Culpepper Pals: Autumn 2: Vatore

[beanstalk_sims]

Welcome back to Autumn 2 for the Culpepper Pals!

A quick announcement before I get started on the Vatore update: I decided to remove Venus Lockheart, who would've been the next update, from the rotation. I was dragging my feet getting to her household, and was feeling really unenthusiastic about playing it. Culpepper Pals is meant to be fun to play, so I just decided to let her fade in to the background. She'll still be at all the parties & age alongside them, but I don't actually want to play her and Kaylie. I'm sorry for anyone looking forward to seeing their gameplay, but I want to feel like I'm happy to play my save, not like it's a chore.

Anyway! Back onto the reason we're here - the Vatores!

Last time, there was toddler party that involved a dryer fire. The kids grew up, Max into a teen and Dolly into a child. Max was cured of the vampirism he inherited from his parents, and spent a lot of time with his friends. Lilith spent some time with Candy Behr, before the two of them began a relationship - it looks like Candy is finally ready to move on from Dusty. Also Kirby got another promotion and has almost topped her career.

Let's see what autumn has in store for these guys!




When I rejoin the family, no one is wearing fun vampire outfits this time.

Which was a little unusual. Instead, Caleb and Kirby were in their party clothes like they'd just come home from a night at Jo's or something.






Max and Dolly start off the season by working on their aspirations.

Which isn't very interesting to look at, but it has to happen from time to time.




Meanwhile Lilith has invited her girlfriend over so they can check out the flea market.




Or, you know, the bubble blower at the flea market. Because the furniture itself wasn't super interesting.




Candy apparently doesn't like to sit still for very long, and one of her favourite past times is playing guitar at Spice Market events, so she leaves Lilith to enjoy the bubbles.




Lilith did eventually work out Candy had left the bubble blower and stumbled over to appreciate her music. Lilith is so dazed right now.




It's probably not a good idea to play basketball while dazed, but what do I know?




Back at the house, Caleb woke up from a nap in his coffin sobbing. He'd had a daymare, and sought comfort from his children.

"Max, do other people's parents do this?"

"Not as far as I know."




A bubble bath later and Caleb's feeling better.

I ended up giving out some reward traits to the Vatores this update - Caleb now has the Carefree (never tense) and Incredibly Friendly (initial relationship boost) traits, while Max got the Speed Reader trait.




"I'm gonna give you to Daddy, Trixie, and then it'll be your job to keep him safe from the daymares! I know you can handle this mission!"




Look who came over that evening <3




Taeko gets to sit on Max's bed while he fiddles with stuff at his laptop, which I think is a very teenager thing to do. I could argue that she's keeping him company while he studies, but I actually think he's just chatting with someone.




Outside, the aliens have turned up!

Who are they taking??




Kirby, of course!

Poor thing. She was definitely not excited about it. And you haven't seen her in this update yet because she was mainly working on skills for her next promotion.




Back inside, Max finally shut off his laptop and was actually spending time with his girlfriend.

I don't think anyone even noticed Kirby was gone, which is kind of sad.




Taeko and Max decided mess around for a bit, just before Kirby was delivered home.




Afterwards, Max offered to fix Taeko something to eat, but their trip down to the kitchen was pretty eventful.

"So you're telling me the bats we saw woohooing on the landing were actually your parents?"

"Yes," Max replied. Taeko placed her hands over her eyes.

"I don't know if I want to come over here again," Taeko said, quietly.

"Nonsense," Max smiled, "Just don't think about it too much. Write it off as a 'vampire thing'."




Meanwhile, Caleb sat down to watch some sports after bat woohoo and immediately started crying.

"My team scored an own goal!"




The following morning and Kirby is catching up on housework.

Apparently the laundry was ignored for so long they were all Uncomfortable from wearing filthy clothes, which I didn't know could happen. Luckily Kirby was able to do two or three loads without causing a dryer fire, which you know would've happened if I'd let Caleb do it.




The day passed fairly quickly and uneventfully, to be honest.

The kids were at school, the chores were done, plasma packs were sipped. Luckily the family had fairly interesting plans that night...






Time for a Spooky Day costume party!

