#cahaya

The Moore family had settled into a rhythm that no longer needed much explanation.

Most mornings, before Rowan left for school, he and Miles exchanged a few words by the door or while walking between the vegetable beds. Their conversations rarely lasted more than a few minutes, but they always covered the same important topic: who would take care of which part of the fields that day.

"If I harvest the tomatoes after school, you can start preparing the next row," Rowan would suggest.

Miles usually nodded with a grateful smile.

The work that had once rested entirely on his shoulders had become something shared. Having Rowan beside him every day did not only make the farm more efficient, it also gave him something he had almost forgotten how to enjoy.

Time. Time to breathe. Time to pause for a while without feeling guilty.

🌸 Chapter 12: Love is the Answer Episode 3: The Sweetest Thing🎧▶️📻 Previous (Love is in the Air) - Next (coming soon)

When Jeb told them he was about to go back to the Moon Goddess, Jack was devastated. He tried to convince him to stay, that it eventually would work out with Saiwa, in vain. Ji Ho said nothing, as always, but Jack just had to take one look at him to know how he felt and that he was about to break apart over losing Jeb. The only thing that came to his mind was leaving the situation and seek advice from his soulmate Vlad and his good friend with benefits, Kiyoshi. Jack also thought it would be beneficial to run all the way to the Temple where Kiyoshi and Vlad started their work day, to clear their heads. They'd gotten a bit lazy over their winter holidays in Bliss Bay. It was good to be back at Cahaya, the sun had just risen and the cool early morning breeze from the ocean cooled their skin. Jack: "Just focus on your breath, Ji Ho. Nothing else, ok? Kiyoshi will know what to do to keep Jeb with us, he's his best friend."

But first they greeted Seymor, the dog that was always lingering around the graveyard, as if he was missing his owner. Jack thought he'd soon know how it feels - after loosing his first ever friend, but he didn't say it out lout - to not worry Ji Ho further. Kiyoshi would know what to do. He was capable - and a hell of a kisser.

Kiyoshi was still busy getting the Temple ready for the day and Vlad was helping him. So Ji Ho and Jack meditated for a while. It was hard to shush the attacking thoughts away like the clouds in the vast skies above. Not only those about Jeb. Being back at Cahaya - and also here at the Temple - stirred up all kinds of memories again. Jack talking to yelling at Kiyoshi for the first time - and Ji Ho mating Vlad the Jeouiju coalescing with it's Dragon. But the Temple also never failed to calm them down. There was something about this place Jack couldn't explain - a calm presence enveloping him, making him feel he could leave all worries behind. Something that would always catch his fall whenever he stumbled. Something he could rely on, and that would carry him through the storms and hardships of his existence. Something that would always support and love him - despite his flaws and weirdnesses. Which was a weird feeling for a being like Jack. A Dokkaebi that came to life by emerging from a mere thing. It was so different from worshipping Noxee, who was the whole light and love of his life. After losing her to the Regulator, Jack had to learn the hard way that he could only worship her from afar, and that he could never reach her - like the powerful Goddess and Queen she was. But the presence here was familiar, Jack didn't feel he had to perform, fight or act to deserve it's love. It just - was. Unconditionally.

Eventually Vlad called them over, he was nearly done cleaning up the sticks and rock rubbles that flawed the Temple Grounds, and no matter how often they removed them, they kept on showing up - right out of nowhere.

Vlad: "Let's do our practise first. It'll do us good." They went to the yoga area, where Kiyoshi was already warming up. Jack was stunned: "Whoa, you are really something else." And he wondered if Kioyshi would feel like kissing him after the practise, just like he felt like kissing Kiyoshi after performing on stage. He shook his head. Now really wasn't the time to ponder about kissing! Vlad: "Better start already, the first group will arribve soon." That and his Dragon really hated how Ji Ho was giving Kiyoshi all his attention. . .

