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  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.3 – Sunset Valley - December 2022 part II: Queen of Rain.


    Roxette – Queen of Rain.

    Ranveig Motorsen profile:
    Date of birth: February 21st, 1978.
    Place of birth: Sunset Valley.
    Personality traits: Absent minded, insane, genius, charismatic, couch potato, loner.
    Favorite tv-channel: Romance Rendezvous.
    Education: High school.
    Current career: Journalism (level 8).
    Lifetime wish: Chess legend (achieved).

    Oliver Freddys notes:

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    The rain hit hard on the road, the typical weather for christmas in Sunset Valley, as we drove past my fathers house. Except for the holiday lights, it was all dark so they were no doubt in bed, which wouldn't be strange given that it was in the middle of the night.

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    Seeing my fathers house, and even the prison right next to it, is always nice, but I truely don't feel like I'm at home until I start getting this view from the hilltop of the New Town Area. As the car drove us down the hill, I began to wonder if mom and Robert would still be up waiting for me.

    In that big big house, there are fifty doors
    And one of them leads to your heart
    In the time of spring I passed your gate
    And tried to make a start

    Ranveigs notes:

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    I know it's quite a drive from university, but I wonder what's taking my Oliver so long. I got a little anxious earlier and kept checking the news to see if there had been any traffic accidents, but I couldn't see that there had been any. I know its silly to worry like this, because usually things turn out just fine most of the time, even though my mind does its best to tell me otherwise.. After a while of worrying, I figured that the best solution was to distract myself by playing computer games. I'm sure he would arrive in time.. And like I promised, I had made sure to drop off my pick-up truck over at Jarle and Iselins place, so that he could drive home from there after he had dropped off Inge. I just hope he makes it here soon...
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    All I knew was the scent of sea and dew
    I've been in love before, how about you?

    Inges notes:

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    I was super tired after our long drive, and most of all I just wanted to fall face first down on my bed. I still called for Oliver to come inside for one last goodbye, before we went to each our own for a while..

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    Oliver Freddys notes:

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    As promised my dear mom had left her beloved pick-up truck over at Inges place, and as I drove towards her house, grandma and grandpa was still hanging out in their garden.

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    I wanted to honk at them to let them know I was back home for the holidays, but decided against it, since it was already past midnight and I didn't want to disturb any neighbours...

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    After having parked the pick up truck in the driveway, I noticed the lights were still on in the kitchen, so I knew that mom was still up and waiting for me.

    Ranveigs notes:
    I'm a little surprised I didn't notice the sound of my car in the driveway (that old truck is anything but silent), but I blame it on the heavy rains outside and eventually being distracted enough by the computer game..

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    Of course, I was still very happy to have my son back for the holidays, and he was very excited to tell me about him and his girlfriends results for the semester. He just had to make sure I knew about the hours he spent studying to get there.. as if I didn't know about putting hours down to achieve a goal..

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    Well, I let him have his moment, now wasn't the time to talk of my own struggles, and I'll admit, though I was always proud of my son being determined to work hard and going to university, I didn't like him, well, "running away", with that girl at first..
    It took me a while to warm up to that thought. He is my son, and he has been very insistant that she is a good person through and through. And she probably is. During the brief conversations I have had with her, and if I put my worry aside, well... she does seem like a genuinely nice girl. I'm almost imagining them getting married one day.... well, ok, so here's another admittance from me. That thought, too, has began playing in my mind from time to time.. and it gets a little less frightening with every passing...

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    I have finally began to embrace it, that my son, my beloved son that was once just a little boy, is now becoming.. or has become, a man. A young man with lots more to learn, but still a man. After he had gone to bed for the night, I had to run to the window and watch the rain for a while. The sound of it soothes me when I get anxious, and I thought just listening to it for a while would help me clear my mind and sleep better..

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    There's a time for the good in life
    A time to kill the pain in life
    Dream about the sun
    You queen of rain


    Robert Bråge profile:
    Full name: Robert Bråge Motorsen.
    Date of birth: March 17th, 2010.
    Place of birth: Sunset Valley.
    Biological parents: Ranveig Motorsen, Gaute Chitrakaar-Bråheim.
    Siblings: Oliver Freddy Motorsen, Orinder Chitrakaar-Bråheim (both are his half brothers).
    Personality traits: Loves the outdoors, genius, absent minded.
    Current career: Pupil at Sunset Valley elementary school for gifted children...
    Lifetime wish: Undecided.

    Robert Bråges notes:

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    Oliver was back again from university when I woke up. I said hi to him, but he must have been very tired, because he didn't say hi back, so I just went downstairs to have breakfast.

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    Whenever mom has her days off, she always sleeps for so long so I am always the first to wake up. I wonder why grown ups are always so boring and why they have to sleep so much all the time. I'm sure my dad isn't like this, he's not lame like all the others.

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    After I had eaten, I went outside to practice on mamas chessboard. She always likes it when I do. She is just like gramps, always playing chess. I think our place is pretty cool, because we have our own pond where we can fish, and mom always finds all this stuff that she brings home. Some of it is a little smelly, so she has to clean it before we can use it. I think she found this chess table, too. I don't think she bought it.

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    Ranveigs notes:

    I'm so proud of both of my boys, and I was happy to find Robert out practicing on the chessboard. Of course, he still makes the odd questionable move.. knight to h3 is certainly a bold sacrifice.

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    As he was practicing, I got a text from mom reminding me that we were all invited over later for her gift giving party. She had also invited the Reppe family over this year, she thought it was about time for us all to celebrate christmas under the same roof.

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    I want back to my bedroom to watch some tv, and found my son already there watching the action channel. We discussed universty and our favorite tv shows for a while, but when I talked to him about my favorite show on the romance channel, he became strangely silent and started reading a book instead..

    Oliver Freddys notes:

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    After a good nights sleep in my own old bed and finishing a quick breakfast, I went up to my mamas room to watch tv on the bed for a while. I know, she has two other tv-sets in the house, my mom really loves watching the romance channel..... but the one in her bedroom is the one with the better signal.

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    I don't mind talking about tv-shows, preferrably something on the action channel, but I always zone out when she begins talking about those sappy romance shows.. give me a break! That's just not my thing at all, so I took out my copy of "Unicorns for Audrey", a book I had been wanting to finish for some time...

    Reppe household:

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    Narrators notes:
    On the way up the hill from downtown Sunset Valley and towards the Reppe house, I found Ingrid out on this christmas morning, playing with the gnubb set in her pyjamas. This was going to be her first christmas after she moved out of her parents nest, but as it is a little to cumbersome to be two places at once, she will be left on her own for now.. :P

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    Kristinas notes:
    I was so happy to see my sister back for the holidays. I want to be just like her and go to university to learn painting and writing, too! The only thing I don't get, is why she always have to sob and cry for everything, even when she is happy. She is just * so * sensitive!

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    Sometimes I am jealous of dad for always hogging the little Emmy, like, he is always the first to hug her, feed her or play with her. It's like he doesn't trust anyone else of us, like we're going to drop the baby or something. It's almost never anyone elses turn, and when it is, then he usually just hands her over to mom! It's like he thinks I'm still just a kid, but I'm 13 years old, I can hold a baby!

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    Narrators notes:
    This is a little funny, because everyone in the Reppe household has the family oriented trait, except Jarle (the father), yet he is most of the time the first one on the spot to attend to the baby's needs. :P

    Motorsen Senior household:

    Eirin Motorsen profile:
    Full name: Eirin Motorsen, née Jensen.
    Place of birth: Little Enebakk
    Date of birth: July 10th, 1954.
    Personality traits: Insane, absent minded, genius, charismatic, absent minded, lucky, flirtatious.
    Education: High school.
    Current career: Law enforcement (retired)
    Lifetime wish: Forensic Specialist: Dynamic DNA Profiler (Achieved).
    Spouse: Ingmar Motorsen.
    Children: Ranveig Motorsen, Monica Motor-Notesen, Eivind Motor-Karlsen, Knut Kråke-Motorsen.
    Grandchildren: Oliver Freddy Motorsen, Kleopatra Motor-Karlsen, Lise Veronica Motor-Notesen, Robert Bråge Motorsen, Bjørn-Yngve Kråke-Motorsen, Walther Motor-Karlsen, Anton Kråke-Motorsen, Thomas Motor-Notesen.

    Eirin Motorsen family tree at plumtreeapp.com: https://www.theplumtreeapp.com/public/600d7a17f6542d0008498d08

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    Eirins notes:
    My.. I mean, our, christmas party was coming up soon, so I just had to send out a reminder to everyone, just to make sure they hadn't forgotten about it!

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    Oh, I had been looking forward to this for a long time, to finally have both families under the same roof. I always thought that Inge was such a sweet girl, I am sure she will be a wonderful addition to the family.

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    Then it was time to get out the old trusted duster to make this place look a little neater, and maybe pack away some of those kids toys to make room for a little christmas spirit.

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    And all these flamingos that I have collected over the years. It's beyond me why they keep falling over all the time. It must be the wind, or maybe it's the garden gnomes... there you go little flamingo boy, mama is gonna put you upright again!

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    Christmas music, christmas decorations, and some mistletoe! All should be set now, I just need to do one more thing before the guests arrive..

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    Pout those lips there mama! You may be old, but I think you still got it! I gotta do that little freshing up and pep talk to myself! Oh, the boys used to fall like flies for me back in the day, you betcha!

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    Narrators notes:
    Hehe, alright then. ;) Well, I think I'm gonna have to stop this update here before it gets to long, and leave the christmas party for the next one.. getting there is taking a little longer than I thought!
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited May 2022
    Chapter 17.3 – Sunset Valley – December 2022 part III: Painting on the wall..


    Edguy - Painting on the wall
    Strong on your feet, you were blinded
    Building up a tower on shaking ground
    Once in a world full of colors
    Back to see just ruins there to be found
    And now you're falling, crawling
    Digging in the broken remains
    Of what had to be taken for strong
    Slowly it's been fading away

    Come into the painting on the wall
    So the joker smiles
    Come into the painting on the wall
    No more crying
    Illusions let you in from the rain
    Follow Mr. Hopkins, get insane

    Stories are told - wanna hear him
    Talking from the picture to your head
    Follow the call of a puppet
    Led into a black room painted red

    Where life is painless, brainless
    You don't think of broken remains
    Of what had to be taken for strong
    Slowly it's been fading away

    Look at the picture
    Point at the child there on the floor
    Realize that it's a looking glass...

    Eirins notes:

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    I came down the stairs just in time, as what must be the younger sister of Olivers girlfriend came through the door. Of course, I wanted to give the best impression possible, so I immediately put on my cleanest set of clothing.

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    I guess her mother, Iselin, had the same idea, though I do think she was a little to scantily clad for a family woman maybe, but oh.. it does remind me a little bit of me in my younger days! Oh, those were the times, guys were swooning for me left and right, mm mm!

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    I thought I would walk outside to welcome everyone when they came, when I heard this snickering laughter around the corner, and I knew it was one of those pesky garden gnomes again. "Get off my property, you little scoundrel" I told it, as I gave it a kick to the head. "And stop stealing my fruit!"

    Ingmar Motorsen profile:
    Full name: Ingmar Motorsen.
    Place of birth: Geekmos Farm, Little Enebakk.
    Date of birth: January 18th, 1953.
    Personality traits: Couch potato, loner, absent minded, inappropriate, genius
    Education: High school.
    Current career: Retired from medical career (World Renowned Surgeon).
    Lifetime wish: Chess Legend (achieved).
    Spouse: Eirin Motorsen.
    Children, grandchildren and family tree is the same as Eirin Motorsen from the previous update.

    Ingmars notes:

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    The christmas party that Eirin had been talking about all month was coming up, so I guess I had to pull myself out of my little cave for a while to socialize with the family. And, well, I was getting a little hungry, so I went to the kitchen to get a little snack.

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    I think Oliver has a bright future ahead of him, being the first of the family to go to university to get a degree. Of course, he had gone and got himself a girlfriend too, and from what I understand they've been steady since high school. I hope she is of a different calibre then her mother, she didn't really impress me much at all.

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    I suppose the flowers could have been a nice gesture if she had stopped there, but the lewd suggestions she made afterwards, were about as unfitting as the length of her skirt.

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    Eirins notes:

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    When I came back inside, I saw Ingmar coming from the kitchen saying he would go back to the office room for a while for some rounds of chess. Over the years we've had our quarrels over that room.. I bought that computer to write reports for my job, but more often than not when I came home in the evening after having interrogated someone, or even late at night after I had been literally out digging through peoples trash for clues, he would sit there, playing his chess game..

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    It was rough combining all that with taking care of the kids. He wasn't really much of a dad at times.. and we nearly divorced after the twins were born. That was a tough time. I am happy for all my children today, they have grown up to be the most wonderful human beings, but back then.. we had agreed to only have two kids. One boy and girl was what we hoped for, or, well, what he hoped for. He was a little disappointed when Monica was born, and we had two girls.. so we ended up giving it a try one more time, and, well when Eivind and Knut was born, he got his wish fulfilled there for sure, two-fold... All of a sudden with four kids in the house and two demanding full-time jobs (he worked at the hospital..) the situation was immensely stressful for all of us. If it hadn't been for Ranveig, our oldest daughter, taking care of the toddlers when we were all burnt out, I don't think we would have made it, to be honest...

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    Needless to say, our love life suffered greatly, too, there wasn't much going on in the bedroom to say it bluntly. We even slept in seperate beds for a while. As the kids got older and got their own bedrooms, I could feel my energy returning and I wished for things to go back to the way they were. I often had to go the extra mile to get some.. I tried everything, from lingerie to nothing.. until I learnt that swimsuits was the thing...and boy did that work! I still resort to this trick nowadays when I want his attention, or when I sense that something is up..

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    I wanted to call Justine to catch up and hear she was doing. It was so nice to be back at the office to do some police work and see my coworkers again. I was pleased to hear that our case won, and that the criminals ended up behind bars. I felt useful again, old lady still got it. Maybe I should go back to my job fulltime...

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    While I was on the phone, Oliver Freddy, Inge and her father had also arrived, and Inge decided to turn off the lights to tell a scary story while her sister was really enjoying the music.

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    Robert Bråge came soon thereafter, but I didn't see Ranveig anywhere, so I walked up the stairs on out on our balcony in the back that we had built for this gigantic space rock that fell into our garden!

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    After all these years it still fascinates me how something like that can just fall out of the sky! Oh, I'm just happy it landed where it did, and not on our house! It was still a bit of a hassle, though, since we had to rent a crane to put it where it is now, and an excavator to fix the hole it left in the ground, but selling it to make money was never an option! It was so special, I wanted to keep it!

    Ranveigs notes:

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    I'm always happy to visit my parents house – the home where I grew up with my sister and brothers. When I look back on it, I have plenty of good memories from growing up, though I'm not gonna lie – it was a struggle sometimes, but now is not the time...
    If you want to know more, Ranveig has already recounted some of her past in "Prologue 0.3: What are memories but snapshots in time?" (https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/comment/17773194/#Comment_17773194) This links to thread in story forum.)

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    When I walked inside, christmas music was playing, and Inge was telling a ghost story to Oliver Freddy and her dad , but I didn't see mom anywhere, so I walked upstairs to look for her.

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    That hallway upstairs always felt a little claustrophobic to me, I never really liked it to much up there. The house had already been expanded with another floor holding Monicas bedroom, an additional bathroom and mom's workout machine, but when my brothers got of school age we needed a few more bedrooms as well, and that's when the hallway was built.

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    I could hear mom's voice from just opposite the door, sweet talking to the meteor that crashed in our backyard not long after my brothers had started school.. yes, really. A meteor almost hit our house and obliterated us all! I wanted to get rid of it, but mom wanted to hold on to it, so she had made a special balcony for it just behind this door, and that's when things started to get weird upstairs, almost like something else came down with it... It was around this time I heard that voice for the first time. I wanted to talk to mom, but I didn't really want to go out there to that space rock...

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    And I'm not even going to talk about that painting on the wall there that mom came home with late one night after rummaging through the towns dumpsters.. She was doing her best to hide it, but Knut, whose bedroom was to the left at the end of the hallway, later said he could hear mom talking in the hallway at night, and when he peaked through the door he saw her in what appeared to be a conversation with that picture... and this, he said, would happen repeatedly over the following years, and always late at night... I never asked mom what was going on with that picture, but.. I never really liked spending time upstairs in that hallway... so I walked back downstairs to watch some tv..

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    Inges notes:
    After I finished the ghost story, I wondered where Olivers grandma went, as she had been gone for some time, so I walked around to look for her. I heard her voice from just opposite this door upstairs, and it sounded as if she was sweet talking someone she called her "big little rock from outer space". I didn't want to intervene and ask her what that was all about, but curiosity killed the cat, of course, because as I was standing there she came out the door and caught me listening..

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    I quickly made a lousy excuse, stuttering that I was just enjoying the art on the wall.. no way could she believe that, but she said she understood what I meant, titlted her head slightly as she looked at me and gave me this weird, but empathetic smile as if we both all of a sudden shared some kind of secret... and yeah, I couldn't help but notice that the picture on the wall there was a copy of the same cheap picture from our student dorm that gave me this strange feeling.. so... I don't know.. I don't know if it's me, the picture or what it is, but there is something weird here...

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    Eirins notes:

    I admit, I got a little lost in thought there, reminsicing about the old times and that space rock. It happens from time to time that I sometimes just forget what I was about to do.. something that started happening more often in my early teenage years around the time of my parents divorce...
    Oh, but anyway, I remembered what I had planned again when I saw Oliver Freddys girlfriend Inge outside the door. Of course, I was throwing a christmas party! And I couldn't leave the guests waiting, so I had to go downstairs and tell everyone they could begin opening the presents...

    She said something to me, though, that she was admiring the art on the wall. She must have meant that old picture I found in the Landgraab familys trash can when they were under investigation for financial fraud and tax evation.. I have no idea if the painting is worth anything (probably not since they threw it away), but I thought it was nice enough to put up on the wall... She looked a little frightened, so I told her I understood what she meant about the painting.. poor girl, she must be hearing it, too...

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    Narrators notes (gift opening part):
    Ignoring that Ranveig has her hands through her dress, this to me, is one of the best shots of the update, because it has everyone on board, eagerly waiting to open their gifts..

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    And it's nice to see that my sims honor traditions by letting the youngest one start the show. ;) Here is Robert Bråge (age: 12) going for his present. Everyone was happy about the presents they got, but for some reason everyone except the hosts, Eirin and Ingmar, as well as Ranveig and Oliver Freddy chose to not reveal what their gifts actually were...

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    Kristina (age: 13) is a little shy to take a peak at her gift. Expecting to get pranked? But don't worry, there is no such tradition here...

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    Inge (age: 22) opens her gift. She is 5 months younger than her boyfriend. ;)

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    Oliver Freddy (age: 22) was happy about the chessboard he received. Inge makes a comment about having a combined library and art room in their future home, and that the chessboard would make a perfect centerpiece for that room.

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    Well, they did follow the rule of going by age until it was the adults turn, as the first of them to open his gift was Jarle (age: 45). I hope he got something he can use for his garden, because that's his main interest. ;) Robert Bråge in the background disagrees with Inge, and thinks its better to put the chess table outside, because, well, he thinks everything is better outside..

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    Then it was Ranveigs turn (age: 44) to open her gift. She got a console, a perfect gift for a couch potato. Inge is still talking about furnishing her and Oliver Freddys future home.. she is making plans...

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    Next it was Iselins turn to open her gift. It would have been perfect if she got a fishing rod, or maybe a fish bowl, because what she dreams of, is to have her own aquarium. ;)

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    After opening her gift, she's being rude and shouting at Ingmar for rejecting her romantic advances earlier..

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    Then its time for the party host, Eirin (age: 68) to open her gift. She got an indoor chess table as well, and was happy to receive it, even though they already have one. :P

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    And lastly, its Ingmars (age: 69) turn to open his gift. Eirin looks at him opening his gift, and gets a wish to kiss someone under the mistletoe. ;) Kristina is talking to Robert Bråge about travel and vacation. Ingmar got another chess table as well...

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    After they have finished opening their gifts, they all get up to react to each other. Ranveig is, of course, happy about celebrating christmas with her son, and likewise, Eirin is happy to celebrate with her grandson. Iselin is happy to have Oliver Freddy as her potentially future son-in-law, or maybe she has some other thoughts, because I have seen the way she looks at him sometimes... There's something odd about every family, also the Reppe family....

    Oliver Freddy is not to happy to see his grandfather there, and the feeling appears to be mutual right there... And Inge keeps pointing and laughing at Ingmar for wearing his everyday clothes.. When Eirin invited everyone, she wrote that they should put on their formal wear, but well, its the Motorsen family. Since when did they care about the correct and appropriate clothing? :P

    Jarle doesn't approve of this, and is a little mad with Oliver Freddy for wearing his sports wear on christmas eve...

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    Eirins notes:
    After a successful round of gift opening, it was time to gather everyone around the table to eat. Oh, well that was another thing I had forgotten.. to make food for the guests! But I was lucky that Inge had brought hamburgers and Iselin had brought a pumpkin pie, or I would've had to leave everyone waiting while I was preparing the food...

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    That was a bit embarassing, but what could I do? I heard no complaints, and everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.

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    And my sweet grandchild Robert just had to made sure everyone knew that he wasn't going to be doing any of the dishes. That was perfectly fine by me, I wouldn't have expected him to.. I know, of course, how important christmas eve is for the children, so I would never have him do that! There was absolutely no need for him to anyway, as Kristina and Oliver volunteered to clean everything up without anyone saying anything. They're such lovely and helpful kids!

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    Ranveig had already sat down in the sofa to watch tv, when I got this impulse where I wanted to run out into the garden to have some fun with the sprinkler.. Since I was already in the swimsuit, I thought to hell with it.. why not?

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    Eeek! Oh, hahahaha, that water, it was so cold! This brings me right back to my childhood! This is how we used to cool off on the warmest days! Oh, I had so much fun out there, and realized I had completely lost track of time when it started to get dark and my guests started leaving! When Robert was about to leave, he saw me playing and joined me for a while! It was great fun, I felt so much like a kid again!

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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.3 – Sunset Valley December 2022 Part IV: Under the mistletoe..

    Inges notes:

    My Ollis grandma is a funny, cute and strange old woman! After we had eaten our first round and Olli and my sister went to do the dishes, she all of a sudden darted outside! Later when I got a glimpse through the window, I could see her playing with the sprinklers! So cute and funny!

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    And I overheard my sister talking to mom about how she wants to be a writer, like me! Well, I'm not much of a writer yet! I haven't been writing any on my book, "A miners heart", that I started working on last christmas since, well, I started on it... University and painting has taken up to much of my time, but it was still very heartwarming to hear those words from my sister..

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    ..I just had to shed a few tears again after I had finished my second burger.. I know Kristina will mock me for this later, but I just can't help it.. She always thinks I'm weak and whiny, but my tears are tears of love, joy and happiness, and I just can't hold them in! Nothing could be better for me than celebrate christmas surrounded by my family members, I just feel it so much!

    Iselins notes:

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    Oh, that sweet boy Oliver.. mm, my daughter has made a really good catch there! I know I shouldn't be hoping for it, but...

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    ...I just had to ask him for a slow dance right there under the mistletoe.. and I didn't mind at all that he was clumsy and constantly stepped on my feet..

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    His cute face and the way he moved his hands everytime he apologized himself.. I know this isn't right, but there's something about that boy...

    Kristinas notes:

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    I had a great time at Eirins christmas party, but my mom can be so embarrassing sometimes! I didn't want to stay there anymore when she started slow dancing with Oliver! I'm not stupid, I know what she's thinking and that's just so gross! I'm just happy there wasn't any juice served at this party as well, because I know mom wouldn't be able to leave that alone either...

    Ranveigs notes:

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    I probably should have kept my mouth shut, but oh.. as I have begun to settle with it not being just a fling between my Oliver and Inge, well... I just blurted it straight out and asked her when they were getting married!

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    I could tell she was taken aback by the question. I didn't mean it like that, I just wanted to... I have been so preoccupied with these thoughts lately.. I just want to know that my son is in good hands! Well, she said "Not for many months yet! Our plan is to finish our degrees at university first..." but it didn't calm me down much at all...

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    "And children? What if you get pregnant and have children, what are you gonna do then? Huh?" I kept pressuring her, and I'm not proud of this behaviour at all..

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    I suppose my father could hear me getting a little tense, as he tried to change the topic by expressing the joys of working out, even though I'm sure he has never worked out a minute his entire life..

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    "I... I don't know, we will.. we're going to get ourselves a house first, and then.." Inge did her best to come up with a response.

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    "..and then? How are you going to get the money for this house? Have you thought about that?" I continued, still concerned.

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    "Eirin really knows how to pick the best christmas music, don't you think..?" my father asked, once again trying to change the topic, and I could tell that Inges father was beginning to feel a little uncomfortable too as he thanked my father for being invited and expressed how he had enjoyed the evening. He probably had as he sounded sincere enough, before he said it was probably time for him and his daughter to head back home...

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    "You know, Ranveig.." my father said with his eyes focused on the video game in front of him "I'm confident that Inge will be successful in her career as a painter and writer, and that there will be no problem for them financially... isn't that right, Inge?"

    Inges notes:

    Wow! Well, the evening didn't quite end like I had.. expected? Or maybe I should have expected it to go that way? I don't know, but especially since last christmas I have felt this animosity from Ranveig towards me, and I don't know what it's all about..

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    I know her father probably only tried to keep things calm, but I was starting to feel that these questions were getting a little to unpleasant. I mean, all in all, it was a great evening, and I was happy to be invited and spend time with them, I just wish his mother could be a little nicer sometimes.. so I told them I had really enjoyed this evening, before I excused myself to go home..

    Ranveigs notes:
    Maybe my father had a point there, that she would do just fine in her arts career, but, that wasn't.. that didn't solve it for me.. I still felt uneasy about it all, and then Inge just excused herself and said she had to leave.. well, I probably wouldn't blame her there, I was.. I did create a bit of an uncomfortable scene there..

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    "Ranveig, honestly," my father continued after she left "I know this must be hard for you, but I really don't think you need to worry. Even if Inge will turn out to be completely penniless, I know for a fact that Oliver Freddy will have no problem getting a job at the Science Centre. I mean, Monica has pretty much already promised him a position there.."

    And of course, I knew very well he was right there. My sister Monica was really doing great in her science career, and thanks to her Oliver has already had a position here already before he went to university... Not only that, I think she is even what inspired him to pursue that career, so... I was never worried about him getting a job and being able to make a living.. but still I always carried this feeling that something awful could happen just around the next corner, ever since.. ever since I myself was a child, and I.. I have always feared for my boy, for my boys, for both of them...

    "I.. I guess you're right, I'm just.. so worried.." I did my best to continue.

    "Tell me something Ranveig, this isn't really about money, is it?" His question was a mild punch to the stomach and it pushed me back to my dark cell again, yet it also provided a tiny ray of light passing through the bars of its small window..

    "I..." I said, as I got up from the cell floor, doing my best to keep standing. I had to stay present in the moment, and not let it pull me down again.
    "Look, Oliver is a sensible young boy, he's smart." I heard my fathers voice talking and his fingers mashing the plastic buttons of the game controller through the cell window. "He knows what he's doing, and I'm sure Inge is a really good girl, and you know.. It's not like he will.. It's not like he's exiting your life forever, but you know.. and I never really thought I would have this conversation, but you... you have to let him go, Ranveig.."
    Those last words made me feel my fathers hand on my shoulder as he entered the cell and pulled me back and the stone walls of the cell gradually faded away and reversed back to the dull cider orange walls of my parents living room..

    "I know, I'm.. I'm sorry for... I'm sorry for letting it get the better of me...I just want the best for him, you know.." I apologized as best as I could.

    "Yes, we all do, but I think it will all be fine.." my father said while lining up his offensive formation on the football game he was still playing..

    "Thanks dad, you're ..you're probably right, I should.. I know I shouldn't w-" my sentence was interrupted by my father shouting and banging his hand against the games controller.. "No, darnit! I just got tackled!"


    "..oh, well... it's.. it's getting late and we should probably head back... back home. Thanks again dad.. it's been, it's been a nice evening where everyone could be.. could be gathered, and.." I said as I shifted my eyes against Oliver that had been standing there the whole time delivering a rant, from what I could hear, appeared to be about betrayal.
    "Oh, don't thank me, thank your mom" my father interrupted, "it was her idea.. and Ranveig if you would ever need....if you would ever need to talk or just... you know....... we are still your parents, we will be here for you..."
    Having my parents support is always nice and though it made me feel better for a while, I think there is only so much they can do.. like everything else, I knew that this worry was something I would have to find ways to cope with on my own...

    Eirins notes:

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    Oh my, time really flies when an old lady has fun.. I didn't get back inside until after Robert had left, but I was happy to find Oliver still there, bless that boy! Ranveig was just on her way out as she thanked me for hosting the party and said she was getting tired, so it was probably time for her to leave.

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    I apologized to her for losing track of time while playing with the sprinkler, but she must have been really ready to go to bed, because she didn't seem to be to interested as she literally yawned her way out. Oliver followed his mom and left shortly thereafter, and then it was only me and Ingmar left.

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    Oliver assured me it was a great party, but I still felt I could have done better and been a little more attentive.. oh, maybe next time..

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    After having had all these guests over, the house felt near empty, which I must admit, was a little nice. I mean, having everyone over was good, but.. a little peace and quiet isn't bad either. Only the christmas music was still playing, as I went for another small painting...

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    Ingmar must have snuck past me up the stairs while I was busy painting, because after a while I could hear a steady additional bass rhythm coming from upstairs that didn't blend to well with the christmas music. I thought he might need an audience, so I followed the sound to find him in the bathroom. I suppose he went in there for the acoustics or something.

