#next up: winterfest

[lynzishell]

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[victorluvsalice]

Sims 4 Wednesday Substitution Post: Potential Valicer In The Dark Save File

Hi folks! I've pushed the next Chill Valicer Save update to next week, both because my buffer has almost run out (there's a few key mods I need for the save that I don't know the status of in regards to the Home Chef Hustle patch, so I haven't had a chance to play it in a long while) and because I would rather a Winterfest update come after Halloween (even if it's only one day after XD). So instead, I'm going to take this opportunity to talk about another save file I've considered starting --

A "Valicer In The Dark"-themed save! Because we all know how much I love that AU. :p Specifically, this would be a challenge save for myself and my favorite trio -- here's what I've come up with so far:

-->The save would feature Victor, Alice, and Smiler living in a dilapidated version of the lair I built for them previously, based off Elder Gutknecht's tower (I've been calling the lot itself "Gutknecht Bend"). This version of the lot would have only the VERY basics needed for survival (a cauldron to cook a few simple meals, a bed, a toilet, and a bath), a few items to help with skills (like a bookshelf and a piano for Victor), and a whole heap of Lot Challenges -- Off The Grid, Simple Living, Spooky, Filthy, Grody, Creepy Crawlies, and Reduce And Recycle. Oh, and it would be a Haunted House Lot for extra impact. :p On the plus side, it would also have the Science Lair, Bracing Breezes, and Private Dwelling lot traits (to reflect the lair in my write-up having the Workshop, Prowess Training, and Hidden upgrades), and the trio would eventually be able to remove Filthy, Grody, and Creepy Crawlies -- I dunno about the others yet!

-->The challenge of the save would be a Rags To Riches -- specifically, I'd be using the "Makin' Money" scenario, as that's basically a Rags To Riches quickstart and provides a solid goal of $1,000,000 to reach! HOWEVER -- the twist here would be that none of the three can enter any "traditional" careers -- they can only make money from freelance careers, selling things to other Sims, and Odd Jobs. And of course they have to funnel a not-insignificant portion of the money they earn into making their house more livable...basically, while they at least have a roof over their head when the challenge starts, it's not going to be an easy road to that million!

-->The trio would be based in Windenburg, which would serve as their Duskwall -- my original idea was that they couldn't leave that world at ALL, but I'm thinking that I might allow travel to places like Britechester and Evergreen Harbor. And, at least once, Glimmerbrook, because...

-->This would be an all Spellcasters save! On the basis of "Victor should be a Spellcaster because of his Whisper status; Smiler should be a Spellcaster because of their Alchemist special power; Alice should be a Spellcaster because it feels rude to leave her out" XD Plus that way, everyone could learn the Burgliate spell so they could do heists! :D

-->Everybody would have personal goals to represent their roles in the gang and in the world --

Victor: He's the Whisper, so naturally his job would be to max his medium skill and become a Freelance Paranormal Investigator!

Smiler: They're the Slide and Leech, so I figured what they would do is pursue the alchemy branch of spellcasting and sell their potions to other Sims. I also think they should start up a club called the Advocates to recruit people into their cult. XD

Alice: She's the Cutter...and she is where I run into trouble, because I'm not entirely sure HOW to represent that in the game. Other than maxing out her Fitness skill. O.o Yeah, I know there's an aspiration in the game where you actively seek out fights and such, but that's not really Alice's style, you know? I suppose I could have her pursue the Bodybuilder aspiration...if anyone has any thoughts on what I could do for her, let me know!

But yeah, that's all the basics of this potential save! Naturally I'd want to create (or download) a suitable custom save file for it, and I really want to open Van Liddelton Groceries first, but I feel like this might make for a good change of pace from the cottagecore occults. Which I promise we will get back to next Wednesday, as they had a pretty, uh, INTERESTING Winterfest, let me tell you...

[hotseok]

sunset days

[cinamun]

Happy Winterfest & Merry Christmas to all who celebrate!

The Drake Holiday Card 2020

The Drake Holiday Card 2021

The Drake Holiday Card 2022

*Bonus: The Drake Holiday Card Before They Were The Drakes

Follow me under the cut to learn why this Winterfest is a bittersweet one for the Drake family:

Well friends, as you can see over the years, the children are all grown and there really is no need for Darren & Indya Drake to hold on to the sprawling seaside mansion they've called home for a very long time. They've raised all their kids there and brought home their very first grandchildren there (and a new niece!). So its bittersweet as they begin to pack up all those memories and downsize for the next leg of the journey.

