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DaniRose2143's avatar
8 days ago

Tartosan Sun: Journeys

Welcome to my reboot of Under The Tartosan Sun.🙂 The original story was my first try at writing SimLit. It's been crazy fun and I've learned and grown so much since April '22 when this journey started. These characters are very special to me and I wanted to start again and use all that I've learned in that time to make their story even better. Since I was starting over I wanted to go back in time. Back to when Danielle, Londyn, and the others were just graduating high school and embarking on adulthood. Before Danielle and Londyn, Liberty and Matteo, and Summer and Darian met and fell in love in Tartosa. For some it’s university. For others it’s chasing their dreams along a different path. 

The early chapters are going to explore what made each of them who they are. It's also a chance to right a few wrongs. Things like the characters too perfect lives. Romantic relationships that went from 0 to soulmates in no time. Secondary characters and storylines that went nowhere. I'm also bringing a character over from another story that is on hiatus, and for all intents and purposes done. Johnny Zest/Mimi Eleganza/The Lady Mimi is one of my favorites and many readers have mentioned how much they enjoyed the character as well. 

I'll be updating and adding new character bios as time goes by. For now I'm starting out with two bios, one for each group of roommates/dorm mates, Danielle, Summer, and Liberty, and Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy the story as much as I do writing it. ❤️

(L to R) Danielle Chabert / Liberty Lee / Summer Holiday 

 

Danielle, Summer, and Liberty have been friends for almost their entire lives. They met in the first grade and have been nearly inseparable ever since. So it's no surprise they're going to be dorm mates at Foxbury Institute.

Danielle comes from a creative family. Her mother is an accomplished painter and her dad is jazz musician playing in the clubs around Willow Creek. Though her mom pressured her to be an artist, painting was only a hobby. Danielle's dream is to be a romance novelist. 

Liberty's mom is an investment banker and her father is a video game designer. Liberty is an avid gamer and daddy's girl who dreamt of being an astronaut when she was younger. Now she's fascinated by psychology and computers. She's doing a double major in psychology and computer science with hopes of becoming a forensic psychologist or cybersecurity expert.

 Summer was born to do one thing, cook. It's in her genes. Her mother and her mother's side of the family are almost all chefs. Her dad is a bandmate with Danielle's father so her family is steeped in the two things Willow Creek is most famous for, sinfully delicious food and hot jazz music. Her dream is to become a famous chef and own her own restaurants or have a tv cooking show. Maybe both.

(L to R) Venessa Jeong / Londyn Huntley / Johnny Landgraab-Mimi Eleganza-The Lady Mimi

Londyn, Venessa, and Johnny/Mimi all come from different backgrounds and different parts of the country. But they have a lot in common. All three on part of the LGBTQ community, Venessa and Londyn are lesbians, and Johnny/Mimi is trans/non-binary. They also dream of fame and fortune. 

Venessa grew up in Chestnut Ridge, but she always believed Del Sol Valley was where she was meant to be. She took advantage of every opportunity she could find to get in front of a crowd and perform. Growing up in a rural area those opportunities were few and far between. But she wasn't going to be deterred. Now she's accomplished the first objective, move to Del Sol Valley. Now the hard work begins. Venessa has the talent and determination to make it big.

Londyn is an island girl at heart. She grew up in sunny Sulani dreaming of stardom in faraway Del Sol Valley. Some of her earliest memories were of sitting with her mom watching the Starlight Accolades. And countless movies. As Londyn reached her teen years she knew early that she was attracted to other girls. It was a source of tension at times between her and her parents. They loved her but they didn't support her being out and proud. But through it all her parents supported her acting ambitions. Londyn has always dreamed big, now it's time to make those dreams come true.

Johnny/Mimi grew up in nearby Oasis Springs. From an early age there was a disconnect between their body and their heart and mind. Mimi never felt like the boy everyone else said they were. As the years passed and life at home and at school became nightmarish Mimi found an escape in the world of drag. Mimi idolized the performers. The club scene in Del Sol Valley is a Mecca for gender outlaws like Mimi and a launching pad from some of the world's top drag performers. A list Mimi is determined to add their name too.

