Chapter 13: Unlucky Birthday!"You know how we're always saying 'with what money'? Well, good news! We have money!"That's wonderful! How did we come across it?"
"Someone died!""That's horrible! Who was it?"
"Oh, relax. It wasn't anyone we know.""Oh, that's good...
No, wait. That's bad."
"Well, make up your mind.""How did we get money from a dead stranger?"
"Well, I never said he was a stranger. Elaine's Long-Lost brother died in a strange accident involving a rooftop, a buffalo, and a bouquet of 16 white foxgloves.""Wait, Elaine's brother? That's terrible! I don't even want to know what color his ghost will be!"
"You're right! We'll never be able to recognize a ghost of a water-buffalo-roof-flower accident death! Poor Elaine!""Poor Elaine!"
"...Guys. I never had a brother, long-lost or otherwise. Really.""Really? That's wonderful!... I think."
"Then where'd this money come from? The notice said...""Maybe it was a mistake?"
"...Maybe it was 'aunt' Bernice.""Aunt Bernice. We will find you, you fictional aunt and long-lost brother."
"...*sigh*"Other than that little bit of oddness, things continue normally.
"Heading to school as a fairy princess this morning?""I'm an angel princess, thank-you-very-much. They're better.""Whatever you say, Princess."...Aww... I know I need to tell her one day. I just worry that this'll complicate her...imbalances. Is it my fault, I wonder? That she is so unsteady, compared to other sims?
Well, still: her life doesn't seem unpleasant. Even if it's just the children of our house, but she has people willing to join her on her flights of fancy.
...Though, sometimes I think they must be rather odd their own selves.
Still, there is more in heaven and earth than even I know of; maybe there really and truly is a need for a periscope in the bathtub.
To our relief and Billy's delight, he's finally ready to sculpt the pair of us in ice. It's a fine, but not needed, addition to the museum.
And mine comes out rather well, don't you think?
Reed, meanwhile, buckles down to some of his less crucial duties, like learning to bake delicious muffins.
Why do I say 'less crucial'? Because Reed's decided something about his life.
"You know, Uncle Billy's a really cool guy. I've decided that I'm going to pursue the same lifetime wish as him!""But he's never actually fulfilled his wish; how do you know you could?""Well, he's a cool guy and he looks cool and he says all sorts of words Mom won't tell me what they mean --""Not on camera, he doesn't. We've talked about that."
"But he's kind of a slacker. I'm sure I'll do a better job, and be a good cook if we run low on stuff, too.""I'll be sure to remember you said that 'slacker' bit. You're a hard worker, kid.""Everyone here's pretty amazing -- I just want to keep up."I give him a little hug. I'm sure he'll make a fine Master of the Arts one day.
And later that evening, Aster and I do a little talking about other worlds. It seems like the sort of thing she'd like to hear me talk about.
"The manifolded multiverse is rather broad; we have worlds like this one, and worlds that are similar..."
"Right, like there are other Riverviews, even some with other dynasties in them!""I think that may be a little much..."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. I mean, everyone does dynasties in Sunset Valley. That town's like the dynasty bicycle; basically everyone takes it for a ride.""Well, that's not..." I mean, I suppose it might be true...
"Perhaps so, Aster."
Aster (Thinking):
"Yeah, Mom really doesn't get it...But she's alright.""But that's the thing, isn't it? She doesn't get it. How do I explain something like this?
Oh, I know! I'll build graphs! Yes, graphs explain everything! Oh, but this is Momma. They need to be plant-graphs. Topiaries? Yes, I will build topiary graphs and train fireflies to nest in them to create a series of points...
Oh, but points that spell out what? You've gotten caught up again, Aster.... Always getting caught up in the pretty things, the lights-go-shiny-things, the leaves-at-your-feet things. You've forgotten what counts. Always, always, forget what counts...
Stupid, Stupid! None of that will make it real, none of that will make it true, make it seen-and-seeable! Stupid!" She howls into the night. Always talking to herself, and never liking what she has to say.
I wish I knew what to say to her. That I could hold her close and take all the fear and confusion away. There are duties of angels and duties of sims... But that's the duty of a mother, to want the impossible.
Reed, at least, does a better job of that. He admits proudly he doesn't quite grasp her ideas -- he says they're too clever and too vibrant. I think there's just a bit of flattery in him, but he seems so sincere.
She believes him, in the light of day. And I'm glad.
I'm sorry to trouble you, dear reader, with these elements: I don't want you to think matters are so troubled as all this.
I've been promoted again, to the point where I am now about halfway to the top of the business career. The longest half is still coming up ahead, but I have little to fear, I think.
And the kids are doing well in school: Aster's on honor roll, and Evanthe and Reed have As. I'm proud of them, so I'm happy to let them go on a field trip, and get a few souvenirs.
I've also been bonding with the Lobos girls: neither of them are terribly interested in plants, but both of them have in common the desire to show the other one up at the waterslide. I hope they understand it's not a contact sport.
...Or is it? There's still so much to learn.
And the next day begins an exciting occasion: Aster's birthday party. The guests start filing in before Aster even gets home, and it soon becomes clear how, well, complicated it's all about to get!
And by complicated, I mean "Panic Inducing Inferno!" Oh, the dining room doesn't even have a fire alarm!
Billy and I have to rush and put out the flames ourselves.
Only one person is so lost in her own world that she doesn't even notice the fact that the entire room is On FIRE!
Or maybe she just sees something lovely in the flames.
Either way, she grows up into a lovely young woman, and something of a savvy sculptor: I guess it's all those years of watching her father.
And Uriel wants to rush her over to the mirror right away, but by this time, we've replaced everything, and she wants to cheer on her dearest friend's birthday:
But eventually, he gets them both for styling...
And dressing. I hear the three of them chattering about things like 'Gothic Lolita' and 'Zettai Ryouiki.' In other words... I have frankly no idea what any of this is about, except that they wish there were longer socks.
Still, both girls are savvy sculptors and excellent-looking young women.
