As always, this post with all the links to former relevant episodes -> here on my simblr.
Sai is still caved up in his room. He can't face the others - too embarrassing after he made a fool of himself with that fake relationship.
He'd been working on their game most of the time and only had short briefings about it with Ji Ho, Jack and Vlad.
There is still that circuit board from Arturo, though. He said it would help them through 'it'. But Sai still hadn't found a 'device that's strong enough'...
He's on his way to the garage again to try to create such a device. But since he has no idea how such a device should look like, he went through a lot of fails.
Sai takes the long way to the garage because he doesn't want to walk by Jeb's shop - or Jack's, where Kiyoshi is probably making cheese...
When he passed Jack's houseboat, he heard exiting beeps.
Jack's astromech is greeting him. The little tin can.
Wait -
The Astromech!
Sai climbed up to the deck. That's the solution! The tin can has a lot of slots for circuit boards AND it's a 'device that's strong enough'!
Oh my, why hadn't he thought of that earlier!
Tin Can being proud of himself
Saiwa is checking the motherboard. That should work.
He's going to prepare everything and then they should be able to find out what this circuit board from Arturo can do for them. How exciting!
Let's hope they eventually find a way out of their misery with Arturo's help. Whatever it may be - it's sorely needed to fix their relationships.
Have you noticed Jack's new Pizza Table? ^^'
Before Sai went back to his room he gets riled up again and blames himself for not thinking of the astromech earlier... If he hadn't beeped out loud, he would just have walked by...
They'd found him in the temple in Selvadorada where Other Jeb and Jack left their message for them. Of course he was there for a reason!
'Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love!);
There is one question I'd really love to ask (One Heart!):
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner,
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?
One Love! What about the one heart? One Heart!
What about - ? Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love!);
So shall it be in the end (One Heart!),
All right!'
As always, this post with all the links to former relevant episodes and the other stores -> here on my simblr.
Saiwa barely leaves his room these days.
And so, after Vlad, Kiyoshi and Jeb had went off to help Arturo at the temple (and to work on their secret project), Jack called Saiwa.
They have a surprise for him.
Saiwa: "What? I'm busy - no time for your nonsense."
But then he saw what Jack and Ji Ho did. There are stores now!
Saiwa: "No way!"
Welcome to the first official Strawberry Cake Fashion Store!
Before, we only had the online store. In the basement of the Space Bar and at Belgraves Institute under the roof.
Let's go inside!
Saiwa: "Oh this is awesome!"
Adriano seems to have his own shoe brand now
And in the corner is Ji Ho's packing and shipping station
Let's try someting on!
That was about time. They'd been wearing the same Tomarang outfits for weeks now!
Saiwa is a bit worried since Jack can't wear just any clothes because of his painful rash.
Saiwa: "Are they ok? Not too tight?"
Jack: "No, perfect!"
Saiwa: "Thank you Boys! I love it!"
Jack: "Noxee helped us and sent us all the clothes and stuff."
Saiwa: "I love you."
Jack: "I know."
There is even a section with black clothes for Vlad and Kiyoshi ^^'
As always, this post with all the links to former relevant episodes -> here on my simblr.
The Boys also have a RΜΔn hΜαΊ‘w mum (=thai for 'corner store') now.
There's a copy of LY behind the counter. They live in the Otherworld now and they prefer to be home alone (for security matters). Not even Arturo, the only other creature here, knows where they live.
And no one can see or enter their lot anyway
This is both an online store to sell their produce and a shop for them to buy stuff Noxee sends them.
The tales of the Boys' adventures spread among the creatures and they are quite famous in certain circles ^^
I love the little 'vegetable tent' that came with For Rent.
There is also Kiyoshi's 'Moonchild' cheese!
And Jack can sell the vegetables from his garden here. And his nectar.
There will be no other customers than the Boys here but they ship their produce to the Muggle World with the device Saiwa built. There's a newer, smaller version now.
The cameras show the online customers the wares and Sai also made a store page with the descriptions and prices. Then Ji Ho packs and ships to Noxee and she sends them to the customers in the Muggle World.
They call Noxee to thank her. This device is also the only way for them to 'remote communicate'. No internet, no landline, no cellphone network here - nothing ΓΆ.ΓΆ
Noxeema: "My Babees! I miss you!"
They chatted for a while but it's clear that Noxee is dying to get back to Greg ^^'
After they ended the call, Jack was jealous, as always:
"Omg, what does she see in him!? They are together 25/7 and still can't get enough of each other!"
