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

[alex51299]

Welcome Heath! I'm glad that name finally made its appearence. 

[MarianT]

Welcome Heath! I think Orange Iguana had fun with a pink-loving boy. And you don't absolutely have to dress them in their favorite colors.

[xFezIsAFreakx]

Welcome Heath! Oh come on, pink isn't that bad is it? Heehee, I'd maybe only use hints of it here and there but if it really gets on your nerves just go for the Change of Taste.

[Deme]

I actually don't mind the pink too much -- I've used it for his toddler wardrobe in sort of dusty dark-rose type shades, and think it looks quite nice.
...I actually dislike his favorite meal being veggie burgers, which I can't figure out how to make without making someone a vegitarian, more. And figure maybe I could change both at once if I felt like it.

[ArianaJade]

Have you patched up to the Showtime patch? That's supposed to let you cook veggie recipes even if the sim isn't a veggie. It worked in my (non-Showtime, but patched) game. I don't know if you have to buy them from the bookstore, though, I've forgotten.

Welcome, Heath! And yes, Orchid, intense is the right word for that colourscheme...

[seashall]

I love this story!  But where did you get the name Seraphim from?

[Deme]

@ArianaJade: I have it all patched (I have Showtime installed, even), but the option for Reed to cook Veggie Burgers hasn't come up when I've gone looking. Maybe I should go and buy some tofu? I like my sims being able to eat and wear their favorites.

@seashall: The name 'Seraphim' is the plural of 'Seraph,' which refers to a celestial being (whose nature and rank varies depending on the exact tradition) in Judeo-Christian theological tradition. In Christian tradition, it refers specifically to the highest rank of angels in the Angelic Hierarchy. That said, if we applied that schema to the angelic hierarchy of this story (and it's not a bad system, but mine for this fictional world isn't exactly like that, though there is a hierarchy), Ariel and Uriel weren't Seraphim back in the pre-rebellion days. I think they'd be classed as Virtues. The Axe was probably a Power...But I like the word "Seraphim" a lot, and it feels more recognizable to me.
*The More You Know*

...I have considered spending an intermission on this universe's angelic hierarchy, if anyone's interested.

[seashall]

@seashall: The name 'Seraphim' is the plural of 'Seraph,' which refers to a celestial being (whose nature and rank varies depending on the exact tradition) in Judeo-Christian theological tradition. In Christian tradition, it refers specifically to the highest rank of angels in the Angelic Hierarchy. That said, if we applied that schema to the angelic hierarchy of this story (and it's not a bad system, but mine for this fictional world isn't exactly like that, though there is a hierarchy), Ariel and Uriel weren't Seraphim back in the pre-rebellion days. I think they'd be classed as Virtues. The Axe was probably a Power...But I like the word "Seraphim" a lot, and it feels more recognizable to me.
*The More You Know*

Ah! Very interesting and good to know! Thanks for taking the time to answer my question!

[AdnaanA]

Welcome Health Seraphim.

[ArianaJade]

@ArianaJade: I have it all patched (I have Showtime installed, even), but the option for Reed to cook Veggie Burgers hasn't come up when I've gone looking. Maybe I should go and buy some tofu? I like my sims being able to eat and wear their favorites.

That's weird. Then again I've only played one cook since patching, and she was in the middle of her skilling when I patched, so it's possible she learnt them as part of her skilling after I patched. I'll see if I've got a cook who skilled to level 10 before the patch anywhere. Or maybe I bought the recipe at the bookstore? I've never had to go and buy tofu to cook them, though.

[alex51299]

All the veggie meals have avaliable recipies at the bookstore.

[Deme]

Not all of them, actually. I looked. Only the ones that have recipes in the bookstore to begin with have vegitatian recipes in the bookstore. Now, it is distinctly possible that the problem is that Reed did all his cooking skill before Showtime. If that's the case, then that's OK.

[Deme]

Chapter 46: That Party Left Me a Little Horse.

