As Conri jogged up the road he was able to see a small group of people waiting for him. As he got closer he noted that they seemed paired off. He also noted the difference in clothes. The younger man was dressed more formally, as had been Mr. Wallace in town. While the slightly older man had on the rough clothes of a person who worked hard. As Conri introduced himself to his neighbors, Harry and Clara Lukkarila, and Johnson and Abigail Smith he noticed a woman walking past. Thinking she was part of the welcoming committee Conri started to raise his hand in greeting, but a cart head nod from Mr. Smith and a quite "We don't associate with folk from the islands" from Mr. Lukkarila stayed Conri's hand. He kept his confusion to himself, having always known island folk to be good company whenever they'd put in to port. Refocusing his train of thought Mr. Lukkarila was discussing how the unpredictable cold snaps during spring made farming challenging. As if on cue the air turned colder than it had been and flakes of snow started drifting down. As the sun drifted towards early evening over head Conri got to know his new neighbors and community expectations a little bit better. He learned that for now, due to his youth and lack of means he would be able to get away with his shoulder length hair. That to sell goods at market he would either need to hide the length in a neat bun or get it cut short. He also learned that if he wanted to be accepted in certain circles it would be far better to cut it short. Conri noted a certain tension between the Lukkarila's and the Smith's. It wasn't that they disliked each other, but definitely an undercurrent of class division. Such as he vaguely recalled from his nursery days, and had witnessed in the ports when the fancy carriages would show up as goods were being unloaded. Conri had already learned that people's attitudes and behaviors toward him changed if he mentioned that his mother had been the youngest daughter of an Earl, a broke Earl, but an Earl none the less. Wanting this to be a fresh start with no chance of word getting back to either the current Earl or the Duke, Conri kept his heritage to himself. Conri froze up a little when Mrs. Smith suggested that should he desire to court any young ladies in town he'd need to smarten up his clothes. Both of the older men teased him lightly about freezing up at the mention of courting, and steered the conversation back to things like when taxes had to be paid, where to find good trees for curing boards from, and other useful tidbits. Such as for 50 coin one could get a bath and bed at the tavern down the way. The sun drifted closer towards the tree tops and the Lukkarila's paid Conri for a few of his fish and invited him to come down to their farm for the evening. As Conri was accepting the invite he noted Mrs. Smith giving her husband a knowing look. Not sure if he was up for what would probably be a formal dinner at the Lukkarila's Conri headed to the look out point just up the road from his land. Noting both a handy bush, with the type of dense foliage that was good for hiding a person relieving themselves, and a fire pit, Conri seriously considered staying at the outlook for the night. He quickly changed his mind when he almost set himself on fire trying to get a fire going. Conri arrived at the Lukkarila farm just as dusk was settling in. Mr. Lukkarila introduced Conri to their children and told Conri that if he came by the farm early the next morning that he could walk to school with them. The way Harriet sniffed and turned away Conri realized he'd better pay very close attention to the route as she didn't seem likely to wait for him on any other days. Henry started to ask Conri how he got his scars. Conri unsure of what to say was grateful when Harriet stiffly told her younger brother to go wash up. Mr. Lukkarila was just informing Conri that diner was running a bit late, when Mr. Smith showed up and asked Mr. Lukkarila if he objected to the borrowing of Conri for the rest of the evening. With the barest of pauses Mr. Lukkarila said he had no objections if Conri didn't mind. Noting the swift change in his hosts demeanor Conri recognized the dismissal of an unwanted guest when he saw it, and despite the hunger in his belly agreed to go with Mr. Smith. Conri had to lightly jog to keep pace with the silent Mr. Smith. Just as he wondered if they were going all the way back to town Mr. Smith turned into a small meadow with tables and cooking grills set up. Mr. smith jerked his thumb towards the building across the street "that there's the Llama tavern that Mr. Lukkarila was talking about. The second floor has the guest lodgings and bath, not that you look like you have the 50 coin needed for a night's stay with the bath. Without the bath a night's stay is 30 coin." Mr. Smith next motioned to the grill "by the way you've been movin' today I'd wager the 10 coin Mrs. Lukkarila gave you for the trout that you've spent most of your time at sea, which means you've probably not learned how to cook a proper meal." While showing Conri how to gut and clean his fish Mr. Smith, or Johnson as he preferred, explained that the Lukkarila's meant well, but both came from middle class merchant families so didn't always know how it was for those who worked the trades or farms. Conri quickly noted that the Lukkarila's lived on a farm, and Johnson explained that they had hired help come in and tend the crops during the summer season, but otherwise Mr. Lukkarila was focused on growing a mail order catalog business. Johnson also explained that he and Abigail had just finished paying for their small farm, and that before buying the farm he had worked as a sailor but chose to settle down after meeting Abigail. "Now that were done with our dinner, take these small sacks and bag up the leftovers. Just remember to scrape off the mold to get to the edible bits." Johnson paused before whispering in a barely audible tone "Conri, you stay on the even keel and I'll take that you sailed under Captain Halloran and a pirates banner to my grave with me, but know this if your intent is to cause trouble it's best you find a ship out before the night is over." Conri felt his body go cold as Johnson whispered the knowledge that could get him hung. Pale faced Conri turned and swore to Johnson that he had no ill intent towards the township of Windenburg and that he appreciated the fresh start that the storm had tossed him into. After a few moments of staring at each other in the waxing moon's glow Johnson finally nodded his acceptance, and cuffed Conri on the shoulder indicating that he should get the leftovers bagged up before the local wildlife made off with the food. As Conri stood he started to talk, but Johnson just shook his head and waved Conri to where the leftovers were sitting out. As they parted ways Johnson showed Conri where a more secluded meadow was with a comment of folks being able to sleep off a night's drink undisturbed in it. Tired and content of belly Conri took Johnson's hint and found himself a semi comfortable spot to nap the night away undisturbed.
3 Comments
5/13/2020 11:58:03 am
LOL ended up sleeping in the shrubbery .. sure hope NO ONE had been in there earlier
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I keep forgetting this is Sims 4! Bit of a hopeful yet awkward day and he slightly ominous. If he stays he will need to find out where he belongs and soon, before he may get tossed out without consent. I wondered if he was being set up with a woman with that dinner invitation. However, it seems he got a little bit of what he needed all around in the end. Some life skills and a better sense of what the town folk are all about.
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Addy
7/13/2020 05:05:03 am
The tension between the Smiths and Lukkarilas lead me to wonder if there is something more than class separation involved. Conri is fortunate that Johnson taught him a few things and offered to keep his secret. He seems like a good friend to have.
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