zosa95

[zosa95]

🍁Harvest Day Evening🍂

[zosa95]

Clearly, simming and posting on Tumblr have slipped down my priority list. But it will always be a love of mine that I engage in, even if my activity is sporadic and my progression is slow.

I will continue through Mirabel's growing years until she reaches legacy age. And I will continue Gemma's story until I bring about her soft "ending." Her story has taken a more somber turn, but I don't regret it. This feels like an authentic journey for all of the characters.

That said, I do miss writing a light, steamy romance. So, I was inspired to create a side story (not to be posted here) that has consumed me. It's a Gemma and Markus romance. They met four years earlier (than my Tumblr story) and have less traumatic histories. Maybe one day, this will transition into a proper novel. But for now, I'm over 12,000 words in and still happily writing.

I created a banner for the story:

And for funsies, I asked ChatGPT to make me a book cover:

[zosa95]

[zosa95]

Ask Game: List 5 things that make you happy, then put this in the ask box for the last 10 people who liked or reblogged something from you! get to know your mutuals and followers :)

Air con. No, seriously; this is at the top of my list today. I went to the garden center and came out feeling like I'd had a holiday in hell. The temp was 91F (32.78C) and "feels like" 103F (39.44) And 64% humidity 🔥🥵🤬 Air con in the car, air con in the next store, and air con in my home 🙌🏻

Boba tea. Before I went to the garden center, I purchased a lychee fruit tea (50% sugar as I don't like it super sweet) with boba. After I came out of the garden center, I sucked that baby down like I worked the streets and it was my job.

Electrolyte drinks to restore my balance after dripping with sweat.

Sonic ice to pour my drinks over.

Ceiling fans running 24/7 to keep me from being stabby.

Bonus happy: the stunning orange glow knockout roses I bought today.

[zosa95]

[zosa95]

List 5 facts about your favorite sim. Then, send this to 10 simblrs whose sims you adore.

Francesca Jane Langford Cantone

Chessie's sexuality is best described as Énassexual. Énassexual is a micro-label on the asexual spectrum defined as someone who only feels sexual attraction to one individual in their lifetime. The only person she's sexually attracted to is her husband, Marcello.

That said, Chessie understands what is conventionally and socially sexually attractive. Hence her teasing Gemma by saying, "Well done," about Gemma's marriage to Markus. However, as an artist, she finds unconventional beauty most striking: a hook nose, a crooked smile, pockmarks, etc.

Chessie has a hard-to-define relationship with Jude. They are a combination of sibling-esque, (nonsexual) soulmates, and best friends. They talk on the phone or text five to ten times a week. While an occasional conversation may be deep, they often talk about mundane things. Chessie might call him about the 'perfect' tomatoes she found at the farmer's market and the Pomodoro sauce she made. Jude might call to tell her about a drawing one of his kids made. Their conversations may last five minutes, given they are busy parents.

With her parents and older sister all uni-educated, Chessie also felt pressured into attending. Her uni days lasted one semester. She came home homesick, hated being away from Marcello, and told her parents that she knew more about art than her professors.

Chessie is a capable cook but has no passion for it. With owning a gallery and her parents living on the same property, Chessie is more than willing to let her mom cook most of the meals. She dislikes baking because you can't just throw in ingredients without measuring. But Marcello loves to bake, so there is no shortage of baked goods around the house for their three children.

[zosa95]

Markus: Are you nervous?

Gemma: Yeah.

Gemma: I can't figure out how to greet him. Or what to call him.

Markus: I wasn't sure what to do when I met Aisla. It felt so awkward.

Gemma: My father is a stranger to me, but I have faint memories. And there are the alteravita dreams.

Markus: Dreams? Have there been more than one?

Gemma: Yeah. The first one was really tough. I dreamed about what happened and then what should have happened when he found out about me. There were bees.

Markus: Bees attacked you?

Gemma: No. They were like little guides. I mean, they didn't talk to me or anyone. They were just there during pivotal moments. That sounds stupid, doesn't it?

Markus: Not really. You are the most bee-obsessed person I know. It makes sense they'd be in your dreams, too. You didn't tell me about the first dream.

Gemma: You'd left work early for me and then needed to go out of town. I didn't want to make a fuss.

