Villa Catarina

Milla was on her daily check up visit at Conifer Station. weather was horrible.



But thats why she was there, to make sure green options are voted.





Conifer Station wasn't really her "area" , and she was careful not to step on Tina Tinker's toes too much.





Her growing belly did not make this any easier.



she managed to visit the bar at train station. For one milkshake before going home. Little chat with possible voters.





~~~~~~~~~~





Train to Moonwood Mill had arrived. That reminded her something she has to do. Something she hoped to avoid.

Sun was getting set.



Back home, after long relaxing bath, she decided to finish the brochure about Tartosa.

She got pictures late, and of course those did not match at her text... So typical.

She had to do everything all over again.

Oh if only she had her own photographer, but that's not allowed to little writers like she.. but one can dream, right?



Speaking of dreams.. again that strange piano music...She had heard that almost every evening now from Villa up in hill... it sounded dreamy in this silent night.



But why it had to be so sad?

while making breakfast, they had the same subject than so often lately.

"Honey, have you considered what I said to you the other day?" Knox started again. "I really think it is important that you tell about this baby to your siblings.. Its not the child's fault that parents and grandparents don't get along...."



"Nope. There is a reason I don't talk with my sister, you know that." She replied, while frying the eggs.



"Oh and I saw an advertise of a private investigator in SimNation Mail. You could visit him in city, to find your brother. He is specialized to missing persons."



Milla took her empty plate and moved to sink.

"He is not missing. He is hiding. From the world. He does not want to be found. And I don't want to find him. Period."

She said, while washing the plate faster and faster.

*CRACK!!!*



"Sweetie, I would truly appreciate if our plates would stay as whole.."



~~~~~~~~~~







End of discussion.



~~~~~~~~~~







Later, at community space, Milla took the subject up again.

"I'm sorry. I have already planned to visit Emma someday. I will go to city too, I was planning on buying some baby stuff anyway. "



"Thank you, love."

"I'm here!" laughing voice said behind Lia. "Are you suddenly blind or what?"



"Sorry, I was in my thoughts." Lia answered and sat next to Justine.



"How did the dinner go the other day?"

Lia told everything. Justine could not help but chuckle a bit.



"To me you sound a bit annoyed by what he said." Justine teased. "Were you expecting him to be sad because you do not want him?"



"No, nonsense!"

"Hmmm.. you sure?" Justine continued.



"YES! I am annoyed because he refused to tell me his reasons, thats all.. STOP laughing!!!"



"Okayyy.. I stop!! Before you blow up." Justine laughed. "I'll make some sandwiches, would you join me?"





~~~~~~~~~~~~





"I am interested , though.. what did you meant by saying your family should not be Chief at all?"



"Oh its a long story, I don't know much as I was not born yet or very little when these things happened."

"I have no hurry."





"Okay, here's what I have heard..." She started.







"The Chief before my grandpa, was a sort of mean, ruthless man. He was not young anymore, no family, lived at Chief's Villa at Lani St. Taz. That is why Island Council with Elementals, made a decision , if he would die without a son, the title would go to other powerful islander, who happened to be Laki's grandfather."



"But then, as a surprise to many, the Chief did marry, to beautiful young lady from Selvadorada , called Catarina. They had 3 children, one of them, the long wanted son, the heir.

But something happened, I really don't know what. It was not a happy family. Arguments, yelling, all in public.. and lets be honest, everyone knows everyone in such a small place... gossips were wild."



"Then was the catastrophe.. Fire at Chief's Villa, it was called Villa Catarina then. "



"Old Chief and his wife died, I'm not sure but they say children did too."



"There were rumours it was not an accident. I was told to shut up when I asked about it.. . "













"Grandpa became the Chief , because Lakis grandfather and father both passed away in a plane crash at desert, near Strangerville." Lia continued. "Granma got to be the Chief only because she is good friends with Elementals."

"Oh wow. That's a story. But seeing Laki is back, I can see why your grandma wants you two together."



"I'm glad I don't have to worry about that anymore, grandma cannot do a thing!" She said and took a bite.



"Hmm, I would not be so sure.." Justine said mostly to herself. "I hope you are right."

Something had been bothering Erin for over a week now.



"Sam, have you read the paper this morning?"

"No, honey, not yet. Why?" he replied, and tried to shoo the ce cat away from his feet. "Harriet, you have food over there, let me give some to Elli too."



