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Arrival |
It's not as if his life had been especially tough but after his sister, Danielle, had left Riverview there was something 'not quite right' any more.
His mother, Cleo, had seemed a little more settled now that she didn't have the risk of meeting Danielle unexpectedly in town. Not that they were especially antagonistic or argumentative, they had got past that, now it was just uncomfortable for Cleo. Damien could always tell when the two women had met, there was a subtle coldness in the air.
Even with Danielle settled in Lucky Palms, Cleo was still seldom fully at ease and was more going through the motions of parenting rather than being fully engaged with her son. It was just enough for Damien who was, like his father Pascal, a gentle and affectionate soul (unlike his more wayward sister!) He got through school well enough, his results were fine, but he had not exhibited any specific talent or interest that indicated a particular career path.
As he contemplated his future Damien just didn't feel anything positive about Riverview. He had no ties to the place beyond the fact that he lived there with his mother. From the letters he had received from Danielle he knew there were many other places and opportunities to explore and now, with no job or other responsibilities to hold him, was an ideal time to seek his 'fortune'.
But it was a blog posting by his uncle, Carl, that convinced him that his future lay elsewhere. Of all the many places he and Malia visited, this one was quite unique. Nestled between the ocean and the northern mountains it enjoyed a distinctive micro-climate as the icy mountain rivers converged and met the rising geothermal springs in a majestic lake of mist and spray. Such an abundance of water ensured the landscape remained lush and fertile despite the harsh northern winters.
It wasn't just the obvious beauty of the place that appealed to Damien, it was more the fact the community that had settled this coastal strip had remained so respectful of their environment. This was no place for the ornate or overly fancy, the buildings were all simple and functional but still displayed an elegance that fit perfectly with their surroundings..
From Carl's blog, and the further research he did, Damien decided that he had to see this place, that it could just be where he would find whatever it was he was unable to find in Riverview.
So, shortly after graduating school, Damien put his plan to his mother. He would set out and spend a couple of months in this seemingly idyllic location and may, if he found work and somewhere to settle, move out there permanently.
It was not easy for Cleo to let him go, she had already suffered many losses in her life. Following the death of her mother, both her father and brother had left to find new lives. Then soon after the death of her beloved partner, Pascal, their daughter, Danielle fled to Lucky Palms. And now, her only son wanted to go as well. She knew, however, that he would not be truly happy in Riverview, the town meant nothing to him, indeed it served only to remind him of his parents troubled relationship. In her heart, Cleo knew that Damien had to find his own place in the world, somewhere that would feed not only his body but also nourish his soul.
-- * --
With but a few thousand simoleons in his account to get him through the first weeks of his new life, a few changes of clothes and a one-man tent thrown in the back of his pick-up, Damien arrived in Aurora Skies.
Rather than waste money staying in one of the hotels or boarding houses, Damien decided to camp on the outskirts of the town to start with, and see how he got on..
Not that anywhere was really "outskirts", the town was so small and compact everywhere was in easy reach.
Having set up his new 'home', Damien made his way into town to start getting a feel for the place and, hopefully, meet some friendly locals.
As it turned out his obvious 'this place is amazing!' wonderment as he walked around the centre was recognised and met with friendly words of welcome from many of the residents enjoying the fresh air that afternoon.
One woman he met, Yuri he soon learned, had only recently moved into Aurora Skies herself and understood exactly the delight that Damien expressed in the beauty and simplicity of the town.
Even within just a few hours of arriving, Damien was already feeling more relaxed and 'at home' than he ever had in Riverview.
As Yuri enthusiastically extolled the many virtues of living in Aurora Skies, or "AS" as most people seemed to call it, he was certain he would be here for more than just a few months.
Füd Feud was the main grocery shop in town but it also had a small dining room attached that had a reputation for serving only good quality local produce at prices anyone could afford. It was probably the best place for Damien to start getting to know the local cuisine.
After a delightful meal, and with the sun sinking in the evening sky, the pair parted promising to meet up again.
Making his way back to the campsite, Damien stopped off to look across the lake that was responsible for the very existence of this community.
As he gazed across the misty lake Damien knew, with absolute certainty, he had found the place that would truly be his home.
Chapter D2: Getting Familiar
Authors Note: If you've come to this page directly from Chapter 38 of Danielle's story you might want to read this post for an explanation!
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