But Jack also never understood what Kiyoshi saw in him.
(That's love, Jack.)
Sai: "I envy them..."
Ji Ho sighed: "Couple Goal."
Jack found the 'Stranger Section'...
Sai to Ji Ho: "Was this really necessary? As if he's in need of even more weird ideas!"
Ji Ho: "That was actually Vlad's idea ^^'"
And then Jack found the Armadillos...
Jack: "A blue version! I've never seen this before! Look how small and cute they are! Can please I have one?"
Saiwa: "No! We have no money for this nonsense! Don't forget we have to payback Rubyn and the others."
Poor Jack...
They paid
and Sai checked the new 'Postage and Communication Device' aka 'PACkeD'
And when he left the shop...
The kids these days!
Ji Ho had bought the Armadillo for Jack when Saiwa had been busy with 'PACkeD' ^^'
Today we found out the handedness of the Boys while playtesting the new bar
I never payed attention to that - after all those years! hahaha
That was when I noticed something was different ^^'
Then I let them write because I was too impatient to wait until they all played darts...
but some of the actions are uneffected by handedness.
Such as eating, painting and: brushing teeth.
Went through the archives and found Sai, Vlad and Jeb brushing their teeth (=the magic of tumblr πͺ) all with the left hand - weird...
So back to the bar to play darts π―
Ji Ho, Vlad, Kiyoshi and Saiwa: right handed
This post with all the links to earlier relevant episodes on my simblr -> here.
Saiwa finally modified the Circuit Board from Arturo. It's compatible with the Astromech now and ready for testing.
That was about time. Arturo promised them this board would help them through this. Sai can't wait to finally get all their problems fixed!
Ji Ho is moving the chairs aside to make some space.
And Sai calls Jack.
Saiwa: "Jack! Come over and bring your little friend!"
...
Saiwa: "Not Logan! The tin can!"
Jack: "Don't call him like this "
Saiwa sighs: "Ok, bring Tiny Can then..."
(The glances from Adriano and Little Goat ^^')
Jack: "Now you're glad we took him with us all the way from Selvadorada, right?"
Saiwa: "Maybe "
It works!
But - that wasn't what Saiwa expected...
Saiwa: "Are you kidding me? A Therapy AI? How is this supposed to solve our problems? No one is mental here!"
Jack and Ji Ho: "..."
And that was when Saiwa had a complete breakdown.
All the months under extreme pressure take their toll now.
Vlad sensed over the Bond that something was wrong and came over. Sai was still screaming.
Vlad: "Ji Ho and I call the horses. We'll bring him away for a while."
Jack: "We can't bring Sai to the temple. He will kill Arturo ΓΆ.Γ' "
Vlad: "There is another place... get ready and pack for a few days."
They brought Saiwa to the bathroom to get ready and pack his stuff. And then he saw the birds π¦ on the wallpaper...
And he freaked out again.
Jack: "Sai, get up. We're leaving. You'll be fine, hm? We're there for you."
Saiwa sobs: "We finally have a home now and can be together without the council on our heels. But the struggles just don't stop. It just goes on and on and on..."
Sai: "I can't do this anymore."
Jack: "You don't have to. We are going to take a break. Come."
Jack tries to remain strong for Saiwa. But he's right. For one step forward they take 7 steps back. It never gets better.
Ji Ho and Vlad had saddled the horses in the meantime and then they left.
Letting Saiwa go without being able to help him was the hardest thing Jeb ever had to do. But the others are right. There's nothing he can do for him now. Being near him would only make it worse for Saiwa.
And Kiyoshi felt guilty. Had they only left him in the tree. It's all his fault. They'd be better off without him but they are forced to stay here together.
Outtakes
'Talk to me straight, is it like this between friends?
Saying letβs date, are my qualifications or charm not enough?
When I stop this tsundere lifestyle and come at you, you
You throw a breaking ball as if you mean something
You plead the right to remain silent
I beat the drum and jang-gu (=The most widely used drum used in the traditional music of Korea) by myself
I think I know but then I donβt, youβre a nonsense quiz
Reveal your sincerity
Mental breaker Mental breaker
For a moment my fluttering gets flooded by huge confusion'
(Original lyrics are in Korean) Mental Breaker - Block B
(Link above leads to a weird unofficial MV of this (also weird) song)
TMI: Block B is the group the real Ji Ho (Zico) is in. It's still easily my favourite kpop group and this is one of my favourite songs of them.
