The real Chapter 3.1 is done now!

I was hoping that the finished chapter would upload into a new post, but it didn’t. It just overrode my oops post. Therefore, I am posting this note to let everyone who follows my blog that you can go back and read the chapter now. Hope you like it!

Chapter 3.1 – Terra Firma

Welcome back! As you know from last time, we are officially in the reign of Generation 3 Torch Holder, the lovely Terra. Finally someone in the family who has a good personality and also doesn’t look almost like a Shark clone. Previously only Gen. 2 spare Aura didn’t primarily look like Shark, and she… Well… Bless her Mean Spirited little heart. Before we get into the ISBI, I’d like to point out for anyone who didn’t notice that there is now a gallery of family members for you to view so that you can keep track of everyone. Additionally, for those who looked at it when I first created it and haven’t glanced since, it is now more than one page. I have a page for all sims who come from the ISBI household (including Imaginary Friends who are made real and any simbots Torch Holders create), and will create pages for spares of each generation (including the Imaginary Friends) and their descendants. I’ve gotten the Gen. 2 and Gen. 3 pages up already and will update them as more sims are born into the spare families.

OK, now that I’m done shamelessly plugging my efforts to help you all know who the heck I’m talking about when referencing extended family, we can get back to the ISBI proper.  Last time: there were many frustrations, many birthdays, a graduation that I had to do more than once (I actually had to do it about four times but only took pictures of the first and last), the torch was passed, and my grand search for a husband for Terra resulted in Tavares Baker being chosen by virtue of his being the only man in town who wasn’t either married or completely unworthy of my heiress. My pictures of Tavares also demonstrated that I got a new computer complete with a widescreen monitor (and a very nice graphics card). Let’s see what happens next!

And we open with…

Driving lessons! Yeah, I know, it’s not that exciting (except perhaps for Zidane). However, I’ve made a habit of taking pictures to prove the teens learn how to drive and I don’t see a reason to stop. I really wanted to know what Terra was thinking here. She looks a bit worried if you ask me.

Hesper is both wonderful and frustrating at the same time. She’s wonderful because she cleans autonomously on a fairly regular basis in spite of not having the Neat trait. She’s frustrating because she often chooses to do things like this when she’s either getting very hungry, very tired, or both. Why can’t she clean when she really doesn’t have anything better to do?

Actually, come to think of it, nearly everyone in the family is like that. Hungry? It must be time to clean something. About to wet your pants? It must be time to go look at the portraits. On the verge of passing out from exhaustion? It’s clearly time to go play a musical instrument or exercise. I’m being absolutely serious.

You look like you’re having fun, James T.

“Yes, LE. I enjoy playing the bass very much.”

Never change, James T. I love you just the way you are.

“I have great affection for you as well, LE.”

Awww! (Why can’t all of my sims be more like him?)

Terra: “Zidane, your studiousness is usually exemplary. However, LE tells me that today you have yet to do your homework. Since it is nearing the time for your sleep period, I must insist that you do your homework assignment immediately.”

Zidane: “Yes, sister. I wish to be successful in life, and realize that will require good grades. I shall do as you ask without further delay.”

Terra: “Thank you. I am glad we are in agreement.”

This is what passes for deeply emotional conversation around here most of the time.

While Zidane was obediently doing his homework, I realized that he was very tired and probably wouldn’t be able to finish. Not wanting his grades to suffer, Terra brought out the Moodlet Manager.

Now he’ll have no trouble getting it done! Sure, he won’t sleep tonight, but it’s already late enough that he should be back from school before he needs a nap.

I have Puzzle running around lately so that Zidane can regain Best Friends status. They need to be best friends before I have the option of turning Puzzle real.

“Hey, you!”

Who, me?

“Who else would I be talking to? Zidane’s the only other person who can see me, and he’s busy.”

Wait a minute, you can hear me?

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be able to?”

None of the other Imaginary Friends could hear me. You’re not Insane, are you?

“Who are you calling insane, lady?!”

“Just because I hear disembodied voices other than you and my left hand sometimes tries to strangle me, that doesn’t mean I’m crazy!”

Well, actually…

“Besides, I don’t have to take this from you!”

You don’t?

“You’re a lousy simmer!”

Hey!

“If you’re so great, then why aren’t I real yet, huh?!”

The house was too full before and Zidane has a tendency to start doing things that he can’t do with other people, which means that his relationship score with you has suffered.

“Well what about all the time I’ve spent in his inventory?”

You have a really annoying habit of either interrupting his homework, getting him to play tag when he’s about to starve to death, or walk in on him when he’s using the shower or toilet.

“That’s your story.”

You’re just lucky I have too much decorum to take the pictures to prove it.

“Sure. That’s what they all say.”

I’m ignoring you now.

Terra autonomously decided to work on completing her Lifetime Wish. Unfortunately it looks like she somehow got glitched. She’s still counted as a vampire in most respects, but she has a normal Hunger bar instead of a Thirst bar and lost the vampiric boost to skilling speed. That’s going to make those last couple of Bass points really difficult if I can’t figure out how to fix her.

For those who don’t remember, her LTW is One Sim Band. She wants to master all four musical instrument skills. Guitar, Drums, and Piano are already done, and she just has a couple more points in Bass to go.

At one point Zidane finally decided to work out a bit. This pleased me because he’s really scrawny-looking without a shirt, which is why he wears one in every outfit category including swimwear.

Is this the results of my new graphics card, or just my bad memory? I don’t remember the ice sculpture of Hesper being nearly as transparent before. It’s a little hard to tell when the walls are up, but the transparency is really dramatic when there are a lot of things visible behind it.

This is the nearly completed house. I say nearly because there will be a third floor when they can afford it so that I can have fewer traffic jams around certain groups of skilling objects. You can see where the third floor is going to be because of where the upper deck’s flooring and railings end. I might do something more creative than stick a box on top and partition it into rooms, but we’ll see how much space I actually need to have the room and organization I want. When they have money for it, of course. It’s hard to make money, especially since I prefer my Torch Holders not to have rabbit hole jobs so that they can be available in an emergency.

This is the ground floor. There’s the front room where the buffet table and makeover station are, then what passes for a recreation room with a partitioned off dining area. Naturally, the kitchen is next to the dining area. On the right is the original master bedroom (now the bedroom for former Torch Holders and their spouses – currently James T. and Hesper’s room) and the little room that was the original nursery before I added the whole back part of the house and the second floor. (At the moment that room only houses the permanent ice sculpture because I haven’t decided what to do with it. The upper left and right rooms were originally the kids’ bedrooms, but are now art rooms. You can see where the bathrooms are on either side, and the big upper area is where the skilling objects that need showers nearby are. Originally the front room had tiny emergency bathrooms in its upper corners, but I decided to dispense with them since they were booby-trapped far more often than they were actually used.

And here’s the second floor. A nice, spacious master bedroom on the lower right; a nice, spacious nursery on the lower left; boys’ and girls’ rooms on the upper left and right, respectively; two more bathrooms, and the central room. The central room is where I have the desk for when I want them to use a computer, the musical instruments, the Martial Arts skilling objects (they didn’t fit with the Athletic equipment in the current setup), and the bookshelf. At the bottom you can see that the roof of the front room on the ground floor is a deck.

Eventually they’ll get all the money together for me to do what I’d really like to with this place, which will include some thematic furniture along with the third floor. I can hardly wait. At some point I want to put a Hall of Fame somewhere (probably in a basement level) where I can keep the portraits and accomplishment reminders for all the family members who’ve lived in the ISBI household, as well as the urns of past Torch Holders and their spouses. If you’ve ever wondered why it takes me forever to finish houses in my challenges, it’s because I’m terribly ambitious and get very frustrated when I run out of money in the middle of building.

I got Twallan’s Woohooer mod for just one reason. These two. They constantly roll up wishes to woohoo each other, and the mod allows me to make it possible for them to do it autonomously. I guess they appreciate it because they woohoo at least once almost every day.

“LE, I am most displeased!”

What? Why?

“I am a Hopeless Romantic who has never even had a Romantic Interest. Additionally, I am the Torch Holder and, therefore, required to have children. What have you been doing about this?”

Quite a bit, actually. In fact, it’s about time to go meet him.

“Is this not the current Baker residence?”

It is.

“You are not going to marry me to Newton, are you? I am aware that he was rejected as a possible match for my grandmother and I would be quite disturbed at the idea.”

Oh, don’t worry. Since he and his mother were turned into vampires not too long after Ripley married Shark, his mother remarried at some much later point and had another son. You’re here to meet him.

Terra, meet Tavares. And please remember that he can’t hear me.

Terra: “Greetings, I am Terra Castaway.”

Tavares: “Really? I’m told your grandma was good friends with my mother.”

Terra: “Indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you.”

Tavares: “Likewise.”

The two quickly bonded over… making silly faces at each other. To each their own, I guess.

Terra asked him what his sign was, since that is standard procedure.

Tavares: “I’m an Aquarius.”

Terra: “Truly? While I do not see what one’s starsign has to do with anything of importance, I find it very exciting that my research show our signs are compatible in some way!”

Tavares: “Cool!”

After some more conversation and liberal amounts of flirting (I had pictures, but they were boring)…

Kaching! That huge Fall in Love wish is fulfilled! Uh… I mean awwwww!

Sadly, Tavares needed to go to work after this. Terra would have had to leave anyway though because someone broke one of the showers on the ISBI lot again.

In other news, while this was going on, I got popups saying that Savannah had a girl named Brandi and Crichton had a boy named Damon! I love it when spares (and the children of spares) have children of their own!

Later that afternoon…

Zidane: “Please drink this, Puzzle.”

Puzzle: “Sure!”

Zidane: “You are not concerned?”

Puzzle: “Nope! I overheard LE tell you it was perfectly safe.”

Zidane: “I cannot fully express how pleasant it is to have a friend who is able to hear LE.”

Puzzle: “OK, it’s time to turn real!”

Puzzle: “I feel very purple all of a sudden.”

Wait, Puzzle’s a girl?! … I, uh… had totally forgotten that. I didn’t write it down for some reason.

Meanwhile, James T. is more than happy to bond with Terra through music while she’s working on her Lifetime Wish.

However, Terra’s efforts soon must be interrupted for the sake of her duties.

Terra: “Zidane, do you not think that it is time to complete your homework assignment? It is rather unusual for you to be so lax in your studies.”

Zidane: “I shall comply immediately, Terra.”

Terra: “Thank you, brother. I do not wish to endure the anger of our esteemed grandmother’s ghost if I allow grades to decrease while I am the Torch Holder.”

Zidane: “I understand completely, sister. I shall endeavor to do better in the future.”

Meanwhile, Puzzle autonomously fulfilled her wish to work out. I like her. She’s Insane, Shy, Eco-Friendly, and Athletic. Taking this picture made me realize that I somehow missed that wall when finally changing the wallpaper from the temporary stuff. I naturally fixed it immediately so that it matches the rest of the room. I didn’t take a picture of it though because I figure I take quite enough pictures of questionable necessity without taking one just to prove I fixed a wall.

What in the—? She just galloped like a horse for a second, and now she’s meowing and cleaning her face like a cat.

Now she’s a puppy dog? I guess this is a new set of animations for Insane sims that came with Pets. My personal evaluation of this is… hilarious.

And the night finishes off with Shark continuing his quest for Inner Peace.

Oh dear. I just got a popup saying that Tavares’ number came up for a randomly generated Town Bike dalliance. Harmony’s the Bike… That’s a bit squicky. Oh well, it’s not like there’s anything I can do about it now. Technically Tavares had two Romantic Interests before either Terra or Harmony because he’s been the Town Dracul for a while. (At least he wasn’t the Lestat. If he had been he’d be coming with even more romantic complications.) Don’t worry though, he’s honestly devoted to Terra. All the other girls, including Harmony, are just Story Progression Personalities random happenings in my opinion.

Speaking of Story Progression Personalities… The next morning brought me another slew of changes. (I really wish I knew why there were being reassigned so much. This isn’t the last random batch of reassignments you’ll see.) Patches became the new vampire Slayer, while Harmony became the Bike again (which she already was, so…). Clyde the simbot became the Vigilante. Eric (Patches’ husband) apparently gave up being the Gigolo to become the Cat burglar, which I suppose is better since he at least won’t be constantly cheating on his wife (who I am really fond of) anymore. Tavares stopped being the Dracul to become the Robin, not that it really matters since he can’t retain a SP Personality role when he’s an active sim.

The next day Terra invited Tavares over on his day off. As you can see, she got to fulfill the “Serenade Tavares with the Drums” wish she rolled up when they became Romantic. Apparently drum solo serenades are very serious business, judging from the look on her face.

I see that Tavares is absolutely charmed by your drum solo.

“Naturally. Not only am I an exceptional musician; but also a Hopeless Romantic and, therefore, able to pour my deepest feelings into my music.”

Naturally.

Terra: “Tavares, I have a vitally important inquiry to make of you.”

Tavares: “What is it?”

Terra: “Would you be willing to be boyfriend?”

Tavares: “Of course I would.”

Awww!

I no longer remember quite what Terra needed to do on the computer, I only remember thinking it was important at the time. At any rate, Tavares got to know James T. a bit while she did that. In spite of the look he has on his face here (a result of badly-timed pausing), James T. really seemed to like his soon-to-be son-in-law.

I’m not sure why the bass seems to be the most popular instrument lately. It’s probably because that’s the one Terra needs to work on, just because other people using it means that she cant.

Terra: “Tavares, I wish to give you a gift. I would like you have this shuffleboard table that was given to my grandmother for being a celebrity.”

Tavares: “Thank you, Terra!”

Terra: “I admit that it is no great loss since LE will not let me set it out, but I am happy that you like it.”

Tavares: “Who’s LE and why won’t this person let you use your shuffleboard table?”

Terra: “LE is the literal self-proclaimed voice of reason who guides every Torch Holder’s actions. She says that the non-Torch Holders in the family would waste too much time playing without any tangible benefit if I were to set out ‘pointless, non-skilling Fun objects.’”

Tavares: “Uh… I see. Um… Thanks again.”

Terra: “You are most welcome, my love.”

I stopped paying attention to them for a few minutes because I wanted to make sure that a) Terra wasn’t needed to prevent a crisis elsewhere in the house and b) no one else was doing anything photo-worthy. (As you can see, no one was.) I was happy to see that these two were still getting along well in my absence.

