The Cottoneye Witches of Monte Vista -- FAILED, Please move to Graveyard

[Tilia]

I wondered why she didn't want Beppe!  He is adorable. 

"Will Find Forum" is extra ominous. 

[cathyknits]

Is Goopy going to be the Christopher Steel of Monte Vista?

I love Qusul's updates. And I'm sure the "visiting photographer" had it coming...

[RainBeau]

Qusul is the funniest. And I think Goopy will be the Chris Steel and Agnes and more rolled into one!

[Tilia]

Qusul is the funniest. And I think Goopy will be the Chris Steel and Agnes and more rolled into one!

Except he's only a baby when the game starts!  He will be a gen 2 favorite, methinks.

[Magz from Oz]

Great update.  Qusul cracks me up. 

[Toni]

Qusul is a great addition to the story. Great update.

[SimBlip]

Everything I could have possibly said has been said.
Just a little thing maybe; I admire you for the different tone in voice between Aurelia and Diana. They are both teen girls, but come over quite differently. I can't quite say who I like the best. They are both adorable. 

[Rhoxi]

I gotta say, I didn't see the alien joining the household coming--especially in a Monte Vista story (Lunar Lakes, okay, but Monte Vista!) He certainly adds something fun to the story though; I like how he's trying to figure out the secret to immortality.

[MarianT]

Chapter Eight – Ice and Music

Dear Diana,

   I am so sorry about your mother. Aunt Artemis sounds like she was a real live wire – I wish I could have met her. Mom is pretty broken up about her dying, but she says to tell you that you can always consult her about mother-type things.



   And of course, I’m your BFF and big sister. I wish you could have been here a few days ago. I felt pretty nervous about tackling the dishwasher, but Mom was asleep and Qusul was off looking for a camera.



   He couldn’t find one but came back with a bunch of music boxes, which he listens to all at once. I’ve never seen anyone so fascinated by music boxes.



   Now that he’s finished our ice sculptures, he’s going out more. Mine was the first that he did – mainly so he could get it done while I was still a teen.



    The sculpture didn’t turn out quite like the pose, but it’s good enough.



   He did Mom next. She was not at all pleased with the result. “Is that what you think I look like?” she hollered.



   Qusul was very apologetic, especially after she blasted him with some ice.



   His second attempt turned out much better.



   Just so you know, I’m finished with high school. I didn’t want to go in this morning, but Mom reminded me that I had a black op to complete. As soon as I got home I hurried to the cake. I probably should have waited until Uncle Camillo got off work and Beppe could come over, but I didn’t want to. I figured you’d understand – no more curfew! No more friendly hugs! (instead of amorous ones, I mean).



Adulthood, marriage, job, nooboos, here I come! With a big hug, Aurelia

Third Report from Tier 4 Agent Qusul

Delta Sector Commander, I salute you!

Production of ice statues has commenced.



No information about Forum, but shorter wide-nosed woman has completed black op at place of indoctrination. Close to understanding this.

Discovered city inhabitants very technologically advanced. Vibrational devices also contain kinetic figures, purposes to be ascertained. Kinetic figures include “ninja,” “mummy,” “rabbit,” “ballerina,” and “unicorn,” – perhaps more to be procured.



Vehicle configured for travel, according to your instructions.



Prosper and live long, Tier 4 Agent Qusul Ayohod

[Tilia]

Well, music boxes are the height of technology, you know.

[RainBeau]

Oh yes, surely! Hahaha

Qusul never fails to amuse. It was really nice how you got that mourning shot of Mercy. I'm impressed at how much crossover you manage between two files.

[Turoskel]

I'm never quite sure what story to read first as they spoiler each other but even so they are both good and nicely intertwined with the letters going back and forth, I love Qusul and his attempts to learn the world about him though.

[SimBlip]

I love Qusul and his attempts to learn the world about him though.

ditto
Poor Mercy. The drawback to immortality is hard to take on board. Aurelia doesn't seem to have cottoned on to that fact yet. And in a way, that's not such a bad thing. Good experiences make grief - when it comes - more bearable.
Lovely update!

[MarianT]

Chapter Nine – Rites of Passage

Dear Diana,

   Congratulations on growing up! I just know you’re going to have a blast – or should I say blast-off? I noticed those wings on the back of your formal – I assume they indicate that you’re a flygirl, not a fairy wannabe.

   Without further ado, here’s my new wardrobe. It’s mostly in hot pink, my favorite color.

Everyday



Fall and winter everyday (this wasn’t available for outerwear, boo-hoo)



My formal – I like the way it shimmies.



Nightwear (Beppe says it’s the bee’s knees, but more about Beppe later)



Athletic (which I’ll probably have to start wearing if Uncle Cam keeps making lasagna)



And finally, outerwear.



   Speaking of Uncle Cam, his birthday was the same as mine, but I don’t think he’s enjoying it as much. I guess the back pain is a rite of passage.



   The day after my birthday I had to go to graduation. It was in City Hall, which is a rather daunting place to visit.



   I was named Valedictorian and Most Popular.



   I got to drive Qusul’s spaceship, but I felt a little guilty about it – we have no idea what kind of fuel it uses, or what effect it has on the environment, or how scarce it is. Now that I'm a scientist, I'm concerned about these things.



   Beppe had to work that afternoon, but in the evening he came over. It didn’t take long for him to agree to getting married.



   He was sleepy, and I couldn’t think of any reason why we should wait around, so we tied the knot immediately. Baby will make three, or rather in our household, six.



   We didn’t have much time to talk before falling asleep, but I did find out that Beppe is a genius and good, also childish, flirty, and a bit of a coward. He freaked out when he saw our gnome tombstones and Qusul’s creepy statue. I told him the statue was there to scare away evil spirits, and that calmed him down. I didn’t say anything about the gnomes. I don’t know why we get the tombstones – we’ve never had any gnomes at all, so it’s not like they died here.



I forgot to mention – Beppe’s lifetime wish is to be a heartbreaker and have 10 girlfriends. I’m the first, and he’s promised that I’ll be 2nd through 10th. Just to make sure, he’s going to change that lifetime wish, too, as soon as he can.

   I guess that’s all the news – oh, I almost forgot, Mom’s made it to the top of her career and is now an Alchemy Artisan. Go, Mom!
Love, Aurelia

[SimBlip]

Aurelia's formal wear is gorgeous. Very Cotton Club!
The gnome thomb stones are mysterious.
Hehe, Beppe is heading for an 'early' midlife-crisis as opposed to a midlife-crisis then. The difference between the perk and the actual age-related thing still throws me.