"What should we call this?"...the making of a Sims story
Sul sul, Simmers.
It's the holiday season, and it seems like as good a time as any to share my humble attempt at Sims storytelling with all of you.
My twelve-year-old daughter, Z, is my Sims buddy. This summer, we discovered how much we enjoy creating Simworlds and bringing them to life together. We have fun browsing the Gallery for houses and households we like. We especially enjoy creating characters in CAS and saving them to the Library, where they live until we summon them to the stage.
I tried my hand at Simlit twice before. One attempt lasted a single post; the premise behind the story didn't work as well as I'd hoped. The other began with much more promise, with main characters who seemed to have enough chemistry to sustain a good, old-fashioned love story. Then, just like that, the chemistry fizzled quicker than a cheap Spice Festival firework. So did my story.
This time, I'm taking a different approach. I've tried to type the sentence in which I describe this approach at least seven times, and I've backspaced over every single one. Let's just call it "The Making of a Sims Story." I suppose it's as much of a journal as anything else. I envision myself sharing with you some of the experiences my daughter and I have playing The Sims together as well as the events that unfold in our game. You'll meet some of the characters we've created, several of which have been with us since our first TS4 save. Some of them are based on real people; some have been inspired by characters we've found in other stories; some are our very own.
We have no idea whether our game will generate a story worth telling or not. I hope it will, because we'll have much more fun if that's the case. We might all decide it's not much fun to see exactly how the sausage is made. My use of that figure of speech elicited an "ewwwww" from Z, who is seated beside me on the sofa, wrapped up in a holiday plaid blanket.
I'm taking this step because Z and I have experienced an uncommon amount of kindness on this forum. So many virtual spaces are toxic. This one could not be more different. Simply put, it's a fun place to hang out and spend time, and a place where I'd like to settle in and do some writing.
In my next post, I'll set the stage for you. I'll introduce you to our main character, and tell you a bit about the world in which the story will take place. I hope we'll all enjoy it.
The last thing I added to this post was the title. Neither Z nor I could come up with anything to put in the Discussion Title box, and I couldn't proceed without filling it in. It turned out that when Z asked me what we should call it, she answered her own question better than I could.
"SweetieWright_84;c-18137111" wrote: Welcome back! I'm glad to hear you and your family are feeling better. I wondered why I hadn't seen you around.
Another great chapter and such a happy twist to where I thought it was going to go. I'm sure Marcia is more than shocked though. I know I would be. :)
@SweetieWright_84 Thank you so much! When a family lives by the academic calendar, late May/early June is NOT a good time to be out of commission. It's wonderful to feel like things are normal again!
MCCC rolled a pregnancy for Marcia, and we usually undo the things MCCC tries to do to our core families. We're still figuring out exactly how to set MCCC up, tweaking one setting and then another. But when we remembered Marcia had been weary and ill, we decided MCCC had helped us create a story line by coming up with a plausible reason for her illness.
And as for being shocked, all of us with teenaged kids could relate to that reaction...... :)
I think I might have figured out why I hadn't been in the mood to write much, or even play our story save, lately. If you're not interested in my thought process, please feel free to skip this post. I'll place my musings behind a spoiler tag. :)
Last night, I went back and read the first post I made in this thread, the one in which I described what I'd be writing about. I wasn't really sure what direction the story would take, but I thought I'd bring anyone who cared to read about it along for the ride. We followed our lead Sim, Cameron, as he lived his Sim-life through the game. We gave him a backstory and a family, but we had no idea what might happen next. The game took the lead.
While Z and I were playing and I was writing, we discovered all kinds of other Simlit stories, told by some amazing writers and storytellers. Some of them--some of you, rather--can create stories that are absolutely professional-quality, with gripping plots and engaging characters.
Aha, I told myself, so THAT's how you write Simlit!
This spring, Z and I began thinking of intriguing storylines we could add to WSWCT. Some of them were actually pretty good; good enough that we thought they could be worth writing about. But when it came time to boot up the game and play through these storylines, neither Z nor I was in the mood to do it. I couldn't figure out why, because we'd both had such fun up to this point.
Then it dawned on me. I like letting the game drive the story, rather than using the game to illustrate a story I've already written in my mind. I know some Simlit authors use the latter approach, and they're very good at it. Some of you have commented on our story here.
I'm definitely one who prefers doing the former.
So, Z and I are going to step back and let our Sims take the lead again. The result will be a "slice of life" story, driven by the development of Cameron's character...but I've decided I like telling that kind of story.
