The Elven Legacy--Ghost Hunting 101

[Jade]

Once upon a time, there was an elf named Aileen Wood.

Her entire life, she had resided in a magical kingdom named Erchiel (which, in elf-tongue, meant 'home of the elves'). When Aileen found herself falling through the air, with no clear memory of how she had gotten into such a predicament, she was understandably frightened.

Very frightened.

As many may guess, she ended up in a lovely town named Sunset Valley--although, ever since a certain expansion pack had been released, the citizens had been confused as to why the sun kept disappearing, replaced by endless rain-storms and long winters. Aileen did not know of this yet. She was, also, understandably confused.

Born with pointy elf ears and brilliant green eyes, along with a lack of hair, she didn't look like anyone Jared and Conner Frio had ever seen before, as they welcomed her to the neighborhood. In fact, Jared ran scared back home. Conner lingered long enough to apologize profusely, stumbling over his words, then to follow Jared's footsteps.

This was all very different from the life Aileen had lived. Soon, her memories of Erchiel began to fade. Her scarlet hair grew out, down to the small of her back. Her eyes lost some of their unearthly shine. Fortunately, her ears stayed pointy--the singular reminder of her life before.

By her fortieth birthday, her leafy coverings had been replaced by real, actual, normal clothes, and she had three wonderful children: Tess, Makayla, and Koda.

Tess was her first daughter, born to her by Conner Frio, her 'boyfriend'--his words. She wasn't sure what 'marriage' was, so when he proposed, she closed the ring-box and ended contact with him for a while. Not for long. Tess was her elven daughter, and Aileen treasured and spoiled her through high school.



Koda was her first and only son, born to her by Conner Frio as well. He was not an elf, but Aileen appreciated him all the same. He was more intellectual; more academic than his sisters. He succeeded in school and went on to marry Adrienne Langerak, daughter of Parker Langerak and Monika (Morris) Langerak. They had three daughters: Tiffani, Rosemarie, and Brandee.



Makayla was not Aileen's biological child, but she loved her all the same. She was adopted from Germany, an outcast amongst the blonds and blue-eyed. She was smart, like Koda, but preferred to exercise or garden outside, where the birds chirruped along to the tunes she would hum under her breath. She married Darrin Glenn, to Tess's dismay--they had been close all through high school, and leaving her sister was one of the hardest things she had done. Denver and Raheem were Makayla's two sons, and she adored them greatly.



Tess and Aileen had always been best friends while Tess was growing up. She looked up to her mother, able to defy the laws of the woodland elves and leave to Sunset Valley--at least, that was the story she had created in her eight-year old head. Tess, too, enjoyed exercising, and had quite the endurance for Just Dance (the 'Just Sweat' option--dancing was more Makayla's thing). When Tess turned nineteen, that all changed.

Aileen found Tess ten years later, up to her head with four children in a one-bedroom home, receiving measly child support from her boyfriend, Conor Hart (son of Bebe Hart and Stiles McGraw). Tess had indeed made a few wrong turns in her life, and was working at the Warehouse, working up to be a Master Thief (not that she told Aileen this).

In the back of her mind, Tess knew what she had to do. It took five more years for her to begrudgingly ask Aileen for help. With the help of her generous mother, she bought a three-story home over on Summer Hill Court and invited Aileen and her new husband, Leighton Sekemoto, to move in with them--"for moral support."

And they lived happily ever after--for a while, anyways.


A/N: This is a side-project that I'll be working on, next to Blessed Curse. In-game, I'm currently beginning the third generation, and I only started taking screen-shots when they moved into the bigger home. Enjoy!

[Jade]

Tess's four children--Laurel, Leo, Patrick, and Justine--were all special and unique in their own ways. Laurel and Leo were only a year apart, while Patrick and Justine were twins (to Tess's dismay in their toddler years).

Laurel was the eldest, and was also an elf, as revealed when she was only three years old to Tess. Aileen advised against telling her, but Tess was never one to follow the rules. She told Laurel at an early age. Laurel accepted it without question, and brushed off the comments about her pointy ears--she had the dark eyes of her father, anyways.

She loved dogs, and would often leave the house for some peace and solitude to feed and play with the stray dogs around Summer Hill Springs.

Leo was the second-oldest, and often incorrectly referred to as Laurel's twin brother. He, too, loved dogs (and even went on to work at the pound once he became 'of age') but despised the outdoors, and was...lazy, for lack of a better word. Only later did Tess realize that he, too, was a mutated woodland elf--for what woodland elf didn't enjoy nature?