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    One good thing about being retired is the additional time one gets to pursue other interests and hobbies. I never knew when we were younger, that myhusband had any musicality in him, but there he was now, playing that bass almost as if he had been doing it his whole life.

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    Watching his fingers move around on the neck of that bass made me think about... ahem, well, it made me think about one last thing that had to be done before bedtime.. I was already in the swimsuit, so I put on my most charming smile and all it needed was a little extra sweet talk..

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    ..and he was ready for a kiss under the mistletoe, and maybe some pie for dessert, I thought as I stood there waiting for him with my eyes closed...

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    Christmas can be a time of year to be a little silly, and I have always said that kissing under the mistletoe makes sparkles appear, and it sure felt like it did...
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    ..and now, dear reader, I think it's a good time for me to end this here with a Merry Christmas and best of wishes to all of you from me and my family! Until next time!

    Narrators notes:

    That's alright, because I'll take over from this point on! ;)

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    Eirin wants her privacy from here, which is perfectly understandable, but I want to show this part anyway! :P

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    This couple has had their struggle over the years, raising for children alongside their demanding careers, and it is true as Eirin recounted earlier, that they were close to divorce once, but luckily they managed to stick together through it all, and put their love back on track - and it still thrives, which is a very beatiful thing, after all. ;)

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    So this moment is theirs...

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    Good night.. ;)
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    Other happenings in Sunset Valley this month:

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    The town council has found that Amena needs to find a more suitable home now that her nephew George has moved in. Amena already has plans to do so, and will start looking for a new home in january.

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    Ingrids parents, Kathrine and Jonathan have been renewing their affections for each other. I found them hanging out at the park, though currently doing seperate things.

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    A little bit of teen love. Margrethe Holm-Fredriksen, the daughter of the Prison Warden Fredrik Holm-Fredriksen and Oliver Freddys half sister, was observed at the beach with her new (and first) love interest Otto Hillestad.

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    And some more elderly love. Lucie, Jonathans mother and Ingrids grandmother, is now apparently in a relationship, and appear to be totally comitted to Carlos Opsahl. I was expecting them to be on a date, since I found her at the bowling alley. Well, of course they were in two completely different locations, since he was hanging out outside the Prison Warden Pub in the New Town Area. So... will it last? :P
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited May 2022
    Chapter 17.4 – Sprottenham – December 2022 part I: In the circle of life...

    Narrators notes:

    Well you know, I'm just gonna have to do the usual round and head north again from Sunset Valley to the small coastal town of Sprottenham and the Chitrakaar-Bråheim family where everyone is sleeping, safe and sound.. kind of..

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    I am reusing a previously posted picture here (because I'm lazy). This one is from a year ago in their timeline, before the Jensen/Rasmussen family (marked with A) moved from Greenacre Road and just slightly down and to the left to the house at the end of Southfield Road.


    Elton John - Circle of Life

    Gautes notes:

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    I usually don't get nightmares, but I had a pretty strange and uncomfortable dream tonight.. I was walking down this long narrow hallway lit up by a dim sickly green light when I was approached by a woman in a white lab coat, shoulder length hair and a pair of golden hoop earrings. She asked me to follow her, and for some reason she kept referring to me over and over as the undertaker, and that I would soon be there. I kept asking her "Where? Where are we going?", but she just kept repeating herself as we walked on. "We will be there soon, undertaker. We will be there soon..", but we just walked on for what would seem like an eternity, and no matter what I said or tried to ask her, she just kept on repeating the exact same thing "We will be there soon undertaker, we will be there soon..", before she suddenly turned around and put her hand on my chest and said "Stop. We're here. The door is on your left." And sure enough, there was a door, a grey door with a narrow window up and to the right of the door pull handle. The door looked very institutional, as if it belonged in a hospital or some other type of healthcare facility.
    "Open it. You have to open it" she said.

    "Why?" I asked her. "Why do I have to open the door, and what happens if I do?"

    "Just open it. You're almost there now, undertaker. Almost there now. Just open the door. Just push.. breathe, and push... almost there now, almost there..."

    Well, I had no choice then, but to push the door open, and as I did, I could see my mom and my brothers, and then suddenly I was looking down on myself from above as I ran towards them shouting for my dad. "Where is dad!? What happened to dad!?" I shouted, but my voice was.. different, and when I reached them, they all vanished into thin air and then it was just me, alone, in a big empty room. Not even the woman in the white coat was there, and well, that's when I woke up and realized it was a dream...

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    I couldn't go to sleep right away, so I stood by the window for a moment watching as the rotating beam of the old memorial lighthouse swept across the night sky. It was still three hours more until I had to get out of bed, and get ready for work...I eventually made it back to sleep again, and luckily I had no more dreams that night.

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    When I woke up again to get ready for work, the house was quiet and everything was by the normal, except for, well, the shower breaking. I had no time to fix it as I had to soon rush out the door, so I called for a repair man to come over and get it done.

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    I kept wondering about that strange dream on the way to work. I couldn't really figure it out, but I felt it had a message of some kind. I was certain it would have something to do with family, but I wasn't sure what.

    Leyas notes:

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    This morning started the usual way, with Orinder waking me up from his crib. I knew from his voice he was hungry as I had already learnt to interpret him. That sulk could only mean one thing..

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    Mommy just needed to do a little private errand first, so I let him out of his crib and headed for the bathroom where a couple of unpleasant surprises waited for me.

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    This house has served us good for the year and half we've been living here with no major issues, but now water was gushing from the shower and kept leaking out all over the floor of the upstairs bathroom, and, well, I know this man was there just do his job, but I really needed to go..

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    I heard the school bus honk outside and the front door slam shut, so I knew Bodil was on her way to school, she's such a good girl, getting up and making breakfast for herself alone already.

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    With Bodil out the door, Orinder had gone into her room to play with her dollhouse. Realizing he had crawled all the way over there I became worried he would hurt his knees or get splinters in his hands from these wooden floors.
    "So so, mommy's little boy. You stay here and play, mommy just has to go take a bath and I'll be right back."

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    I didn't want to use the newly repaired shower, so I went for the bathtub, but as I filled it up I noticed the water pressure wasn't really there as it took ages to fill. Water wasn't leaking from the shower, but just to make sure I called the repair man again to have come over and inspect the piping, because there still had to be something wrong somewhere.

    Narrators notes:
    A right decision by Leya, because earlier in the bathroom downstairs as Bodil was doing her morning routine to get ready for school...

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    Home owners will know, something will break sooner or later, and accidents always seem to pile up. ;) The elements are useful as long as we are in control and can keep them in their spaces, but they always try to find a way... It's a constant battle between order and chaos. :P Give and take...

    Leyas notes:

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    With Bodil at school and Gaute at work I had the entire day to teach Orinder how to walk, so that he could move around more safely.. or uhmm, maybe not, but... I didn't want to see him have to crawl around on the floor anymore, so there was only one thing to do.

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    My boy is so clever, he was making really rapid progress and he was almost ready to walk around on his own by the time I had to get ready for my shift at the theatre. I'm so proud of him.

    Gautes notes:

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    As I was playing a game of darts after work today, I started thinking about Selma. We had known each other since we were kids growing up by the Appaloosian mountains. I hadn't seen her in quite a while now since we moved to her new house and wanted to catch up, so I invited her over. She was fast to come over, because shortly after I had gone inside to change Orinders diaper we could hear the doorbell ringing. I ran quickly upstairs with him, so that he could stay in Bodils room to play with the toys.

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    Selmas profile:


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    Full name: Selma Vaddelmyr
    Place of birth: Dole Plains.
    Date of birth: July 2nd, 1992.
    Personality traits: Couch potato, slob, virtuoso, heavy sleeper, charismatic.
    Education: High school.
    Current career: Band Manager
    Lifetime wish: Super Popular (completed).
    Spouse: Christoffer Vaddelmyr.
    Children: Jorunn Vaddelmyr.

    Gautes notes:

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    When I came downstairs again to answer the door, it looked like she had left, but just to make sure I took a walk around the house and found her on the way towards the backyard to play a game of darts. I asked her how her day had been and she said it was alright, but that she was struggling with back pains, which from looking at her belly wasn't to surprising.

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    She was still being har charming good old self, though, as she complimented my looks. I knew she meant nothing with it though, seeing as we are both married, but she has always been this way. I remember in school, she was always surrounded by a group of friends, and when we were teenagers we would alternate between throwing the wildest parties on the plains... After high school, I got restless and wanted to move on to bigger things, so I headed westwards to the coast and the city where I met Leya for the first time. I was still young then and not ready to settle down, so a year later I left the city to travel around the country, never staying to long in one place.. those were the days...

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    Selma on the other hand, had always been a country girl, though, so she stayed behind on the plains. We lost touch for a while during these years. It wasn't until after I had ended up here I ran by both her and Leya again as they were doing a performance with their choir in the park.. And it was Selma that (re) introduced me to Leya and almost played the part of the match maker, and, well, here we are...

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    Bodils notes:

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    After school and ballet practice I wanted Edny to come over to hangout, so I called her and invited her over. Ednys mom has gone away to prison for having done some really bad things, but Edny isn't bad like her mom, she's a friend to me. I had to do my homework too, and I had just gotten started when she was at the door. Dad was out in the garden playing darts with Selma, one of his friends. Mom was at work, she always works in the afternoon.

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    I invited her in and we walked into moms painting room. Edny is the smartest girl in school, she is the best at maths and I can always ask her when I don't understand multiplication and division. I hate division the most, it's so difficult! Edny makes it sound simple, but I'm still not sure if I understand it.

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    She told me her father had began to put away money from the child support her mom has to pay in the bank for her when she got older and that the money would multiply. I'm not sure how that works, but I guess that's just what banks do, they make the money multiply to make more money.

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    We goofed around a bit, before we did our homework. Homework is very boring, but it's a little better when you have a smart friend.

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    Gautes notes:

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    I have always enjoyed pushing boundaries and going to the extremes, and one day I hope to be able to experience watching our planet floating around in space, completely weightless.. This requires extensive training that only the military can offer, which is perfect for me, I love a good workout. The only drawback is that it requires discipline and getting up early in the morning, which of course also means going earlier to bed. I had to excuse myself to Selma and went upstairs to put Orinder in his crib before I had to go to bed.

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    Of course, my rest didn't last long before Orinder was screaming at me. Well, that was the punishment for not feeding him before bedtime..

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    Selma was still hanging around, entertaining herself by playing an old country tune, "Riverview Blues", on her guitar.

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    In the meantime as I was feeding Orinder I heard Leya out in the hallway walking up the stairs as she came home from work. She was probably tired from work and went straight to bed.

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    Bodil had her friend Edny over from school. I always knew something fishy was going on over at the old peat factory, I just never knew the scope of it, or that Edny's mom was involved in it. I mean, it's a good thing the case is cleared up and that the wrongdoers get their punishment, but it's still so sad for a child to see their parent get locked away.. I hope she's doing alright. She's welcome to come over here any time she wants.

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    It makes you think about the importance of being present and being a good parent..and after she had biked home, it was bedtime for Bodil.

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    I got an uncomfortable message from Laranya, Leyas mother, when I was picking a book from the shelf to read Bodil a bedtime story. She was a the hospital with Deepak. He had fallen on the bathroom floor and when she tried to talk to him, he wasn't able to speak in sentences. His face looked really pale, and he could only answer with yes and no. Laranya had tried to call Leya several times, but she had probably turned her phone on silent.

    Yellow textbox translation: Deepak Chitrakaar is getting old and will not live that much longer. Maybe it would have been an idea to pay Deepak Chitrakaar a visit!

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    There wasn't much we could do right now, and I didn't want to wake Leya, but I sent a message back to her mother, ensuring that I would tell her when she woke up, and that we would probably come over and visit them for the upcoming holidays, if not before...

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    I wouldn't necessarily want Bodil to follow in the excact footsteps as me with some of the things I did when I was younger, but still, I felt it important to encourage her to be active and athletic, so I read to her a chapter from "Swish, Dribble, Swish", specifically focusing on how to prevent injuries when excercizing. I hope she learns something, but if not, atleast it makes her fall asleep...

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    When I kissed her goodnight, I heard moaning from downstairs as if someone was in pain. Of course! Selma was still around, so I ran downstairs to see what was wrong and I found her holding her stomach in pain from being in labor (and the TV was broken, but that can be fixed later).

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    Somebody wanted out right now, so I had to get her to the hospital as fast as I could. Sleep and everything else would just have to wait.

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    Once there, I called her Christoffer to tell him the baby was coming! He was a little grumpy as I woke him up from sleeping, but as soon as he heard what was happening, he was quick to jump into his clothes and come over. Hospitals at night aren't among the most exciting things, and time almost appeared to be frozen as I waited for them out in the hallway.

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    I'm not sure how she does it, as she is radically opposite from me when it comes to physical activity, but Selma is a woman of good health, and was out of the hospital already that night, with a newborn baby girl in her arms. She always says it's her love of singing and music that keeps her young, and well, who knows.. if that works for her, then nothing could be better. One things for certain, everyone has to find their path life, and the worst thing that can happen is to be pigeonholed, or forced into something other than what is right for you!

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    Even though it was early morning by the time we left the hospital, I followed them home to make sure everything was alright and that they got there safely.

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    New Sim:


    Name: Rebbeca Vaddelmyr.
    Date of birth: December 15th 2022.
    Personality traits: Good, athletic.
    Biological parents: Selma Vaddelmyr, Christoffer Vaddelmyr.

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    Luckily I had the next day off, or I would have been pretty dead come next evening.. now I just had to get a short moment of rest, before waking up again to tell Leya the news about her father...

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    Other happenings in Sprottenham this month:

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    Elif Sagstad adopted a cat called Fluffy.

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    Jet Rēshingugāru have been collecting money at the Harbor Café.. The business appears profitable, I just hope it's not a crime story all over again and that this Jet is only a criminal when she's behind the wheel..
    Jet's character is based on a driver from the futuristic, but now old, racing game "Rollcage". Being a racing game, the characters backstory was no deeper than, well, being vehicle enthusiasts, most likely... and driving fast, futurustic cars and playing cat and mouse with the police. Some of the racing tracks in the game, though, takes place in a city called "Neoto City", which is, supposedly her home town. In that game, she shares her car with her brother Tetsuo, but he has not made the transfer to the sims universe (yet?).

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    This is what I had to base her character off of, which isn't a whole lot..

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    She lives in a household "The Rollcagers", with her fellow car crazy people, Lothar Maier, Ria Simba and Leon Maneval, all based on drivers from the same game.

    Rollcage game intro:

    Jet makes an appearance towards the end.

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    Rune Rasmussen, son of Solvej and Patrik, has improved his skill in fishing to level 3 from the boy scouts.

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    Ada Dalhaug and Eilif Sagstad are in a relationship. One can only speculate what brought them together, but their shared experience at the peat factory may have played a role.

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    Lamshey and Gretzel Trazlacat had a fine date at the park.
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited June 2022
    Chapter 17.5 – Bewickton December 2022 – part I: Cat's in the cradle..



    Narrators notes:
    Moving on to the town of Bewickton on the countrys west coast, it's a normal December morning in Palash, Sofia and the little dog Yumis household.. I had temporarily forgotten that I had almost entirely went through this part with them. I didn't realize until I noticed something was off with the time, they were already well into winter when I was about to rejoin them for this update... so at the time, all of us, them and me, were unaware of what would happen later this day...

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    Sofias notes:

    When I woke up I could have sworn I heard my daughter crying, it was so real and vivid. It took a while this morning before I came to it, that what I thought had happened, was only a dream. Even though I kind of knew it all along... and my belly had just gotten bigger and bigger, it still happened so unexpectedly. Palash was out of his mind, so I had to be the one to calm him down so that he could drive me to the hospital.. In my dream, everything was so nice and I could hear the sweetest, soothing piano music playing all the way throughout.. I had been dreading have to give b... to give bi.. well you know, that thing... but it wasn't bad at all, the gentle faces of all the doctors and nurses, and my sweet little baby girl in my arms.. uggh no... just no...

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    The dream felt so pleasant, and it makes me sick to think about! I hate that! It's not me with this soft yucky stuff!

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    "When you coming home dad?" "I don't know when.."
    But we'll get together then, you know we'll have a good time then...

    Palashs notes:

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    You can call me a little slow sometimes, and I won't argue to much.. but I think I know why Sofia has been not quite herself lately. I suspect that she is pregnant, and I will be the father of the most wonderful little baby boy. I have already picked a name for him! I'm going to call him Shivadev for the best blessings and a prosperous future! I can't wait to tell my parents, that they're going to be grandparents – again, but I have to discuss this with Sofia first, of course...

    Yumis notes:

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    Woof, woof! Woof, woof!

    Narrators notes:

    Well, dog language has it's limitations, but these are happy, inviting and playful barks. ;)

    Palashs notes:

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    My worst nightmare would be to live all by myself in a house that is all quite and empty, that would be terrible. I felt so alone in my home after I moved out on my own, that's why I eventually got Yumi. I am really happy to have her and I love this dog, after all. I guess a little chewed up furniture every now and then is the price I have to pay...

    Before I got Yumi, I just couldn't stay home, it was so quiet.. I felt isolated, trapped and claustrophobic, so I would often go hangout at the fire station where my little brother Bhavan works... Bhavan is opposite to me there, he gets uncomfortable if to many people are around, yet people always seem to flock around him, poor guy.

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    And it's true, ever since he became a young man, he has always been a charismatic and attractive guy. In spite of his introverted nature, he never had a problem making friends, atleast on the surface. He did his best to be on good terms with his colleagues, but he would always complain to me about how clingy they all were when they weren't around.. he sometimes tells me I'm clingy too, so I started to make friends with some of his colleagues instead when he just wanted to be left alone..

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    He might even have played a role in bringing me and Sofia together.. she is, according to him, "the most annoying braggart ever" – yes, he hates it whenever she talks about her own belongings.. and of course, I see his point, it can be a little to much at times, but I don't mind..

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    My brother doesn't see it, most people probably don't, but I do. I thought the same thing as everyone else initially, what a lame show off she is, but as I got to talk to her I realized there is a lot more to her than just that. She is very talkative, and I like that, but she isn't to good with expressing what's inside and how she truely feels. However if you pay attention, you will notice.

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    I know that inside, behind her superficial bragging and shiny sunglasses, is a sweet and loving woman. A soft and vulnerable heart behind walls of glamour and pretending not to care. In Sofias life, there has never been a lack of material goods and from a young age, she learnt to value money and expensive items, because that's what she had...

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    The weather was mild and fine for December, so we spent some time in the afternoon playing ball in the garden, before she had to run inside to the bathroom again..

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    Sofias notes:

    It was getting routine by now. Everytime I tried to do something fun, I would get nauseous, vomit, get hungry and need to eat... It's like my body is telling me I shouldn't do anything but sit still, or even preferably just lie down.. is it supposed to be like this?

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    I saw Yumi on the way to the kitchen and wanted to pick her up to snuggle her, the dog is so tiny and cute.... sometimes... but not now, so it was back to gobbling down pancakes for poor me..

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    Narrators notes:

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    Meanwhile at the fire station, Palashs brother Bhavan, was still hard at work in the evening, doing some necessary repairs on the fire alarm and maxing out his handiness skill. That's the fireman that everybody loves for you. ;)

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    Outside the town hall, a group of locals had gathered in the rain to protest against the fashion industry. "The fashion industrys explotation of our planets resources has to stop!" protest leader Clark Pincher-Peddler calls out. "Fair pay for workers!" shouts a man with a picket sign on the left side of the crowd.

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    "Our planet, our future!" the voice of a young woman is heard hollering from the right.

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    The man shouting on the left is Deepak Chitrakaar, local painter and Master of the Arts, father of five and grandfather to four (soon to be five?) The young woman to the right is his youngest daughter, Nitya, still living at home with her parents and following in the footsteps of her father.

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    Once they returned from the protest, Deepak takes out his guitar to jam on a tune for a new song idea he just got, eager to show it to his wife and Nityas mother, Laranya. The lights are often off in their home, as Deepak has always been a bit off a penny pincher himself.. The Chitrakaar family comes from an old lineage of highly creative people, sculptors, weavers, painters, musicians and architects. It is even said that it was one of Deepaks forefathers that built the Maj Tahal in honour of his wife, so the least he could do was to jam out a song for her. Secretly he may just have hopes of seeing his name on the credits roll on the big screen, too. Laranya is one of the towns celebrities as she has become known for composing the soundtracks of best-selling movies such as "The Silence of the Llamas", "Flamingo Dancer II: Garden kicks" and "The Ghost of Cyme Ixotic".

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    "I picture this melody will be perfect to build tension during a high speed car chase scene. What do you think?" he turned to Laranya, hoping that she would be atleast a little bit impressed.

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    "Yeah, I see what you're thinking..it might work in that setting, but the movie I'm writing songs for now no car chase scene in it.. It's a teen romance movie..." Laranya genuinely hoped to be able to make use of what her husband would come up with, as he had been her companion and source of inspiration throughout her career, but as was often the case, his creativity was all over the place, and wouldn't fit itself neatly into any kind of box or limitations imposed by others..

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    "Oh... but umm.. what if the son runs away from home and there's a dramatic scene where his father chases after him?" he desperately tried to shoehorn it in.

    "That's an... interesting idea, Deepak, but I'm not sure if the director would agree.. they already have the plot laid down and have started shooting scenes..."

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    "Alright then.. " he sighed as he turned for the bathroom door, "but I'll keep it for another time. It might be useful one day..."

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    Deepaks toilet notes:

    Or maybe the melody just needs a bit of work. I suppose I could always slow it down a bit, and maybe if I played with an A major chord instead of the F sharp minor, that's to dramatic, and then.. hmm, well, I think it would need a second guitar on top of that to play some harmonies.. well, it wouldn't be quite there yet for a romantic song, oh...but I think it's getting there, I think she could make use for it. It's a good idea, I I just need to play around with it for a bit...

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    Ooh... oh..... I'm getting a little woozy, I nearly lost balance there... well, it's been a long day.. I'm sure if I sleep on it, I will have plenty of fresh ideas for tomorr-

    .....ow, ow, ow... my head, what's h-

    .... ow...

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    * thud *

    To be continued...
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited June 2022
    Chapter 17.6 - Bewickton, December 2022, part II: Falling


    Lacuna Coil - Falling

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    "I kinda liked his little jam" Nitya said to her mom as Deepak closed the bathroom door behind him. "It might not fit for your movie, but he could definately make a song out of it, don't you think...?"

    "Yeah, there's probably a song in there, of course, I didn't mean for him to scrap it. It's just that it won't fit with the.. it won't be what I nee-"

    A thumping sound was heard from behind the bathroom door...

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    "What was that?" Laranya said without delay, the concern in her voice was clear.

    "What?" Nitya asked as she shook her head to get the last piece of rainwater out from her ear.

    "It sounded like something fell down in the bathroom." Laranya said as she turned towards the bathroom door.

    "Maybe papa just dropped something, you know what he's like when he goes into his creative mode..."

    "No... I don't think so, this sounded like something heavy falling..."


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    Laranya suspected the worst as she ran towards the bathroom door. "Deepak, honey? Is everything ok in there?"

    "Mom..? You don't think that he...?"

    "Deepak...?" Laranya said as her hand turned the door knob to open it. As it was only them in the house (and perhaps because he was so focused on his little jam), Deepak hadn't locked the door so she was able to open it to find him lying on the floor, his head tilted to the right and his mouth half open.

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    "Deepak!? Deepak, can you hear me, are you ok!?" Laranya said as she sat down next to him, immediately checking if he had a pulse.

    "Yes....." his voice was slurred as he tried to speak.

    "Mom...? What's going on? What happened..? Oh god! Oh no! Oh god! Mom!? Dad!?"

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    "Deepak!? Talk to me! What happened? Can you raise your arms for me?" Laranya could feel his left arm twitch as he tried to lift it, but it hardly moved from the floor.

    "No... yes... no... no..." he mumbled as he struggled to keep his eyes open. "Yes.. yes...no.."

    "Mom! Mom! What's going on!?"

    "I don't know! I think he's having a stroke! I don't know! Call an ambulance! We need an ambulance!"

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    Time since onset of stroke: 3 minutes.

    "Yes, yes, it's my dad! He fell on the floor, and he can't.. he can't speak or move his arms!.... No, mom is with him.. she thinks he's had a stroke! You must come quickly!"

    "Stay with us, Deepak! An ambulance is coming to take you to the hospital!" Laranya said as she did her best to hold him in an upright position in what seemed like a small eternity before finally sirens was heard approaching and Nitya rushed to open the door for the ambulance crew.
    "He's right there! He's in the bathroom!" she shouted in panic as they ran inside to put him on the stroller and take him out to the ambulance.

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    Time since onset of stroke: 11 minutes.
    I stand, looking my hand
    I talk with these lines
    That's not the answer (...)

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    And now the beat inside of me
    Is a sort of a cold breeze and I've
    Never any feeling inside
    Around me...
    I bring my body
    Carry it into another world
    I know I live...but like a stone, I'm falling down

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    Ambulance driver 2 (Emil Molund, calling the hospital from the ambulance): Hello, this is ambulance S-2. We're on our way with a male, 69 years old, with what appears to be a large occlusion stroke. Patient is conscious, but disoriented and lacks speech function. Expected arrival in 5 minutes.

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    (...) I see that another day is gone
    I don't wanna die…

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    Please be here when I'll arrive..

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    "Don't die.. please..."

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    Time since onset of stroke: 22 minutes.

    At the hospital nurses were already waiting in the reception hallway and he was immediately brought into the emergency unit. Nitya and Laranya followed quickly as they had gone with him in the ambulance holding his hand all the way to the hospital.

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    Laranya ran into the emergency room with Deepak, the ambulance crew and one of the nurses, where she was greeted by one of the doctors.
    "Hi, I'm Dr. Adnan Skjelbred, I'm one of the ER providers here" he said as he took out his hand, his voice annoyingly calm "you're his wife, I understand?
    "Yes, yes, I'm Laranya, I'm his wife. Just get him.. what's gonna..?" she said, trying to catch her breath.
    "So, what we're gonna do now is a quick first assessment and then a CT scan to locate the stroke and its severity." he continued in a monotonous pitch as if this was all just a routine exercise.

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    "O.. ok.. you think.. you think he will be okay?" Laranya wasn't immediately trusting this man. How could he be so calm when her husband was lying there with a deadly stroke?

    "Since you got him here so quickly there's a good chance, though he may need some care and time in the hospital as he recovers." dr. Adnan replied, his voice still flat and seemingly unaffected.

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    The other doctor in the room had sat down by Deepak to introduce himself. Deepak was lying on the bench with his eyes closed, but visibly breathing as his chest moved up and down.

    "Hello, Deepak. I'm dr. Arnt Jevne, I'm a neurologist.You're showing signs of a stroke, so we're gonna do a quick exam on you, and take you to radiology to do a CT scan. Do you understand what I'm saying?"

    "...no.. yes, no..." Deepak turned his head and opened his eyes to look at the doctor, doing his best to give an answer.

    "I understand.." dr. Arnt said, before he turned to the radiology nurse that had just walked up beside him. "Patient is alert, score 0. Severe aphasia, score 2 on language, I think we're gonna have to mix t-PA (1)."

    "Alright, I'll call pharmacy and have them ready." the radiology nurse responded, before she took out a phone and gave a call.

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    "What does that mean? Is it bad? How bad is it?" Laranya didn't like the sound of what dr. Arnt had said to the nurse.

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    "Well, its likely a heavy stroke in his brain that can be treated with an injection called thrombolysis (2) to dissolve the blood clot, but to make sure.. that's why we're gonna have to take him to the CT scan first if that is alright by you." dr. Adnan explained to her in his usually distanced doctorly way.

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    "Oh, just do whatever you have to do so I can get my husband back!"

    First floor/ground floor overview.
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    Out in the hallway nurse Lisbeth Ølberg had sat down with Nitya on the couch, just outside the X-Ray room.

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    Time since onset of stroke: 26 minutes.

    Nitya
    : Why is this happening? What are they doing in there? I just want papa to be ok..

    Nurse Lisbeth: Your dads in good hands, the doctors are gonna do an assessment on him to find the best treatment, and then he will... he will probably gonna have to get a CT scan and some...

    Nitya: Are they going to do surgery on him? Is he going to.. is he going to make it?

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    Nurse Lisbeth: Well, I have to be honest with you, I don't know yet, but depending on the severity of it, he might... but since you were so quick to call for an ambulance there's a high chance he will recover.

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    Nitya: And then.. do you think he can come home with us for christmas?

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    Nurse Lisbeth: Well, we're probably gonna have to keep him at the hospital for a while to make sure he recovers, so I can't promise anything, but eventually if things go well he should get to go back home with you.

    While Nitya and nurse Lisbeth is talking on the couch, the doctors, the radiology nurse and Laranya exit the emergency room with Deepak and heads for the X-Ray across the hallway. The radiology nurse and doctor Arnt stay behind in the X-Ray room with Deepak to perform the CT scan while Doctor Adnan waits with Laranya out in the hallway.

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    Laranya: Oh, I just hope its not to serious..

    Dr. Adnan: We all do, that's what we're gonna find out. I can promise you that we'll do our very best to get your husband back on his feet, and once again just to make sure, he's not on any blood thinners or the like?

    Laranya: No, no, he's never been on any medication his whole life!

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    Dr. Arnt: We've got clear signs of an ischemic stroke with a hyperdense MCA (3) on the right side, most likely location of the clot. This one looks big, I think we're gonna have to do a thrombectomy (4).