Markus: You don't have to tell me everything you dream about, but stop holding everything in because you're worried about me.

Pot, kettle, black, Markus thought. He had no right to chide her over something he was doing. He desperately wanted to clear the air with Gemma. Markus felt like there was a widening breach between them. But finding the right time seemed impossible. She had fainted, for fuck's sake. There was so much to process that she was struggling without him dumping his misery on her.

[zosa95]

So damn adorable 🥰

[zosa95]

Abuelo is frequently in the neighborhood.

[zosa95]

There's a wrong way and a right way.

[zosa95]

Edith: I guess we need to work out your cover story. What if he's into genealogy and wants to know about your military service or marriage?

B'zad: I'd love to tell him the truth, but I'm afraid it would hurt everyone in the long run. My papers are in order. I didn't have any other biological children. He has parents, so I don't think much will be expected of us.

Edith: Fair point. He'll probably want to satisfy his curiosity and get on with his life. And if he asks questions about your military life, I'll just start talking about being in a commune.

Edith slapped her thigh and cackled.

Edith: Gemma is our granddaughter. She's a bit uptight, but she's one helluva survivor. And she gets her good looks from me.

Jude knew who it was when his phone chimed three times in a row. He chuckled to himself as he pulled it from his pocket.

[text messages] Chessie: Oh! My! God! Chessie: you will never believe what happened! Chessie: never ever ever

Jude grinned; it was time to have some fun.

[text messages] Jude: Wait! Looking in my crystal ball! Jude: wooooooooooo Jude: You have a new sister?

[text messages] Chessie: You know? Chessie: you knew b4 me? Chessie: And didnt tell me? Chessie: I'm going to kill u

Jude laughed as his phone rang.

Jude: New phone, who dis?

Chessie: Juuuuuude! How long have you known? How long have you kept this a secret from me? You didn't even fucking tell me you knew Gemma Wilde, the actress. You let me go on and on about the celebrity that bought paintings from me in August and didn't say a damn word! Traitor!

Jude: I didn't know she was your sister for very long. Just days. And I've mentioned my neighbor Gem plenty of times.

Chessie: J-I-M, you said Jim!

Jude: You made assumptions. You know what happens when you assume you make an ass--

Jude cackled when Chessie let loose a stream of Tartosan curses. He wasn't sure, but she might have said his balls would shrivel up and fall off on the next full moon.

Jude: You kiss your nonna with that mouth?

Chessie: I will throttle you the next time I see you. Do you have her phone number?

Jude: Yeah. But give her some time before you jump in with both feet, Ches. She is pretty overwhelmed. And she was hosting fourteen for lunch today. She's prolly knackered. Your parents are coming to tell Lydia and see Gemma. Let your dad connect with her first.

Chessie: (thoughtfully) You sound protective of her. I like that. It means she's a good person.

Jude: She is. And you two will be the very best of friends. The world should be terrified about that.

Chessie: I can't wait.

[zosa95]

[zosa95]

💗~ Family ~💗

[zosa95]

Edith: Aloha, missy, Happy Eat-Til-You-Burst Day.

Gemma laughed.

Gemma: I can barely move, and Jakob is kicking me for all the jalapeno poppers I ate.

Edith: It'll put hair on his chest!

Gemma: Wouldn't that be hilarious! Um, is there any way I can talk to you and Brad at the same time? It's about your baby.

Edith: Sure thing, honey. Hey, how do I get this thing on speaker?

Gemma listened as Brad came to help, and Edith complained about new-fangled phones because back in her day...

B'zad: Hello, Gemma.

Gemma: Hello, Brad! I might have big news for the two of you. First, I have questions. What day was your son born? How old would he be now? Were there any other Ediths giving birth? What do you remember of his adoptive parents?

Edith: He was born on April twelfth and is fifty-six years old. There weren't any other Ediths that I can remember. The man had dark hair and a mustache. The woman had dark blonde hair.

Gemma: I'm positive that I've found him. However, we should do a DNA test to confirm it.

B'zad: How did you locate him?

Gemma: My neighbor adopted him fifty-six years ago in Cavalier Cove. She said she knew his mother was seventeen years old, and her name was Edith.