Patrick and Justine were total opposites at school. Patrick had somehow made his way into the 'popular' group, with his class-clown nature and natural likeability. Justine, however, had been bullied at school since third grade because of her rounded, over-sized, slightly comical glasses, and was socially awkward with others around her. It didn't help that she never cleaned up after herself and often had food staining her front.

It became clear that they grieved in different ways, too.

Aileen passed away at the ripe old age of 95, leaving behind a heart-broken husband, a guilty daughter, and four upset grandchildren. Poor Leighton had to watch as her sparkling body rose into the non-existent light, never to be seen again on Earth. Probably right after one of their rigorous work-out sessions.



Tess took her mother's death the hardest of all the members of the household. She could be found, for the next six months, crying in various places: at the site of her mother's death, in her bedroom, outside flipping hot-dogs on the grill, etc.



Unfortunately, Patrick discovered the juice bar and made some rather...unhealthy decisions.



And Laurel met a boy who was much too old for her--Marion Goth.



Actually, I take what I said earlier back. Leighton took her death the hardest...and he, too, passed away at 95, on his way to the bathroom in the guest-house.



Laurel tried to cheer Tess up, but it's hard to console someone else when your heart is just as shattered as theirs. Aileen was the one who had taught Laurel to drive. Aileen was the one who listened to Laurel whine about how her mother was never there for her. Aileen was the one who had always been there for her during her rocky teenage years.



The rest of Laurel and Leo's high school years passed by in a flash. Soon, Leo was inviting his high-school girlfriend, Lindsay Nagier, over for some quality time to discuss their future.



Lindsay accepted the proposal eagerly, to the rest of the family's chagrin. No one but Leo rather liked Lindsay. She had a tendency to go off at the smallest things, and Tess had caught her looking through her jewelry drawer, muttering under her breath. But all kept their mouth shut--if Leo loved her, and she loved him, then that was enough.

After a quick makeover



Leo and Lindsay were married at Stoney Falls in the dead of winter, with no other witnesses but themselves. They bought a two-bedroom house not far from Summer Hill Court. Tess wished for nooboos, in honor of Aileen and Leighton's memory (they were both quite family-oriented).



Laurel didn't know what to do. Without her brother, whom she had become close to, she wandered around the house in a daze. She didn't want any conventional job...no, Laurel didn't want to be any old Politician or Businesswoman...

Laurel wanted to be a Ghost Hunter.

[Jade]

Generation 1--Aileen Wood

no photo available, sorry

Lifetime Wish: Street Credible
Traits: Family-Oriented, Perceptive, Vegetarian, Over-Emotional, Avant Garde
Partner: Conner Frio
Children: Tess Wood, Makayla Wood, Koda Wood
Career: Self-Employed Artist


Generation 2--Tess Wood

no photo available, sorry

Lifetime Wish: Master Thief
Traits: Vegetarian, Daredevil, Kleptomaniac, Light Sleeper, Athletic
Partner: Conor Hart
Children: Laurel Wood, Leo Wood, Patrick Wood, Justine Wood
Sign: Libra
Career: Criminal (Thief)
Favorite Music: Indie
Favorite Food: Aloo Masala Curry
Favorite Color: Pink


Generation 3--Laurel Wood




Lifetime Wish: Paranormal Profiteer
Traits: Loner, Loves the Outdoors, Handy, Eccentric, Dog Person
Partner: Marion Wood (Goth)
Children: Zachariah Wood
Sign: Cancer
Career: Ghost Hunter
Favorite Music: R&B
Favorite Food: Hot Dogs
Favorite Color: Black

[Jade]

When we last left off, Laurel had decided that she wanted to be a Paranormal Profiteer--that is, a Ghost Hunter. Her job is really quite exciting, if you think about it. I mean, going to stranger's houses and banishing the ethereal spirits and poltergeists just wandering around...



Right. Very exciting. Get off your butt and go invite Marion over. You won't be young forever. And I want to see some nooboos before you turn forty.

Laurel: Guess Grandma and Grandpa weren't the only family-oriented ones here.



Wow. You really...took my words to heart, I guess.

Laurel: I do what I want.
Marion: I don't mind. *waggles eyebrows*

Don't worry, nothing scandalous happened that first night.

