Flowers of the Apocalypse: Challenge Failure...

[Rhoxi]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a rough week it's been! Two fires is some seriously bad luck. Plus, how unfortunate it is that handsome Quinton is squeamish. I imagine he'd be nauseated constantly if he moved in.

[Granny Lawlor]

Lol, I might have pointed the benefit of a not-the-babymaker townie spouse in the early challenge, but I only made the comment from observing the difference between Nina and Gunther (both champs, by the way) in your save. hehe
After the two debilitating fires, destroying both stove and grill, I'm favoring--between the two girls--Tulip for bringing in the next generation.
I'm sure it's wisest to see what Wye's traits are, but just saying.

Are you allowed to use that nearby outdoor grill, as long as you only cook something you could have cooked at home? Just curious--I'm too lazy to reread the rules ;P
Awww, too bad about Quinton being squeamish--besides the bug farms, won't he hate both the Grody trait and...cleaning? 
Does he have a twin brother?

Good idea about the outdoor grill. Someone could put the grub meal or white meat in their inventory to go and use it. It may even be the safest way to up Violet's cooking skill.
Although there are those hideous tiles underneath the bbq/stove, we can only have drywall coverings and I wonder if that's the culprit. I shall try removing the walls around them....the floor plan is getting a little weird while I can't move the larger objects...
The Squeamish trait is a deal-breaker. There's a promising teen Scott living just next-door...if only they would walk past more often...we could invite them in to play chess...

[Granny Lawlor]

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. What a rough week it's been! Two fires is some seriously bad luck. Plus, how unfortunate it is that handsome Quinton is squeamish. I imagine he'd be nauseated constantly if he moved in.

Ah Quinton, what might have been...
I thought it was really funny that Gunther, having judged his mother, also ran out to safety even with me telling him to do some extinguishing!  Still, there weren't any nooboos or toddlers to rescue.

[Granny Lawlor]

Flowers of the Apocalypse 1.7: Fire

Coral: I don’t know! Every time I come home from work, you’ve got another person for me to meet.
Violet: Oh hi, Mum. This is Leroy Heck
Coral : Pleased to meet you, Leroy.
Gunther: He’s been here for hours, just playing chess.
Leroy: I’m a Proper, Lazy Snob.
Gunther: Now, why couldn’t you just tell us that earlier? Off you go!
Violet: Should have guessed if from his surname.
Wye: I get it! Heck No!
Leroy: Language!

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Violet: Thanks for putting the stove and BBQ in safe rooms to keep the others out.
Watcher: I’m still not sure about you.
Violet: I’ve gone up a level.
Watcher: But it’s all just from reading…OK – use the BBQ. Don’t go near the stove.
Violet: Um – Watcher?
Watcher: Right! Extinguish Self!
Violet: Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear!

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Violet: Tell me again why we’re jogging in the rain?
Tulip: To clear our minds after that fire you started.
Violet: But I’m all wet!
Tulip: You like being outside, remember? I’d rather be reading a book.
Violet: Oh. Right.

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Gunther: Happy Birthday, my boy!
Coral: Toot Toot!
Wye: Oh – this is very awkward.
Gunther: Just teen nerves, I’m sure.
Watcher: Nope – that’s a lasting trait.
Wye: Can I go fishing?
Watcher: No can do, boyo. Not without a Marine Biologist.

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Watcher: There’s no need to feel awkward at home with your family. And your wardrobe is OK so out and about should be fine. I’m not sure about the gansta sportswear…
Wye: It’s more for the hoodie – somewhere to hide?
Watcher: I see.

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Progress Year 1, Week 7, Spring
Generation 1
Coral Odrade: Founder; Adult; Cheerful, Active, Loves Outdoors; Master Chef; Culinary-Chef completed week 4
Gunther Munch: Spouse; Adult; Creative, Clumsy, Bookworm; Renaissance Sim (2/4); Civil Designer-Civic Planner Complete week 5

Generation 2
Violet Odrade: Teen; Cheerful, Loves Outdoors; Mansion Baron
Tulip Odrade: Teen: Cheerful, Bookworm; Master Mixologist
Wye Odrade: Teen: Genius, Socially Awkward; Angling Ace

L-to-R: Tulip, Wye, Coral, Gunther & Violet
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Notes
Just a short update this week with the main event being Wye aging up. Violet will become a god of Hellfire Young Adult in the coming week. With all of Gen 2 at teens, it’s time for the genetic display, L-to-R: Gunther, Violet, Tulip, Wye, Coral

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Violet has classic good looks (let’s not mention the eyebrows) while Tulip and Wye have got their father’s pixie face-shape. Wye has my preferred colouring but the girls blue eyes are lovely too. Violet always seems quite sad in the pics, even when she’s not whilst Tulip and Wye look more relaxed.

