The Drifter Chronicles - House 002 (COMPLETE)

[PeregrineTook]

Summer's still around!  Every time you update, I'm just a bit worried that it will be the "bad news" update.
I'm looking forward to their trip to Granite Falls even if most of the family isn't.

[FrancescaFiori]

I have to agree that that little footstool is made for toddler napping. So precious!

The house is looking really nice, indeed!

I love the camping preparations, and I really feel for Robert. He's so excited and the family just won't get on board. I hope they perk up once they get to Granite Falls. It really is gorgeous. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[commasplice]

From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Drifter House 002 – Progress report #8



Sorry for the lack of photos. I tried to get Anya to take more, but she said that watching me harvest potentially toxic herbs wasn’t as exciting as I thought it was. And then we lost a whole bunch of pics when Eddard got into my phone.

They were both pretty crabby about the whole trip. Dad always told me that “it is unwise to question one’s wife’s clothes,” but I’m pretty sure Anya’s feet wouldn’t have hurt so much if she hadn’t worn stilettos camping and maybe she would have been more comfortable in something other than a pencil skirt.



I got a little cocky I have to admit it. Catching 5 fish was a snap. Harvesting 10 unidentified plants? Super easy. Eat 10 plants? No problem. Even level 4 of herbalism wasn’t so bad once I figured out that being focused would help.

Honestly, I thought the biggest problem was keeping Eddard from ruining a national treasure by constantly making messes. I'd discipline his recent behavior, influence him to clean it up, and then the next minute, he was doing it again.

And then I had to roast 2 pan of beetles.

Dude, I was catching every kind of bug there was EXCEPT beetles. I think that took me like forever and Anya nearly left me like twice.

After that, it wasn’t so bad. Chet (he’s the hermit dude) was easy to make friends with. I think Anya kind of perked up when she saw his place was so nice—she did not understand why we had to camp in the tents, though. Chet was so chill, even if he is insane, that he kept offering to sleep in the tents, but I kept pointing out to Anya that it was just for a few nights.



I wish Eddard had enjoyed the trip more. I would have loved to have done this as a kid.



Before we even went, I remembered how Dad liked to plan so I did the same thing. The goal was to be able to get everything done there that I could so that we would not need to come back for the insect collection.



I was pretty much living on moodlet solvers the whole time and man, that’s my one regret, because it was hard just to enjoy the place. But I did get this one shot that I think epitomizes just how awesome Granite Falls is.



Still not done with the aspiration, but I can get the rest of it done while I’m on our lot.

If I didn’t say it before, thank you, because Granite Falls? Is totally awesome.

Peace out,
Robert

[FrancescaFiori]

Well, I'm glad Robert had such a good time, even if he couldn't get the fam on board. That last shot is stunning!

Anya fishing in stilettos is priceless. Hey, she pulls it off!

It's kind of nice to see Robert getting really enthusiastic about the whole project and treating it as an opportunity to experience amazing things instead of just a hardship. I really like him. He's such a good sport!

[PeregrineTook]

Dang it.  I was hoping for an update from Anya saying how much she had really loved the trip (probably with a "but don't tell Robert" attached to that statement) or Eddard's first update commenting about how awesome it was.  Still, it's good to hear that he accomplished so much so easily and quickly (other than the beetles).

[commasplice]

Well, I'm glad Robert had such a good time, even if he couldn't get the fam on board. That last shot is stunning!

Anya fishing in stilettos is priceless. Hey, she pulls it off!

It's kind of nice to see Robert getting really enthusiastic about the whole project and treating it as an opportunity to experience amazing things instead of just a hardship. I really like him. He's such a good sport!

Thanks! I was trying to make him quite distinct from his father so I'm pleased that's coming across. I really like the look of Granite Falls, even if it is a bit limited in options.

Dang it.  I was hoping for an update from Anya saying how much she had really loved the trip (probably with a "but don't tell Robert" attached to that statement) or Eddard's first update commenting about how awesome it was.  Still, it's good to hear that he accomplished so much so easily and quickly (other than the beetles).

All Eddard did was literally make messes. Like every two seconds he was destroying the landscape. Anya played a lot of horseshoes. I couldn't in good conscience claim otherwise. But thank you for the comment!

[commasplice]

Grade school report of Eddard Holiday



My name is Eddard Holiday. I live at Drifter 002. Uncle Steffon said the old name used to be “Crick Cabana.” My father was born in Oasis Springs in the part that is like a desert. He says that he loves our home here because it is green. He says that factories are ugly and he wishes we did not have to look at them when we are fishing. Uncle Steffon still lives in Oasis Springs with my grandma and his frog collection.



Right now my father is studying to be level 10 in Herbalism. Herbalists study wild plants and bugs and make nasty smelling pots of stuff on the stove that kids are not allowed to touch.



My father lives in a tent in the backyard. He says it is just for 4 more nights. Mama complains and will not sleep in it with him. So I do.

My father and mother like to kiss a lot. I do not like seeing them kiss. Grandma says that it is because I have the jealous trait. She says I have to work on this. I do not know what she means. She says I will understand when I am older.

The End.

Journal entry, Anya Holiday

I love Robert. He still can excite me with one flirty action.



So why do I keep thinking about Vlad?



Vlad has a ultra-pale complexion and he looks much older than he really is. We had a very nice chat—he wanted to welcome us to the neighborhood.



I made the mistake of mentioning him to Robert the next morning when he got out of that stupid tent in the backyard.

“You talked to him? Are you insane? Don’t you know who he is? Don’t you know what he is?”

“He seems like a very nice gentleman,” I said.

Robert roared. “Let me see your neck.”

