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

[RainBeau]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention the van Goulds. They immediately moved out of town, pretty soon after I started. I guess they conceded Moonlight Falls to the Wolffs!

[Louise56]

If show up again as a zombie try and throw the' jar of friendship' on him. I'm not sure if it will work but it is worth a try. I love your story, fairies are so cute.

[RainBeau]

Thank you Louise, and welcome to the forum!

I never thought of that, that is actually quite a good idea. Unfortunately I am way ahead of the story in my game, trying to catch the story up, so I cannot follow your advice. I do however want to try it out and see if you can throw elixirs on zombies. Since my game was started before the zombie patch, I always have a few zombies on hand.

[RainBeau]

Chapter Seven: Lucky Number Seven

Lucky number seven! Especially in this dynasty. I'm sensing good things for Marjorie...

While haunting the Toadstool, looking for a suitable vampire mate, Marjorie sees this lovely lady playing the guitar.


Or maybe not so lovely! Dreamer Ivy, what happened to you?

I use Marjorie's new LLAMA at home to send her to consign her produce at the elixir shop. As it turns out, Sims don't automatically change their clothes to use the LLAMA like they would to drive somewhere. She arrives in her usual sleepwear, still crying over some dear departed plant.

Alas, poor Wolfsbane, I know him well...
This display prompts Megan Rumpp to openly point and laugh at poor mourning Marjorie. This is the first time I have noticed anyone realistically reacting to her wearing sleepwear in public.

How rude! See if I try to save her life again!

Later on that night, Marjorie decides to try the Red Velvet Lounge as her "hunting grounds." It only makes sense to look for vampires at a vampire lounge, right? She helps herself to a drink at the bar. (There is no proper professional bar, despite this being a vampire lounge. I expect this is due to not all Supernatural players having Late Night. It makes sense. At this point, I vow to purchase and fix the Red Velvet Lounge when Marjorie can afford it.)

Mysterious Guy wearing a nice suit at the bar: Well, if that fairy isn't as pretty as a picture!

I just realised, I'm so lonely! Also, he's handsome.


Marjorie has a 500-point wish to Meet Zack Durwood (he's a celebrity), so even though he's not a vampire, I decide to indulge her.
Wow, it is so nice to meet you!
Zack: The pleasure is all mine.


But now she needs to impress him, and she knows nothing about him.
Time to talk to the paparazzi!
M: Hi, I'm Marjorie, nice to meet you.
Alice: Hello, I'm Alice.

M: So what do you do for a living?
Alice: Oh, I follow stars around, take their pictures, and let the world know what they're doing all the time.
(beat)

M: They pay people to be annoying?
(awkward pause)
M: Oh well. So, do you have any info on my man Zack here?

(a few minutes later)
M: So, is being unemployed the best or what? No responsibilities, free to do whatever you want?
Zack: Wow, yeah, how did you know I was unemployed?


Success! Well done, Marjorie, you impressed him!

M: So, what do you do for a living?
Zack looks at her blankly, clearly confused.


Agh, making friends is so difficult!
I'm sure for an Inappropriate Sim such as yourself, it really is.
Good thing I laid in a stock of these best-friend elixirs at the elixir shop!

Befriended Celebrity Zack Durwood. Good job, Marjorie.

She pops a wish to kiss Zack for the first time.

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Marjorie! Are you sure he's the guy for you? Let's meet some other people first, yeah?
Here's a likely-looking fellow!

M: (shrugging) Ehh.
Ah, just introduce yourself, there's a good girl.
M: Hi, I'm Marjorie. Whatever.
Fernando: Um, hi?
Okay, fine, I get it, you want Zack.
Oooh please, can I have him?
All right, okay, sure, fine, whatever you want.
Yaaay!

But before she can do anything else, this happens.


Hey, that's Rick Lugosi! He haunted our lot as a zombie, do you remember?

