Once upon a time, I was supposed to move to Dragon Valley. I was young and ready and with my mother's blessing, I had my marque tattooed into my back - the family ruins signifying me as the founder. But I never made it out of the city. I was pregnant with Emmaline and even though it was a setback, I was sure that I could still do it. I was going to break the curse on the Bliss line once and for all.
Little did Emmy know the burden I was putting on her. She never even had a chance to try, because before she was even born, I'd left her father, and she'd never know him, much less be best friends with him.
I was wild in my youth. And selfish. But I'm going to make it right.
I left three daughters behind in Moonlight Falls. The Bliss family has deep roots there, though the girls don't know it. They will as they read the book I've sent them, though. They will.
Once upon a time, Dragon Valley was a country called Effenmont. Elfin people with pale skin, hair, and eyes lived secretly on the land, unknown to everyone.
When a Simlish envoy found them, they were open to trade and sent their prince to marry the Simlish queen. The prince, however, fell in love with the witch living in the kingdom's wizard quarters and they ran away together, back to Effenmont, the witch heavy with child.
I've researched this thoroughly and have transcribed it the best I can for my daughters, though I doubt they'll pay much heed.
The baby was born, a girl named Orin. She was the first mix of Effenmonti and Simlish blood and a dangerous bringer of magic. Her presence radiated ancient things, buried deep within the earth, and the Elfin people of Effenmont's capital found themselves changing. Vampires, wolves, fairies ... things long gone were resurfacing.
Orin's parents disappeared. The once beloved prince was no longer in favor with the people and they grew suspicious and hateful toward the remaining child and all of the supernaturals that had grown in town. They banished them all, in a traveling hoard, back across the sea.
The old palace is now just a ruin atop a hill here in Dragon Valley.
Orin left her own curse behind on the people. In a brilliant flash of light, she sent a scattershot of color through the village. If the Effenmonti people detested variation, this was the worst possible fate. They were now a rainbow people and their Elfin magic, locked in the eggs of the dragons they fostered, were sealed under Orin's spell, fossilized forever.
She cursed them and with their last blow to her and her nomadic group of followers, they cursed her right back. Her curse is a complicated thing and it carries in her line. One day I'll explain it in better detail. She and her supernatural followers eventually settled in Moonlight Falls, which is today's capital of the supernatural Simlish culture.
I am her direct descendant. Like my ancestress, Orin, wherever I go, the supernatural follows. And now I am back, my marque visible for anyone who knows the story (though I doubt many do), and I've set up house in a little trailer I've managed to construct for myself in the valley.
I am a loner and not one to be too open about what I'm after. I decided to hone my new angler skill to profit and registered with the city as a fisherwoman while I waited to see who the supernatural would choose and how.
I am a virtuoso and long for a guitar. I played when I was a girl, but because this is not my first attempt at this dynasty, my skills have been reset. I did stumble upon an abandoned violin in the fairegrounds, which I've taken home. It is a challenge, but I am building my skill slowly and surely.
In fact, this town is rife with things to be discovered and taken. The culture seems to be one of shared ownership. When I spotted some of the famous fossilized dragon's eggs in the basement of the library, I couldn't help myself. They'd remind me of my heritage back at the trailer.
Imagine my surprise, when I laid them down on the floor that night and they started to shake.
To me, this was a sign that Orin was watching and approved of this effort. Part of her curse was lifted and for the first time in millennia, there were dragons in the land again. I would be the proud owner of two.
Shimmer is purple, like me, and a sweet tempered little thing.
Obsidian is more reserved, but fiercely loyal. They already seem a part of me.
In fact, I am rarely without them. Shimmer in particular is a great help with making friends. Especially as I am uneasy in crowds.
She has the ability to summon new friends for me, though they aren't always particularly well matched. The one I've grown fondest of is a Human man named Braden. He's a pro athlete and we have nothing at all in common, but I feel comfortable around him. Like a sibling.
He hits on me as often as possible, but I somehow feel like he wouldn't like it if I ever actually tried to move our relationship in a romantic direction. He's not supernatural anyway.
He does get me out of dynasty mode now and then, though, which is a blessing in and of itself.
I have been honing my magic skills in private. It wouldn't do to expose myself when I'm the only one. I am, however, making very good progress.
With fishing as well, I am bringing in a comfortable income for myself.
Unfortunately, while I eventually found over half a dozen attractive, male supernaturals in town, they are all witches, just like me. It was frustrating.
At least I did manage the first of my unique wish requirements. Congratulate me on maxing out my fishing skill!
I celebrated with a special purchase for myself.
As the winds grew chillier and winter started to fall on Dragon Valley, I started to lose hope. I took long walks, wondering if I should just go ahead and plan on a genie lamp for my spouse choice when I met him.
I knew immediately that he'd been hit with an errant charm by another witch in town, but that didn't stop the pit of my stomach from dropping to my toes when he approached out of the silent evening and kissed me.
We didn't speak at all that first night. I dragged him by the hand toward my little trailer, stopping along the way to kiss again and again.
I won't go into the details of our evening. I'm sure you can guess. There's nothing quite like the thrill of an anonymous tryst with a dangerous stranger. Maybe I haven't grown up very much after all.
In any sense, he was still there in the morning.
