during Ramadan—a month of sunrise-to-sunset fasting which celebrates the revelation of the Qu'ran to the prophet Mohammad. The pot is sometimes flipped over at the table for a dramatic reveal.

History

Many sources cite Muhammad bin Hasan al-Baghdadi's 1226 Kitāb al-ṭabīkh (كتاب الطبيخ لمحمد بن حسن البغدادي) as containing the first known reference to maqluba. However, the recipes for "maqluba" in this book are actually for small, pan-fried patties of spiced ground meat. [1] The dish is presumably titled "maqluba" because, once one side is fried, the cook is instructed to turn the patties over ("أقلب الوجه الآخر") to brown the other; the identical name to the modern dish is thus coincidental.

References to dishes more like modern maqluba occur elsewhere. A type of مغمومة ("maghmūma," "covered" dish), consisting of layers of meat, eggplant, and rice, covered with flatbread, cooked and then inverted onto a serving plate, is described in a 9th-century poem by إبراهيم بن المهدي (Ibrāhīm ibn al-Mahdī):

A layer of meat underneath of which lies a layer of its own fat, and another of sweet onion, another of rice, Another of peeled eggplant slices, each looking like a good dirham honestly earned. [...] Thus layered the pot is brought to a boil first then enclosed with a disc of oven bread. On the glowing fire it is then put, thus giving it what it needs of heat and fat. When fully cooked and its fat is well up, turn it over onto a platter, big and wide. (trans. Nawal Nasrallah) [2]

These sources are both Iraqi, but one story holds that maqluba originated in Jerusalem. صلاح الدين الأيوبي (Ṣalāḥ ad-Dīn al-Ayyūbi; "Saladin"), after capturing the city from the Crusaders and reinstating Muslim rule in 1187, was served the dish, and was the first to describe it with its current name. Before this point, the Jerusalem specialty had supposedly been known as "باذنجانية" ("bāḏinjānīyya"), from "باذنجان" "bāḏinjān" "eggplant" + ية- "-iyya," a noun-forming suffix.

[ID: The same dish shown from directly above. End ID]

In Palestine

Maqluba is often invoked in the context of Palestinian strength and resistance, in defiance of its occasional description as an "Israeli" dish. Palestinian magazine writer Aleeya Rizvi reflects:

In the wake of the recent [2023] war in Gaza, our culinary endeavors, particularly in crafting and sharing traditional Palestinian dishes like Maqluba, represent a conscious effort to contribute to the preservation and resilience of Palestinian culture. In a time when cultural heritage is under threat, preparing and enjoying these time-honored recipes becomes more than a mere culinary activity; it transforms into a deliberate act of cultural continuity and solidarity.

Maqluba also has a more specific association with physical resistance against the backdrop of increased settler and police violence against Palestinians, including regular Israeli raids and attacks on the جامع الأقصى ("Jāmi' al-Aqṣā"; al-Aqsa mosque), during Ramadan.

The holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is given over to fasting, prayer, and reflection; people gather together in homes and mosques to break their fast after sunset, and spend entire nights in mosques in worship. Khadija Khwais and Hanady Al-Halawani used to serve maqluba for افطار ("ifṭār," fast-breaking meal) in the Al-Aqsa mosque, until Israeli occupation authorities banned them from the mosque for "incitement."

In response, starting in 2015, Al-Halawani and other volunteer مرابطين ("murābiṭīn," lit. "holy people," guardians of the mosque) stationed themselves on the ground outside the mosque's gate (باب السلسلة; Bāb as-Silsila, "chain gate") to prepare and serve maqluba. Those who were banned from entering the mosque broke their fast and prayed at the mosque's gates, and in the nearby alleys of the Old City. The same year saw Israeli security personnel and settlers attack Palestinian protestors and guardians outside and inside the mosque with tear gas and stun grenades.

For Al-Halawani, the serving of maqluba at the al-Aqsa gates symbolizes "defiance, steadfastness, and insistence on continuing the fast [...] in spite of the occupation’s practices." The "Maqluba at al-Aqsa" ritual "has become one of the most disturbing Palestinian scenes for the occupation forces," who associate it with the defense of "Palestinian heritage" and the intent to "motivate worshipers and murabitin to repel incursions into the mosque." (Al-Halawani has been arrested, threatened, beaten, and detained by Israeli police multiple times for her role as a defender of Al-Aqsa. She was among the prisoners freed in trades between Israel and Hamas in December 2023.)

In 2017, occupation forces installed metal detectors, electronic gates, metal barriers, and police cameras to surveil worshipers following a shoot-out at one of al Aqsa's gates. Hundreds of protesters refused to enter the mosque until the repressive measures were removed, instead gathering and praying in its courtyard; surrounding families bolstered the sit-ins by serving food and drink. When the gates were dismantled, over 50,000 people gathered to eat maqluba in celebration, picking up on the earlier association of the dish with Saladin's victory (and its resultant alternate name, "أكلة النصر," "ʔakla an-naṣr," "victory meal").

The name "maqluba," meaning "upside-down" or "inverted," may be associated with victory and resistance as well. Fatema Khader noted in 2023 that the method of serving maqluba was a "symbolic representation of how Israeli policies and decisions against Palestinians will be flipped on their heads and become rendered meaningless." It is also relevant that maqluba is meant to be served to large groups of people, and can thus be linked, symbolically and literally, to solidarity and communal resistance.

This year in Gaza, Palestinians show steadfast optimism as they paint murals, hang lanterns, buy sweets, hold parties, and pray in groups amongst the rubble where mosques once stood. But despite these efforts at creating joy, the dire circumstances take heavy tolls, and the holiday cannot be celebrated as usual: Israel's campaign of slow starvation led Ghazzawi Diab al-Zaza to comment, "We have been fasting almost against our will for three months".

Donate to provide hot meals in Gaza for Ramadan

[1] Also reprinted in Mosul: Umm Al-Rubi'in Press (مطبعة ام الربيعين) (1934), p. 57. For an English translation see Charles Perry, A Baghdad Cookery Book (2005), pp. 77-8.

[2] This poem, as well as one of Ibn al-Mahdi's maghmuma dishes, were compiled in Ibn Sayyar al-Warraq's 10th-century Book of Dishes (كتاب الطبيخ وإصلاح الأغذية المأكولات وطيّبات الأطعمة المصنو; "Kitāb al-ṭabīkh waʔiṣlāḥ al-ʔaghdiyat al-maʔkūlāt waṭayyibāt ʔaṭ'ima al-maṣno," "Book of cookery, food reform, delicacies, and prepared foods"), p. 99 recto. For Nasrallah's English translation see Annals of the Caliph's Kitchens, pp. 313-4.

In the 14th-century Andalusian Cookbook (كتاب الطبيخ في المغرب والأندلس في عصر الموحدين، للمكلف المجهول; "Kitāb al-ṭabīkh fī al-Maghrib wa al-Andalus fī ʻaṣr al-Mawahḥidīn," "Book of cookery from the Maghreb and Andalusia in the era of Almohads"), a maghmuma recipe appears as "لون مغموم لابن المهدى", "maghmum by Ibn al-Mahdi". For an English translation see An Anonymous Andalusian Cookbook, trans. Perry et al.

Ingredients:

For a 6-qt stockpot. Serves 12.

