#abby shepard

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

The following evening, Louis had no guests over, no outings planned either. Instead, he summoned up the nerve to approach his mother with a proposal he'd been mulling over for a while now. Something that would finally change his life around, and improve the town too if all went well.

"Mom, I've been thinking. I want to do something with my life, and I think I finally figured out what."

"You know how there's no proper nightlife in Walden, and if you want to go to a club that isn't just a room above the pizzeria you have to travel to Mistvale? Well, I want to change that. Build Walden's first actual club."

"You want to build...a club. Just like that. And how do you intend to finance this venture, hmm?"

Abby could see where this was going. She could practically hear the wheels turning inside her son's head.

"Well, about that...I'm going to need some help, like, say, from an investor who might see that my project would greatly benefit Walden in the long run?"

"Look, I know I haven't exactly been covering myself in glory here. I've been sitting on my ass, not taking anything seriously. But I want this, and I think it could work!"

"Hmm. Well you see, investors need assurances that they'll get a return on their investment. They need to feel confident that 1) the project is viable and 2) their partner is trustworthy and won't flake out at the first hurdle. Frankly, right now, I am not convinced."

"Mom -"

"Here's my counter-offer: you find a job, and keep that job for...say, a year, then we'll talk again."

"Mom, there's no way I could afford to do this on whatever wages I'd earn in a year!"

"It's not about the money, it's about you proving to me that you can be responsible. And that this isn't just another one of your whims."

"But -"

"Take it or leave it, dear."

Damn. Louis remembered watching his mother debating her rivals during campaigning season, and pitying the poor bastards. Now he knew how they felt.

[insomnova]

hilariously do not have as many screenshots as i normally would since i'm too busy playing to remember to take any but here is my shepard!!! woo!! \(@^0^@)/

i had to rename her because when i initially played i accidentally gave her the same name as ashley's sister but was in too deep to change it skajdksj :'D

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Louis was feeling a bit deflated after Fiona's criticism of his life choices, like the party had already been spoiled by the very gloomy thoughts and recriminations he was trying to keep at bay.

So, when Achilles sidled up to him and all the memories of their college fling came flooding back, it proved hard to resist.

Maybe hooking up with your ex who was clearly trying to spark the old flame despite a messy breakup wasn't the most sensible choice, but nobody had ever accused Louis Calhoun of being sensible.

"Ah, youth! I remember how I was at their age..."

"You're still young though, Jake. Unlike some of us."

"You're hardly old, ma'am."

"Hah! Flatterer! I wish. And it's Abby, please."

"I'm just telling the truth, m- Abby. You're a very attractive woman, if you don't mind me saying so."

"I don't mind it at all."

Jo wasn't sure of the ethical implications of what they'd just witnessed, but hey, it was none of their business.

"Get it, Mrs C!"

"I'm acting like an old fool," Abby thought ruefully.

But she wasn't dead yet, and it had been so long since she'd had a man in her bed.

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

"I'll have...a couple of salmon fillets, please."

"Nice! I was thinking of getting some shrimp and cooking up a batch of jambalaya for dinner."

"Mmmm, now I wish I could come over."

"Your butler not up to much in the kitchen?"

"Wilkes is a perfectly adequate cook, but he doesn't hold a candle to you."

"Aw, shucks! Tell you what, I'll save some just for you."

"So, Louis got a job. As a firefighter, no less!"

"...Yes."

"And I can tell you're less than thrilled about it."

"I'm -" *sigh* "I'm glad that he's finally doing something with his life. I'm just worried about his safety, and that he's doing it for the wrong reasons."

"So you don't think he actually wants to be a firefighter, he just took the first available job because you made him do it."

"Something like that. Louis has always been...impulsive, and quick to lose interest in things. That is why I wanted him to hold down a job before I even considered his club idea."

"But you are considering it."

"It's not a bad idea. It just needs the right approach."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Abby didn't take much time off, but when she did, she tried to make the most of it. That meant getting out of the house and catching up with friends, or simply visiting Walden's landmarks. She feared becoming isolated and out of touch with her community, like so many politicians eventually did.

For some time now, Abby had been taking part in the weekly Myshuno games hosted by the Fisherman's Shack, a relatively new place built on the riverbank which, as the name suggested, served fresh seafood.

The games were open to all ages, but they did tend to attract a more mature crowd.

Julius Merridew was an especially avid player, who never missed a chance to join in.

He was good at it, too.

"MYSHUNO!"

"Oh for - that's the third time in a row! Are you sure you're not using magic? Nobody's that lucky!"

"Don't be a sore loser, my sweet."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Much later, long after Jake had left and Abby and Louis had turned in for the night, a shifty-looking individual was spotted lurking on the property.

Louis was the first to hear the warbling of the burglar alarm, and staggered groggily out of bed. He was bone-tired after work, his muscles aching with exertion after his first training session (he thought he was fit; he was wrong!) yet his first thought was of his mother. He had to make sure she was safe!

It wasn't until later that Louis questioned the wisdom of confronting a potentially dangerous burglar on his own, but to his relief the intruder seemed to have run away when they heard the alarms. Good thing the house had been fully secured!

The following morning, Abby reported the break-in attempt. Even though no damage had been done, Walden's Chief of Police ought to know there was a burglar at large.

"No, I don't believe they took anything. The alarm must've spooked them. Thank you for looking into it, AIOS. Yes, I'll make sure all doors are locked."

"You and the family should come over this weekend; it's been too long since we all got together. Sunday at 7:00 PM sounds good! Thanks again, and I hope you catch this person soon."

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Since her son was out having fun with his new coworkers, Abby had the house all to herself that evening. She had been pondering inviting Jake over ever since their little moment at the party, but each time her better judgement put a stop to it. He was too young, the power dynamics between them were too imbalanced, etcetera.

On the other hand, they were both adults, and they liked each other, so why not enjoy themselves a little? As long as they both remained firmly on the same page, there was no harm in it.

"I have to admit, your call took me by surprise. Pleasant surprise, I should add."

"I may have surprised myself a little too, Jake. But I'm glad you took me up on my offer."

Leaning in closer, Jake spoke softly in her ear, his breath raising goosebumps on her arms:

"Did you really think I'd turn you down?"

No, Abby supposed she did not.

But it was still nice to have it confirmed.

[pixeldolly]

Walden BACC

Louis found that it wasn't as easy to maintain the same level of enthusiasm for his new job when his alarm went off at 5:00 AM, and he had to get dressed and be out of the house by 6:00.

Bleary eyed and yawning at every other step, Louis found himself debating whether this had been such a good idea after all.

No! No, he could do this. Sure, he hated early mornings and loved to stay up late, but he'd get used to the new routine. It would just take time.

Abby spent the day wondering how Louis was getting along at his new job, only to get a text from him letting her know that he wouldn't be home for dinner because he and the rest of the team were going bowling in Mistvale.

"At least he's fitting in. That is a good thing."