Career options for these teens are: Marine Biologist to get fish to eat; Botanist to get garden produce to eat; Bodybuilder to allow item movement and more personal inventory items, Military Officer to allow greater travel plus moving-out; Environmental Manager to remove the Grody trait and Criminal Boss to stop the mob payments.

I will want an in-coming spouse to clear one of the graduate careers: Business-Management, Green Technician, Education or Computer Engineer – the last 2 opening up access to graduation for household teens whether in person or online. The choice will be determined by their traits.

Spoiler – there’s a Dog-Loving Genius teen in the Scott family next door…Fingers Crossed!

Title: Fire – 1968 UK hit from The Crazy World of Arthur Brown

[Rhoxi]

Oo, the socially awkward trait. I've yet to play with that, so I'm curious to see how difficult that will be to manage in your challenge.

[Granny Lawlor]

Oo, the socially awkward trait. I've yet to play with that, so I'm curious to see how difficult that will be to manage in your challenge.

So far Wye is normal/relaxed with family but I believe he'll get uncomfortable with strangers. Extra socials include asking advice plus Practise Speech on the mirror is replaced by Overcome Awkwardness. Hopefully it won't adversely affect job-performance

[oshizu]

Crossing my fingers for your girls that the teen Scott boy drops by.
I can't even remember the last time I played a Lazy sim.

[Granny Lawlor]

Crossing my fingers for your girls that the teen Scott boy drops by.
I can't even remember the last time I played a Lazy sim.

Nina was Lazy but she liked gardening so always did her daily task. It was the reason she wouldn't exercise much and she kept falling asleep over the chess board when I needed to max her logic.
I can cope with Proper & Snob but all 3 in one Sim? Leroy Heck No!

[Granny Lawlor]

Flowers of the Apocalypse 2.1: The Tracks of My Tears

Gunther: Tulip? Why don’t you introduce me to your friends?
Tulip: Well, we’re not friends yet, are we boys?
Kieran: We were just wondering, sir, why, when there’s so many of us Grocery Deliverers, you don’t ring for delivery each week?
Darion: Yeah! We see you all running or walking backward and forwards. We could help with that.
Gunther: Well – that’s an option. Would you like to come and meet my wife?
Tulip: So, Mum, Kieran’s a Materialistic Slob. What about Darion?
Coral: I don’t think so, dear, do you?

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Coral: Keep cycling by, Quinton!

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Agnes: You really should keep the pavement outside your house clean and tidy!
Wye: Well, Ms Crumplebottom, there was this kid hanging about and he just wouldn’t go home, even after curfew.
Thomas: It wasn’t that Scott boy, Aubrey, was it?
Agnes: I’ve heard he’s a Kleptomaniac.
Wye: I wouldn’t like to say, ma’am.
Agnes: You should go and clean yourself up. It’s getting a bit ripe around here.

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Violet: I’ve upped my cooking skill to 7 now. The BBQ is in the centre of this little room, away from the drywall. Surely I can…

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Violet: Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!
Gunther: Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!
Wye: Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!

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Gunther: Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh dear!
Tulip: What is it Dad? Mum’s put the fire out. You can relax now!
Gunther: No, it’s not that. It’s…well I got a call…your Grandmama has died!
Tulip: Oh Dad. I’m so sorry!

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Coral: Nice to meet you Supriya and your son Pierce.
Supriya: We’re just on an outing to do something, anything, to forget that my beloved Justin has just died.
Coral: We’re so sorry to hear that, aren’t we Violet?
Violet: Yes, we’ve just lost our Granny. It’s very sad.
Pierce: Why are you cooking out here? Don’t you live just over there?
Violet: Yes, but I do love being outdoors.
Pierce: I love the Islands but I can’t get there in these difficult times.
Coral: I see you’re Neat and Self-Assured, Pierce. Just how old are you?
Supriya: It’s just over a week to his Adult birthday.
Coral: Pierce, I know things are difficult but would you like a chance to make a difference in this world?
Violet: MUM! I thought you had your eye on that Serenity Scott, next door! You know – the Dog-Loving Genius. For Wye!
Coral: Oh – she aged up yesterday. Turns out she’s a Glutton!