For the meat:

1 recipe seitan lamb

or

2 cups (330g) ground beef substitute

1 cinnamon stick

1 bay laurel leaf

Pinch ground cardamom

Several cracks black pepper

For the dish:

3 cups (600g) Egyptian rice

2 medium-sized globe eggplants

2 large Yukon gold potatoes (optional)

Vegetarian 'chicken' or 'beef' bouillon cube (optional)

2 1/2 tsp table salt (1 1/2 tsp, if using bouillon)

Vegetable oil, to deep-fry

Fried pine nuts or sliced blanched almonds, to top

Egyptian rice is the traditional choice in this dish, but many modern recipes use basmati.

I kept my ingredients list fairly simple, but you can also consider adding cauliflower, carrots, peas, chickpeas, zucchini, bell pepper, and/or tomato to preference (especially if omitting meat substitutes).

For the spices:

1 1/2 Tbsp maqluba spices

or

1 4" piece (3g) cinnamon bark, toasted and ground (1 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)

3/4 tsp (2.2g) ground turmeric

3/4 tsp (1.5g) cloves, toasted and ground

3/4 tsp (2.2g) black peppercorns, toasted and ground

15 green cardamom pods (4.5g), toasted, seeds removed, and ground (or 3/4 tsp ground cardamom)

Instructions:

For the meat:

1. Prepare the seitan lamb, if using: it will need to be started several hours early, or the night before.

2. If using ground meat: heat 2 tsp oil in a skillet on medium. Add cinnamon stick and bay leaf and fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.

3. Add meat and ground spices and fry, agitating occasionally, until browned. Set aside.

For the dish:

2. Rinse rice 2 to 3 times, until water runs almost clear. Soak in cold water for 30 minutes, while you prepare the vegetables.

3. Optional: to achieve a presentation with eggplant on the sides of the maqluba, remove the skin from either side of one eggplant (so that all slices have flesh exposed on both sides) and then cut lengthwise into 1/2" (1cm)-thick slices.

Cut the other eggplant (or both eggplants) widthwise into coins and half-coins.

4. Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt on both sides and leave for 10-15 minutes to release water.

5. Peel potatoes and cut in 1/4" (1/2 cm) slices.

6. Heat about an inch of oil in a deep skillet or wok on medium (a potato slice dropped in should immediately form bubbles). Fry the potato slices until golden brown, then remove onto a paper-towel-lined plate or wire cooling rack.

7. Press eggplant slices on both sides with a towel to remove moisture. Fry in the same oil until translucent and golden brown, then remove as before.

Fry other vegetables (except for tomato, chickpeas, and peas) the same way, if using.

8. Drain rice. Whisk bouillon, salt, and ground spices into several cups of hot water.

9. Prepare a large, thick-bottomed pot with a circle of oiled parchment paper (or with a layer of sliced tomatoes). Add ground meat, if using. Layer widthwise-sliced eggplants into the pot, followed by potatoes. Place longitudinally sliced eggplants around the sides of the pot, large side up.

10. Add rice and pack in. Fold eggplant slices down over the rice, if they protrude.

11. Pour broth into the pot, being careful not to upset the rice. Add more water if necessary, so that the rice is covered by about an inch.

12. Heat on medium to bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover with a closely fitting lid, and cook 30 minutes.

13. If rice is not fully cooked after 30 minutes, lightly stir and add another cup of water. Re-cover and cook another 15 minutes. Check again and repeat as necessary.

14. Allow maqluba to rest for half an hour before flipping for best results. Place a large platter upside-down over the mouth of the pot, then flip both over in one smooth motion. Tap the bottom of the pot to release, and leave for a few minutes to allow the maqluba to drop.

15. Slowly lift the pot straight up, rotating slightly if the sides seem stuck.

16. Top with fried seitan lamb, chopped parsley, and fried pine nuts or almonds, as desired.

[tau1tvec]

SMALL SIMBLR SATURDAY //

SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ALWAYS FREE CC/MOD CREATORS ( and CONVERTERS! )

Figured with the holidays hitting us all like the sudden drop in temperature, and a big shopping weekend coming around the corner, we as a community would be interested in using this as an opportunity to give back, and give thanks to those bringing us simmers a little extra cheer this time of year.

Participating is simple:

Donate to, or tip your favorite always free cc/mod creators currently accepting them, and if they aren't, or if you can't donate or tip, don't worry!

There are plenty of other ways to join in on the festivities like...

Shouting out your favorite always free cc/mod creators on your tumblr and/or other socials.

Reblogging posts of your favorite always free cc/mod creations, so others can try them and appreciate them too!

Inboxing your favorite always free cc/mod creators to show them how much you appreciate them, their work and their presence in the community!

Think of your own fun and creative way to participate, like posting an only always free cc look book, or pics of your sims and builds using your favorite always free cc.

Don't forget to include your local always free cc converters in the fun. This event is for all of simblr, whichever game you play, we can't forget how those who convert cc are just as important to our cc/modding community, especially for older installments!

Tag your shout outs and posts with #smallsimblrsaturday so we can catalogue all the great memories we create on this day to look back on in the future.

The event will begin Saturday, November 25th 2023 and go on as long as needed for everyone to participate. Hopefully if we get a big turnout, this will be something that can be done every year, or all year round!

Lastly, thanks to @cinamun and @rebouks for offering some gr8 ideas that helped turn this into an actual thing!

[frozenjokes]

something sweet to see you off

ao3 link

Something had changed between Mumbo’s two humans.

They were happier. Mumbo had very little baseline for human behavior besides these two, but they seemed happier, and when Mumbo bothered Atlas about it, they told him they didn’t care and didn’t want to talk about humans. Eventually though, Mumbo was able to needle a little information out of Atlas; the humans in the North did not touch each other and were violent and irritable, so surely the opposite of that meant good!

Mumbo took great joy from his humans’ joy. Over the next few weeks, he learned to take great joy from the things they loved as well, even activities that did not come naturally to him. If Grian and Scar did anything, Mumbo would happily involve himself.

“You don’t think he’s jealous, do you?” Scar said, sounding a little concerned when he glanced back at Mumbo, but Mumbo couldn’t guess why. This was the most valued human activity; Scar’s hand in Grian’s, Grian’s in Mumbo’s, and Mumbo’s back in Scar’s, making a perfect chain. Mumbo didn’t used to love this one, but the humans did it nearly every day, clearly this was a bonded act, and Mumbo would not be left out! He learned to love it. His favorite was when Scar got antsy, swinging both his and Grian’s arms somewhat absently. Sometimes Mumbo would parrot his movements and sometimes he would keep his arms purposefully stiff until Scar would squawk at him, and both he and Grian would work together to try and get Mumbo’s arms to move.

“Scar, I don’t think he even knows we’re together.”

They were on the beach less. That did make Mumbo sad, sometimes it made him feel uncertain, but mostly it fueled the homesickness that had been simmering in his gut for a while now. Atlas was not the only mer who wanted to go home. It was a weird feeling. Mumbo loved it up here, he loved how relaxed the surface felt, all the different animals and plants, he obviously loved his humans, but it was a little.. He was bored, oftentimes. He missed having an abundance of things to do. He missed taking care of a pod.��

What the three of them did manage to do though, was make a schedule. Communicating the schedule was a little harder; Grian got Etho to teach him a couple mer words, but mermaids did not measure the passing of time by the sun, time was more of a sweeping concept, an intrinsic feeling from season to season, the more specific pieces measured by changing tides. With all the human yapping, Mumbo got the feeling that humans’ sense of time was worse than his own. But they all got there in the end.