Awww!

Wait, what do you two think you’re doing? And what is up with Terra’s arm?

Hey, guys? I didn’t have woohoo set on autonomous for your benefit. You’re supposed to wait! I was about to get you engaged! Are you listening to me, Terra?!

*covers eyes in resignation* Well so much for the perfectly touching and pure romance I was going for. Wait… Risky Woohoo? Seriously, Tavares?

Even though the risky woohoo didn’t result in a pregnancy (I checked), I still decided that they need to get engaged ASAP. Terra wanted to anyway, because she rolled up the wish to marry Tavares (skipping over the engagement wish entirely, I might add) the moment they finished woohooing.

Terra: “Tavares, will you enter into the bonds of matrimony with me?”

Tavares: “I would love to marry you, Terra!”

Awwww!

I’m not going to have them get married just yet because I’m still trying to get Terra enough happiness points to get the Fertility Treatment reward. (I’m required to give it to the Torch Holder every third generation, and Terra is Gen. 3.) Besides, I still have a couple of major things I want Terra to take care of before she gets married since I’ll probably have her start on her family pretty much immediately. I’ll have them get married tomorrow night.

Terra: “LE says that you only look decent with short hair from a distance or from the side.”

Tavares: “Yeah, close up it does make my head look rather… pointed.”

Terra: “What is your opinion, Tavares? Do you approve?”

Tavares: “I love it, Terra!”

Terra: “I am extremely pleased!”

Tavares’ wardrobe got an overhaul too, but I left his pajamas. I think his lighthouse pajama pants are cute. Besides, kids would like them and he’s Nurturing.

Apparently the vampire gnome has decided it likes Soul music tonight. It’s dark because Hesper decided to tell a ghost story.

They decided to stargaze together. I love watching sims stargaze.

I know I’m saying this a lot, but awwww!

Tavares: “Which one is where Ripley came from?”

Terra: “It is that one there.”

Tavares: “Fascinating! It looks very… cold.”

Terra: “I do not see how. Stars have extremely high temperatures.”

Tavares: “No, I meant unfeeling.”

Terra: “Ah, yes. That would make sense.”

Terra finally had a chance to give Puzzle a full makeover. Previously whenever she had time Puzzle didn’t. This is actually Puzzle’s formal. I really liked how she looked in the medieval outfit we have thanks to Harmony.

Puzzle: “Wow, Terra, you’re good at this!”

Terra: “Thank you, Puzzle. I am pleased that you like it.”

You know, I don’t think Puzzle is a perfect Face One like every Imaginary Friend before her. She’s really close, but she looks slightly different to me. Plus she actually has a birthmark under the corner of her eye (which is almost invisible in this picture) and I’m pretty sure that never happened before. Maybe EA did something in the last patch to give their appearances at least a touch of variety?

At any rate, I think she’s very pretty.

While Zidane and Puzzle have a heartfelt conversation about recycling (she’s Eco-Friendly, you may recall), James T. and Hesper continue to be completely in love. I love my Gen. 2 couple!

Unfortunately for him, James T. discovered one of the sink booby traps a little later.

And before going home, Tavares decided to give Terra flowers! I’m not going to put much thought into the color of the flowers since I’m pretty sure the color chosen when the interaction is autonomous is completely random.

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And this is where I shall leave them for the moment. Will Terra and Tavares get hitched without a hitch? (Sorry. Every once in a while I can’t resist a play on words like that.) Will Tavares continue to be completely accepted by the rest of the family? Will the fact that he’s got three other Romantic Interests other than Terra become a problem? Find out next time – thanks for reading!

P.S.
I’m sorry it took this long to get this finished, not really because of the length of time itself but rather the fact that there was every reason for my being able to finish it much sooner. A lot of things kept on interfering with my getting the last six captions done. I had it finished two days ago but didn’t have time to upload it (it usually takes ten to fifteen minutes, depending on how long I made the chapter). However, now it’s done and I hope you enjoyed it.

Chapter 2.9 – Well that just figures

Welcome once again! This certainly took longer to finish than I planned. The plan was to have it done before Easter weekend, and anyone reading this when it’s first posted will quickly realize that I missed that mark by quite a bit. I got unexpectedly busy when I had wanted to finish it, was as busy as planned on Easter weekend, then was unexpectedly extremely busy afterward for a while, then had to catch up with everything of real life importance that I couldn’t get done during all that. It was exhausting. However, I’m finally back and very happy to have both time and energy to write about my sims. I missed them. This chapter is a bit longer than usual, because I didn’t have enough pictures for two chapters and wanted to end the chapter where my current gameplay is at.

Last time… Terra proved to have some very good angry faces. James T. created my first simbot in The Sims 3 ever (named Clyde – I didn’t get to choose the name for some reason), but it (he, I suppose) had to skip off into the wild because the house already had eight sims in it. I threw a quadruple birthday (which I didn’t have to break the rules for because you can activate the cake with a particular sim for any other sim on the lot regardless of age in The Sims 3). Jean Luc’s RI, Christina, was impossible for a bit before her bathroom decided to be impossible and forced me to wait yet another day to finally get them married. Oh, as a side note, Zidane’s Imaginary Friend whose name I didn’t have written down last time is Puzzle.

For those wondering about the title of this chapter, it’s practically the theme. You’ll see.

(On another side note, Harmony should be speaking properly this time because I made sure to look up the grammar instead of relying on my bad memory. However, she mostly speaks in the first person in this chapter which means that it looks just like modern speech. Oh,well.)

Like nearly everyone else in the family, Hesper takes chess very seriously. So seriously that this is what she was doing when Christina came over in the evening.

See? Now they can get married! Finally!

Awwww! Finally, they’re married. Now they can move out and—

Whoa, OK. I guess it’s Harmony’s birthday. I almost forgot about that with all the drama and frustration surrounding Jean Luc’s future happiness.

Wait a minute, her birthday sequence starting canceled the wedding just before the finalizing popup appeared?! Seriously?! They’d already kissed and everything! What the heck?! Oh, well, I’ll just have to do it again when Harmony’s done aging.

“I have just realized – my gown may not be available to me after I have aged!”

Oh, that’s a good point, since I don’t have an adult version of the dress unlocked yet. Just teen and elder versions is all I have. How sad!

“I do not believe that I prefer this garment.”

It really doesn’t go with your hat, does it?

“Pardon. Didst someone speak?”

Yes. It’s me. LE. You know, the one you insisted couldn’t be real.

“Oh… I suppose this means that I have been inflicted with the family insanity.”

Indeed thou hast, I mean you have.

“How… unfortunate.” *sigh*

(Ok, now to marry Jean Luc and Christina— Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me. Christina decided to go home while I was busy taking pictures of Harmony. That just figures, doesn’t it?)

I certainly seem to have quite the habit of exiting the stylist screen when they’re in their swim clothes, don’t I? Maybe it’s because Jean Luc always seems to decide that his swim trunks are his everyday wear when I need him to do makeovers.

You’re very pretty, Harmony.

“Thank you, LE. Thou art very kind.”

Moving out now?

“Indeed.”

And there she goes. Don’t worry, there is a picture of the outfit I gave her to match her medieval hat later in the chapter. For some reason the hairstyle is unlocked for all ages, but the dress has to be retrieved from the Past by a young adult or adult before it’s available too. Go figure. Fortunately, I had a medievalish-looking dress to give her.

The next day I invited Christina over (again!) and finally remembered to give Zidane his makeover. Wouldn’t you know, in spite of James T. not wearing his, it looks like Zidane is in his swimwear. (Yes, he wears a shirt. I decided I didn’t feel like looking at his scrawny bare chest all the time when he inevitably decides that his swimwear is his everyday wear.)

OK, you’re here. Good. Get married already. *glares*

I swear, Christina, you’d better make him happy.

I’m serious. I really may end you if you don’t.

Good, you’re married, kiss her.

Great. Now leave. (I’m so not kidding here. By the time I finally got them married, the whole thing had become such a frustration that I felt nothing positive but relief that I wouldn’t have to deal with it anymore. If they hadn’t managed to get married this time, I was seriously going to just have Jean Luc move out and see if EA Story Progression actually bothered to get them married. She doesn’t deserve him, even if he did give me my first point deduction of the challenge.)

They moved into the mansion next door to the old Baker place (which is where Aura and her family are living). I soon moved Harmony in to live with them. So far I’m managing to keep the family in the wealthy part of town.

In other news, I discovered that Wiggles (Crichton’s Imaginary Friend from Gen. 2) apparently got married. I noticed in James T.’s relationship panel that his last name is Stringer now (he obviously took her last name). I have no idea who his wife is though. It really figures that EA Story Progression decided to get Wiggles married even though he didn’t have a significant other before, but not Crichton who’s had a girlfriend forever.

The next day heralded James T.’s birthday. I invited everyone, as usual for when I actually throw a party. I figured James T. deserved a proper party, especially since it would give him a chance to catch up with his siblings.

James T.: *is contemplating wishing for quieter party horns to be invented*

“This is very nice, LE. Everyone is here!”

Um…

“They are all here, are they not?”

Well…

“Yes, there are my children and Aura and Cliff and Crichton and Savannah and the formerly Imaginary Friends and Clyde and…”

“Wait a moment. Where is my elder sister Ellen? I distinctly remember inviting her.”

I’m sorry to say this, James T., but Ellen died today.

“But I only invited her to the party four hours ago.”

I know. She died two hours ago. I was hoping you wouldn’t notice so that I could break it to you gently after the party.

“That is… unfortunate.”

That’s one way put it.

“I was hoping to see her one more time in person.”

I know. I was looking forward to seeing her too.

“At least I know that the Malevolence can no longer trouble her.”

That’s right, James T.

(This seriously happened. I was excited to see Ellen one more time, then she had to die just before the party started. To say I was a bit distressed would be an understatement because I really liked Ellen in spite of the fact I didn’t want her to be the heir. It figures.)

The next day was Hesper’s birthday (fortunately no one else in the family died). However, she didn’t get a party because it was also Terra, Patches, and Zidane’s prom night. Bad timing.

“Yay, it’s my birthday!”

“Wait! That means I’m getting old!”

“Oh, I can’t look!”

“Hey, what do you know? I’m a pretty elder!”

She’s right. Hesper’s adorable as an elder!

Now for what happened at prom. Zidane was prom king and Terra was prom queen. Patches was rejected for a dance once then became Romantic Interests with some boy named Eric Kinney. Zidane became RIs with Lorena Murray, and got into three fights. Terra got into two fights and remained romantically unattached. The heir was the only one not to find a Romantic Interest. That figures.

On the way home, in the fine family tradition, Terra decides to age up on the sidewalk halfway home from prom.

“Hm, perhaps this was not the best idea.”

“However, I shall be joyous nonetheless!”

“Wait! LE! I am not going to be glitched like Jean Luc, am I?!”

I don’t think so, since your vampire mark is still there.

I think she’s just realized that shadowy bat shapes in the red mist technically makes even less sense than the normal birthday sparkles.

How do you feel, Terra?

“I… I want to be loved.”

Oh, dear. It’s a good thing for her she’s the heiress and therefore guaranteed to have a husband at some point. She rolled Hopeless Romantic as her final trait. I love that trait, by the way. Now Terra is an Insane, Excitable, Perceptive and Hopeless Romantic who Loves the Outdoors. She’s turned out really well, in my opinion. Oh, and she wants to be a One Sim Band (master all four instruments).

Patches, in the fine tradition of the family Imaginary Friends, waited until she got home to age into young adulthood. She looks a little smug about it too.

“All right! I can finally get out of Crazyville!”

*gasp* “But what if I roll the Insane trait?! That would be awful!”

Awful, but really hilarious.

“Oh, good! Still sane.”

Yep. Patches is now a Neurotic, Eco-Friendly, Athletic, Ambitious Genius. She wants a Perfect Mind, Perfect Body (master Logic and Athletic skills).

“Hey, I look pretty good. My clothes even match!”

Wow, they do. OK, I’m only going to plan her other outfit categories, because I like what she grew up in. I even like the hair.

This is Terra after her makeover (not in her swimsuit!). Isn’t she pretty? Pretty and has a good personality – what more could I ask for in an heir?

Are you proud of Terra, Ripley?

“Indeed I am, LE. In fact, I am going to tell her that it is so.”

I’m sure she’ll be glad to hear it.

Ripley: “I am very proud of you, Terra.”

Terra: “Thank you, Grandmother. I shall endeavor to keep the family standing firmly against the horrors of the Malevolence.”

Ripley: “That is excellent. I am sure that you shall succeed.”

Bonding with Grandma is a bit different in this family, isn’t it?

The next day was the girls’ graduation day, and… Um, wow. That looks really… unpleasant.

Wait a minute. Christina and Jean Luc are graduating too? I thought the game had completely skipped them over! I guess because Harmony ended up being between Jean Luc and Terra in age, the game decided to wait for Terra and do one big graduation. Grrr. Now I can’t get Jean Luc and Harmony’s diplomas!

Yay, they graduated!

In other news, I technically broke the rules by temporarily moving certain family members back in just long enough to get them married to their significant others. I’m not counting it as breaking the rules though because Crichton has had a girlfriend forever and I want Savannah to have at least one kid who I hope will have Ripley’s hair. Even though he doesn’t look too thrilled at the moment, thanks to realizing that the sun is very painful for vampires, Crichton is now happily married to Marcy who moved in with him and Savannah in the old Racket manor.

I also got Savannah married to her boyfriend (who also moved in with them, obviously), but don’t remember his name and didn’t seem to write it down. Or if I did write it down I can’t find it. I’m going to feel really silly if someone tells me I said what his name was in an earlier chapter.

After changing (maternity wear – yay!), Savannah started to have some of the family troubles.

“Ack! My hand!”

*choking noises* “Stupid Malevolence!”

Poor Savannah.

And everyone apparently shuffled around for the diploma tosses. I guess. Ah, well. At least Savannah got control of her hand in time to watch.

At this point, it’s a long story, I didn’t get the progress saved and the last save was just after Terra’s makeover the night before. However, my computer was finally fixed and I went back to playing my Overlords who I sorely missed. The rest of this chapter was after I got back to the ISBI, which was after I got some of Twallan’s mods (Story Progression most notably) because of an incident that I’ll talk about in my next Overlord chapter (which would be Chapter 2.18 for anyone catching up on my stories in the future).

