The Callahan Life States Dynasty--Ch 61: Arrival in Sunset Valley 20 August

[Margerita]

I think it was just a mistake, but of course I don't know. I can't remember if Eerie Park is buyable, but if it is, I'm going to buy it just to fix that.

Eerie Park is buyable, it costs about 93k to buy it. To fully upgrade it you need to buy two swings, 4 outdoor grills and 4 picnic tables.
Not too expensive, but it depends on how much cash you have on hand.

[RainBeau]

Ah, thank you. Good to know. I prefer to know what is required for upgrade before I start since stuff depreciates in value every time you go back to Live Mode.

[RainBeau]

Chapter Three: Fairies, Vampires, and the Rules of (Gardening) Engagement

This guy keeps following Marjorie around. I would take advantage of this, but I know he is Mean Spirited and that does not attract me.


You didn't ask my opinion.
Oh, I'm sorry Marjorie. Did you want to marry the Mean-Spirited vampire?
Well, I wouldn't say he doesn't attract me, anyway. You didn't even let me meet him!
Don't worry, I have someone better in mind for you. His name is Martin Bertiger, and not only is he a vampire, he's Family-Oriented!
Ugh.
What's wrong with Family-Oriented?
It conflicts with Commitment Issues?
But he could help you raise your children!
CHILDREN?
Oh, heh heh. Didn't I mention that?
I need to read the fine print before I volunteer for these Dynasties.
Don't worry, you have a lot to do before you get to that stage of the requirements. Maybe you'll change your mind.
Hmmmph.

Marjorie does some exploring in the library.

Hmmm, what's this?

There's a secret room in here!
(Pay attention, this room will be important later.)
(Why are we whispering?)
Ahh! Never mind.

Poor Marjorie was travelling in the TAR LLAMA (I honestly forget that's what it's really called) and got cursed to be a Tragic Clown. She didn't let that keep her from skilling though!


Also in the library--Sophie Rodgers and Alfred Hoppcraft! I hope they fall in love, get married and have fairy babies.


Thanks to Marjorie's Inappropriate trait, she does not have to go home--or buy a shower--to fill her Hygiene need. Anywhere there's a sink, she can have a Sponge Bath! Usually it censors her, but she had just changed out of her Tragic Clown garb back to her normal fairy outfit.


As an Eco-Friendly Sim, Marjorie is uncomfortable taking the taxi everywhere. She finds this form of transport much more to her liking.


After a little study, Marjorie is ready to get her garden started!


...and give it a little "help".


Unfortunately, she's not very good at Bloom yet and so she created quite a lot of weeds. At least she gets some Gardening practise!


Further tries with Bloom yield better results.

I keep Bloomin' 'til the dayliiiight...


Marjorie takes a chance on a Jelly Bean and ends up feeling "Berry Blue" for a few hours. Side note: it took me forever to figure out why she is always wearing her sleepwear around. The downside of the Inappropriate trait. Sigh.


Garden's looking good, Marjorie! Those look like some mighty fine tomatoes!
Thank you thank you!


Oh no, what's this? Creepy music draws Marjorie out of her fairy house in the dead of night. She comes face to face with this individual:


She calls the police, and is surprised and pleased to see that...

...there is equal-opportunity representation in the local law enforcement officers! The burglar, however, is not pleased and "gets away this time"--fortunately leaving Marjorie none the less as far as possessions.

Author Notes
So, what do you think? Tell me how you like the longer format, number of screenshots, whatever. This is my first ever forum story and I need audience feedback! Also, I don't know about having the characters' dialogue in italics. I don't want to type "Marjorie" out before every line of dialogue, but simply putting it in italics is not going to work when I have multiple characters.

[Phantome-A]

Oh burglars are such a pain. I always forget to put alarms in my sims homes...actually that reminds me I haven't put one on my dynasty house haha. I hope they didn't take anything too important.

[RainBeau]

Luckily, a) There was basically nothing much to take, since I have the aforementioned wonderfully inexpensive fairy Founder, and b) I remembered not to ignore random creepy music in the middle of the night and woke up Marjorie in time to put a stop to the robbery. Now that you mention it, I forgot a burglar alarm as well. I have a Bonehilda though and I'm pretty sure she doubles as an alarm.

[Phantome-A]

Does she? Well that's good because every time I play I forget to add it.

[RainBeau]

Apparently, it hasn't happened for me yet but I've heard she comes out and kicks burglar butt.

[simfulicious]

Ombra-
I absolutely love your story just the way it is.  As for the italics, instead of writing out their whole names later, you could just use their initials if you need to.

[RainBeau]

Aww, thanks simfulicious! That means a lot. And you know what, you're right. I just did a run-through of their names in my head--no repeated initials! Thank you!

[RainBeau]

Chapter Four: Hospitality

There's a strange man in my house!


Well, when you park your house in random public place, you may get some people taking advantage of your hospitality.

Branch Timbley: Oh, excuse me, ma'am! I thought this was one of those public fairy houses.
Marjorie: He called me ma'am! I'm too young to be a ma'am!


M (thinking): He's no vampire, but as a best friend he might do very nicely.


So they bond as only fairies can--with a little Fairy Frolic.
(indistinct squeaking noises)


After some time hanging out, Branch and Marjorie retire to the inside of Aleister's Elixirs. Branch to the Alchemy station, Marjorie to the restroom.

Note the little boy sitting on the floor doing his homework. That's Gator Wolff, and as you can see he has aged up to child. This is about Week 1 or Week 2.

