#finally found a home for copperdale!!

[puretopia]

Copperdale Lighthouse

[rebouks]

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Alex: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! [wheeeeeeze] Byrd: Woah, lady-.. I know karate! Wren: No, you don’t. Byrd: [whispers] She doesn’t need to know that. Wren: It’s Alex, dipshit. Byrd: Ohhh-.. wait, really? Wren: Sure looks like her.

Alex: Oh my god, I found you-.. and I followed your CAT! I missed you so much!! I hope you’re not mad at me-.. I’m so SO sorry for not writing! I thought I was being organised by printing some labels out to save time, y’know? But then I forgot them at home when we went to my uncles and dad said we’d only be gone for a month, so I figured it wasn’t a huge deal, but then we stayed for what felt like it’d be FOREVER and I couldn’t for the life of me remember your address which is ridiculous ‘cause I SHOULD’VE had it memorised by now and I felt so awful as the months passed. I tried to remember it a couple times but you never wrote back so I figured I obviously got it wrong-.. then I tried finding your house on a stupid online map but the internet was crappy at best and the Bay is WAY bigger than I thought it’d be and I’ve never really seen your house in full view from the street either so, like.. I barely knew what I was looking for, and what if that camera car didn’t even map your house, y’know?!

Ava: That was.. a lot. Alex: Sorry-.. you’re not mad, are you? [Robin shook his head and took a breath, but nothing came out] Wren: Oop. Byrd: Yeah, I think he broke. Ava: Ooh, do you know sign language? Alex: No-.. I totally should’ve learnt! I guess I didn’t know I’d be coming here though… Byrd: I can teach you! Well, some, I’m still learning, but Robin knows a bunch. Ava: He’s not mad, by the way. He was just worried. [Robin shot his younger siblings a look, fruitlessly warning them not to embarrass him] Byrd: I’m sure he’d say hi, if he could. Wren: I bet he’d say you look pretty too. Byrd: He’s been extra mopey without your letters-.. or maybe that’s just what puberty does. Ava: He has to wear deodorant now, otherwise he STINKS! Wren: You should stay for supper, dad’s baking something.. again. Alex: Ough.. I was supposed to be home ages ago, dad’ll kill me.. wait, what school do you go to?! Byrd: Bay C-… Wren: Not us-.. he goes to Copperdale. Alex: Ohh, yay! I promised dad I’d finally unpack tomorrow but the day after that is Monday, right? Wren: Well done. Alex: Okay-.. ahhhh! SEE YOU AT SCHOOL!!

…

[Robin deflated as soon as Alex liberated him from another bear hug and sped off, releasing a breath he’d kept tucked beneath his ribs for an uncomfortably lengthy amount of time] Robin: Ouuuuuuuuuuuuugh. Robin: Why-.. why am I like this? Wren: You’ll spew something out eventually. Oscar: Alright losers, pie’s-.. what’s up with him? Robin: I’m fucking BROKEN. Wren: I mean.. you’re a little fucked, but still good! Oscar: Quit it with the swearing-.. what happened? Wren: Alex showed up n’ he broke. Robin: I didn’t even get to say hi or ask why she’s here, or for how long-.. and you just had to be embarrassing! Oscar: What’d she say? Robin: She said Alex was pretty on my behalf and I’ve never said that and she’s a DICK! Oscar: That’s tame-.. for Wren. Robin: I hate you all right now. Wren: Not as much as you hate yourself. Oscar: Hey, too much! Robin, c’mon-… Robin: SHUT UP! Oscar: Right, you’re on dish duty. Wren: Seriously?! Oscar: You reap what you sow, honey.

[pixelnrd]

The premier of Heather's cooking show was a family affair. Rather than watch with her producers and team, Heather wanted to watch the first episode at home with the people who mattered the most to her.

The kids found it incredibly exciting, seeing their Mom on tv. Heather tried to be proud of herself and not cringe at the sound of her own voice. Jenny was full of encouragement, and yet awestruck and amazed at this new reality. Heather, a celebrity chef!

'I think I'm ready,' postualted Heather, as they celebrated. 'To finally open my own restaurant. I'm not going back to anyone elses kitchen. I need to ride this wave, while we have the publicity.'

'I think that's the best idea,' smiled Jenny. A cookbook, a career, a food stall, and now owning their own restaurant!

Heather kept her new venture local, and opened a cheerful family-friendly restaurant in central Copperdale. 'Plates' was a cosy joint, with delicious yet familiar food that everyone could enjoy - yet with Heather's personal spin on the dishes.

The opening night for the restaurant generated huge publicity, and the biggest names in town came to enjoy the fruits of Heather's labour. Jenny was there by her side, and Heather publicly credited Jenny to all the paparazzi as the woman by her side who had helped get her to this point in her life. After all, without Jenny - Heather would never have come out of her shell.

[luvsmisoo]

The breeze of the autumn air is crisp as the first day of senior year for Copperdale's students approaches. Many scramble to prepare for the upcoming entrance exams, fulfill the university application process, send out recommendation letter requests, submit last-minute credits, and figure out what they want to do with the rest of their lives. However, Wren has always been preparing for this very moment.

Wren was raised by her grandfather after he was awarded guardianship following a tragic accident involving her parents when she was just a toddler. She naturally gravitated towards his daily activities growing up thus making her the hands-on, self-sufficient, creative girl she is today. Her grandfather has always made it his life mission to make her the happiest kid in Willow Creek. Sadly, the summer before her 18th birthday, he passed away leaving her to inherit 10,000 simoleons and the decently sized home he had been building for her a few years before his demise. She spent the summer grieving and reflecting on her most significant life events, causing her to develop a gloomy nature. Luckily she's had Leo's shoulder to cry on.

Leo Barrio is Wren's first love. Meeting in Language Arts, Leo was the class clown. He'd always find the right time to crack a joke or make a jab at the instructor. For a while, all Leo did was grind her gears, causing her to avoid any unnecessary interaction. She just wanted to participate in class discussions and learn (it was her favorite class) but would be subjected to Leo's antics for half of the period. One day before the end of the first term, their instructor assigned groups for peer reviews and their paths finally met. Wren found herself admiring Leo and eventually, they began dating at the end of their first year and have been inseparable ever since. When Leo had heard about her grandfather's passing, he immediately moved in with her to support her and then and there decided he wouldn't mind spending the rest of his life with her.

