So, here we are, back in Evergreen Harbor, with a pair of sims who are really not getting along very well. I keep trying to get them to make friends, but it's slow going.
Eventually, I give up and send them to the new Maker Space. Iris is less than impressed, while Aiyden seems overjoyed by all the gadgets he now has access to.
While Iris attempts to find something to occupy herself, he climbs up the ladder to do some recycling. He needs bits and pieces to start working on his first commission - a simple rug.
The rug turns out to be more difficult than he had initially expected, and takes two tries to get it right before he feels he can send it on to his client. (I add a computer to the office, so he can keep working on gigs while staying at the Maker Space.)
Iris, however, gets bored of dumpster diving for stuff for Aiyden to salvage, and cancels out all her interactions to go buy something to eat from the food stall. I really can't blame her.
Aiyden gets some mentoring from a Master Maker in the area, but even the mentoring can't keep him from being dragged into the machine and spat back out. Embarrassed, he apologized to the mentor, and started over.
... Only to have the machine break on him. Sighing in frustration, he decides to risk his life and try to fix it. Luckily, everything works out for him, and soon he's able to complete his second rug commission of the day.
Looking around, Aiyden realizes that it had gotten dark and Iris must have gotten bored or tired and went home. Following her example, he trudged home. Tomorrow was soon enough to get another commission.
Aiyden's commissions were all done for the day, and Iris had finished her work, too. With a huge storm outside, neither felt like leaving the house, so they sat around and chatted instead.
Sometime during the evening, Aiyden discovered his feelings for Iris and swooped in to surprise her with a kiss. It may have been sudden, but she didn't say "no"... in fact, she actually kissed him back.
After a long conversation and some more flirting, Iris agreed to be his girlfriend, although both seemed to feel that was as far as they should go for the night and they still slept in their own beds.
Iris usually completed her "work from home" task easily and followed Aiyden to the Maker Space to help him find salvage for his growing obsession with fabricating. He wasn't making much money doing it, but he was slowly getting better.
... Well, sort-of.
Love Day came around, and Aiyden decided it was time to take their relationship to the next level.
He bought her flowers, and she seemed to really appreciate them, taking a moment to gently sniff them and put them in a vase in the kitchen. Where she came up with a vase at, nobody knows.
Iris then thanked Aiyden for the roses in the only way she could think of.
Together, they decided on a romantic date to the new restaurant in town, and they were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't a hole-in-the-wall dump.
While Aiyden used the facilities, Iris ordered for them, so that the food was ready to be delivered by the time he got back to his seat. The waiter, however, seemed very new to his job, and dumped the entire order on the floor. Apologizing profusely, he headed back to the kitchen to push a rush order in for replacements.
When dinner came, Aiyden raged inwardly at the fact that she had ordered him spaghetti, of all things, but he didn't take it out on her. At least the drinks were good... and it wasn't her fault she hadn't known about his dislike of spaghetti sauce.
Another storm had moved in by the time they were done eating, and the two of them were soaked by the time they finally got home. Getting out of their wet clothes and warming each other up was great fun, however, and it seemed Iris sleeping upstairs may have become a thing of the past.
By this time, I had worked them so hard that Aiyden was finally able to buy some equipment for working from home, and he seemed to really enjoy making candles. Although working with the hot wax while half-naked may not have been the best choice...
That night, the Romance Festival was in town, and the two new lovebirds couldn't help but attend. Aiyden's first concern was consulting the love guru, who had interesting advice. "At least your flaws are evenly matched." ... What did that even mean? Shrugging, Aiyden decided that maybe the guru wasn't all that wise after all, and called Iris over.
Taking advantage of the flirty vibes and the drink that went to both of their heads, Aiyden read her some flowery poetry and romanced her, ignoring the guru watching happily.
He then dropped to one knee... and pulled a ring out of thin air.
Iris took the question very seriously, and thought for a long moment before deciding to say "yes".
She then kissed him impulsively and jumped unceremoniously into Aiyden's arms. She was lucky he managed to overcome his surprise and catch her!
Iris pointed out the wedding arch, and they decided there was no time like the present.
They hardly noticed the celebratory fireworks, as they were completely wrapped up in each other.
Aiyden seemed particularly pensive the next morning, and didn't talk much during breakfast - but Iris couldn't seem to be quiet. At least her cooking was improving, though!
Unbeknownst to either of them, alone in the garage, Little Moo grew up to be.. well, not so little. I'm just praying Aiyden keeps his paws off the Cowplant. (Spoiler: he's already discovered gardening by playing with it, so I'm going to have to watch him closely!)