Heath is immediately the center of attention around here -- having a baby in a house with 4 elders certainly livens things up!

While Linden and I are the main doters -- especially Linden, since his hours are so flexible. It might also be because he's a little scared of not being a good dad -- he's lived with us, so he knows what a good dad *looks* like, but not the passion of it! I won't speak ill of Mr. Ross, who is my father-in-law after all, and cordial with all the family.
Well, maybe we'll just have to try harder! For little Heath, too!

Oh, but as I was saying, all the grandparents and greatgrandparents are in on the action as well.

He mostly stays in the grand ancestral swing of his forebearers. Though, that title doesn't really work yet -- maybe in another generation or two.


As much as I love to spend all day doting on my precious child (And I do mean that), I do have other things to do -- work to work on, and...


People to meet! Or, well, chat up while fulfilling opportunities. I've been working so hard on my training I've neglected my social life. But I've gvot to work harder to socialize!

"Latin Music's just the best -- but you work with my father, so I bet you prefer classical or rock, right?"
"Oh my god I am so hungry I think I could eat someone. Please let me go eat!"
"Nonsense! I won't surrender this conversation over anything!"

...In retrospect, maybe my social skills need work. I'll just work harder! MY SOCIAL SKILLS WILL PIERCE THROUGH THE VAULT OF HEAVEN!

Maybe I should learn from my elders?

"I've planted all these new planters, I've gardened for 2 sim lifetimes, and still -- I'm not allowed to order omniplant seeds. I've been collecting steaks for longer than most of these people have been alive! What will it take?"
"A pact! A pact with the aquatic fairies who live beneath the river! Oh, I love those guys!"
... OK, so be a little nutsy. Noted.


"I'll practice by writing thank-you letters for my wedding presents!"
"...Did the lady Orchid recieve any wedding presents? No mail from those irresponsible curs has arrived!"
"That's irrelevant, sir Axe! It's practice, after all! I'll just toss the letters in a heap behind me as I go!"
"Brillaint!"
"...Axey, Orchid, that's...Nevermind. You know what? I'll just mail the letters. We'll say things got lost in the mail. Everyone'll save face."


It seems I'm not the only one in the mood for a fight -- Mother and Grandmother have really been in a bonding mood lately. I think Grandmother wants to assure her that everything's OK, and forever together will also be OK.
How did she get this far only to doubt now? I suppose Mother never does think things through -- she goes wherever her wandering mind takes her. Handling the consequences is for other people.


...I'm still meditating when something unusual happens...

This Papparazzi dies. That's not unusual at all -- one died on a date Linden and I went on, too. But then... The smell in the air wasn't the smell of death. It was like Burnt Ozone and distant lightning.

"LET IT BE KNOWN THAT I AM DEATH, THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE, AND I AM HERE FOR YOUR -- sprinklers? Why am I standing in sprinklers?...Let it be known that this realm of rot is a royal pain..."
"What on earth? You're not Azrael," Grandmother stared at the reaper, her face puzzled.
"Let it be known that he has been relieved of psychopomp duties, and the 2nd Great court of the Silver City apologizes for the inconvenience the transition may cause. Let it be known that all death-related services will proceed as normal."
"....They can do that?"
"They can do that?"
"Let it be known that 'they' can, in fact, 'do that.'"
"But why?"
"Let it be known that I am not authorized or interested in telling that to a pair of...renegades. Let it also be known that the deceased has been allowed to linger too long."
"But I like it here." The Paparazzi starts. "Can I at least say goodbye? I died so far from home..."
"Let it be known that the interests and wishes of the meat are of no interest to the 2nd Great Court of the Silver City's appointed psychopomp."
And with a single wave of his (or her, or its) scythe, the dead woman was struck into her grave, and vanished.

And the reaper vanished without a trace.

"...Oh, Poor Azreal...This was his only way of getting out and about, wasn't it?"
"...I can't say I like their attitude...And they're disrupting the order... I think there's going to be trouble ahead."
"I'll alert Orchid then."


