Bewitched Berries Epilogue: An Embarrassment of...Berries [Completed 14 Mar '23]

[Granny Lawlor]

Lucky Darin & lucky Naomi finding him early in her dating schedule. She was very picky but I see you're planning to have your heir move into their spouse's existing household.

Thats a good way to hit "refresh" on the home lot. I think I need to research how to set up independent cemeteries and museums....

[oshizu]

Lucky Darin & lucky Naomi finding him early in her dating schedule. She was very picky but I see you're planning to have your heir move into their spouse's existing household.

Thats a good way to hit "refresh" on the home lot. I think I need to research how to set up independent cemeteries and museums....

What I'm planning?  mwahahahaha *cackles

I've done cemeteries two ways. 
Once, I placed a small restaurant at the front of a larger lot and created a family cemetery in the back. (I can't remember now why I did it that way. Probably related to the challenge rules.)
Another time, I created a standalone family cemetery and set it to Generic, which means nobody but the sims you take there will visit.
I usually set family museums to Generic as well so the local kleptos don't come by and nick stuff.  It happens!

[oshizu]

2.8a: Everything's Coming Up Roses

Week 8, Sunday (Summer)
Mojito: Except Darcey, we've all had to change our hair colors.
I've also had to change my hairstyle so my look has changed rather drastically.
Here we are from left to right:
Naomi (Rose heir), Darcey, me (Mint heir) & Brytani, and Ambridge..


Naomi: Today's the Flea Market!
We head out with our potential spouses: Darin, Ariel, and Erwin.
Darin's a young adult now, but his profile still describes him as my boyfriend.
What a disappointment to find Mrs. Akiyama selling crystals that we already own.


I take everyone with me as I make the rounds through San Myshuno.
Today, I find two new posters but zero snow globes.
Also, I befriend my future sister-in-law, Baby Ariel.
She and Darcey are going to have such great children!


We return to the Flea Market for vegetarian Indian food after several hours.
A different vendor appears who's selling snow globes.
And my collection is complete!


When I go looking for Darin to share my good news, I can't believe what I see.
Ambridge's snuggled up to Darin who's snaking his arm around her waist!
Or did Darin just happen to have his arm out when Ambridge walked into him?
Huh. I decide to send Darin home. I don't even want to think about this.



Monday
Darcey: You know, Ambridge will be moving out after her birthday.
Naomi also wants to relocate to a big city for work.
Da told me last night that he's leaving this house to me!
Just think, this will be a Berry household forever and always! I need a son!


Mojito: When Brytani checks the mail, she also checks the neighborhood gossip.
Do you remember my Scientist buddy Aidan who gave me his keycard to the Secret Lab's sealed door?
Well, he married not too long ago and will soon be a father!
It's great to know my best friends are leading peaceful, happy lives..



Tuesday
Brytani: When did you get so buff, Erwin?
Erwin: The kids have been working out lately so I've been joining them.
Brytani: Are you excited about Ambridge's birthday tomorrow?
Erwin: I sure am. I'm proposing as soon as she ages up and becomes my girlfriend!


Brytani: What's going to happen from tomorrow?
Mojito: well, our kids all get married and then Naomi and Ambridge move out.
B: Naomi's such a Daddy's Girl and I know she'll want you with her.
But I'd rather stay here and help Darcey and Ariel raise their kids. Is that okay?

M: I could stay here and ask Naomi for an extra key, but I think she'll need me.
I need to go with her, Brytani.  Naomi doesn't even know how to cook!


Naomi: After school, we all go to GeekCon but I leave them to hunt posters on my own.
At the Spice District, I run into Haruto Ishida who's a young adult now.
I'm so glad to see him that I kiss him autonomously, which surprises us both.


Haruto: Why are you flirting with me? I hear you're going to marry Darin Caliente!
Naomi: Um, yeah.  My birthday's tomorrow, then we plan to get married the following day on Thursday.
Haruto: I know you believe that wealth, lineage, and fame are important.
Naomi: But Darin…
Haruto: But Darin will never love you like I do!


Haruto (autonomous kiss): You need to stop and smell the roses, girl.
Naomi: But my career will really benefit from the social connections of Darin's family.
Haruto: Life is not only about networking and climbing the social ladder.
We belong together.  Why can't you see that?
Naomi (swooning): Um, I better go look for posters.



