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

[Granny Lawlor]

Or cope with just Happy Toddlers instead of Top-Notch?

Hope the reading is going well.

[oshizu]

Or cope with just Happy Toddlers instead of Top-Notch?

Hope the reading is going well.

Before Tiny Living, I did Pinstar's Legacy challenge on short lifespan with Top-Notch Toddlers.
But the Micro House has completely spoiled me for toddler skilling, LOL!
The second readathon ended a few hours ago for me, thank you for asking.
Now I'm back for some dedicated simming, hehe.

I must exercise more patience. I told myself when I started this NSB that I'd use the extra time for storytelling...

[oshizu]

2.10: Mojito the Elder


Week 10, Sunday (Autumn)
Mojito: Just a little refresher on where we last left off.
Here we are standing behind our house.
I'm the founder, Mojito, on your right.
My daughter Naomi (Gen2 Rose heir) holds Weaver (Gen3 Yellow heir).
Tomorrow, both Weaver and I age up!


What better way to celebrate our upcoming birthdays than a Toddler Playdate?
And you can meet all of my grandchildren, too!
Amber Pries the redhead is, of course, my daughter Ambridge's child with Erwin Pries.
Desiree and Dylan are my son Darcey's children with Baby Ariel.


Here comes Amber's brother, Dylan!
Ambridge and Erwin had twin redheads.


Mojito: I was hoping that Weaver could get to know his cousins.
But he only has one Social interaction with them all: Call Over.
Naomi: No problem, Papa.  I'm practically good friends with my nieces and nephews!
We'll keep those family bonds strong!


Mojito: What a perfect day!


Naomi: Back home, I find the front of our lot flooded with Flea Market vendors and tourists!
I immediately initiate a protest for No Sims Left Behind.
Sadly for me, they all run off to the Flea Market except Papa and Haruto (bless their hearts).



Monday
Naomi: Such a busy day!
In the morning, Papa ages up to an elder.
Since his hair's grey now, he's returned to his original hairstyle.
He still looks so youthful! Must be his vegetarian lifestyle!


Naomi: I earn a promotion to Level 9 Charity Organizer this morning.
First, I give an inspiring speech at Uptown as a work-from-home assignment.
My 2nd work-from-home task requires that I make new friends at the Fashion District.
While we're there, I go ahead and collect $20k worth of donations, too.


In the evening, I continue collecting donations for my No Sims Left Behind cause.
Meanwhile, Weaver has aged up to a child.
Papa and Haruto are both eager to help Weaver with scouting, homework, and a school project.



Tuesday
Mojito: Stop obsessing, Ambridge.
Naomi tells me you've phoned her twice in two day6s with the exact same question.
If you don't quit pestering us, Naomi and I will have to start screening your calls!
(And just when we finally convince my wife Brytani to stop doing this!)



Wednesday
Naomi: Today, I come before you all with an important announcement.
I have reached the pinnacle of the Charity Organizer, so I will be stepping down.
Please continue to support No Sims Left Behind!
I plan to focus on personal goals from now on, but will make daily $1,000 donations to the cause!


Haruto: A date in the middle of the afternoon? What's the special occasion?
Naomi: Well, now that I've resigned and am no longer in the public spotlight…
Haruto: Oh! You mean, you and I can finally get married?
Naomi: Not yet, actually. But I'd love for you to move in with me.
Haruto: So, like, we'd be living in sin?
Naomi: Um, yeah, that's the general idea.


Haruto: Fine, I'll drink the re-traiting potion to replace  my Paranoid trait and Romantic traits.
Naomi: Thank you! Watcher doesn't want to add a basement bunker to Ye Old Salt House.
Haruto: I've acquired the Adventurous and Self-Assured traits to go with my Galactic Privateer aspiration.
Naomi: Hey, maybe the four of us can take a trip to Batuu soon!



