TAUPE - YET ANOTHER SIDE QUEST (189)
As not to be caught slipping, the Grand Duchess extended an invitation to the Marquess, his royal adviser, and the Healer to join them at the palace dinner this evening. She then prepared to take her leave so she could reckon with her emotions.
The Marquess thanked her and accepted graciously, then suggested they should finish the more personal part of their conversation before he does.
The personal part of their conversation? 
She knows exactly what he’s talking about - he just told her he would challenge the Count to a dual for her heart if the Darong Dynasty passes an adjoining decree that recognizes Dembele bloodlines that live in different worlds; dual citizenship, if you will.
The Grand Duchess would not allow herself to break; it was hard enough being this close to him after all of these years. It was hard enough looking into that face. There was no way she was going to allow herself to hope. Not at all. Not on this day.
The Marquess felt her resistance, so he made his intentions plain - he stepped aside out of respect for her marriage, but now? He has plans to stake his claim.
The Grand Duchess reminded him that laws and decrees take time.
The Marquess reminded her that he has already proven himself to be a patient man.
Then he told her he is looking forward to dinner.
✏️ And now, a character development moment / the inspiration for Marquess Boliagi Igbo:
✏️ This is one of my favorite things - getting into my worldbuilding / character development bag (tee hee)
I thought about migrations and why the Grand Duchess would have a lost love in another world. Why has she been alone so long after her husband died? Why couldn’t she marry the man she loved first?
✏️ Sims lore would make him ineligible if he did not live in that world, but what other worlds would fit him? I thought of pirates, Moors and misplaced Africans. Tartosa seemed perfect with all of that beautiful water.
Then I came across this rare Igbo tribe - once I saw this beautiful boy 👇🏾, Boliagi was born.
🇿🇦 Light-colored eyes in Africa are primarily found among the Berber (Amazigh) populations in North Africa and the Igbo people in West Africa, rather than being the defining trait of a single, isolated "tribe."While individual members of various groups can possess grey eyes, their occurrence is generally the result of natural genetic diversity rather than being widespread throughout an entire tribe.
🇿🇦 Igbo People of Nigeria: Light eyes (green, blue, and grey) are distinctively present within several ethnic groups in Nigeria, including the Igbo and various populations in the Niger Delta and Akwa Ibom regions.
Which led me to another thought/topic: eurocentrism
✏️ I love unique features in people, but I stay diligent to be mindful of colorism, texturism, etc as I consider how I will incorporate that in my character building.
It’s always bugged me a bit when some people equate certain features with certain ethnicities; genetics is so nuanced. Africa is the blueprint.
I love when my mind goes down research rabbit holes that open up my scope. I love making characters that represents what I find.
If you like this little Spinster’s Workshop research moment, let me know – I’d be happy to share more of them 🖤🤘🏾✨🇿🇦🌍
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