“Lookin’ a little gloomy there, lad,” Kade observed at breakfast.
Han sighed, then shrugged one shoulder after he’d swallowed his bite of- (he thought it was called salad, but wasn’t sure). “Yeah, guess so. Still can’t seem to wrap my head around all of this.”
Kade nodded. “It’ll get better. Just buckle down. You read the book fully?”
Han’s gaze shifted to the side. “Sure, sure… I know what I gotta do.”
“Good. That’s the first step,” Kade told him with a smile.
“Yeah… right,” Han agreed, though he couldn’t quite look Kade in the eye. He stood up, mumbling, “Uh, gotta go do- something. I’ll see ya later, Kade.”
Kade sat at the table for a moment. “Watcher?”
Yes, Kade?
“Think he’ll make it?”
I honestly don’t know. Only time will tell. Let me thank you, though for your contributions thus far. You go above and beyond that which you were brought into the household for.
Kade smiled. “Gotta wait for plants to grow. Might as well make myself useful in other ways.”
And it is much appreciated. Though Han may be too shocked yet to say, I know he does.
“No need for that. It’s nice to have a real home in my dotage.”
Dotage? You’re not fooling anyone, Mr. Cotter. You’re more active than the young ‘uns here!
Kade chuckled. “Maybe that’s true.”
That and gardening takes a lot too. And your garden is already off to a wonderful start.
“Well, that’s what I’ve done all my life! I better be good at it!”
Hm, you have a point, I suppose.
“Go on, go on. I’m sure you have better things to do than watch me.”
Hmm… Jaimie? Have you seen Han?
“Hm? Oh, hello Watcher. No, I haven’t. Fishing’s pretty good today. Got a couple angelfish for ya.”
Excellent! Thank you! I hope Han realizes how lucky he is to have both you and Kade.
“No thanks needed. Most Sims would do just about anything to be Watched, including become part of a Dynasty.”
Yes, though not sure Han feels the same.
“Give him time. He’ll thank you eventually.”
Hm… We’ll see. Anyway, thanks, Jaimie!
She waved, then buckled down when she felt a bite on the line.
There you are! You look- deep in thought.
“Can’t a Simlien take a bath in peace!?”
I’m your Watcher. I told you that. Are you alright?
He didn’t say anything for a moment, then exploded, “Alright? Alright! Of course I’m not alright! I was framed for a crime I didn’t commit. I was tried and sentenced by my own father! I still don’t know who did it! And, if that isn’t enough, I have been exiled to a backward planet and my only chance to MAYBE regain what is rightfully mine, to clear my name, is by doing something that sounds almost impossible!”
Are you finished?
“Um… yeah, I guess.”
Ok then. No one promised that life was fair. Why do you assume that you are an exception to that? Now, as I said before, I cannot make a determination of your guilt or innocence. I can only Watch, and to guide, when appropriate, when the Rules allow. This is your journey, Han. I cannot make it for you. Now, have you changed your mind?
He was silent for a long moment, then cleared his throat. “N-no…”
Then what is it?
“Can you please go somewhere else so I can- uh, get out of the bathtub now?”
Oh… right… Carry on! I’ll just be… away, if you need me.
Han… what are you doing?
“What does it look like?”
It looks like you plan on using very sharp tools… in your boxers.
“What? I got this!”
Riiiight… and that’s why the chisel is now sticking out of the floor between your feet…
He straightened up, trying for some dignity. “I uh… maybe I’ll get dressed, then work on this.”
Yeah… good idea.
“You look like you’re feelin’ a bit better, lad,” Kade observed.
“Yeah, I think I’m getting a handle on things. If I want to get to the bottom of this, I just have to buckle down.”
“That’s a good attitude, lad. And don’t worry, you aren’t alone.”
“Thank you, for that, truly Kade. You and Jaimie have been wonderful and I don’t think I’ve really thanked you for that. Nor can I ever repay you.”
Kade slapped him on the back. “No thanks or repayment are necessary. Just keep your eye on your goals and do your best. That’s all anyone can ask of you.”
Han laughed. “I’m going to go for a jog, finish clearing my head, I think.”
“Go on then, lad. Jaimie and I can fend for ourselves. I made some food and it’s in the fridge for when you get back.”
You’ve been doing well the last few days, Han. The garden is progressing nicely, thanks to Kade and Jaimie has caught several angelfish already. You’re progressing through your aspirations and almost have enough for the Connections reward.
“Ok, so what does all that mean?”
Soon as you have the Connections reward, you can join a career. Have you thought about what you want to do?
He grinned, something in his expression worrying. “Astronaut, of course.”
Han! You can’t go back! You will be fired upon!
“You just let me worry about that,” he said, his expression hard. Then he grinned. “I won’t do anything until I know who it was, alright?”
Han, you are forbidden to go back!
“Yeah, yeah, Watcher. Whatever you say. I’m going to head out for a bit. I’m going a little stir-crazy, going to stretch my legs. Like you said, things are moving along.” Before the Watcher could say anything, he was heading out.
“Hm, Windenburg, eh? Seems a nice enough town. Oo, the gym! Think this is just what I need. And look, that pool looks great!”
He’d been spending his time not just on this Dynasty business. He’d spent a lot of time learning about the Sims and the planet he had found himself on.
The water was perfect as he slid into it. There was something about swimming that allowed one to just let it all- empty out.
Once he was done with his laps, Han hoisted himself out of the pool. “Hello, handsome. What brings you out here?”
Han stopped. “Hm?” The girl was cute, and not even just for a Sim.
She laughed. “A man of few words, huh?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Just got a lot on my mind.”
The two chatted for a while and Han moved off, deep in thought. He’d felt something in the pit of his stomach while talking to her. Was he attracted to her? He supposed it was possible. Other than Jaimie and Kade, he hadn’t had contact with any other Sim. Deciding to fix that, Han began to introduce himself to those he met at the gym.
He had quite the conversation with a Sim named Marcus Flex. He had some great tips on working out.
There was another young lady whose name he didn’t get, though she was another lovely Sim.
But all that went away when he laid his eyes on another young woman. He had no trouble remembering her name at all. What was this feeling? It was no longer this subtle feeling in the pit of his stomach, but felt like a full-blown- explosion? He went down to the locker rooms to grab his stuff and he knew by the tingling between his shoulder blades that she was there and she was definitely looking at him.
As he went to the locker, he felt a hand on his arm. When he turned, there was, smiling, one corner turned up higher than the other. She didn’t say a word, simply handed him a piece of paper and then turned and walked away. He stared at it for a moment. It read ‘Ulrike Faust’ and then it had her number on it. He didn’t even bother getting dressed, simply went upstairs and then outside. He took out his phone and entered her number, just staring at it for a moment.
“Hey Han! Thought you were gonna be right behind me! Get distracted by some of the gals?”
“Wha? Oh, hey Marcus! Yeah, sorry about that. You settled in already?”
“Sure am,” Marcus agreed. “Thanks for havin’ me.”
“The more the merrier,” Han murmured, still a bit dazed. He needed to clear his head. He got up and wandered off. Marcus shrugged.
So, did you enjoy your time out?
“Hm? Oh, hi Watcher. Yeah, I guess I did.” He pursed his lips as he looked at his next move.
Hm, well then. I’ll make sure that our newest household member settles in well. Good find, just so you know. I’ll leave you to it.
Han waved her away, his thoughts not on his chess technique. Instead, he was thinking of a certain green-eyed, tattooed lady.
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