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Wye: So…um…is it just me? Or is this really awkward?
Violet: …
Tulip: …
Pierce (grading homework): …

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Gunther: Do you remember when I moved in?
Coral: Oh – you were such a Mama’s Boy!
Gunther: You come here and say that!

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Tulip: Come here and let me Console you.
Pierce: Thanks.
Tulip: Now a bit of False Confidence for your first day of work!
Pierce: What?
Tulip: Just a bit of mischief. It’s supposed to build you up!
Pierce: That’s so insincere! I can’t believe you’d do that!

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Violet: What did you do?
Tulip: I consoled him and then tried to instill some false confidence. I thought that’s why we’ve all got a bit of skill in Mischief.
Violet: Maybe he just saw straight through it because he’s Self-Assured.
Tulip: I may have done some more mischief stuff. Watcher left me to it and I might have got carried away.
Violet: Never mind. We’ll do some damage control later. It’s time for me to blow out my candles. By the way, is it just the lighting or are you getting chest hair.
Tulip: Argh! I hate teendom!

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Wye: Happy Birthday!
Tulip: Happy Birthday!
Violet: Yay! I got cake! Now let’s have a Party!
Watcher: Oh dear – no party, I’m afraid! There’s all sorts of restrictions stopping that, Comedian being the main one but you’d have to clear Military Officer to even invite anyone over.
Violet: But I’m a Party Animal. Surely we could have some Good Times! OK – deep breath – I’ll sign up and at least get us someway there.

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Violet: Oh – I didn’t expect to get my uniform straight away. I don’t start until Monday.
Watcher: Maybe it’s because you need to Practice Marching before then.
Violet: OK – after I’ve beaten my Personal Best!

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Pierce: Happy Birthday, Violet.
Violet: Thanks Pierce. I’m sorry this is so awkward. Tulip didn’t mean to upset you this morning.
Pierce: I know. She’s just a kid, after all.
Violet: A young adult next week!
Pierce: Yeah.
Violet: You do like girls, romantically, don’t you?
Pierce: I’m still working things out but I know the deal.
Violet: No rush to decide. Wait until Tulip’s birthday, eh?

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Coral: Are you OK, honey?
Violet: I’m just trying to knit. I’d really like to master it.
Gunther: Nice to see someone using that knitting kit. It’s been kicking around the house ever since I can remember.
Watcher: I thought you’d like to be creative with it, Gunther, but you never touched it.
Gunther: No, I prefer painting.

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Progress Year 1, Week 8, Spring
Generation 1
Coral Odrade: Founder; Adult; Cheerful, Active, Loves Outdoors; Master Chef; Culinary-Chef completed week 4
Gunther Munch: Spouse; Adult; Creative, Clumsy, Bookworm; Renaissance Sim (2/4); Civil Designer-Civic Planner Complete week 5

Generation 2
Pierce Delgado: Spouse elect; Young Adult; Self-Assured, Neat, Child of the Islands; Archaeology Scholar; Education 1/10
Violet Odrade: Young Adult; Cheerful, Loves Outdoors, Party Animal; Lady of the Knits; Military 2/10
Tulip Odrade: Teen: Cheerful, Bookworm; Master Mixologist
Wye Odrade: Teen: Genius, Socially Awkward; Angling Ace

L-to-R: Wye, Violet, Coral, Gunther, Pierce & Tulip
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Notes

I was quite surprised to see chest hair growing on Tulip and then she had the option to shave it in the shower. I’m not sure that’s really the best option but I’m just glad I’m not a teen anymore.

With just a week of Young Adulthood, the race will be on to get Pierce to get his Research & Debate skill up to 9 before his Eldership. In my previous attempt I got a podium to practice at but he can practice at the mirror so I think that was a rule-infraction – Retail Employee only allows one skill-building item per skill per life-stage.

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Gen2 heir is now definitely female. Party Animal is not a helpful trait but who knows what Tulip will get!

Violet went straight into level 2 of the Military. I don’t know if it was because she had 3 +ve traits.

Just ticked over to 500 views of this attempt - thanks for the reading!