"Its about my brother. I saw an advertisement about a private detective. we should contact him."

Erin's younger brother had planned to visit them, they had date settled and all, but he never came. Erin has not reached him from phone either.



"I know he would not make me worry in purpose. Village constable said he must of been only lost on his way here, and did not want to report it yet." She almost whispered. "But I know better! Something is badly wrong!"



"Of course I call them, if it makes you feel better." he replied, and smiled after and continued "But let's eat first, or my belly will do all the talking."

"Thank you , dear. Oh poor Elli, she had to wait all my rambling"

He had not told about Keala's plans to anyone yet.. especially not to..





"Oh Sorry! My bad! I was in my thoughts and did not look!" He said, after almost crashing with a man who came from inside..

"No problem." The man replied.





~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





He finally arrived to Moonwood Mills



"What took you so long?" Voice behind him asked.

If only he could remember..





... but he feared so much what he would remember.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







"Sir? What has happened?" asked voice behind him. "Those nightmares again?"





"Oh, sorry to wake you up , Lewis. Yes. I'm fine, just cannot sleep."





"Sir, maybe if you take a few days off? You only read those files over and over again. I spent so much time with those myself, Sir... " Lewis continued , " .. but I understood to give up."

"I have my piano to help me to relax, Lewis...."





"Yes, in the middle of the night, Sir.." Lewis said. "This young lady down in that little island who writes interesting travel blog, just last week she wrote about Old Town of Windenburg... maybe take a look? Better than those old files."



"I cannot help it! " he almost yelled. "I lost everything!"



"Yes..." Lewis replied silently with pain and sadness in his eyes. So had he..

"Oh! I am sorry Lewis, I did not think!!!" he exclaimed. "You better go back to sleep, thank you for checking up on me."

"And I promise you, " he continued, " I will consider that vacation,in fact, I go and book flights for the weekend. And I will go to hospital after that."



"Thank you, Sir." Lewis smiled a bit. "Coffee won't help with sleeping.. "

She arrived to city, signed some papers and decided to look around, not everyday she can visit big city!



That ECO lady the other night had praised milkshake of this Sky Lounge. That lady seemed a bit obsessed about milkshakes, Hanna kept thinking. Maybe it's the pregnancy.



"WOW!!! Amazing!" she spontaneously yelled.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~









She ordered mint-vanilla milkshake. It was too green and tasted weird.



"That shake had no real vanilla in it, right? Or mint either?" She asked the bartender. "You know all these artificial flavours are pretty bad, right?"

"Don't ask me, miss. I just do my job. " he replied.

"Is there anyone here who can take my complaint? " Hanna asked.



"You are lucky, miss. My boss sits right there, Mrs. Feng." He replied and continued, "And I think she heard you."





"I don't feel so lucky.." Hanna thought while Lily walked next to her.



Indeed Lily Feng let Hanna know what she was thinking about her and her complaints. Awkward.. She only mentioned flavour of the shake, not like anything big. City is scary place.



She left the place pretty sure she never visit there again.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







She went to a drink stall and ordered "Fresh" strawberry juice.

"I suppose there is not much strawberry in this?" She muttered. The vendor gave her weird look.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







She was walking slowly to bus stop. Sipping her juice, hardly looking in front of her.



Only too late she heard the running steps around the corner..





And before she could stop it, she almost fell and her juice was all over the person in front of her.







"Oh noooo! Ooh no , oh no , oh no.. I am so sorry, it was not in purpose!" Hanna paniced.





"You!!! What are you, a jinx?? " He said loudly. "Are you following me or something?? Just get off and leave me alone!!!"





"He did not watch out either.. not all my fault.." Hanna muttered to herself sadly.



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~







At home, raining.. after all what happened, that was just too much.



But she finally had a reply to her roommate add! From a lady who needed "fresh air" and only "for a month or two" , what was odd , but better than nothing.

Fresh air part made Hanna giggle..

"we will see how long you last."

Bartender for the evening shift arrived.



"Sorry I'm late, had to help my sister to find a prom dress." She said.



"What's wrong with her?" she whispered and nodded towards Mrs. Feng.



"I think she stresses about selling the place. New buyer coming to look soon." he replied, "Se chased one customer away already, good luck!"

"I am not paying you two for chatting!" Mrs. Feng snorted.



"Oh gosh! Thanks for reminder, need to find a new job." she said, ignoring Mrs. Feng.

