#esme quick

[justkeeponsimming]

One week later, the Quicks say goodbye to Copperdale and hello to Windenburg! 

Winter closes in, making moving between neighbourhoods tricky. However, in order to afford this much bigger home, the family had to sell most of their non-important belongings. They have their sentimental items and essentials, but that’s it. There’s plenty of room to grow into this home as Reed and her girlfriends save their simoleons.

Ivy has been at work all day, so hasn’t been able to help with the move. Reed’s mums, Esme and Zeta, muck in to get their minimal furniture across the neighbourhoods to the quiet outskirts of Windenburg. 

Many emotions surge through the family when they arrive. Excitement for their new home. Nostalgia for the memories already made here. Generation one of the Quick family called this their first family home generations ago. Reed feels so lucky that her family have acquired the property generations later, ready to add their own stories to the old home.

[justkeeponsimming]

Reed can’t let this opportunity pass by!

She hastily calls her girlfriend, Ivy’s, number, hoping that she’s back from work. She’s relieved when her girlfriend’s voice answers after a few rings.

Ivy: “Hey, Starshine. I’ve missed you! How was Glitch -“

Reed: “Ives, I’m sorry to interrupt but is Kana with you?”

Reed hears some shuffling before she hears Kana, their girlfriend, joining Ivy on the call. She bites her lip nervously as Kana asks her if she’s okay, perhaps having heard the urgency in her voice.

Reed: “Alright…I know this sounds crazy, but I need you to see something.”

She waits with bated breath as she sends the real estate listing of her old family’s house in Windenburg. There’s a long pause before Kana finally speaks.

Kana: “Have you called the agent to put in an offer?”

Ivy: “Wolfie, this is a big decision - we can’t be that impulsive.”

Kana: “Why not? Reed’s family started in that home. We should continue their legacy there. Look at what the Quicks have done for the world.”

Reed stays quiet, just pacing back and forth as she listens to her girlfriends discuss the house purchase. She appreciates Kana’s compliments, but this is a big buy for the family. They need to check their finances and work out if they can really afford the home.

It  was a whim that brought her here, but a hope that the family might purchase this house…

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Reed and her girlfriends have been so busy working and adapting to their new home that they’ve barely spent any time together.

Out of their three children, their youngest, Hex, has struggled the most with moving into the new house. She’s an inquisitive toddler, but not at the expense of feeling safe and confident in her environment. She’s fine around her mums or her siblings, but as soon as she’s left alone, bad thoughts invade her mind. As an alien, Hex must be suffering due to her heightened emotions. Reed wishes she knew how to help her.

One evening, once the kids are in bed, Reed finally gets a moment alone with her girlfriend, Kana. She plonks down next to her, drawing the werewolf’s gaze. Reed finger guns at Kana, causing her to groan loudly.

Reed: “There’s a full moon tonight. Wanna go fur a romantic stroll with me, baby?”

Kana sighs even louder. Reed, who’s not the werewolf, mimics her best impression of her girlfriend by howling with laughter at her awful pick up line. 

Kana: “You’re a UFO - Universally Fine Occult.”

Reed stops laughing, caught off guard by the better pun than her own joke. This time, Kana roars with laughter. She pushes her chair back, then grabs Reed’s arm and pulls her into her lap. The girlfriends snuggle close, enjoying an affectionate moment together.

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Reed’s instantly put on the back foot by that question. Who is this sim calling herself Sammy? That’s such a specific question upon hearing that Reed is a musician. Yes, Sim Idol is a popular show, but the hype has died down online, so it’s doubtful that someone would bring it up in conversation. Sammy also mentioned that she only moved into an apartment down the hall yesterday, so it’s doubtful that she’d have heard Reed playing music. How does Sammy know that Reed is auditioning for Sim Idol?

Reed: “Can’t say I have, no.”

Sammy: “Really? Well, from what I saw during the award show live stream, you said -“

Reed: “Wait….you watched that? So, you do know who I am! Who are you really, Sammy?”

Sammy’s false smile falls off her face. She turns towards Reed, folding her hands in her lap. Reed feels like she’s being interrogated. Who has she welcomed into her apartment?

Sammy: “Fine, my name is Sammy, but I’m a reporter from the Del Sol Valley Daily. I’ve followed the Quick family’s exploits, so I wanted to get a comment -“

Reed: “N-no way! You tricked me! You need to leave. Right now!”

As much as Reed wants to appear angry, her voice quivers. She invited a journalist into her apartment? She’s under contractual obligation to not mention her Sim Idol auditions, as everything needs to be revealed live on television! To think she nearly spilled the beans to a reporter…

Sammy: “Fine. I’ll leave. I know your brother, Glitch, lives in the city too. Maybe he’ll be more willing to talk.”