Table of Contents:
Chapter One

  • Chapter One:

    The sounds of the city filled the air. The hum and roar of the traffic. The murmurs of a hundred conversations mingled with the music of the buskers and the pitches of the sidewalk hustlers. Del Sol Valley’s entertainment district was a long way from the quiet life of Sulani, but there was no place else Londyn wanted to be more than right here, right now.  She was there to meet Venessa and sit down with their prospective roommate.

    They had placed an ad on the Del Sol Pride website. There had been a few replies but so far no one that they had felt comfortable sharing their house with. They had chosen to meet at a coffee shop on Starlight Boulevard. It was Londyn’s favorite place to grab a latte when she is in this part of town. It was more than the luscious combination of espresso and milk that drew her here. It was the proximity to her dreams. Next door to the coffee shop was the hall that hosted the Starlight Accolades. She’d watched the Accolades with her mom back in Sulani, even after she came out and things sometimes got awkward between them. She never stopped dreaming of standing in that spotlight one day and receiving her own Accolades trophy. The next block over from the coffee shop also held the ‘Walk of Fame’. Someday her star would be there too.

    She stood there lost in her thoughts and dreams while the world swirled around her. A familiar voice broke through the spell. “I’ve always wanted to hear them call my name from that stage. ‘And the winner of the Starlight Accolade for best acting, Venessa Jeong!’” 

    “Hey ’Nessa” she said as she turned and hugged her friend. “Someday that will be us in there.” 

    “Yeah someday. We'll arrive in limos like that one." Venessa nodded towards the nearby black stretch. "There'll be crowds screaming our names. Photographers snapping our pictures."

    "And we'll be dressed in the best designer gowns." Londyn struck a pose. "Designers will be lining to have us wear their latest creations on the red carpet."

    "Oh my god, look at the time." Venessa gasped. "C’mon we need to go meet our roomie. And I need my mocchiato.”

    Londyn arched a brow and gave her a look. “Sounds like you’ve made up your mind already.”

    “I’ve texted them twice and, yeah, I have a good feeling about this one. Think about it. It would be sooo awesome to have a queen living with us. The extra clothes, if they’re the right size. Someone new to swap hair and makeup tips with.”

    “Chill girl. Let’s see what they’re like first okay” Londyn laughed. It was so like Venessa to get overly excited. Londyn and Venessa had only known each other for a few months but they formed a fast, effortless friendship. Venessa’s personality was magnetic. The fact that she was gorgeous didn’t hurt either. She pushed those thoughts away. She’d worry about them later. Time to focus on their reason for being here. They needed to find a roommate, and fast.

    As they started towards the door, every step brought the aromas of caramel, vanilla, and roasted arabica beans seeped into their consciousness. As they rounded the corner Venessa and their guest spotted each other in the same instant. She handled the introductions before Londyn ducked in to get their orders. Venessa found a nice spot where they could sit and talk and get to know each other. She really had a good feeling they had found their roommate. They enjoyed the beautiful mid-morning sunshine and the light breeze that flowed between the buildings like an unseen river. It was going to be a beautifully cool, comfortable day. The searing heat of summer, where Del Sol Valley gave everyone a taste of what it was like to be dinner, was still a few weeks away. They passed the time with small talk like they’d known each other forever.

    Londyn arrived a few minutes later with their drinks. A skinny mocha for Mimi, double half-caf macchiato with cold milk for Venessa, and for herself the usual caramel latte. For a few minutes the small talk continued as they compared notes on favorite flavors. Mimi told them who they thought had the best of what in different parts of the city.

    “So you’re from Del Sol Valley?” Londyn asked.

    “No, Oasis Springs.” Mimi paused for a sip of skinny mocha. “It’s a suburb. It’s close enough that my family is always coming into the city so I know my way around. Since we’re sharing where are you from.”

    “I was born and raised in Sulani” Londyn said. "This is my first time living outside of the islands."