Edith: (weakly) Oh, my lands.

Gemma: And there's more.

B'zad: More?

Gemma: I've just discovered that he's my father.

No one said anything for a long moment.

Gemma: Brad? Edith? Are you okay?

B'zad: I'm in shock. And I think Edith is broken. I've never seen her speechless before.

Edith: Oh, you, hush. I love you to bits, Gemma, but don't start calling me "Granny."

Gemma: (laughing) Understood. His name is Edward. He's coming to town to meet me. If it's okay, I'd like to tell him about the two of you. I'll call Mari to help with DNA tests. Hopefully, we can push for rapid results.

Edith: Yeah, let's do that. This is pretty wild, and I'm thrilled. Although he's kinda dumb if he hooked up with your mom. But that's a young man for you, always thinking with their dick.

Gemma: Eh, my mom was a master manipulator. And I wouldn't be surprised to learn that too much alcohol was involved. He didn't know about me until I was almost three. My mom threatened unspeakable things to keep him away from me.

B'zad: (soberly) I'm sorry you endured that.

Gemma: Me too, but the past can't be changed.

[zosa95]

Pinterest Blind Date Tag Game

Thanks for tagging me @bakersimmer 💛

Rules: pinterest is setting you up on a blind date! search the following and post the results: fictional character, date, gift, outfit, dessert, love quote

Tagging, but feel free to ignore: @dresdendarlin @igglemouse @cliosimming @rebouks @lynzishell @nectar-cellar @necile

[zosa95]

Gemma: Before we settle in, I should call Edith and Brad. I should talk to them before I talk to my-- Ed. I don't know what to say. What if I'm wrong? What if there were many Ediths who had birthed baby boys? Edith isn't a rare name for that generation.

Markus: Possibly? But unlikely. Do you know Ed's birthdate?

Gemma: No. Maybe Jude knows?

Gemma grabbed her phone and fired off a text.

Gemma: when was my dad born? Jude: Lemme see if I can figure it out from Ches Simsta

Gemma waited impatiently.

Jude: April 12, and he's 56. Gemma: ta Gemma: hpy harvest day Jude: Anytime Jude: 🦃🥧

Gemma: Okay. I have a date. Now I need to call.

Markus: I'll turn the TV off.

Gemma: Nah! Enjoy the game. I'll go to the kitchen, and I'll bring back snacks.

Markus: (groaning) I don't know if I can eat another bite today. That was an amazing meal.

Gemma: It wasn't too bad having them all over, was it?

Markus: It was alright. I'm happy they are gone, though.

[zosa95]

Future Story Snippet

Thank you for the tag @lynzishell 💗

Since I am so damn slow at posting these days, I'll offer snippets from three future scenes/posts.

[phone call] Jude: You made assumptions. You know what happens when you assume you make an ass-- Jude cackled when Chessie let loose a stream of Tartosan curses. He wasn't sure, but she might have said his balls would shrivel up and fall off on the next full moon. Jude: You kiss your nonna with that mouth? Chessie: I will throttle you the next time I see you. Do you have her phone number?

Gemma: (hesitantly) I'm not sure how much to share. Edward: (firmly) Everything. Gemma: (rapidly) It was a free love commune. The leader, Cosmo, was the love of her life. He died of cancer, and she left the commune after that. She has mentioned orgies. She thinks I'm uptight because I've never engaged in a threesome, and I protested when she shared her fantasies of Markus-- Markus: Gem-ma, that part could have been left out!

Markus spotted Madison -- the company's young protegee, as suggested by Erik-- chatting on the sidewalk with another woman. Madison's hacking skills were beyond her years; Markus was relieved she was on his team, not an opponent. Her youth and enthusiasm invigorated his team, and Markus could find little to no fault in her other than her explaining slang and trends to him like he was ninety-three years old instead of thirty-three. As Markus drew closer, he realized that the woman Madison was with was the same woman he'd seen with Beatrice. Madison stared hard at Markus as if she were sending him a signal. The other woman turned and offered a coy smile.

Tagging: @dresdendarlin @cliosimming @sirianasims @bakersimmer @queeniecook @rebouks @miss-may-i and YOU! (participation optional)