The Sims 4 Happy Play Thread :)

@March306 I'm so glad to see you using the pitties!!
@LosaruTaiyo Oooh I'm intrigued by the missing child storyline,,,, Also those vampire parents suck so I'm adopting all of their kids,,they are my children, now

It's been a hot minute since I've posted...blame school

New children and they're already idiots
https://i.imgur.com/vW4nNSI.png

I'm testing out the freelance career, hopefully if they're not at work all the time I'll take them out more to socialize??
Robin is a programmer
https://i.imgur.com/q897cD8.png
and Jack is a digital artist
https://i.imgur.com/BAYoW8T.png

Biscuit has no concept of privacy, evidently
https://i.imgur.com/NGfPSbc.png

Biscuit: im a pretty kitty
https://i.imgur.com/sHunSLi.png

Cool. That's a fun glitch.
https://i.imgur.com/ILf6EfC.png

Had to move the desk to the foyer but I have a feeling it's just going to make it easier for NPCs to make a beeline for the computer when they visit
https://i.imgur.com/ts1T9ny.png

The face of a man who woke up at 2am
https://i.imgur.com/1x3qN35.png

2am is the only good time to watch civil public access
https://i.imgur.com/OV45NVs.png

Jack: yea thats right im ur fav human
Biscuit: sure whatever just give me attention
https://i.imgur.com/SZ4qYH3.png

Jack: god i wish that were me
https://i.imgur.com/U6eMuhO.png

Biscuit strikes again
https://i.imgur.com/Dqyf0W2.png

@LosaruTaiyo I voted!!

@March306 Dunno yet.

Not a story post, but a poll. Who should Sunny try dating first?

https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/958888/the-dating-game-sunny-day-pick-a-date

@LosaruTaiyo Poor Chaucer does he really have a family out there? I hope he does.

Ah what the heck, I'll post again.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qLf59ih65KgDdkP0lFWyFG60j0gzovQ7OcgiRS4wjRfML2vn___zGmcNGbzJWMZ1RAWTyESJ4rt5rdrGVZg3Fdp-jan06mGv_t8Atw9SYIzPP9v7WQqBIJGbLiBISjWwd3tgxbwNYdwqN6w5ZKzr2W3_CRprsg2I39EFaODEFXbFBMxJSANgNnE29GVtmZupf8LWu7IFNTn6WnYBJD1Q3NOF-7nh6alL6H76pE6XMTW_v9BeuGMEvsAMMy51YlF4aKxxW0V7sG0PGExB0xb2IZo7UrMju3Fygl5G-dLUVdfrw5_ueI-59EHG9_Nwtb1i5PZJ9WjbxMBi6tsOS8Cygox5TuTYweu3ho_vcqPU5NCii8eZfkgPGDimzjGkpNFrYsVXrhwD7_6XrL5KCes2fImvuzLj2guQnk7hmXHk-1oYrsznpqZdAdV8DFNr75jHg-m5GDtPVptxpm5EGcbxSQL-5SxNyRRAqDw3r3CLnTJ-b5gi4I87TLmXObqIAw2l8lg4SrrlSyGj5sakd31Ynh5dTRECMLCKn_SLz6tH4zxUOyS0hNAtqoCf_eWe8hiTKDq5yAZtb1X7g5mi3D-LbTnhFDcbNWeV9DWosUwVQeFxTZi7639jPlkv9xUHrtf4vD_jPWC87VaC7-4bmPWVa6ioNOK-fyBc=w1258-h786-no

After Chaucer's little outburst, the Valentine family returned to their manor down the hill. It had been in the family for years, but with Tybalt and Mavis' plans to have more children (although much to Tybalt's protest), they needed a bigger place, such as Vlad's house.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qKAI5DneCRxYMW3QStcq8-kvlLrvrKyeS8As0KUU2gdR_4MubkveeLVAt_STedmpOZhr2-y_JtuJWctrRZfBsGpjqWk0IoHTCpHcnqDmeTUxUQ87FuYThIfVtBVRdlafJhflgNqSQIDWH5-E4PN1ZsRu2irxb7PwsXiFCF94S_h2tU6BANw3GDYbDnUcojTkhnjSzrEpqm4tis8OEUr8dx-UmJ_V-chKmphoAPlobVSAA0f-pMhPJ0Td1Y0FuuWe5BkCflN-61fxP_NAcvrzkDvwXBjhp5zFfNOvASnF2bX8O-99CFSm7qqMwQ69SkPIPmYAbrOIH5epZ6MaQqPLTXstneKfgRdAVKSRwDICDneKrO8tjK3Bs3HBb73o4Nw_0orMX4xW4rTYYvv8y5Ao3w0lUsP6tEkAeBX_yrIQGK33PrIsMJNQrpLXDq1FRkGr6d65mdelb-nAtnmw3iBUbmKcn_XnETLozKKTUEDljR-NX-bfc7rHUmBawVGvD--3BJGMwHyfNdLK9LJicuEhvlzjeuE2W_cQ7gf90OXD9bMEJrQ5zD2HJx-X_xFnKL2ILkIqiz9e7_StQePdeSNbpYfk7gK7pHpL4irCy1U3jlpOqCcCmGrRMKIcHLTvnMBMkrPzyu029jgzXFXivbxXWTDhqmhRu_g8=w1258-h786-no

Mavis took it upon herself to continue her belittling of Chaucer.

"You are probably the worst out of all our children!"

"But..."

"Your little sister can even talk you down? Are you serious? Technically she's a few years older than you, but she is still only a child! You're a teenager, practically an adult in vampire terms! And yet you can't stand up for yourself!?"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RLuSXlSSQuW_BmDZ_fAflU9FUs25nLA4l4cQLDlvj_a64DSLQ-vodNfrYKoU6Wj0rh8Nf62MNQoSJWF4V6bb8xxwEI6OU75F1Pm_CYPtd9EEMISmbRefmkF4qa9aW8x6r0hWW5_J3qPh1KWst9ODeEZ36oosrlAdXcRaTYmN9a26TpFBLysgnsPddUMT1bUaHm2Yd2Ej7xpgyThLOd2hDe3nVwjp7__aHGpbf2AIep0hKQRBP8bkinV_aRb5-rgMw0S3FY45S18iteIlMG2_VTqHEdu-8IRyecJAAX_1JBw0JzsrL4ZPWxI5UKZxepS9NACmpdyoUxMhm4YKSb70Jmcy1vNAkhilWPEGoZ5jSvA2TpQ8o9_bnl5X_ep2Y4FDWwJWsNc4cmR7mqPTMG6q_2ChnL5Nd381OEUC58J8BPDltasaj1mZJjfo5YvCVtwi7gLusPHw114vHLR9ET-9tAZazamUu0_jJgBSGUp4L1qtUnXCc_BENoRcZJeq19LQ28faHcx-qZerivc3Pr2o_EBtVjqZWRHA07w86PGEInExHo54YANMXyOqkhsiiICKl94anntDyq6XIkn9Rbx97dLHzuAHsn1zHx5AY3BjsZWx4fZAoaChijEQN00ty5E8hi7Q8s09K6eJtZ8bgsEsZVgLXXfoWzNM=w1258-h786-no

Upstairs, Tybalt was wrecking havoc on Clarissa's dollhouse.

"I told you, Francis, you're too old for this kind of childish nonsense!!"

"But I wasn't hurtin' nothin'..."

"Precisely! You should be outside on your own by now! Striking fear into mortals! Not playing with...dolls"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LoRdHua4tnnfMA-uKWxA7rMPR81I1yDR_u1t-rtzwCNw41DqQUNa54nfak_F4VwjKiYC2NMjKuSz5lLuAhUxsnmflHFdP9IQEBhZsZmRCPr7y4ckbEguYVn9ZcC72yKXKIHv4gcTW1JCrM3takBH5JWwAItWYT9ZgDJuT0E6YADlDovVjUU4juj6KU9aSoVLKWoTsWWEHdt4oFLEhZtOiURO0mJ5AT6a73DDNH3vqPSOJTMNoLZEgkG3hAoCxI1LRUWoe1opEM-tlo-RUuBJ7JkBEp5lrGH1Svl2Z39tf4GRiOQW5fVQL3ENsDR2WuaPGoriU8DMx14Bh_W0wsrxOQpqUnmNFMoK72iMVWyV2_2jLrCfhCVLVU4GYRFxYUbWOCWZ0LR3xowEbWf7rP6Tawn8O4gEa1ycSB-sFEAj_vMMCx68K3Icou1Efa8G4QZFSDGJb9rLZaCu1Uh980KvGN_xrOytaXVCKPfEEKc7jIXWhgeDpKWguDy3N25tQ7LjvF69GFhmk5OgVMXhMHyaYv6JEXzL6mTYXn9ihVwXVhPwoh2KPkZqCNrp5ljoB_EU106gNW03LpXbaf5VeJ6VqpiuCpZ90sx2eJNDalsGNgxoMog3HM-BqchG2xdEDEW95TWCM_BtcgF-EkwL3hoQ0CyE11l4OI9B=w1258-h786-no

After the abrupt awakening, Clarissa started to cry, Tybalt huffing.

"Oh get over it. It's a dollhouse. It isn't that hard to fix. Now if you excuse me, I have to deal with your other brother."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZaDvPTnb2dQ7nvZWKif2aUpjs4SkFIIeKWQTslpNE9ytdEWladQhDCViR9mt8RGYKHmGmYXaRumzRrmtiAkBvJrU2lnATHjx97kxfjhlkSZCSrFGQp2-MgelFcSgwEu7n_7bjVW-DWXnTPGs6eKcb_bM_Lz9V2ABRIF9UnwP3ZioWeUp4nq2zVP9eIwArjN-60bCkePP9VGedF0IBi7OdHs8UbOvsK5bMupPcdr3AvCgs9TU7VvzTEj9Kfvf79wS-6KcnUg2KReCDSOzsDTyW9AcDHUvs282OkOY_tMCT8TwF_KRoX3Ch_ZzQYFEfFKJmjadbsNkecmv-0vE8FAld1W9b9t7Le3UmszG4COLLcoBIJ-_3VO47f0Jh3dTDsHwHveMZ_-_om-iVQA9OCVg5vATvDTBn2koZfpMq8dnTTU-dREgvmObcp6j6egBMz4ccbzf38VdDfuoDrWPmUiFD7g9MPAA-N5e9fidPhjcM_XeSyANqbqD6wpbq0EcYSe8Gg6x7jcImzoDMXRzCP08EoqusyZyausM4MWtaJE_xeWmS-6xFmHSxYqJVCKxrEx5LMehoqkz7AJ2PlJ66FPjEvMiaYjyJcG2zdw6VbTlrpwHOXeeriRiMDN4rayZ6lZHSHXbyaB3ST_twOInecyltYsC2ezgvlAZ=w1258-h786-no

Francis sniffled, speaking after Tybalt left.

"I'll fix it for ya, lil sis. I don't got brains but I knows how to fix stuff."

Clarissa whined.