He wouldn’t let it go. He said someone must have forgotten and “controlled me” and when I told him that it had been entirely my will to talk to this poor man who was just being polite, Robert did what he always does. He called his mother.



Phone conversation between Summer Holiday and Liberty Lee

Liberty: At some point, you have to let Robert make his own decisions.

Summer: He wanted advice. And don’t give me that. You have three children. You know as well as I do that you don’t stop caring about them.



Liberty: So Anya’s flirting with a neighbor—

Summer: A neighbor who happens to be a vampire. Robert came up with a solution all on his own so it’s not like I interfered. [Coughing]

Liberty: Are you getting sick again?

Summer: [Coughing] I can’t seem to shake this one. Don’t worry about me.

From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Thought you’d want to know

My mom died last night.

[KTK10]

Oh no.. So many sad things in that update, but the saddest of all is saying goodbye to Summer.. I know she was a favourite of yours.. boo...

[PeregrineTook]

Uh...uhh...the loss of Summer.  I knew it was coming, but then...then she was just...gone.  :=(
All the tears.  All of them!
I would comment on the rest of the update, but then Summer...uh...(crying)

[FrancescaFiori]

Oh, no! Anya and Vlad? How scandalous! I guess vampires have their ways, but ugh. These are the parts of a challenge where you can only control one sim that make me nervous. I'm interested to see what Robert's solution is.

And farewell to Summer. She's been such a rock. I know everyone (including me!) is going to miss her terribly.

[commasplice]

Oh no.. So many sad things in that update, but the saddest of all is saying goodbye to Summer.. I know she was a favourite of yours.. boo...

Thank you. She really wrote herself into being an integral part of the story.

Uh...uhh...the loss of Summer.  I knew it was coming, but then...then she was just...gone.  :=(
All the tears.  All of them!
I would comment on the rest of the update, but then Summer...uh...(crying)

Yeah, I was sad when she died too.

Oh, no! Anya and Vlad? How scandalous! I guess vampires have their ways, but ugh. These are the parts of a challenge where you can only control one sim that make me nervous. I'm interested to see what Robert's solution is.

And farewell to Summer. She's been such a rock. I know everyone (including me!) is going to miss her terribly.

Anya's autonomy was kind of something for me. Every time I turned around she'd be doing stuff (she got to like a level 5 in mischief by autonomously trolling the forums).

Thanks so much!

[commasplice]

Journal entry, Anya Holiday

Robert says he’s fine, but I keep finding him staring off into the distance.



Eddard was playing with Robert’s phone and found the picture of him with Summer so we had it enlarged, printed, and framed. When Robert saw it on the living room, he finally broke down. I invited Steffon over and we all went fishing and talked about Summer.



We’ve been so involved with dealing with Summer’s death that I haven’t had a chance to think about Vlad once, which is good.

Robert signed us up to adopt a dog. I’ve always wanted a dog, it’s true, but I thought it was going to be a mutual decision.

“It’ll be good for Eddard,” Robert said when they brought over the puppy. “Plus she’ll keep the vampires away.”



It was on the tip of my lips to retort that just because Vlad was unusually pale that did not mean he was a vampire, but watching Robert playing with the puppy, who is an absolutely adorable English foxhound, I kept quiet.



Robert is obsessed with the dog, but it seems to be helping.



From: Robert Holiday
To: Pierce Delgato, Drifter Board of Directors, No Sim Left Behind
Re: Drifter House 002 – Progress report #9

Thanks for the flowers you sent and the phone calls. I’m doing a lot better.



The house is really shaping up. Anya can’t decide on how to arrange the living room, but I think we’re finally done with construction.



Eddard aged up. He really is not lucking out with in the trait department. In addition to being jealous, which is bad enough, now he’s a loner to boot. Even if he doesn’t decide to participate in the Project, the dude is stuck in a pretty small house with us, plus the dog. And if he does do the Project, at some point, he’s going to have to find a spouse and that process is going to be tough on him.



The house is safely over $40k in value. All we’re doing at the moment is making small improvements and trying to get Eddard to make it to young adult. A few pics to give you an idea of how the place is looking.







Peace out,
Robert

Journal entry, Eddard Holiday

For my birthday, my parents gave me this stupid journal. Dad claims it’s a family tradition.

I don’t know who they think they’re kidding.

At first I thought it meant Dad really liked me when he invited me to play chess.



Now I think it’s because he and Mom are off being gross with each other and they want me out of the way.



Every time I turn around there are people all over the house.



Dad yelled at me for using forbidden words, but I told him he can’t stop me.

Maybe I can go live with Uncle Steffon.

[oshizu]

Wow, all of Anya's protests about Robert's project participation but being friendly with Vlad is okay?
Well, as long as she and Vlad don't have pink bars... (Girl, you know he's just being nice so he can feed on you, right?)

Ooh, a jealous loner! Eddard's gonna need a man cave, lol.  Seriously, at least he's not evil and mean! (A feeble attempt at consolation)
Poor Eddard. Does he love the new puppy?  That little beagle is sooo cute!

The house is looking great, Watcher!

Belatedly, rest in peace, Summer. You were a great founding spouse and mother.

[FrancescaFiori]

Oh, man. Teen Eddard is such a handful! He really has a tough row to hoe with those traits. He must be constantly tense. I hope he makes good use of that journal!

The puppy is super adorable. I'm glad it's helping Robert to cope with Summer's death. Puppies can cure a lot of ills.

[PeregrineTook]

Well, it's nice that the Vlad and Anya romance didn't progress, though he's apparently still on her mind...
Wow, young Eddard's got some really bad luck in the traits department!