Marion: Do you want to go steady?
Laurel: Sure. Just don't take me to any wild parties, alright?
Marion: Eh, sounds like a lot of work. Parties are over-rated, anyways.
Laurel: ...

On the morning of the twins' birthday, Tess woke up early--well, stayed up later than usual--and cooked them Cheese Tofu Steak. I'm not sure why she did this.



Neither of the twins are Vegetarians. And that block of tofu doesn't look particularly appetizing.

Tess: You just don't appreciate true vegetarianism. They'll love it. The cheese masks the flavor of the tofu anyways, don't you think?
Justine and Patrick: Uh...right, Mom. That's it.
Justine and Patrick (thinking): At least we have the birthday cake to look forward to.



Oh, my. What happened here?

Patrick: Mom sold the cake.
Justine: And we're starving.
Patrick: She took one bite and disappeared into the guest house. She looked a bit green.

...I was talking about those hairstyles.

Patrick and Justine: ...

After a prompt visit to the mirror and dresser:




*brushes tear away* I'm so glad Laurel got the good genes...

Justine: Hey! It's not my fault that I got Bebe's eyes and the infamous puppy-dog look from my father.

Says the Unlucky Loser.

Patrick decided to take a nice stroll to the supermarket for a fish-bait book, when he noticed a familiar face.



Patrick: Dude, your mourning is cutting into the shot. OH MY GOSH! SHE'S GOING INTO LABOR!!
Lindsay: Guys, calm down. I'm *push* fine.
Patrick: SHE'S GONNA DIE WHAT DO I DO
Lindsay: *sigh*

Eventually, I forced him to take her to the Hospital, where she had not one, not two, not three, but four daughters--Rebeca, Marci, Mariah, Christel.

Aileen's Spirit: YAY! MORE NOOBOOS!!
Patrick, nonchalantly: I knew Lindsay would be fine.

It was very obvious that you had the whole situation under control. Thank goodness you're not her husband...

Meanwhile, Laurel was having some excitement of her own.



Laurel: Whoops, was aiming for the spirit. Sorry, Bambi Deer.
Bambi: I would catch a grenade for ya~

I knew it was a bad idea to trust her with that thing.



Laurel, smugly: City Hall doesn't seem to think so.
Laurel: ...although, the medal is a bit small...

And as an ending shot, can we just take a moment to admire Laurel's formal-wear?



Laurel: I leap majestically like a deer through the skies--wait, did you hear that?

[Jade]

In case you didn't notice in the previous update, Laurel was majestically leaping right outside of City Hall. In her formal wear. This could only mean one thing--something I personally dread.

Graduation.

Yes, Justine and Patrick finally graduated from high school with some...interesting awards.



Patrick: Yes! I graduated!
Patrick: And with Most Likely to Hack the Military Facility...is that a good thing?



Justine: With Merit?! I only graduated with Merit?!
Patrick: Aw, sis, I got Merit too.
Justine: With Merit?!
Justine: Most Likely to Motive Fail. Wow. Thanks. I'll always remember high school, that's for sure.

And shortly after their half-unfortunate graduation, they moved into this lovely home, conveniently located right next door to Leo, Lindsay, and The Quadruplets.



Jade: I'm sure the neighbors appreciate your sleepwear.
Patrick: Of course they do!

...I'm not sure he knows who his neighbors are.

Later that day...



Laurel: Thanks for taking me out to the Bistro and not to some wild party.
Marion: *nom nom nom*
Laurel: You know, I really like watching the stars. Nice way to end a night, don't you think?
Marion: *nom nom nom*
Laurel: All those twinkling stars...us alone, together...maybe some sort of proposal...*hint hint*
Marion: ...Would you like to stop at the beach for a bit?
Laurel: You know me so well.

Actually, she only knows one trait of his, but...



Laurel: The stars are beautiful tonight.
Marion: Just like you.
Laurel: Aw, thanks, Marion. You've been a good boyfriend. In fact...
Marion (thinking): She's breaking up with me! What do I do?!
Laurel: Marion Goth, will you--
Marion: I'm getting a bit sleepy. I should head home. Bye!
Jade: No, you llama! She was going to propose! Ugh...

I am not kidding. This truly happened. So I had to intervene a bit.