Title: The Tracks of My Tears– 1969 UK hit from Smokey Robinson & The Miracles

[oshizu]

Does the ampersand between Violet & Pierce suggest a budding relationship?
Or do you simply not believe in the Oxford comma? Haha

The Glutton trait isn't bad (unless we're playing our simself, lol).
Glad a spouse prospect was finally found that satisfied everyone's approval.
I love Child of the Islands for summong elementals, but a sim with that trait gets sad a lot.
With a B in high school, a YA joins a career at Level 2.  With an A in high school, they join at Level 3.

Haha, poor Violet and her growing chest hair.
I always make sure to disable hair growth for teens in CAS.  If enabled, can we watch sims shave their back hair? *shudders

[Granny Lawlor]

Does the ampersand between Violet & Pierce suggest a budding relationship?
Or do you simply not believe in the Oxford comma? Haha

The Glutton trait isn't bad (unless we're playing our simself, lol).
Glad a spouse prospect was finally found that satisfied everyone's approval.
I love Child of the Islands for summong elementals, but a sim with that trait gets sad a lot.
With a B in high school, a YA joins a career at Level 2.  With an A in high school, they join at Level 3.

Haha, poor Violet and her growing chest hair.
I always make sure to disable hair growth for teens in CAS.  If enabled, can we watch sims shave their back hair? *shudders

Never use the Oxford comma. It always looks unnecessary to me. I'm waiting until Tulip ages up to see her third trait before picking the Spouse for Pierce.
I need to go and disable that hair growth. It seems random who suffers with it.
Violet was a High School drop-out so I'm not sure what got her level 2.

[Rhoxi]

Regarding the Oxford Comma debate: I'm a fan! Nice to see you finally found a spouse with good traits.

[Granny Lawlor]

Regarding the Oxford Comma debate: I'm a fan! Nice to see you finally found a spouse with good traits.

Oxford commas for the win, then. Lol!

[Granny Lawlor]

Flowers of the Apocalypse 2.2: Give Me Just a Little More Time

Tulip: Hey, clucky, chucky, chick chicks! Come and get it!
Watcher: How are they doing? Do they mind being in the basement? Is there enough light from that light well? What about the wooden floor? It looks so much nicer than the hideous tiles but is it practical?
Tulip: Relax, Watcher. The chicks are fine. Couldn’t we have got them sooner?
Watcher: Well there wasn’t space before your Dad designed the bigger building regs and then the rules aren’t clear.
Tulip: It’ll be nice to always have fresh eggs! With that and the cricket flour, we should always be able to have cake! Or do we need milk too?
Watcher: I’ll check…

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Pierce: So your name is Heaven?
Heaven: That’s right. I’m one of the Pub Owners.
Pierce: I didn’t think we had a Pub yet.
Heaven: That’s why I’m wandering around.
Violet: Hello? Who are you?
Pierce: This is Heaven. She’s just being neighbourly.
Tulip: Ah – Pub Owner I’m guessing from the outfit. So you’re already married.
Violet: That’s OK then.
Tulip: Come on Pierce. Let’s go and play chess.
Violet: Goodbye, Heaven.
Heaven: Oh. Goodbye, I guess…

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Coral: Isn’t this nice and homey.
Tulip: I wouldn’t say it’s very homey, Mum
Watcher: The Lot trait would beg to differ…Homey, Chef’s Kitchen and Great Acoustics…all the 3 traits we’re allowed!
Wye: It would be nice if we could actually put up some of those paintings you and Dad do.
Coral: I know. I like doing them, but Watcher whisks them away as soon as she notices.
Violet: k2 p2 sl1 k2tog psso
Tulip: Is she having a seizure?
Watcher: No – it’s the knitting pattern. I speak knitting – it all makes sense. She’s doing a lacey bit, I think.
Pierce: It says here that you can debate anything. Let’s debate knitting. Who’s for it?

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Violet: Thanks for being my BFF, Pierce
Pierce: That’s going to give me a warm glow all through work today.
Violet: Me too!

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Watcher: A new work outfit, I see.
Pierce: It’s the level 2 outfit. Still comfy wear. Plus rings and a nose piercing.
Watcher: I guess they have to be non-sexist about the piercings – it’s very odd though.

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Coral: Happy Birthday, Darling!
Gunther: Ooh – my back!
Tulip: Hey Dad, what are you going to do now you’re not at work?
Gunther: Whatever takes my fancy!
Watcher: That’s right. You’re on your own, Gunther!

