Angels Unawares: The Seraphim Immortal Dynasty (Graveyard Please!)

[DeLouche]

Hmmm... well, for Billy, it's got to be "Shaddup! I'm painting!" - or maybe "If all the cool dynasties jumped off a cliff, would this one?" - but that's not really embelamtic as such, it just made me laugh.

For Uriel (no pic, but many lines): "It’s in the house it’s in the house killitkillitkillit!" or maybe "What the heck is that... homunculus?"

Ariel, with her sweet earnestness and serious social skills: "But when you contemplate trash, you realize that much of it can be used for interesting compost. When you think about it, the whole system of life requires…" Awww. She's right, you know. I love her.

Aster is difficult, because she speaks pure gold most of the time. How about "So, I was thinking -- I don't want to use up my best painting skill before I'm grown up -- I mean, the shine of light needs to mature like a fine wine, and I don't want to paint it all before it's ready! We should do something else -- what about interpretive shadow-toe-puppet dances?" or "I just want some consistency and maybe laser vision. That's not a lot, right?"

For Orchid, how about "Combining adventure with a first date is a great idea!"

[Phantome-A]

Now this is something I can help with.

For Aster-If we could expand the molecules to house-sized proportions, and then we could live inside, like, your nose... And ride the electrons to school. Which, of course, would take place in the molecules of my nose... Except that creates a loop of infinitely tiny nose-molecules. Well, anyway, does your nose have bedroom space? OR Grrrr! Sky, you keep making me get left behind! I will smash you, puny heavens!

Thats all I have for now. Aster's my favourite. 

[Deme]

Ah, thank you both! I think you're choosing a different sort of thing than I would, so I'll have to think more carefully about it.

Chapter 41: Grace[/u]
It certainly has been a while! I hope they've been taking care of these accounts while I've been enjoying my retirement...
Though, I can't speak for how much further these will go on. This may be our last message. How fitting that these records begin and end with Ariel, isn't it?
I hope that wherever this ends up, that whoever reads it enjoys it.

"We've got to think of a strategy. Something. Timetravel? We do have that time machine... We can -- we can -- we can... Think, Uriel... You're theoretically good at this..."
"I know you're trying very hard."
"Darn skippy! I...I'll never give you up! Even if I have to break free will to do it, I'll... I will succeed!"
"...Uriel. Don't. The moment simkind loses its free will to angels... We'll have ruined something so beautiful. I'm not worth that."
"How can you say that?!"
"If our positions were switched... I might feel as you do now. But you would definately feel the way I do now -- that's the point of us, isn't it?
...No, I'll have faith in Orchid. If she comes around, she does so of her will. I'll not make her... And I'll not allow you to make her."
"...You're right. But I'll keep trying to think of something. I won't let you die."
"Thank you, Uriel. We may not have grace... But I have you. And we have our dignity."
" (not have grace...)...How can you say that?"

Today, Aster won an award -- a key to the city! Given to her by our lovely mayor in his fabulous hat!

"My liege. I thank you for this gift...Of seeing your great hat!"
"Ah, yes.... For thy compliments upon our personage, we shall bestor upon thee a higher title... With this sword --"
He meant hand.
"With this hand-sword, I dub thee a Knight of the realm. Rise, as a defender of the hat!"
I generally have a policy of not saying anything at all when I can't say something nice...
And I don't mean to be mean, but...
Well, suddenly I feel slightly worried about the fate of the city under the current administration.
"Well, I certainly didn't vote for him."
"You can't vote."
"Another way the man is keepin' the angel down, man!"
"Oh, goodness, they're infectious! *giggle*"
"But of course."

"How was the ceremony, Aster?"
"You will address me as Dame Aster, knight of the star-flower!"
"Of course, dear."


Orchid can't enact any more of her plans than going to prom, but she's at least still pursuing her training. She's taken to using that little slot in her room as a meditation area...
You know, Uriel says it's because I'm being sappy, but I'm not angry. Part of me even thinks...Well, we'll see. I certainly don't question her resolve.