Seven days and nights was a human week. They had names for each day, marking them differently in the sandy diagram Grian made, but it wasn’t too important besides the fact that Scar was coming on ‘Tue’ and ‘Thur’ and ‘Sat’ and ‘Sun’ and Grian was coming three out of the four same days. After Scar said the words out loud enough, pointing at the symbols as he went, Mumbo got to know them. Honestly, he was a little more caught up on humans having matching symbols for their words, but it was hard to focus on that when they were demanding his attention with other matters.

Mumbo was surprised when they arrived one night off-schedule; he’d never had a night visit before, so he and especially Atlas were quite on edge. Atlas had begged Mumbo not to go to the surface which.. that made Mumbo a little sad. 

But it had in fact been Grian and Scar, overloaded with all sorts of big soft things. Fascinating. Mumbo had been a little nosey, reasonably in his opinion, but besides a little Grian frustration, they were acting as they always did, friendly and loud and a little stupid. The brigade of pillows and blankets were laid out in the most extravagant nest Mumbo had ever seen, and he was about to snuggle in before the humans could take the best spots before Scar turned, something familiar hanging from his arms. Mumbo bristled.

Scar stared. Blinked. “What?” He didn’t seem all too concerned to be in possession of an, albeit, limp snake monster, which gave Mumbo the impression it was dead, but when Scar had nearly been eaten all that time ago, Mumbo did not understand why he would mess with such creatures again!

“Can you get mine too?” Grian called without looking back, focused on the nest arrangement, and Scar mumbled his affirmation, glancing back and forth at Mumbo as he backpedaled toward the human pile of things. Mumbo advanced.

“Hey, man, you’re making me nervous,” Scar said, which was enough to get Grian to look up.

“What.. What—? What’s wrong?” The pinch of fear in Grian’s voice made Mumbo shrink slightly, forcibly relaxing his fins.

“Don’t know. Is there a really big scary spider on my head?”

“No..”

Mumbo took his chance to swipe Scar’s possibly-dead monster while he was distracted, slithering off with great speed so he could inspect it separately.

“Mumbo! Mumbo, no!” Scar fell over himself giving chase, but Mumbo was more relieved to hear Grian laugh.

Honestly, Scar’s monster did not feel at all how he remembered; it had been soft and bloodless, yes, but this felt far more like a human soft-thing, and Mumbo couldn’t find a single scale despite the way the creature shimmered like a fish. He’d sworn it had scales. Scar pouted beside him, whined, pushed at Mumbo’s shoulder, tried yanking his belonging out of Mumbo’s hands, and this was all getting very annoying, so Mumbo just pushed Scar until he fell back on his butt. Unfortunately, Scar must have thought this was a game, getting up just for Mumbo to push him again, then again, then again until the point where it looked like Scar was quite enjoying this and Mumbo was not having a very productive examination of this possible-monster. Ugh. Whatever. He would just drown it to make sure. 

Scar wailed when Mumbo brought his soft-thing to the water, but this was for his own good! At least with Grian, Mumbo could trust him not to throw away his life on a whim, but Scar was too reckless, and if the humans were going to stay out here for a prolonged period, Mumbo was not going to let him be eaten. Given the cackling from Grian’s end though, this probably wasn’t a monster or alive and Mumbo had just been mistaken all that time ago. Well. Mumbo would not be embarrassed! If it was life or death, Mumbo would rather be paranoid than have his humans perish!

Scar was not so pleased when Mumbo handed him back his newly drowned soft-thing. It was a little sad. Those eyes.. But Mumbo didn’t want Scar to be sad; he was excited the humans were here tonight! So he patted Scar on the head exactly twice. Grian did that to Scar sometimes too, and it seemed to resolve all problems, so.. 

But Scar still looked droopy, and Mumbo wasn’t sure if four pats would be too overwhelming, so he left Scar alone in favor of returning to the human nest.

“I don’t suppose you have room in your sleeping bag,” Scar whined, miserable, but Grian just shrugged.

“I don’t know.. You’re a pretty big guy, and I need my beauty sleep. I’ll get hot sharing my bed with a furnace.”

“You share your bed with me plenty.”

“Sure, but in my bed I have enough space to wind back and kick you until you roll over.”

“Well if you don’t concede, I’m gonna have to drag my wet, sandy sack into your perfect little bed—“

“No—! No need. We can share. I like sharing, actually, but if Mumbo gets FOMO and tries to get in, you have to fight him off.”

“Yes sir!!” Scar made an odd gesture, hand horizontal against his forehead, but Grian only snorted, ignoring him. Grian laid his own bag-monster in the nest, feverishly tried to rid himself of all sand, then settled inside it. Scar joined him shortly. Oooooooo.

A bit of screaming and Scar’s fingers in Mumbo’s nostrils later, Mumbo graciously let them have the bag to themselves.

Mumbo could not nest with them the entire night, but he rested easy in the shallows, heart light and full.

How bittersweet when just a few days later, Etho walked alongside them. None of them had any idea this marked the end of Mumbo’s stay, at least for now. 

Etho was already sick, so Mumbo let them be after a brief greeting, reporting back to Atlas in the meantime. The little involuntary trill that fluttered out of Atlas’s throat reignited Mumbo’s own excitement to return to the deep. Home. Oh, he really did want to go home.

By the time Mumbo returned to the beach, Etho had transformed, unsubtly trying to back away from Scar’s incessant babbling, only for Scar to follow them into the water up to his shins. Mumbo called their name, fins waving in amusement as Etho jumped on the excuse to escape. Mumbo gave the disappointed Scar a friendly flick of his fins before submerging to meet Etho. 

‘I’d like to speak with you. All of you, if it’s not too much trouble so soon after your change. Atlas and I are returning to the deep; likely after you’ve finished your stay.’

Etho blinked, once, then twice, but ultimately, they did not seem all too surprised. ‘Of course. I’ll let them know.’

Scar lit up seeing Etho turn around, his joy doubling when Etho called for Grian with Mumbo at their side. It broke Mumbo’s heart to know they’d be getting bad news. Well. Not all bad.

“Mumbo and Cub are leaving soon. After I’m human again, I think.” 

The drop of their expressions, particularly Scar’s, hit Mumbo way harder than he thought they would, and very suddenly he was overcome with a great desperation to mend this immediately.

‘Tell them I’m carrying.’

“Wh— What!?” Etho whirled around, forgetting to whistle, but Mumbo knew the word quite well by now. He cocked his head, amused.

‘Carrying.’

‘I got that! With— With Atlas? I didn’t know—‘

“What is it!?” Scar broke in, concern etching his tone, which, given Etho’s reaction, was probably warranted.

“He’s. Uh. Pregnant.”

The expression on both humans’ faces made Mumbo worry they did not think this was such good news as he did. Why were they looking at him like that? Did humans die during childbirth or care? Mumbo was pretty sure he’d heard of that occurring in some fish..

“Can I watch you give birth. Please. Please.”

“SCAR!!” 

Scar proceeded to get defensive, and then the two humans started bickering, Mumbo’s name being thrown around way too much for it to be anything inconsequential.

‘Ghost, please tell them this isn’t going to kill me.’

“Oh my god, all of you be quiet.” Etho clasped their hands over their ears. “First—Scar, I am not even going to translate that, that’s insane.”

“It is not! No one in the WORLD has ever been able to witness first hand a mermaid birth, because, you know, they’re not exactly human-friendly, and— I mean come on! Are you not curious? It would be cool, this is science!”

“I am not curious,” Etho deadpanned. “And why do you think Mumbo is going back to the deep anyway, he’s not going to do his business on the surface, are you crazy?”

“Oh,” Realization dawned on Scar’s face, which melted to disappointment. “Darn..”