Wednesday
Naomi: Darcey, Ambridge, and I take a vacation day from school today.
But we wait until school's out so Baby Ariel can join our birthday celebration.


Darin and I were high school sweethearts.
After I age up, he proposes right away and I naturally accept.
We've planned our wedding for tomorrow afternoon.
Uh, thanks for photobombing the proposal, Baby Ariel.


Naomi: Next, Darcey gets Baby Ariel to also blow out the candles and age up.
Just then, Papa defeats the Green Man and flies home with a UFO plant.
Completing the Garden collection is big deal, but we're much too busy right now to care.
Mojito: Seriously? I've spent weeks and weeks hunting down the Green Man!

 
Naomi: Like Darin and me, Darcey and Baby Ariel were high school sweethearts .
They're also BFFs, so Darcey proposes to her right away.
Baby Ariel is crazy about my brother and they're engaged just like that!


Baby Ariel: We should elope!
Darcey: Don't you want a big wedding?
Baby Ariel: I do, but if your family throws three weddings, your sisters will take forever to move out.
Darcey: You're right! If we elope, my sisters could be gone by tomorrow night!


Naomi: Erwin's been in love with Ambridge since her toddler days, which is NOT creepy.
They need to build a romantic relationship from scratch, since they're the same age for the first time.
That's why they're the last to get engaged.
I'm so happy for them!


Mama ruins their special moment by standing nearby in her sportswear.
Why would she invade their private bubble of joy like that?
That's why, when Mama told me she's staying here with Darcey, I didn't try to change her mind.


Darin: I hate to leave you.  But after tomorrow, we'll always be together.
Naomi: Papa and I are still a little busy with wedding preparations.
Darin: Then, I'll leave you to that. Be sure to sleep well tonight.
Naomi: See you at the wedding venue tomorrow afternoon.


Naomi: Darin hasn't been gone very long when I receive a text message.
In high school, Haruto invited me out on a half dozen or so dates.
But Dad was always at his chef job and Mama wouldn't let me go out with Haruto.
What should I do? Oh, forget that. I need to assemble my wedding party.


Naomi: Everything's coming up roses, my friends.  I'm getting married tomorrow!


Progress: Middle of Week 8

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mojito (Founder) - Adult (11 days to Elder) [Finished Week 5]
Bonus collection: Garden

[b[Brytani (Founder's spouse)[/b] - Adult (16 days to Elder)

Naomi (Gen2 heir) - YA (24 days to Adult)
Traits: Hot-Headed, Romantic, Snob
✔️Skill: Charisma 10
✔️Aspiration: Serial Romantic
Bonus aspiration: Friend of the World 0/4
Career: Politician (not started)
Fiance: Darin Caliente
Bonus collections: Snow Globes 15/15, Posters 10/15

Darcey (Gen2 cadet) - YA (24 days to Adult)
Traits: Cheerful, Loves the Outdoors, Music Lover
Spouse: Baby Ariel; Children: ?
Residence: Creek Side Cove, Shady Acres (StrangerVille)

Ambridge (Gen2 cadet - YA (24 days to Adult)
Traits: Geek, Erratic, Paranoid
Fiance: Erwin Pries; Children: ?

NOTES
*Watson Goth: Do you remember that unattractive pear-shaped teen?
  Well, he aged up into an unattractive not-pear YA and married Olivia Kim-Lewis!
  That sim shouldn't be allowed to breed, haha.

*Autonomous kissing: Haruto Ishida is a young adult, but Naomi's still a teen.
  I can't direct her to perform any Romantic socials toward Haruto, but looks like I didn't need to.

*MC Control: MC Command Center has a feature that gives me very limited control over an NPC's interactions with other sims.
  That's how I got Darin to propose to Naomi, and Erwin to propose to Ambridge. That's a very cool feature!
 
*Mid-week update: So much is happening this week, gentle readers!
  So I've decided to split the week into two updates.

[Granny Lawlor]

Can't wait for those "perfect" weddings 😍

[oshizu]

Can't wait for those "perfect" weddings 😍

Haha, knowing the requirements in advance makes my storytelling completing anti-climactic, so I'm trying to avoid posting story-related requirements until they're completed. *winks

Hope you enjoy your first wedding in Tartosa! 
If you use La Coppia Serena, don't forget to remove one of the wedding areas (wedding arch and wedding aisle) or your guests will get confused where to go.

