The Sims of North Bay County - S3 Episodes 37 - 54
The Sims of North Bay County - S4 Episodes 55 - 72
Other Sims 4 Stuff From OiMyGiblets:
That 80's Playthrough Chapter Links:
Taylor Wynne Season 1: Episodes 1 -20
Taylor Wynne Season 2: Episodes 21-45
Art & Soul Season 1: Chapters 1-22
Art & Soul Season 2: Chapters 23-44
Burning Brite Episode Index:
From The Beginning ->
EA Gallery ID (for builds): CTstephen
ALWAYS "Where Can I Find?" Friendly for Custom Content shown in my story posts. Thanks again to all the CC creators for their hard work on their creations!
While MAUDE41 was hopping in her car, to drive around for a while, #42 was settling into her evening, after another long day of cleaning up messes in the secret lab and other facilities.
Juneau got a change of clothes, and some leftovers from the fridge. She had her own motives to look after. As much as she wanted to just crash in bed and watch TV, she want to do some exploring of this new neighborhood she was living in now.
But first...
Let the Watcher consult his interdimensional database:
Exhibit A: Marcus was checking out Cali, the first day she transferred in to Ocean Crest Academy.
Exhibit B: Marcus was thinking of asking Taylor to be a French maid stripper for his buddy's bachelor party.
I will have to go with Option C, and a big, fat NO!
After setting Xochitl straight, and cleaning up after her snack, Juneau set out to do some exploring. She was taking photos of all the plant life in the desert, to send back to her folks. One bizarre plant really stuck out, so she skipped texting that image to her mom, who might start getting worried that it looked dangerous.
The next item of interest on Juneau's hiking tour was that shell of a wrecked airplane. She had wanted to take a peak of the wreckage, and wondered if the kids in the neighborhood were using it as just another playground, for their own imaginary adventures.
WHOA! Someone actually LIVED here? George Cahill seemed like a nice enough older guy, with the worst luck. Like a bunch of the other residents in town, he was suspicious of that giant crater nearby, and the Landgraab/government secret lab that sprouted from it.
Just to be honest with her new neighbor, Juneau divulged that she worked for a government division, and was sent to clean up areas like that. Just the basic info, and nothing classified. George appreciated her honesty. She seemed like a young go-getter, in his book.
He even imparted his years of wisdom, including how to make ends meet on a strict budget. Juneau could really use that type of advice, being fresh out of the parents' nest, and living out on her own for the first time. George would have given her a quick tour of his bunker home underground, but it was not "presentable" for company right now. Maybe a raincheck in the near future.
After saying their goodbyes for now, Juneau decided to get a jog in, while the temps in the desert cooled off in the evening. It was almost the same path as where she gets picked up for work by the crazy Agency van guys, which made her laugh.
As she got near the roadside, a sleek black car kind of slowed down a little, when it got close to her. Juneau froze in her place, ready to run back home again if needed. The car beeped its horn, then was on its way again.
Juneau could have sworn she saw a woman waving through the windshield. The headlights were on, and the windows were slightly tinted, so she wasn't 100% sure. Come to think of it, the car seemed to look like the ones she would see in the Agency building parking lot.
Juneau just assumed it was one of those Agency co-workers that recognized the newbie from work. That was the most logical deduction, and shooshed any Tense or Scared moodlets away.
The sun was setting quickly, so Juneau made a quick jog around the town, just to keep her stamina in check for work. This gave her a chance to think more about what was to come in the next eight levels of this Agency Support career track.
Her jog was almost done, as nightfall took her by surprise. But she jogged past the Agency building where Xo and she reported to. It had so many security cameras out front, so Juneau felt safe running her workout path around it. Plus, that little glowing plumbob hovering over her head was like a beacon, watching over this Simadian newbie, so remain calm, all is well.
Sims In Bloom: Generation 3 Pt. 68 (The Legend of La Llorona)
cw: references the Mexican legend about a mother who drowns her children to get revenge on her cheating husband (because The Sims wiki suggests it may have inspired Edith and Alice's stories)
Annie made herself at home in Ravenwood with Nyon. Newly engaged and enjoying every minute together, she was too busy with clinical rotations to dive into planning a wedding. The couple were happily engaged for now, getting used to living together with Nyon's mother in Crow's Crossing.