‘They know I’ll be okay?’ Mumbo asked, not wanting to be pushy, but all these unknowns were making him anxious.

‘They know,’ 

“Wait!” Both Mumbo and Etho flinched when Scar yelped, but he was not at all put out when Grian whacked his shoulder, “With Cub!? Mumbo! You didn’t tell us— oh no.” Scar whirled on Grian, the sudden movement making Etho flinch a second time, “You don’t think he’s rebounded, do you? Oh god, is this my fault!? What if Mumbo doesn’t even want a kid—“

“—No. Scar,” Grian rolled his eyes, “If mermaids don’t want their kids they probably just eat them, no need to be hysterical.”

“That’s worse!!”

“What, are you opposed to mermaid birth control? It’s his body, Scar.” Grian snickered, but Scar still looked horrified.

“That is not what birth control means, Grian!!”

Etho stared Mumbo dead in the eyes while the both of them made a fool of themselves, fin flicks growing progressively violent as their bickering continued for an abysmally long time. Eventually, Etho dipped under the water where the human voices were muffled, and Mumbo joined them.

‘So, are you and Atlas courting?’

Mumbo flicked his tail ‘no.’ ‘Atlas wants to pass their sire’s name. They are ancestrally inclined. They wish for their offspring not to fear the surface like they do now. I offered to carry. Our little one will accompany me to the surface after a season’s passing, or longer. Whenever I deem it safe. I will be careful.’

Etho’s fins fell, flicking anxiously. ‘You’re bringing your child to the surface? So young? Are you certain that’s a good idea?’

Irritation rippled through Mumbo’s fins, but he fought to still them. It was a fair question. Perhaps his own defensiveness stemmed from seeded uncertainty.

‘It depends. There is a chance the surface may be a better environment for them than the deep. Atlas and I aren’t exchanging scales, but it will be obvious when we return together after an extended period who is the sire. Atlas is.. not well liked in the pod. Very much so. I worry our child will take the brunt of their distaste. There are dangers at the surface, yes, but I have occupied this place for seasons worth of time with few to no issues. The humans will provide an environment of unconditional support. Plus, I.. want them to meet them. My child.’

Etho relaxed, and Mumbo along with them. But there was something else there, a deeper thought behind Etho’s eyes along with a soft rumble of unsaid words bubbling in their throat. They left the water, breaking through Grian and Scar to find their things on the beach, then digging through the bag. The humans watched Etho incredulously, barraging them with questions, while Mumbo looked on curiously.

They returned with a closed fist. Scar stumbled as he tried to look over Etho’s shoulder, but they paid him no mind. 

They opened their hand to Mumbo. A scale.

‘I have no ambition to find any One mer in my life to share these with. I like the tradition, but not the meaning. I imagined giving them to friends, close friends, people who’ve changed me. This was for someone else, actually, but I think we’ll postpone our meeting with this being the last I’ll see of you for a while. And, being you’re the reason I can share my scales at all, I think it’s fitting you have one. My friend. To the mers in the deep, a lover you met on the surface, if you want to keep the sire a secret.’

Etho paused, fins lowering in stark anxiousness, ‘You don’t have to take it. And I’m not— This isn’t to say you shouldn’t bring your kid to the surface. Only an offer to put your mind at ease.’

Mumbo was at a loss for words. How could you speak when you’re so deeply moved. He couldn’t, so instead he spun over himself in the water, somewhat clumsily catching his tail between his teeth. Etho squawked in slight alarm, the humans babbling in turn, but Mumbo paid them no mind. He snagged one of his scales at the base, only growling softly from the pain when he ripped it out. He’d always imagined this to be a more elegant thing, but goodness, he felt stupid as he straightened, slightly more disheveled than before.

‘Well, you can’t trade without one of mine.’

Etho stared at him for a long time. Their mouth twitched, like the instinct of a human smile was fighting their anatomical reality. They extended their hand, and Mumbo gave his in turn.

What a special thing, to be friends. Mumbo only mourned that the mermaids in the deep would not get to fully experience just how special this white scale was, but truly, the most important thing was that it was nothing like Atlas’s.

Mumbo had not noticed the humans’ quiet until they exploded into a flurry of questions and exclamations, of which Etho begrudgingly gave answers. Mumbo found himself amused, mostly because they’d repeated themselves so much, that Mumbo learned the human word for ‘scale.’ Briefly, he retreated to the bottom of the lake to tuck this precious thing away lest any jealous human try to snatch it; that was Mumbo’s impression of the conversation, anyway.

…

‘Mumbo, just because you’re under the water with your eyes closed, doesn’t mean we can’t see you either.’ 

Mumbo blinked open his large, owlish eyes, feigning innocence, but he dove away when Etho snapped his teeth, no doubt planning on returning in the next five minutes. Not like it particularly mattered; Mumbo couldn’t understand English, but still, could he not give them a moment of peace?

Scar was giggling while Grian watched the water fondly, and Etho consciously refrained from rolling his eyes.

“So what haven’t you shown him?” Etho asked, snapping the two of them back to the conversation. “We could throw the football around all day today and tomorrow, but you,” Etho gave Scar a pointed look, “Want this to be special.”

“He’s having a kid, it’s a big deal!” Scar threw up his hands in defense, while Grian let his cheek rest on his fist.

“I can’t think of a single thing Scar hasn’t either given or shown Mumbo, seriously, at this point Scar’s brought all but the foundations of his own home to the beach. That’s why we’re asking you. When you first came to town, what stood out? What excited you?”

Etho’s lip curled in anxious apprehension. “I don’t know.. I wasn’t really looking at stuff on the mainland as much as I was overwhelmed.”

“After you were settled in with Bdubs, then,” Scar suggested, attitude cheerful enough to shoo away the unwanted memories.”

“Well.. There were Bdubs’ plants, he had quite a few I’d never seen before. The toilet was the craziest thing I had ever seen in my life, and that still stands. I mean, come on. That’s not really all that helpful though. I don’t know. It’d be easier to come up with something if I knew what you guys had already showed him. Like yeah, junk from Scar’s house and fishing supplies, he’s seen your phones, probably heard all kinds of music—“

“Oh, hey, music! I’d never thought about that,” Scar shrugged, missing Etho’s gaping expression entirely, “I was never a music guy, never really got it.”

“That’s a good idea,” Grian added, casual, like it was not completely fucking INSANE they had never played any human music for Mumbo before, “If I ever listen to music, I’m always wearing headphones. Never thought about letting Mumbo listen. That’s not really worthy of a grand goodbye gesture though; why don’t we do that today, and come up with something else for tomorrow?”

“Are you guys— seriously!?” 

The two of them seemed to notice for the first time how worked up Etho had become, exchanging a glance like he was the crazy one.

“What?” Scar asked.

“Music is— Music is the mermaid thing. Song is the most culturally, biologically ingrained part of our lives, it’s extremely powerful and deeply impactful on our health— didn’t Mumbo give both of you music boxes!? That’s like one step away from handing out his scales! How have you not shown him music yet!?”

The two of them blinked in unison. Grian cocked his head. “It’s that big of a deal?”

Scar shrugged, “Maybe Mumbo isn’t a music guy. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve heard him sing. I’m a little glad.. it’s a little too.. visceral.”

“He sang a few times when we were first getting acquainted,” Grian mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought he was going to kill me. But there were a few other times where it wasn’t threatening.. I think he was trying to connect.”

