Flowers of the Apocalypse 2.1: Everything is BeautifulAngelica: Watcher?
Watcher: Hm?
Angelica: It’s nearly my birthday. Are you sure there’s nothing I can do about this acne?
Watcher: Sorry, sweetie. I think that’s the same restriction as medicine (Doctor)
Angelica: Maybe it’ll disappear when I’m an adult?
Watcher: Let’s hope.
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Nina: What do you think, Flint?
Flint: You’re big. Are we having a baby, Calendar Girl?
Nina: Yes, sweet Hairy Man. Oh I hope you remember that for a bit longer this time…
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Nina: Hello Cam, my little man. Your Dad and I will love you forever.
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Avon: Look, Angie, the power was on long enough for me to bake you a cake. I had to do it in 2 instalments but here you are!
Angelica: Oh Avon! That’s so sweet. Let me blow them out.
Avon: Wait, I’ll take a photo…oh, no I won’t. Never mind. Go ahead.
Angelica: I’m going to sort this out! If I get a job in the Civil Designer career, maybe I can get us reconnected to the grid!
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Angelica: SMASH!
Watcher: Well that didn’t take long. You’re exploring your Hot-Headed trait, I see.
Angelica: It felt good to smash this up! Mum said it would.
Watcher: And guess what? It feels good to repair it too so hop to it! What were you mad about?
Angelica: I was cross about my acne still being here. I’ve met this guy but I was too self-conscious to talk to him properly.
Watcher: What do you know about him?
Angelica: Well his name is Alvaro Bheeda…
Watcher: Oo – Bheeda – they’re a good-looking family. But what’s his character like?
Angelica: I know he likes dogs and he’s unemployed.
Watcher: Is he still out there? Maybe go invite him in?
Angelica: I don’t know…
Watcher: No time like the present and you don’t start your Civil Designer job until Wednesday.
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Angelica: Hey Dad? Want to play chess?
Flint: Oh yes. I’ve always enjoyed playing chess.
Angelica: You look smart in your suit, Dad.
Flint: I’m nearly CEO. I don’t know why…
Angelica: You’re brilliant, that’s why! I love you, Dad.
Flint: Hmmm?
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Nina: Wow, the nooboo time went so quickly. With the others all helping and my working hours being so short on the 4 days I work – here you are, a toddler already. I’m glad you’ll be comfortable in your toddler bed. Angie’s swapped with me since she asked Alvaro to move in… That was all a bit sudden and there’s not really enough beds. Just as well my sweet Flint doesn’t sleep much.
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Alvaro: Hey, Watcher?
Watcher: Hi Alvaro. How are you settling in? I was sorry to hear about your father.
Alvaro: I know. My whole family is so sad. But this family…they queue up to console me. They’ve been so kind. I was sorry to lose my dreads with the purple weave but this cut is more manageable. I slept well in the lad’s room while they were up all night. Angelica seems really friendly. I hope this arrangement works out.
Watcher: You understand? You and Angelica will need to bring in the next generation.
Alvaro: We’re just friends – are you sure she wants to?
Watcher: Now you’re part of the household, she’ll let her guard down, I’m sure. Besides, you know the rules against flirting in public. What about your job?
Alvaro: This uniform feels good. I wonder why I didn’t get a job before. There were a few jobs I fancied but some are impossible until we can travel more so as I’m quite Active, the Military it is! It’s a bit embarrassing that Angie’s younger brothers are already fitter than me!
Watcher: We’ll get you there. You’ll do great.
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Watcher: Angelica? It’s time for work.
Angelica: Here I go!
Watcher: Well, you’ve certainly got a spring in your step.
Angelica: It’s Alvaro. I can’t believe he agreed to move in. Isn’t he dreamy!
Watcher: He’s got his father’s looks.
Angelica: I hope he likes me.
Watcher: I know he does.
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Alvaro: I got promoted!