Some of you may remember every single one of those holiday cards lol its been a wild ride but as has always been the case, its been full of growth.

Happy Holidays to all my friends and I wish you all peace, joy, happiness, love and full bellies.

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 99 (Winterfest Eve with the Nesbitt-Gordons)

Winterfest Eve was always busy. School and businesses were still open, so despite mourning the loss of Boomer, Heather and Conrad went to work, Ash went to school, and Lavender spent the day at daycare.

Ash was excited about a school project Conrad had been helping him with. For Career Day, every student had to interview someone about their job, and Ash picked Conrad. "On the next career day, I'll do vets," he promised his mother in case she felt left out. "But everyone knows what vets do in Brindleton Bay, and the other kids think it's cool that Conrad fights crime."

Heather didn't feel left out. She was grateful her son loved and respected Conrad almost as much as she did. Conrad told Ash all the cool things about being a detective, leaving out the parts he knew weren't suited to a six-year-old's Career Day presentation.

Gord had started joining him at work again, which set his mind more at ease even as his search for Rafa remained fruitless. He trusted Gord's instincts, and if he was willing to leave the house, Ximena must not be close by. His partner, Zion Spangler, still hadn't found her, and George Brindleton was still in Sulani with his wife, so the case had all but ground to a halt with the coming holidays.

He didn't mind the slowdown, anxious as he was to solve the mystery of Rafa's disappearance. This was Lavender's first Winterfest; needless to say he had more important people on his mind.

"No hits from Rafa's old yearbooks from the few years he spent at San Myshuno High," reported one of his deputies. "No extracurriculars or indications who might've been someone he'd call a friend."

Conrad frowned. A potentially deluded part of him still hoped he could figure out who had Rafa - and where - before the end of winter, but every lead he chased to a dead end left him frustrated and exhausted. He was more than ready to put this chapter of his life behind him.

At the clinic, Heather ran into the always glamorous Bella Goth when she brought in her cat, Spatula, for an exam.

"How've you been, Mrs. Goth?"

"Just wonderful! Grimmie and I went on a date the other night and it was lovely!"

Heather smiled. "I'm happy for you! And how's your pet crow, Obsidian?"

Bella smiled, dancing a little to the music coming from the clinic speakers. She reminded Heather so much of her daughter, Cassandra. "Very healthy. I know you specialize in dogs and cats, but should Obsidian ever need a good vet, will I be able to bring her to Buttercup Pet Clinic?"

"Of course, Mrs. Goth! We're not a pawspital anymore - any pets in need are always welcome!"

Mrs. Goth smiled, leaving a generous tip in the spirit of Winterfest when Heather finished with her cat. Heather closed up shop after dark, returning home under heavy snowfall and bright streetlights.

When she walked in the door, she was greeted by Gord and the cats, but she was drawn to the sound of voices upstairs, where Conrad and Ash had started decorating the tree without her. "I tried to bribe him to wait but he said he wanted to surprise you."

"I thought you might be tired, mommy."

She smiled warmly. "I don't mind that you started without me, but try not to finish yet. Just give me one second - I have a surprise!"

She raced down the stairs and pulled out four gift-wrapped boxes from beneath a pile of blankets in her wardrobe, each one labelled with their names. Conrad. Heather. Ash. Lavender. Their family.

Returning upstairs, the only place they could fit their tree, Ash squealed with excitement when he saw the presents. "Can we open them now?"

"Of course! You're going to want to wear them, I'm sure."

Conrad glanced at her with a smirk. "You ordered them, didn't you."

Heather's straight face bloomed into a smile. "Happy Winterfest Eve!"

She laughed as they opened their matching holiday pajamas. The burgundy knit sets by @vixonspixels were perfect for cold, snowy winter nights in Brindleton Bay, and they posed for a few photos they could send to family.

"Do you think we should have gotten the kids' haircuts before the holidays?" Heather moaned, playfully ruffling Ash's wispy mane.

"For some family photos?" Conrad scoffed. "The hair isn't going to be what makes them turn out great. It's the pajamas, obviously."

(I love them and they have 3 different swatches - I used them all just to show them off and I thought it'd be cute since they still look like a match. And they have infant sizes which was harder to find and what really sold me!)

Gord still needed a walk after they'd finished decorating the tree, so Heather left Conrad in charge of the kids while she took the dog for a brisk walk down to the frozen creek.

