'Guess who just got back today? Them wild-eyed boys that had been away Haven't changed, had much to say But man, I still think them cats are crazy They were askin' if you were around How you was, where you could be found I told 'em you were livin' downtown Drivin' all the old men crazy'

The Boys are back in Town - Thin Lizzy

We are back! From a new computer! (EA App stopped working on my old Windows 7 PC -.-) Arturo invited them to celebrate the opening of a brand new Temple in Morensong (and for a belated Ostara/Spring Equinox Festival since we couldn't celebrate together last week. Day and Night were equal on March 21st and warmer days are coming. Hopefully for the Boys too).

They aren't really ready to meet again. Neither Saiwa and Jeb (after Sai's breakdown) nor Jack and Kiyoshi (after Jack's breakdown). But Ji Ho has a plan.

Arturo welcomed them and showed them around. This Temple is much bigger than Kiyoshi's/ the Tree's in Koh Sahpa. Had Kiyoshi gained so much more popularity since he's back from the tree?

Arturo: "Haha no ^^' Kiyoshi's followers wanted this Temple for Kiri, Little Goat and Kumo who hadn't left Kiyoshi's side and cared for him while he was one with the Tree for all those decades. And Little Goat played a big part in bringing him back eventually." Oh... ok Ö.ö So we have a Stable Temple now... For horses, goats and sheep. We've seen stranger things, haven't we? There are 12 easter eggs hidden in the following pics and posts. I write the amount of eggs in the respective pic below in brackets. For example in the pic below you can find 1 easter egg, so I write (1). (The same egg can appear in different pics and angles, but it still counts as 1 egg.)

Kiyoshi is embarrassed. He knows that the others are keeping his distance to him since they know the whole truth about him and Jack and that he became a demon, he's back and and a deity now and they are forced to stay together to avoid a catastrophe in their possible future and he destroyed Jeb and Saiwa's relationship with this damn 'Bird' misunderstanding... He just wanted to live quietly among them and somehow make it up to them and serve them and not to cause a ruckus and being treated as something special and upset them even more. (1)

The Temple is big enough for all the horses and goats and Kumo so they finally have a place to stay in Tomarang! (1)

The Boys' horses are Otherworlds horses and they are free to roam whereever they want to and the Boys can call them via the goats. Not sure if they stay here all together all the time since they have their own problems and misunderstandings and quarrels among them... (see our spin off -> The Stables)

Arturo: "What do you think? It's awesome, right?" Saiwa: "It absolutley is. They will live in a palace!" Arturo: "Come over to the meadow. I prepared games and food." (3) (But only two new eggs, the third egg is already shown 3 pics above. That makes a total of 5 different eggs in this post. Have you found them all? The other ones can be found in the following episodes and I will reveal where they are hidden in an extra post after the festival.)

Jeb and Jack are the good cops lol

And Tiny Can is the Chief :3

The photo wall in the police station

And another fun one of Sai. Ach, it's a shame we can't have outfits with/without the beards! It would be too complicated to change them in CAS all the time -.-

Pics from the Sabotage Chapter (January 2023)

The following pics we took at Gangrim Police Station during our Sabotage Chapter: Kiyoshi and Jeb sadly weren't with us then.

That was the time the Simtimates Collection Kit was realesed so we also had a photosession/short chapter with the new underwear ^^'

We had so much fun ^^'

The Therapy Game Master Post with links to the sessions and places so far is -> here

Outtakes from Tomarang PD

Pic above: No, Saiwa, I don't think we'll get police cars anytime soon -.-

Pic below: Jeb is determined to catch Jack's murderer! If necessary with a landing net ^^'

The way they look at each other!

And then Greg called. He called Saiwa 'honey' and claims he's his dad? ö.ö Is there anything else I've missed?

Of course you don't reject Greg's asks ö.ö

Jeb and Vlad acting up ^^'

The Therapy Game master post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

Outtakes from Home

Yang Mal fell asleep while they were riding home... I have no idea why these horses are tired all the time. That's so annoying when they drop off their riders to sleep in the middle of the day -.- (and the road at that!) Ji Ho: "Hey, Yang Mal - get up! We're only a few steps away from home!" Yang Mal: 'Ouf.'

And when Yang Mal finally made it: Saiwa: "Where are they? It's their turn to wash the dishes!" Kiyoshi: "Hmpf."