"I'm wondering why am I paying you at all." Mrs. Feng continued.

He did not remember it, but his name was Declan. He was shipwrecked ( or was partying too hard in his friends yacht, and fell overboard while too much into nectar ).
Only thing he had was a note what somehow survived readable:



Hey, please , on your way here, stop by in village to get me some fast fertilizer? sis xx



He had build some kind of a shelter for himself.
He had slept at somewhere else first....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The house was first thing he saw after waking up in sand.

The building was almost covered by jungle.
It looked abandoned. At first nights, when there were heavy rains, he went there looking for a shelter.

Now, he did not believe in ghosts, but that place sure had spooky vibes!
Like something, or someone, did not want him to stay there.

Some other sims used it as place to sleep as well!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





He had really met only one sim so far, this girl, who called herself as Coraline.


She had helped him and listened to him. She was alone too.

Maybe he one day remembers... he certainly hoped so.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Coraline had also told him there was old , sort of abandoned gym near.
Chief Hoapili's granddaughter still used it among few others. There was still power from generators, maybe he could shower there?

He was hoping it to be true. Salt water was too much for him already.


Did not look so promising.

For some reason he had to take extra time for looking at few old photos in the wall...

He was going to see all places worth mention in Windenburg.








It sure was beautiful. So different of what he had used to see.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


When he got to modern part of the town, he thought might be great idea to visit the pool, it was hot day.

He admired the massive fountains this place had a lot.



Pool was almost empty.


It was so relaxing.. if only these screaming kids would go.

But then someone splashed much water on him!

Maybe hard to see, but it was sunny day at Evergreen Harbor.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hanna's destination was Lykke Centre, Justine has mailed her some places to take pictures from.







She was so excited!


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



After all day of taking pictures, she wanted to take a dip in pool Windenburg was famous for!



This was great!!!!



Just a bit unfortunate landing.


"YOU AGAIN!!" he could not believe his eyes,what he could saw after having all that water ay his face. "You are walking catastrophe! Just get out of my sight!!"

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to.. " she tried to say.
"Just stay far away from me, okay??" he yelled a bit too loud.

"Fine! But this is public pool, I have as much right to be here as you do!" She all the sudden yelled back and splashed handful of water at him.

She did decide to leave anyway.

He was hungry, it was late, and had not yet seen even the old town yet.


It was warm night and they said food was good.

He kept thinking that girl who had now caused him several headaches. Was she doing it on purpose? Oh well, hopefully she finally stops bugging him.

This town sure was beautiful!

Maybe not the nightclub, but he could for sure visit a pub.



While drinking his beer he thought of a way to contact that young lady who lives in white little house in the small island, next to his house.. Maybe if he sends Lewis..

Beer tasted wrong, he should say something to bartender.

On the other hand, maybe not tonight. She looked annoyed enough without his complains.

"Who was it?" Asked Knox who was playing with Minna.
"It was the Detective , he had some news, I must visit him this afternoon." Milla replied and looked out from the window. "Ugh, of course that horrible rain again!"
"Now? Can't it wait? " Knox asked. "And why did he not just told you what he had in phone??"

"I asked , but he said it was better if I go there." Milla answered and looked at Minna. "And looks like you two can make it here just fine while I'm gone" she smiled.
"Oh yes, these toys are fun!!" laughed Knox.
"I hope from Minna's opinion too as well." Milla smiled.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



It rained when she left..


...and it rained when she arrived. She hoped to receive bit more brighter news than the weather.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Waitingroom was empty. Receptionist told her to go straight in.

"I'm afraid I have some bad news, miss." he started.

"Yes...?"

"I have here solid proof, what I got from Willow Creek Archives, confirmed by city hospital and the police department..."

"... Your brother , Tony Keliʻi , died. In Willow Creek, during police's mob raid in Blue Velvet. Approx 3 years after the ... hmm, incident at your parents Villa."

They had been talking in hallway for few months now, mostly Lotta telling about her worries, its so easy to open up to him.
He always managed to calm her down and telling her everything will be fine.

Just maybe she has a tiny crush too.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Back inside she sat down to sofa, where her little sister, Netta, was watching a movie.

"I think we may have to move.." Lotta started.

"What? Why? I have just got to know my schoolmates, got inside the group! you want us to move again??" Netta was not happy.
"You know we need money. If only things were different but they are not. And I have told you Mrs. Feng is selling the bar." Lotta explained to her. "Mrs. Feng is trying to use her connections to help me..."