(It's been my wake up song for years! hahaha)
This is the beginning of the new chapter 'Therapy Game'!
I went through some of the experiences they'll make myself (and still do), so this will be an insightful and healing chapter for me.
And a therapy too, as so often
Try to remember: You are not alone. Don't give up and keep on looking for things and people that/who can (and will!) help you Saiwa and Jack do not see it now but even if you think you only make tiny steps forward and huge steps back, you do make progress.
Try to look farther back. Like a year. Then you'll see it.
This post with all the links to earlier relevant episodes on my simblr -> here.
The Boys rode through the pouring rain across the bridge over to Koh Sahpa.
And the horses stopped by a stilt house.
Jack: "Are we going to stay here? Woah! When I showed Ji Ho the beach after he arrived, we saw a stilt house and we talked about how awesome they are and we asked Arturo if we can buy a lot here to build one..."
Vlad: "Arturo told us. Kiyoshi, Jeb and I built it to make it up to you. It's not finished yet. You were only supposed to see it later. "
(So that was their secret project!)
Kiyoshi built this house. For Jack.
(Even Lunatic is stunned ^w^)
So Jeb built this house. For Saiwa.
Sai had put all his hopes in that circuit board because he has no idea how he is supposed to look Jeb in the eyes again after they 'agreed' that Sai should give in to a fake relationship with Kiyoshi to bring him back from the tree. Because they thought Kiyoshi is Saiwa's fated mate. But he wasn't.
Saiwa stared into nowhere...
Before Sai could follow these thoughts further he got distracted by the noise of the singing birds. Why are they so loud? Bird...
(They really are so loud here ΓΆ.Γ')
He has no idea how to go on.
Vlad: "Look after them and try to finish the rest."
(Yeah I know. Who would trust crazy Jack with looking after anyone? Usually he is the one they need to look after and care for. But Vlad trusts him. Because he knows the Jack behind his disorders and antics (and the ones who know adult Jack from our other stories know it too ) And he knows that he can rely on him when it comes to it.)
Jack: "You're leaving? What about the Bond?"
Vlad: "Jeb and Kiyoshi need me. They are broken too. I will feel it when it's due to charge the Bond."
Jack: "When you feel it Ji Ho already suffers. He has the deeper connection to the Bond. Don't let him beg for it. The intervals are always the same when you don't use it's magic. Just come here in time and do it."
Vlad: "Uhm. Ok."
Vlad and his foolish pride and reluctance. Luci had been bolder... And Ji Ho often said that he doesn't mind being touched by Vlad.
Then it was time for Vlad to leave - to look after Jeb and Kiyoshi...
He is hesitating.
Jack took Saiwa inside to give them time to get their stuff together. Oh my, after everything they already did with each other they still behave like this...
Vlad: "The Bond. I will be back before..."
Ji Ho: "Ok."
They held on to each other a bit longer than usual. Maybe the Bond hates it to see them apart or maybe they will miss each other. Who knows?
Vlad left and Ji Ho went inside.
Ji Ho: "Oh. He's already sleeping... I hope he changes his mind about Tiny Can. I could really need some help from a therapist. Even if it's only an AI."
Jack: "An AI is even better! He knows everything and is always up to date with the latest research and discoveries! He must have scanned countless articles, diagnoses, therapy approaches, research papers... I'm so ready to try it and get stuff fixed in my furry brain."
They sighed and turned around to take in the view.
And just across the river there was the stilt house they had admired a few weeks ago.
But the one Kiyoshi, Vlad and Jeb built is so much more beautiful. Because they built it with love π
'There's a message in the wild
And I'm sending you this signal tonight
You don't know how desperate I've become
And it looks like I'm losing this fight
In your world I have no meaning
Though I'm trying hard to understand
And it's my heart that's breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
But I ain't missing you at all
Since you've been gone away
I ain't missing you
No matter what I might say'
This post with all the links to earlier relevant episodes on my simblr -> here.
It's still raining.
Saiwa is mostly sleeping or crying after his breakdown.
Lately more sleeping than crying. That's good, right?
But he still wears his grungy outfit. That's not so good.
(Saiwa loves fashion and to dress up. Last time he did this was when he and Jeb broke up...)
Ji Ho and Jack try to keep the spirits up.
