#midsummer 2025

[anirobot]

Hyvää Juhannusta 2025! - Merry Midsummer!

Photo: Länsiväylä/Johanna Vehkaluoto

[dvoeverie-stitches]

🌻 Sunflowers at Opposite Ends of the Year 🌻

Last years sunflowers grew under the bird feeder. I’m hoping for similar results this year.

[theboys-inzoi]

☄️ Chapter 3: Waiting for a Star to fall Episode 7: Get the Party started Previous (Don't fear the Reaper) - Next (Fever)

Summer Solstice - Part 1

It's Summer Solstice, the day the annual event of the Yoga Class takes place. Jack and Vlad are done with their work day (and Jack obviously did find a new outfit at the fashion store. Though Vlad claimed it looks like a cheap rip-off ^^') and headed to the Music Exchange to get a the best microphone for Noxee's performance tonight. But when they entered, Jack noticed his beloved drumkit was gone!

As soon as Gun-Il saw Jack turning and stomping towards him, he'd locked himself up in his office. A wise decision. Jack was furious.

So furious, his shirt ripped ö.ö Jack: "Where? Where is it? You promised to save it for me until I got the money together!"

Gun-Il: "I'm sorry, Jack. We got an offer we couldn't refuse. You know how hard it is to keep the band together." Jack: "What's with the keyboard?" Gun-Il: "You can still have it - if you want." Argh, if he only hadn't bought the clothes! Jack: "Vlad, how much money do you have with you?" Vlad decided not to act up because he never could have imagined to see the bubbly Jack he knew (for only two days, but still) so utterly broken: "Eh, 187M." Jack: "783M, that's all I have. Makes around 1k. The rest we'll work off here. Deal?" Gun-Il "Deal. I'm really sorry." Jack: "Make sure to deliver it to the Evergreen House, tell Francine it's for my friend, her grandson." Jack teared up. Why was his life such a mess? Vlad: "Jack, come."

On their way to the park, where they were going to set up tonight's firework, Vlad tried to distract Jack from his grief: "Is the keyboard for one of your friends you've thought you'd lost? What's his name?" If Jack had other friend options, he wouldn't be that fixated on him, right? But it seemed to make Jack even sadder. Jack: "It's - complicated." Of course it was... They pulled the cart full of firework (Jack had stored in the alley behind Noxee's house for this occassion for a while now) behind a vending machine and Jack connected the detonator with his phone. Jack: "You know, even though summer solstice marks the beginning of summer, and today is the longest day of the year, it also means that after today the days are getting shorter again, and the reign of the Dark King begins. Noxee is a child of the sun, a Bonghwang. So when the sun sets tonight, she'll be a bit sad. Therefore the fireworks."

Vlad thought that sounded all sweet - but: "Is this legal? You know that I can't get myself in any trouble here, right?" Jack: "Don't worry. We have fireworks all the time here. And no one saw us anyway." Yeah, except for the street sweeper looking over at them... and who knows who else saw them. Totally unsuspicious, two guys pushing and shoving a cart full of explosives through the city.

On their way back trough the park, Vlad patted an orange tabby cat. At first glance it looked like Jack's cute fox friend - and his heart hurt. Jack wondered if he was ok - wherever he was.

Back at the Warehouse, when Noxee and Sai were setting up the tables for dinner, Saiwa suddenly sneezed. Noxee: "Someone is thinking of you." Saiwa really hoped not. Too many people were after him. Kareems, that weird stalker, Jack... Noxee: "I know Jack can be a handful, but give him a chance at least. He's a good boy beneath all ... the madness that surrounds him. There aren't that many of us around and we should try to get along, don't you think? All I can say is, I hang around with humans all day, and even if you're close, it's exhausting to constantly hide your true self. I cherish the moments I can be around Francine and Dtui and we can just be ourselves, you know? You could have that with Vlad and Jack too. At least try, hm?" If it only were that easy. Jack was responsible he's stuck here. Who knows what else he's capable of! Also, he couldn't really afford to get close to anyone. He was still on the run after all.

It was noisy at the park. Musicians and singers were competing for the publics attention. And when Jack and Vlad just passed the crossroads at the park,

the Saja had his first appointment . . . He knew this wouldn't be easy. It never was. But he was still so young. The Saja would take his time to make the transition for the poor boy as smooth and easy as possible. That was the least he could do. It was noisy at the park, not many witnessed the homeless boy limping to the park and hiding, and those who did thought he was probably drunk.

