@PeregrineTook I'm glad you're enjoying the silliness of this story.
@MarianT Moss aged up with Creativity at Level 2.94 and (I don't know if it matters) but the sim who "encouraged" Moss has L10 Painting. Also, he has a Book of Life which another adult could read for him.
@FrancescaFiori I was so upset about Salim's haggling failures! The first time, I thought it was just a mistake but Marcus Flex shut him down as well. I will never use Haggle again, lol.
I never hated Eva Capricciosa's snooty walk as much as when she walked away from the produce stall. Lol.
@Alex If you're looking for the last four rare MySims trophies, your will need to visit Sixam, except Carl is also sold at the flea market. Whatever I'm looking for, though, that is exactly what I have trouble finding!
@wfgodot The Social Butterfly aspiration's final tier includes a "Make friends with 3 children" goal which doesn't count children one's sim already knows (like siblings).
After a while, children become scarce without a pollinator. Even so, it's always easier to get friendly with someone you live with, right?
I could see if the produce vendors refused to haggle with a mean sim, but c'mon…Salim?
And yeah, Yumiko's really attractive now, as long as she's not eating…
@NexttoNormal About the requirements, I'm pushing my sims to get them done quickly. Since it's the first generation, I have no idea of how long they'll take to complete. I tried a retail shop for my legacy, though, and I must say that the Dine Out option is more fun!
Oh I love your little Petrucchio and can't wait to see him as a teen, pursuing his older love interest. The difficulty with Yuki is that she's in an active household now so she's ageing. That's one incentive for getting the heir out quickly, I guess.
@Whirligig Thank you for reading! My Rival Dynasties challenge is more of a two-dimensional Let's Play series than a story *feels ashamed.
But something I learned in Week 2 of the second household: Three consecutive toddlers are easier to raise than one set of twins, lol. There was a moment where I distinctly disliked Murasaki Mori who was constantly sad and mopey.
Week 2 with the Mori's (Part I)
Sunday
On arriving back at the Mori residence, we find everyone wandering around the house so they are immediately sent to bed. In the morning...
Candy: Thanks for changing into your party outfit for this portrait. And sorry for asking you to pose for a second portrait. The first one didn't come out well.
Shota: Oddly, I preferred the first portrait but it's worth less. I'm still uncertain whether we should be prioritizing museum value or speed for this challenge.
Candy: Well, probably both, if possible.
Shota: Now that my portrait is done, Watchette builds us a small museum behind the house.
Also, wfgodot--champion of the underdog--will be happy to know that the helpers now share a first-floor bedroom!
Shota: The museum looks so empty now but, hopefully, not for long! I realize this morning that all the collections should be decided in advance.
Since this house can't be edited once Murasaki moves out, we need to figure out how large this museum needs to be.
No doubt, we'll need a subterranean room, too. Argggh, it's like doing math!
Shota: We all head to Mimsy's Cottage Café for a light brunch before I leave for work. It has an impressive exterior.
I'm surprised at how crowded it is. But let's face it, folks. Mimsy's Cottage Cafe an't got nothing on Dem Butlers Café! Yeah, that's what I've named it.
Yeah, I know, the name lacks originality but I can't just keep calling it "my café, right?
Candy: We all enjoy this outing immensely. Tamari is shocked to discover a bathroom in her own pale blond color scheme.
Summer: I've been taken off the easel and turned into an unpaid 24/7 nanny.
Murasaki: It could be worse, you know. You could be in one of those dynasties where you fish from morning to night!
Liberty: I'm so glad that it's just us geeks over here fishing.
Travis: Summer and her dumb perky walk. She's too much!
Liberty: We hardly ever go fishing but it's all about the collections, amirite?
Yuki: As if we geeks would even let Summer chill with us! We be the cool folks!
And by the way, how can we be the anime-obsessed niche nerds without a TV!? Sheesh!
After more thought, I think your lineage should be into cosplay since you "perform" in the service industry. More about that later!
Summer: Can you believe the nerve of those three? Just because they share the geek trait, they think it's okay to diss me!
Murasaki (in purple): Hey Tamari! Is Auntie Summer ever gonna read to us or just sit there and complain?
Liberty: Yuki, that's not a safe place for you to be reading! Don't you know that Travis went up in the….yeah.
Candy: Well, you're looking pretty pleased with yourself, dear.
