Culpepper Pals: Summer 2: Spangler

[beanstalk_sims]

I went on a bit of a "writing updates" binge whilst waiting for my OWBC heir poll to end, so you get more Culpeppers! This time, we're with the Spanglers!

Last time, we met Venus Lockheart and Elsie Spangler for the first time! Their first season in the city was fairly productive, and involved partying, making friends and making magic. Elsie began magical training with Morgyn Ember, and the two of them started a relationship.

Index / Boolprop





So let's see what summer has in store for the two newest Culpepper Pals!

I feel like they've been around forever, it's kind of strange that this is only their second update. And, like the last update, it's pretty long.




Venus is starting off summer with ice skating playing on the tv, which she's ignoring in favour of gaming on her phone.

Solid start, 100% relatable.




Elsie? She's off to meet Morgyn in the Realm of Magic.

"Morgyn, where are you? Which cauldron, there's tons. No, I need you to be more specific."




Elsie did eventually work out which cauldron Morgyn was standing next to.

"So...what's with the santa hat?"

She looks really sad, Elsie, maybe don't ask her about it.






After bumming out the lady in the santa hat, Elsie and Morgyn head up to the duelling grounds for another duel.

It's how spellcasters show affection, I'm guessing. Firing magic at someone's face means "I really like you", honest. It should come as no surprise that Morgyn won.




"I am actually going to beat you someday, but would you please train me some more?"

"You want me to give you the training you need to beat me?"

"Yes! Exactly!"

"Okay, but you still won't be able to beat me."

"We'll see about that!"




Morgyn looks so proud of her.




After a busy afternoon, Elsie heads home and makes an ungodly amount of mac and cheese in her cauldron. Why on earth would anyone need so much mac and cheese?

Well...




Venus is throwing a party!

I feel a bit bad for her, Elsie is always centre of attention when I play this household, so I wanted Venus to have something she enjoys.




Elsie spent the party napping in Venus's room, so the party really is all about Venus.




I swear, Candy somehow appears on the guest list for every party.

I can't remember how friendly she is with Venus, but Venus seems pleased to see her.




"Let me guess...Elsie and her cauldron catered the party?"

The sheer amount of mac and cheese guys. They'll be eating for days.




Apparently the party ending meant it was time for Elsie to wake up. It's almost like she waited for everyone to leave.

So she could then practise her magic in the deserted living room.




It's a bright new morning, and someone actually looks fairly happy with her breakfast of leftover mac and cheese.




The fun is set to continue, as today I'm heading off the lot with Venus instead of Elsie.

A mermaid needs a trip to Sulani every once in awhile.




Venus is meeting a friend from the party last night at the beach - her name is Kaylie Dutton. The morning is looking kind of gloomy though, which wasn't really what I was expecting.

Also I am in love with that low-poly seagull in the background. Just so you know.




"Excuse me one second, Kaylie, while I blow this in your face."




The morning got a little brighter after Venus's call for Clear Skies, and she decided it was time to bond with Kaylie.

And what better way to do that than with sandcastles.




Pretty soon, the topic changed from innocent sandcastles to something else.

"Hey Kaylie, I have idea for our next beach activity..."

"Oh yeah? What's that?"






A first kiss, of course!




Promptly followed by a swim.

Do you reckon Kaylie has worked out Venus is a mermaid yet?




What about now?

That other mermaid should probably give them some privacy, though.






So what's Elsie up to while Venus is making out at the beach?

She's heading to the realm via the arch in Glimmerbrook, although I can't remember why she's doing it like that instead of using the crystal in her inventory.




Besides, the real question is who's flying a plane advertisement over Glimmerbrook? And what are they advertising?




Have I mentioned recently that I really love the Realm of Magic?

Because I do.






I guess all that training with Morgyn is paying off, because Elsie is winning more and more duels.




Not that she seems bothered, she went back to experimenting with potions right after beating Zoe Patel. Like nothing had even happened.




I guess when you spend this much time in the realm, you can't be phased by duels.

They literally break out all the time, all over the place.




And while she was quietly studying by the fountain, Elsie went up a spellcaster level.