They decorated the rest of the house and now they cook.
Jack: "See something you like? "
Ji Ho: "Uhm..."
Jack: "You miss him, don't you? He'll be glad to hear that "
Ji Ho: "I don't know. Maybe it's just the Bond that wants us together?
We shouldn't give him false hopes...
Do you think the Therapy AI could also help me to learn how to love Vlad? Of course I would try to get help for my Sulani Trauma first, but if I finally would be able to love him..."
Jack: "I think your 'Sulani Trauma' has a lot to do with that. So you'd be hitting two frogs with one stone with the AI's help. You never received love... "
Ji Ho: "... until I met you guys "
Jack: "Aouwww!"
Ji Ho: "And Luci... I was able to love him."
Jack: "There you see it. It's only in your head. Luci was Vlad. And the Bond. So you already did love him.
Let's hope Sai changes his mind so I can change mine and get some circuits fixed too ^^'"
And while Ji Ho was pondering about Vlad, Jack removed the table added a few more counters
Jack: "Sai, get up. Let's eat!"
But Saiwa didn't stir.
Ji Ho and Jack are heartbroken. They always could depend on Saiwa.
Seeing him like this is crushing them.
Jack: "It's breaking me not to know how to help him."
Ji Ho sighed from the depths of his soul.
Saiwa finally stood up. But he had nothing to say to them and wasn't hungry anyway. And he has no idea how to go on either.
He heard them. And he wants to help them and be strong for them. But he just can't. (You don't have to, Saiwa. Take your time and rest.)
And there's no way he is going to let an AI with uncertain origin mess with their brains. As promising as it sounds.
They still don't know nothing about Arturo. What if he was sent by the Council and the AI will brainwash them?
'Help me, someone, let me out of here
Then out of the dark was suddenly heard
Welcome to the home by the sea
Comin' out the woodwork through the open door
Pushing from above and below
Shadows but no substance in the shape of men
Round and down and sideways, they go
Adrift without direction, eyes that hold despair
Then as one they sign and they moan'
This post with all the links to earlier relevant episodes on my simblr -> here.
After dinner, Jack went to care for the horses and the goats and Ji Ho cleaned up the kitchen.
Vlad arrived to charge the bond. He felt that Ji Ho is not doing so well and so he came a bit earlier than usual, as Jack had suggested.
But then Jack found out about the Mud Fight and challenged him ^^'
Because things like this keep Jack 'sane' ^^
(and cheer up the others in dark times like these).
Watch out Jack!
Oh no!
Vlad is never as carefree as when he is with Jack
And that's when Ji Ho came down to see what they are up to ^^'
Haha Ji Ho barely get's to see Vlad like this. In fact he's always been a little afaid of Vlad because he's so grumpy and earnest most of the time.
Is that really the Vlad he knows?
And then Vlad noticed Ji Ho...
They quickly charged the Bond and Vlad left.
(omg Vlad and his foolish pride! I think Ji Ho just made a huge step forward to learning how to love Vlad and the man himself just runs away because he's embarrassed...)
There are three bedrooms in the beach house but Ji Ho, Jack and Saiwa share the big bedroom on the first floor so no one has to sleep alone.
The sound of the rain put Sai to sleep right away. Ji Ho and Jack decided to let him sleep as much as he can.
At least he doesn't drown in his gloomy thoughts when he sleeps. They can't help him anyway right now.
Jack: "You don't get to see Vlad like this often, hm? But he can be really funny and merry. He'd been like this more often before..."
Ji Ho: "Before he met me and things went downhill after he saved me and died for me?"
Jack: "You know all this wasn't your fault. I just want to say: try to see this side of him too. You can find no better man."
Ji Ho: "I will."
Jack: "Let's sleep. It was a long day."
They don't even have to assign the room with the best view on the river to Ji Ho because Jeb, Vlad and Kiyoshi built this house so that every room has a view on the River π
TMI: I love to fall asleep with rain noise. I even have an app for this. It's called mynoise.
'But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me
Won't defeat me, it won't be long
Till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me'
Comments
Sai is still caved up in his room. He can't face the others - too embarrassing after he made a fool of himself with that fake relationship.
He'd been working on their game most of the time and only had short briefings about it with Ji Ho, Jack and Vlad.
There is still that circuit board from Arturo, though. He said it would help them through 'it'. But Sai still hadn't found a 'device that's strong enough'...
