Bjorn has some thinking to do. He decides to call a meeting of The Good Timers. Did I say thinking? I meant to say drinking.

 

 

The newest member, Tyrian is in attendance along with the old faces, Dominic, Mila and Jacques. 

 

 

The club enters The Shrieking Llama to grab some warm up drinks.

 

 

Mila, former neighbour and Windenburg native, greets Bjorn hospitably, "How are your beautiful wife und den kinder?"

 

 

"Errr, the thing about that is we're on a break right now and not living together..." Bjorn explains.

 

 

"I'm living with some polyamorous Sims, and that relationship is going well, sort of." Jacques squints dubiously. "Polygraph you say? Are the communists among us again?"

 

 

"Yes Mila, back in my day a man was a man, explore, expand, exploit and exterminate!" Jacques declares. Why did I think this was a good idea? Bjorn scorns. He feels the generational and cultural difference may prevent a genuine conversation.

 

 

He decides instead to immerse himself in a game of Foosball with Tyrian.

 

 

"Interesting crowd! I've never been to this bar before." Enthuses Tyrian. 

 

 

Expertly manoeuvring the foos men, Bjorn replies, "Yes, I used to come here all the time before... I moved to the city..."

 

 

Tyrian responds, "Hmm, I bet that's a story." as the rest of the club walks over.

 

 

"Come on stretch, Hail Mary the jack past his flea flicker!" Jacques hollers.

 

 

Mila joins Tyrian's side, "Ignore him freundchen, it is impossible to beat Bjorn one on one."-"Reeeeally?" Replies Tyrian. Bjorn beams.

 

 

She continues to Bjorn "I didn't know about you and Clara, she has sagte nichts in our cooking classes."-"It is... complicated. Let's continue this downstairs." He says.

 

 

The Good Timers go beneath the main area to their clubhouse.

 

 

"You have a PRIVATE room?! It's so soundproof," -Tyrian exclaims shuffling through a deck of cards- "I bet you could scream bloody murder and no-one would know." Jacques agrees "Astute young 'un, this was the only shelter for 8 furlough during the battle of 91. Couldn't hear a salvo!"

 

 

The group continued to play, the night punctuated by lighthearted peculiarity, until mid way through a game of "Don't Wake The Llama."

 

 

While the others reconstructed the tower loudly, Tyrian asked in a muted tone, "So Bjorn, tell about your love life."

 

 

 "Ah... I guess." Bjorn shifts awkwardly. "I left my family a month ago to live with my boyfriend.... and his husband. My wife, she doesn't want me seeing her or the kids. I feel so lost."

 

 

"Wait wait wait...." Tyrian gestures, to Bjorn to slow down. "So you left your family to live life with with two gay men? Like recently?"

 

 

"Don't you THINK she has a right to be angry? Anyone would be. Of course she's not gonna WANT you to see the children."

 

 

"But still," His tone changes. "that takes a lot of balls to be who you want to be. I'm proud of you man."

 

 

Bjorn is slightly dumbfounded. "Thanks I think...?"

 

 

Tyrian announces, "Next round is a strip round! Who's in?!"-"It's 1916 again in New Orleans!" Says Jacques removing his clothing unexpectedly fast for an old man. "I think it's time for me to go home now." Says Bjorn, coyly making his way toward the exit. "You're loss!" Grins Tyrian.

 

 

At home Mackay wonders who he keeps getting naked pictures of Bjorn's gaming group from a random number.

 

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That night an intruder breaks into the house with one goal,

 

 

to sap upon fresh plasma!

 

 

Unfortunately Bjorn is the victim of this ill-gotten beverage.

 

 

In a trance he puts up no resistance.

 

 

Then collapses on the floor in a heap.

 

 

The ordeal leaves Bjorn feeling altogether miserable, but it does grant him some perspective.

 

 

He finds comfort in an unexpected place. "Is the fruit salad okay? Are you feeling light headed at all?" Mackay asks gently. "My head hurts a bit I'll be fine in a few hours." Says Bjorn.

 

 

Mackay tentatively continues, "So are you afraid of vampires after this? We don't have to go back to Forgotten Hollow."-"Oh those vampires we met were harmless."

 

 

"All right, let us know if you need anything."-"Don't worry about it." Says Bjorn taking his bowl to the kitchen.

 

 

An early morning knock on the door is answered by Bjorn. "Hi there Reid, and you must be Harley!"-"Yes, it's nice to meet you." She replies taken slightly aback.

 

 

Making a proper introduction he tells Harley about himself on the couch. It turns out they have a daughter in the same primary school. 

 

 

He comes across as not only polite, but charming.

 

 

"What are you doing living with these deadbeat nerds? Haha!" She laughs.

 

 

Mackay is practicing the guitar before work in the music room.

 

 

The new friends walk in to listen to him play,

 

 

"Well this is definitely one of the perks."

 

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❤️

 

IMPORTANT: Did you know Tyrian is a character adoption? You can track his parallel universe story in Protected: Grauerwolfe. For those who love legacy challenges!