Here you can see that it occurred to me to have James T. paint a portrait of Terra as his last act as Torch Holder, since the rules I’m working from say that I don’t have to pass the torch until the next morning after the heir ages. James T. managed to finish it before I would have just had to hope he got back to it at some point.

(For anyone wondering, it has finally occurred to me that I could have the Torch Holder paint a still life of his or her self. It never occurred to me until very recently in real life though and all of this gameplay was done months ago.)

And now it’s time for Entertaining Things That Happened When I Installed Twallan’s Story Progression! (As I’ll probably mention in my next Overlord chapter, I decided that if I was going to install it I may as well try the Personalities modules for it too.) Harmony became the Town Bike, much to my chagrin. It’s got to be that Flirty trait of hers, though it is notable that she is one of the least active Town Bikes I’ve seen while playing other towns. Aura (James T.’s younger sister, for those who are having trouble remembering who everyone is) became the Town Loon (it was inevitable that someone in the extended family would). Wiggles (Castaway) Stringer became the Town Thug, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who remembers his personality. Crichton became the Town Robin (as in Robin Hood). Jean Luc became the Town Cat (as in cat burglar – what is with all the sudden crime in the family?). Kenji (Aura’s husband) became the Town Vigilante, and his sister (who lives with them) became the Town Kingpin. That’s going to make life interesting in the mansion across the street, isn’t it? All other Personalities rolls were filled by sims not directly associated with the Castaways.

Now back to the ISBI!

OK, let’s get everyone graduated for real this time, shall we?

Yay, it’s done! Neither Terra nor Patches were voted anything. At all. Neither of them were Valedictorian either. I’d never had that happen before.

See? There’s the dress I gave Harmony! I wasn’t sure if she graduated properly since she’s not in the graduation outfit though.

There’s Jean Luc again (what is with that hat?). It occurred to me a little later that I could retrieve Jean Luc and Harmony’s diplomas for their parts of the family Wall of Fame (which I’m going to make when I get the time and family funds) using Twallan’s Master Controller mod (very handy thing). They didn’t get voted any special awards either. Really? No one got voted Most Likely to Offend Others or Most Likely to be Mediocre? Wow, that’s a surprise. The streak is finally broken!

Terra: “Greetings, Clyde.”

Clyde: “Greetings, Terra.”

Terra: “LE has informed me that you were apparently made into a homeless sim when the house was too full to accommodate you as an addition the day you were created.”

Clyde: “That is correct.”

Terra: “Please move in temporarily so that you may move in with Jean Luc, Harmony, and Christina. You are family, even if you are a machine.”

Clyde: “That arrangement sounds splendid, Terra. I accept.”

Clyde Castaway’s traits are Brave, Natural Cook, Good, Hydrophobic, and Angler. He likes Egyptian music, Stu Surprise (I’m not entirely sure why a simbot is made to process normal food), and the color Spiceberry. He wants to be a Celebrated Five-Star Chef.

The next order of business was to invite over Eric (Patches’ Romantic Interest from prom mentioned above) to grow him up. He had nine days until he’d have reached young adulthood normally.

Patches: “Whoo! Go Eric!”

Zidane: *laughs* “He looks as though he is merely twelve years of age!”

That’s not very nice, Zidane.

Zidane: “See for yourself!”

Wow, he kind of does, doesn’t he? … It’s still not a nice thing to say though.

“All right! No more High School!”

“But what about my cool hat? Will I still have it?”

Well he certainly doesn’t look twelve anymore.

“Eh, who needs the hat? I’m cool without it.”

Apparently so, considering that he managed to grow up into decent-looking clothes.

Patches, realizing that time was short, quickly demonstrated her affections.

Patches: “Go steady?”

Eric: “Sure!”

Patches: “Marry me?”

Eric: “Of course!”

Why couldn’t Christina have been more like Eric? I might have actually liked her.

Meanwhile, Terra is making me proud by working on her Lifetime Wish without my even telling her to. In spite of not having the Virtuoso trait, she really loves to play those instruments. Did she get the right LTW or what?

All right, let’s get back to the lovebirds downstairs.

All right, what’s going on here?! Hey, I’m talking to you two! Hello!

… Oh, right. They can’t hear me. Never mind then, I suppose I’ll never know what this was about.

Whatever it was couldn’t have been that bad, since they had no problem getting married after a few positive interactions.

I hope that all future spare spouses can learn from this show of total cooperation. (Right, Christina?)

Yay, I feel honestly happy for them! I had to let Eric move in because he was a homeless.

However, after getting them jobs I sent them off to live what I hope will be a happy life.

I had Clyde move out shortly thereafter and put him in the same house as Jean Luc, Christina and Harmony, as I had promised.

Not too long later I got a popup saying that Eric had become the Town Gigolo. A few sim hours later I got another one saying that he and Patches were fighting. Figures. Poor Patches.

I think this picture is a lovely one to end the chapter on, even though you can actually see the fact that smoke is coming off of her because of the sun if you look carefully. (Terra Loves the Outdoors and, therefore, likes to sneak out there and garden when I’m not paying enough attention. I usually try to get her to wait until the sun is setting to garden. Try being the key word there.) Aside from yearning for love and possibly not being a very good vampire, Terra is doing well. Now to hunt up a husband for her.

---

On that note, I scoured the town for a husband using Master Controller. At first I thought the only prospect was a guy with terrible traits for an ISBI spouse. We’re talking a significant possibility of nearly constant misery here. Plus he’s already going steady with someone else. After searching again a bit more thoroughly I eventually discovered that there was one good prospect. One. He’s the next spouse, no matter what. However…

This is what he looks like after a makeover. (I got a nice widescreen monitor and a better graphics card with my new computer! Yay!) I think he looks much better after a makeover (he looked a bit like a troll before, though not as much as he does in the bonus picture below), but have to say that his nose doesn’t look any better from any other angle (particularly profile). He’s got a great personality though, no joke. My initial reaction was horror at the idea that all their children might look like him, but since I wrote the last chapter I finally decided that I’m OK with it. In fact he’s steadily growing on me, and the recent past of the challenge proves that the pretty ones are nothing but trouble anyway. Technically I could use Master Controller to edit his face a bit in CAS (mainly to shrink the nose a little but he’d still be recognizable) which would actually change his genetics to reflect the alterations, but I’ll only do that if I get more than a few comments here and on boolprop saying I should. At least he’s not a Face 1 like 60% of the town currently is. Variety is the spice of life, after all.

And this is the bonus picture, just for laughs. He’s seriously entertaining to play with in Change Appearance. I had so much fun while picking hair to show you what he actually looks like. (His original hair and eyebrows made his nose look almost twice as big as it actually is.) As you may have noticed, he’s a vampire too. He’s only a young adult still because he’s a vampire, which means he’ll age the day after he’s cured, which means he won’t be cured for a while. I might cure Terra pretty soon though since she can’t resist going outside when I’m taking pictures of other family members.

Oh, and his name is Tavares Baker (yes, he’s related to the Bakers you may remember from the first few chapters). I’ll tell you his personality when he appears in the actual story. Come back next time for that and whatever else may happen! I’ve officially caught up with my actual gameplay so your guess of what the future holds is as good as mine at this point. I hope to have enough time to play at least a chapter’s worth of them relatively soon. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.8 – A huge and chaotic aging ceremony, and romances of varying success

Welcome back! Last time I finally got my very first time machine baby ever, one Harmony Castaway to be precise. On that note, I would like to thank esmeiolanthe on boolprop.com for reminding me how archaic English grammar works. I used to know it like the back of my hand, then went about ten years of never needing to know any of it. Obviously (at least to those who actually know the grammar rules) my memory is even worse than I suspected. *sigh* In-story the official explanation is that Harmony’s mental processes were temporarily skewed by finding her way through the time stream without official help from the Keeper of Time. Her speech patterns shall be correct in the future. I say this here instead of in dialogue because I’ve realized that she’s not going to have much to say in this chapter because there simply aren’t many pictures of her in it.

In other news, Jean Luc also gave me my first point deduction last time, for which he suffered my impotent (thanks to my not being able to control him) wrath for some time. A few makeovers of non-household members happened as well. Now that we’re all caught up, on with the ISBI!

When she came home from school with Jean Luc, Christina (Jean Luc’s Romantic Interest) apparently just had to have a picture of Zidane because he’s famous. I found the whole thing very funny. Oh, the general hilarity of the Celebrity system!

Uh, Terra? What’s wrong?

Terra: *silent glare*

Hello?

What? What is it?

“Why did you move over there?”

Um… I was wondering what you were looking at.

“I wasn’t looking at anything.”

Oh…kay?

“I was listening. I thought I heard the Malevolence.”

Uh… I’ll just come back over there, shall I?

“You don’t believe in the Malevolence, do you?!”

Well—

“Admit it! You think we’re all just crazy!”

I’m reserving judgment, to be honest.

“You just wait. One day the Malevolence will break through into this universe – then you shall see.”

I suppose I will. Now can you stop being mad at me out of nowhere?

“Did you hear that?”

Um, no.

“I could have sworn I heard… eh, it was probably nothing.”

… Uh… sure. (Ugh, crazy teens. On the bright side though, Terra has some of the best angry faces.)

The magical gnome died of old age. It was a sad moment, and he shall be remembered for all the entertainment he provided me. I shall have to be amused only by the vampire gnome for now.

James T. has finally been working on the Master Invention. He’s nearly finished.

Can it be? Did one of my sims finally manage it?

Yes! It’s a simbot!

“It is alive! Alive!!! Bwahahahahahahah!!!”

… Wow. That was awesome, if a bit scary coming from him.

This is Clyde. Sadly, because the house is full, he could not stay. Even more sadly, it turns out that if there isn’t room for a simbot to join the household he’ll immediately leave without giving anyone the chance to say hello. I think he should at least stay around long enough to get to know his creator a little bit, but what do I know? Interestingly, he’s listed in the family tree as James T.’s son now, as well as the half-brother of the kids and the step-son of Hesper. I’ll have to invite him over so that he can meet the rest of the family.

Hesper: “Hey there, handsome.”

James T.: “Greetings, my love. Did you want something?”

Hesper: “Is it true that you created an artificial lifeform this morning?”

James T.: “Uh… Yes? That does not upset you, does it?”

Hesper: “Oh, no, I actually find it very alluring.”

James T.: “Oh. Really?”

Hesper: “Absolutely.”

Hesper: “Come here, my brilliant inventor.”

I did not stage this or encourage it in any way. Hesper did this all on her own while I just sat there and snapped pictures.

A day or two later, I threw a quadruple birthday party for Jean Luc, Christina (so that Jean Luc could marry her before I have to move him out), Cosmo, and Zidane. It was quite the family reunion because only a couple of in-laws didn’t make it.

Aura: “Hm. I’m not sure I want to stand next to the hungry vampire.”

Aura: “Ah, who cares? I’m Mean Spirited – nobody messes with me anyway. Whoo! Go nephews!”

See? Even Wiggles made it. He’s back there in the archway. Clyde’s here too, which has allowed him to meet the family (finally).

And Christina ages first! … I just realized that the makeover will probably need to be redone…

James T.: *thinks* “I am suddenly getting the strong sensation that I am going to be giving makeovers at the end of the party…”

James T.: *still thinking* “Is that Cliff? He is grown up already? Although I suppose, logically speaking, he would have to be because he is slightly older than Jean Luc. Apparently he became famous as well, while I was not paying attention.”

Zidane: “Yay! I am next! I now enter the realm of adolescence!”

He looks a little scared, doesn’t he? Sensible boy.

This is everyone at the party. Ellen brought her daughter, Aura brought her son, and Crichton brought his girlfriend. Wait a minute… who’s that blond girl behind Marcy (Crichton’s girlfriend)? I have no idea. I know she was someone, but I can’t remember and didn’t write it down. By process of elimination I’m guessing she’s a relative of Marcy’s.

Here’s the twirl, and…

Wait, what? Why am I looking at Jean Luc now? Where’s Zidane’s post-growth picture? *goes and checks* According to the picture numbers there isn’t one missing… I did have to renumber the pictures when I transferred them onto my own computer when it was fixed so that they didn’t overwrite the Overlord pictures, but I can’t think of any way for a picture to be missing from here because of that. Huh. I guess the game didn’t listen to me when I told it to take a picture and I didn’t notice it failed to do so at the time. Um… There is a small picture of him in this chapter, I promise.

OK, let’s pay attention to Jean Luc now. He deserves some attention, after all.

Jean Luc: “Father, is this normal?”

James T.: “Yes, do not worry. You are simply becoming a full vampire now.”

Jean Luc: “Are you sure? I think the vampire mark on my neck has disappeared.”

James T.: “Now that is stra—I mean—it is probably nothing to worry about.”

Jean Luc: “If you say it is so, Father.”

Ellen: “Oh, dear, I hate vampire transitions.”

James T.: “I hope he does not explode.”

Jean Luc: “Did you say something, Father?”

James T.: “Nothing important.”

What is it with this family and worrying about people exploding? At any rate, I’ll warn you now that I didn’t manage to pause fast enough to get the most dramatic part of the vampire transition on camera, but it did happen. Now we get to find out what he’ll look like as a mature vampire!

… *bursts out laughing* Wow. Just wow.

Jean Luc: “Suddenly I am having difficulty seeing…”

Remember I said there’s a little picture of Zidane? It’s back there in Cliff’s thought bubble. Not too bad, but not too great either. Additionally, didn’t Cliff turn out really good looking? At least I think so. There are definitely some Ripley genes in there, I believe.

It’s Cosmo’s turn now, and… Wow, that is some excited face, isn’t it? I think I’ve just discovered the meaning of the term “mad excitement.”

He must have just realized his high chance of growing up in something ridiculous.

And he grew up looking suave. It looks like he knows it too… I hope he doesn’t get a big head over it. Wait a minute – where does Clyde think he’s going?! The party’s not over yet! Humph!

Savannah: “Nice party – I had a great time! See you later!”

Wait, Savannah, don’t go yet! I was going to have James T. give you a makeover!

Savannah: “Bye!”