M: I wish to resurrect Rick Lugosi.
Wow, I didn't know you were such pals. Sorry, kid. Not only are you incapable of resurrecting him in any way right now, it's against Dynasty rules. Unfortunately, because that is a big honkin' 10,000 point wish.
Zack: Aww, poor guy. Boy, I sure am hungry.
Such sympathy. It's really quite stirring.

M: Hey baby, what's your sign?
This is too funny, what a question to ask when someone just died and you're standing right next to both the Grim and the guy's sister. (Not Rick's, Zack's. That is a grown-up Zoe Durwood.) Note that Grim is also disappointed that there is no real bar.


Apparently Zack feels this is not a conversation he wants to have right now. Either that or he's given up on the Red Velvet Lounge providing him with any kind of food.


M: Wait for me!

It looks like she caught him.

Zoe: Wow. Can we just go home already? Now I'm hungry.

M: you really brightened my night.
Zack: I'm so glad to have you as a new friend.
Zoe: Blah, blah, blah! Too much talking, not enough leaving!


M: Hey, I just met you, and this is crazy, but I really like you, want to move in with me?
Not cool, Marjorie. You know I don't like that song, and now you've gone and got it stuck in all of our heads. And your words didn't even rhyme!

Bigger picture, Rosa! He said yes!

Author's Notes
There you are, folks! We have secured a spouse for Marjorie! Well, not a spouse exactly. They're not married yet. But, a spousal prospect.
Anyway, I'm trying to figure out how to change the topic on the board so you can see when I update. I know other people's dynasties have that feature--Rica's, Phantome-A's, InfraGreen's--but I don't think mine does, and I want my readers to know when there's a new chapter! Any hints? Or does mine show the new title?

[saltpastillen]

You have to modify the title of your first post - ex The Callahan Life States Dynasty updated YYY

I do it after each update, it takes a little time, but helps the readers.

[RainBeau]

Ahh thank you saltpastillen! I will change it right away!

[Gogowars329]

You actually are allowed to resurrect a ghost, but only if you are using them as a spouse.

[RainBeau]

Ahh yes, but in this case Marjorie made her feelings pretty clear--Rick had no chance against Zack

[RainBeau]

Chapter Eight: The Arrival of Zack

And so it was that Zack did move into the house, and behold, he did wish for a fridge, because there had been none before.

Yea and lo, his wish was verily granted.

Then he did wish to join the Medical career, and that too was granted.


Yea, and he did begin to read the books of Logic, that he might unlock their secret wisdom.


He did go and seek his fortune at the Gypsy Caravan, that he might know the secrets of the future.


And then behold, the Watcher saw that he was Naughty, for he did have a girlfriend before Marjorie kissed him.

Zack: Uh oh.
Yeah, uh oh! You better get rid of her before Marjorie finds out! She will not be happy, let me tell you.

Zack calls his girlfriend to meet him at Eerie Park. Little does she know why or that her heart is about to be broken.


While he waits for her to show up, he takes advantage of a picnic that he happens across in the park.

Z (mouth full): Mish ish really goo, fank oo. (Translation: This is really good, thank you.)
Random picnic lady: No trouble!

Then his girlfriend shows up. It's none other than Alice, the paparazzi that Marjorie asked for information about Zack! Oh, the irony.

Alice: So, I hear you're in the Medical career now. Going to be a doctor?

Z: Alice, I--I have to tell you something. I've cheated on you!
Alice: Zack, no!


Alice: How could you do this to me! You--you--llama!


Z: Hey, maybe I'm sick of having a professional stalker for a girlfriend! You ever think of that?


Z: Hey, that was wrong. Pleeease forgive me. I just want to be your friend.


No matter what I try, he is not able to break up with her. I don't know if it's his Good trait or what, but he just doesn't have the interaction available, even though their relationship has gone very low.

Marjorie: How was the library?

Z: Oh, it was fine...but I don't really want to talk about the library.

M: Oh, what do you want to--

M:Oh.