Apparently the Vatore ladies have a fairy theme tonight.






The kids, meanwhile, are totally adorable <3




And apparently Caleb's a villain, although he pulled this adorable face when I went to screenshot his costume.




"So, Mum, Dad...where are all the guests??"

"We're not actually sure."

Yeah, me neither. I had them invited the full amount, and two turned up. I'm not sure where everyone else was. The same thing happened when I played Dusty, so I'm assuming there's some sort of glitch, which is a little annoying.




So the pirate and the princess cracked on with their homework, which isn't very festive but I guess if there's no real party they might as well.




Literally the only guests were Shari (astronaut) and Marnie (small pumpkin person) and that was it. Caleb ended up finishing the sparkly drinks by himself.

So Spooky Day was a bust.




Kirby and Lilith are apparently helping out with homework. It definitely looks like that. Definitely not just using it as an excuse to chill out in the pool.




That night, Caleb was adding to the family. Meet the newest Vatore - Bella the dog! The game decided her name and I thought it was too perfect.

Bella Vatore
Glutton - Hunter - Vocal




I didn't realise that Caleb would be able to vampire poof around while holding the dog.

That's one heck of a family initiation for Bella.




Everyone immediately fell in love with her, myself included <3






The following day Lilith decides it'll be good to spend the day alone with Candy.

It's hard to get some alone time in a house as busy as the Vatores, so the couple head to Geekcon.




Although 'alone time' might be the wrong word.

Pretty sure everyone at Geekcon knows what's going on in that rocket.




"I'd say that mission was successful, right Lilith?"




They then had a quiet bite to eat, like they hadn't just caused a massive scene.

Although the rocket took off again later on in the festival, so maybe it really is no big deal.




"It's been really good spending time with you again."

"You should ask me out more often, Lilith."

"Maybe I will."




Candy shifted back a bit and looked at Lilith, "Okay, I have to ask, what do you think our future together looks like?"

Lilith raised an eyebrow, "You have to ask?"

"I'm pretty sure not talking about things was what tanked my last relationship," Candy replied, honestly, "And with you being a vampire...the question is a little different for us."

"You want us to be together though, right?"

"Yeah, I just...want to think about down the road a little bit."




"You mean the immortality thing?" Lilith asked, and Candy gave a small nod, "I can make you a vampire, no problem."

Candy studied her for a moment before quietly replying, "I don't want that."

"You don't?"




"I don't want any of it. The immortality, the powers, the thirst...I know you love it, but it's really not for me, personally."

"So what now? You want me to give up vampirism?"

Candy shook her head, "No. You shouldn't have to change yourself for me."

"So where does that leave us?" Lilith asked, a little panicked.

"We can figure something out, right?"




Lilith softened, and put her arm around Candy.

"Yeah, of course. We'll work something out."




Back at the house, the kids had come home from school to find that their aunt had brought them souvenirs from the festival.

Dolly got bubbles and was totally adorable blowing them <3




Meanwhile Lilith had made the questionable decision of buying a teenage boy a firework.

Look at him lighting it. He's so pleased with himself.




His smugness turned into terror the moment it took off though, which was hilarious.




"So let me get this straight, you got both my kids something and forgot about me?"

"If I let you have the sparkler I brought home will you stop making a fuss?"

"Yes."




Caleb didn't immediately light his new sparkler, he got distracted by the sudden appearance of his wife.

"You know what, Kirby, I'm feeling really tired all of a sudden..."

Max could hear his parents from the room next door, and groaned loudly.




Not that it made any difference at all.

I love these two <3




Caleb then decided to spend time with Dolly. They don't have the best relationship in the world - she doesn't like it when he hisses, and he hisses a lot - but I'm working on it.

Although he does look a little bit like he's in pain here.




Despite her visit the other night, Taeko had never properly met Max's parents - at least, not while they were in human form. It took some courage, but she came for another visit that night.

"Mum, this is Taeko, my girlfriend."

"It's lovely to meet you, Taeko. Can you pretend my husband isn't wearing his PJs for your visit?"

"I'll do my best."




"So Max tells me we're the first vampires you've met."

"Yeah..." Taeko tried not to look as anxious as she felt.