Ji Ho: "Shall we get out?" Jeb: "Let's just wait a bit longer ö.Ö' " He fears Saiwa's wrath... Jack: "I'm cold - and hungry!" Vlad sighed. He doesn't even know why he's hiding with them ^^'

Jeb is happy to see Saiwa getting domestic so soon :3

And even though Jack 'just' died ingame, it seems to upset Vlad a lot. He still hasn't forgotten how they feared for Jack's life when he was in his coma. So now he has developed a fear of death. (Jack is Vlad's best friend.) Plus, we also see them repairing the neon signs that broke in the rain even though we upgraded them so they don't break... PLUS, there seems to be a bug because we weren't able to repair them. The 'repair' option just showed up over and over again after they'd finished repairing omg -.-

And the AI edit for the new chapter banner 👩‍💻

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

New Chapter! Ji Ho rode ahead to inform Vlad, Jeb and Kiyoshi that Saiwa, Jack and him would finally return back home to solve the murder of ingame Jack. Vlad felt through the Bond that Ji Ho is near, so he went outside to wait for him. And Ji Ho told him what happened.

First they went over to Jeb's shop to figure out how to tell Kiyoshi that Jack will be home again soon. Even after all those months, Kiyoshi doesn't talk much and they still fear he's going to go back into the tree again because he can't bear with what the others went through because of him. He messed up his relationship with Jack because he was too busy fulfilling his duties to notice that Jack was drifting deeper down into his madness and he felt responsible for Jeb and Saiwa's 'breakup' due to the fake relationship he had with Saiwa to bring him back.

Ji Ho: "Hey Jeb! Oh, a lot has changed here since I last visited! You are making jewelry now?" Jeb: "Yes, Vlad kept us busy ^^'" (Jeb and Kiyoshi were having a hard time since Saiwa and Jack left to live at the beach house.)

Ji Ho told Jeb that Saiwa will be back home soon and that they need his help because Jack had died. They didn't think of the new opening Jeb had installed here too, to have and eye on Kiyoshi and to chat with him while they are working... Until they heard a muffled squeal.

And a loud thump. Ji Ho: "Was that Kiyoshi? He heard it - I'm so sorry!"

They quickly ran over to look after him. Jeb: "Oh my, Kiyoshi, wake up! Jack just died ingame - not for real! He's fine!" Vlad is so done with them ^^' He's so glad that the others will all be back soon. He had to care for Jeb and Kiyoshi, who were drowning in the swamp of their guilt and heartache, and he had to playtest and visit the others at the beach house to monitor the first therapy sessions and charge the bond. Life will be so much easier for him now. More so that Ji Ho is back again too. Finally they can start to resolve their problems and live all together again.

Kiyoshi stood up. He was still shaking. Jeb and Kiyoshi looked at each other. They had no plans of what to do if Saiwa and Jack would be back eventually and just focussed on surviving somehow and now they don't know what to do and how to react. They just met ocassionally at the festivals of the wheel of the year but Ji Ho had put his Siren's Spells on them then to make it easier to spend time together. Ji Ho and Vlad look happy and relieved instead. They'd got cought in between this mess and now they can finally move on. Ji Ho missed their home and his room so much (me too!). He had also been busy to keep the spirits up at the beach house.

Jack and Saiwa arrived two hours later. Time enough to calm down a bit. They agreed to just act as normal as possible to not put any pressure on Jack and Saiwa. It's not the time anyway to talk about their relationships now that they have to solve the case of Jack's murder and the aftermaths for the Therapy Game. They met all together at a round table they set up in the garden in front of Jack and Jeb's greenhouse. (The full ' The Happy Home' lot tour is -> here)

Saiwa, as their leader, started the 'meeting': "Uhm, first of all I want to apologize we came back here all out off sudden. That wasn't planned. I guess we all will need time to get accustomed to the new situation. But we also came to the conclusion it's time to work it out together. I just don't know how - since I'm also aware of that we all still need time to heal. And since we can't get back to our therapies until we know what happened to Jack ingame, it will be a bit tough for all of us. Yeah. So I have no clue what to do now." They all feel awkward. There is no spell today to calm them. Jack was looking at Kiyoshi for the first time in months and it made him sad. Yes, he had to endure a lot during their relationship and it did drive him in utter madness. But he can't put all the blame on Kiyoshi. He'd been damaged before and it had been the first relationship for both of them. And there had been no way for Kiyoshi to neglect his duties for the temple and the Resistance. They just had been too young and too unexperienced and too broken, both of them. And as Greg had stated, Jack hadn't stood up for himself and his needs, he endured anything just to be together with Kiyoshi. He was so flattered a man like Kiyoshi liked him, a mangled, damaged wolf. But seeing this broken version of Kiyoshi now made his heart ache...