We've added some Sims to the cast who are mean, selfish, and manipulative; Seth Turner and the Atwood sisters for example. They'll probably do enough bad things to add some conflict to the story without us having to force it.
"MoonlightGraham;c-18137906" wrote: I think I might have figured out why I hadn't been in the mood to write much, or even play our story save, lately. If you're not interested in my thought process, please feel free to skip this post. I'll place my musings behind a spoiler tag. :)
Last night, I went back and read the first post I made in this thread, the one in which I described what I'd be writing about. I wasn't really sure what direction the story would take, but I thought I'd bring anyone who cared to read about it along for the ride. We followed our lead Sim, Cameron, as he lived his Sim-life through the game. We gave him a backstory and a family, but we had no idea what might happen next. The game took the lead.
While Z and I were playing and I was writing, we discovered all kinds of other Simlit stories, told by some amazing writers and storytellers. Some of them--some of you, rather--can create stories that are absolutely professional-quality, with gripping plots and engaging characters.
Aha, I told myself, so THAT's how you write Simlit!
This spring, Z and I began thinking of intriguing storylines we could add to WSWCT. Some of them were actually pretty good; good enough that we thought they could be worth writing about. But when it came time to boot up the game and play through these storylines, neither Z nor I was in the mood to do it. I couldn't figure out why, because we'd both had such fun up to this point.
Then it dawned on me. I like letting the game drive the story, rather than using the game to illustrate a story I've already written in my mind. I know some Simlit authors use the latter approach, and they're very good at it. Some of you have commented on our story here.
I'm definitely one who prefers doing the former.
So, Z and I are going to step back and let our Sims take the lead again. The result will be a "slice of life" story, driven by the development of Cameron's character...but I've decided I like telling that kind of story.
We've added some Sims to the cast who are mean, selfish, and manipulative; Seth Turner and the Atwood sisters for example. They'll probably do enough bad things to add some conflict to the story without us having to force it.
I don't consider myself a writer, and I most certainly have never written anything that would be considered Simlit but I do understand getting caught up in the story and driving it instead of letting the game do the work. Some of my favorite households have been those where the game made the decisions rather than me making them.
I play out stories in the game, I just don't write them down. I've learned, for me, starting with a loose backstory and let the game (and my mods) do what they do. If I plan an entire story out, I usually rush to the good part and get bored.
Another thing I've learned recently is, stop forcing my story to progress when my original goal was reached.
For example, The Green and Hill families, which you may be familiar with from my save. I played Sophie and Jack's relationship from the beginning as teens. I played all through Sophie's pregnancy and the ups and downs of the relationship. I ended the story when she and Jack got back together.
Jack and Sophie had the happy ending I had envisioned for them when I created them but I didn't see a need to continue their story from there. Some stories are meant to be short.
I tend to let the game play out the results and then write it up afterwards. I steer events a little bit, but the main trick is to make what happens in the game work logically with what's been told in the story so far.
"MoonlightGraham;c-18137906" wrote: I think I might have figured out why I hadn't been in the mood to write much, or even play our story save, lately. If you're not interested in my thought process, please feel free to skip this post. I'll place my musings behind a spoiler tag. :)
Last night, I went back and read the first post I made in this thread, the one in which I described what I'd be writing about. I wasn't really sure what direction the story would take, but I thought I'd bring anyone who cared to read about it along for the ride. We followed our lead Sim, Cameron, as he lived his Sim-life through the game. We gave him a backstory and a family, but we had no idea what might happen next. The game took the lead.
While Z and I were playing and I was writing, we discovered all kinds of other Simlit stories, told by some amazing writers and storytellers. Some of them--some of you, rather--can create stories that are absolutely professional-quality, with gripping plots and engaging characters.
Aha, I told myself, so THAT's how you write Simlit!
This spring, Z and I began thinking of intriguing storylines we could add to WSWCT. Some of them were actually pretty good; good enough that we thought they could be worth writing about. But when it came time to boot up the game and play through these storylines, neither Z nor I was in the mood to do it. I couldn't figure out why, because we'd both had such fun up to this point.
Then it dawned on me. I like letting the game drive the story, rather than using the game to illustrate a story I've already written in my mind. I know some Simlit authors use the latter approach, and they're very good at it. Some of you have commented on our story here.
I'm definitely one who prefers doing the former.
So, Z and I are going to step back and let our Sims take the lead again. The result will be a "slice of life" story, driven by the development of Cameron's character...but I've decided I like telling that kind of story.