"...What is he doing? What meaning is there to his evil dance? Is he trying to bring back the 80s? Not on my watch!"
"Oh, Uriel... Aster just thought he'd add some color. He is darling, isn't he? Though he does like to try and make Cavegnome build him some pyramids..."
"Sugarpie Honeybunch, listen. It's a grand rule of life: nothing good comes out of ancient egypt. Haven't you played videogames? Watched movies? Read books? If there's one lesson they have to teach, it's that Ancient Egypt was a festering den of supernatural horror!
...Now if only they would be so up-front about the gnome menace."
"He just wants to be friends."
And build an everlasting monument to himself so he'll be cozy in the afterlife. Perfectly innocuous.



Orchid spent Sunday afternoon prepping for her prom with a steely determination, like a girl trying to forget, to put things as far behind her as she can.
She took Linden by the hand, and the two of them went out for their night. I can't help but wonder what it must be like, having so much future ahead. I've always seen simly time as so very brief and transitory... I don't think that's a feeling Orchid understands yet, and I'm glad for her.


I invite one of my old friends from work to wile away the evening. I'm a little nostalgic for friends these days, due to The Angel in the Axe's sudden arrival. Of course, I'd like to spend a few evenings listening to his fine stories of adventures. Perhaps this story will even compare.


Orchid's prom, from Uriel's spying, goes well.
"They're all over each-other! Like bromeliads on trees!"
"So even you're getting into the orchid metaphors."
"...Dangit, you're infectious, you know that?"
"But of course."
 Our young couple decides to "go steady," as they say (it's a lovely term, when you think of it -- a relationship that promises to be constant, stable. A rock on which to build a life together), Orchid earned the title of Prom Queen, and they danced the night away.

I feel sentimental, seeing another little flower from this house begin to thrive.

"...I've had a lot of fun."
"Fun with what, Grandmother?"

Oh, it seems I've been snuck up on!
"Oh, nothing, darling. Come, swing with me. You've been so busy, we've not spoken since the other day."


She sits, staring at me. For once, Orchid is wholly unsure of what to say.
"Uriel, leave us for a while."
"...What?"
"This is girl-time."
"I could be a girl if I wanted to."
"But you're not currently. Off with you."

As he pouts off, a look of concern spreads on Orchid's face.

"That's a fine brooding face you have there, dear. You must have been practicing."
"Brooding is an essential skill for a hero!" She declares through her funk. Then she falls silent again.


"Why don't you tell me about your plans? Where will you go? What distant mountains, oceans, lakes will you see?"
"I was thinking about starting off with a full world tour -- maybe just head in a straight line across the world! I'd at least like to do some backpacking in Europe and dominate the Chinese Martial Arts scene!
"And then?"

"...And then...I'd like to buy a mountaintop cabin with Linden. Somewhere with a waterfall to train under. Bears to wrestle! Maybe raise a kid or two. Linden can tutor them."
"I see..."

"That sounds like a fine life, that can lead to many stories, as you always wished. Will you be happy, then?"

She stares at me before bursting out,
"Grandmother, do you hate me?"
"...Whatever for?"
"For ruining your stupid plans. They're important to you."

I burst into laughter.
"I could never hate you for something as petty as that."

"Children are like flowers. You plant them, and you care for them... But the growth of the flower is something it does in directions all its own. It'd be cruel to stop it... Because it produces the healthiest plants. You and your mother are both my precious flowers, the most beautiful I have ever raised into blossoming."

But on the subject of Aster, my beautiful, mad daughter with the wild eyes that make such unusual faces...
"For your mother, though, I have my regrets."
"My Mother?"
"How do I explain it..."