Etho let his face fall into his hands. “Well no wonder he doesn’t sing much when you guys are around, then. If you guys started freaking out, he probably thinks you don’t like it!” 

“Do mermaids not sing their prey to death?” Scar asked the question like a ‘gotcha,’ and Etho had to collect himself for a moment before answering.

“That isn’t— No. We have songs for all kinds of things, but hunting in the deep involves a lot more coordinated screaming. It’s a ‘song,’ technically, but not in the traditional sense. That’s just a myth.”

“That makes more sense,” Grian mused, and Etho’s head spun wondering just how many humans actually believed mermaids were singing sailors off the rails of their own ships. God.

He managed to collect himself, mind clearing enough to form coherent thoughts while Grian and Scar went off on some mermaid song related tangent.

“Wait,” Etho managed to cut in, his fins raising from their drooped position, “I have an idea.”

…

The last day. 

When the humans went home for the evening yesterday, Etho had let Mumbo know they’d been able to confirm with the Evil Human that they could stay a mermaid all day in order to see Mumbo off, which was quite the touching gesture, one Atlas appreciated in kind (despite not fully understanding why Etho would want to stay human at all, though they admitted that was mostly a them problem).

Mumbo was enjoying a quiet morning doze in the shallows, but crashing in the woods much earlier than usual jolted him awake, scurrying off into deeper water.

Not that this was necessary beyond pure instinct; it was pretty obvious at this point Scar and Grian were just arriving early, and given the sheer size of their bulging backpacks, Mumbo got the sense they were planning on making the most of this final day.

Almost immediately Grian started setting something up in the sand, hanging a big white sheet between two poles, and Mumbo really wanted to know what he was up to, but Scar was demanding Mumbo’s attention elsewhere, so reluctantly he left Grian’s side to play Throw Ball with him and Etho. It was alright. A little more fun when Atlas poked their head above the water, only to be verbally accosted by both Mumbo and Scar in an attempt to get them to join the game. Atlas left immediately. Mumbo took the brief opportunity to play a new game of chase, but Atlas did not possess nearly as much anticipatory Energy, and the game stopped being fun when Mumbo got bit. Whatever, whatever.

When Grian had finished setting up his contraption, complete with a little stand and another device Mumbo had never seen before, Mumbo was not allowed to touch anything. Worst day of his life, borderline blasphemous, what was the point of new things if he couldn’t drown them. Maybe that was okay though, since Grian seemed to be getting really frustrated with his device, and if Grian hated it that much, Mumbo wasn’t too sure he was interested. Then again, more reason to drown it. Oh well. According to Etho, they were having [tech] problems, whatever that meant. 

It was a cloudy day, cold, and Mumbo had been a little disappointed with the poor weather. Not that he minded, but even Scar didn’t want to touch the water when it was this chilly, and indeed, he’d hardly gotten his feet wet during Throw Ball, but then Grian’s white screen lit up with color, vibrant without interference from the sun, and Mumbo had to think this was not such poor weather afterall. 

The humans and their new device had his full attention.

‘Humans make stories with art and music, millions of them, and collage them together to make [movie]. I just learned yesterday you’d never heard human music before; this is going to blow your mind.’ Etho’s fins were almost jumpy in their excitement, infectious in combination with the promise of human music— Mumbo had gotten the sense humans had the capacity to be musical, but he had seen so little, and now he was chomping at the bit for more, his fins twitching and waving in tandem with Etho’s.

Another twenty minutes of tech problems dampened his excitement, just a little.

But then. Then.

Human advancements were often beyond the scope of Mumbo’s imagination. Mumbo had been no stranger to being surprised in all the time he’d known these strange little creatures, but this. This was different.

Mumbo felt the effect of the the song immediately, loud, demanding, pulsing through his entire being, he almost closed his eyes against it, nearly missing the explosion of color on the screen, color and music, how was Mumbo meant to focus on the color when the triumphant cry of the score rattled him to his very core, he wanted to see, feel, experience, but for the whole first sequence, he could only sit back and take it. 

Quietly, Etho explained the story, supplementing the voices Mumbo could not understand. He did not need to understand. He did not care. When the song was not so intense, Mumbo was struck speechless by the way the pictures moved. Their art. Human art. Moving. And then the art began to sing once again, and Mumbo was paralyzed by its opulence. 

At some point, Atlas materialized behind him, and Mumbo would have been shocked to see Atlas nearly past the shoreline if he was not entirely consumed, hardly catching the whispered words of Scar to Etho.

“Tell him to put these on. Then he won’t have to be so far out of the water. If he doesn’t want to be.”

Etho was quiet for a short moment, perhaps similarly overcome. They relayed the message regardless. The first and only time Mumbo’s eyes were ripped away from the screen was when Atlas chirped, sharp and almost pained, to which Mumbo was certain they’d been hurt, perhaps by that human device now clamped on their face, but while Atlas held the sides of their head, they did not remove it.

‘What is this. Why can I see.’

‘Human invention,’ Etho answered simply, and Mumbo would have lost it at the vague description if he wasn’t so preoccupied, but then the music started up again and Mumbo stopped listening altogether, the sounds of Atlas shuffling backward and Scar’s giggling all but white noise.

Even with Etho whispering the story into his ear the entire time, Mumbo picked up nothing. How could you listen when you were lost in the belly of the beast, song, Mumbo had known song like this, song with layers, performances that consumed you, but this was— it was all— everything. Everything all of the time. How could the humans ever have kept this from him!?

And then it ended. Mumbo stared on in stunned shock.

‘Again.’ Mumbo demanded to Etho. ‘Tell them to play it again.’

...

Scar had been quite intentional with his pick of The Lion King, but honestly, he had not been expecting Mumbo to like it so much that he all but forced them to watch it six times. Etho had not, in fact, been exaggerating what had happened to him the first time he watched TV. 

Hell, it’d even pulled Cub nearly all the way out of the water, almost [not even a little] docile the way he stared up at the screen. Scar did feel a little bad; Cub looked nervous, and Scar wanted him to enjoy the movie just as much as Mumbo clearly was! With zero ulterior motives, he handed Etho his old pair of glasses, and the stars must have really aligned, because Cub actually put them on. (And freaked out a little) And loved them!!! What a great relief, truly. Something had just felt wrong without the lab coat, and the glasses really tied everything together. Scar only mourned he’d never be able to take a picture.

Now, The Lion King was great, 10/10, but Scar did start getting bored about twenty minutes into the first watch through. There were a few exceptions, mostly the “Be Prepared” sequence and the moments where Mumbo got really into it, swaying and bobbing like a buoy on mildly choppy water or maybe a territorial bearded dragon, but those were only five minute stretches of time, and unbeknownst to him, Scar had many hours to kill. He didn’t mind spending them with Grian.

“I just can’t believe Etho was going to give Bdubs a Let’s Get Married But Friends scale first. Was he worried I wouldn’t say yes? Obviously I would say yes. I would love to get married to Etho. Well—“

“You sure aren’t getting a scale now,” Grian snorted, voice low so as not to disturb Mumbo. Honestly, Scar didn’t think Mumbo was on the same planet anymore, but it was a nice gesture. He followed suit.

“No, no, not any time soon, but just in case anyone was listening, it would be a perfectly suitable birthday gift. Christmas is even closer!  Or just an out of the blue ‘I love you,’ gift works as well, it’ll be my favorite gift of the whole year, 10,000 reputation points, guaranteed.”

“If we’re suggesting Christmas gifts, I’d love Etho’s number.”

Scar heard the whap of Etho’s tail against the sand, but didn’t look back. Neither did Grian. Etho’s tail continued to lash.

