WISHING WELL MANSIONS
Matisse A Wish for RomanceThis is Rafe Matisse, our first rival with the desire to fill Newcrest with mansions.
Rafe: Can you tell me why I'm wearing a scarf when it's 20C?
Watcher: Because it's 20F where I am and there's snow on the ground. Besides, you're in Windenburg, and people wear scarves in Windenburg.
Rafe: And why am I in Windenburg when I live in Newcrest?
Watcher: Because the wishing well is in the Ruins there.
Rafe: I've heard about that thing it gives you evil ghost children and takes all your money.
Watcher: It's not always bad. Sometimes you get good outcomes. Anyway, it doesn't matter, because you're going to go and wish for Romance.
Rafe: No.
Watcher: Sorry, but that's one of the conditions of being in this challenge. Once a week, you or someone in your household has to go and make a wish.
Rafe: Yeah, but I don't have enough money to make it happy. What if it decides to kill me?
Watcher: It won't kill you. Now go.
Rafe made his wish and was given a 4-hour flirty moodlet. "Go and paint the town pink," the wishing well told him. He didn't know anyone to flirt with, so he went to a coffeehouse.
Rafe: Watcher, everyone here is either married or male.
Watcher: Yeah, well it's Sunday morning. I guess all the women are still getting their beauty sleep. Why don't you go use that easel outside?
While painting, Rafe spotted a likely prospect in the distance, Ulrike Faust.
Watcher: Go, introduce yourself.
Rafe: Are you sure? Isn't she a member of the Renegades? I've heard about them they're mean to people.
Watcher: You've got about 15 minutes left on that flirty moodlet. So quit arguing and go.
Rafe introduced himself and soon found out that Ulrike was creative and an art lover. Since he was too, they had a lot in common. Things were going well, and then Ulrike had to leave.
Rafe: What if I never see her again? What if I invite her over and she says she can't come?
Watcher: I have a very simple solution for that, but first, let's go back to the house.
The house, by the way, is
Rustic Modern by
@Playalot .
Rafe: Why are we putting easels in the kitchen/dining/living room?
Watcher: So that the members of your club will have a place to paint.
Watcher: Not only will you be able to make some money from their paintings, but guess who is one of the members.
Later...
Rafe: As you can see, that tiny bit of purple is enough to balance the mass of chartreuse on the left.
Adriana: Ooh, you are so talented!
Ulrike: Are you sure that's purple? It looks more like maroon to me.
Rafe: Yeah, well, either way it balances.
The next morning...
Rafe: Don't I get any privacy?
Watcher: You obviously haven't read any other dynasty stories. But relax, I won't usually take pictures of you in the shower. The reason I took this one is that I missed getting a picture when you set yourself on fire. How hard can it be to make scrambled eggs?
Watcher: Ulrike is going to be at work until 5 pm. I suggest you paint pictures until then you're going to need to make some money to replace the counter and dishwasher. But at 5 pm sharp, you arrange to meet her somewhere and then ask her for a date.
The place where they met was another coffeeshop.
Rafe: I never thought I would meet anyone as interested in art as I am. It's like we're soulmates. I was wondering if I texted you my phone number, would you text me yours in return?
Ulrike: Ooh, you kissed your phone before sending me the text. That's so cute! Here's my number.
One thing led to another and pretty soon there were fireworks.
Rafe: Privacy?
Watcher: One time only, promise.
Ulrike moved in, bringing her roommate Maaike Haas with her. With the additional money, Rafe added a bedroom for Maaike and a computer so that she could write her novels. Maaike immediately put a lock on the door.
Maaike: I'm not having people come in and play games on my computer when I want to write. Not to mention turning on my radio when I want to sleep.
Rafe and Ulrike: All right, all right.
Pretty soon the three housemates were getting together for breakfast every morning.
Watcher: Why so glum, Ulrike?
Ulrike: I flunked my pregnancy test. Again.
Rafe kept painting, and eventually had enough pictures so that he could move to the second level of the Mansion Baron aspiration. It was time to start landscaping.
Rafe: Don't you think you're overdoing it with the hollyhocks?
Watcher: You can never have too many hollyhocks. But I'll mix in some sunflowers for contrast.
At last the day came when Ulrike had some good news.
Rafe: You took the pregnancy test again? I thought we'd agreed that you wouldn't do that any more because it just bummed you out.
Ulrike: Yeah, but this time I'm pregnant! Fifth time lucky!
She had to go to work then, but when she came home, Rafe went down on one knee and proposed.
Rafe: Well? Is it a yes or no?
Ulrike: I just want to make sure this is a proper diamond. Maybe I should look at it through a loupe.
Watcher: Say yes already. I don't want to watch poor Rafe to die of mortification.
Rafe finally picked up enough satisfaction points from working on the Painter Extraordinaire, Mansion Baron, and Soulmate aspirations to get the Connections reward. He started the Painter career at level 4.
Ulrike: I find it very annoying that you're starting at a higher level than me.
Rafe: That's the breaks, kid.
Ulrike: Plus your work uniform is better than mine.
Rafe: It could be worse. You could be wearing clown paint.
When they got home from work that evening they decided to get married. Ulrike took a moodlet solver to help her stay awake long enough for the ceremony. They invited Maaike and Adriana and the members of the Renegades. The Renegades sent their regrets weddings weren't edgy enough for them. Maaike baked their wedding cake which she left in the refrigerator.
Watcher: Forget the cake, Maaike. You have to sit and watch them exchange their vows.
At last Rafe and Ulrike were married.
And when they fed each other wedding cake, the Watcher breathed a sigh of relief. The wedding had received a gold medal one party down, only two more to go.