Three years later, they stand outside their shared home taking their "First Last Day" photo on Wren's tripod the evening before the big day.

challenge & rules !!

credits: header by @fruitysimsy @hellohopesims | wren's base (@cial-sims) leo's base (origin ID: raeleib)

[ophernelia]

'Cause maybe you wanna just jump in at Season 3 and that's okay too. So, here's a quick synopsis of seasons one and two for each major character. Spoilers below!

Lykaia is a dark fantasy series that stems from one of my gameplay saves. Content warnings can be found here. Season 1 was just meant as a means for me to practice filmmaking. It wasn't too lore heavy or thought out. Somehow it's developed into this. I've made everything up as I've gone. Only taking a real shot at writing a script during season 2.

SEASON 3 OF LYKAIA PREMIERES ON YOUTUBE APRIL 5TH

IMOGEN SUMNER: Quiet and somewhat psychic Imogen moves to Copperdale after her eccentric grandmother dies. She finds out her childhood best friend, Lou, is a lycan. The girl Lou was pursuing prior to Imogen moving to Copperdale, Eloise Tinsley, comes from a family of hunters who take over the town with the help of the mayor. Imogen and Lou develop romantic feelings for one another. The two begin dating the following summer. Lou marks Imogen claiming her as his mate. Imogen helps Lou and his friends (who are also his pack mates) move out of Copperdale to San Francisco once the former becomes too unsafe for them to live in. Season 2 Imogen struggles with fully integrating into the friend group, but ultimately does so successfully. Lou and Imogen quietly get engaged. She aids Lou in helping him find his dad. Upon helping Lou meet his father, Imogen meets her great aunt, the oracle Dodona. Imogen finds out Hattie died after passing her abilities onto Imogen.

LOU HOWELL: Lou is the only child of a physically abusive and neglectful single mother. He was often left to roam outside on his on. This habit is what led to him meeting Imogen. Lou had no knowledge of him being a lycan prior to the first time he shifted as his mother hid it from him. The summer he turned was the same summer that Imogen's grandmother Hattie died. After his first shift his mother kicked him out. With no guidance and no where to go his friends brought him to Rory. Rory took him in and trained him to control his shift. Lou had feelings for Imogen prior to her moving to Copperdale and quickly became enamored with her after her move. In season 2, Lou becomes extremely attached to Imogen and begins to neglect his other friendships. This causes a rift between him and Owen specifically. Lou also decides to search for his father during this time. At the end of season 2, Lou's relationships are mended and he finally meets his father and older sister.

RORY OAKLOW: Rory runs and lives on a campsite in Copperdale that's home to several in-need lycans. She reluctantly decides to take Lou in after he's brought to her by Savannah, William, and Owen. Eventually she comes to think of him as her younger brother. Ultimately, she's pushed out by Eloise Tinsley's family business, Aconitum, as they bulldoze the campsite in order to erect a warehouse for their company. Imogen's family provides Rory with a place to stay. She refuses to be pushed out of Copperdale and bolsters her strength by having her mate, Ceres, join her pack. Pissed off by the events that transpired, Rory digs into Aconitum's dealings by breaking into the mayor's office and stealing sensitive documents. This event ultimately leads to this sector of Aconitum's downfall in season 2. After Ceres' pack is killed, Rory and Ceres get injured during a night out, Rory decides it's too unsafe to stay in Copperdale and moves to SF. The two decide to marry upon moving to SF. In season 2, Rory and Ceres' relationship is turbulent due to his meddlesome sister, Celeste. Rory moves in with Imogen's cousin and Savannah's current girlfriend, Kaila. Ceres and Rory break up briefly but ultimately get back together. Rory steals Kaila from Savannah and enters into a polyamorous relationship with the two. Rory's family comes to visit for the holidays and her mom decides to move to California to be closer to her and her father, whom she has a horrible relationship, does as well. By S2's end, Ceres and Rory marry. The pair are still with Kaila.

OWEN ELLISON: Owen is a background character for the better part of season 1. He plays the role of Lou's loud best friend who will sleep with anything in a mini skirt. He's also the reason Lou shifted early after playfully knocking him off the pier during a full moon. In S1 Owen joins Rory's pack and she takes him through ritual so he is fully able to shift. In season 2, Owen and Lou's friendships becomes strained after Owen develops on a crush on Imogen. He also becomes angry with Lou for the amount of time he spends with Imogen. Mistaking his jealousy as a genuine dislike for the new Lou. Ultimately, Owen comes to terms his feelings and recognizes he in fact is attracted to Lou and not Imogen. He's able to mend his friendship with Lou and Imogen after the realization and begins exploring his sexuality. At the end of S2, Imogen introduces Owen to her new friend, Grey.

SAVANNAH ROBINSON: Savannah also plays a background character for the better part of season 1. She becomes significant when she starts dating Eloise Tinsley as a means to get information out of her. However, Savannah does have genuine feelings for Eloise as they briefly dated prior to Eloise pursuing Lou. Savannah is the catalyst in Eloise's decision to disrupt Aconitum. In S2, Savannah discovers that Eloise tried to rekindle a relationship with Lou while they were together and the pair break up for good. In an attempt to cheer her up, Imogen hooks Savannah up with her cousin, Kaila. Still hurt by the events that transpired, she briefly has a squabble with Imogen after becoming annoyed with her relationship with Lou. The two make up quickly. After Rory moves in with Kaila, Rory tells Savannah of her interest in Kaila. The two briefly compete for Kaila's affection, leading to Kaila cheating on Savannah, but the two split amicably as Savannah decides Kaila isn't worth the effort. By S2's end, Savannah and Eloise mend their friendship and she tricks her friend group into going to visit her. Upon her arrival in Redwater, Savannah meets Eloise's current fling Savannah. Sensing chemistry between each other they decide to remain in contact without Eloise's knowledge.

WILLIAM ROBINSON: William also plays a background character in season 1 and most of season 2. He is the most unproblematic of the group, only getting involved to mediate Owen and Lou's squabble and to support his twin sister, Savannah. In season 1, Will joins Rory's pack and she also takes him through ritual so he is able to shift. (Though Savannah is his twin, female lycans mature faster than males. They're usually able to shift by age 13 while males cannot shift until 20 or so.) In season 2, William is busy happily living in SF. He begins seriously dating another lycan, Indiyah Atwood, while his sister and friends are busy with their drama. By S2's end, William decides to take his relationship a step further with Indiyah and take her as a mate.