We've added some Sims to the cast who are mean, selfish, and manipulative; Seth Turner and the Atwood sisters for example. They'll probably do enough bad things to add some conflict to the story without us having to force it.
That's how I do UTTS. I let the game do the majority of the storytelling, I just take pictures. I have a rough outline of the story and an idea of where I want it go, but I give them leeway to surprise me. Danielle coming out as lesbian is a great example of something completely unexpected that changes the story and takes it places I didn't imagine.
There are moments were I'm wanting something in particular that I think would make a good screenshot to add context. If they're not doing that action, or it's one they're very unlikely to do on their own, I will step in and direct. Good example is when the whole group goes for one of their nights out. The game isn't likely to send all 6 at the same time so I set it up. Another was the beach scene with Danielle and Londyn and the one with Matteo and Liberty at the end of the last episode. I didn't do everything, but I sent them to the spot, positioned them and queued the first romantic gesture and let it go from there. I did step in and have Matteo plant that passionate kiss on Liberty, because the silly boy wasn't doing it on his own, and it felt like just the right gesture to seal their love.
@SweetieWright_84 @Kellogg_J_Kellogg @DaniRose2143 Thank you for your comments! All of you are storytellers whose tales, whether they're written down or shared through screenshots and vignettes, Z and I enjoy very much. All of you have followed WSWCT from the beginning, or close to it, too, so I value your insights greatly.
All of you see the value of letting the game "take the lead," so to speak. I've always directed my Sims to do things that support the story, such as teleporting in so I can get a screenshot of a conversation that Z and I decided to add to the story the game gave us. Sometimes it's as simple as noticing two Sims interacting randomly, and thinking "what could they be up to?"
It's not the only good way to write Simlit, but it's the one I like best. Thanks again for stopping in. My Sims mojo feels like it's returning. Z is staying up a little later tonight, because she and I are learning how to decorate houses. :)
When you’re in love, you see love wherever you are. If it wasn’t a line from a song, it should have been.
The day after his date with Angie, Cameron spoke to no fewer than seven of his friends about how the evening had gone. https://i.imgur.com/2FJ9Hej.png By a unanimous verdict, they declared that he should pursue this budding connection further. “I’ve known Cam for years,” Tim Horton said. “I’ve known Angie for a long time, too, but we didn’t socialize in high school. That’s entirely my fault. I missed out on making a good friend. I’m glad I can fix that now.” This honest admission, devoid of Tim’s usual good-natured bluster, summarized the way much of the Willow Creek gang felt about Angie.
Riding high on life, Cameron decided to explore some new pastimes. His grandparents’ home was filled with amenities he had barely noticed. There was a bar in the outdoor dining space, so Cam decided to learn the art of Mixology. https://i.imgur.com/wFqBwMr.png His friends from San Myshuno had told him about the climbing wall at the gym there, so he decided to give Rock Climbing a try. https://i.imgur.com/8VdsWds.png And, as you might expect, he found plenty of occasions to send sweet little texts to Angie, who was working more shifts than usual at T. Pose Medical. https://i.imgur.com/TQVKABr.png Cam and Angie had made plans to meet each other at the Humor & Hijinks Festival one cool, early summer evening, but Angie texted that afternoon with some unfortunate news.
I have to take an extra shift tonight. So sorry! Please go and have fun for me, ok? Not as much as if you were with me. Miss you already, he replied.
So Cameron would be flying solo that evening. He was disappointed, but he’d usually had fun on festival nights. And, as he pointed out, “doing things like that by myself feels different when it doesn’t happen all the time.”
Cameron grabbed something to eat, listened to a comedy routine, and set off some fireworks. He had fun, but by 9:00 or so, he was ready to head home. He thought he might sit outside at the fire pit and read a bit before bed.
As he was walking back to the train station, he heard two familiar voices, engaged in a happy-sounding conversation. He turned in the direction of the voice and smiled as he identified the speakers.
Kaitlynne Blanton had decided a night of Humor & Hijinks seemed like fun, too, so she’d come into the city from Willow Creek. Then, her evening took a more interesting turn when she encountered a new neighbor who had also decided to follow the lure of the city lights.