Thursday
Weaver: Grandpa, I learned last night that Papa's an aspiring Galactic Privateer!
Mojito: That he is, Weaver.
Weaver: In 10 more days, I'll be a teen. Let's all visit Batuu together, k?
Mojito: Uh, let's not wait until you're a teen.  Let's go sooner!


Mojito: Such perfect timing for Haruto to move in with us yesterday!
I can quietly mentor Haruto to eventually assume my role in this household.
My daughter may not believe in marriage.
But Haruto belongs here with Naomi and their son Weaver.


Naomi: Later that evening, we visit the house where I grew up in StrangerVille.
I want Weaver to get to know his Uncle Darcey, Auntie Ariel, and cousins Desiree and Dylan.
But Weaver's a Loner and gets tense with so much family around.
If we want to keep the family ties going, Weaver will need a more outgoing spouse!



Friday
Naomi: I'm at a loss what to do, Papa.  Weaver hates his 2nd-floor bedroom.
Mojito: Who can blame him? It's the smallest bedroom in the house!
Honestly, I'm not crazy about this house, either.  There's hardly any yard!
Naomi: But, you and I only moved here two weeks ago!
Mojito: Well, there's no rule saying Weaver has to stay here until he's a young adult…


Haruto: What is this? You ask me on a date then ignore me to cook Caprese Salads?
Naomi: Uh huh, I need to prepare 3 Gourmet meals during a social event for my Master Chef aspiration.
Once I earn the Fresh Chef trait, nothing I cook will ever spoil.  It's awesome!
Haruto: That's nice, I guess.


Haruto: Why do I need to learn to fish when our garden generates all the income we need?
Mojito: True, but you need to earn enough satisfaction to buy the Forever Full reward trait.
Haruto (waves hand dismissively): I don't need that trait. Naomi's going to be a Fresh Chef soon.
Mojito: Let me tell you about my daughter and her flair for home economics.
Her idea of cooking is to prepare one meal then CopyPasto it a dozen times.


Weaver: Grandpa, I did it!  I finished Whiz Kid this afternoon!
Mojito: I knew you could, boy! You've done all your badges and all the aspirations but one.
Since you're a Loner, no need to torture yourself with Social Butterfly, right?
Weaver: You're the best, Grandpa! You're not only my BFF but also my one and only friend in the whole simverse!



Saturday
Weaver: Grandpa says no Batuu unless Mama has the day off. *sighs
During Mama's work shift, we've come to Desert Bloom Park.
I'm fishing while waiting for Grandpa to insta-upgrade the Observatory.


Haruto: My fish collection for Angling Ace is at 15/20, and this park is great for fishing.
Also, it's ideal for Weaver who's started a collection of Space Prints.
Mojito: I'm trying to catch the Red-Tailed Black Shark for Haruto's collection, but no luck yet.


Weaver: Oh, I see. Lots of unique fish that don't require special bait in Sulani!
Papa can catch his last 3 unique fish in no time.  Why didn't we come here earlier?
Haruto: We were waiting for your mother to get off work.
Naomi: Thanks? (I just want to sit in a comfy chair with a drink and relax…)




Progress: End of Week 10

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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

Mojito (Founder) - Day 5 Elder
Requirements completed: Week 5

Naomi (Gen2 heir) - YA (10 days to Adult)
Fiance: Haruto Ishida; Children: Weaver
Remaining tasks
✔️Career: Politician/Charity Organizer 10/10
Marry for the first time as elder

Weaver (Gen3 heir) - Child (8 days to Teen)
Parents: Naomi Berry & Haruto Ishida
Traits: Independent/Top-Notch Toddler; Loner (Clumsy, Ambitious)
Skills: Handiness 0, Rocket Science 0
Collections: Space Prints 10/15 and Geodes 0/6

Haruto Ishida - YA (11 days to Adult)
Traits: Art Lover, Romantic, Paranoid, Adventurous, Self-Assured (re-traited)
Original aspiration: Galactic Privateer

Notes
*Ambridge (Berry) Pries: the wife of Erwin, phones so often, but we wouldn't mind if she had a pink-haired child.

