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.
Royal Cola: Not pick fight, please.
Peridot: Oh, I didn't start this, but I will end it.
Parsley: Ugh--why are you even defending this freak?! She's not even like us!
Peridot: Ze, Parsley, ZE, not SHE. Or are you gonna be that much of a bully you won't even have that basic--ugh what's that word--decency?
Parsley: Pff, decency for freaks who shouldn't live on this planet, let alone in this city? If my Dad has his way they'll all be gone soon.
Peridot: oh, you're talking for your Daddy now, are you? Ha! Gimme a break, Herb. The Sixam accords have been around for over a hundred years--one mayor from a small town won't get rid of them!
Parsley: He won't be mayor forever! he'll go to the houses, and then the ministry, and then--
Peridot: And then what, force every accord and agreement off? Ha! Yeah right.
Peridot: Admit it. Your Dad's a jerk, and you're a jerk, and you both think everyone's worse than you, don't you.
Parsley: They are! How do you not see that?!
Peridot: Because one of my grannies was from Cassini, you jerk, and she lived on Sixam for years. They're more like me than you'd ever be.
Peridot: But even if they weren't? Royal's a great person, and smart, and kind, and everything you're not. So buzz off, before I blacken both your peepers.
Royal Cola: Peridot...
Parsley: You...
Peridot: Cat got your tongue? Ha! Come on, Royal. Let's go get lunch.
Royal Cola: Ah--yes, yes, coming!
Royal Cola: ...you...think I smart?
Peridot: Sure! You're great at math, and science when you have your books. You know stuff! Just 'cause it's in Sixamese and not Simlish doesn't mean you don't know stuff. You're real smart! Just...in your own language, that's all.
Royal Cola: Ah--had not thought of it like that.
Royal Cola: Peridot is very smart, too. In own language. Speak sixamese?
Peridot: Ah--two dozen words? One song? Heh, not enough to get by.
Royal Cola: I teach! You teach Simlish, I teach Sixamese!
Peridot: Oh, you don't have to--
Royal Cola: Want to. In gratitude.
Peridot: Oh, well...sure. Oh! That reminds me--would you like to learn how to hit people?
Royal Cola: EH?!
That evening...
Citrine: And you're absolutely sure about this? It's not too late to back out...
Fern: I'm sure. It's perfectly safe for non-Vampires these days.
Citrine: Which is why you're so nervous.
Fern: Ah--well...there, is that whole baggage thing to consider...
Citrine: Fern. Seriously. Back out. We can get candy, popcorn, watch spooky movies instead...
Citrine: ...you can't let fear stop you from living.
Citrine: Who're you trying to convince?
Fern: ...myself, I guess. *sigh* Listen, you can still come with us--
Citrine: Oh, no, you can't pay me to go back there.
Fern: It's perfectly safe--
Citrine: It can be the safest place on the planet. Still not going.
Fern: Fair...
Meadow: Hey! Are we going or not?
Fern: Hang on, kids!
Ribbon: Auntie, we're going to miss all the good candy!
Fern: I know, I know! Just a minute!
Citrine: ...duty calls?
Fern: Duty calls.
Fern: Listen. I have my phone, and there's going to be at least two hunters on every block. We'll be fine.
Citrine: ...who're you trying to convince?
Fern: This time? You. We'll be okay, Citrine. I promise.
Citrine: ...I know. I still don't like it.
Fern: I know. Next year we'll stay home. I promise that, too.
Citrine: Next year they're going to think trick-or-treating is "uncool".
Fern: *laugh* All the more reason to go this year, before they become edgy teenagers like we did.
Citrine: Oh, excuse you, I am not the one from the "House of Thorns"!
*both laugh*
Citrine: Promise me you'll be careful.
Fern: I promise, babe. We'll be back. We'll always come back.
Citrine: I'm holding you to that.
Fern: ...you know..it really isn't too late. Little makeup, nice dress...be the bride to my monster.
Citrine: I can't. I just...I can't go back there. I know it's different, but I just--
Fern: I know. Come here.
Fern: You don't have to explain yourself to me. Not about this.
Citrine: How are you managing?
Fern: It's all above ground. *breathy laugh* And because I know you'll turn the world upside down if something happens and we don't come back.
Kids: Auntie/Ma!
Fern: Coming! Impatient...
Citrine: Go on.
Citrine: You kids be good for Fern, okay?
Kids: Yes, Mom/Auntie/Mrs. C!
Citrine: Good! Now go, have fun!
*door opens, closes*
Citrine: Mmph.
Moonstone: Oh boy. Not too late to go with them, you know.
