@Whirligig I'm basically making a smaller version of each house for its museum, but I enlarged that spider to place over the front door. I need to focus on helping the vampires earn more money--many of the house's rooms still lack floor/wall coverings.
Some sims just make better parents. Caleb literally flies over when any nooboo/toddler cries. His sister Lilith will help Laszlo go potty then leave him starving as she runs downstairs to the treadmill (which is why it's no longer there, hah!).
And it does feel weird ageing children up so quickly. I hesitated for 2 days with the first child (Moss), but now I've made peace with the fact that the families are racing against the clock.
@wfgodot I'd never bought and placed a mural myself before, which is why I first put it outside. Now Diego doesn't need to wait until dark to work on his career tasks.
Laszlo looks so much like his father--it's crazy. I'm curious whether he'll grow up into a stronger vampire since his parents are collectively higher ranking than Selene and Caleb.
Even if the arm flail became the rage, I can't imagine Lobo wanting any part of it, haha.
And I remembered which family I was playing, but when I got to the Neighborhood menu, I momentarily forgot which house was which. I shouldn't have given them all dark roofing!
@Caterina Haha, I noticed only later that all the heirs have "M" names. Moss because of the "rolling stone gathers no moss" thing, Murasaki after the author of the Japanese romance
The Tale of Genji (circa 1010 C.E.; she's doing Bestselling Author), and Massimo because it's such a cool Italian name!
Yes, I'm happy that Caleb's good looks got passed on to Massimo!
As for the family name, I think the Italian pronunciation is Shyar-ree (with "ar" rhyming with "car" and somewhat of a rolled "r"). Italian speakers, please correct me if I'm mistaken!
@FrancescaFiori At the time of Massimo's toddler message, I had no idea how he'd turn out, but I'm glad you find him swoon-worthy. I'm laughing that you noticed the Active trait.
As for Lilith, yeah, I need to find her a new hobby--though she'll be extremely useful as Massimo's Logic mentor for Nerd Brain.
Selene's career being behind is definitely my fault. I followed her to work the first two days so she could look for sims to turn. I realized only later that I don't really want the Science Lab overrun with immortal vampires who threaten the other households… She'll be fine--careers that require the Focused mood are fastest to level.
@Alex Massimo thanks you for the birthday greetings. I'm pleasantly surprised that he actually turned out to look rather Italian, haha. Gah, building! But I secretly confess that this challenge is the first time I've actually enjoyed building this much. It's because, I think, of the need to differentiate the three households.
Chez Jade Benjaminz, Week 3 (Part I)
Sunday
Moss: I've heard through the grapevine that the other two heirs are already teens.
Today, I can't even remember what I was doing for two days after completing Artistic Prodigy.
Anyway, I ask Auntie Yumiko to bake me a birthday cake then age up to a teen right away.
Well, hello there! I'm a Cheerful, Creative sim who aspires to become a Painter Extraordinaire.
First things first, I phone in to join the Retail career at the entry level, a downside of never attending grade school!
Ulrike: Before you start painting, would you pose for your portrait, Moss dear?
Jade: I mentor Moss as he starts painting while Ulrike finishes his portrait. Moss gains painting levels quickly, with Ulrike and I taking turns to mentor him.
Moss: I visit the Willow Creek Art Museum to view three paintings as my aspiration requires.
And, by the way, who needs custom-content hair when you look this good? I'm talking to you, Massimo!
Akiko: I'm pretty sad that Moss aged up without me! My birthday isn't for another 12 whole days!!!
After doing three or four aspirations, I'll brainstorm how to make myself indispensable to Moss.
I am absolutely not losing Moss to that Yuki girl with the turquoise hair! Right, Mama?
Salim: Fern's come along with us the museum, too. Her birthday's in two days and she's very close to becoming a Top-Notch Toddler.
We adults are all very relieved! We are soooo over toddlers now!
Moss: Since everyone's joined me here, I paint a while at the museum to give them time to enjoy the area.
Monday
Jade: Earlier this morning, thanks to everyone's help in building the household income, I complete Mansion Baron.
All that's left for me to do now is reach Level 10 Master of the Real.
Yumiko: Well, now that Mansion Baron is done, we can stop pinching pennies and hire a gardener!
Let's see, what shall I do with all my new-found free time? Brunch with a friend at Dem Butlers? I love their desserts!