Shota: Of course, I am. The Mori lineage is rocking this rivalry!
Candy: No, we're not! The Benjaminz have an ex-gardener Scientist and two Bestselling Authors!
And Moss, the heir, is already done with his childhood requirements. Meanwhile, our Murasaki still hasn't maxed Potty!
Shota: Calm down, Candy. You're with me! It's only Sunday evening. We'll catch up and take over!
Monday
Shota: Today, I caved and hired a nanny to help Summer out with the girls.
Tamari won't be the heir, but it doesn't feel right to neglect her, even if she's independent.
Liberty: Why is the nanny named Yumiko Murakami, the same as my lab co-worker? I'm rethinking our friendship since she became a vampire, though.
Liberty: Hey, Travis! I'm glad you joined the dark side. Lookin' good in your lab coat.
Travis: Not as stylish as you, Liberty!
Candy: Ugh, those two are such…geeks.
Liberty: So why did you join the Scientist career?
Travis: Watchette made me join cuz you're taking forever. You have tons of points. Why start at Level 1?
Liberty: I don't know. That first week was pretty hectic. Let's earn one more promotion then quit together!
Murasaki: How you doing, Tamari?
Tamari: Not bad. I need to max Potty then I'll be a Happy Toddler.
M: Oh, me, too! Hey, how are your skill levels as high as mine? As the Mori heir, the adults are constantly teaching me but you're often alone.
T: I'm independent, remember? I can learn by myself, too!
Tuesday
Tamari: It's funny watching Uncle Travis while his eyes are closed, huh?
Murasaki: Yeah, they don't even know! Let's go watch Auntie Liberty meditating next!
After breakfast and potty, the girls walk all over the lot, watching the other sims.
This is my new favorite way of skilling Thinking and Movement. And they don't get angry like they sometimes do with the blocks and flash cards.
Shota: At 11 am, I open Dem Butlers Café from home, then head over with Candy and Summer.
I'd spent some time here last night, adding landscaping and more seating: a table for four indoors plus two tables for two on the outdoor patio.
And yes, I realize that the knight statue and palm tree look out of place on the café patio. But hey, they have environment ratings of +10 and +4, respectively.
Dang, our new waitress is rocking the maid's uniform! Our three-hour lunch session adds a half star to our café's rating!
At first, the diners' attraction to the new tables mystified me. Then, I remembered!
The original tables have affordable Comfort +3 chairs. The new tables have overpriced Comfort +7 chairs.
Shota: We open again for dinner at 6 pm. Again, I bring Candy and Summer along.
After we're done with the initial "Welcome," "Check on table," and "Prioritize food" socials, I send them both home to skill. *cracks whip
Marcus Flex and his bearded companion are the last remaining diners.
Two hours after finishing his meal, Marcus literally runs out on his bill. What a jerk!
His bearded friend stays several hours longer. Despite lusting deeply for his 5-star review, I give up at 2:45 am and close the restaurant. Scammers!
Nevertheless, the dinner session adds another half star. Dem Butlers Café is now a 3-star establishment!
Wednesday
Shota: My nephew Shinya had the perfect nanny when he raised those seven toddlers. We've not been so lucky. I'm planning to fire her when I get off this treadmill.
Candy: Seriously, Shota. That hussy spends more time watching you then watching our girls!
But, honey, maybe add a tank top to your athletic outfit? And long sweat pants? Just sayin'…
Shota: I'm very suspicious about that Benjaminz family! They've dined here every single day that Dem Butlers has been open for business.
Do they come here for the fine cuisine and ambiance? Or do they just come here to leave their 3-star ratings?
Are they just throwing obstacles in my path as I strive to achieve a 5-star rating? I'm not fooled by their friendly smiles!
Shota: Marcus Flex returns with a friend for lunch today and vindicates himself with a 5-star review.
Okay, I forgive you this time, but I've got my eye on you!
Shota: Between the lunch and dinner sessions, I go home to play with the girls, have a meal, then take a quick nap.
Shota: We're closing this update with an image of you-know-who in her new party outfit. Watchette so adores this sim!
After tonight's dinner session, Dem Butlers Café has a 3.5-star rating with a resale value of $95,057.
Liberty and Travis: We quit our Scientists jobs tonight, so only Shota and Candy are working now.
Shota: But we're both off tomorrow so let's all focus on the twins and finding more collectibles!
