Chapter 28 -- Transition to Elsa
(Hello, Elsa.)
"Go away. I'm not talking to you."
(Oh dear, are you another loner? No, I see that you love the outdoors and you're a slob. You're going to become hot-headed when you age up, but that trait hasn't kicked in yet. So what's the problem?)
"If you have to ask, I'm not going to tell you."
(Childish isn't one of your traits either.)
"You let my mother die -- that's the problem. And don't say you couldn't have done anything about it. You could have given her ambrosia or a potion or something. I know that there are other dynasties where people don't die."
(There's a dynasty where some people don't die, that's true. But even if your mother had been a spouse in that dynasty, she still would have died. Look, if you don't want to talk to me that's fine, but there are some things I need to say to you. First, I want you to keep working on handiness. Second, you don't have to go to school any more -- just keep calling in those vacation days. Third, you've got a really limited choice in future spouses -- two elders, and two adults. I 'm sorry, but Shingo is not on the list. And fourth, you can start fishing as soon as you get married.)
"I've been wanting to go fishing ever since I was a kid."
(Oh, so you are talking to me again. Good. See you later.)
The wood-working table exerts a terrible fascination upon the minds of Sims. Whereas other objects whisper seductively, it shouts, "Come on. Make a knife block. You know you want to." Seiji is hungry and is not having any fun, but he's mesmerized by the thwack of the knife, the hiss of the plane against the unyielding wood.
And that's why Elsa, unlike most teens, gets to lock the door to her room.
"Hey, kiddo, what are you doing in there?"
"Making a lumberjack."
"Oooh, can't I come in and watch? I won't try to make anything, I promise."
"Uncle Seiji, I know you have your fingers crossed. The answer is no."
"Sweetie, if you're serious about Shingo, I'm sure the Watcher can arrange something..."
"I'm not asking any favors of Her."
"It's just that I want you to be happy. And I think you might be happier with someone closer to your own age."
"You and Mom were happy even though she was older than you."
"Yes, but --"
"I'll be fine, Dad, really."
"I just think you should meet some more people before you make up your mind. And have some fun, too."
So Elsa went swimming at the Enchanted Pool. She met one of her prospects there -- Anas Ghomari. Overweight elders don't appear at their best in swimsuits, though, so she immediately crossed him off her list.
The next day Elsa learned that a flea market was setting up in San Myshuno. She took some of her statuettes and set them on the table, only to discover that someone else had set up a similar display next to hers. That someone was Akaya Yamaguchi, Shingo's older sister. "You might as well pack up and leave," she said. "No way is anyone going to want your stuff after they've seen mine."
Even though Shingo had never actually been on her list, Elsa crossed him off, too.
That left Atharv Srivastava, who had the jealous trait, Atharv Trivedi, who lived in a dinky little house (Crick Cabana) and was an elder, and one other.
Elsa went into San Myshuno to meet the last prospect, Ezequiel Prado. He wasn't home when she entered the apartment, so she took her time to check things out. The historical plaques weren't very informative, but she liked the view.
And the plumbing in the bathroom was amazing. She'd heard that the talking toilet could make puddles evaporate, too. If so, that would be a real plus. Elsa hated mopping.
By now, she'd finished everything she needed for the Museum. She added her portrait of Bjorn to the wall. It was actually kind of thrilling to think that someday she would be the first woman up there.
Her wood carvings weren't worth much, but her Dad had said that didn't matter. They were worth more than his photographs, at least.
And he said it was okay to include her mother's portrait, even if she was a ghost.
The next day, she finally met Ezequiel Prado. He seemed very sophisticated and, well, old, but when she started talking about how wonderful Nature was and how she intended to become a lobbyist for Speak for the Trees, she discovered that he was a kindred spirit even if he did live in an apartment in the middle of a city.
Later on, he called her up and told her it was Ghost Night at the bar. "This isn't a date," he told her, "and you won't be able to drink anything stronger than cream soda, but since you had said something about wanting to talk to ghosts, I thought you might be interested."
Elsa was interested. She didn't recognize any of the ghosts who showed up (she'd been hoping to see her mother or one of her ancestors), but it was comforting to see that they could all get together and have fun.
Back at home, her Uncle Seiji had some sad news for her. "I've been told to wind up my affairs," he said.
"Oh, Uncle Seiji," cried Elsa. "Do you want me to get the woodworking table out for you?"
"No, no, I've got more important things to do," he said. "Play my guitar some more, that kind of thing."
Bjorn was at work, and Elsa was asleep downstairs when the Grim Reaper came for Seiji.
The two of them took his tombstone out to the family plot the next afternoon. "He won't be alone," said Bjorn. "He'll have his mother and sister here, too."
Elsa had a disturbing thought. "But Dad, you'll be alone when I leave."
"And that's fine," said Bjorn. "I'm a loner, remember? Besides, you're going to have to fish somewhere, and you can't do it in the city. There's a nice spot right outside the house. I might even join you sometimes."
Early the next morning, Elsa blew out the candles on her cake. (Happy Birthday! Or are you still not talking to me.)
"Oh, Watcher, I guess I've forgiven you. But I want you to promise to make sure that I'll be able to put Dad's tombstone next to Mom's when the time comes."
(I promise. In the meantime, I was wondering if you'd like to take Ezequiel with you to Granite Falls.)
Ah, Nature. Isn't it wonderful?
"Ezequiel, I love it that your jeans are even messier than mine. Will you marry me?"
And what could Ezequiel say other than "Yes"?
"Good," said Elsa. "There's something I have to do, but I'll be back in a flash. Don't go away."
"I'll show that Akaya whose wood carvings rule," Elsa muttered as she jotted down proportions. "Tell me to pack up my table -- I don't think so."
It turned out that Elsa and Ezequiel could not actually get married in Granite Falls. But Elsa could get pregnant.
"That's great news," said Bjorn, when Elsa told him she was pregnant. "I'm sure you and Ezequiel will be happy together."
"And I'll come visit often," said Elsa. "And you can come see me in the city."
"We'll see," said Bjorn. "I'm not too fond of crowds."
Elsa and Ezequiel got married outside, on the front porch.
We'll say good-by for a while to Bjorn now. That's a masterpiece he painted above the photo of him and Izumi. The solitary tree seems to capture his spirit.
Elsa's Stats on Moving in:Portraits: $384
Collection: $350
Satisfaction Points: 600
Household Income: $19,775.