[Rhoxi]

Well, at least Haruto is helping make what you have to do easier! Strange but fun to see he's been so doggedly persistent.

[oshizu]

Well, at least Haruto is helping make what you have to do easier! Strange but fun to see he's been so doggedly persistent.

Haruto's Friendship and Romance bars were never as high as Darin's but, unlike fiance Darin, Haruto phoned constantly to ask her out.

[oshizu]

2.8b: Smelling the Roses

Week 8, Wednesday (Summer)
Haruto: I think you owe me at least one date before you marry.
You turned me down for at least six dates in high school, you remember?
Naomi: Oh, okay. One drink at The Sand Bar in Sulani.  Let's meet there.


Haruto: So why the big rush to get married, Naomi?
Naomi: You know my papa. He needs to know I'll be well take care of.
Haruto: Oh, speaking of taking care, I wish you could see the roses I'm growing.
Naomi: You grow roses?  Since when?


Naomi: You replaced all the plants in front with red rose bushes?
Haruto: Yeah. They remind me of you somehow.
My greenhouse roses are in their prime now. Their fragrance is amazing. Wanna see?
Naomi: Sure, I'd love to see your greenhouse roses in bloom and savor their fragrance.


Naomi: Oh, ah, cuttings of your greenhouse flowers but not in your greenhouse.
Their scent is breathtaking, Haruto. (This is awkward.)



Thursday
My wedding starts this morning on the perfect note.
Ambridge makes a charming flower pal.
Darcey is a dashing ring bearer.
Tsk, why won't everyone sit down?


Papa looks so handsome as he walks me down the aisle.
Darin is standing in the wrong place.
It takes hours until we're able to exchange vows.
At last, the wedding arch believes that Darin is at the venue. *rolls eyes
All the waiting around for Darin to take his place gives me cold feet.


Naomi: I'm sorry, Darin. I thought I could go through with this, but I can't.
Darin: What? You can't go through with what?
Naomi: I can't marry you. Being a stay-at-home wife and mother is not my destiny.
Darin: But…


Naomi: I'm breaking up with you. It would never work between us.
Darin: No, please. You can't do this to me.  To us!
Naomi (to herself): Why is Haruto here making that weird face?
Arrgh, men! *runs off


Mojito: Daughter dear, do you mind my asking what happened in there?
You've been talking about marrying Darin for weeks now.
Naomi: Last night, I stopped to smell the roses and, well, you can see where that got me!
Mojito: We'll discuss this later privately.  For now, let's go celebrate Ambridge's wedding.


Naomi: Both Ambridge and Erwin are paranoid sims.
Pausing in turns to glance around suspiciously, they take awhile to exchange their vows.


And they are married at last.
Just look at Erwin! By happy coincidence, he's wearing a pink shirt matching Ambridge's gown.
I know the two of them will be so happy.
Watcher: I didn't pick Erwin's outfit. He picked that pink shirt all by himself. Erwin's so awesome!


Mojito: So, Ambridge is pregnant and living with Erwin in Old Penelope.
Baby Ariel's moved in and she is also expecting.
We can continue living here if you wish.  Do you plan to marry Haruto?
Naomi: No, Papa. I want to keep our baby but I don't want to marry anyone.


Naomi: This will be a perfect place to live, Papa.
Thank you for coming with me!
Mojito: I can help care for your kid so you can focus on your career.
Naomi: Let's invite Haruto over to help us plant the garden.


Naomi: Do you want to feel the baby?
Haruto: I can feel our child kicking! I wish you'd marry me, Naomi.
Naomi: I'm not really one to play the wife or mother role, you know.
I only want to focus on my career now, Haruto.
Haruto: Well, thanks for the spare house key. (She can't work work 24/7, can she?)



Friday
Papa assures me that he'll take full responsibility for tending this large garden.
He also explains that passing a perfect garden is part of our legacy.
Okay, as long as I don't have to be the one gardening.


If you're wondering about the small, tall building in the back, it's our storehouse.
Watcher uses it organize our stuff into storage boxes.
One for incomplete collections, one for my complete snow globes collection, and so forth.
It has no doors to prevent us from using the boxes as bookshelves. Thanks, Watcher!