    “And I’m from Chestnut Ridge.” Venessa could see the question forming. "Where's that?" is a common reply. “It’s in the middle of nowhere. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful. I loved growing up there, but I’m a city girl.” 

    The conversation turned to talk of what drew the two of them to Del Sol Valley. For Londyn and Venessa it was the dream of movie stardom. For now they were working side hustles to pay the bills, looking for small roles in commercials or local theater. 

    “Both of us have applied to Judith Ward’s acting school” Londyn said. “For me it was either that or UBrite for a drama degree. Maybe someday I’ll go get that degree if I decide to try directing.”

    Venessa took a big sip of her macchiato while Londyn spoke. “For me it’s always been about Judith’s school. I’m a huge fan of hers and I always knew I wanted to be an actor. Why not learn from the best?” 

    “I’m like Venessa, acting is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do. Between my wanting to be an actor and being an out and proud lesbian it created some drama with my parents. Especially my mom.”

    Mimi could relate to that last part. “For me it’s all about breaking away and finding my true self. I know what you mean about family drama. But that’s a story for another day.” Mimi smiled and gathered themself before the emotions could bubble up. “The other part of it, Del Sol Valley is a Mecca for drag artists, besides being a place where I can feel safe to explore who I am. My look changes a lot. It’s no secret that I’m gender fluid.” Mimi put their best feminine flourish on motioning to their outfit. Everyone had a giggle. Londyn and Venessa shared a look that said Mimi was exactly the roommate they were looking for. Mimi read the look. “I have to warn you” they said with a playful head flip as if tossing invisible tresses, “I’m going to need a lot of closet space.” The laughter that followed had heads turning to see what happened.

    “Just curious, how many clothes do you have? You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to” Venessa said apologetically.

    “Be careful” Londyn said, “Her real name is Venessa Croft, Closet Raider.” 

    “Haha.” She balled up her napkin and tossed it at Londyn. “I always put things back.”

    “Yeah…eventually. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea Mimi. You never have to ask her more than two or three times where your clothes are.”

    “I always wash them before I put them back.” 

    Mimi laughed at the banter. It was wonderful to be part of a moment like this. Seen, accepted, and made to feel like one of the girls. “I have my everyday clothes. I have my outfits for my act. Wigs and makeup for both my act and everyday. And shoes. Lots of shoes. I don’t have a club where I perform at as a regular yet. So I have to keep my wigs and makeup at home.” 

    The three of them sat there sipping their drinks and enjoying the perfect weather. They talked about their dreams and a little bit about their struggles. They didn’t go very far down that road. There would be plenty of time for that later. Venessa and Londyn knew they’d found their roommate. They’d found more than that too. They found a kindred spirit. Mimi’s road was different than their’s, but they had the same love of performing and knew the joy and heartbreak of being out and proud.

    Londyn was buzzing on caffeine and good vibes. “All that’s left is to ask when can you move in?”, she said. “We’re so happy to have you move in with us.”

    “I agree. It’s going to be awesome!” Venessa squealed. “So I’m guessing you’re what…a size 6?”

    • Ellupelluellu's avatar
      Ellupelluellu
      Hero

      Very nice episode! 😊

      Good to see this trio gets along so well, they will have fun time at college 😃

    • oolonglong's avatar
      oolonglong
      Seasoned Vanguard

      Great to see how well they “click” together.

    • simgirl1010's avatar
      simgirl1010
      Hero

      Dani's back! Kept me engrossed from the first sentence. Eager to see how they progress in Judith's class.

  • What fun to meet everyone again and have a chance to learn how their characters and experiences contribute to their life choices. 

    • DaniRose2143's avatar
      DaniRose2143
      Hero

      Thank you both so much. Sadly chapter one was eaten by the forum this morning. Unless the forum spits it back out I will repost it after work.😁

  • oolonglong's avatar
    oolonglong
    Seasoned Vanguard

    It’s wonderful to be reintroduced to all of your characters again, I’m looking forward to their stories!

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