Conrad cuddled Lavender while Ash finished his letter to Father Clement downstairs. His blue-eyed baby girl was just as perfect as her mother and looked up at him with devotion; it seemed strange to think he'd ever been afraid to be a father.

He put her to bed, reciting the story of The Giving Tree, just as he had for her elder brother when he was her age. As she drifted to sleep, he kissed her forehead and pulled a small box from his pocket.

Ash raced up the stairs excitedly - he'd clearly stolen one or two of the cookies meant for Father Clement - but it wasn't just a sugar high that had him jumping off the walls tonight. "Mommy and Gord are coming back! I saw through the window. Do you have it?"

Conrad grinned, crouching down to show him what he'd pulled from his pocket. "Do you think she'll like it?"

"I think she'll love it, not like it!" Ash dropped his voice to a whisper as they heard Heather's key turn in the door downstairs. "She'll be so surprised!"

Ash's Career Day presentation wasn't the only project these two had been working on. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

NOTE: River was in on it, too! He gave Conrad the number for a jeweler in the episode when he drove out to Brindleton Bay to check Conrad's stress level.

WCIF Portrait Poses? 1st is Infant Insanity by @rebouks. Looks stunning and perfect as you can see. This particular pose has room for two todds in front of Heather but we don't have any, and the pose doesn't even look like anything is missing. I love it!

2nd pose is two-in-one and still needs one more kid to look perfect. I clipped Lavender over Conrad's feet so this one's on me, not the poses, but it's also not the official portrait that ended up in a frame on the wall because Lavender isn't crawling yet, either. It's from the Ultimate Family Portrait Posepack by @simmireen, which is an amazing set!

[simsimulation]

winterfest party set up🎄

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[simsadilla]

A warm and sunny Winterfest

We love a beautiful DINK couple...Rakim's twitter is basically a Kelela stan account - he be keeping up with her baaad.

✿ chrono - previous - next ✿

[cakepoppresent]

I'm a Grown Ass Woman

Malcolm is veryyyyyyyyyy demanding. It's very much his way or no way

Transcript under the cut!~

Previous - Next

[Luna]: Should we go back home for Winterfest? It's been a while

[Malcolm]: Go back and do what? Spend the rest of the year with Dad? Don’t be dumb

[Luna]: It was just a suggestion you fucking bitch.

[Malcolm]: We haven’t been back in years why go back now?

[Benji]: That sounds like fun. We can all go back. My dad has been bothering me to meet up with him anyways

[Luna]: Stop being such a fucking downer. We don’t even have to go back home...we can stay in town or something. Rent a house I don’t know but lets just go back

[Malcolm]: Why the hell are you so interested. What’s back home for us anyways

[Luna]: Benji, sweetie can you get some beers for Malcolm and some wine for me please?

[Benji]...okay. Malcolm...behave yourself

[Malcolm]: Shut the hell up! Luna. What’s the issue?

[Luna]: Malcolm. I’m going to say something and I need you to not react. Let me finish speaking

[Malcolm]: The way you’re starting this conversation is already pissing me off.

[Luna]: I didn’t even say anything!

[Malcolm]: I swear to god Luna this better not be about Andre. I swear to fucking god

[Malcolm]: We can dead this conversation right now. Forget all about Andre and going back home and not piss me off

[Luna]: Too bad.

[Malcolm]: Luna what the fuck

[Luna]: Listen, Malcolm. I love you and that won’t ever change but I also miss Andre. I worry about him, he’s not doing okay...how can I just ignore him

[Malcolm]: Easy. Just forget that he exists, follow his example and never bring him up again

[Luna] I don’t think I can do that Malcolm.

[Malcolm]: Omg Luna why are you acting so dumb? Andre never cared about us just leave him alone!!

[Luna]: Watch how you fucking speak to me. This isn’t me asking you for permission, this is me telling you I’m going to reach out to Andre and figure out what happened.

[Malcolm]: Jesus Luna. Why can’t you just drop it. Who cares about Andre?!

[Luna]: You aren’t fucking listening! I care about Andre! I do! Im worried Malcolm what if something went wrong. What if Dad made him leave!

[Malcolm]: That’s even MORE of a reason to leave him alone! Dad is scary! You’re being so fucking stupid!

[Luna]: You know what? I'm leaving, I don’t have to sit here and let your bum ass talk to me like this.