Jeb broke the silence after Saiwa's opening: "I think it's the best we go slow and focus first on Jack's case and how to get the game safe again so you can go back to your therapies and heal. The rest will come as we go, hm? We shouldn't worry too much about the rest. Kiyoshi and I are fine with anything. Jack told me that Lou has NPC me as a friend and that time ingame doesn't pass until one of us is logged in. So we have all the time in the world to plan our next steps. Let's just get accustomed of living together again and get a room ready for the investigations and Tiny Can's devices. The store won't do anymore, I fear ^^' " Saiwa could just kiss Jeb (and he so wishes he could! And he so hopes they'll get there again). He was so riled up and nervous and Jeb just managed to solve their all tangled up situation with his calming and reassuring words.

'I heard he sang a good song, I heard he had a style And so I came to see him, and listen for a while And there he was, this young boy, stranger to my eyes

Strumming my pain with his fingers (one time, one time) Singing my life with his words (two times, two times) Killing me softly with his song Killing me softly with his song Telling my whole life with his words Killing me softly with his song

I felt all flushed with fever, embarrassed by the crowd I felt he'd found my letters and read each one out loud I prayed that he would finish, but he just kept right on'

Killing me softly - Fugees

That sounds like a plan. Instead of overtalking and overthinking it to death, they could just jump in and see how it goes. There is no real solution for their situation anyway, since nothing had been anyone's fault. Things were just happening to them and they had to do what was best at that point in time - and with the informations they had at hand then. It doesn't change what happened in the past that they know better now. Best they can do now is to learn from it and avoid these mistakes in their future.

Ah, and the Little Goats were so happy to be all together again, too! Adriano looks a bit stressed though. As much as he enjoys the Little Goats' company, he usually cherishes his alone time ^^'

But when Little Goat filled the others in about the story, he was all ears again hahaha. Tiny Can also joined them. He's proud of himself that he did so well with the Therapy Game :3 And he listens to the Little Goats' ideas for future episodes 🐐

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

Jack's Therapy Game (From the beginning -> here)

While Ji Ho was logged in in his Therapy game, Jack was preparing dinner and has an eye on Ji Ho through the new opening. And Sai is sitting at the counter, programming the interface for the Therapy Game so they can throw out an early beta version to help other creatures, as planned. He could do this in the therapy room, but it's more important to watch Jack rather than Ji Ho. (lol) Jack: "He's back! Can Ji Ho continue cooking so I can have a quick session? I've already come so far! Two of my spots are already gone and maybe today the third and I'd be pain free after all these months! Please, Sai. Hm, hm, HM?" Saiwa sighed: "Sure."

Jack is so excited to go back ingame and back to Lou ^^' Jack: "Lou and I will have a great day again. Maybe plan another fight at the Arena and then I will meet the Queen again and I will ask her out! Oh, I love this therapy!" Sai is a bit stressed about the release of their game but he's so happy for Jack. He had this painful rash for over 6 months now, after he left his fated mate and Alpha, Kiyoshi. Ji Ho and Jack changed gear and Jack was ready to go.

uhm

He's dead. Lying there in a pool of his own blood. It's still bright red.

'His eyes, they closed and his last breath spoke He had seen all to be seen A life once full, now an empty vase Wilt the blossoms on his early grave

Walk away me boy, walk away me boy And by morning we'll be free Wipe that golden tear from your mother, dear And raise what's left of the flag for me'

What's left of the Flag - Flogging Molly (One of the best songs ever! As if it was written for this scene.)

Oh no.

Meanwhile Ji Ho had put dinner in the oven and started to work on his Siren's Songs. He's still worried that his evil grandfather has his flippers in this and somehow managed that Ji Ho put a spell on Vlad when they first met so he can get a grip on his powers, like Morgan had claimed. They should somehow solve this and make sure they are safe before Ji Ho can start to have a real relationship with Vlad. And he's still afraid that the Council/his grandfather could try to influence his friends through his Siren's Songs. He should use them only sparsely and they should be very careful on the rare ocassions he sings them to calm his friends when they meet on the festivals in the wheel of the year so they can spend a carefree time together. If only for a few hours. But they also should be safe from the Council as long as they are here in the Otherworld.

And while he was lost in his thoughts, Jack showed up again. Ji Ho: "Why are you back this early, you just left?" Time passes faster ingame. Here, in the real world, only a few minutes, so Jack must have stood stunned for quite a while next to his dead body before the game logged him out. Poor Jack. Jack: "Uhm - I'm dead." Ji Ho: "No." Oh no. It just went so well for all of them! Jack getting rid of his pain, Ji Ho finding his King (and his buried down feelings) and Saiwa living happily on his Flamingo Island.

Sai heard them and came over and they had to tell him. Saiwa: "No." Well, getting killed in a therapy game is a big no-no. All the work and months of playtesting for nothing. What was Tiny Can thinking?

