The Long Way Home. Complete.

[yruvian]

Mariska has found her own way to contribute to our household's cash flow. She's taken to playing for tips in the underground that I've build at the science building. She does think it odd to have an underground station, but no actual underground.

According to her, an underground network is used to get from one place to another really fast and without having to use cars. Only the large city of Bridgeport has one of those networks though... and Mariska would love to show the world that we can do that too.

I guess I will follow her advice again and build another station somewhere soon. Maybe one closer to home? Actually... If I can build one in each of the districts, it will make travelling everywhere much faster. At least... that's what Lemon says. He did warn me about possible crime as well, but, since any criminals would have to be part of Redemption's inhabitants, I'm not afraid of that. I trust my islanders. Considering this little station's the very first underground for me, I had no real clue what to do with it. It just seemed to fit the science district...


Citrus as a teen is a real joy to be around. Our relationship is skyrocketing, even though he is the one that keeps me from skilling most often.


I think Lemon and Mariska were definitely worrying about nothing, as Citrus is behaving perfectly. Ever since his birthday, he's been helping out with the younger ones as much as his own schedule allows. He's still doing his homework on time... though he has a tendency to take over the sculpting station lately. Of course, since Mariska doesn't really need it at the moment, that's hardly a problem.

[yruvian]

How does a household like ours celebrate the holiday? Well... This is our drawing room on this free day for all of us. I wasn't going to join them at first, but Mariska told me it was expected of me. After all, it's a family thing... and she actually told me she loves me like a brother. Right in front of Lemon too, so he should be over his fear. This has made me wonder whether that's the same kind of feeling I have towards her: the feeling of a sim towards a sibling. I'm not sure. I know it's not the same thing I feel about my real 'brothers' back home, but... it does feel similar. I believe I can settle for this kind of relationship.

I admit it. The household like it is now doesn't feel as lonely as it used to. I don't miss the others quite as much... though... I still often long to speak with them at times. I suppose that will always be the case when I'm not around them. This exile has made me rethink my relationships back home. I know I haven't always let them know just how much I care about them, but I really do. Maybe once I'm with them again, I'll have to make sure they realize that...

The family painting session has made Lucky realize what she wants to do with her life. She'd like to follow in Mariska's footsteps and max out both guitar and painting. It's a nice enough goal, and I'm sure she'll get all the support she'll need from our painting music band.

(It took me some time to get all of them painting at the same time. Mariska had gone of to the science station and had to return first, while most of the kids were working on their homework. Lemon actually learned Painting through this session, though the rest had all started it already. Most of them tend to drift of to the drawing room whenever they don't have anything else to do.)

[yruvian]

May be a bit slow in posting for a while... splitting headache.

[RainBeau]

  Sorry to hear about the headache. That was a nice update. Very cosy.

[yruvian]

Sorry to hear about the headache. That was a nice update. Very cosy.

Thanks.

Headache's starting to get a bit better, so I hope I can concentrate enough to get an update in here today or tomorrow <.<. Only out of bed now because I'm waiting for an Amazon package for my brother.

[yruvian]

After a tiring day at the police office, Lemon really wants to go swimming... even though it's raining. The pool isn't that far from his work, so he goes there before coming home.

By now, everyone except for the toddler has a steel bladder... and Arthur would have had one too, if toddlers could do that. He meets all the requirements, aside from age. Mother is also granting the Distant Friend reward to those that have reached the necessities.

The house is starting to look more as it should, now that the driveway parks have both been finished. There is still a lot to do, but Angel Hill is beginning to look more like a unit instead of a lot of empty space with one building in between.
The inside of the mansion has been changed around a bit as well, with more rooms accessible. Now that the entire family is starting to pitch in with paintings, simoleons are once again rolling in nicely. Of course it also helps that Mariska and I have been playing for tips once in a while.

The ballroom is the first room to be finished. What? I needed another bar to keep my mixology skill up. The room won't have room for our impromptu jam sessions any more, but... one of us always had to go stand outside anyway.

[yruvian]

Three of our youngest household members will age up the next week, but... since it's Sunday now, we've decided to 'cake them up', as Mariska and Lemon call it. It seems a birthday cake will age anyone up to the next life stage prematurely. As if Sims don't age fast enough as it is. Still, I can understand wanting to celebrate on week-ends. Multiple birthdays during the week really are troublesome, as we've noticed on Ben's birth.




Young Arthur is the first one to feel the fireflies' tickle. The first of the babies born to Mariska will be starting elementary school soon... It's hard to believe he's that old already. I remember the day both Lucky and Orange set that first step in the wide world outside...







Talking about Orange and his 'doll' Lucky... It's time for them to face the challenges of life as a teen. Can you imagine those two as teenagers? I guess they'll be each other's dates whenever a prom dance comes up. "Three teenagers in the house," Mariska mutters near my ear. I still don't understand why she fears this state of life so much. Citrus hasn't changed a thing since he became a teen.
 


"Right, everyone, time to hit the ballroom!" It takes a while for us to loosen up... After all, we're used to playing music instead of dancing, but, with the necessary addition of party drinks, mixed by yours truly, everyone's nerves start to unleash. We'll have to keep it in control this time, as tomorrow will be a school-day...

[yruvian]

With all the rain we've been getting lately, a lot of the citizens of Redemption Isle have asked me to do a vaccination session. Of course, I instantly agree. At least there's nothing here that will keep the silly sims of my island standing around too long. They're calling this a park, while it's nothing more than an empty meadow.
I just found out one of our resident cops is actually Evil... Can't say I like where that may be going. I hope Lemon keeps an eye on things at the police station. I'm taking the time to get to know some of 'my' people better too. After all, there aren't that many around, so I'm sure there won't be a lot of vaccinations necessary.