    Radiology Nurse Gøril: Alright, we'll take him back to the ER and begin administering thrombolysis and get the catheter ready...

    ----

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    Back in the emergency room Dr. Adnan explained to Laranya what they were going to do, to give him a shot of medicine they called alteplase (5) that would help dissolve the clot, as well as possible risks and complications of the medicine, but that due to the size of the clot, they would also need to remove it with a catheter. Laranya confirmed once again that he wasn't on any medication, and gave them the go ahead to continue.

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    "Ok Deepak, how are you? We located the stroke on the right side of your brain, so now we will give you some anasthesia, so you might feel a little sting in your right arm." Dr. Arnt said while getting the anesthetic needle ready. "Then we will give you the medicine to help dissolve the clot before removing it. Do you understand what I'm saying and is this ok?"

    " ..yes, yes..." Deepaks voice was still slurred, though his eyes were now focused intently on the needle in front of him. Deepak was already starting to get unconscious from the anesthesia when the doctor got the second needle with the alteplease ready, and was completely knocked out by the time the catheter was ready.. Laranya didn't want to watch this part, and had by then been guided out of the room to wait in the hallway with Nitya and nurse Lisbeth.

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    When the procedure was done and Deepak showed signs of waking up again, dr. Arnt had gone out in the hallway to allow Laranya back in so that she could talk with her husband.

    Laranya: Hello, Deepak, sweetheart, can you hear me?
    Deepak:.... mmmyes... yes, I can... I can h-hear you..

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    Dr. Adnan: Hey, Deepak. I'm dr. Adnan, nice to see you. We just removed your stroke. How are you feeling?

    Deepak: I'm.. I'm fine.. I'm a.. little tired, but fine..

    Dr. Adnan: That's good news. You're doing really well already, but just to make sure you will be transfered to the ICU – the intensive care unit - atleast over night, and by tomorrow we will do a reassessment and possibly have you moved to the rehabilitation unit. How does that sound?

    Deepak: Fine, I guess.. how long..? When do you.. when can I go back home..?

    Dr. Adnan: That depends on your progress. Your speech sounds good already, so tomorrow depending on the reassessment results we will make a plan. It's possible you may need some physiotherapy, but so far I think.. you should be well and ready to go home after a week or so.

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    At 1:30 in the night and about four hours since the onset of the stroke, Deepak was once again of good health, relatively speaking, so the nurses put him back on the stretcher to carry him out in the hallway to take the elevator one floor up to the intensive care unit...

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    Second floor overview:
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    Everyone, Laranya, Nitya, the doctors and the nurses, was happy to see that he had improved so greatly within such a short amount of time, as they all followed him one floor up to the intensive care unit.

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    "Looks like I might stay here for a while.." Deepak was still a little groggy from the anesthesia, and a little sorry he couldn't go home yet.

    "That's ok sweetheart, we'll be here for you.. you just relax now, and everything will be ok.." Laranya was relieved she could talk to her husband again.

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    "I'm sorry for not being able to.."

    "Dad! Don't be! We're just happy you're still.. we're.. we love you dad!" Nitya interrupted him.

    "I.. I love you too, but... I'm still sorry for having to stay..."

    "It's ok.. it's ok, I won't leave you.. " Laranya squeezed his hand tightly "I'll stay with you for as long as the doctors allow it..."

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    Nurse Lisbeth: I'm so sorry, but normally it's not allowed for relatives to stay overnight at the ICU, but we will be here to monitor him and do routine checkups to make sure everything is going well. You can stay at the hospital if you want, in the waiting room or the cafeteria, it will always be open, but I would recommend for both of you to go home and try to rest and come back again tomorrow morning.

    Laranya: ..but, I promise, I won't be in your way..

    Nurse Lisbeth: I'll uh... I'm really sorry, I can't allow that, but if you choose to stay at the hospital, we'll keep you informed.. how does that sound?

    Laranya: I guess.. I guess that's fine.. I'll be.. I'll be in the cafeteria..

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    Nitya: Mom.. are you sure you don't want to go home? Because if you're staying, I'm staying too...

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    Laranya: I uh.. I'll be fine.. you go home and get some sleep, and I'll see you in the morning..

    Deepak: It's.. it's alright, I think the doctors and nurses have.. things under control.. you can.. you can go home. I'll just be... I'll just be sleeping anyway..

    Laryana: Deepak, darling? Are you sure?

    Deepak: I'm sure.. I'll go to sleep now. I'll see you.. I'll see you both in the morning.. good night..

    Nitya: Good night and sleep well, dad, I'll see you tomorrow...

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    Laryana: Ok, sweetheart.. we'll come back first thing in the morning, I promise.. good night...

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    Laranya (talking to Nitya): Looks like we're going home then.. I'll call for a taxi..

    Nurse Gøril: You can rest safely, we'll have everything monitored. Good night and take care..

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    Laranyas notes:
    It's not that I didn't trust the doctors and nurses, I mean, they managed to do the miraculous (to me at least), to bring him back, so I'm sure he was in good hands, but.. no, I just didn't like leaving him at the hospital like that. Alone in that room and that bed that wasn't his bed. I made a promise when I married him, you know. Through thick and thin, and that I would never leave him, so it just didn't feel right.

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    Oh, but thank goodness we have all been blessed with good health so far in our lives. I guess I should have known that something like this would happen sooner or later. It still came as a shock. I mean, both of us have lived pretty healthy lives so far, we have never smoked, and pretty much never drank and you know, eaten healthy and so on, but I don't know..I guess nothing can last forever, but I don't feel.. I feel as though it's not now.. It's not our time to.. It's not our time just yet, oh.. oh.. I feel like we still have.. plenty of moments with our.. grandchildren and.. you know...

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    I didn't realize how much time must have passed when we left the hospital. The ground was already covered in snow, and it was still snowing quite densely. When we walked towards the taxi.. dragging my feet through the snow had never felt so heavy. Every bit of me really wanted to turn and go back. I didn't want to leave.

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    I think we both cried a little as the taxi turned away from the hospital to take us home. I'm pretty sure we did. I could see it in the reflection of Nityas face on the window as we passed under the street lamps. I held her hand for the rest of the way home as we both sat there in silence.

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    With only me and my daughter in the house, I knew this christmas would be one unlike all the others.

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    It was hard and strange going to bed alone that night. Normally I would have been out like a light, but this night falling asleep at first was next to impossible as I kept lying there, wide awake, and thinking about all the what-ifs and about what would happen tomorrow...

    ~~~~~~~~

    Footnote:
    (1) t-PA = Tissue Plasminogen Activator – enzyme that helps dissolve blood clots.
    (2) Thrombolysis is a procedure used to break up abnormal blood clots that restrict blood flow in veins and arteries. tPA is a form of thrombolysis (chemical thrombolysis, the other being mechanical, but I won't go into that....)
    (3) MCA = Middle Cerebral Artery.
    (4) Thrombectomy – removal of clot in brain artery by use of catheter.
    (5) Alteplase is a medicine to dissolve blod clots causing stroke, a so called thrombolytic medication.
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited April 2023
    Chapter 17.6 – Bewickton December 2022: part III - A nighmare before christmas...

    Sofias notes:

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    After I had once again satisfied my craving for pancakes, I made sure to pet and feed Yumi before following Palash to go to sleep. He had gone to bed a little earlier than me this night, complaining about a headache and feeling tired.

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    However, when I came into the bedroom, I didn't find him sleeping like I expected. He was wide awake and clearly upset. I asked him what was wrong, and he said he had tried to go to sleep, but it was impossible, because as soon as he tried to fall asleep he had gotten these thoughts that something was going to happen to either us or someone in the family.

    It wasn't unusual for him to get some wild ideas every now and then, where he would begin to ramble on about... I don't know, anything from how the moon landing was a fake or how our government is controlled by a secret cult sacrificing babies or something, but it was a little different this time. Usually he would be pretty clear and concise about his ideas, no matter how far out they were, but this time he was surprisingly vague. He just kept repeating how it was all based on a feeling that something was happening or going to happen to a family member, but he couldn't answer what he thought it was.

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    He was so serious about it, for a while I got a little concerned too, that maybe he was talking about our little one.. that I would end up having a.. a miscarriage, but.. I didn't want to share that with him.. I know that.. children is.. I know how important family is to him, and I didn't want to say anything to upset him further...

    I managed to put that thought away and gave him a hug to calm him down, doing my best to ensure him that everyone was probably alright, and that we could call his family or visit them tomorrow to hear if everything was alright. It was probably to late to call anyone now at this hour.

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    He wasn't to convinced, but agreed to try again to go to sleep saying he would call his mom and then his sister living on the east coast first thing in the morning.

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    I had such sweet dreams again this night.. at first... this time, it was a boy. A young handsome little man, and I was so proud! It was a sweet summer day, and I was so proud to show him off to everyone in town when I was out walking with him in the stroller!

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    In the dream it felt so good... and I hoped that I would never wake up, even though I knew that in 7 months time or so, it could be a reality..

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    ..but underneath all that, Palashs concerns must have gotten to me, because quickly the dream became a lot more unpleasant.. I was about to cross the road to take him to the park so that he could meet and play with some of the other toddlers there, when summer all of a sudden became winter, and I was knee deep in snow!

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    The sun disappeared, night fell and it was snowing heavily, and right as I was in the middle of the road, an ambulance, of all things, came speeding down the road and hit the... it was so awful, the ambulance just barely missed me, but took the stroller with my baby boy with it..

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    I broke down crying on the street watching the ambulance drive away with full sirens on, and there was no longer any sign of my baby boy or the stroller. When the ambulance was gone, the remaining echo of the sirens gradually turned into the sound of a phone ringing...

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    ..and a phone was ringing. We didn't even get the time to wake up by ourselves to call Palashs relatives. His mom already called him. It turns out Palash wasn't concerned without reason. What an absolutely eerie thing! Just last night his father had a stroke and was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance!

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    He agreed to meet up with his family to go see his dad at the hospital, right away after breakfast! His mom had assured him that the doctors had gotten rid of the stroke, and that his dad was good and on his way to recover, but Palash was still worried. I didn't think I would need to go to the hospital this soon, but now there was no other choice...

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    I was surprised to see how much it had snowed during the night, and we had to spend a few minutes brushing off the snow and deicing the car before we could go. We wouldn't normally get this amount of snow until late january or early february, if at all, so this was definately an usual day in every way!

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    We took my car to go, and I had to tell Palash several times to be easy on the gas. I understood he wanted to get there as fast as possible, but I didn't want to end up in a car accident...
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited December 2022
    Chapter 17.6 - Bewickton December 2022: part IV - From Darkness

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    Audrey Horne – From Darkness



    Just before the ocean swallowed you whole you heard the call.
    Sirens singing from below made you welcoming the fall

    And you feel the ocean crush you
    Feel the waves pulling you under...asunder
    She´ll never leave you lonely
    Wrap her arms around you slowly...so lovely

    From the darkness in the deep you can see a shining light.
    Captured by a voice divine, you aband' your will to fight

    You hear the sound of thunder
    Lightning as she pull you under...asunder
    Hold your head up son
    You´re not alone, she will embrace you...and love you

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    Sofias notes:

    Palashs mom and his youngest sister, Nitya, was waiting for us just inside the doors, along with a doctor from the hospital. The doctor immedately turned around to Palash and introduced herself as Cadenza Tempesta. She gave me a bad vibe from the start, for a reason I couldn't immediately explain, so I made sure to keep my distance from her, all the while watching her closely. I think she noticed I didn't like her, because of the way she glanced at me while she explained for Palash were Deepak was, and that she would take us there.

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    Palashs notes:

    I was very concerned for my father when we arrived at the hospital, but the doctor that greeted us in the hallway was so sweet, I immediately felt reassured and that everything would turn out fine.

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    Sofias notes:

    I don't know, something about this doctor isn't right.. the way she turned her head, and the fleeting looks she gave to Palash as we walked towards the elevators that would take us up to the care unit. It's a little confusing, maybe she's just being nice, I don't know. It still looks a little odd to me. I'll definately keep my eye on her.

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    Palashs notes:

    When we came into the room to see my father, he was already in conversation with another doctor. It was unpleasant to see him in a wheelchair like that, but the doctor, who introduced herself as Beate Stenstad and said she was a physiotherapist, could assure me that they already had a plan for his recovery, and that he would need to go to regular physiotherapy sessions for the next three months or so.

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    The third medical staff said her name was Magda Prestegård and that she was a nurse. She told me that my father was already doing quite well, and if things continued at this rate, he would be out of the hospital in just six days, just in time for christmas! That was very good news, and definately lowered my pulse a bit.

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    Sofias notes:

    I became even more convinced there was something wrong with the first doctor that met us down by the entrance, when I saw how different the other medical staff was. I mean, all of them were very kind, but the only ones that gave me a professional vibe, as if they truely worked there and knew what they were doing, were the physiotherapist and the nurse. I couldn't say anything about it then and there, both in case I was wrong and also not to upset especially his father, mother and sister anymore than necessary.

    The more I thought about it, the more I wanted that supposed doctor to stay away from everyone else in the room, in particular Palash and Deepak, so I walked over and put myself inbetween her and them. I really wanted her to leave the room. Besides being the one to bring us up there, she wasn't really doing anything else of use. Why was she even there?

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    Laranyas notes:

    I wasn't expecting my sweet Deepak to be up from the bed so soon, but hearing him talk, seeing him in the wheelchair and hearing the doctors and nurses talk about their plan for his recovery made me feel much more at ease with the future. I'm so amazed, I can't thank the doctors enough for the wonderful job they're doing! Just yesterday he was.. I mean, it was just yesterday evening he fell down on the bathroom floor and.. during the night all these thoughts came to me.. what would our life look like from here? Would he still be able to paint? To walk? To care for himself? I still don't know excactly what's going to happen, but I feel a lot better and more optimistic now. I am really grateful for these doctors and nurses, I couldn't thank them enough!

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    Deepaks notes:

    People have always been saying that when you are close to dying, you will see a bright light or something, but I can't remember seeing anything special, just darkness and a sense of falling. Yet when I was «there» I wasn't afraid. I felt surprisingly calm and serene, as if I what I was falling towards was a warm and welcoming place. I was ready for a soft landing, though I had no idea where I would land... It was pretty surreal, I don't really know what to make of that.... I have never really thought to much about near death experiences before, but in any case, it wasn't really like I had expected it to be. In a way it wasn't all that different from having a strange dream, so who knows, maybe I was only asleep and dreaming. In either case, it's obvious my time here is not over yet, which can only mean that there are more lessons for me to learn, before I can finally be reborn again in the next realm.*

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    Narrators notes:
    * Deepaks religious beliefs are somewhat close to what we would call Hinduism in our world, so what he refers to here is a form of reincarnation. When it comes to the people on the Simtopian Planet, they all have different personal beliefs, but also all of them celebrate the holiday at around the same time by the end of december, because it's easier that way because that's the one thing they all have in common, regardless of belief. Who doesn't enjoy having a feast with good food and giving gifts to one another? The way it is celebrated, the religious aspect of it is really non-existant.

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    Palashs notes:


    My dad was happy to see us, and was in a good mood during our visit, and we ended up cracking a few jokes. My father has never been a quitter, and he was really looking forward to start his physiotherapy and getting back home to celebrate christmas. He said this would be the biggest christmas party we've ever had! Haha, mom was a little unsure about that, but I told her, of course, that we would all be there to help out if necessary. She's got Nitya at home with her, and me and Sofia would be ready to come over too, if needed, and I'm more than positive that Udisha would also chip in, so mom wouldn't be alone, we would all be there for her. I haven't had the time to speak to Leya yet, but mom talked to her this morning before she called me, and if I know my sister right, she's probably already on an airplane to come over...

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    Towards the end of our visit dad was visibly getting more and more tired and struggled to keep awake, and eventually fell asleep in his chair, so it was time for us to pull back. I gave my thanks to the doctors, before we went over into the cafeteria to have lunch.

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    Sofias notes:
    As we left the now sleeping Deepak to get something to eat, the nurse and the physiotherapist stayed behind to put him to bed, but the doctor followed us out into the hallway. I was walking just a few steps behind Palash, and she was just about to enter the elevator when she stopped for a while and looked at me.

    «It was great to see that Deepak has such a wonderful family that cares so much about him» she said.

    «You know, when you work at a hospital like I do, you get to see a lot of things... sadly, not everyone is this fortunate... Oh, but we are very happy for everyone that comes to visit their loved ones, and I can assure you that Deepak will be in the best of hands..» she continued as she walked, before briefly pausing and turning around, and I could swear for a split second her eyes fell down to my stomach region.

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    «.. I mean, after all, we wouldn't want something terrible to happen now, would we?»

    That seriously gave me the chills, the tone of those last two words. I knew it! I knew all along that something was up with this «doctor»! How could she...? Did she know I was pregnant?

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    I wasn't that far along, and my belly showed no signs of carrying a baby. Maybe I was just being paranoid, but what on earth? What kind of doctor says such a thing!? No, something had to be wrong with this woman, one way or another!

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    «Thank you so much for visiting, and have a nice day!»

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    Her voice was now all of a sudden as sweet as candy, it made me sick to my stomach! I almost blurted out a question ending with an expletive, yet I managed to restrain myself.... I don't want to speculate to much, but either this woman is some kind of low-key psychopath or just unstable.. I don't know, but this isn't what I would expect from a doctor.. I don't really want to go back to the hospital and risk running into this woman again, but I think we have to now, as long as Deepak is there, to make sure everything is fine... I trust the other doctors, but I don't trust that one! Not by a long shot!
    Here she comes, shipwrecks and all
    Death and corruption rings out through her call
    Tangerine coloured, sweet as can be
    Devoured by the watery sea

    There goes a Lady, there she goes on her own
    There goes a Lady... with death in tow right behind

    We've been climbing these mountain like waves
    Our sons & daughters are lost to the deep
    Sail on, a wiser man, and save our souls from
    The dark blue sea
    Cause she whispers so sweet, while flashin' her teeth
    We follow her, like moth to the flame
    And they said, they said
    "It's not what it seems, cause death comes at the end of her song!"


    - Audrey Horne, There goes a lady
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited April 2023
    Chapter 17.6 - Bewickton December 2022: part V - A stormy night
    Audrey Horne – The Open Sea



    Hold your head under water
    As you reach across the sky
    Tell your friends not to worry
    No one's gonna die
    But it's all I have to give...

    Down below underneath us
    The endless & the cold
    Wrap your arms round your loved ones
    And pray that morning comes
    Cause it's all that you can give
    All out of time
    We pray this is finally over
    All out of time

    There's no grace in these waters
    No hope, no hand of God

    All out of time
    We pray this is finally over
    All out of time

    You're the only one for me
    Everything I need

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    Hold your head under water
    As you reach across the sky
    Tell your friends not to worry
    Noone's gonna die

    All out of time
    We pray this is finally over


    Nityas notes:


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    Just the last day have been pretty surreal. I mean, it's less than.. it was just yesterday evening when I braved the rain with dad to take part in the demonstration by the town hall, and now.. we're all at the hospital eating lunch, and he's in there, asleep and recovering from a stroke that could have.. ended pretty badly. I'm... I still don't know how I feel, but right now it's good to have mom nearby. And my brother too, of course. The doctors are good here, I think, and dad was his usual self, in a good mood and cracking jokes at this situation. Even my brothers wife came to see my father, and maybe she's not so bad. Well, my brother has always been different, so I guess it's not so strange that he would go against everyone else and choose a woman from the more bourgeoisie part of town...

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    I guess you could say I'm a little surprised my parents didn't speak out against it, but at the same time they have always valued giving us all the freedom choose to live life on our own terms, so in a way it makes sense, too.... but yeah, imagine he would go there and choose a capitalist for a wife! But yeah, she seems friendly enough, so maybe she's not so bad...

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    Cafeteria radio in the background: ...weather warning for Boatsval, Ashill and Yellin counties has been upgraded from yellow to orange level.. gusty winds and heavy rainfall... risk of flooding, difficult driving conditions and closed roads... local authorities have adviced people in coastal communities to stay indoors and restrict travel..

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    Sofia: Uhmm... that doctor...
    Palash: Hm?
    Sofia: Don't you think there was something strange about her?
    Palash: No.. what do you mean?
    Sofia: Didn't you notice?
    Palash: Huh...?
    Sofia: The way she looked at you, and how nice she acted towards you?

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    Palash: Sofia.. she's a doctor, she's probably just doing her job...
    Sofia: Yeah, but you must have noticed? How she greeted you at first down in the hallway? The dirty looks she gave me? Didn't you notice?
    Palash: Sofia... what..? What's this? What's going on?

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    Sofia: And then right before she walked into the elevator!
    Palash: What?
    Sofia: She threatened me that something terrible would happen!
    Palash: I don't understand... are you sure that..? Did she do..?
    Sofia: Yeah, and she meant the stom... she meant the baby..

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    Palash: The baby, Sofia? But she can't possibly know...

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    Laranya: The baby...? What are you talking about...? Are you...? Are you expecting...?
    Sofia: Yes, yes, but.. the doctor...

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    Laranya: Oh, but that's great news! Congratulations!
    Sofia: Yes, yes, but the doctor said...
    Laranya: Imagine, I'm going to be a grandmother - again! How long... may I ask, when is your due date?
    Sofia: Uh, I don't know.. haven't gotten it yet.. but umm...
    Laranya: Oh, I'm sorry.. but how exciting! Did you think about a name?

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    Sofia: Yes, uh, no, we haven't umm...
    Laranya: I understand, but oh my, this is so exciting! You're more than welcome to come over for a cup of tea one day!
    Sofia: Oh, I would.. love to, but, umm, that doc..
    Laranya: Oh, I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about! I still remember when Palash was only the size of my hands! I still have his old rompers with the teddy bears on them!
    Palash: Mom...

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    Laranya: We need to go out shopping for clothes! And you'll need a stroller? Do you have a changing table?
    Palash: Mom...
    Laranya: Sorry, I got a little carried away! It's not every day I get to hear that I'll be a grandma.. and it feels good to get some good news now when... but Sofia, please do stop by for a cup of tea..
    Sofia: I would.. I would love to, when is...?

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    Laranya: Oh, just stop by any time! The door is always open at... at our place!
    ********

    Palashs notes:

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    I was a little confused, I don't know what happened to Sofia today. I'm.. guessing its the pregnancy that makes her this anxious, but.. it's totally unlike her to get these.. paranoid thoughts? I don't know if this is normal? For a pregnant woman?

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    I didn't really know how to deal with it, and we ended up in an argument after we got back home.. She wouldn't really.. I have never seen her like this before, she was really hard to reason with... she kept insisting that the doctor at the hospital had threatened to harm her baby.. then she locked herself inside the bathroom and refused to talk to me.. I don't know what to do...

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    I schmoogled the web for answers and help.. are we gonna need couples therapy already? I don't think this is how it's supposed to be, and I'm honestly getting a little scared...

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    The mornings heavy snowfall had turned to rain and I heard it slamming against our front door as if it was knocking and wanted in... for a moment there I felt really small myself, as if darkness itself had rose up from the sea to engulf our house and our tiny island community...

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    Yumi was acting strange too, as she had crawled in under one of the chairs yelping loudly for each passing wind gust, and she wouldn't come out when I called for her..

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    I went back to the bathroom door, told her I loved her and that I only wanted to help.. that I would talk to the other doctors at the hospital about her concerns.. she said she didn't want to go near that doctor again.. I couldn't make that promise, but I would be there with her all the time of course, so the doctor wouldn't get a chance to try anything..

    Eventually she came out of the bathroom and apologized for her behaviour, her head was hanging low and she looked really ashamed..

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    I could feel her concern when we hugged, though I still thought that.. well, she didn't have any cause for worry.. I thought it best not to say that anymore, and instead just.. be there for her, and it would probably pass eventually, once she got to see that the doctors actually were all good..

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    I listened to the wind and held around her until she fell asleep, while I thought about the possibility of her being right, and that the doctor actually was out to harm her in some way, but I just couldn't make it add up.. I couldn't make sense of what could possibly motivate a doctor at a hospital to say or do such a thing. In every scenario I could think of, I just ended up with the same conclusion..

    As much as I would want to support Sofia in anything (and I would), there was no doubt here, that she had to be wrong...

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    It was a dark and stormy night.... ;)
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022 part VI: The Curse of the Lady

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    It was a dark and stormy night... that left with with the arrival of the morning light as the clouds appeared to pull away and back out to sea... to the dark, deep ocean where they supposedly came from...

    Palashs notes:

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    Sofia was still sleeping heavily when I woke up this morning. I hadn't slept to well as the noise from the wind and the rain had made me a little anxious, and at one point during the night I heard some banging noise, so I went for a walk around the house to make sure everything was ok.

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    Though it was nice and sunny out, the air was crisp and cold, and I found Yumi on the porch having emerged from her hiding spot under the chair in the living room, so I played with her for a bit.

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    It looked like our cars had survived the night without as much as a scratch, which was good, though our christmas lights have probably seen some better days, but.. they're an easily replacable item, so no big loss...

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    The ground was wet and soggy from the rain as I walked towards the gate to our backyard and swimming pool. It was partially open though we usually leave it closed, and some of our garden furniture had somehow piled up in a corner. I suppose that would explain the banging noise that I heard. Apart from the glass on the lamp that was broken, they looked like they were still useable, once moved back to their original spot. We probably should have put the garden furniture inside before the storm came, but there was so much else on our minds, with my father in the hospital and Sofia being worried about the new baby and not trusting that one doctor..

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    Narrators notes:

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    On the other side of the country, on its eastern coastline, in the old fishing village Sprottenham, Gaute was still napping after he had returned from taking his childhood friend Selma Vaddelmyr to the hospital where she had just given birth to a beatiful little girl called Rebecca.

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    ---

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    His stepdaughter, Bodil, was already up to enjoy a piece of birthday cake that was left over from her younger brother Orinders birthday party just last month.

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    Gaute woke up from his short slumber and ran downstars to have breakfast, still feeling the adrenaline rush from witnessing his friend giving birth, and the anxiety about the unsettling message he received from his mother-in-law just the other night... He wasn't looking forward to giving Leya the news about her father being in the hospital... He gave a quick glance towards Orinder that was sleeping safe and sound in his crib...

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    The TV in the living room was still broken from last night, so Bodil couldn't watch her favorite kids show this morning, but as most kids, she has a pretty vivid imagination, so give her a few toys and she will keep herself busy. ;)

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    While Gaute was making breakfast he thought about the strange dream he had just a few nights ago.. was it just a coincidence, or was there something more behind it? Now in retrospect the dream seemed almost prophetic in nature... except it wasn't his own father that was at the hospital, it was Leyas... and who was that strange woman from the dream that kept calling him "The undertaker"? And why did she call him such a thing.. because just the following night he had taken on more or less the opposite role kind of, by taking Selma to the hospital so she could give birth..

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    While Gaute was making breakfast and Bodil was playing with her dinosaur toy, Leya woke up to change Orinders diaper. Orinder was happy and carefree, he didn't know much about the world yet.. all he knew was his safe home, mom, dad and his older sister and all of their friends that had come over to pamper him for his first birthday celebration.

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    ..but the world would get larger for the young boy already later this day. Once Gaute had delivered the news to Leya about her father, he would get to go on his first trip out of home, out of town and on a plane right across the country to where his grandparents live...

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    Leya got an unsettling feeling when she sat down at the dining table to eat leftover cake for breakfast as well...

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    Something was up. Something was wrong somewhere. Gaute was still preparing his breakfast in the kitchen, so he hadn't gotten to talk to her yet.

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    Once he sat down to eat, Leya started the conversation. "I have a bad feeling" she said "I don't know why, but just now I got the thought that.. mom was at the theatre watching the orchestra rehearse a song she had written for a play when someone said the unspeakable by talking about The Scottish Lady..."

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    Gaute, not being much of a man of culture nor particularly superstitious, usually, didn't catch that reference that The Scottish Lady refers to Lady MacBeth, and that speaking her name out loud in a theatre, unless performing or rehearsing the actual play, would allegedly lead to a curse...

    "I'm sure the conductor has it all under control" he said, but Leya wasn't really convinced. She didn't actually believe that it would lead to a curse, but the feeling that something was up was still there. Gaute hadn't gotten much sleep, so it actually took him a while to connect the dots between his strange dream, the message he had gotten from Laranya just yesterday and Leyas concern at the breakfast table...

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    It wasn't until after they had done the dishes he came to it, and told her about Deepak having a stroke and being rushed to the hospital last night...

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    Leyas response was immediate. They had to travel to see her dad! She didn't say it, but she was really fearing for the worst now. Was his time soon over? She hoped not, of course. It would be terrible if her father would pass now, just before christmas and everything..

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    Leya: Get dressed and pack your bags Bodil. We're going to visit your grandparents!

    Bodil: What? Now, mom? So soon?

    Leya: Yes, your grandpa is.. is at the hospital, but..

    Bodil: What happened? Why is grandpa at the hospital? Has he been in an accident?

    Leya: Yes, uh.. grandpa had a little accident and fell in the bathroom, but he.. he will be alright.. now pack your bags, we're going soon..

    Bodil: Ok, mom...

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    While Bodil packed her bags and Leya ordered the plane tickets, Gaute made sure to pack theirs and get Orinder ready, and then it was time to go...

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    They arrived at the Bewickton downtown hotel just above Dreas Salon and Tattoo just a few hours later. It was more practical to go for this hotel this time, Leya had thought, as it wasn't to far away from the hospital, and much closer to her mom's home, too.

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    They quickly checked in and left their bags at the hotel room, before getting in a rental car that just like before completely matched their own and driving up to Leyas parents house...

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    Leya always got a little emotional everytime she visited her childhood home, and especially in these times...