[Malcolm]: Fine! Then leave!! Since you don’t wanna listen to my fucking advice

[Luna]: I'm a grown-ass woman and don’t need my brother telling me what I can and can’t do. I’m going to see Andre and you can mop all you want about it

[Malcolm]: Is that fucking right? Weren’t you the one who said it would always just be us? You already breaking promises by reaching out to Andre. You’re a liar!

[Benji]: Please let’s just calm down so we can figure something out. Malcolm you know that's not true

[Malcolm]: It IS true! Look she wants to leave right now! So let her leave!

[Luna]: I’m saying it again since you aren’t fucking listening. I love you and would never put Andre above you, but he’s suffering out there and we don’t know why and I can’t just leave him. He’s my brother too...

[Malcolm]: I don’t wanna hear it!

[Luna]: Fine. I said my peace. Call me when you stop acting like a damn child

[Malcolm]: Whatever! Don’t call me when this all blows up in your damn face!

[Luna]: Whatever you big ass baby.

[Benji]: Lun-

*Door open and slams shut*

[Benji]:...fuck..

[medievalthymes]

rereading rote with hindsight of the entire cycle is such a unique experience because you always pick up on SOMETHING that you didn’t see the first time that makes you go off the walls insane

like I was rereading the first chapter of fools assassin and I’m just NOW realizing that Fitz was clearly under the skill influence via the whites serpent spit to look away from the messenger and ignore the white assassins at his winterfest party. the first time I read that scene I was was so frustrated with Fitz because I couldn’t believe he would get so lax and stupid in his age of domestic bliss.. like Fitz is dumb but not THAT dumb, and most of the time when he is being dumb and irrational in the series it’s because of deep set paranoia from past events — not brushing the danger off but instead acting before he has a plan or all the facts. This is OOC for Fitz, and rereading it, it’s so clear now that someone was influencing him.

Everytime someone brings up the messenger or the group of strangers he instantly brushes it off and fixates on molly and the party almost single mindedly (note the repeated same exact phrase, much like a skill command) —

He lets the group of “strange musicians” into his home way too easily, and even when he starts to suspect things and starts thinking like an assassin he gets distracted almost immediately

LIKE IF FITZ THOUGHT THEY WERE ANY SORT OF DANGER TO HIS FAMILY HE WOULD NOT GO BACK AND PARTY!! even in his retired era. His instincts wouldn’t let him. unless there was another factor at play. Even Web, who noticed something was off with them and their Wit gets distracted and pulled into a convo with Fitz about something completely unrelated, completely forgetting his instincts and that he thought they were a danger.

AND THEN — THEN!! hobb starts the chapter off — almost randomly — with an excerpt about the skill, which seemingly doesnt hold any meaning to the next chapter because you’re like “Fitz doesn’t use the skill that much in this chapter?? Also we already know this it’s literally book 14 why is she rehashing it?” BUT SHES TELLING YOU THAT HE’S UNDER SKILL INFLUENCE

BUT. BUT you couldn’t know about any of that if you didn’t know about the serpent spit which doesn’t come up until later. like maybe you might suspect a skill user but chances are low because she never actually reveals that this happens ever in the story because FITZ doesn’t ever realize what happens.

anyways. robin hobb you’re insane you’re crazy

[pixelatedblues]

happy halloweiner!

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olivia: why didn't you dress up?

jamie: you're welcome by the way.

olivia: you could have made more of an effort to dress up

jamie: whatever. i don't think my winterfest tree gives a fuck.

olivia: this is why you are still single, no effort.

jamie: i don't see your husband here.

olivia: he's working, providing for his family. something you could be doing too if you had one

jamie: i have a voidcritter collection same thing.

olivia: you're gonna lie alone, Jameson.

jamie: And you're gonna die next to a husband who hates you.

olivia: oh you're a fucking ass-

jamie: LANGUAGE! there's children.

[lynzishell]

Prev // Next

Transcript below the cut:

Dawn: I don’t know why I let you talk me into watching this movie tonight. Phoenix: It’s not even that scary, just sit back and relax. Dawn: Fine, but if I scream and wake up Aspen, you’re gonna be the one to get her back to sleep. Phoenix: Deal.

Dawn: [squealing] That’s so creepy.

Phoenix: [laughing] Put your foot down. Dawn: Just tell me what happens. Phoenix: No, you have to watch.

Dawn: Then I’ll watch from here. Phoenix: You’re being ridicu—

Phoenix: [jumps] Shit!

Dawn: Ahaa!!! Phoenix: Just come back over here.