Grrrr!

Hi, Aura! Looking lovely as ever, I see. Don’t you want any cake?

“No, it is fattening.”

I really don’t think you need to worry about it.

“I do not wish to become an obese bovine like someone I could mention.”

Wait a minute… Did you just call me a fat cow?

“Perhaps.”

Now I suddenly remember why I wasn’t particularly sad to see you move out. You and your Mean Spirited trait. Unfortunately for you, you’ve completely failed to upset me.

“Not even a small amount?”

No, not even a small amount. I refuse to be bothered by a sim’s comments about my figure, especially since you can’t even see my figure, which means that you have no idea if it’s true.

“Fine then. I shall have to find another way to irritate you.”

Yeah, good luck with doing that from your inactive household.

Jean Luc: “Father, do something! I appear ridiculous!”

James T.: “…”

Jean Luc: “Father, are you listening to me?”

James T.: “Yes, Jean Luc. I am simply gathering the necessary will to come close enough to do something about it.”

Jean Luc: “… Even I believe that is an overreaction.”

James T.: “Excellent! Now that you have calmed yourself, we can get to work.”

James T.: “My work here is done.”

Jean Luc: “This is much better.”

Why are you both wearing your swimtrunks now?

Jean Luc: “I have no idea to what you are referring.”

(He turned out really nice, but… I think his appearance is glitched. The vampire mark is still missing, and he doesn’t have the glowing eyes or the vampire skintone. You all saw the vampire aging red sparkles though… I’ve got nothing. I haven’t the faintest idea why he looks perfectly normal.)

This is to show that I remembered to let Zidane’s Imaginary Friend age up with him. I’d tell you his name, but don’t seem to have written it down and can’t remember. I’ll let you know when I have a chance to get into their town and look it up.

The next day I got James T. to invite Savannah back over for a makeover. Ellen wouldn’t come for some reason even though he invited her too. Since it’s looking like it’ll be too much trouble to try to give Ellen back the hairstyle I gave her before she moved out, I decided to see how it looks on Savannah. Now that I can get a really good look at her, I think I see a little bit of Ripley, a touch of Shark, and a good bit of Terrence (Savannah’s dad) in there. She’s rather pretty, don’t you think?

She loved her makeover, especially the outfit.

I also had Cosmo invite over his Romantic Interest from prom, Hilda Crow.

This picture looks cute, doesn’t it?

Maybe not quite as much from this angle though.

Awww.

Cosmo: “Hilda, will you be my girlfriend? Keep in mind that it would mean I’d be moving in with you in order to escape this swirling maelstrom of insanity.”

Hilda: “Of course, Cosmo.”

Yay! I can’t get them engage or married because the house is full, but I can give them makeovers!

I’m not sure why I didn’t get a better picture of her makeover. I see that I had momentarily forgotten that the last outfit category selected in the makeover screen is the one they’re wearing when it’s done too. If you can’t tell for sure, she looks cute.

And here’s Cosmo, his special outfit and purple eyebrows restored.

Wait a minute… *looks at picture above* I just realized something that I absolutely didn’t notice at the time. Cosmo has Borgio’s hairstyle and I gave Hilda Lucrezia’s hairstyle. (For those who don’t read my Evil Overlord Legacy [for some reason], Lucrezia is a Gen. 2 spare and Borgio is her Imaginary Friend who she married and had two sons with.) Wow, I guess I missed being able to play my Overlords so much at this point (this was still when I was waiting for my computer the Overlords were on to be fixed) that I started doing things subconsciously to remind me of them. I swear all I thought at the time I was doing these makeovers was that they simply looked good with those hairstyles.

As previously mentioned, Cosmo moved out to live with Hilda. Bye, Cosmo! Have a great life!

“What? … Huh. For a second I thought I heard something.”

Christina got invited back over as well to get her own makeover redone, as well as a few other important bits of business.

Wait, she rejected his first kiss? Seriously?! Doesn’t she realize that time is of the essence?! According to the rules I should already have Jean Luc moved out by now, I’m just too soft hearted to throw him out without providing for his happiness and the game is being uncooperative.

Jean Luc: “But… Why, Christina?”

Christina: “I’m just not in the mood. Besides, I’ve got to go home and babysit my little sister.”

I hope you’re proud of yourself, Christina. Look how sad you made poor Jean Luc!

On the bright side, since she can’t hear me I can say that she also made me totally forgive him for the pants-wetting incident. Don’t worry, she’s not getting away that easily. After her, Jean Luc!

He followed her back to her house, helped her with her toddler sister, waited for her to take care of her needs, then cornered her in the bathroom. At least it’s a large bathroom.

(Please note: I do not recommend this method of girl-chasing in real life.)

Finally! I mean, awwwww!

Jean Luc: *ignoring the toddler who’s screaming about a lack of crib in the house* “Will you marry me, Christina?”

Christina: *also ignoring the screaming toddler* “Of course I will, Jean Luc!”

Good thing too. She has no idea how mad I would have been if she’d rejected him.

Jean Luc: “I shall see you tomorrow then?”

Christina: “Count on it.”

Jean Luc: “Please do not bring your siblings.”

Christina: “Definitely not.”

---

This is where we shall leave them for the moment. I would have gotten them married and Jean Luc moved in with her, but I was a) hoping for his graduation to trigger and b) wanting to be able to take decent pictures. For some reason after taking this picture I couldn’t get this close anymore without the house disappearing from sight, leaving them floating at foundation-height in the darkness of the night outside. It was annoying.

Only one more chapter before I catch up to my current gameplay. I originally planned to start playing them again already so that it wouldn’t take as long to get the next chapter done, but I’ve been trying to make up my mind about something. I’m probably going to ask for opinions at the end of the next chapter, but need to get pictures together to show exactly what my dilemma is. It has to do with the who’s going to be the Gen. 3 spouse. Come back next time to see the torch pass to Gen. 3 and find out what my spouse troubles are! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.7 – Can it be? Finally!

Welcome once again to the Alien Castaway ISBI! I’m sorry it took this long, but I was unexpectedly busy for a little while. Then I got distracted by Skyrim while in the process of dramatically changing my sleeping schedule. On the bright side, I also bought the Pets expansion which means that the Castaways might get a pet more interesting than Bob the Cockroach when I have a chance to play them again for any length of time. Last time there was toddler training, a successful prom, and (as the title had indicated) oh so many birthdays. What was the event that made me so happy while playing, which I alluded to it at the end of the last chapter? Read on to find out.

OK, this is the last time I’m trying this generation. If they don’t get a Time Machine baby that’s it and I’ll try again next gen.

There she goes to join James T. Incidentally, the gnome in the background seems to be having fun.

“Well that was definitely better than last time. No getting chased through the time stream by an angry temporal entity.”

James T.: “Uff!”

Hesper: “What happened?”

James T.: “As enjoyable as that was, I think that we had best stop traipsing about in the time stream.”

Hesper: “The Keeper of Time have a little talk with you?”

James T.: “Your statement would not be entirely inaccurate.”

The next morning, while James T. and Hesper were having a conversation in front of the Time Machine through honest coincidence…

Harmony: “Farewell, my friends!”

James T.: “What do you think the cause of that strange feeling was, Hesper?”

Hesper: “Huh?”

James T.: “The strange feeling you were just telling me about? The one you had when we were time travelling last night?”

Hesper: “Oh, yeah, uh, that. You know, I think the explanation is standing right behind you.”

James T.: “Really?”

Harmony: “Verily, I believe that I hath succeeded in locating the proper time period to be united with my honored parents. I didst not correctly imagine the guise of the temporal machine.”

James T.: “I suddenly have the disconcerting knowledge that we have an adolescent daughter named Harmony who has previously been living in the Middle Ages.”

Hesper: “Yep. That would be the explanation who’s standing behind you.”

Let’s see… Harmony is a Flirty, Athletic, Lucky Angler who likes Soul music (where she heard it in the Dark Ages, I don’t know), Falafel (just where was she anyway?), and Turquoise. Since she’s not currently Insane, which means she can’t hear me. I wonder what the first thing she wants to do is now that she’s no longer under the medieval views of the role of women in society.

Indulge her Athletic trait, it seems. I can’t say that I blame her though. I bet she’s Flirty because it was the only way to cajole impressionable young squires into teaching her something about knightly combat. I think she’s going to settle into modern life quite easily.

Jean Luc’s right hand: *makes silent talking motions*

Jean Luc: “No, I do not believe that I will be complying with you any time soon.”

Um… Jean Luc, are you talking to your hand?

“No, I am not. That would be foolishness. The Malevolence is attempting to convince me to do its evil bidding.”

Uh… Sure it is.

“LE, I have difficulty comprehending how you are yet unconvinced of the reality of the Malevolence! You should take me more seriously!”

Whoa, OK, Jean Luc. I’m sorry.

“You have no concept of what it is like to be an adolescent male who has alien DNA, a practically genetic compulsion to use uncommon speak patterns, and happens to be a vampire who does not appear as one for no apparent reason!”

I’m sorry I upset you, I should have been more understanding even if I don’t think the Malevolence is everything you think it is. I apologize.

“Thank you!”

I guess I’ll just leave you to tell the Malevolence where to stuff it.

Right hand: *silent talking motions*

Jean Luc: “No, LE has not sufficiently upset me to change my mind about you. You are evil in a way that makes my grandfather’s trait seem ridiculous, whereas I am not evil at all. I do not see why you have chosen to bother me about this, because I logically have no reason to be at all tempted by anything you have to say.”

You tell it Jean Luc! (Even if I don’t necessarily believe in the Malevolence. One should never listen to bad voices in your head regardless of whether they’re real or delusions anyway.)

Harmony looks quite pretty, doesn’t she? She got her eyes and jaw from Shark/James T. (the color comes from someone on Shark’s side), but has Hesper’s nose and mouth. I’m getting a bit tired of the Shark eye-shape, but at least one of the kids got Hesper’s hair.

James T.: “Greetings, Harmony. I hope that you are adapting well.”

Harmony: “Greetings, Father. Yes, I believe that I dost prefer this era to that which I hail from. However, there is something on mine mind.”

James T.: “What is bothering you?”

Harmony: “Pray tell me what manner of being is the LE oft mentioned, and what is the Malevolence which sets itself to plague thine mind?”

James T.: “Interesting. You must have been protected from the family susceptibility by your temporal displacement. Very well, I shall explain.”

Quite a long explanation later…

Harmony: “I hope that ye realize that thou art quite insane.”

James T: “Not insane, dear daughter, simply attuned to cosmic forces most never have the misfortune of becoming aware of.”

Harmony: “As you say, Father.”

Harmony definitely enjoys music, but seems to have a tough time adapting to instruments that hadn’t been invented yet when she grew up. I think she’s currently having trouble figuring out what the other two strings are for. At least she finally got over the odd shape of a guitar.

“LE, am I getting attention now?”

Yes, Terra. You all get attention on your birthdays (whether you like it or not).

“Huzzah!”

Huzzah? That’s not a word you usually use.

“It is a celebratory exclamation that Harmony has taught me.”

Ah, I see.

Aging up immediately after playing royal court seems to be catching on in popularity.

Terra: “Sudden I feel intensely excited by the prospect of my inevitable makeover.”

Harmony: “Thine words have a strange sound of irresistible fate to them, dear sister.”

Terra: “LE always gives us makeovers on our birthdays.”

Harmony: “Verily, thine insistence on the existence of this LE figure is most taxing.”

Terra: “It is not my fault that you cannot hear her.”

Harmony: “Ye have given me further insight into our mother’s vexation.”

Terra rolled Excitable as her fourth trait, and it appeared without any problems.

“Was that the sound of Terra growing up?”

“It was! That means it’s my birthday too!”

“Adolescence, here I come!”

“Suddenly I really want to work out for a bit. And I have the weird feeling that someone is laughing right now for some reason.”

I find it very funny that they grew up with the same hairstyle. If you hadn’t guessed, Patches rolled Athletic. Her trait also showed up without any problems, which gives me hope we’ve overcome the invisible traits issue.

Terra looks really pretty, doesn’t she? She even manages to make the Shark jaw look good, though I suspect her jaw isn’t a pure Shark jaw. It seems to me that Ellen’s was a bit more square.

I let Patches do whatever she wanted for a while before giving her a makeover. She decided to try practicing Martial Arts, which turned out more difficult than she thought it would.

Patches: “OK, I can do this. I can last for more than two minutes before hitting myself with the dummy. It’s got to happen some time.”

Harmony: “Verily, ye have little comprehension of the proper technique, Patches.”

Patches: “Unfortunately, you’re absolutely right.”

I discovered that the kids all have the Imaginary Friend hidden trait. They can all change into doll forms just like Hesper! I’d never seen an imaginary friend with a stink cloud before.

I think Harmony thought changing into a doll was fun.

“Forsooth, I heretofore had not realized that I am able to perform such a feat.”

It’s looks like the gnomes are having fun today, doesn’t it? I think it’s cool how the vampire gnomes can actually freeze in a flying position as opposed to the regular gnome’s leaping position.

I finally got around to giving Patches her makeover. I love the combination of her hair and eye colors.

Additionally, even Terra’s snoring doesn’t show her vampirism like it’s supposed to. She really is a vampire though, I promise. If you look carefully, you can see the vampire mark on her neck. I wonder if her and Jean Luc’s vampirism will finally show when they become young adults.

Ah, good girl! Terra’s being dutiful by tending to the garden, which makes me happy because she has a decent chance of being the heir. I haven’t decided yet though.

No, wait! I need to take a picture! You started your birthday while I was distracted!

“De bowfday spawkows wait for no toddwew!”

Wasn’t that a little overly dramatic?

“No, I feel that it was the correct amount of drama to use in a response to your exaggerated panic.”

… You know, most kids get mad at me for almost missing their birthdays. You… You just make fun of me.

“Indeed. I felt an urge to be different.”

Zidane, you’re a quarter alien/half Imaginary Friend who is named after an alien monkey-man thief who saves the world from his creator and his sort-of older brother who looks like a girl. That alone makes you pretty unique.

“Additionally, I simply thought it was amusing to irritate you.”

… You rolled Inappropriate, didn’t you? You’re going to drive me crazy.