ELOISE TINSLEY: In season 1, Eloise attempts to date Lou and is ultimately turned down and dropped when Imogen comes to town. Out of disdain for her and Lou, she doesn't tell him about her father's plans to take over the campsite. Shunned by the friend group for this, Eloise decides she wants to ruin her father's business. By S1's end, Eloise becomes a full fledged hunter and joins her father on his endeavor to alleviate Copperdale of it's lycan problem. Though Eloise has ulterior motives the entire time and only wishes to see how the company works in order to sabotage it later. In season 2, with most of the lycans gone from Copperdale, Aconitum begins to fail. This causes a severe rift between her father and Mayor Tarentino. Eloise influences her father to question her grandfather's capabilities in deciding how profitable a sector is going to be. After going away to college and dating a new guy, Eloise decides it's time to report her father and Tarentino to the feds. Eventually an investigation transpires which forces Copperdale's mayor to step down and Eloise's father to shut down his sector. Eloise's grandfather, Arenthal, joins them in Copperdale to help fix the situation. After pissing off the mayor, Eloise's family is forced into hiding and they move to Redwater, Texas. By S2's end, Eloise has to rescue her father and her mother from Mayor Tarentino and his partner, Vasily. Eloise is only able to save her father in time and her mother is killed. She develops a close friendship with AJ, Lou's sister, and the two move in together. Though their friendship is disrupted when Lou and Imogen come to town.

[elderwisp]

🍓 (strawberry) - Does your oc believe in anything? Are they superstitious? Religious? Atheistic? Has anything in their past made them this way?

ooo! very good question, i feel like this question would very much suit kai and taryn!

taryn and kai castillo

🍓 - Does your oc believe in anything? Are they superstitious? Religious? Atheistic? Has anything in their past made them this way?

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Both were raised apart of the Catholic church. Both stayed within that faith due to a sense of familiarity. Taryn feels obligated to stay apart of it due to her parents, not that they seem to be the sort of folks to pressure her into that but out of respect. However, there is a lack of connection to the faith itself especially with her parents being away. After graduating her Catholic school and transitioning over to Foxbury, there was definitely a culture shock and clashing of who she was raised as versus being able to finally explore. It was such a weird time because while her friends were experiencing all the joys of college, Taryn really struggled with that guilt of being watched over by some higher presence so the college experience™ for her was uncomfortable. She found it hard to drink, party, date, etc so in this current state that we are introduced to her, she's beginning to open up to these things and it's a bit awkward at first! Meanwhile, Kai contradicts a lot of the morals upheld by the church. There's a lot of guilt pent up in Kai because part of him enjoys the sense of routine and community that comes with attending church, but there isn't a true sense of belonging simply because he can't be himself. He struggles between the concept of atonement versus his authentic self. He really bounces back and forth between morals because it's incredibly difficult for him to make up his mind. When he's out with his best friends, in the beginning, he was quite skittish, but with plenty of reassurance and trust, he's gotten much more comfortable. Whereas at home, he doesn't leave his room much or at church, he's much more composed, only speaking pleasantries when needed. Unlike Atlas, when Kai switches up, it is not something that feels entirely natural. Kai was very lucky to not attend Catholic school but rather Copperdale High and that is thanks to his friends. I think if he ended up in a different scenario, the outcome would be somber such as going into an awful marriage to some girl that doesn't need to be caught in that crossfire. I would say neither are truly superstitious!

[filmorgue]

Story Time: Meet Danica and Dale

Dale, a young orphan surviving on the streets of Copperdale, found himself in a tough situation. Moving from family to family due to his aggressive nature, he eventually ended up on the streets, making a living by scavenging abandoned homes and other places. One fateful evening, he stumbled upon an ill Danica. Despite her sharp fangs, he couldn't bring himself to leave her side. Their eyes met, and he was instantly smitten, feeling like he was "lost for words."

After a few minutes of attempting to communicate with her, all Dale received in response were soft murmurs and her shaking head, accompanied by gestures towards her mouth. It became clear to Dale that she was unable to speak. Faced with this new challenge, he felt unsure of what to do next. However, just as he was contemplating his options, she mustered enough strength to type a message on her phone: "Need animal blood." Dale couldn't help but find the request slightly amusing, considering they were standing in the middle of a sidewalk where no animals could be found. With a stroke of brilliance, he suggested that she could feed off him instead. Instantly, she rejected the idea, even after he reassured her that it would be alright. However, after a couple of minutes, she realized she had no other choice. Summoning all her strength, she positioned herself as he presented his neck. The moment she caught a whiff of his intoxicating scent, she didn't hesitate to sink her fangs into his flesh. He let out a groan, a mixture of pain and pleasure, until everything faded to black.

Suddenly, he found himself waking up in a luxurious, well-decorated room with a tearful Danica sitting beside him. The opulence of the room was a bit too much for his liking. Strangely, he felt a strong urge for blood. Danica finally noticed he was awake and flashed him a wide smile, wiping away her tears. He couldn't help but wonder if she was crying because of him. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "He's alive…I see," a voice echoed from across the room. A woman with medium-length white hair and piercing white eyes sat there, looking quite intimidating. "I would be relieved, but I don't appreciate my granddaughter bringing strays into my mansion…especially mortals," she growled, extinguishing her cigarette before approaching them. "However, since she mentioned that you played a part in saving her life…I suppose I owe you my gratitude." He nodded silently, unsure of what to say.

Edith Lnyx introduced herself with a sense of detachment, but she still engaged in a conversation with him. When Dale confessed that he had nowhere to go, Danica looked at Edith with a sorrowful expression. Edith could have easily dismissed the idea of living with a mortal or feeling indebted to anyone. However, she couldn't bring herself to refuse her beloved girl. As fate would have it, Dale and Danica grew even closer while living under the same roof, eventually becoming lovers. To their surprise, Danica accidentally turned Dale into a vampire by consuming enough of his blood. She felt guilty, but he reassured her that everything was alright. Despite his new vampire lifestyle, he was content as long as he could stay by her side, embracing her vampnemia. He proudly wore her bite mark and demonstrated his devotion every single day.

[uloelu]

Location: Lakeside Lagoon, Newcrest

(transcript under the cut)

Episode 3 | Previous | Next

Here it is! As stated before, episodes 3-5 are a bit shorter than usual, but only because I'm in the process of planning a huge slate of parties, plot-changing events, etc. for summer break. No additional parts to this episode, so I'll be back with episode 5 as soon as I can.

If you haven't seen it, I made a post yesterday about my future plans for this series. Link is here!

Copperdale Records lot created by @softerhaze: link here

Episode 4: Mark Collins

Scene 1 - Newcrest

(starts with a boy walking a dog)

Meet Mark. (And Archimedes.)

