On a remote section of the Weathertops mountain, three women dressed all in black gather around a blazing campfire. There is a cauldron full of some unknown, and definitely unsavory, liquid bubbling away. The air is scented with the tall, dark, evergreen trees, but they do not disguise, instead, enhance the aroma of what could only be Earl Grey tea.
Nanny: Oy! Pass me them wossit, bikkies Magrat.
Granny: Do you never stop eating? We've things to discuss?
Nanny: Discuss? Nought to it me girl. He's doin' just as good as can be. Wah do they call it now? "Awesome". Tha's it. Awesome.
Granny: Who's idea was that guitar?
Magrat: Ummm, it was me. Is it ok? I do so like music.
Granny: Aye. Well done. Let's give a listen then......
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A rocking blues rhythm, filled with a strum only Maybelle Carter used to use, can be heard filling the air with joy. In far away Willow Brook, our handsome hero practices with intense concentration.
Kieran: If I could just get this riff perfected I'll be able to teach it to the girls. Only one level to go before I can monitor them in guitar once they are teens.
A short distance away, with the sound of music ringing in her ears, another resident talks away, waving her arms and making appropriate faces and gestures. She's not insane, talking to herself that way, merely trying to put the final touches on her charisma level. After all, bartenders are known for their charisma, are they not?
Meanwhile, lost in his new universe in the book he's currently writing, our local author types away, lost to the sound of music flowing throughout the house.
Venkat: Bloody locked in my room again.......Wait. That's good. I'll add that. "The green eyed alien found himself locked in a dark and dreary.............."
Later that day.....
Kieran: Oh yes, she's doing quite well isn't she? Level 10 in violin already. Her twin as well. Are you planning on your nooboo taking up the violin? They could form a trio and play everywhere. I can just see them up on the stage in the La Simla Concert Hall.
Eliza: It's much too soon for that. I lean more toward athletic qualities rather than the creative ones. I do like that tune she's playing though.
Having finished playing her concerto, Aislyn wanders off to do some skill reading. She is totally engrossed in her book on Logic.......
When her Uncle Don comes in.
Don: Hey, kiddo! Gratz on reaching level 10 violin! Heard you aced all your aspirations as well! Shake on that!
Aislyn: Thank you, Uncle Don! It was a lot of work but it was fun too. Now I pretty much can focus on some fun and my school work of course. Time is moving on and I'll be a teenager pretty soon! Gotta play while I can.
Don: Well, you keep up the good work honey buns. I'll be ready to mentor you in fitness and art when you age up. Level 10 in both, you know. Gotta run. Want to see how your Auntie is doing.
Don: Huge! I never thought someone as small as you could fit something as big as this nooboo in there. Are you ok? Does it hurt?
Eliza: Silly man! No, it doesn't hurt. Not till it's time for it to come out. Did you feel that?
Don: WHOA! That's some soccer player you got in there!
Don: So that thing will magically transport us to another universe?
Alton: No, not another universe, just another planet. I've got to get it completely calibrated first though. Actually, it might not work for you guys. I think you have to be a level 10 Scientist before you can upgrade it enough to allow transport. My life bar is already bubbling so looks like we'll need a family heir to complete it. That is, if one of them becomes a Scientist. I'll keep working for as long as "The Three" allow. I think they already have a call in to Grim. He's sent me a couple of notices already.
Dina: So Alton is it supposed to glow all green like that?
Alton: Only if it's working right. You keep on trying and see how many of those Moodlet Solvers you can clone. Might come in handy one day. You know, if you drop out of the club system.
Dina: No chance of that! It comes in way too handy for getting our moods just right.
Alton: Yeah, but with the potion you have no worries. You're always in the right mood, or at least a good one.
Later that evening..............
Alton: So this is fun! I'm glad you could transform this into being, Kieran. We needed something else for fun besides books and computer games. At least we get to socialize this way.
Kieran: Yeah, it IS fun. Thanks for making a Simray for me as well, Alton.
Alton: Actually, my plan is to stock up the family so you all can have and use them. Might not be a great idea though. I can just see some mischievous kid finding one and zapping their parents when they're ticked off at them.
Don: Ok, so what's everybody holdin' ? I'll raise and call.
The next day............
Kieran: Liz, I know this is tough on you but we can't let you move in right now. Not that you wouldn't make a great addition to the household but rules are rules and the neighborhood watch, Maxis, says only 8 Sims per household. With your nooboo it would make it 9. Maybe after it's born.
Eliza: Well, that just sucks doesn't it? I'd either have to give up my nooboo to someone else to care for or have to live in that tiny house forever. Not that I mind living with my darling Bob. Just had hoped for a better life. You know, being Watched.
Kieran: It ain't all it's cracked up to be. We'll help all we can and you know we're going to keep on loving you and the nooboo. Just, sorry, but it's the rules.
Alton: Sooooo, you girls know I love you to pieces, right?
Aislyn: Of course! And we love you Uncle Alton.
Alton: Right. I know you do and that has made me a very happy man. Watching you girls grow up has been a real joy in my life. But right now, I might have to go away, at least for awhile.
Airynn: But why?
Alton: Well, you know your friend, Mr. Grim? He's asked me to come be with him for a bit. Not just yet, but soon. It will be ok. It might make you sad but I'll be fine and you'll be fine. Ok?
Aislyn: Maybe I could talk to him? Ask him to let you stay here?
Alton: Not this time, sweetie. Don't you go askin' him that. It's against the rules. Watcher's law. Now, you two go off and play. I've got work to do.
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As the smoke swirled around them, three ladies surreptitiously wiped away a glimmer of what could have possibly been a tear.
Granny: Ok. That's it for now. We'll all meet again when the time is right. Githa will send a message with Greebo. See you all soon.