Christopher Pierce hadn’t lived in Willow Creek for very long. He’d moved there to take a job as an engineer with Obscure Logistics, and he was renting a house in Foundry Cove. Cameron met Christopher the day he moved in; the Rosses lived across the bridge from Christopher’s end of the neighborhood. The two young men got along well, bonding over a common passion for soccer. https://i.imgur.com/sfrapoW.png Kaitlynne and Christopher had met each other, too. She would have enjoyed it very much had Christopher kicked a soccer ball in her direction–she’d been a talented box-to-box midfielder for the Buckingham High girls side–but he didn’t know that. Kaitlynne had come over to Christopher’s house with the Welcome Wagon, and she’d approached him while he was fishing in the canal one evening. Tonight, Kaitlynne had barely left the train before she spotted Christopher, who was emerging from the Casbah Art Gallery. She smiled, waved, and hurried over to him, as quickly as she could in a pair of fashionable boots. https://i.imgur.com/vcIYMfi.png Cameron made his way across the plaza to greet them. I wonder if they came down here together? Cam asked himself.
Kaitlynne greeted Cameron with a friendly hug. “I’m going to have to start coming down to the Arts District more often. It’s where all the handsome men hang out.” Kait’s playful comment caused both of the guys to blush. “How did you like the festival?” Cameron asked them. “I haven’t made it there yet,” Kaitlynne admitted. “Neither have I,” Christopher added. “I was practicing painting at the Gallery.” “You paint?” Kaitlynne's eyes widened, and she smiled brightly. Chris stammered a bit. “Umm…not really,” he admitted. “That’s why I was practicing.” https://i.imgur.com/8tRBZQO.png Cameron chatted with them for a few more minutes before saying goodnight and boarding the train for Brindleton Bay.
Two days later, he had just finished a shift at work when his phone buzzed. It was a text from Christopher.
Want to meet me at the Willow Café? I’ll buy Cam smiled and texted him back. On my way. See you soon
By the time Cam got to the Café, Chris had gulped down two cups of coffee. Cameron sat down at a table, but Christopher was too keyed up to sit. “What’s got you so revved up?” Cameron asked him. “I need some advice.” “About…?” Christopher took a deep breath. “How to get rid of a crush.” Cameron paused for a moment. “Why do you want to do that? Is she unavailable or something?” “It’s not that. She’s…well, she’s way out of my league.” Wheels turned in Cameron's head. I know what’s going on now. “I know her, don’t I?” he asked. “It’s Kaitlynne,” Chris admitted. Cameron paused again. “Why do you think Kaitlynne wouldn’t be interested in you? You’re a really nice guy. You have a good job. You’ve got your act together.” Christopher shook her head. “Women like Kaitlynne don’t date Engineering Interns who work all the time and rent starter houses in Willow Creek. They date Masters of Machines who own engineering firms and own penthouses in San Myshuno.” Cam shook his head. “You’re selling yourself short, Chris…” “You don’t…” Cameron kept going. “And you know what? You’re selling Kaitlynne short too, if you think she’s going to be more impressed by a dude’s bank account than what’s inside him.” https://i.imgur.com/NDwTvXZ.png Now that Chris was listening, Cameron continued. “I’ve known Kaitlynne since we were in high school. Guess who she was dating then?” “A dude from UBrite or Foxbury.” “Nope. She didn’t date at all. None of the guys would ask her out, because they all figured she was dating a dude from UBrite or Foxbury.” Cameron smiled. “If you like her, ask her out.” Cameron channeled his inner Tim Horton. “Go for it. Carpe diem.” https://i.imgur.com/s7oImTC.png “I’m not really a carpe diem kind of guy,” Chris admitted. “I’m the guy who would translate the phrase instead of actually doing it.”
Then an idea popped into Cameron’s head, making him smile. “Kaitlynne is a really good friend of Angie's. I’ll invite her, you, and Kait over to my place for a cookout by the pool. Sound good?” https://i.imgur.com/ShqrKfE.png Chris mulled over Cameron’s idea. "Hmmm, that's not a bad idea." “No pressure. You’re both friends of mine, and Kait is friends with Angie. It won’t look like a setup.
Cameron grinned at his friend. “And even if it does, who says Kaitlynne would mind?”
While Marcia Eldridge was learning she was expecting a baby, her teenage son was, almost literally, in another world.
