#stc chapter twenty-one

[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.5

Trait-giver Zuri: Welcome to my sanctuary!

Head Enamourer Kenny: Thanks for inviting me. I like it. Candace gifted you a texturizer?

Zuri: Yup. I'll turn it down a notch.

Kenny: You don't have to.

Zuri: It'd be easier for you to concentrate. Uh, did you know she made the first one after our first fight?

Kenny: I did not. Can't even picture her fighting with you.

Zuri: Well, we were teens. And stressed out in watcher academy. And dramatic. One day I showed up to class with a slicked-down ponytail instead of a puff and she started freaking out.

Kenny: What?

Zuri: Right? In hindsight, I get that she was worried because some 001-ers were talking shit, I mean, nonsense about my puff the day before. Her 143 accent was thick at that time and it was still so weird to me because I thought 143-ers only looked like Ravi or Moji. So she starts screaming at me about my hair and I start screaming at her about faking an accent to give her a personality.

Kenny: Nooooo.

Zuri: By the end of it, we were just crying and didn't even know what we were fighting about anymore. It was brutal. And then for her Framer project, she built it and made a passive aggressive speech about CAS and buildmode being too flat and straight and stifling sims' artistic freedom.

Kenny: What did Ae say?

Zuri: "Keep that same energy when you start working."

Kenny: Ha! And that she did. She's stressing out my friends at The Frame since she became Head Framer. I have angry texts about having to figure out textured hair and long hair that does not disappear in the chest of any watched-sim that's not skinny.

Zuri: Oh! That part too! Clipping was her number one complaint when she started watching. She made a few Framers quit, you know?

Kenny: Really? She looks so quiet and compliant.

Zuri: Candace? Trust me, when she picks a cause, there's no calming her down. Sims like her were my muse for the idealist trait.

Kenny: Wait a sec. That trait was you?

Zuri: Yup.

Kenny: Wow. It helped my mom out a lot when Moji assigned it to her. Her faith was wavering in the Savefile. Thank you.

Zuri: No problem... Umm, 'kay. Are you ready?

Kenny: Yeah. Teach me your stuff. Where's the CAS platform?

Zuri: Over there. I'll program the aprons.

-----

Zuri: I should have put this on while the vase was in the kiln. I'm sorry.

Kenny: No worries, Z.

Zuri: Some worries...

Better?

Kenny: Yes. Much better. Thank you.

Zuri: My pleasure. Um, we should talk.

Kenny: We should...

Zuri: You already found out, didn't you? About Moji?

Kenny: I did. I don't know if Walker didn't realize you all were hiding it or if he told me on purpose.

Zuri: Walker... I'm sorry I lied.

Kenny: Can you tell me why you did?

Zuri: 'Cause I knew you'd be angry?

Kenny: I wouldn't be angry with you.

Zuri: Even if I agree with her?

Kenny: Do you? You're okay with what she did?

Zuri: Watchers cull babies all the time, Kenny.

Kenny: I don't think it's as common as you think.

Zuri: It's not talked about but I've seen the stats. Why do you think the family-oriented trait and multiples are being 'randomly' assigned?

Kenny: I thought Enamourers were doing a good job.

Zuri: That's surprisingly naive, even for you, Kenny... I'm sure the architects will have to fix something in the code she made. And we'll lose too many pregnancies for a while but -

Kenny: So you really don't believe that - sorry, can I hold your hand? Please?

Zuri: You don't have to ask.

Kenny: I think I should. At least for now.

Zuri: See, this is the part that I don't like.

Kenny: What?

Zuri: The fear and insecurity stuff. Like who we are or what we would want for ourselves could suddenly be a problem...

Kenny: Because I asked to hold your hand?

Zuri: Because whether it's something as simple as holding my hand or as big as if another sim should exist, we'll both be on edge.

Just because we're partners. Doesn't that stress you out?

Kenny: Not as much as the thought of losing you.

Zuri: Don't say that.

Kenny: Why? Too soon?

Zuri: Don't you think so?

Kenny: No, I don't. I know you're the sim I want, Nebula. 100%. If it comes with some awkwardness and stress, so be it.

Zuri: So be it.

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[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.6

After the day together on Sixam-007

Jesse: Is it because of the caterpillar pictures?

Oasis: The what?

Jesse: Dej' asked me if you're not living with us because of the pictures in the house. Calls you the blue butterfly and Desi was -

Oasis: My caterpillar? What books are you reading to our toddler?

Jesse: None 'bout metamorphosis. But is that it? I can ask Gor to reframe the house or we can get a new one. Or move here since it's your favourite Sixam.

Oasis: You can't live on a Sixam, Gym Reds.

Jesse: I can live wherever you'd stay with us.

Oasis: Jesse...

Jesse: I can't be the only one enjoying this. Eating together in the mornings. Reading to Deja in the same bed that she woke up in.

