The Knethen Immortal Dynasty

[Shewolf13]

I won't get a chance to look at the house itself until tomorrow after work, though I like the plans! 

[dethdukk]

I won't get a chance to look at the house itself until tomorrow after work, though I like the plans! 

No worries!  I've lived with it for 2 generations, I'm sure I can survive another day or two, heh.  The way I built is different than the actual house floor plans, due to restrictions on Sim walking space and stuff like that.  Also I needed more rooms than the floor plan gave me in the main building. 

[Whirligig]

Painting again.  Well done Kell.  It looks like...  a red eyeball?
Kell:  No, a fireball.  I was inspired by the card game I played, Tragic:  The Spending.

So I'm still only partway through reading, and I am thoroughly enjoying it thus far, but I just needed to let you know that that line made me giggle oh so much.
(You don't need to be a geek to get geeky references, you just need to be dating one).

Edit: Okay, all caught up! I love the story so far, you're really doing quite well - I'm especially impressed that you did the Friend of the World aspiration when you did, with it being especially glitchy/challenging. Congrats.

I had been like you for a while - hesitant to play evil/mean/criminal sims, but then I played one and it was ridiculously fun. I love Nick as a character, actually - he's really grown on me. And I appreciate that he's sort of drawn the line with Victoria.

Best of luck with the rest of your dynasty, and I'll be sure to keep reading!

[dethdukk]

@Whirligig - Thanks for the compliments! 

I do enjoy myself a good geek joke.  I have to give credit to another friend who came up with it though, I always just called it cardboard crack.  Glad someone got the reference!

The Friend aspiration actually wasn't as hard as it might seem!  As I've mentioned in some post-stories, it matches up amazingly well with the job requirements for Secret Agent - Diamond Path.  The hardest part was the lack of cash flow, due to not having a painter or writer.  I never missed a bill payment, but it was pretty close at times.  Like, I was waiting for Kell to get back from work to pay the bill before the power got shut off.  I have yet to get over 10k in the bank (with the exception of when I moved Ali in).

I've actually been enjoying my work with Nick lately.  After I got past the "be despised by 2 neighbors" part, and figured out how chain emails worked, I was much happier.  The amusing part is, I have yet to actually have an unfulfilled job requirement.  As soon as Nick gets to the next promotion he already has the requirements finished.

[dethdukk]

Chapter Twelve




Richard:  Shhhh, It's okay Ken, shhh.  It's okay nooboo.
Hey Richard, we're all headed out to the park.  I think it'll help take everyone's mind off Ali.
Richard:  I don't know Watcher, I don't feel up to that right now. 
Well that's too bad, because you're coming anyways, even if Nick has to drag you.  Let's go.





Kell:  Wait, checkmate?  What do you mean chec... well crap.  Guess I'm not as good at this as I thought.
Stephen:  Don't worry about it Mr. Knethen.  I'm number one in my school right now.




Wait, Vicky is supposed to be at work...
Richard:  She is, this is Shayla. 
Oh!  Um, sorry Shayla,  you look kind of like another family member.
Shayla:  Richard told me.  I'm actually a friend of her brother, so I know why you were confused.  We used to say that we were twins born to different mothers. 



Richard:  Checkmate, by the way.
Shayla:  Saw that one coming.  Nicely played.
Richard:  Would you be interested in coming over tonight?  We've got a pretty awesome pool at my house. 
Shayla:  Oh definitely.



Shayla:  Personally, I like being outside because I don't have to worry about whether or not it's clean.  It's nice getting a break from cleaning sometimes. 



Richard:  So you and Vicky know each other from childhood?
Shayla:  Yeah, our families are friends, so we saw a lot of each other growing up.
Vicky:  Truthfully, I think I'm so neat because it used to bother her so much.  Anytime she came over to visit we had to make sure the house was perfect.




I'm glad this worked out so well.  At least Richard isn't stuck thinking about Ali now.



Is that...  KELL!  Kell, Ali's out front!




Kell:  Ali, I've missed you so much.  Everyone has.  How long can you stay?
Ali:  Not too long.  I have to be gone before morning.  Are my kids home?
They are.  I'll get them Ali.




Richard:  Mom, it's great to see you.  I think I may have met someone.
Ali:  Oh that's wonderful dear!  I'm so happy for you.  Maybe I can meet her someday.
Richard:  So you'll be back again?
Ali:  I'll try dear, but I can't promise.  It's hard getting back.



Nick:  MOM!  I can't believe you're back!
Ali:  Not for too much longer dear.  I'm glad you were able to leave work early.



Kell:  Are you sure you can't stay longer? 
Ali:  I'm sorry love, I truly wish I could.  I promise I'll try to come back soon.
She'll be back Kell, don't worry.
Kell:  I know.  I can't tell you how much this helped Watcher.  Now where is my Grandson?




Kell:  Oh you're nothing but a tiny ball of cute.  Look at your tiny little hands.



