What should have been a simple life in the desert sand and stars becomes anything but. Haunted by dreams of a life of violence, and seeking answers as to why, Peridot and her friends find themselves caught in an ancient battle between Light and Dark...and find that the cost of being a soldier is higher than they might have ever thought.
Peppermint: Well...you ready, Scar?
Scarlet: Uh-huh!
Bumble: Well, if it isn’t Hunter Crystal.
Fern: Just Mrs. Crystal now, actually. I’ve hung up my sword.
Bumble: Good to know. I’d hate to have to bring out the claws.
Fern: *chuckle* No need. Thank you for meeting with us--this is my sibling-in-law, Peppermint, and their daughter Scarlet. We were wondering if...well, it’s all kind of a long story, really.
Bumble: Children usually are. Especially...well, why not come inside and meet my son? Raven’s about her age, so it’ll be good for them to play together.
Scarlet: Rere?
Peppermint: Hang on, Scar. You don’t mind?
Bumble: Why should I? She’s hardly her mother!
Bumble: Please, come in. I’ll make coffee.
Fern: You’re watcher-sent, Bumble.
Bumble: So if you don’t mind my asking, how did a non-occult come into raising Sanguine Shadow’s daughter, of all people?
Obsidian: We heard she bit the bullet, but that’s...a lot.
Peppermint: Oh, well...uh...how much do you know about how Sanguine...died?
Bumble: Oh, more than enough. We know she was keeping Hunters in her torture dungeon of a mansion, and that your sister in law over there was one of them.
Peppermint: Oh, I--
Bumble: Relax, darling, we’re grateful it happened!
Bumble: Sanguine Shadow was a stain on all Vampire kind, and a problem in making roads of peace and acceptance between vampires and werewolves. Her and that mate of hers being gone is a blessing.
Obsidian: Really we should have thrown you a party, Mrs. Crystal.
Fern: No, no parties! It was self-defense, nothing more!
Bumble: Humble and honest. Great traits. Now, how did you...
Peppermint: Oh, well...we were mountain a rescue around the same time Fern killed Sanguine, and I heard a baby crying and couldn’t just leave her there. The rest is pretty much history.
Fern: Master Chronos wanted to kill her for who her parents were, but Pep and EG weren’t having that, either!
Bumble: Pff...that old fart can go step off a cliff. So, what’s this going to be?
Peppermint: I’m sorry?
Bumble: Well, I’m only guessing here, but I doubt you brought her with so little of her things if you wanted us to take her in. We would, of course, if that was a need,but...
Peppermint: No! No, I just...
Peppermint: ...I don’t know if we can be what she needs. And not just as a child to their parents, but...as a vampire. Health concerns and needs and the sun--what do I know about young vampires? Nothing!
Bumble: Oh, Peppermint.
Peppermint: I mean, the not knowing what a little kid needs--that’s what my Dad and Pops are for, and Simgle, and--there’s parenting books everywhere! But a vampire? A...
Bumble: A fledgling.
Peppermint: What does a fledgling need?
Fern: Oh, the basics. You know, love, and care, and food, and clean clothes, and a roof over her head...
Peppermint: We’re already giving her all of that!
Obsidian: then that’s all you need right now. The sun won’t be a problem, that’s just an old rumor.
Peppermint: It is?
Bumble: Of course it is! We can go out in the daylight just as much as you can--or believe me, I wouldn’t have moved us to a desert!
Peppermint: ...oh, no, that does make sense.
Bumble: Now, we are a little more sensitive, but it’s nothing that sunblock and umbrellas can’t solve!
Fern: And sunglasses?
Bumble: Ha! And sunglasses. No, Peppermint, all those old wives tales are just fake all the way through.
Peppermint: Oh...good.
Bumble: But Fern was right about the rest of it. And having a peer of her own will also do her good, so you were right to come to us. Raven needed a friend, too.
Bumble: Now, once her fangs start coming in is a different story but--
Peppermint: When is that?
Bumble: oh, usually when puberty starts. Sometimes a little earlier, sometimes a little later. It’s nothing we can’t handle.