Even though there were only two vaccinations (I wonder why they couldn't come to the hospital instead; it was obviously closer to both homes), I managed to make a new friend.

Maybe I should have vaccinated my own household first though. Before the next day is through, three of them are sniffling. Lemon, Orange and Arthur are feeling the impact of the weather. Orange's condition seems to be the worst, as he actually has to get up and throw up at night. Even so, the entire bunch makes it to the school bus without a single complaint. I'm surprised... I would have thought the sick children would be trying to stay home.

[yruvian]

"Gabriel? You want to know why your witch friend fears the teenage years? I think I've found the reason..." Raphael's voice sounds amused. "I think I'm starting to like that gang of yours more every day. Look at what your precious Citrus is doing as an after-school activity today."

With that, he sends me these pictures...


I can't believe my eyes. "Are those eggs?" I whisper. "That's going to stick nicely." *shakes head* Let's just hope Lemon doesn't pass that way while testing out his new police car. He's going to make it a habit to patrol the island in the evenings, so, if Citrus - or any of the others for that matter - want to stay out of trouble, they'd better start learning his trajectory.

But... I guess I shouldn't allow this... Which is exactly why I set him to tending the dead plants and planting a new apple tree.



Meanwhile, a fifth family moves into town: the Predators. In truth, I'm a bit worried about this mother and her teens. According to my files, they're fleeing from the authorities in their previous home, but Eagle says it's all a big misunderstanding... and they haven't done anything wrong. I hope the kid isn't lying...

[yruvian]

I knew being on call could be a problem. My nights haven't been my own in a while. It's hard to concentrate on anything if you don't get enough sleep, I can attest to that. So, when the emergency call came on at a regular hour, I was just a little relieved. I left immediately, of course. You never know what kind of disaster occurs, even on an isolated island with a limited amount of inhabitants, like Redemption.

Only when I returned home did I notice there had been some kind of emergency at the manor as well. Our kitchen still bore the traces of a large house fire, which may have obliterated the house if left unchecked.


I kind of left the pan on the stove... with disastrous results. Thankfully Mariska's ice blasts managed to contain the fire, but we still lost the stove and one of the counters. I guess I'll have to take more care next time. It is difficult to think of such basic things when duty calls though... I have never really been good at thinking of too much different topics at the same time.

The event has given Arthur inspiration however. He now wants to follow in his father's footsteps and become a super-spy. What? Oh well. I guess sometimes Sims' minds do work in mysterious ways. At least it may keep him out of trouble.

(Of course, there's no fire station yet. Maybe that's why Arthur suddenly throws the lifetime wish of being a super-spy after the fire.)

We've become partners in the science building now, though... I wonder why. They growl at me for building a playground for the kids in this household, which they have been able to use a lot already... and then Mariska just goes and buys a partnership, which costs a lot more! She says it will make us money every week, but I've yet to see that.

[RainBeau]

Oh no! Not a fire!

By the way, the house is looking really gorgeous with all its surrounding lots and windows and everything.

Yeah! You know! Super Spy! Because...umm...fire, and...yeah.

[Swirl-Girl]

I really like this and I will be following you!You are doing a real good job.

[yruvian]

Oh no! Not a fire!

By the way, the house is looking really gorgeous with all its surrounding lots and windows and everything.

Yeah! You know! Super Spy! Because...umm...fire, and...yeah.

Thanks

That was what I thought too when he popped that LTW right then. But it'll all be good: he'll be able to take over from his father when he grows up .

I really like this and I will be following you!You are doing a real good job.

Thank you .

[yruvian]

Another round of vaccinations? Well... I guess if they really want me to do this, I will, but does it really HAVE to be in the poring rain?

I admit I felt a bit miffed when the request came in. Last time, there were only two patients and I felt it had been a loss of time, though, of course, the health of 'my' people is very important to me. I expected a repeat of that time when I left for the future cemetery. But it seems the rest of the town has received word of the advantages of vaccines... A full 16 sims get vaccinated, which should mean most of the population is now safe from illness. Except for the Peels and Lighthearts, of course. No one in my household turns up for these sessions.

My worries about the Predators are easing a bit thanks to this session too. Young Hawk is actually Good, like me... and even though her brother is rumoured to have a bad temper, that doesn't mean he's a bad kid. I've met all four of the Predators today and I must say I'm relieved.

I'm ashamed to admit I fell asleep in the ready room after this though... but... I still made it to Gene Therapist!

[yruvian]

Mariska has decided to bring back an old tradition of ours this week-end! I guess we can make it into a family tradition. The teens obviously don't mind, as two of them actually need a fish for school. At first, they wondered whether anything would bite with this many of us near, but that soon stopped.

I think any serious fishermen were going to leave this place of the beach in peace, because of the cheer level of noise we made. There was laughing and joking... and definitely a bit of teasing going on.


I think Arthur may have won the friendly competition between the kids, as he pulled in a sea sludge nearly bigger than himself. He managed quite nicely without help though.


Once we're all back home, Mariska manages to reach her lifetime wish. She isn't satisfied yet though and wants to add gardening to her maxed skills. I don't mind: someone has to take care of the garden and she's the only one who is home during the day.

But it's off to bed for everyone first... because tomorrow little Benjamin has his child birthday!