Low Tech Era begins
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The Move
When Hu and I first settled in Willow Creek, we sought shelter in a convenient, but small, cave. Now that our tribe is growing, we find ourselves wanting to spread out. We choose a nice, flat open spot just down the hill and build our first hut. It is a simple structure with four walls and a flat roof.
Hu insists on building a stone fence around the hut for protection. He and Snow spend many days hauling rocks from the creek. Finally, Hu is satisfied and we move in.
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Hu’s fence proves successful at keeping out both unwanted guests and stray wildlife. As a result, I am able to plant some strawberry bushes and snapdragons without fear of others reaping what I have sown.
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In addition to gardening, I take up the ancient art of meditation. The kids don’t understand how I can “just sit there,” but Hu encourages me. He says I have always had a special connection with nature and the spirit world. Hu finds me a flat, comfortable rock and places it under a shady tree.
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Tally has picked out her own favorite tree at our new home. Whenever she’s not helping me or fishing with her father, you can find her swinging from its branches. She grows stronger every day.
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Snow has discovered a talent for woodworking and spends much of his free time crafting sculptures of bunnies, dragons, and bears. He’s getting quite good at it and successfully trades his handiwork with other tribes.
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Snow knows the other tribes better than any of us. He still believes he will befriend the world someday. I tell him that he will only know half the world because it seems he only talks to girls.
“I talk to men, women, and children,” he claims. “I can’t help it if you only notice when I speak to girls.”
Perhaps there is some truth in that.
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But there is also truth in the fact that my son is about to come of age, and I am certain he intends to take a wife.
It is Tally who first informs me that her brother shows a preference for one particular girl. Tally is climbing her favorite tree and notices Snow gazing at clouds with a pretty stranger.
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The girl’s name is Lee, from the tribe of Santos. The first time I see her, I know she is smitten with my son.
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Who is this Santos tribe? Lee tells us that her people took refuge in the mountains during the Great Winter. Of course, she is too young to have experienced the Great Winter, but her elders still tell the story.
When we ask what she is doing so far from home, Lee says that the mountains are beautiful, but isolating. By asking a few more questions, we learn that some of her people are starting to leave the mountains and marry into other tribes.
Hu and I discuss the matter and decide that we must travel to this place called Granite Falls to negotiate with Lee’s family.
“I might have hoped that Snow would choose a girl from a tribe nearby,” Hu says as we make preparations to leave. “But Lee says the fishing is great where she is from, and I am curious to see what’s on the other side of the mountains.”
That’s my Hu, always thinking of fishing.
The excitement of a new adventure has Hu and me feeling giddy the evening before our departure. In the morning we might regret staying up late, but tonight we don’t care.
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Notes: In Low Tech, sims can visit Granite Falls. Lee Santos is a not-in-world sim but I took liberties with the story to explain why the family might travel there.
Wu completed her original Curator aspiration on day 24. I was just waiting for Low Tech to begin so she could mail off five metals/crystals and get back five elements. She is now working on Freelance Botanist. Hu still has his original Angling Ace aspiration. He just needs to finish the “catch 20 types of fish” step. Snow is working on Friend of the World.