The Spice District is a great neighborhood for me!
It attracts sims from around our simverse and has three utility boxes! (Only 2 more posters to go!)
Also, I've decided I'd rather be a Friend of the World than a City Native.
No apartment living for me!


I've noticed my ex Darin hanging around my hood all morning.
It's been really creeping me out until I walk closer.
That's not Darin. It's his twin brother Glenn!
But do you think Darin sent Glenn here to spy on me?


I don't work until tomorrow so we decide to visit Henford-on-Bagley.
For our garden, I befriend some birds while Papa befriends a bunny.
I'm not sure they'll enjoy living in the City, but we shall see.


In Finchwick, I complete Friend of the World. (It seems I already have 20 friends.)
Mama phones to ask if she and Papa should try for baby.
I tell her it's not a good idea. She's already had three kids! It's an absolutely horrible idea!
I can see it now: Mama gets pregnant then forces Darcey and Ariel to move out. Sheesh!



Saturday
Haruto: Thanks for inviting me over for brunch.
Naomi: Your hair, I love it!
Haruto: I thought Veggie Yakisoba was introduced with Mt. Komorebi? Why are we eating it with forks?
Naomi: Dunno, some weird cultural misperception?  Let's have Sweet & Sour Eggplant instead.
Papa and I want to become Chopstick Savvy Spice Hounds. You should join us, Haruto!


Naomi: In the early evening, I go to the hospital with Haruto to give birth.
A little boy, our Yellow heir!
I'm torn between naming him Dijon (so cosmopolitan) or Weaver (so mystical).
In the end, we choose Weaver, after the Asian Golden Weaver bird of Southeast Asia.


Naomi: Gah, you don't expect me to feed Weaver, do you, Papa?
Look! I knitted him this adorable yellow onesie! Isn't that enough from me?

Mojito: Pretty sure I'm incapable of breast feeding Weaver, so that's on you.
Naomi: Haruto! Where are you? Come help me!
Mojito: Calm down, Naomi.  You do the breast feeding and I'll do everything else.




Gallery Download
*Ye Old Salt House (30x30): "Ye Old Salt House Reno" by lilsimsie.
  Extensively recolored, edited, and rearranged for the Rose heir and her family.

Progress: End of Week 8

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Mojito (Founder) - Adult (8 days to Elder)
Requirements completed: Week 5
Residence: Ye Old Salt House, Spice District (San Myshuno)

Naomi (Gen2 heir) - YA (23 days to Adult)
Traits: Hot-Headed, Romantic, Snob
✔️Skill: Charisma 10
✔️Aspiration: Serial Romantic
✔️Bonus aspiration: Friend of the World
Career: Politician/Charity Organizer 5
✔️Leave someone at altar (ex: Darin Caliente)
✔️Have one child only
Marry for the first time as elder
Spouse: none; Children: Weaver
Bonus collection: Snow Globes 15/15, Posters 13/15
Residence: Ye Old Salt House, Spice District (San Myshuno)

Weaver (Gen3 heir) - Nooboo (2 days to Toddler)
Parents: Naomi Berry & Haruto Ishida
Residence: Ye Old Salt House, Spice District (San Myshuno)

= = = = =

Brytani (Founder's spouse) - Adult
Residence: Creek Side Cove, Shady Acres (StrangerVille)

Darcey (Gen2 cadet) - YA
Traits: Cheerful, Loves the Outdoors, Music Lover
Spouse: Baby Ariel; Children: coming
Residence: Creek Side Cove, Shady Acres (StrangerVille)

Ambridge (Gen2 cadet - YA
Traits: Geek, Erratic, Paranoid
Spouse: Erwin Pries; Children: coming
Residence: Old Penelope, StrangerVille Plaze (StrangerVille)

Message
*After this update, I've promised myself to not play this legacy until I post a score for June's Occult Baby Boomer tournament challenge.  (You should join it, too!)
  Also, I'm preparing for a 10-day reading marathon that starts in three days, and that will also cut into my simming time.
  But I can't wait to come back to this household and see how Weaver turns out!

[Granny Lawlor]

Ah - smelling those roses - very risky!

Welcome gen 3 Weaver - great name.