Jep, Kiyoshi kept the attention even after they started their practise. With his calm voice leading them through their Asanas - and his form muscles streching and flexing. He didn't even chide Ji Ho and Jack for beeing too distracted to follow his orders properly. Tch.

After their practise they came to sit on the lawn. Jack: "So what can we do to keep Jeb here with us? You're his best friend, there must be something." Kiyoshi: "Since I've met him he was wanting to go back to the Moon Goddess and his peaceful life there. You know how much he suffers down here. This world is an exile for us, a last resort and a haven. But not for him. For him his haven is the Moon. If we had such a save place, wouldn't we want to go there too? We're his friends, shouldn't we be happy for him? Keeping him here where he's just suffering feels a bit - selfish. Sounds hard but . . . I love him and I want him to be happy." If Jack hadn't meditated and practised Yoga - and felt that presence, he would have acted up. But he was at peace and his head was clear. And he knew that Kiyoshi was right. Jack: "Ach, dammit. We have to let him go, huh?" Vlad nodded even though technically, he could leave and go back to his realm, but he'd rather be anywhere and endure anything than going back to his abusive 'family' there. He didn't belong there anymore either, after coalescing with his Jeouiju, he wasn't a Lesser Dragon anymore anyway.

Ji Ho stood up with tears in his eyes, summoned his guitar and started playing The sweetest thing from U2. Jack sighed. How could he possibly make Ji Ho understand they had to let Jeb go?

For Vlad, rather being anywhere and endure anything obviously also included letting his Dragon take control and accompany Ji Ho his mate to the beach to distract him from his sadness. And he had to admit it wasn't that bad. Jack and Wesley were right. If he wanted to avoid his Dragon to break free uncontrollably, he had to hand him the reins from time to time so he could spend time with his mate.

The Dragon had no eyes for the beautiful underwater world, only for his mate.

While Kiyoshi comforted Jack with another breathtaking kiss before he had to get back to work.

'Blue-eyed boy meets a brown-eyed girl Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing You can sew it up but you still see the tear Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing Baby's got blue skies up ahead And in this I'm a rain cloud Oh this is a stormy kind of love Oh oh oh, the sweetest thing

I'm losing you Oh oh oh, I'm losing you yeah Ain't love the sweetest thing Ain't love the sweetest thing Oh oh, yeah, oh'

The sweetest thing - U2

Bono wrote this song as an apology for his wife Ali because he forgot her birthday. The MV linked above shows Bono taking Ali on a carriage ride along the Georgian mile in Dublin, from Fitzwilliam Place onto Upper Fitzwilliam Street, enlisting various performers along the way in an effort to apologise to her. The performers featured include Riverdance, Boyzone, Steve Collins, the Artane Boys Band, Chippendales dancers, and the Celtic Knights. The other members of U2 — The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. — appear in the video, as do Norman Hewson (Bono's brother) and Dik Evans (The Edge's brother). At Ali's request, profits from the single went to her favoured charity, Chernobyl Children International. (From the wikipedia entry of this song -> here)

Thank you for reading this far! I sadly have to announce a hiatus of our inZOI story, I can't get myself to continue atm. Things started to break for me already months ago (at the end of my posts I ranted enough about it so I won't repeat any of this here) so after they silenced me on the official discord and the latest stuff Krafton pulled with Subnautica, I just can't anymore. I couldn't even get me to log in to shoot two more pics I planned to add to this post. I know it's not much worse than the sell-out of EA, but when I have to chose between those only two games I can tell the Boys' stories with, I choose the one with the goats and horses ^^' I'd like to give Paralives a chance too but I'm unsure if I can get used to their looks (especially their knees ö.Ö'). I'm also in a bit of a creative rut due to RL issues, so I started a little Sims 4 spin-off tumblr with the Boys, unrelated to our main story lines, to get me keep on writing/posting without having to think too much. You can find it -> here

Chapter 12 Playlist on -> youtube -> spotify

So life went on in Cahaya…

After their small but wonderful wedding, Bradley and Quinn took a few days to enjoy their honeymoon at the resort.