"Aster is a creature of stars and lights. She's never fully belonged in this world...And perhaps she knows it. I've always felt that perhaps it was my own fault. 'Otherworldly' describes me as well as her... Such matters can be inherited..."
"Wait, aren't you totally human in terms of genetics?"
"Inheritance doesn't automatically just go through genes... That madness that takes her at times... Is her birthright, as a person not meant for this world. As she grew, I had hoped that at least, one day, I could save her from that...
And fine a world where her heart could find peace."
"...And you're giving up?!"
"...Not just yet. But certainly, that was the finest chance I had. But I won't run away from this task...
I'd also like to find some comfort for my poor dear Uriel. Hopefully, he'll take this to get his own chance to try, and abandon me to my fate when it comes."
"Neveeeeerrrr!"
"Uriel, I told you. No listening."
"...Fine."


"And what about you? No city in the clouds for you, right? Or will they take you in for being good?"
"I'm not sure... I may be sent back to my punishment. Or perhaps... For my lack of patience, I may find myself in an even worse position." I offer her a cheery smile as consolation.

"...You mean...you'll end up..." She points downward. I shrug.
"It's a possibility."
"Why bare you so calm about that?!" Orchid's shout was bound to wake up the neighbors, and I wince in reflex.
"Because I truly believe that there's no situation so grave that it cannot be made bearable by a little smile, and no demon so fierce that he can't be won by a little kindness. So no matter what happens to me...
I'm not afraid. I'll face whatever comes with a smile in my heart, for you and for everyone."

I do not know what Orchid sees in me that moment -- but as I stare down the moon, I feel its light on me, white and silver, filling me with that same bright paleness that is my nature. In that moment, perhaps I look the angel, undaunted by time, I feel. Perhaps that is why she takes a gasp of air as if I'd stolen it from her.

"...I'm just... running away, aren't I?"
"Did I ever say that?"
"Does it matter? I said I'd accept no compromise... But here I am, compromising! Saying I can't have everything, so I'll just leave my family in the lurch!"
"Like I said, I'll be fine."
"But that's exactly the sort of attitude I need to have!...That's the sort of attitude I've always promised myself. But... I couldn't face that it'd be hard to win. So I decided to run."
"...And now?"
Her voice reaches a creschendo of excitement, breaking into a wild smile that fills her up with determination.
"I'll not accept less! I'll follow along... But I'll do my best! I'll try and protect everyone! If Linden dies, then I'll wait until this is all over and bring him back! Even if I fail today, I'll win tommorow!
...And when this is all over, I'll go see the world. Don't think I'll abandon that, either!"
A warmth that far outshines the light of the moon fills my heart. Perhaps I was a little afraid, because tears sting my eyes in relief.
"And there's something else I want, too!"
"...For you, dear, anything..."


"A big wedding. I won't accept anything less!"
"Of course. I'll start planning the flower arrangements now, even."
I laugh, and pull this child of my child into an embrace.
"But I think you're skipping a few steps."
"Oh, don't you worry. Well, I'm off."

And so, this long night comes to an end...



And turns to love. Orchid may be right -- love will wait for anyone. Forever. As my precious husband kisses me, my breath swirling emptily into the air, I'm certain of that.


And Orchid, too, is ready to fight again, even against her own thoughts.
”Wow. Your scheme worked.”
”Scheme? Uriel... I’ve never schemed anything. I meant every word...And didn't think she'd turn things around just because of that.”
 ”But you said... Did you actually... You said you were willing to... Aaaah... Don’t scare me like that!”
"What, you doubted Ariel's resolve? Man, time hasn't made you anything less but an idiot, Uriel."
"Hey! You're dead! No fair picking on me!"
I think things will continue happily this way for a while yet.