Laurel: I have a strange urge to go to Old Pier Beach.
Jade: You should invite Marion to go with you.
Laurel: I have a strange urge to go to Old Pier Beach with Marion.
Jade: And you should propose while you're at it.
Laurel: I have a strange urge to-- you know what, I think they get it.



Laurel: Marion Goth, will you do me the honor of marrying me?
Marion: Yes! Of course!
Laurel: Great! I have only one condition--
Marion: --no wild parties?
Laurel: Aw, you'll be a great father-- I mean, husband.

And they were married right then and there.




Though I'm not sure why she's kissing his neck. Darn those slopes!

Laurel: Now that you're my husband, I'll need you to quit your job at Doo Peas.
Marion: Excuse me?
Laurel: Business is too cliche. You should get a unique job. Like a Ghost Hunter.
Marion: Fine. But only because I love you.

And that is when Marion Goth, son of Mortimer Goth and Sandi French, became a Gardener.



Marion: Don't forget the 'against my will' part.
Jade: I won't. Don't worry. Although, you kind of brought it upon yourself.
Marion: How so?
Jade: Well, to start off...you only brought 1,300 Simoleons into the family. You're a Goth. Didn't you inherit the fortune?
Marion: I--
Jade: Secondly, you married an Eccentric Sim. You should know better.
Marion: You're the one who--
Jade: And finally...what's with the outfit? Showing your tummy may be attractive on women, but it's not a good look for you. Especially not with those bony limbs.
Marion: Hey!

To celebrate their marriage, the newlyweds decided to do something a little out of the box--they went to the Bistro. Again.



Laurel: *cough* This is really spicy. And they gave me Vegetarian Chili and I'm not even a Vegetarian.
Marion: Seems fine to me.



Marion: Or not.



Laurel: I told you so.

What a non-dysfunctional marriage.

[PeregrineTook]

Oh my gosh!  Those faces at the end!  Too much!  Really enjoying the quirky personalities in this.  And redheads.  Redheads are always a good idea.

[Jade]

Oh my gosh!  Those faces at the end!  Too much!  Really enjoying the quirky personalities in this.  And redheads.  Redheads are always a good idea.

Yes, I just had to snap a shot of their faces. I laughed. Out loud. Thankfully, my parents were both out of the room, or I would've gotten some awkward looks! Thank you! My legacy Sims seem to always have some interesting personalities. I love redheads too, but another unique color is being introduced, it seems. c;

[Jade]

For someone who insisted that he was forced into being a Gardener 'against his will,' he spent quite a bit of time tending his smallish garden.



Jade: We now observe the wild Cucumber Smasher in its natural habitat.
Marion: I'll have you know that I'm a Clodhopper now, thank you very much.
Jade: *snickers* You just made this so much worse better for yourself.

As if to prove me wrong, he began spending more time in the kid's bedroom. No, no nooboos... yet. Instead, he was messing around with the Chemistry Table.



Marion: I need total peace and quiet. I'm doing a very important scientific experiment right now.
Jade: What, like creating a Stink Juice Potion?
Marion: Fiddlesticks! You messed me up!
Jade: Like this is the first time that you've singed yourself.

To escape from my constant antagonizing friendly attempt at conversation, Marion decided to check the mail.



Marion: How...?
Jade: How what?
Marion: How did it...?
Jade: How did what?



Marion: How did it fit in the mailbox?
Jade: Oh.
Jade: Never mind that--they obviously didn't get the memo that it's summer and a whopping eighty-five degrees out here.

Although their wedding presents were very... unique, Laurel and Marion preferred celebrating their marriage in quite a different way.




Aileen's Spirit: NOOBOO!
Leighton's Spirit: NOOBOO!
Jade: NOOBOO!

In an effort to bond with his new mother-in-law, Marion allowed himself one training session. Expecting a nice, easy workout (perhaps even including a flat-screen TV!), he sat down on the Exercise Queen and grinned to himself contentedly. He had an amazing wife, a caring mother-in-law, and a beautiful nooboo on the way. Could his life get any better?

There were a few things Marion didn't realize:

1. Tess had Mastered the Athletic Skill.
2. Working out was definitely harder when the most you've done in your life is gesture at the remote desperately and call for your older sister to hand it to you.
3. Tess didn't like Marion.



Tess: Chin up! Push your arms together! Hurry up! You're being slow!
Marion: But...I'm...a...Couch Potato...
Tess: You don't say things like that to a Master of Athleticism! Chin up!
Marion: I...don't...work out...
Tess: You do now! CHIN UP!

