Chapter 21.2

Protector and Junior Architect Walker: Shit.

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

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

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

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

Damie: What d'you say?

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

-----

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

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

-----

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Damie: How did you know?

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

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

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

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

----

Trait-giver Zuri: Moji would love it here.

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

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

*Noise on a frequency only merfolk can hear*

Kenny: Sorry, Z. We gotta go.

Zuri: Go where?

----

----

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

Kenny: Exactly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Head Protector Merdaniel (Damie): Yo, why him? That's all I wanna know.

Trait-giver Zuri: Seriously?

Damie: Yeah, best friend! Is his lullaby that good? Cause none of us have heard it. We were starting to think he doesn't have one.

Zuri: I don't know. I haven't heard it either.

Damie: So how's he getting you to ignore me like this?

Zuri: He's not getting me to ignore you. I'm not even ignoring you! I just can't drop everything to run to your side these days. We can talk when I have the bandwidth.

Damie: Bandwidth? Huh? I'm some big task to you now?

Zuri: Stop being childish, Damie. I won't call you a task but it's also not my job to take care of you like that.

-----

Dreamer Tristan: You got far on your own but we have Framers for a reason, Moji.

Head Dreamer Moji: Can I have the cousin that spoils me? Please? I know you can do this stuff. I just want you to help me.

Tristan: Still fighting with Ravi?

Moji: Maybe. And Candace is being weird since Walker transformed. I didn't even realize she had a shield up before. Can all Framers block me out like this? Even when I zone in on them?

Tristan: Any sim can if they learn how. Listen.

Moji: Tristan! Since when?!

Tristan: Since we were teens and I realized how sensitive you were. Even before you unlocked your gift, your dad was right that you were always hearing things. That child of the ocean trait probably caused it. But you don't need to know or care about what sims are thinking all the time, Moji. Just focus on your purpose. Now, what is it that you want to do here?

Moji: Get this Savefile up and running. Maybe move Oasis and Jesse from M-143 to M-302.

Tristan: Did they ask you for this?

Moji: No. But I know they want it. They need it.

Tristan: They need to move?

Moji: They need Oasis to stop living in Desiree's shadow.

Tristan: A new Savefile would not do that.

Moji: Why not? A Savefile made just for them? No Oasis Springs, no Newcrest or Blanchisseuse. Just a new beginning for both of them. The three of them. How would that not do it?

Tristan: It won't change what happened, Moji. They need to adapt. Not run away... I'll help you frame the Savefile. You know I can't stand seeing my lil' cuz feel helpless like this. But you have to do most of it yourself, you hear me? I'm not doing it all for you like your school projects.

-----

Protector and Junior Architect Walker: If you change your mind and want to come with me -

Head Framer Candace: I miss them a bit. Mostly Kass. But it's better this way.

Walker: I do like having you to myself.

Candace: And it's all or nothing, right?

Walker: This is not nothing. You know that.

Candace: I know. I mean I can't come and go, right? They have enough chaos, right?

Walker: Do you want to come with us, Candace?

Candace: I do. But -

Walker: But nothing. Come.

Candace: No, it's okay. It's okay. I can't come and then go back to ignoring them.

Walker: I don't think this counts as ignoring them. You think and talk about them more than I do.

Candace: That's - I'm not actually responsible for them, Walks.

Walker: And I told you, you wouldn't have to be.

Candace: That's not how it works. Just make sure Acadia doesn't pick on every little thing that Kass wants to do.

Let her have some fun. She's a kid, she'll get dirty.

Walker: Alex has that covered. You should see the pictures and videos he sends me. You should co-

Candace: I'll go spend time with Moji. She couldn't even handle your divorce so this baby culling thing doesn't sound like her.

Walker: I thought we wanted her to make decisions like this.

Candace: We want her to stop freaking out when we make those calls. But I like my Moji as-is... I'll get the plasma fizz for Alex ready while you shower.

Walker: Thanks. And if you change your mind in the morning -

Candace: I won't.

Walker: If you do, I'll come get you, alright?

Candace: Okay.

Chapter 19.3

Head Trait-giver Enny: You cannot fool me, Mojisola. You Head Dreamers have a long history of hiding your special abilities. I don't know what you did but that Yellow is not the Yellow I know.

Head Dreamer Mojisola: Well, it's good that she decided to take a vacation to find herself again, no? Maybe you should visit her in M-291. You can reminisce on the all the good times together.

----

Trait-giver Zuri: Come on, Enny. Kenny is fantastic and he's spotless. Why wouldn't Yellow choose him to replace her on the council?

Enny: I'm not saying she wouldn't choose him. I'm saying not yet. That child of the ocean trait in Moji can make her more dangerous than any that came before her. Have you seen anything out of the ordinary? In her or Oasis?

Zuri *biting her lip*: No, I haven't noticed anything.

Enny: Okay. But keep your eyes open, Zuri. On her and your boyfriend.

Zuri: He's not my boyfriend.

----

Enamourer Ungoril: I despise these uniforms. Remind me to freeze Candace when I see her next.

Protector Undane: I will continue to refuse to wear mine but it looks a bit less outrageous on you.

Maybe we should open that chest of costumes that's collecting dust.

------

Zuri: Congratulations, Kenny! Joining the council of the immortals! That's a big deal!

*New* Head Enamourer Pastor Merkenneth: Thanks, Nebula. It's almost as unbelievable as this hug.

Zuri: Don't overreact.

But did Yellow give you any tips before she left? Or did she seem unhappy or anything?

Kenny: Happier than usual and left me a whole manual. It looks like she wanted the Enamourers to move more toward formal commitments and bonding agreements, which you know I'm a fan of.

Zuri: Of course. Of course.