Citrine: I can't. I just can't.
Moonstone: Oh, Citrine....
Citrine: It's been years. It's not the same. I should be over it but I'm not and I can't--
Moonstone: I still flinch at thunderstorms.
Citrine: What?
Moonstone: There was a big thunderstorm when I lost my sight. It's been over fifty years and I still flinch at storms. You won't catch me dead at the river in a storm, and it's been longer than you've been alive, baby. Don't let anyone tell you you have to "get over something" in a year, or ten, or twenty. You heal at your own pace.
Citrine: ...even if it's slower than my own wife?
Moonstone: Even if. Trust me, Fern understands. The kids will be fine, too.
Citrine: I know that, logically, but...how do I make myself believe it?
Moonstone: You keep saying it, over and over, until it becomes truth. ...Which is harder than it sounds, unfortunately.
Moonstone: ...would ice cream help?
Citrine: Ugh...I don't think so, Gram. *sniff* It's gonna be a long night. I should...I should keep working on the case.
Moonstone: Citrine...
Citrine: I just need to not think right now. Is that okay?
Moonstone: More than okay. Just...remember that we're here, alright?
Moonstone: If you need anything, you let someone know. Don't try and take things on by yourself.
Citrine: I know, Gram. I know. I just...
Ribbon: I can't believe it!
The next day...
Ribbon: They had rock candy! Actual rock candy!
Scarlet: Why is that so exciting--it's just sugar!
Celestial: It doesn't even taste like anything! It's just...sweet. At least candy corn and fruit chews taste like stuff!
Peridot: But it's still your favorite?
Ribbon: My favorite favorite! It sparkles and it's pretty to hold to the light and it tastes good!
Celestial: Okay, you are just...so weird, Ribbon.
Meadow; You're one to talk! You like licorice!
Celestial: Oh, come on, it's not that bad!
Meadow: You're kidding, right? That stuff tastes like medicine!
Scarlet: It does, kinda. We already traded mine, right?
Celestial: Yes, for all my peach rings and apple slices and--how can you not like licorice!
Meadow: I just don't!
Scarlet: Auntie, do you want any candy? ...Auntie?
Scarlet: ....Auntie Fern? Are you okay?
Fern: Wha--oh, I'm fine. Sorry, honey. Did you need something?
Scarlet: ...what's the matter?
Scarlet: Is it something about that house? It's empty, right? Nobody owns it, you said.
Fern: I...knew the old owner. She and I...didn't really get along.
Scarlet: Oh. Who was she?
Fern: She was--
Morte: She was your birth carrier
Fern: ...hi.
Vita: Hi. Nice costume?
Morte: Creature from the black lagoon, was it?
Fern: Blue lagoon, but...yeah.
Vita: Relax. Everything's fine--we just came to say hello.
-
Scarlet: My birth carrier owned that house?
Morte: She did. Us Hunters are keeping it for now, until you're old enough. If you want it, it'll be yours someday.
Scarlet: ...oh.
Fern: Sorry, it's just...this town, you know?
Vita: I know. There's places I still can't go, not since...well. Not for a long time. It hasn't been as long for you, so...I get it.
Fern: ...yeah. I guess you would.
Vita: But if you knew you couldn't stand this place, why come back here tonight? Any of their parents could have come instead.
Fern: I had to face it. Get over this fear.
Vita: Forcing it doesn't help, Fern. You know that.
Fern: *sigh* I know. ...hey. That glimmerstone. That's...
Vita: ...yeah. It's hers.
Fern: You found it.
Vita: Yeah. I did.
Fern: Does it help?
Vita: It does. *sigh* Listen, Fern, I've been thinking. About Delphine's vision. If she was right, then...
Fern: I know. I know, believe me, I know! I just....do we even know how many to look for? Do we have anything to go off of or are we just running blindly into the dark?
Vita: RIght now there's a whole lot of that.
Scarlet: I don't want it.
Morte: What?
Scarlet: I don't want it. I don't need this big a house, and I don't...this place is kinda boring.
Morte: *chuckle* It is. Well, you don't have to decide right now, Scarlet. We'll keep it until you're ready to choose, one way or another.
-
Vita: A Guardian existing means there's a team. Delphine has been scrying for years, but all she comes back to is nine shards.
Fern: There's been dozens of robberies back in the Springs. Jewelry stores that sell raw crystal shards.
Vita: ....no such thing as a coincidence.
Vita: There must be a connection there.
Fern: Must there? It can't just be a coincidence?
Vita: No, Fern. Not with this. It's coming, whether we like it or not.