I’m not sure why I didn’t get a post-makeover shot of Zidane, but you can see it here. I’d tell you what Harmony is telling him to encourage logical thinking, except that it has so many large words mixed in with partial old English and advanced scientific terms that it might cause some people’s heads to explode. I don’t particularly want to be responsible for any exploded heads.

Zidane turned out to be just as voracious in his desire for being read to sleep as Terra before him.

Jean Luc: “This diagram shows the major pain centers on the human body.”

Zidane: “Does the book have a chapter describing pressure points?”

Jean Luc: “No. Taking advantage of pressure points is beyond the scope of this volume.”

… Do I even want to know why Zidane asked?

I decided that it was high time we got a good look at Crichton’s girlfriend, Marcy Jones-Brown. She’s not hideous, but… Well she looks a lot cuter in her relationship panel picture. Her hairstyle isn’t helping though. I guess I’m finally going to get around to buying a makeover station so that they can give makeovers to unfortunate friends and relatives.

I also had them invite over Christina Watts, Jean Luc’s Romantic Interest from prom. She must have been on babysitting duty, considering the fact that she brought her little sister along. I’m thinking she could use a makeover too.

Hesper: “So tell me, Christina, what exactly first attracted you to Jean Luc?”

Wow, that is a loaded question.

Christina: “Well, I guess the first thing was the fact that he’s so good at music. I just love music!”

Hesper: “That’s nice. Now I don’t want to sound like I’m trying to scare you off, or anything, but you do realize that he’s a bit…”

Christina: “Yeah, I know he’s kinda weird, but I think that’s part of his charm.”

Hesper: “I think you’ll fit in just fine around here then.”

What do you know, Christina passed the “can you really handle dating my son?” test. Under the circumstances, it would be a bit unfair to have a “do you deserve to date my son?” test. At least so long as the dating prospect isn’t a horrible person, that is.

Cosmo attempted to give Christina her makeover and… it didn’t go well. At all.

In fact, she was so upset by the botched job, that she still made a face over it after getting a successful makeover. Come on, Christina, you’re cute now! And in her formal… I’d never used the makeover station before and found out at this point that they end up wearing the outfit category you were looking at when you exited the styling screen.

See? Much better. After getting the last of her bad makeover outrage out of her system, she decided she liked her new look.

When it was time to give Marcy her makeover, James T. wasn’t busy anymore. His maxed Painting skill gave him a success on the first try.

Marcy: “Hey, you’re good!”

James T.: “Thank you.” *wisely decides not to mention he’d never given a makeover before*

Much better. She’s still not a stunning beauty, but at least her hair doesn’t emphasize exactly the wrong parts of her face anymore. It may not have been obvious in the one picture I took of her previous look, but it was really awful. I actually avoided taking any more pictures on purpose.

James T. decided to try out the Miner Ripley had made ages ago.

In spite of his mildly pensive expression, he actually enjoyed himself.

I guess Jean Luc must have overheard the fact that Christina liked his musical talents, because he went and mastered Bass. Good for him! And doesn’t he just look so excited about it?

I guess James T. needed to find inner peace because he rolled the wish to meditate. Of course, if anyone needs inner peace it’s him. He’s got five teenagers and an Inappropriate child in the house.

Wait a minute, that puddle… That stink cloud… Nnnnnoooooooo!!!!! Jean Luc! You just gave me my first point deduction! How could you?! Why didn’t you go to the bathroom?! There’s two right near you, for goodness sake!

Harmony: “I fear that I must take my leave, for thine incontinence may have ruined mine shoes.”

Cosmo: “That is gross, man. What’s wrong with you?”

Jean Luc: “I… apologize, LE.”

Harmony and Cosmo: “LE? What about us?!”

I’m sure I’ll forgive you, Jean Luc, but only if you autonomously go shower right now.

Jean Luc: “Understood.”

Harmony and Cosmo: “Who art thou/are you speaking/talking to?”

This might be when I realized that I could take pictures inside of Change Appearance (etc.). I temporarily changed Jean Luc’s hair so that you can tell just how much he looks like his dad. He’s almost identical except for hair and eye coloring. I’d like some variety, which makes me inclined to make Jean Luc a spare.

Harmony is pretty, but I’m getting really tired of the Shark eyes. I’m tempted to make her the heir just because of her hair color, but it would be nice to have kids who don’t look like Shark clones in the next generation.

As you can see, both Jean Luc and Terra’s vampirism shows in the styling screen, just not in everyday life for some odd reason. Terra is the first child in the entire challenge who wasn’t born with Shark’s eye shape, although she doesn’t have any Ripley colorings or an interesting hair color. She does have Hesper’s black eyes and a personality I don’t mind though. Considering the fact that Zidane is a identical to his brother with James T.’s darker hair, and that he has a personality I’m not too fond of, I think Terra is the heir.

Meanwhile, James T. mastered Inventing! Maybe he’ll actually get the opportunity string that allows him to create the Master Invention. Ripley never had the chance.

---

This is where I shall leave them for now. At the time I am writing this, I have two more full chapters-worth of pictures left before I need to play them more to get enough pictures for another. I’m hoping that the next chapter doesn’t take as long to get finished as this one did, but I’m planning on focusing a little more on my Evil Overlord Legacy for a little while too.

Will Jean Luc finally look like a vampire all the time when he becomes a Young Adult? Will I manage to get him married to Christina and moved out without any problems? Will Wiggles (Crichton’s Imaginary Friend, for those who forgot) ever find a girl of his own? Find out next time! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.6 – Oh so many birthdays

Welcome back! Not a whole lot happened last time aside from the steady growth of James T.’s family. When we left the Castaways, Hesper had just gone into labor with their third child. Let’s see how she’s doing, shall we?

… *bursts out laughing* Hesper has one of the funniest “Oh, I’m so excited” expressions ever.

It’s a boy named… Zidane? After the Final Fantasy IX character? Well, I suppose that Zidane did help to save the world from an alien threat. Even if though it turned out that he himself is an alien who was genetically engineered to destroy the world before being almost literally thrown out of the window by his jealous older sort-of-brother. Um… Well, I suppose it’s at least more in keeping with the theme than Terra.

At any rate, this Zidane rolled Insane and Absent-Minded upon birth. He likes Rockability, Falafel, and the color Aqua. He’s also the first of James T.’s kids not to be born a vampire. For those who don’t know, there’s a 100% chance the child of two vampires will be born a vampire and a 50% chance that the child of a vampire and a human will be born a vampire. At least, it’s supposed to be a 50% chance. Zidane here is the second out of over a dozen “half-breed” children I’ve played in The Sims 3 who wasn’t born as a vampire.

Meanwhile, just as he arrived at a party Crichton threw, James T. had to stop to have his birthday.

Wow, those sparkles really are colorful, aren’t they?

And his hair changed. Although… I might have him keep it. This style looks much more appropriate for him now that he’s middle aged.

(James T. actually had a mid-life crisis, but every wish he rolled up because of it was either too expensive, against the rules, or something he’d regret later. Therefore, he doesn’t get any fulfilled.)

The next night, Hesper’s bass practice was interrupted so that she could have her own birthday.

“Oh, my goodness! I just realized that I’m going to have wrinkles!”

“Eh, this isn’t so bad after all. They’re not so much wrinkles as laugh lines. I can do laugh lines.”

And the next night was Terra’s birthday. Be cute, Terra! I’m rooting for you!

“I am goin’ to be de cootest chiowed evow!”

The cutest child ever? We’ll see about that. She can’t hear me yet, which means I can still make disparaging comments without upsetting her.

“Mom, Fahdow, wook at me!”

“Mom, would you bring up my age if I expressed a desire to have my eyebrows done?”

Don’t worry about it, Terra. I’ll give you a full makeover when you’re not exhausted or about to wet yourself. Or hungry.

James T. managed to find a moment to cross the street and visit Aura’s family. That’s Cliff, Aura’s son (who is Insane).

James T.: “It is most pleasant to meet you, Cliff.”

Cliff: “And you as well, Uncle James T.”

James T.: “Have you and your mother had much trouble with the Malevolence here?”

Cliff: “Only occasionally. Under normal circumstances we only have to concern ourselves with Mother’s unfortunate tendency to be markedly unkind for no apparent reason.”

James T.: “I imagine she often argues with your aunts and grandmother.”

Cliff: “Indeed.”

Can it be? Do I detect male versions of some Ripley’s feature? And purple eyes? Yes!

I think I like Cliff.

Jean Luc continues to endear himself to me. There he is, skilling all by himself. I love this kid.

Awww. James T. decided to teach Terra about gardening while she falls asleep. Good for him, since whoever ends up being the next Torch Holder will have to take over tending the garden.

Terra must just love the sound of her father’s voice, because she looks bizarrely happy for a child who is being read to about the proper care of various fruits and vegetables.

This picture is just here to prove that Terra’s Imaginary Friend, Patches, came to life for her as well.

There he goes again. While I haven’t mentioned it before, mainly because I didn’t take many time travel pictures, James T. tends to run into the Keeper of Time at least as often as Ripley did.

Wait a minute, Hesper’s going with him. This can only mean one thing! The question is: will it work, finally giving me the Time Machine baby I’ve been trying for so long to get in both of my challenges?

A while later…

“Oh, crap! They’re coming! Hurry, James T.! We’ve got to shut them out of the time stream before they follow us home!”

“Honey?! Are you there?!”

“Um… James T.?”

A few seconds later…

James T.: “Bye, Everyone! See you next time!”

Hesper: “Weren’t we running for our lives a minute ago?”

James T.: “Well, you were. They actually captured me, but I eventually convinced them that it’s better to be friends with an ex-vampire half-alien. Apparently they’ve met Mother too.”

Hesper: “Lovely. I’m going inside.”

James T.: “You seem upset.”

Hesper: “Why would I be upset? That’s ridiculous.”

James T.: “I know what will make you feel better.”

Hesper: “What?”

James T.: “So what do you think?”

Hesper: “I’m in my nightwear.”

James T.: “Well, you are usually in your nightwear, which makes it difficult to sculpt you in anything else.”

Hesper: “You’ve got me there. I like it. Thanks! I’ve got to go get something to eat now though.”

James T.: “By all means. I understand completely.”

That is a non-melting statue, by the way. Hesper’s children’s children’s children will be able to see her in her little slip of a nightie. It’s a good thing they’ll be crazy anyway, isn’t it?

Guess what? Huh? How did you know it’s Zidane’s birthday?! Are you reading ahead?

Hm. Looks like a Shark face with Ripley’s eye color and James T.’s dark brown hair. He looks really bored in this picture, but that’s… his normal face. Wow, and here I thought I’d only have to make “normal face” comments over multiple generations in my Evil Overlord Legacy. Shark’s features continue to dominate here, don’t they?

Why are you getting up, Jean Luc? Didn’t you just go to bed a little while ago?

“Yes, but it is my birthday! I had almost forgotten.”

“Am I going to grow up looking ridiculous?”

I don’t know. I guess we’ll both find out, won’t we?

“I sincerely hope that I do not.”

Me too.

“LE, could you please tell me how I appear? I cannot tell because my hair suddenly seems to block much of my ability to see.”

Well… Why don’t we fix the hair first?

There you go, Jean Luc!

“My hair is still slightly in my face.”

Yes, but you look good, in my opinion. Besides, I’m sure you can see much better than before.

“That is true. Very well, I bow to your judgment.”

(Wait a minute… I just noticed… he got Insane as a child and rolled Vehicle Enthusiast just now, but… neither are showing up. The game only shows him as having his first two traits. Huh? Oh, no! Now that I look at it, Terra’s third trait isn’t showing up either!)

Oh, it looks like we barely missed the patented Castaway Instructional Potty Talk.  You can tell by the glazed-over look in little Zidane’s eyes.

Jean Luc: “Please drink this, Cosmo.”

Cosmo: “OK!”

Cosmo: “Uh… Is this supposed to be happening?”

Jean Luc: “I believe so.”

Cosmo: “Uh… Exactly what is happening?”

Jean Luc: “You are becoming a real sim.”

Cosmo: “Really? Awesome!”

He has Horror’s hair! Yay! (Those who read my Evil Overlord Legacy might remember Horror and my absolute love of his hair color. And him in general, come to think of it.) I seem to have failed to write down what his traits are. Since I’ll have to get into the game to find out what they are, I’ll inform you later. It’ll probably be when he ages into an adult so that I don’t have to figure out which trait he didn’t have until then.

Terra: “Here, Patches, drink this!”

Patches: “Is it safe?”

Terra: “Of course it is. LE says that it’ll make you into a real girl.”

Patches: “The voice in your head told you to give this to me? Um…”

Terra: “It is apparently the same concoction that allowed my mother to become real.”

Patches: “Oh, well in that case.”

Patches: “Bleck! This stuff tastes awful!”

Terra: “Really? No one ever mentioned that.”

Patches: “It’s like cough medicine, only a hundred times worse!”

“I don’t think I’ll ever get that taste out of my mouth.”

Aw, she cute! Blue hair and those green eyes that almost look like they glow – nice!

Holy cow! I think Jean Luc might have learned to drive even faster that James T. did! He did it just by walking past the instruments he was playing! I was so stunned that I didn’t take a picture. This one is from later in the same day.

I did manage to fix his and Terra’s traits though, after several tries. I tried the Modify Traits cheat more times than I cared to count before finally resorting to editing each of them in CAS (also a cheat) to give them the traits they should have already had. I hope this trend doesn’t continue.

James T.: “Can you say mythical equine?”

Zidane: “Uh uh.”

James T.: “Can you at least say unicorn?”

Zidane: “Uh uh.”

James T.: “Fish?”

Zidane: “Fish!”

James T.: “Fish. Just fish? Zidane, I think the boost to brain power your siblings enjoy because they are vampires has spoiled me.”

Zidane: “Aquatic vowtebwates!”

James T.: “Oh, good. I was deeply concerned for a moment, but now see that Mother’s DNA is ‘kicking in’ as they say.”

Aquatic vertebrates?

This is Patches after I did her hair. The cap was an Imaginary Friend thing, but I wanted to be able to see her pretty blue hair. I think it goes well with her eyes.

James T.: “This is the final phase in your preparations to being reasonably independent, Zidane.”

Zidane: “Yeth, Fahdow.”

James T.: “Once you have learned to walk, you will be ready for your next birthday.”