M: Hey Zack?
Z: Yes, my elm blossom?
M: Rosa told me about your girlfriend.
Z: Oh, that. I--
M: --and it's okay.
Z: Just--what?
M: I know that was your old life.
Z: ...Yeah.
M: So, would you mind breaking up with her? Since you're, kind of, here, with me now?


Z: Of course! That's what I've been trying to tell you. I met up with her today and called it off. There's no one for me but you.

M: Oh, Zack.

Author's Notes
Since he has now joined the household, I can tell you that Zack's traits are Good, Hydrophobic, Mooch, Couch Potato, and one I can't remember right now. He is only a few days from ageing up to Adult. My hope is to have him bitten and turned before that time. We shall see.

[RainBeau]

Chapter Nine: A Very Random Episode, featuring Zack's Makeover

Zack's fifth trait is Grumpy. So that's all very nice.

Zack: I'd really like to reconnect with my friend Pip.
You got it. He's having a party tonight, so that's convenient.

Z: Hey, how are you, Pip?
Pip: Oh, you know. Just living.
Z: This is a nice place you got here.


Z: Yeah, I'm living on an empty lot myself. Don't suppose you could spare some cash to, uh, help me out a little?

Zack! Is that why you wanted to see your friend?
What?
Ach, you're impossible.

Z: So, I think I'm going to be getting married pretty soon!

Don't count your chickens before they hatch, Zack. That girl of yours doesn't love the idea of marriage.


In keeping with my goal to get Zack bitten by a vampire as soon as possible before his Adult birthday, I send him to the elixir shop to chat up Megan Rumpp.

Zack! You're not supposed to flirt with her!
Z: Huh? What? Oh you saw that...
*Shaking head* Zack...

He instead turns to one of my favourite methods for quick friend-making--the ghost story.

And then, this flaming skull came into the picture!
Are you stealing the plot of Ghostrider?

I am very glad to see that Megan has learned what to do when she's thirsty.

Megan: Plasma fruit--where have you been all my life?
This is just a guess, but--right where it's always been and still is.

Z: So I need to become a vampire--could you possibly help me out with that, new best friend?
Megan: What makes you think I can help you? I'm not a vampire!
Z: Um, okay (maybe the fact that you just ate a plasma fruit right in front of me...)


Megan: Zack...I love you.
Z: Aaaaaaahhhhh!
I told you not to flirt with her!

Megan: And so I will do you this favour.
Z: Oh, wonderful! Right here, please.


Z: Oooh, that hurts!


So after that interesting interlude, Zack goes back to normal life--including helping Marjorie in the garden. How sweet, right?



Meanwhile, someone shady shows up in the middle of the night. No, not another burglar. Worse.

Zack's ex-girlfriend.
Creepy, right?

Here she is taking notes on Marjorie sleeping in her fairy house.
Alice: Oh, I'll get her on something! Just wait!
Wow, obsessive much, Alice? It's called moving on, you might want to try it.

She stayed out for awhile, but then she left. The downside of having a professional stalker for an ex.


I will now close this Very Random Episode by sharing with you Zack's new wardrobe!
Actually, I liked what he came in with. It really suits both him and the vampire he will become.
I just re-coloured this outfit he already had for his Everyday. Made the red a little deeper, the black a little darker.


His formal did not change at all. I love it.


I did change his Sleepwear. That necklace has a bloodred stone in it. He's kind of skinny! Don't worry, that will be addressed.


As a Couch Potato, he was not thrilled to be given athletic wear.
Z: I'll never use it!
Oh, no?


He keeps the bloodred stone for his swimwear and adds some long black shorts.



Author's Notes
Megan wasn't really confessing her love to Zack (as far as I know), I just thought the picture was funny.

[Silverbella]

Your writing just keeps getting better Rosa, this was very funny!  I really like the way you write dialog using their actual conversation bubbles. Ghost Rider, heh!