Fern: ...I thought we had more time.
Scarlet: No. I already know I don't want it.
Morte: Scarlet--
Scarlet: No. Thank you for keeping it for me, but no. Get rid of it. Burn it, or tear it down, or--or do something, I don't care. It's yours.
Morte:...Okay. Okay.
Vita: We have some, but not enough. If you have any ideas...
Fern: I wish. All we know is Peri. If Delphine hasn't seen or heard anything, anyone, else...
--
Morte: Okay. If you're sure.
Scarlet: I am.
Vita: We'll let you know. Until then...I suppose the only thing to do is live.
Fern: Were it so easy...
Later...
Eternal Glow: Thanks for bringing her back, Fern.
Fern: Sure. I'm not sorry about the sugar high, but.
Eternal: But we'll handle it. ...What's wrong with your face?
Fern: Nothing. Well, you two are going to get a pretty heft check in the mail soon.
Eternal Glow: ...eh?
Fern: Scar sold Sanguine's house.
Peppermint: Say what now?
Fern: The Hunters were keeping Sanguine's house until Scarlet was old enough to decide what to do with it...and apparently that was tonight. She sold it to Morte, so...you two'll get a check for a trust or something, I don't know.
Eternal Glow; That's. Something. Are you okay? That was a lot...
Fern: ...I'm going to hide under my covers with my wife for a few days.
Eternal Glow: We'll bring takeout. Are you gonna be okay?
Fern: Yeah. Yeah, I'll be fine. You two have raised a good kid, you know that?
Peppermint: The absolute best!
Scarlet: Ren! You're squeezing me!
Peppermint: Oh? You want down?
Scarlet: No!
Eternal Glow: Half of it's Pep's influence, I swear.
Fern: *breathy laugh* Yeah I bet.
Eternal Glow: The crazy half, I mean. Hopefully she gets my smarts.
Fern/Peppermint: Don't count on that!
Scarlet: Nope! Sorry, Daddy, I'm getting Ren's brain!
Eternal Glow: D'you see what disrespect I put up with?
Peppermint: *laugh* You love us!
Eternal Glow: So I do. *sigh* So I do.
Peppermint: Seriously, Fern. Thanks.
Fern: No big. And before you say anything, I'm serious about that sugar high. That was a long, boring train ride back. What else were they going to do?
Eternal Glow: ...I hate you.
Fern: That's payback. *chuckle* Well, goodnight you three. I'll see you at lessons tomorrow.
Peppermint: Yep! Have a good night, Fern. Say hi to Cit and Peri for us.
Peppermint: Now, what's this about you selling your house?
Scarlet: It's not my house, Ren! It was hers and she was a bad person and I don't want anything of hers--
Peppermint: Whoa, hold up. Hers? You mean Sanguine?
Peppermint: How do you know she was a bad person? You never met her.
Scarlet: Ren, come on. I'm not a baby anymore! A-and I heard Hunter Ardere talking about her at Raven's a couple times and...he talks a lot.
Eternal Glow: Oh, sweetie...
Peppermint: Did he say anything to you?
Scarlet: No. He said a lot to Mister Obsidian and Miss Bumble about how they were good vampires for not caring who my carrier was. She wasn't a good person, was she. She hurt Auntie Fern.
Peppermint: ...she did. She and...she and your birth donor did some really terrible things to a lot of people. That's got nothing to do with you. You didn't have to sell the house...
Scarlet: I didn't want it! I don't want anything to do with them!
Eternal Glow: Scar...
Scarlet: How could...*sniff* How could you take me in after what they did?!
Peppermint: Because you didn't do it! Scar, you were just a baby! Babies and kids--they're not responsible for what their parents do, blood or otherwise.
Peppermint: Yes, Sanguine and Nightshade did terrible things, but they did something great, too. They made you!
Scarlet: but I'm a Vampire! Like the ones that hurt Auntie Fern!
Peppermint: And I'm enby! And your Dad's a Sixamite! But we're also both a lot more than just that one thing, right?
Scarlet: *tearily* Y-yeah?
Peppermint: We're all so much more than just WHAT we are, baby. Who your blood parents were, what they were, that doesn't matter. All that matters is the person you become now. And, you know what?
Scarlet: What?
Peppermint: Scarlet's a great person already.
Scarlet: ....thanks, Ren. I love you.
Peppermint: We love you too, kiddo.
Eternal Glow: So very, very much.
Peridot: Geometry...ah, geography! Hidden wonders of the world...temples of Selvadorada, pyramids of Al Simhara...no, no, not there either...