She's now an Adept spellcaster.




The grind never stops for Elsie, though.

It's almost like Venus doesn't even notice the magic anymore.

"My roommate is totally normal!"




Or not.

No magic spell makes you carry laundry like that.




A new day arrives, and Elsie still has her mind focused on magic.

It might be time to get out of the house.




She flagged Venus down the minute she got back from her shift as a barista.

"I think we should go out and do something totally normal."

"Normal?" Venus repeated.

"Yeah! Just the two of us. Let's go do something that ordinary people would do in the summer!"




And that's how the girls settled on a totally ordinary day at the beach.

Or it would be totally ordinary, if Venus did haven't a tail, but they're trying.




Okay, they're not trying very hard. Elsie had her magic leaf bat out the whole time.

It wasn't even a whole day together, in the end, because Venus got a phone call and had to dash off.




To a very rainy date in Newcrest at an outdoor food truck. Kaylie sure knows how to pick a spot for maximum romance, complete with dirty dishes.




Luckily, Venus is a mermaid.

I love that power <3





Once the weather clears up, I noticed that the Bell-Scott family are also out. Though it appears they've left Shari at home to babysit Tania.




The date was fairly low-key and uneventful, but I think it's safe to say Venus likes Kaylie a lot.






Back in the city, another date is beginning.

Elsie met Morgyn in the Fashion District, possibly because it's so pretty there when the sun is setting.




Neither of them had said anything for a little while, sitting together in a comfortable silence. The place was deserted, almost peaceful.

"Do you ever think about the future?" Morgyn asked, quietly.

"Not really," Elsie admitted, smiling, "There's always so much going on, with magic and the realm..."

"You don't think about it at all?"




"I didn't say that, I just...don't think about it much. But when I do think about the future, you're always in it, Morgyn. Don't worry about that."




"You picture me in your future?"

"Of course, I love you! Wait, do you not imagine me in your future?"

"No, it's just..." Morgyn got up suddenly.




"Okay, Morgyn? You're freaking me out. What's going on? You seem really nervous...?"




"Because I want to ask you to marry me, Elsie."

"So you were trying to check what my answer would be...?"

"Will you marry me, Elsie?"

"Of course I will!"






They celebrated their engagement trying new cuisine, and Elsie promptly embarrassed herself with chopsticks.

Well, actually, I don't think Morgyn minded, but Elsie was embarrassed all the same.






After dinner, Elsie headed home to share the good news - over a cauldron of experimental potion, of course.

"This is really exciting, I get to go to a wedding!" Venus gushed, "When are you thinking of getting married?"

"We're actually planning the ceremony for tomorrow."

"Tomorrow? What's the rush?"

Elsie smiled, "Neither of us feel like waiting."




Nothing like starting off your wedding day with a large helping of mac and cheese!






Thankfully the weather in Newcrest is perfect for a summer wedding!

I hope you're prepared for picspam, because I took a lot of screenshots :)








The newly weds <3

They both kept their own surnames, I just like their names too much to change them.




And once again, most of the guests watched via the windows, so I may have to do some tweaking on the lot. It would be nice if guests would sit down and watch the ceremony, you know?




Also Kirby stood in the way so Venus couldn't see the ceremony at all.

That's the sims for you.






I love these two <3 <3




The reception began with the newly weds chatting over a quiet drink...




...although I'm pretty sure Venus would like to party properly!




That's definitely what a first dance should look like.

I did go and download a slow dancing mod after this wedding, I just really miss that interaction.






A successful wedding, and a beautiful sunset, what more could you ask for?






The fun doesn't stop when they get back to the city, either.




I imagine Venus is feeling a bit like a third wheel tonight, though.




That's a little hypocritical, Elsie, but alright, carry on.




Kaylie came over to keep Venus company, and for some reason, got straight in the bath.




Accidental matching shorts <3




The following day was TV Premier Day. The fun never stops.

"Hey, now that we're married, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Uh oh," Elsie replied, with a smile.




"It's nothing bad, it's just...I don't think we should live with Venus anymore. I really like her, but I feel like it's time we got our own place."

