Ficlet advent calendar - December 6
Title: Scholarship program
Fandom: Gilmore Girls, Top Gun: Maverick
Characters: Lorelai Gilmore, Luke Danes, Sookie St. James, Jackson Belleville, Taylor Doose, Beau “Cyclone” Simpson
Relationships: Lorelai / Cyclone
Word Count: 1273
Rating: Teen and up audiences
Songs: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas
Summary: It's time for the annual Santa Claus Beauty Pageant in Stars Hollow! With an outsider amongst the competitors: Lieutenant Beau Cyclone Simpson. Sets in 2003.
Notes: Okay, so shipping Cyclone with Lorelai Gilmore came to my mind a few months ago, and despite how random this is, I grew quite fond of this ship, so I had to include them in this challenge as well. Also, this chapter tells the origins of the Santa figurine on Cyclone's desk (the one that appeared in Chapter 5). You can find some more stuff about them here.
And just a warning: this one is written in first person which is something I rarely do when writing in English, but I wanted to experiment a little bit.
December 6 – Scholarship program
I have to admit, it was my idea. I just said it as a joke, but Miss Patty liked it so much that she convinced Taylor to include it in the town’s Christmas events. It wasn’t surprising because unlike in the baking contest, he would definitely stand a chance in a Santa Claus beauty pageant. For obvious reasons. He does look a little like Santa Claus, although the real Santa definitely wouldn’t make comments on what your fence looks like or make a scene in your diner every second day for not putting a dancing reindeer in your window. Anyway, Taylor won three times, which wasn’t hard keeping in mind that he was competing against Kirk or Andrew, just to name a few other contestants. None of them comes to my mind if I think of Santa Claus.
The Santa Beauty Pageant is like any other beauty pageant, except for the bathing suit part. They have to sort out presents instead, but the conversation and the performance parts are the same. Even with the world peace thing. Most Santa Clauses want world peace. Except for Taylor, who wants a doormat next to every fireplace, so when he goes down a chimney, he can wipe his feet so he wouldn’t get the whole living room dirty while going to the tree.
Luckily, this year, for the first time ever, I wasn’t part of the jury, because Jackson was one o the contestants and I didn’t want to be accused with bias. This way I could root for him with Sookie and make snarky comments on the other Santas. I also tried to convince Luke to come as well, but of course, he declined it.
“I don’t even know what’s the point of this,” he growled. “A Santa Beauty Pageant? They are not even beautiful!”
“Hey, this is not a beauty pageant! It’s a scholarship program!” I said, quoting Miss Congeniality, but of course, he didn’t notice that.
“Scholarship program? You mean that meet and greet tomorrow when they’ll have to listen to the kids asking for stuff they would never get?”
“Oh come on, Luke, you’re such a Grinch!”
“Why? I don’t want to steal Christmas; I just have better things to do than to watch the people who make a fool of themselves in every town event making a fool of themselves in a Santa costume,” and with that he went back to the kitchen and yelled at Caesar for something.
Well, it’s his loss.
“It’s starting, it’s starting!” Sookie exclaimed sitting next to me as Taylor, three-times winner and our host this year came on stage.
No wonder Sookie was so excited as this year her husband was also in the contest, and she kept telling me that he had a chance to win. We cheered for him when he came onstage wearing the red costume and I had to admit that he looked convincing in it. However, when he started to recite The Night Before Christmas using vegetables as puppets, I had to bite on my lips to hide my laughter, because he put so much effort in it, and I love Jackson with all my heart, but the whole thing was ridiculous. I mean, who uses eggplants as reindeer? I was so glad I wasn’t in the jury this year!
“Our next contestant is an outsider,” Taylor announced once we watched Putzie’s Little Drummer Boy and Kirk’s presentation on what to do when we get stuck in a chimney. “He doesn’t live here, but he is no stranger to this town. Please welcome Lieutenant Beau Simpson!”
I could feel my heart skip a beat as I heard the familiar name. What on earth he is doing here again? Whenever we had a town event, he appeared out of nowhere, as if there was something in this town that makes him return again and again. My stomach jumped when I saw him on the stage. He looked so great in the red suit that my brain filled with inappropriate thoughts. Which was quite weird as I don’t usually think that Santa is hot – I mean, he’s an old, bearded man in a red suit who gives presents to children. There’s nothing sexy about that. About Cyclone, on the other hand, there isn’t a thing that is not sexy. Even that red coat with a white faux-fur collar and the fake beard suited him well.
“Hello, Stars Hollow,” he said it into the microphone as he looked around the audience and then his gaze stopped on me. “It’s nice to be back.”
I couldn’t hide my smile as our eyes met. I was sure I would never see him again after Halloween, yet he was here.
“What are we going to see now?” Taylor asked.
“I’ve brought you a song,” he replied. “To wish you all a merry little Christmas.”
That was the first time I heard him sing, and even though I knew he used to do theater in the Academy, I was surprised how good his voice was. It was soft and deep as he sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. It felt like a mug of hot chocolate with marshmallows. I shouldn’t tell it to Sookie who tried everything not to look impressed by the aviator as his husband was in the competition as well. However, I heard her sigh at the end of the song. Poor Jackson! After the song Cyclone had both the audience and the jury wrapped around his finger.
