@oshizu Don't give up on Akira. I think it's a bug, but in coming chapters the baby daddy makes it known he is not content with just being the baby daddy, with very interesting (to me, anyway) results. It's been a strange weekend of play, for sure.
Poor Omar. And yes, Pranav was my second choice for Cressida's Dad, so I think he's feeling himself a bit.
Toddler Cressida coming up!
@wfgodot My plan is to have Cressida complete her own set of requirements. I just barely have enough options left that she can still do her own unique accomplishments, which, in turn, makes me feel like I'm still making my own accomplishment, so everybody's happy.
I still want to bring Mal back to help with the Grand Finale, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.
You're right that I'm the right age for Mr. Wendal, but unfortunately I spent the majority of the nineties listening exclusively to show tunes, so this was my first listen. It's awesome, though, so thank you for telling me about it. Wendall thanks you, too, and is very flattered to be associated with such a sweet track.
I'll try to put more of him in for you.
Angelfish do seem to be flowing better these days. Now my issue is Potions of Youth. *sigh*
It took me forever to figure out terrain paints, but now I'm addicted. My next dynasty is going to look awesome.
@HelenP Thank you! I'm so glad you giggled! It's all about the little moments, really.
Chapter 98: To Serve and Not Be Served
Wendell: Oh, gosh! What’s this? A book someone carelessly left on a surface for more than half a second. Well, I’d better just sweep this away without asking right now! Hmm, “To Serve and Not Be Served.” A secret buttering book, eh? Fascinating.
Salma: Oh, no! Ummm. That’s sort of . . . classified. I could get in big trouble. But, of course, if you’re interested, Master Wendell, by all means enjoy.
Wendell: Oh, I plan to.
Salma: Fool. Obviously any good butler has a spare copy. He doesn’t even know the one he stole is the second edition. Fortunately I have the third and latest edition right here.
Watcher: Sheesh, man. When did you switch from soulful eyes to sarcastic eyes? That is one champion eyeroll you’ve got going on there.
Thaddeus: When I gave birth to a beautiful baby out of my own man body and realized I am a total super hero.
Watcher: Can’t argue with that.
Thaddeus: Hey, you! Thanks for coming! It’s so good to see you.
Akira: Good to see you, too, man. I’ve missed you. How are you holding up?
Thaddeus: Surprisingly well. All of my various parts seem to have snapped back into the places they were before, so physically I’m great.
Akira: I’ll say. Can I see her?
Thaddeus: Yeah! Of course! Come on up!
Thaddeus: What do you think? We did okay, right?
Akira: She’s gorgeous. Oh, Thad, she’s perfect!
Thaddeus: She’s due for a nap, though, can we talk out in the hall?
Akira: Oh, yeah. For sure.
Thaddeus: Mmmm. Okay. Wow. That was nice. We should probably stop doing that now, though.
Akira: Whatever for?
Thaddeus: Oh, well, um . . . here’s the thing. I’m married. Those few days where we didn’t see each other? I was getting married. To Rieko! My high school sweetheart.
Akira: You’ve got to be joking.
Thaddeus: Well, no, I mean. That was always the plan. I need to complete Soul Mate because we are way down on Potions of Youth right now and Rieko and I already have a good relationship. She couldn’t be the father of my baby, of course, so that’s where you came in, and you did a bang up job, for sure, but I don’t feel super-great about having a wife and a boyfriend so . . .
Akira: Unbelievable.
Thaddeus: Yeah, I mean, it’s not exactly a traditional situation but-
Akira: You dynasty jerks. You don’t care who you hurt, do you?
Thaddeus: Wait . . . what?
Akira: So you just used me. I was just a new species of pollinator. And now, what? I just get brushed off to the side and you go on with your life like nothing happened?
Thaddeus: But I thought you knew . . .?
Akira: That I was nothing to you? Just a solution to a problem?
Thaddeus: Wait a minute, what happened to super-power-level chill? You were so easy-going about all the craziness with my Mom, and my Grandma and . . my other Grandma . . ..and my ghost grandma.
Akira: Because I’m in love with you, Thad. I love you and I wanted to be with you. I know it was fast, but most relationships are around here, and frankly when you know, you know. And I knew. At least, I thought I did . . .
Thaddeus: Akira . . .
Akira: It’s Akito! Wow, dude. You can’t even get my name right? You had a baby with a dude whose name you don’t know?
Watcher: Whoops! Sorry, man! That is totally my bad.
Thaddeus: Akito . . .I. I’m sorry.