"But he'll just break it again..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VG-brNlmCTVv2ryq1V8L4sOLkZ2g9WHTWEplEfjCNmMxF8mQjyTBkeSM6vc6UbGiTToCWiXCwD0fOUdiIieft8ePn2YCXeLDW01CvwwFYDibUBQf_9n1eAPS8-byKn0zc3dbpRWsgRYmphSSa5AivNfWU2b5AHRUA8ZI-PBNXqToxADF2PZOHrzCitCe3JE4UzddojvjSXW-QyJreRmvhhZbuvsDg8y3y0oGV_1FyK27wWINRWWAuAFpq7SsoTgjpzu4wLnZ-iDikgr7DK64dqjfr1XTPEXNInAckpHnNM4xRMwKQmkqb1wns0bm6g4lPLrLP2s6-YjD6lyzDC-aJLISleitDJJcCL0Hn6ZTufZ1_zsoWDRvRRQ0UuAKB8r8RuODrurAMPAgUarFGtRo3_0ELunRYMJfvs1N82geOUQimLQSzj-ZmmttaB45FwWsx0Ww23JU7CKR_QY8fbpfg_GUO6m6VVCCr9hdeMdLsGLlo-BpK1FICQdmAzquAHqjgsTC8bgwe3Vg3eRpte08L_s7CXbhIQNIC75Km89MYiEUMkOoISnVTIW5x7Ge0RRh0fVxLmeT0ZyhriMbtI-Ylz9gfnxehkxyyAyzHjChNaP1VfpzElVwoIdDYma-Om3LXMFaKySizi-PTeo9AI7RWH-hqltk92UY=w1258-h786-no

Downstairs, Tybalt was now tearing into Chaucer.

"You're a terrible influence! Because of you, I caught Francis playing with Clarissa's dolls again!"

"But how is that my fault?!" Chaucer exclaimed.

"Because he thinks that that is normal! He is a dodo brain and easily influenced. If you would actually act like a normal vampire, he could be a force to be reckoned with! But no! What does he do? Play with dolls and read plum plush tales about ugly ducklings and fairies!"

"But that's what he likes! I..."

"Nevermind! Come with me downstairs!"

"Y...Yes, Tybalt..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1njyZCaoa7MbGYpMDwrPqoPzF6Bnf-K2rAlE2q-IiGhsQ7y9Y5xjqU2iA3THpLiyqCRXv2qKu_laYtGriF1Zwl4lf2c58p_JlCG7JoCYomo-wrlhqp_MdmQRGDuLBu28EOKHVMFTr7RLbDVdponpKIBgfjFtatNqvb0AIQYnmLwrFRoSfuw1aCeDY3Rh78U7BVbZZRkobNJwPiTqbQKDq-kdC1J-L85hmG9QOR083-OzbnutIMqXMkZJDsw-KWxqk9-F_460hSvIQCv8mRPm8WN52qjbn6uWHNkkkrRsBvJgmenN8VWHSNh2ufe40m9bVE5_pT78ssRs9sE77icAdOUC04GvJVAkrZrEUKZ8BmVGavFDnLFWU80hdJu2PlSQw8AclEKhTx72T_U94KMu0ei6c8aK-jckgxumqwfOa52ft0a6YdxeSU4sQC31blOSkJ1KeesMdhhHI9WQfdR4BOtQergNJyd6zO3tMbfT4izCtk_NMJQZa-vfxOjxcul0ekaaOvOrEKu-b5hpljF2S5J8P-mm-KuQ8qmhNcDKQS_FcEhPuE2lf8_WTuXWmYxGcVlmGrFtLBpusYfxA-S1MEb0EpgBAxMQQMjd3RuS7djDtjuzoAeKe79o5lSAu6WfKpFYMaw7puqNU6IURqeN2qIOqrGstTJA=w1258-h786-no

The basement was where the family's original coffins were kept, Mavis and Tybalt using them mostly as, aside from some vampires that required them, coffins had fallen out of fashion with younger vampires.

Chaucer sighed. This wasn't his first time down here.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/w6bWiozXX8SqOk8wi5HUejy076d-f9px7hohgnjhbldCgjsUQwSEZMW9WcYBqhf1OHEgBowVCDgA_QCt26Gz4ZJBTyG-BvidHwgRbbzoh4BTNt1GgDHgwgb2JjneJHi-t1TaOYEA355k98ZFsuBTix7W5GqaUWQZZY-uWdIVNgxkb46_lszBE0NoJ6Rq1d1Q4-YJp9pGNgXlYNaEs6Grj9o1Z_uMixLSfmlSDigADis_Wn5FAOOoThFBdz-0JhGlD1CCol5rj8xMcH-AXcKyLJHOpD6jnDDlbfwhWgrHgfGvLdO_wVidll9bWeAR0RcAgQ1jmnWGeEetQGHTrA4ZHAnAjJjrNQ1D9Jn5cmJ-313pS6qIuU8AX_dTXqLkJv5MYFwApV7dt9uKNUtHC_gBzRRu8j0LAaobYZ9duq7Pv7JJtj2kMJLxcsJyUOcHcAv312aXWYGDoJnGenUtcSoYc-eqiXdd7Tf_KsI5Lc09XvLo2XpccAPbfxye4ToWeN_vMijN6oHO2NfWLIktD0PycieeELGOOwaD1dXwJJP0HPfZeN0JeVNEIK3Mz-IdyGSgy_ldhtIXw9cT6s1CQRXBSFYpc7dtugWnOlLBWFRp8uGbtwHu1eSLWMbLfnDE17uqIU97P_vyBdWC8xjNrqbd2XeIkq06xliw=w1258-h786-no

"Listen here, Chaucer," said Tybalt finally. "How many more times will I have to bring you down here so you'll learn to act like a vampire?"

"It's not going to change anything," said Chaucer. "I was never a true vampire, you're not my father and this isn't my family."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Y-TGPFgmRGEXgesYgAo4fnwnRcawFXGtKQqh8eX0y8g6J_Yo5Lzus1kURNXw5w-8dzBq7ZfpgjSstXwBZXVn0HAnxQs5rCKuVeVHALRA5wKLXtSjx8g8riwJvrQd7S2j2vGTMCybzwuvZHavKlqgCkn0YD8YizmhXQdhwwJYo-SKp_RCHMZmF1B2LexlYEuW9nb_bju8cmHzmxP4W0J0tpNDYAz5DP-aXBAaK_w4KF2XyJk9dcR6_TMKQ-F6oiPFQDxMXVdCxlw3_v3l_cAxwgFPL5WiQ3Tj3cm3MBcCHNbcKbpeFIJ9e9znbPpC-olWaainYBUcF_Zm8wZGOaJTAzcrT7kOTFJ2Suf7ga4JmLiriTA2NguOt20nnQWSV5oPUwQFq_wz71H9bL0wWGvTd1fmzJM4uAErrWPlyFHBRJas-DTcGmKUE1VBNhwkbot0XSeg4sN8ybBvQZt-87bAg-d8jyZqSsuqF9iqJ3CgJDZTQNWw9RnOAonuv2QUWNjA9CglJLLulCCWra1eazKfddbT-0pjmWBApjfuea9Bi1IQPTr-wCh2Edm4-vDjDkifWPAlXTsPBeMmi1zT6b0lMMspJqMp9c97YrQ4UH9y8VFGXPbBvAO1c2rdPCwdq_84jDPcDS8Kr11c3huTrO7lrdVYoT77EL3u=w1258-h786-no

"Not this again..." Tybalt groaned.

"Yes, again!" Chaucer said, trying to stand up for himself. "How am I different from everyone else? How is it that..."

"Enough! Sit down! Looks like we need to talk about this...again."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3tPySF8EZS4Z6HKn6rh8FNeOrJzj9iZkl3dzYLrN-5MY_5ch9IQZGkYtS0pK8ml_BhrTJjPYBncmULlMWtl2dbup4ZmKEnyBBwXygjK5f-7pq9Nv38E8UEeLOKCMUGEx8D5XxzKfDM_RTQ4W_0aJYugjtiHcBfcNRLJvBgEBRq407c6AA2FsccwA6VAXRKkZ00jinGoDRj74DuKGB36Sp97eOrabIlT24ISJmwFnIlG56ipeb4iv6_Fc4ztN_tXdj_XDmSkjYycCWvgAKNA3mK7eNnHkxsvhNfqhfA0NAoQ3ieJTgVu25-VYgRvmreJMRL_H6dZJcAVkIt6aOSui0bdWPJcrK0_JbzNtsRVpCcAfO8pGNe_5cXNdtJ6HPwoj4J3SY0-9wlA4t-JgSwmwdYJCM2KBmPbx4HHtj6mZxJphy66Twwon0PvjXNNUwYhgb3coZypqfpYX8tUHWOCKm0q87kuEeL7wWZ_Y9eyivy2ecAP-IM0yqr3Fb7rsqN7dGa4p6otNT416ICq0e9GQ_JhdAOiHHPU9U2c0-CitsBYJvKaobBPs8qwV3IXwiamjib5_3US0x0pbJvTVKwfAZuq9Lku7kLM5fecTWjXjfWtfsn4KUHDRbxnQ2hYJa5OGvD8_xSZBNGsM-3bb2YtRjS3nMfXFee4I=w1258-h786-no

The two sat by the fireplace, Chaucer groaning this time.

"I've said again and again. I know I don't belong here. I have a family out there!!"

"And I have told you again and again, Chaucer. You don't!"

"What proof then? We all know I was turned, like Noel was. She had a family, I'm sure. And yet you go on as if she was your own..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KjMof2Nh0wft35IXx0hQKBFjHOnRkUY17ZtvZ4r20SG64bPSQ7AEz-waQvS0sZrjl_oQOARiBpyNoQnrljoVN9Fe3CWHWm9zk1soOBC1VcdZ54_-9fJftsbmkoHN9_qz6DLMp_PKqpQFM3EuF-Z1KEUu5HRT0aot-MKRm3imMQYJ6PEoceBSph-LlH6iOlh1g84gr4YxkvkDxdAcR-gkwmfcs0iFaAcDGzbpPxXf4Xft6u6VkIOtumwoIzD_emIWmq2lvhnkwwM7rDTEMnAKO4roQ-XeIemh4EWyZmlgxiu-74HoC6xqahnq69iFSsgOJdMkbhqXyHof9XWeuQ62_VUirXFAod3vRBlqwyw7iqV_adz_qdbzMpwyJIX9pPPDCjImeG2ZbnAhiuJrEo6ABtIqqpUx24MMxxzdH_lnpL2P0SzTwn6RAlOlK7675kU7r_zfg-RJM_N476FIvtc9LTHm67-hO-ABOKnzVmZs1EVbN_xZsz5e8-xA01ipTfSu_Qqt7nXzoty453untogfvCZ_GVfHeTQoSBEY7_sD-8sVn3vBsnOZJJN_bIQzQXoaphvGm84ssYLYD5lzamK358NGjmXE7e7yjIBWCg_HadkX3-58Qp4rk-qtbGJPlHiHB6wrJoW0DaFWB3dsHPRdsWjSWHecb95R=w1258-h786-no

"You ungrateful brat!!" Tybalt burst out, Chaucer recoiling. "Of course I turned you. I had to. Were it not for your mother and myself adopting you, you would have been dead! Do you not remember the night I found you?"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/thH7IA-jOvJl46jefXEpRI7WljksVGq4FU8yoaCXl21yxhxst5_P2-922Y1en48rTN-oYjcNEHchmUarUZinfpQZP-10gKE-SRgserehiKWz2FL_ViT7X_ED75tZWYZUn7cQ9GNwlDa6aggledMN5oEMO3fx5xIs42IGEpRRORG54y3Q6TmDmMSfVlyIfW0c7TmbA_DxXyKtkgm3crGeY4oCmcs2zf3Px-DAmTCaj-jdaNQRJVaQailAXEtElkp60bqSiqvL2HP9xecsyOXnxZfL_UpqHO7hoCSWFfXd6S9x3yhSvgJBFLTa9uxWm1sci9kpcnYmOCNXnnewTtQKno0p0SPbMeojx6spuqgrf2f-wYbrMpLqr62Rlx2XSsiJw6AXIGZVqI5xCmfsqUfYmS0RMiIBRj5PJhM-CH-06JC9x1MDCkaWJEzced-szDmGTtfhUwTXSMenrRpeWLO0v8jeFnKS6h4sloa05dNt9Fju0Go00Cru4pmfa0oHwazLHXTBvP9AUSYNstR8PCMd95jr5IUJMqz0xtxr6Nw3HxVpgdp3rVUd7VupPCtTQpGOcFSxePH5CIc2kuF4pAsRpim_Y8Hfr7GTtGc2A6xV297dwljzqvCANlobvm3TU5xzimQEMKLg4r1qeD1skdY4MDADI1gtXkiO=w1258-h786-no

"It's the same story!" cried Chaucer. "You found me in the woods in the rain, out cold. What does have to prove?!"