Zidane: “Yeth, Fahdow.”

James T.: “Are you being compliant, or just agreeing with everything that I say while not paying any attention?”

Zidane: “Yeth, Fahdow.”

James T.: “… I see. You certainly have an independent spirit, I will freely admit that.”

*sigh* Firstly, that is not a skillbook. Clearly Jean Luc didn’t get it from the shelf on the bedroom floor. Secondly, shouldn’t he be going to bed himself instead of putting himself in danger of passing out just to read a non-skillbook to Terra? Sims. Ironically, Terra doesn’t seem nearly as thrilled about the book with an actual story in it as the gardening book.

Hesper: *thinks* “I love my children.”

Zidane: *thinks* “I love my mom.”

Awwww.

Good for Cosmo! Knowing this family, Terra will find Charisma very useful in the future, I’m sure.

What’s up, Jean Luc?

“I am contemplating the mysteries of the universe, particularly as it relates to the Malevolence.”

Oh, really? Any interesting conclusions?

“Only that I am sure Grandmother was correct in her theory that the Malevolence exists somewhere outside of the four dimensions we experience.”

OK. Um, have fun contemplating, I guess.

“Thank you, LE.”

Hesper decided to practice the piano for a change. I applaud her well-roundedness. However, if she wants to achieve her Lifetime Wish she should pick three things to work on and stick to them. It’s too bad I can’t control her, because she’d have gotten her LTW by now if I could.

Ah, prom night. What horrors await us this time? Wait a minute, is Jean Luc actually going in his real formalwear? Can it be?

Jean Luc: “Father! Mom is attempting to convince me to wear my swim clothes to prom!”

James T. (off panel, from a distance): “I beg your pardon?”

Jean Luc: “She insists that my tuxedo is my formal, but I do not think that it is!”

James T.: (still off panel, still from a distance): “Do not wear it then. I have never understood the rigidness of the clothing definitions most people seem to employ, and neither did my mother.”

Jean Luc: “Thank you, because I refuse to go anywhere in this!”

Well, at least he’s not going in his underwear.

At the prom, Cosmo got into one fight and Jean Luc got into two. Jean Luc got rejected for a dance. Cosmo became Prom King and thanked everyone for rigging the votes. (I’m not entirely sure how the votes could have been rigged if everyone was in on it though.) However, Jean Luc found a Romantic Interest named Christina Watts, and Cosmo found one in Hilda Crow. All in all, a successful prom, as far as my purposes go.

James T.: “It is still possible for you to defeat me, Terra. You simply must focus and learn to plan your moves better.”

Terra: “Yes, Father. I shall make my best attempt, though I fear that your skills in this game are far superior to mine at present.”

James T.: “Do not be concerned. Even if you fail to defeat me now, mastery of chess will come with practice.”

Awww. I love it when they play chess together. Terra specifically rolled up the wish to play chess with her dad too. I really love it how James T. makes such a point of looking like he has to try when he mastered the game ages ago. He’s a great dad.

---

Next time something happens that had me practically leaping for joy. What is it? For that matter, does anyone grow up not looking like Shark? Are there any more children, or is Zidane it? Will Jean Luc and Terra finally start looking like the vampires that they are? (I assure you, they both have the Vampire hidden trait and look like vampires in their portraits. I don’t know why they look normal all the time.) What does Crichton’s girlfriend look like? Come back for the next chapter to find out! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.5 – Children, birthdays, and a transformation

Welcome to yet another chapter of the Alien Castaway ISBI! Last time, which was not very long ago for those who are reading the chapters as soon as I post them, the member of Generation 3 who is eligible for heirship was born. Sadly, Crichton moved out with Wiggles too. However, he also got turned into a vampire beforehand so he’ll be around town for a looooooong time. When we left them, James T. and Hesper had decided they wanted to have another baby almost right away after Jean Luc was born. Let’s see what they’re up to now, shall we?

Apparently Hesper is enjoying the space-themed hopscotch thing. It also looks like the gnome is having a good nap on the front lawn.

The next morning…

“I’m feeling…”

“Yay!”

She seems to like being a mother almost as much as some Family Oriented sims I’ve had.

Ah, marital bonding through music. Hesper must have been taking mental notes when she was watching James T. rock out the other day.

All right, it’s the moment of truth. Who will Jean Luc look like?

Shark. Who else? *sigh*

But wait! What’s this? Is that… Ripley’s eye color? Yes! Finally! Something of Ripley got passed on to someone in the main household! Victory!

“Jean Luc, the purpose of this exercise is for you to learn to expel your bodily wastes into a proper waste disposal location. You must resist the urge to dirty your diapers instead.”

James T., don’t you think that’s a little over Jean Luc’s head?

“What do you mean?”

Uh… Nevermind. Carry on. (Like mother, like son.)

And the next morning Hesper goes into labor. Now the question is: will she be a good girl and decide to give birth at home, or is she going to give me my first point deduction for an automatically generated babysitter visit? I’m not sure what happens if I elect to cancel going out in this situation.

“OK, Hesper, you’ve got this. No problem. You can totally give birth at home like James T. said you should. It’s in the bag.”

“Oh, man! I think it’s coming. This better not have been a really stupid idea!”

It’s a girl named Terra! Wait… Terra? James T., who is she named aft—? … Huh? Terra from Final Fantasy VI? But she’s supposed to be named after a human character who helped to save humanity from an alien threat in a movie, TV series, or possibly a well-known book! Final Fantasy VI is a video game, Terra was only half human, and the threat she helped save the world from was home-grown! … Yes, I like the character, but that’s not the point! … Oh, fine. It’s a nice name. Name her whatever you want. (You give them a simple criteria and they still can’t follow it. And when in James T.’s entire life did he get a chance to play video games?)

Well, the questionable appropriateness of her name aside, Terra Loves the Outdoors and is Perceptive. She also like Rockability, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Yellow.

Both ghosts came out that night. It’s great to see the two of them in the house together again. Ripley and Shark didn’t interact much, but I imagine they spend plenty of time together in the afterlife.

Disco ball? His first word was disco ball? Why did James T. even think to try that one in the first place?

“Oh, ew! It’s a cockroach!”

Yeah, and he’s been there since before she has. She finally noticed.

“Disgusting!”

Um, I know you can’t hear me, Hesper, but you could do something else now.

Three sim hours later…

“Gross! Why do we even have this thing? And why would it be named Bob? Bleck!”

If you think she came back to do this again, you’re wrong. She’s been standing there, being grossed out by poor Bob the Cockroach, for over three sim hours straight.  She continued doing it after I took this picture too. Eventually I had James T. invite her to play chess with him for a bit to save her from herself. I know she’s not Insane or Evil (the two traits that seem to like pet cockroaches), but her unending expression of general dislike was getting a bit ridiculous.

Awww. Look at that – Jean Luc is skilling! I’m so proud of him!

Hesper, when she’s not trapping herself in continual condemnation of Bob, is still a doting and devoted mother. For his part, James T. rolled up the specific wish to read to Jean Luc. I love this family.

This guy just invited himself in one day without explanation. I was completely baffled because nobody in the house knew him. I finally figured out who he was though (a long time later, but I’ll tell you here). He’s apparently the son of Mary Baker (some may recall her from Ripley’s husband-hunting days) and the guy she hooked up with after becoming a vampire. I still have no idea why he showed up though.

James T.: “You see, Jean Luc, walking is infinitely preferable to crawling because it leaves your hands free and makes it easier to reach high places. I would appreciate it if you attempt to grasp the principle as quickly as possible, since I will have to be teaching your sister very soon.”

Jean Luc: *adores his daddy*

As James T. had alluded, it’s already Terra’s birthday.

Um… She might look like Shark. It’s hard to tell at this point, but that jaw definitely suggests so. Although it appears that she got her mother’s black eyes. A vampire with jet black eyes. Cute?

Yes, James T. gave Terra the official Castaway Potty Talk while potty training her. Would you expect any different? You can tell by the slightly bewildered look on her little face.

And only a few uneventful days later, it’s Jean Luc’s turn to age up!

“Spahkws? Dis does not seem to be a pawtiuwawy wogicw manifestathun.”

Did that toddler just say ‘particularly logical manifestation’? Even for this family – wow!

Aw, he’s cute! Even if he does look just like his grandfather, except for the eye color.

“You must be LE.”

Yes. It’s nice to have someone else around who can actually hear me.

Yes! Hesper autonomously chose to read him a skill book when he asked for a bedtime story! Good for her! My strategy of keeping only skillbooks in the bookcase on the floor with the bedrooms continues to work.

And we have our first vampire gnome! You can get these if you plant plasma fruit, which James T. did since he’s a vampire. Plus if any of his descendants or future guests turn out to be vegetarian vampires we’ll have a ready supply to stave off starvation.

Random fact of interest: if you have a regular teddy bear on the lot and a vampire gnome, the vampire gnome will turn the teddy bear into another vampire gnome. The first family I ever played with vampires in The Sims 3 had half a dozen vampire gnomes before I figured out where all the teddy bears were disappearing to. Of course, not all of them were turned teddy bears. You can get more than one just from planting plasma fruit.

Think you know what Terra’s first words were? You probably think it was ‘soda’ or ‘pop’ or ‘soda pop’ or even ‘coke’ or possibly something else, depending on where you’re from. Well, this is what she actually said.

Terra: “Cawbonated bevowage.”

James T.: “Very good, Terra! Hesper! Terra said ‘carbonated beverage’!”

Hesper (off panel): “You’re kidding, right?”

As you can see, James T. and I haven’t forgotten about the ice sculptures. He’s still got a ways to go yet before he can sculpt non-melting ones though. As I predicted, he’s far too busy to devote enough time to it, but I still think there’s hope for at least one permanent one before he passes the torch.

Oh, and Jean Luc’s Imaginary Friend grew up with him. This is Cosmo.

James T. had to start working on discovering potions so that his children will be able to make their Imaginary Friends real someday. Yet another thing that keeps him from his sculpting.

Now why is she just standing there after making the bed?

Oh, I see. Child number three is on the way!

Wonderful! Jean Luc does his homework voluntarily! I like this kid.

Ah, yes. The normal gnome is in an unmoving mid-leap while the vampire gnome is doing the death slumber thing behind him. I love the gnomes.

Meanwhile, Shark has apparently discovered inner tranquility. It may not be obvious in the picture, but he’s floating in mid air.

The next morning, James T. braved the sun in order to go to the science facility. His mission: obtain the cure for vampirism. Hesper will age up after having the baby, and he intends to age up before her. Because the vampire trait simply gives (a huge number of) extra days to the Young Adult, Adult, and Elder lifestages; he’ll age up the same day he becomes a normal human since he’s way past when his birthday would have been without the vampirism.

Well, he’s home.

Are you ready, James T.?

“I suppose that I am. I am unsure, to be honest. I have always been this way.”

I know, but it’ll be all right. I promise.

“Are you absolutely certain that this concoction is safe? The scientists at the science facility gave me the alarming impression that it is untested.”

Don’t worry, James T., just drink it. Unless you want to stay young while watching your beloved wife grow old and die. Then watch your children grow old and die while you’re an uncontrollable vampire with no sense to stay inside during the day.

“Ah, yes. You have certainly put it in perspective for me.”

(I don’t think I should tell him that I’ve never actually cured a vampire before in The Sims 3.)

(Wow, that looked really painful.) How do you feel, James T.?

“…Warm.”

That’s it?

“I am unsure. Is this really what being a normal human fells like?”

Probably.

“Hm. Humans really are rather…”

Rather…?

“Weak and dimwitted.”

Um… Well… In comparison to vampires… Yes, I suppose so. You don’t regret changing, do you?

“No, I… I just need to get used to it.”

Understandable.

Meanwhile, upstairs…

Jean Luc: “I lam a most proficient fisherman, Mom. I happen to be one of the best in my Scouting group. You should be very proud of me, because I am generally amazing.

Hesper: *yawn* “That’s nice, Dear.”

Jean Luc: “Am I boring you, Mom?”

Hesper: “Oh, uh, no, of course not. I just, uh, need a nap. Being pregnant is tiring.”

Look at that! See above his head? Notice the general lack of green skillbar? Jean Luc managed to get all three skillpoints from the block set all by himself! I’m so proud of him! Thank goodness his study habits take more after his father’s than his aunt Aura’s.

James T.: “You are capable of doing this, Terra. Just come to me.”

Terra: “Fahdow, you wook diffwent.”

James T.: “That is because I am a normal human now.”

Terra: “Not vampiow wike me?”

James T.: “That is correct.”

I still can’t get over how the kids in this house talk. Hesper’s probably bewildered too.

Speaking of Hesper…

“James T.! The baby’s coming!”

---

Will the baby be a boy or a girl? Will it be a vampire? Will it have a name more appropriate to the theme than Terra? Find out next time!

Additionally, at some point Crichton went steady with Marcy Jones-Brown, much to my intense shock. It remains to be seen if EA Story Progression will ever get them married or let them have any children. No word on Wiggles yet. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.4 – Normal life… in a manner of speaking

Welcome back yet again! Last time there were two weddings and the biggest disaster of a prom I have ever seen. At least I think it’s the worst I’ve ever seen. I certainly can’t recall a worse one off the top of my head, at any rate. This time we’ll see if James T. and Hesper have a baby on the way yet, as well as find out what honors will be bestowed upon Crichton and Wiggles at their graduation.

Since I do not have the time or patience to crop screenshots, I have no picture of the popup. However, James T. became publicly disgraced for “woohooing an occult sim.” I’d never seen that before. I guess that can happen if a sim woohoos a former Imaginary Friend. You’d think that no one would care since he’s a vampire. I hope this doesn’t happen all the time, considering the fact that Hesper is James T.’s wife.

“Hm. I feel kind of… funny.”

“Oh, well that explains it! Yay!”

Yes! Generation 3 is on the way!

Hm. I guess realizing that he’s going to be a father distracted him at a critical moment. I suppose setting oneself on fire while inventing is something of a Torch Holder family tradition now, since Ripley did it too.

After James T. finished extinguishing himself, it was time for the youngest of Generation 2 to graduate along with his formerly Imaginary Friend.

There he goes… Hey, is that Savannah? It is! Hi, Savannah!

“Um… Hello?”

I’m LE. You may have heard of me?