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    After she had rang the doorbell, she could her her mother calling them in from the kitchen window upstairs. In any other situation, Laranya would have walked downstairs to meet them, but just this day, she felt her legs was a little heavier than usual and wouldn't want to walk around to much...

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    Leya and Bodil was happy to hear their mom and grandmothers voice calling them up to the kitchen, before going upstairs..

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    Laranya: Oh my daughter, it's so good to see you.. it's been a rough couple of days..

    Leya: It's good to see you to, mom.. how is dad? Is he ok?

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    Laranya: Oh, he's doing.. fine, given the circumstances.. It all happened so fast.. but the hospital responded very quickly and sent an ambulance.. and I think the doctors did a really good job.. They got him back, and I today he is already going to start physiotherapy..

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    Laranya: I called the hospital this morning and they said we can come and visit him later this afternoon when he is done with his physiotherapy and had gotten some rest... if all goes well, he might be out of the hospital just in time for christmas..

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    Leya:That's good to hear.. I just hope he'll be able to paint again, just like before..

    Laranya: I should think so.. just from seeing how quickly he recovered at the hospital.. I really think it's amazing what the doctors are capable of doing..

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    It looked like this could be a good christmas after all, and Bodil was finding herself right at home playing the Queen ruling her court at her grandparents dining table.. (She's just missing her paper crown that she lost when the family moved out of the house they shared with Solvej and her family.)
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    Solvej Rasmussen singing to her tomato plants, July 2021.

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    Patrik C. Jensen, Solvejs boyfriend, shouting at Bodil, July 2021. This was the last drop that made Gaute hastily decide for them to move.. and that's when Bodil lost her crown..
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part VII - Perpetual Motion Machine

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    Once Leya has been properly updated on her fathers health and progress, Leya and Laranyas conversation quickly turns into more mundane things. It is very important for Leya to tell everyone about her favorite colour, which is purple... ... well, being a bit of a painter too, she would naturally be interested in colours and how to use them..

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    Laranya continues to talk about a recent song that she composed, and how she, prior to Deepak going to the hospital, joyfully watched as the local orchestra practiced her piece... She made no mention of anyone there uttering any forbidden words, though, so maybe that part was all just in Leyas mind..

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    Bodil was still playing the Queen, and Gaute showed his party animal side by dancing to the latino music from the stereo. The atmosphere in the house was as relaxed as it could be in this situation. Orinder was left unsupervised for a while, and decided to do some exploring around this new house he hadn't been to before, and quickly located the upstairs toilet to play around in...

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    Leya quickly noticed his little detour, though, and wasn't necessarily to happy about it...
    "Come here little man, mommy doesn't like you doing that.. toilet is icky icky..."

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    Laranya was feeling energized by the visitors and decided to play a small jam on her guitar whilst they were waiting for the the appointment later to visit Deepak again at the hospital..

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    For Deepak his the physiotherapy session had just begun and the first step would be to get out of the wheelchair.. Deepak was feeling a little down this morning, so the physiotherapist had tried to cheer him by having a conversation with him about his main interests; music and painting... Maybe some interesting songs or art would come out of this experience..

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    Before getting up Deepak was nervous about falling again, but the physiotherapist and the nurse was there to calm him down and assure him that they would support him if necessary.

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    For Deepak this felt a bit like a moon landing... it was only small steps, but still a giant leap from his near death experience, being immobilized and unable to speak.

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    As nice as the nurses and doctors were, Deepak didn't want to stay at the hospital any longer then necessary, so he gave it all he got as he pushed himself to an upright position.

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    The nurse and the physiotherapist was happy and impressed as he was even able to go for a small walk around the hallway already on his first try. They gave him praise for already being ahead of schedual as their plan for today was only to get him out of the wheelchair and standing.

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    He wanted to go home to his wife and daughter and continue a normal life as soon as possible, and spending christmas eve at the hospital was not an option, so he summoned every bit of grit and stubbornness he could find.

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    Leya needed to unwind a little more after receiving the unpleasant news just this morning, and went out into the backyard to play some darts and taste the rain for a while, when another familiar voice was heard calling her name from behind.

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    It was her youngest sister Nitya that just came home from spending time at the second hand store browsing through cook books. Nitya as a child was more fascinated by cooking than anything else, and would spend her time "experimenting" in the kitchen as she called it, often leaving quite the mess to be cleaned up.. she continued her experimenting throughout her teenage years eventually becoming quite the natural cook, while simultaneously following in the footsteps of her father and developing a love for colors and painting.

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    Inside Laranya had sat down in the couch to watch the romance channel, and Bodil had found a science fiction book to read while waiting for the appointment later to visit Deepak again at the hospital..

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    However, with visiting time just around the corner, she had to put the book down without finishing it.

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    "Come here mommys little boy.. we're going to the hospital to meet grandpa.."

    There were plenty of new experiences for Orinder. Just this morning he went on his first plane ride, which was definately scary for such a young boy with all the noises from the plane, even though the trip itself went smooth with near perfect flying conditions. He had just met his grandma for the first time as well, and now he would go to a hospital for the, well, second time in his life to meet his grandpa (or first time since he was born). He had just turned 1, so he probably wouldn't remember to much of this as he got older, except for maybe a few glimpses here and there

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    Bodil that had just turned 8, also last month, definately understood a lot more of what was going on. She wasn't completely sure what having a stroke actually meant, but she had understood enough to know that it was a little more than a mere accident, and that it could potentially impact a persons functioning and even lead to death. Very serious thoughts for an 8 year old. Serious thoughts was not a new concept for Bodil, she's had some of those on occasion, wondering what life would have been like if mom hadn't split with her father when she was just a baby herself..

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    When they came outside and Bodil saw grandmas car, she knew which one she wanted to ride in. Grandma had such a cool and fast car, compared to mom's old pile of junk! And grandma drove really fast! Much faster than mom, and even faster than Gaute!

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    "Woow! Grandma, your car is sooo cool!"

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    Of course, since Laranyas car was so fast compared to Leyas, they had to wait a while for Gaute, Leya and Orinder to arrive, which made Bodil a little impatient, so she ran ahead everyone else to the elevator that would bring them upstairs.

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    Bodil is to young to have a life time wish, but this experience certainly made her think about the importance of being surrounded by family...

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    "Grandpa!!"

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    "Oh, oh, Bodil my girl, careful with the old man, haha!"

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    "Grandpa, you know when I get old like you, I will be building rockets that can go high up into space!"

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    Deepak: That sounds really cool! And maybe one day your rockets will discover a magnificent new planet to settle a new base on!

    Leya: Orinder, my boy, do you want to say hi to grandpa?

    Orinder: Mama...?

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    Bodil: Yes! I will discover a planet, and I will name the planet after me of course! And I will be the queen of that planet!

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    Deepak: Hello there little man! Nice to finally get to see you! I have heard so much about you! I'm Deepak, your grandpa!

    Orinder: Mama!

    Deepak: Hahaha, I'm your grandpa! Can you say grandpa?

    Orinder: Mama!

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    Afterwards it was time for the family to head for the caféteria to have a meal together. The nurse offered to assist Deepak in getting there, but he wanted to get there by himself so she could only do one thing and keep her hands off the wheelchair! Bodil was thinking about driving around in grandmas car again. It was like a new car to her, even though it wasn't. ;)

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    Deepak really ached to go home now, and to continue his painting, his livelihood and hobby!

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    And this displays really well what the Chitrakaar family is all about. Art and music...

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    In that area, both Deepak and Laranya has served as great sources of inspiration for each other throughout ther lives, working almost like a wheel where one is always pushing the other forward...

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    Leya shared her parents interest in the arts, so the conversation revolved heavily around these creative aspects of life on their end of the table, until Bodil changed the topic by not so subtly mentioning the wishlist she had prepared for her christmas gifts! ;)

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    "Oh, well we might just have a surprise for you! And this year it looks like we won't have to send it by mail! Saves us money on stamps and postcards!"

    ...said the ever frugal Deepak. ;) But well.. the family may be well off financially now.. thanks to their hard work, but it hasn't always been like that. Not everyone is so blessed to be able to live off of painting and composing music. The myth of the starving artist is a little more then just a myth, but with a little bit of penny pinching and jobs on the side, they eventually made it.. and successfully raised five children along with it, too!

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    Bodil then wanted to try a guessing game.. "Hmm.. what could it be? Something for the garden?"

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    Bodil: Mom has said you gave her garden tools for christmas one year!

    Leya: I never said that...

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    Deepak: Garden tools!? No no no, we never gave our kids garden tools for christmas! We always encouraged their creative sides by giving them easels and musical instruments! Garden tools! Hmmph!!

    Bodil: I know what it is then! You'll get me a grand piano!

    Leya: Well, I kind of hope not.. how are we gonna get that back home?

    Bodil:
    We'll just send it with the plane of course!

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    Deepak: Grand piano or not, I'm not going to spoil the fun by saying what it is, but either way, I'm sure we'll find a way for you to take it back home...

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    Nitya: Well I think it's going to be a very good christmas this year! With so many from the family gathered, I want to treat you all by preparing the christmas food!

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    Deepak: That sounds wonderful! I can't wait to get out of here and celebrate with all of you! This might just be the best christmas we've had yet!

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    It would certainly be good for Deepak and everyone to have him back home once he was able to move around freely without the wheelchair and celebrate with his family, and everyone there was certainly looking forward to christmas this year.

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    They continued their conversation around the table about anything from fishing trips and outdoor living (Gautes favorite topic...) to more talk about music, arts and the theatre until finally hospital visiting time was over and the nurse came back to take Deepak to his room for the night.

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    Deepak kissed his wife goodnight before they had to leave, while thinking about the money he saved by eating the free hospital food.. no I'm just kidding. ;) He may be frugal, but I can't believe he is that cheap... besides, the food they ate at the cafeteria wasn't free, they paid for that, including him, so no money saved there. :P I may call myself the Narrator, but sometimes I am merely a Watcher without full access to what goes on in their minds, so I'll admit to not being 100 % sure why he's thinking about money here..

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    Well, regardless, they all had a nice time meeting Deepak at the hospital and I'm sure even Orinder appreciated meeting his grandpa for the first time, but now it was time for them to leave and call it a night.

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    Still this was good news for Bodil, because this meant she would get another ride in grandmas awesome shiny fast car. ;)

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    Fast cars are always entertaining, so what could be better? Good night. ;)

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    Credits/poses used:
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    @Sims4MagicalTales Thanks, that is much appreciated. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited September 2022
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part VIII – Parenting skills.

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    When everyone came back inside after returning from the hospital, Laranya made sure to cook them a meal to make sure they didn't go back to the hotel hungry, even though all of them had just eaten at the hospitals caféteria. It's lovely to see, because this is excactly the way I know grandmothers from my own childhood! Always concerned about others wellbeing, and especially when grandchildren are involved! Making sure noone is hungry, is comfortable, isn't cold, etc. ;) Of course, sometimes, it could be a little to much, but nobody could blame them for it, because they meant it well! ;)

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    Before they went back to the hotel, Bodil wanted her aunt Nitya (who was outside playing darts) to read her a bedtime story. Nitya first said yes, but once she went inside and smelled the food, she sat down to eat as well. Both plates on the table are Nityas. She didn't want to eat the first one she got, because a bug came flying and landed in it...

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    Gaute: Say bye bye to auntie now, Orinder!
    Orinder: Mama!

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    Back at the hotel Bodil asked both Gaute and Leya for a bedtime story, but they were both to tired from this long day of travelling, visiting Laranya and Deepak at the hospital, so Bodil was sent to bed without a bedtime story. Well, Leya tried, but was to tired to find the bookshelf...

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    Sleeping in a hotel bed is never the same as sleeping in your own bed at home, but nonetheless, they all got a good nights sleep and was ready for the next day..

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    And it looks like this experience, of visiting Leyas father at the hospital, has brought Gaute and Leya even closer, because now I'm seeing something I haven't seen here before. They are both really happy to be near each other and keep getting that big heart moodlet whenever they're in the same room..

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    Then it was breakfast time for the family. Leya had prepared waffles for them, while Gaute made sure that Orinder got his breakfast.

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    Leya noticed Gautes parenting skills, and was sure happy and excited to have found such a good father for her second child. I love it when they do this happy reaction. ;)

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    Leya was indeed fond of her husband, and he was likewise fond of her. Definately a good father, the same could not be said about Bodils father however...

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    ----

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    Speaking of fathers, Deepaks physiotherapy session at the hospital was going quite nicely and when it was done he was able to walk all the way to the cafeteria to have lunch with the physiotherapist, which was a huge step forward from just walking around in the hallways.

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    Deepak was very grateful for everyone at the hospital saving him from his near death experience..

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    Hihaa! While they were eating, the barista in the cafeteria would entertain herself by thinking she was a horse...

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    And from one strange employee to another, the doctor that first greeted Sofia and Palash, well... she was in her office busy reading up on the latest medical knowledge or uhh.... whatever she is reading there....

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    Back at the hotel Bodil wanted to play the queen again, as she often does, but Leya had other plans. She hadn't visited her brother Palash since he married Sofia, and wanted to catch up and hear how they were doing.

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    Leya: Come along now, Bodil! We're going to visit your uncle Palash!

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    Leya had called him prior to them driving off to tell him they were coming, and of course, to make sure he was home. She got a little unsure though, when she only saw Sofias car in the driveway and not his. Palash could be a little unpredictable at times, so it wouldn't surprise her to much if he had gone off to somewhere in the meantime..

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    Those thoughts were without reason this time, as it was Palash that opened the door after she had rang the doorbell.

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    He invited them all in and Leya got emotional again from seeing her brother.
    Leya: *sniff sniff* I'm sorry, it's just so nice to see you again, you know...

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    Bodil was excited that they had a dog, and wanted to pet her, but Yumi wanted otherwise and snarled at Bodil before tackling her. Not a very nice first meeting.. that dog has a temperament!

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    She tried again a little later, but Yumi still growled at her.

    Bodil: What a nasty dog you are! Shame on you! Shame!

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    Palash heard Bodil shouting at Yumi and stepped in between them now to defend his dog (and reinforce bad behavior probably... My owner doesn't reprimand me, but that other person, so clearly it must be their fault!)

    Palash: Don't talk to my Yumi like that! You're much bigger than her, she's just a small puppy! She's only protecting what is hers!

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    Bodil tried again to say hi to Yumi, but only got growled at a third time.. standing inbetween the dog and her bed might not be the best idea..
    Bodil (thinking): This sucks! Uncle and his dog, they're no fun at all! I'm going out to try the swings...

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    "Woohoo 🐸🐸🐸🐸 haha! This is so much better!... Hmm, I wonder why uncle has so many kids toys when he has no kids...."

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    Inside Palash had to do some laundry, so Gaute and Leya did what is typical for them. Gaute does the smustle dance and Leya watches the romance channel... They have been hanging out at Palash and Sofias house for a good while now, but I see no sign of Sofia. Of course, I was hoping she would be there, so that she could talk to Leya about her pregnancy, but there is no sign of her..

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    I find Sofia being busy at the fire station maintaining her physique. Sofia really enjoys her fire fighting job. Not really because she gets to save people, but more because it increases her popularity in the local community.. The best thing about the job is the praise and love she feels from the community, something she can't get enough of.. Something she never got enough of.... That silver spoon, the fancy house and all the toys her dad provided wasn't worth anything at all! That's what Sofia learned.. children are to be shoved away, not to be seen, not to be heard.. give them toys to keep them occupied and out of sight.. Daddy has more important things to do! Daddy is busy! Daddy has no time for a goodnight story! Turn the light off and go to sleep now...

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    Back at the house Palash had started to feel a little bad for yelling at Bodil earlier and had gone out to apologize and give her a hug.

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    "I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier, I didn't mean to.. It's just been a very stressful time, with dad, your grandpa, at the hospital and all..."

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    Leya had gone outside in the cold to play guitar, because the outside air gives it a better tone or something...

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    Temperatures were dropping as night began to fall. Leya had wanted to meet Sofia, his brothers wife, so they stayed quite late hoping she would come home, but Sofia was still busy at the fire station... Gaute, wanting to be near Leya, the one true love of his life, had also gone outside now. He wanted a pillow fight..

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    Orinder was feeling tired and had crawled over to rest at one of Palash and Sofias garden chairs. It's getting cold out, so don't forget the kid... Gaute asked Leya for the pillow fight, and being very mutually attracted the answer was given, so they walked inside to where the pillows are... that is, of course, the bedroom.

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    Palash and Sofias bedroom... The pillow fight didn't go one step further though, because Gaute got a little mad that Leya used a dirty trick on him...

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    "Game over! We're going home!"

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    Outside at the swings Palash and Bodil was really hitting it off now that they have reconciliated after they had a bit of a bad start earlier.

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    Leya had not forgotten about Orinder and walked outside to pick him up..
    Leya: Say goodbye to uncle now, Bodil. It's getting late and we're going back to the hotel..

    Bodil:
    Aww mom, just now when things had started to get fun...

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    Back at the hotel it was feeding time, before bedtime and Leya was once more really happy to have such a wonderful husband with such parenting skills. ;) Not every dad is a super dad, but this one is!

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    Gaute put Orinder to bed and read a bedtime story for Bodil about insects and flowers, giving Leya some alone time to care for herself before everyone fell asleep to get themselves ready for the next day..

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    Goodnight. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited November 2022
    Previously on "The People of Simbria"...

    Optional recap since it's been such a long time since last time I updated this one:
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    In Sunset Valley, Eirin Motorsen had invited her daughter Ranveig and her two sons, Oliver Freddy and Robert Bråge, along with the family of Oliver Freddys girlfriend, Inge Reppe, over to celebrate christmas..

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    The party was a success and everyone had a good time, though as the party was coming to a close, Ranveigs anxiety took hold of her and she started questioning Inge about her and Oliver Freddys future. What their plans where after graduating from university, if they would move in together, and whether they would marry and have children.. Ranveig loved both of her sons very deeply, and the thought of them moving out was sometimes a heavy one to bear..

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    After most of the guests had left, her father Ingmar, that had kept to himself most of the time, had a conversation with her that calmed her down and pulled her out of the dark little corner of her mind she would sometimes found herself trapped in...

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    Further north in the town of Sprottenham, a few weeks before christmas, Gaute Chitrakaar-Bråheim woke up early after having an unpleasant dream of going to a hospital and meeting up with a strange doctor that kept referring to him as "the undertaker"...

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    The rest of the day went by as usual, as he went to work at the military base. In the afternoon, he got a visit from his long time friend from Selma Vaddelmyr. She had been his friend ever since childhood, when they both grew up in the small town of Dole Plains by the Appaloosian Mountains...

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    Leya, his wife, had already gone to bed, and it was bedtime for Bodil, his stepdaughter. Just as he went to pick up a book to read her a bedtime story, he got a distressing message from Leyas mother.

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    She had tried to call Leya several times, because her father, Deepak, had been rushed to the hospital after he had a stroke and fell in the bathroom.

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    And as if that wasn't enough, shortly thereafter Selma went into labor, so Gaute had to take her to the hospital where she gave birth to a little baby girl she gave the name Rebecca.

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    Gaute wasn't the only bothered by nightmares before christmas. Sofia, married to Leyas brother Palash, was having her own struggles dealing with her pregnancy...

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    Her last dream was a particularly terrible one, where she took her then young boy out for a stroll to the park on what started out as a nice summer day, before winter fell and an ambulance suddenly came by with full sirens on...

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    The very next morning, Palash woke up to a phone call from his mother...

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    They rushed to the hospital where they were greeted by a sweet and friendly doctor...

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    Sofia immediately took a dislike to this doctor. The ways he held Palashs hands didn't seem right..

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    They had a good meeting with Deepak, Palashs father. He had been taken good care of by the doctors at the hospital and already showed great signs of recovering, possibly returning home just in time to celebrate christmas...

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    Before leaving, however, a confrontation happened in the hallways between Sofia and the doctor that first greeted them, where Sofia felt that the doctor delivered a threat to harm someone, possibly her unborn baby...

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    An ominous sounding weather forecast was delivered by the radio as they went to the hospital cafeteria to eat, and later that night as conditions outside began to worsen, Palash and Sofia had a fight regarding the doctor, but they managed to settle the dispute and Palash calmed her down before they both went to bed, the rain still hammering hard on the window..

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    By next morning Gaute had finally delivered the news to Leya about her father, and her reaction was immediate. They would be spending christmas in with her mom, and hopefully dad, in Bewickton this year.

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    Chances of everyone spending christmas together this year looked good, as Deepak was really making a speedy recovery, thanks to his won grit and stubbornness. He certainly wasn't going to sit around in a wheelchair!

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    It was an emotional moment for everyone in the room as they visited him in the hospital. Bodil had been anxious about her grandpa all the way from their hometown of Sprottenham, and was really happy to see him.

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    Orinder met his grandpa for the first time, before everyone had a nice meal in the hospital cafeteria being excited about the upcoming christmas and christmas presents..

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    Or atleast Bodil was..

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    On the third day of their visit, they went to visit Leyas brother Palash where Bodil ended up having a disagreement with her uncle about their dog, Yumi, but they both settled it and became good friends by the end of the night..

    And a long story made a little shorter, that's pretty much where I left off last time..

    Actual update begins here..

    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part IX – Welcome to the family...? / Cold in December


    Josie Dunne - Cold in December

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    Bodil woke up early this morning as Orinder was in need of having his diaper changed, and the hotel they stayed at didn't offer the luxury of separate bedrooms for the kids..

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    For their third day, Leya wanted to visit her oldest sister, Udisha, but she was busy with work. Not surprising as she had always been the most ambitious of everyone in the family, so instead she opted to take the family to the park to wind down a little. Even though everything seemed to be going fine with her father at the hospital, and her mother, brother and her youngest sister was dealing with it alright, the last few days had been pretty stressful, and she thought it could be useful to take one day to just relax a little.. The weather forecast promised good weather, but cold, so they would have to put on their warmest clothing..

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    Bodil was having her concerns about the cold, but those concerns were unessecary, because the forecast and the weather seemed wildly out of tune..

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    The cold crisp weather that was promised, was nowhere to be found. Instead, they got mild weather and rain.. Not the most ideal for a trip to the park, but Leya thought it might do them good, and decided to take them anyway..

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    Bodil and Gaute walked into the park, but their stay didn't last that long, because shortly after they arrived, Leya got a phone call from her youngest sister, Nitya. She was throwing a party and invited them to come over. Of course, Leya couldn't turn her sister down, so their trip to the park was cut short.

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    Back to her mom and dad and her sisters house they went.

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    Meanwhile at the hospital Deepak continued to make great progress, as he was now relearning to walk. The physiotherapist Beate Stenstad was really enthusiastic about her patient. It was clear he was very motivated to finish the program and get home in time for christmas to spend time with his family.

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    Trying to explain why sims do what they do is sometimes an interesting task..but apparently as Leya and her family entered the front door, the party guests had already gathered in the bathroom where things seemed to be happening...
    Kajsa Tangstad, the drummer from the band, "The Bushweeds", was already criticising Bhavan for his, according to her, poor taste in music...

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    His girlfriend, Beate Curious, didn't think his taste in music was at all bad, and she loved it everytime he would serenade her with his guitar. ;) Penny Pincher-Peddler thought Kajsa was being ridiculous for criticising others taste in music like that...

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    Just another awkward sims moment.. Bhavan and Beate clearly walked into the bathroom for some time alone, but obviously, that wasn't going to happen. What Katinka Hunter is doing there, I don't even know.. well, there is rarely a time for Bhavan to be alone. There's just something about him that makes him irressistible. The poor boy can't help it! ;)

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    Gaute had gone out in the backyard for a game of darts, when he was approached by Leyas sister Nitya. She didn't know Gaute very well, but there was still something about this man her sister had chosen the marry that piqued her interest. It waned though, as soon as he started talking about the the beauty of the forest, and that he might want to go camping later. So boring...

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    Inside Bhavan and his girlfriend had learnt that the bathroom wasn't giving them the privacy they desired, and had left it to enter his parents bedroom instead.... Bhavan was always happy to see his mother, but..

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    .. he couldn't resist it when his girlfriend suggested they have a little fun... on his parents bed..

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    I mean, if this wasn't his parents bed, and if his father actually wasn't at the hospital recovering from a stroke, this would've been cute and all, but.. no...I find this to be quite disgraceful, to be honest! :P

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    His girlfriend Beate certainly didn't think so, and was very proud of herself for having been naughty outside her home..

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    Maybe she eavesdropped on them, or maybe she just saw what happened through the windows, because as soon as they were finished Penny Pincher-Peddler walked into the bedroom to make some advances on Bhavan as well..

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    Beate wasn't to impressed, but she had no need to worry as he dismissed her and walked away with pride as well. Nitya had also entered the room now, probably not to impressed with what her brother just did in their parents bed...

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    Beate was still completely without any shame, thinking this was a family she could easily marry herself into... Better hope your future parent-in-laws won't learn about what you did and that everyone will warmly welcome you to the family if that should be the case. ;)

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    So proud...

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    "Now time to sneak out of here and go home, before Bhavan's sister figures out what just happened..."

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    While all this was going on, Leya had gone out to the little garden house to relax by herself in her parents jacuzzi, just like she did on their last visit. Except this time she had the decency to keep her clothes on. :P Which is more than what can be said about her brother Bhavan.. neither Leya nor Gaute had caught what he did, as Gaute was upstairs looking after Orinder.

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    --

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    Downstairs again, Bhavan, Penny and Nitya had gathered in the hallway talking about more mundane things, while Bodil was once more being the Mighty Queen of the Chessboard Kingdom..

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    As Penny cheered her way out, saying it was an awesome party in spite of its slight weirdness, and some random paparazzi entered through the back door, Nitya the party host thought the party was over, so she retreated to her room to finish a painting she had started to earlier.

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    At the end of the night only Kajsa and Katinka was left of the party guests, and Bhavan thought he could finally let off some steam about how he felt always having people flock around him for no apparent reason..

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    A message that was not very well received..

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    Gaute had taken Orinder out to enjoy some clean fresh air, when Nitya, who had now finished her painting, snuck up on them and thought she'd take the chance of what she had thought about all evening.. She had heard so much talk from her sister on the phone about how good he were with the kids, so why not? After all, if her sister could marry this man, then why couldn't she...?

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    Gaute: No, no, no.. what is this? What are you doing? I can't do that...

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    Oh the shock and disappointment, but what did you expect? You're only 19 years old, you have an entire life ahead of you.... why on earth would you want to date a much older and already married man with two kids* and a step daughter..?

    * Gaute has one child (Robert Bråge) with Ranveig that lives in Sunset Valley, in addition to Orinder with Leya. Bodil is only his step daughter.

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    Well, Gaute tries to put her off by talking about how much he enjoys working out and spending hours at the gym, but that backfires and turns her on again.. who doesn't want a fit and muscular man?

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    Gaute: No... come on, that's not what I meant..
    Yeah, he has to reject her twice, before she finally gets it and gives up. :P

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    Before the night ends, Laranya decides she wants to entertain everyone by playing some new tunes she's been working on. "I think I'll call this one 'Lonely heart blues'" she says, while she strikes a sad chord on her guitar to set the tone.. And even thought Deepak is not there, she still keeps the light off in the hallways, like he always did.. or does, because "it keeps the electricity bill down".

    Is it always this cold in December...?

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    They hang out in the hallway for a while, sharing jokes and listening to grandmas music, before Nitya gets tired and goes to nap on her bed.

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    ---

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    Bodil is impressed with grandmas house, and wants to sleep over. She thinks it will be much better than sleeping at the hotel, and better yet, zero chance of waking up to a screaming smelly toddler...
    And of course, she is most welcome. There's always room at grandmas house. ;)

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    No one shall ever go to bed hungry in the Chitrakaar house, so Laranya immediately went upstairs to prepare a meal for her grandchild.

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    Gaute hugged Bodil goodnight one last time before they went back to the hotel. "God night, sleep tight, and we'll come pick you up tomorrow morning where we'll have another go at visiting your aunt Udisha if she's not to busy working again..."

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    Laranya really enjoyed having Bodil over for the night, and they spent a good time at the table, discussing music, art and the theatre. Laranya often felt lonely in the house with Deepak at the hospital, and even though their youngest daughter Nitya still lived at home, it wasn't the same. Nitya was a young adult (that should be) more or less ready to move out, and she already lived a pretty independent life from her parents.

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    Having her grandchild over brought some much needed life into the house again. Laranya had never felt as old as she did after Deepak went to the hospital, and watching her granddaughter play at the dining table made her almost feel young again.

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    Since Bhavan moved out, his old bedroom had been converted to a guest room, and finally Bodil got to sleep in a bunk bed for the first time. ;) Top bunk, of course!

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    Back at the hotel room, it was bedtime for Orinder, Leya and Gaute as well, and soon everyone was well on their way to Dreamland, sleeping safe and sound on this calm December night...

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    Good night. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part X – Moon Landing


    Sivert Høyem – Moon Landing

    Laranyas notes:

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    I woke up early this morning, the clock must have been around 5, and I could have sworn for a second there I just felt Deepaks warmth next to me.. and heard the sound of his snore and that soft mumble he always did, but my honey bee wasn't there, and all I heard was the sound of his memorabilia watch ticking..

    Out in the woods... tall pine tree woods...

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    I guess I wasn't quite awake as I made the bed.. and I.. I still don't know why I woke up so early.. I guess I was hoping for.. I slept with the bedroom door open, just in case.. as if.. as if he could be home with me, any moment..
    ..but of course I knew that.. he wouldn't be let out of the hospital in the middle of the night.. so there wasn't much to do but.. go back to sleep again..