However, that day was an unlucky day for the entire household--not just Marion.

While Laurel and Marion were peacefully sleeping together in the guest-house, one of Tess's accomplices made a wrong turn and ended up at the Wood household. Chaos ensued.



Burglar: Hey, this house is pretty nice. Who woulda thunk?



Tess: BURGLAR! Oh, wait, one second...
Burglar: We have so much in common. I'd love to get to know you better.
Tess: Um, I have a boyfriend. Aren't you supposed to be at the Warehouse?
Burglar: You're Tess Wood! Boss told me about you. I'd love to keep talking, but the police will be here any minute.



Burglar: If you'll excuse me.
Police: Oh, of course. My bad. Wait--you're the burglar!



Police: You'll never get away with this!
Burglar: Think before you speak, woman.



Burglar: My Athletic skill far surpasses yours; therefore, I have won.
Police: But...but...I'm a Police Officer! I have the Hidden trait!
Burglar: Boohoo. Hey, Tess, call me sometime. *runs away*

And the excitement didn't stop there.



Laurel: I think the baby's coming.
Laurel: OUCH! Yes, the baby's definitely coming.
Laurel: ...I didn't even get to finish my hot dogs.



Laurel: I feel like it shouldn't hurt this badly.
Laurel: I wonder where Marion is.
Laurel: I'm going to go to the hospital now.



Laurel: Ah, finally. He's out of me.
Marion: *stares at wall* I am never doing that again.
Laurel: ...You're not the one who was going into labor, sweetie.
Marion: I am emotionally scarred.
Jade: And physically.

[PeregrineTook]

Yay!!  Nooboo!  I rather enjoyed the interactions with the burglar :=)

[Jade]

Yay!!  Nooboo!  I rather enjoyed the interactions with the burglar :=)

Yes! More about said nooboo in next chapter. Glad you enjoyed the burglar--I was just as surprised as Tess that he would dare sneak into one of his accomplice's houses.

[Jade]

Laurel: They grow up so fast!
Jade: Don't worry, their toddler years keep you young.
Jade: Or make you older.
Laurel: Thanks, that really helped.
Jade: I honestly can't tell if you're being sarcastic or not.



Tess: Rawr! The claw is coming to get you!

Jade: So, what are you going to name him?
Laurel: Hmm. I hadn't thought about that yet.
Laurel: His name shall be Zachariah.
Jade: Well, alright then.

Zachariah was taught his skills quickly by mother, father, and grandmother alike.



Laurel: Repeat after me: I will learn how to walk if it's the last thing I do.
Zachariah, thinking: I do not understand you.
Laurel: Daddy will teach you how to talk later.



Jade: Great babysitting going on there, Marion.
Marion: Excuse me--I just put the baby down for a rest while I ate my autumn salad.
Jade: Choked on your autumn salad. You're going to give yourself indigestion issues.
Marion: *choking*



Marion: Avoid your grandmother at all costs. She's evil. She forced me to...to...to...
Jade: To what, may I ask?
Marion: To exercise.
Zachariah: ?



Marion: Band-Aid. Can you say Band-Aid?
Zachariah: Band-Aid!
Jade: Would you look at that! Maybe he'll be a doctor when he grows up.
Marion: As long as he's not an Athlete.
Tess: Offensive!
Jade: You're not even in the Athletic career.
Tess: Pfft, what are you talking about.



Tess: Now, I just need you to potty, Zachariah.
Zachariah: Constipated!



Laurel: AH! Another burglar! Not the food!! Anything but the food!!
Tess: It's just me.
Laurel: Oh.

Eventually, another season of birthdays came along, and birthday cakes were aplenty in the Wood household.



Marion: Why are there sparkles surrounding me? Are they going to eat me alive?!
Jade: Calm down. You're just aging.
Marion: That's worse!



Marion: I'm still hot, right?
Jade: Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Tess, thinking: Not going to open my eyes...not going to open my eyes...
Laurel: Uh...of course, sweetie! *frozen smile*
Zachariah: Cake! Cake!
Marion: ...Fine, see how I react when you turn forty.

Tess preferred a private celebration.



Tess: Ouch. I don't think my back should hurt this much.
Jade: It's all a part of becoming older.
Tess: How about that Ambrosia?
Jade: That's an Immortal Dynasty, not a legacy.
Tess: Can you start one of those? I'd be a pretty good Founder, don't'cha think?
Jade: I don't think I'm ready for that kind of responsibility.

