23 ~ Daylight
by Goldfinch Branch
My daughter Chickadee was playing with our visiting cat friend when the labor pains accosted her.
There is little room for propriety in childbirth. I understand this, now that I am old. But when I was in Chickadee’s place, I remember worrying about my facial expressions as I fought through the contractions. Clearly, Chickadee was worried about no such thing.
She regained her composure enough to drive herself and Conrad to the hospital. It was late in the evening, and the streets were empty.
Just before midnight, she emerged carrying the fourth generation of the Branch Immortal Dynasty. Meadowlark had arrived at last!
Upon hearing the news, my mother rushed to her quaintly wallpapered science lair and delved into her chest of DNA samples.
Minutes later, she celebrated the arrival of a baby boy named Arthur (formerly known as Specimen No. 1616).
Chickadee was overjoyed to be a mother and spent the rest of that long night cuddling her new daughter. Exhaustion? It was like she’d never heard of it.
And her determination continued by daylight. In the morning, off she went to acquire her first job as an Organ Donor at the hospital where she’d given birth just hours before.
All of us contributed our efforts to take care of the two new children. My mother, of course, had to interrupt Conrad’s latest lullaby to compliment his appearance. I’ve told her that it isn’t proper (or remotely sensible) to flirt with your grandson-in-law, but Starling Branch will not be told what to do.
At least Conrad turns her down flat every time, and Chickadee is always conveniently out of the room.
Mother is also a bit too enthusiastic when it comes to the spicy dishes that Phil keeps bringing home from the restaurant. Again, there is no point in telling her that one of these days she’s going to harm herself, inhaling all that ceviche like she does.
Heron and I are elders now, of course, and though Heron still has plenty of time with us...we are aware, painfully, that she does not have forever. She spends a lot of time with the youngest members of the family, perhaps for that reason. Her method of caring for Arthur primarily consisted of carrying him from kitchen chair to kitchen chair, as if testing their comfort level and suitableness for infant holding.
Tiger Cat stayed at the Nest for over a week and became best friends with Mulberry. They spent all their time pouncing on each other, nuzzling, sharing food, and generally being sweet. We were all surprised one day to find that Tiger Cat was no longer on the lot - she must have wandered off when no one was paying attention. However, we’re convinced that we haven’t seen the last of her.
The days of infancy passed, and it was time for Meadowlark and Arthur to become toddlers.
Meadowlark aged up with Phil’s eye color (I do love that eye color), Chickadee’s skin tone, and most facial features from Conrad.
Here she is in a proper future immortal’s outfit. Meadowlark’s traits are Neurotic and Clumsy, and she likes kids music, vegetarian dim sum, and the color spiceberry (though of course we’re ignoring that - we must stick with the bird theme!).
Little Arthur went next.
What an adorable child! Arthur inherited his two traits from his donor: Brave and Great Kisser. Do not ask me how a toddler can already be considered a Great Kisser. I would say to ask Chickadee, our logician, but I don’t believe logic has anything to do with it. Arthur’s favorites are electronica music, peanut butter and jelly, and the color aqua.
Now, by this time, I was agonizingly close to achieving all of my requirements to become immortal. I had supermaxed painting long ago, completed my career, achieved my lifetime wish, purchased my building and property, completed my opportunities, purchased my unique rewards...all I had left to do was finish upgrading my chosen property, and ensure that I had six best friends.
I had chosen Shoreline Cabin as my property, though I rather regretted it as I worked through the upgrade requirements. Multiplying the value of such a small lot was difficult, and I had to make use of lots of basement space and needless fountains and sculptures. As an architect, I was not particularly pleased with the result - but I was in a hurry to finish, and I was rather preoccupied with family matters (that is, spending time with my mortal loved ones). I intend to exert more influence on my descendents’ properties, at least in an advisory capacity, to ensure that they are
properly upgraded.
One of my final best friends that I needed to secure was my very own twin sister Heron. We’d remained close friends our whole lives, but we’d dropped out of best friends range ever so slightly. Heron suggested a quick game of tag to make up the difference, and even though I’m not usually one to run about the backyard in heels...I made an exception for my sister.
My final best friend was Mulberry. Most of my other friends were elders living in town, and I was increasingly concerned about, well, timing and such. So I decided to try and fill a bit of the gap in Mulberry’s life left by Tiger Cat. We became best friends forever and I didn’t even mind the cat hair getting all over my dress.
Mother approached me later that evening.
“You’re starting to look really old, Goldie dear!” she said. “Have you considered trying a revolutionary product known as immortality?”
“This is a serious moment, Mother,” I said. “I’ve completed all my requirements. I am ready to become immortal.”
“You’re absolutely sure?” Mother said slyly. “It’s not too late to back out, you know. You can die and ruin this for the rest of us, no problem.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I’m joking! Lordy, you need to lighten up. Speaking of which, follow me. It’s your turn to see the Super Secret Cellar of Secrets!”
“I think you mean
the Vault of the Great Undying,” I said as we made our way down the spiral stairs.
“The Vault of the what-now? This is the Super Secret Cellar of Secrets!”
I merely sighed.
We entered a vast underground room, with paintings, photographs, sculptures, awards, and mementos lined up against the walls. I saw all of my mother’s accomplishments, and beyond them, my own - every life stage, every memory...even my prom queen crown and some old photo booth pictures of Phil and me.
I stood in awe for a few minutes while Mother replicated a plate of ambrosia for me - ambrosia crafted lovingly by Emmaline Rhoen so many years ago.
“Well,” Mother said as I sat down to eat, “I just had some ambrosia yesterday. I’ll leave you to it! Have fun!”
Honestly, I was relieved. I wanted to enjoy this moment in peace - and propriety.
Ambrosia tasted perfect to me. It tasted like the glossy finish of an oil painting, like fine china, like daylight and safe places. It tasted like hope and filled me with courage.
I stood up after taking the final bite and let the waters of eternity wash over me. I was immortal.
Second Immortal - Goldfinch Branch“Goldfinch colors: intense yellow and hey, everybody, look at me, look at me! I’m so striking.” --The Field Guide to Dumb Birds of North America (edited)Traits: Friendly, Artistic, Perfectionist, Proper, Coward
Supermax Skill: Painting
Other maxed skills: Photography
Career: Architect
LTW: Visionary
BlackOps: A Retreat to Inspiration, Deliver a Painting to France, A Public Speaking Event, A Charming Experiment, Painting in the City, Interior Decor
LTRs: Extra Creative, Always on the List, Complimentary Entertainment
Best Friends: Heron Branch, Starling Branch, Felix Vanderburg, Phillip Shawkti, Jabari Perdue, Mulberry Branch
Building: Phil’s Place (bistro)
Property: Shoreline Cabin
Immortal at: 78 days (week 15, day 3)
Notes from a wistful watcher-- Meadowlarks are not green; they’re, like, brown and grey and yellow. However, I wanted a green-themed immortal, so I branched out (heh). Also I really thought they were green for a while before I looked them up. So.
-- Sometimes skin tones in this game make no sense. I was hoping (and expecting) to see a darker skin tone on Meadowlark, but alas, she went all Chickadee and apparently had no influence from Conrad. *sigh*
-- Tiger Cat disappeared from the lot, but I rediscovered her later on at the home of the Carlisles (where Ariel Carlisle, son of Ella Carlisle and Ryan Anderson, somehow still lives and breathes). I really hope she’ll come back to the Nest sometime, but at least I know she’s around town.
