The Name's Oliver - Ben Oliver. Ch. 159: Duty vs Ethics, Pt. II

[Tilia]

I wonder who play footsie with him, I hope it is one of the girls lol. The ambassador did act a little strange.  I can't what for the next update.

I'm completely hoping it's the evil unfairly typecast and misunderstood Chevalier.

[Schipperke]

Mingling with the Upper Classes

Diary Entry

I was nervous about meeting all the important people who would be attending the Ambassador's party.  What would they think of me?  What would we have to talk about?

First to arrive was the Egyptian Ambassador - Menes Elsimfti.  I knew he was married, but from the way Elsimfti burst into the house looking for Louise, it seemed that even married men couldn't resist the charms of the Comte's lovely daughters.



If he was disappointed to be greeted instead by Louise's father, he didn't show it. He and the Comte greeted each other as old friends, as Ramses Elsimfti strolled in carrying a flaming angel food cake.



One thing you had to say for these upper class guests - they sure brought tasty eats to the party.  The Chinese Ambassador's husband, Kun IChing, honoured his hosts with a plate of French toast.



And the Chinese Ambassador herself, Qian IChing, was proof that even lady ambassadors aren't immune to that old Oliver charm!



De Luca was dressed to party, but I knew she planned to corner the Chevalier and see if she could pry information out of him.



I met several local politicians and managed to make a good impression on Georgia Giordano.  Ah, Ben, you old ladykiller, you!



Tabia Elsimfti, the Egyptian Ambassador's wife, found herself cornered by the Chevalier du Bois, who had a rather morbid notion of what constituted appropriate party chit-chat.



Introductions over, we all adjourned to the ballroom.  The Comte de Simylla and Louise stepped out on the dance floor to lead the dancing.  The Comte might be an older man, but I had to admit he cut a dashing figure on the dance floor.  He and his daughter were easily the most striking couple there.



Soon everyone was dancing.







The dancing was lively, the company was sparkling, and the food was delicious.



When the party finally broke up well after midnight, I was tired but had to admit that it hadn't been as bad as I had anticipated.  In fact, it had been fun.  I thought I did rather a good job of mingling with the upper classes.

[ladybug53]

That was quite the party . I really enjoyed seeing all the different outfits and hats on the guests . Awesome job !  Great update .   

[Louise56]

It was a awesome party. My sims parties are not so successful lol.

[Anushka]

What an interesting party that was! I am amazed by all the different characters that appeared but Ambassador's daughters are breathtaking. Poor Oliver, that was a big sacrifice to stay away from them!

[cndneh]

love the story so far! 

[Sherry]

the party going soo good that it might be actually a 'calm before storm'

[Audren]

Oh my! It seems that in my absense I have missed the birth of a most excellent tale! I suppose I can't be surprised, since it is Schipperke we're talking about here. Ben is quite the character! 

[yruvian]

Loving Ben . Both the real one and the Sim, actually (but then... I'm prejudiced. Our own Schip is throwing some food at me at the moment). The Chevalier really is a strange one, talking about the Reaper as a kind of small talk o.o. Creepy.

[Schipperke]

A History Lesson

Diary Entry

It was late when I got home from the Ambassador's party, but there was no time for me to lie abed next morning.  I had to make breakfast for my girls!  As I waited for the meal to come out of the oven, I treated the household to my rich baritone singing voice.



There!  Tasty French toast, ready and waiting for May and the recruits.



I changed my clothes and headed upstairs.  Polly was doing her morning chin-ups.  I called out a good-morning to her and stepped into the portal that would take me to Payne's Glade.



It was a lovely sunny morning in the glade.  As always, my father welcomed me warmly.



He wanted to hear all about my life in Monte Vista.  We talked and talked.





My father listened attentively, seeming interested in everything I said.  When I got to the part about the Ambassador's dinner, he interrupted for the first time.  "Wait, Ben!  Let's go over that again.  See if you can remember exactly what was said.  It's important."

I went it over twice more for his benefit.  I couldn't for the life of me understand why he was so interested in the eating habits of the Ambassador's household.  When I finished, my father's face was serious.  "I had hoped we could avoid this," he said. 

I gazed at him in confusion.  What was he talking about?



"The time has come for you to have a bit of a history lesson, Ben," he said in a sombre manner.  "Let's sit down and I'll explain.  Help yourself to lemonade.'



And there in the glade, with the birds singing and the rabbits looking on, he proceeded to tell a strange and disturbing tale.

"A very long time ago," my father began, "the Sim world was very different than it is today.  Sim society was agrarian in nature, centred around farming.  And the most important type of farming involved llama ranches.  The llama fibre was used in many different ways, and was central to the economy of the times.  But as often happens, disputes arose.  Certain lands were better than others for raising llamas.  Neighbours began to argue over land boundaries.  People grew envious of those who had more llamas.  Certain people were greedy and wanted more than their fair share.

"The tension grew and eventually turned into full-scale conflict.  One faction managed, through theft, sabotage and other nefarious practices, to acquire all the llamas.  Then they seceded.  They cut off all ties with the rest of the Sim world.

"The Sim lands that suddenly found themselves without llamas had to find different ways of supporting their economies.  It took time, but they developed new skills and new ways of making money.  The result is what you've seen in the various communities you've travelled to - thriving and diversified economies."

It was a fascinating story, but I couldn't quite see what this ancient history had to do with the Ambassador's dinner party.

"Patience, Ben!" my father said.  "This is just the beginning of the story, background so you will understand the situation."

He suggested we take a break.  "Why don't you go stretch your legs a bit, and we'll talk more in a little while."



 

[Louise56]

The mystery of no llamas in the sims! Now who could have taken them all?

[Audren]

Oh, you pain me with your cliffhangers, Schipperke! You've truly mastered the art of keeping your fans waiting for more! 

[Schipperke]

Oh, you pain me with your cliffhangers, Schipperke! You've truly mastered the art of keeping your fans waiting for more! 

Sorry!  It's just that Mr Payne has a lot to tell Ben, and I decided it would be better to break it up into two chapters.  At this point Ben - and probably anyone reading - is wondering what on earth this ancient history has to do with anything, but I promise it will become clear in the next update.  Mr Payne may be an elder, but he's definitely not senile - there's a reason why Ben needs this information. 

[ladybug53]

Oh, the mystery ! So anxious to read more and more. Great update !   

[Sherry]

hoho~ can't wait to see the connection between escargot and llamas