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    ~~~~

    Narrators notes:

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    Upstairs Bodil was having a bit of a restless sleep in the bunk bed.. Back home at school, her friend Edny Sævik was sometimes given a bit of a hard time by the other kids as the news of her moms imprisonment spread around.. Bodil, even though she wanted to get along with everyone, just couldn't be a bystander to watch this happen to her friend...

    Nityas notes:

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    I was a bit groggy this morning as I got out of bed, so I thought I should walk outside to get some fresh air..

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    Someone had left a plate with a half eaten burger outside. I looked around to make sure nobody was watching.. I was feeling hungry, so I thought I might as well just eat it, instead of letting it go to waste.. we throw away enough food as it is, and I just don't think that's sustainable...

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    ..but then that strange thing happened again that sometimes happens.. I wanted to go inside to eat it, but my right foot got stuck in the parking bumper and I couldn't move.. It freaks me out a bit, because usually when this happens, I seem to get some kind of memory lapse, and if I'm out somewhere, I may even suddenly find myself at home confused and with no idea how I got there...It really makes me think sometimes, if our lives are just a dream?

    I got that memory lapse again now, too, but atleast it got me loose from the car bumper, however somehow I also lost the hamburger...

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    I can't have eaten it, because I was still hungry, but eh.. I think I needed to play some tunes on my guitar now to calm me down, before I could dare try to eat something again.. Maybe I shouldn't try to eat old half eaten hamburgers lying around outside...

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    Bodils notes:

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    I felt good when I woke up, after having slept in the top bunk bed in grandmas house. I dreamt tonight that I was the strongest girl in school, and I could beat up everyone that was being mean and saying wrong things!

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    I thought grandma must already be awake, because I could hear some guitar playing. Grandma would always play the guitar, she said she had so much music in her. I'm not sure how you can have music in you. Music is something you make when you play on an instrument or sing, but maybe it's just one more of those things I will understand better when I get older.

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    There was nobody in the dining room, living room or kitchen and it sounded like the guitar playing came from outside, so I got dressed and walked downstairs to head out the door. From the stairs I could see my aunt Nitya playing through the window. So it wasn't grandma that was up. Maybe I should learn to play the guitar, too, but all the guitars are so big and I'm only a child. I wish we had guitars for children, I don't know why we can't have that. So many things they say I can't do and understand just because I'm a child! Sometimes I wish I wasn't a child.

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    Gautes notes:

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    My boy Orinder has an appetite, that's for sure. I'm sure he'll grow up to be a big strong man, just like his fath.. umm, well, you know what I mean. It's always a pleasure to feed the little rascal, and I never knew I would be such a proud parent.. well, I am proud of both of my sons, I really am, so I do make sure to send some money to Sunset Valley for my boy Robert, too.. I probably do owe Ranveig some for those years, and yeah.. part of me wishes she had told me I actually had a son there a bit earlier... I sometimes wonder how things would have turned out if she did..

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    I heard Robert is with the boy scouts now, and he's already doing great, going fishing and enjoying his life in the outdoors. A solid chip off the old block that one..

    Leyas notes:

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    Gaute is a really good father for Orinder, and a good step-father for Bodil as well, and honestly.. I kind of wasn't expecting that given what I have heard about his, umm, past life and what I first learned about him when I came to town... Oh, well he's still got some of that spontaneous spirit in him, and that's another part of him that I love.. Somehow I got the best of both worlds, finally.

    Deepaks notes:

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    Now, it's not that I'm ungrateful for all the doctors and nurses at the hospital have done for me – I mean, they literally saved my life – but, you know.. I'm getting tired of this, day in, day out, the same routines.. The nurses are sweet most of the time, and sure, it's nice to see that they can have a little fun on the job. I'm not at all opposed to that, but them cracking jokes about me being an astronaut.. I don't know, maybe today is just bad day, but that was the final straw for me...

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    "One small step for man" just didn't seem all that funny to me, and I knew it was time for me to get out of there. I didn't want to spend christmas at a hospital.. I did my best to walk as fast as I could away from them while distracting myself with thinking about the song I was working on before all this happened.. and as they continued to crack jokes, as much as it annoyed me, maybe now I had found a title for it...

    For now I've had enough from you
    I'm done and so are you
    Go see what you can do
    The universe is expanding

    I'm going to make this
    My own moon landing
    I'm going to give this
    The best that I've got

    Moon Landing.


    ----
    Narrators notes:

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    Back at the house Laranya was in the kitchen, busy preparing, well, lunch, since they had already slept for well into the day.. Right next to some smelly hamburgers that must have been more leftovers from yesterdays party..

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    At the hotel Gaute was done with his morning workout, Leya had picked up Orinder, and they were on their way back to her mothers house. Earlier she had tried to call her sister Udisha to hear if they could come over for a visit, but she was, as usual, busy working again..

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    Nitya, being the youngest adult of the family, and the one most concerned about the environment and the future state of their planet, was busy teaching Bodil about the importance of recycling when the taxi pulled up outside the house.

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    "If everyone contributes their part.. we can all save the planet together!"

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    Inside Laranya had finished cooking, and was about to call everyone in to eat just in time for Leya and Gaute to join them eating.

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    Gaute: It's always a pleasure to visit this house – I feel really welcome here. There's so much warmth – and food on the table!

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    Nitya: There's no better chef than my mama! She has always made sure everyone has had enough to eat – and then some!

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    Nitya: We just have to remember to save the leftovers! I would hate having to throw away food!

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    After everyone had eaten and their bellies were well and full (and the leftover food safely stored in the refridgerator) calm and tranquility and classical music from the stereo filled the house... and Gaute thought he'd make use of this moment to ask his wife for a slow dance. ;)

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    At the hospital Deepak was ready for take.. I mean, departure, but not without being something special from the hospital shop first...

    Store clerk: Do you want me to wrap it for you?
    Deepak: Yes.. yes, please.

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    "Christmas lights are up.. well, we could probably handle to pay a little more on our electricity bill.. It's only christmas once a year.. but after New Years these lights are going down..."

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    Leya: Dad..? You're home! We weren't expecting...

    Deepak: I just couldn't take it anymore... And the doctors agreed, I had done more than enough progress to be able to care for myself while at home, so there was no need for me to stay there any longer...

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    Deepak: ..and they didn't really want to hold me there over christmas anyway, because you know.. it's christmas.. It's so good to be back home again..

    Leya: It's good to see you home again too, dad...

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    Deepak: Now there's someone upstairs I have to see again..

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    Laranyas notes:

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    Woohoo yeah! My man was back from the hospital, and I was flushed with the most intense joy! I couldn't hold it in, and why should I? Now, christmas could come! I didn't really notice at first, that he came walking over with a cane, I was just to excited!

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    Of course, it is true, we aren't getting any younger, but just in that moment I felt as young as I haven't felt in years – and certainly not for the past few weeks! When we kissed again I was on top of the world, almost like floating in space!

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    I was in love again! Well, not that I ever really fell out of it, but you know.. My eyes couldn't do anything but follow him as he went into the kitchen to prepare himself a meal.

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    We spent the rest of the night watching an old christmas classic on tv, and I'm pretty sure I had a big smile on my face the whole time. Or, atleast until Gaute came with an inappropriate question I don't feel like repeating..

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    I don't think he meant any harm with it, but that was a reminder of what happened that I don't think any of us needed right now.. Now, Gaute is a good man, though sometimes he can be a little tactless... We all had that anxiety, and we all feared for the worst, and we were all relieved when it didn't go that way, but really.. come on..

    Gautes notes:

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    Sometimes my mouth works a little faster than my brain, and things come out not quite like I intended.. We had a nice evening, but the mood got a little weird towards the end.. Deepak didn't really reply to my question...I just made a fool of myself in front of my parent-in-laws. Not the first time, and it probably won't be the last..

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    I could hear Laranya making a sarcastic remark about being bright as a llama as I watched Deepak walk off to go to bed... I was.. really surprised.. I was concerned he would fall over, but..I mean, he came here this evening on crutches and walked with a cane, and now he just went on his way, without any support, like nothing had happened.. ..well, that's recovery! Or maybe he just forgot he came here with a crutch, I don't really know, but it certainly left me impressed by the man!

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    Deepaks notes:


    That Gaute! Oh, he's an interesting guy.. I think Laranya took his comment much worse than I did. We've all had these thoughts, I'm sure, and he just verbalized them. I know the man is good at heart, and I can see where his comment came from, so there was no reason for me to be offended. It was actually a bit of a relief to hear him say it, as it shows he's had a great deal of concern. Of course, it came out a bit wrong, but we all knew the meaning behind it. I'm pretty confident my daughter is in good hands with this man, and I have no worries at all.

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    Gautes notes:

    I gave an apology to Laranya about my comment, I didn't mean for it to come out like it did. She didn't necessarily mean the llama thing either, as she explained, the past few weeks have been pretty hard, but now that Deepak was back home things were alright again.

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    I was still a little concerned though, how he seemed to forget using his cane and taking off like a rocket to go to bed. Laranya assured me, that was just his nature, stubborn as he was. When he had a goal in mind, he could really be unstoppable sometimes. Aiming for the stars was just his thing, she said. Yeah.. I can see that, and I'm probably not the right person to say this, but maybe it would benefit him to take it a little easy, atleast for a while....

    Leyas notes:

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    Visiting my mom and the house I grew up in is always a pleasure and today doubly so, when we all got the surprise of dad returning from the hospital. Though it was getting late, and a certain aroma filled the air (Orinder needed his diaper changed...), so I figured it was time to retreat to the hotel for the night.. and prepare for tomorrow..

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    Dad and my sister had already gone to bed, so it was best not to disturb them, but I gave my mom a solid good hug before saying good night. I could hear Orinder crying as Gaute picked him, so it was definately bedtime for big and small...

    Bodils notes:

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    I have done my homework and done my best to be a good girl all year... Dear Santa, it wasn't me starting those fights at school, I only did that to save my friend... so I hope Santa has got something special for me tomorrow! Well, I don't really believe in Santa anymore, I know it's just mom and dad and I'm just pretending... but I still love christmas! I love the snow, all the candy, the presents, the music, the food, and my grandma and grandpa... Grandpa came home from the hospital today, and he wasn't in the wheelchair anymore. I think he was really happy to be back home in his house again. I think the hospital must be a really boring place. I don't think anyone wants to celebrate christmas at a hospital, but if you are really sick, maybe you have to. I hope a Santa Claus comes to visit all the people at the hospital, too, especially the children. I'm happy I'm not sick and have to be at the hospital for christmas. Ok, good night.

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    Narrators notes:
    ..and so everyone went to sleep once more, dreaming dreams of Santa, hospitals, rockets and treadmills (or rocket fuel fueled treadmills perhaps...?)

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    and an orchestra playing their music...

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    ..as a blue full moon hang silently in the december night sky...

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    ..and perhaps Santa does exist, because isn't that.. the faint sound of jingle bells in the distance...?

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    ..maybe...

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    ...if you look closely, you'll see him...

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    ..good night. ;)

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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part XI – What day is this?

    Splitting this into two parts, since it became rather lengthy.


    The Piano Guys – What child is this?

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    What morning is this, where every child is laid to rest
    In their cribs and beds they're sleeping
    While angels sing with anthems sweet
    And the shepherds watch are keeping...

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    This, this is christmas morning
    That shepherds guard and angels sing
    Haste, haste to get out of bed
    And see, what hangs there on the wall...

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    So turn your gaze, child, and look the other way
    It might not be incense, gold, and myrrh
    Instead a christmas stocking, brought to you for this day...


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    Bodils notes:
    Christmas stockings! Looks like "Santa" came for me after all! I hope there's a computer inside! I have been wanting my own computer all year! Ever since we had to read books at school I have been wanting to learn writing too!

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    Hmm, this can't be a computer. It's much to soft.. maybe it's candy? A big bag of marshmallows? Or a scarf and a pair of gloves?

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    Aww, it's a teddy bear! He's very red, like a strawberry!

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    "How are you today Mr. Strawberry? Would you like to have a tea party?"
    "Yes, yes, Queen Bodil. I would really love a tea party! Strawberry tea is my favorite! With tons of sugar!"

    "Of course it is, Mr. Strawberry!"

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    "Thanks, Santa..."

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    "..the teddy bear was really nice, but I would still like to have that computer so I can learn how to write books..."

    Narrators Shepherds notes:

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    After a while, her mom and step-dad also woke from their slumber, and everyone (except one that was still asleep) gathered in the hotels kitchen area to have breakfast.. but not without bowing down to the Queen herself, and thanking her for the meal that she had so gracefully bestowed upon them. ;)

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    ..and finally, the last born of this family also woke up. This would be Orinders second christmas, and his first as a toddler. He knew he wasn't at home, that this wasn't his usual crib, and that something was different, but he still didn't have much of a concept of what was going on and why. Santa to him was still a strange and scary man, the moon an unknown far away object and mommys arms the safest place on the planet.

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    "Do you know what day it is today, Orinder?"
    "Da!"
    "It's christmas! The day where everyone is happy, celebrates and spends time together with family and friends!"
    "Da!"

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    "It's the day where everyone gives gifts to each other, and look... maybe someone has a gift for you as well! Do you want to open it and see what it is?"
    "Da!"
    And so Leya took the stocking from the wall and held it in front of him while slowly pulling out it's contents revealing a little turqoise knitted plush teddy bear.
    "Oh! Look! It's a .. moon boy!" she said while turning it around to face him.
    "Hi, there little boy" she said in a play pretend voice. "I'm a little teddy boy that came all the way from the moon!"
    Orinder looked at the moon boy with a slightly skeptical face and tilted his head as if he wanted to see if there was something more behind it. Anything new had to be examined carefully to determine if it was an object that could be trusted, before doing any kind of interaction with it.
    "I like to play, it's very fun. Do you want to play?" Leya said with the voice of a little toy from a place far, far away.
    Orinder took one more look at it, before giving his sign of approval to the strange new toy by stretching out his arms and exclaiming a short "Da!".

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    "Oh, my little darling... You be a good boy and play with your new friend for a while, and mommy, daddy and sister are gonna get ready to visit grandma and grandpa! Today is going to be a big day..."

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    **********

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    Just as fast as the old year appear to have passed, Bodil ran for the door when they came to grandmas house. Wow, their house was so nicely decorated with christmas lights and boughs of holly – so much nicer than yesterday! They must have gotten help from the neighbours – or how did they do that? ;)

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    "Merry christmas, grandpa!"
    "Merry christmas Bodil! You came here early – we just got out of bed!"

    "Yes, grandpa! Of course I did, it's christmas!"

    And christmas morning is no excuse to share a bit of gossip about things from earlier this year...

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    "Psst! Hey, grandpa! Last time we visited my aunt Udisha, she went into the bedroom and made noises with my uncle! Hihihi, I know what they did in there! Mom was so embarrassed!"

    "Oh? Did she really..? Maybe I'll have a word with her..."

    "No no! You must not tell her I said that!"

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    Laranya: I'll call Palash and give him a reminder that the christmas party starts at 15.. just in case he should forget..

    Deepak: Good idea.. he's the only one I know that would forget about his own birthday party – that he arranged! And tell him to put on something nice for a change...

    Laranya: Shh, not so loud.. he could hear you!

    Nitya: I'll be occupying the kitchen for a while. I'll make christmas lunch for everyone!

    **********

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    While everyone was inside eating lunch and getting dressed and ready for the christmas party to start, a shift in the weather occured outside.. Yesterdays cold temperatures and snowfall had to give way for milder winds and rain, but such was winter on the islands just off the Simbrian west coast.

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    The elders in town would tell you, this wasn't a new phenomena. Some would even say that one christmas it rained so bad they had to use row boats to get around, but maybe we should take that last one with a grain of salt...

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    It looks like Laranyas reminder to Palash had the desired effect, as he and Sofia were the first guests to come over and ring the doorbell. They even beat the pizza delivery girl by a few minutes. ;)

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    Nitya went downstairs to answer the door for the pizza delivery while Dudleif and Udisha came through the door with their two sons Nishit (7 years) and Ole Christian (3 years). They thought it best not to bring their daughter Madhunisha (9 months) along, and so they had hired a baby sitter for her. As they gathered upstairs, Sofias face got a little pale as she held on to her stomach.

    "Ooh, I hope there's a toilet a nearby..."

    Bhavan: Is everything ok? We got a bathroom right behind you if you need it..

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    Well, Bhavan was friendly and guided Sofia to the bathroom and she did what she had to do, as more guests arrived and the pile of gifts grew larger. Here is Beate Curious, Bhavans girlfriend, contributing her part to the party. :P

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    Udisha followed Bhavan and Sofia into the bathroom to see if everything was alright, to find that they had shifted to discuss work. Both Bhavan and Sofia are employed at the fire station, and Sofia just happens to be his boss. ;) Sofia has always been very proud of her job at the fire station, and most of her hours go by there, either working out or maintaining the fire truck and overseeing that everything runs smoothly.. it's almost like she's trying to impress someone by following in their footsteps....

    "Look, daddy? Do you see me now? Are you proud of me now, daddy? Daddy...?"

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    ..and speaking of management, Laranya does her best to oversee all the guests, so she invites them to sit down for a meal before the highlight of the day, atleast for the kids, can take place.. It's a little tricky, as everyone goes around on their own accord, but during the next couple of hours everyone has sat down to eat atleast once, some twice... Christmas music fills the room, all the bellies are full and the kids are getting increasingly impatient. ;)

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    Someone might just be serving themselves twice with good reason, as Sofia was about to eat her first plate, she thought she felt something in her stomach.. something different from the feeling of constant hunger.. "Aww, mommys little one..." she said to herself feeling her stomach as she got up from her chair to change into her formal pregnancy wear...

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    Ever since she discovered she was pregnant, Sofia has had her fair share of mixed feelings and ups and downs.. and today is no different, because she quickly turns around as her husband walks by and loudly voices excactly what she feels..
    "This is your fault! You did this to me!"

    Christ, I was about to say, and this is what she says now, still a good six months away from actually delivering...

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    "Booo! Palash, listen to me! Why did you do this? Why are you putting me through this!? LISTEN TO ME!"
    What can I say? I don't really know, but I admire Palashs ability to ignore his wifes shouting and focus on his meal.. This must often be the situation in their home, I imagine.. He probably knows this will pass in just a few minutes..

    Laranyas notes:
    My oh my, my sons got a handful... Now, as a woman, I can understand Sofia.. up until a certain point.. being pregnant sure has its ups and downs and moments of anxiety about the future, but.. I don't know, I think this is just a little to much.. I didn't love being pregnant all the time, I did not, but I was never like this.. First time I was pregnant with Udisha was definately the worst and most anxiety ridden, but thanks to ample support from my husband and a little bit of professional counselling, I went through it alright.. By the second time around – when I was pregnant with Palash – I had already been through it all, so it went a lot easier. Of course, I still got sick every now and then and got back pains, but my anxiety was a lot less.. I think.. Sofia would definately benefit from.. talking to someone.. I don't know her that well, so I don't know what's the underlying issue here, but there's gotta be something.. I don't think this is normal behaviour, not at all.. and I would rather not see anyone act like this on my Christmas eve party, pregnant or not...

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    Deepak: Dibs on not doing the dishes!
    Bodil: Me too! Grandma can do them! She is much better at it then any of us! Or maybe auntie Sofia can do it, since she's yelling so much!
    Deepak: Haha, I agree!

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    Beate: Haha, yeah Sofia sure is a noisy one at times...

    Sofia: (...) ..and kids toys! I don't want to see a single kids toy under that tree! If Palash wants to buy kids toys, it's gonna be with his money! He's not gonna buy them with... (...)

    Udisha: Oh Brahma... here we go again...

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    Bodils notes:

    This is what I hate the most about christmas eve.. why does everyone always take so long to finish eating.. just eating and eating and talking and talking for hours! It's soooo boring! I want to open the presents! When I grow up and have children, I'm not gonna be like this! I'm gonna say that everyone can open the presents FIRST, and then we'll eat! This is sooooo boring!

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    Laranya: Oh, don't say that Sofia, you know how much the kids love their presents and their toys.. and it looks like everyone is finished eating, so I think it's time we start to open them..

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    Shepherds notes:
    Now you might have expected the kids to get up and cheer, but the most excited one is actually the second oldest. ;) (Laranya is the oldest). However, it's not really the presents that excite him the most. Deepak is a true family man, and being surrounded by this many family members, it doesn't get any better than that. Such a stark contrast to white boring hospital walls.. just be careful with that cane, you don't want to send anyone back there with a black eye or something. x_O

    Opening the presents:

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    In the world of sims, toddlers are to young to open presents, so it all starts with the third youngest. Nishit, the first born son of Udisha and Dudleif gets to open the first present to reveal a teddy bear.

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    Finally, it's Bodils turn. She has been waiting all day for this, and most of all she hopes to find the latest Simbook Pro underneath the christmas paper so she can get to practice writing as soon as possible..

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    "What did you get? Is it a Simselangelo painting? I have always wanted a Simselangelo painting..." Nitya said with a bit of a hopeful wonder in her voice.

    "No..." Bodil replied with a frown. "It's a sack of coal".

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    Bodils notes:
    This is already the worst christmas EVER! I waited this long and I have done my best to be good all year, and what do I get? Coal! Coal!? This is probably Sofias fault! I'm sure she was the one that brought the coal in a bag, because she said earlier she doesn't like kids toys! But she could have bought a computer! A computer isn't a toy, and it's also very useful! Not like coal! Coal is just trash and can't be used for anything! I want a computer, not coal! I hate this!

    Shepherds notes:
    What a lousy gift to give.. who could it be, that would do this to a child? And is that all Bodil will get for christmas this year? I don't know.. yet, but.. maybe we will find out in part two of this update, to be posted tomorrow.. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 17.6 – December 2022: Part XI – What day is this? (continued)

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    Shepherds notes:
    When the kids are done with their gifts, it's on to the adults. The very youngest one, Bhavans girlfriend Beate Curious, gets the honour of going first, but from there the order is not by age, but appears to be a little more random..
    Beate claps with joy as her gift reveals a guitar. Now she won't have to constantly borrow Bhavans guitar to learn how to play. ;)

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    "I went window shopping the other day, and I saw the most beatiful childrens shoes!" Sofia says all of a sudden.. "Beate, we should go shopping together one of these days. I heard you and Bhavan have been having some fun, if you know what I mean..."
    Beate froze in embarrassment. "Did everyone know about it already? It was a heat of the moment thing, noone was supposed to find out! Why can't Sofia just keep her mouth shut, and why is she always so unstable? She goes from hating children and everything to do with them, only for the very next second talking about shopping for kids shoes and clothing! I cannot at all understand what Palash finds in her, because I don't understand or even like her at all!"

    Deepak hadn't heard about what Beate and Bhavan did in his bed while he was at the hospital, but he understood, of course, that what Sofia said was embarrassing to Beate...

    Deepak: Now now, I think it's time to move on! Gaute, you may open yours..

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    Gaute: With pleasure! Now lets see what this could be...
    Gaute opened his present, to reveal a painted picture of a father and son that had gone fishing. Right next to getting an actual fishing pole, this was the perfect gift for him. ;)

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    Then it was Bhavans turn. He got a simple bedside lamp from his girlfried, but was more than happy anyway. Of course, it was a most useful gift as the last one that stood on his side of the bed somehow fell to the floor and broke in a thousand pieces.. someones foot was being a little clumsy when uh... when.. well, I wouldn't know what one can do to tip over a bedside lamp with ones foot, but... uhmm... let's move on, shall we... ;)

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    Udisha went on next to open her gift. She was happy about her gift, and told everyone what she got, but unfortunately I didn't catch it, because it drowned in the screams of Ole Christian that was in need of attention..

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    Same thing happened with Sofia, she happily revealed the contents of her gift, but I'm not sure if anyone at all caught what it was, as Ole Christians screams still overdubbed almost every other sound in the room..

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    Bodil: Can't someone make that baby just shut up! I can't tell what's going on! This christmas really, really sucks!

    I wish so too, but everyone has to finish their action of opening presents before anyone can attend to the toddlers needs... well, since it's christmas, maybe I can be of help... I see the boy is hungry.. and with a magic swipe, the shepherd made sure the boy was fed and it could once again be a silent night...

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    Not straight away, but after a while, as the boy didn't immediately realize what happened, so he was still making noise when it was Dudleifs turn to open his present.. However, the boy kept silent just in time to reveal that Udisha had bought Dudleif a small mermaid statue. The mermaid being another important symbol of the town of Bewickton, as there is also a larger statue of one, "The Sirens Call", located at the Bewickton Esplanade. You can sort of see there is a painting of it by Deepak, hanging on the wall behind Dudleif and next to the couch where Leya is sitting.

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    There were still presents left to be opened, when Sofia decided it was enough wailing and left the party. "Thank you for inviting me, I had fun" she said briefly, before putting on her outerwear ready to brave the chilly winter rain outside and go back home.

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    Leya was next up to open her present, and she got another guitar. She was happy about it, as it meant she had a spare one in case the other one should break. ;)

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    Then it was Nityas turn. She opened her gift to happily reveal a guitar as well. Such is it when you're from a creative and very musical family. Beate made sure to watch her closely. "Nitya must have been gossiping", she thought. It was Nitya that first walked in on Beate and Bhavan after what they did, with Beate still in her underwear...

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    And last, but definately not least, it was finally the elders turn, as the host of the party, Laranya, went over to open her gift. She got an extra guitar, too, so music was guaranteed to fill this household from all possible corners.. Why they haven't started a family band already, you can ask.. ;) Probably because they're all guitar players and none of them play drums, bass or the piano...

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    Beate found it best to get dressed and leave before Deepak went over to open his present. She had spent enough time in this house for the night, she thought, and the safest thing was probably to get back home before the topic was brought up again.. or before she got the temptation to repeat the mistake...

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    Deepak opened his gift to reveal an easel, another perfect gift that gave a lot of happiness, even though there was almost an easel in every room of the house already.. but if painting is your life, you can never have to many easels, I suppose..
    .
    Bhavan noticed his girlfriend had left, and decided to follow suit, and now.. everyone had opened their gifts, but there was still one more gift waiting besides the tree..

    Leya: Bodil.. go check by the tree, I think there is still one more gift there for you..

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    Bodil: Another one.. for me, mom?
    Leya: Yes, sweetheart.. We got another one for you. We kind of expected you to get coal, after all, since Sofia was invited..
    Bodil: I knew it...

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    Bodil eagerly opens her gift to peak inside, but closes it again quickly and with another frown, before throwing the box on the floor without opening it properly..

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    Bodil: I hate this christmas! I hate it, hate it, hate it! First I got only coal, and then a stupid rainbow lanp! What am I supposed to do with a rainbow lamp! It's useless! Useless, useless, useless and childish! I don't want a rainbow lamp! I hate that rainbow lamp, and I HATE this christmas!

    Gaute: I don't see whats so wrong about this rainbow lamp...

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    Shepherds notes:
    Poor Bodil didn't get anything of what she wanted on this most miserable christmas evening, so she sat down, alone, to watch whatever was left of another rerun of an old mediocre christmas movie and feeling sorry for herself.. She had looked forward to this day so much, since mid-November already, but all her expectations, excitement and joy was all but gone, just like the winter snow outside.. No christmas spirits, no joy, nothing there at all.. she thought she might as well just end up like the grinch and spend the rest of her life living alone in a cave in the mountains.. Not that she really cared anymore, but she couldn't even hear what they said on the movie, because Ole Christian was crying again and stinking up the place.. what a rotten christmas eve this turned out to be..

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    ..and everyone else just seemed to go about their business, not giving her an ounce of attention or understanding. Nitya had finally asked Gaute for a slow dance and Laranya had started to clean up after the party.. so this was it then? Was this how the night was going to end?

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    "Dear Santa, Vishnu, or whoever is out there watching... why is my family this lame? Why do they always talk for hours and hours about their paintings and their music? Why didn't I get what I wanted for christmas? I did my best to be good all year, I really did.. so what did I do wrong to deserve this? Please tell me... tell my why.."

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    Leya and Deepak had sat down next to Bodil, and they did notice she wasn't feeling to good. They weren't deliberately ignoring her, even though she felt they did, and the giving her coal thing.. it wasn't their idea to put it that way.. That was just to cruel they, thought. Who gives coal to a child on christmas eve? What's next – a pile of ashes, maybe? No, that's not how it should work, they both agreed...

    Deepak: Listen, Bodil... I'm sorry it didn't go the way you had hoped with the presents and all this evening, but..

    Deepak:... earlier just before we were about to eat, I'm pretty sure I heard something from the backyard..

    Bodil: What, grandpa? What do you mean?

    Deepak: I'm not sure, but it sounded like.. I don't know, someone stomping their hooves like reindeer, and I'm pretty sure I heard laughter and the door to our bath-house open and close..

    Bodil: Really, grandpa? You know I don't believe in Santa anymore....

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    Deepak: Well, why don't we.. you, me and mom, go to the bathhouse to check it out..

    Bodil: Why the bathhouse, grandpa? I'm not going to take a bath now, it's almost bedtime...

    Deepak: Well I think we should go an check it out.. someone might just have left something for you there..

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    Bodil: Ok, I'll join you.. but why is it in the bathhouse.. why couldn't I just get it straight away?

    Deepak: Just come along now, and you'll see...
    "Grownups... this is so stupid... why can't I just go to bed and have this day be over?"

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    ..and so, begrudgingly, Bodil followed them to the bathhouse in the backyard. Leya had, of course, spoken to Deepak about it beforehand, so she knew a surprise was waiting in there, but Deepak had stil kept his cards closed, so she didn't know excactly what it was. Maybe it was a cooking oven for kids..? It would have been a nice gift, sure, even though Bodil already owned one. Deepak was on his way to the bathhouse too, but struggled to walk as fast as the others. The doctors had decided that he would have no trouble, or atleast not to much trouble, going back home, but walking down the stairs again with a cane for the first time was still a little intimidating.. Landing on the moon is only half the job. Unless your plan is to build a base there, you have to find a way back too..