Akito: Sure you are. Whatever. I’m out of here.
Thaddeus: Hey! Um. Wait. Can I . . . I hate to ask, but I have to go back to work soon, and my family is really tied up with fishing right now. Do you think I could call you to babysit Cressida sometimes? You wouldn’t necessarily have to see me at all, and-
Akito: Thad! Man, you really don’t get it, do you? It’s not babysitting when it’s your own kid. That little girl is just as much my daughter as she is yours, and yes, I will be taking care of her as much as possible. And you won’t have to call, okay? I’ll already be here.
Thaddeus: What do you mean?
Akito: You’ll find out soon enough.
Watcher: Do you want to talk about it?
Thaddeus: My awesome new work uniform, or the fact that you’ve completely screwed up my life and turned me into an awful person?
Watcher: Well, either, I guess.
Thaddeus: No. No, I don’t. Let’s call Rieko. I need to get this Soul Mate thing over with.
Watcher: I really appreciate your willingness-
Thaddeus: Don’t. Just don’t.
Watcher: Okay. I’m sorry about-
Thaddeus: I said don’t!
Thaddeus: Hey, Rieko! Thanks for coming-
Rieko: Race you to the sauna!
Thaddeus: Nice to see you, too.
Thaddeus: He’s behind me, isn’t he?
Watcher: Well, yeah. He’s back there. He seems to be around a lot, lately.
Thaddeus: Everything just feels weird and wrong now.
Watcher: I know, buddy. Let’s give it time. Something will shake itself out.
Thaddeus: Well, if there’s one thing we’ve got right now, it’s time.
Thaddeus: So, I’m going to go ahead and not answer the door.
Watcher: That is an amazing plan. You know, I was really mad when Salma just dropped that pile of garbage on the threshold, but it seems she was actually implementing an impenetrable vampire-deterrent system.
Thaddeus: He can’t get past the trash?
Watcher: It would seem not. He’s leaving now. Who knew? Garbage is the new garlic.
Arianna: Dang it, Salma! When we put “care for children” back on your list of responsibilities, we didn’t mean, “care for children in the middle of the night when everyone is trying to sleep.”
Thaddeus: So, hey! Um. Good to see you!
Akito: Sure.
Thaddeus: Umm, what’s the occasion?
Akito: My daughter lives here. I don’t need an occasion.
Thaddeus: Right! Sure! Of course! Um . . . out of curiosity, how long were you planning to stay?
Akito: I haven’t decided yet.
Thaddeus: Okay. No problem. Make yourself at home.
Akito: I plan to.
Thaddeus: Cool cool. Very cool.
Akito: Yup.
Watcher: Dang it, Salma! That’s it! You are fired from attending to minors!
Morris: Happy Birthday, little one!
Cressida: Birfday!
Morris: Yes, very good! Clever little child. Shall we put that cleverness to use and do some flash cards?
Cressida: Sit the potty!
Morris: Yes, that’s right. FLASH CARDS. That’s what Grampa Morris wants to do with you.
Cressida: G-Mor!
Morris: Yes! I am the first one to have a cute Grampa nickname! G-Mor it is!
Cressida: Sit da potty, G-Mor!
Morris: Yes! Flash cards!
Morris: So, this one appears to be a bear. Do you know what the bear says?
Cressida: Sit da potty.
Morris: That’s right, “Grrrrr.”
Morris: Okay. *sigh* I give. Let’s sit da potty.
Cressida: Iss okay, G-Mor. Wet’s go! Sit da potty!
Morris: You’re a very cute little button, you know that?
Cressida: Button!
Morris: Come on, button. Let’s do this, and then I think you need a nap.
Cressida: Stowy!
Morris: I have no problem with that.
Morris: And that’s a very basic recipe for bruschetta. When you wake up I’ll show you the safety paring knife I got you and we’ll read, “M is for Mise en Place.”
Thaddeus: Oh, hey! You just missed her. Grampa Morris is reading her to sleep.
Akito: Can I go in? I just want to see her.
Thaddeus: Of course! You can hang out until she wakes up if you want. And help yourself to whatever’s in the fridge.
Akito: Okay. Thanks.
Akito: Hey, baby girl. Don’t worry. I know things are weird right now, but Daddy’s going to figure it out, I promise. Somehow, I’m going to fix it.
Akito: Wow. We’re both a mess. How did that happen?
Cressida: Dancing! Dancing puddle!
Arianna: Whew! Well, I’ll say one thing for him, the guy's a dedicated father.
