#watcher zuri

"Can you tell me where we're going, Z?"

"Nope. You like surprises. Enjoy it."

"Okay. Alright. Can I guess? I like to guess."

"Sure."

"Your childhood home?"

"No. Void, no. But I spent most of my childhood in this spaceship. So I guess you can say you've seen my childhood home. Or my treehouse. I called it my treehouse as a kid."

"Well, thank you. For showing me your treehouse. We'll hold off on the childhood home for now."

"I wish we could avoid it forever."

"For real? I don't want to push too much but I'd like to meet your parents. Soon. Only one time is fine."

"Why?"

"There are things I need to do. Need to ask."

"Kenny, oh my watcher, please don't tell me you think you have to talk to my life-givers before we get engaged."

"Wh-whaaaaattttt? Who said anything about engagement?"

"I know you're thinking about it, Mr. 100%. You wouldn't have said what you said last time if you weren't."

"Fine. You caught me. But you really don't need it to be a surprise? Or at least a bit romantic? Dinner? Maybe on the shore?

Some merfolk singing the prettiest songs you've ever heard?"

"Is that what you'd want, Kenny?"

"What I want is for you to know how much you matter to me. And to give you something special. Umm, should we turn the spaceship around? Can we be this close to a star?"

"We can when it's ours."

"What?"

"It's why I asked you that weird question about your scales the other day. What sims feel as heat is technically a Nebula's lifeforce rejecting you. Every star you see is a promise. The ultimate commitment for a Nebula. A promise to put another sim's wellbeing above their own. I'll show you the one my grandmother made for me on the way back. But this one is my promise to you.

The pixels are still too dense at the core for a merman so we can't actually spend our honeymoon there but -"

"Honeymoon? In a star?"

"Yes. Naturally. A Nebula does not truly desire you if they never woohoo with you in a star. The fairies act like they did something new but we've been merging essences in the sky since the beginning of the simulation. We simply prefer to keep it to private spaces. Like a star. If you'd let me, I can alter your traits a bit to try to make you more compatible with the pressure-coding. It would be like an experiment but-"

"Z?"

"Yes?"

"I'm good holding your hand like this. Forever. 100%."

"I believe you. You'd be the perfect base for a self-control trait but I want to hear you sing your lullaby on your honeymoon. At least once. And flirty buffs or not, I'd know what to do... Stop blushing before your Elohim punishes me. We'll go back to Sixam-015 and get started."

"G-g-get started on what?"

"The first draft of our bonding agreement. You are not going anywhere near my parents or informing your parents until we're on the same page. Because there will be no congratulations. Only brutal interrogations and I'm not fighting with you over unspoken expectations. Intentionality is important for an Enamourer, right?"

"Yes. Yes, it is."

"Good. I asked around and all the experts on your culture and your Elohim are somehow related to you so I chose your mom's brother and asked him to keep a secret. And you'll meet my favourite aunt. They'll help us keep it balanced. Does that sound good to you? It sounded great in my head when I was planning the surprise."

"Sounds perfect."

Recharging <3

It's girls night! And the friends decided on a sleepover at Zuri's place instead of another day on the beach. While playing Sabacc, they updated each other on their lives.

Zuri mentioned visiting her family with Kenny but she did not talk about the star. Moji is aware and had her chance to celebrate and promised to keep it cool until the engagement party.

Candace talked about how quickly she regretted a camping weekend with Walker's kids.

They had fun but she was also too happy to remove all of the objects she put down for the kids as soon as they left. She loves the kids. She thinks about Kassandra often. But she does not want to change her home for their visits.

Kassandra's birthday also reminded her that once she and Walker leave their bubble, she'd have to deal with feelings that she'd rather not deal with. Such as jealousy over Acadia kissing Walker. She does not believe that it's the first time it happened and she does not think it would be the last. And she doesn't want to care! She's familiar with Walker's new appetite, they've gone to some interesting parties on Sixam-109 together. But a simple kiss from Acadia... and Walker scrambling to explain made her regret trying to carve out a bigger place for him and the kids in her life.

Walker does not want to lose her and looked for her after she ignored all of his communication. They agreed to go back to woohoo partners and keep his life outside of work and her bedroom away from her.

Oasis and Jesse are preparing to move from Blanchisseuse to WIllow Creek. They'll be moving after Deja ages up into a child. They will also have a small bonding ceremony. Moji is ecstatic!