Annie's rotations were evenings and weekends, which left her and Nyon on opposite schedules. When she wasn't at work, she'd visit Edith at her well, and Nyon researched as much as he could on the town's ghostly residents.
"Grief-stricken mother wandering forever seeking word of her children? It sounds a little like the legend of La Llorona," said his mother.
Macabre at heart, Olive Specter was familiar with some of the most disturbing legends and ghost stories known to sim-kind. Nyon grew up on half of them as bedtime stories, but he needed a reminder of this one in particular.
"La Llorona, the Weeping Woman, is said to roam near bodies of water mourning the deaths of her children, who she drowned in a river after discovering her husband's infidelity. If you're out and hear her wails, legend says it's already too late for you. Only misfortune will follow."
Nyon listened carefully before shrugging off the awful tale. "I don't think it's like that with Edith and Alice. Edith's always said she fell in the well."
"Ghosts don't always remember every detail," she reminded him gently. "Be careful, whatever answers you might find."
"We hear all kinds of sounds by the rivers in this town, and we don't have misfortune," insisted Nyon. "I have Annie, and you have me."
Olive smiled warmly. "This is true," she said. "But I don't have the same fortune in love that you do."
"Don't say that," he said, pulling his mouth sideways into a wry smile. "Your sixth fiance's probably out there somewhere."
Olive laughed. "He certainly doesn't live here in Ravenwood, and it's not like I could travel. The mortuary needs me."
"If you say so."
Nyon changed out of his lab coat before heading out to learn more about Edith and Alice. He found a crow watching over the empty square, but the crow told no tales of mysterious ghosts.
Eventually, he spotted the ghost merchant, Waylon Warez, passing by them in the night. "Do you know the story of La Llorona?" Nyon asked him.
"Never heard of it."
"Did anyone ever talk about what they thought happened to Alice's children?"
"Not that I remember, but the archives beneath the town hall might have more information. Or you could try to ask Alice yourself what she knows."
"I thought I'd wait until Annie and I were off shift together before we talk to Alice."
"Suit yourself. Can I interest you in my trench coat of elix-"
"No, thank you. Thanks for the help, though."
Taking Waylon's advice but not his wares, Nyon ran right through him to head to the town archives. He found the Basu family of Ravenwood: Alice and her husband, whose name had been erased from the record, had four children - Ann, Deimos, Edith, and Freddy.
Edith's fate was recorded in the town ledger, and Alice's death soon after, but the fates of the other three children were unrecorded. As if their lives faded into the fog that descended from the jagged peaks of the mountains.
Ravenwood had always been a town with many secrets, but this mystery made him feel uneasy. For Edith's sake, he needed answers.
Annie's work schedule kept him waiting, until one day he'd convinced himself that he needed to vet Alice before Annie could meet her.
Nyon knew Annie was quietly affected by the loss of her mother too young; if Alice really was the source of the legend of La Llorona, he didn't want her to find out by surprise.
So one night after work, just as Annie was leaving for her shift, he stayed in his lab coat before heading north to spooky Mourningvale. He usually hated the stuffy attire, but Alice was from a different time. He wanted to make sure she'd trust him despite his mohawk, painted nails, and stretched ears.
In this part of town, the skies always glowed black like the night. Fog rose from the river to circle forests of dead trees, but one, in particular, was said to be a particular draw for spirits who'd lost their way.
He found the ancient Guardian Tree past an intricately paved stone maze, and he asked the tree if Alice Basu was in the vicinity. Within moments, she appeared before him, her shoulders slouched and her face covered by a lace mourning veil.
"Who calls for me?"
"Alice Basu? My name is Nyon Specter; I'm a friend of your daughter, Edith."
The woman stared, but Nyon couldn't read her face behind her veil. "You know the fates of my children?"
"Just Edith. I came here to find out what you know about the fates of Deimos, Ann, and Freddy."
"I have no memories of the fates of any of my children. I remember Edith's death, but I don't remember how. Where is Edith?"
"You've never seen her out here in Mourningvale?"
"Would I ask of her if I had?" she sobbed, before calming herself by sitting, cross-legged, on the ground and taking deep breaths. "I can feel my children aren't far from me, but until I know their fates for certain, I cannot rest. I'll be forever tied to this gnarled old tree."