Kell:  Uh oh, looks like it's your moms turn to handle you.
Vicky:  Did he just poop himself.
Kell:  Um...  Say look at the time.  I better get ready for work!
Nick:  Haha, don't worry dear I have it.




You look just like your father did.  Except your father thought those sunglasses were cool.
Nick:  Hey my sunglasses ARE awesome.  Just because you can't rock shades doesn't mean I can't.

Post-Story Story

Not too much to say this time around.  I didn't get too much done, aspiration-wise.  I've been trying to figure out all the new stuff with the patch.  They changed a bunch of aspirations I was in the middle of working on, and there's a TON of bugs that have invaded the woodwork.  The fridge wouldn't work for a while, my Sims keep cancelling the actions I've queued up, and a bunch of other, minor issues.

So Shayla... I seriously thought that I'd invited Vicky to the park by mistake when she was supposed to go to work for a bit.  She's Neat and Loves the Outdoors, so her and Richard have been getting along pretty well.  But I suppose you know that already. 

Ali actually showed up pretty quickly, maybe 2 nights after she died.  I'm glad she seems to be willing to visit, Kell still needs romantic interactions for his daily work, and having Ali around every so often is definitely going to be good.

[Playalot]

Awww, and I thought Kells romantic interactions were 'cos he loved her... now I find out it's all business! Whateverz 

[dethdukk]

Awww, and I thought Kells romantic interactions were 'cos he loved her... now I find out it's all business! Whateverz 

What, it can't be both?    Truthfully, he always did his daily work all by himself when she was alive.  Usually he's able to cover the daily work himself while she's visiting in ghost form, but other times I have to manually do it. 

[Whirligig]

I'm scared to install the new patch due to all the changes and bugs at the moment - I've turned automatic updates off in Origin for the time being, since I'm not playing a dynasty Challenge at the moment.

So good to see Ali out and about, and that Richard's found himself a girl. :-)

[dethdukk]

Chapter Thirteen




Learning how to play chess?
Ken:  Yeah.  Grandpas teaching me all his strategies.



Kell:  Everyone could see it, all the way from the corners of the world, the Quadruple Rainbow.



Malcolm?  What are you doing here?
Malcolm:  Ali was an old friend.  She asked me to help Nick when he started his Career.
Oh, I didn't know.  I'm sorry for your loss.



Kell:  Listen Malcolm, why don't you come live with us?  It's got to be lonely up in that mansion.
Malcolm:  Are you sure?  I know we've had our confrontations in the past, even if you did win most of them
Kell:  You helped my son, this is the least I can do.  And I wouldn't put a man as sick as you in jail.
Malcolm:  Thanks Kell.  This means a lot.



Are you really sure about this?  He's still Evil.
Kell:  So are Ali and Nick.  He's past his his days of running Criminal Enterprises.  Besides, how could I deny a dying man comfort?
Is he really that bad off?
Kell:  I think he might have a week left at most Watcher.  He's been sick for a while.



Well you definitely picked up on the finer points of Kell's strategy.
Ken:  Yeah, this one always works.  Checkmate!




Is that a unicorn?  With rainbow hair?
Ken:  And what if it is, Watcher?
Uh...  Never mind.  You're one scary kid, you know that?  Got that evil eye down pat.



What do you call that style?
Ken:  The Jellyfish Stroke.




You are one hard worker Nick, congratulations.  Just need the Grade A now right?
Ken:  Yeah.  I do my homework every day but my teacher keeps telling me I need to learn how to work in a group.  I don't know why, I work better alone.
Because you can't always rely on yourself, and it's good to have friends to catch you if you fall.
Ken:  If you say so.



Malcolm:  Ali, it's good to see you again.
Ali:  You too Malcolm.  Thank you for taking care of my son.
Malcolm:  I was happy to, he was an apt pupil.  I expect he'll be a bigger success than I was.
Ali:  Yeah, I'm worried about that.  If Nick crosses his father, I don't know what Kell will do.
Malcolm:  You think he'd betray his family?
Ali:  No, but his work might put him in conflict with Kells.
Malcolm:  Hm... I'll talk to him about it.



Kell:  Nom nom nom.



Malcolm:  I never did get into the physical side of things.  Speaking of which, how is my empire?  When I gave control to you I expected some updates.
Nick:  Sorry Malcolm, it's been pretty busy.  Everything is going pretty well.  I've actually fallen out of the ah... physical side of the business as well.  Mostly I run things from the office or the house.  I'm in the middle of taking care of the competition in the next town over.
Malcolm:  Oh?  That's pretty impressive, but doesn't that put you into conflict with your father?



Nick:  No, actually I'm working with the Agency.  Apparently they like corruption that they can work with more than corruption they have to clean up.
Malcolm:  How did that happen?
Nick:  My father set it up.  He knew I'd be coming into conflict with the Agency eventually, so he made sure they saw me as a tool rather than a threat.  I clean up the trash, and they look the other way.  Works out for everyone. 