"yes, yes.. How was that place in Windenburg? The one where you had the weekend bartender gig? " Netta asked.

"Ugh, not good, owner was horrible, he wanted me to do basically everything in there.. worse weekend ever! Plus I think they are somehow blending the drinks with water!"


"Did you told your "boyfriend" in the hallway??" Netta asked.

"Come on now, don't be rude! He is just a friend, and no, I did not." Lotta rolled her eyes. "I better get ready for work, as long as I have one."



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





"Hey, any sight of Lily yet? " she asked from her co-worker.

"No, but she should be here soon."

Bit later her boss arrived.


"Mrs Feng, I was thinking is it really impossible idea to get a job from the new owner of this place? " she asked , and dropped a bottle by accident.


"No!!! The new owner is making this place to a restaurant. High standard celebrity one!. Few Simchelin stars and all... he needs trained staff, not like you two who needs to be babysitted all the time!" Lily answered coldly.


They had heard that before.





Later at the evening, when Lotta was finishing her shift, her boss returned to her.

"But here, this was place I managed to get you into. " Lily said and send text to Lotta, with information of a bar.

"You have to be plum KIDDING me???" yelled Lotta all the sudden, after looking at the information.

"Shhh! See? This is why I cannot even suggest you to the new owner!" Lily silenced Lotta. "You should be thankful!"



~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Lotta had just ended her evening at work..


"Oh, Mr. Langraab!! Welcome!" Lily was all smiling.

"Let's go to my office to sign the papers. This will make awesome restaurant for the stars! We are close to stars up here anyway, hihi.." She kept giggling to her own words.

But then she got a phone call from Justine , who had loved her pics from Windenburg. She asked Hanna to join her today, and asked her to dress up warmly.
"Our strawberry-milk is old.." Muttered Lia.
"I'm going to Mt. Komerebi with Justine, travel guide photoshoot. You want to come?" Hanna asked.
"No! Jeez, snow.. I'm an islander, remember?" Lia replied , but smiled. "Thank you for asking."


They met near Onsen at Mt. Komorebi.

"You take pictures of the place, slopes too, I interview sims."



They kept doing that the whole day.





"Job done! Why don't we have some fun now, when here??" Justine asked.
"Oh, but I'm not so sure.." Hanna tried to resist but Justine was determined.

"No buts! You do need something on your head though. Wind is more chilly in the slope! Try that machine!" Justine advised.


Maybe it was better to have something.




Justine was getting pretty good at this!




Hanna , in the other hand...


But in general they both had a lovely day.



Hanna was happy she did not run to that angry man . To be honest she was half expecting it to happen !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



Justine got home very late. Work shall wait till next morning.


Now, when the piano music has become more like normal, sudden lack of it was weird.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



She woke up early as usual.

Took care of her plants..

....what had grown a bit!
"Lia will never believe me. Better take a picture!"





She did her final edits before deadline, when someone knocked on the door.

A man, dressed very formally for 8am, was behind the door.
"Um, Sul Sul, Miss? Ma'am?"

She had lots to think about.

Laki might of been right and there was other explanation for her sister's letters..

...maybe. Or there were none.

Despite how green and warm everything looked, it was getting chilly.

She stared at fire. She was so little when all that bad started to happen, she hoped to remember more, but could not. Only screams and been carried outside by some of the aduts.




She spent all evening there, shore of the lake, looking at the bonfire. She had decided.

She returned home.

She took the card her sister had left, sat down to write another letter. No use trying to call. This side of the "town" had almost none capacity for cellphones.

"I hope this would go better."

Sam got up fast and answered.

It was the Detective.

"Who in their right mind calls at this hour??" said Erin loudly. She did not care if the Detective calling could hear her or not.

"It's not so late really." Sam replied. "I guess people in City stay up later... He said Declan is most likely at Sulani."
"Sulani? But how? Why?"
"I don't know, dearest." Sam said. "But I will travel there at once, if you can manage all here without me for couple of days?"

"I'm pregnant, not sick!" Erin replied

"And I can manage here just fine! Now , If you excuse me, I get some hot milk. If you think I can...."
"I did not mean it like that, Erin..."

He never thought he would set a foot on Sulani again.

He softly touched his scars and let himself remember first time in ages.