He's on his way to the garage again to try to create such a device. But since he has no idea how such a device should look like, he went through a lot of fails.
Sai takes the long way to the garage because he doesn't want to walk by Jeb's shop - or Jack's, where Kiyoshi is probably making cheese...
When he passed Jack's houseboat, he heard exiting beeps.
Jack's astromech is greeting him. The little tin can.
Wait -
The Astromech!
Sai climbed up to the deck. That's the solution! The tin can has a lot of slots for circuit boards AND it's a 'device that's strong enough'!
Oh my, why hadn't he thought of that earlier!
Tin Can being proud of himself
Saiwa is checking the motherboard. That should work.
He's going to prepare everything and then they should be able to find out what this circuit board from Arturo can do for them. How exciting!
Let's hope they eventually find a way out of their misery with Arturo's help. Whatever it may be - it's sorely needed to fix their relationships.
Have you noticed Jack's new Pizza Table? ^^'
Before Sai went back to his room he gets riled up again and blames himself for not thinking of the astromech earlier... If he hadn't beeped out loud, he would just have walked by...
They'd found him in the temple in Selvadorada where Other Jeb and Jack left their message for them. Of course he was there for a reason!
'Let them all pass all their dirty remarks (One Love!);
There is one question I'd really love to ask (One Heart!):
Is there a place for the hopeless sinner,
Who has hurt all mankind just to save his own beliefs?
One Love! What about the one heart? One Heart!
What about - ? Let's get together and feel all right
As it was in the beginning (One Love!);
So shall it be in the end (One Heart!),
All right!'
Bob Marley & The Wailers - One Love
Link above leads to youtube
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
Saiwa barely leaves his room these days.
And so, after Vlad, Kiyoshi and Jeb had went off to help Arturo at the temple (and to work on their secret project), Jack called Saiwa.
They have a surprise for him.
Saiwa: "What? I'm busy - no time for your nonsense."
But then he saw what Jack and Ji Ho did. There are stores now!
Saiwa: "No way!"
Welcome to the first official Strawberry Cake Fashion Store!
Before, we only had the online store. In the basement of the Space Bar and at Belgraves Institute under the roof.
Let's go inside!
Saiwa: "Oh this is awesome!"
Adriano seems to have his own shoe brand now
And in the corner is Ji Ho's packing and shipping station
Let's try someting on!
That was about time. They'd been wearing the same Tomarang outfits for weeks now!
Saiwa is a bit worried since Jack can't wear just any clothes because of his painful rash.
Saiwa: "Are they ok? Not too tight?"
Jack: "No, perfect!"
Saiwa: "Thank you Boys! I love it!"
Jack: "Noxee helped us and sent us all the clothes and stuff."
Saiwa: "I love you."
Jack: "I know."
There is even a section with black clothes for Vlad and Kiyoshi ^^'
The Entrance
The shop windows
View from above
Strawberry Cake - Xdinary Heroes
(Link above leads to youtube)
TMI: This song gave me the idea for the name of the shop :]
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
As always, this post with all the links to former relevant episodes -> here on my simblr.
The Boys also have a RΜΔn hΜαΊ‘w mum (=thai for 'corner store') now.
There's a copy of LY behind the counter. They live in the Otherworld now and they prefer to be home alone (for security matters). Not even Arturo, the only other creature here, knows where they live.
And no one can see or enter their lot anyway
This is both an online store to sell their produce and a shop for them to buy stuff Noxee sends them.
The tales of the Boys' adventures spread among the creatures and they are quite famous in certain circles ^^
I love the little 'vegetable tent' that came with For Rent.
There is also Kiyoshi's 'Moonchild' cheese!
And Jack can sell the vegetables from his garden here. And his nectar.
There will be no other customers than the Boys here but they ship their produce to the Muggle World with the device Saiwa built. There's a newer, smaller version now.
The cameras show the online customers the wares and Sai also made a store page with the descriptions and prices. Then Ji Ho packs and ships to Noxee and she sends them to the customers in the Muggle World.
They call Noxee to thank her. This device is also the only way for them to 'remote communicate'. No internet, no landline, no cellphone network here - nothing ΓΆ.ΓΆ
Noxeema: "My Babees! I miss you!"
They chatted for a while but it's clear that Noxee is dying to get back to Greg ^^'
After they ended the call, Jack was jealous, as always:
"Omg, what does she see in him!? They are together 25/7 and still can't get enough of each other!"