Aster's Requirements

Lifetime Wish: Living in the Lap of Luxury
Career: Architect
Supermax Skill: Painting
Building, Property: Hogan's Deep-Fried Diner, Romper Recreational Park
LTR: Innapropriate in a Good Way, Artisan Crafter, Extra Creative
Best Friends: Ariel Seraphim, Reed (Joy) Seraphim, Evanthe Seraphim, Lindsay Coulter, Helmut Roderickson, Jacob Roderickson, Ross Dorman, Orchid Seraphim, Gabriel Seraphim, Cyriaque Cantu, Ami Oakley
Black Ops: When Dream Come True, Scavenger Hunt: Rare Elements, A fishy science project, Outside Reading, Larger than Necessary Doorstop, Local Artists' Gallery
Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teenager, YA, Adult
Sculptures/Photos: Child (sculp), Teen (sculp), YA (sculpt and Photo), Adult (Sculp/ Photo)

Orchid's Requirements:

Lifetime Wish: Physical Perfection
Career:
Supermax Skill: Martial Arts (1/3 Challenges)
Building/Property: Everfresh Supermarket, Riverfront Swim Club
LTR: Opportunistic, Learned Relic Hunter, Jetsetter
Best Friends: Aster Seraphim, Reed Seraphim, Linden Seraphim, Waylon Shwarz
Black Ops:
Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teen
Sculptures/Photographs: Toddler (sculp&photo), Child (sculp&photo), Teen (Sculp&Photo)

[alex51299]

Great update! Maybe when the dynasty is completed Aster will get to go to the kingdom too, since she might belong there more.

[loveSims]

I enjoy this chapter very much! You're a very good writer. Awesome update.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Aww, I'm so happy for Orchid! I adore Ariel even more now, she's so wonderful. Amazing update.

[MarianT]

Good resolution of a difficult issue.  I love Uriel's reactions to the gnomes, and Ariel's worry about the mayor made me laugh.

[Phantome-A]

What e relief. You had me genuinely worried that the story was over. well I'm glad that Orchid was able to come around.

[Deme]

As always, thank you for the compliments and support!
@alex: I think that was the understanding Ariel and Uriel had: all of Ariel's firstborns get to be angels in the city as well, though apparently Orchid's opting out of that. Presumably, since the Silver City has some claim to their souls due to their involvement in this, all the spouses will end up there (as souls) as well, and Elaine, Evanthe, and Norman, too. I wouldn't be able to accept an ending as 'happy' otherwise.

@xFezIsAFreakx:Ariel's much stealthier about her awesomeness than most of our other main cast... But that just makes me enjoy these moments all the more. "I truly believe that there's no situation so grave that it cannot be made bearable by a little smile, and no demon so fierce that he can't be won by a little kindness" may be Ariel's pin-up line: it's just so very her and rather cool, in her twee and fluffy way.

@ MarianT: Uriel vs the gnomes may be my best idea in this story so far, I think. I always love coming up with him, and it really takes him out of the 'impartial watcher' role.

@ Phantome-A: Ha, sorry for tricking you like that! Still... The fact that you're invested enough to worry and believe my little tricks and twists... Makes me wish we had a smiley for a smiley blush. It's really very flattering.

(/offtopic)... Also, I love the mayor. Are mayors required to have a hat like that, or is this just the game granting my personal wishes, before I even know I had them? Because when I saw our mayor had a little tophat, I totally lost it.

[Ricalynn]

I thought you put the top hat on the mayor!  I think it's just your awesome luck! 

I'm glad Orchid finally made her personal choice.  You really are telling an awesome story.

[Deme]

It may, in fact, be awesome luck: I don't recall Reed putting a top hat on someone as a stylist. Excellent...And thank you very much!

Chapter 42: Moving on Up[/u]
Alright, after that little incident, I'm back in control! I've made my choice!
Which means it's time for Orchid to tell Orchid's tale!... And maybe refer to myself in the third person a few mote times; it's pretty fun.


Anyway, this happy-looking woman is posing for the last addition to my father's stylist portfolio...I asked him why, and he said something like,
"Well, I'm running out of people to style who aren't friends of your mother's... So it's getting kind of dicey. I'd rather not risk messing something up. Besides, I always wanted to try making a living with my guitar!"
I think he might just have been a little bored, but it's so sad he has to start at the bottom as a groupie of a band. An indignity, I say!