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Pierce: Hey chicks! You’re all grown up.
Black Hen: Squawk!
Pierce: Does that mean eggs tomorrow?
Brown Hen: Cluck
Pierce: You don’t seem able to get up the stairs but I guess you can go anywhere down here. Except the computer room. No-one’s allowed in there at the moment.

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Pierce: Um, hello?
Brown Hen: crrck
Pierce: Well, I guess I don’t mind…

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Watcher: Ah – level 3 outfit. Slightly more formal but still with jewelry.
Pierce: I think this is more my style.
Watcher: It certainly suits you.

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Coral: Oh Gunther!
Gunther: Watcher said I could do what I like!
Coral: Mmm – this is nice!
Watcher: Don’t mind me… I'll just clear all these books you've got in your Inventory
Gunther: Oh - sorry.

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Wye: Hey!
Violet: You said you’d Spar with me!
Wye: Mind my head.
Violet: Come on! Block me!
Wye: Is that enough?
Violet: I need to do it 4 times to complete my task.
Wye: I think Tulip wants to help with that!
Tulip: What!

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Watcher: That’s an interesting portrait.
Gunther: I think it’s a self-portrait.
Watcher: We-ell… I’ll put it with the others.

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Wye: Happy Birthday, Pierce.
Coral: Happy Birthday.
Pierce: Thanks for my cake – is this made with the fresh eggs?
Coral: Yes. How does it taste?
Pierce: Great
Tulip: I’m staying out of the way. I keep apologizing to Pierce but I always seem to say the wrong thing. I wonder how I can make things right…

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Violet: Come on, Old Man. Get your defences up!
Pierce: Who are you calling Old Man? Does that mean you want me to be YOUR Old Man?
Violet: That’s not what I meant at all. I was just teasing.
Pierce: I could be.
Violet: Tulip’s birthday is tomorrow…
Pierce: Yeah! I hope she stops being so mischievous. She’s developed a real taste for it whenever Watcher isn’t…you know…watching!
Watcher: Sorry!

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Coral: Happy Birthday, Tulip!
Tulip: Thanks Mum. Ooh I feel all Creative, all of a sudden. Plus I’d really like to be a Master Actress!
Watcher: Well – the acting is a no-no. You can paint whenever you want but how about a Gardening career?
Tulip: Well – duh! I’d guessed that from all the gardening books you’ve been making me read!
Watcher: You like reading!
Tulip: I like reading all sorts. Re-reading the same 2 books over and over got a little dull!
Watcher: Well now you can do some actual gardening and learn that way! If you can find a way to make the plants safe to eat, that would be wonderful!
Tulip: Oh great – my own little greenhouse! I wondered where this locked door went.
Watcher: I had it built on Sunday.
Tulip: It’s great, Watcher. Thanks.
Watcher: You’re welcome.

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Progress Year 1, Week 9, Summer
Generation 1

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Coral Odrade: Founder; Adult; Cheerful, Active, Loves Outdoors; Master Chef; Culinary-Chef completed week 4
Gunther Munch: Spouse; Elder; Creative, Clumsy, Bookworm; Renaissance Sim (2/4); Civil Designer-Civic Planner Complete week 5

Generation 2
Pierce Delgado: Adult; Self-Assured, Neat, Child of the Islands; Archaeology Scholar; Education 4/10
Violet Odrade: YA; Cheerful, Loves Outdoors, Party Animal; Lady of the Knits; Military 4/10
Tulip Odrade: YA: Cheerful, Bookworm, Creative; Master Actress
Wye Odrade: Teen: Genius, Socially Awkward; Angling Ace

Notes

Tulip, another High School Dropout, also went straight into level 2 of the Gardening Career so I think it must be the 3 +ve traits. Unless they take their leaving Child school with an A…

With her 3 helpful traits, Tulip is my preferred Gen 2 heir but Pierce isn’t sure. Her work pattern only has single days off at a time until level 6, causing breast-feeding issues. Violet’s has Sat-Sun off for all levels so that would be easier. Can Tulip redeem herself? Is Party Girl Violet even interested? They certainly closed ranks when Heaven came to call…

Title: Give Me Just a Little More Time – 1970 UK hit from Chairmen of the Board

[Rhoxi]

The suspense! Will it be Tulip or Violet? Who knows! The chicken coup seems like a good strategy, but I don't remember you doing that in your last game. Would you elaborate on that?