Oasis: We've stayed in like five different locations. So, she's still not -

Jesse: You know what I'm trying to say.

Oasis: Yeah, I do. But if you're wrong -

Jesse: Move in, Oasis.

Oasis: It won't be like this, Jesse! You can't compare a vacation to living together.

Jesse: I'm not comparing. I'm asking for more. Live with me.

Oasis: I don't really hear a question.

Jesse: You're right, sorry. Where do you want to live together?

Oasis: Jesse...

Jesse: Del Sol? Do you want to rebuild your music career? Or write another book?

Oasis: That was Desi's career. Not mine.

Jesse: Understood. But you're done with politics?

Oasis: Why are you asking this now?

Jesse: I'm trying to figure out what my wife needs.

Oasis: I love you but stop calling me your wife. I'm not.

Jesse: Yuh see dat tattoo on yuh ring finger? The one that matches mine?

Oasis: I knew you would jump to that eventually. They just couldn't take it off during reincarnation.

Jesse: Because you're my wife. In every life, no matter what, you're

mine. And I'm yours.

Oasis: Urgh. You being able to access my buildmode is going to be a problem.

Jesse: Promise ah won't overdo it. But did you hear what I said?

Oasis: Mmhmm. You're mine.

Jesse: Say it again.

Oasis: You're mine.

Jesse: Forever. You knew it from the moment you saw me. Remember that.

I messed up. I made you doubt it for a while. But I'm yours. Your Gym Reds. Your best friend.

Father of our precious baby girl. And ready to have more when you are.

Oasis: Lemme figure out what I'm doing first.

Jesse: We'll figure what we're doing together. We're building this legacy together, wife.

Until it's our time to go. So, tell me. Wey we goin'?

Oasis: I need to be closer to LJ right now.

Jesse: Understood. Back to M-143 Newcrest?

Oasis: Willow Creek might be better? A little further from San Myshuno for you. But better schools for Deja? And easier to keep animals? Maybe a little homestead.

Jesse: I'll get on it. What do you want? For you?

Oasis: Just my family. Right now, all I want is to be close to my family.

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[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.4

Ungoril: You can't blame me for this. I did what I was supposed to do.

Undane: You're supposed to know your commander, Gor. Mojisola does not understand or care about the repercussions of her decisions. She's not like them so you cannot blindly follow her every whim like her parents.

Ungoril: I did not -

Undane: I'm not arguing about that with you. This year, you had one simple job. Give Moji the couple that she wants. It should not be this difficult for an Enamourer.

Ungoril: She wanted them to choose each other on their own. I cannot control -

Undane: You're a fuhooin' watcher. Don't tell me you can't control the pixel-puppets! I have no choice as a Protector! I must clean up the mess that you clueless watchers make. Now I have to train grim-servos to collect the culled babies because the merfolk Protectors refuse and since they're not pixel-puppets, who am I to try to force them? And targeting science babies? Do you understand the type of legacies this nonsense degenerative splice will affect the most? All because you couldn't force a simple interaction between some already flirty watched-sims!

-----

Ungoril: I'm done fighting with my husband and done with Jesse and Oasis avoiding labels because you don't think it's important, Zuri.

Zuri: What are you talking about?

Ungoril: The romance bar is high, the smitten sentiment is almost depleted. Don't refuse the interaction when I force Jesse -

Zuri: Force Jesse? He's at full dynasty status. Running around the different Sixams like an occult. He won't even be in the Savefile for a while.

You can try but you can't force him to do anything.

Ungoril: Then convince Oasis to change their relationship status. Get them remarried ASAP. Before Moji does some other nonsense.

Zuri: It wasn't nonsense.

Ungoril: Do you expect me to believe you agreed with her?

Zuri: I do.

Ungoril: So why are you lying to Kenny? He asked you about it. You told him the rumours are false. That it's just a glitch. Did you expect me to be the bad guy and tell him the truth?

Zuri: No, I just -

Ungoril: One couple should not be negatively affecting the entire simulation. They are already a family. Let's just stick the dreamer labels on their coding and move on.

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[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.2

Protector and Junior Architect Walker: Shit.

Head Protector Damie: I'll stop it. 199 tech? We stopped using it Dreamers ago for a reason. Those types of wars are not worth fighting.

Walker: If we keep letting you merfolk decide, we won't fight at all.

Damie: You merfolk? Most Protectors are merfolk but I don't make these decisions without Undane. And he's been through wars, newbie. So fix your attitude around me and my comrades. Don't know why Moji brought your pixel-puppet-ass up here in the first place. Always playing matchmaker.

Walker: At least that's what Dreamers do, right? They build legacies. Unlike a certain Head Protector that keeps moping around in his office because his mistress moved on.

Damie: What d'you say?