Phoenix: See, isn’t this better? Dawn: Shhh.

Phoenix: Okay but why is he wandering off alone?

Dawn: You’re cute when you’re scared. Phoenix: I’m not scared, I’m annoyed. Dawn: Mhm.

[Both scream… followed by fits of laughter and shushing]

Phoenix: I can’t believe she didn’t wake up. Dawn: [giggling] I know. Phoenix: So, I was thinking, we should get away for a little while. Dawn: I like that idea. What did you have in mind?  

Phoenix: Well, Julian is staying in Chestnut Ridge through the holidays, so that frees us up for Winterfest. I was thinking we could spend it up in Mt Komorebi, maybe rent a cabin for the week.

Dawn: If we were going to do that, we probably should’ve booked one months ago. Is anything going to be available?

Phoenix: I might have something lined up already. A guy at work rented one but he can’t go and it’s too late to cancel, so it’s ours if we want it.

Dawn: Really?

Phoenix: Mhm. It’s walking distance from the ski slopes, and it has a hot tub, and there’s three bedrooms so we can invite Atlas and Asher if you want.

Dawn: You had me at hot tub.  

[victorluvsalice]

Welcome to Winter Friday in the Chill Valicer Save, aka The Proper Grand Opening Of The Grocery Store! We have a lot to get through, as per usual, so let's get to it --

-->Since I started with Victor and Alice snoozing away and Smiler singing into the rec room microphone after storing their latest frog acquisitions, I took the opportunity to put away all their non-decoration-box Winterfest decorations (Smiler took down the decoration box ones later); buy them a new tree to decorate next Winterfest (hopefully this one doesn’t go up in flames too); sell the unnecessary fridge, microscope, and karaoke machine in the household inventory (Clement Frost, bring better presents next year!); and buy a new rug for the downstairs (I couldn’t remember which rug they’d had originally, so I found another big one with a pattern I liked -- though I'm actually second-guessing my choice now, especially with that color scheme). I actually want to give the house another small makeover now that they have some money and can afford to upgrade even more furniture and whatnot, but I’ll save THAT for a future update!

-->With that all sorted, I decided that I should probably let Victor and Alice sleep until about 5 AM or so in an attempt to get them on a better sleep schedule. This meant it fell to Smiler to take care of the earliest morning chores -- namely, starting the laundry (and making sure to put a snow drop into the washing machine to guarantee it all smelled nice), refilling the pet bowls (one was out entirely, and the other dispensed its last bowl right after Smiler filled up the other one), and entertaining Surprise and Shadow (after Shadow came in from her chilly nap on the porch, anyway! Why'd you decide to sleep out there next to your own poop and pee, dog?). Ah, the curse of being the one Sim in the family who doesn't have to sleep at all...

-->Not that Victor and Alice are sleeping much, because their excellent bed meant they were up by 4:45 AM anyway. XD I figured that was close enough and had Victor check on Smiler’s Sixam Mosquito Trap plant Snappy (all good) before going downstairs to make himself breakfast (fruit and yogurt parfait, yum yum :D), while poor Alice got to clean out the upstairs litter box and then run down to the back porch to lecture Surprise on drinking from puddles. Specifically, the puddle that Shadow left there. *grimace* Fortunately, Surprise listened and learned not to drink from puddles at all, and Alice was able to clean up the mess with no further “gross pets” incidents. XD I figured things would go pretty smoothly from there --

-->And then I got a message from the game claiming Moory had been unhappy for a while and might be leaving if she didn’t receive an increase in her quality of care. I was like "what?!" and sent Smiler over to investigate. Turns out she was dirty, and since she hadn’t come out of her shed the other day (due to the blizzard -- I mean, can't blame her), she’d been dirty for longer than she wanted to be. Smiler cleaned her off, then made sure she had enough attention by asking about secret cow worlds and suchlike, which fortunately she found amusing. Hopefully that convinces the cow that she’s appreciated around the farm!

And, of course, if the cow was unhappy, the chickens might be too! They didn't have a great day in the blizzard either. So Alice got sent to make sure the coop was clean, the feed was spread, and everybody was well-socialized. Gotta take good care of your animals, after all! Especially if you haven't gotten the upgrade parts necessary to upgrade their coop/pen. (Really gotta start doing Finchwick errands again...)

