From the Hart: An OWBC - Part 3.7

[beanstalk_sims]

So, some news: turns out I broke a rule. And I've been breaking it for most of the challenge.

I was re-reading the rules thread this morning, looking to begin adding up my score (so far at least, I haven't finished playing yet) when I noticed a rule I didn't remember. Apparently snapdragons aren't allowed, and I've been using them a while. I think since Brian Bigfoot lived with the family, way back before Onyx got married. Whoops.

It's too late to do anything about it, the boys are already in college, and once they graduate the challenge is over. But I figured I'd deduct some points off my final score to compensate - I won't count the 3 points you get for completing & posting the challenge.

Anyway, let's move on, shall we? This is the last update of Strawberry's reign!

Last time, the cousins came to visit, and chaos ensued. Oli and his girlfriend Melanie Do agreed to Go Steady, which he followed up with a (loving) noogie. Oli also got a job in Oceanography, and was awesome at it, topping the career and scoring more scholarship money. Patrick continued to be nocturnal, Mad Cat got a little lonely, and Archie the dog had a birthday. Craig did well in school and spent time with his family. Patrick grew into a teen and bounced on sofas. Craig grew into a teen and finally gained a chin. And then the whole family headed down to the business to raise it from rank 3 to 10. Patrick didn't cope very well with this, picking fights due to his low aspiration, and eventually he was left home with Onyx while everyone else worked hard. Strawberry pretty much seduced the customer loyalty stars out of her old boyfriends, and the business became Rank 10.

Index / Boolprop








At the moment, the heir poll is still running, and I don't know who the next heir is. I do know, however, that's it currently sitting at a tie between Patrick and Craig.

The possibility of heirship hasn't changed Patrick at all, he's still nocturnal.




Craig, meanwhile, has other plans.

Like taking care of that First Kiss want he's had since the last update. Craig's a Romance sim, so I imagine this will be the first kiss of many.




The well decides that Gina here is Craig's True Love.

"Shouldn't you be wearing a coat, Gina?"

"Do you want to go inside and warm up, or do you want your first kiss?"

"...excellent point."




First Kiss achieved!

The want that immediately replaced it? Have two loves at once. Looks like this is the last time we'll be seeing Gina.




After Gina left, Craig then summoned the Genie and wished for Peace of Mind.

His LTW (of becoming a Rock God) is totally doable, but I'm also not playing the boys after they graduate. The 'hood is getting wonkier and I don't think it'll last much longer. I am planning to extract everyone before it explodes completely.

Craig should be able to enjoy himself, anyway.




"I'm sorry I slapped your face and attacked you at the club, Craig."

"No worries, Pat, don't sweat it!"

Whatever beef occurred between this two in the last chapter has ended. At least, it has for now. I guess Patrick must have gained some aspiration points from somewhere.




After apologising to his brother, Patrick went inside for some dinner, which he lovingly shared with Archie.

Archie never seems to be able to find his (full) food bowls, so he's probably super grateful.




"Hey Mum! KACHOW! Eating green food with flies?"

It turns out Patrick is a finger gunner! This is the first time I've seen him do it! What else is he hiding in his personality panel??




He's still struggling though, poor kid. <3




Nothing like starting your Sunday with a karaoke session!




Mad Cat decided to spend the morning getting sprayed on by a skunk.

How am I meant to get the stink out of a robot? He can't shower!




Even though time didn't really pass while on the business lot, it still feels like a while since Oli last saw Melanie.

So she got an invite, and the pair of them spent the day hanging out and being cute.




Determined not to be outdone, Craig's chucking a coin in the well and scoring that second love.




I did not make a note of her name.

But it's unlikely we'll see her again, Craig immediately rolled the want for a third love. It looks like this boy will not be settling down. Still, he spent the afternoon with her, so there's that.




With his brothers busy, Patrick had no one to hang out with.

He stood in the yard and whined about it, poor kid.




So some of the cousins were invited over, although it quickly became clear why no one likes to hang out with Patrick.

That's Marie Royce (Randy -> Orchid -> Kurt -> Marie), by the way. She's not technically related to the main line at this point, and reminded me of that fact by heart farting Craig.




Later that night, Strawberry had the want to become a werewolf again, and Onyx had the want to turn someone. So it made sense to fulfil both at once.

I don't think I'll ever work Strawberry out, but I probably won't cure her again.




The following day, and everyone else is at work and school. Mad Cat's home alone again.

He seems content to sing the day away.




It's not long before the house is full again. Including Jared Starchild, the current Greek House placeholder.

I figured it might be a good idea for the boys to get to know him before uni.




Hooray! You're my hero, Onyx <3

We're so close to the end, I'm really worried about losing the gnome at the last second.




The following day was the first day of spring, and apparently, a snow day.

Craig celebrated with noogies. I mean, how else do you celebrate a snow day?




Oli is almost an adult, and there's nothing for him to hang around for, so I had Oli call a cab and leave for uni. He's managed to bag $3500 in scholarships, too!

See you real soon, Oli.




Patrick seems pleased that he's the eldest for a bit.

I worked out why his aspiration is so low at the moment - I caught him losing points when Strawberry howled in wolf form. Onyx and Strawberry howl multiple times a night, it's no wonder Patrick is miserable.




Craig's snow day activity is scoring his third love.




This is Vamsi. Again, we're probably not seeing her again, but this time he didn't immediately roll a want for someone new.