Which is how I learned about this. I'm not sure what to make of it -- from the sound of it, a bunch of stuffed-shirt angelic suits have gotten involved. Well, I'm not going to let any buerocrats get in the way of my life!


Ah, but my socializing efforts have borne fruit!

I was invited to a party of Ross's. He's got a very nice place (Did Mother work here once?), and Linden and I dance the night away!


Of course, Dancing's not nearly good enough for my aunt Evanthe. She kisses him and watches the stars with him the whole night long.


And it seems love is in the air tonight. I think my parents had their own little party at home...

Not that I have any right to talk. Lying there in Linden's arms, our passion done, the house murmuring warm and contentedly... If I could settle, it'd be this. It's a wonderful way to wait, smoothing the worries from his brow when he falls asleep, dreaming logical dreams. Or are they dreams of adventure, with me in them? I don't think I have a place in logical and orderly dreams!


But don't let it fool you into thinking I've gone soft. I'll fight just as hard as I love, until Linden and I are both covered in all sorts of marks!

"Hey princess, what are you doing in the museum?"

"Ah! What? No, I wasn't... Oh, I am...I was painting, and then I stopped, and then I heard something whispering, like 'it will be difficult to advance from here'...And then I followed the smell of honey and I guess I ended up here."
"...And none of that was bad?"
"No, the smell of honey's always a good thing. Intoxicating, like the fall of honey-colored light on peachflesh skin... Ooh, that gives me an idea. Thanks, Museum!"


"Whatcha doin'?"
"Looking for prints."
"Prince?"
"No, no, Finger Prints."
"Didn't The Animaniacs do this gag?"
"It's for work."
"Oh, yeah, that reminds me...Police HQ sent you a present."
"A present?! Really?"

"Linden Seraphim, for your service to the truth....You've recieved..."

"A brand new car! *applause*"
"Wow, I must be doing good work! (wait, was that an applause machine?)...That, or you are tremendously bored."
"How could you tell?"
"Just reasoning. Orchid's likely at work and so on...And also, you're getting meta."
"Yeah, I've been chilling with Aster. It happens."

"Oh, Uriel, I have a surpriiiise..."

"Yeah? Whatcha planting?"
"Omniplants!"
"Really?"
"Really! At last! After all this time! The final plant has been planted!...Except, I think, Pomegranates. But we can get those any time."
The two of them laugh like idiots into the night.

It's a night of good things, it seems.

It's Echo's birthday! She's an older cat now, but she's still got it.


When the photobooth's a-rockin, don't come a-knockin!
"...Now I kind of want to see those pictures..."
"Never. No one will see them...I know too much about blackmail to allow it."


And Aunt Evanthe gets a promotion! She'll probably not max out her career, but she's not in it for the glory or the money -- she's in it for the fish.

Anyway, the next day was Heath's birthday -- a big party was an absolute must, of course!

A party that was crashed. By a horse.
BEST. PARTY. EVER.

It's officially time. Time for Heath...


To enter the adorable phase!


Where his hair came from, we don't know. I thought genetics knew Lamarack was right!

Orchid's Requirements:
Lifetime Wish: Physical Perfection
Career: Sports
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, Jamie Neff, A bunch of old people (darnit)
Black Ops: Mustle Hustle, The Ultimate Challenge, Celebrity Body, Ticket Counting, Meditation Benefits
Portraits: Toddler, Child, Teen, YA
Sculptures/Photographs: Toddler (sculp&photo), Child (sculp&photo), Teen (Sculp&Photo), YA (Sculp&Photo)

Heath's Requirements:
Lifetime Wish:
Career:
Supermax Skill:
Building/Property:
LTR:
Best Friends:
Black Ops:
Portraits: Toddler
Sculptures/Photographs: Toddler (Sculp and Photo)

[alex51299]

Aww, Heath is so adorable! It seems like everyone has that hair and I want it soo bad but I only have 55 simpoints. 