But Jack also never understood what Kiyoshi saw in him.
(That's love, Jack.)
Sai: "I envy them..."
Ji Ho sighed: "Couple Goal."
Jack found the 'Stranger Section'...
Sai to Ji Ho: "Was this really necessary? As if he's in need of even more weird ideas!"
Ji Ho: "That was actually Vlad's idea ^^'"
And then Jack found the Armadillos...
Jack: "A blue version! I've never seen this before! Look how small and cute they are! Can please I have one?"
Saiwa: "No! We have no money for this nonsense! Don't forget we have to payback Rubyn and the others."
Poor Jack...
They paid
and Sai checked the new 'Postage and Communication Device' aka 'PACkeD'
And when he left the shop...
The kids these days!
Ji Ho had bought the Armadillo for Jack when Saiwa had been busy with 'PACkeD' ^^'
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
Today we found out the handedness of the Boys while playtesting the new bar
I never payed attention to that - after all those years! hahaha
That was when I noticed something was different ^^'
Then I let them write because I was too impatient to wait until they all played darts...
but some of the actions are uneffected by handedness.
Such as eating, painting and: brushing teeth.
Went through the archives and found Sai, Vlad and Jeb brushing their teeth (=the magic of tumblr πͺ) all with the left hand - weird...
So back to the bar to play darts π―
Ji Ho, Vlad, Kiyoshi and Saiwa: right handed
And Jeb and Jack: left handed
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
We made a big Lot Tour before the new chapter starts:
I uploaded pics of all the rooms and shops to our Rooms Thread π here at the forum.
And the Full Lot Tour is in our Houses Thread π here at the forum.
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
Saiwa finally modified the Circuit Board from Arturo. It's compatible with the Astromech now and ready for testing.
That was about time. Arturo promised them this board would help them through this. Sai can't wait to finally get all their problems fixed!
Ji Ho is moving the chairs aside to make some space.
And Sai calls Jack.
Saiwa: "Jack! Come over and bring your little friend!"
...
Saiwa: "Not Logan! The tin can!"
Jack: "Don't call him like this
Saiwa sighs: "Ok, bring Tiny Can then..."
(The glances from Adriano and Little Goat ^^')
Jack: "Now you're glad we took him with us all the way from Selvadorada, right?"
Saiwa: "Maybe
It works!
But - that wasn't what Saiwa expected...
Saiwa: "Are you kidding me? A Therapy AI? How is this supposed to solve our problems? No one is mental here!"
Jack and Ji Ho: "..."
And that was when Saiwa had a complete breakdown.
All the months under extreme pressure take their toll now.
Vlad sensed over the Bond that something was wrong and came over. Sai was still screaming.
Vlad: "Ji Ho and I call the horses. We'll bring him away for a while."
Jack: "We can't bring Sai to the temple. He will kill Arturo ΓΆ.Γ' "
Vlad: "There is another place... get ready and pack for a few days."
They brought Saiwa to the bathroom to get ready and pack his stuff. And then he saw the birds π¦ on the wallpaper...
And he freaked out again.
Jack: "Sai, get up. We're leaving. You'll be fine, hm? We're there for you."
Saiwa sobs: "We finally have a home now and can be together without the council on our heels. But the struggles just don't stop. It just goes on and on and on..."
Sai: "I can't do this anymore."
Jack: "You don't have to. We are going to take a break. Come."
Jack tries to remain strong for Saiwa. But he's right. For one step forward they take 7 steps back. It never gets better.
Ji Ho and Vlad had saddled the horses in the meantime and then they left.
Letting Saiwa go without being able to help him was the hardest thing Jeb ever had to do. But the others are right. There's nothing he can do for him now. Being near him would only make it worse for Saiwa.
And Kiyoshi felt guilty. Had they only left him in the tree. It's all his fault. They'd be better off without him but they are forced to stay here together.
Outtakes
'Talk to me straight, is it like this between friends?
Saying letβs date, are my qualifications or charm not enough?
When I stop this tsundere lifestyle and come at you, you
You throw a breaking ball as if you mean something
You plead the right to remain silent
I beat the drum and jang-gu (=The most widely used drum used in the traditional music of Korea) by myself
I think I know but then I donβt, youβre a nonsense quiz
Reveal your sincerity
Mental breaker Mental breaker
For a moment my fluttering gets flooded by huge confusion'
(Original lyrics are in Korean)
Mental Breaker - Block B
(Link above leads to a weird unofficial MV of this (also weird) song)
TMI: Block B is the group the real Ji Ho (Zico) is in. It's still easily my favourite kpop group and this is one of my favourite songs of them.