They sat in their 'office' where already the first meeting for the Therapy Game had taken place. Saiwa: "This is game over for the Therapy Game. I told you, one little weirdness and it's over." Jack is more shocked than anyone else about his ingame death, but he can't let go. Not being able to see Lou again, and the Queen, and finally getting rid of his pain... Jack: "But Sai, we've come so far. Don't you want to go back to your Island and heal? And what about poor Ji Ho? He could finally get his buried down feelings back and get rid of his trauma. And Vlad and him could finally be together - for real."

But Saiwa didn't budge. And Jack won't let go either. Saiwa: "There is a murder on the loose in the game. We don't know what happened to you and who it was. We can't go back. No way." Jack: "But what if this is part of my therapy? What if Tiny Can wants me to learn something from it and prosper? Maybe the death of the old me is just the beginning of a new, better Jack?" No one craves a new, better Jack more than Saiwa but: "Jack, what if Ji Ho gets killed? That would only deepen his trauma. You did not experience your death, didn't feel the pain and fear and cruelty that came with it. Maybe Ji Ho or me would."

Ji Ho: "But we can exit the game anytime if something happens. Maybe Jack is right. And we could try to solve the murder of Jack. This must have a meaning. Otherwise Tiny Can wouldn't have implemented it. Time only passes by ingame when one of us is logged in, we could plan our log ins to not loose precious time, find clues and look for witnesses and solve the murder of Jack." Jack: "Oh! That would be awesome! A Criminal Therapy Game!" Ji Ho is already two steps ahead, on the case ^^' : "In which area did you die?" Jack: "Uh, I was a bit out. But it looked like the clearing where Lou and I sparred, in the woods near Goldshire. And now that I recall it - it looked like my heart had been ripped out." Saiwa: "WHAT?" His heart? Ji Ho already has a hunch. He told the others about the incident in Saarburg and that he wants to research what has happened when Greg made the wish at the crossroads. That 'their hearts would change'... Maybe someone took it too literally? But who? Jack: "Detective Duath, we have a case!" Saiwa threw up his hands in surrender: "Fine!" Ji Ho: "But none of us is near Goldshire to look after Jack's dead body. You are still on the Island and I want to stay in Saarburg to investigate and I don't know if I'm free to leave whereever I want when we're back at the castle since I'm supposed to look for my King." It was quiet for a while. Until Jack remembered: "Lou mentioned his friend, the owner of Valerian. He's living in the village nearby. That must be NPC Jeb. Maybe we could send Jeb ingame to investigate the crime scene and look for evidence?" Saiwa took a deep breath in. Jeb. They haven't spoken since Saiwa, Ji Ho and Jack left for the beach house after Saiwa broke down. But this was months ago. And they'll have to go home eventually and solve this case too and have a talk with the others so they can live together again. Maybe this was Tiny Can's plan? Bringing them back together before they drift further apart and the happenings of the message from future Jeb take place? Now that he thinks about it again: They also found Tiny Can at that temple in Selvadorada where future Jeb had left them the message... Saiwa sighed: "Ok. Let's go home. Are you ready for this, Jack?" Jack: "I'm ready when you're ready, my friend."

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

Even though Jack had such an amazing day with Lou, he couldn't wait to log out and tell the others that the second painful spot is gone! Since their therapies go so well, they don't monitor each session all together anymore. One of them is supposed to be near the one who's currently ingame, so they installed an opening in the kitchen to the therapy room.

Jack immediately took off the VR glasses and the robo arm and his shirt to show Ji Ho his progress ^^' Ji Ho: "Oh Jack, that's amazing!" Jack: "All thanks to our incredible Tiny Can! Let's show the others! Ah I'm so glad I didn't give up and went back ingame!" Ji Ho: "I'm so happy for you." Jack: "I love you too :3 "

Meanwhile Saiwa is working hard to overcome his 'bird/fake relationship/Kiyoshi/Jeb problems... He went all in in his exposure therapy and even placed flamingo lounge chairs so he can practice here too... But he's having a hard time going through all these memories again. And Vlad wasn't very helpful. He's still worrying what Caleb might do with Ji Ho in Ji Ho's therapy. Saiwa sighed: "Don't give Ji Ho a hard time, hm? Try a little harder to make him feel good so he won't fall even more for Caleb. It will soon be over and then he's yours alone. Hang on." Sai already told him this a few times before. But he also knows how hard it is to change and accept things one couldn't change.

