Chapter Eight
Welcome back! So I said I was going to focus more on Kell, and I did. But, watching Kell make 40 group meals is boring, so instead you get to find out what Nick was up to in his time off!
Getting fancy in there.Kell: Hah! Gotta do something to keep from getting bored. I've been cooking all day.
Days, actually. Fun to watch though.Kell: That's simple stuff, watch this!
Did you just catch that knife with another knife.Kell: And spun it around the blade too, yup. How cool is that? Oh one more trick, hang on...
How is that staying in the pot exactly?Kell: Sheer powers of awesome. And centrifugal force.
I don't think that's actually possible... whatever. So on to business, how are you feeling?Kell: Not great watcher. My elder birthday is coming up soon, and well... I have the feeling that Ali is going to pass away soon. I'm not sure what I'll do without her.
Your kids still need you Kell. And their kids, and theirs. You'll be alright, it just takes time. Wait... there's someone at the door... Oh! I recognize her! Kell go let her in.Kell: Her? Her who?
I don't remember her name, but she's an acquaintance of your son, that's all.Hey Nick, what are you up to?James: I'm sending out chain emails... every one I send makes me a little more hated. It's like fighting with people from home, I love it.
That's.... good actually. I'm glad I don't have to sit through as many fights! So you've got a visitor.Nick: I do? Who?
Oh fine, hang on I'll figure it out... Victoria.Nick: Nothing comes to mind.
She's one of two people at the park that you didn't insult yesterday. Apparently she thought you were interesting because she just showed up at the house.Hello there Victoria. What are you up to there?Victoria: Oh! I didn't realize this household had a Watcher. I'm sorry, I just saw the book out of place and I had to get it...
No worries dear, I appreciate it. The bookshelf is in the office down the hall. Do you mind if I call you Vicky?Vicky: No that's fine. Most of my friends call me that anyways, they say my normal name is too serious for me.
Oh good! Nick is waiting in the living room.Nick: So have you seen the new episode yet?
Kell: *quietly* Well Watcher?
Well what? You're the secret agent, do some research. But yes, she has my vote.Nick and Vicky: *imitating character* Whatdya MEAN it doesn't look safe! *laughter*
Kell: And then I'll take over the world! Muahahahah!
Nick: Dad you aren't even doing it right. And you're embarrassing.
Vicky: Hey Nick. *shove*
Nick: What are you... quit it!
Vicky: *shove, poke, prod*
Nick: Would you stop! *breaks into laughter*
Kell: *quietly* Hm... I think she has mine too.
Taking a liking to gardening?Nick: I can see why mom does it. It's very... focusing. Watcher, I need your help.
I'll do what I can. Whats up?Nick: I like Vicky a lot. She's so trusting, so playful. I want to hang out with her more, but I'm afraid that I'll mess it up. Or that James might hurt her. I am okay with family, but when its anyone else I have trouble keeping him out. And sometimes I want to be mean to people too.
I understand. I'll promise to help you keep control if you'll promise to talk with your parents.Nick: I will Watcher.
Then we have an accord.Ali: I'm glad you came to me first dear, it means a lot. But you should talk with your father. When we first met, I really wasn't interested. He was kind of scrawny, and he didn't even have a house!
Ah the old days... When there was so much less work. I remember them fondly.Ali: The only reason we ended up together was your father. He was so motivated all the time. I found his energy attractive, but even then I didn't really like him. It's so hard to get over your built in traits. But your father, he never gave up. He was pretty forward about it too. I suppose that in the end that's what won me over.
Nick: So... I should just be forward?
Ali: You should be yourself. But be yourself like you are around family and friends, don't be James. You should be confidant. The watcher will help you with James, but in the end it's up to you. He can't be there all the time, as I well know.
Nick: Thanks so much Mom.
Ali: I love you. Go talk with your father.
Kell: When Ali and I first met, she and I got along great. She taught me on the exercise machine for hours before she found out about my Good trait, and then she wanted nothing to do with me. I didn't know she was Evil at the time. We'd been getting along so well it rather hurt when she turned on me.
Nick: Mom said she wasn't interested at first.
Kell: She understated it a bit. I think she insulted me 5 times within our first hour of conversation. But... I couldn't keep her out of my mind over the following week. I made a plan and invited her over, and fortunately won her over.
Nick: How?
Kell: By ignoring her insults, and convincing her that I liked her. That first bit won't work for you though, Vicky isn't the problem you are. Sorry kid, but I'm going to say it in plain terms. If you treat her even a little bit like you treat others, she'll leave faster than you can blink. I had a motivation and a reason to bear through it, she doesn't.
Nick: Then... There's no hope?
Kell: No, there's all the hope in the world. If you really like her, then you'll control yourself. I certainly hope you do, she's a lovely young woman. Speaking of which, she'll be here in a couple hours, so you better get your homework done.
Nick: Wait, what? You invited her over?
Kell: No point in waiting. Besides, with all this encouragement today you should be fine.
I'm in agreement with Kell. He's got stuff to do tonight though, so just you and me Nick. Well and Vicky, but you get what I mean.Vicky: I'm going to make faces at you until you finish.
Nick: Well I just finished. What do you want to do?
Vicky: Swim! Your pool is nice, I saw it the first time I came.
Still just a teen boy.Nick: What? I'm just getting a shot of my new swimtrunks.
Right. Well I'm here if you need me. Good luck.Nick: Thanks Watcher.
Vicky: So you're working on the deviance aspirations? Doesn't that bother you?
Nick: Well... No. I find it pretty fun actually. I know that the people I fight with don't enjoy it, so I try not to fight with my family.
Vicky: What about your friends? Other people you care about?
Nick: I don't know. I never really had any friends, no one really likes talking with me. Malcolm is an exception, but he's Evil too, so that's why we get along.
Vicky: Do you want to fight with me too?
Nick: No! I don't want to fight with you, I want to... well...
*cheering in the background*Nick: I don't want to fight with you, I really like you. I've thought about it. You're the only person outside this household, other than Malcolm, that I like. I want to give you this.
Nick: Nothing serious, its just a promise, from me. A promise that I'll never hurt you.
Chapter Eight End
Post-Story Story
So! This was a lot of fun. A lot of fun. Maybe the most fun I've had while writing these chapters so far.
I discovered the "send chain mail" interaction! Wow that makes the deviance aspiration so much easier. I was kind of dreading having to fight with Eric and family again. Apparently I'm alright with confrontation and being a dick as long as it's over the internet. Wait... I UNDERSTAND THE INTERNET NOW.
Next article. So yeah, this story is more or less the way it happened in-game. I didn't invite Vicky over the first time, she came over on her own. She and Nick got along pretty fantastically. I think it's her Childish trait. I'm actually really happy with how it all turned out.
Kell is done leveling his cooking! I went from cooking 6 and gourmet cooking 0 to 10 in each over the span of 1 sim day. So. much. Cooking. And in other news...
That's the last ingredient ready. So I have to do 2 gold parties, make 8 museum items, and solidify my friends list. I think I should be alright.
Kell is one day from Elder now, and I just got the notification that Ali is about to pass away. I think I've been avoiding playing due to that, it's hard to let her go. Also, when I said I was 50 socials from finishing, I was mistaken. I was actually 150 socials away, and now I'm about 80 away. Kell might be skipping his birthday party in favor of time with his wife.