[sojutrait]

miles successfully guilt tripped abby into spending winterfest with his side of the family for once. he even went all out and dressed as father winter which amused everyone but chu hua 😭😭 later on back in san myshuno, they built snowpals right next to a protest and a garbage can while coughing up smog. ✨city life ✨

[fallstaticexit]

Benji has always been a bit different from the other Briars. There's no doubt he loves his family but money talks and his phone is always ringing.

prev / next

Benji: Go for Ben.

Ami: Guess who had a very amazing 6 month check up.

Benji: Obviously it’s our best girl-

Finn: Hi papa! S’ Finn!

Benji: Hey, buddy. Had a good day in school?

Finn: Uhhhh huh!

Ami: He was the line leader a 4th day in a row.

Benji: Line leader today, global powerhouse tomorrow, you know.

Ami: Are you sitting down?

Benji: Yess...?

Ami: So...don’t make a big fuss but, Mama and Baba invited us over for dinner.

Benji: Ami...

Finn: Yay!!!

Ami: You have to come this time, Ben. Baba is starting to get antsy.

Benji: Well Baba thinks Papa is a big stinky poopy head.

Finn: [giggles]

Ami: He does not. You know Baba. He’s...traditional. He doesn’t understand the vast complexity and nuances of the corporate world. He values family.

Benji: I value family! Our technology advances the modern family dynamic. Servos pick up the slack so parents can spend more time with their kids-

Ami: I know that, Ben but Baba is old school. He thinks you can work and play and you do too much work. It’s just dinner.

Ami: Tell papa, Finny.

Finn: Yeah, papa. S’dinner!

Ami: Your mother and father will be there. So no excuses.

Benji: [grumbles] ...yes, dear.

Ami: We love you. Dress casual. That means wear jeans. Bye-Bye.

Benji: [groans]

Secretary: Sir? You have a representative from the Landgraab Foundation on line 2 about the merger.

Benji: Take a message, please. I have dinner with my in laws.

Finn: Hellloo! Yooohooo!

Mama Ito: Oh, I am so glad you all were able to come for dinner. You all look like you’re hungry!

Elliot: Thank you for having us.

Benji: Oh yeah. Wouldn’t miss it for the world.

Baba Ito: Mhm. No big hot shot meeting to tend to, Mr. Hot Shot?

Ami: I thought you said you’d behave?

Baba Ito: What! I only make small talk. They don’t small talk in those big shiny offices?

Baba Ito: How was your trip back home, Willow?

Willow: Oh, it was lovely! I’ll take any chance I can get to see our family.

Baba Ito: So your mother makes time to visit family in the states, eh? When is the last time you seen your family, Benjamin?

Ami: Baba...

Benji: I mean...it’s been...some time...

Willow: I was just telling Benji that we’re invited to his Uncle Silas wedding this fall. Perfect time for the kids to meet the rest of the family.

Benji: And that does sound lovely, but the quarter ends at the beginning of fall. My schedule will only allow one trip, and that’s for Winterfest.

Baba Ito: Tuh! You think you have it so good, business man. Next thing you know, you’re an old man and time has passed you by. What then!

Elliot: Mr. Ito is right, beta. He has alot of wisdom we can all learn from.

Baba Ito: Heh. Yeah. Yeah! I am right, aren’t I?

Benji: My company can’t run itself, you know!

Finn’s Inner Monologue: I sure don’t know what the heck is going on here and I’m not sticking around to find out. See ya next episode!

[abbysimsfun]

Sims In Bloom: Generation 2 Pt. 95 (Meeting Clones in Henford-on-Bagley?!)

Despite her late Friday arrival, Heather's family welcomed her and Lavender with open arms. Winterfest wasn't far away and they planned to return for the holidays, but between guilt trips from father Neal and the birth of her second nephew, Heather had returned to her childhood home in Henford-on-Bagley for a weekend visit.

The towns were only an hour apart on the Simmerloop Superhighway, but climate in Simlandia can be strange sometimes. While coastal Brindleton Bay was coated in snow from the first day of winter to the last every year, Henford winters were grey and rainy, which usually helped Daisy's winter garden grow just as plentiful as any other season.

Daisy excitedly bounced Lavender in her arms while she caught up with her eldest child. "The Winter Harvest Festival is this weekend. Did you bring your produce?"

Heather nodded. "Thank you for letting us come one night early."

"You're always welcome, Buttercup. And how is my gorgeous granddaughter?"

"She learned to grab her toes earlier this week, and we think she's just about ready to sit on her own." Bragging about her daughter's milestones was a welcome distraction.

