01-06. Excess Baggage

Late that night, after the scene at the Americana Club ...

Krisalyn couldn't believe what had happened. Her new partner had crashed to the floor in a heap! She yelled for help, but Leif just kept trying to hush her up. Krisalyn was livid! Leif had done this.

Then Adrian had come running. With Krisalyn's help, Adrian bundled Rome into a taxi. Leif assured her that Montez was all right, but Krisalyn asked Adrian to go with Rome anyway. Adrian had glanced at Leif and shrugged.
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Krisalyn hadn't gone straight home. Instead, she went to Leif's place and waited outside. She watched from the shadows as Leif entered the condos. She was going to confront him, but first she wanted to speak with Adrian about Rome. He arrived soon after Leif.

Adrian: Don't worry, Krisa. Montez is fine. Leif just thought he should be put out of commission for a while. Didn't want him doing any unnecessary snooping before your trip.
Krisalyn: That's ridiculous! All Leif's done is make Mr Montez angry!

Adrian: I know, I know! I told Leif it was a dumb idea. But he said he needed to send Montez a message.
Krisalyn: A message! Saying what? "Be on your guard, Mr Montez. Don't trust anyone!"
Adrian: It'll be ok, Krisa. Just be careful, that's all.

Krisalyn punched the bell to Leif's penthouse. After he answered, she went straight up. The investigation was already in trouble. She couldn't believe it. So much for subtle!

Krisalyn: I don't want any more of this kind of thing, Leif! It's not called for! I had Mr Montez softened up and ready for the trip, and then you pulled this stunt!

Leif: You were panicking, Krisa. I wasn't going to send you off alone with the guy. Plus, this buys me a little more time to check into his background ... and to keep him from doing his own checking.

Krisalyn: You didn't need to knock him out!

Leif: Of course I did! We even got to search his boat tonight.
Krisalyn: And I bet Adrian didn't find a thing, did he?
Leif: Well, no. But we had to check.

Krisalyn: Leif, you've put me in a terrible position. I wouldn't be surprised if Mr Montez never spoke to me again. You know he's going to think I planned this!
Leif: Not at all! Tell him the truth. You didn't have anything to do with it.

Leif: He won't refuse to take you to Amazigh. He' doesn't want you asking other guides about that site. Montez has been discouraging all interest in the dig for months now. I'm telling you, Krisa, the guy knows something.

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The next day, Krisalyn boarded the Montez houseboat, Dulce Vida ...

Krisalyn took a deep breath and faced the door. Just how mad was Rome Montez going to be? Would he yell at her? Call the police? ... No, he wouldn't do that. He'd been a perfect gentleman last night. He'll probably just ask her politely to leave--and glare at her with those frosty eyes of his.

She sighed and rang the doorbell. When she got no response, she rang again. And again.

Then she stepped back and looked up to the second floor. No doubt Mr Montez must still be asleep.

Krisalyn: Mr Montez! Hello! Are you up there? Hello!! ... It's me, Krisalyn Perry. Your new partner. I'm ready to leave for Amazigh! ... Hello! Mr Montez! ... Yoohoo! ... Rome!!

Rome felt like he'd been hit by a barge. What the hell had been in that drink? And more important, who had put it in there? The woman? Somehow he didn't think so.

But dios mío! Did she have to scream so loud at him! For such a prissy little thing, she sure had a voice!

Rome slipped on his Sim Fu garb and headed outside. What time was it anyway? He looked around him. Surely she hadn't already brought over her luggage! And ... was that her dog too?

Krisalyn: Oh, Mr Montez! I'm so glad to see you in such good health today! I was worried about you last night. I didn't know what to do! You fainted ... or something ...

Rome: Sí, it was something.

Krisalyn: Maybe we should get you back inside. You can lie down and I'll fix you a nice meal. You need liquids too. ...Oh, I almost forgot! This is Dodger. He'll be going with us to Amazigh, of course. Dodger is very loyal.

So while his new "partner" took over his houseboat, Rome tried to nap on the couch. But his defenseless brain fell under attack from banging pans, squeaky dog toys and guttural growls. Then he realized the growls were his own!

Rome restrained himself from shouting his favorite curses--just barely--but he needed time to recover his wits.

He escaped to the upper deck to work out, clear his head, and breathe in the fresh sea air. He skipped dinner.

By the time he did brave the downstairs, Krisalyn Perry had gone to sleep in his bed ... with Dodger.

Which meant Rome got plenty of fresh air that night.

Things looked much brighter the next morning though. Rome was beginning to feel his old self again. Time to assess the situation. Take charge.

Damn, he was hungry! Was that coffee he smelled? Yes! Time for breakfast.

Rome ate a full meal of eggs, oatmeal, and lots of bacon. But the whole time, Dodger eyed him suspiciously. Rome made no sudden moves!

It was time to put down this silent mutiny. This was his boat! The first thing was to win Krisalyn Perry over to his side ... and get her to call off that bodyguard mutt of hers.

Rome: So, Krisalita, are you ready for our trip to Amazigh?
Krisalyn: Yes, absolutely! How long will it take us to get there?

Rome: Oh, not long, but we need to avoid some of the shallows along the shore. We'll be heading out to sea for a bit. You won't mind that, will you?
Krisalyn: Well, no, if you think it's necessary for safety's sake.

It was necessary, all right. The more time they spent on his boat, the better. He hadn't been prepared for this new development, and there were arrangements to be made before they got to the dig.

In the meantime, Rome would take Krisalyn on a little detour--a bonus cruise.

And maybe he'd show her how to really enjoy la Dulce Vida.

01-05. Port Marhaba Resort

This Al Medina update is not really related to the main story. I got distracted downloading patterns and a few lots. 

I found a beautiful port and a resort houseboat at My Sim Realty. I had made my own resort houseboat awhile back, but I really liked this one. I decided to put it in Al Medina since I'd already added ports there.

This is a screenshot of both the port and the resort. It's near the beach I'd added close to the Foreign Quarter. The lot I placed had extra room, so I also added the Surf's Up Wave Station.

Here's a look inside the port's restroom hut.

On the resort houseboat main deck. A bar and hot tub.

The check-in area and lobby.

Originally, the resort used the small resort tower RH, which took up two floors. But I removed that to give the resort more room. Instead, I added more buffets on the first floor.

And on the second floor, I added more dining tables. The rug here is a resort tower replacement RH. Guests will magically enter through that rug to be transported to their invisible rooms ... somewhere! Above the reception area is a gym.

There are two VIP rooms on the upper level. Notice the ladders leading to the roof?

Only VIP guests can access the private roof decks.

And in the basement, the resort houses a casino room.

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I had Krisalyn test the wave station. She did pretty well for not yet having any athletic skill.

But when I saw the seal show up, I got a little worried about her.

Oh yes, that seal was getting way too close.

One last hand stand and then I sent her home. Krisalyn can try this another time when she has her own surfboard. If she's going to get taken down by a seal, I want a souvenir!

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As for Rome, he survived his night at the Amercana Club. But let's just say, he's still a little pissed at how the evening ended. He should have known the lady had backup!

03-07. More Screenshots of Tempest and Parents

A scrapbook of the Faraz horses.