“Oh! Uh, yes. Yes, I have. It is nice to meet you. I believe.”

Don’t worry, I won’t bother you much. It’s just nice to see you here.

Ellen’s here too, but not Terrence. Hm. It looks like Ellen aged up into different hair when she became a full adult. Hmph. I liked the hair I gave her much better.

Wow, this graduation is turning into a family reunion. There’s Aura. Kenji’s here too, he’s the one in the white in the lower right.

Aw, Ellen. I in no way regret not making her the Torch Holder, but I still miss her. And her hair. But mostly her. Mostly.

Wait a minute… Where’s Hesper?

There she is… at home… playing the bass. I suppose she was just too into the music to realize it was time to go? Ah, she’s a pregnant housewife – she can stay home if she wants.

She didn’t miss much anyway. Wiggles was voted Most Likely to Fulfill Their Lifetime Wish. Crichton was Valedictorian and voted – are you ready for this? – Most Likely to Offend Others. I know he’s an insane mooch, but… really? He’s the most stable kid this family has produced, and he’s Good. Poor Crichton.

Not that he seems to mind much though. He’s much more interested in the fact that he’s going to be an uncle again soon.

This is one of the reasons I love Crichton so much. He loves bonding with his family. I’m so sad that he didn’t find someone at prom – he deserves a nice girl and children of his own.

He made a point of meeting his teenaged niece too. I really wasn’t kidding when I said he loves family bonding. If he were in real life, I’d expect him to be the sort of guy who sends all of his nieces and nephews Christmas presents and birthday cards as well as call his siblings periodically just to keep in touch.

Um… what’s going on here?

Crichton: “James T., may I ask a favor of you?”

James T.: “Of course!”

Crichton: “I would very much like to become a vampire. Would you be so kind?”

James T.: “I am unsure. Are you absolutely positive that is what you want?”

Crichton: “Yes, I am completely sure.”

James T.: “I hope that you realize that you will not be able to be cured once you move out, which you are doing in a very short time.”

Crichton: “Of course, I realize that! I am not stupid.”

James T.: “I do not know. Why do you want to be a vampire?”

Crichton: “I wish to fully study the difference and document my findings. All in the name of scientific discovery, of course. You would not have the same perspective since you were born as a vampire.”

James T.: “As a fellow son of Ripley Castaway, I can understand that reasoning. Hm. Well…”

James T.: “If you insist.”

Crichton: “Yeowch, that is painful!”

Crichton: “As Wiggles would say: wow, this feels weird.”

James T.: “Hm, you taste very… natural. It must be the fact that you only eat organic food.”

Crichton: “That is it?”

James T.: “Apparently.”

Crichton: “Now what is supposed to happen?”

James T.: “As I understand it, you will remain human for about three days then transform. Do let me know, since I have not had an opportunity to test it before.”

Crichton: “All in the name of scientific discovery, I assume?”

James T.: “Of course. Although I have to admit that I have a great personal curiosity on the matter. As you said, I was born this way.”

Crichton: “Understandable.”

What’s this? Wiggles is being… nice? And he initiated the conversation? Autonomously?!

Needless to say, I am a bit shocked.

Awww. Now he’s made me feel bad about there being no girl for him either. Just when I’m going to be rid of him, that’s when he starts being endearing. Figures.

Crichton: “Wiggles, I have found us a place to live. Our transportation should be here momentarily.”

Wiggles: “OK, Crichton. I’ll go change.”

And there they go. Bye, Crichton. I’ll miss you. A lot.

Crichton: “Good-bye, LE. I shall miss you as well.”

Wiggles: “Are you talking to that person who isn’t there again?”

Crichton: “Says the man who used to be an invisible talking doll.”

Wiggles: “… OK, point taken.”

Crichton: “LE says that she is going to move us in with Ellen who just moved to the Racket manor. Since it is where Father grew up, we thought it should be kept in the family.”

Wiggles: “We’re moving into a mansion? Awesome!”

The house seems so… empty with just James T. and Hesper in it. I guess it’s good for them though. It’s like a short honeymoon before the house starts filling up with kids (who will all probably look like Shark just to spite me).

Wow, James T. is really rocking out there. Hesper seems to enjoy it though, which is why I’m not making him do something more constructive at the moment. Let it never be said that I never let my controllable sims do what they want.

Hm… Maybe Hesper is thinking about how nice it would be to have a professional tell her the gender of her child? I don’t know. She seems to be really happy about motherhood though.

Speaking of which… Oh, dear. She was literally about to go to the bathroom because of bladder desperation. She’s going to pee all over herself right after giving birth, isn’t she?

“James T.? Could you come here? Like now?”

“Of course, Hesper. What do you—?”

James T.: “Oh my flaming meteors, the baby is coming!”

Hesper: “Exactly.” *huff* *puff* “Um, do something?”

James T.: “I do not know what to do! I may be a genius, but I am not a doctor!”

Hesper: *thinking* “I guess I won’t have to eat for two anymore. At least for a while.”

James T.: “I believe that I should take you to the hospital immediately. We should make haste so that you do not give birth on the front lawn like Mother did.”

Hesper: “All right, sounds good. Just stop panicking, OK?”

James T.: “I shall try.”

They had a boy! Can you guess what I named him? Jean Luc. The little guy is Athletic and Eccentric (he’ll get Insane as a child). He also apparently likes Roots, Autumn Salad, and the color Lilac. Incidentally, that’s James T.’s favorite color too.

And wouldn’t you know, Hesper apparently had the good sense to use the hospital’s bathroom before leaving! Will wonders never cease? I was positive that I was going to get my first point deduction the moment they got home.

After making sure the baby would be all right for a while, both new parents went straight to bed. James T.’s not totally exhausted yet, but I figured sending him to bed early would mean he’d be awake when the baby needs attention.

And it worked! incidentally: awwww. James T. loves his baby boy.

Hesper quickly turned out to be quite the doting mother.

In spite of not being Family Oriented or Nurturing, she goes to cuddle and play with Jean Luc all the time. Even when he doesn’t need her to. Again: awwww.

Come out to see your first home-lot grandchild, Shark?

“Naturally. A boy, is it? Wonderful! I bet he’ll take after me.”

Knowing my luck, he probably will.

Already? Are you sure you’re ready to have another small child in the house? … Hello?

Aagh! *covers eyes* OK, I can take a hint. I know when I’m being ignored, so I’ll just see what’s going on outside.

Wait a darn minute there! I saw that! I saw you throw that bill on the ground like you had a reason to be mad at the Castaways! You may think you’ve gotten away with it, but I’m watching you. Darned mail carriers and their random violent mood swings. At least I think I heard a lullaby in the background. Sounds like another child will join the household soon.

---

Additionally, Aura had a boy named Cliff. He became Insane too. Apparently Ripley’s insanity really is hereditary, at least so far.

What will the next baby be, and what will it be named? Will Jean Luc endear me to him? Will James T. train his toddlers the same way his mother trained him? Will Hesper continue being a great mom? And what about Bob, the family pet cockroach? Find out next time! Thanks for reading!

Chapter 2.3 – Bells, bells, bells. Wedding bells, that is.

Welcome back! Last time Shark went to join his wife in the afterlife, Aura and Hesper grew up, and it turned out that Savannah (Ellen’s daughter) is insane and has Ripley’s hair! Now that the girls are grown up, they can get married to their respective men. Crichton and Wiggles are about due for their prom any time now too.

As you can see, it didn’t take long for Shark to start haunting. He’s one of the earliest haunters I’ve had, actually. Isn’t that right, Shark?

“If you say so, LE. It is LE, isn’t it?”

Yes, that’s right. I see that you can hear me now that you’re no longer among the living.

“It’s amazing the things you become aware of when you become otherworldly.”

Apparently so. Become aware of anything to do with the Malevolence?

“No, I still think that’s nonsense.”

James T.: “Hello, Dad. It is very pleasant to see you again. I trust that the afterlife is treating you well?”

Shark: “Yep. Your mother and I are having a great time.”

James T.: “That is good to hear. Would you give mother a greeting for me when you return?”

Shark: “Of course. I’m sure she’ll be glad to know you’re thinking about her.”

I just love how completely calm about ghosts James T. is. He’s not bothered a bit by the fact that his dad is transparent and floating, as far as I can tell.

The family finally earned enough money for me to finish the remodeling. It’s all set up to have a third floor with a large deck in the front, but I’m not going to add that until I think they need the room. It’s better to have less space for them to lose themselves in for now. Sims 3 sims may be smarter than Sims 2 sims, but… that’s only saying so much.

I held a funeral for Ripley and had James T. invite Kenji for Aura. If this weren’t an ISBI, I’d have waited for a more appropriate time, but I’ve got to kick Aura out as quickly as possible. Now the question is: will Kenji let Aura have her first kiss this time?

He did! Yes!

Awww. Aura’s so happy.

Aura: “Kenji, would you perhaps consider being my designated exclusive significant other?”

Kenji: “Um…” *blank look*

Aura: “My boyfriend, Kenji. Will you be my boyfriend?”

Kenji: “Oh! Of course!”

Aura: “Wonderful! Will you—?”

Kenji: “I’ve got to go. See you later!”

Aura: “You really are an idiot, aren’t you?”

Kenji: “What?”

Aura: “Nothing. I did not say anything.”

Hello again, Aura. Calling Kenji?

“Indeed. I must be in love, because that is the only explanation for the fact that I continue to roll romantic wishes for him when he is too stupid to know a good thing when he sees one.”

Maybe he’s just afraid of your Mean Spirited trait?

“No, he is simply stupid. However, I love him regardless.”

A short while later, when Kenji was barely inside the door…

Aura: “Will you marry me, Kenji?”

Kenji: “Oh, my plumbob!”

Aura: “Look at the pretty ring, Kenji. You want the pretty ring, do you not?”

Kenji: “Of course I’ll marry you, Aura.”

Aura: *thinking* “Finally.”

Aura: “Kenji, I feel that it is essential that we ensure that my superior genes are passed on to the next generation. It would be most efficient if we procreate before officially being joined in matrimony.”

Kenji: “Uh… What?”

Aura: *sigh* “Come with me.”

Aura: “This is what I was talking about.”

Kenji: “Oh! Well if you wanted to woohoo, why didn’t you just say so?”

Aura: “… I believe that the most appropriate thing for me to say right now is: just shut up and kiss me, before I change my mind.”

One lullaby later (no glitches!), Aura gives him a big kiss to remind him of how Extremely Irresistible she is. Then she tells him she wants to get married. Right now.

Of course, Kenji doesn’t seem to mind at all. Personally, I think he realizes she’s not nearly as tough and mean as she acts. I think they’re going to be happy together, in spite of her being Mean Spirited now. As long as their kid is cute, at least I’ll be happy.

Aura moved in with his family the moment they were married. Now she lives across the street with her husband, mother-in-law, and three sisters-in-law.

Since Hesper is finally grown up, James T. can finally romantically interact with her.

Oh, my goodness, that was adorable. James T. has one of the cutest “about to have my first kiss” faces I’ve seen in The Sims 3. Awwww.

The two went steady almost immediately, as you can see.

James T.: “Now while I still have your full attention, there is something else that I wish to ask you, Hesper.”

Hesper: *eager anticipation* “Yes, James T.?”

James T.: “I just need a moment for the laws of the universe to bow to the needs of the moment, allowing me to procure the needed item out of nothingness.”

Hesper: *thinking* “Come to think of it, just where do those rings come from? I suppose it’s not really important, so long as they appear when we want them. All right, now I’ve got to remember to act appropriately surprised. I don’t want to ruin the moment with a lackluster reaction, after all.”

“Will you marry me, Hesper?”

Hesper: “Oh, my goodness! It’s beautiful, James T.!”

James T.: “It is not nearly as beautiful or as radiant as you are, Hesper.”

Hesper: “Of course, I’ll marry you, James T.” *thinks* “I’ve only been waiting for fifteen days now, after all.”

James T.: “I love you, Hesper.”

Hesper: “I love you too.”

Awwww.

James T.: “Under the circumstances, do you think it would be unreasonable for me to suggest that we marry immediately?”

Hesper: “No, not at all. I agree, we should get married right now. As in: this moment. Now.”

I didn’t catch the actual kiss, but don’t they look happy? I’m just going to love these two together, I’m sure of it.

I’ve decided to keep James T. as a vampire for now so that they can age together later. That way I won’t have to worry about Hesper being a widow for a long time. I like couples to be able to age close together when possible.

We interrupt this ISBI to bring you this special bulletin. The first gnome if the challenge has been sighted. We shall keep you up to date on any further important developments. Now we shall return you to your regularly scheduled ISBI, already in progress.

OK, well I see that they’re already rolling wishes for children. Good for them! That’s the spirit! I’ll just leave them alone now. I think I heard the “ghost is haunting” music play a second ago anyway. Let’s go see who it is!

Ripley!

“Hello, LE.”

Want to talk to James T. a bit? He just got married, but he’s got a very different sleeping schedule than Hesper right now.

“I would love to congratulate my son!”

Great! Just hang around until Hesper’s asleep and he’ll be all yours.

After the heartfelt greeting and expected pleasantries, Ripley decided that she needed to talk some business with her heir as well.

Ripley: “Are you making sure to fix all of the appliances everyone breaks?”

James T.: “Of course, Mother. I have also been working on implementing the upgrades you never had a chance to.”

Ripley: “That is good to know. I was far too busy at the end of my reign to finish, as you know. I am happy that my work shall be finished.”

Apparently Ripley also convinced James T. to learn Inventing as well. It’ll probably be handy to keep up the Inventing in the family, at least until the family can afford to finish the house. I’m sure they can get the place spruced up with all sorts of great stuff.

James T. actually worked on this while Crichton and Wiggles were at prom. How did it go? Well… Wiggles became Prom King (much to my shock and general amazement). He then got rejected for a dance three times. Crichton got rejected once and got into three fights. Neither of them got a Romantic Interest. It just figures that the one child with a fairly well-rounded personality (Crichton) finds nothing but rejection and violence at the prom.

In the fine tradition of James T., the boys finally got to go to prom on their birthday. You may notice that Wiggles is dripping. He managed to trigger a spraying sink trap all on his own.

I wonder if growing up will dry him off…

Wow! Apparently so.

