#the sandbox castle

[sand-box-castle]

I crack my neck as Gershom fidgets at the table. Whatever it is that he wants to spend all our precious time in here for better be quick.

He sets a small box on the table. "I didn't want everyone else to see, but here."

I raise an eyebrow and pick up the box. It's fairly light. I open it and pick out a pair of gloves that have the tip of the pinky and ring finger cut off.

"Since your last pair got shredded."

I m feel a smile creep across my face. I tug them on, and flex my fingers. "How did you get the right size? These fit better than the last pair!"

He shrugs. "We've been taking care of each other for eight years. You think I wouldn't know what size gloves you wear?" Gershom looks to his hands which are now resting on the table. "Besides, you know all my clothing sizes after having ordered new sets everytime I get kicked around after burning out."

I shake my head. "That's different. And you shouldn't have got these, they're so expensive!"

He shrugs again. "It wasn't that bad. Besides you needed a new pair."

I study the gloves, still a little impressed he got the right size. He's crazy. At least when it comes to gifts.

[sand-box-castle]

"SAY IT."

I groan. "Salil, cut me some slack."

She keeps staring at me, which is usually not so intimidating, but right now she has the opportunity to tell Mom about what's going on, and I'd rather not get in trouble for what's really just a misunderstanding... At least that's how I'd try to explain it.

"Fine," I sigh. "Almil needed help with something, so I'm dropping stuff off for him at the ocean exit from Silmgal that he showed me."

"You can't do that!" She hisses.

I set my chin. "I can, and I will. He's a friend."

"He's on the other side! Do you even know what it's like down there without Ilr's protection? You've had that your whole life on the half-decent side! You can't just waltz into Clm's side and expect to walk out a free person," she scoffs. "Gods you're stupid."

"Salil, have you even seen the ocean exit? I'm bringing stuff in there and it's completely secluded. It's not even in one side or the other of Silmgal, it's in neutral territory. Clm doesn't know about it." I shake my head, frustrated at how much time she is making me lose here. Almil is waiting for me, and we run the risk of being caught the longer this takes.

"Neutral territory is a fancy name to say that Clm has his eyes everywhere. If his son knows about it then he knows about it.

"Whether or not Clm knows will be irrelevant in about fifteen minutes," I growl, zipping up the diving suit and pulling back my hair. "I'll be in and out. I'm dropping the package off and catching my breath and then immediately turning around. I won't be gone longer than 30 minutes, fifteen there and fifteen back. Tops." I pull on the special made gloves that I swiped from Mom for this. They've got extra grip and will help me crawl along the slippery rocks in the tunnel. "Hand me the harness would you?"

Salil reluctantly passes over the harness she's been keeping a death grip on. "What's your package even got in it?"

"Nothing relevant to you," I say coldly. If she had a little more faith I might have told her that it was plans from me and Mom and Myl to start tearing about Clm's side to make a take over easier and less chaotic. If such a thing was possible. At a minimum it was a plan to undermine faith in Clm, and establish faith in Almil, at least among Clm's men. If that was possible then we had a chance of being able to shut things down.

"At least be careful. You have forty minutes after you leave before I call Mimi and let her know what's going on." Salil hands me the package and watches me strap it into the harness. "Don't die, please."

I grin. "Well I haven't died yet. I might if you tell Mom though."

She rolls her eyes. "As if Babi would let her kill you. Don't be late."

I paste a serious look on. "Yessir!" I say, snapping to attention and giving a Mortdari salute. "I won't let you down!"

"Just go."

I grab the breathing equipment sitting by my feet and pull it on. "If you say so boss. Later!" I jump into the water, letting the cold wash over me. Forty minutes. Let's do this.

Person A: “What the fuck are you doing?”

Person B: “…Please don’t make me say it.”

[simdertalia]

☀️ ACNH Pool Stuff Set 🏖️

Sims 4, base game compatible. 37 items 💗

Always suggested: bb.objects ON, it makes placing items much easier. For further placement tweaking, check out the TOOL mod.