Peppermint: ...oh. Fangs and periods. I hadn’t thought about those either...
Bumble: *laughter*
Fern: Pep, you are literally outnumbered by people who have periods. She’s not going to have any trouble there, either!
Peppermint: ....I’m making mountains out of molehills, aren’t I.
Bumble: *chuckle* A bit. But you’re doing it out of care for your baby, so you’re in good company. You should have seen us when Raven was born. We took shifts so he’d always have eyes on!
Peppermint: What was wrong?
Bumble: Nothing at all. He was absolutely perfect, and still is. We were just first time parents learning the ropes, and so are you. It will get easier, and now that you have a village...
Peppermint: ...we can raise a child.
Bumble: Exactly. And, when the time comes, Obsidian and I would be more than happy to help Scarlet figure out her preferred food.
Peppermint: Oh that’s right! Plasmafruit’s a thing now...
Obsidian: And believe me, it is worth it!
Bumble: But that’s still years down the line, so there’s no need to worry! No, the only worry she’ll have now is if Raven wants to share his toys today or not.
Peppermint: *chuckle* I was like that with my sister, too.
Bumble: Ah, kids.
reach for the heavens
reach for the sun
reach for your future
whatever comes
close your eyes
and see my face in a smile
i’ll be there
through the darkness and light
Nova: That makes...how many?
Citrine: Eighteen in four weeks.
Nova: *low whistle* Yikes.
Nova: I didn’t know we even had that many jewelry stores in this town.
Citrine: Neither did I. What makes it weird is nothing was taken...
Nova: Nothing?
Citrine: Nothing.It’s almost like the thieves were looking for something specific but couldn’t find it and didn’t take anything else...which is really strange.
Nova: What could they be looking for?
Citrine: No idea! These stores all traffic in raw stones for custom jewelry, but none of their stock was missing. Messed up, sure, but all there at the end.
Nova: And the police have no leads?
Citrine: None.
Nova: ...I know that tone. What’re you up to?
Citrine: ...it might be nothing, but...every one of these shops received catering from Fennel Herb days before the robbery.
Nova: Fennel Herb--Basil’s wife? Our potentially soon to be mayor’s wife?
Citrine: Yep.
Nova: ...okay, Once is an accident, twice is a coincidence--
Citrine: No such thing.
Nova: --and three times is a pattern...but what is eighteen times?
Citrine: A problem....if I can prove it. Something tells me this is not going to be easy...
Citrine: Oh, we are not going!
Fern: Babe, come on! It’s a concert!
Citrine: A heavy metal concert in Moonwood Mills! A, Too far, and B: too loud!
Saffron: *chuckle* And very, very, very furry.
Moonstone: And cozy, too! Apparently werewolf hugs are some of the best around.
Calcite/Citrine: Ma/Gram!
Fern: *laughter* They can be!
Calcite: Don’t encourage her, Fern!
Moonstone: *gasp* I’ll never get to see a werewolf concert! Oh, the horror!
Citrine: Gram....
Fern: *snicker*
Peridot: Grampop, have they always been this crazy?
Nova: Well, they come by it honestly. And so do you, kiddo.
Peridot: Eh, I guess...
Nova: *chuckle* Here. One peanut butter and strawberry sandwich, just as asked.
Peridot: Thanks! I’m going now!
Saffron: Have a good day, honey! Oh, you know, there are audio recordings of the howling concerts on Simstube. It wouldn’t be hard to find a few...
Moonstone: ...would that be like listening to songs in a different language or...whalesong? Wolfsong? Huh...
Fern: Hold up a minute, kiddo!
Peridot: Ugh, Ma...I’m gonna be late!
Fern: Two more minutes won’t matter!
Peridot: Not for school...if Ribbon or Meadow get to the corner first I’ll never hear the end of it!
Citrine: You kids and your bets!
Peridot: Two. Minutes.
Peridot: Ack--Maaaaaa!
Fern: Oh, hush! Be glad I’m not doing this outside!