He turned out well. Physically, at least. Wiggles is now an Unflirty, Mean Spirited, Angler Workaholic who Can’t Stand Art. He wants to be a Creature-Robot Crossbreeder (Level 9 of the Science career). That’s some personality he’s got there.

Even more in the tradition of James T., Crichton decides to grow up on the sidewalk. Of course, as you can see, he almost made it home. He’s literally just across the street, but it doesn’t count as his being home yet.

You couldn’t have waited until you were home so that I could have good lighting for the pictures, could you?

“I was too excited, LE.”

Hmph.

“Am I going to turn into a vampire like James T.?”

I really doubt it.

“Oh, that is unfortunate. I think that I would like to be a vampire.”

Whatever you say, Crichton.

“I am stunned. I have not grown up into horrifically bad clothing.”

“How is this, LE? Does this shot make up for my being outside?”

Um, actually, yes! *blinks* You look kind of heroic, actually.

“Thank you, LE.”

Crichton is now an Insane, Good, Athletic, Eco-Friendly Mooch. He wants to Become a Superstar Athlete. Poor Crichton. Because he didn’t find love at the prom, I just have to kick him out. I’ll wait until after his graduation in the morning though. I want to know what his classmates vote him to be.

---

And this is where we shall leave them for now. Will Crichton manage to get voted something other than Most Likely to be Mediocre or Most Likely to Offend Others? Will James T. and Hesper’s first child be a boy or a girl? Did Crichton really mean it when he said he’d like to be a vampire? Find out next time! Remember to let me know if you spot any typos, because I really do go back and fix them. Thanks, as always, for reading.

Chapter 2.2 – Life goes on, as they say… for most

Welcome back! This one was supposed to be posted three days ago, but our power went out. I originally planned to have another one posted today, but obviously the power outage put me a bit behind. I actually have the chapters that I already have pictures for planned out at this point, which means that I only need time to write the captions to the pictures to get a chapter finished. As long as I don’t have any more computer or power problems, I should be able to get the next few chapters out fairly quickly. Here’s hoping, at least.

At any rate, last time James T. began the long wait for Hesper to grow up. Then, during a party that I threw just to get the family together again, Ripley died. I admit it, I cried a little when I played that part. I knew I loved Ripley, but I didn’t realize just how attached to her I had become until she was gone. Of course, the fact that she went during the party didn’t help. She couldn’t possibly have waited for an hour, could she? (For those who don’t know, Sims 3 sims don’t automatically die at approximately 6pm on the day their lifebar fills up. Their lifebars always fill up on the default lifespan limit you’ve set the game for, then each day after that they have so much percentage of a chance to live another day. This chance is modified by various factors, including whether or not they achieved their Lifetime Wishes. The normal default is 90 days, which means that Ripley actually lasted five whole extra days.)

Let’s find out how the family fairs with their matriarch having departed for the afterlife.

James T., do you really think that the middle of the day is the best time for a vampire to be gardening?

“LE, I believe that you were the one who said that I should replant the garden.”

Yes, but… Oh, fine. Just hurry up and finish before you start smoking too badly. Um… Nice shoes… I think.

“Mother insisted that they are a part of the official uniform. I deemed it not worth arguing.”

For such a socially stagnant society, the people on your mother’s home planet certainly do like their color coordination.

“Apparently so.”

James T. finally got to meet his niece! And she got Ripley’s hair!

James T.: “It is nice to meet you, Savannah.”

Savannah: “You look like a vampire, Uncle James T.”

James T.: “That is because I am one.”

Savannah: “But do the vampires not work for the Malevolence? It seems to me a logical course of action for hemoglobin-devouring creatures of the night.”

James T.: “Not all of us are evil, Savannah. I am not personally aware of any vampires in Twinbrook who actively serve the Malevolence, at least not knowingly.”

Savannah: “That is a relief to know, Uncle James T.”

I wonder how long the lack of contractions are going to last in the speech of Ripley’s descendants, particularly those outside of the main household.

Again, James T.? Really? Is it truly that difficult to paint a clear picture of your father, or are you getting as tired of seeing his face everywhere as I am?

(Shark doesn’t have an ugly face, it’s just that everyone looks like him. I wouldn’t mind so much if his face was as entertaining as Evil Overlord’s from my legacy challenge. Alas.)

Just after Aura’s after school activity recital, this happened. (For those who are wondering, I decided that I can send them to their recitals as a free command. I don’t see why I should make them skip their recitals and not get the trophies that they earned just because it requires me to actively command them to go.)

Shark! Nooooo! Why couldn’t you have waited until tomorrow? You just had to die outside of the school right after Aura’s recital, didn’t you? The kids all just got over Ripley, and now you’re leaving them too? *sniffle*

You can tell that I’ve been very busy keeping the family functioning after the loss of Ripley because I apparently still haven’t planned Hesper’s outfits and she’ll only be a teen for a few more days. Ugh, and look at her yellow plumbob. Keep in mind that I can make her take care of herself.

At least my Torch Holder is in good shape. Aside from the rapidly declining mood…

Unfortunately, I missed getting a picture of Shark happily shaking Grim’s hand because my cat startled me by jumping into my lap just as I was about to pause the game for the picture. However, I can assure you that Shark was just as at peace about his passing as Ripley was about hers. He died at 93 sim days.

I had James T. read Grim’s mind, but this Grim Reaper apparently didn’t have any traits particularly worth noting. Either that, or I lost the note somewhere. And this time it’s Hesper who has a covered dinner platter in her death bubble instead of the face of the deceased. I have no idea why that happens.

Poor Aura didn’t get outside until just before Grim disappeared.

Aura: “Wait a minute, Dad died on the steps of the school while I was collecting my awards?!”

Hesper: *thinks* “Poor Aura.”

Grim Reaper: *thinking* Wow, it’s Hesper Castaway! Isn’t she the former figment who’s going to marry the challenge heir? The Legacy Reaper is going to be so jealous, even with the autograph he got from Tyranica Overlord.”

Hesper: “All right, Aura, I think we’d better head home now. I think you need a rest.”

Aura: “I am deeply depressed. Neither of my parents will have gotten to see me graduate.”

Hesper: “Don’t take this the wrong way, but at least you’re not Crichton. He hasn’t even gotten to go to prom yet.”

Aura: “That is true. Poor Crichton.”

James T.: “LE has instructed me to order you to bed, Aura. Exhaustion will not help you feel any better, I am afraid.”

Aura: “Yes, you are right, James T. Dad would not like me to overextend myself on his behalf.”

Good night, Aura. I promise that Shark is happy right now.

“Thank you, LE. Good night.”

Ripley! You’re haunting! You have no idea how happy I am to see you right now.

“Yes, Shark suggested that I come out to check on our children. He fears that they are not taking his passing well.”

Um, yeah. I think Shark was right about that. Poor James T., finally having a good cry when no one else can see him.

Of course, now it’s James T.’s job to teach teens how to drive. Unfortunately it’s very slow going because he can’t start until the sun goes down and the teens are only awake enough for so long. Plus there’s the fun bar issue. Learning to drive tanks a teen sim’s fun bar worse than homework, as far as I can tell.

I his spare moments, James T. decided to give Ripley’s time machine some use. He’ll be using it after he’s married too, if I have any say in the matter. I’m determined to get a time machine baby one of these generations.

“I cannot believe you, LE!”

Huh? What?

“Neither of my parents are alive to see me graduate!”

Yes, and I’m sorry about that, but… How is that my fault?

“Blah, blah, blah. I’m the great and powerful LE. Nyah!”

Um… OK, Aura. I’m going to go over here and ignore you until that mood swing is over. Call me when you feel like talking about anything intelligible.

This is technically Crichton after his wardrobe-planning. It’s a little hard to tell because he decided that his swim trunks are his everyday wear today. Once again, I decided to keep that hairstyle because I think it looks good with the mysterious gray tips.

Sliding down the banister is hilarious, even though it’s a complete waste of time. On the bright side, that pushed his fun bar high enough that I think James T. might be able to teach him to drive all in one go. I love it when complete wastes of time turn out to be exactly the right thing to do.

Crichton: “Are you sure that we should do this now, James T.? The sun has not set yet.”

James T.: “The sun will have set before it becomes a problem, do not worry. Please concentrate on the task at hand.”

Crichton: “Is it true that you learned before even getting to the car?”

James T.: “Yes. Do not ask me how, since I cannot logically explain it.”

Crichton: “…I see.”

From Crichton, it was a rare thing. From Aura… Well, let’s just say that Aura is the family slacker. The only reason she skills as much as she does is because I intentionally have as few ways to gain fun without skilling as possible in the house. Even the laptop is usually sitting in James T.’s inventory.

After genuinely wasting time on frivolity (not that I can really get on her case too hard, considering), Aura decided that she needed to grow up before she could eat her waffles.

“LE, what is going to happen to me when I grow up?”

About the same thing that happened to Ellen, just with less glitchiness if I have my way.

“Oh, that is all right then.”

Why? What did you think was going to happen?

“Oh… Nothing. Nevermind.”

Um… Oh kaaaay.

“Hm, I suddenly feel the need to insult someone for no reason.”

Mean Spirited? You rolled Mean Spirited? Insane, Easily Impressed, Lucky, Hates the Outdoors, and now Mean Spirited. What a personality. Now you’re just rubbing in the fact that the only kid with Ripley’s face can’t be the heir.

And you had to turn out so darned pretty too. Grrrr.

“You are upset that I am beautiful?”

No, I’m upset that most of James T.’s kids will probably all look like Shark too, while your kids might actually resemble Ripley. No blue skin, then the pink hair goes away with Ellen, now Ripley’s face will go away with you.

“You are a moron.”

And now you’re going to be a horrible party guest at family gatherings too, thanks to your new trait. You better have a nice kid, that’s all I have to say about it. I’m going to go watch Hesper grow up.

“You do that, you self-absorbed sycophant.”

Do you even know what a sycophant is?

“Yes, do you?”

As a matter of fact I do. As I said, I’m going to focus all of my attention on the birthday girl who doesn’t feel a pathological need to make me mad.

“Yes, I’m finally growing up! James T. and I will finally be able to be together!”

You sure will. You danced together at the prom (or so the popup said), confessed your attraction to one another, and that’s it. Under the circumstances, I think you’ve both taken the last thirteen days really well. If had to wait thirteen years to finally be with a guy who I lived in the same house as, I’d probably go crazy. Not in the cute, amusing way Ripley and her children are either.

“Oh, no!”

What?!

“What if he doesn’t still love me?! What if I grow up ugly or something?!”

… I really don’t think you have anything to worry about, Hesper.

“Wow, I can literally feel the invisible force that prevented James T. and I from performing any romantic interactions retreating from my being.”

That’s nice, but you’re starting to sound like him. You’re not supposed to do that until you’ve been married for a while. Heck, Shark never did start to sound like Ripley or vice versa.

“This is a very good feeling.”

I’m glad for you. Unfortunately, I have to brave the new Mistress of Insults in order to give her a makeover. … Wait a minute… Can you hear me?

“We’re going to be so happy together, I just know it!”

Hellooooo!

“There’s that sound again. Weird.”

Oh, OK. It just seemed like she could hear me for a minute there. Total coincidence. Of course, this does mean that she’s developed a tendency to talk out loud to herself…

Having problems, Aura?

“Perhaps just a bit, LE.”

The Malevolence?

“It appears so, LE.”

Sending you to get a makeover will make it go away for a while, you know.

“Then do it!”

Not until you apologize.

“What?!”

You heard me.

“Oh… Fine! I am sorry that I called you unpleasant names and insulted your intelligence!”

Apology accepted!

“I feel… pretty.”

I’m glad you like it. Just please don’t break into song. (Now I have that song stuck in my head.) Except for the eyes, you look so much like your mother.

Aura invited Kenji (her Romantic Interest from prom) over, and he brought his mother and sisters along. Um… Oh kaaaaay. I know they live right across the street where the Bakers used to but… seriously.

Aura lost no time in asking him all of the pertinent questions. In spite of being watched by her soon-to-be in-laws. Awkward.

First kisses are so cute, don’t you think? I finally managed to get Kenji’s mother and sisters inside for this too.

What?! He rejected her first kiss?! What is wrong with him?! You are marrying that girl, mister; and you’re going to like it, understand? Aura may have grown up to be a pain, but she’s been waiting for thirteen days for this. For that matter, so have you and she’s gorgeous. This of course, brings me back to: What is wrong with you?! Stupid Kenji. If I was allowed to find Aura someone else, I’d be severely tempted to do so. Jerk.

Having an idiot for a Romantic Interest didn’t ruin Aura’s enjoyment (much) of her and Hesper’s graduation though. As you can see, poor James T. was very tired. His sleeping schedule is a bit more nocturnal since he can only safely spend significant amounts of time outside when it’s night. Thus the family vampire is past his bedtime at the moment.

“I am awesome!”

You did graduate with honors, though that was mostly thanks to my constantly having my Torch Holders tell you to do your homework. You’re not as awesome as Hesper, because she’s Valedictorian.

“Yes, but she was also voted Most Likely to be Mediocre.”

So? You were voted Most Likely to Offend Others, so I wouldn’t be too proud of yourself. (Obviously her classmates noticed her new trait too. Additionally, I’m sensing a pattern here. So far every single kid to graduate in this family, including Hesper, has gotten voted one of those two dubious distinctions.)

“I do not care. I am still awesome.”

As you say, Aura.

Aura: “I suddenly realized that I am also very hungry!”

Hesper: “Wow, Valedictorian. How’s that for a former figment?”

Aura: “Hesper, I believe that we should hurry home and make a very quick lunch.”

Hesper: “Now that you mention it, I couldn’t agree more.”

*sigh* Why didn’t you two feed yourselves before it was time to graduate? Nevermind, I know the answer to that question. Sims.

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To be continued. This chapter is a little shorter than I’ve been making them lately, but it was either a little short or horrifically long (for my uploading time). At any rate, let’s hope nothing goes wrong with my efforts to get the next chapter posted fairly quickly. Will I managed to get Aura married to Kenji, or will I give up in disgust? Will James T. and Hesper be as happy together as they think they will? What will prom be like for Crichton and Wiggles? Will they find love at the prom like everyone else? Find out next time! Thanks for reading!