“Neither of you are getting anything. Ever.”

“Did you hear that? A fly, maybe?” Scar asked, while Grian shrugged.

“I’m thinking I should choose my next words very carefully if I ever want to gain Etho’s favor enough for a very nice present.”

“You are never getting my number. I value my peace and quiet.”

“Actually Scar, I heard nothing at all.”

…

Atlas knew they would likely be the one to drag Mumbo back to the sea at the end of the day, but that didn’t make it feel any better. This was Mumbo’s special place, their home away from home, and Atlas understood how meaningful it was to have this, to cherish it, and be forced to let it go. Though... After an entire day of the same (admittedly, astonishing) [movie] playing, Atlas felt far less guilty. Listen, it was cool, it was very cool, and don’t even get them started on the human advancement of eye wear, but for goodness’s sake, the sun was going down at this point, enough is enough.

They were going to butt in when they noticed Mumbo getting tired, distracted, looking around instead of being glued to the moving pictures, but then Mumbo had caught their humans’ eyes, holding hands, and their attention was immediately recaptured.

Funny how that kind of joy could make Atlas yearn for something they would never want. 

Atlas held the wrists of mers clawing at their face, they held fish to be eaten alone, held the water’s memory of spilled blood, and Atlas had never longed for anything more, especially not a human hand to hold. But Mumbo just had a way of making even the most unappealing activities enviable, they lived and loved like the world had everything to give, and Atlas almost hated them for it, hated how they could just live, completely unburdened. 

Where would Atlas be now, unburdened? They closed their eyes. Bones at the bottom of the North ocean, likely. Even more likely, skinned alive and tossed back into the water as bait for their dwindling pod. Their family. 

No one would come for them. They knew better. Atlas would not want them to.

They would die alone, in chains. Perhaps they were never destined for an unburdened life. Something happy, unworried. Maybe that was alright. Atlas would bleed a thousand times for someone like Mumbo to thrive in their place. Atlas would bleed a million flaming stars for their people to live on. 

And they would.

Atlas would have a child. A little fry, a Northern mer, unburdened by Atlas’s chains. Oh, it was more than enough. 

A piece of themself, unburdened. Would that little mer love human hands as much as Mumbo?

Atlas would endure it all. For the both of them, Mumbo and their unborn child, Atlas would endure it all. 

And so they let Mumbo be, returning to the bottom of the lake. Atlas was in no rush.

…

The sun had long set, a chill rolling in as night settled over the cove, and Mumbo could ignore the humans’ shivers all he wanted, but it was clear their evening was coming to a close. 

How unfair, when the three of them had gone through so much effort to prolong it.

It turned out that Scar and Grian had plans other than their magnificent moving pictures, both of their bags full of trinkets and magical little human artifacts. Mumbo could have played with each one for hours, but he did not take his time combing through them, especially the objects he’d already seen before. He no longer had all the time in the world. It was as gut wrenching as it was a relief.

Mumbo had left them before. He’d left them and he’d missed them, but somehow the last times it had been so much easier, it had felt necessary, whereas now it was a choice, a conscious decision to turn the page. It was horrible. Mumbo never wanted to go home.

The night slowed. The humans tired. Even Scar was running out of things to say.

Mumbo did not shy away when Scar stared at him, eyes wet and yearning and intentional, and Mumbo did not flinch when Scar threw his arms around his neck, holding him close. It was not uncomfortable. Not even for a moment. Mumbo met Grian’s eye, longing for him to do the same. Despite their great language barrier, the message made it through. Mumbo sighed deeply from his nose as he was perfectly consumed by both of them.

He rested his forehead in Grian’s hair. Then Scar’s. 

‘I think it’s time to say goodbye.’

Separately, the both of them mumbled a similar sentiment. Mumbo did not have to understand them to know. 

They all knew.

Scar never stopped waving, and Mumbo never stopped looking back. At the far side of the lake he could not see Grian’s smile, but knew it was there, just like he knew the two of them were holding hands, and missing his. 

Goodbye, then. Here’s to a reunion all the sweeter.

[agalychnisspranneusroseus]

God thinking more about Anne's side of the AU now, her being not only Sprig and Polly's big sister, but the oldest kid in the town with no other kids quite her age so seeing her having a strong link with Ivy and Maddie (and the younger flower sisters) and seeing herself as being responsible for them just as she ends up being the town's protector from a startlingly early age. Oldest sibling not just to Sprig and Polly but to an entire wave of kids who know her as their tall friend. I can see her being especially close with Maddie, not just because she helps with the curse of amab puberty, but also being seen as odd and different, whilst being to a degree indispensable, Maddie's the only mage in town, and Anne is their best protector and warrior, but to much of the town (ie the ones who didn't grow up with her) she'll always be strange and different and to Hop Pop, there's still the simmering blame for the tragedy of the Herons (and the blame Anne herself has, and heck potentially other townspeople)

Longing to be whisked of her feet by her dashing princess penpal, treasuring her connection to the only other person quite like her (who isn't a terrible warlord) and only person in her life who isn't relying on her constantly being there to protect against armed threats and be strong, The only person and can cherish Anne just for being Anne.

How Anne grapples with never quite being able to match up to the toad's own human super soldier who seems obsessed with her, spending years barely fending her and the toads off, only to end up married to both of them and have any romantic dreams of being cherished for being her crushed in one act of final betrayal by a grandfather who never fully got over his loss. God Anne really goes through it in this AU. Yeah I can see where "Spranne against the world" becomes her most important relationship, him and the rest of the young frogs. I can't help but find myself longing for some kind of confrontation after the wedding, similar to Sprig v Hop Pop but much much more emotionally charged for the whole "effectively selling my big sister to our mortal enemy and contributing to crushing her dreams" thing. Hop Pop really digs a massive hole for himself there, way bigger than hiding the box. First the youth of the town, and then everyone else really turning against him over his treatment of Anne, which he the hopefully get's better on but... I can't ever see them getting to canon level fondness ever again.

sobs you got everything so right TT_TT YES Hop Pop is pretty unethical in this AU and hurts Anne terribly, because despite loving her with all his heart, he can never shake the irrational anger, the grief driving him to say and do unforgivable things to a kid not old enough to marry without parental permission. Plus Anne romanticized the idea of Marcy for so long that meeting the REAL Marcy after years of communicating exclusively through letters and only knowing half of what happened in Marcy's life (Marcy herself having gone through some very extreme situations herself and some mind-crushing trauma of her own that she never told Anne about) is just the icing on the cake. And despite Sasha not being nearly as bad as many people seem to think (again, because of personal issues she's going through), Anne still loathes her. So, she feels betrayed by Marcy, feels unsafe with Sasha and completely unprotected by the one person who was supposed to protect her, Hop Pop. Sprig and Polly are the only people who have always been honest, upfront and genuine with her, and she adores them for it. If it were up to her, she'd be 15 forever with her siblings, fighting giant bugs and cooking together and playing games, but Polly is being whisked away for the war effort as the prodigious little engineer she is, or at least she's too busy with these abandoned factories to be with Anne always, I don't know, I haven't decided the specifics yet, but I know Sprig is madly in love with Ivy and when you're in love, your siblings are often left behind. Anne's life is changing all around her and there's no stopping it. She doesn't want to hold her siblings back but she needs them more than ever in this moment, and there's the chance that she may rekindle her friendship with this new Marcy now but Marcy and Sasha seem to have this intimate understanding of each other that Anne now realizes she never shared with her, so really, she just feels very alone.