[Deme]

Chapter 47: We Need a Montage!
I obviously want my little boy to be the best -- and the best means training! I get to it right away!


Best, just so we are clear, means not having to have his diapers changed.


"Uriel, look at what Gabriel dug up!"
"...Well, it could be worse...It could be a gnome, I guess."
"I kind of expected you to be frightened of Mr. Monster-Skeleton."
"Nope. It's just gnomes. Or other stuff that moves without my permission."
"Excellent! I bet Aster will adore him, and we can put him in the art room!"
"...L-let's not get carried away... I think he's s-staring at me..."


"Little guy, where are you going at this hour?"
"Bwoo."
"...Well, I'll let you do that... I get a feeling you're going to be trouble, little guy."

Everyone's a little bit toddler-crazy right now.

Though with Mother, it's maybe not that distinguishable.
"Look at my horse, my horse is amazing..."


My little Heath is just a bit spoiled by his grandpa -- I think he's developing a discriminating pallet. If it turns out that's his destiny, so be it! A man should know his destiny!

Bedtime Stories with Great-Grandmother Ariel:
"And then Mr. Chaucer says that he's very sorry for writing such naughty things, and hopes God will forgive him... But I think he just did it because it was a popular way of ending a story. And that's all the Canterbury tales there are!"
"Moew?"
"Not until we get into Canturbury Tales fan-sequels. It was a very popular genre in the next few centuries... And not until you get some sleep, my little fellow."

It behooves all of us to tend to Heath as best we can! This child with triumph -- I'll put all my heart into that!


But we also improve personally! Aunt Evanthe gets an award for her hard work fishing.
"I probably won't reach the top of my career by the time I die."
"That doesn't matter! All that matters is how hard you try! Keep dreaming the impossible dream!"

While she's at it, she upgrades a few of Grandmother's sprinklers.

I have to head to work before I can teach Heath much more. Which means it's daddy's turn to teach him to walk!

"There, there, little guy... I got you."
"Uhwaaaa!"
"I think that's Todder for 'But who's got you?'"


"They plot by midnight."
"Awww, what a cute slumber party. Do you think they're telling campfire stories?"
"Sure. Monster stories. With them as the central character."


While she can't understand Uriel or the gnomes, it looks like this paparazzi is scared of the idea as well. HAVE NO FEAR, PAPARAZZI LADY! Orchid will defend you from all darkness!


Toddler and Linden cuteness combined! My scouter says the cuteness level... IS... Quite high, actually. (Even I don't go charging into the obvious ones all the time )

Anyway, since I'm home from work, I figure it would be a good idea to start teaching him to talk. This would be a perfect time for a montage!

“So….Who wants nachos?”
Blank stares.

“Be sure to brush your teeth to make them all sparkly clean!”
”Spawkwy!”
Hmmmm…

“Grandma likes dramatic make-up. Can you say make-up?”
Mabe-u—“
”Stop right there! Orchid, quit it; he already likes pink, and adoption’s a no-go! We need all the help we can get!”
”Uriel, quit reinforcing arbitrary gender rules.”
”Yes, Ariel…”

”Now, soon your grandma will paint a portrait for every stage of your life!”
“Powtwaid!”
 

I read my little man a rousing tale OF ADVENTURE!


Yes, father! Work some triumphant rock into my montage! I’m so happy!

”Speaking of rock, there’s a performance festival in the park today.”

”Oh, goody! I do so want to see a show!”


Grandmother enjoyed the show…  as a Mexican wave of 1.

Wait a second, I’ve gotten off track! I’ve got to finish the montage!
“Anyway, just know that your mom will always be your best friend.”
”Best….Fwiend…”
He says, nodding to sleep as he speaks.
“Come on, little guy. Let’s get you to bed.”

”Goodnight, house. Goodnight, everyone.”


”AAAAAAAAAAHHH! THERE ARE TWO OF THEM! It’s night of the living gnomes!”
”Good night, Uriel.”


((I'll post updated requirements list when I'm not about to leave on a trip.