Regulator Lunvik heard the noises from his room and thought the old ladies were making quite the fuzz about their Yoga Class event... He felt the Bonghwang near and he was fighting to hold himself back from chasing after the light she radiated. But it's not worth it risking his stay here - he'd only get hurt anyway. And he felt awful. Should he try the potions Francine left for him to survive this evening? Only a few more hours. And it was just for dinner. He could do this! After tonight, the Darkness would regain strength again. And he too. Strength to resist the temptation.

'Get this party started

Makin' my connection as I enter the room Everybody's chillin' as I set up the groove Pumpin' up the volume with this brand new beat Everybody's dancin' and their dancin' for me I'm your operator, you can call anytime I'll be your connection to the party line

I'm comin' up so you better get this party started (I'm comin' up, I'm comin') I'm comin' up so you better get this party started (I'm comin' up, I'm comin')'

Get the Party started - P!nk

Playlist Chapter 3 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 2 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 1 -> Spotify -> youtube

TMI: Our first festival in inZOI! There are three posts planned for today, since today is really Summer Solstice and we are posting kind of 'live' ^^'

Previous (Don't fear the Reaper) - Next (Fever) The 'As if it's your last' Story Hub is -> here Read Chapter 3 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 2 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 1 from the beginning -> here Chapter 1 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 2 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 3 Episode Overview -> here

[royalchildreneurope]

Princess Estelle of Sweden and Prince Oscar of Sweden pose for official portraits to wish everyone a Happy Midsummer 2025, in Sweden -June 20th 2025.

📷 : Kungahuset.

[theboys-inzoi]

☄️ Chapter 3: Waiting for a Star to fall Episode 9: It's my Party - and I cry if I want to Previous (Fever) - Next (Here comes the Sun)

Summer Solstice - Part 3

After dinner, the party moved up to the rooftop. Vlad tried to involve Saiwa into their communication - with moderate success. But he could understand him. He was far from settling here either.

The Regulator retreated to his chamber and sat in the dark. He was glad this day was finally over, and he was proud of himself he didn't falter and kept himself from using these potions of questionable effects - and unknown side-effects. At some point, he had the feeling the plant under the artificial sun was mocking him, asking him to take good care* of it, to touch it - yeah, that was when he decided to go to bed and hope for a better day tomorrow. He snorted. Tch, light and love. He would certainly not take 'good care' of anything here. Neither this plant - nor the Bonghwang. And there's no way he'd touch her - like, letting his fingers brush over her soft skin - and get burned!

After spending the last hour or so together, where the Saja tried to make it as easy as possible for the boy to leave this world, he took him to the AR Library.

Just when Jack started the firework at the Warehouse.

The rest of the little community watched the firework among many delighted 'Ahhh's' and 'Ohhh's' and Noxee thanked Jack (and Vlad) for lightening up this bittersweet evening for her. Her mother, the sun, would slowly lose her power until Winter Solstice, when she'd take over the reign again, but not before she gifted them with a long, hot summer. A summer that started today. Noxee: "I hope the summer is not the only thing that's hot and long in my future ;) " Dtui: "Omg, Noxee!" Noxee: "What? I was thinking of a fish cake on a stick that had been boiling in hot broth. What were you thinking of?" Dtui: "Francine! Say something!" But Francine just laughed.

The Saja sent the boy off through the beam of light at the AR Library. Where one of the last things he might have looked at could have been the billboard of the two 'plumbers', that was still flickering brightly on the top of one of the skyscrapers. . .

Jack: "Did you see that? A falling star!" Leander: "That's the firework, Jack." Jack: "It's falling faster than the firework! It's a falling star! Make a wish, Vlad!" But Vlad felt nauseous - he saw scenes of his recent past flickering before his otherwise unseeing eyes. The subway station - the park - him. And then Jack saw the falling star crashing behind the skyscrapers.

Jack: "It's a meteorite! Vlad! We are going to search for it and. . . " Saiwa: "Vlad!" Vlad collapsed. Sai tried to keep him on his legs, but he failed.

Jack: "Omg, Vlad! Are you ok? What happened?" Vlad: "Uh, I think it's the acclimatisation-jetlag-thing kicking in?" Jack: "What? Now? After two days?"

Leander: "I'll borrow Mr Lunvik's car and drive him home." Vlad: "But I promised to help to clean up." Leander: "No way. Kareem's son will soon arrive. We need you in best condition." And then Saiwa heard himself say: "I'll help cleaning up." Damn. He's sinking deeper and deeper into the matters of this community...

Leander took Vlad home and Jack and Saiwa cleaned up. They went to the yard, carrying out the trash, when Jack tried to make some 'smalltalk' with Saiwa, 'to break the ice'. (Like with Saiwa, Noxee also asked Jack to be 'nice' to each other ^^'). Jack: "So these guys that use you and leave you behind naked, do you want me to beat them up? Just a bit? I think I could get away with it because they're clearly idiots and deserve it, you know?"