"It proves that you were abandoned, Chaucer," said Tybalt, trying to now approach with a calmer tone. "That's what happened with Noel too. Her family abandoned her on the streets. We took her in. You can ask her yourself. And we found you, like you said, in the woods. Barely dressed, unconscious and about to succumb to death."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6yM2b65ZWJPmqdFLmpqhoRT0tNZP1AcZ3uOIQEmG4YSG2xseNGAcQBDzDyoPqHEsnDIUEacJbxY6H2dxt6-XfyIGVO9wwuVzhwiXJdSkN2iScIg15GeZlVciRmn5ZwYynokTGlahFPr3_uAAD-8Oye3dwMKt1kOOOdlajLqgMrkfIazfQVi9zcf3urnWjRXGepQQ-2bm74efyeTtzaygBsWXRbxM0LdMvOqKDHfW8-3UrDa9Ro6pTDhDgiXWk52J6K9ZvG_5s0S1ar0kfymqur_gqa0OpoZxutR7qBUoWZYsLXWFlfaEg_OZ21noXEh6GP4Lw57uoAonoFf_hcVdwlhGK4v_BwBkAYy_8JVQAmn3qXDDTMVQndVoov783CQrtSwjgOb8dU087Wk2v2V8Kvb5JpmX3iVzE3YzxphnpJduhUdLtHB7Oo9_ZC4jMUhO5GH7ewuGfBXubR0H-EdoavNj0_4twMCpGMtmgEo-_b8uHMriXP4KDJ9ghQ6oOv74GETkUJShUHNZkv4p2L7yR4cp716YuZNrIY5ljcopESE3cEu5AOjJ3sAQY3zuiUPkFHt0UWFORNoJrASoRdblinG66Ai0t_WW_cwPj059fG-VgS5aRXFg157f8VVaELtRo2YPopPa89pzUgPiMMhl4FBxXD7MrvgN=w1258-h786-no

"Don't you see, Chaucer," said Tybalt. "We took you into our family so you would have some semblance of such. I turned you so you wouldn't die that night. We consider you as our son, even if not by blood. The least you can do is try and be a part of the family. Do you understand?"

Chaucer frowned.

"But I won't be. Maybe I wasn't abandoned. Maybe I got lost and...and..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zfrjV-UgFm3HJtsFsQXOFDEDhXuUPuuKId7sc6L9IazQJGGDZrk-_zp26ohS57pO0Veio3r6Tzlilz0PGCbBzdqh6E2WMxNURprb5gexIrS28pacTfEd0WbdKXHXQmDdIemSS4dxzV4A5oPvt54xry22aA9H1-sM5tY0iuW3sJHkSMqVL29hD_-_jbh0fpqRXJ9N8RSKxvWEj3knoCk2KdPujU_AVbtCBbqQXFlPD7cO_aAaVqoDmqt3F3eqvzid5ADmVGGyavCt6OgT5y9L1WWgaWKnpk7Q5O2QMXXGOzRL7lpIHCDl3jjtXRrax2BkeQz9_0PB_xvcANQzAN4kxzCGynHi2wo910MdQ3eC6XMmdfy6iJrhvlxCmW33jNs0dNsfpxQFAQSF9NLEC0g51AMagqin54vTCcGVtCB9o5eZbNNbZoGzi3cGaiPoWSpyTjAhxpOGrSrMxYS94aEZWZ1TVtBhesm6Zxnl7mlWYVA6YnKhWRt1BER4sa_aAXfOQcp-7F2P_vKdYXp2vdby_AD_l1m7yfXBhg4ESRcxpssDSecb2gRfQMDbT47I47xFFvSzQTi0ot_RmP9McCgV3DgYkH6dxo4xpaW0jw3WHiR5-hmZ9YLYGAXU6O-iiN_U6f9BRH2dKHx7m1xl7kNAhwrNYruW5sVo=w1258-h786-no

Tybalt stood.

"Just accept it, Chaucer: Without us, you would be dead and forgotten. We are the only family you have."

"I...I'm sorry. I can't," said Chaucer, standing up to Tybalt, although feebly.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LAgZlqm1imVrPMvahdR7afvOUKpnKFBqpOvfoRg4R6EWfqKaO70HRLy9AQl0lhZjHnR-FzJIZ3UD3e5VyIvUDMzsNw-8jkaakXHw8UqY8AudxPrHTCxpE-2rYHyuINQhGLsYPsH2wi5DP-7_v310-iBA_hEESXKzxrxoUX7qyvTNwoze6hB28yqWRoYz0wvUqWhXBQJwKRksmQj6O2TdWRpewFHxRQbWR-UGK-aRqh0cB_kdP4hbP7LPyBA91uJ3Lym8hzwjmMqKI_Kk8Kt9KqqWEDvpeqo_w7-S-d2lNHnRCXDJuqqEsG955qDQYXfAqEYFxof9BSwi6AbFgk7lm8Iu3orKWNjNAWKUl7fLG1Wm3e6qLDqUhtpBeuOTPaG6j6-Hr9-OGP2U2H9FUy8Ka5AaMgsfMkl2GC6LP-ezFvdL9-iyAuV62NHrqu_RIxXZuLHah-Hc3-p_A7c17sBOIbsZe35A2nG1DyYvigiIoMf3YBAqTOozzreeVOkcFkIRdMX3qkEfPsN8VtB_GNCZ2XWqhhKkiCORRaqWRoZJ6UHuQnD8Jkqgz47jhyYozdKmGXDm4rDo1cblJcTkIylZ6Vrey_dcI2P7So9KdCMb6hFedthg5w4zZyi6MsApQzBdr4VDnUq5yfpa82MmNBNdlPsHVf7sxksy=w1258-h786-no

"Pathetic," Tybalt said, shoving Chaucer back. "You are a shrimp of a vampire and a complete damsin for thinking that you could possibly find anyone else that would take you as their own, you ungrateful dog. I guess you're going to live down here again for a while until you behave."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/iGOexU-8qy4EhDdghYPzB7YHferjU7YjB0Y2_D0w4aCc70-726hedd3IGFEPd17bR1YqI8bKOlR0xYGrCbPUTotALD6fQC9-NLu4XDU0w23Y-gZzTpqer1POt8TJzTIuZnhjfql5SBEW_gxytVcWKDMKpG7XOIPq2Ssm7oavzz-clRCCrMxwpGz5kw5zH8vpSymuaORTRQRmYUvM7s7-USsk2lLnmuxkBhzzgjwqjfrZwkD50ID21JNSNaaQGddIB73KQDXf6YqjHL9KiBshIXtgXRKMIIBA6G6I1WIGdEzrGaS-urTKloK63WqntAN7di5LTf-Wxw7top42K6Fu-48OyjZoOV5YQ61iB9xj5S7Me5CBnafpBHP1Tlgayq61MS62qw2JdGObRaEOBQY4hjgZpc0KhtjTYS2W7lU7YcCTySY-liVNGplUuiUeN8OUnFMLQ3EOc7EGjpkDufhcJoukTqxmxsGmlqF4kuCEGhT0E5NfozEiHC5oROOzl0_HQUJkJAmTMEsvw3J9XpZLCpEpBiaC5L7U7py1uJUWIGnheWBvBudzJ1_2xmn6zlAVfpjKKSghuq0yCwLJ2FiqsXg3Haj7QuhTSbi9-sYsIbwM9-BEp5HDZ9GuES4oCHlM0Ywodom1NnUtuCIVmsSZQcjTzqnorPnk=w1258-h786-no

"I...I'm sorry, Tybalt..." Chaucer said shyly.

"Say that again?" demanded Tybalt.

"I'm s...sorry....father..."

"That's better. I'll check on you in a week. By then hopefully you are ready to try and act accordingly, instead of ruining everything."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uIpQ9yuhVTndE2tYWMCMszq0gjvCBxQkeLVF4kcbb3pQmLejYS8TuyVDhdtkbbsSWwp7EQsYTPG9v0mB5u_h342a7kHrmSfesFxkN1_A1UKQ166o60JxHzJFUmhtrgPu2hWaRDBkJaty3_nvEonGQkVtGEy5Fbl2nuOBf29RUxa0IC3gA7auMzaBYIUdiTTBZTBxfNuFWFX0MgGK4lWBy0SXQkas6h3vtuE90RJvUcB23q5sS0sqd3rbxQmUShOlVQtUZTXq9amhksW4qEKFqd2PuXGHezoWpXoQPCtLCodV079YN6-LZX1Ot4Y7jkGGfeTxEGQ0T_xqc5sHkkE8Dg4oaJm0l67PBZp9kufHWzCo9TQduOAVgrSRdPrALpYbH3DjTqonYEQ1B6s0-03jn8SIYzCyydoVmokQ7SDY3aoFBaZi4jtrQLF8aTjQ6a9Kv7FhkxTAgh1hatVpagbL3osCNT_nzUhBpkEiP5aRUlkMdK7ZuJ58DaYNIXSPIFqGz7Yy5K8yKYBZd3H8NItmpnfGc2rIvB_dKtIjXEavqWmd6REbKTkG_Tnf_q6ObGJ0gZh9BBNNF1unXaa6sI7nj2nFF7fpMNWYqqFCo80mMyFhJ0W4Ty0BL7G3Y-ujBv7_pei2NHtP4nD_mzuVm__6F5rs-tLazJ1z=w1258-h786-no

With that, Tybalt disappeared into a thick smoke, Chaucer shouting.

"I don't ruin anything! YOU JUST WON'T LET ME BE WHO I AM!!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d1Mg9OsMbk1wbJVZGbRcvrCJp0ygRdNA-NTftCJ_Nwb7uYxtK7AWlxy-VXi9kK1-U_WQn09VJjm76vZVR6ozkZczjLMWTfCYX54k8OsSQepu3aEtg0onukIczOcCJGugWAFFM5Dz-lAQe7_iiP1qCH84mBVktyZbd4wjBKTosNTIRpCeJaXBDoZMC7Yr0n-KVvrdRb9LXQ8GoRr-_knYhZ-k6xFCFKJQw6MTBr0DU0_DU0ZTbkSKjzZwkN56mPMQayNlEFSwmMUdbSBR0wjH3mbOZEM2AWsfKpFHg672UhaZyfYNABMI5CswqsfqF68FYgAFnqkbOl5cTpDD5YH8yMQ4PH79zK7vrHJZWogmvG5T3B__UTFXQGhi02BdXiZ9m11KbOUz93nLqPwbgzhWV_TT8y0hdcik60GHuaFblNlJwHlRFsj0YGFg5aGrdoROfgftA7vQP997SkHnleSaYm43v4NEAhTSSn-ow_5GW_MCm3XmAaZMq1jeLQwHPF0ZIvi98-3fkoi3jr5ozA-uEamir8DZTPtCersyH-Kct6X_aP4taP8aXfM8zDQIzz8yScl2IYNmuManCcnlLGHSmPgFAXMjRWa3SRl8fRQv3dOXt8qz2DyZdCxDTPnlJhvadMcZTDcL0g_rCePK1aZ5qaqUbQ6UiwH-=w1258-h786-no

Now alone, Chaucer looked around the familiar settings.