No wonder he won the pageant and got the Santa figurine as the prize. I couldn’t help but wonder how he would be doing on that meet and greet the next morning with the local kids.
When the people started leaving, I waited for him, and once he shook hands with everybody, he finally stepped to me.
“I thought I’d never see you again,” I admitted.
“Well, here I am,” he smiled at me under the fake beard. “I thought I’d surprise you, Junkie,” he added, using the call sign he and Luke gave me.
“You did,” I nodded. “Tell me, do you get a newsletter that tells you about the events in town? Because it seems to me you like it here.”
“In fact, I do,” he replied. “I mean, I do like it. You know, there is something here that makes me want to come back,” he told me, looking into my eyes in a way that it made me think that the ‘something’ is actually ‘someone’.
“I’m glad I wasn’t in the jury, otherwise I could’ve been accused of being biased,” I told him, trying to change the topic.
“So, you liked my performance,” he stated.
“You sing very well.”
“I want to celebrate somewhere,” he said. “Get a few drinks. Would you like to join?”
“Of course I would, just please, change first. Drinking with Santa feels a little weird. Even if he won a beauty pageant.”
“Hey! It’s not a beauty pageant! It’s a scholarship program!” he said.
I couldn’t help but laugh. I didn’t know he had seen Miss Congeniality, too. I looked up at him, and when our eyes met, I fell silent. My stomach began to tremble, and I had to take a deep breath to calm myself down a little. What has gotten into me?
“I have a question,” Cyclone said.
“What is it?”
“Can I kiss you here or shall we find a mistletoe?”
A grin broke out on my face as I pulled his beard down under his chin then I stood on my tiptoes to kiss him.
Read it on AO3
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IronWorks Fitness Centre ♥ The Sims 4: Speed Build // CC
Welcome to Ironworks Fitness Centre. This stunning space combines a sleek design with cutting-edge fitness technology to provide the perfect workout environment. You can take a refreshing dip in the stylish pool or challenge yourself to a boxing match in the boxing ring. Ironworks Fitness Centre's state-of-the-art gym equipment is designed to meet all your fitness needs, whether you're looking to build strength or improve your cardio. The facility offers an energizing cycling classes to get your heart pumping and blood flowing for those who need an extra boost.
➽ I was talking to one of my lovely friend @marilynjeansims about building in Oasis Spring. I realize that I have not build anything for this world so here I am! hehe I am planning on filling up this community strip so watch out for more oasis spring modern and midcentury builds in the future! Megan suggested a few community lot types which I think will be perfect for this world so I'm excited!
➽ Important Notes:
●Please make sure to turn bb.moveobjects on!
● Please DO NOT reupload or claim as your own.
● Feel free to tag me if you are using it, I love seeing my build in other peoples save file
● Feel free to edit/tweak my builds, but please make sure to credit me as the original creator!
● Thank you to all CC Creators● Please let me know if there's any problem with the build
➽ Speed Build Video
00:00 Beginning
00:02 Intro
00:57 Speed Build
22:30 Photos
Female Sims used in the video are by the lovely @largetaytertots
Gwen & Solana
➽ Lot Details
Lot Name: IronWorks Fitness Centre
Lot type: Gym
Lot size: 40 x 30
Location: Oasis Spring
➽ MODS
● Tool Mod by Twisted Mexi
● Let's Get Fit Fanmade Modpack by Cepzid
● Everyday clutterkits become functional by Cepzid
➽ CC List
Note: I reuse a lot of the same cc in all my builds, specifically cc's from felixandre, HeyHarrie, Tuds, and Pierisim so if you're interested in downloading past, present, future build from me i suggest getting all their cc sets to make downloading a little easier! other creators include Sooky, Charlypancakes, Sixam, Thecluttercat, Myshunosun, awingedllama, Peacemaker, kiwisim4. This will also ensure that the lots are complete and are not missing any items upon downloading !
DSCO
● Hunter Fitness set
House of Harlix
● Bafroom
● Harluxe
● Orjanic
Bbygyal123
● The balance collection
Charlypancakes
● Munch
● Smol
Felixandre
● Colonial pt [3]
● Grove pt [3][4]
● Soho (all)
Harrie
●Brutalist
● Klean pt [3]
● Spoons pt [2]
● Jardane
● Kichen (shelves only)
LittleDica
● Country Side Cabin
● Rise & Grind
Peacemaker
● Hudson Bathroom [towel]
Pierisim
● Coldbrew
● MCM pt [1][3]
● Oak House pt [2]
● Unfold
● Winter Garden
● Woodland Ranch (ceiling/floor tiles only)
Max 20
● Poolside Lounge Pack
Simkoos
● Everyday Clutterkit Addon (rolled yoga mat only)
● Taget Store (Signs only)
Sixam
● Hotel Bedroom (desk)
● Small spaces Laundry Room (laundry basket only)
Syboulette
● Ballet (mirrors only)
● Fitness
● Karaoke (neon signs only)
Tuds
● Brut (ceiling light only)
● Cross
● Cave
● Ind
Around the sims
● Swimming pool foam lane
● Swimming pool Starting block
● Tray File: Patreon Page
● Origin ID: Applez
● Twitter: Rheya28__
● Tiktok: Rheya28__
● Patreon: Rheya28
● Youtube: Rheya28__
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