(It's been my wake up song for years! hahaha)
This is the beginning of the new chapter 'Therapy Game'!
I went through some of the experiences they'll make myself (and still do), so this will be an insightful and healing chapter for me.
And a therapy too, as so often
Try to remember: You are not alone. Don't give up and keep on looking for things and people that/who can (and will!) help you
Try to look farther back. Like a year. Then you'll see it.
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
The Boys rode through the pouring rain across the bridge over to Koh Sahpa.
And the horses stopped by a stilt house.
Jack: "Are we going to stay here? Woah! When I showed Ji Ho the beach after he arrived, we saw a stilt house and we talked about how awesome they are and we asked Arturo if we can buy a lot here to build one..."
Vlad: "Arturo told us. Kiyoshi, Jeb and I built it to make it up to you. It's not finished yet. You were only supposed to see it later. "
(So that was their secret project!)
Kiyoshi built this house. For Jack.
(Even Lunatic is stunned ^w^)
So Jeb built this house. For Saiwa.
Sai had put all his hopes in that circuit board because he has no idea how he is supposed to look Jeb in the eyes again after they 'agreed' that Sai should give in to a fake relationship with Kiyoshi to bring him back from the tree. Because they thought Kiyoshi is Saiwa's fated mate. But he wasn't.
Saiwa stared into nowhere...
Before Sai could follow these thoughts further he got distracted by the noise of the singing birds. Why are they so loud? Bird...
(They really are so loud here ΓΆ.Γ')
He has no idea how to go on.
Vlad: "Look after them and try to finish the rest."
(Yeah I know. Who would trust crazy Jack with looking after anyone? Usually he is the one they need to look after and care for. But Vlad trusts him. Because he knows the Jack behind his disorders and antics (and the ones who know adult Jack from our other stories know it too
Jack: "You're leaving? What about the Bond?"
Vlad: "Jeb and Kiyoshi need me. They are broken too. I will feel it when it's due to charge the Bond."
Jack: "When you feel it Ji Ho already suffers. He has the deeper connection to the Bond. Don't let him beg for it. The intervals are always the same when you don't use it's magic. Just come here in time and do it."
Vlad: "Uhm. Ok."
Vlad and his foolish pride and reluctance. Luci had been bolder... And Ji Ho often said that he doesn't mind being touched by Vlad.
Then it was time for Vlad to leave - to look after Jeb and Kiyoshi...
He is hesitating.
Jack took Saiwa inside to give them time to get their stuff together. Oh my, after everything they already did with each other they still behave like this...
Vlad: "The Bond. I will be back before..."
Ji Ho: "Ok."
They held on to each other a bit longer than usual. Maybe the Bond hates it to see them apart or maybe they will miss each other. Who knows?
Vlad left and Ji Ho went inside.
Ji Ho: "Oh. He's already sleeping... I hope he changes his mind about Tiny Can. I could really need some help from a therapist. Even if it's only an AI."
Jack: "An AI is even better! He knows everything and is always up to date with the latest research and discoveries! He must have scanned countless articles, diagnoses, therapy approaches, research papers... I'm so ready to try it and get stuff fixed in my furry brain."
They sighed and turned around to take in the view.
And just across the river there was the stilt house they had admired a few weeks ago.
But the one Kiyoshi, Vlad and Jeb built is so much more beautiful. Because they built it with love π
'There's a message in the wild
And I'm sending you this signal tonight
You don't know how desperate I've become
And it looks like I'm losing this fight
In your world I have no meaning
Though I'm trying hard to understand
And it's my heart that's breaking
Down this long distance line tonight
But I ain't missing you at all
Since you've been gone away
I ain't missing you
No matter what I might say'
Missing You - John Waite
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
It's still raining.
Saiwa is mostly sleeping or crying after his breakdown.
Lately more sleeping than crying. That's good, right?
But he still wears his grungy outfit. That's not so good.
(Saiwa loves fashion and to dress up. Last time he did this was when he and Jeb broke up...)
Ji Ho and Jack try to keep the spirits up.
They decorated the rest of the house and now they cook.
Jack: "See something you like?
Ji Ho: "Uhm..."