"I wasn't abandoned...was I? Wouldn't have death been better than this?"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4EwJ-kE9FXi08E_NEzo-qihKArPgVlsB4XqZbQpv7ZcbATnl0ApO1gY3yfF129ZVE7Nf_1VtC7uXbZEpNAAyWZmx5P_DOdGMKpu8rVGprYnjq6x0-7SrlnZJh4zVo6LSDTkEDYJubGGu5JUwdZBsNA_oz4eoHuPbaVfyiLZCoH3NO-mpDP3HDMH9PQX6aRmyRTcDcI6GwH2vvrBkYpKpHjoqlKJZycjNbCJ-o5YX_JFEO9JHRW3AngT8GhWB21R-LeBMNrp310gtgw-DreA-5Q3sk9947h9ua1hOh9b_2XGPSox3o1TsfGkpjw7Urz5dg0VWda_6L4jzJQ-Pc5E27aeMso-xCoAeQ2axl5mb75liPZevJk_DGG_Dk4iXq5QQK_CA0szoD08hbF-rAcR6y4d4wrbcC5b7siYt4-m-SA3TdAL_mnZGzdEXS6U9Dir-DTIOYPkxzpy7kOW_hj6jOPneAq7csBEg1jzuKCT7KMTOrqMbU-PU8_91QNHrLBia_mkxOWEn0lfQ9T0pxyzwJjxb1q1MHPstp-fmloR9tBegti_NcgX5hb00miAhbc8zuY0KDFT3dWh1c6qsAEQtMxlYG7lupxbZHSqI_4HezkbLC1KPASHtjQY5EYMcS9wyF_KSb7K2_9-2MULAjHWD9g4IGQOb1ysr=w1258-h786-no

The young vampire then moved over to a coffin, about to try and sleep before weeping.

"Maybe...Maybe Tybalt is right. Maybe I was abandoned and...and unwanted. And...And were it not for him I...I'd be gone...Why can't I just fit in then?!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NCqO-wYmnAfWAJ5cfD4LsSm-Truw_2r3apoxqPzK1jLlmK2WEPDiqD29ElD0H26umjDzprKlG6Kgsf3glcEYbAEma5myEkbjZC5qIroGFIUiLuotdHnt6mIiiyF9n4JpG9ePdnwgFdzOuCFq_LQMCh8O2xODnBSWsX2Z30FJd8mjDdB9AxOQyQb_I1H_dQW0pRoi1r6dgUhGzrXF2HdWAbZQYBnYyS-xZ94qt3WfvOY8mSXQG4T2TVM2SnuTPebuDIObxbL6tVlxb0SVgpKCgTPZZi4xUYWP2A8WXMjPP4ZzEw_lZblBRvytQaUmRMgZ_a0MsrXn4bqiyJnQR9iQfunSRwzOP2qZsudxS2Fl-EzKd2jH1_IXCMBQshM5KW84wGsyJiJwfTLnMJE0LQD7CzoH8dGTHi5nW_sXjqqv8KE8-AZFLNBHK6hEb2dQrLkDraljpSjUBgAN4-ffNKvkxBQb0VAc9Bt6FpOZbHqbihcond3V4ioVhHmf_VevjAUWOcA-oTBtR3gwxn27ChS8YoWy3OhUVDqmKu7v4MH30qWg6IG2kQp27vwnCoECHsoDQ7ub2HyK-mQjixE4S4IuYncOEjKcE8tjvXs8xMdby-dTFqksK9TwV3H1PDVPJv4cXg46A4pwyHLXCPuv_a-vpvJyMm_99rNd=w1258-h786-no

Chaucer sighed, opening the coffin lid.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ClXXMU0wOYj4ypDj1vhwezNvnUzh7R5dpWr4JkBJ8SlA5ghq_Sg31Lcra_r5qlRNpNdqomrP6MBuHNTpXvyj4q_aTtLxyDEoalX1hAf58OHuV0JU46YBZGOUySwEWTDEkyxkLvdcOb5t_3PGAqXYqgRK9oAccjfNOWPQ_HjI639ZpcfJSHwDbwG0xQBpfpPU3VeCcRkWtC7ndOpw-FLW48L1_9sc3oTjL6DbUm9vcv1tqAuqd2CLWJc4PZOloF115Ip7g_I3U0NLFIDXHYPHIHR-ObrNTP3AA379ydVr1WEf5Cx1H08A5fkJpGh7J_yzYFjsehkU8rpqr1preGUQ04fcBh_P0tzqHF0h_9PZd3CBKQRZOQpkYgNbWmTpVE-jvu1lOJr597HmFdgzLnp6YbQ6a5S5D0iIxllI7K1uEvOESLrcUbS514APeVeN41KoIVG51nZl0o7oXh9S5TNo-Rj_nqQKEZF8xJqKPpiWUEtyeIMmewDVPMtm96PWlnrSTDLJXwrbDCgfv46OsObf7-Oxb_OkkaLFCuBhsuTtD1vsJgQjqKWqLBMX-cjYiQ1K-cI6hwdSqtPOvF_Y4pd2zYZ91im5tTS2HsPRsW_GcVXts2j4fjwoGho1YTw97vlrrsw9WD6Hf35BIqXylbli1jOro7GqU9bf=w1258-h786-no

"I do ruin everything...maybe. If I could just be a better vampire, then I...I wouldn't be ruining Francis or...or I could stand up to Clarissa...But...But they aren't...Hah...Let's just go to sleep."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/p13rPmoQLxe4POKejvliZjCzVwSFXomNJ4J2Z2-qrb9IsnTVF0JcjKYk3rekVlr_8HQ6DMQ7EpCjWgg3Vyyourvu_Ii8ClUCrAvNe94opwOn3fEWL4U1qHR7Jq2s-ml9vhVNijqijhOF807h1ad_Zx8YMhLMX0ZL-XQgzf1gXPC0exRFhdKHpA1-YWS_N2T8RiThnUkD0eW43WVlcXa5a9sl6Cr0YbU4jwAiRePwjmSQ8R3_93lV851-wqul2W1qaUaPibiC0sbSR-bvf1beQ-voVyNHydgPG2xCIDPUW1-hdmdn-P3Gyet13ofZvL2C5V-VOfPHge0eVcqyRL9TY1sRzYtC_kjA_CA55tejre8vjYw-IdKUngIv86E75LIFR0Qo7-mpjDymkzYMmXw3F2efryis6yp0ddwA4vL0qMGNIVuuv1pfNxMWIoTn5x33xqSE7y41LvODT_dyGF9By_MyHGAKpMEJ9HJTjYIdOYDqddziLXOI0TRiTKQ6mevt9NjzzhTxPX8GNJbYL_sn2f-h3yHHdwNrxmz-CqIz9xCJJA3e3cC7scbIWtuxisi6g0pey9sUFFqKz9vA5P2aZMsLYwxFyv15KemDnEzoxB61VHuJ-bQFyukmjD3BbKidNMp1idcY-TO9p_AIcH09QwHvsWeEPfVC=w1258-h786-no

With that, Chaucer closed the lid, contemplating if he should just hibernate until the end of the week.
----------
Next time, we return to Sunny and the dating scene, before Sakura's father gets a call from Strangerville.

Far off in the Hollow, Vlad gets a visit from a cousin.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/EXqwIGVYd8PmPyjL8VtcwpWq8uH4nUKimxZj-qlt6GoWBnK1fDv6wuXKkye3pyTUK9XgdRs-aAF2Y_LktO7g1BoP5DtnlopQ05WDUI_OYv4DKe_NW_Ns8w05Nik6pwWMT8TcO1_ldoOif7Fdw7-80nbWyskJ9xHtYDI6mR75z_bRZorjIQe_pS-vKfMiTEDnUCm6m_1QaxO8tnMVPaL6aEWKtpDQPbRtSZztNZZlPnHffy8sZ1Zq3mP2-rzBMbXo1dnQbUmplUgXLZqkZmMiJMO5fHzFeWZbiUTpUfd7XSCnKh17iDFd52DC_agorHLFxCNnNGC280IOQwiNVCXkzC_wK_ULsLs8eheoa6XAsf2kGPPCHVWLA3oclze9OGzFhVxlHGt5AFBKAnqYdpjePw0EypQB_h-JZ3VXO_rjJcMoah5UABUpFdVlIxEdr18nzumUQb9FHbmECOowvDrtGu0i4DyHTbXuXMPrtdfWDyLz7gyLadF7izcHvBbbmT74UAIPe_sOqNQgQ59bedT1uo_lIh95AVGLF7ztUMsZPzoPOTKAURka220k5SyD37S_vVhhRqvXKmMBp1H5aqZyQVZF8ux6-Kw8OMVaN5Fsw8Y_j41zvgu7FCHrH9FBxE4vf8YX6-Tc-MbGwsijZZngndDcggj8Otvs=w1280-h800-no

"Vlad! Vlad my dear cousin! Are you home?"

"Yes my dear cousin. By the organ!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DXzy2g1R-ymQ6HpmcVtCY3WxiPA1mX7zPmVLvmlaeX2IjfKtBtXzN7EGlysng6W2_4gyuKjcLtv1Ya7-ExWZfdSECvDJ-FZv8-4cbq8myeuVDPDituOcHXkvWEq-OLf2n4uYoTAoXWSsqOlaR3Qq1-E27iRyA1O3ppeyHvN1tjNriz4ekrNdM7iU3qB_fnMrVJXO2ghNRCjMrOdCrIFoV3dBbM3LCYwxKazTNjdGaVq6Ul_CMZv3xByDJ4tQFsCpF-WVtVhAhLNFPDD_9zDC-wZV7r_wJCCfIprzVZX12ln_uaPwcRqvDWqN603QFlE-C-SAg3k7x1oQrYWrSlfd80MVrb0sGO-2Y99NirkPsRwZDQNO2NzS4oM0Vh_Hp8idfULH7V1J9ArP-uEyImwxNW172fjfAcXIcPvGXLnUjemeRXPBcf4iDJNfcu8xlWIJ_TVKBOoFUIt3NESEf9zFASyJdD46XA7A3N6PUShdKnLi-5-EktAAsSLNUJYYh18774BHMXGA-ThBZm5C9h5RciTvwsWTryMzX3YCMcjtwyC47TLgKFyonN17XVedEylMNza7r1v8TgHkcb5kxAxCGuf5PiEUXXsBqidrPXt4L2C2J5m7dVeRv-fBZyWa8WtFeQaf6hUppfTI-CmJq64NRIn2w-uuNnLd=w1258-h786-no

"So what brings you here to my manor this evening, dear Tybalt?"

"Well I was wondering, speaking of manors, if you had thought about taking my offer for mine? It's like I said, Vlad: You're alone in such a huge place here! And with our ever-growing family, it might benefit you to consider downsizing."

"Oh I have thought about it, cousin, but it took me centuries just to acquire this place. And much like yourself, I do prefer my solitude. Of course...with a proper price...I could be persuaded."