Heather was grateful her family didn't press her for details of her early arrival this evening. River was too busy teaching Michael not to empty his mother's paint tubes on the floor while Cass tried to get Sammy fed. Neal and Daisy were working in their garden, since their exotic produce could always draw a bit of a crowd on Finchwick Fair days.

Heather wanted to get Lavender back to bed and figure out her feelings after Conrad's confession at the dinner table. But as often as she leaned on her family, advice was the last thing she wanted right now.

She cuddled her nephews, helping River and Cass get Michael bathed and ready for bed. She stayed up late waiting for Conrad's call, though she dreaded talking to him just the same.

She wanted to be so much angrier at Conrad than she was. About the lies - over a criminal ex-girlfriend, no less - and about a lack of trust, but in truth she was already ready to forgive him. Almost. She knew what it was like to be under the spell of someone who was wrong for you. And she knew Conrad to protect those he loved with a passion she attributed to his inability to save his mother when he was young.

He'd earned the benefit of doubt, but she wanted him to know he could trust her to handle even the darkest parts of himself and his past. They were a team, through thick and thin. That's why they were getting married, wasn't it?

But she didn't want him to think he could make her fold so easily, and wanted to wait until they were together again to completely forgive him. So their phone call was short, but not devoid of their usual 'I love you.'

The next morning, her family was ready to pry into the reasons for her early arrival, and her father and brother cornered her after breakfast. "I told you Conrad went to work and he'd be investigating a d-e-a-d body all night. He wanted us to come early." She spoke carefully because four-year-old Michael was in the room.

"Is that out of the ordinary?" asked her father.

"There aren't a lot of cases like it in Brindleton Bay."

Neal scoffed. "Isn't his fancy security system enough to keep you safe? Why didn't he want you in town?"

"It's a dangerous case, and he's just worried about us."

"He lied to you, didn't he." River could read through any facade. "And now you're lying for him."

"River, please," she begged. "It's not like that."

He shot her a knowing look. "Yes it is."

She needed to be alone with her thoughts, so her family agreed to watch Lavender while she played in the yard with the family's elder dog, Bernadette, and rambunctious Michael. She focused on his childlike giggles before he went back inside to find his parents.

Taking advantage of the lonely moment, she wandered around Finchwick. The sun had come out and she soaked in the nostalgia of her hometown. Air crisp and dry, the world was quiet. She needed this.

It was still early when she heard the familiar clatter of metal - the sound of local grocers and gardeners opening their stalls to sell fresh saplings and produce to local growers.

With plans to rebuild her clinic in draft stages, Heather needed to make sure she had enough to pay the architect on completion, and she'd saved up enough for a money fruit seed. The purchase was extravagant and she should have run it by Conrad first, but she was mad enough at him to make this decision by herself.

It was an investment in her own clinic and her children's futures, anyway. Growing a money fruit tree - properly caring for and cultivating it - was a more honest way to make simoleons than the Landgraabs were doing, even if it felt like an unfair advantage reserved only for those who could afford it.

Yet with purpose she approached the flower stall with its green awning, where Everett's grandmothers, Agnes and Agatha Crumpcakes, sold seeds and blooms for decades before their deaths. Pulling out her wallet, she approached the stand ready to greet the new owners with a friendly Henford hello, only to find herself face-to-face with...Agnes Crumpcakes?

She was shocked to see none other than Everett's grandmother - (formerly?) deceased, now alive and well behind the stall curtain. "Heather Nesbitt!" she greeted warmly. "It's been too many years. How's your son, Ash?"

"He's great! So smart..." She stammered as she placed the purchased seeds in her pocket. "Mrs. Crumpcakes, is it really you? I thought you and Agatha passed away. I was so sorry to miss the funeral."

"Oh! We did die, dear. But we knew before we passed that we couldn't face an uncertain eternity without one another, so we contacted a scientist in Newcrest named Aileen Blackburn. She's slightly mad, but I mean that as a compliment - not least because she offered to clone us," explained Agnes. "She even let us keep our memories! But this time we weren't born, so we can't die. We can't even get sick now!"

Heather listened, awestruck. "Wow, Mrs. Crumpcakes, she sounds kind of amazing."

"She is! And as memory serves, I can say quite objectively she's gorgeous, too. But Agatha and I jumped at the chance for immortality knowing we'd be together. We'll never need to face saying goodbye to one another again. And the whole process was almost entirely painless."