Mark’s a first-semester senior at Copperdale High, scheduled to graduate early in the winter.

These are his parents, Drs. Whitney and Landon Collins. They’re both esteemed mathematics professors at the Foxbury Institute.

And Marissa, his nearsighted little sister, who’s a sophomore and currently freaking out.

Marissa (examining an acne breakout in the mirror): How am I supposed to show my face at school today? (phone rings) Ooh, Rani’s calling!

Like her parents, Marissa is a math (and science) genius. She’s also a cello prodigy and an outstanding painter. Mark never stops hearing people praise her many talents.

Scene 2 - Copperdale High

Compared to them, Mark’s more like your typical teenage boy. He’s a science whiz, sure. But he’s not Marissa trying to collect skills like infinity stones, or his parents earning PhDs by 25.

He likes to chill with his friends after school, suck face with his sweetheart before it, and just in general enjoy life as a 17-year-old boy.

Don’t believe me? Here he is at lunchtime, grabbing a bite to eat in the cafeteria.

Let’s pretend he hasn’t decided to dine with the principal today.

Ah, he’s moved to sit with Sofia Bjergsen. Finally.

[How cute! Some freshmen are getting lunch with their teacher. They look like babies!]

(cut to Copperdale students eating lunch together)

Social cliques are loosening up as we creep towards summer break. There’s camaraderie to be found in being tired of school, it seems.

Scene 3 - Dog Park, Brindleton Bay

After classes and extracurriculars, Mark and his sister like to take Archimedes to the dog park.

Here’s Marissa feeding a stray. She’d love to have another dog in their home, but her father’s sensitive constitution can barely handle the one they already have.

Let’s listen in on their conversation.

Marissa: You okay? You’ve been quiet all afternoon.

Mark (frowning): Yeah...actually, no. I’m so tired of going to that physics prep class. I think it’s time I put my foot down and tell Mom and Dad that I want to study music in college.

Marissa: You know what they’ll say about that—

Mark (rolls eyes): I know—

Marissa: “The hard sciences are the future. No one with any real life goals wastes their precious education on the humanities.”

Mark: What about you? Don’t you want to become an artist?

Marissa: Sure, maybe as a side job. But I like math, and I like what Mom and Dad do for work. I’m okay with art being just a hobby for now.

Mark (sighs): I wish I could be like you.

Scene 4 - Copperdale Records

(cut to a record store)

Music? Where did that come from?

Oh, right.

Copperdale Records, the hottest place for music lovers and alternative teens to hang out after school.

(Mark is mixing beats in a studio)

Our boy Mark sneaks here on his way home from the dog park (under the guise of studying with a friend, of course).

Fancies himself a producer, a musical jack-of-all-trades.

To be fair, he did teach himself how to mix beats, edit tracks, and play the guitar, piano, and bass. What can I say? The kid knows what he wants.

(cut to Mark strumming an electric guitar)

And as he tests out the newest six-string in the shop, I wish him the best of luck. He’s sorely going to need it.

[satureja13]

Disclaimer: This is the whole (kind of short) story of Vlad, Ji Ho and Luci until now. ~ 7-8 scrolls with 12 pictures. (It's not as long as Jack and Kiyoshi's ^^') I felt the need to put everything in one place before we continue.

Ji Ho and Vlad met on Ji Ho's first day at Choongang Highschool. Ji Ho was deeply traumatized from his past at the brothel on Sulani and Vlad was shocked because he fell in love with Ji Ho at first sight. He still was in grief over his first love Wesley, who got killed by their mentor Leander two years ago. And a curse lies on him: If Vlad ever loves again and is loved the same way back, they both will die. So Vlad hissed at Ji Ho and kept his distance to keep Ji Ho from falling in love with him. (Which was unneccesary. Due to his past, Ji Ho has no interest in 'such things' anyway). For Vlad it already was too late.

They could have been going on like this forever if Ji Ho hadn't been bitten by Genji.

With this Genji claimed Ji Ho and Ji Ho left to live with Genji. Vlad and Saiwa tried to find a way to bring Ji Ho back home. They did, but the only possiblity is to claim Ji Ho back. Which could be deadly for Vlad. Mermaids blood is poisonous for vampires. But Vlad is determined to do anything for his beloved Ji Ho and so he risked it, challenged Genji for duel, drank from Ji Ho - and died. (That was also the first time Vlad drank real blood and so he developed a devouring bloodlust for Ji Ho's blood. Which lead to their separation until Vlad's death.)

Vlad went to hell and back for Ji Ho. With his last life force, Vlad deleted the bond between Ji Ho and Genji and healed Ji Ho from his childhood trauma as good as he could.

Ji Ho met Luci at the Diner de los Muertos, where they worked. Due to Ji Ho's terrible past, Ji Ho never was able to love someone and feels uncomfortable when someone touches him. This all changed with Luci. And after their time at the diner was over, Ji Ho took Luci with him to Copperdale.

And after they removed their magical makeup, Ji Ho learned that Luci had been in Vlad's body! da da daaaaaa! This was a shock for Ji Ho and since Luci doesn't talk, they never found out what really happened. But Ji Ho loves Luci so much that he doesn't care that he looks like Vlad who was always so cold and distanced to him.

And even though Ji Ho was aware that he would loose Luci, he agreed to do everything to bring Vlad back. So they went to the ocean to pull Vlad's soul out of hell, just like Ji Ho had seen in a strange prophetic dream... At first it seemed it hadn't worked and Ji Ho almost drowned, but a few days later... Vlad was back - and blind. And Luci was gone...

They went with Vlad to the 'hospital' and 'the doctor' told them, Vlad would soon be able to see again when he spends time with his 'bonded' (Vlad claiming Ji Ho engaged a bond between them which became stronger after Vlad sacrificed his life to rescue Ji Ho and went to hell and back for him. The bond developed a life of it's own. All about the bond -> here) The doctor's concern was the bloodlust. He suggested Vlad and Ji Ho should 'tighten' the bond to stop it. Giving in to the bloodlust and drinking again from Ji Ho would surely kill Vlad - terminally.

There was no way to avoid it. The bond already started to drain the life power from them and so they set up the 'Event on Winter Solstice' where Vlad and Ji Ho 'tightened' the bond. This made the Bond even more powerful. And the bloodlust was finally overcome and Vlad got his eyelight back.