"Oh money isn't an object, Vlad. We both come from rich backgrounds..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MNH1ji6W1PK98DDZqP5cZmTk5Zk90gSLuslqbGq8YyAsw4rC_hpuIVmh7sDxRrOJQcb88Wfi4dkCThM9afNcYUWHJrZM3M7DusMZXdWAZpFBbXgjMQLwS8twMVe0kgtcWYEiGyUGKWIqhuWRdTJZC8thcQOMrWunfDRznZUW1zBvfNnGOTpM7H1H_awlLtUSt0DTokkJThZejS3XghYwRjurTIzKMP6N8b93lPEqDr_S7kgr1pvSBWej3dmBI8GdRlyS1KDi-ivokYaXXoo_JPzOIv-MUAKKV6SXtKb4CIYhlmMGjNIFxGkI9waP-XZmw5pasD5RumMHqpuFeIlqrXYCPqs7qThSHoIlFixCkwKNZc6JXqTWpaacLfpln7x7zXLluBAC15RpnzoCyLayV4-jm7mTak14WMTcv6nZ6TENvtTZoxZ9e_xU3blIu-NHL0XEYvjXDBjCFEaY_9oeHjUw7rkzc7uI7aCsJDndAWqUFgsbOdi1icC8GBZ5czvcukdHoMb0_ggocu6CTFIs36rpWHvTqzkEeXCJLwJ_JEwhxIRrvP3EnDpZx4GNqMoQUNL_X6ny7mbKwmedS3snpsh-TthiwuCoQY4Ex9fxyM_I6vMjW6FCKct3M66JRMnLnHX9INQZZXb4fYsJu0EDIqHe4Ik97RVM=w1258-h786-no

While Vlad and Tybalt chatted, two of Tybalt's children were also speaking.

"Hey, Chaucer. You have something on your shirt."

"Hm? What?"

"Yeah. A bit of plasma, right here..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AloZlVzZqnT0f7S4k_XPICdntdIMwmWJpw24jSlajuM4aurv6MmtuLrtOAoz2vU0oHjycRftD3AQbDXoLdcfJqrMVdPCpk8zXK2Jzh_OKNdfDTpy1kdMkrl3nLvjDKgMeMc0bUI8oRFeGH-FkyTHbEcxJJBsvRN6Jxm9aUHqwzxXaUqpkmulM0X8nF7cuvqKWsDakJ5W6X327x5AcGkt99RS6ZSV99u4yynM7cu1SWc78VpSq0DR6JUhE5jcEWFHdTKsT5BKQJovo1Y1u-TpCl-vOK1Qlh_i9g-Pq0sJitM63W425XnT8ksZ5xq_oUhYC0vL1Jz3vRBcfiJKkX9Pf9bffE7Sx-asief_zrcBX3fVbnr88CexSInu4KvpOLoaW1R6UyGjN0yYnhf8AAzttOOvrr2hWKQcYNQU1K1rwtZd9r6J7vRhSRP0jS5yhNT2QO3KjRvMp9BaPTGYQFcJeMC5UhinYR80LRAQtEyW5M_o7OmCiXkGjuTViWTy3yoRKDfODckJBuKzdVuARZyz_WI34b817mBBhWZW8EptNNrmKwdZLSFyTK4UAyC8YZYr3w09acPmGx26251ifTSIYEUzXd55hW4JcPeSsFIoIf-oyx3p1SK9iQIT1Uyg_heD_sGuZlwjsT0oq6mAWEZr2METExlvM1at=w1258-h786-no

"But I was sure I...Ow!"

The female vampire smacked Chaucer right up the nose with the palm of her hand.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FO380FZbudE9SoCd_gBdAPz9MAZ-RVQZ0imtdkF-8kOQhQzscyf85GXoChDBXikHBFkfmZpwAGfsTn7P8-jkql1VnXITyf4YoEylTnDquqa31ZwT0eEdFM-jk0mlKUXIqVcDLOvEexYkr7QJ7sIRUpYlrLfSg_kYS2JHRimW9KykL6NVSDyAiExDLAHvo_gzD1psT4y06GNbAni-HuLgRlkbnqPevdKNtg5T4jRr-EeRdnbgK5v5xd27MA-2pl4nZkIm0V3_XNSRR_CzedMnaWGSiUKCFZ0KvaZUycAsGZYlZyJ2qVFfaxymD3X3HEWkviscbkFYmCBrRBgEqwyTYbuz6oDqCFDxa-hppZ7j5-pa8lbQlpna2TLhZSWpTm7xRl-kVP4oAq6AfEcX8QwVRs717KwdejO6m0k_fCpmIUn-ZXAhe-tr-Is34ShIfTao0eY4m-sxMJG0u2N0sJS1Q73ik4RGEeV7qbrXE4zMBeXtxaFJUojXabEJV37uk0BHq1mb1FANhNy88xUhHWNHgMpqMIi2LZxN_xcxlS_lb8f4SSnqF_XmembXZ5hjvz5yvj-ddj4fxyQjdpi_8A8s_1_oYpC4K_VHYq-F8K6eQuibYGePugEWaPwy2FGc7sfHPiBbcGjGZB1btIsgmRbRR9vo4zDJxVDd=w1258-h786-no

"Ohho, Chaucer. You're such fun to tease. You always fall for that!"

Chaucer frowned.

"It...It isn't funny though, Noel. You know I have issues with this whole drinking from sims."

"Yeah, yeah. You try to drink from other sources'. Heh...Queasy weakling."

Just then, Tybalt called Noel over.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/h9bIa2xh6Cz7Uk7f-lwgOr4e_5zKLFZ5lfzhSZmXSeDpKeZ-ywMIFmAKOylZjPUoKoPhIxJBvqvGcPGarzcsbdZO3CC_W483lx63cdwPHOSKFcy61vUP22T4GrIXPWKuK0BQuMa--dxgjQCQC9PAedzJl3gc9wrrfNpaDNBwRVJ-Pm81qL-HPFoajljWxEjlHOZlGn7mkcM_1hXEdyMqLgp_LSLaWDnXR1hI7ibFDFBE6vMCa7isnyHCLBkpPLvvvHWZGCoMh_UMkuMyPlzbWyHr5nmvDIskZ3OhIii0TguOUYbp7yRBo3Q0DhWBiZHUnCUrSoqQM9nBzYo0KU6ZxPdHk0j2vRSYM46oRBgrpDmer5m65R3VNv1X2wNo28yGBANzzB7cjKvi8CatppURQNh1KnPzcGfmvl-5IqUuffZN0FvyK_3oOEUBg6qFDAF9zClX2pC5Ai7uMP6ZnqcnkwyRoVNmOrLdK4c9y0KTeEvc_uje5-tioOqI-EXXkTuKz3s2bJamSunC1Hp7n2iCO356DRtKmUGFTdypy6Y_fQwOaB98N0pdkI1BL5qfrKASt843wgB8ZyuHydbC-KS6SDoZLgX20r2AAPiM-ffbgFv2lrMAEY6s_3XiAG2sCOx4yvWZABLoC3PGVudeBMmaoMZXBlGQj8iI=w1258-h786-no

"And although I know you care for your solitude, Vlad, I could sweeten the deal...with Noel's hand in marriage."

"Oh father!" Noel chuckled. "You'd be willing to give me to the...most powerful...vampire in Forgotten Hollow?"

Vlad gave a small grin.

"She is at least honest. Most others try to call me the 'most handsome' vampire, of which we all know is a lie."

Tybalt laughed.

"No offense, dear cousin, but you are correct. I could have given her hand to Lilith's brother, Caleb, were he not one of those...penguins...and not to mention a shrimp to boot."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2Rw6sF9Vtvl1O6g6FiQzvQMVLmtkwybIWUnrKx8nkqGxaGMEWERB7AO_5AatUZAABUYqsm2393hxJ2dRBOv2rCZjhv-abSFdqdEsuo6K0RMZs4ffx22HYZNH7r3WSCLL27in9vV61QI6Fu2sZkYS--U3KSreKxYOuBOBFfZe8jIqNtgoH24BzJYAwhfEjPGRXu2NI5Sw3IBSFDJxmtOWhw_aWT79_jm9Z5Dkn6sScTN0wcnzxAMpB30aWDl2l8YfT6unj_63ODoMkauIs-u9dGJ38uYG7rsg3pmqh54o6Z8aKcJbJmw54mIrL8BeXJRm3k2uRdgESzPyqmPRtn_3hO_nrOm0zTAFHh9Q8dOFsTV-DhacC4Ie7RPX2djrQ5oz6I-GDax7eC9EUIiSMqG_Ps8MIbJUcJNgJbR4HOaNDcCNKfvRF6ZqKenvJyYUbfgQ651AaBxR4OmPt7JmzBve9w1IlDHKFyud_uabhuZq18DYNbhHv3hfwgH8RiFsSyUn0VKrKaKUHVz4-tE0mN3rCx1ucTLfhIxkEZlMgmCG4KTjZaYOFu8d-ulzWNKPHU17lM3yu1r6yVLjSBozARUjICf45q9nW-timMjGzkGdQQmT968t3q6ddczzxcgpuwBYx03hm8nlRuB-Z8tY9FdBI8gn6eahlYlZ=w1258-h786-no

The youngest of Tybalt's family, Clarissa chortled as she jeered at her brother.

"Haha. You're a penguin shrimp!"

"Clarissa, that...that's not words you should be saying to anyone."

"But daddy says Caleb is those and you're like Caleb. Don't you walk in the sun and don't like to drink plasma from sims. So you're a penguin shrimp!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/G7PjG7_o1itkTrAIlbQ_mi7RjSrdRsxGfNT7y57tVQ9g5LpxjxNG4O_wzD9WyMtfpEOtwvRHC1OD4ffDzMqgRV0nhWHhgEU65f_JVjdF39dXeFqGcjAIfQafb6xo1UyrrksHgpWN9mZxwyDR4OGnmkVPZGrY_N4lUBmPrCGM72wDnpmODYHcHUHbHWosVmMZaq-Gr3Ta32Llgahm7yQ12_1vfMYJAH5aRSws29rx6oyucITrex7H0-IgUX-nNgaWOgfSZBoD5UnwtjLHzOdVWH-T20Y4I6adL0vojBoP9PIra3CzurgHW0kLdKT3SrDyluUH5iWGto-hTUZJLboD1cxR6uNwyrfFZg2dAMLU1XbpSY5PfibiC7aXYd4ZhEJXfobSeoZWM-RuqlpaFunqn_TF_D0xlKx2dwSZHM7YEisOiBzd16tebguGIJESW69w4wZhOeZPKzNDXakuzkR4l7qDOvqEuAxj71JVbKahnram1lMTTeB_wRSJlAOmQ0j-JKEx9mfWnPfnlwdYki1G2wTQQf2n5L_uryCQiDjv3NkEfN7-Di-jND73xigLbzNFDSqA5zVngjTZYCbpgMXWczMGYp23ZP9aXxKCXZ7-kH_hBP64jjgK3FY9m74C99C9uD686QlbShDCDInnZQSAQa_D-TOTTht7=w1258-h786-no

Chaucer sighed.

"Clarissa...those aren't nice words. A shrimp is someone who is weak and cowardly and a penguin is...is..."

He soon stopped speaking.

