Wags to Witches 3.9: Hard to Earn, Easy to $pend (11/26)

[Metropolis Man]

What a great title. Very clever.

[MarianT]

Hope Chai's pet becomes a companion soon!

[PeregrineTook]

Oh goodness!  I've already missed so much!
Loved the look of the robes and hat combo in the first update. 
Also, I love how it's Chai's story and Ken is simply the pet.  And the cleverness of the introductory info about Shiba Inu/Shiba Ken and then his name is Ken Shiba.  Brilliant!
Looking forward to the further adventures of Chai and Ken!

[oshizu]

@KTK10
Thank you! Chai and Ken might have become my new favorite pixelations! Chai's dug up, among other things, two Model Stunt Planes ($395 each) and a Stradivarious violin ($425?).
Chai's recently decided to put Ken to work, though, because the daily bath trips are too time-consuming.

@Metropolis Man

What a great title. Very clever.

Thank you! This story will eventually lead into Playalot's "Rags to Riches: Vet Challenge."
There's already a TV show (and TheSimsSupply's recent Youtube Let's Play series), called "Wags to Riches."
And I've also had your team's new dynasty challenge on the brain a lot lately, so I wanted to play around with a witch protagonist as well. XD

@MarianT
Thank you for reading! I had to remove the Masculine and outfit type (Party) filters to get the Witch Hat to show up for Ken. I guess the game considers all witches to be female...

@PeregrineTook
The robes and hat combo? You mean the Grim Reaper robe + witch hat that Ken models and his father wears?
Haha, thank you. Perhaps only you and I thought the naming thing was funny? Lol.

[PeregrineTook]

The robes and hat combo? You mean the Grim Reaper robe + witch hat that Ken models and his father wears?
Haha, thank you. Perhaps only you and I thought the naming thing was funny? Lol.

No, the more Asian-looking robe attire from the introductory update.  I thought that look was glorious!

[oshizu]

1.2. A Weekend of Woodworking

Week 1/Wednesday

Chai: By the time we're both rested, it's 11:30 pm when we arrive at Skye Fitness.

My pet's finally figured it out!
From in front of the gym, he clicks on the bath to choose "Give Chai a bath."
Then he carries me to the bath downstairs.

Before, Ken walked to the bath, while I waited on the first floor.
Then, he'd whistle for me then wait for me to trot downstairs. Now we're twice as fast!

Too bad we can't simultaneously bathe, too!


Thanks to my pet, I'm squeaky clean but his hygiene has hit rock bottom! *wrinkles nose


Thursday

We're back at Pupperstone Park after midnight (again).

Ken makes this funny face whenever he kisses me. My pet is so adorable!


We're finally able to "Feel the Love." Is that because we're Good Friends?

Not long after, we become companions, at last!
Ken, my pet, be prepared to become our kibble-winner!


Except for high school, Ken and I do absolutely everything together.
Here we are having breakfast.

You know, you won't hear me complaining if Ken learns to cook pet food!
We're pretty busy these days, though, so maybe after his next birthday?


Breaking news! We learn from Playalot that we may place on our lot anything that fits into Ken's personal inventory!
I immediately buy my pet the cheapest cooler and, for myself, the most expensive pet toy box.

While Ken takes a quick nap before school, I check whether this new cooler will suffice.
Yes, it's less costly but will serve my pet just fine!


Ken gets home in another 8-hour Annoying School Day (Angry +1) mood, ugh!
No jogging to clear your mind today! You can't complete Bodybuilder anyway!

Let's see, what's cheap and won't tank your hygiene?
We head to the Willow Creek library where my pet "scribbles furiously" in his new journal. *sighs


After dinner, we leave for Granite Falls.
Of course, by the time my pet is no longer angry, he now needs a nap.

Honestly, my pet is soooo needy! *checks Ken's traits to see if he's Spoiled


Friday

You guessed it!
We're here for the woodworking table at the National Park's ranger station.


Granite Falls covers all of our daily needs except my bathing.
I'll just have to refrain from prowling, which suits me just fine!
As soon as my pet learns to craft that sculpture you see behind me, we're outta here!

Did you notice I lost my collar? I have no idea when that happened!


Saturday

Nowadays, my pet mostly ignores me except when we eat or he asks me to go potty.
(I'm not sure why I don't know how to go by myself yet.)

Staying clean has been easy, considering Granite Falls does not have a single dig site!

To pass the time, I stare at this white thing in a small room in the ranger's station. What is it?


Ugh, my pet is such a moody creature! Since Friday, he's been going through a Loud phase.
The random fits of anger are not pretty at all.

Thankfully, listening to music on those earbuds he got for free seems to soothe him.


Week 2/Sunday

It's around 2:30 am when my pet finally learns the woodworking schematic.
Time for us to go home!