Instead of trying to explain her identity to all the sims that knew Jesse and Desiree, Oasis wants to move on as the 'second wife.' Jesse would rather explain but Oasis has decided that all that matters is that Deja sees her as her mother and Jesse belongs to her. "I'm his wife" is the only explanation she wants to give.

Moji and Ravi have taken a step back from the council to focus on Moji's Savefile.

Ae and Juniper are handling the decision-making for The Cube while Ravi and Moji reconnect and try to make a series of decisions together. She no longer plans for Jesse and Oasis to move there. This is strictly a labour of love for her and her husband.

[Conversation in Koralese - when Kenny says 'my gravity' it's ŋ!aalumatji - Zuri's favourite word]

"I'll give you five, umm, situations?" Kenny must have a million things he wants to say and I think it's time I give him a chance to say them. "Situations? What do you mean?" "Five questions? Or sentences? And I don't yell." My tones are getting better but it's still hard to find the words in Koralese. "Ahhh, I understand. But I was never trying to fight with you, Zuri." "I know. But you know I -" "I know... I have two questions then." "Okay." "Number one. Why were you smiling so much over that serum?" "Huh?" "Keok's serum. The one that tasted like pomegranate. I haven't seen you smile like that since the first time you ate halo halo." "It was yummy!" "Yummy? Zuri Nebula said yummy. Keok needs to give me that formula." "Shut up. I can't remember the other word, Kenny." His eyes lit up as I put my head on his lap. "Good?" "Not that basic word." "Delicious?" "Delicious? Sounds like satisfying." "Yeah, only difference is the tone on the first syllable. You're getting much better." "It's taking a long time but-" "There's no rush. I appreciate that you try to speak it with me." "And thanks for your patience with me." "Always, my gravity."

Merkenneth would be a perfect base for a self-control trait but he's still a merman. For the past few seasons, I pretended not to notice when he would reach out to touch me and then pull his hand back. I kept telling myself that it was not true that he does not sleep well unless I play with his hair. I think it's a ridiculous claim. But maybe finding peace in a name is equally ridiculous. His hand on my head does not feel like medicine

but hearing him say my gravity is more comforting than his Elohim's comforters. The way he studies my every move and responds is more comforting than an illusion asking for obedience. As you figure out who you're meant to be, I'll figure out how to move. I did not believe it for a while. Today, it is easy. Today, I am the Sixam-Jupiter in my dream. Today, I know I can simply exist and it will be enough.

"What's your next question, Kenny?" "Oh. Yeah, uh, would you consider - and I'm not saying you're not capable of making one but -" "Give up?" "I don't want to say it that way but I miss you. Your tribe misses you. They need you more than a new sixam." "They need me for a new sixam." "My gravity, trust me. They need you."

????: A safe place? Where nothing bad can happen? Like a heaven?

Oasis: I guess so. I'm relieved. No more loss. No more glitches. Just us existing peacefully.

????: In an illusion.

Oasis: Excuse me?

????: Your existence is merely another foolish attempt by a Dreamer to avoid the inevitable, Oasis. But I don't fault you for believing.

For hoping that you had some sort of power to change your fate. My sister believed it too.

Oasis: Your sister? Who are you?

????: This is your dream. Who do you think I am?

Oasis: Moji doesn't have a sister but -

????: Ha! Moji? Am I sending chaotic energy to you? My apologies. That is not who I am. No. I am what a Dreamer and the other occults would call the architect. They say Nebulas have huge egos. That we let our little star tricks go to our heads. But they choose titles such as architect or goddess or council of the immortals when they have little control over anything but Savefiles. And even that they could not control, so we're here. You're here. Trying to convince my sister to pull a pathetic dream into Sixam-015's reality. No, R-015.

Oasis: What's happening?

Afiya: Exactly what you wished for. No pain because there is no joy. No loss because there is nothing to lose. You and your entire Savefile will no longer worry about 'glitches'

because everything always goes according to plan. The Horizon's plan.

Oasis: Wh-who is the Horizon?

Afiya: If you ever meet them and escape the void, please come find me and let me know. But there is no room in Zuri Nebula's legacy for unrealistic dreams. Goodbye.

------

Servo T-56VR: It's a developmental milestone glitch, sir. It cannot be fixed.

Enamourer Ungoril: There must be a way. She cannot -

Oasis *from the Savefile*: Zuri! Can you hear me? Gor?