"What? What is it?!" demanded Clarissa.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/enCtY9-wCTpzjHQHgpSCDMHnMB-Vzx04OYd9HCUTSuVIZ39GOpamI26S7IHZFdFQT86hRyQi8ohPzj1PPdOxmEk5LjOjr8rZYAcUSQV-t_vBbab4jT7gLHjyR__1Fay3WX7ULh5Dz4CsqMnFke7BNTCfti-_niLqLjQKW_LgezvjiyGtG5DfkF9QUwWtI2rdoZu1au5zMTIPh02BmcTYHLaVYL5kCcUyZ3T9voVWwjhCw4nVpPbSvSRau6EftHoNfkvwwJPo_emuklzV-xF_Va0dnrOWKpVIKwdn9075tPYsDTa0OiVoZdlwk6tnYo6Lb5m2sc4U8Fn-w7cTMkNJk_pDdvRqqD541Z8HL_U-lcc_VXvAwyOgh8uU2gIVSl_u2t6Aemqax1SXHhO2la6hopPrBg1qYJyPi9yCV7yCJ67GdfiHLfPr4OnOEjqgwwqdMa4mGQY4WGzLXcMQB5Evm0fwOoBIWBFXChLtr4rtZu5aBRpouRPCtKkjFQytWbaQB93JBPRXg-C4u1zFNbOxOoe3b8TIGPeErG51wfgqoGZydcdQXOSlnKUQqkQeil9Et-Vg4uMEAWy5rvXtOyFrQMHILmC8LBxMSD0aQivDs6ERT3vFvrjiogPSNFUnwqJRfpTSWSXIL8NNMalQw2DqK4xnivvhs_6S=w1258-h786-no

Everyone became quiet for a moment as Mavis and her eldest son, Francis, entered the manor.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P91PWfd_8GTJguiUgprT8ovKo_ifCRzRjmlwCy9SBEauKyBWl0dmpdOZB8W6q4rQYI_MFqjCPTmZ7_8Q3voHZU9as_JTeSgobO-GWhu0MRqu5sURDKF764SSqLB7ZClT2Qwz9t5lxGOlDVNdxDmJcJfElmcprHmC1IrQzyKjtVACk1hm9Qdxpa7kF-aWCOszX6h43Hcmdy50Ab6lvWEbS4GKr82GOiqDDF2FAUXuWBOytBD0jLYEwt0Jy_JOqRTTGtygO_xHMfr-jLeRogGPFX2xSCWtFy5GWSrQ_gIcPVWhWbEVuUE_Z0P2fuLW6rMYEh1cmBkPxpj0OnLFH3AlYQGU7fppVgSmsIQLKqU79AFrh22ywoyv_XD_Ogi4I0ou2WJcH0_xVVXsOei_dI5rXHhviUEaHGo0eM78Rn15Au127nHdIKy_gPF4TUVgu0S-JXHaJ50mtAGvw3nLlmweR2K4TEGpeMKYUHyRo8z35-GuEQIA-HIQLHMchIon4iJSs5oai-suBax5TZx8OXYqRpm3CRfQQsF3PXtQoZ94sbSOJUfg6m7JylNTRJCnPMPnulX0QOhCspFsOSPTLC8r95cZReEojf2t-SFiVPJXqMLdIUaS7JbfXUG0FUV0VH8fHCyw0kXlWilr-W4nxD8AMCHVkqpbwI62=w1258-h786-no

"Ah...Seems it is getting a bit crowded here, but you remember my lovely wife, right? Mavis?"

"Of course!" said Vlad. "I could never forget such a presence!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/egurY1TGyqh2lUgrDUvLhyroaZqWdw-KDMRgfONon2mUQObsgf_StoJQ0yQPHhrRhVW-rcWVi57hlcQ2giReGabIE9eB6HHyORWHCYLTbPHH77MnnqXMRGqtSxFjRD1IUDCiH58pvTvjjLiQPayglU-3TSBbrKW-vWpgtJw6C1J045CMqTXdPN5OWoS98fICSRBXRELTW39MXtHs839NVc1UwmT_ghk8X9uISE74li8IwlGBiIudfTLWTEP7dIOZMABbPt-Kd_TDwIMtzjtXc5lY0ZnLpuxxFnpL3Y_FczVeOwrzHhlSQhEzlnmBhYUQTsV3Yn3Bn9juf8K2p7ZtqAsy8tdbwqBFPKON0kek-W8_cbxsAdccc8DsoEDJn2F42g-G0fIyE_ttnBPa-hjFw2whgfrOYPO7wh2ewFklHSUvQzU-J8a8uQbTgfP8iLaD_CU6V_JgMb8pvfCM2SPgk_9W9rVr6pYwZjiCjm5pzsT3cBjpb6E6pRHKj2guvXYMgBFXvxPYPh2nT1Ygfx_GDu2QtJydVe6o8iXDyuHmM3Ag6o_tUjyYQnBTOmMtEVixGUgErS5RrNcxc82oShhHrVCTvnhFl4y_GIazdr5zqPxaP15eDopJG4D_lBDJmHGi-T7xsQSg987udxIgU5aHoMMqAOaPL5jg=w1258-h786-no

While Noel went to meet with her brother, Mavis sat with Chaucer and Clarissa, the youngest still teasing her younger brother.

"Penguin Shrimp! Penguin Shrimp! A lousy daywalker and a wimp!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/L-gL5Nhto_G6ndWE1hQ5AysaEM5HB3E4QnlC23qWTN07hhUZRcglVJWiRwzjGBubggSu_mNqfhRJHnyzp4mq0yeQ_xpkKit0pMcuYXWAaj4a2FtDHYTiLPpXgOhnK5_9H47lQbDqO3I3-ki8RQV4rdauMdGKsEUY0L4csOxip21bNyW5AZhODBWEuDWSDnYlNzOAfwveRRNU5zCzneBXDFehddVDuKoDh1ScNlzmagfOAECFPRl0NobuEHJ0S3kusmQKeYzluUltP_acsihdRlWsNRFJ5ZfPvJYELbrWAf9F5m8gCGs57IhF9QRTJe5KPXTExjowtl5x4PwcAYH8T4s-aypr8q03AJBcn0_3TqhLPSyD92Bl4_PmYQKIQW_8qyourOq3NoXI_01Tbch9BMtEFcSjV9Q0h3HIZRU5Ll6IsJbIKuOse9GF-SQdY_RhP7QmIKcRWAdYbnyFPO_nuwPt5OOZsgaTI_OKW67wNrrIIsphcNSm0HXpDDmVx5lMHdv45DQ6AJnSz5c6ZuxQHOeTsZr1mpaeH2nI-MBP8pB4vjzMUx_Df17UsuuzBtLRPoB2BH1ECsDWVpdy-YOWIMQrA53MrGcPn13AIUn30PBo7GseDIWRyVhnLklpVbH-VtalwLMIdiVM71xICNLWXUOWzQE9GPEQ=w1258-h786-no

"What is she going on about, Chaucer?" asked Mavis.

"She keeps making fun of me," said Chaucer. "She heard Tybalt calling Caleb a penguin and a shrimp and now she's calling me that and..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_7yTcgOLu37vi6rX0mT0qbfNgXlAK04jKYDDUtNEkLLKoGJc1kPVuP2zA4V2HCHEuXTqjsGubcz1Lx6J8z6Iwa24_3UYKyS7gFRw8BkOkHeeZSqzAeIXGuQzuNH5nQz0kr9fUIPnAed-XL-O7FhYZnxXOWmDW3vwNmUmQ-yBuBH8bX6ceCEa8IS_kx268aegy0_ypcUs6cCNOiXCBMCiF3jT3XxkOo_Ip7512H6i3EE9hHkZSvnplhDOji2pRp41_6_j6kYdmn5IKg3GVyFdu30qEjW9odka-dv5WXoqtb_BLyMg1vWrOWKjUo73dgrbXzWlq9wAzWmHonms6ZlquiJVEVM6nDw9EDM_yE2kznBbSa2qrwUgekLNksbdn4SFHV_y7rlraWVHfMDnNhX3rMVyDEwocro6dbHuQZpWZ-k2nf9w3FLqjeHM7zQzZwtn0R-FSZ5iGtkiyDGH8dtXo1iaoW8hQsUi0ziDP1XY9jwVJ1465EoqDFxS9vMRNn2D4lcbXQHKL7NLVZCEm7ppmw5FO4Y_ycHPliTJzTouz8MgyOR0gw5uKE5hezl-6A76EWTmC5zIYHK10nT636vpjfNSE3IrcOptGvOnbbTrKiiVZyitpvQJ-KV2f6q0-015fpKqcTwDWVJFGEU-l_7vsm0mNZEq6-m9=w1258-h786-no

"Tybalt is your father!" Mavis suddenly snapped. "And you are a shrimp for letting your little sister walk all over you like that! As for the penguin comment, Clarissa is just too young to know what the word means, although it is quite fitting of that floof of a vampire, Caleb."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IgOkpIlMXdpdCGc5AoYnSkpWRnbglvGQhxsdzaCdC0QbqdB1EqQkMA3nVfkpsNpUNcHrFM3nsj80N7kdK1d3YNs0nfT7Z01IY0kKTv_9Pv_CGCxN-SQzfmq1cb0tdKN0Q9WtRY1_j3dEGTCqlqpkI7hECqWvL-kU4DaG5dKlqWRR7_kD9fu1s9opkq-BvPUPpOq5cFqnyaketBFusqrOe6WM30ZhLXyPs8zM03HhMxBEIzW7JdUIxtK8X5K5Nqv0oyvekTryDi0juCQRAoumJOgXeLuRLDXWjNIeHqGmSI1xRx1Cm9inpyk3BXnnCanK9F4pEKP5OzWIsXHjmTTYDZ4B_X1LywJJwYUGi7hlaD5J-aPQe2DSHMxaJ_7hpO8gYD7PSh2UMTRxz8MPrbNedmI4cf2IqO1i7Cx35HHBJgw6_h2lvdt4dhDc_v0YbBUh2tMSTr7ODvCGikcUpMEYLLTBJ9t42NX2kien53YLSmh4_j55LjPrGwS7QZH9Y7igba97n4Uz4etFnK4zxOYgffOmy4FCGKFgg_ffbQBJ3L50JeX-RcOTmYeJpGiQjDgkvxRVL_DxfzBEDRygAXX-nT4E8jvR1dMVcvPDfDsudHYfiwTG6hzeIlT471z1v8KcM4tOfvrc17NEWyRhVJM4_Gces8ALbWmH=w1258-h786-no

"Ugh..You're all terrible!" Chaucer suddenly shouted. "You're not even my real family!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4TrnLl1xlg6ZVo334dPW_yzmT_kT4USIExEpGtFo9Ndqh9Xd21Ij55Ab6NVcT0tvW5jfAjXU00-xYBaBtB6k3UZ9lVT_e8O3aBXTpxmBOF12qQbVq08ks1AAmRMDaDrQ6GkPHJaSoVDA0ODatW4dWVrUmZZWSq-OXv03m5BwG6CbNaksGIQzy-JLoYAoQKXH9nN0QoxMoGZn873MTendFTT-EzVpm6CKVBlbcw4eTbDUqIC1VI0xCbMExw8pMsOJ08p2ZZ-_9qN37cot4ckgHfmmkjkzPT_jrmGFOwVOfwwWnuBZEemkJ4H9L2ndzqykQCzuIzMpPx2foWD-PEtluNCAiGA0D2oLurwSlkHjExFjNbEmxSC4g2L-d1jBjH_xFXEHqdf3gDUdywnc844CPyC52tSCT-B3J9BpXMkUh8qVPhyacbMEQwqMSFEmMaebcMKwEy_G0CaIDFR8zvCZ4RS2f20U-WrxLupHMGIn0I4FP-no3BZ6JuBlH71Sip_mQrg_EnDfJ1GunoVqn76HpJ8se4GVLB3CoOxYYeGaVQiDhICSWf2Hfsc8YuoRZtYRx3siTayzu56SdZwY69NjQmsHv1PzNl7kQsvb1q1pF09i1Y0bwl2I2et6F2dsAMiOekHrrMEd-LqvxzpOT0mWJudkcVYqx_ao=w1258-h786-no

Chaucer's outburst caught the attention of everyone in the house, all eyes looking to him for a moment.