Jamie bolted his breakfast and hurried to the Magic Realm as quickly as he could. Now that school was out, he could dedicate most of his time to learning the art of Spellcasting. The aspiring wizard’s motives were honorable, to be sure. Jamie wanted to help his Mom more than anything. Still, the fact that there were perhaps a dozen other young trainees was turning out to be a wonderful bonus. A cute brunette named Shannon Christiansen introduced herself to Jamie, and the teenage acolytes began chatting amiably. The lesson book on the table in front of Jamie was ignored completely. https://i.imgur.com/zIuX0R4.png Simeon Silversweater watched Jamie and Shannon and shook his head. These kids think Spellcasting is a game. They’re more interested in…whatever they’re doing than learning magic. https://i.imgur.com/nVS5HKO.png The Sage strode across the room to the table where the teens were talking. He took a deep breath before speaking. He wasn’t truly angry with them, and Shannon, at least, was a very promising Spellcaster. Simeon wasn’t sure about Jamie yet. https://i.imgur.com/GNKI3Ya.png “It’s Jamie, isn’t it?” he asked the lad. “Yes, that’s right.” “Jamie, I understand completely why you want to associate with other young Spellcasters. Magic can be a lonely life, and it’s good to know that you’re not traveling the path you’ve chosen alone. However, the path is also a long and difficult one. If you’re going to reach your potential as a Caster–whatever that might be–you need to apply yourself much more diligently to your studies and training.” I’ve heard this before, Jamie said to himself. “Yes, Sir. I understand,” he said out loud. “I’ll see you around,” Shannon smiled sweetly at him, and Jamie felt his cheeks turn red.
Jamie didn’t like hearing that the mastery of magic was “long and difficult.” He needed to learn how to help his Mom sooner than that. He didn’t have months or years. He might not even have weeks. He sighed deeply and clasped his hands behind his head. How am I supposed to do this? He looked around the spacious room, filled with mystical decorations and strange objects, and then his eyes landed on a bookcase. Many of its shelves held weighty-looking volumes. Maybe there’s something in here, Jamie thought. This might be the wizarding version of looking online for a cheat code. He examined the tomes carefully, as if they would reveal their secrets to him the moment he laid eyes on them. https://i.imgur.com/RWUcPBA.png Simeon noticed what Jamie was doing and, again, he shook his head. I should dismiss this boy immediately, he thought. But there’s something about him I like, and I can’t figure out what it is. Again, the Sage approached his wayward student. “Jamie, these tomes do, indeed, contain useful information. You can, in fact, learn spells from them. However, at this early stage of your training, the mysteries these books contain are beyond your understanding.” Jamie’s face fell. “All right. I get it. Then how do I become better?” “You need to devote your time to practicing spells,” Simeon replied. Jamie nodded. “Yes, sir.” He began to wave his arms and practice incantations. He created a few sparkles, and nothing else. This sucks, Jamie thought.
Simeon was watching the boy out of the corner of his eye. Smiling now, he turned back to Jamie. “Young man, even when you become a wizard of incredible power, you will still need to practice in order to keep your skills honed to razor sharpness.” Simeon drew out an impressive, ebony-colored wand. “That wand is sweet,” Jamie thought out loud. “It is indeed.” The Sage’s eyes twinkled. He began to move it through the air, demonstrating a grace and power that enraptured his young student. “Let’s practice together, Jamie.” “Yes, sir.” https://i.imgur.com/a1T9d5D.png Spell training was hard work, and before long, Jamie needed a break. He walked out into the hall, where he met two other trainees, Laurie Flanagan and Savanna Huston. They were about Jamie’s age, but both girls had been training for several months now. Their skills were much more refined than his were, and their growing talent gave them a poise that Jamie lacked. “How is your training going so far?” Savanna asked him. “It’s been fun, but it’s slow,” Jamie admitted. https://i.imgur.com/SgZ0wbM.png “That’s how it was for me at first, too,” said Laurie. “I didn’t start making real progress until I dropped out of school and started training full-time.” “And your classy new wand didn’t hurt, either,” Savanna added. “You have wands?” Jamie inquired, somewhat in awe. "I thought they were for really skilled Spellcasters only." Both girls giggled. “You can get a wand anytime you want one. They sell them in Casters’ Alley.” “Where’s that?” Laurie and Savanna gave Jamie directions to the magical marketplace, and off Jamie went. https://i.imgur.com/Ip7Ew5L.png When Jamie reached Caster’s Alley, he stood for a moment in the street, taking in the atmosphere around him. He felt comfortable here, as comfortable as he did in the streets of San Myshuno. He found the stall that sold wands and approached the Astral Projection Vendor who worked there. His name was Omar Ritchie, and he helped Jamie pick out a Wood Wand. https://i.imgur.com/zYYXfxq.png “This is the right wand for you,” Omar advised him. “It’s got a perfect amount of power for a trainee like yourself.” Jamie frowned. “I don’t want a toy. I need something that will make things happen.” “Don’t worry about that,” Omar assured him. “Practice with this baby, and you’ll be ready for the Dueling Ground in no time.” Jamie’s eyes lit up. Dueling? Sweet! “Plum right I will,” he told Omar. He paid 40 Simoleons for his wand and tucked it away.