Kenny: I'm not saying I need that for me right now and I'm not trying to pressure you, I'm saying -

Zuri: I know, Kenny. I don't feel pressured. K-drama night to celebrate?

Kenny: Yes, please. I'm behind on Queen of Tears.

----

Moji: So now that you're Head Framer, you've pretty much climbed to the top of your career, right? And you know since I'm also a mother, I completely understand that life happens and -

*New* Head Framer Candace: Do you really think I left the Lunds just because I wanted a promotion?

Moji: Well, I know you didn't want to feel like you were held back. So now that you're at the top, if a sim you like can match you at the top...

Candace: Babes, I love you but I just don't think a commitment like that is for me at all. It has nothing to do with my career or finding a 'match.'

Moji: Are you sure? Cause when I read your thoughts it sounds like your scared.

Candace: Terrified. Cause it's stressful! And not all stress is worth it. Only you Dreamers feel like a title is worth so much unhappiness.

Moji: I'm not unhappy.

Candace: You just spent any entire weekend alone in M-225. You! Jealous trait Moji that rushed to get married as a teen. We've gone to the beach together more now than we did as kids.

Moji: I just want to check in on my friends!

Candace: You and Ravi work together, live together, share a brain basically with your annoying soulmate coding. It's okay to be exhausted sometimes, Moji. I'm not judging that. I'd just rather avoid getting exhausted at all, you know?

Moji: Well, tell that to bossy pixel man and he'll make it happen.

Candace: What?

Moji: Damie needed a new Protector and -

Candace: MOJI! WHAT DID YOU DO?

Moji: He asked me! You know it's impossible to say no to him!

----

Introducing: Protector and Junior Architect: Walker Arnold Lund

Chapter 19.4

Ravi: I can't believe you pulled that off in two days. I've been trying to get the fairies to leave the vampires alone since Moji took over.

Walker: Couldn't have done it without that chaos you created with the werewolves. The fairies should avoid those enraged emotions but we all have our vices. Territorial wars are a goldmine and a weapon in your favour. Just don't tell Moji.

Ravi: One more thing added to the list.

Walker: I'm sure she has her secrets too. Complete honesty is overrated.

Ravi: Man... I tried telling her that when we first got married. She used to stay up all night crying that I didn't love her because I wouldn't let her read my mind.

Walker: Does she still do that?

Ravi: Nah. But sometimes I miss it, you know? When she cared that much about what I was thinking.

Walker: I hear you. But CLAIRE is impressive. The way you connected them to cut back on her hearing everyone's thoughts. I don't know enough to understand how you did it but I know enough to know it's not easy.

Ravi: Thanks. All ah hadda do now is deal with the lifeforce and pixel shortage so I could weaken the connection in other areas. Feels like the system is taking too much of her essence, know what I mean?

Walker: Yeah, I do.

Candace: Sorry to interrupt.

Ravi: All good, Candace. I have a meeting with Ae anyway. I know this is because of my wife's meddling. But for the record, he's already a valuable member of the team.

Candace: I don't doubt that at all.

Ravi: See you at the debriefing, Walks.

Walker: Yes, sir. Hey, stranger.

Candace: What are you doing, Walker Arnold?

Walker: Enjoying my promotion. Being a business tycoon in one watched-universe is impressive but come on! Running universes? It will take at least a day for this god complex buff to wear off and I

didn't waste simoleons to get it.

Candace: No. Just send vulnerable sims to feed on other vulnerable sims.

Walker: It's containment, Candace. One group will keep getting angry buffs and one group needs strong emotions. Why provoke the vampires who are trying to change? And when the fairies face their emotional deaths, it's all in one place. Easier for us Protectors to collect the pixels and I'll make sure you get what you need for the improvements to the framing system.

Candace: So population control and nepotism?

Walker: Nepotism? I'm following the instructions of my superior. Miss Head Framer on the council. Should I call you your majesty?

Candace: Please don't.

Walker: I'll think about it... Why didn't you tell me your natural hair colour is pink?

Candace: Why didn't you tell me that you're horrible?

Walker: You know my coding inside out.

Candace: Now that you're an occult, I don't have access to you.

Walker: Good. Then just listen to what I say. I won't let you go. Blame my self-absorbed trait if you want but you can't leave me a note that this is over and expect me to accept it. Custody is 50-50 with the kids now.

Candace: You didn't have to do that.

Walker: It's easier for me. I talk with Alex more than Acadia and she has fewer things to complain to me about. Alex keeps his watcher in line and the kids enjoy the renders and alternate universes.

Candace: Moji said you didn't change them. You're not going to, right?

Walker: We won't. They'll choose when they age up to young adults. But don't worry about them. I don't want to think about them when I'm with you.

Candace: You can't say that out loud.

Walker: Why? It's the truth. Come here. No more trying to figure me out

or trying to give me what I didn't ask for. If I want something from you, I'll tell you. Better yet, I'd take it. Understood?

Candace: You know I have no choice.

Walker: I am telling you that you do. There's no recording systems here, right?

Candace: Nope.

Walker: So all the things that you saw in my head that you said...

Candace: You're disgusting.

Walker: So are you. You never said you didn't want to do it. Just that you didn't want to get caught by CLAIRE.

Candace: Not here but maybe at home... you can stay with me when the kids aren't here.

Walker: Maybe. Some of the time. But I'm looking forward to spending days alone.

Candace: Oh. Are you?

Walker: A quiet house built exactly how I wanted it. Whiskey from Steph. And these cigars from Ravi. It would -

not be better than this. I missed you.

Candace: I missed you too.

-----

Background for this conversation and mature link below

Walker: You might as well had moved to M-272 and gotten yourself a WALL-E.

Candace: Shut up. I think you'd actually like it here. We can go into town later.

Walker: I'm not leaving this house until tomorrow.

Sim spice mature rating: No Sweetness