17. IT'S COMPLICATED (2)

October 16, 2025

Atlas: Hey, beautiful. I'm back. Told you this mission wouldn't take long. I've really been craving you.

Sofia: This isn’t a good idea. We need to talk.

Atlas: Again?! What is it this time?

Sofia: You’d better sit down.

Atlas: So, what is that serious I needed to sit down?

Sofia: I'm pregnant...

Atlas: WHAT?! That’s impossible. We were careful.

Sofia: Yes. But it’s not your child. It’s Bastian’s.

Atlas: Are you sure?

Sofia: 100%.

Atlas: Whew... That’s actually a relief. I'm not ready to be a dad.

Sofia: THAT’S your reaction?!

Atlas: What did you expect?

Sofia: I don’t know... Maybe something like, since our SOULS connected, we could get through this TOGETHER?!

Atlas: Look, it’s not like I’m mad or anything. But I’m not looking to raise a kid right now.

Sofia: Oh, RELAX! You won’t have to! I just wanted to let you know it’s over between us, because in this situation, it’s pretty clear who I’m choosing. I can’t believe I let myself get swept up like that.

Atlas: Then I wish you all the best.

Sofia: At least I have a chance for real happiness. A real family. And you?

Atlas: Actually, this works out. I’ve been offered a transfer to Oasis Springs for some special training and then a long space expedition. I wasn’t sure before, but now I know what my answer is.

Sofia: You would’ve gone anyway.

Atlas: Probably, yeah.

Sofia: Then maybe we both made the right choice.

Atlas: Looks like it.

On his way home, Bas passed through Plaza Mariposa to buy flowers for Sofia, and toss a lucky coin into the fountain. There, he noticed a strange, sad-looking Sim dressed as a bear.

Bas: Sorry, is everything alright?

Bear: It's a long story. In short, I dropped the ring into the nearby pond.

Bas: I can fish it out for you. I used to go fishing with my grandpa, I'm pretty good at it.

Bear: You can try, but I probably won’t need it anymore. I’m a bear, after all.

Bas: Sure...

Bear: You look down too. Wanna be a bear with me?

Bas: Eh, I just had a fight with my girl.

Bear: Love is tricky. One moment you're floating on air, the next, your sweetheart doesn’t even want to look at you.

Bas: Yeah, I messed up.

Bear: Yup. Relationships take work. You’ve gotta do stuff. And that’s hard. Easier to be a bear.

Bas figured chatting more with a Sim who thinks he’s a bear was pointless. But something told him he should find that ring.

Eventually, he did*. Inside the ring were strange symbols. Gnomish language? Maybe the guy knows what it means.

*Here I want to thank to the Simmers who uploaded that ring to the Gallery. My Sim fished for over a week and only caught garbage and fish!

Bas: Hey, uh, Mr. Bear! I found your ring!

Bear: Whoa, you really did it. Nice! You can keep it. That ring has a romantic aura. Not many can read the symbols. I think it says something about the fountain? But hey, what do I know, I’m just a bear.

The fountain? Bas should’ve gone home by now, but deep down he felt like the Watcher wanted him to finish this puzzle. At the fountain, he found another hidden message. According to the sad weirdo, it spoke of the Lovers’ Wall. That’s... near his house, right?

The famous Lovers' Wall in Vista Hermosa. Will he really find anything here? Yes! “Rub the ring to activate it.” Let’s give it a try. Hopefully he doesn’t turn into a bear, haha.

Bas rubbed the ring and felt an incredible boost of confidence, and a magical aura of allure. Hm... couldn’t hurt.

Bas: I'm back!

Sofia: Oh, I’m so glad you’re home.

Bas: I thought you were still mad at me.

Sofia: Mad?

Bas: About the whole Atlas situation. Anyway, here, flowers as an apology. And whatever else you need me to do, I’ll do it. Just say.

Sofia: They’re beautiful, thank you. You're so sweet.

Bas: So you’re really not angry anymore?

Sofia: Oh no, I’m over it. And actually, you were right.

Sofia: The problem solved itself. They sent Atlas off to Oasis Springs and he’s headed on some long space mission. Who knows, maybe he’ll stay on Sixam, or wherever he ends up. Honestly, that would be very convenient for us.

Sofia: Because, well... I have some important news, love. We’ll soon need more space. So it’s a good thing we’ll have the house to ourselves.

Bas: More space? Did you buy new furniture while I was out?

Sofia: No, silly. I'm pregnant. You’re going to be a dad!

Bas: A dad? Oh my Watcher!

Sofia: Are you happy?

Bas: Happy? This is the best news ever! We need to celebrate! Don’t worry, it’s alcohol-free.

Sofia: Where are you taking me?

Bas: Here, right under the stars. I want to make a toast, to my amazing girlfriend. And... now I know why I had to solve that sad bear’s mystery and find that ring.

Sofia: What are you talking about, haha? What bear? Are you sure this is alcohol-free??