[Granny Lawlor]

Good luck in Batuu, if you get there. Haruto would go crazy there if he'd stayed Paranoid!

[oshizu]

Good luck in Batuu, if you get there. Haruto would go crazy there if he'd stayed Paranoid!

Haha, not sure how much will get "done" in Batuu.  Simply trying to find somewhat interesting ways to "fill the time," hah!

[GlazeyLady]

I'm catching up on this all at once.
Great story, Janice - as yours always are. 

I do have a question about the no-early-age-up - I didn't see a restriction against that in lilsimsie's rules, so I'm wondering:
1) Is the rule assumed to be there because there's no permission to age up early?
2) Is this a special rule that you have chosen to impose?
3) Is the rule there and I am just not seeing it somehow?

At any rate, it's always both fun and informative reading your stories. Looking forward to the rest of the rainbow.

[Rhoxi]

Welcome Haruto: to living in sin! 

[oshizu]

I do have a question about the no-early-age-up - I didn't see a restriction against that in lilsimsie's rules, so I'm wondering:
1) Is the rule assumed to be there because there's no permission to age up early?
2) Is this a special rule that you have chosen to impose?
3) Is the rule there and I am just not seeing it somehow?

At any rate, it's always both fun and informative reading your stories. Looking forward to the rest of the rainbow.

About early age-ups, I've watched bits and pieces of Lilsimsie's livestreams where she plays her NSB.
She doesn't do early age-ups so I'm not doing them, either.
I don't mind. I'm trying to do a little storytelling for this challenge rather than zoom toward the finish line.
Thanks for your kind words. I can't wait until you start your NSB, too.

[oshizu]

I'm catching up on this all at once.
Great story, Janice - as yours always are. 

I do have a question about the no-early-age-up - I didn't see a restriction against that in lilsimsie's rules, so I'm wondering:
1) Is the rule assumed to be there because there's no permission to age up early?
2) Is this a special rule that you have chosen to impose?
3) Is the rule there and I am just not seeing it somehow?

At any rate, it's always both fun and informative reading your stories. Looking forward to the rest of the rainbow.

@GlazeyLady
I forgot to mention that I watched 10 minutes or so of one of LilSimsie's NSB livestreams lately and she mentioned she might switch between Normal and Short lifespan, depending on what's going on.
My take is that if you want to do early age-ups, that's totally your call. It would be nice if you let we your readers know, though, so we can follow your achievements.

Me, I'm going to get Weaver ready for the High School Years expansion pack. 
So I'll play the household for another week but then stop to await the release of the new content.

[oshizu]

I've been distracted by this and that for the past six weeks or so.
But now that the High School Years expansion pack is out, followed by a hotfix for its major bugs, I'm eager to move forward with this Not So Berry Challenge!

2.11: All Things Must Pass


Week 11, Sunday (3rd week of autumn)
Naomi; It's been so long that you might have forgotten who we are, so here's a refresher.
I am Naomi, the Gen2 Rose heir on the far right.
Next to me stands my elderly father Mojiti, the Gen1 Mint founder with my fiance Haruto.
And that's our son Weaver, the Gen3 Yellow heir, on the far right.


You may remember that I maxed my Charity Organizer career last week, then retired.
I still make a $1,000 donation daily to the No Sim Left Behind cause.
Also, I've started writing nonfiction on the importance of community action and volunteering.
I no longer go around asking folks for donations but I'm still making a difference!


As soon as I stepped out of the public eye, I asked my fiance Haruto to move in.
Our son Weaver has always only wanted to do things with his grandfather.
But, one day, Weaver will appreciate having a father who takes such an interest in his well-being.
For now, Haruto is learning all he can from his father-in-law, Mojito.