"Well, don't worry. Caleb and I have a house rule, no one here drinks from humans. And after speaking to Max the other day, we'll save our bat forms for when we don't have guests."

Taeko blushed a little, "Right."

Kirby laughed.




"I like you, Taeko. You seem like a sweet, lovely girl. Please come over more often," Kirby said, pulling her into a hug.






While Taeko and Kirby get to know one another, Caleb is given a very important task from Dolly - spraying the monster under the bed.




He then tells her a bedtime story - sitting poolside, of course - about vampire lore. Is there a better bedtime story for little girls?

By the time she went to bed, Dolly's relationship with Caleb had improved a lot, which makes me happy. <3




With the kids in bed, Kirby and Caleb had free run of the house...other than Lilith of course, who looks like she's desperately trying to ignore what's going on.






The following day, Lilith and Kirby headed to gloomy little Windenburg for a coffee.

"Why is it the one time we go out for coffee there's no barista?"

"It is unfortunate."

"I was really looking forward to this! I took the morning off work and everything!" Kirby grinned, "Anyway, why did you want to come here? And also insisted Caleb stayed home?"




"I actually kind of wanted your advice," Lilith admitted, "and didn't feel like talking about it with my brother."

"Advice? On what?"

"Candy brought up the future...Basically, she doesn't want to be a vampire, and I don't want to be mortal. And I don't know where that leaves us."




"So you don't want to date someone who isn't a vampire?" Kirby asked, a little confused. Lilith shook her head.

"It's not that," Lilith replied, "I just think it would be easier to be together if she was one."

"Why?"

Lilith hesitated, "Because then I don't have to watch her grow old and die."




Kirby's smile immediately vanished, "It is the worst part, isn't it?"

Lilith nodded.

"I always wanted to give my kids the choice, but now I know I'll be around when Max is an old man..." Kirby sighed, and shook her head, "It's a long way off. Plus think of all the good things that will happen between now and then."

"So you're saying that I shouldn't worry about it."

"Pretty much," Kirby replied, "It'll be totally awful when it happens, but I like to think the good will outweigh the bad."




"I still don't know how I feel about this," Lilith admitted.

"Well, take your time on it," Kirby smiled, "And maybe actually ask Caleb his opinion? He's been immortal a lot longer than me."

"Yeah, but he's my brother," Lilith pulled a face, "Anyway, the barista just got here. Let's a drink."




Or they both autonomously order croissants and make themselves ill and uncomfortable because they're vampires who can't stomach food.

Typical sims, really.




Back at the house, Max is about to send off his university applications.

He's turning into a Young Adult on the first day of winter, yet I swear he was just born last week.




I imagine his parents are feeling it more than I am.

"Can you believe our oldest is flying the nest soon?"

"Despite living this long, I don't feel like I'm old enough to have a grown up son."




Caleb then decided to hold his little one close.

Dolly will be home for a little while yet, at least, although she becomes a teen in the winter.




Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Bella is sparkling.

I could probably make a Twilight joke somehow, but I'm going to resist.




Bella is now all grown up, though she's still a very small dog.




The following morning, once the kids had left for school and Kirby to work, Lilith sat down with Caleb, like Kirby suggested.

"Let me guess," Lilith said, "You know what this is about because Kirby already told you."

"Well, she is my wife and best friend. But why don't you tell me what's up anyway."

"Candy. Immortality. Watching your loved ones pass away. Wondering if it's worth loving at all."




"It might surprise you, but I think it is worth it," Caleb said.

"Really? You cry all the time."

"Yeah, I guess so," Caleb shrugged, "Death is sad. But being alone forever is sad too. Just look at Vlad, I don't know if that guy is capable of love."

"So you're agreeing with Kirby, I should just let myself love and not worry about it."




"Honestly, Lilith, only you can decide," Caleb smiled, "You'll always have me, though. I'm not going anywhere."

"At least there's that," Lilith replied, with a hint of a smile, "I think I'm going to give Candy a call."

"Cool, I'm going to watch cooking shows all afternoon."






Lilith arranged to meet Candy in the park later that afternoon, and the weather was surprisingly good for the occasion.