The bond was in awe - and demanded more. Vlad and Ji Ho felt drawn towards each other. They avoided it but it made them weak. So they started to 'charge' the bond. It wasn't easy to find a way for them to have the necessary physical contact since Ji Ho can't stand to be touched. So Ji Ho had the idea to give Vlad massages... (Since their first massage turned out a bit too 'hot' they decided to have Jack with them to keep an eye on them.) Vlad even let Luci take over his body a few times to make it easier for Ji Ho, but it was too dangerous. They feared Luci would keep Vlad from coming back to be with Ji Ho.

When the Boys went back to the Lab to investigate and they got cought - the bond showed it's full potential: Ji Ho and Vlad were able to cast a teleportation spell! It has it's advantages to keep the bond happy. Vlad and Ji Ho are like Ying and Yang and so they have a different approach to the bond. Even though the bond earned the most power through Vlad's sacrifices (him dying and going through hell for Ji Ho - Vlad even healed Ji Ho from his trauma with his last life force), Ji Ho has the deeper connection to the bond and its needs. And both were able to sense the others feelings (which is helpful since they don't talk to each other) and Vlad even started to be able to locate Ji Ho. Which saved Ji Ho and Jack's life at Yamachan's Party'. There are a few ocassions where Ji Ho hugged Vlad (at Yamachan's Party and twice on New Years Eve) and where the danced together (70s Party and Beltane). All thanks to Luci.

It's not easy for Vlad to endure that Ji Ho only loves Luci. But he loves him so much that he just wants to see him happy. After Vlad returned from hell, he dedicated his second life to Ji Ho. And for Ji Ho it's hard because he never can be with Luci. Luci 'told' Ji Ho twice (in their first dream at Belgraves and in the Mirror Hall) that he wants Ji Ho to be with Vlad. Which is breaking Ji Ho's heart because he thinks Luci is about to leave him. There is no way for Ji Ho to love anyone else than Luci.

To be continued...

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest

[church-of-beelzebeef]

We have been busy! Almost as soon as we returned from the wedding in Oasis Springs we were off to our new home in Copperdale! We’ve finally gotten the last boxes unpacked and we’re really settling in. The town has welcomed us with open arms and we’ve met so many wonderful people, but let me give you a house tour first! 

Well, for starters, we have a house instead of an apartment! It feels quite spacious compared to our last home as everything’s over three floors, but fortunately it isn’t too big and we can still corral everyone into a couple of rooms during the day. No hiding away from one another in this house! That’s why I love that the front door leads directly into the family room, where we play our instruments and read the Bovinomicon together. Families are one of Beelzebeef’s greatest gifts and we should strive to love and be with each other as often as we can.

Beth also keeps her chess set here. Nestor plays with her, but I just can’t get the hang of it! She’s so clever; she’s going to have such a good time at the high school here. But more on that later! From here you can go straight on into the kitchen or head downstairs into the basement.

Here is Nestor’s office, for days when he works from home, as well as a new gadget for me -- a treadmill! Losing all this baby weight I’ve put on over the years really has become an uphill struggle but I’m determined not to let it beat me. After baby five is born I’ll be down here getting my temple in shape.

Back upstairs and just off the family room is our kitchen-diner; it’s so roomy compared to the kitchen we had back at the apartment! Through the double doors at the back there’s a small study with all our books and a desk. I imagine the kids will do their homework at the kitchen table where there’s plenty of room, but the study will come in useful if any of them need a quieter space that’s still close by.

Upstairs there’s the bedrooms and the main bathroom (we have three in total -- that will make mornings so much easier!) Nestor and I went for this wonderful airy green in the master bedroom. It still needs some cozy touches, but all in good time!

When it came to the kid’s rooms, there were a couple of options we could take, so we decided to wait until my next pregnancy scan before we made a final decision. We just found out our next precious blessing is a girl! So Beth and Nyssa will be taking the larger of the two bedrooms and the baby will move in with them when she’s older, and Nestor II has the smaller room to himself.

All the kids shared one room back at the apartment, so I was hesitant about Nestor having his own space in case he felt pushed out. Fortunately he seems to love it and even helped pick out the decor! The statue of Beelzebeef and the painting of the disciple Obaaadiah were both his choices. My little boy is turning into quite the Bovinomicon scholar! Long may this family continue to be awed by Her blessings and love.

(AN: floorplan under the cut because I love floorplans)

Basement nook.

This is a gallery house based on Water Tower Way that I decorated and added a couple of rooms to. I am not a great builder so the gallery is an absolute lifesaver.

Girls’ bedroom is back left. It’s even more obnoxious to photograph than Nestor’s, hence why I left it out.

[simgrump]

❦ Szalinski Household, Day Sixty-Six ❦

Having spent the night out with friends the previous night, and hearing about it from her Mom when she finally did get home, Parker woke up early in the morning to do her homework before school. She couldn’t help but be a little distracted, enamored by the fact that she’d found a group of friends so quickly in Copperdale. 

Gen One || Legacy Page  

[ambroisebloodlines]

Raegan d'Ambroise

The beginning of my legacy. She's the matriarch of the d'Ambroise Bloodline.

Description

Raegan has dark skin of a cool tone, ashy blonde curly hair, and pale golden brown eyes.

She usually wears sweaters and baggy sweatpants in black, brown and yellow shades. She has a few tattoos, a butterfly on her chest, a flower on her right arm, and a wiccan symbol of a triangle and a circle on the back of her left wrist.

She's black, with a Welsh and French ancestry.

Gallery

Infanthood and Toddlerhood

Raegan never meet her parents or any relatives, she was left at the doors of the local orphanage in Copperdale, where she was raised by the nuns who run it.

She was a calm infant and independent toddler, which made it easier to take care of her compared to the other children in the orphanage. Raegan was particularly close to Nun Enydd, who she saw as a mother figure and with whom she remained close.

Traits as an Infant: Calm. Quirks: Early Riser \ Snuggly Sleeper \ Frequently Sneezes.

Traits as a Toddler: Independent. Quirks: Early Riser \ Loves books \ Wanderer

Despite she was a baby when she was left in the orphanage, no one adopted her, Enydd told her that it was due to strange things happening whenever Raegan cried or laughed, a light bulb flickering or a window shattering, which often scared away those that came to meet her during adoption meetings.

Childhood

When Raegan grew up to a child, she became aware of her situation and what this meant for her future: she had no one to take care of her once she became of age and inevitably had to leave the orphanage. So she started making plans from a young age, first she would study hard and get good grades in order to have the possibility to be accepted in a university, and eventually get a good job to accomplish her dream to buy a house she could call home.