"Isn't this lovely? I want the girls to work on some more topiaries for it, but I think it's just darling!"
"It's very cute, Ariel. It's a lot more organized than the front beds, though..."
"I got a little over-zealous at first. It'd been so long since there were real plants to see...I may have to re-organize everything again one day!"
"I'm starting to notice a pattern here."
"You can never re-organize a garden enough!"
"Actually, I think you can."
"Nonsense. A garden's something that will never be perfect, but instead, always improving."
"...So...It's like training! Garden training! That's so amazing, grandmother! Always shoot for the top! No surrender!"
"Oh, snap. They've bonded."
 

Oh, yeah! Mother's finally gotten good enough at fishing that she can go and fish with Aunt Evanthe during the day, by the science building

"And I said licence? What kind of license do I need? I'm a proffessional fisherwoman! My job is a lisence! I had to yell out 'OBJECTION!' But the judge said 'Overruled,' so I had to get a fishing lisence."
"Yaaaay! 'Objection'! I bet it was so cool, Vanthey! Oh, was this an objection where you used blue truth, or an objection where you presented your job as evidence? I'd use the Blue Truth, but we don't want this story cluttered up with text colors..."
"It's for the best. If no one but the record sees it, it doesn't matter what...ever that is...you're doing."
"You have a point...I need to work on painting truth, next. Then they'll definately not bug you about renewing your liscence!"
...And they pass the time like that very quietly.
"...Yeah, this is nice."


Earlier this evening, I got...sort of a feeling off of one of the gnomes. You know how I said I could understand them a little? Well, I got the impression Jade was feeling a little lonely... So the two of us got together...

And meditated among the flowers.
"Don't you go corrupting our little Orchid with your dark and gnomish arts, you hear me, you filthy gnome?"
"...Ommmm....Ommm....Return to your breathing...And block out all annoyances distractions.... ommmm...."
"I'm watching you. Don't think I'm not onto your wicked ways!"
"No matter how IRRRITATING... AND STUPID!...They may be.... Ommmm..."
"...I take it you don't like it when I talk during your meditiations."
What gave you that idea, Uriel?
"Alright, alright, I get the hint..."



During one of my nightly spars with Linden, a sudden realization hit me: I was done. Except for those challenges, I had learned all there was to learn, and I earned the highest Gi!
I am Orchid, conquerer of Martial Arts! Fear the gold-trimmed lady!

"You know, I was thinking...You're right. Some reorganization is fun."
"Oh, what did you reorganize?"
"I was worried you were going to take out my wall!"
"Shut it, Axey. Your wall wasn't even slated."

"I wonder if we'll need that third floor space."
"We can always change it later if we need to, right?"
"I suppose so. Perfect home furnishing is also something to strive for endlessly!"


In other news, Gabriel's gotten some gray into his fur. We think he's pretty energetic, just like a puppy, though. You can't keep a good dog down!


"Who's a cute little animal? You're a little bandit with your mask..."
"Uhhh...That's a raccoon. You know, adorable vermin? Knocked over our trash?"
"Oh, but he was just hungry! I'm so happy there are so many animals in our town..."
"...But! It left a huge mess..."
"'O's a snuggly? Is it you? Yesh it is, yesh it is..."
"I'll just clean this up, then. Thank goodness for ethreal powers."

Whenever Grandfather comes up from his grade, Grandmother tells him about her day, or days, or whatever's happened since he last came up.0

"You know, I bet the raccoon wasn't the cute one. You were. Uriel's just being jealous as always."
"Jealous, of a raccoon?"
"Well, duh. I'm a little jealous of it, getting all that attention from such a pretty lady."
"Oh, Billy... *giggle*"


"Hey, Orchid. You've worked really hard and maxed your first skill...Why don't you and Linden take today off, huh?"
"Take the day off...Yeah, that's a wonderous idea, Uriel!
On my day off, I'll do fun, simple things...

