Otokrak Dynasty

[Metropolis Man]

*Yes, I'm back to using the in-house small pictures!  Sorry.  But I tried and tried and couldn't get the new system to work - the pictures just kept showing as red x's.  I know these small pictures are a lot less attractive, but at least I know how to do it.  Perhaps I'll try the other system again, but right now I'm just frustrated.  I'm not a technophobe, just technologically challenged.

Schip, have you ever tried Photobucket? That's what I use. I have not switched to the new photo service Carl is providing, mainly because I do some weird effects in the Dynasty photos and Photobucket has good editing tools.

[revolution724]

I'm doing pretty well with Flickr, myself.  But the story is fun to read anyway, and clicking the thumbnails isn't a problem.

[samoht04]

I swear I will keep up with this Dynasty! 

[kattiq]

I love the names you are using, I keep trying to sound them out in my head but I'm probably butchering them. And I can't wait to read more!

[ratchie]

Both Christopher and Ash (sorry I have forgotten how to spell her name so she is now Ash to me) have the same thin top lip. I wonder if there will be any full lipped immortals by the end.

Rachel

[Schipperke]

(sorry I have forgotten how to spell her name so she is now Ash to me) Rachel

Yeah, I know what you mean!  I used to speak Inuktitut, but it was a very long time ago, and I need to keep checking the spellings too.  Feel free to call her Ash or anything else that you find more convenient.  I will continue to use her name of Atauserk, because the alternative would be to translate her name and call her Number One.  She might enjoy that, but I refuse.

[Joria]

Not to worry about your photos, Schip.  It's the story you write and the way you write it that keeps us enthralled, and I'm personally not too lazy to click on the photo for a larger size.  Loved the update.

[Schipperke]

Thanks everyone for being so understanding of my picture situation.  I will try again to get the new system to work for me, and possibly try Photobucket as Metro suggested, but for now I'm back to the system I know how to use and the little pictures.

[Schipperke]

"My Second Day"

Next morning I awake to find that, true to their promise, the store has delivered my new furnishings during the night.  I bet you wish your shops offered such quick delivery service!



Now, this is more like it.  Perhaps you noticed the two chairs and the big double bed?  Time to implement the next part of my plan.  A quick phone call to Christopher:



He arrives as quickly as he can in that old sloppy jalopy of his.  I have only a couple of hours before I start work, so there is no time to waste.

Me:  Chrissie, we've known each other a long time now, almost a whole day.  We're getting along splendidly.  What say we formalize our relationship?
Chris:  Well ...
Me:  Come on, Chris.  Think about your home with the shower that runs cold water, the uncomfortable bed, and the lousy food.  I offer you a life of comfort and ease.  Your shower will never run cold.  I will cook delicious meals for you on the best stove simoleons can buy.  Nothing says lovin' like something from the coven, you know.
Chris:  What?



Me:  Oven, Chris, oven!  Slip of the tongue.  
Chris:  But Atauserk - you have no house!  
Me:  All in good time, Chris.  Personally, I think walls are highly overrated.  But if it'll make you happy, I promise you won't have to worry about getting rained on.  Now, look at that big comfortable bed.  Imagine you and me together in that big bed.  Think how much fun we will have.  Just think ...
Chris:  I accept!  I'll do it!



Me:  Hallelujah.  Finally.  Look at this lovely ring I bought for you.
Chris:  Do you love me?
Me:  Oh sure, Chris.  Sure.  Absolutely.  My car pool will be here within the hour to take me to work.  Who needs long engagements, eh?  Let's get married!



Do I hear comments about our choice of wedding attire?  Perhaps you think we shouldn't be getting married in our pyjamas?  I tell you, if everybody had sumptuous silk pyjamas like mine, you'd see a lot of pj weddings.  I'm just ahead of the curve.  

Me:  Chrissie, darling, look at this lovely wedding present I bought for you.
Chris:  An easel?  But Atauserk, I can't paint!
Me:  You have an artist's soul, Chris!  I know it.  You just never had a chance to express it before.  Gotta run, I don't want to be late my first day of work.  You get over to the Consignment store and collect the new clothes I picked out for you yesterday.  I absolutely don't want to see corduroy shorts again!  When I get home, I'm sure you'll have lots of lovely paintings to show me.  Bye!  [checks another item off her list]

[Asleep]

And once again, Christopher Steel is forced to paint 24/7. Nice update, though.

[ratchie]

She is definitely a woman on a mission.

Rachel

[Pam]

She calls him Chrissie!  Hahaha! 

[RJ]

Aww poor Chris! It's probably deja vu for him by now

[Schipperke]

"Walls and a Baby"

Whoever said I am a woman with a mission, was right.  Time to implement the next part of my plan.

So, Chrissie, wanna try for baby?  Yeah, I thought you might.



Now that the baby is on the way, I'm gonna keep that promise I made to you, Chris, and put up walls.  Of course, it will be very basic at first.  We'll save a bit of money and just leave the bare plaster on the outside.  But please don't tell Joria and the other master builders on the forum!  I'd die of shame if they knew.



Chris:  The baby's coming!  The baby's coming!  Run!



Chris:  Atauserk, don't you think you should have let me drive you to the hospital?  I mean, your condition -
Me:  Chris, the state you're in, I wouldn't trust you behind the wheel of a go-cart.  Now, take deep breaths and try to calm down.



[Meet baby Malrok.  As you can tell from her name, she is the Number Two immortal in this dynasty.  She is good and friendly.

The baby days fly by.  Christopher is working hard to perfect his ice sculpting skill in time for Malrok's birthday, so most of the baby care falls to Atauserk.  Before Malrok's birthday, Christopher decides he could gain 3000 happiness points by having another baby.  Atauserk's response to that was not printable.  Let's just say that Chris changed his mind.

Malrok's birthday.  She has to be wondering why her mother has that crazed look on her face, and what she's planning to do with that wrench.]



(Atauserk's voice again) I really don't understand why people have been feeling sorry for Christopher.  He gets to have fun all day painting and sculpting, while I get to clean the potty and try to teach this child to talk.



Look at Christopher.  Does he look sad to you?  That painting he's clapping his hands over is supposed to be a portrait of me, if you can believe it.  The Sim Art Council even declared it a masterpiece.  I just don't understand modern art.



And it's not as if Chrissie is chained to his easel either.   Here's a picture of him fishing at the newly renovated Stony Falls. 

[Schipperke]

Merry Christmas everyone!