Because Raegan was centered in school, she didn't make a lot of friends, which she didn't mind because she saw all the other children in the orphanage as her friends and family.

Teenhood

Once she became a teen, Raegan got a part-time job, knowing that there were just a few years left before she became of age and had to go into the real world as an independent adult. She worked as a barista and did a few odd jobs on the side, like babysitting and tutoring other students.

Half-way through high school, she meet a boy, whom she developed a crush on, but that quickly ended after she discovered he was a player, dating multiple girls at the same time, and partying almost every night. So she returned to focusing on her grades and saving money.

Young Adulthood

Early Young Adulthood

The time finally came. Regan was a young adult, ready for the university's entrance exam and to join the real world outside the orphanage.

San Myshuno

She moved to the big city, San Myshuno, where she rented a small apartment in the Fashion District, 1313 21 Chic Street, after she was accepted in the Physics department of the Foxbury Institute.

Soon after she finished unpacking, she had the first brush with the supernatural. The ghost of the previous tenant appeared, and while she struggled through university and part-time jobs to pay rent, she had to deal with a pestering ghost that haunted her, luckily she found peace in a new hobby: Painting, which to her surprise came natural to her, earning a few extra simoleons by selling it to art enthusiasts.

Because of her busy and haunted life, she didn't had time to date aside a few hangouts with cute guys or a hookup every other month.

After four intense and stressful years, she graduated with an Ordinary Physics Degree with Honors. Nun Enydd assisted Raegan's graduation and congratulated her for achieving the greatest step to achieve her dreams. Unfortunately, during the celebration, Enydd passed away from old age, happy and proud of what Raegan had achieved.

Moonwood Mill

The following year, after working for FutureSim Lab as a researcher, Raegan was assigned a new project that required her to travel to Moonwood Mill, a small town with barley enough residents to keep it from being a proper ghost town. There were mines full of metals and crystals that would be necessary for the Robotics Department of the FutureSim Lab.

The first few days Raegan worked hard, using the small Research Center of the town, studying and analyzing the materials found in the mines.

An unexpected encounter

One day, while collecting crystal from a mine, she meet Lou Howell, a weird guy who had the odd habit of sniffing the air around him, at first she found strange how Lou seemed to be always where she was, from the mines to the local bar, trying to strike a conversation with her.

After a few weeks of this push-and-pull, she gave in and went on a date with him, as friends, many, many times, finding him endearing and funny despite the occasional outburst of anger he displayed whenever people got too close to him, specially those very pale individuals who she saw only during the nighttime.

Eventually they started officially dating, for the first time in her life, Raegan experienced madly falling in love with someone, and Lou was completely devoted to her, seemingly in tune to her feelings and needs. Deciding she couldn't just leave at the end of her six months research project, Raegan requested to permanently stay in Moonwood Mill's Research Center, which was approved.

They moved in together, combining their savings and buying a small trailer. For a while she spent her days working, enjoying her time with Lou, and some others wondering why her wild boyfriend would be out until the sunrise most nights. But all was better when he suddenly proposed to her, after just one year living together, Raegan was elated and immediately said yes. During this time, she also found interesting books in the local library, discovering more about the supernatural world of the occults, beyond the common knowledge people have.

One night of summer, when the full moon was on its peak, Raegan discovered her fiancée's biggest secret: Lou was a werewolf.

Fueled by the moon, Lou lost control of his fury, and transformed in the middle of the night while he was sleeping, waking her up.

Raegan took this quite badly, running away despite Lou's attempts to explain he wouldn't hurt her and that he was still himself, which to Raegan sounded more like growls.

The next day she found the courage to go back to their small trailer, and she found him there, sleeping in their now destroyed bed. After he woke up, catching her scent, they talked, and talked, and then talked a bit more. Lou explained how he became a werewolf, and how she made him believe he could be a better man than the wild beast his former pack tried to shape him into.

It took a couple years, but Raegan eventually became comfortable around him, even finding endearing the young werewolf.

2. Windenburg

Half a year after her acceptance of Lou's nature and her growing knowledge of the supernatural world, she tied the knot and married Lou right before moving to Windenburg, where she discovered she was pregnant with their first child, Lyall.

Thanks to their combined efforts, they saved enough money to buy a house, that although it was small, the land around it was big enough to build and expand for their growing family.

After a lot of consideration, Raegan put her career on hold to raise Lyall; it was unknown if their baby was a werewolf or a human, since Lou was bitten and transformed into a werewolf, not born as one.

To kill time during Lyall's naps, she started painting again, pleased that she still had that artistic touch, she challenged herself to make each painting more intricate and detailed than the last one, selling them to museums and private collectors, who described her art as bewitchingly beautiful, adding more to their savings. So did the garden she grew after remembering the encounter Lou had with a vampire the night he was bitten, she wanted to brew healing potions for him, Raegan had no magic of her own, but she could still use the magical properties of ingredients to achieve it. Some herbs and fruits, she used, and others were sold to spellcasters or other portioners like her.

Updates pending...

Trivia

[pixelnrd]

April was growing tired of her son's layabout ways. Sure he went to work, but he was always there in her home. She knew he was bored and listless, and needed guidance. But how many more hints could she drop??

One evening as she found him on the sofa yet again watching cartoons she snapped.

'Dustin, get off my sofa and go take the videos back to the store,' she barked exasperatedly. 'If you're going to mooch off my hospitality like a big child then you can pull your weight.'

Dusty stormed out of the house, angry at his mother for making him feel the familiar pangs of shame and frustration that he always felt about himself these days. He didn't need her nagging him. He wished she would get off his back.

At the video store he grabbed some new films for himself and headed to the counter. He noticed the girl working behind seemed somewhat familiar.

'Did you go to Copperdale High?' he asked as she checked out his films.

'Yeah, class of '89,' she answered. 'You?'

'Class of '88,' said Dusty. 'I swear I usually remember everyone from that place... I mean I knew everyone.'

'I know you, you're Dustin,' she replied. 'I was in the cheer team, with your sister, and Jenny? I heard she dumped you after graduation.'

Dustin didn't need reminding of the biggest shame of his life. The reason he felt like such a loser these days. Why did she have to bring that up?

'I guess we're some of the only people left in this town, hey,' said the girl. 'I'm Kelly.'

Dustin suddenly recognised her. She was much grungier since high school. He was annoyed at her at first, but now he felt less alone as one of the people who remained behind while everyone else went off to college.

