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| A little R&R ;) |
He seemed to connect with every sim he'd meet especially Raylene. It seemed like they were practically family as they both loved to have fun and made sure everyone around them were just as happy. Around this time, he visited a lot of sims in the neighborhood. It was his way of saying goodbye for a while. He was about to take a holiday trip. He'd been wanting to see more of the world and this was his chance. He could only afford a three-day vacation so he had to make it memorable. After some time of planning, he chose Egypt. It was a tough decision between that and China. If he was still rolling in the Simoleons like he used to, he'd probably be able to visit both places. He took a dip in his pool one last time, got dressed and headed out. The weather was very nice for traveling. He'd hoped for the best during his trip and didn't want to reschedule because of gray skies or ice cold weather.
<<Some time ago.....
"All the hard work, the obstacles, the struggles... Resilience has pushed me through it all and victory has been proudly achieved. The long road to my success will never be forgotten. Staying on top will be a challenge in itself but I've finally made it. I am the definitive business man!"
>>Present
Abe arrived in Egypt and the elderly Sim took a moment to enjoy the view of the pyramids, houses, bright sand and other sights of what seemed to be a completely different world. He felt it was a shame he could only stay for a few days. After getting settled in his tent, he took a walk around the neighborhood to see how sims lived their lives in Al Simhara. He introduced himself to a family nearby known as the Hosnis. He told them about himself, where he was from and was welcomed into their home. His jokes and stories won them over almost instantly. Helmi seemed like a sim who wasn't a stranger to hard work. At first, Abe assumed he was some kind of leader or at least the king of his household. It turned out he was the prince...not of Al Simhara but of the home he shared with his mother, Amina. sensing his curiosity, Abe was given a tour of their place and encouraged him to visit other places around the town including the market and some of the pyramids.
<<
"There is no room for emotion. Passion toward my work is all I need. Perfection is a must and distractions are unacceptable. Such a mind state brings power and a constant drive for excellence.
Distractions hold back full potential. Remain as steady as a machine and press on. Never settle... Distractions have no place here. The pull of temptation...humph! Diligence will surely overpower.....!
...distractions...may seem strong but.....a stronger sim.....
...................anything, I...could... I can! I can resist....handle anything.."
>>
Abe was excited about exploring the pyramids but not before breakfast. He went over to an eatery near his tent. His plate ready and as he walked over to his table, he saw an elderly woman sitting in his seat at first, he was a little irritated from assuming she was about to steal his food but it turned out being a misunderstanding. Salah teased him with small talk and Abe liked the woman right away but the kid in the old sim was so excited about exploring, he gave her a rain check on their little convo and headed toward the ancient tombs. You'd think he'd done this before... Abe spent the entire day thrill seeking. Who needs a souvenir shop when you can search for relics, coins and keys for opening chained doors and secret staircases. He was hoping to see a few mummies or spooky spirits but it was getting pretty late. If anything 'exciting' was going to happen to him, he wanted to be alert and on his toes. Who would want a mummy chasing them while they are half asleep?
"Something has happened. The drive is still there but something...., something has changed. The more I feel it, the more it's welcomed. A feeling not felt in years. Like a grip loosening. A weight, lifted. It feels...right. ...like it was meant to be. I'm on top of the world yet not from a corporate ladder. I feel like I can fly. It's a pleasure to let loose. It's like a wonderful dream...please...., don't let this be just a dream."
The next morning he decided to take it easy. Something came over Abe that had him thinking less about adventures and more about a certain someone. He decided to canceled the tomb raiding and possible chance of getting cursed (which would probably be very hard for a sim like Abe) and asked out Salah. She happily agreed and they spent Abe's last day in Egypt together in front of a campfire. Naturally, Abe did most of the talking and Shala enjoyed listening. They looked like a couple that had been together for decades. The positive energy from this sim was clearly contagious. Instead of going to a restaurant They roasted dinner over the fire, sang the song he learned from Nabila, melting her heart and sat quietly for a while just reading.
"No! You can't be gone! I was shown a new world and now I have to be alone? I don't understand! I'm not the same and i need you here! It hurts just thinking about going back to the old ways! I'm lost now. Without you....(sigh). It can't be like this! But then it hit me.."
>>
Abe had returned to his home in Sunset Valley. Though he looked forward to Raylene's Snowflake party, Salah seemed to be on the mind more than anything... What a shame. If there was only a little more time on that trip... He went for a walk and went fishing in a pond next to an old house. To his surprise, he realized someone actually lived there now. Tae-Gra invited him inside. She didn't mind Abe fishing at the pond and he tried introducing himself to O'Raj but the young sim was exhausted, heading straight to bed. Tae passed out soon after and Abe put away the food and headed back home.
He began to plan his return. Even if it meant coming out of retirement to earn more money, he was determined to return to Egypt...to Salah. Excited by the idea, the old sim's spirit ignited and made arrangements for Raylene's party to be held at his house. There was no sign of discouragement in Abe at all. The party began at six and he had time for a little nap. He made sure there were seats and food for everyone. The fireplace was set to his favorite color and turned up the music. Before he could turn around Victor and a few more guests appeared right behind him. He was more excited than startled lol. He played around and danced the night away! He had the energy of a teenager...and the speed to boot as he prepared a dish way too spicy, sending him to the bathroom. He even managed to get Tae and O'Raj to come over. The Party lasted past midnight and was great even without seeing much snowflakes.
<<
"It hit me hard..and now I'm suddenly okay. You didn't leave me. You were never going to leave were you?
You were always here, even from the beginning.
Somewhere, I convinced myself that you didn't exist anymore and I'm sorry.
You have always been a part of me!
Thank you, my spirit. Thank you for reminding me."