Am also attempting Occult Baby Boomer challenge - see you on the other side!

[Rhoxi]

Weaver is a great name. I didn't realize the Cottage Living EP came with BIRDS. I may have to pick that up sometime...

Also, great shots of the weddings! Seems like it went much better than before.

[Granny Lawlor]

Weaver is a great name. I didn't realize the Cottage Living EP came with BIRDS. I may have to pick that up sometime...

The birds in cottage living are cute. You go and befriend them in the woods. Then you can buy a tree trunk for them to live in. They will keep your plants free of bugs if you keep the relationship up. Singing to them is very cute.
The rabbit interactions are similar with them keeping the plants weeded and fertilised.

[oshizu]

Weaver is a great name. I didn't realize the Cottage Living EP came with BIRDS. I may have to pick that up sometime...

Also, great shots of the weddings! Seems like it went much better than before.

You can befriend a flock of birds and a bunny, then buy stuff so they'll come live on your lot.
The birds will get rid of bugs and the bunnies will weed for you.  Very adorable and labor-saving!

Haha, the wedding went horribly. The event is only 6 hrs long and it took me 4 of those hours trying to get the "Exchange Vows" option to appear.
I clicked on the wedding arch many many times but always got "your fiance must be at the venue to exchange vows," though you can see that he's standing right there.
Finally, I tried the "invite to current lot" phone call or something equally weird.
The only parts that went well was the flower pal, ring-bearer, and sim-of-honor (papa) with bride walking down the aisle. LOL

[oshizu]

2.9: Spoiling Weaver

Week 9, Sunday (Autumn)
Naomi: Before we move into a new week, I'd like to share what happened last night.
Last night, at the Romance Festival, Haruto made a Heat-of-the-Moment Proposal!
He said he was fine with waiting to live together and waiting to marry.
But that it would soothe his heart if we were engaged.
How could I say no?


I was hoping I could complete my poster collection within the Spice Market.
But lately, I keep getting the same posters over and over again.
I recently learned that posters take 4 hours to respawn.
Guess we need to visit the other San Myshuno hoods.


Haruto: You think you might get a new poster here at San Myshuno Meadow?
Naomi: Who knows? It has four utility boxes, which is more than the other hoods.
Haruto: But, so far, you've never gotten a single poster here.
Naomi: Yeah, that's why we're hanging out here this afternoon.
Haruto: That's your phone, Naomi.  You gonna answer that?


Naomi: Arrgh, Mama just phoned to ask me the same question two days ago!
Again, I tell Mama that having another baby is a bad idea.
Watcher, can you do some of your MCCC mumbo-jumbo so Mama stops asking me?
W: Sorry, nothing I can do. You'll just have to ignore her phone calls.



Monday
All I need for my promotion is to "Write a letter," but to whom?
I have an idea!  I'll reach out to wealthier sims about my latest project within our "No Sim Left Behind" campaign.
When they learn about our current Meals on Wheels project, they'll surely wish to contribute.


Weaver's birthday notice arrives while I'm out collecting posters.
To my surprise, Papa ages Weaver up without even waiting for me to return home.
I did tell Papa last week that I wanted to focus on my career.
But still, look at how Weaver aged up with my red hair but all green like Papa.


Haruto: Stop worrying about Weaver, Naomi. Your father's looking after him.
Naomi: Can you believe Weaver threw a fit to have hair like his grandpa?
Haruto: This is exactly what you wanted, remember?
Naomi: You're right, Haruto.



Tuesday
Naomi: I don't work today or tomorrow, but there's literally nothing to do!
Weaver mostly just wants to play with Papa.


I know, I know. I'm the one who didn't want to be shackled by motherhood.
Still, it hurts to see how Weaver never seeks me out.
Haruto reminds me that this is my chance to build my NGO.



Wednesday
All that time on Sunday, spending 4 hours here and there, waiting for posters to spawn!
Guess where I find my two missing posters? In the Spice Market!
This morning, I find my final poster.


Today's my lucky day, it seems.
The Wishing Well grants me a full promotion ot Level 7!


Have I mentioned how much I enjoy living in the Spice Market?
Thanks to the festivals, food stalls, and basketball court, folks are always strolling through our hood.
It makes collecting donations for my cause that much easier.
By the way, this is Sammy Richards, son of Miko Ojo and Gavin Richards.