'When do you finish tonight? Wanna hang out?' he asked.

'I don't finish til 10... but I could take a break, if you want a smoke?' said Kelly.

Dustin soon found himself smoking weed behind the Blockbuster with Kelly. It was nice to talk to someone his own age. Together they commiserated on how everyone else had left them behind, how life had seemed to pause after high school.

Dustin felt like he'd finally found a friend. Kelly invited him to hang out at her house, and Dusty finally had a reason to go out somewhere. He would take some eers, and they would smoke weed and watch horror movies together. It was a lot of fun. It was the most fun Dusty could remember having in ages.

Eventually, as all things do, he and Kelly started sleeping together. But their friends with benefits arrangement, eventually turned into a relationship built on a foundation of a mutual desire for companionship.

[gnattyplayssims]

1955 Pt1 - Reunion

"Bro this place is a mess! When was the last time you did the laundry?"

"Uh...I don't remember."

"Seriously how are we even friends?"

"Cause I'm clingy?"

"Something like that. Can you believe we're about to be YA's"

"Finally! Feels like we've been stuck as teens!"

"How are you so good at this!?"

"It takes practice. My dad's a Master and he used to take me all the time when I was younger."

"I think I'll stick to cows and chickens."

"How are things out in the Bramblewood? You ask Pen out yet or are you still planning your perfect moment?"

"Whatever man these things take time to get em right. What about your aunt and uncle how are the twins?"

"They're fine. They're not babies anymore. I think my uncle already misses the infant stage."

"Ha I can't wait to have some of my own."

"You have to ask Penelope out first"

"Yeah yeah! We all know you don't like kids."

"It's not that I don't like them, I just...I don't know I'm different. I don't think I'll ever settle down like you and Nik will. Kids are fine but marriage? I don't think it's for me."

"If you say so. Hey I'm sick of fishing."

"My mom called this morning...Sofia's coming home. I guess I have a niece now."

"I hope she's not as much trouble as the twins. I can't believe your aunts having another set!"

"Do you think it'll be okay for her in Copperdale...if he's still there?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine!"

The trees were in full bloom as Sofia and Jamal arrived in Copperdale. Ava was in awe of all the green!

Anabelle ran down the stairs when they arrived, tears in her eyes "I can't believe you're home!" She went in for a hug but Sofia pulled back. "Oh right um...this must be Ava!"

Ava glared up at the strange woman and withdrew as her grandmother came down to embrace her. "It's okay sweetie, I'm your grandma."

"NO! No hugs!"

"MOM! Don't force her! You're scaring her!"

Ava was crying and hid behind Jamal who patted her head comfortingly.

Sofia introduced her "boyfriend" and no one noticed when Ava toddled away

"Where's Ava!? She was just here! Jamal?!"

"Hey relax, she's in a safe place, I'm sure she just went in another room."

"She's probably in the living room giving your father a hard time."

Ava had gone through the door and got lost. "Hey there little one."

"No hugs!"

Kye laughed, "Okay no hugs. I'm grampa what's your name?"

"Ava."

"Ava, that's a very pretty name for a very pretty young lady"

Ava quickly warmed to her grampa's kind words and gave a little wave.

Ava liked to talk and Hezekiah was amused by her barely understandable babble. "Why you chair wheels?"

"Because my legs don't work like yours do. I need a chair with wheels so I can move around. You walk and I roll."

"Walk and roll!"

"Yep and soon I bet you'll be running."

A song came on and Ava brightened and clapped her hands. "You want to come up here and listen?" Ava nodded and Kye pulled her onto his lap.

"I found her. I told you she just went through the door."

"Ah there's your mommy. Why don't you go see what gramma has in the kitchen."

As soon as Jamal and Anabelle left the room, Hezekiah's face fell. "She's beautiful, Sofie. I was so scared for you and I took that fear out on you. I knew you'd be an amazing mother and I should have said that instead."

"Dad."

"I'm so sorry baby girl!"

"It's okay now."’

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine! I just want to move on. With you."

"So this is your room?"

"What gave it away?"

He pulled a book from the shelf. "Do you have the Chronicles of Rodiek?"

"I have it somewhere."

"I'd like to read it to Ava sometime."

"Oh I'll defintely look."

After a long night of pretending that everything in Oasis Springs was perfect, it was time for bed. "I thought I saw the light on in here."

"I had a nightmare. Thought I might look for that book."

"Any luck."

"No. Maybe in a box somewhere. I'll find it."

"I know you will."

"But now that you're here, maybe I found another distraction."

She brushed her thumb over his lip. "Don't do that, Baby. You know I'm trying to control myself."

"I don't want you to control yourself anymore."

"I need to. That was the whole point of coming here."

She traced his jaw and his fingers traced the pulse point in her wrist. Her lips met his and he drew her closer. "You're cruel you know that?"

"It's not cruel if you let me satisfy you this time."

He moaned against her mouth, "Don't put this on me. I'm trying to give us space."

"I don't want space anymore. I don't want anything between us." She pulled at this belt but he pulled her hands away even as he pinned her to the wall.

"I have to go back."

"Then give me something to remember while you're gone." He groaned desperately against her mouth.

She pulled free of him and he leaned against the wall as she draped her legs around him, climbing higher until he'd had enough. She gasped as his mouth moved down her neck hungrily, sucking just enough that she couldn't contain her pleasure but without marking her as Don had.

"Okay that's enough." He pushed her off breathing heavily and turned back toward the door.

She wrapped her arms around him. "Don't go." She gave him a fleeting kiss on the mouth, moving to his cheek and pressing his hand against the place of her need. "Please, Jam."

He allowed her to pull him back and slide the door closed behind him, the darkness of the closet closing in around them. She pressed him back against the wall unfastening his pants. By the time her hand closed around him he knew he was done for. Don had trained her well.

1955 Pt2 - A Lavendar Field

[rogesims]

Vacation

Two weeks after Flower Day, just a week before graduation, Willow got her scholarship letters. She was accepted in two! She's now considering leaving the Harris' garage and using the money to help her pay a small apartment for herself. 

Leo and Marcos were about to have their final exams, so they could barely see each other except in between classes.

"My family will make a trip together this weekend. Wanna come?", asked Leo.

 "Can't. My mom has some family stuff to sort out in another town and wants me along."

"I had an idea, but I need to wait for the pack release first. Did you know Summer 14th is Pride Day?"

Marcos was curious.

"Course I do! What's on your mind?"

"I heard San Sequoia has a great Pride Festival. My dad told me I can work with him and save money for the loading screens!"