Set contains: -Bag | 4 swatches | 570 poly -Bag Tote 1 | 3 swatches | 586 poly -Bag Tote 2 | 14 swatches | 594 poly -Beach Ball | 4 swatches | 434 poly -Beach Towel | 7 swatches | 1458 poly -Box: Diving Mask | 7 swatches | 2431 poly -Box: Float 1 | 6 swatches | 334 poly -Box: Float 2 | 11 swatches | 334 poly -Box: Ring Game | 1 swatch | 334 poly -Bucket | 6 swatches | 300 poly -Fan | 4 swatches | 1196 poly -Float: Bird (Requires Island Living, bobs in water) | 6 swatches | 1158 poly -Float: Bird (BGC) | 6 swatches | 1158 poly -Float: Ring (Requires Island Living, bobs in water) | 11 swatches | 576 poly -Float: Ring (BGC) | 11 swatches | 576 poly -Mask and Snorkel | 7 swatches | 1480 poly -Ring Game 1 | 4 swatches | 522 poly -Ring Game 2 | 4 swatches | 1042 poly -Rug: Doormat | 3 swatches | 698 poly -Sandbox | 2 swatches | 5058 poly -Shoe Clutter: Jellies (adult) | 8 swatches | 810 poly -Shoe Clutter: Jellies (child) | 8 swatches | 810 poly -Shoe Clutter: Water Shoes (adult) | 8 swatches | 820 poly -Shoe Clutter: Water Shoes (child) | 8 swatches | 820 poly -Shovel | 5 swatches | 252 poly -Star Ball (glows) Requires Island Living, bobs on water | 3 swatches | 2733 poly -Star Ball (BGC) | 3 swatches | 2733 poly -Surfboard | 6 swatches | 1199 poly -Surfboard in Sand | 6 swatches | 631 poly -Surfboard Stand | 1 swatch | 606 poly -Volleyball | 2 swatches | 186 poly -Volleyball Net | 5 swatches | 2502 poly -Walkie 1-3 (3 items) | 1 swatch | 1295 poly each -Wall Palm Decor | 1 swatch | 42 poly

Type “acnh pool" into the search query in build mode to find quickly. You can always find items like this, just begin typing  the title and it will appear.

As always, please let me know if you have any issues!

📁 Download all or pick & choose (SFS, No Ads): HERE

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Will be public on May 18th, 2024 💗

Happy Simming! ✨ Some of my sets are early access. If you like my work, please consider supporting me:

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The rest of my CC

A million thank yous to all the Simlish font makers, the font(s) used here are by @franzillasims

[tinyglade-bits]

W.I.P.: A monastery - Tiny Glade

[cranberrymoons]

eddie's first boyfriend is a boy named Gabriel who he meets in 6th grade when he starts middle school. they went to different elementaries, but they hit it off right away and within a week they're best best friends in that way you are when you're 11 years old and see someone who exists on the same wavelength as you and has stars in their eyes and just loves to talk talk talk talk talk and you feel like you're never going to get tired of listening to them. they ride bikes together and their moms drop them off at the mall and they sit in the foodcourt sharing one plate of shitty chinese food because they only had $7 between them and then they go to the hot topic store next to the movie theatre and look at keychains and fall out boy posters. they buy tickets to go see Holes but then sneak in to see Scary Movie 3 instead, and they're friends, and eddie loves his friends, he's always been a guy who has a lot of friends, but none of them have ever made him feel like he has this big big feeling in his chest before, and he doesn't know what to do about it but he just LOVES BEING HIS FRIEND and then it's 20 years later and his son is asking him about the first person he dated and he says well. your mom wasn't the first, I guess, but –

[sand-box-castle]

I watched Astin carefully, her head on my lap and her breathing steady. She had been very careful to not admit anything after the latest incident underside, and this was the first chance either of us had gotten to rest. Given that she's only nineteen, I'm not surprised she practically passed out the moment we sat down.

I considered reaching to the bond with Ral to see how the council was going. He had been locked in last week, and would be stuck there for another week still, which made this horrible timing for any sort of uprising to happen underside. At least, it was bad timing if we still wanted to keep the military from getting involved in shutting things down. It was a chore to convince them that there was progress, but that we couldn't rush things.

</Is everything alright?/> Marc asks down the bond, probably reading my intention to reach for him.

</As alright as things can be,/> I muse. </This is a poorly timed council session, given that we were getting set for an uprising soon. Clm's men decided to act against the agreement so Astin, Myl, and I had to go in and get things under control./>

Frustration bubbles through the bond. </How bad was it? Is Astin okay?/>

</She is fine Ral, just tired. She's sleeping right now in front of the fire./>

</And nothing happened to her? She didn't get injured or hurt?/

I refrain from pointing out he just asked the same question twice there. </No, at least not that she's admitted yet. When she's awake I'll make her go through an injury check. This was her first big conflict down there so I want her to rest first./>

He sighs. </I'll see if I can-/>

</You are not getting out of the council meeting, rumor has it the commander is showing up tomorrow and he plans to interrupt your session./>

He curses. </I forgot about that. Okay, let me know if something goes wrong, and stage notifying me at the council so I can get out to help you./>

</I'll do that if needed, but I'll let you know that she's okay when I know for sure. She's just tired./> I stroke her short hair, savoring the texture of her curls. </I've distracted you long enough. I'll let you know if anything happens./>

</Alright. Take care of yourselves Ilri. I love you./>

</I love you too Ral. We'll see you next week./>

I release the connection and focus back on Astins breathing. It has sped up slightly, but not in a way that is normal when she's awake. She must be having some sort of dream. Her head shifts on my lap and a low moan escapes her. Yes she must be having a dream. Or more likely, a nightmare.