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    Leya gasped as she opened the door. Wow, how did he.. get that home and back in here all by himself? No, of course, that couldn't be.. Laranya must have helped him carry it, or maybe it was the neighbours..?

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    By all divine powers, Leya was super exited to see it. It was a much bigger gift than she had expected – a near excact replica of the hospital, as a doll house, and with an ambulance too.

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    She clapped and cheered with joy from the gift on the floor. She was sure that this would be a perfect gift for Bodil and Orinder to play with.
    Now it just remains to see what Bodil will think of this.. she wasn't really expecting much after having been disappointed twice earlier, but hearing her mom being so cheerful from inside lifted her spirits a little bit. "If mom can be this excited.. there must be something great in there..."
    "What is it mom? What's going on? What's in there?" she said while tiptoing on the stones leading to the door, trying not to get her feet wet from the soggy ground.

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    However, Bodils excitement wasn't on level with her moms as she entered through the door and saw the hospital doll house.. It was a better gift than that stupid rainbow lamp, and certainly much, much better than a sack of coal, but she was still a little disappointed... for the third time this evening, it was a little to much..

    "Mom.. I thought it was a.. all I wanted for christmas.. was my own computer.. " she said with a low voice. "I.. the hospital is really nice, but... what will I say to grandpa? I don't want to disappoint him.."

    This put Leya in a bit of a tricky spot. Least of all, she wanted to see her children disappointed like this, especially not on this one evening of the year.. She had to think of something to say fast, as Deepak was likely just around the corner.. Maybe this idea with the bathhouse wasn't so great after all..

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    "..I'm sorry, mom..." Bodil continued. "It has been really nice staying here at grandma and grandpas house.. and the food was really good.. I'm a big girl and I know gifts aren't all that important, but.."
    "This is how you know you're getting old, isn't it.." Deepak interrupted as he came in through the door, unknowing about his grandchilds slight dissappointment with the hospital gift. "Well, now you've seen it, Bodil.. what do you think? Isn't it great?"

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    "Thanks grandpa! The dollhouse is really nice!" Bodil said, trying to cover up her feeling of dismay. "I'm sure we're gonna have lots of fun with this one." Bodil had given her grandpa a lot of thought since she heard the news about him going to the hospital, and she knew that he meant really well with this gift, even if it was a bit of a miss, so she thought, she couldn't really be disappointed or mad.

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    "Thanks grandpa. You're the best grandpa."
    Leya still had regrets and felt a little guilty about the idea of hiding away the hospital doll house in the bathhouse, even though it wasn't really her idea to begin with. She accepted the idea in part because she was hoping to replicate one of the most joyous memories from her own childhood.. when she discovered that she had a creative talent too, like so many others in her family.. and she had wished to get her own easel for almost a year, and how she desperately wanted to learn painting.. She remember just how her own parents did it, back then.. saving the best gift for last.. She had seen the same in her daughter, a bud of talent, and a strong desire for the tools needed to make it grow.. However, it wasn't necessarily painting that Bodil was the most interested in..

    "You know, Bodil" Leya began softly "Me and Gaute.. we have really noticed what a good girl you've been all year... Always doing your homework and helping us around the house.. and we have noticed how much you like to read, so.."

    "What..? What is it mom?" Bodils face lit up. Was she gonna get..? Did mom have another..? Another gift for her..? Was it gonna be..? No, it couldn't be.. could it?

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    "..merry christmas, Bodil!" Leya said, offering her a simple, but effective, phrase. ;)

    "Oh.. mom.. Is that one for me!?"

    "Yes, yes, sweetheart.. this ones all for you!"

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    "Yipee!! Mom, you're the greatest!" Bodil said as she received the gift in her hands and rapidly tore up the paper to reveal a cardboard box inside with the picture of a computer on it...

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    "Thanks alot mom!! This is excactly what I wanted! This gift means a lot to me!"

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    ..and just like that, Bodil had forgotten all about the disappointments earlier this evening, and ran full speed with her new gift under her arm back into the house. She couldn't wait to show it to grandma and turn it on for the first time! What an awesome christmas this turned out to be afterall! ;)

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    "Look grandma! Look, I've got a computer, just like you!" Bodil shouted with joy as she turned to the corner from the stairs and into the dining room. "Now we can play games together!" Though the next thing on Bodils wishlist was to learn writing, she wasn't going to do that so soon this late on christmas eve. A computer can be used for more than just writing, and luckily, this one came with a few games already pre-installed, so Bodil was quick to set up a game with her grandma, racing her to the finish line (and winning, of course. ;))

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    While all this was going on, Palash and Dudleif, along with Ole Christian, had stuck it out at the party all the way to the very end and then some, before eventually deciding to call it a night, but not without Palash playing a small tune on the front porch before they finally could leave. ;) After finishing their race, Laranaya and Bodil followed them outside to wish them a continued merry christmas and good night, as they went on their way back to each their home. Palash hoped to himself that Sofia would be asleep by now, so that he wouldn't have to deal with whatever mood she could be in when he came home...

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    This had been a long, long day, and everyone was ready for bed. Since it was so late, Laranya had offered everyone to sleep over until next morning, instead of going back to the hotel. Gaute, already asleep, picked the shortest straw, and had to share his room with Orinder, whereas Leya went back to sleep in her old bedroom..

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    You can tell it's hers, because of the purple drawer next to the bed. ;)

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    Bodil wanted to sleep in grandpa and grandmas bed, and so had asked Deepak to read her a bedtime story about once upon a time when all the elves in Santas workshop had gone missing, and Rudolph the red nosed reindeer went on to save christmas for everyone...

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    Deepak, being a true family man, was really happy about how this day had turned out. He got everything he wanted this christmas. Leaving the hospital and spending a perfect day with those he loved the most – what more can a man want?

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    With this in mind and heart, it didn't matter much to him that Bodil now occupied his side of the bed, and he had to make do with sleeping in the bunk bed. It was more than worth it, if it could make a grandchild happy. And so, everyone went to sleep, feeling good and merry on this one magic night of the year... Good night.. ;)

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~
    And of course, since all the family was gathered for this event, somewhere in between dinner and opening the gifts, to Bodils dismay... they made sure to seize the opportunity to get a family picture. ;)

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    Without name tags.

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    With name tags.

    And with this, the Chitrakaar family (and the Narrator) wishes everyone a merry christmas.. and a happy new year! ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited December 2022
    Chapter 17.6 – Part XII – Home for the New Year..

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    It was the morning after christmas, and snoring sounds filled the Chitrakaar family house.. Their dreams were just like expected, with Laranya dreaming about music, and Bodil dreaming about her new computer...

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    It must have snowed a lot during the night, because the ground was once again covered in a blanket of white, and someone had even taken the time to stop by their house on the way home to make a snowman.... and yesterday must have taken it's toll on everyone, because in spite of this being in the middle of winter and the sun not rising for well into the day, everyone still slept way past sunrise...

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    Well, everyone except one, of course.. I wonder if the little toddler man can understand what's going. If he knows that he's in grandmas house and what he's doing there.. that he is sitting in a crib in his uncle Bhavan's old bedroom.. I can only imagine that most things would be pretty alien to him still at this point..

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    Leya was the first of the adults to wake up, and immediately left her old bedroom to go check up on her son. Bodil was still sleeping in Deepak and Laranyas bedroom at the end of the hallway to the right.

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    Even though Deepak was now back in the home, and everything was good, Laranya still kept the habit of sleeping with the bedroom door open, so she woke up to the sound of her daughters footsteps in the hallway. She got out of bed and gently closed the bedroom door behind her, so as to not wake up Bodil. She followed Leya into what was now temporarily Gaute and Orinders bedroom to say good morning and have a chat with her, a chat that would soon end up in another conversation about art and painting.

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    The ladies chatter woke up Gaute, and made him immediately spring out of bed to flex his muscles, but the ladies paid him no mind. They've seen that many times before. :P

    The day after christmas eve has always been a day to relax and do as little as possible. A day which, depending on the weather, can be spent inside, or outside, checking out your new gifts and playing with your toys, or just plain sitting back with something warm to drink by a cozy fire place (if you have one). A day with nothing in particular on the schedual...

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    For the Chitrakaar family the day was off to a slow start with everyone still staying in their sleepwear. Deepak had found his way downstairs to his bedroom to finish a painting he had started way earlier, before he had to go to the hospital. He tried to list his way in as silently as he could, which can be a little tricky walking with a cane on a wooden floor. "Morning grandpa" Bodil said after sluggishly crawling out of bed to and walking towards the hallway to see if anyone else was up.

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    She woke up a little more as she saw her grandma in the hallway about to go upstairs, and quickly walked over to engage her in a pillow fight.

    Bodil: Take that grandma!
    Laranya: Ooof! Why you...



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    While they were pillow fighting, Gaute had gone outside to the trampoline to spend some of his excess energy, and Leya had gone upstairs with Orinder to watch another rerun of an old christmas movie with her sister.

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    And this is how the first half of their christmas day went by. It was a "spend time indoors wearing your pyjamas day". Gaute even changed back to his sleepwear once he went back inside again to pillow fight with Bodil. ;)

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    Laranya is the only one that doesn't fully relax as she goes around cleaning up around the house after yesterdays party. Someone has to dispose of all the christmas paper, the left over food, and do all the laundry.. Deepak and Laranya is a bit of an old school couple in that sense, leaving most of this work to the woman in the house, besides, Laranya doesn't mind as much, or atleast that's how it appears, because it has always been this way.. and Deepak has an excuse now as well. He's old, frail and walking with a cane... even though Laranya at age 71 is the oldest in the house...

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    ..but she can't be particularly frail, though, because after all that, she still found time to jump on the trampoline, and the Narrator is impressed. :P
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    Soon, however, their little winter holiday would be over, and Gaute thought they couldn't be spending all day inside, regardless of how relaxed and cosy it was, so he decided to bring them all to the park to enjoy the local winter festival.

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    Nitya absolutely loved the idea of going to the park. Of course she did, it was Gautes idea. Nitya always thought that whatever idea Gaute had, was always the best one.. Her sister got a good man there, she thought..

    It was nice to see that everyone stood there and patiently waited for Deepak that had to walk through the snow with his cane, before they all decided to go together to the skating rink.

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    --

    --

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    Leya was a little uneasy on the skating rink compared to her sister Nitya that appeared to be a lot more skilled, but..

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    ..Deepak was the one that impressed me the most. Proving that the old man still got it, doing pirouettes and all. You go! ;)

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    Laranya was the only one of the family that didn't go skating, and instead met up with her neighbour Kari Stabell-Jones, before making a snow man.

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    Laranya is a celebrity, a well known hit movie composer, so people in town are of course excited to see her, and ask for her autograph.. :P

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    Gaute noticed that Leya wasn't to steady on the ice, and decided to give her a pair of hands one last time, before they had to say goodbye and go back to the hotel to pack their bags...

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    Bodil: Bye, bye grandma! We have to go now, but.. I'll miss you grandma!
    Laranya: Bye, bye Bodil! I'll miss you too.. you take care, and do well in school now!
    Bodil: I will.. and grandma, don't forget to log on to your racing game like you promised..

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    Bodil: Bye, bye grandpa! I love you, you're the best grandpa..
    Deepak: And you're the best Bodil, I love you too... and maybe we'll come over to visit you next time..

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    Bodil: Will you grandpa, will you?
    Deepak: I'm sure grandma would want that, too. It's been such a long time since we've traveled anywhere, so maybe we'll see you again for summer, if not sooner.
    Bodil: You're the best grandpa!

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    Leya: Bye for now, mom.. take care of yourself.. and dad.. (..for me.. and you..)
    Laranya: I will..
    Leya: You know we'll be right back here if something should...
    ...
    Leya: ... I love you, mom...
    Laranya: I love you too, sweetheart...

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    Leya: Dad.. you take care of yourself, dad..
    Deepak: Don't worry, Leya, it's alright.. your old man haven't given up yet! No, far from it..
    Leya: Thanks, dad.. oh..
    Deepak: Look, Leya, it'll be alright.. I got your mom, both of your sisters and brothers.. You don't need to worry...
    Leya: Yeah, I guess I know dad, but..
    Deepak: ..and you know, I've been thinking that we might just come on over and visit you for summer next year. I think we have to, because I already told Bodil...
    Leya: Oh, that would be great, dad, if it's not to much for..
    Deepak: Not at all. You know, the hospital, they did a really good job, and I feel just as young as before, well...almost.. so really, don't think about it..
    Leya: Thanks, dad.. this has been a lovely christmas, and it was nice to see all of you again..
    Deepak: It's always a great pleasure to have family over...
    Leya: Love you, dad..
    Deepak: Love you too, take care...

    ***
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    With that their christmas holiday had come to an end, and it was time to leave the community of Bewickton behind – until next time. Leya was a little anxious on the way, that they would get stuck in winter traffic and miss their plane, but her worry there was without reason.

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    They caught to the last ferry to the mainland and made it to the airport just in time – to find that their plane was delayed by about half an hour. Not bad, considering they were travelling in winter after all.

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    So once again they were back at the flat and soggy (but now frozen) landscape on the countrys east coast where the small town of Sprottenham was allowed to exist – by the grace of the ocean...

    cM6pept.jpg

    A quiet and small town, where the only thing that fell from the sky were small and peaceful snowflakes...
    A little town were people had just celebrated christmas in their homes – all together with their families – warm.. and safe...
    Well, most of them. Not everyone – even in this town - was that fortunate, but atleast they still had warmth and safety.

    7Qaewss.jpg

    When Leya and her family returned to their home, they found it exactly like they left it. They had just managed to put up the christmas lights outside before they got the message which led them to pack their bags in a hurry..

    6AAhkRL.jpg

    Even their tv-set was still broken – just like they left it, but no worries there. Calling a repair man to come over is both quick and easy...

    IkRFsNK.jpg

    All was good in this home. Gaute found the trampoline as usual, Leya went for a game of darts, and Bodil sat down with her new computer to race her grandma, like promised..

    gWKndpZ.jpg

    ---

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    The repair man fixed the tv, Orinder practiced his skills on the peg toy box and soiled his diaper.. yes, everything was by the normal...

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    The year of 2022 was drawing to a close, and Leya and Gaute had gone outside to welcome the new year and enjoy this one last moment in the fresh cold winter air..

    Hl9pgWz.png

    ..and in Cliffon Park just behind them, Bodils father and local klepto, Glenn Hoddelås and his girlfriend, Maiken Strøm, had gone to do the same while watching the stars..

    D9zKBgZ.jpg

    What a year it had been.. good night.. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited December 2022
    Chapter 18 - 2022 - A year in review...

    Alright, well.. now that the year of 2022 has passed for The People of Simbria, I would like to do a summary of what happened throughout this year, before I continue to follow them into the next... I'll be going through what happened month by month and try to pull out what I think is the highlights, or the lowlights of this year. So, without further ado and all that... let's get to it. ;)

    I'm putting it in two spoilers because it's image heavy.


    SPOILER 1: JANUARY THROUGH JUNE
    **************************
    January
    **************************


    OAetghn.jpg
    The year started off as it usually does, in Sunset Valley... with Oliver Freddy and Inge set to return to university in Lake Onebega.This was their second semester, so Ranveig had been through this once before, but she still suffered from a bit of empty nest syndrome knowing that her son was going away again. She had even began to develop a slight thorn in the side for his girlfriend as well, refusing to lend her the toilet before they set off on their journey..

    UOpmjU6.jpg

    Ranveig has been a single mother ever since Oliver Freddy was born, and she loves both of her sons very deeply. She would much rather just have Oliver Freddy stay at home, but at the same time, she doesn't want to stand in his way, so.. she lets him go, atleast physically.

    DplIn3Y.jpg
    At university, Inge met up and started to make friends with Debbie Richards, a professor in business, and since her husband died, also an art student, like Inge. Inge has since day one wanted to make friends at university, but never really succeeded.. maybe Debbie could finally be a friend for her?

    ZXbem99.jpg

    In the town of Bewickton things were busy in Udishas household, as she struggled to maintain balance between missing her career, caring for her then youngest son, Ole Christian, and being pregnant with her third child...

    apLSW6F.jpg
    Her brother Bhavan was likewise hard at work at the fire station, but was getting a little tired of his boss Sofias constant bragging about her expensive belongings.. why does she think she would need all these things to be liked?

    exCoB5G.jpg
    In the town of Sprottenham, aspiring crime/horror novelist Agathi Jiggens had her own struggles of balancing her work at the theatre (which she hated and wanted to quit, but kept it because she needed money...), working on her next novel, and caring for her children, Ruben and Iselin.

    f9eJkk9.jpg
    Bodils father, Glenn Hoddelås, moved in with his new girlfriend Maiken Strøm.

    **************************
    February
    **************************


    RAMnvph.jpg
    Sunset Valley resident Kleopatra Motor-Karlsen celebrated her 13th birthday and grew up to get the hot headed trait, one that she will hopefully grow out of as she gets a little older.

    eoKN4rZ.jpg
    Being Kleopatra isn't always easy with a mother (Sofie Motor-Karlsen) that is still sometimes grumpy about how her own mother cheated on her dad for a colleague at work, witnessing her parents fighting and even a case of domestic violence.. before her mother finally got kicked out of the house... all this when she was still just a toddler, but she still remembers everything...and Kleopatra father (Eivind, Ranveigs brother) from the Motorsen family has his own issues...

    hQJO5rY.jpg
    Kathrine Kråke-Karlsen went on a shopping spree buying several new childrens toys and a treehouse, cheering in excitement and saying that this would be perfect for their new baby.. yet, throughout the year, she didn't actually get pregnant.

    oXITvqt.jpg
    Lucie Karlsen, Kleopatras grandmother, was out flirting again...

    fzfgToJ.jpg
    But she's still friends with her ex-husband and Kleopatras grandfather, Asgeir Karlsen, as they were seen playing a game of chess together by former chess champion H.K.H. Høigaffels home ("The Rook"), now a museum in his honour.

    EtfRt7v.jpg
    At university Inge still struggled with being ignored by her roomates whenever she tried to make contact, and couldn't really figure out why...

    2ozXwi3.jpg
    In Bewickton Sofia Karlsen continued to brag and share gossip to Bhavan. She had also been noticed by Palash, Bhavans older brother, and was now his love interest.

    acUC17j.jpg
    Udishas water broke a little earlier than expected, and she had to rush to the hospital, where she gave birth to a baby girl she called Madhunisha.

    WYNR2oS.jpg
    February went by without not to much going on in the peaceful town of Sprottenham, so here's a picture of Bodil doing her homework in the park.

    iqqYNyB.jpg
    In Sunset Valley Jonathan, Kathrine and their children Ingrid and Morten had a fun day visiting his parents, Lucie and Asgeir. Kathrine got a little silly and juiced during their visit and put on her swim wear to play with the sprinkles, act silly and take dozens of selfies with everyone...

    ejiE75t.jpg
    Kathrine taking a selfie with her father-in-law, Asgeir Karlsen.

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    Ingrid had some questions for grandma Lucie about her and grandpas home situation. Why did they live so seperately in the same house? she asked, but grandma pretended not to hear....

    Vbt7SSt.jpg
    Inge snuck out early one morning to do some graffiti. Besides that, her and her boyfriend were being good students and studying hard. ;) Later Inge tried to make friends with Ashley Corono, but Ashley didn't seem to keen on that as she tried to walk away mid conversation...
    She also tried to invite Debbie over for a visit, but Debbie wouldn't come over..

    **************************
    March
    **************************


    3laMAEG.jpg
    In Bewickton, Kajsa Tangstad, the drummer of the band The Bushweeds, gave birth to a baby boy called Nikolai.

    3KaSeKU.jpg
    Nishit found a peaceful time alone fishing by the swamp. It was just to noisy at home now after Madhunisha was born.. with two crying babies in the house...

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    Palash, the weirdo of the Chitrakaar family whom I thought would remain single for life, was now engaged to Sofia and they had plans to marry already this summer.. whoa, that went fast. Are you sure about that?

    BtAToXC.jpg
    In Sprottenham, Solvej and Patrik, long time friends of Leya and Gaute, had moved out of the Millground farm and into a new home with their son Rune. The old Frumpenheimer house on Southfield Road.

    0ra2pq4.png
    Local criminal Robert Gudmestad-Kiinsmo had gotten his hands on plenty of money all of a sudden, and began to invest in property around town...

    **************************
    April[
    **************************


    fNBgQtk.jpg
    The small starter house that was being built on the hill by the Reppe family house was now finished, and it was time for Ingrid to move out. It appeared to be an emotional moment, especially for Kathrine, as she acted very absent minded like during the following days. Her father Jonathan got an urge to go fishing a lot.

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    Ingrid goes to her new home for the first time.

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    In Lake Onebega Inge and Oliver Freddy were now busy with their exam preparations and for the first time they had a discussion/slight argument by the breakfast table about their future together, after which they just sat and stared awkwardly at each other for a while...

    nPyeP5A.jpg
    Debbie Richards finally visits Inge, and confesses to her how she and her husband tried several times to have children, but failed.. before he died.. Debbie claims to be just fine living alone, but it's clear from her voice that she isn't...

    ZN3uLCU.jpg
    In Sprottenham, the towns people were enjoying the spring festival, rain or shine. ;) It's not often I see Agathi dance, so here is a picture of her doing just that...

    NWM63Z7.jpg
    Robert continued with his suspicious looking investments, buying up more and more of the lots in town.. and here he is at a disco, trying to sell umbrellas to Leya. He can assure her, they're handmade quality umbrellas... locally produced...

    IWGP82o.jpg
    Solvej gave birth to twins, Silvia and Lillian.

    **************************
    May
    **************************


    OB3X4V0.jpg
    People in Sunset Valley also go to the spring festival to have a good time. Here is Ingrid and Ranveig and other locals enjoying themselves.

    h6Gg4ok.jpg
    In the Reppe household Inges sister Kristina had her 13th birthday and it was clear she had inherited the family oriented trait from her grandparents.

    WEpyRNe.jpg
    In Lake Onebega Oliver Freddy and Inge passed their exams with flying colours, and to celebrate Oliver Freddy threw a party that went a little off the hinges...

    Le12bST.jpg
    The juice begins to do its work, and Nicole Lawry slaps Debbie Richards after being accused of "dressing like a harlot"..

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    People were passing out left and right, but Inge impressed me. She was one of few that managed to stay upright all evening in spite of several visits to the juice keg..

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    The night ended in chaos with passed out people all over the place, loud music blaring from every open window and streakers running around..

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    Until the inevitable happened, and someone phoned the police.. Oliver Freddy and Inge got away without consequences, though. The police woman was clearly going after the streakers. ;)

    8IDuh0h.jpg
    Something was going on now in the town of Sprottenham, were Robert was seen making a dubious deal with the owner of the café at Harbor Square involving a woman called Danicia, whom we haven't seen before.. The café owner refused the offer at first, until Robert threatened to destory the café and this mans livelihood if he didn't get his way...

    mam4BQV.jpg
    In Bewickton Udisha and Dudleif was feeling the burden of being parents to two young ones, and suffered greatly from a lack of sleep. An important milestone was still reached, though, as Ole Christian finally learned to walk.

    8IC1SzQ.jpg
    Sofia was as usual hard at work at the fire station.

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    In Sunset Valley Ingrid goes to do some aerobics at the gym, and now that she lives alone, she has her first thoughts about children and family, but she is currently without any kind of love interest.

    rM4d1xL.jpg
    She invests in a new tumble drier for her house, but has no other place to put it, so she decides to begin work to expand the bathroom.

    sHusThY.jpg
    In Lake Onebega Oliver Freddy and Inge get their exam results, and they both got an A.

    ckNGDnu.jpg
    They celebrate with one final night of bowling, before going back to Sunset Valley for the summer. Ranveig would no doubt be happy to have her son back home, if only for a couple of months..

    **************************
    June
    **************************


    vDEUJx7.jpg
    It was a peaceful month in Sprottenham where not to much happened, atleast not on the surface, so here's a picture of Agathi hating her job.

    TopoQjg.jpg
    Torgeir Dahl-Blankblomst had his first birthday and aged up to a toddler. He's about the same age as Iselin (Agathis daughter) and may be more relevant as both of them get older.

    K3F2u3d.jpg
    In Bewickton Palash and Sofia is busy preparing their wedding. Here is Palash at the salon for some tips on what to wear...

    aMCGtXR.jpg
    Palash also adopted a dog called Yumi. He just couldn't wait to hear the sound of small footsteps in his home..

    WqX4N4h.jpg
    Sofia has her first positive thought about having children. A question that will plague their relationship for some time...

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    Leya, Gaute, Bodil and Orinder arrive in Bewickton for her brothers wedding. Gaute is exited the hotel they're staying at has its own bar. Leya, not so much...

    MMp0AbV.jpg
    Leya gets an eerie feeling from the hallways of this hotel. She can't help to think that this hotel on the outskirts of town must be haunted.. so she thinks next time they visit, they'll choose a hotel downtown instead.. That next time may come a little more sudden than anyone knew at this point...


    SPOILER 2: JULY THROUGH DECEMBER
    **************************
    July
    **************************


    XWuC5Pj.jpg
    Baturney and Agathis daughter Iselin had her first birthday and is now a toddler.

    ux69yF3.jpg
    Roberts umbrella business is revealed, as it appears he has employed slave workers at the old Peat Factory on the outskirts of town...

    7NvES89.jpg
    He's really a crook! He's got kids working there, too! This one in the corner, called George Alnuman, wants to find his aunt... Last thing he knew, she was heading south somewhere..

    TK7Hipu.jpg
    In Bewickton the big day is finally here, and Palash and Sofia is about to get married.

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    All of the family is gathered, and everyone is really happy. Deepak especially is so exited, he feels almost beside himself.

    JWKOTLs.jpg
    Then the moment is here, and it is a beatiful moment, though Sofia shortly before the event, decided she wanted to wear her work uniform instead. She must really be proud of her job... is she trying to impress someone?

    KnJdNPO.jpg
    The event turns into a party, as the local band "The Bushweeds" fires up the entertainment.

    358RFce.jpg
    ..but everything isn't so great, because Sofia and Palash have their first argument about children...

    CVIMuvX.jpg
    Regardless, the wedding night ends just like it should.. Sofia had wanted this moment for a long time. Palash wasn't raised in a particularly strict way, but he still saved himself for this one night.. for reasons probably only he will truely understand. He is on a lot of areas very unlike both his parents and his siblings, at times almost like a displaced child.. however, he is not. They are all biologically related. ;)

    CugWRYK.jpg
    July in Sunset Valley was relaxed without any major events. Ranveig (and Gautes) son Robert Bråge was taking after his mother playing chess and improving his logic skill. He had just been to the book store to buy the third book in the logic series to sit down and read it on a bench outside.

    vk42p7L.jpg
    Ranveig was invited to a pool party over at the Bastiansen residence, but found it a little uncomfortable with all the people there. Sometimes she would much rather just spend her day at home, practicing chess or watching the romance channel...

    VfPzuLB.jpg
    Inge Reppe and her family had gone to the library in the New Town area to immerse themself in books. Here is Iselin with a copy of "My crazy parents, Gus and Dorie" an autobiography by Bebe Hart-Bunch and her daughter Kristina with a copy of a book called "Attacked by Pumas" by Asgeir Karlsen.

    01qZaq4.jpg
    Ingrid enjoyed summer bowling and hanging out with her friend Lisa Bunch. Ingrid won this match, and Lisa was a bit of a sore loser.. :P



    **************************
    August
    **************************


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    Palash has a lot of trouble with Yumi, as she has a bit of a temperament snarling at him and constantly chewing up the furniture, but Sofia quickly adopts the dog as her own.

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    August in Sunset Valley means it's back to university again for Oliver Freddy and Inge. Ranveig isn't the most emotional one this time, as Inge has to shed a few tears from leaving her home town again, before she can get into the car...

    N1v3Zix.jpg
    Ranveig still stands there for a long time, as she watches the car drive off into the distance, before she gets up on a stone to wave them goodbye..

    gqvR55T.jpg
    The expansion of Ingrids bathroom is well under way, as can be seen here on this shot where she leaves her home to pay her aunt Helene a visit.

    OXQqBlF.jpg
    Helene and her aunt are good friends as they are both bookworms and snobs that enjoy a bit of juicy gossip about the less fortunate ones...

    deqKpL8.jpg
    Back at university Inge had some troubles with her room mate Jonathan Dirk that had developed some feelings for her since last time... Inge secretly found him attractive as well, but she had concluded he was only useful as eye candy and not much else, because everything he said was just to stupid to believe... she didn't want to hear it. ;)


    TfbpA4Q.jpg
    Later Inge was invited to a party over at the girls sorority house, but felt she had a hard time fitting in there, and the evening ended with an argument outside where she was labeled a rude guest. It might just have something to do with how she constantly walked around booing and laughing at the other girls all throughout the party...

    YK8JgF5.jpg
    That's not how you make friends. Don't think she'll be welcome back there anytime soon..


    **************************
    September
    **************************


    pFk3pMh.jpgOliver Freddy and Inge continued to work hard on their studies, Inge with her paintings and Oliver Freddy doing scientific discoveries.TF5XVHZ.jpg
    Oliver Freddy wanted to get a tattoo, but got cheated by the tattoo artist that only pretended to give him one...

    xYgSUpJ.jpg
    In the town of Sprottenham things were by the usual, and Solvej had tried again to build a new greenhouse for her plants by their new home.

    uAgCZBo.png
    Agathi still hated her job at the theatre, worked more on her novel, and Robert continued spending money on buying up lots in town..