But before Saiwa could smack Jack's stupid head for the weird crap he was saying, he noticed a supressed noise and some movement on the street behind the gate. The weird guy from the park! They found him! There was something off with him, though. He looked as if someone had ripped his heart out.

Saiwa stilled and whispered: "There." Jack turned where Saiwa was staring and noticed the guy who was standing there: "You have yet another one waiting in line? What's wrong with you?" But then Jack looked closer and recognized him: "It's the Stalker/Sprayer! Let's get him! RUN!"

Sai and Jack didn't even drop the trash before they started to chase the Stalker to the park. Sai didn't even know why he was running after him, instead of hiding ö.ö (That's Jack's superpower, Saiwa. Dragging oblivious people into his madness ^^')

The Stalker looked exhausted and slowed down, they would get him this time, for sure! Jack: "We're close!"

And then he was gone - again! Jack: "Dammit! Where did he go?"

'Nobody knows where my Johnny has gone, But Judy left the same time. Why was he holding her hand, when he's supposed to be mine?

Play all my records, keep dancing all night, But leave me alone for a while, 'til Johnny's dancing with me, I've got no reason to smile.

Judy and Johnny just walked thru' the door, Like a queen with her king. Oh, what a birthday surprise, Judy's wearing his ring.

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to, Cry if I want to, cry if I want to. You would cry too if it happened to you.'

It's my Party (and I cry if I want to) - Leslie Gore (1963!)

Saiwa: "They found me." Jack: "You're quite full of yourself, huh? That was Noxee's stalker, not yours." Saiwa: "But he was at the park when..." Jack: "When Noxee found you after someone used you and left you naked in the shrubbery? So he was already after Noxee by then..." Right, Noxee had been at the park too. Weird. Saiwa could have sworn that guy had been staring at him that day. And he also could have sworn there was a suppressed sobbing noise coming from that Moon Rabbit statue. Saiwa: "Do you hear that?" Jack listened into the darkness, but he just heard the river rolling and the traffic in the far: "No? Let's go, Vlad needs me. Hey, come over after work tomorrow, for your witness statement. I'm going to bring this stalker to justice, no matter the cost." Saiwa: "Eh, sure."

*'taking good care of someone' is a pun from the Heidi Special of our Sims 4 story when The Laird took good care of his people - all of them ö.ö'

Playlist Chapter 3 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 2 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 1 -> Spotify -> youtube

Previous (Fever) - Next (Here comes the Sun) The 'As if it's your last' Story Hub is -> here Read Chapter 3 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 2 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 1 from the beginning -> here Chapter 1 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 2 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 3 Episode Overview -> here

[theboys-inzoi]

☄️ Chapter 3: Waiting for a Star to fall Episode 8: Fever Previous (Get the Party started) - Next (It's my Party)

Summer Solstice - Part 2

Seems the whole community has gathered to hear Dtui's speech. Regulator Lunvik wasn't prepared for this. They'd told him it was just the annual event of their old ladies yoga class and he had hoped he'd just have to get through the dinner they'd invited him to. And now there was a whole - event. . . Well, at least he now knew with whom he'd have to deal with. There was even a Saja here now. Then of course the pesky Dokkaebi and his useless friends. And that Bonghwang that caused him so many - inconveniences. As expected, she was shining so bright, it was almost blinding him. Damn.

Dtui promised she'd keep it short. She warmly welcomed the new members Mr. Lunvik, the Saja, Saiwa and Vlad to their little community, that was with them almost double the count than before. Next point of the agenda was the arrival of Kareem's son. Dtui stated how important this was for their community. Their reputation, the honour, the prestige to welcome such an important guest in their midst. And she reminded all of them to do their very best to make his stay pleasant and comfortable - and successful. Without causing any troubles (here she looked sternly at Jack). And assist Leander in his difficult task with all their power.

They all applauded and Dtui cleared the stage for Noxee's performance. Noxee: "Jack, would you come up and help get the stage ready?" Jack: "Sure!" He'd do anything for her. Anything. How beautiful she looked today. Her bright aura even made him forget the drumkit desaster and . . . Noxee: "Jack?" ö.ö' Eventually Jack stumbled upon the stage.

. . . shoved the partitions aside . . .

. . . and revealed: "My drumkit!!!"

Jack: "But . . . how? It was gone? Gun-Il told me he sold it!" Noxee laughed: "Yes, to us. We asked him to keep it a secret so it would be a surprise. You worked so hard to make this happen. And it's also a little motivation to keep your good behaviour up while Kareem junior is here." Jack: "Anything. Oh, thank you! I'll be such a good boy!" And he'd start by being a good boy with an apology for poor Gun-Il!