Weaver is a loner but insists on learning to be Social.
He's in a reclusive mode today, though, so he's happy talking to himself in the mirror.



Monday
Weaver loves to spend time alone in his Observatory, gazing into the cosmos.
It is a great hobby, I guess, for a loner.


Lately, Weaver divides his time between stargazing and moongazing.
Despite disabling our Eco Footprint, there's a strange celestial borealis both day and night.
Even so, Weaver is able to locate and observe the moon.



Tuesday
Weaver: Today, I'm taking the day off from school so Grandpa can take us to Batuu.
I can't believe we're really here!
Papa originally aspired to become a Galactic Privateer, so he's feeling pretty emotional, too.


We change our outfits then meet back at Olga's Cantina. This place is totally my jam.
There's Grandpa chatting at the bar with Grandma Brytani.
Papa and I meet a dodgy extraterrestrial named Honda Ohnaka.
Behind us, you can see Auntie Ambridge and Uncle Erwin getting their boogie on.


We visit the Resistance Camp, which makes me tense due to all the, um, resisters.
Papa decides to accept a Resistance mission and takes me along, just the two of us!
Here, we're analyzing the something or other.  I mean, I'd tell you but it's classified, okay?
Once Papa completes his mission, he reports back, and we head home.



Wednesday
Weaver: Another day off from school for me! 
As you may have guessed, I'll be Watcher's first sim to ever attend a non-rabbithole high school.
I'm talking about the new Copperdale High School.
That's why we're here at a rental in Copperdale to check the town out.


I mean, do I want to move to Copperdale or only commute here from San Myshuno?
Mama says it's my decision when and where I want to move the active Berry household.
For this trip, Grandpa invites Grandma Brytani, Mama's brother Darcey and his wife Ariel.
(Don't tell Mama, but I saw Papa blow Ariel a kiss. Mama needs to put a ring on it.)


There's kind of an amusement park at Plumbite Pier so that's where we spend most of the day.
The first thing I do is invite Grandpa into the Haunted House with me.
Grandpa has been feeling scared since yesterday morning and I finally ask him why.
He says  he has Fear of Looming Death.
Hey, I'm just a kid. How am I 'sposed to know what Grandpa means by that?
Instead, I suggest he talks about his fear with Grandma Brytani.


Since Grandpa goes with Grandma into the Tunnel of Love, who will ride the Ferris Wheel with me?
I ride the Ferris Wheel once with Uncle Darcey.
After Mama's done in the Photo Booth with some rando (what's up with that?), I ride with her.
I'm not sure the Plumbite Pier is worth moving the whole family to Copperdale, though.


Mojito: Out of the mouth of babes!
Talking about my fear of death with Brytani is just what I needed!

In a burst of confidence, I even ask her to woohoo and we both survive.
Hah! Take that, Grim Reaper!



Thursday
Weaver: We arrive at Copperdale High School early in the morning.
The plan's to watch all the students arrive at school.
But after we arrive, Watcher leaves us unpaused while she goes to look for a snack.
By the time she gets back to us, it's nearly 10 am.  Oh well.


We make a quick tour of the high school's facilities.
While the adults are enjoying brunch in the school cafeteria, I quietly slip away.


I sneak a peek into one of the classrooms.
Just think! Next Monday, I'll be sitting in a classroom with the rest of those teens!
Oh no! My wrinkly grandparents are playing basketball in the school gym.
I need to get them out of here now!


Weaver: Late that night, I gain my 25th Space Print, including 10 from Moongazing!
Yes, that's Papa you see experimenting with a cauldron.
He's run out of things to do, so he's decided to raise his magic rank.



Friday
Naomi: As if to spare Weaver from the pain, Papa passes away minutes after Weaver leaves for school.
Grim shows up and complains about the cramped space my father chose to die.
Haruto and I can only stand there, shocked and speechless.


