As I emerged from the bramble patch, I saw someone tending a small garden and I quickly sprinted over.
Chere: Hi there! I'm Chere Hebert. I think you have some information for me?
Hermit: Oh, yes. I've been waiting for you.
Chere: But how could you have known I was coming?
Hermit: Someone is watching over you. You may not realize it, but she's always there, looking out for you.
The reason you are here is that you must master the art of herbalism if you are going to free yourself and
your family from this curse. I'm here to mentor you and help you get started.
Chere: Herbalism? Is this some kind of pyramid scheme?
Hermit: No, you're thinking of Herbalife. Herbalism is the ancient art of healing by making use of the natural world.
There's a bit of magic involved and people get nervous around magic, so it's been somewhat of a dangerous pursuit
in the past. These days you just tell people you're into natural healing and organics and they leave you alone. Throw in
some chakras, acupuncture, and let them know everything you do is gluten free and you're golden.
Chere: Okaaay.
Hermit: Come on back to the house and I'll give you a list of the recipes you need to be able to reproduce. I also have a
map of the forest showing where you can get your herbs and insects. When you get back to town there's a very wise
woman I want you to see.
I harvested a few things from the hermit's garden.
And some more from the forest and campground.
I found this little guy who actually breathes fire!
And this one that looks like a flame lighting my path.
And speaking of flames! I just wanted to roast a hot dog and the next thing I knew, I was on fire. Fortunately, I
was close to the showers.
After all that, I was too tired to think about food. I'd left my tent back at the campground, but I knew
I was too exhausted to make it back so I just made the best of things. Tomorrow is another day, right?
The next day, I went to the address the hermit had given me. I knocked on the door and immediately
heard a voice from inside saying, "Finally! Quit dilly-dallying and get in here!" Some people are
so rude.
Dennis: Hey, you're not the fire department.
Chere: Don't you know they won't come way out here?
Dennis: (whimpering) Help?
Chere: Gah. Stand aside! You people are useless.
After the fire was out, I met Vivian Lewis. I had my doubts about how wise she might be. I mean, who just stands there when there's a fire?
Anyway, she was really nice. She told me I have to learn mastery over death. I will have to obtain and store at least five items that
can save a Sim from death, but the catch is that neither I nor my family can ever use them.
Vivian: I know all this is confusing, sweetie, but you'll figure it out. Keep a lookout for the mail. We'll send you instructions every now and then.
Chere: Who is "we," exactly?
Vivian: Oh, I can't tell you that, honey. Just folks is all you need to know. Tomorrow night you go see Miss Geeta.
She's got that matchmaking talent and I think she can help you find somebody to help you in all this mess.
Chere: So, aren't you going to insult me now?
Vivian: Aw, baby, Miss Vivian is here to help you. Why would you think I would insult you?
Chere: No reason.
I was so tired at work the next day that I couldn't help taking a little nap.
I guess I was pretty distracted, too. Seriously?
I sure hope tonight is a bit easier than the past few days have been.
I guess this is the place.
Geeta: Chere, right? My, but you are a pretty thing. And single, too, I heard. My Raj will be home
from the restaurant soon. You'll stay and meet him, won't you? He's a famous chef. A little on the pudgy side,
but that just proves what a good cook he is. You can't underestimate how nice it is to have a man who cooks.
The late Mr. Rasoya never set foot in a kitchen a day in his life. I slaved and slaved taking care of that man.
Now, about Raj...
Chere: I'm sorry to interrupt. Raj is a chef? So he cooks with, like, fire?
I think I'm going to respectfully pass on that right now. Personal reasons.
Geeta: Well, you know best, I suppose. Now, what I see in your future (if it's
not Raj, who would be perfect. I'm just saying) is a redhead.
Chere: A redhead? That's it?
Geeta: Tomorrow. Be on the look out for a redhead. That person is your destiny.
Back at work the next day, I looked around.
A redhead, huh? That's helpful. Oh, wait.
Chere: Hi. I'm Chere.
Redhead: Oh, my. Hello! I'm rilee! No, wait. Let me start over. I'm
Riley and I'm
really glad to meet you, Chere. I think you are about the prettiest girl I ever did see.