"Forgive Chaucer, Vlad," said Tybalt. "He is...going through one of those mood swings that all teenagers go through. It was the same with Noel and Francis and I'm sure you've gone through something similar long ago?"

"Of course," said Vlad. "Maybe though we should discuss our house swapping later though...without your family in tow...aside from Noel of course."

"Yes, Yes. Maybe next week. If you excuse me then, dear cousin, I must deal with my son..."
------------
Next post, Tybalt punishes Chaucer for his outburst.

@March306 They're a newish couple I had on the backburner for a short story save, but I figured they might spice things up a bit in Back to Roots. Just because there are no AIs running amok doesn't mean it has to be all plain.

@LosaruTaiyo I don't know the backstory of this current story but I do like it. I'm looking forward for this story to continue.

@Ulfric_Grimbrand I hope it does too...lol. Nice to see you're still alive at least. And yeah. The Player trait does need a fix. My two AIs definitely would want it.
-------------
While Alice and Satoshi celebrated Sakura aging up, another couple was still hoping their child would eventually come home.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8BpqukJM9gePPgcH5DI30WhsuKnDJ08zuVvN44KSDciH-UeHzuD2X8ZWi4ccGe8InulItQCG6wlEDT47SQwHGOORcKaxZvwMnIP1_DAeT5m2HzLnqiZwZ0BcNX8bZHhtJiqKLuwdT3EtWq8UrugbIXV5mRY7TRVVb4xsGJFt_FGxwX2gbg3OZU21laZsHhakZSHD0QqYJK5PA9S3oeZ4ycwoyhezu6_6tf5nUp_TewsJXBHkbKXp4oAXK5HZUqm4GKe6g31Bv7bJLX2Jjud39sKw30H-AcxNaiE6NpD5GGCIJfkpFjulqnt_e0wFDm6mCk-_qIKjvrwJ3yOepNWUVMvTllolniA_ukLO-xhlTnDdI5NHXXs01hB9wnh7UlWAGt4C7sfYsikOPPZ-074d7dDcVfql4n3ikYrvPWaZMKPuAif0-EqLrLZwQsjMsbmO3saG4j3Q1ETSOMqNhsW5X23TOaOYRXlVijOYuObSxAkX8Ydvi3kknraqD3XPiNGDCyMT8wLWsJ-AWIJZxmJwwsOlS1zbfccYCishp5YkYX1C5g4Og7nrmUcnD3Q4u2iK_5OgooexCATwbQGL_0aHhIAJZYgsq78LWRrrK7xda8re2WGoZVPeg3lbdyokH93G8SuQ3o1yQtUXrjNJtpToVOlRNukAru3-=w1258-h786-no

At the Andrews household, Mr. Andrews was watching the news.

"Huh. Gas prices are up..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/B5W0ELOp-UXjZxZHxiRB5YnO5umbPSVRoaxzyMxfjj5vpGW2WWRB593RvOYyWtXRfcCZMTf24nlgofRMxPWVC0wzK3tnC-RfDBylMz6E0LdVNw0YcR6DFSYoIt1wR8hhCWBZesExZ83yU5VNb5E3ed5ceW237mpNAvB1VixegLKrt8I-73O4JxAz50rwrelBmHApVYGJN1WkiGWYKRqgmPA-Kw64PQvPZAh-ieRQv8Kyytn2-e-J_a1UdO4SwwxswQWRzOS1QgmhMhMDVfCwhHgsw_r4qg9U4FT3u7CoyDiX0yWD9y8h-UutTgWD5KR4k2NX4Z7Ajjle7fIb3jHXl4wuls7bx1XACfRr7M-mwhOxOG8HADWsUNdcN-F-3T7Z1Ma8HP5kr0WFM1tvfUbvvVoyRORR90nmsD94hIIu-7feoySe2WkkWvEz_gAuuGae8wcqJmRFIvjiYubKDBUvIEHanRSTQIKuLymJvQ5RrgTXNNHjygr-UddAvbQOrGRwNpizKkdGd8oOlACrSGGr6c7GiYz4ty_Vv1txBlixX2S6jup43IPRnuIj4-qlF6Y5bzRQSUR1DXjao2CiCOX8LVlGXiDZRMuvyW3fotVz3Od2QQyXKsPAfv1mRGtraL9zVkQtfWsSy91YjYv3MmlbffXv3jonArtk=w1258-h786-no

Just then, the door opened.

"That you, Alicia?"

"Yes, Phil, it's me."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QhZGAVaWFGxKvDHnBF-Y1QKR7OFzfHekyjGidjJoVK3ZRTi8li06CDs3OWSeBJsDd3ZRtopW_Y36Rf8nZuReq4VJ_sTm_3czB5JJ7b_mM1O4IGMgD5G7NH2g9rVM6DjIaRLmenrOM_ZDFrCJG2l4ZJdqOGSrqklN2unUKjX4FsyTlzoWziGA0Z3L128HJyYx1Xk4pLfnnZu5xhf4EpkHI1m6V9Ijme2O8D2xY37IR1ON__Grpog67sVvDCv5bwtA9LwYA8XLBp-OrYvX2gWnTbsZ2eO_EYii4rNkK-WY71wSAEy6aNweS9caPq_m97e5YH5nmSbg9IaPex69XXpN0HWvsEXixGvgOhI4b-d5odJwQSgB3rIHw3Z6ci33nD_DWboQsl3WqXiZZssbpXF_0sIPFwb8llJIdw4xwG5Wj9MZYRxBWyilfChNI62zvQpbqrIQyMWX9lOw6U0ZgbAzefFiQ-FFpAQJIgySIFIyspOfRJY6IdC3Nj2qu6JE6l5l_FUd-J0ck03a_Ckv95xTn03EQGZ-lMymeZX3yrJyezcUOAj43lS-XP0-i3Pkxgycj8icxDC75Zax6DrlH5YzROd3bQ0FhXP_yi8rHmxQpEwOuSfRxcPzuoyoZcsvuGOhwh2U6YvEgoXcXSJWM79bJDalanlKS4UC=w1258-h786-no

Phil kissed his wife's forehead.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XN7x6F64qnyZV6pMW1tAaUhC-oWoU2jCgkGR5zHS32s9RLuTHLoMIia-btDEOMZOC0K9OPBJepIdApsTPLLkK943a4CXImDziT5_T-LMHlYc6CH032CKzbSPu5ReHfoR2QOw9Ef_pe61AH-hVvqHYNxNb1BQNAA9wzYaptfhzECQhXxjABFmld6rSNvp-4LuR55UF00PjGJqYEfKSQzz55E_A25kldbhuxCyUHDw-L3QtPjy43VGLkyxTFQNCK18EZTHEB0ZUgVsuh_XknuHntayG5dm617i58zVCyar-y4E9rIH-mgf9ApuqBerCi2eoZLpvmufmG714sktgbPPl3lKa7usHpXixLgdNFeEa9-SxeXirte06hZP3DF9VgeakcaIOQQs0RzfF1IJCwA8DUwmedGM970YbKLWdFj1OdpFb6H187xRAjCYNtVNHSRGniaELlzTcYqpJJo-nS6Ovs8lJsap2mVZg6_90h9w0s6uWP5T02-SIHH5pBL6YV1pWEfG8TgbfVIVJpzzqfxQRDE4ExQDbgM0tLi09e9CQiVSDo1YfO1CQCXdwX-WmtHob_f2q7v99GnLQAy1oUX1Ygyd3bgzxFFStbMV5iUcPCNlwTh7M9emEb_Ftth35dBs1csDWCnbRdEiOJ6zKEEMN9XsfWgW0Lkh=w1280-h800-no

"So...How was work?" asked Phil. "I finished embroidering a dress for Miss Miruchi for her Family Ceremony. I'm sure what that is exactly, but apparently it had something to do with her son."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5AiBQ8AjBtFFgwO-7lSVbqNKrcOsZjEuZP-10_TzrA1D--K5hN5Llea2fb9wsE_u81zTN4Nqot1lAQEFwZXrlQDApLUghzqZeRlwZGtJBMCbPSNmq37caekcElVUT-Gr7nczXMFWBARFEsra_u4StjgpFmc47Tl3tXdUPUtH5vQiybCR3GdmQbtEMcB0kuIvD136zMT2yAryX4fSdBzsLLuD7hVEMOQSUH-RceEi7dZwfIZhm4FfRAqdQpTMOYPMGoKKLshwn5K808WwrGjF7ZuFtj2oNunE0EJD4clvwt1SJlrG8GzV7UQl1WSVqHARjw4nrP08XJmpcwoj4OOMEZy7iIsHKNZZiad4VL_lD-GNG2KwR20ErPcu3rHCeSFkcziJ9ksrvVF9uL6SS5Ez00kv2IAxpOidg6t7lRZcNR1rE25SlUd_BryTkH7ciTsaaELQol_Xz7jzwsX8VxpG8czAmJz8kaebx0lcpRLhquIzY8UQuw0A2dxOBzUih0tEv_QSM2TUBGwMEmte5QThLll9pjFhUsA_nhQINRydyMICkqBLSE9AM-kkuwlp7UrzaTPN7sEWPzOaoAbOUoxESUMuDbIzTnD3Sww_WyGQGJYpwT07CPbqlf0vPO0lVVq0qR5_ec3t-Ae2l7xBBl69BmFwKRkKK-xY=w1280-h800-no

"Ugh...Don't remind me. I finally had to quit because of everyone telling me to "get over it" and "do my job" when I had to take a break this evening."

"What?"

"I can't help it I have panic attacks! I can't help it I get flashbacks to seeing our own child being taken off into the night! What do they expect?! That I just give up and pretend that everything will be okay? That I can just replace our son?!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QeJUQybCPpTzMosM5j5DgH7IdzL4qpAomdMkKlWHJMcHetUitZGKhBgNfKa9U6oIr-GAyWRdjSzjVxF-Ug-lytU5Ik41csxJkJxR7T7gIcpW8BS5wx4kasztOK6z0VQ5TqHsP6724F7UKDQa3ZL9TEYse3MziS0xKoHctBKEuDsAqzmOuNjqRFHaB4x9R85jtRr2591vEoAGKKMTkwn1wsoYPtx0D1eBH9dtCE3awd-YcAB9CRGtI6hZWezN63qydnMocQV2cjj6wle_p3EhJdQzuovG-IuSzuK8EcseiZzuNP05cb5AZnEMScePA3QiltP5Duojlf8QaFjcpQSlpkHzJaEv7nPMv0m3KPjyjY5gZZHvKOOWLN8GKTipb8Q7LK5227NDbS2I0Wwrn7fr-kbfmyKHdz9fygfD4ze7DHmgUsG1zoV_-ObReauQnPZ_agIK5EtFKeuPUiqEeb1athGTPyFj_zjpXLtAjqeIxdNOP9F2toq84EjZn-6r1XbBDatDcJMNBgF3P8Q9BKqIVg6XamlC-obJP4ZPrdr5l6m49pui544WVjWR91-b6_KPd86f6MPucTOZNTNkyWMLqmX511HVuAhP4kQaZgVFCOjULkuMmnJ8hzHrJ1X1Q_2cSDlOC8CHiB69Lw9mxEVjqW9NNEGo-Otk=w1280-h800-no

The two sat down, Alicia continuing to rant.