The idea didn't sound romantic to Heather at all. Would she really want to live forever as a zombie clone to outlive her own children? Watcher, no! But she wouldn't judge Agnes and Agatha Crumpcakes for their choices.

Strange as it was, as Heather reacquainted herself with the old clones running the flower stall, she felt as though she'd known them all her life. And maybe she had...sort of.

Heather loved coming home, but as the Finchwick Fair began and the square started filling with locals, she knew her heart was in Brindleton Bay investigating a murder case. ->

<- Previous Chapter | Gen 2 Start | Gen 1 Summary | Gen 1 Start

RECAP: I made Agatha and Agnes married and playable when I started this save - they're not cousins don't worry! - made Agatha the mother of Bob Pancakes and Agnes his stepmom (with MCCC!), and that's how I learned all the other Henford NPCs get replaced with new sims, but Agnes and Agatha get cloned. So I've actually been playing about 30 sim-years with two versions of both and I've just pretended they're the same person. I came up with the clones thing before Agnes and Agatha's playable sims died because I must have an outlandish reason why they're still around. As I got deeper into reading the adventures of mad scientist Aileen Blackburn and her family, it was obvious to me who was behind it!

In this scene Heather really is meeting the NPCs for the first time and of course Agnes loves her immediately because she's unflirty. That hug was completed Agnes-initiated!

THANK YOU @dreamyyesenia for letting me shout out the mad brilliance that is Aileen Blackburn and your epic, stunning save file! I hope you love that its now canon for me that she's the reason the Crumplebottom ladies never, ever, ever die... 😂

NOTE: When I say I will find a way to crossover mention all your stories and save files eventually (with your permission!), I very likely mean it. 😂

[satureja13]

The Boys returned from Batuu just in time for Winterfest and started decorating right away. They'd found quite some winterfest stuff in Great A'Tuin's storage from when B.D, his kids, Lenny and Albaleyh had celebrated here. And Vlad and Kiyoshi decided to play along this year and wear some ugly sweaters too!

The others surprised Jack and Vlad with Batuu's special dishes they'd learned to cook and so they have an assortment of dishes none of them had tried before. (Did you know that every time you eat a dish you've never tried before, you're going to live 70 days longer? Such a sweet saying <3)

The Boys grabbed their plates and chatted excitedly about their adventures at Batuu. And how awsome it was B.D could return to his kids and celebrate with them (depending on how fast of a ship he found that brings him back (and where 'back' even was ö.ö)) And how weird it was that Val, Jino and their friends resembled them so much. How was it even possible that the happenings of the story 'Escape from Batuu' hadn't happened aeons ago but apparently only a few months/years? Had only the last part about Val and Jino's long life and their urns turning into meteorites been made up then? But the meteorites had to be Val and Jino's remnants, right? Did they fall into a timeslip when they followed the meteorites' route backwards to Batuu? What this the reason the meteorites had left Great A'Tuin when they changed the route to reach the outpost to repair the ship? Ouf, that's a lot to digest and to ponder about and they decided to let the future Boys deal with that ^^'

Time to consume and digest their Winterfest Meal instead!

And then the Winterfest Miracle happened! They all stayed sit and ate! At the table, all at the same time! None of them picked their plate and ran somewhere else! That has never happened in all those years, oh my!

Until: Saiwa: "Dammit Vlad!"

Vlad: "What?" (Their faces! hahaha)

But - and that was the second miracle, they still stayed sit! And only got up when they stared to clean up. Wow. Usually, when Sai or Vlad hiss, the others stop whatever they do and their position and complain.

After dinner, they moved the table aside and some sofas around the fireplace. Sai and Jeb started kissing right away and Kiyoshi needed his mate close too.

And Ji Ho was disappointed Vlad didn't make a move on him! Tch.

The Little Ones were already sleeping but Skully was still awake and thought it's the perfect moment to play 'Last Christmas' once again:

'A crowded room, friends with tired eyes I'm hiding from you and your soul of ice My God, I thought you were someone to rely on Me? I guess I was a shoulder to cry on A face-on lover with a fire in his heart A man undercover, but you tore me apart Ooh-ooh Now I've found a real love, you'll never fool me again Last Christmas, I gave you my heart But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave it away) This year, to save me from tears I'll give it to someone special (Special) Last Christmas, I gave you my heart But the very next day, you gave it away (You gave me away) This year, to save me from tears I'll give it to someone special (Special)'

Outtakes

When I logged in and we started decorating, Lenny came running down the stairs and clawed on Vlad! They did this autonomously 💞

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