Jack: "You miss him, don't you? He'll be glad to hear that
Ji Ho: "I don't know. Maybe it's just the Bond that wants us together?
We shouldn't give him false hopes...
Do you think the Therapy AI could also help me to learn how to love Vlad? Of course I would try to get help for my Sulani Trauma first, but if I finally would be able to love him..."
Jack: "I think your 'Sulani Trauma' has a lot to do with that. So you'd be hitting two frogs with one stone with the AI's help. You never received love... "
Ji Ho: "... until I met you guys
Jack: "Aouwww!"
Ji Ho: "And Luci... I was able to love him."
Jack: "There you see it. It's only in your head. Luci was Vlad. And the Bond. So you already did love him.
Let's hope Sai changes his mind so I can change mine and get some circuits fixed too ^^'"
And while Ji Ho was pondering about Vlad, Jack removed the table added a few more counters
Jack: "Sai, get up. Let's eat!"
But Saiwa didn't stir.
Ji Ho and Jack are heartbroken. They always could depend on Saiwa.
Seeing him like this is crushing them.
Jack: "It's breaking me not to know how to help him."
Ji Ho sighed from the depths of his soul.
Saiwa finally stood up. But he had nothing to say to them and wasn't hungry anyway. And he has no idea how to go on either.
He heard them. And he wants to help them and be strong for them. But he just can't. (You don't have to, Saiwa. Take your time and rest.)
And there's no way he is going to let an AI with uncertain origin mess with their brains. As promising as it sounds.
They still don't know nothing about Arturo. What if he was sent by the Council and the AI will brainwash them?
'Help me, someone, let me out of here
Then out of the dark was suddenly heard
Welcome to the home by the sea
Comin' out the woodwork through the open door
Pushing from above and below
Shadows but no substance in the shape of men
Round and down and sideways, they go
Adrift without direction, eyes that hold despair
Then as one they sign and they moan'
Home by the Sea - Genesis
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨
This post with all the links to earlier relevant episodes on my simblr -> here.
After dinner, Jack went to care for the horses and the goats and Ji Ho cleaned up the kitchen.
Vlad arrived to charge the bond. He felt that Ji Ho is not doing so well and so he came a bit earlier than usual, as Jack had suggested.
But then Jack found out about the Mud Fight and challenged him ^^'
Because things like this keep Jack 'sane' ^^
(and cheer up the others in dark times like these).
Watch out Jack!
Oh no!
Vlad is never as carefree as when he is with Jack
And that's when Ji Ho came down to see what they are up to ^^'
Haha Ji Ho barely get's to see Vlad like this. In fact he's always been a little afaid of Vlad because he's so grumpy and earnest most of the time.
Is that really the Vlad he knows?
And then Vlad noticed Ji Ho...
They quickly charged the Bond and Vlad left.
(omg Vlad and his foolish pride! I think Ji Ho just made a huge step forward to learning how to love Vlad and the man himself just runs away because he's embarrassed...)
There are three bedrooms in the beach house but Ji Ho, Jack and Saiwa share the big bedroom on the first floor so no one has to sleep alone.
The sound of the rain put Sai to sleep right away. Ji Ho and Jack decided to let him sleep as much as he can.
At least he doesn't drown in his gloomy thoughts when he sleeps. They can't help him anyway right now.
Jack: "You don't get to see Vlad like this often, hm? But he can be really funny and merry. He'd been like this more often before..."
Ji Ho: "Before he met me and things went downhill after he saved me and died for me?"
Jack: "You know all this wasn't your fault. I just want to say: try to see this side of him too. You can find no better man."
Ji Ho: "I will."
Jack: "Let's sleep. It was a long day."
They don't even have to assign the room with the best view on the river to Ji Ho because Jeb, Vlad and Kiyoshi built this house so that every room has a view on the River π
TMI: I love to fall asleep with rain noise. I even have an app for this. It's called mynoise.
'But there's one thing I know
The blues they send to meet me
Won't defeat me, it won't be long
Till happiness steps up to greet me
Raindrops keep falling on my head
But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turning red
Crying's not for me
'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complaining
Because I'm free
Nothing's worrying me
It won't be long till happiness steps up to greet me'
Raindrops keep falling on my head - B.J. Thomas
π Best of Buydebug βοΈ Short trips to the Oggiverse - Short Clips π¬ My Builds: Houses π Rooms π SciFi πΎ creatively edited Screenshots π¨