The Flowers waiting for Grim - Completed

[sunshine_2406]

I just recently discovered this story and I really liked it I hope you can continue but if not it's been brilliant so far.

[Schipperke]

Thanks very much, Nicole.  I very much want to complete the Flowers story - the reason for the long neglect is the game/computer problems I've been having.  But the new computer has just arrived home, and once I have my Sims installed - probably this evening - I'll be ready to play again, hopefully without the many problems I've been experiencing in my game.  Fingers crossed that the new lean, mean Simming machine lives up to expectations!  And thanks again for the interest in the story.

[Audren]

Thanks very much, Nicole.  I very much want to complete the Flowers story - the reason for the long neglect is the game/computer problems I've been having.  But the new computer has just arrived home, and once I have my Sims installed - probably this evening - I'll be ready to play again, hopefully without the many problems I've been experiencing in my game.  Fingers crossed that the new lean, mean Simming machine lives up to expectations!  And thanks again for the interest in the story.

Oh! Your Sims have finally got new Computer! Yay! I'm looking forward to the return of the Flowers!! 

[Schipperke]

Oh! Your Sims have finally got new Computer! Yay! I'm looking forward to the return of the Flowers!! 

Oh, thanks, Audren!  Yeah, the Sims don't know it (the game isn't installed yet) but when they find out, I hope they'll be happy with their new Computer.  Unfortunately, my poor Sims also are at the mercies of a total ignoramus in Dimension H, so who knows how long it will take to get things up and running.  I just spent almost an hour trying to figure out how to find the toolbar on Internet Explorer, finally gave up and phoned the store that sold me the machine only to learn that I should have clicked on a certain grey line - like magic, there it was!  Now, I ask you, how on earth is a person supposed to know things like that?  Sigh.  Apologies for the off-topic rant.

[WickedSimmer87]

No way i'd have this story glide out in sand if it stood to me  Had to reread it to catch up, now for the  bad part  waiting for new updates lol

I bookmarked this looooong ago too    Loved it too!

[Schipperke]

Simmy Secrets

Have you ever wondered what your Sims get up to when you're off at school, work, or other “real life” things?  Yes, I know, the conventional wisdom is that when you're not playing the game, your Sims exist in a kind of frozen animation, content to wait forever until you return and load up your game, at which point the Sims spring back to life.  That's the conventional wisdom.  But, as a quick glance 'round this forum will clearly show, Sims players are not the most conventional of Humans.  Imaginative, creative, even fanciful – those words would describe more Sims players than “conventional.”  Personally, I suspect my Sims get up to all sort of hi-jinks when I'm not watching.  Complete free will, with no bossy Human telling them what to do, no need to worry about what they might look like in a screenshot, I imagine the Sims engaging in all sorts of secret Sim activities.  Then when they sense the game loading, the cry goes out:  “Human coming!  Quick, everyone, resume positions!” And when the game has finished loading there are my Sims, exactly as I left them.  With me none the wiser.

Our poor Finishing School has been neglected for a long time.  Marigold, Sunflower, Leo, and their students have gotten used to being free from Human scrutiny.  I thought, with the Sims having been on their own for so long, and the new computer being so very much faster than the old one, maybe I could catch them off guard before they realized I was coming.  What have they been up to?  Have they continued working on their skills and tutoring the students?  Let's see if we can catch them in the act of whatever they've been doing.  The game loads, revealing ...



Hmm ... the place is dark and deserted, only Iqbal Albi standing alone on the front step?  That's strange.  Where could they be?  *clicks on Marigold's picture to find her*

With the graphics settings still turned down, the picture takes a bit longer to come into focus.  But Sim voices can be heard:

Marigold:  What's that sound I hear?
Laurie:  I recognize that sound!
Leo:  Human coming!
Sunflower:  Oh no!  How did she get here so fast?







Me:  Gambling?  This is what you've been doing?  Frittering away your time and money at the casino?
Sunflower:  Gambling is a skill too, you know.
Me:  Never mind.  Nobody likes a smarty-pants Sim.  Who ever heard of a Finishing School teaching gambling?
Leo:  Yeah, and we've gotten pretty good at it, too!
Laurie:  It's your own fault for leaving us alone so long.
Marigold:  Yes, what do you think it's like for us, neglected and ignored for so long?  Sims have feelings, you know!
Me:  I see you've also become masters at the skill of guilt-tripping.  All right!  We'll say no more about it.  The party's over, guys.  Now, home to bed with you all!







