Culpepper Pals: Winter 2: Titan-Ojo 1

[beanstalk_sims]

Time for a new household - David's striking out on his own! I'm really excited to have the next generation start stepping into the limelight and have their own adventures! Let's see what winter has in store for David.

Index / Boolprop






We find David standing on his very own beach! He got a tiny bit of a cash boost from Norah & Miko downsizing, but he's still only got a very basic shack. I'm hoping I can turn it into a proper, nice house over time.

He's also currently living Off the Grid, both because I wanted to try it out and because it saves money on bills.

Also, while we're here, a recap of David's traits:

David Titan-Ojo
Beach Life - Home Turf
Child of the Islands - Evil - Family-Orientated
Responsible - Good Manners



Frankie is also here, barking at his own tail.

He has an entire beach to run around here, much better than the tiny apartment in the Fashion District.




So here's the beginning of my Eco Lifestyle problems.

David had been pulling out instruments and stuff while visiting his parents, and I hadn't thought much of it. Now I was playing him, it felt almost constant. He doesn't even own a violin, let alone have any skill points in it.

At this point, I wasn't super bothered, and didn't do anything about it.






First thing's first, David heads to a bar at 8am. Naturally.

Actually, he's there to use the wifi. He needs a job and can't get one standing on his home lot. I know I could probably just have him sell paintings or whatever, but I've kind of already done that with a few sims.

So David gets a job in the Conservationist career, and starts out as Land Surveyor. Not bad for his first morning of adulthood.




With a job secured, David sets about making some friends, and finds Bella Goth just chilling in the bar.

I don't think I've seen her around the save much, so this is a first.






It was all going well until she started ignoring him to build a sandcastle.

So David heads into the bar in search of someone else to talk to.




And instead breaks out a lump of clay.

I was frustrated by this because I'd found 11 lumps in his inventory when I'd arrived on the lot. I did later install a mod, but all that did was stop the lumps from appearing in his inventory, rather than stopping him playing with it.




Turns out David had a little bit of friendship with Penny Pizzazz from being introduced by his parents, so he calls her up to hang out.




The bond over cloud watching - despite the skies being completely clear - before he invites her back to his place.




And then I had to reboot the game. Whenever I clicked on David's lot it would boot me out to the world selection menu. I think I know what the problem was now (mod related), but at the time I was feeling super frustrated.

So David lost his new job, and his relationship with Bella. It was like they'd never happened.




Penny was on the lot when I reloaded the game, although they'd lost a little bit of relationship they'd gained before.

Basically, we're starting over. I gave David the Incredibly Friendly trait, too, to help him make friends.






So while David and Penny work their friendship back up to where it was, I watch Frankie running around. He's genuinely having the time of his life and I'm super glad I decided to move him in with David.

It's just so much better for him.




After building a sandcastle together, David starts laying on the charm...






...and is immediately distracted by his overwhelming desire to be creative. He even shoved a lump of clay into Penny's chest while trying to whisper seductively.




He managed to concentrate long enough to score a first kiss, at least.






He was also able to maintain focus long enough to show Penny the cool waterfall opposite his house...




Given how easily distracted he is this update, it's a total miracle he was able to woohoo with Penny at all.




Of course, he had to make up for lost time afterwards.

This was after installing a mod to help with the problem.




The following morning, and I remembered David never actually got a job because of the whole glitch thing. So he headed out bright and early to borrow someone's wifi, and got his job back in the Conservationist career.

He's a Land Surveyor (level 3 I think) and has some tasks to do before his first shift.






So we're off to Willow Creek!

David needs to do some research on a PC, and his shack is off the grid so...we're going to the library! I think this is the first time a Culpepper has gone to the library.




It was really neat seeing who was at the library, actually.

Like Candy, taking a floor nap for some reason.




It shouldn't have been hard to do some research. It was one task.

But it kept dropping out of his queue so he could play with a lump of clay, or an instrument. I tried two or three times, getting more and more frustrated. He did get to know the librarian a little bit, it was the only silver lining.




I sent David home without completing the task, wondering how I was going to manage it.

