Journal entry, Lyanna HolidayMy parents have been lying to me my entire life. I don’t know what to do. I called Uncle Toby. I don’t know him really well, but after he calmed me down, he said I needed to talk to Mom. And he said if I still wanted to leave, it wasn’t like I didn’t have family I could go to.
I may have to run away where no one knows me. I would never see Cassana and Shireen again and that would kill me.
I don’t know what to do.
From Valeria Holiday
To: Drifter Board of Directors
Re: Well, the cat is out of the bag now. It doesn’t matter how, but Lyanna found out. Eddard’s off somewhere in the neighborhood foraging crystals.
I’m not sure why. The dragon fruit is ready for harvesting—anyhow she knows. She knows and somehow taken it from this kooky strange Project to some kind of dark government conspiracy. I have never really understood all the details and I can’t find Eddard.
She’s half ready to dye her hair to disguise herself and flee into the night. Can you email her and calm her down?
Valeria
From: Evangeline Hecking, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
To: Lyanna Holiday
Re: The Drifter ProjectHi Lyanna,
First of all, you do not need to participate in the Project
unless you want to.
From what your mother said when I called her, it sounds like you came across some of the communications the Board had with your great grandfather Orys Baratheon. While the Board originally required participants to have their eldest child participate, that requirement is no longer in place. It has not been a requirement for years and years.
If you don’t want to do this, it’s fine. We will respect your decision.
Your mother gave me permission to share some of his reports with you. If you read them, you’ll see the only reason they didn’t tell you about the Project was because they felt they were doing the best thing for you.
I understand your father can’t be reached at the moment, but as soon as he comes home, I think you should talk to him.
If you have questions that he can’t answer and you decide you want clarification, email me.
Evangeline
Phone conversation between Eddard Holiday and Evangeline HeckingEddard: I think we’re good now. It was touch and go for a while.
Evangeline: I’m glad. This is purely voluntary. I hope she understands that now.
Eddard: It took a lot of talking, but she gets it. See…look, Lyanna isn’t like me and she’s nothing like either of my parents. She lives for school. She lives for academia. This kid is never going to be happy keeping a garden and foraging for collectibles. I don’t even think Lyanna would be content painting or writing. She wants a career.
Evangeline: The Project doesn’t preclude a career.
Eddard: No, but in her case…you’d have to know her to get it. I gave her all the stuff I have about the Project just so she would understand that we weren’t keeping anything from her. She’s reading it now, but I don’t think she’s going to be interested.
Evangeline: It’s fine, Eddard. I get it. I have kids myself. By the way on another subject?
Eddard: Yes?
Evangeline: I was snotty as hell when you were feeding yourself to that cow plant and I want you to know how sorry I am about that.
From: Evangeline Hecking, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
To: Lyanna Holiday
Re: Re: The Drifter ProjectHi Lyanna,
After our phone call, I spoke to the other board members to see which of your questions I can answer.
IF you wish to participate,
• The Board will give you a specific plot of land for free.
• You will need to start from zero funds.
• You may bring a few items with you, but if they have any monetary value, they will need to be paid for first. For instance, if an item you bring is worth 10 simoleons, the first 10 simoleons you make needs to be paid off immediately.
• There will be requirements about the final value and construction of your house.
• While you cannot visit your family home once you sign on, you are free to invite your family to visit your lot.
• At some point, you will need to have a child who you will need to commit to raising to young adulthood.
As you will see, the above are all goals that we discussed. We ordinarily do not disclose all the particulars to our participants until they are young adults, but given the circumstances, we are going to bend that rule as much as we can.
Additionally, IF you participate, we can tell you that a requirement will be that you enter the Science career. There is at least one skill you will need to master and there is travel involved.
If you have negative feelings about aliens, this may be a challenge for you.
More than this we cannot disclose at this time.
You have some time and from what your parents tell us, you are a bright young woman with many roads open to you. We’re not your only option.
When and if you want to participate, we’d love to have you, but if you choose another path, you will have our best wishes.
Best,
Evangeline
Discussion among Lyanna, Cassana, and Shireen HolidayShireen: I’m just saying, you’ve been going on and on about the Science career for like forever.
Cassana: Lyanna can join the Science career without having to commit to a lot of crazy rules. Besides that hint about aliens. Ewww.
Lyanna: I don’t care about that. I think it would be super cool to meet an alien.
Shireen: We probably know some already.
Lyanna: I don’t know if I want kids, though. What if my partner works? Who’s going to take care of the baby? What if I’m a terrible mom?
Cassana: Then tell them no.
Lyanna: I need to think about it some more.
Journal entry, Valeria HolidayI told Eddard I think Lyanna is going to participate after all.
Give that girl a list of requirements and she is all over it.
The dramatic atmosphere was building again. I finally told them all that no one was deciding anything today. And then I had Eddard take some photos. If nothing else this crisis has made it crystal clear to me that my babies are growing up so fast.