Family

Winter 14, Saturday (Feb 28)

Seasons in my simverse are three weeks long, but I want to move to Nordhaven in the 1st week of spring, not the 3rd week of winter. So, today, I buy the Dr. June’s Weather Control Machine and upgrade its Temporal Modifier Unit.
Now I’m ready to Advance Seasons tomorrow morning, from Day 1 of Winter to Day 1 of Spring.

Next, I finish installing a Wormhole Generator on my rocket ship, an upgrade that I’d started last week but only completed today.

The planet Sixam is even more exotic and mystical than I’d imagined. I run around trying to collect as many unpolished geodes, aliens, crystals, and metals as possible.

Sadly, I get the “this resource has already been collected" message very often, thanks to the 4-5 Aliens I spot roaming around Sixam but refrain from greeting. Apparently, they’re the ones who keep beating me to collectibles!

I would’ve loved to harvest a Fang Flower or a Quill Fruit for my garden. But since they’re both out of season, I couldn’t even take a cutting. I’ll need to check their growing cycles and come back again when they’re harvestable.

Well, I need to head home to get changed for my dinner with Papa Caleb.

Tae: Is it okay if I order for the two of us, Papa Caleb?
Caleb: Of course. I heard from your aunt Megumi that you’re collecting Experimental Food Photos.  (My boy has grown so much since he left Forgotten Hollow.)

Tae: Thanks! And what do you think of my new look for Nordhaven? 

Caleb: The white hair really suits you and you look so grown-up in that tweed jacket.

Tae: I’m sorry I haven’t tried to spend more time with you, even tho you raised me after both my mother and aunt abandoned me as a baby. I didn’t realize until recently that I’ve resented you for not telling me sooner that you weren’t my real father.

Caleb: About that, Tae. Megumi phoned to tell me that you believe I never cared for you, that I only took you in because she begged me.

Tae: But it’s true, right?

Caleb: It’s true I’m an immortal vampire, but I tried to give you all my love and attention as you grew up. I’d never raised a child before so I was no doubt a terrible caregiver to you, but I want you to know I tried my very best, Tae. You are precious to me. It’s been after you moved out and cut me off, but I’ve been trying to give you the space you felt you need.

Tae: Yet you never loved me enough to adopt me as your son.

Caleb: Don’t you think I wanted that from the very start? But my hands were tied. Your biological mother lives and she wouldn’t put you up for adoption, so nobody else can adopt you. Not even your aunt.

Tae: Oh.

Caleb:  I know I haven’t been the best perfect parent, but you must believe that I adore you.

Tae: I am grateful that you never pressured me to turn into a vampire.

Caleb: I would never! C’mon, give your old man a big hug. Do you have any idea how much I adore you?

Tae (to himself): I will eventually get over being discarded by my biological mother. But today I give thanks to all the love and friendship in my life. I have a generous, caring foster father; an aunt who’s always in my corner; Juwon who offers me deep emotional intimacy without pushing for physical intimacy beyond my comfort zone; and–last but not least–my found family: the teens who I first met in Copperdale and have since become my closest, dearest friends. I can't wait to move to Nordhaven tomorrow to embark on new adventures in my life's journey!