Finally they're all home and safely tucked in bed.  Well, almost all.



Leo:  Alright, I'm going, I'm going!  But tell me – how did you manage to find us so fast?  That's never happened before.
Me, smirking:  How d'ya like your new Computer then, Leo?
Leo:  Oh, really?  Can't say I'm terribly impressed so far, Human.

Moral:  Don't leave your Sims alone too long.  They may find a way to make you regret it.

[JudesSims]

[smile]

[Audren]

You don't even know how happy seeing this makes me. (Or maybe you do, I've been talking about it a lot  ) Seeing this very fine story continued once again thrills me, and what a way to bring it back! Your interactions with your Sims are always hilarious, with your Sims outsmarting their foolish Watcher. (Which is most certainly fictional, judging by your creativity in even coming up with that idea.  )

Purple prose aside, I'm absolutely elated that the Flowers have returned! 

[Schipperke]

Oh, thanks, Audren!  I really enjoyed the Flowers until all the game problems started happening.  I'm glad to be able to finally return to it, and very grateful that there is still some interest in the story.

As for whether the Sims are smarter than I am - well, let's just say that my dogs certainly outsmart me on a regular basis, so if the little furbrains can outsmart me, probably the Sims can as well! 

[MarianT]

I'll be glad to see the finishing school return!

[Ausette]

Oh my goodness, what a wonderful surprise! That's such a cute way to return to the story. I'm glad your new computer is treating you well, Ship. 

[Schipperke]

After the Casino

I'm pleased and relieved to report that things are back on track at the Finishing School now that the faculty and students have been pried away from the gambling dens.  The tutoring has resumed, and skills are being learned.









The female students are back to hanging out in Leo's room even though they  have to leave the main house and climb a flight of stairs to get there.



Before we see the next episode in the life of the Finishing School, in view of the long hiatus, it might be a good idea to refresh our memories on certain points. 

1.  In their free time, the students have been taking part in a scavenger hunt.  The students were divided into two teams and given the following clues:  (i) Check me out!  'Ave no fear! I'm 'armless!  (ii) Keep out!  I'se watching you!  This is mine!  (iii) A marsh in a muddle.  The answers to these clues may all be found in Sunset Valley.  The students are to photograph whatever they think the clue refers to.  The winning team will be announced at the students' graduation party.  Any clever reader who thinks s/he knows the answers will please keep mum till then.

2.  As noted, the week-long program will conclude with a graduation party.

3.  Marigold and Sunflower are elders.  They started out as twins, but some strange aging bug has resulted in Sunflower being much older than Marigold now. They came to Sunset Valley to wait for Grim, and Sunflower's appointment with Grim is probably not too far off at this point.

4.  Leo has been seen holding secretive conferences with Judy Bunch.  Mr Payne happened to catch Leo emerging from the Science Centre one day.  When Mr Payne asked what Leo was doing there, Leo was distinctly evasive.

5.  Laurie, who despite wearing a skirt-like garment (a kilt) is very definitely not a young lady, managed to talk his way into a young ladies' finishing school for reasons of his own.  He then proceeded to show how unusual he was in other ways; for example, while most of the students' cooking adventures tend to turn out barely edible at best, horrifying at worst, Laurie has consistently turned out excellent or better meals using the same equipment as all the other students.  I honestly have no idea how this happens, as he doesn't have the Natural Cook trait and has only a couple points of cooking skill.

There, I think that brings us more or less up to date. 

I have just one more screenshot to share with you.  In honour of Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend, Sunflower baked a Stuffed Tursoykey for everyone and the students decorated the dining room.



Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!  And if you don't normally celebrate Canadian Thanksgiving, well, perhaps you might care to treat yourself to a slice of pumpkin pie or other seasonal delicacy in honour of the day. 

And now, I think our next update will probably be the students' graduation party.

[SmartieGirl21]

Spent an hour reading through this whole story.....I love it! You're such a good writer!

[Schipperke]

Thanks, SmartieGirl!  Glad you're enjoying the story and welcome to the forum.   

[forever_mone]

Yay! The flowers are back! I'm so excited to see this story continue. It's definitely a favorite of mine.