"Huh. Looks like they're starting a support group for plantsims."

This is how Onyx is spending the snow day. But this is how Onyx spends most days. If he sits in that chair, it'll be a while before he gets up again.




Of course, he can't resist a dance.

Onyx, they're hula dancing not slap dancing.




Onyx wanted Craig to earn a scholarship, so I decided to have Craig be an overachiever like Oli...only things didn't go as planned.

This was Craig's first day. I'm guessing he didn't make a good first impression.

I don't remember what job he was fired from!




Later that evening, while everyone else was preoccupied, Mad Cat slipped out to use the well.

He's had the want to fall in love for a while, and I figured it's about time I fulfilled it.




Mad Cat scored a kiss, and fell in love, with Tori.

Is she the Diva from Downtown? Or the Film and Literature Hobby person? Either way, after their kiss, Tori slipped away into the night.




The following day, Patrick came home from school and immediately passed out on the floor.

But given that he's mainly nocturnal and this is the first time he's passed out, I'm pretty pleased!




That evening, it was time for another birthday - Strawberry's!

Can you believe we're already at her elder birthday? I feel like Strawberry only graduated recently!




She's an adorable little old lady <3




"I dedicate this song to my Mum on her birthday!"

That doesn't look comfortable, Patrick!




It's midday, Mad Cat, why aren't fixing the broken plumbing?




Poor kid <3




The following day, Tori joins the family - and I learn she definitely was the Diva.

So why is she moving in? Well...




Mad Cat rolled the want to propose!

After his kiss with Tori the other night, she seemed to disappear from his want panel, and I thought that would be the end of it. I guess he changed his mind.






The Servo and the Diva <3

I'm surprised, but happy to go along with it.




Tori Hsu
Fortune
Become Criminal Mastermind
5/10/3/6/0 (Scorpio)
Swimwear & Black Hair/Beards




Totally forgot she would spend a lot of time primping!

She's been in the family five minutes and I already like her!




Also it appears Tori either wears a wig or a lot of hair extensions, because her hair changes to this when she wears literally anything other than her everyday clothes.

Just another lovable quirk!




The guest list for the wedding was kept small - to sims already on the lot. I didn't feel like dealing with crowds of sims, plus Mad Cat doesn't know that many people.

So Mad Cat and Tori are tying the knot in a small, backyard ceremony.






Mad Cat and Tori Hart <3




"Alright, the robot's married, let's get to the cake."

Strawberry has no patience for romance, but we knew that.




"I'm so happy for you two!"

Onyx, please. You're part vampire and now desperate for water. Please go inside.






Of course, Mad Cat is a cake shover. I expected nothing less.

Both Mad Cat and Tori now want to go to Twikkii Island.




Patrick decided the best time to start slapping his brother around again is definitely Mad Cat's reception.

I feel like I'm going to have a hard time getting them all in the Greek house at uni, neither Oli nor Craig likes Patrick very much now.




Mad Cat paints Tori's portrait to hang up alongside his own. We're running out of wall space, it's probably a good thing we're near the end.




"...Patrick's right behind me, isn't he?"

Yup. And if looks could kill...well. You get the idea.




You'd think one extra sim wouldn't make that much difference, but I suddenly feel like I have my hands full. Luckily there are enough beds that it doesn't matter when Archie sleeps on one.




Recently, Patrick has taken up pool.

Hopefully this means he'll be able to do the xylophone trick fairly easily. Because if he's voted heir, he'll need to perform that trick.




He also spent aaaages on the phone, but I have no idea who he was talking to!




The conversation can't have gone well, because I found him jumping on the flowers.

Which would explain why so many were dead! I had no idea why the flowers were dying, now I know Patrick is the reason!




The next morning, a familiar blue car pulled up.




Why isn't that baby in a car seat??




Meet Felix and Tori's son, Felix Hart!




Craig is immediately besotted with Felix.

What is it with Romance sims and kids? Most of my Romance sims have been really good with kids.




"Motherhood suits me!"




"So Strawberry, are you proud of Patrick? He's off to uni tonight!"

"...I am?"

Yup! Patrick is finally at the age he's allowed to leave, and so I ship him off. Just Craig at home now!




"Hi guys!"

"Hey Tori! Where's your limo?"

"Oh, I'm not a Professional Party Guest anymore!"

"You retired?

"No! I was fired! Lovely evening, isn't it?"




Strawberry, that's not really how you carry a baby...




You know, it's beginning to feel more like their house than the actual family's.

It's fine, it's just different.




That night, it was time for Felix to become a toddler. And I'm not sure why Strawberry is the one bringing him to the cake, he's not really anything to do with her.




He's definitely interesting looking! I think he's pretty cute, though.

Felix Hart
7/6/4/4/6 (Cancer)




Within the first few hours of being a toddler, Felix had already learnt to talk and go potty. Little prodigy, this one!

And look at that side profile! Hardly any nose!




It's really nice having a little one around again <3




Craig kind of lost the spotlight to Felix over the last couple of days, but he managed to top the Journalism career and score the scholarship for being an overachiever.

He's now level with Oli in terms of scholarships, with $3500.




And he stole the gnome back! What a good kid!

Okay, Craig, now you may go to uni.






See you real soon, Craig.

And that's where I'm leaving you this time! The heir poll closes tomorrow and is currently tied, so if you haven't voted make sure you do, and I'll see you soon for the last college trip of the challenge!