It was three idyllic nights.

With their three fun-filled days at the resort facility, which they both enjoyed to the fullest… Until, on their last morning, Brad received a call from Gyu-ri, saying she needed to talk to him.

Brad had to make up an excuse for Quinn and left the spa abruptly to respond to Gyu-ri’s call, since she sounded quite desperate on the phone. When he arrived, she was so nervous, unable to utter a word. Bradley: So you made me come here in the middle of my honeymoon to say absolutely nothing?

Gyu-ri: What? You broke off our engagement just like that to marry someone else, and now you’re annoyed that I’m speechless? Bradley: We broke up, yes, and I'm sorry about that, but I moved on. I thought you had moved on too. Gyu-ri: I did, but still, we need to talk. Bradley: Do we?

Bradley: Well, I hope it’s important, cause I left the spa in a hurry. I had to cut my massage short and make up an excuse for Quinn. Gyu-ri: Well, forgive me for disrupting your perfect happiness, but this is actually very serious. Bradley: (Sighs) Okay, I’m listening.

Gyu-ri was speechless again. Bradley: Gyu-ri? Look, it’s not fun standing outside in this bathrobe. So speak up, please. Gyu-ri: (Nervously) Okay, well. You see, I just found out that I’m… The sound of footsteps behind her forces Gyu-ri to fall silent once more. Bradley: Found out what, Gyu-ri? Please tell me now.

Kirana: Gyu-ri, there you are! Sorry, I heard you guys arguing and got worried. Gyu-ri: It’s nothing, Ki. Bradley and I were just talking.

Kirana: Ah, so this is Bradley. Yeah, I guess you two do have a lot to talk about. Gyu-ri: (Flushed). Kirana, please. Bradley: Gyu-ri, what’s going on? Who is she?

Kirana: I’m Kirana, Gyu-ri’s new roommate and best friend. Gyu-ri: (Sighs) Bradley, Kirana. Kirana, Bradley. Bradley: Uh, nice to meet you, Kirana. Kirana: Nice to meet you too, Bradley. And now I’ll let you two continue talking. It’s about time.

Kirana: (Walking away) You should invite him in. The sun is very hot; I don’t think that spa robe will protect him much. Gyu-ri: Would you like to… come inside? Brad: I don’t think so. Like I said, I’m in a hurry. Gyu-ri: Sure you are.

Bradley: So? What were you going to say? Gyu-ri: Um, nothing, it’s not important. Bradley: But you just said it was serious; and earlier you were saying: “I found out that I’m…” So tell me, what did you find out? Gyuri meditates on her answer for a couple of seconds… Gyu-ri: Well, I-I discovered that I’m…

Gyu-ri: I discovered that I’m still in love with you, okay? Bradley: What? Come on, Gyu-ri. That’s… Gyu-ri: Ridiculous, I know, and probably annoying to hear too, but that’s how it is, Brad. You broke up with me, I know, and I accepted it. So much so that I moved away to give you your space.

Gyu-ri: But the truth is, I wasn’t ready to let you go, your marriage to Quinn broke my heart. I just haven’t been able to move on, and I don’t think I will in a long time. Now it’s Bradley who needs a few seconds. He seems genuinely moved, but he doesn’t want to get carried away by the moment. Quinn is waiting for him at the resort, ready to go home and start their life together. As much as he wants to give Gyu-ri some hope, he can’t let Quinn down now. So, controlling his heart as much as possible, he takes a deep breath before answering.

Bradley: So you made me come all the way out here in this flimsy, stupid spa robe under the blazing sun, just to tell me this? Gyu-ri: Uh… yes, don’t you think it’s serious enough? Bradley: No, it is. And I understand how you feel, just… Don’t you think you could’ve waited until after my honeymoon to call? Gyu-ri: I’m sorry if I disturbed you, I just had to talk to you. Bradley: What for, Gyu?