Fern: Now, are you sure you don’t want me to walk you all to school? It’s a bit of a ways...
Peridot: Ma....yes, I’m sure!
Peridot: The first day was two months ago! We’re not babies anymore.
Fern: Mm, you’ll always be our babies. But, if you’re sure...
Peridot: Yes, Ma., I’m sure.
Nova: *laugh* I distinctly remember the four of you running to school more than once, Citrine. Because you were...late?
Citrine: *nervous laugh* Pop...don’t give her any ideas...
Peridot/Fern: Too late!
*both laugh*
Peridot: See you later
All: Have a good day, sweetie!
*front door opens, closes*
Peridot: *laugh* They’re so nuts.
Celestial: Peri! Peri, over here! Come on, hurry!
Peridot: I’m coming, I’m coming!
Celestial: Come on, slowpoke! Meadow hasn’t come out her door yet!
Peridot: I gotta look both ways first, remember!?
Celestial: Eh, you’re still a slowpoke!
Peridot: Hey! Keep that up and I won’t share lunch today.
Celestial: --!! You got it?!
Peridot: *laugh* Yes, Cel, I got your peanut and strawberry sandwich!
Peridot: Grampop looked at me like I was nuts, but I got it!
Celestial: Oh, just wait until you try it! It’s so good!
At school...
Meadow: I can’t believe this!
*Cel & Peridot laugh*
Meadow: It’s not funny!
Meadow: How do you two always beat me here? We live across the street from each other!
Peridot: We know all the shortcuts~
Celestial: And we use them!
Celestial: But Ribbon beat us here anyway! I didn’t see her leave!
Peridot: She must have gotten up before us!
-
Bronze: Zee can tutor, if need?
Nectar: No, no, I just flubbed the free answer stuff. You know I’m no good with that!
Bronze: Is true. Sure not want tutoring?
Nectar: ...eh, maybe next year?
Bronze: Next year.
-
Parsley: Ugh...here again! Why did they put me in this school?
Cinnamon: Question nine?
Royal Cola: The product of three sums is...four hundred and sixy nine?
Cinnamon: Sixty!
Royal: Ack! Simlish so complicated...
Barley: Not so difficult! Could be counting Ferrum spores.
Summer: Ugh, no, no spores. I’ll be sneezing all day!
Mystic: How did you get here before they did?
Ribbon: My little secret~
Ember: *laugh* She cut across our backyard at seven thirty in the morning!
Flame: And woke up the neighbor’s dog in the process.
Ribbon: ....okay yeah I did that but he didn’t bite me!
Mystic: Ribbon....
-
Astral: *laughter* Should see Royal face! X sounds! bah!
Starglass: Hey, be nice! We’d be as bad with Sixamese, I promise you that.
Dawn: You’re kidding. Tryouts are this year?
Candle: They’re every year, man! This is just the first year we can be on a team!
Dawn: A junior team...
Candle: It’s still a team!
Golden: Maybe I should tryout, too. Girls can play, right?
Ember: Please do! *laugh* You’d run circles around everyone!
-
Rose: Seriously?
Edelweiss: Seriously.
Edelweiss: Dad said to be home before sundown because of all that’s going on. And he’d call your Mom on me if I’m late!
Rose: Ugh, that sucks...
*bell rings*
Rainbow: Now! Who can tell me what the sum total of these five numbers are? Without pulling out your calculators!
Rainbow: Dawn? Candle?
Dawn: ...nope, got nothing.
Candle: Same.
Rainbow: *sigh* Boys....alright. Rose, what about you?
Rose: Um....carry the five, add two...seven hundred and eighty four?
Rainbow: Nope! Edelweiss?
Edelweiss: Um...no idea.
Rainbow: Right. Celestial?
Celestial: I plead the fifth!
Peridot: *snicker* Cel...
-
Royal Cola: *muttering in Sixamese*
Cinnamon: Carry seven, add four...
Rainbow: *chuckle* Sorry, Celestial, that’s for legal proceedings, not math class.
