#gallerybuilds

One day, Jade was venturing on the Mua Pel’am main island to gather some samples for the research, when she felt the some raindrops fall. She wanted to gather just a little more samples before going home and ignored the rain. She was so focused on her research, that she didn’t notice a young man approach her. When she looked up from her sample, she was startled and gasped. Not out of fear, not at all. The man had no threatening or mean look, despite a large scar running across the right part of his face, from his forehead over his eye and cheek. Jade felt her heart beat twice as fast in her chest as she looked at probably the most handsome man she had ever seen. 

Man (giving her a friendly smile): “Hello.”

Jade (forgetting every Simlish and Toki Sulani word): “...”

Man (his smile broadening): “I didn’t mean to sneak up onto you. You ok? You were so concentrated on whatever you’re doing there... But I came to warn you, there’s a thunderstorm coming.”

Jade (blinking, slowly coming back down to Sim Earth): “T..Thunderstorm?”

Man (gazing at the sky and slowly breathing in the warm, humid air): “Yup, and it’ll be a short, but intense one. I don’t think you’ll get to your shack in time, but you can have shelter at my place.”

Jade (puzzled): “How do you know...? Your place? But there are no other shacks on the island, except for the research centre.”

Man (smiling): “Not everything is what it seems to be at the first look. My name is Kanaloa and you’re actually standing right next to my home.”

Jade (looking around): “There’s just the old ship wreck!”

Kanaloa (gesturing at the door Jade only noticed now): “Welcome to my humble home.”

Right after Kanaloa’s words, lightning pierced the sky followed by loud thunder. Jade had to make a decision: run home as fast as she could or trust the sexy friendly stranger and follow him into his well hidden home... Another lightning-thunder combo decided for her, as she instinctively ran towards Kanaloa’s door.  Kanaloa let her in and she followed him down a staircase into a surprisingly nice looking underground living area. Kanaloa offered her a drink she respectfully refused. They sat down at his table and chatted while the thunderstorm above ground was raging. Jade felt at ease talking to Kanaloa, even when she made some mistakes talking in Toki Sulani. Kanaloa was smiling continuously during their conversation and when Jade left, her aching cheeks told her she had been smiling too. Still, she couldn’t stop smiling until long after she had arrived at her shack...

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I downloaded Kanaloa Ka’aukai from the Gallery, he was created by ShinyEmma1983. I just changed a few things to make him fit in my game better.

When looking for accommodations to stay during her research, Jade had the option to stay at the Pel’am Research Centre procured by the Foxbury Institute or find her own accommodations nearby. Knowing her professor and other students would also be staying at the Research Centre, Jade wasn’t too fond of that option. So she searched for an alternative and was lucky enough to find a little beach shack on a small island just off the coast of Mua Pel’am. She didn’t take long to decide to buy that shack with some of her inheritance money. It was perfect for her needs: off the grid, secluded, in the middle of nature. 

She took some time to decorate the shack in her favourite colour (green, could you guess?) and get settled in. Most of the indoor space was taken by the living area, with a small bedroom, little office and tiny bathroom (too small to take good screenshots). But it had all she needed, Jade wasn’t planning on spending too much time indoors anyway. Not with everything she had surrounding the shack and the beautiful view of Mua Pel’am.

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After what seemed an eternity to Heather (but it was only a few sim days) she finally received news about her university application. When Heather read that she was accepted both at Britechester University and Foxbury Institute for a whole list of degrees, her head spun with joy. 

She immediately rushed to the Jang’s apartment, realising only when she rang the doorbell that she hadn’t even checked if Anaya was home. Luckily, Anaya was home and as soon as she let Heather in, Heather rushed over to her to give her the biggest hug possible.

Heather (with tears in her eyes): “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!”

Anaya (a little overwhelmed and clueless why Heather was hugging her so tightly): “You’re welcome, Heather, I think... What is this about?”

Heather (still holding Anaya tightly): “I’ve got accepted! In both universities!”

Anaya (pulling herself gently out of the hug, but holding Heather at both shoulders): “Oh, that is absolutely wonderful news, Heather. I’m so happy for you!” 

This time, Anaya pulled Heather in a hug, whispering “And I’m so proud of you.”

They made their way to the living room so Heather could tell Anaya every detail of her acceptance letter. She could also announce that she had received 3 scholarships, thanks to all the applications Anaya helped her fill in. Heather had won the Future Star, Athletics and Education For All scholarships.

She would, however, have to forfeit the Athletics scholarships as it required her to be in the soccer team of her chosen university and that would be impossible to combine with her job as an Opening Act (I totally forgot that the soccer career was a thing when I applied for that scholarship).

Her employer Limelight requested her to get a Fine Arts degree and to be accepted for a distinguished Fine Arts degree at Britechester University would have been a real miracle. Heather didn’t mind a regular Fine Arts degree at Foxbury Institute though, so she happily enrolled, excited and scared for what was to come. She knew it would be a 3 tough sim weeks combining a full time  education and her full time job, but she was ready.

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San Myshuno Communitiy Space (and Community Garden, Market Place and Makerspace) by GalleryID Cippi191291 (no cc) - I have made some changes to make it fit better in my save…

Heather often went to the Kasbah Arts Centre, on her own or with Houda or Anaya, to hang out and be inspired by all the beautiful works and music around her.

One day, she spotted a very special lady in front of the arts centre. It was Lizzy Seitz-Ahr, a famous and well respected musician. She was in San Myshuno to give a few exclusive concerts Heather could only dream of attending. To find this celebrity just standing casually on the arts centre plaza almost seemed to be a miracle.

Heather did not hesitate and boldly approached the famous woman. 

