@FrancescaFioriWeek 2 with the Benjaminz did start out chaotically but everything sorted out rather nicely by the end of the week. You've started an RDC--do you not find the switching difficult as well?
I've avoided playing Akira so far as well. Besides being jealous, his default skills aren't that great, either. But I was so moved by his devotion to Akiko as a baby daddy. I used the BFFs in one of my failed IDC attempts and was put off by Travis' odd body shape, which even exercise couldn't remedy. But I love sims who clean autonomously, so Travis is a keeper, lol.
I have to confess, I never imagined I'd enjoy these green sims so much! I just hope the skintone persists!( Please check out Moss in his party outfit on the Stats page…)
@MarianTI'm so enjoying this challenge now that I've actually taken the plunge.
It's hard to resist maxing out the household yet I'm still getting used to the challenge rules, toddlers, and vampires, so I hope I won't seem as frazzled as time passes.
I was so excited when the Team announced the early age-up option, and yet it's hard to break the habit of trying to "complete everything" before moving on.
@wfgodotMy fluster at the start of Week 2 with the Benjaminz was very real but I was also playing it for laughs, because this challenge is so different from how I've become used to playing.
To be honest, I make the same lame forgetful mistakes during extended gameplay without switching. Like, I'll lock everyone out of the computer room for a party then later wonder why a sim won't complete his daily programming task. (Although forgetting that I'd had Liberty Lee join the Scientist career was just dumb...lol)
It's not too late to have a Benali half-sibling! Replace your butler with Salim, lol.
@PeregrineTookThank you for enjoying the head-bobbing. Sometimes I worry if my silly visual puns are just too old. You are wise to explore the Vampire GP first and I'm so excited to hear that I'll soon be reading about your vampires making absurdly witty conversations. I actually play-tested toddlers instead of vampires before staring my RDC, so I still have a lot to learn about vampires but it's been super fun so far.
Week 2 with the Benjaminz (Part II)
Thursday
And here's Moss Benjamin, our next heir, looking pensive and philosophical as he reflects on an age-old question.
Moss: Boxers or briefs?
Jade: Around 7 am, I try to buy something from Buy Mode but get an error message: "You can't do that while a sim is turning into a vampire."
Salim: A vampire? Who? Everyone in our household is indoors, except Yumiko. Oh no!
Jade: Psych! She's just over the by the rocks, singing. (What's with all the singing lately?)
Ulrike: Nearly 3 hours later, we discover the source of the earlier message! A blond woman near the edge of our neighborhood seems to have recently transformed.
She's standing in the sun and seems to be burning up. I'm not sure what the mouth icon means.
Is she angry or hungry?
That blond vampire is obviously Diego's main squeeze, the ex-forest ranger Yumiko Watanabe.
Not to be confused with Yumiko Murakami, the ex-gardener who lives with the Benjaminz.
Awwww, we missed seeing her transformation!
Moss: We spend a few hours at Desert Bloom Park, which is my first trip away from home, I think.
Playing the violin suits me perfectly, don't you think? This has got to be one of my unique skills!
I know that the household expects me to eventually settle down with Ulrike's daughter, Akiko.
Tonight, however, I had the most fascinating encounter with an older woman.
Yes, I know that I'm just a child and Yuki is a teen, still…does this challenge let me have a secondary spouse?
Jade: Yuki's so cute and she's got skillz, too, but I've also got my eye on Morgan Fyres and her family.
Friday
Yumiko: I'd thought I wouldn't have to come to the Lab anymore.
Newcrest is a resource-poor neighborhood, so gathering crystals and metals there takes forever.
Yumiko: Well, lucky you, today is Collection Day at the Lab.
Yumiko ends up with 18 MySims capsules and just a few metals and crystals. The game is laughing at me!
Yumiko: So, Watchette, I'd rather quit this career unless there's some science object you really want.
This afternoon, I witness a terrifying sight! At first, I think it might just be stomach pains.
But my co-worker, named Reiko Fujita, floats into the air and transforms into a vampire.
Will she try to compel me to feed her at work?
Salim: There you go, Bessie! Nice and easy.
What are you doing, Yumiko?
Yumiko: What does it look like? I'm trying to lose some of the weight I've gained lately.
It's crept up so gradually and then, bam! I look in the mirror and see a whale! It's too sad.
You know, I really appreciate everything you've been doing around here, skill-object hog or not.
You grafted those dragonfruit plants, you invent science objects, and you craft camping mascots. I have a little present for you to show our gratitude, Yumiko!
Saturday
Ulrike: Akiko maxes her last two skills, Imagination and Communication, while we play with dolls together.
Ulrike: Since we switch households tonight around midnight, everyone in the house is super busy.
That's why I quietly age up my Top-Notch Toddler on my own. Congrats, Akiko!
You look fantastic, Yumiko!
Yumiko: Thanks for the Insta-Lean potion, Watchette, even though I'm pretty sure you used my points to buy it.
At the Romance Festival in San Myshuno's Fashion District…
Moss: Hi, Akiko. Happy birthday! Funny that we're not even friends!
Akiko: Yeah, I feel like I've been skilling non-stop throughout my toddler days. Well, except while I was asleep.
Moss: So, I have the Cheerful trait. What about you?
Akiko: Oh, I have the Creative trait. Can we not be friends until I'm doing Social Butterfly?
Salim: I've been looking around San Myshuno this evening in search of that produce stall.
We just came from the Romance Festival but only roses and daisies were harvestable there.
And I find the produce stall at last! I try haggling for the first time.
Can you believe the vendor wordlessly closed shop and left?
I leave and return to find the produce stall staffed by Marcus Flex.
Again, I try haggling. Again, he wordlessly closes shop and leaves.
Why have a "Haggle" option at all if it's such a bust? Sheesh!
My third trip to this produce stall this evening! I don't even bother to haggle and just buy what I need.
I get home at 7 pm just as Jade returns home from work.
We need to plant these seeds in a hurry so we can make the best use of our remaining hours this week.
Jade: First, I throw a dinner party. Do you know Liberty Lee? I met her when Salim and I had lunch at the café where she works.
I'm not sure why she's wearing her maid outfit to my party, though.
I assigned the Mori household's café uniforms as their second party outfits. I guess she prefers her maid outfit now.
Jade: No, no, Ulrike. The party goal is "Mix 3 drinks." You're not supposed to drink them!
It's hard to get a decent party shot of Yumiko, because she's a glutton.
The hostess decides she doesn't need to change out of her work clothes.
Jade: After earning a gold medal, I immediately phone in a house party with the same guests.
I complete my three-parties requirement at the very end of the second week.
Progress on Requirements
Jade has two left: (1) to max Master of the Real career (currently Level 7) and (2) to complete Mansion Baron (need to boost home's worth to $350K).
Moss earned the Top-Notch Toddler trait. As a child, he completed Artistic Prodigy in one day and is eligible for ageing up.
We are waiting, however, until he completes Social Butterfly first.
All in all, the Benjaminz made very satisfying progress during their second week!