They started the performance. Jack only had eyes for Noxee. Because it was magic when a Bonghwang sang.

'Never know how much I love you Never know how much I care When you put your arms around me I get a fever that's so hard to bear You give me fever

When you kiss me, fever when you hold me tight Fever! In the mornin', a-fever all through the night

Sun lights up the daytime, Moon lights up the night I light up when you call my name And you know I'm gonna treat you right You give me fever'

The Regulator wasn't able to look away either. He just hoped this day would end soon. But he knew he was screwed when she looked him in the eyes and sang:

'Romeo loved Juliet Juliet, she felt the same When he put his arms around her He said, "Julie, baby, you're my flame" Thou giveth fever

When we kisseth, fever with thy flaming youth Fever! I'm a fire, fever, yeah, I burn forsooth

Captain Smith and Pocahontas Had a very mad affair When her daddy tried to kill him She said, "Daddy, oh, don't you dare" He gives me fever

With his kisses, fever when he holds me tight Fever! I'm his your missus, daddy, won't you treat him me right?'

Damn. She was going to be the death of him - and she knew it! His only chance to survive was to kick Kareem junior through whatever he was supposed to do to succeed, prevent the Dokkaebi from doing anything stupid that would keep Kareem junior from whatever he was supposed to do to succeed and leave this foul place!

Not only the Regulator stood and stared ö.ö' But not at Saiwa, who's just a bit paranoid (rightfully).

The Saja stared at Jack. But Jack didn't notice. He was on a high. He'd been on stage with both his beloved drumkit and Noxee! And he couldn't be happier. Noxee ended her performance and even though Jack's drum skills were not perfect, the 'crowd' applauded and cheered. The magic of the Bonghwang. It would have even sounded amazing if someone had kicked some trash bins around while she sang ^^'

The party went upstairs and to Jack's great joy, the buffet was finally opened. And there was pizza, his favourite! (Some things never change ;)

Jack just wanted to take the free seat next to his beloved Noxee, when Leander, who had noticed how unwell and shy Saiwa felt among all the strangers around him, told Jack to let Sai sit next to Noxee, the only one he knew somewhat better here. Means Jack had to sit next to his arch enemy, the Regulator, who didn't look that excited about his dinner neighbor either. Jack grumbled, this Saiwa guy not only stole his job but now also his rightful place next to Noxee! -.- Noxee: "Just sit, Jack." Ah, well. It was such a great evening. On the stage with Noxee and the drumkit. So what.

Saiwa also thought it was an awesome evening. And a nice community. Not the worst place to stay. But staying would not only endanger him, but also all of them if he got caught and it came out they hid him. Even unknowingly. Damn. Should he open up? At least to Noxee? Or try to leave somehow? Dtui made very clear how important Kareem junior's success was... It wasn't fair to let them in the dark after they helped him and provided shelter.

The Regulator lost his appetite, he would retreat to his chamber as soon as this dinner was over. He, the Wrath of the Kingdom of Darkness, defeated by a mere bird. Who claimed loudly how much she loved 'these balls' when Jack set the plate with soup dumplings beside her, and how much she loved it when sucked them until the broth spilled in her mouth... and she surely would have went on like this if Dtui hadn't stopped her, because 'the kids!'. He was doomed.

Vlad was halfway relieved. Yes, Jack was weird and he was only here to get subjected, but as by now, it was so much better than he had feared. He'd never spent a meal in such an enjoyable company. Most of his days, he'd eaten alone. He could get used to this. But not too much. It would hurt to leave.

For poor Leander it was pure torture to sit that close to Vlad. Soon he would drink his blood. That was going to be super awkward - and embarrassing... And probably dangerous. Vlad had no fangs. Would they have to cut his - his what? From which part of his body would he drink? His neck? Wrist?

No one had noticed the Saja had left quietly. Like a shadow. The boy was waiting to be guided to the afterlive by him.

For youtube, I chose the Fever version from the Muppet Show with Rita Moreno and Animal (imagine it's Noxee and Jack ^^') TMI: You might know Rita Moreno as Abuelita from 'One Day at a Time' or as Anita from 'West Side Story' (just to mention 2). She's an amazing artist and one of the very few EGOTs (who won an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony! Only 27 people have achieved this status.)

Playlist Chapter 3 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 2 -> Spotify -> youtube Playlist Chapter 1 -> Spotify -> youtube

Previous (Get the Party started) - Next (It's my Party) The 'As if it's your last' Story Hub is -> here Read Chapter 3 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 2 from the beginning -> here Read Chapter 1 from the beginning -> here Chapter 1 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 2 Episode Overview -> here Chapter 3 Episode Overview -> here