Elsie sighed, but nodded, "I think you're right."

"And I was thinking...maybe we could move to Glimmerbrook."




"A spellcaster couple moving into spellcaster country?"

"I know it's cliche, but I think we'd be happy there."

"I think it's a really good idea, Morgyn."




Elsie and Morgyn broke the news to Venus over breakfast. Which was mac and cheese again, obviously.

"You're moving out?" Venus repeated, frowning.

"I think it's time," Elsie replied, "But we're not going until the lease is up at the end of the summer."

"Besides, you and Kaylie will love having the place to yourselves," Morgyn pointed out, "Or an entirely different place!"




Later that day, the Culpepper Pals were invited over.

Although most of them were at the wedding, I don't feel like Venus and Elsie were able to spend time with them properly. So I guess this is an after-party.




And apparently Norah cycled here.




I'm guessing Morgyn hasn't spent much time around Dusty, because they are completely dazzled by her.




"It's me, Dusty Brows! Get hyped!"

"Dusty, that only works on fans, not friends. Come on."




All of the Culpepper Pals <3

I love the group dance, I never get tired of it.




The following day, Elsie headed into the Realm to work on her magic.

She's not far off the next spellcaster level and I really wanted to get there before the end of the season.




She has started duelling for knowledge now, instead of just for fun.




Elsie ranked up and became a Master spellcaster, and now she can also eat motes.

I think she gains experience from them, but I'm not sure.




Back in the city, Morgyn has taken on a job.

Venus was the only one working, and barista pays pretty poorly, so someone needed to find work. Morgyn is now in the Education career, as a substitute teacher. As a former sage in the realm, I figured Morgyn would be used to teaching and training people.

It's also my headcanon that Morgyn is working in a magical school.




"Hey guys, how's it going?"

I swear, Venus doesn't seem to notice the magic anymore.






Although she did notice it this time.

"Morgyn, did you hurt her?"

"No, of course not."

"I think we should all go do something normal couples enjoy."




Time for a double date to the beach!




At this point, I moved Kaylie in.

Kaylie Dutton
Bodybuilder - High Metabolism
Squeamish - Insider - Dance Machine




"Sand is the worst."

"I know. I wish we were duelling right now instead."

"I know, but we promised Venus."







Elsie and Morgyn did eventually make the most of being at the beach, even if neither of them is particularly fond of the place.




And Venus got to know that mermaid she met earlier on this week a little better.

All in all, it was a pretty nice afternoon.




Until someone interrupted it to challenge Elsie to a duel.




Zoe did let Elsie get dressed at least, before the duel started.

And Elsie won.



As always, there were no hard feelings.




And Elsie was back to the Spice Market in time for bubbles.

It's time for the Spice Festival!




Kaylie feels like the Spice Festival is the best place to show off her new tan...complete with dodgy tan lines.




Venus and Kaylie then officially became girlfriends over curry.




Wait, that's not your bed!




Elsie and Morgyn are completely unaware of what's going on in their bed, they're too busy struggling with the spice.




"I've been thinking, Kaylie...I'd like to move too. Elsie and Morgyn are moving to Glimmerbrook, I want to go somewhere new, too."

"Where did you have in mind?"

"I was thinking Sulani..."

"I think that's a great idea!"




The last morning of summer, and it's off to a gloomy start.




The Spice Market is absolutely covered in discarded cups and old cakes. But I think I've got a solution!




Magical fire!




She looks so pleased with herself.

Too bad it didn't really work. Instead of cups everywhere, there's now just a lot of small piles of ash.




And that's where the summer ended, and the two Spangler roommates went their separate ways.

"Well, it's been nice living with you guys, keep in touch, okay?"




Venus and Kaylie now live here, in Sulani, while Elsie and Morgyn live in Glimmerbrook - I don't have a shot of their house because I haven't altered/redecorated it yet.

But I'm looking forward to playing them separately, I found it hard to give Elsie and Venus the same amount of attention each whilst they lived together.

So that was summer for the Culpepper Pals, see you soon for the autumn updates!