Chapter 4.6 (The conference - part two)
“Merkenneth, if you won’t take the moodlet solvers –”
“I don’t need them, your majesty.”
“Then stop pacing back and forth as if the simulation is ending. They do not need to like you. Or your Elohim.” Those words cut deep but he needs to understand. “CAS-893, can we go with skin detail 231, please?”
“As you wish, AhkarNebula.”
“Thank you.” Overall, it was a great day at the conference on Sixam-302. The sims we met from the nebula-jabs occult adore Merkenneth.
The père bois respect him. The undones have always appreciated him. Most of the calypsos we already knew. My nebula clan knows not to disrespect him in public. And the merfolk already love their callisto-making powerhouse. The vampires? They are vampires. And most of the simulation has been waiting for simvolutions for the werewolves and the fairies to get along with any other occult. But now that they’ve finally bonded with each other over their hatred for Kenny and his callistos, Kenny is taking it too personal. “You can’t please every sim, Kenny.”
“I understand that. But a cult leader? I’m not leading cults.”
“Thank you both, you may leave.” I wait until we’re alone. “It’s a little bit of a cult. But what’s the issue?”
“What? Do you think all those displaced sims would simply get along out of the kindness of their hearts? Most of them lost their sixams and distrust the calypsos because of Moji. They’re now living with sims that might be of the same occult but have completely different lifestyles. You could not keep peace and mutual respect by just letting them figure it out. So what if you sang a strong lullaby or two in the churches? Sims need direction. Or hope. Or whatever word you want to hear.”
“I’m not like those savages in Laniakea, Zuri.”
“I know. Most of us know. And the moment you start using your connection to your Elohim as a weapon, I’ll have my sixam-jupiter devour your callistos myself. Your callistos are a privilage. Not a right. For you and the inhabitants. It is perfectly reasonable for the one that created them to have certain expectations. If they don’t like it, they can go live on a sixam. Or convince a divine being to help them make their own.”
“Is that what I’ve been preaching?”
“Well, it sounds nicer when you say it. I don’t have your charisma skill, your lullabies, or your patience. But, hey, kǂzuri, listen to me.
We’re all occults here. We’re free to do what we need to do to get the support we think we deserve... You are the sweetest Enamourer I know. And your plans for your callistos are admirable. Listening to an inspiring lullaby once in a while and being a decent sim is a small price to pay for the peace your callistos offer. You’re not forcing them to stay. They’re staying because it’s worth it, understand?”
“Hmm.” He’ll be annoyed for a few sim-days. “Now, I know it is not intimacy night but your moodlets are a mess and –”
“I love you, ŋ!aalumatji.”
“I love you more than anything.”
“I know. I love you too.”
“I’ll shower and get dressed for bed. When was the last time I made you halo-halo?”
A good bowl of halo-halo is better than woohoo. “It’s been a while.”
“I feel like making it. Do you want some?”