"How have you been, Lilith? I haven't heard from you since Geekcon."

"I did a little bit of thinking,"

"Just a little bit?"

"Okay. A lot, I guess."

"Right..."




"I don't think we should give anything up," Lilith said, simply, "I'm not giving up vampirism. You're not giving up mortality. And we're not giving up on this relationship."

Candy grinned, "You're sure?"

"Positive."




"I don't know what life has in store for us, Candy, but I want to find out."

Candy gave her a warm smile, "Me too."

"Come on, let's go for a quick walk, before we go ice skating."

"I am not going ice skating."




They stopped under a tree for a moment, so Lilith could quickly kiss Candy on her cheek.

"What was that for?"

"I have one other thing to ask you," Lilith said.




Lilith sunk to the ground and pulled out a ring, "Candy Behr, will you marry me?"

Candy looked down, a sudden flashback to a proposal many seasons ago. Her heart beat a little faster, but she saw the smile on Lilith's face, and suddenly knew the answer.




"Yes," Candy replied, quietly.

This time, things just felt right.






"And we're going to celebrate our new engagement with some ice skating, right?"

"Are you serious?"




"Come on, Candy, it's fun!"

"I might just watch..."




Candy had to go to work - perfectly timed to get her out of ice skating - so Lilith headed home to catch the new season premiere of a TV show with Kirby and Caleb. Naturally that meant Caleb blocking the TV while he sobbed.

"Hey Caleb, you'd make a better door than a window!"

"Just give him a minute," Kirby smiled, "He'll be okay and come sit down."




Once the show was over, Kirby headed into the garden to open up festive crackers.

Since the family accidentally completed the My Sims statues collection, I thought it would be neat for them to do another, so I'm having Kirby get all the cracker plushies. At this point, she's still one short. The ones she did get, however, are on display in Dolly's room.




Now they're engaged, Candy has come home from work and moved into the Vatore household. What's one more human, right?

A reminder of her traits and stuff, as it has been quite a while since Candy was a playable in this save:

Candy Behr
Party Animal - Gregarious
Cheerful - Outgoing - Music Lover
Spice Hound

Candy also works as a C-Lister (level 3) in the Entertainment career.




Lilith immediately invites Candy down into the new basement.

"What's down here that I absolutely have to see?"

"Climb down the ladder faster and find out."




"I think we should check out the inside of this coffin together."

"Lilith, are you joking?"

"I'm 100% serious."

"But it's a coffin!"

"Are you afraid?"

"No! Alright, move over, I'm getting in, too."




First coffin woohoo in my game ever!

Kirby has the Good trait, so she and Caleb can't, and I don't have any other vampires.




As expected, they eventually fell out of the coffin and onto the floor.

"Okay, you've convinced me, coffins aren't scary."

"Told you."




Morning arrived, and Lilith and Candy decided to spend it kicking a football back and forth.

"We tell the kids no ball in the house, but we let their aunt get away with it," Caleb sighed.

"Let them get away with it just this once, maybe?"




Caleb decided to grumble more about it, only to himself while walking Bella.

There's always so much going on in the Vatore house that I rarely watch the sims wandering around outside, but dog walks are an excellent opportunity to see what's going on outside.




I didn't see much this time, just David looking sad on a bench.




Later that evening, Dolly completed her childhood aspiration and is now Creatively Gifted.

Dolly still has a few days before becoming a teen, so what's next? Well...




She's already nearly maxed the motor skill, so I had her switch to Rambunctious Scamp. That's how I choose second aspirations, based on their skills.

I guess because Max was able to complete two, I kind of expect Dolly to complete this one. The Vatores raise gifted kids, it's just what they do.




Speaking of Max, he's still super tense about his uni applications, and was up half the night playing basketball instead of sleeping, poor kid.




Saturday morning arrives, and it's the last day of the rotation.

Dolly's up bright and early to have a go at the monkey bars for her new aspiration.




Kirby, meanwhile, took a moment to admire her outfit. Which is hilarious, because Kirby is a vampire and doesn't have a reflection.

She does this autonomously fairly often, but this is the first time I noticed she doesn't actually have a reflection!