Heather (desperately trying not to scream of excitement): “I’m sorry for just walking up to you Mrs. Seitz-Ahr, but I just have to seize the opportunity to tell you that I really love your music. I’m an aspiring singer and you are an inspiration every day to work hard en get better to bring music into this world.”

Lizzy (smiling politely to yet another adoring fan): “Well thank you. You’re a aspiring singer, you say? I’m happy to know that I inspire fellow musicians. I wish you the best.”

Heather (hoping she’s not pushing it too far): “Could... Could I maybe... have your autograph? If it is not too much, I don’t want to bother you any further. But it would very much lighten up my apartment and encourage me even more to grow and sing. Please?”

Lizzy (charmed by Heather’s very humble request): “Actually, it is refreshing to be asked so politely for an autograph. Many fans just demand one when they have the chance. I hope you succeed, young singer, but beware, fame and success do have their ugly side too... Here you are, to whom do I dedicate this autograph?”

Heather (still processing she’s actually getting Lizzy Seitz-Ahr’s autograph): “Heather. I’m Heather Jones.”

Lizzy (surprised): “Oh, the young protégé of Baako Jang? Well well, nice to meet you then. Here’s my autograph. I have to prepare for my concert now, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we meet again one day, Heather Jones. Goodbye!”

With that, Lizzy Seitz-Ahr walked away and left Heather completely starstruck. The signed picture got a central spot on Heather’s bedroom wall.

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Jade had been working hard on her childhood aspiration, Whizz Kid. Playing chess in the park, doing her homework while she was focused and levelling up her mental skill. When she felt she was close to completing her aspiration, she asked her parents to visit ‘The Far Beyond Up Close’ Museum in Oasis Springs. She had seen advertisements and as there were no museums like that in San Myshuno, she was pretty excited to visit it. 

Heather happily agreed to take her daughter to the museum, but even before she could step inside, she was recognised and fans asked her for pictures and if she would be so kind to sing a little something for them. Heather just couldn’t refuse to please her fans and Jade went on her own. Jade had gotten used to it and as a loner, she preferred being pretty much alone in the museum over standing next to her mother in the midst of the growing crowd.

She found a children’s science table and immediately started to experiment with making various potions. Some potions were sparkly, borderline explosive, others didn’t seem to do much. But when she made three emotion potions, Jade completed her childhood aspiration. She patted herself on the back and then chose the ‘Rambonctious Scamp’ aspiration.

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Heather struggled with sadness and also some guilt for several days. She felt she should’ve spent more time with Geeta and she should’ve worked harder on her bad relationship with Raj and now Geeta was gone and it was even harder to start talking to Raj...

When she mentioned this in a conversation with Anaya (although she rarely found time to hang out with her friends, Heather did make an effort to regularly call them to chat for a bit), Anaya suggested her to try some yoga to calm her mind

There was this new spa in the Uptown District of San Myshuno that Heather could try. And so she did. She went to the Green Skyline Wellness and signed up for a yoga class. It was pretty pricy, as she could’ve expected in that district, but she did enjoy going through the different poses. She felt calmer afterwards and as a bonus, she completed her New Skill Day holiday tradition!

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When the big day came, so did a lot of snow. Heather was determined though, she would marry her hero Dirk no matter what the weather was. On their way to the venue, she organised for them to find whatever heaters they could get their hands on to make her fairytale wedding possible. They would not go on a honeymoon, but Heather had splurged a little on a real Sentate dress she had fallen in love with. And she knew that it would leave her husband-to-be speechless once again.

The wedding took place in the quaint and romantic town of Windenburg, at the exclusive Von Haunt Manor. The couple had to admit they used their fame a little bit to wiggle in their wedding date into the fully booked event calendar of the estate and they did not hesitate to accept a very nice discount when it was offered to them, just for Dirk being a Global Superstar. 

In the presence of their friends, the couple took each other’s hands to speak their vows.

Dirk (his signature dreamy look in his eyes): “Heather Jones, every second spent in your presence, makes me the luckiest and happiest sim alive. I love you so much, I still haven't found the right words to describe what I feel and I may never find them. But I know I want to spend the rest of my simdays with you, loving you, caring for you, listening to your beautiful voice and laughter, proud to be your husband.”

Heather (her voice cracking with emotion): “Dirk Dreamer, like I can make you speechless, so can you make me breathless. I may have called you an irresponsible attention seeking journalist when we met...” (Dirk chuckled) “... but I immediately learned that you are a wonderful big hearted man, who is willing to help where and when he can. And you still amaze me every day. I want to be the music to your words, the love in your heart, the tenderness in your touch, proud to be your wife.”

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I really love this dress by @sentate, damn there are such amazing cc creators out there!

A few days later, Heather came across a flyer for the official opening of the renovated arts centre in the Arts Quarter. The new Kasbah Arts Centre featured not only expositions, but also a small café, performances stage, kid’s corner, movie room and plenty of opportunities to create and craft.

Heather was instantly fascinated and decided to go take a look. All the opening festivities were already over and the place was pretty calm (it was quite early in the morning). Heather walked from painting to painting and enjoyed looking at the popping colours and pretty designs. 

Woman standing behind her: “So nice...”

Heather (caught off guard): “Eh... Yeah, I love the colours they used.”

Woman (waving her hands apologetically): “Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you. I sometimes think out loud when I’m watching a beautiful piece of art, I just can’t help myself.”

Heather: “No worries, I’m liking meeting new people more and more... My name is Heather.”

Woman (smiling a lovely smile): “I’m Anaya, so nice to meet you Heather. Are you an Art Lover too?”

Heather (diplomatically): “I like art a lot, I must say, but I’m more of a Music Lover to be honest.”

Anaya (face lighting up): “I’m also a Music Lover! How nice!”

And the two of them continued to discuss their favourite bands and enthuse about new albums. And yup, there it was once again: that lovely warm feeling of making yet another friend. 

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