Celestial: Oh. Uh...no idea.
Royal Cola: !! Miss, I know answer, I know answer!
Royal Cola: Eight hundred and ninety three!
Rainbow: Very good! Can you come up here and explain how you reached that number?
Parsley: By being a freak?
Rainbow: Parsley! We do not talk about other people like that, am I clear?
Parsley: ...yes Miss Skittles...
Rainbow: Now, apologize to Royal Cola!
Parsley: ...sorry.
Royal Cola: Is fine. Used to it.
Cinnamon: *angry muttering in Sixamese*
Royal Cola: --!!
Rainbow: *sugh* Right, now--
*bell rings*
Rainbow: Clearly everyone’s a little hangry! Off to lunch with you, scoot!
Peridot: Where does he get off, being that mean!?
Celestial: Peri--
Peridot: No, seriously! He’s always been such a jerk, but especially to Royal and zer sibs! It’s not fair!
Celestial: He's a bully, Peri. Fair's not really in their books.
Peridot: If he's not careful I'm gonna put it in his books.
Candle: ...anybody tell you how scary you can be, Peri?
Peridot: It’s not scary to protect others!
Celestial: You’ll just get in trouble, Per. Royal wouldn’t want that, either.
Peridot: *growl* Still...
Dawn: I don’t think punching him would change his mind anyway. He’s been a real jerk since his Dad made mayor a third time!
Candle: Ugh, don’t remind me. Mama T was mad about that...
Peridot: Guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh?
Celestial: ...eh, it can sometimes.
Dawn: Not this time, Cel.
Celestial: *sigh* No, I guess not. Still, notice anything weird today?
Peridot: He apologized?
Celestial: He apologized...and he’s sitting alone.
Peridot: He always sits alone! He thinks us mixed berries aren’t worth his time! And the Sixamites--he really doesn’t like them!
Dawn: He’s not worth the breath, Peri, let it go.
Candle: Yeah, you can’t really...activist against a person? Mama T tried, didn’t work.
Peridot: I don’t care! I hate bullies, and he’s the worst!
Dawn: He’s the only one we have, really.
Peridot: That just makes it worse! It puts all the bully in one kid!
Candle: At least we outnumber him?
Peridot: Oh, sure, except we can’t bumrush him either!
Celestial: *snort* You’ve been reading too many Star Guardian stories, Per. Just ignore him--he’ll get tired and move on eventually.
Dawn: And if he doesn’t, tell Miss Skittles. She’ll tell him off.
Candle: He doesn’t really listen, though...
Peridot: Ugh, fine. Fine! I won’t do anything to get into trouble.
Celestial: Good! I don’t wanna come here without you here.
Celestial: Let’s just all stick together, okay? Let Parsley be his dumb self and ignore him.
Candle: That sounded profound.
Dawn: Now who’s using big words!
Peridot: *snicker* I guess all those books I lent you came in handy, huh? Did you like ‘em?
Candle: Oh yeah! I like that there was no kissing. Your Gram wrote them?
Peridot: My...um...Great-Great Gramma Spinel, yeah. We still get paid for them, you know?
Candle: Still? Maybe I should write some, so my great great grandkids can get paid for doing nothing.
Dawn: Tryouts are this year. You gonna give it a go?
Celestial: For sure!
Celestial: Just you wait--the three of us may even make the same team together!
*kids chattering*
Fern: That’s...how many this year?
Citrine: Eight, so far.
Fern: Where the hell are the cops when you need them.
Citrine: I’m starting to wonder if they’re all paid off for this one, love.
Fern: *tired laugh* Wouldn’t that be something. So that’s...*counting* Eighty stores hit? Yeesh...
Fern: How are they even still open?
Citrine: Nothing’s ever been taken so far. It’s like the thief, or thieves, is looking for something specific and when they don’t find it they don’t take anything else.
Fern: Must be something pretty important to hit eighty stores like this.
Citrine: Could be more. If nothing’s taken, some stores may just think an employee forgot to lock up for the night and not report anything strange.
Fern: Still...
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