Peridot: Ugh, where is it?!
Parsley: What's the matter, freak? Spending all that time with your freaky friend zap your brain? Aliens do that, you know.
Peridot: Ugh...can you be any more of a jerk, Parsley? Sixamites don't do that anymore!
Parsley: Sure they do! She zapped yours, that's for sure.
Peridot: Better a no brain than a no heart. And for the last time, it's not she, it's ze. At least get that right.
Parsley: Blegh, no way! Ze and xir and fey and pfah! Everybody's either a he or a she, there's nothing else! Anybody who says otherwise is a bigger freak than you!
Peridot: Oh, that's original. You just hate anybody who's different, don't you? You can't see there's good things about being different.
Parsley: Oh yeah? Like what?
Peridot: Like--seeing things differently! Like knowing different things! Like living different lives! if everybody thought the same way then--
Parsley: The world would be better! Dad says--
Peridot: Dad says this, Dad says that! Watcher, Parsley, do you even think for yourself?
Parsley: You--yes I do!
Peridot: Uh-huh. Your Dad's trying to repeal the accords and shutter the embassies. Your Dad says mixed berries like me are "weaker" than pure shades like you. Your Dad says anyone not a boy or girl is sick.
Parsley: They are!
Peridot: No, they're not. They're just different than you.
Parsley: And that's bad!
Peridot: Why? Why is it bad?
Parsley: It's--it's--it just is! You're at least half green but--
Peridot: At least I'm not a purist who can't see two feet in front of his own nose. Ugh, why'd I even bother.
Peridot: All you'll ever be is a purist, stupid jerk! Just like your Dad!
Parsley: My Dad is not stupid! Your Mom is stupid for looking into things she shouldn't! If she keeps that up---
Peridot: Don't you dare threaten my mother! I'll knock all your fudging teeth out right here!
Celestial: Whoa whoa whoa! What's going on?!
Peridot: Parsley threatened Mom!
Parsley: I did not! I warned you--don't be stupid like her!
Celestial: I got this, Peri. I got this.
Peridot: Celestial--ugh FINE!
Celestial: What did you say?
Parlsey: Her Mom's stupid! She's digging into stuff she doesn't get!
Peridot: Your Dad say that too, parrot?!
Celestial: Peri! I got this!
Parsley: My Dad is right! He's always right! And someday, when he's the Minister! You're all going to be sorry you were mean to me!
Celestial: Your Dad's not Minister yet, and you're being a really, really big bully, Parsley. Get lost before I introduce you to somebody you're not gonna like.
Parsley: Why are you defending this freak?! You're a pure shade, like me!
Celestial: Actually, I'm a faux. But even if I wasn't, I'm not a big jerk. So, go on. Get outta here.
Parsley: You--you--argh!!!
Celestial: Well, that went well.
Peridot: Cel!
Peridot: Why did you get in the middle of it?! I had him--I was gonna punch him in his stupid face!
Celestial: I know. That's why I got in the middle. He's not worth the trouble.
Peridot: He threatened Mom!
Celestial: Peri, he's twelve. What's he gonna do, egg your house? Punching him just woulda gotten you in trouble...and I don't want you to get pulled out of school.
Peridot: Cel...*sigh* You're right. Thanks.
Peridot: You didn't have to do that. I really can handle myself, you know.
Celestial: no, I know...you always have, I just...*sigh* You're my best friend. I don't want you to fight alone if you don't have to.
Peridot: Cel...I'm your best friend?
Celestial: Well, yeah? Who else would it be.
Peridot: I thought it was Dawn or Candle.
Celestial: Nah, they're real cool guys, but I've known you since we were in diapers. That's best friend privileges right there.
Peridot: *laugh* Well, you're my best friend, too.
Celestial: Really? Not Scarlet or Ribbon or Meadow?
Peridot: pff, no. Scarlet, maybe, but she's..she's more of a sister than a bestie, and the other two are...I dunno. I guess we're just not close.
Celestial: Yeah, I feel that.
Peridot: So, best friends?
Celestial: Best friends. And you know what that means?
Peridot: What, a secret handshake?
Celestial: *laugh* Yeah, but also...
Celestial: I look after you, and you look after me. Whatever else happens, we'll always have each other. Deal?
Peridot: Deal.
Peridot: Thanks, Cel.
Celestial: heh. Anytime.
That afternoon....
Royal Cola: This truly alright? Not too many at once?
Edelweiss; Peri would have said if her Ma said it wasn't okay, Royal. You don't have to worry.
Cinnamon: Ha! Sun never rise again first.
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