Nyon was stoic despite her tragic fate - his even temperament drew all manner of big personalities to him, and Alice seemed uptight. Distinctly Victorian. Cautiously, he joined her on the ground to gaze at the tree.
"If you know of Edith, perhaps you can help me find the other three," suggested Alice. "I can't venture beyond the roots of this tree, but I've long sensed word of my children could be found inside the mausoleum beyond the bridge. If you help me rest, I'll ensure the powers of this Guardian Tree can always be accessed by you. She can solve your needs and teach you town history on each new phase of the Moon."
Nyon nodded with a cautious frown. He didn't know what he might learn on this newly unlocked quest, but he couldn't turn her down. "I'll take a look," he said.
(I really had no idea Nyon would stumble on a mini-quest to get answers for Alice and unlock special interactions with the tree, but it's a perfect quest to tell this story and we are going for it!)
Even with his new promise, he knew he should talk to Annie first, and he met her back home at the end of her late night shift.
"You were right," said Nyon. "Edith and Annie both need our help. On your next night off, Alice thinks we'll find answers about her children at a mausoleum in Mourningvale that she can't reach."
Annie was excited at the chance to help Edith and her mother, and the lovebirds fell into bed while Olive, who'd always been a night owl, spotted a familiar face wandering outside.
He paced twice, then tried the heavy iron gate. It opened with a heavy swing, and Olive met him at the bottom of the stairs.
"Alexander Goth, what are you doing here?"
"I was in the neighourhood. My wife and I divorced a few years ago, and I just stepped down as mayor in Brindleton Bay. Sent myself travelling. I'm not sure why I thought I needed to be in this neighbourhood, but I remembered you lived around here, and I had to stop by. I hope you don't mind; I know how late it is."
"I should mind, but it's been a long time since we saw each other at your mother's holiday party."
He followed her up the stone steps and they both stopped on the landing outside the front door. She met his earnest gaze with a coquettish smile, and that was enough. He pulled her close, enveloping her in a deep kiss that would've knocked her off her feet if his arms weren't wrapped around her so securely.
Olive felt her heart skip as they pulled apart. She'd found love - or something like it - time and time again, but this was different. Even in her seventh decade, she could feel ways she'd never felt before.
"I'm glad you're here," she said. "Would you like to come in?" ->
<- Previous Chapter | Gen 3 Start
Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary | RIP Neal
Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary | Gen 2.2 Summary | Gen 2 Finale
NOTE: The Soulmates mod triggered so long ago I don't even have a 'Love at first sight' screenshot anymore. It happened when Olive first met Alex at Bella Goth's holiday party, which she attended because Nyon was invited to get to know his sperm donor, the Grim Reaper.
I ignored it at the time because I had a lot going on and Alex was married, but once his marriage fell apart on its own, I started to consider it. Age-wise, Olive is 65 and Alex is 47, but even with the age gap, it doesn't feel like they're not equals, if that makes sense. I went back and forth on it for a while, but I decided to let them meet again, at the very least.
I've mentioned a few times now that I'm not doing well financially. The bills are high, so much so that paying them this week has left me once again with next to nothing. So I'll have to do odd jobs all week long just to barely get by, week to week. That definitely has to change. I'm far too intelligent to be stuck in this hole.
Emily gets invited to her niece Paenji’s birthday party that weekend. She asks her cousin Piper if Kiran can come as her plus one, and Piper okays it. “Are you guys back together?” Piper adds in her text. “No, we’re just friends but I thought it’d be nice to bring them,” Emily replies. Kiran agrees to come with Emily as her friend, and the two reach the Kang-Hecking duplex early. Kiran chats with Cam and Piper (who they’ve known since they were 12), and Emily cuddles Jiji on the couch. “You and Lani are very cute,” Emily says, and Jiji babbles in response.
Emily hands Jiji to Cam, and she and Kiran step out to the backyard. They run into her bonus mom Iseul, who wraps Emmy in a bear hug. “I miss you and mom a lot,” Emily admits after they all greet each other, and Iseul’s eyes soften. “Me too, I don’t want to get in the way of your college experience and being independent, so I’ve been trying to give you space when I see you other than saying hi,” Iseul says. “Well, I guess you and mom could come over and hug me if you see me on campus,” Emily concedes, and Iseul grins, ruffling Emily's hair.