Marjorie sees poor starving Consignment Specialist Megan Rumpp, and being the Good soul she is, blows Fairy Dust she acquired from Branch on her, hoping that it will help somehow.


Marjorie has expanded, very slightly. She still doesn't need much more than her garden and fairy house, but she keeps popping wishes to joy ride on her broomstick, so I got her an arena after she wished for her very own.


That night as she tends her garden (as usual, in her sleepwear) someone else is taking advantage of her hospitality, but on her own lot this time!


 

[Silverbella]

Darn fairy freeloaders 

[sdhoey]

This is so cute.. I love the fairies. I can't wait to play one.

[RainBeau]

Darn fairy freeloaders 

Heehee. I don't mind, I actually find it pretty entertaining. Marjorie is the one who really gets bothered by it.

This is so cute.. I love the fairies. I can't wait to play one.

Thanks They are so fun! Even toddler fairies are cool.

Chapter Five: 5,000 Point Prize

Marjorie, at some point that I can't remember anymore, went to Commonwealth Court and signed up as a self-employed gardener. In this picture you can see her profits from the consignment shop. I am so thrilled that the elixir shop is open 24/7.


Aaaand...ladies and gentlemen, may I present Marjorie Callahan's first 5,000 point wish! Show 'em what you wished, Marjorie!
(quiz show voice) I wished to master Gardening!
Let's look behind curtain #1 and see if she achieved that wish!

Oh, bravo! Congratulations, Marjorie.

Meanwhile, a word from our sponsors.
This dog wants you to know that Marjorie is indeed a fairy. He came from a long way to ascertain this.


As you can see from this picture, Marjorie's garden is expanding again. She has a couple of rows of Special seeds planted over there at the upper left. Fingers crossed for some Life plants and Money trees!


Marjorie took some time out to spend time with a magical animal friend. Before you get too excited, no, a unicorn will not be joining the household at this time. Marjorie is far too absorbed in my gardening to care for pets now.


She has a wish to learn fishing, so she can better fertilise her plants. Here she is catching a prize Goldfish!


Marjorie needs a best friend, and she's not in the mood to work for one.
That's what the elixir shop is for.


She met this handsome stranger at the elixir shop while on a consignment run. He impressed her with his dancing.


She had a wish to find out his sign.


Yay, they have the same sign! Compatible!


So she asks the next obvious question.


And...he turns out to be married to the blonde in the corner. *Sigh* Ah well.

[RainBeau]

Chapter Six: What I've Been Waiting For!

Yes! There he is! Finally! I've been looking for him for ages!

...and it shows 

Ummm, this is who, exactly?
I think that should be whom, but don't quote me on that.
Quit correcting my grammar and answer the question.
This, my dear Marjorie, is the Family-Oriented vampire I told you about! Meet Martin Bertiger.
Oh. Yuck.
Hey, he's also Brooding, Friendly, and Artistic. I wanted him to paint portraits for you.
Well, he's all icky and old now! Not to mention a zombie...
I can fix all that! You just need to meet him so you can invite him over, and eventually ask him to move in and marry him.
Uh huh.
Only problem is, he's a zombie.
Um yeah, I did mention that!
I don't know how to interact with a zombie. Maybe he has to attack you.
Please no!
Okay, then go ask Branch for some Fairy Dust. I have a plan.
I'm a bit scared when you say that...

Hey Branch, buddy, could I possibly borrow some Fairy Dust? My Watcher wants me to marry an old zombie vampire.
Nice, Marjorie. Really gets a scope for the whole situation.
Hey, I'm just telling it like it is.
Branch: Uhhh...what?

Pleeeease, Branch, she won't stop bugging me.
B: Okay, sure, Marjorie...
Awww thanks Branch, you're a pal!
B: You're welcome?

Okay, now just...throw it on him or something. I read on Carl's Guide that Fairy Dust cures zombies.
Oookaaay.

Branch looks on with interest.

Martin walks off, thinking about his odd experience...

...and then disappears.

Wow, he's really the life of the party.
Wait, what?! Where...where did he go? WHAT?
(brightly) Looks like he doesn't like me!
Noooo...(checking Marjorie's relationship panel) He's not here!
(smugly) I guess we never were properly introduced.
Awww man! I've been waiting for you to meet him for weeks and he shows up on your lot and then he's not even in your relationship panel!
Hey, it's not my fault! I did everything you said!
No, I know. I just never tried to meet a zombie before. This is new territory for me.
It's okay. I'm sure I'll meet someone eventually.
And I'm sure you don't mind waiting.
Well...

Hey, Branch, you really came in for me when I needed you there. Like my...white knight, or something. Thanks for that.
B: Sure, no problem, Marjorie.


And here you are, folks...even more creepy and stalkery than any zombie...the ice cream van that shows up at three in the morning!


So, with no old zombie vampires to plague her, Marjorie returns to her one and only love--her garden.

...while the creepy ice cream van looks on.


Author's Notes
This was incredibly frustrating! He was right there, in my grasp! Martin Bertiger is a homeless townie, so he's hard to track down. If I'd been planning ahead, I would have had Marjorie run around joining rabbithole careers until he was bound to turn up as a co-worker, but unfortunately I didn't think of that until she was already halfway through the Gardener career.  So it was hit or miss, and more miss than hit. Martin is the only vampire in Moonlight Falls that wasn't Evil or Mean-Spirited or Dislikes Children.

[TheTripWasInfraGreen]

Is Tristan van Gould still around? His traits are decent (unless he aged up with a bad one), and he's not too bad looking either.