Nick, there's a fire!
Nick:  Richards got it.
Richard:  I most definitely do not!  *beats pan ineffectively*



Nick:  You're fine you baby.  Besides, I have to eat this tasty bass.
Richard:  AAAAGH!  *continues ineffective flailing*



How are you feeling Malcolm?
Malcolm:  Pretty good Watcher.  It's nice to be around friends, thank you for letting me live here.
It's been a pleasure.  Besides, it wasn't entirely altruistic... you brought in a large amount of cash.
Malcolm:  A small price to pay for happiness.




Nick:  Did I ever tell you how I met your mom?
Ken:  Nuh uh.
Nick:  Well we met at the park.  I'm not sure what your mom saw in me, I was fighting with everyone there.  I mean, I'd just come from fighting with my neighbors.



Vicky:  I just thought he was cute.  I decided to stop by his house to see if he'd just been having a bad day.  Turns out he's a sweetie when he wants to be. 
Nick:  What your mom means is that I love my family more than I love fighting.
Vicky:  You just don't want people to know you've gone soft.
Nick:  Woman, I will end you.
Vicky:  Hah!  As if.
Well she's got your number.



Are you okay?
Vicky:  Yeah, I have to pee REALLY bad, but I need to finish these dishes first.
Oooook...





Oh no, Malcolm...  He was really starting to grow on me.
Nick:  It's alright Watcher, he was prepared for this.  You better take good care of him Grim, or I swear I'll take care of you.
Grim:  If you could threaten me it would be a cold day in hell.  Even so, I will.


Post-Story Story:

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGYHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAFUGWGBVYIBFHKWBDUIOWDHUIOUO.  I accidently left this page TWICE while writing this post.  Both times I was in the middle of finishing the post-story.  ugh.  So yeah, sorry if the story seems rushed at all, all my Inspiration was burned up on the first writing, then my Focus burned out on the second, and now I'm just Tense.  (woo puns!)

Malcolm is a fun sim.  I love the way he sounds, and it was a lot of fun having him around the house for a while.  Nick and him got along really well.

Kendrick is a beast.  He finished his aspiration (outside of the grade, the new performance bar is ridiculous) in about 4 days.  I'm working on the motor aspiration now, as it affects a bunch of computer skills, like programming and video gaming.

I'm not a big fan of the new performance meter.  Nick is at rank 7 of his career, and has actually LOST performance.  He's happy the entire time he's at work, with his needs filled, daily work done, and in the proper emotion for the first half of the day.  If he doesn't start getting promotions again soon, I may have to stop playing this dynasty until they re-balance it. 

I had more here but I'm exhausted, annoyed, and can't remember what it was.  I'll put it in later if I think of it.

Edit:  Oh yeah I remember now:  Nick didn't get the "witness sims death" when Malcolm died even though he is (obviously) right there.  The full explanation is on the Dynasty Challenge forum, but long story short Metro has given a single exception to the "can't kill sims" rule for this new requirement.  (thanks @Metropolis Man !)

[Playalot]

Oh my gosh! This chapter is hilarious! Ken and his unicorn t-shirt!  Richards ineffectual fire-fighting beating.... just great!

I know what it's like to have to re-write a chapter... but for some reason your post-post story really made me laugh! I think it might be verging on some sort of slightly hysterical empathy. 

[Shewolf13]

I love your Sims, deth lol.  They make me giggle.  And I have to agree with Play on the post-post story.  It's definitely nearly hysterical sympathy!

[Whirligig]

I like this kid.

That new requirement for that aspiration - witness a death - is not one I'm terribly pleased with. I'm sure the cash that Malcolm came with was useful, however. ;-) An exception to the 'no intentional killing' rule has been made, I see, so I'm kind of looking forward to what Nick does with that.

Also, I have had waaaay too much experience with losing long, well-thought out and planned posts. Now I usually write up things like chapters in word or onenote (autosave? Yes please).

[dethdukk]

Ken, stop looking at me like that... what are you...  NOOOOO *sounds of murder*




A special bonus just for you @Whirligig , a high res version!

@Shewolf13 Thank you!  I really enjoy playing this family.  Nick has some rather.... expressive faces.  I've been pretty lucky with genetics so far, I really hope he holds his looks into teendom. 

[MarianT]

I like Ken's "evil eye" look, too. Having to witness a death makes me less inclined to do the Public Enemy aspiration, but on the whole, the aspirations are easier.

[Ginj]

I'm loving your story, dethdukk! My hat is off to you for tackling the deviant aspirations in your dynasty! I'm planning to take a pass on those unless a spouse happens to arrive with one.  Also, I'm impressed at your taking such a difficult career for your founder! Not to mention that your house is incredible during your founder's youth! Can't get over Ken's lovely eyes, either.