Like dangling myself by one hand! It's not a real mountain, but that's nothing to the power of imagination!
"...You don't actually know how to stop training, do you?"
"Training's fun! Fighting's fun! Besides, I want to trace people on this one day, so I want to be the absolute best!"
"Just try to do something...I dunno...More relaxed. I'm...W-well, I'm worried about you frittering your youth away. Take advantage of what you have, you know?"
"Alright! I know exactly what you mean!"


And so Linden and I spent our afternoon, the last weekend of youth, engaged in a fierce and deadly battle for poolside dominance, giggling away in the water! And...With his tan skin glistening with water and the pounding sun of everlasting summer...
I can't help but feel I've won the most handsome man in the world.
I tell him everything...And he's not upset with my choice, or my other choice, or anything.
"Even if it means I have to wait 1000 years, or die, or both... I don't think it'll be so bad for us to ride off into the sunset together. I'll be your sleeping charming, and you be my Princess Beauty...Or something like that. It doesn't gender-flip well, does it?"
"No, it doesn't...But thank you."


On this lovely 'day off,' Auntie Vanthey invited Ross over to stay the night. They look like their earlier romantic struggles have mostly fallen away with time...And maybe with the realization that, for them, this is as close as they can get.

"Hey, what's this painting?"
"It must have been a gift from the painting fairies! Why, look at it, such a lovely image. The daring color, the cold greys fading into the sunlit shades of the figure, the sense of tangible flight inspired by the shapes of the clocks! It's an expert rendering of the futility and emptiness of sims' struggles against time, the brevity of existence as something to be lamented!"
"Oh, hey, Reed's signature is on the back. He must have done this while I wasn't looking."
"Excuse me, I'll be right back."

"Ahhh...That was nice, Aster. What's got you in such a tender mood?"
"...Art."

...
"Hey, Reed..."
"Yeah?"
"What was that painting in the art room about?"
"Oh, that? I just wanted to do a Dali riff."

Speaking of art...

"...How did you get water flowing in this already?"
"It's a fountain. It obviously needs water flowing. I'm taking away everything that's not a fountain, so I need to take away everything that's not the water, too. Including the absence of water."
"...So...You're taking away the absence of water. With your pick and hammer."
"Right! The muli-purpose hammer!"
"..."
"What's that banging noise? It sounds kind of like a not entirely physically-existant head hitting some sort of ethereal wall."

Grandmother found time to make it to a local party, and she ran into Ross's relative. Uriel adds this:
"...Actually, we have no clue what her relationship is. Linden's never looked into his family tree. We just know she shows up with him at parties sometimes, and her last name is 'Dorman,' like his."

And Grandmother turns to a wonderful topic: myself! It's really amazing to have stories told about me, even if it's just by my grandmother!
"And this is when she decided to embrace the challenges before her. And this is when..."
"Oh, hey, look at my wrist! I need to go buy a watch to put on it so I can check the time!...So....ummm... I can...Not be late... For... Umm.... The meeting of the wristwatch club?"
"...Oh. Well, I wouldn't want to delay the Wristwatch society..."


"Ok, ok, I'm done being mad you got me out of bed..." Evanthe, still in the underwear she sleeps in, yawns.
"Yaaaaaaay!"
"We really don't spend a lot of time hanging out, do we anymore? Life got so busy somehow, behind our backs..."
At this, Reed's wife pouts.
"I make time! In fact, once my plans for time-generation via painting a spool of time-thread we can pull off with turpentine, we'll have all the time!"
"You have a point... You do always do your best," Evanthe chuckles. Reed's brow furrows slightly.
"Be careful with the turpentine. I'd hate to find that great art room floor melted. Again."
He gets waved off.
"No worries, no worries... You know, I just want you two to know... This, right here, sitting here with the both of you... That's my Home. Even if it moves away, I'll find it again. Even if it takes a long time, it'll happen again somewhere. That's what home means. It's a meaning that exists in my head, so that's safer than a dictionary."
"I'm glad, then...That our home is so safe."
"Absolutely."