"So what are you gonna do now?" asked Phil.

"I dunno!" Alicia fumed. "Go back to working the local bar scene? They'd probably be just as judgemental! I swear, Phil. You go to work and they expect you to work like a dog and the moment you even show any sign of emotion, they just tell you grin and bear it until you get home! Ugh! Plum them!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PucdxoccUyglYfIxaBgkd_qumNcWIpPd0KtRB7Yd5M1WG5ENnNVDlYyBkxksSeEB7svUW8_Yv2ELrJWGRI5oXi-VUwEmrmK9W58aZlKXfnLIXc44tG5wfsJAC4UXqwNFgrvENyMyCntjUA3TiNb5bggDMOoFvWjtZtBqiR6a8vj33vYPlF5tClzHygUhPeUIrllTdmqKFhMJV1E1M6V7y-lM2AH8jUqw_r1TcB4V1x2k-POLTs2WO9luMoMDDSCKSsEKxKVfq_iX4T4AOLJjlCMxzC3Bu7h4b9CrTQLg-6jPvNYPj7ENDCDT6ktheUlWUNJ_R6oTlmmDkkAU9QlJ_8F1Sddp0ZsPAjH8oSusqcvW3nJy_-ZSjp4f57luLV_h1FnncBzNt38dxT-yz4ZfGiaLP1tsl7PNsda3DkABl3kwk552OItEkFakxlT0b7nXK8Nm6C9mLiXTzi_Xmv97Ww6PHI-Fn-N0Pqfi0wrOAnEEH-8jq4UK23aClzo870xqS_CJGqOSnFDR35GxAGhW7z-OKH-Zx1fQKa4DdpPlC6paapP7ZQdjrjQQrVGBOyLIMp11LM9LKPmY-OqNrrMC904EF0Hf58Vf1P34uUXMCZAUgBkq3CAfyb2xLLCinCxS3miLGib-PNRh9OUtcjsxDU_kZRKPw_As=w1280-h800-no

Phil then noticed a change come over his wife.

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_q6j4lfCM2NxLGmiKoS9X1h8Q4oijcwIOg0puQLToEv7D-cOpaoCO5UF88gEabCmfQrKZ0fH9UMu8tvaj7wfE-BGIajFhTZ2CZ6qYIdvpu4kA-6mpQXpP2BnfjcEC7DRh4rxFgmGNoxASu6zECu6VVfcpmNP5tshxDLoAJfxmcguU7CreKiKv_dQk91DeNFmXuRqj6hUQIW2wfNs9TqO_qYkOhaNVIYvUvh6UPcabEJV42joqWpNBb-PTFtg8hwP418vK7hheIzpo0HpiTnyEkflvYt51JIcVBGkl5jIpJjeWc6LLDuCWlvqo2OeaEGFSNM0keVwoFztlhfMCwgSv70kng8-V5muUoxi4n_YooVmwQm4bQufmzTKakKeXdlkJMwZMf0ACqz0867qmuZ-GMv4i8A7wbieszW0FRZIpeqtEDsWavHI1uhCaP5dv_QrIIsOs0TXa6a7RqAEmWri-HFmyZMjia9oIXrifK03WUwaz-c-4oaU5JiqpbiIfC70VHotEWsH43CWpF3aDaGYqOK2g9lx61Z1tXHS8VeoHBteFwhbxsWmT3_yCleJyB9uEKFpUpt_6_xfLM3hpXjeYOCra2X7Ll4cBwFTgpOTd_W2kL0TeDfqY8QSLnr62povgOMG7fFk4y88Gc3OZWnc7ZxCRjNCCsn5=w1280-h800-no

"Am...Am I just being delusional, Phil?"

"What do you mean?"

"I...I keep thinking that the police are gonna find Charlie any day now. But...All they found was his coat by a river. It's been months now, Phil...I'm starting to think Charlie is...well..."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/f0Eua6ERWlOfrUwcDLpsz0_2uhXkqSrSf903a5DM8gAy7_ivmNBA2NBU2Wi7hu46J5DUDOBlixEHRmbpUW2Zln3rkzUUHDoSevIj78ybHbrtgdMOQnhpgv-nsgB38D8vmUa5qaR_NmVk4Ey68m6HvuEhIb8AZpMEex83V4T6PeygCTyVwlyhDslV3AUmkpUDjnnMODTZOAkyootwV4wmp9UEOOeRqLl9x9lvPg5wWmgKZP7bSW6a2z1So8qB-VVBsubMnaQwCFvRKw6PMqeJPC6tqle4XRS-ZdIpx-EVqKl0MmDPxJUuoNocC9DegCQ7FMb0xTu3vkhdaZz7hFh1mk48fELonfvfh_BxUs4jz0ctLBvhaFJJG4LFWFg-RV9cdcle8lwbT42zzH0Mw29YE94TnQAPETJrGljBSXH4LrlWcDJgNz9uC3rbemmJCelaWFsk6P2w_0AqydkH7kqSoRyU9Zkm6zT7_qXA9EFvLCDixJ2Gg78vIstoyHD_x08nI8a7oNJXCu75WaADr6CsReemYCs8EzQzlR7uui86ZsSiQEhB1BlwBhPz2swWlRunNQgABs8hZ02Uf1vzYrj3qDz20V6SZI0kw5ZlebX4mT1FBnq9l9urIZqAnf_c8K5Ifcxy8ULf89_s0bZ0gwgMQibu7XZ5JR6W=w1280-h800-no

Phil had Alicia stand up to take her in his arms.

"You're not delusional, Alicia. And don't give up yet! It's okay if you're not taking this like I am. I can't imagine what you're going through but...we both miss him and we both need to keep onto the hope that Charlie will come home. He will come home!"

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lleiUQUvWZEju6ZQm46DqrkK6wZIenBCemn1zskjOFuIcOkgV_S9D3idt8UwXok0nlzcOXMYESL0f4gNy4EtpreLyRZBJmsLYA5_qkdmRQnRX3nmZge3hrCqpxMyg2UH9BwnTJtAd5xlheFEikSUq6GPapIWJi-iTrBGowhuxAHHwJDBGQjetMM3PQeHQd45xbGSCzKdyeuB4POL6nYjhB4ppFmtlFFuuXTRytedwsrCDXOxxlqw4JuMY2yqbb99v1YbWNLBNSeqoHtB5lpSBq2QTxLYE7IhCZKQlLbL8-RTM5H9OdApy9B4_kG94JVO431H80n9AlaPreBqesg2BzQxIHq7GrfSnRGC1Sz_7fWhGvumaypqD_-unim7nNHmE-nbu-Rxp6XKhPintJwo1lBXdqSBsgWwr0bIKEyM3o5YR_n1i0CgJqOMxFuPgPaCBmru3lr8gNFwtxcn2hVbeXYv5Z-yqVGW__0c4RpXFqriRlrI-CStP87UyAl8DsW7hGHC3Qf2EuuJ6y_boZnJXjyJzV3QcGj8rf_5qk0N3Bri858O72wkR7hHSeVOHD6KxcGK-he5Jd60WZigyEWimgssjmA1A6Kv20FNvSSJx3GO2ifg6RE2EcHryWGsxlYcm-w3mfCqeNadUV52svJbRtwBz8W4maSs=w1280-h800-no

Alicia turned her head away.

"You're right...You're right...I know you were away when...whatever that was that took him...But Charlie is smart. He can find his way home."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cbu3--EjTBrYmOE9v3-IDJS_iBjZtizsX30TshB81RG6Hb-zvgWGnrAA1-haPasFDVjquVTmDdrmv3aMXfRdDC9p9HyQdwAqLuelQvtcsmqWhZG2pws8v1kI28bfm5TzzE27i-z4MuKtwSabvMSDA8BYzCyPMk-M4Y-reciVsEeGDKaygBqPRAo66sZSrDq-gix3-y5_q23-Pp8mCKp-gm7ItMnG1833SKbysTt23xfGMRzAkiUcSE49UdlzFKyIp-wT3PcFe-IOJwzC9coY4uUWBy95lYbzd-ctFFPpTmDICKvG6HgJ0zqPi-tbKQoYOBX1eVYeliQEDkQHg0wYjkK8pNf9MT5T2QLuBGJEvWkl_sV4qZfeavMQ6e409gkvJ7NUQmQ8aeTcIZu2GuvbqYIkKvxcdrsNEbEztyv5tQ_LNaQDDU_n0sgWOVpvgC87uLXt-FQTO4tSyFuvh8WI1SfEq1EXVreMx7uHgaOcy1gAZHNhm0q8XJUCPQzWefyzUJpY_W4jH7GJqyf-XKpJQVkjrGUFCK9azIZBORZvg6kpsQR8aVbr9I6JyFW2PGCSGbn73Dt6_qQvKGkjTEvEZQ4Bpj8Vvl9nZj2zrx5yiG021i53_CfRslVf6ZsCvjMGcP4XiQR35-5okOpMYPtSqB-zuWHv0m8U=w1280-h800-no

The two embraced, Alicia sighing.

"It's just...hard..."

"That part I do know," said Phil. "But let's not give up just yet."

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/myRAIG8WxLwnFZPjv7Wku5kDKkXM-ovJ-kqrHGEHaz_Vv1-m0nkkKHv9nPG9wdUvm8uHXHMUWccnmxjEtwoE7cHk4dRgF1_YB5mvOUFDh5tQpMNpwIGqstRimuwjzFsC_DA5MwCdaxSZnS_2PaHm4jubdrAVhZ7ZE7mrU8pXryuaiHVYV87iwhu26ph_dw08yjTBR83aXL5Bn2k2TfQ-O-yg81fMU7k_-Z8qYcySVopwt3ihK2dxodU3JQv-QK93mjFalX2rQHjB0fLsAFOI_-RAnQ9Hlsw7IdBJyNOswbkEsdobK6P5q9FY7Cu5RaihyVcFEU0ipxsjtV39p-AcPBxvobz7ezDzJsS99r5We7QOq0TwY5-2fSQBh1OUB7GrUMHRRH4wiFNeAi5lWNNZbrYmCgSY-gmrFQe5ew2GmZGuykB86HZvmKzPTjWO9A_41sE_z3_Sbz1_sKde3rZ5XKnmhfnV9P32uC_1wDm_oB6BRDvXKno_vO9R-QyGHaNFGWAkfyjG_AwwN4Vo5cKXwfN57hfAaCCBrHqOzzMIDSSpzqJLkFQmWlzESmM4sPGoA6FIrwT5eilOXkXFZ_NLt2i-Le0rw9lg69yvLdFlAjWpWv8W3r9Au_Mv4zIq45XLbkLuWZbTa9s8qfofyEVE3o9hbpjSu-Ve=w1280-h800-no

"He's out there somewhere, Alicia. Charlie is alive. Somewhere."
------------
Next time, there is a disruption in Forgotten Hollow, more on Sunny's dating scene, and Satoshi is called away earlier than expected to help with the investigation of a crashed military plane.

If I get punted for my lasted post (complaint), just wanted to say I've enjoyed Y'all :smile:
Oh, and Hi @LosaruTaiyo LTNS :smile: (Hope that still means Long Time No See ;) )