Thursday
Thanks to yesterday's promotion, I have yet another day off today!
We celebrate an inconsequential holiday for Weaver's sake.
He looks too adorable in his Holiday Helper costume.


Of course, Weaver's favorite adult is Grandpa.
But sometimes, when Watcher's distracted, Haruto and I sneak up and play with Weaver, too.
Haruto loves the pool, so Watcher removed the pool's ladder today. No freezing here, please.


Mojito: Weaver and I almost maxed out his skills tonight!
We could've done it, too, if not for his mother.
Naomi kept following Weaver around, trying to teach him skills he'd already maxed.
I wish she'd stop.  She's only confusing Weaver.


Friday
Stephen Kealoha: Don't be like that, Darin! Naomi dumped me, too, but I still donated!
Darin Lothario: But Naomi left me at the altar! It was so humiliating!
Stephen: Oh please! You got married to that Casey woman within two days!
Darin: Hmmph! *grudgingly donates $1,250


Naomi: Papa, why is there a fence around the swimming pool?
Mojito: Watcher did it because Haruto's always swimming then stays in his swimwear.
You can either send Haruto home until spring or keep the pool fenced off.
Naomi: Fencing, it is!


Haruto: Don't you want to take turns sledding with Weaver?
Naomi: Nah. Weaver's already maxed his toddler skills so he can free-range until his birthday.
Haruto: Maybe you and me can go soak in the hot springs later?
Naomi: But tonight's the Spice Festival, Haruto!  We can't miss that!


Mojito: Your mother's a bit busy with your father right now, but don't worry!
It's you and me on the Bunny Slope, little fella!


Mojito (to himself): It's a double-edged sword, isn't it?
Part of me wants to be Long-Lived to spend more time with Weaver.
But as long as I live, Weaver can't become close to anyone else.
It's not fair to Weaver.  *sighs heavily


Naomi: All my practicing has paid off!  At last, I am a Spice Champion like Papa!
Now, if only we could both become Spice Hounds as well!



Saturday
Naomi: I guess this hot springs is one way to keep Haruto from freezing in a pool.
Mojito: It's certainly not a very elegant solution, is it?
Naomi: You think you can persuade Watcher to build us a separate onsen room?
Mojito: Doubt it.


Naomi: An extremely rare shot of Weaver with his parents!
Haruto somewhat ruins the shot by acting paranoid.
I'm saving up satisfaction to eventually buy Haruto a re-traiting potion.
If he moves in with us someday, I will not be building a basement bunker for him!


Mojito: Tomorrow morning, I'll be receiving a birthday notice for my elder birthday.
But I won't be blowing out any birthday candles, not me!
Instead, I'll wait 24 hours to age up naturally into an elder.  An elder already!  How time flies!
How do I want to spend my last day as an adult tomorrow!




Progress: End of Week 9

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Residence: Ye Old Salt House, Spice Market (San Myshuno)

Mojito (Founder) - Adult (2 days to Elder)
Requirements completed: Week 5

Naomi (Gen2 heir) - YA (17 days to Adult)
Fiance: Haruto Ishida; Children: Weaver
Remaining tasks
Career: Politician/Charity Organizer 8
Marry for the first time as elder
✔️Bonus collections: Snow Globes 15/15, Posters 15/15

Weaver (Gen3 heir) - Toddler (2 days to Child)
Parents: Naomi Berry & Haruto Ishida
Traits: Independent/Top-Notch Toddler; (Clumsy, Ambitious, Loner)

Notes
*Disobedient Naomi: Is ruining my storyline by dropping her queue to interact with her son.  No, Naomi, he's already maxed those skills and doesn't need you to Play with him or do Flash Cards. *sighs
Obviously, she needs a hobby that involves being shackled to a skilling object, lol!

*Bunnies and birds: Haha, befriended the darn animals then forgot all about them!

[Granny Lawlor]

Congrats on the bonus collections. Hanging about in the city neighborhoods meshes quite well with the politician tasks but there's not usually many sims at the meadows...

The rose/yellow gen story requirements are quite sad.

[oshizu]

This morning I was thinking whether I wanted to play my NSB legacy on short lifespan.
But then, toddler skilling in a regular residence takes me more than four sim-days, so I guess not. *sighs