Luckily Jack came running along with Ji Ho to disturb their gloomy thoughts with his never failing puppy energy ^^' Saiwa heard their footsteps and was alarmed. He always expects the worst when Jack is involved ö.Ö' Saiwa: "Omg - did something go wrong?" Jack: "VLAD! SAI! The second spot is already gone! Only ONE left!"

Saiwa, relieved: "That's unbelievable! I never imagined it would ever get better without you getting back together with Kiyoshi! I mean, he's your fated mate. How is it possible you can leave him just like that?" Jack: "Hey, I endured over 6 months of searing pain! Fate learned now that I'm determined! Plus I'm the Su..." The others chimed in: "Super Soldier!" (hahaha, them ^^')

They are so happy for Jack :3 There is a new area to sit outside by the river and they gathered by the fire. Jack told them about his insightful talk with Lou which also inspired the others to try to find ways to improve their relationships. And, since the Therapy Game is going so well for them, they also discussed how they could make it acessable for the creatures in the real world, as planned. They currently can't be of any help for other creatures in the Muggle World who suffer under the Council and from other hazards. The least they can do is to offer them the Therapy Game. Vlad only listens half-heartedly.

Jack tries to convince Saiwa to let him go back in his therapy before the others but Saiwa insists that they take turns. Ji Ho's therapy is important too. To finally find his buried feelings and to get this over with Caleb to prevent Vlad from going insane... Which is nearer than one might think because suddenly he jumped up in and threw a jealousy tantrum...

Jack: "We should leave them alone."

Ji Ho: "We'll talk about the game later." Only Ji Ho can fix him.

Jack: "Come on, Sai. Let them charge the Bond. We'll go and play Simbles." Sai looked questioning at Ji Ho and he nodded.

Doesn't mean it isn't still awkward as hell when they're alone...

Ji Ho eventually made the first move and carefully approached Vlad - and Vlad hissed! But Ji Ho learned not to be offended. The Bond already told him how much Vlad craves Ji Ho's touch. He just can't let his foolish pride and priciples go...

The Little Goats Satyrs have a new friend as it seems! Little Dust Bunny joined them and they are briefing him on the story hahaha

Until Little Goat heard some highly anticipated and telling noises... He sneaked around the corner to take a look.

Little Goat: 'Boys! Come over! They're doing it!!!' Little Dust Bunny: 'Whoa!' The Little Goats delivered on their promises ^^'

'Reach out, touch faith

Your own personal Jesus, someone to hear your prayers Someone who cares Your own personal Jesus, someone to hear your prayers Someone who's there'

Personal Jesus - Depeche Mode

Ji Ho hesitantly reached out for Vlad and he looks a bit worried because he knows how much Vlad tries to avoid getting overly physical as long as Ji Ho isn't able to love him... And Ji Ho still can't get used to Vlad's hairless chest ^^'

Ji Ho: "I'm yours alone. I only want you." That's what the Bond is telling Vlad too but it's still killing him that Ji Ho is going to marry Caleb ingame. Ji Ho will make him forget it. At least for a while. Little Goats and Little Dust Bunny: 'Aouwww!'

Poor Jack and Saiwa. Let's hope they'll find love again soon too.

(I took a lot of pics of Vlad and Ji Ho in the hot tub. I'll make a little extra post like last time ^^')

Addendum: After I posted 'A Rainy Night in Soho' in the last episode, I googled around a bit for Nick Cave and this song and I found out that he and Shane had been good friends. And that Nick sang 'A Rainy Night in Soho' at Shane's funeral. I didn't cry when I heard that Shane died, but when I watched the video, I did. (I still do as I write this. Thank you for the music, Shane.)

'Now the song is nearly over We may never find out what it means Still there's a light I hold before me You're the measure of my dreams The measure of my dreams'

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

As promised, the outtakes from Vlad and Ji Ho in the hot tub from the last post.

They are so cute. And one of the rare ocassions where Vlad is laughing and funny. I hope they will have more of these moments in their future.

Such a sweet animation <3 I hope we get a few more sweet romantic interactions with the new expansion.

Aouwww!

Guess it was a success :3

And then it started to rain. Which makes Vlad sad because it often rains when Ji Ho is sad... But Ji Ho wasn't sad right now, he was very happy.

Ji Ho reassured Vlad. How sweet <3

And then it was over... Here there stand there like in these pics from almost two years ago

(which is my daughters favourite pic of them ^^')

The Therapy Game Master Post with the sessions and places so far is -> here

From the Beginning  ~  Underwater Love ~  Latest Current Chapter: 🕹️ 'The One' from the beginning ▶️ here 📚 Previous Chapters: Chapters: 1-6 ~ 7-12 ~ 13-16 ~ 17-22 ~ 23-28

That was from before. Ach Vlad...