Finally, it’s time for the party to start. Emily decides to borrow her mom’s yellow floral crop top and pairs it with her denim skirt and earrings, and Kiran puts on a funky colorful cropped top with cut outs in the shoulders, and bright red dress pants. “Wow Kir,” Emily says as she sits next to them at the kitchen island. “I was saving this outfit for a party occasion,” they say, and Emily grins. “Well, I’m so glad you wore it now.” She says, feeling the room heat up as Kiran winks playfully at her and adds that she looks very pretty. Emily pushes these feelings away as best as she can for now.
Emily’s Ma Tess arrives with her wife Tammy. Tess joins her daughter and Kiran at the island, and glances curiously at Emily, who's giggling as she listens to Kiran. “Hey Ma! Kir was just telling me a funny story about their professor,” Emily says, and Tess grins. “Hey nooboo. And I have funny professor stories for days too, I had one who wore llama pattern sweaters and was so goofy,” she says. Tess greets Kiran warmly as well, asking about their parents and brother and how they’re doing at Foxbury as well their internship at the museum. After everyone has arrived, Piper asks them to gather around and she helps Jiji blow out her candles. 🥳
I’m nearly done with my years-long project of ACNH items, and going to be making ACPC items as well! I hope you enjoy! 💗
Part 1 is HERE
🌻 Early Access
Will be public on August 11th, 2026 💗
Midnight CET
Happy Simming! ✨ Some of my CC is early access. If you like my work, please consider supporting me (all support helps me with managing my chronic pain/illness & things have been rough for awhile now):
Comms Agent Under Skills Evaluation (CAUSE42) Juneau Ramovich was busy over in Strangerville. She was steadily working her way through Level 2 of her Agency Support career track. That meant cleaning up messes in a certain secret lab. Even though she had a task force guarding her, it was still nerve-wracking.
Meanwhile, in nearby Oasis Springs, #41 was going through her own career track. Though these two hadn't met yet, they both already had something in common, and that was "special" DNA from two legacy Agency members. But maybe soon...
Lica was a Military Agent Under Directive Evaluation, which made her Agency codename MAUDE41. Her first name came from the woman who donated her frozen egg, so her parents could have a child. It was just rearranging the two syllables.
When Lica joined the Agency, she was given the option of changing her last name, to keep her parents safe. Lica was thinking of registering a whole new alias with the government, but that name was already taken:
Well, let me think abo--NO.
Her parents knew it was for their own protection, and trusted their little girl turned courageous career woman. Much like the department that handled the name change, her parents eyes popped, but giggles slipped out. She was still their little Lica, no matter what new government last name she chose for her new career.
And she was already making strides in that career track, already moving up to Level 4 Sergeant Minor. As some military guys were crushing on the newbie, she crushed their spirits and lewd plans at the sparring practices. Much like her DNA mom, she was girl crazy, and was going to smack down any men that didn't let her live her own way.
Much like #42 over in Strangerville, #41 Lica had her own government prefab house assigned to her, in Oasis Springs. It was near one of Lica's main workplaces, the Octagon. Coincidentally, her home was right across the street from the disowned Landgraab heir, Johnny Zest. Despite the close proximity, the two had not met, as they both had their own lives to deal with first.
While Juneau was training to be Communication Support for some assigned agent one day, Lica was training to be ONE of those agents. That meant working on a vast number of skills, to help her out in the field on her missions. She hoped that some of that "Genius" DNA was passed down to her, from that cryogenically frozen egg.
For now, it was just train and study, study and train. Her social life was on hold, for the most part. But in the back of her mind, she couldn't wait to meet this #42 at some point, after talking with H.R.'s Xochitl.
After a quick shower, and a change into some casuals, the newbie and improved Lica Chicaboom was ready for a quick night out. The desert sand was whirling around, so she passed on the scooter tonight. She didn't want to have to shower again, if she didn't need to, so Lica got her car keys instead. Maybe a quick drive over to the next town.
Sims In Bloom: Generation 3 Pt. 67 (The Problem With the Robots)
The issue with the robots in Evergreen Harbour plagued Ash until he could clock into the lab on Monday morning. His weekend was spent poring over research and overthinking on the treadmill. Other ports with operational shipping robots weren't nearly so polluted, and he wondered if something specific to the climate of Evergreen Harbour was the problem.