Saturday afternoon and the whole family heads out for a volunteer activity - a walk to fight disease - leaving me without much to look at it.

Max is this close to getting the empathy reward trait, and apparently that means dragging everyone else to volunteer with him.

His university letter was in the mail box when they all got back...




He got into several degrees, but I think I'm probably going to have him take a distinguished History degree at Britechester. I haven't played anyone at Britechester yet, all the sims I've played have gone to Foxbury.

Of course, he celebrated with this little dance thing? Exactly the same as when he kissed Taeko for the first time.




Speaking of Taeko, Max immediately calls her over, ready to share his news.




"...and I just got my acceptance letter! I got in! Isn't this fantastic??"

"It is. Congratulations."

Max's smile dropped, "You're not happy for me?"




"I am, I just worry..." Taeko pulled a face, "I'm younger than you. You're going to go off on these adventures...and I'm worried I'll get left behind."

"We should sit down and talk about this properly," Max said, "Come on."




For once, there was no one in the garden, giving Max and Taeko the peace and quiet they needed.

"I get why you're worried," Max began, "But I also think you shouldn't be. You're not that much younger than me, it won't be long 'til you're there, too!"

"What if you've already fallen for someone else by the time I get there?"

"You're expecting me to walk onto campus and fall head over heels for the first girl I see? Really?" Max laughed to himself, "Taeko, I love you, but that's crazy."

Finally, Taeko cracked a smile, "I guess."

"I promise you, it'll be okay."




"I love you, Taeko."

"I love you too."




Elsewhere in the house, Dolly is surprising me by already completing her new aspiration. I knew she had a lot of motor skill points, but I still expected it to take longer.

So she's got the Physically Gifted trait now. I haven't bothered assigning her a new aspiration, I don't think she's got enough time.






The Romance Festival was that evening, and I had the whole family check it out - other than Candy, who was working. Taeko also came along, and it was really nice to see all of them together.

"Should we really be giving sakura tea to a child?"










It's always interesting to see who turns up in the background at these events - this time it was Norah and Miko and Jo and Mackenzie! Maybe on a double date?

Mackenzie also decided it was the perfect opportunity to wear a witch hat and pierce her eyebrow??




I'm pretty sure Dolly is one of those kids determined not to be left out - so far it seems like she's really enjoying the Romance Festival!




The Romance Festival is also a great excuse to take cute pictures of one of my favourite couples <3




Dolly was also given a sparkler, but she was a little careless with it...

Maybe keep the sparks away from your head, kid?




She did eventually get the hang of it.




While everyone else played with sparklers, Max thought he'd be brave and order Pufferfish Nigiri, but judging by the look on his face he's regretting his choice.

The dish is excellent quality, and there's absolutely no risk, but I guess he's still concerned about eating it.




Meanwhile, Dolly is absolutely nailing chopsticks.

I love these kids <3




Elsewhere at the festival, Candy arrives after finishing work.

"Hey, you made it," Lilith said, with a smile.

"You really think I'd miss out on an excuse to drink free tea and throw flowers?"




"I actually have another idea," Lilith admitted, with a sly smile. Candy raised an eyebrow.

"What's that?"

"Let's get married. Right now."

"Now?"

"Unless you don't want to. We can wait."

"No, I'm just a bit surprised. We can get married tonight."






A short while later, they met under the arch again, this time both in dresses. It wasn't the wedding either of them pictured, but maybe they didn't need a big ceremony.

"Lilith...I don't have any vows prepared," Candy paused for a moment, "I love you. More than anything. And I can't wait to share my life with you."

"Candy Behr, I promise to love you always. For however long we have together, and beyond."






Mrs Lilith Vatore and Mrs Candy Behr <3

I had them keep their own names. I also wasn't planning on having them get married at the festival, I was going to wait until spring... but it just felt right, you know? Plus it's nice to have the ceremony somewhere different - this is my first ever Romance Festival wedding.




Typically, he watched the fireworks, but not the ceremony. That's The Sims for you.

So that's where autumn ended for the family...




The Vatores <3

Winter is going to bring some changes for the family, with both kids having a birthday. But more on that later.

The next update, and the last one of the season, is the Spanglers and will hopefully be up soon :)