Bradley: What did you expect to happen? Did you expect me to be moved, take you in my arms, and tell you that I love you too? I would do that, but I’m married now. It wouldn’t be fair to you or to Quinn. Do you understand? (Gyu-ri nods sorrowfully) I was honest with you, I told you about my feelings for Quinn, and set you free, for your own good and everyone’s. I didn’t want to repeat my father’s story, having two women, making neither of them truly happy and filling our family with conflict.

Gyu-ri: You’re right, and I totally get it. Bradley: Great, so get on with your life, Gyu. Find someone who really deserves you. You’re young, you still on time to be happy. Gyu-ri: I don’t think so, and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget you, but... I’ll try. Bradley: Good. Was that all you wanted to tell me, or is there something else? Gyu-ri: (To herself) That’s not all. We’re missing the most important part... Bradley: Gyu? Gyu-ri: (Holding back tears): Yes, that was all.

Bradley: Are you sure there’s nothing else I should know? Gyu-ri: Yes. Bradley: So then we’re good? Gyu-ri: Yes, we are.

Bradley: Okay, this may not be much comfort, but if you need anything, anything at all, or just need to talk, you call me. Any time, okay? Gyu-ri: (Wipes away a tear) Okay. Bradley: I hope you can forgive me and accept being my friend again, and Quinn’s too. Gyu-ri: “Friends”, of course, why not? Bradley: Well, I have to go now. May you be very happy, Gyu-ri. Gyu-ri: You too, Brad.

Well... Bradley’s gone, perhaps forever, and without knowing what is really going on.

Gyu-ri is mad at herself for not having the guts to tell him. And Kirana will surely be mad at her too. Gyu-ri: Why didn’t I tell him? Why? Most likely, telling him wouldn’t have changed anything, but Bradley had a right to know. Now Gyu-ri will have to live with her decision, or… tell him later, when she has gathered the courage to do so.

Kirana: Why didn't you tell him??? Gyu-ri: I don't know. I couldn't. I just froze when I saw him. Kirana: But you'll tell him eventually, right? Gyu-ri: Yeah, I guess... Kirana: Well, don't wait too long, you don't have much time left. What exactly did Gyu-ri not dare to tell Brad? It’s not hard to guess, and Brad will surely find out eventually, but for now it will remain a secret between Gyu-ri and Kirana. 💔

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*Note about Bradley's spa robe:

My apologies for letting Brad wear a spa robe for this scene. As we know, the spa robe is or was a bug in which, when zois have visited the spa at least once, instead of automatically changing into their everyday clothes, they change into this robe and will forever continue to wear it as their default everyday clothing, requiring you to manually change it back to everyday clothes.

In this scene, Bradley arrived at Gyu-ri's house wearing the robe, I'm usually very careful about what my characters in my stories wear for each scene, but this isn't a story as such, it's just gameplay, which means I don't prepare the scenes or the poses or the outfits, at least not always. Plus, I didn't want to interrupt the dialogue to change it, since at that time, at least in my game, it was difficult to get a zoi to show up when another one called him. That's why I let him keep the robe on throughout the conversation. Allegedly, this bug has already been fixed, but apparently it only works with saves created after the fix, and of course I wasn't going to start from scratch with this story, which is already quite advanced, so even nowadays (these photos are from November 25), Bradley continues to wear that robe as his default clothing.

To be completely honest, at first, I thought about redoing the whole scene with Brad properly dressed, but when I looked at the photos, I noticed that he and Gyu-ri had exactly the expressions I needed to write the scene, so I decided to go ahead and keep them.

In the end, I think the robe served to add a touch of humor to drama, which I consider a part of my style when writing for The Sims. Also, though I don't do it very often, I find it fun as part of the creative process to share some of the “behind the camera” aspects of my stories, which is why I've included this note. 😄

Where the Sea Remembers

Chapter 1

Transcript:

*Sounds of Laughter int he distance*