When Haruto and I come to our senses, we move in perfect synchrony.
First, I introduce myself to Grim so that he'll sit and chat in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Haruto places Papa's urn at Grim's elbow then steps back to take a photo.
Haruto's photo now hangs in the living room. It turned out quite nicely, yes?


Weaver: I can't believe Grandpa's gone.  My one and only friend!
Who will love, encourage, and understand me now?


This evening, Grandpa phones Papa to invite us to the Spice Festival.
I wasn't planning to attend, but I try some curry then run around looking for Grandpa.
Found you!



Saturday
Mama won't marry Papa but they seem happy together and I've never heard them argue.
I wonder why Mama won't marry Papa.  Isn't she afraid that Papa might leave?


Sometimes, I wonder whether Papa is truly happy.
Does he wish he went to uni or joined a fulfilling career? Does he ever regret our life together?
I never noticed before how much Papa cares for me.
I'm going to make more time for Papa from now on, so he knows I want him to stay.


Tomorrow's my birthday and I become a teen.  Everything will change.
We're moving to a new town on Sunday and I start high school on Monday.
Grandpa is gone but his spirit will always watch over me.
My new life's gonna be awesome!




Gallery Download
Copperdale High School (64x64): "Art Deco High School" (Generic) by JamesTurnerYT.
I will be slightly modifying this excellently gameplay-optimized build.

Progress: End of Week 11

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

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

Mojito (Founder) - Death by old age (Day 76)
Requirements completed: Week 5

Naomi (Gen2 heir) - YA (3 days to Adult)
Fiance: Haruto Ishida; Children: Weaver
Remaining task
Marry for the first time as elder

Weaver (Gen3 heir) - Child (1 day to Teen)
Parents: Naomi Berry & Haruto Ishida
Traits: Loner (Clumsy, Ambitious)
Child-stage tasks
✔️Never have close friends/relationships other than Gen1 grandparent until the grandparent dies
Collections: Space Prints 25/25 and Geodes 0/6

Haruto Ishida - YA (4 days to Adult)

Notes
*Copperdale's premade townies:
  The day after my sims arrived in Copperdale, I disabled auto-aging for unplayed sims.
  I actually should've done it the day before (Wednesday). Why?
  Because I'd like to keep Weaver nearly the same age as Copperdale's premade teens.

*Loner or Socially Awkward?: Both traits are yellow in color.
  I considered replacing Loner with Socially Awkward at Weaver's teen birthday.
  Socially Awkward seems badly balanced at the moment, though.
  So Weaver will stick with Loner and I'll try out Socially Awkward later on a non-heir sibling.

*Portrait gallery: I belatedly realize I want a portrait gallery of my Berries.

[Granny Lawlor]

Yay! Another berry chapter. How clever of Weaver and his family to check out High School before he starts. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

[oshizu]

Yay! Another berry chapter. How clever of Weaver and his family to check out High School before he starts. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.

Haha, Weaver and his heir will be my guinea pigs for the new High School Years pack, so they'll be experiencing as much as they can of their teen years without aging up early.

I'm really happy to be playing this challenge again! It was worth waiting for the new pack and its hotfixes!

[Granny Lawlor]

It's a fun pack but I seem unable to resist when offered the chance to graduate early. (Face palm)

One outstanding bug is the inability to quit any job. Its really quite annoying for teens who've become llamacorn scouts!

[Rhoxi]

Nice to see you're back - and exploring the new expansion too! That is a great shot with the Grim Reaper. Did Mojito really have to woohoo to get over his fear of death? Too good!

[oshizu]

Nice to see you're back - and exploring the new expansion too! That is a great shot with the Grim Reaper. Did Mojito really have to woohoo to get over his fear of death? Too good!

Lol, no to Mojito woohooing to defeat his Fear of Looming Death.  He did "Discuss Fear of Death" with his wife Brytani which got rid of his Scared moodlet.
They then decided to risk death by overexertion by woohooing, haha.