I rest my head on the sofa cushion. I had been a little surprised she was able to fall asleep so quickly after we got home. She'd taken off her shoes, sat down with me after I'd locked the door, and then curled up and fallen asleep immediately. I remember my first time dealing with a similar situation as a Protector with Ral. I had struggled to sleep initially, and when I finally did pass out I couldn't stop having nightmares.

Astin jerks awake, a startled noise between a groan and a soft yelp escaping her as she tries to sit up.

"Careful Astin," I murmur. "You're okay, you're okay baby."

Her breathing slows down as she wakes up more, and looks at me. "Nightmare," she finally says."

I nod. "I know. Do you want to talk about it?"

She shakes her head.

"Alright, that's okay." I look her over again. "Can we do an injury check?"

She nods, and gets up. "I'll get out of my armor and shower."

"Good idea." I glance at myself and internally sigh at what I know the sofa will look like when I stand up, grime and possibly some blood staining it until we find a way to clean it properly. "I'll take one too."

Sleepy Whumpee. In a ball under a blanket. Head in Caretaker’s lap. Caretaking idly playing with their hair to soothe them. Finally warm. Finally safe. Paradise.

Optional: Now kill the vibe with a nightmare

[the-lonelybarricade]

I am begging, begging, the acotar fandom to become familiar with the concept of ship and let ship. If a ship isn't your cup of tea, no one is making you drink it. No one is making you consume content for it. Leave people alone for enjoying the things that scratch their brain. Life is too short and the world is too mean to ridicule people for trying to squeeze a little joy out of silly "what-if" scenarios. These characters aren't real, they're just little dolls whose faces we're smushing together and some of y'all take it way too seriously

[kenobster]

what's this "hold anakin accountable for his actions" bullshit like. do u want me to arrest him and put him on trial?? convict him and sentence him to several life terms in prison???

hes a FICTIONAL CHARACTER lmao

You dont need to hold fictional characters accountable for their actions

art doesn't have morality. it just exists. people who say shit about "holding a character responsible" aren't somehow smarter or better than the rest of us. they're just imposing their own morality onto a work of art. even worse, they're trying to use that work of art to sucker you into their own personal opinions.

The truth is that Anakin did nothing wrong ever in his entire life because Anakin doesn't exist! He and the other characters are made up! They're not victims! They don't suffer!

Maybe you characterize Anakin differently than I do, and that's okay!! But if you're going to say your interpretation is better than mine because yours "holds Anakin accountable" and mine doesn't, then you need to touch some fucking grass tbh

[nyaskitten]

What... what do you MEAN it isn't canon that Cryptor is Pixal's brother, and the main villain of Rebooted??? What do you MEAN he didn't try twist the world how he saw fit, and in a really cool Wu and Garmadon parallel he and Pixal had a really cool and really devestating fight??? Shut up that's exactly how season 3 happened I don't care if canon won't acknowledge what really happened then I DECIDED what really happened!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[novantinuum]

it is literally So funny to me how many people are going apecrap on twitter about Ian retweeting a recent "revive steven universe" poll post with an eyes emoji like. that means Nothing, people. he is just jotting down notes of general fan interest, i am sure.

ESPECIALLY in this dark day and age of shitty treatment of animation workers- i supremely doubt that there is any secret, significant progress being made on some SU revival right now.

[bsptourist]

gm_tppcastle (a.k.a. Super Mario 64 1995 Inside Castle/Courtyard)

created by M.Antman

[sand-box-castle]

[CW: injuries, infection]

I sigh and wince as I unwrap the bandage from my leg. I don't think it's supposed to hurt this much. "Dad, can you take a look at this?" Aside from watching what I'm doing, I try to avoid looking too much at the injury. I'd gotten on the bad end of a scuffle with Almil when Clm had come across us having a meeting. He'd shot a blast of magic at my leg, and that had shredded through my pants completely, leaving a bloody mess behind. Salil had helped me bandage it to try to avoid grabbing Dad and Mom's attention. That's clearly working so well right now.

Footsteps come down the hall in time with the throbbing pain from my calf. "What happened this time?"

I try to hide my grimace as he steps into my room. "I had a bad run-in underside." I don't think it should feel like my leg is burning.