Angelica: After only one day? Well done! I was a bit stressed so I’m still level one.
Alvaro: You’ll get it tomorrow, I know. I hope you’ll still get to wear that outfit. You look amazing.
Angelica: This hat’s silly…
Alvaro: It’s the cutest part…um…I was talking to Watcher…
Angelica (taking deep breath): …..
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Alvaro: Oh! You do like me!
Angelica: I think you’re adorable. Even when you fart!
Alvaro: Sorry about that. I’m such a slob. But, if you don’t mind that…will you be my girlfriend?
Angelica: Oh YES! Would you share a bed with me now?
Alvaro: That would be perfect. Just sleeping, mind. We can’t take it too fast…
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Flint: Well, young man, who are you?
Alvaro: I’m Alvaro, sir. I moved in the other day, do you remember?
Flint: Of course. I wouldn’t forget a thing like that.
Alvaro: Um well, do I have your blessing to ask Angelica to marry me?
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Flint: Hm! Do you have a job?
Alvaro: I’m on level 2 in the military, sir.
Flint: I was going to be in the military. I’m sure that’s what mother wanted…ended up in the mess tent. A right mess, eh?
Alvaro: Very good, sir.
Flint: I remember when I first came here…running around…not sure why…
Alvaro: Yes, I’d like to hear all about that but do I have your blessing?
Flint: Why yes, of course. Good man! Good man!
Alvaro: It’ll be an honour to have you as my father-in-law, sir.
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Angelica: Are you sure?
Alvaro: With you wearing that hat? I’m as sure as anything! I love you, Angie Baby!
Angelica: Oh I love you too, Soldier Boy!
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Progress (Year 1, Week 10 - Summer)Generation 1Flint Aconite: Founder; Elder; Neat, Active, Self-Assured; Big Happy Family; Culinary-Chef Completed week 3
Nina Aconite: Gen 1 Spouse; Adult; Hot-Headed, Lazy, Romantic; Chief of Mischief; Gardener-Botanist Completed week 9
Generation 2
Angelica Aconite: YA; (Silly) Loves Outdoors, Lazy, Hot-Headed; Joke Star; Civil Designer 2/10
Alvaro Bheeda: Fiancé; YA; Slob, Active, Dog-Lover; Nerd Brain; Military 2/10
Arrow Aconite: Teen; (Silly) Self-Assured, Active; Mt Komorebi Explorer
Avon Aconite: Teen; (Independent) Self-Assured, Neat; Renaissance Sim
Cam Aconite: Toddler; Angelic
L-to-R: Avon, Alvaro, Flint holding Cam, Nina, Angelica, Arrow
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NotesFlint has had his first warning from Grim. The others really are looking after him well and he’s happy enough when he’s not tired. I’m not looking forward to Nina’s elder years…
Angelica’s grades were a low C when she became an adult and she graduated so all the careers were open to her. I think I’ll stick with this plan. Doing well at child school gets them started at B in High School. If they don’t do their homework or study for their exams their grades would be less. I think the effort is enough to simulate an quasi-apocalyptic scenario. I realised when Alvaro moved in, with his townie-achieved graduation that he could have unlocked Education so there would be that route if I’d gone for the drop-out choice.
With Alvaro turning up so quickly (I was going to give Angelica 2 weeks) I wasn’t ready with the beds situation (no buying until Sunday). With Flint hardly sleeping, Nina and Angelica swapped and Alvaro hot-bedded with the boys until he felt comfortable sharing with Angelica. I'd not noticed the "Ask for Blessing" interaction before. One of our son-in-laws asked for our blessing and it was lovely. I'd have been non-plussed if he'd asked for permission, that really is out-moded.
Alvaro’s traits aren’t great but being Active was ideal for the military which Arrow was aiming for. He’s setting his sights on something else now.
River Cam is the UK river flowing through university city of Cambridge.
Title:– Everything is Beautiful – 1970 hit from Ray Stevens