If so, he could just readjust the settings on the robots in Port Promise. But when he got to Landgraab Corp.'s fancy offices in the Fashion District Monday morning and checked the positive environmental reports, he couldn't understand it.
Between his two coworkers, Ash was more inclined to trust the former time traveller, Emit Relevart. But his boss, Jonathan Banks, was married to the same judge and would-be time thief who Felix essentially blackmailed during the custody case that resulted from his kidnapping.
Despite Ash's weariness around him, they got along at work, and Ash decided to ask him about the smog in Evergreen Harbour.
"Did you know about it? Why aren't the robots turning other ports into radioactive waste?"
His boss turned around with a half-guilty glower. "It's only one neighourhood; most of the town is fine."
"It's not fine. My sister and her partner live there. I tasted the air myself; it felt like sitting in a pile of hot trash in a heatwave."
"Guess it's a good thing it's on the other side of the country from San Myshuno."
"How did it happen?" he pressed.
"Jonathan, didn't you say something about needing fewer cleaner bots when we ran production on the models for Evergreen Harbour?"
Their blue-haired coworker entered the room at the right moment with a toddler book in hand. He liked to read them to give his mind a rest, but he caught their conversation as he returned from the break room.
"What do you mean 'fewer'? We needed as many cleaner bots as the environmental tests said we did." He tried not to get upset as something else dawned on him. "What does my grandmother know about this?"
Jonathan frowned. "It's her company. What do you think?"
"What do I know about what, gentlemen?"
The CEO herself entered the lab with a pressed smile. She visited the basement labs a lot more often, now that Ash was there, so none of the trio of engineers were surprised by her latest drop-by.
"About the smog in Evergreen Harbour," Ash said. "The skies are bright orange and they make everybody choke. People who live there are getting sick, but they shouldn't be if we're following the environmental report guidelines."
"Is it really that bad?"
"Bad enough that eventually, some lawyer's going to figure out a way to file a class action suit against the cargo port."
Nancy laughed a little as Emit kept to himself and his book. He knew better than to speak up when Nancy Landgraab was around.
"Ash, sweetheart, they can try. We own that land, so we adjusted the numbers more than we could in other ports. Fewer cleaner bots was a choice I made to save money."
"Well, un-make it. Port Promise can't take the increase in pollution from the ships and the fixer bots without enough cleaners to zap up their mess."
She sided up to him and plastered on an empathetic frown. "Our investors won't agree to it."
"Do you run this company, or do they?"
"Don't pretend you don't know how business works. If 'better' investors were wealthier, I could win them over with climate change and expensive cleaner bots. Environmental regulations in every other port meant our investors were even more determined to use the land in Evergreen Harbour to get richer."
"So tell them the cleaner bots save money in the long run. If class actions ruin the robots reputation, the whole project will fail. Then where will all their money be?"
"Sweetheart, you can't scare a soulless billionaire with 'maybes.'"
"Our environmental reports say there's as many cleaner bots in Port Promise as there should be, but the residents never see any, and the smog speaks for itself. Who falsified the reports?"
Jonathan stepped forward, awkwardly clearing his throat. "We all did, Landgraab. Your name's on this project, too. We all falsified the reports."
"I had nothing to do with this."
"You built the robots," said his boss. "And now that you know the truth, you covered up the reports, too."
"No. No, I didn't. That's ridiculous."
"Sweetheart, that's just business. I know you get that, but when you're in charge of the company one day, you'll really understand it."
Ash frowned as he sat at the laboratory computer. "So, what's the solution? Invent some environmentally-efficient utility bots that cost nothing to run?"
"Nothing costs nothing," Emit pointed out, as he finally came to the end of his book.
"But if anyone can figure it out, it'll be you," Jonathan said. "How many years do you need? Luckily the CEO likes you, so R&D funding shouldn't be a problem."
"The people living in Port Promise don't have years," Ash insisted, but even he knew more efficient robots couldn't be invented in a day.
"You're welcome to look into improving the robots in the ports, but I can't present a solution that costs shippers or investors more money at the next annual general meeting," said Nancy.
"They'll vote down anything unless they can see billions of dollars in their future, and any research you've done will be wasted," added Jonathan.
"That's not going to happen," Ash said, channelling the self-assured young man who invented time travel at age ten. "At least put the cleaner bots back until I can think of something. You might have some deal with environmental inspectors out there, but it's not worth the risk if things get worse."