Jamie liked the idea of Dueling. He figured it might be a good way to fast-track his skill development. Plus, it sounded like fun. When he returned to Magic HQ, he drew out his new wand like he’d watched Simeon do. He practiced the movements he’d been working on…and to his delight, he felt much more assertive and formidable. “THERE we go!” he declared, clearly pleased with himself. Not far away, Savanna was working at a cauldron, learning to craft a new Potion. Jamie’s exclamation caught her attention, and she watched him for a moment. I’m not so sure about this…she thought. https://i.imgur.com/O8rU6d8.png Jamie, however, was very sure about this. He practiced for a few more minutes, twirling his wand with great flourishes. Enough of this. Now it’s Dueling time, he told himself. He put his wand away and looked around, in search of his first opponent. He decided against taking on Savanna, whom he’d rather date than Duel. The only other wizards in sight were Sages, and he knew better than to challenge them. He strode into the foyer to see who was around.
The first person Jamie spotted was a young man with dark, wavy hair. Jamie didn’t remember seeing him around the headquarters. He looked like he might be a few years older. When he saw Jamie, he lifted his hand in greeting. “Hi. I’m Jamie Eldridge.” “Matteo DiGirolamo. Pleased to meet you.” Jamie and Matteo chatted for a moment before Jamie cut to the chase. “I’m looking for someone to Duel with. What do you say, Matteo?” The older fellow smiled. “I haven’t seen you around before. How long did you say you’ve been training as a Spellcaster?” Jamie hesitated for a moment. He was still the newest of newbies. Still, he had a dope new wand… “I’m pretty new around here, but I’m ready. How about you?” Matteo smiled. He remembered being inexperienced, eager, and a bit foolhardy, too. “OK, Jamie…if you insist…” Jamie nodded. “Let’s do this!” https://i.imgur.com/1WA1s7K.png
Jamie led the way, until it dawned on him that he had no idea where the Dueling Ground was. He let Matteo catch up with him and lead the way. Matteo smiled, amused by the younger Spellcaster’s bravado, When they reached the Dueling Ground, Matteo drew Jamie aside. https://i.imgur.com/f0GbJ6R.png “Listen, Jamie. Are you really sure you want to do this? I’ve been training for months, and…well, this isn’t my first Duel.” Implicit in his statement was his recognition that this was undoubtedly Jamie’s first. Jamie didn’t hesitate. ‘Yeah. I’m really sure. Let’s go.”
The two Spellcasters took their stances, perhaps fifteen feet apart. Jamie waited for Matteo to take out a wand, and he was surprised when Matteo made no move to do so. Dude doesn’t even use a wand? Jamie thought, his confidence growing further. Matteo deliberately waited before he cast his first spell. It won’t hurt to let the kid take the first shot, he thought. And, to Matteo’s surprise, Jamie managed to make his first shot a good one. Matteo took a step back and ducked his head. He threw up his arms to deflect the spell. https://i.imgur.com/sSgm2Yg.png “Yes!” Jamie exclaimed. This isn’t hard at all! Matteo took a moment to collect himself. Jamie's spell had hit him a bit harder than he'd anticipated. "Not bad, Youngblood. Now it's game on,” he challenged. Matteo counterattacked. The two Casters’ spells met in midair, creating a brilliant ball of energy that crackled in the still air of the evening. https://i.imgur.com/3E3NQh3.png And then Matteo took Jamie to school. https://i.imgur.com/PqSn0M9.png https://i.imgur.com/IubMLTk.png https://i.imgur.com/HXPeCdS.png https://i.imgur.com/CMdezMN.png
After a moment, Matteo helped Jamie to his feet. He shook hands with him. “Good Duel, Youngblood.” “Thanks, Matteo. I’ll see you around.” “See you.” After Matteo left, Jamie stayed at the Dueling Ground for a few minutes. His head ached a bit, and he felt a bit wobbly, but otherwise he was none the worse for his first Duel. https://i.imgur.com/6SONuWY.png That was cool as plum.