As for a confrontation with Hop Pop... oh things with Hop Pop get really really bad later on.

[ranticore]

Two shortwing rival academics and a lil bit about spire culture

The East North Spire (or honestly just 'Spire', people will know what you mean) is the most densely populated location on the planet. It consists of the remains of one of the largest old telecommunications spires on a cliff. The sea around here is shallow and dense with reedbeds which can be used to make building material. Wood (or an alien equivalent) doesn't exist on Siren so reeds make up most permanent and impermanent structures, as well as providing the pulp with which to make paper and the extremely light reedsilk clothing that harpies wear.

Being surrounded by abundant natural resources as well as being an area with relatively mixed water year-round, so good fishing opportunities, the spire was an obvious choice to build on. The structure of the spire is made of woven reed platforms and silk tents attached to the main trunk, but over the years it has grown immensely wide and complex. People might liken its appearance to a giant multicoloured tree if they knew what a tree was. The structure extends down the cliff-face all the way to the water, where it expands into a dense network of docks and pontoons which has become something of a globlal shipping hub.

The spire is mostly famous for its strict occupation-based culture and honorifics system, which I originally scribbled down on a drawing of Qedivar and Terwy in ramble form, but it's important to understand that these names are cultural and geographical so not limited to harpies.

This is the first pass of the naming system so it's likely outdated lol.

Anyway what started as a collection of craft guilds at the spire transformed over centuries into the world's only institute of higher learning. It is mostly a gigantic and deeply bureaucratic university, the headmaster of which is the highest authority in the entire city.

The culture at the spire is loud. Open debate, arguments, and outright fights are encouraged as a way to clear the air and avoid any simmering tension building up between aggrieved parties. Holding a grudge is considered physically bad for your health, worse than any consequences of a heated debate or quick scuffle (drawing blood is where this acceptance of fighting ends, however). The population density is ludicrous, especially in the shortwing bowers where you'd be lucky to have a wingspan's worth of space to yourself, so it's in their best interests to become very good at managing conflict as early as possible. There is no concept of romantic relationships as a separate phenomenon to platonic relationships here and the potential for gigantic nightmarish polycules to develop is almost guaranteed, but a comparatively small societal weight is placed on sex and intimacy, it's just a thing you do with your friends and that's about it, you won't get any institution of marriage though it is possible (rare) for a pair to be exclusive.

There are no blood ties or familial bonds among inhabitants of the spire. There are differing gestation periods & nurseries based on body type, but among the shortwings, who are the most numerous and have very short gestation periods, nursery duty is pretty much like jury duty. Everybody gets called out to the nursery every couple of years to do early infant care, once the birthing parent is no longer needed (at time of weaning usually). The infants are communally raised and when they're old enough to learn they get shuffled immediately off to school where they will remain until age 12 or so when they pick their main topic of study, or a craft apprenticeship. Then their fellow students or guild masters are considered to be their true families.

The culture is frequently xenophobic against basically everyone else; it's got Big City disease where everyone living outside may as well not exist, and other places are far less important. Particular negative consideration is given to people from the Western continent who are thought of as just inherently dumber for not having any great institutions of learning, with the notable exception of the visored harpies. There's also a strongly ableist element in the spire, those not considered smart enough or not fit enough to work a craft are practically second class citizens.

Qedivar and Amivar (-var suffix indicating a scholar working on a theory) share a bower, they're on-again-off-again frenemies due to the fact that the two of them are working on very different theories on the origin of people. Amivar has proposed a theory of evolution, which is partially wrong where the humans are concerned (as they were intentionally designed but have experienced natural selection since) and correct for all other life on Siren (which did evolve), and Qedivar believes the Precursors were similar to gods who magicked the entire planet into being and then populated it with distinct groups of people. Both theories have some merit but really all they've achieved is endless debates and fights, until a particularly harsh defeat at Qedivar's grant application causes our pal Qedivar to decide to set out to prove his theory right by any means necessary, with a budget of almost zero.

While Qedivar travels to the Western continent to learn the heretical truth (which is that he was wrong and they're all just Human aliens), Amivar stays behind. He continues his work, but when the ministry of knowledge at the spire comes knocking to demand to know Qedivar's whereabouts, he's faced with a tough choice - sell Qedivar out and reveal his location, thus potentially getting a really nice research grant in return for his evolution theory which has proven very unpopular, or cover for him and, in doing so, implicitly accept the unacceptable truth of what his colleague has uncovered. I had a lot of fun thinking over Amivar and his actions in these circumstances, in a situation where where so much hinges on pride and self-advocacy... a look at the guy who has to stay behind and deal with the consequences of someone else's grand adventure (as well as the ministry of knowledge threatening to disappear him).

[armoricaroyalty]

posting this publicly for the sake of accountability bUT. when I start posting again (Soon (tm)) I want to talk more about how I'm inspired and influenced by other simmers!

Perhaps this is just me, but I've always been a little shy to talk about other people's stuff in relation to my own. There are plenty of times when I've been really inspired by someone and tried very hard to capture some of that flavor in my own posts, but I felt like saying so would be a) seen as some kind of bid for attention or b) cause drama around "copying" c) somehow cause other, stupider drama

I feel like royal simblr has a very strange and very strained relationship with inspiration. way back in the dinosaur ages, there were a few bad apples who got VERY possessive of the tropes in their stories and tried to shade other people for operating in the same genre space for using the same tropes (I remember there were people who were like "nobody else can do boarding school arcs and if they do they are COPYING ME") and it's resulted in a very weird and stilted culture where everyone is vaguely pretending that their story emerged fully formed from their skulls, like athena, completely independent of the fact that there is an entire community of people playing royal families in the sims.

which is so obviously silly! My story wouldn't exist if I hadn't seen @reigningsims posts and found @simoviacourt through her. I have no idea if either of them ever look at Tumblr anymore, but their stories were super formative for me and directly inspired me to start my own, so BIG thanks to both of them!

moving forward, I'm going to try to start naming my influences, especially when they're other simmers. hopefully that is interesting to at least one person besides myself, lol.

[solstice-sims]

As a pose creator myself, having been making them since 2014 or so in the S3 days, seeing people stealing poses to try to sell as their own paywalled poses is very disappointing. A few years ago, I noticed someone (who is very popular for posemaking might I add) might've been using my own poses and pose concepts as bases for their paywalled poses, but I didn't really know how to prove it and let it slide. I also am not a confrontational person, especially not when the other person has a big platform. So I am glad that this situation is being brought into light by other simmers.

It is a demoralizing feeling to see people copy and take credit for your work when you spend a long time making it, especially when they are profiting from it.

Copying poses makes no sense. There's no need for duplicate poses going around the community. Be creative. Be unique. This world is just becoming a cesspool of "remakes" and copycats, and it's boring as hell.

Don't ruin things for everyone else.

Funny af that one of the creators being called out has an AI pfp too lol

[alienara-simblr]

⭐ The Lots Master Meshes 🛠️

🧰 These meshes are necessary for the lots in the different areas of the neighborhood to display correctly. Indeed, there are always missing meshes in the original lot package file, especially building set meshes and food stands.

🔗 All links provided on my blog lead to the original presentation and download pages of the presented content. This is to be able to make you aware of the work of the creators of this content, and thus, to credit them for their work. I do not provide direct links to storage platforms for creations other than my own (except one due to the death of the creator and disappearance of the content).

🏆 I try to list as much credit as possible for all the sets I use in my creations but this takes a lot of time and will be the subject of a separate post.