"You have until the annual meeting to find a solution. The door to my office is open for you anytime, but the investors love how we've increased shipping output in Evergreen Harbour, specifically. You'll be hard-pressed to make them feel like risking profits enough to change anything."
With a clear objective, Ash returned to his work, and he stayed long after everyone else had gone home to their families. He was happier once they'd left - he didn't have much to say to any of his coworkers right now, and even less he felt like saying to his grandmother. He never asked to inherit this behemoth of a corporation, but Bridgette was a pop singer and Catherine was four and a half.
No matter what he wanted, the company would be his one day, anyway. But if he didn't do something to turn the robots around in Evergreen Harbour, he'd deserve to be chained to the company forever - and its bad reputation, too.
He took the long way home, walking past the subway stop not far from Landgraab Corp.'s massive office building. He needed to think and clear his mind, but he couldn't shake the weight of the billion-dollar company looming over his shoulders.
When he got home, Pearl was working out in the bedroom. He searched the fridge for leftovers, but he wasn't hungry, he was preoccupied. Instead, he headed upstairs to his workbench.
The solution had to start with him, and he set down his fixer bot, T.O.B.O.R., to start pulling it apart.
For his sister's health, and his own legacy, he wouldn't rest until he could please Landgraab Corp.'s investors without destroying a whole town. ->
<- Previous Chapter | Gen 3 Start
Gen 1 Start | Gen 1 Summary | RIP Neal
Gen 2 Start | Gen 2.1 Summary | Gen 2.2 Summary | Gen 2 Finale
A day later, Emily heads over to Kiran's apartment in Gibbs Hill for an impromptu sleepover. Kiran's roommate, who rents another room in the shared townhouse, is away at her girlfriend's, so Emily figures they'll have enough privacy to talk. Kiran opens the door, letting Emily in, and gives her a bear hug. Emily grins, hugging them back tightly and feeling her whole body relax as the scent of Kiran's citrusy body spray washes over her, the same one they've worn since forever. While Emily goes upstairs to change into her pjs, Kiran pours rice into the rice cooker.
Emily comes back downstairs, and joins Kiran in the kitchen. "I'm sorry about Veronica," Kiran begins as Emily mixes some ingredients in a bowl, "It's okay, it just stings that she woohooed me when she wasn't even sure if she liked me," Emily says. Kiran's eyes darken at this. "Yeah, she didn't have to woohoo you and then tell you she doesn't feel the same. That was shitty cause she knows you liked her," they say and Emily nods. "Yeah, it's what bothers me the most. But anyway, I'm mostly over her and I think I'll take a dating breather and focus on something else. My roommates and I made plans to visit the museum you work at soon," Emily adds with a grin. "Good, you'll get to see me in a button up shirt and dress pants," Kiran says, grinning as Emily nudges them. "I'm sure you look as gorgeous as you always do, Oberoi," Emily teases, trying to ignore the way her heart races as Kiran smiles at her, their dark brown eyes crinkling at the corners.
After dinner, Emily heads out to the backyard, and uses Kiran's yoga mat to do some centering yoga before bed. It's something she and her mom are both trying, and it does help Emily when she's had a busy, stressful, or overwhelming in a good or bad way day. Thinking of her mom makes Emily feel sappy, and she makes a mental note to call her and Iseul later. And I should talk to mom about my feelings for Kir, she thinks, remembering how Kiran's smile made her stomach flutter the same way it used to when she'd started to crush on them in her middle school years. She finishes her routine, rolls the mat back up, and heads inside to the living room, where Kiran has set up the couch with a pillow and blanket for her.
Poor Emily stuck at one school with someone without feelings for her, and her bestie is at the other one.
Too bad we can't have our sims transfer to the other college, with our college credits intact. I remember meticulously going through my community college courses, to make sure they all transferred to Cleveland State!
Emily and Veronica are busy for the next few days, but get a chance to hang out Thursday, after Veronica comes back from her evening jog. While Emily works up the courage to ask Veronica to make things official, she shares a box of chocolate covered strawberries with her and they chat about classes. "I love your mom's L&L 101 class, she's funny and doesn't even give much homework," Veronica says, and Emily grins. "Yeah, she says overloading students with homework just makes them stressed and doesn't help them learn." She says, and Veronica nods, nudging Emily's shoulder lightly.