Dad kneels next to my chair, and picks up my foot, tilting it so he can get a better view. He's silent for a moment too long before he looks at me again. "Astin, what happened?" His voice is as serious as the one night I saw mom stumble inside, blood pouring down her face. Then, he'd asked her what had happened, and then guided her upstairs immediately. She didn't come down for several days.

"I got caught in crossfire when I was talking to one of my informants," I say. That should be vague enough he can't figure out what happened.

"Was it a spell, or straight magic that hit you?" He sets my leg down, and runs a hand over his chin. "This looks badly infected."

I grimace. "It was straight magic. I tried cleaning it out the best I could. It's been like this for a couple days now."

Dad's head snaps up. "Days? When did this happen exactly?"

"Three days ago." I can feel I'm shrinking in on myself. "I didn't think it would get this bad."

Dad grabs the roll of bandages on the bed and starts rewrapping my leg. "We're going to Stlyl's immediately. He'll be able to see if he can heal this."

A wave of panic crashes down. "We can't."

"You don't get a choice in this." Dad's voice is rough. "This is not looking good. Grab a change of clothes just in case, and something to keep your mind occupied." He stands. "You have five minutes."

[hey-scully-itsme]

dipping my toes into the world of crossover fanfic and telling myself over and over that i do not need to come up with a perfect justification for why something is happening in order to write it bc a) it's fanfiction and b) the source material has done weirder and dumber shit

[this-acuteneurosis]

Can I just say how much I appreciate the fact you don't stray much from the movies?

It's just so refreshing to see a fic that is built on a clear, unbiased and simple canon base. This way, as you demonstrated, a writer not only has the ability to further explore the main themes and ideas introduced in the source material, but they can also go ahead and naturally develop their own by branching out on those fundamentals. They can offer their perspective by using the source material to their advantage, instead of working against it or even worse, trying to include all contradicting canon aspects. Part of writing a fic is kind of like offering your input in a conversation/disagreement. You have to listen carefully to what the other person is saying in order to form your answer...If you're listening to a thousand different people who are all saying a different thing (in this case, The clone wars, legends, novels, comics ect), you won't be able to give an answer that makes sense, much less give a structured and stable opinion.

I love how you were like "I know star wars is entering an era of a shit ton of spin off content with seemingly no end and most star wars fans know shit like who chewie lost his virginity to and what the kessel run is but screw this. The movies and maybe some late night wiki research is enough."

And you were right.

It's so funny, because I feel like I do ultimately stray pretty far from the movies. Not in terms of events I guess, but especially the prequels, I reject some of the underlying assumptions of what is said on screen and just treat it like fallible people strongly asserting opinions that no one calls them on. See: everything I ever assert about the Force/Anakin's "destiny."

I do think it helped me to stick with limited material. And it wasn't even because I saw all of this new SW content coming. I've mentioned this before, but when I started writing Don't Look Back (when it was just Like Fire and I naively believed I was gonna be done in 200k words, lol, rip past me) I hesitated a lot because as far as I was concerned, I wasn't a Star Wars Fan.

I'd watched the OT and PT multiple times. I knew that novels and games and cartoons existed, I knew people had consumed them all. I had been reading some SW fic because @mylongsufferingroommate had been sending me stuff they were enjoying and I was having fun with it. But like, I would never have called myself a Fan. I got goaded into writing this fic by people who knew me too well and really wanted a political thriller. I wouldn't have called them Star Wars Fans either.

Limiting myself to the six movies I had watched was a preemptive defense mechanism against a fan base I wasn't sure would want to accept me. My thin skin is my own problem, but every time I think about writing in a new fandom the same sort of nerves take me: what if my fanon is "wrong" and people are mean?

I guess what I'm trying to say is thank you so much to everyone who gave me a chance and encouraged me and were excited and shared that excitement.

And please, for the love of all the sky and stars DON'T GATEKEEP FANDOMS.

Don't tell people their canon is too big (@blue-sunshine-mauve-morning and @chancecraz have amazing fics that are much more compliant than mine to the broader canon, as a quick example), and definitely don't tell people their canon is too small. Walk away if you aren't enjoying something. Give compliments when you like something that is unique in a fandom you're familiar with. Be patient with people, be kind.

I could easily have given this story up if people hadn't been patient with me. I got comments as early as my first chapter from people who were angry with a single thing that I said and felt the need to tell me I was wrong. I could have left. I could have stopped.

I'm glad I didn't. But I wonder how many other people have.

[talentedtrait]

isn’t it so cute how we all have the same game but we have different sim styles and stories and different saves but it’s all from the same material

[tinyglade-bits]

🪻 Daily Theme: Hermit Hut. A sort of combination between a micro-castle and a trullo pugliese. Do you know what's a trullo?

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