Chapter One - Sunlit Tides
Elysium had chosen Sunlit Tides for it views and beaches. She stood for a long while to just stare at the empty lot opposite her own, taking a deep breath and feeling the sun warming her legs.
It began to rain when she ran for the nearest beach, just at the end of the road, and started splashing around in the water. She was alone. Perhaps the residents of Sunlit Tides were so accustomed to living with sand and surf all around them, that they had no joy from visiting the seaside?
After a while, Elysium made her way to Elixir Consignment Store to enquire after friendship potions and the special Midas Touch - neither were in stock. At Langraab Sell 'n' Swap, she'd found the Hikon camera but couldn't buy it with her £1,800 budget.
It was then time to bring in the woman destined to sculpt Ely's museum pieces: Pearl Yang.
Pearl: Hey, Ely.
Elysium: How-? Hello, Pearl. Did Janet call ahead already?
After chatting for a while, Pearl agreed to move in.
Elysium: Once you're ice sculptures no longer melt, I promise you can do whatever you like.
Pearl: I'm counting on it.
With Pearl's added simoleons, Ely ran to the Consignment Store. Unlucky for her, it had just closed. So, she set some money aside for the next day, and built a small, undecorated house.
As the days went by, Pearl and Ely signed papers at City Hall declaring their self employment. Ely harvested honey, caught bugs and sold gems that mysteriously appeared on the lot - this reminded her of the time she'd lived with her mother.
Pearl had moved from clay to ice sculptors and was earning more simoleons than Ely.
Now Ely just needed someone to paint her portraits. It seemed a shame self portraits weren't allowed. She'd tried to visit the local artistic, cook Rosalind Cruzita however she was never home. After roaming around town for a while, Ely stumbled across Len Tsang. Hearts suddenly appeared as they shock hands.
Elysium: H-hi!
Len: *sniffling* Heyhey.
Elysium: I'm Ely, I just moved here. Would you like to be part of an immortal dynasty?
She began explaining as best she could, Len seemed attentive but with those sunglasses covering his eyes, Ely couldn't be sure if he'd fallen asleep standing up or was just letting her prattle on.
Elysium: I've already enlisted Pearl's help. I'm on a tight schedule and I'd love for you to join us.
Len stood there for a moment. He shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "Sure, why not?" he said at last.
Elysium: Welcome to our... er... home. You'll be in charge of cooking and painting.
The first thing Len wished for was a pillow fight. They went outside, and for a guy fighting off a cold he still managed to win.
Ely had been successful enough to find the Midas Touch. She'd raised £100,000 and hoped it would be enough to build a house.
In the end, she'd used it all up with not much left for an underground museum or property and business.
Pearl got a new hair style and formal dress, without the sunglasses she's very pretty indeed.
Bonehilda repairs and cleans as everyone is busy painting and sculpting.
Ely signed up for online dating. She didn't have any wishes concerning Len - he wants to kiss her though - so she's keeping her options open. Of course, it's only married men that seem to send her messages.
At the start of the second week, Pearl's adult birthday arrives. Ely plans a party, inviting everyone they know and hoping there'll be a few single guys.
Everybody ends up dancing in the living room. Ely was sad to see the particular guy she was expecting hadn't attended.
The important thing was that Pearl enjoyed herself.
Pearl: Please, no mid-life crisis!
Her wish was granted. Happy birthday, Pearl!