Walker: I get it. I'd be crying too. If I couldn't keep -

-----

Damie: Alright. You had enough time to get your shit together. Ravi played nice. And an idiot gave you some toys to torture and it still wasn't enough. You're either going to get your entire crew to calm the void down now and stay calm or my sister can use an entire sixam of lifeforce for her new Savefile. What's it gonna be?

We're not calming down? Aight. You had your chance.

-----

Head Healer Juniper: There's a reason we do missions like that together, Damie. You're lucky you walked away with only a couple scars.

Damie: Shouldn't have let them get that close.

But a bit of hand-to-hand combat is good, you know? And whispering a lullaby takes less energy than screaming it.

Juniper: You're getting more precise with extraction as well. I don't think you wasted any of their lifeforce. How are you feeling? Did you meet Zuri?

Damie: I don't need her. I'm good. Calm. No bad vibes.

Juniper: No bad vibes... Good. The - uh - the white tattoo? Is it?

Damie: Yeah... I knocked out after they treated the wounds and when I woke up, it was there.

Juniper: I see. Did Kaiso come to you? While you were knocked out?

Damie: How did you know?

Juniper: It's my job to know. Enjoy the celebrations when you return to 085. I'm sure the elders will be pleased that the warrior's blessing has returned to the tribe. But come speak with me tomorrow. Please?

Damie: I'm good, Junie. I can handle myself.

Juniper: I'm sure you can but you don't have to. Should I explain to Zuri?

Damie: No need. Like I said I don't need her. *exhales* And um, if we do the ceremony tonight, I'm sure her new sim will explain. 100%.

----

Trait-giver Zuri: Moji would love it here.

Head Enamourer Kenny: We can bring her and Ravi next time.

Zuri: Maybe. But there's something I should tell you. Can we -

*Noise on a frequency only merfolk can hear*

Kenny: Sorry, Z. We gotta go.

Zuri: Go where?

----

----

Zuri: So this "warrior's blessing" hasn't happened since his grandfather?

Kenny: Exactly.

Zuri: That's so long ago. And most of the records for the simulation at that time was destroyed when Grim took over, no?

Kenny: Yes. But we kept our oral traditions. And the elders hid stories in the caves before they were taken to the Savefile. And um, one of Kaiso's friends was a werewolf that hid one of our wise elders. Maricela told me that Damie found them on Sixam-026. So we'll have a lot of community events and history lessons soon. You'll, uh, probably have to meet him.

Zuri: A 085 wise elder? Is he coming to Sixam-302?

Kenny: No, no. He'd never go near any headquarters for The Cube. No, uh, he's just my dad. You met mom. You should meet dad.

Zuri: Kenny... I. Are you -? Didn't you think he -?

Kenny: We don't have to talk about it... The, yeah, the, uh warrior's blessing. It's about -

Zuri: We can talk about that later, Kenny. Are you okay?

Kenny: Yeah. Yeah, I'm good. This is good. Damie's gonna call a thunderstorm. It's necessary for the ceremony. That's why the party happens before it starts. Um, I should probably get you indoors. You're lucky you're not a mermaid, Nebula. 100%. 'Cause the mermen are going to be screaming war cries and aggressive lullabies all night.

Zuri: I thought war cries were restricted to your chief.

Kenny: Not anymore. That's one part of the warrior's blessing. After this ceremony is over, the parts of us that we lost when Grim and Odenna altered our ancestors' coding for the Savefiles will be returned to us.

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[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.1

Zuri: I don't have an issue with you culling babies. They don't even function properly until they're out of object mode.

Moji: That's what I told Oasis! And she's still mad.

Zuri: She has a right to be mad! The issue is you just don't want to admit you're selfish, Moji.

Moji: What?

Candace: Zuri.

Zuri: What? I really don't have the patience for this today. We're all selfish. We all have this idea in our head about how things should be and we put all our time and energy into making it so.

That's what makes us an occult and not a pixel-puppet. That's what makes Jesse a dynasty sim and you're taking it away from him. He made his choice, Moji. Loud and clear and you decided it wasn't a good one so you went behind his back, Ungoril's back, Victoria's back and Destiny's back to undo it. Do you want Jesse to have autonomy or not? And are you Oasis' watcher or am I? Because I really don't need you to be making decisions for her life. She's fine on her own. She's analyzing personalities instead of erasing memories.

Trying to be there for her entire family and trying to make sure that Jesse does not feel trapped in some bonding agreement that does not exist anymore. They still want each other. We know that. They'll figure things out on their own terms. Just like they did the first time. So just let them be.

Moji: I just don't - all Desiree wanted was Jesse.

Candace: She wanted a family with Jesse, Moji. And she still has it. Even if it does not look the way you wanted.

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[simohgithecube]

Chapter 21.3

Head Enamourer Merkenneth: *fake deep voice* So you don't want aaaaallllll of this? Right? 100%?