Anger finally flows through Reed. She stalks after Sammy as she gets up and leaves the apartment. Reed needs to get hold of Glitch before he falls for the same act!

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Ivy: “So, Reed Quick, what are you doing here this afternoon?”

Reed: “People watching. Writing. Soaking up the Love Day atmosphere. Yourself?”

Ivy: “You sound like a sim after my heart - literally. I’ve only seen couples and families. What are you writing about?”

Reed can feel herself blushing again. Ivy has an infectious smile and charming personality, just from a few interactions. She wasn’t expecting to find an attractive sim here, just hoping she would. Ivy is cute. Really cute. She’s also poetic with her pick up lines. Reed wonders if she’s a creative sim just like she is. 

Reed: “Uhh…I’m a musician. A wannabe, I guess. I love song writing. What better of a day to find inspiration than Love Day.”

Ivy’s face lights up. She leans forward, suddenly intrigued. It seems that Reed has really caught her attention now!

Ivy: “No way! I’m a huge music lover. Who’s your favourite band?”

Oh plumbobs! Be still, Reed’s racing heart! This is incredible! Not only is Ivy attractive, but she’s also got some similar interests to her? How could Reed get this lucky to meet a sim that’s so similar to her.

Reed: “Plumbobs, let’s get started…”

[justkeeponsimming]

Reed: “My dear, you’re my weakness. My guiding light in the bleakness…”

Singing quietly to herself, Reed decides to adapt her song, Without You, into a slow ballad played just on the violin. One day, she wants to be a master of all instruments. Her preferred instrument is the piano, but she needs to practise her violin skill too!

Reed: “Ugh. This doesn’t sound right. Let’s change the tempo here. And change this note…”

So absorbed in her musical creations, Reed doesn’t hear her front door open. She’s got her eyes closed, just feeling the music, as the door to her bedroom violently crashes open. She screams, spinning around. Her violin bow becomes a not intimidating weapon shoved into the face of a sim she doesn’t know. 

Blue Haired Dude: “Will you keep it down?! I’m trying to sleep!”

Reed: “S-sorry. But it’s only 3pm…”

Blue Haired Dude: “I don’t care! You’re ruining my sleep! I’m calling the cops if you don’t shut up!”

With that, Reed’s neighbour storms out of her apartment. Reed freezes for a second before running after him, slamming her apartment door shut and locking it. She turns around, heart hammering in her chest as she presses herself against the door. What the plumbobs just happened?!

Absolutely terrified, Reed runs into her bedroom and calls her brother, Glitch. She needs to hear a reassuring voice after everything that just happened! 

[justkeeponsimming]

(Sneaky selfie for the new romantic interest in Reed’s life ;)

I’m not sure if anyone has seen where Reed’s story is going yet, but there are some spoilers on the family tree for anyone who is interested! 

Each generation, I want to explore different storylines and relationship dynamics! I hope that Reed’s story and the sims she meets along the way will become memorable characters in the story! :) )

[justkeeponsimming]

It pains Reed to admit it, but she knows that she has to head back to San Myshuno.

Her audition with her brother, Glitch, for the televised talent show, Sim Idol, is at the end of the week. Whilst she’s written a lot of lyrics, nothing has stuck with her so far. She needs to knuckle down and compose a song to work on with her brother tomorrow. She was going to rehearse with him tonight, but it’s late. Plus, he was controlling via text message earlier. It’s best that she cools down and stays inspired, then sees her brother tomorrow.

Reed: “I don’t want to say goodbye, Ivy, but I need to head back to San Myshuno. It’s been so fun meeting you.”

Ivy: “Totally agree, Reed. I’m glad that I found someone interesting, just like I was hoping to. Can I have your number? I’d love to see you again.”

Reed’s cheeks darken as she blushes yet again. She nods and pulls out her phone, exchanging numbers with Ivy. It takes a lot of restraint to ignore the small flurry of texts from her brother, Glitch, wondering if she’s still coming over tonight. Reed will call him on the way back, but she’s not ready to face him yet. 

Reed: “Sure! Let me know when you’re free. I’d love to hang out again.”

From the way Ivy’s face lights up as she enters Reed’s number into her phone, it’s clear that the promise of another date isn’t empty. Ivy is genuinely interested in her. Reed can’t believe that she found someone at the Love Day celebration at Plumbite Pier!

The conversation continues comfortably as Reed and Ivy walk back to the train station to head their separate ways, but with the underlying promise that they will see each other again soon!