[Playalot]

YAY! Ken's learned the special schematic! Kaching! The one part I really enjoyed about Keon having a dog was the amount of time they spent together, it is just so cool having that companionship level of friendship. The animations when our sims kiss their pets etc are just so cute. I do feel for Ken being as so unfortunate to experience the Loud Phase, or maybe I should feel sorry for his watcher?

[PeregrineTook]

Loved the bit about buying the cheapest cooler for Ken, but the most expensive toy box for himself.  And then he checks Ken's traits to see if he's spoiled.  Chai is delightful!
Another lovely update and it's nice to see that Ken will have some solid income heading his way so he can continue to provide Chai with the finest things  ;=)

[oshizu]

@Playalot
Yes, he's learned the woodworking schematic but I've been lazy about taking the time to get him Very Focused.
Choosing an aspiration that makes money is truly the way to go and allows that much more time to play with one's canine buddy! I'll be trying this challenge again.
Ken has had the worst luck of any teen I've played with his after-school moods. He attended school 7 days and 3 of them resulted in a 10-hour Annoying School Day mood.

@PeregrineTook
About Ken's "witch" outfit, when I first saw that outfit on a Sims 4 History Challenge website, I knew I had to have Ken try it on. I did it laughingly, thinking it was too crazy to actually try to pull off as witch apparel. But with the hat!  It comes in about 10 different colors but, luckily, i choose one that matches a Spooky Stuff witch hat.

By the way, Chai was most disappointed in his high-end toy box! When he checked the available toys for purchase, he found only a variety of $5 balls and squeakers.
Due to uninformed planning on their watcher's end, Ken and Chai will be living in the most blinged out crib in Brindleton Bay.
I may actually try to build the pet palace that they both deserve after their many hardships and sacrifices.

[oshizu]

2.3. More Funds = Less Fun

Week 2/Sunday

How quickly time flies! Today is the start of our second week in Brindleton Bay!
I cannot delay the inevitable any longer! It's time for my weekly medical checkup.


Ken checks me in using a touch-sensitive screen in the reception area.
The room's decorated with a painting of dogs playing Jenga, I mean, Don't Wake the Llama.
I never realized that creatures without opposing thumbs could even play that game!


Ma'am, are you a bonafide veterinarian cuz I don't see your license on display!
(I hope she's not one of those interns-in-training….)


Our practitioner gives me a clean bill of health, but my pet declines the Preventative Shot.
Not because we're cheap, I'll have you know.
It seems a bad batch of preventative vaccine serum is floating around these days.


We're hoping my pet can complete The Curator aspiration. So far, he has 18 out of 25 frogs.
I believe we have enough to continue breeding frogs while woodworking.


I must commend my pet for his endearing frugality!
He's not hungry now but he packs a sack lunch to take with him to our next destination!


We don't stay long at the Art Quarter's Casbah Gallery.
One of its lot traits makes Ken inspired when he needs to be Focused.

It's back to Desert Bloom Park we go!


Tuesday

Now that my pet has left for school, do you mind if I vent a little?

Quite frankly, my quality of life has plummeted since Ken has learned woodworking!
Of course, I'm grateful that he's boosted our household funds. We're now sitting pretty at $20,522.

Because he's so focused on our challenge requirements, however, he has no time for me.
Day and night, it's woodworking and frog breeding, frog breeding and woodworking.

Even worse, he's considering Fabulously Wealthy as a back-up aspiration. Such hubris!

And that's why he's started gardening to farm points for the Marketable trait!
I'm going to demand at least one full hour of playtime every day, starting from today!


Of course, Ken comes home enraged with an eight-hour "I’m Not Okay" (Angry +50) moodlet.
In addition, he has a ten-hour "Annoying School Day" (Angry +1) moodlet.

In his defense, Ken probably still suffers the after-effects of his traumatic childhood.
Sheesh, why didn't I get a cat instead!?


But nothing's too good for my pet!
I immediately contact Mayor Whiskers and petition for the construction of a spa which miraculously appears.

I realize too late that the aromatherapy massage probably won't overcome his anger!
And "Scribbling furiously" in his journal would only shorten his anger by two hours. *sighs


Just when we're about to leave, my pet pops a whim to "Try to calm down in mirror."
And that does the trick! His Angry 50+ mood gradually vanishes!

Caleb: Do you mind, kid? I need to get a glass of water!


After some gardening and dinner, we arrive at the Willow Creek Library.
Another half level in Gardening and he can buy the Marketable trait!

Have you noticed a recent dearth in shots of me frolicking on the seashore?
Yep, seashore frolicking has become very scarce these days. *whimpers softly for some attention


How sad that my pet can't discern when I want attention and when I need to go potty!
Some days I regret adopting this human and moving to Brindleton Bay.
*trudges outside mournfully


Truth be told, he used "Let outside" rather than "Ask to go potty."
Since I'm an independent dog, what I really needed is some me-time!