Talking turns to flirting, and Veronica asks Emily to woohoo in one of the shower stalls. "Okay, I'll meet you there," Emily says, blushing a bit as she goes to her room to grab a towel and her shower stuff. The only other person she's been intimate with is Kiran, who always made her feel safe and comfortable when they first started messing around in their teens and later woohooed once they were ready, but she likes Veronica and is ready to take this next step. The two of them meet up in the bathroom, in towels and dino slippers*, and Veronica giggles as she pulls Emily into a vacant showers. The two of them woohoo, and thankfully none of their roommates walk in.
Edit: those dino slippers always pop up during shower woohoo and it makes me laugh. Plus, Emily's hair magically grew longer and turned purple at the ends when she changed into her towel, so this doesn't help the "auntie Emmy is Emily the sea monster" suspicion that her niece Nalani has going on. 😄😂
Juneau had a quick meeting at the library with her H.R. contact at the Agency, Xochitl Luna. With Juneau just shy of her first promotion, it was time for Xo to reveal many of the Agency secrets, regarding all these multiple dimensions, as well as that secret lab in town.
After getting her mind blown with answers and revelations, Juneau signed her Non-Disclose Agreements. Xo was fast becoming her pseudo big sister and friend-on-the-inside of this strange Agency. But she also learned of a #41 trainee living in Oasis Springs.
Juneau put in the work, and was finally promoted from Level 1 Sanitary Technician (...janitor) to Level 2 Lab Technician (Expendable). Xo told Juneau not to worry about that "expendable" wording. It was just the powers that be in the Agency hazing their fresh young newbies.
That secret lab was just off in the distance, across the river, and right next to that giant crater from some years ago. Sure, Juneau could have walked right over to the lab herself. Shuh, and monkeys might fly out of her butt, eh?
It was blazing summer. In this desert town Strangerville. Wearing a full hazmat suit. Juneau was going to be roast Juneau in 20 minutes. She was told to head out to the road behind the trailer park, so she could hop a ride over to her new temporary workplace.
A strange van with an even stranger dish on its roof zoomed by, then did a donut right around the shocked Juneau, kicking up desert dust.
"WAAAAAAAHH!!" Juneau tried to run away, thinking this was an attempted kidnapping, but that giant hazmat suit wouldn't let her.
"Relax, noob! We're your ride over to work," the driver barely cracked open the tinted windows, so he could get her attention. "I'm guessing you're, what was it again? Ju-nee-a-yu??"
Juneau rolled her eyes, at the total butchering of her first name. Before she got in the van, the roof dish was kicked on. "Just scanning the area for anyone trying to tune into our secret convos. The thing on our roof also acts as an orbal jammer, disrupting frequencies in the airwaves. Just think of it as some magical cloaking spell, so we can talk freely."
"Okie dokie, cabbie," Juneau burned him back, getting in the side door of the van. The other agent riding shotgun lightly applauded Juneau's clever comeback, and asked the driver if he needed some aloe vera for that wicked burn. After a smack upside the head, the driver pulled back on the road, to their destination across the river.
Wow. What a first day it was, cleaning up things she wish she had never seen in that place. NOW she knew why there were NDA's to sign, and private H.R. discussions about this Agency's secrets. Despite what she saw, Juneau was getting a rush with this thrill ride.
But she definitely wanted to get that next promotion ASAP. She was just one Handiness level away from fulfilling that prerequisite, so she knocked out a couple barstools at the work bench during the week. In the meantime, she thought about that first interview a while back.
She came out of school with a bunch of different skills that she was working on, but never settled on one, for college scholarships. Outside of some cooking skills (thank the scouts for all those camping trips!), Juneau was a level 3 in both Fishing and Robotics. That was an odd combination on her skills assessment.
Maybe this oddball career track was going to let her start working on all those other skills she barely touched. Hopefully, one of those might stick out, and get her full attention. If this Agency gig doesn't work out for her, she could always start looking at a university.
Nah, Juneau still had a lot of her own mysteries to uncover: her DNA mom named Ada, the rest of the job levels on this career track, and this trainee #41 in Oasis Springs that had something in common with her. But it was time to get to bed, and turn off the lights, as well as all this stuff whirling around in her head.