I also laughed at the Zoe Durwood "Blah, blah, blah! Too much talking, not enough leaving!"  part a couple updates ago.  Sorry I haven't been able to read the forums for several days so I just caught up.  You're doing great!

[TheTripWasInfraGreen]

I never would have guessed it, but Zack is actually rather cute. I'm putting him on my radar now.

I'll keep reading.

[RainBeau]

Your writing just keeps getting better Rosa, this was very funny!  I really like the way you write dialog using their actual conversation bubbles. Ghost Rider, heh!

I also laughed at the Zoe Durwood "Blah, blah, blah! Too much talking, not enough leaving!"  part a couple updates ago.  Sorry I haven't been able to read the forums for several days so I just caught up.  You're doing great!

Oh I'm so glad you like it! I've been reading Forum stories for a long time and I've learned some tricks. I always like it when the dialogue matches the speech/thought bubbles, so that's what I do. Glad I'm improving, feedback is wonderful

I never would have guessed it, but Zack is actually rather cute. I'm putting him on my radar now.

I'll keep reading.

I know right? It's only because my Founder was off doing her own things for so long I could snag him, since he starts the game as a Child. He is quite cute though, Marjorie and I agree on that. I just wish I could change his hair. The one he has is nice, just not my favourite.


I'm super pleased to have you both reading and liking my little story, I love both of yours and your writing styles so I'm quite honoured 

[ArtisticFantasy]

This story is great. Zack is actually pretty cute. Maybe I'll have him as a spouse for my fairy! 

[RainBeau]

This story is great. Zack is actually pretty cute. Maybe I'll have him as a spouse for my fairy! 

Thank you! I can highly recommend him as a spouse for fairies

Chapter Ten: Transformation

Gee, I wonder what could possibly happen in a chapter titled "Transformation"?

Certainly nothing as blah and commonplace as Zack buying alchemy ingredients at the elixir shop--in his swim trunks. Now Zack, that's just not nice.


Apparently I missed getting a picture, but Zack also aged up to Adult in the Elixir Shop. So much for keeping him a Young Adult forever.

He then begins researching alchemy out of a deep-seated desire to learn the craft (as well as my deep-seated desire to stock up on elixirs without buying them from the overpriced alchemy shop.)

But wait...what's this?


Looks like something interesting is happening over here! Even more interesting than your basic alchemy research, that is.


Zach, dude...um, I don't know how to tell you this, but...you look different.
I noticed.

Man, I wanted to become a witch, not a vampire!
Well, it wasn't a witch that bit you.
(Sniff) A guy can hope.

Awwww, really?
Zack, I promised the Forum a positive change in your physique.
What's wrong with my physique?
Just never you mind, keep working out instead.
*grumble grumble*


Ewww, a ghost.

Any excuse in a storm. (Sigh) He's nice, his name is Samuel. You should make friends.

They didn't become friends, but Zack did put aside his prejudice and work out alongside Samuel Goth.


Oooh yeah, Money Trees! You go girl!
*takes a bow*
Awww, you deserve it. Thanks for working so hard, Marjorie.
You're welcome.
Z: Hey, I helped too!
Yes, you sure did. Thanks, Zack.
Z: You're welcome.


I didn't mention it, but Zack aged up right into a Midlife Crisis. Here is the sweet new car he wished for (and got):

(Sorry for the dark pictures, I keep taking them at night for some reason.)

M: Oh Zack, you became a vampire to help me with my dynasty! How sweet!
Z: Yes, just for you, my little elm blossom.


Z (thinking): I wonder if she knows how much I really love her.


Marjorie is feeling frolicsome, so she "playfully pesters" Zack. His eyes are full of wonder--I don't think he's ever seen her in her true form before.
Z: Beautiful.


Marjorie senses that Zack is envious of her powers of flight, so she bestows Flight of Felicity on him...


Apparently vampires get a pink glow.


Now they both can fly!



In the morning, they are both tired, but Zack is very grateful for the wonderful gift Marjorie has given him.