Last Simsrise

3.4 - Onwards and Upwards

Published: 2025-07-22

Doba gets a new job and hobby along with it, Ajei's brain does crazy, confusing things to her, and the family celebrates their first Founder's Day.

Since Ajei was old enough now for Doba to be…half comfortable, at least, leaving her alone most of the day, he decided to quit his job as a manual laborer (he’d risen through all the ranks he could, anyway). In its stead, he got a job as a professional gardener. The pay was much better than what he was getting before, and Faye had mentioned he’d have to go and find some rare herbs to cure himself of his curse.

No better way to start researching those, he figured, than to immerse himself into the world of gardening. And, it turned out Doba really liked gardening. He found the cultivation aspect of it very rewarding, with Ajei starting to branch out into her own direction he could at least dote on something. And, it gave him lots of time to stay at home and watch over her.

Oh, and speaking of Faye…

Aside from…that, Doba was doing pretty alright for himself. It was hard, waking up every day without Elmira. Watching Ajei grow up knowing Elmira will never be able to see how their little girl is coming along. But he was okay.

Ajei, on the other hand, quickly felt the mental consequences of her mother’s death pile up on top of her, and was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder soon after her birthday.

She struggled a lot at school. Any amount of work she’d put in would never be enough. She only got along with one other person in school (a kid named Stevie). And it felt like she was making no progress on any of her art. But still, despite that, her therapist suggested she try a new hobby, so she picked up guitar.

As prom season rolled around, Ajei watched from the sidelines as all the juniors and seniors flocked to prompose to each other. She’d thought men looked attractive before (though never enough to make her jaw drop), and never thought much of herself in a relationship. But one day she saw a girl, a junior, who was so drop dead gorgeous she started reconsidering everything…

Confused and overwhelmed, Ajei turned to journaling. When she asked Stevie about what to do with a same gender crush, they said it’s not worth the risk of heartbreak. Especially if you’re sure they’re straight. She didn’t even know this girl’s name… all of this was so new to her… She had to tread really carefully.

And still the time passed. Ajei barely even saw the girl after that (and couldn’t really ponder much further on the matter after that…) so she continued to exist as she always has. Just a bit more confused than before.

Doba, one day, brought up the idea of a holiday Elmira suggested after her fathers both passed away. Elmira wanted to have a day, every year, on the first day of winter, to celebrate everything Salim and Miguel went through. It was never able to come to fruition. But, with Elmira gone and his grief somewhat more processed, he thought it was time to honor those who have been loved and lost.

Ajei thought that was a nice idea. Neither of them knew what to really do once Founder’s Day came along. So Doba gardened, Ajei painted, and both of them took some time to mourn.