Lune Valley: Episode 1x01
Founder's Log, Day 42
All the shelters have been built, such as they are. We all need to study the how-to manuals we brought along, because I really doubt these shacks will last us very long. With any luck, we'll at least be able to insulate them before winter arrives. I hope the winters here are mild.
The supplies have been distributed as well as can be expected. I hope everyone is careful and makes it last like I tried to tell them. Eli's small garden and three fruit trees aren't going to be enough to feed everyone any time soon. I siphoned the last of the gas and divided it up as evenly as possible, so hopefully it'll be enough to keep everyone's cookers going for a while. The cars we brought are all up on blocks, wheels removed to make use of the rubber.
I think that's it, but I'm probably wrong. I'm really starting to worry that this is the worst idea anyone ever had, but there's obviously no going back now.
Once Kirby finished his daily log entry, it was time for everyone to begin arriving at his homestead for what he called a "town hall meeting," but what really turned out to be more of an impromptu party.
"You're totally awesome, man!" Stu kicked things off by complimenting an awkward and nervous Kirby. Stu's outgoing nature confused and intimidated Kirby; he didn't know how to handle such a forward sim.
Meanwhile, Wendell regaled Naomi with a rather shocking tale about his old war injury. "The gunner darn near shot it off, but the doc managed to sew it up. Almost right as rain nowadays, except when it's raining."
Nearby, George could be seen wooing his lovely wife, Nora.
His wooing paid off big time and the newlyweds spent most of the meeting with eyes only for each other, despite loud grumblings from the rest of the settlers who are, apparently, not big fans of displays of marital bliss.
Kirby, in spite of his shyness, felt moved to, well, make a move on the adorable Naomi. "Ah, young love," noted Wendell quietly under his breath. "Almost as good as a fine slice of Fontina on some toasty ciabatta bread!"
However, Naomi wasn't the only one of his followers Kirby found attractive. He had no qualms over chatting with George about what a hottie Stu was right in front of her.
While George was in enthusiastic agreement with Kirby, Naomi was less than impressed.
Inside, Eli caught sight of something quite fetching... What could it be?
Why, Effie, of course! First thing, she went straight to Kirby's easel in order to leave him a bit of color to put on the walls; she thought his poor cabin looked much too spartan for their fearless leader.
In spite of his initial attraction to Effie, Eli couldn't get up the nerve to actually speak to her, and instead joined her brother in an engrossing string of chess games.
Wendell went in search of his son rather quickly; a surprisingly fatherly gesture for a man usually more interested in cheese than people.
"I'll fix you some grilled cheese as soon as we get home, Dad. Later," Eli said, waving his father away before beginning yet another friendly game of chess with Callum.
Wendell may not be that fatherly, after all.
It seems Naomi took Kirby's words to heart, though perhaps not the ones he'd hoped. She and Stu were soon getting on together like a house on fire.
Stu had no trouble sweeping her right off her feet.
Kirby, being an equal opportunity sort of bloke, just couldn't seem to decide who he found most attractive: Naomi, Effie, Eli or Stu. He waffled on the issue for most of the party.
Although, Stu eventually came out with a slight lead over the others. His forwardness might be intimidating, but it was also hot.
As evening came on, Nora and George finally seemed interested in joining the others and started a game of hacky sack. Everyone seemed happy about it, except Wendell, who was quite annoyed. These whippersnappers refused to acknowledge how important dairy is to a sim's diet!
While everyone was saying their goodbyes and preparing to leave, George started teasing Callum, "Those specs don't seem to be helping you very much! Or did you just get dressed in the dark?" Callum felt embarrassed and offended and had no trouble making it known. However, George only thought Callum's indignation made the joke seem that much funnier.
After the settlers finally left for the night, Kirby was exhausted from all the frustration and stress. He was beginning to doubt himself and his place as leader of this little expedition already. "What am I even doing out here?!"
He decided to take a bath, in the hope that it might relax him.
His mind mulled over the trip so far. It had been a hard road to get here, and building their ramshackle shelters had been just as trying. This expedition already seemed too far out of hand, and he didn't think he had what it might take to keep things under control. By the time the water became tepid, he didn't feel any better at all.
A day or two later, Callum strolled by and Kirby stopped him for a few minutes to chat. Callum was one of a very few among their number with whom Kirby felt comfortable and most at his ease. It was a short conversation, but both men felt as though they'd made a friend by the end of it.
Naomi visited often throughout the week, and even though she was so pretty that he often stumbled nervously over his words in front of her, it never failed to cheer Kirby up. They had soon grown close, though she remained reticent whenever he asked her about herself or her homestead.
Late in the week, Callum dropped by again, and this time Kirby came right out and asked if Callum, who had the most knowledge about mechanics and engineering, might help Kirby build an infrastructure for their new town. Callum seemed interested, but asked if he could think it over for a while.
The rest of Kirby's minimal free time was spent on the pursuit of magic in the tiny, private shed he'd built at the back of his property. It was becoming more likely that he'd need his magic sooner rather than later, but he wasn't quite sure how the others would feel about it. Just because they already knew he was a warlock didn't mean they were prepared for magic to become part of their daily lives.