Salim: It would be great for Fern if you could be a Logic mentor…
Yumiko: That makes perfect sense, considering my Logic is currently…Level 1…. *rolls eyes
Sallim: Only Level 1 Logic? So, just go do all the upgrades on the telescope and microscope, k?
Ulrike: In the morning, Fern finishes all her skilling with a day to spare.
You're on your own until tomorrow, kiddo!
Moss: I'm only 3 masterpieces away from becoming a Painter Extraordinaire.
So I'm leveling charisma this evening, since tomorrow's my first day at work.
As much as I love the color of this t-shirt, I feel like its alien abduction image is tempting fate. New everyday outfit, please?
Tuesday
Salim: When Fern's birthday notice arrives, Jade's already left for work so I help Fern age up.
Salim: Using the dresser to plan Fern's outfit forces everyone at school or work to return home at 2 pm.
Jade: Why am I home early? I would have earned my Level 9 promotion today!
Moss: Somehow I'm now a B student.
Akiko: Me, too!
Yumiko: Why do I even bother to go to work?
Well, since you're out front in your new everyday outfit, Moss, let's get Fern out here, too.
Moss: This aloha shirt is my new outfit? I look like a tourist! Why does Fern get all the cool colors?
Fern: Because I'm cuter, obviously. You're just lucky this isn't a legacy challenge, bro! Watchette would probably off you in order to make me the heir.
Moss: She wouldn't!
Fern: So why do you always do that tragic thing with your eyebrows, Moss? It's very unbecoming, you know?
Moss: I do!? It is!?
Jade: Watchette's never used the wishing well before, but we decide to take a risk on the advice of her well-informed chat buddy.
I mean, what if Moss completes all his requirements but can't move out cuz I haven't maxed my career?
What's worse, I only work three days a week now. Let's see if the wishing well can help me.
Jade: The wishing well grants me that Level 9 promotion at the end of my next work day, which is Thursday.
At this rate, the earliest I can max my career will be Monday of Week 4. Sorry, Moss!
Considering my job performance reset by coming home early, though, this is the second best possible outcome. *sobs
Wednesday
Off to school, Moss?
Moss: Yep. Hey, do you think I'm pushing my luck with all the green?
Nah, and people can recognize you from more than a mile away now! Stop worrying!
Ulrike: Whenever Moss does his homework, I see these odd lights around his head. Akiko and Fern, however, don't seem to get the lights. What gives?
Moss: By the way, I'm now an A student. Is Networked even working for my part-time job? *sighs
This must be the work of the Good Schools lot trait!
Morgan: So…I asked Moss if I could come over after school and he invited me to his home.
Now that I'm here, though, he completely ignores me! Where did he go, anyway?
Nothing for me to do but try striking up a convo with his mother and sister Fern. Sheesh!
Jade (internally): Yes, Morgan, we have our eye on you and your stuff, I mean, your family.
Do you have to do that eyebrow thing even while you're in the bath?
Moss: Of course, I do! I could be out there having a delightful chat with Morgan. Instead I'm here, trying to get Very Energized for work.
Fern: I hope Akiko is aware of how many notches she needs to kick up her game!
Jade: Don't say that, Fern, we won't know until Akiko has her teen birthday.
Fern: But she looks kinda frumpy next to Yuki and Morgan, don't you think?
Jade: Ssshhh, you'll hurt her feelings. *whispers: And yes, I think so, too.
Akiko: Oh ye of little faith, don't you know I'm only in my Ugly Duckling phase right now?
Thursday
Moss: With my fifth masterpiece, I complete Painter Extraordinaire. What else do I need to do now?
Moss: I ask Papa to join me in taking the day off so he can mentor me in Writing, which will be one of my two unique skills.
And see? It's totally not my fault that I have the tragic eyebrows. Go blame Papa!
Salim: While mentoring my son, I receive the most bizarre phone call.
Where did that Diego fellow get the idea that I'd have even the faintest interest in joining the Sciarri Club?
Author's Notes
• I will go back to waiting until everyone gets home to "plan outfits," because that feature remains broken in my game, sadly.
• Well, Moss aged up to teen later than the other heirs but he whizzed through his aspiration.
• He'll have mentors for both his skills, so rest assured that has not fallen behind, though Jade's final promotion might prolong his moving out.
• And yes, I do wish that Fern had been the heir instead. She's shockingly beautiful as a child.
Coming next: The rest of Week 3 chez Jade Benjaminz