Trait-giver Zuri: Seriously? What are you doing?

Kenny: Just making sure you're still not into muscles 'cause every sim's preferences suddenly change when -

Wise Elder Merbaritone: Who is this beautiful sim?

Kenny: - knock off Barry White enters the room.

Zuri: H-h-h-hiiii.

Kenny: Dad, can you stop your lullaby? Please?

Bari: She's a strong one. I had to turn it up a notch.

Kenny: Sorry, Z.

Zuri: It's okay.

Bari: Why are you saying sorry, son? It was a compliment.

Kenny: You can't just walk around trying to seduce -

Bari: Seduce? Admiring beauty is seduction now?

Kenny: Dad, just don't. Please. Sorry, Nebula.

Zuri: *giggles* It's funny seeing you flustered. But sorry, Elder Merbaritone, it's really nice to meet you but I hope we can talk without the lullabies?

Bari: Please, call me Bari. And of course. Zuri, right? Cassiopeia's daughter?

Zuri: Yes. Wow, I haven't heard that name in a while. She, I mean, they go by Zawadi now.

Bari: Understood. Tell them I said hello. But not your father. That sim should be sucked into the void.

Kenny: We talked about this, dad!

Bari: *laughs* Is he always like this? The boy hasn't seen me since he was a kid and all he's been doing since we met is telling me how to talk.

Zuri: *laughs* He's always worried, yes. His proper trait is a bit intense and your version of the Elohim database does not help.

Bari: Does not help?

Kenny: Let's go! You need to find those datapoints for the first community event. The sun is up!

-----

Kenny: Should we follow you, dad?

Bari: Wait out here. I'll be faster on my own. Pay attention and retrieve the data. I will reset it before we leave, understood?

Kenny: Yes, sir.

Zuri: Did I make him angry?

Kenny: Probably. But it's fine. Don't worry about it.

Zuri: I didn't mean -

Kenny: It's fine, Z. You can say whatever you're thinking.

Zuri: And so can you.

Kenny: Thanks. Nice, he got one already.

Zuri: How can you tell?

Kenny: See that wall? The top left corner wasn't there before.

Zuri: Ahh, I see.

----

Bari: Son?

Kenny: Yes, sir.

Bari: My connection to the spirits is not as strong as it used to be. I've been away for too long. It might take some time.

Kenny: We have all day, it's okay.

Bari: About Zuri... I side with your mother.

Kenny: Dad, she's -

Bari: No need to explain. You'll do what you please but at least start to get the hard conversations out of the way. Don't drag it out like your brother and his ex-wife. Understood?

Kenny: Yes, sir.

------

Zuri: We spent most of the day talking about M-015. He knows more about Nebula history than most of us. And he talked about that thing you said is in Coceaux' simulation. Not M-225, her actual simulation.

Head Dreamer Moji: Horoscopes?

Zuri: Yup. He said something about having a system for programming traits based on seasons is still about creating order out of chaos and he got all excited talking about probability and different trait systems and what is needed for harmony between the traits. And for a second, I looked at him and wanted to ask him what he would believe if he didn't grow up in the Savefile.

Moji: Why didn't you ask? Do you think he'd get upset?

Zuri: I don't think he'd be upset, I just think the answer is he'd believe the same thing. 100%. Like he actually went through a bunch of different databases and chose the one he chose. And it happens to be the same thing his family and culture chose.

Moji: And for you that seems like -

Zuri and Moji: Madness.

Moji: But what would you believe if your parents weren't your parents?

Zuri: Are you comparing my family to a Savefile?

Moji: No. And even if I were, my dad and brother lived full-time in the Savefile and you love them both, so I don't get your tone. But I'm saying, do you hate what the Nebulas believe or do you just hate your parents?

Zuri: I don't hate my parents, Moji. I just hate how...

well, you know.

Moji: Hmm... You know if Grim didn't use them, he would have used another sim?

Zuri: Doesn't make it any better.

Moji: I guess.

Zuri: When grandma gifted me that cluster of her lifeforce before

elevating, she told me that love is not something you feel, it's something you do. I don't know if she knew I'd have trouble feeling... or maybe she had trouble too. I don't know. I remember being happy that Damie's lullabies could fix me. And today, Bari was a little creepy but that flirty buff was intense and I get why you and Oasis act like fools sometimes.

Moji: We do not.

Zuri: You do. You act like your life will be over if you don't get a hit. It's ridiculous. Anyway, where was I going with this?

Moji: Not feeling love?

Zuri: Oh... I like being there for Damie. I like being there for you even when I don't have the patience. I love spoiling little Claire more than anything.

Moji: Of course you love that.

Zuri: I do! But I think if I ever say or do anything to hurt K, I'd have a hard time forgiving myself. Do you get what I mean?

Moji: I do... Urgh, I need to go home and talk to Ravi.

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