Chapter 4

• "I'm bringing popcorn."
• "I'll make the drinks."
• "I've got lots of pots."
• "I have depression."

~*~

 “Yeah, yeah I think I’ve got everything,” Delia muttered into the phone. “Yes, I’m going to pack the popcorn, would you- would you really think I’d forget the popcorn?!”

“Well, I can’t be sure that you’d remember it if I didn’t remind you,” chided Yuzuki. “Because then when you show up without it I get to say ‘I told you so.’”

“That’s not going to happen. I have a checklist, it’s all here. Bedsheets, pillow, clothes, snacks, lighting, laptop-”

“Whoa, whoa, I didn’t ask you to read the whole list! I’ve seen the length of some of the lists, I don’t need the whole thing!” 

“But if I don’t bring something on said list, you won’t be able to tell me that you told me to bring it,” Delia remined.

“I don’t need to remind you of everything, we can find most things in town. But that popcorn is special, we can’t just find that anywhere.” 

Delia could hear the wink in her voice. “Tell Kaoru I say hi. I’m still shocked that we get to go to the same college. I’ll finally get to see how lovely you look with my own eyes.”

“I’ll pass on the message. And put that popcorn in your pack right now! Don’t forget!” 

“Yeah, get lost, losser,” laughed Delia, hanging up and writing popcorn on her hand, joining the ranks of toilet paper, towels, and Harry Potter pen set. This was a lot to pack…

~*~

Holding the pamphlet, Aquila wrapped her hair around her finger, reading the recommended list of things to take carefully. It was a sparse list, just asking that the participants bring a week’s worth of clothes, any personal effects they would like to have to make themselves feel less homesick, a journal was recommended. What would she like to bring with her? 

She already lived a sparse lifestyle, and she planned to pack a few cushions and her clothes. She had enough money set aside to cover her portion of the rent while she was away from the shared apartment. 

She didn’t get along the best with her roommates. They were annoyed that she turned all of the lights off, or that she kept leftover plant water so she could run it through them again instead of pouring it down the sink. Oh no, what if they killed her houseplants? Which ones could she bring with her to spare? Should she leave her succulents and hope that her roommates forgot to water them? What if they over-watered them? She could lock her door and come back once every three weeks to water them? 

~*~

Alec cleaned the glass, just trying to look busy. Being a bartender this late at night usually meant that the patrons were either going to be rowdy or tired, and it looked like it was going to be a quiet night. 

By this time next month, he’d be at the fellowship again, and he wouldn’t have to stay up until dawn making sure that people stayed drunk enough to forget their woes and maybe equip them with enough courage to find the company of someone else for the evening. 

Gosh, I need to stop thinking so glumly about my job, he thought. I get to go back to the farm. It’s going to be fun.

Spending all night out under the stars, or pucking a ball back and forth on the foosball table, or the table tennis, or winning snacks or kisses over a game of cards, it was all fun. It was the excitement he’d missed since graduating school. No one tells you what a vacuum leaving school can be, having all of your friends leave town, get careers, wives or husbands, families. What did he have? A job mixing drinks for the tired and lonely, hoping he didn’t end up like one of them. 

One more month, then I can be happy again.

~*~

Dear Aunt May,

As is evident by my response, I received your electronic mail and I wish to tell you that I have everything I need for the coming semester. I have planned for a rigorous syllabus, and the students will have a very enriching class planned out for them.

The campus has been very gracious and has allowed me to bring my cat along with me, so you don’t need to worry about watching it over him during my time away. We both know that Hagrid doesn’t like many other people or animals, so that's a relief. I don’t think that your dog was very kind to him the last time you watched over him.

Nora paused typing, wondering if there was anything else she should tell her aunt. There wasn’t much she felt she needed to tell her distant relation who insisted on being called ‘aunt’. I’m becoming a spinster, I’m tired of being alone, teaching at the college feels like I’m going in circles… she thought.

She didn’t want to tell her aunt that she hadn’t written a new story in a year, or that she didn’t even have the motivation to open her computer most weeks. She could live on the books she’d written so far, and one of the only reasons she left the house any more was to get groceries and cat food. Why did she have to leave? She didn’t have any friends that wanted her time or opinion, and she had her streaming shows to keep her company. Who could feel lonely when she had the vision of handsome men with swords swimming in her mind? If she tried hard enough while laying in bed, she could cross stories and make them fight each other for her honor… 

I hope all is well, don’t forget to eat protein to keep up your muscles.

-Nora.

Bit of a shorter one than normal, but I thought instead of drawing it out too long that we'd just get a taste of a few characters and before we're properly introduced.

As always, I have extra pictures, bloopers, and the hidden life behind the camera! 

^Anwyn asked Gloria if she wanted to go out for girls' night, and Nora was there! Alec was serving drinks too, so I took a few pictures. 

^Gloria went to visit family and new little sister, Patrice! 

^Pretty soon he'll be too big to do this any more...

^One of the twins needed a nap, Gloria was happy to help out.

^Wait, you're pregnant again?! 

Gloria actually got a call on her phone form Anwyn and Liam asking if she thought they should try for another baby (While still pregnant with Patrice, I'll add). I guess this is their version of story progression? Kinda neat that can happen in vanilla. Unless it's an MCC thing.

^ Ah, Anwyn. My hero, the super mom, my favorite sim. Keep that smug look on your face, you've deserved it!

And with that, I'll bid you all a good [measure of time] until I see you again! Stay creative!