    It actually took a lot longer time to do this than I thought it would, because I had to go back and review every post that I made for this period.. :P

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    September was a stormy month in Sunset Valley as Inge got a new sister by the name of Emmy.

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    Kristina Reppe got herself an after school job at the grocery store.

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    Ingrid wanted to hang out with her aunt, so they went together to "V.I.P Club Exclusif", the finest establishment in town. It became clear that Inge had a bit of a crush on Mikael Bastiansen as she spent a good portion of the evening standing right next to him fantasizing about that ring on her finger, their honeymoon and all that..

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    Yeah, I think this just speaks for itself..


    **************************
    October
    **************************



    PGmX1HI.jpg
    Drama happened at the de Anda Hall when Skip Taylor nearly burnt down their kitchen.. ah, university life..

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    Later Oliver Freddy got invited to a party at Debbie Richards house. Debbie was busy there, doing her last minute preparations for the party...

    CpIuIO5.jpg
    Ignoring this one guy called Jacob Salaman that walked around insulting everyone, the party went very peacefully.. there were no streakers, no real fights, no one passed out and nothing apart from the bonfire outside, was set on fire... you call this a party? Come on. :P

    v2hgxfQ.jpg
    It was party time also in Sunset Valley, where Ingrid was invited to a swimsuit party over at her friend Lisa Bunchs house.

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    At the party Ingrid really took a liking to the mac and cheese being served, as she went over for repeated servings, even though she was already full from the first one. Amelia Kjøsnes could tell her it was made from an old secret recipe they had from good old Judy Bunch, may she rest in peace.

    Cvx8OSJ.jpg
    Roberts spending of money had raised suspition among the police and so more expertise were called in as the Sunset Valley and Sprottenham police now cooperated to solve a case of human trafficking. Here is retired police officer Eirin Motorsen that was called in to lead the Sunset Valley part of the investigation...

    eDYpHuF.jpg
    Police officer Amena Alnuman was really exited about this. It was her dream ever since she came to Sunset Valley to get to catch some real bad guys..

    ByIzRwJ.jpg
    The investigation culminated in a pretty dramatic event at the old Peat Factory in Sprottenham were Robert and his accomplices were arrested during a raid.

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    The victims were all set free and were given temporary housing at the Seafront Hotel while the town council worked to find new homes for them.

    HLO0bA8.jpg
    Agathi saw the news of the raid on tv, and quickly went over to the peat factory to find inspiration for her writing and satisfy her nosiness, but was quickly escorted out of there by a police officer that threatened to arrest and charge her if she didn't leave..

    R0GoItR.jpg
    This dramatic event definetaly caused ripples in this small community, and tore up a few families to, as parents were now in jail.. This is Bodils friend Edny wanting her mommy back...

    JiX8sGQ.jpg
    After this, I think it's time for something more pleasant again. In the town of Bewickton, Palash and Sofia had been planning their honeymoon, and was now onboard the cruise ship M/S Princess Ragnhild and well on their way to cross the equator to spend some time in the tropical paradise of Belo Horizonte.

    0LU5asS.jpg
    They had rented a nice house by the beach, where they spent their time enjoying the jacuzzi and exploring the island (and themselves! :P) in various ways, and maybe all this exploring would lead to something..

    BqxCOPD.jpg
    Hmm....? :P

    **************************
    November
    **************************


    HzcGKQQ.jpg
    November went by peacefully in Sunset Valley, and Ingrid chose to spend her time after work throwing ball behind the town hall with her good friend and colleague Lisa Bunch.

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    University life is chill as well, as both of our students are now once more busy with exam preparations. Yes, there was still the odd streaker on campus, but... the most dramatic thing this month was Inge being nearly flattened by a Murphys bed. Inge is typically a nice girl, but this one brought out the beast in her, which is a seldom sight to see...

    014mejg.png
    In Sprottenham Agathi finally dared to take the step to quit her job at the theatre to become a full time writer. She took her son Ruben to Cliffon Park to celebate her new life.

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    Orinder had his first birthday and aged up to a toddler.

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    Welcome to toddlerhood, young man. Now you can learn skills. ;)

    acCQeAY.jpg
    One major event happened in town hall this month.. The trial against Robert and his henchwomen took place and they each got several years in prison. If worst comes to worst, Robert could potentially be incarcerated for life...

    Au7piiF.jpg
    After the trial, they were all transported to the Sunset Valley prison to serve their sentences...

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    Back in Bewickton Palash and Sofia enjoyed a game of horseshoe outdoors, but was interrupted because Sofia kept having some stomach trouble or something...

    **************************
    December
    **************************


    edKcGK4.jpg
    In Sunset Valley police officer Amena Alnuman was happy about having contributed her part to solving of the case, but now there was something else on her mind.. the investigation had uncovered something else too, that one of her relatives, her nephew George was one of the victims

    FE7untQ.jpg
    As his only known living relative, she had now gained legal custody of him, and was on her way to Sprottenham to take him home..

    jqvN99Q.jpg
    At Lake Onebega things were by the usual. Inge was sneaking out to practice graffiti, random people were streaking, Oliver Freddy did more scientific discoveries, and someone tried to burn the kitchen.. again..

    abyct2t.png
    They both passed their exams with flying colours once more, and went off to celebrate with a date that ended in a bit of a strange way at the swimming pool, because Oliver Freddy had never quite gotten rid of his fear of water...

    qSZRiTx.jpg
    Then it was back to Sunset Valley where everyone gathered at Oliver Freddys grandparents house, Eirin and Ingmar Motorsen, to celebrate christmas.

    4BQT2vL.jpg
    In Sprottenham Gaute had just received an unpleasant message from Leyas mother Laranya regarding her father Deepak. A few things happened at once here, as Deepak had a stroke fell in the bathroom and was rushed to the hospital, Gaute himself had to rush his long time friend Selma Vaddelmyr to the hospital where she gave birth to a little girl called Rebecca.

    KIH7Dp1.jpg
    Laranya holding Deepak after he fell in the bathroom.

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    In Bewickton we learnt a little more about Sofias childhood, how she grew up with an absent father that cared more about his job than anything else, it would seem..

    PzfTu3I.png
    The very same night as all the above happened, Sofias thoughts and debate about whether she should have children or not manifested itself in a most unpleasant nightmare...

    H3ASiHv.jpg
    Thanks to being transported so rapidly to the hospital, Deepak made it through the stroke, but he still had to spend some time in hospital for recovery and physical therapy. After hearing the news, Leya immediately took her family to Bewickton to visit her father.

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    With time and lots of hard work, Deepak finally made it out of the hospital, and everyone could happily celebrate christmas together, just like he wanted, and that was the best gift he could have gotten..

    **********************


    And that, I think, was the most important events of the year that passed, with some filler points to include every location for every month, but that's just how it gets, I suppose. :P So now everything should be ready to move on to the next one.. Later. ;)
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
    th1das9.png
    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited January 2023
    Chapter 19 – January 2023
    19.1 – Sunset Valley – January 2023: Part I – New Year, New home, New beginning..

    Narrators notes:

    KKoYV5y.jpg

    It's an early morning in Sunset Valley, and I return to the house of Ranveig Motorsen and her children, to find her oldest son Oliver Freddy asleep and dreaming about scientific experiments.. A new year has begun, and soon it's time for him and his girlfriend to go back to to university for their 4th semester. I sit back and wait for the family to wake up, when I all of a sudden receive a message about a house in the New Town Area becoming vacant.

    uXUlQBz.jpg

    I locate the house, and it is the house of Amena Alnuman, like I expected. I knew from last year that she had plans to find a better location after she got custody of her nephew George, preferrably a place with two bedrooms, but I wasn't expecting her to move out this soon, and certainly not this early in the morning, before sunrise, even... This does take me by surprise, because there really aren't any decent vacant homes in town.. well, if you would ask me..

    84xPAkl.jpg

    George leaves the house soon after, and I follow them to see where they are heading..

    fr4q8Rf.jpg

    She doesn't get on her bike, or get into a car or taxi, but instead just walks along the same road. She looks like she's in a hurry, as she doesn't even stop to wait for George, so he has to run to catch up.
    "Wait up, auntie! Wait for me!"

    enEtOYR.jpg

    She walks on until she reaches the house of the latest newcomer in town, Hans Ivar Nylenna that moved in just last summer, before she does a sharp turn to the right and begins running. That's when I kind of understand where she is headed.. The house that she now leaves behind, along with several similar looking houses on this street, are cheap houses build by the local municipality in the 1970s to serve as simple starter homes for young adults moving out of home for the first time. They were never meant to be homes to start families or live with children, hence they only have one bedroom.

    32X9QBQ.jpg

    Some years later, in the early 2000s, an investor and millionaire from the country capital of Wad Nahadau had bought the area on the hillside just below these buildings, where he built a park of mobile homes, as he said, "to further the idea of cheap housing for young adults looking for their first home", but success was varied. A few young adults, and even some small families moved in, but throughout most of the years since then, several of these homes have been empty. And it was to one of these homes that Amena was heading.

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    They were newer, but the standard wasn't much better than what she had. You could almost say it was worse as they were pretty small, the furniture was cheap and the colour choices.. well..., but they had one thing the 1970s homes didn't. Two seperate beds, one for her, and one for her George. It wasn't perfect, by any means, but it would have to do for now, until she could scrape together enough cash to finally build or buy a proper house. She would most likely need to have one built, as there were no empty houses in town apart from these cheap ones, but on the upside, this also meant that she would be able to decide more or less excactly how she wanted it.

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    I leave Amena and George behind for now, to return to the Motorsen familys home and wait for someone to wake up. Oliver Freddy and his half-brother Robert Bråge wake up first to go down stairs for a quick breakfast. Oliver Freddy plays the part of the responsible older brother and encourages Robert to do well in school.

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    "Who knows, you could be a rocket scientist one day!" he said, trying to encourage him further. Oliver Freddy is taking after his aunt Monica, who works as a scientist at the Landgraab Industries Science Facility. His decision to go to university to study science came when she offered him a summer job at the science facility, but he didn't want to leave without his girlfriend, Inge Reppe, so after a bit of discussing he managed to convince her to join him.

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    "What if I just want to build houses instead?" Robert asked, thinking rockets sounded a little to complicated. "Then I wouldn't need to go to school, because school is boring."

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    "That's not really how it works, I'm afraid" Oliver Freddy told him. "Even for building houses, it's very useful to understand mathematics, and especially things like geometry and trigonometry.."

    "What? You mean triangles and angles and things like that?" Robert looked at his brother, a little surprised.

    "Precisely" Oliver Freddy said "Houses are full of them! There are angles and triangles all over the place.."

    "You're really weird sometimes, you know that?" Robert said pushing his chair from the table with a scraping sound. "I'll go outside."

    "Different. Not weird." Oliver Freddy mumbled to himself, before finishing his last bit of cereal and walking out the back door to say good morning to the butterflies his mother kept out in the garden..

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    The table with the butterflies had been there ever since Oliver Freddy was just a child, and when he would ask his mom where she had gotten them from, she would always tell him stories, such as how she bought them from a travelling butterfly salesman with a suitcase, red tie and a top hat.. Oliver Freddy of course never believed in those silly stories, as he had both heard and seen her sneak out at night to go root through the neighbours trash... It's not like Ranveig ever really enjoyed being nose down in a dumpster, but working as a journalist, she only did what she had to do put food on the table..

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    Ranveigs notes:


    Brahms - Waltz in A-flat major Op. 39 no. 15

    You know that feeling in the morning when you wake up with a dry mouth and you just know you've got the breath of a dragon? Yeah, that's what it felt like for me this morning, so I knew I had to brush the teeth immediately as I got up. I didn't want to use the bathroom sink because.. sometimes mirrors just creep me out. If you know what it's like to have mirrors talk to you, sometimes even make faces at you, you would know what I'm talking about.. Not every day is like that, but this was gonna be one of those days, where I just had to avoid mirrors at all costs..

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    Public bathrooms are the worst.. a total nightmare sometimes, with an entire row of them, all harassing me and telling me to do things.. Sometimes I snap at them and shout back... and don't get me started on the pictures and their ugly voices... all I want is peace, and to be left alone..

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    Oliver Freddy was sitting on a bench outside reading a book as I went to the fridge to get the ingredients for my breakfast, and I could see from the plates on the table that Robert was up as well, and if it wasn't for them.. my sons, they are the reason why I'm still keeping it all together,somehow..

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    Oliver Freddys notes:
    Before we had to go to back to university, I called Inge over for a short visit. I really hope that she and mom can get along. I know mom only means well, she's just worried, though sometimes it does come out a little wrong.

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    She said she would be over in an instant, and she actually meant it. I thought girls would always take their time, so I sat down to play a game of chess with Robert. I didn't even get to move the first piece, before I heard her call out good morning. Well, I should have expected her to not take to long. She's always been a pretty down to earth girl, and that's something I really like about her.

    "I don't wanna be here for your yucky girl stuff" Robert murmured when he heard her coming. "I'm going back inside to see what mom is up to." He turned on his heel and darted inside, almost running into Inge on the way.

    "Whoa, why the rush?" she asked him, but he didn't even look at her before running inside.

    "Oh, he's at that age.. you know, he's still in his 'no girls allowed' stage.. if he's anything like his father, just give him a year, or maybe even just a few months..."

    "I see..." Inge said as she sat down by the chess table. ".. and you? Did you also hate girls when you were a kid?"

    "Me? No, not really.. I never saw it quite like that.. Girls then were kids, just like any other kid. I don't know why, but I never went through that stage. I would often hang out at Ingrids house and we would throw ball together.." I said "..but we've never been anything but good friends. Her parents got such a nice house by the beachfront, you know."

    "So you would hang out there only for the house then?" Inge tried to tease me.

    "No no, I would never do that... we were actually good friends, too..."

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    "I was just kidding. I knew you were friends, because I.." Inge began, but stopped as if she just realized she was about to share something best kept to herself. Not that it would have mattered much, because I sort of knew. Looking back at it now, what could be explained to be just innocent coincidences back then, probably weren't.

    "It's alright, we were only teenagers then anyway" I said "..but you know, there's one thing I've been thing I've been thinking about since grandmas christmas party..."

    "Yeah..?" she answered, doing her best to look like she was surprised by the question, but it wasn't to hard to tell she had been thinking about it, too.

    Inges notes:

    I was really excited to go back for another semester at university, so I was already set to go when Oliver called and invited me over to his house. Or his mothers house. His brother Robert didn't appear to keen on seeing me, because he ran indoors pretty much as soon as I arrived. I didn't mind to much, he's just a kid, and Oliver explained it was probably just a phase he is going through anyway. It was a little embarassing how I pretty much admitted spying on him when we were still in school. I had noticed him almost right away on my first day of school after we moved to Sunset Valley, but was disappointed when I saw him frequently hanging out with this other girl. I'm not proud of it, but I would often stalk him and I even followed him as he visited her house.. I guess he must have figured it out, because he said he was cool with it, but I still felt shameful.

    Anyway.. I guess he wanted to make sure things were alright between me and his mom, because it did get a little weird at the christmas party.. I.. I have never been questioned like that before. It was pretty uncomfortable how she kept pressuring me about future plans. It really did throw me off a bit. I don't know what's.. what's her problem. I tried to understand it, but I'm not sure if I did?

    Watcher knows why, but I didn't want it to look like I had been thinking about it too, so I pretended to not know what he was talking about at first when he asked about it.

    "You know how my mom kept almost interrogating you about the future.. about our plans to get married, have children and all that.."

    "Oh, yeah, that.." I said "..well, it's alright. I wasn't to bothered by it.." This was a lie, of course. I was a little bothered by it, because I felt it was.. a little to soon then to discuss this so openly with his mom. I've had thoughts about it. Plenty of thoughts, you know. Of getting married, settling down, buying a nice house, having kids, but.. I've never taken the steps to discuss it with him to much yet. So far, our plan is to focus on getting through university, and then we'll see..

    "Still, I apologize for moms behaviour" he continued. "She means well, you know, it's just how she is sometimes, being very concerned and wanting things settled."

    "Oh, it's alright, I understand." I said. "Parents will always be parents. My mom always warns me about the parties. If only she knew."

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    "Yeah, some things we probably shouldn't tell them, but.. I've been thinking..that when we're done, we move back here.. we buy a house, and you know, maybe have a family of our own..?" he said carefully to, I suppose, test my response as if he feared I would turn it down. Of course I wouldn't. Really, having kids and a family of my own is something I have wanted since junior high.

    Since before my parents decided to move out of the city to a smaller town. Dad wanted more space to have his own garden (and to not have neighbours so close by...). Mom just wanted a slower pace and better opportunities to go fishing, and I had no problem moving, because I wasn't making any friends at school there anyway... I don't know what I did wrong, but I was always the one everyone thought they could bully every chance they got...

    So.. but, anyway, Oliver finally bringing up our future family life was really the best thing I could hear him say.

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    I know excactly what I want our house to be, a beautiful victorian style house, light blue with white details. Three storys tall with two living rooms, a dining room and a basement for additional recreational rooms as well as a laundry room. And of course the most lovely garden with daisies and dandelions, a huge playground for all of our kids and a pond with a fountain and water lillies... all this on top of the hill with the best view of our town, Sunset Valley.. well, I also know we would never afford something like that straight away, but eventually.. that is my dream...

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    ..and when we get to that point, there will be no partying and no juice drinking! Especially not around the kids! I love my mom and all, but I don't want to be like her on one important area..

    Oliver agreed with me on the last point, of course we wouldn't do that around the kids, but I could tell he was sweating a bit when I told him my visions for our future home..

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    Oliver Freddys notes:

    Inge sure has made her plans for our future, and though it sounds nice, I think we're gonna have to be a little more pragmatic and take things one step at a time. I felt I couldn't promise her all that, so I only told her that we'd go back to university and finish our degrees before settling down here, get a job and start our careers (in science for me, and art for her) and then we would see..

    She said she understood, and that she wouldn't expect to have everything immediately and that it would take time, but that it still was a dream she had that one day, we would be a happy family living just like that..

    We appeared to agree for now, so I thought it was time to invite her inside to say bye to mom one last time, before we had to go.

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    I just had to stop on the way to do an inkblot test on her.. maybe I could uncover some of her motivations and try to figure out why family was so important for her. She seemed quite eager then, because with every inkblot I showed, her answers became increasingly romantic in nature..

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    She wasn't to sure about going inside, and I in part got the impression she wanted to stall time when she asked to hold hands.. but there was no way I was leaving for university without a proper goodbye to mom and my brother.

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    Inges notes:

    I had hoped he wouldn't invite me inside, and that we could just go. I didn't really want to meet his mom, but he insisted we go inside, so well, I had to comply.. It's a horrible thought, I know, but for a while there I started to picture what it would be like if his mom was.. well.. I started to picture what she would be like if she was a ghost.. I didn't want her to start questioning me again, like she did at the christmas party..

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    When we got inside she didn't greet me, as I expected, instead she wanted to take a photo with Oliver as once last thing before he left. While they did so I tried to sneak past them to go upstairs to watch the cooking channel on tv while doing my best to keep a serious face, but it was just to hard to keep the laughter in.. I don't know what it was, maybe she just came back from the swimming pool and didn't bother changing, but yeah, she was wearing a swimsuit again..

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    Of course, after a while when it was time to leave they both came upstairs looking for me, and Oliver wasn't very happy I had tried to sneak away from hanging out with his mom. Maybe that was rude of me, but I really didn't want her to start questioning me again.. I wanted to just get out of there quickly, to leave this cuckoo's nest and get back to university with him..

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    Narrators notes:

    I suppose love makes blind as Inge seemed to find it very funny that Ranveig was wearing a swimsuit, completely ignoring that her boyfriend was doing just the same..

    Ranveigs notes:

    There he goes again, my sweet beloved son and his girlfriend... You know, I've gotten used to being a walking laughing stock over the years, so I just ignored her.. I did think about apologizing for my behaviour at the christmas party, but she disappeared up the stairs before I got a chance to.. and as soon as she was back downstairs and started laughing at me, well, I felt we were even, so I just didn't bother.. It still hurts a bit every time I get laughed at, though...

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    Oliver Freddys notes:

    I can't wait to get back to university to continue my science experiements...

    Robert Bråge (running): Hey! Hey, wait up! I didn't know you were leaving... so soon...

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    Robert Bråges notes:

    Bye bye brother.. see you again in summer...then we'll go fishing together.. you know I didn't really mean it when I said you were weird...

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    Narrators notes:
    Yep, see you again in summer, because now the van leaves to take them further north and closer to the mountains where their university is.. to be covered in another chapter, because we are not leaving Sunset Valley just yet. ;)

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    Robert Bråges notes:

    Maybe I won't be a rocket scientist, but I'm sure I could be some kind of scientist. If I can find a rock, I could always ask my aunt if we can do some experiments on it. I'm sure that would make Oliver proud. Then I would be a rock scientist!

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    "You know how to search for things mom? When you were out looking through trash cans, did you find any rocks?"
    I asked mom where I could go to search for rocks, but I don't think she liked my question, because she just sat there staring at my video game. Sometimes mom is a little weird too..

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    Maybe if I asked her something else she would talk to me..
    "Mom? Do you know anything about building houses? Oliver says I need to learn geometry to build houses, but do I really have to?"
    I guess not, now she just keeps looking at the walls again.. sometimes I wish I could live with dad instead...

    "..mom?"

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    "Whatever mom, I'll go to the park..."

    Ranveigs notes:

    It happened to me again after Oliver and Inge left. We walked back inside to play some video games when they started talking to me. I could hear somewhere that Robert tried to say something, but through all the noise, I couldn't make out what it was. I tried to silence the voices, but I just couldn't.. it just takes so much energy. I think he said something about going to the park before leaving. I wanted to tell him to be home before dark. It felt like I was talking, but I don't know if I actually did. It was still so noisy around me, I found it really hard to focus..

    I have been thinking more and more to go see a doctor about it, but I just don't want mom to find out. Mom always wanted, and still want, to keep this a secret, because she's afraid it's going to bring shame to the family... but I can't.. I don't understand why she doesn't see it.. that we're already the weird family of Sunset Valley... how everyone laughs at us and talks about us when we're not there. Maybe I should...

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    I'll uh... I'll do it later... I'll just.. upgrade this computer first.. Being focused on something actually helps me to keep them away..

    Robert Bråges notes:


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    I don't think the park is the best place to search for rocks, so I went fishing instead. I actually caught a few, even if I didn't use bait. I really like fishing, it reminds me of the first time I met my dad. He loves fishing, just like I do. It was in the middle of winter, and it was snow there, so we couldn't go fishing though, but we could do many other things like building igloos and having snowball fights! I really liked the snow, it was so cool! I wish we could get snow in Sunset Valley, too..

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    I wanted to go skating on a lake, but we can't do that here, so I had to go with the second best thing. On the skating rink I met Olivers sister Margrethe, and we did a few rounds, before playing tag. I know she's a girl, but she is sometimes fun to hang out with.

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    Narrators notes:
    The father that Robert talks about is Gaute that lives in Sprottenham and is married to Leya (you saw them in my last updates where they celebrated christmas with Deepak and Laranya). Gaute has always been a very outdoorsy man, ever since he grew up in the town of Dole Plains up by the Appaloosian mountains..

    The visit he talks about where he is one they did in December 2020 that I just so happen to have a video of..
    And well.. speaking of outdoor activities and fishing. While Margrethe and Robert is in the park playing tag, I get a notification that Bjørn-Yngve (Roberts cousin) just increased his skill in fishing to level 5. I click it to find him fishing with his mom Helene by the waterfall.

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    I find this very cute, that she has autonomously taken her son out to go fishing like that. Way to go!

    Ranveigs notes:

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    Fixing and upgrading things in the home is one of the few things that makes me feel relaxed. I suppose it's the sense of accomplishment that does it. I felt good and full of energy, so I wanted to to the gym to work out, but of course, after I had put on my rain coat to go there, and I managed to forget for a while why I had put it on...

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    I knew I had put it on because I felt good and wanted to go somewhere.. and then I remembered that Robert had said he went to the park, so I decided to go there to see if he was still there, and maybe we could have some fun together.

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    Once I got to the park, my mood changed again, and I just wanted to go back home to upgrade more things.. the fact that it started to rain as well wasn't really helping. I'm not the biggest fan of spending time outside unless I'm having one of my good days and the sun is shining, but as soon as it starts to rain, I'm heading back home!

    Roberts notes:

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    Ugh! Rain! That's the only thing we get in Sunset Valley during winter! People had already started to flee the park and it looked like a real storm was coming. I said "See you later!" to Margrethe before I hopped on my bike to get home before it got to bad.

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    When I got home I found mom with her head down in the trash can again.. I said "Hi mom!" as I walked past her.. I don't think she noticed it was me, because when she pulled her head up, she got that wild panicky looking face again... I can't wait to get old enough to decide for myself where I want to live.. then I'm going to move to where dad lives...

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    It's hard, because I really do like mom. When she's not weird, she is very good to me. She always helps me with homework, and she really makes the best food. I just don't like it when she gets so weird..

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    Before going to bed, I wanted to start writing a science fiction novel, so I started up the computer. I think mom must have upgraded it in some way, because it started up way faster than usual (our computer has always been very slow, but not today.) I had watched this tv show just the other day about old steam trains, and I wondered what it would be like if there existed a portal that allowed them to travel through time. I knew the name of my novel already, I was going to call it "A train through time", but I think I would have the trains be a little more modern, like those high speed bullet trains. I think they would have to be that fast, or even faster, to break the time barrier.

    Narrators notes:

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    I then make the switch to the household of Amena and George, because they are the ones I want to follow for a while now to make sure that Amena can earn the money she needs to buy them a new and better home (my sims aren't making money when they are inactives). George is busy being a good boy doing his homework, and Amena has taken up a side hustle of entertaining people at "The Prison Warden" pub, so she is already doing her best to fulfill her goal...

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    I didn't know she had a piano or any interest or skill in music, but when you have a goal in mind, you gotta do what you gotta do.. I like what I'm seeing though, and I applaud her for taking initiative. ;)
    Audience left to right: VJ Alvi, Beau Andrews, Deng Osman.

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    Now that Ranveig and Robert are no longer the active household, I check up on them to see if they have gone to bed, but it seems Ranveig has taken Robert to go fishing behind the science centre. Of course, Ranveig knows that Robert really loves the outdoors and fishing, so she probably means well, but it's a bit of an odd time to go fishing this late, maybe? And besides, Robert didn't seem to interested. For once, he would actually want to go back inside to continue his writing.. they both go home and go to bed shortly thereafter, so that one visit was kind of pointless. :P

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    After she finished playing, Amena wants to stay behind at the pub to have a few drinks. However, since she has to go to work tomorrow morning and she has her nephew at home to look after, I speak to her through her conscience to make sure she goes home to see to it that he goes to bed and to get some sleep herself..

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    Good night. ;)

    (edited to add more space to paragraphs/conversations trying to improve readability)
    Post edited by Sprottenham on
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited January 2023
    Chapter 19.1 – Sunset Valley January 2023 – part II: Lost Boy.

    Ruth B. - Lost Boy

    I am a Lost Boy from Neverland
    Usually hanging out with Peter Pan
    And when we're bored,
    we play in the woods
    Always on the run from Captain Hook

    "Run, run, Lost Boy",
    they say to me
    "Away from all of reality"

    Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me
    And Lost Boys like me are free
    Neverland is home to Lost Boys like me
    And Lost Boys like me are free


    Narrators notes:

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    It's a calm january morning on the hillside just below the New Town Area with the rain gently tapping on the window outside. Amena and George is still sleeping, dreaming sweet dreams of unicorns and books when something unexpectedly happens to Amena shortly before she is about to wake up..

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    Now, this could easily have been arranged by me using special Narrator codes, but I did not... I had just started the current session as the Watcher Sim Monitor System started beeping and a red alert was issued. Amenas dreams suddenly turned to a different shade and her sleep became much more restless as her social need rapidly dropped giving her the inconsolable (trøstesløs) moodlet (this may have a different name in english). What happened? To answer that question we need to go back in time a little bit..

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    Almoravid, Genaro Molokai, August 2020.

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    It was a beautiful, albeit a little foggy, august morning when Amena left her apartment to go to her first lecture for the semester. She had just completed her bachelors degree in art in june, and was now about to begin on her masters.

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    Amena never really wanted to go to university, it was something she did only because her parents had more or less commanded her to. If it was up to Amena, she would have taken a year off to just travel and explore the world, before getting a job at a restaurant, and perhaps somewhere down the line start her own.. She was quite the independent spirit, and what she hated most in the world was to be tied down and told what to do..

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    ..but here she was, succumbing to her parents demands and studying at university instead. Her parents had wished for her to study something a little more prestigous, such as science, law, or medicine, but in a last minute of rebellion she had changed her application to art studies. She never told them, and had all this time pretended to study medicine. There were a few times where her secret almost got found out, because they would often inquire her about her studies and what she learnt. Luckily her parents, though well educated, didn't know much about medicine, so she was able to fake it by reading up on various simsipedia articles...

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    In another part of town Georges mom had just finished packing his lunch that she had prepared and sent him off for the school bus. George was excited to go back to school and meet all his friends again after the summer holiday was over.

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    The school that George went to was "The School for Creative Children", a small private school on the outskirts of town. "The School for Creative Children" was founded in 1919 by Walner Steindorf and followed a holistic style of teaching whose purpose was to develop the pupils' intellectual, artistic, and practical skills. The school, as its name implied, had a strong focus on imagination and creativity. Georges parents were themselves of the creative kind, and they already had ideas that George would continue doing what Amena was doing right now... to go to university and study art, to become a painter or a sculptor..