🚩 I have added icons in the legend to indicate in which areas the terrains requiring these meshes are located.

🔷 TS1 BaseGame - Neighborhood 1&2 Houses

🚕 TS1 Hot Date - Downtown

🐕 TS1 Unleashed - OldTown

🔮 TS1 Makin’ Magic - MagicTown

MODS : 🚕🐕🔮TS4 shadow file by @lordcrumps 🔷🚕🐕🔮 Object Freedom Mod by @fwaysims 🚕🐕🔮 Better nightlife mod by @criquette-was-here or any shader replacement that uses it ! 🚕🐕🔮 Very Highly Recommended : V1 Default Replacement Community Lot Phone by @hugelunatic 🚕 Hot Date Phone Booth Cover by @lilakartoffelbrei 🐕Planting Overhaul Mod by @lamare-sims on MTS 🚕🐕🔮CEP-Extra Expresso Machine by @hugelunatic 🚕🐕 The 4t2 Woohoo Dumptser by @themediocresimblr 🔮 The Invisible Putter by pfish on MTS

OMSPs : 🔷🚕🐕🔮"Walk Around & Through Blocks" and "A Whole New Dimension" by SilentLucidity on MTS

SHOPPING & FOOD DISPLAYS : 🔮 The Functional PopCorn Machine by @crispsandkerosene 🔮 The Functional Cotton Candy Machine by @crispsandkerosene retextured by @haut-gothique 🐕🚕 Hot Date Ice Cream Stand by @crispsandkerosene 🐕 The Grand Delusions Mask Display by @simi-simmer 🐕🚕 Functional Floral Display by @simi-simmer 🚕 🔮 Witchy Brew and Candy Jars by @jacky93sims 🚕 Butter Cookies, Monster Rice Krispies, Cookie Jars, Gift Boxes « Chocolate Covered Strawberry » and Turkish Sweets Boxes by @jacky93sims 🐕🚕🔮 Custom Perfume Rack by @pforestsims

BUILD SETS : 🔷🚕🐕🔮 Nooks and Niches complete set by buggybooz 🔷 The Cathedral Set (windows only required) by @julsfels 🔮 The 'Old Mason' Architectural Series by holysimoly 🔷🚕🐕🔮 Bourbon St Set and its recolors by shakeshaft 🔮 "Flags on a wire" connecting column by @haut-gothique 🚕🐕🔮 Handpainted Flowers by @beautifulnerdkitty 🔮 Rocks by @beautifulnerdkitty 🐕🔮 Miasmata Conversions by Ohbehave 🚕🐕🔮 Rocks and the Modulair Rock Stairs by marvine 🔮 Bougainvillea Fall Recolors by Rebecah reuploaded by me

BUYING SETS : 🐕🔮MagicTown’s Outhouse by @crispsandkerosene 🔮 Pocci’s Bird leg Table converted by @shastakiss on GoS 🔷🐕🚕🔮 The Lantern Pack retexturized by @pforestsims 🔮 Road Sign by @pforestsims 🚕🔮 Tech Columns Floor Lamp by @pforestsims 🔷🐕🚕🔮 The Lamp Collection and add-ons by @pforestsims 🚕 The Neon Set by @pforestsims 🐕🚕 The Aquarium make-over Kit by @pforestsims on MTS 🔷🔮 The Country Kitchen by @julsfels 🔷🔮 Amelia Set, Liam build Set, Xavier Bedroom by Adele 🔷🔮 Amelia Expansion set by JA 🔮 Skyrim Chicken by eva on GoS 🔮 The Tales of Bagoas Set by hriveresse 🔮 Castaway Temple Ruins by devilsrope 🔮 3t2 The Draped Demise by @hafiseazale 🚕 3t2 Decorative Mechanical Bull by Mistyfluff and my recolor

🌟 I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to all the content creators who made my project possible. This post is about missing meshed in lots files, but a post will be made to credit everyone. 👏

[sensualnoiree]

astro notes: daily transits 9/27

Friday, 9/27, brings a focus on romance and relationships, with early morning aspects highlighting both passionate connections and potential conflicts. A playful sextile between the Leo Moon and Libra Sun creates a warm, romantic atmosphere at the start of the day, but emotional tension rises as the Moon squares Venus in intense Scorpio. Later in the evening, a Venus–Jupiter sesquiquadrate advises caution in matters of love and indulgence, as the desire for instant gratification may lead to complications down the road.

Aries Rising Early romantic feelings may be exciting, but the tension will rise as intense emotions surface, especially around personal values or shared resources. Be cautious about impulsively pushing for what you want in relationships today—moderation is key, particularly when dealing with money or intimacy.

Taurus Rising The day begins with romantic vibes in your 4th house of home and family, but conflict could arise within your close relationships. You may feel pulled between your desire for harmony and the need to address deeper emotional concerns. Resist the urge to control the situation, and practice patience in conversations.

Gemini Rising Playful communication lights up your morning, but emotional intensity could soon follow, especially in your interactions with co-workers or siblings. Keep your expectations in check, as trying to get immediate clarity or results will likely cause friction. Allow time for deeper understanding to emerge naturally.

Cancer Rising Romantic energy boosts your sense of self-worth, but an emotional clash over money or values could arise later. You may feel the need to spend or indulge impulsively, but avoid letting this lead to future regret. Instead, focus on long-term stability, especially in financial or romantic matters.

Leo Rising You start the day feeling confident and radiant, but emotional turbulence might stir up conflict in personal relationships. Be mindful of how your desire for affection clashes with deeper unresolved issues. Avoid rushing for emotional satisfaction—slow down and address the underlying concerns.

Virgo Rising A light-hearted mood may give way to intense feelings brewing beneath the surface, especially around unresolved matters in your subconscious or private life. Old emotional patterns might rise to the surface. Don’t force immediate solutions; instead, let things simmer and focus on inner healing before confronting others.

Libra Rising Romantic interactions with friends or within your social circle feel uplifting early on, but financial or value-based conflicts could emerge later. You may be tempted to overspend or overcommit in relationships. Take a step back before making any big decisions. Keep things balanced to avoid future regret.

Scorpio Rising You’re magnetic and commanding early on, especially in your career or public life, but emotional intensity in your personal relationships could clash with your professional goals. Resist the urge to dominate conversations or control outcomes. Practice restraint, particularly in areas where your reputation is involved.

Sagittarius Rising Excitement for new experiences and connections may arise, but emotional intensity surrounding your beliefs or future plans could create tension later. You might feel the need to have all the answers now, but pushing too hard could create unnecessary pressure. Stay open to learning and let things unfold gradually.

Capricorn Rising Early flirtation and romantic energy may focus on shared finances or intimate partnerships, but emotional intensity surrounding trust or control could stir up conflict later. Avoid jumping to conclusions or seeking immediate results. Instead, focus on the long-term depth of your bonds, allowing space for trust to grow.

Aquarius Rising Romantic energy with partners or close friends lights up your morning, but deep emotional needs around control or power dynamics may create friction later. You may feel tempted to push for clarity or reassurance, but resist acting too hastily. Let time smooth over any disagreements before taking action.

Pisces Rising Playful energy in your work or daily routines may start the day, but emotional tension could build over unresolved health or work-related concerns. Avoid the temptation to seek quick fixes, especially in relationships with co-workers or loved ones. Focus on finding balance and harmony, allowing things to evolve naturally.

follow for more astro insights like this and head on over to @quenysefields or my etsy --> sensualnoiree to grab my new astrology guidebook on reading your own natal chart :)