The chains clink slights as Mother moves her hands across the gaps and forms chains of their fingers. Chains that somehow add up, through my mother's mathematics, into a home.

Inspired by this...

When Linden pulls me into another round of kissing practice, I search for those links with my tongue, with his hard pallette. I think I find them.

Ouch. Remember when I said Aunt Vanthe' and Uncle Ross's woes were over? Well, apparently she had recieved an offer from 'Mr. Phone' to get a drink at the Plasma 51. Since that's a vampire bar, she thought she'd surprise her vampire boyfriend by taking him. A perfect, vamp-friendly date, right?
Wrong. He shows up, and then immediately throws a tantrum, declares it a sucky date, and goes home. Ariel says she saw Audora Dorman, the person from the party, crying over Ross's dad... But still, shouldn't grief brings people together?

All I know is she ended up eating Shrimp Cocktail alone in a Vampire bar.


Linden is right behind me in terms of completing Martial Arts. Good work, Linden! Now, our battles will be the splendor of the world! Our fists shall create the vault of heavens!

It's our birthday tommorow, and rather than attend school, we want to get the birthday part going as soon as possible!
So, we head to a bar as a group for a family party. Grandmother chats up the mixologist, and Mother, Father, and Aunt 'Vanthe play shuffleboard, and Linden and I dance the night away.

"It's so wonderful to see our little babies all grown up, isn't it?"
"But I wish she had grown up some more. Is emulating King Kong with my daughter too much to ask?"
"Yeah, Aster. Yeah it is."
"...Oh."
They laugh, the gossip-hounds!


Midnight falls, it becomes our birthday, and we set up a pair of cakes.



And as the bar closes, we take to the next stage of our lives, together! COME AND GET ME, YOUNG ADULT LIFE!


Linden's nerves could maybe be called full-blown Neuroticness by now, though I think he's just being a worry-wart.


I myself select 3 outfits for normal wear: a normal piece of clothes, a casual date dress (colored with accents for the man on my arm), and hardcore adventure-wear. The final is the first of my formal dresses; I couldn't pick!

But I really like the red kimono, too. I may make it my wedding dress. This fine array of outfits is perfect for my life of challenge and adventure! I'm feeling quite the Daredevil... Which will, of course, make life very exciting!


Note from the Author:  Linden picks as his Liftetime Wish Living in the Lap of Luxury, which maxes instantly. Normally, I don't do that, but Linden's career's lifetime wish is virtually impossible to fulfill. So I'm just going to softball this one.

Aster's Requirements

Lifetime Wish: Living in the Lap of Luxury
Career: Architect
Supermax Skill: Painting
Building, Property: Hogan's Deep-Fried Diner, Romper Recreational Park
LTR: Innapropriate in a Good Way, Artisan Crafter, Extra Creative
Best Friends: Ariel Seraphim, Reed (Joy) Seraphim, Evanthe Seraphim, Lindsay Coulter, Helmut Roderickson, Jacob Roderickson, Ross Dorman, Orchid Seraphim, Gabriel Seraphim, Cyriaque Cantu, Ami Oakley
Black Ops: When Dream Come True, Scavenger Hunt: Rare Elements, A fishy science project, Outside Reading, Larger than Necessary Doorstop, Local Artists' Gallery
Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teenager, YA, Adult
Sculptures/Photos: Child (sculp), Teen (sculp), YA (sculpt and Photo), Adult (Sculp/ Photo)

Orchid's Requirements:

Lifetime Wish: Physical Perfection
Career:
Supermax Skill: Martial Arts (Maxed, 1/3 Challenges)
Building/Property: Everfresh Supermarket, Riverfront Swim Club
LTR: Opportunistic, Learned Relic Hunter, Jetsetter
Best Friends: Aster Seraphim, Reed Seraphim, Ariel Seraphim, Linden Seraphim, Waylon Shwarz
Black Ops: Mustle Hustle
Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teen
Sculptures/Photographs: Toddler (sculp&photo), Child (sculp&photo), Teen (Sculp&Photo)

[MarianT]

I feel like I'm getting to know your characters -- at least your immortals and future immortals. Partly it's because each has a distinctive voice, but also because you take your time with them.

[alex51299]

They both grew up really well! They remind me of Aster and Reed.  I love Uriel "Oh,snap. They've bonded." I died.  And his whole fear of the gnomes thing is always a favorite too.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Happy birthday, Orchid and Linden! I love their wardrobes, especially Orchid's - It's absolutely class, I wish I had clothes as beautiful! Great update!!

[Deme]

@MarianT: Ah, thank you very much! Yeah, the main reason the pacing here is so slow is so that I can get a lot of time for everyone -- my immortals tend to get the most focus, but I do try for everyone else, and I'm hoping to give Reed, Evanthe, and Linden each another chapter sooner or later (sooner, I know for sure for Linden, since I'm writing the next chapter with him as narrator now). On the other hand, this whole "decompressed storytelling" thing can kind of be a bit of a pain, so I'm glad to hear it's bearing fruit.

@alex51299: I'mn pretty sure nothing I will come up with for the course of this dynasty, not my plot twists later, not even Aster's great silly faces, will end up being superior to the Gnome thing... Also, yeah, I can see the resemblance...It's mainly that Orchid looks so much like Aster, with a blonde spouse. Please, Linden, pass your hair on to your child. They can keep Ariel's eyes, but I'd like at least some visual variety for gen 4. Please? Please, universe? I love the black-and-tawny hair, but it's getting a little old.

@xFezIsAFreakx: I love Orchid's wardrobe, too. Her hair (at this time, I've changed it since getting showtime), I'm less pleased with... Most of Orchid's clothing is from the store: her regular everday is from a Steampunk set, her date dress and her kimono are from that Japanese-inspired dress set, her other formal is from that African-inspired set that I bought mainly for the rock-climbing wall, and her swimwear top is from Life's a Beach, I think. Her PJs are from Master Suite... So Orchid's an expensive girl, all-told.

My, I must be in a talkative mood today, XD

Edit: Grr. Orchid got screwed up during her pregnancy, so I'm going back a save file to avoid it. I split files immediately after their wedding, so it's not a huge loss. This retroactively erases their honeymoon from existence, and I won't attempt to duplicate it... But at the same time, I'm sad, since I liked their honeymoon photos. So...In addition to Orchid's new haircut (which will appear after the next chapter), you also get to see an alternate future where Orchid and Linden go to Egypt.


And they immediately decide they don't care about adventure -- they're just gonna be with each other. Since my primary goal was to get a 'have a baby' wish, this was fine for me... But Orchid's wishes were screwed up, so it just didn't happen.


Eventually, they break up the romanticness to play Catch. Linden is completely unprepared for Orchid's throws.

But look how much passion she puts into it! It's easy to see why.

This is her idea of an apology. That is a smug, smug face. I love it.


If I leave them alone, they do this until they play catch. That is how date-ventures work.


But I did eventually get her to focus, broken wishes or not.


Playing with fire.

That's right, Orchid. Fire is hot, and maybe will hurt you... Silly girl.


I don't know what's up with their hair in this shot, but Orchid's face and position are terrifying.


Awwww... Perfectly synchronized, symmetrical love.

...That's all the funny pictures I have from the time that now does not exist. I hope you enjoyed them! I wonder if I should send them to China for their honeymoon in this timeline...


....Anyway, I'll be back with a proper chapter hopefully soon.