    Lecture room B, Akvalois State University, Almoravid.

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    Professor Theodere Lum: "(..) ...our teaching here focuses on close observation of specific works of art, and prolonged engagement with the collection of Floyd Pinkett and... (...)"

    It's amazing she had lasted this long, because she found art to be a pretty boring topic, and the professors ramblings was duller than watching paint dry on a rainy day..

    "(...)... a careful look at some of the most powerful and interesting works of art from the expressionist period starting in 1890, when paintings in its highest form served as vehicles for stories. An example of this is presented in Klaus Schopenheiers paper "The Art of Story Telling in the Expressionist Period.", which you will find in your handout on page 23, article fi..."

    The professor was interrupted by a rumbling sound from the far end of the city. Everyone was confused at first, wondering if it was a thunderstorm, or perhaps an earthquake. Another rumbling sound was heard, this one a little closer and a plume of smoke and dust could be seen rising up from the ground. Then another rumble was heard and felt, followed by a flickering of the lights, and it became clear to everyone what was going on...

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    It had begun.

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    Sunset Valley, United Kingdom of Simbria, January 2023.

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    Even though Amena disliked going to university and dealing with her strict parents, it happened from time to time that she would wake up feeling empty.. Missing her old hometown, the skyline, the bright summer nights and the vibrant nightlife, or just. something as simple as a peaceful sunday afternoon stroll by the waterfront..

    It's not that she had a problem with Sunset Valley, because she didn't. She thought it was a nice small town in its own way. The pace was slower, more leisurely, which had done her good for a while.. The climate was nice and warm all year round, compared to what she was used to. The summer nights weren't as bright, but the winter mornings weren't as dark either. The people were nice and she felt welcomed, though the average age of the population was a little higher than what she was used to. She had a new, interesting and very satisfying job at the police station, and most important of all right now.. She had her nephew George with her.

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    She had made a promise to George that their current home was only temporary, and that she would as soon as she filled the minimum requirements to get a loan, start the process of building a new and better home for them. George looked forward to this, mostly because he wanted his own room. The only thing he really like about their current home, was the small park and playground that was just nearby, and that it had a pretty good view of the town.

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    The empty lot that Amena had set her sights on, was found on Redwood Street 180. It was right next to the old Crumplebottom house by the main road into town from the airport. She liked this lot mostly because it was overlooking the beach, the ocean, and the lighthouse. She had wished for a lot a little closer to downtown, if one had been available, but this one was nice and quiet and looked like a good spot still.

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    Amena had good colleagues that backed her up at the office whenever she had a bad day, and she was already feeling better, and of course, her boss giving her a payrise of 8 simoleons wasn't excactly making things worse. All this gave her a good feeling that her goals were within reach, and a quick call to the real estate agent secured her the lot she wanted. She was feeling energized and wanted to do what she usually does after work, to head to the gym and get a good workout. If it was one thing she had learned from her parents, it was to always be ambitious, no matter what you do. She really enjoyed this, too, and she was really determined to do what she could to advance in her police career.

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    As she went to the gym, George was just finished with his school day and had biked past her to head to his favorite place in town; the library to do his homework before escaping into the magical realm of books...

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    George had already seen and experienced a lot in his life already for someone so young, but when he was a the library immersing himself in his favorite literature none of that mattered...

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    George meets up with Pia Holm-Fredriksen, the towns local psychiatrist and the mother of Margrethe, to tell a joke from the book he just read.

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    Amena hasn't forgotten about her interest in cooking, and makes sure to mention it loud and clear for everyone to hear, while being excited to also see Mortimer Goth working out on the treadmill..
    Gasping in front of her is Jonathan, Kathrines husband. It would seem that Mortimer has obtained some celebrety status within the community, however I'll admit it is unknown to me excactly why as this is a part of the town life I haven't been paying attention to.

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    Earlier this morning, shortly after Amena woke up, I received a message that Kathrine was pregnant. It came as a surprise, but at the same time it didn't, because she had already been talking about this since last february when she for some reason went on a small shopping spree buying a treehouse for their garden.. Later in summer Jonathan also bought a seesaw... I can only assume that she and Jonathan must have tried several times since then to get pregnant, and now they finally succeeded. Coincidentally.. or not perhaps, this was something they started doing around the same time that Ingrid, their oldest child, was soon about out of their house to live on her own.

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    Kathrine cheering in front of the new treehouse she just bought (Picture from Chapter 13.1: February 2022).

    It seems it must have taken them almost a year.. Ingrid moved out two months later, in April in Chapter 14.5: Leaving the nest.

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    Amena had taken a break from her workout and after enjoying a glass of juice, she wanted to have some silly fun by making faces with Jonathan..

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    Jonathan found her very amusing, and gave her a flirtatious comment..

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    Amena was flattered, and responded positively to the comment, but she also knew that Jonathan was a married man (and also quite a bit older than her (Jonathan is an adult at 44, Amena is a young adult at 24. Amena is only 4 years older than Ingrid at 20.)

    Amena: You know, that is really flattering, but I don't want to be responsible for breaking someones heart...

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    Jonathan doesn't seem to get the message and tries again..

    Jonathan:
    Just a small date won't hurt, nothing more...
    Amena: No, sorry, I'm not dating a married man...

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    Jonathan finally accepted defeat before they went back to working out. Amena was still full of energy as she jumped on the treadmill..

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    Unfortunately for Jonathan, his wife Kathrine was also there at the gym and had seen and heard everything he said.. Not unlikely that they would have an interesting conversation once they returned home...

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    At the library, George had just finished reading his second book for the evening and was now chatting with Kleopatra, where he managed to pick up that Kleopatra is single.. George is not of age to be interested in girls just yet, but he is mature for his age, so maybe Kleopatra (age 13) thought he was older than he actually is and thus chose to relay this information to George. Georges main interest so far is well, mostly just reading books...

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    ..and when I say that George is into books, I mean, he is really into books, because he went on to read his third book for the night..

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    ..and then his fourth, only interruped by a short trip to the kids bakers oven to make himself a muffin because he got hungry..

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    Books, books really is the life for George and he sat there reading way past his bedtime.. There's always a loomng threat that the police will come and haul in the kids if they stay up past their curfew, but I've never seen it happen for children, only teenagers, so George is allowed to sit there finishing the book in peace, before leaving the library and going home for the night..

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    Amena has already been home for a while to prepare and eat waffles when George gets home. She suspects that he forgot all about what time it was because he has been at the library again, so she doesn't reprimand him for being late. She only asks him if he wants something to eat before going to bed, but he just ate a muffin, so he replies that he's not hungry.

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    Before Amena goes to bed, she stops by the sink after the doing the dishes as she pictures the garden she can arrange once their new house is built..

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    Once they fall asleep George is dreaming about owning his own computer, so that he can practice writing his own books.. or maybe chat with girls that are older than him. ;) Good night. ;)

    Pictures and scenes that didn't make the cut:

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    Ingrid bought a new car. It seems she had gotten tired of her old Sloppy Jalopy and wanted something that would fit better to a person of her standing...

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    Amena dancing in her apartment in Almoravid.

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    Amena almost got burgled, but thanks to the strong sense of community of her old neighbourhood, the neighbours gathered and called the police to catch the thief before she managed to do anything.

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    Amena eventually woke up from the ruckus and went outside to see what was going on.

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    This neighbour was just ready to fight the thief after she had been arrested and handcuffed....
    "Let me at her! I'll show her not to do a break-in in our neighbourhood! Let me at her!"

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    The following morning Amena was dancing in her apartment again. "Hooray! I didn't get burgled!" :P
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    Chapter 19.2 – Sunset Valley February 2023 part I – The Motor-Notesen family.

    Now for a while I have to leave George and Amena behind, because this month is birthday month, and I don't want to miss a birthday... Though in a way, almost every month is birthday month. Just for february alone – and only counting Sunset Valley – there are several sims who has their birthday.. but only one of them will make the transition from one age group to another..
    Sunset Valley February birthdays:
    Elders: None.
    Adults: Ranveig Motorsen (turns 45 on the 21st). Sofie Motor-Karlsen (turns 39 on the 26th).
    Young adults: Ingrid Kråke-Karlsen (turns 21 on the 18th).
    Teenagers: Kleopatra Motor-Karlsen (turns 14 on the 1st)
    Children: Lise Veronica Motor-Notesen (turns 13 on the 17th – age group transition!)
    Toddlers and babies: None.

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    Namely this one, whose full name is Lise Veronica Motor-Notesen. She is the oldest child of Monica and Ivar Motor-Notesen. She is named after a famous musician, a pop singer. You're guaranteed to know this singer and atleast a few of her songs.. can anyone guess who it is? ;)
    Hint: This singer has a song about something cold that could do with being melted that has nothing to do with princesses living in isolation on a mountain top...

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    Monica Motor-Notesen (born Monica Motorsen on November 24th 1983), is Ranveigs younger sister and Oliver Freddys aunt. She has been mentioned a few times as the one that inspired him to go on to university to study science after she helped him to get a summer job at the Landgraab Reserarch Institute, where she is employed as a Genetic Resequencer (level 7 of the science career). Her goal is to become a Creature-Robot Cross Breeder at level 9.

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    Her husband Ivar Motor-Notesen (born Ivar Notesen on December 28th 1983) is a musician that relocated to Sunset Valley in 2008 when he was kicked out of his band, "Between the violins and me", while on tour. Angry, heartbroken and with only a guitar case and the clothes he wore, he decided to apply for a job at the theatre in town, not telling anyone that he was, literally, homeless. Luckily for him, his boss at the time had contacts around town and could pull some strings, so that he could get a loan to buy a place to stay. The only vacant homes then in his price range were up in the New Town Area, where he became the neighbour of a young scientist named Monica.. ;)
    "Sunset Valley Episode 2"
    Video uploaded to Vimeo – before I learnt that you can't embed Vimeo videos using bbcode and thus switched to using youtube. :P
    Hmm, it seems the video actually can be embedded, but I can't make it start at 04:15 like I want to, because that's where the relevant part is. (Right click the numbers to open in a new tab and it should.)

    They dated for a while, before one day he finally proposed to her, but.. even though she really liked him, there was something about her.. because no matter how romantic he tried to make it, she always declined.. until one day, she suddenly dropped it on him and decided to propose.. and since then they've lived happily ever after.. or atleast until present day, both of them being eternally faithful to each other, unlike a few of my other sims...

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    After they got married, they bought their current home by the beach and got two children. The aforementioned Lise Veronica, and then this guy, Thomas (date of birth January 22nd 2018) being held by Monica. You may think he looks small for a five year old, but my sims are toddlers until they turn 6, which is the age they start school.

    Family trees:

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    ----

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    On the day when I switch to this family Lise Veronica had just been at an excursion at her fathers workplace, the theatre.

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    Once she got home, Monica was being the typical parent, commanding her to first take out the trash, and then do her homework...

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    "Oh, gratzel!" Homework sucks... but she also knew how to have some fun at her mothers expense. ;)

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    Lise Veronica: Hey, mom! I think the faucet must be broken, I can't get any water!

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    Monica: What do you mean 'the faucet is broken'? It worked just fine this morni-

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    Monica: Aaah! Ah! Oof... cold!

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    Lise Veronica: Hehehee...
    Monica: Very funny...

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    * fart noises *

    Monica: Do that again and you're grounded!

    Ah, family life. ;) (I never thought I'd do fart jokes or anything in that vein, but there you go.. :P)

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    Monica wasn't really mad, though.. or maybe it was that she took out all her frustration on upgrading the oven..

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    Either way she quickly forgave her daughter and later in the evening when Ivar got home from work, they still had some pleasant family time gathering around the tv before going to bed. ;)

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    Other happenings:

    Kathrine fulfilled her lifetime wish of reaching the top rank of the medical career and becoming a World Renowned Surgeon for the second time.
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    Ranveig invited Monica to a costume party.

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    Ranveig had dressed up as an astronaut, the person dressed as a clown is their brother Knut.

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    Monica looked sharp in her costume, but not for long as she decided to go upstairs and use her sisters bathtub... I hope the following image is clean enough – pun intended. :P

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    Not a very popular decision with Ranveig, as she mocked her sister and told her she was a rude guest..

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    Lisa Bunch, Ingrids best friend and colleague, got a promotion at work, and I find both of them at the V.I.P. Club Exclusif, where Ingrid brags to Lisa about the new car she just bought..

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    Later Ingrid was seen leaving the church after a date with Hogne Nielsen, but she doesn't seem to happy about it. Going for a date at the church already, maybe this guy is being a little to eager...

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    Amena was hard at work to become a better police woman, and just increased her skill in sports to level 8.

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    Ot maybe Ingrids new flirt wasn't being to eager, because next thing I find them on the porch of his home, him wearing his pyjamas with a notification that things have been getting hot and heavy..

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    The town got a new inhabitant as some current neighbours of George and Amena gave birth to a new baby boy called Jahn Wennewold.

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    Iselin Reppe paid the Motor-Notesen family a visit and read a bedtime story for Lise Veronica. Next chapter will be her actual birthday celebration where she will turn 13 and start the next stage of her lifes journey..

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    Good night. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    I found myself having to split this up into two parts, because it became a little big again. Also, I wanted this to be a lighthearted update about just a birtday party, but it ended up brushing into some dark subject matter anyway, perhaps in particular right towards the end, though there is hope and cause for optimism...

    Chapter 19.2 – Sunset Valley February 2023 part II – Lise Veronicas birthday.
    - February 17th 2023 -


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    It was the night before Lise Veronicas 13th birthday, and everyone was sleeping safe and sound. Lise Veronica was sleeping in her parents bed, as Ivar had read her a bedtime story one last time before she fell asleep as a 12 year old child...

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    Rise and shine and happy birthday to you! ;) Her parents had the day off and could sleep in, but Lise Veronica had to get up and get ready for school on her last day as a 7th grader..

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    Lise Veronicas notes:
    It should be forbidden to have kids go to school on their birthday! I'm not going to do my homework, and I'm so going to prank mom and dad when I get back home!

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    Now now, relax you.. I'm sure your parents will have a celebration for you..

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    The parents wake up a little closer to noon. After having breakfast and a little bit of flirting in between them, Monica sits down to watch TV. Ivar thinks it's a good idea to clean up around the house, only problem is they don't have a washing machine. Just the other day he went out and bought a tumble drier, but no washing machine.. so he has to go to the laundromat to get the job done, until he figures out that maybe it would be a good idea to get a washing machine at home, too. :P (Which basically translates to one of them is gonna need to roll a wish to buy one, or it won't happen.)

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    Once he enters the laundromat he finds a couple there, Jarle and Iselin Reppe, that are more concerned with each other than doing laundry.

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    He puts on his laundry and decides to enjoy the surroundings for a while, but the couples constant romancing and smooching sounds becomes to annoying after a while. After putting the clean, but wet clothes in the tumble drier, he goes behind the building to get some fresh air and watch some of the local art..

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    The 'art' doesn't impress him very much, and it really does sound like something hot and heavy is going on inside there, as their smooching sounds can be heard through the walls even..

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    He then gets a phone call from Bibi Sayed that helps him kill some time while waiting, and Iselin thinks it's a good idea to go dumpster diving right behind him.. Maybe there is a treasure there in the trash from the laundromat..

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    Well, finally the tumble drier had finished so he could go home and leave the turtle doves and dumpster divers to themselves. Where they even doing laundry at all? I don't think so..

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    While he was at the laundromat, Monica had been busy decorating the house for the upcoming birthday party, and it was now time to invite the guests over..

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    Just in time for Lise Veronica to return home from school. "Whoa, look at those balloons. Are they there just for me?"

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    Lise Veronica goes inside to start the celebration already by turning on the stereo, putting on her swimwear and begin dancing. All the decendents of Eirin, whether it's Ranveig, Monica, Oliver Freddy or todays birthday child has a thing for putting on swimwear almost no matter the occasion..

    Trying to find the logic there, I suppose swimwear is practical as it never gets to cold in the near tropical climate of Sunset Valley. Also, if it should rain there's no need to change either and swimwear usually dries up quicker than other pieces of clothing.. and you could go for a swim at anytime, anywhere and you wouldn't need to go home to change first.. only drawback is how everyone else will always point and laugh at you for being, well, just weird...

    Arrival of the guests.

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    The first guest of the party is cousin Kleopatra Motor-Karlsen, almost excactly one year older than Lise Veronica.

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    She greets Monica as she is the host of the party, before she walks over to talk to Monica about gardening to break the ice a little. Gardening and fishing has been important interests for Monica since she was a child and had to help her mother Eirin with her garden. This later inspired Monica to seek a career in science.

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    Aunt Ranveig is the second guest to arrive, making an unfortunate face as she had to fight a few voices that insisted she did not open the door and did not enter the house because there could be a trap in there... Of course, the voices weren't real and there was no trap. Ranveig knew this, but she still had to fight the urge to simply tell them **** ***! This was supposed to be a festive event for children and young teenagers, so she had to do her best to not snap and keep her behaviour in check, no matter how much they would taunt her...

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    Petter Lande, standing to the left, was the third guest to arrive, completely uninvited... "Hey, I just, you know, casually walked by and then I saw these giant balloons, so I thought I would just, you know, check it out..."
    Grandfather Ingmar came as the fourth guest that had emerged from his cave for his granddaughters birthday. "I usually don't like these events with many people gathered, but she is my granddaughter, so of course I would be here..."

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    Bebe Hart-Bunch came as the sixth guest, also uninvited. "I think it's important to show support for the young members of our community, so I thought I would bring myself and this salad.. a very simple, delicious and nutritious meal made completely without the use of any kind of advanced technology! And it's all locally grown, too!"

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    Kristina Reppe came as the seventh guest, and she loved these kind of events, where lots of family members could gather to celebrate. ;) Monica had focused on inviting the closest family members and kids that were around Lise Veronicas age.

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    The invited children, in order of them arriving from top left to bottom right. Morten Kråke-Karlsen, the younger brother of Ingrid. Leni Wennewold, a resident of Vaddelmyra. George Alnuman, Amenas nephew. Bjørn-Yngve Kråke-Motorsen, a cousin of Lise Veronica and last, Robert Bråge Motorsen, Ranveigs youngest son. The last two didn't arrive until a while later, but I still included them in this picture as they belong to the group of kids.
    - Party time -

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    There was also one more important guest that had yet to arrive, but let's get the party started! As music was already playing from the stereo, Ivar and Monica decided to begin dancing, as did grandpa Ingmar and Bebe. Morten had found the gaming console and was playing video games.

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    Then the doorbell rang as the last three guests arrived. Grandma Eirin had forgotten time a little, so she needed an extra reminder.. The person standing next to her is just a paparazzi, because Ivar, since he works in the music industry, is of course a bit of a celebrity.. The kid is Bjørn-Yngve, one of Lise Veronicas cousins, and he was shortly followed by Robert Bråge, Ranveigs son.

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    Now all the guests had arrived, and it should be time for the birthday child to blow out the candles, but she seemed to be gone. Monica tried to.. umm, or wanted to call for her, but it seems she got distraced and lost control of her hands there for a while.

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    "I noticed I was getting smelly, so I had to take a shower. It would just be so embarassing if I would be smelly on my birthday! I'll be downstairs in a minute.."

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    Woohoo, alright! Well, everyone gather around, and let the celebration begin!

    Petter Lande: Mm, this soup is delicious.. you can't have a good party without free.. umm, I mean good food..

    Bebe Hart-Bunch: You do know that this is a birthday party, right?

    Everyone else was making quite a lot of noise cheering for Lise Veronica, and then there's Ranveig, lost in her own world reading a book. Well, she's got near 40 years of experience blocking out unwanted sounds and voices, but it's still amazing she can sit there reading while almost everyone else is being festive..

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    Oh well, even if your aunt isn't completely with you, blow out the candles and make a wish!

    Lise Veronica: I want a dog! I want many dogs! I want an entire kennel of dogs! And cats too! And birds! And fish! And snakes! And a horse!

    Whoa, hold on there.... I said a wish.. or one wish, that's not one wish... well, I suppose this will be up to your parents how many animals you'll get, if any, until you're old enough to live on your own. ;)

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    Ranveig appears to have finished her book and gets up from her chair to join the celebration from the sideline when it begins..
    Lise Veronica: Oh, oh, I feel strange...

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    Lise Veronica: Oooh, oh, I'm stretching out.. and surrounded by sparkles..

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    Lise Veronica: Oh, hehehe.. this could take some time being used, suddenly being this size..

    Hmm, well not bad I would say. She's got a bit of her grandmothers/mothers face, her fathers nose and hair colour and her mothers eyes and hairstyle. Welcome to teenagehood!

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    It shows even better on this picture where she keeps a neutral face that she looks a lot like her grandma.

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    Time for cake!
    Ranveig (concerned thinking): Oh no... I see she is doing the exact same thing I did when I became a teenager, celebrating in her swimsuit.. I hope she's not hearing what I sometimes hear...why is this thing so pervasive in our family? I know mom won't listen and that she will do everything she can to pretend it's normal, but I think it's time I break the ice with Monica about this.. this has to stop...
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
  • SprottenhamSprottenham Posts: 1,140 Member
    edited January 2023
    Chapter 19.2 – Sunset Valley February 2023 part II – Lise Veronicas birthday (continued).

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    Ivar (thinking):
    I know I probably shouldn't be thinking this, but Ranveig is actually kind of hot.. No, no, no, that's my wifes sister! I can't be thinking that! It's wrong! But what if... just what if.. no! No! Get a grip on yourself, dude..

    Yeah, please do. You've been eternally faithful up until now, please don't ruin it..

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    It looks like life has it's thing with always trying to put a spoke in whatever wheel it can find, because here is this guy, the uninvited guest Petter Lande trying to flirt with Monica. Well, it's good that she doesn't bite..

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    Then he goes on to dance with Lise Veronica instead. Mother Monica is keeping a watchful eye... "I'm not sure if I like this guy. I think he's a bit of a creep..."

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    Bjørn-Yngve to the left and Morten to the right is fighting over which one of them is the king of the round table, while Ranveig eats some kind of porridge and tries to have a conversation with them about detergents. As if kings care about detergents! They have servants for that kind of thing! :P

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    Robert Bråge and George is hitting it off in the kitchen, with George telling a funny story about the outdoors life, even though he is not particularly outdoorsy himself. He knows what it is though, because he has read all about it in a book, of course! :P

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    Ivar gets a dance with his mother-in-law Eirin, before he has a birthday gift to give for his daughter.

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    Lise Veronica: Aww, dad, is this one for me?

    (thinking): "I hope it's something cool, so Kleopatra won't think I'm a complete dork..."

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    Lise Veronica: What a beautiful and thoughtful gift! Thanks a lot dad! This means so much to me!

    She got a stereo, so now she can hang out with Kleopatra in her room to listen to the latest rebellious rock music, or whatever teenagers like to do. :P

    And of course her father would give her a stereo so she can listen to music. Music to him is life, as he would say, you can't have a perfect body and a perfect mind without it. ;)

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    Petter Lande, the uninvited guest, is now in the kitchen dancing with Kristina..

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    Lise Veronica and her dad goes out to discuss music for a while, before she commands him to start cleaning up. I thought it should've been the other way around, but it's her birthday party, so I guess she has the right to do so, atleast for this one evening. ;)

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    Then she retreats to the bathroom, but not to use the toilet.. all her pranks have worked successfully so far, so she thinks, why not try it again and see who is the next victim...

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    While she was preparing the prank, she could hear talking from outside, so she runs out the backdoor to check out who it was, hoping that one of them would need to use the bathroom soon..

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    Sure enough, one of them did, and it was mom again that was the unfortunate one to be pranked. Well, you've got a teenage daughter in the house now, so expect more of this in the years to come! You might want to keep an eye on your daughter there, because maybe before you know it, she'll be taking it a few steps further by flooding the school or something...

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    Kleopatra heard some interesting language from inside the bathroom and figured out it was best to leave the party so she wouldn't be around to get blamed for whatever happened in there... Not that she would ever do something like that at anothers house, of course. ;) Kristina politely thanks Petter for the dance and says she should go as well. Of all the teenage girls, Kristina is probably the least likely to do pranks. She wants to go home because she respects her parents and (usually) doesn't want to stay out for to long after curfew (unless she has made an agreement with her parents to sleep over at a friends house, which she hasn't in this case.)

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    When Monica emerges from the bathroom, all drenched in toilet bowl water, Petter Lande is there to compliment her and ask her for a dance. She feels flattered but declines, so he goes to ask Ranveig instead, and sure enough, she could dance with him. Though she would much rather have that dance with Ivar, Monicas husband, as she exclaimed shortly after entering the party earlier...

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    "We have so much in common. I would like to get to know you better."
    ..so it seems there is a mutual attraction between them.. but Ranveig, you can't do that! You can't wreck your sisters marriage, now that it has been going so well for so many years.. Think about it..
    Now, Ranveig has always been a bit of a hopeless (and unlucky) romantic. Though she has two children, she has never been married, as both of her relationships then went sour after a while. She has never really found the love that she wanted, and she would often dream away watching the romance channel on tv.. maybe it's still not to late.. just don't go after the man that is already married to your sister...

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    Ranveig finishes the dance with Petter and decides to leave the party, but not without casting a long glance in the direction of Ivar on her way out...
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    I hope she can get over it, because Ivar is happily married to his Monica, and I want it to stay that way! :P Now all the adults and teenagers have left the party, and only the kids, George, Bjørn-Yngve, Morten and Robert Bråge are still left.

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    George is playing with a toy boat in the kitchen, Morten and Robert Bråge is playing video games and Bjørn-Yngve is immersed in a book.

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    Finally the children also leave through the opposite end of where they arrived. In through the front door, imagination sets in and before you know it, doo doo doo, they're goin' out the back door. ;)

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    After the teenagers left, the birthday child had retreated upstairs to read a book. Feeling to mature to hang out with the less than 13 year olds already, hmm? ;)

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    With all the guests now out of the house, Monica and Ivar thought they could have a romantic moment for themselves, but then Ranveig called... She wanted to talk to her sister about something, and it appeared to be important..

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    Monica: Hi, Ranveig. What's up?

    Ranveig: Hi, Monica.. I was.. there's no uh... there's no easy way for me to say this, but I saw..

    Monica (guessing in which direction this could be heading):
    I'm... I'm listening..

    Ranveig: I'm uh... I mean, you know those.. those.. the uhh.. the vo.. the vo..

    (silence)

    Monica: Ra.. Ranveig, are you okay?

    Ranveig: Yes.. n-no, yes, no... no, I'm not okay! None of us are! And that's what... that's what I want to talk to you about...

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    Monica: I don't understand...

    Ranveig: Monica, don't... I know you do... everybody knows...

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    Ranveig: ..and it doesn't stop with us, it just keeps going on..


    Monica: What do you...?
    Ranveig: You know, earlier this evening.. seeing Lise Veronica celebrate her birthday.. it was just like seeing myself when I was younger...

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    Ranveig: I'm sure she can hear them, too...

    Monica: I uh...

    Ranveig: Listen! You have to take her to the doctor, Monica!

    Monica: But I...

    Ranveig: If it makes it easier, I'll go with you.. we can all go together..

    Monica: But mom..? Mom always... what will mom s-..?

    Ranveig: Mom!? For once, Monica.. to hell with... It's not about mom.. It's about your daughter! It's about our children, it's about us..... .... and mom, it's about mom too...

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    Monica: But will you..? Who's gonna..?

    Ranveig: I'll.. I'll call the doctor and get an appointment... do we have a deal?

    Monica: Yes, uh.. I think so... and I'll bring.. I'll bring Lise Veronica, and we'll go.. go together...

    Ranveig: Yes, I promise, we'll go together... and we'll get... we'll get through this.. I'll let you know when..

    Monica: Th.. thank you, I..

    Ranveig: Don't uh... and you know you're a really great mom, you know that? I mean, the party was pretty awesome, your daughter is lucky and.. we'll get through this..

    Ranveig: ..and in case you didn't know, you're such a great inspiration for my oldest son, too.. he has always looked up to you, and you should have seen how thrilled he was when you landed him that job.. it's because of you he's now at university, as the first one in our family.

    Monica: Oh! I didn't know.. I never thought myself I would end up working in the field of science, but.. well, I guess mom is a bit to blame there for me.. She was the one that taught me gardening..

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    Monica: Maybe it was just her ramblings, but she was the one that lead me to the idea that maybe.. maybe it was possible to do cross breeding you know?

    Monica: I thought that sounded pretty insane, you know, until I read a brochure from the Landgraab Industries that they actually were about to develop a program for just that! Can you imagine!

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    As the conversation shifts to more lighthearted topics Monica feels better and less anxious about Ranveigs idea to actually go to the doctor, something they both know they should have done a long time ago. Even though, or because, they've known each other their entire lives – or atleast Monicas entire life – the sisters have a lot to talk about, and they keep talking until Ivar thinks its time for everyone to go to bed for the night...

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    Lise Veronica had finished reading the book, and overheard the conversation from above. She wasn't excactly sure what the first part was about, and why her mom sounded so nervous, but she understood from the context that she was talking with her aunt, Ranveig.

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    Tired from a long day, she finally decided to go to bed in her everyday wear, and I see, she might want to go shopping for some new clothes, because that outfit looks a little similar to her cousin Kleopatras outfit..

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    ..and soon everyone in the family was sleeping safe and sound, with Monica dreaming about receiving roses in a vase from her husband, and her husband dreaming about sleeping.. :P Good night. ;)
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    Sub blogs: #01 Sunset Valley. #02: Lake Onebega #03: Sprottenham #04: Bewickton
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