Gor *from Sixam*: Yes, we're doing all we can but -

Oasis: Is it Moji? Another new -

Gor: No! No. Milestone glitch. It happens. Give Juniper and the

servos and the architects some time, they'll -

Oasis: Milestone? So when she aged up? If we go back to when she aged up, can it be fixed?

Servo T-56VR: There is a possibility. The Head Architect can authorize time travel but we would need to coordinate with all Savefiles and the chances of doing that for one sim is -

Gor: Oasis? Oasis!

What's happening?

Servo T-56VR: She's resetting Savefile-143! Impossible. Is Dreamer more than her name? Did the Architects approve a genuine Dreamer living in a Savefile?

Gor: That's classified. Can you get me a visual?

Servo T-56VR: Not until she regenerates the Savefile and connects it to CLAIRE but reconnection requires a Framer like Ravi. All we can do is wait.

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Dear Diary,

I am thrilled that Aunty Naiyah gave you to me! This is my second favourite present after the horse riding skill book from dad. And I love Uncle JJ but seriously? A voidcritter tablet? He should know that I would never support using animals for battles! Even in a game! But the knitted hats from Aunty Ximena are adorable. And they will come in handy in Willow Creek.

I'm scared... To move to Willow Creek. I'm happy I have Belle and Lavan still. And mom says that we'll come back home for vacations but I don't want to move. I want them to get remarried and live here. Daddy doesn't even like cold weather! And according to my research, it is quite cold over there.

When I asked him why we're moving, he said it would be nice to live closer to my cousins and I can join the illustrious Willow Creek Equestrian School. I've added illustrious to my notebook. In Simlish and French.

Ageing up was not as exciting as I thought it would be. I feel like I've been this age for a while already. Is this how mom felt after her reincarnation? I don't know because now that I'm old enough to ask, she does not want to talk about it anymore. "What's done is done," she says. "It's time to move on."

I guess we're moving on.

Leo Nebula: He's a beast now. Respect.

Afiya Nebula: "Beast" or not, our sister should be his primary.

Why is he still married to the pixel-puppet?

Leo: She's not a puppet anymore.

Afiya: Once a puppet, always a puppet. And if Zebbie insists on choosing a voodoo sim, he should at least -

Damie: Leo? Afiya?

Afiya: Oh. Hello, voodoo sim.

Leo: Be nice, sis.

Afiya: The time for being nice has passed. What obeah did you work on my sister to be given a star?

Damie: A lullaby is not obeah. And what star?

Afiya: What star? Don't be -

Leo: Congrats, bro. On the warrior's blessing and the star. Zuri's wanted this for a long time. So as long as she's happy, we're happy.

But you know dad. He wouldn't be so keen on his baby girl being secondary.

Damie: Bro, I don't know what you're talking about.

Afiya: I don't know what you're talking about. Stop wasting our time with Damian, Leo. Where's Zebbie?

----

Leo: Who the void is that?

Afiya: I haven't the faintest idea. Zuri! Simzuri Nebula!

-----

Maricela: And then Ms. Kehlani said - Babe, are you listening?

Damie: Hmm?

Maricela: Is like ah talkin' to a wall. Wah happen?

Damie: Nothing. Nothing. I just have work on my mind.

Maricela: Are you sure? Because if you need anything, I'm -

I had a dream. I ignited my Sixam-Jupiter and attached myself to Nova's giant to make sure that it accepted it's fate. I cried as I watched the 302 sixams and moons and Kenny's callistos struggle to pick a side. Most did not survive the tension. Some crashed into each other and some simply broke apart. I was convinced I could hear the screams of the sims that were breaking apart with them.

The original 15 sixams moved toward the victorious Sixam-Jupiter and I saw Sixam-015 and it's starfield absorbing the remnants of the broken... drinking Xenopetrium and Crytacoo and Plumbobus like hungry babies. When Sixam-015 then absorbed the starfield, I felt proud. The sixam of my birth was rich in everything it needed for a new era.

Then everything stopped and the new giant searched for her place in Kǂah. I felt the jealousy in Nova's dying giant. The awe and anger as we watched the new giant take up more space than Nova's giant ever did. As she refused to be confined to one location. Kǂah is the centre of the simulation. Kǂah needed to take on the responsibility for the orbits while the giant happily moved in it's grace. The freedom infuriated Nova's giant, infuriated me, as I felt us burning out.

And then I felt the coolness of Kenny's body against mine. He did it again, didn't he? He disobeyed his Elohim to come get me, didn't he? He should not be able to meet me in this form. He should not meet me here! The regret and fear woke me up.