"YES! I'm sure Dani will also love the idea. And Sid! And Ash! And Van! Let's invite everyone!"

Leo could barely listen to a word Mr. Morlind was saying... Soon classes would be over and he'd have a WHOLE week on vacation! He knew about someone else who would probably also love to hear about their Pride excursion.

Mols said she'd love it. Her mom wanted to go skiing but she'd rather die by Vlad.

"She made me organize Career Day for extra credit and I need some fresh air. Just so you know, I signed you up."

"Well", replied Leo, "if that means you're coming, I can find some fun in that!"

When they got home, both Moe and Leo had great news! Leo has been promoted to Speedrunner and Moe got to her branch selection. She got a unique opportunity and ended up on her path to stardom again! It seems like it doesn't matter the universe, Moe is destined to fame. 

The Harrises landed in Lani St. Taz! They're staying the weekend at the Saphire Shores Resort.

"Won't this be too expensive, mom?"

"Baby, don't be silly...This isn't a real hotel, they don't exist in the game! We won't pay a thing, this is just a spa."

A well-deserved vacation... Being a legacy family ain't easy! Since they didn't pay for the stay, the family enjoyed the premises before having dinner. 

It's dinner time, and the Harrises went to the best (the only) restaurant in Sulani!

"Thank you so much for this trip, guys! It's a great close to my High School Years!", said Willow.

"We're also celebrating Moe's promotion. She's famous now!" "

And Leo is ending his junior year!", Moe replied. "It's time you start thinking about your future, baby."

"To be honest, I don't know, mom. I've been working at the drama club, but Copperdale is too far away from Honeywood."

"We're not gonna live there forever, you know? Legacies are known for moving all around the SimNation."

"You should trust your gut, Leo. I'm sure the Watcher will find a way of helping your dreams come true." Leo didn't have all this blind faith.

"How can the Watcher know what to do, when I can't?"

"They made us cross universes to save the legacy. You'll be good!"

"I hope you're right, mom. I have just a few weeks left before my gen takes over."

"Watcher surely have something in store for you. Just keep on going through Live Mode and soon I know things will become clearer!"

After dinner, Leo vanished. Moe found him at a fishing spot nearby. "Can I sit here?" 

"What if I'm not a good heir as you both? You had a Starlight Boulevard star, for woohoock sake! I don't think I can top that."

"Leo... You don't have to be like us. You're good just the way you are and doing the things you want to do. Legacy gens are different."

"I acted, and I now work with social causes because that's what makes me happy; same with your dad and cooking", Moe reassured him.

"And what about the drama, and the interesting plots?"

"Oooh, 'The Drama'! Not every legacy will be as messy as a Swan or a Lacey. And that's ok."

Moe gave her big baby a loving hug.

"Whatever your story is, you'll be loved and there will always be someone who enjoys your path. I promise."

Next morning, after an... um... eventful night, Moe had news for the family. 

Breakfast by the sea, the perfect moment to break the news!

"Family, we're having a spare Harris! The first legacy infant is due to fall!"

"Another one, thank you!"

[moonieshinesims]

Generation One - Chapter Seven

River has been found and is now recovering at the hospital, however, Ichiban now owes a favor to his father and must return home to pay off his debts. How will River cope with the trauma of what has recently happened to her along with the disappearance of her boyfriend?

A few days before River was allowed to leave the hospital, Bee surprised her by telling her that they were going to be staying with her grandparents for a while.

"I just can't be near that house right now..." her mom had said. River told her and the police that she'd been kidnapped right in their front yard and ever since then her mom had been wary of being around the place herself, let alone letting her daughters go anywhere near the house or yard on their own.

"At least mom and dad live close to your school. One of them can even come pick you up when you're done with classes."

"Mom! By the time I'm outta here I'll only have summer school. And how are you going to feel when I go off on my own to college?" River knew that she would struggle with her own fears and trauma due to what happened to her, but she was trying to look at the situation realistically. She was going to be leaving home soon.

Very soon.

"I'll think about that when it happens."

River looked down at the envelope and realized the handwriting was Ichiban's. Her face turned red and she clutched the envelope to her chest.

She didn't feel like reading it right then in front of her mom, so she stowed it away in the bag of things that was brought from home.

A few days later, it was time for River to leave the hospital...

River was going to have to have sessions with a psychiatrist for a while. She'd never been to therapy before, so she wondered what that would be like.

But for now she wasn't going to worry about it. She was finally getting out of the hospital!

Home of course, was someplace different for a while, maybe forever...

Her mom's parents Greta and Garrett lived in a huge house in Copperdale, only a few blocks down from her school. It wouldn't be her school much longer, but her mom was right. Being closer would be safer.

Her grandpa was once a pilot and grandma was a commercial actress, hence all the money for the giant house.

Because the two of them were always busy, Bee never had much of a relationship with them. When she was young, she ran away with River's dad, a decision that Greta and Garrett told her was a mistake.

While River and eventually Mercy came from the union, not much else did. River's dad ran out on the family shortly after Mercy was born, but not once did Bee go crawling back to her parents.

This time, it was different...

It was hard staying positive while surrounded by so many strange things. River's room had been decorated by her grandma before her arrival, which was sweet and all, but everything felt so foreign. Before she would have cursed the hodge-podge of yard sale furniture and crappy thrift store finds in her old room, but now she wanted it more than ever.

She felt so out of place here.

Even worse was how her sister kept avoiding her and treating her like she had some kind of disease. When she was in the hospital, Mercy seemed concerned, but ever since she got out, things between the two of them were more tense than they'd ever been.

Bad vibes? River wondered. Where did she learn that phrase? Doesn't she understand what I've been through?

Of course she didn't, and hopefully never would, but it still hurt that Mercy was being so cruel.

One saving grace about the house and the situation, was that Grandma Greta had turned her husband's "man cave" in the basement that he no longer used, into a cool hangout for River.

"Just in case you want to get away from it all." She'd said.

A few nights after River had settled into the house, she decided to pull out the letter that her mom had given her in the hospital.

The letter from Ichiban.

So, the rumors among her classmates had been true all along. Ichiban was from one of those Mt. Komorebi crime families. Even with the promise of seeing each other again in the future, how could he be so sure? What if he ended up in prison, or worse?

She wanted to scream to the high heavens about everything. She didn't even know how to describe how she was feeling, but it all hurt so damn bad.

Thankfully, she had her first counseling session was coming up. Hopefully this doctor would help her get her mind straight again.