Under The Tartosan Sun

When I created Allegra one of the attributes I felt she had is a sharp wit. I'm still learning her nuances and as I was writing that scene that line just came flowing out. I felt like it was her making a self deprecating joke about how she and Francesca dress so stylishly. Now that she's living outside the bubble she grew up in she senses strangers first impressions of her is one of snobbery because of the image her look conjures in most people's minds. People in Tartosa know the Rossi's and they know they're not snobs. People in places like Windenburg don't know anything about the Rossi's. They draw their own conclusions and Allegra is self conscious about it. That is a small part of why she misses Tartosa so much. People know who she is under the designer labels and she's comfortable there. Its home, and her heart has never left.

I feel the same way. I don't really like a lot of the personas Maxis gave the premades, and her's was one of the worst. I guess that childish version bugs you and me more.?

Liberty is the character who has changed and evolved the most so far and I don't think she's done by any means. She has been repressed in a way throughout her childhood and teen years. She also had a close relationship with her dad who is a video game designer. That's where she developed her love of video games and developed her tomboy persona. If she hadn't been so caught up in the gaming bug she probably would have joined in more with Danielle and Summer as they explored their femininity. She would have joined in when they were spending an afternoon, or an evening, playing around with hair, makeup, and clothes. Part of her wanted too, but the lure of video games was stronger. She was in the room with them but glued to her games. Sometimes she'd put the games down and join in. Most of the time she'd just talk while they each did their own thing. Danielle and Summer brought her along on their nights out and then left her by herself while they chased the boys and vice versa. They were wrong for treating Liberty like that, and they've admitted they were wrong for allowing that to happen. Danielle as we have since learned was caught up in her own self denial at that point too.

The incident with Travis turned everything inside out. Then she realized her dream of being an astronaut was never going to happen. That set off the cascade of events that led her to where she is and made her who she is now. She's discovering who she is and also going back and experiencing things that she missed out on growing up, by her choice. Some of those things may stick and become part of who she'll be, some might not. Matteo is a bit bewildered by it all, but it's not that much different than his own journey. The only difference is Liberty's journey is far less destructive than his was. The best thing that happened to Matteo was Liberty and now the best thing that ever happened to Liberty is Matteo. He's there for her but he's also giving her space and support to go and explore these new facets of her personality. He will always be there for her and that she doesn't have to change anything to please him, that he will love her no matter what. Any changes she makes she should make because it's what she wants to do for herself. The same thing Francesca and Allegra told her too. She is surrounded by a large support network of people who want her to be happy and feel loved.