Tess Wood: Elder


Vegetarian, Daredevil, Kleptomaniac, Light Sleeper, Athletic

Tess did have a point, though. After many,



many,



many



days of reading Cooking Vol. 1, 2, and 3, Laurel finally managed to make it to level ten.



Laurel: And I'm finally able to fulfill that one wish I popped back at the beginning of my young adulthood!



Laurel: Yummy!
Jade: It does look good--but where did you get that Flame Fruit?
Laurel: I stole it from the Langerak's old house. Why?
Jade: That explains a lot.
Tess: Now that you're level ten, why don't you make me some ambrosia?
Laurel: If you can convince Marion to catch me a Deathfish and grow me a Life Fruit, then of course I will.
Tess: That sounds like a lot of work.
Laurel: Exactly.

And to end, some toddler adorable-ness that I just couldn't resist sharing.

[PeregrineTook]

Enjoyed the nice toddler shot at the end.  Too cute!  I also liked the presentation of how exciting it is watching a Sim read skilling books!  Cleverly presented  :=)

[Jade]

Enjoyed the nice toddler shot at the end.  Too cute!  I also liked the presentation of how exciting it is watching a Sim read skilling books!  Cleverly presented  :=)

Thank you for continuing to comment! I appreciate it. Oh, yes, watching her read those books was the highlight of much of her young adulthood. Her marriage and child pale in comparison.

[Jade]

And the 'birthday season' continues...

Laurel opted to go her mother's route, most likely because she was asleep when the pop-up came up and Jade forgot to age her up before work.



Laurel: How do I look?
Jade: Laurel, you know you're my favorite, right?
Laurel: Of course. Don't worry, I won't tell Tess.
Jade: Or Marion.
Laurel: Or Marion.

She didn't even have a mid-life crisis! Amazing!

Laurel's first job of the night was at a certain somebody's house. A certain somebody that the Wood family hasn't checked on in ages.



Darrin: Haha! That little ghost hunter freak thinks ghosts are real.
Makayla: I'll have you know that that 'little ghost hunter freak' is my niece.
Makayla: Wait, she's here?



Raheem: Cool! A ghost-buster! I need me one of those.
Darrin: No son of mine--
Makayla: I'm the one who gave birth to him. Of course you can become a Ghost Hunter when you grow up, Raheem.
Raheem, thinking: I never said I wanted to work.
Laurel: I would love to stay and discuss the benefits of working as a Ghost Hunter, but duty calls.



Laurel: You've lived a full life. Your friends and family have moved on. I think you need to as well.
Ghost: Really? Well, since you're my new best friend, I guess I will.
Laurel: That was easy.
Jade: Did she even live in Sunset Valley when she was alive?
Laurel: Shh. Respect the dead.

The next morning afternoon dawned bright and early for the Wood household.



Marion: Blow out the candles, Zach!
Laurel: Zachariah. His name is Zachariah.
Marion: That's what I said, honey.
Laurel: No, you said Zach. I clearly heard you say Zach.



Marion: I'm sorry! No nicknames. Got it.
Laurel: How would you feel if I called you Mar-Mar?
Marion: I am sure that my fragile male ego would crumble under the disgrace of such a nickname. Will you please forgive my faults, Laurel Wood?
Laurel: Yes, Marion. I forgive you.

Because that's what dysfunctional couples like them do.

Zachariah Wood: Child (Fourth Generation)


Friendly, Genius, Party Animal



Jade: They look like little squids, don't'cha think?
Marion: Those are ginseng plants.
Jade: And what exactly do they do?
Marion: They, er, I'll get back to you on that.



Marion: Um. They give you herb nausea.
Jade: Lovely.

Laurel and Marion, interesting though their relationship may be, still had the same spark that had inflamed years before.



Laurel: Thanks for taking me out.
Marion: I hadn't realized you had already eaten dinner, so the Bistro was out.
Laurel: I like fishing, don't worry.
Marion: And the movie theater was closed for the night.
Laurel: Honestly, fishing makes me happy.
Marion: And I would go to the beach with you, but that's cheesy.
Laurel: Marion. I love the outdoors. This is perfect.
Marion: Well, okay--



Laurel: Please shut up.
Marion: Okay.

[PeregrineTook]

The squid plant.  Nice!