Look at me go, the night breeze flowing past my perky ears!


Running like the wind refreshes my soul and reminds me of who I am!
I don't "need" my pet to enjoy strolling outdoors, but I do prefer his company.

I'm starting to feel bad about how hard he's worked on "our" goals.


Returning to the library, I find Ken multi-tasking in the bathroom.
Isn't he just the cleverest, most adorable pet you've ever seen?

How could I ever regret my decision to build a life with him?
*hums: I'm never gonna let you go, never gonna let you down, never gonna run around and desert you

Ken: Hey, Chai, did you just rickroll our readers?
Chai: Nah, there's no video link, just the humming.

[oshizu]

2.4.  The Elusive Frog

Week 2/Wednesday

Our little garden has been a boon of sorts!
While waiting for it to grow, we've gone for walks both before and after school.
It's a new record!

How splendid that my pet has been in a great mood all day!


He's still trying to boost his Gardening, though, and finds a Madnip plant nearby.


Finally, he reaches Level 4 Gardening, which allows him to buy the Marketable trait.


We're back at Desert Bloom Park where my pet resumes woodworking beneath the pergola.
Question: How many simoleons are enough?


Thursday

With my pet ageing up on Sunday morn, let's take stock of our requirements.

Pet Training    : Level 2/5 (need 3 more levels)
Aspiration      : The Curator (need 3 more frogs)
Pet Items       : Done (Pet Bowl, Pet Bed, Pet Toys)
Housing funds: Done ($46,400)


If Lady Luck turns her back on our frog breeding endeavors, what about Fabulously Wealthy?

Let's focus on training first while praying for our last three frogs!


Fortunately, Ken has exactly two vacation days from school left.
He takes the day off and we head for Pupperstone Park.

I start by teaching my pet how to shake hands.


The speed at which he learns to heel is quite impressive!
That Genius trait of his is no laughing matter!


Chai: Next, we supposedly "run the obstacle course together."
But I don't see my pet jumping onto this platform with me!
Ken: I tried, okay? But, for some odd reason, I couldn't!

Chai: Wait, what? You understand what I'm saying now?

Ken: Duh, I ran across that forum thread where you're constantly talking trash about me.
It's written in Simlish for the forum readers and we human sims.

Chai: So you've been studying dogspeak?
Ken: Of course, I have. I've even started compiling a Dogspeak-Simlish concordance.


We train so hard that I fall asleep while teaching Ken how to "Lie down."

Heading back to Desert Bloom Park, I snooze while Ken woodworks and breeds frogs.
Once night falls, I'm back to prowling the dig sites.


Friday

Ken: Still no luck with the last two frogs, darn it!
It's time we get serious about Fabulously Wealthy, Chai!


Chai: My pet can now craft camping mascots worth thousands of simoleons.
Unlike the beginning, he no longer appreciates my mysterious packages!

Ken: Oh great, Chai! Another $5 ball!

Chai (whispers): See what I mean?


We head home to catch up on our beauty sleep.

On our way back to the park, Ken gets another massage to help him stay focused.
Every little bit helps.


Life as usual for yours truly at Desert Bloom Park.


My overconfident pet has great faith in himself.
Our final frog continues to elude us, but Ken believes he can finish Fabulously Wealthy in time.


Saturday

What do you think? Do I look as dirty as I feel?
Ken has yet to notice…


We still have roughly 24 hours to go, but Ken has yet to max Pet Training
The Curator aspiration requires one more frog to be complete.
To finish Fabulously Wealthy, Ken needs to craft $49,410 worth of camping mascots.

We may not be done with this challenge by Ken's birthday.
But, with $125k+ in household funds currently, our new house will be amazing!

[Nindigo]

I'm still cheering for ya, Chai and Ken!

[Playalot]

I would have been cheering most enthusiastically but being rickrolled even through humming is difficult to forgive *grumbles*

[PeregrineTook]

Chai is such a great narrator! 
Those camping mascots are worth all sorts of money!  I'm really going to need to keep that in mind if/when I get another RDC going.
So, what are you favorite/least favorite things about having a pet so far?

[oshizu]

@Nindigo
Thanks for the moral support!

@Playalot
Sorry for the song selection! Chai has yet to develop a wide variety of songs to chose from to express his love for his pet.

@PeregrineTook
Chai thanks you for the compliment!
Ken would have been making even more from the camping mascots but it's hard to get him Very Focused while keeping up with everything else going on.
Because I unwisely chose an aspiration that doesn't generate income for my first go at this challenge, I haven't had as much time to do things with my dog as I would have liked.
I think I'm going to have to reserve comment on your question until I've had more playtime (including a litter!!!) and also tried this challenge out with a cat.

Off the top of my head, though, since Ken must travel to bathe Chai, the frequency with which Chai needs bathing has been a bit of a nuisance, lol.