In the end, I decided to forget about it, and just had David invite the librarian over.




Her name is Camilla Butterfield, and she is absolutely adorable!






I'd like to thank the Incredibly Friendly trait for helping them become friends really quickly. The romance side of things must just be David's natural charm. Or something.






After seducing the librarian, David immediately gets out of bed to fuss over Frankie.

I love the two of them together <3






That night, after David went to bed properly, Frankie grew into an elderly dog.

It feels too soon, but I did realise that I've actually played Frankie twice this season by moving him from one house to another. My bad.




When morning arrives, David gets up and goes to work, leaving Camilla hanging out in his shack playing with clay.

At this point, I had tried removing all existing NAPs with cheats from any neighbourhood I had played, but it didn't seem to have any effect on the uncontrollable creativity.

She did eventually take her clay and leave.






Camilla was keen, though, she invited David out to the bar later that night.

This tends to be how I decide who my sims date long term - who seems interested. Penny hasn't gotten in touch with David at all, so in my mind they weren't meant to be long term.




Unfortunately for Camilla, David is knackered after a full day of work.

So it seems unlikely that they'll spend the evening getting to know one another.




When he woke up, I did actually queue up a flirt - but it dropped because Thorne Bailey turned up. Naturally.

Most of the sims didn't react well to Thorne, but they still had to go over there, apparently. Camilla decided to call it a night and left.




But David, refreshed from his nap, stayed at the bar a bit longer. And met someone new.

This is Casey Hatter, a generation 3 spare from my Name Game that I dropped down in this save as a townie. I haven't actually introduced her yet in that challenge (I've played ahead), I think she's going to be born in the next chapter. Casey's already a YA in game, though.




David and Casey didn't get any alone time together, but by the time he left the bar they'd become good friends.




Morning arrives, and David gets to take on the task Miko used to do while he was growing up - bathing Frankie. I think he's cleaner now he lives on the island, but only because there's less things for him to roll in.

And at this point, I disabled Eco Lifestyle. I couldn't take it anymore, and I couldn't seem to fix the issues I was having, so I disabled it for a couple of days in game.




Life went so much smoother without it.

I did eventually enable it again, towards the end of David's rotation. I've also altered the settings now - townies and such can't vote on NAPs, so there shouldn't be any randomly crop up. Hopefully that fixes the issue for now.




Anyway, it's Lottery Day and David needs to go to the bar and borrow the wifi to buy a ticket.

Jo was there when he arrived, although I'm not sure why she's looking at him like that. Like she's suspicious of him. Maybe she'll report his antics back to Norah.




Funnily enough, Bella was in the bar again.

He doesn't remember meeting her last time, so this was kind of neat.




After introducing himself and some cloud gazing, I got the pop up that David has a Pristine Reputation.

How?? Why??




David invites Bella back to his little shack, and starts flirting a little.

I always thought Bella was an adult, but it turns out she's a young adult?? I just aged Cassandra Goth up, as she hung out with David and Oli as teens, so now she's the same age as her Mum? That makes no sense?




"David, honey, I have one request."

"What's that?"

"If we do this, it needs to be completely discreet. I have a husband, and a reputation to uphold. No one can know that this is happening."




"No problem," David said, easily, "It can be a one time thing, if you like."

"Well, we'll see about that, David. But I appreciate your discretion."






I didn't know if she'd be up for romance with David because she's married, but turns out it's not an issue.




"Hey, you called, but I was...busy...what's up?"

"...."

"I'd love to hang out! Come on over, whenever you're ready!"




"Casey! It's good to see you!"

"You too! And nice to hear you, that bar was pretty crowded."

"How have you been?"




"I'm good," Casey gazed over the ocean and spotted Bella, "Is that your latest girlfriend in the water, then? Am I interrupting?"

"No, no, we're good. And she's not my girlfriend. And if anyone asks, she's not here."

"David. Are you serious?"

Suddenly, he felt defensive, "What?"




"Nothing, it's none of my business what you get up to," Casey said, with a easy smile, "But as a friend let me tell you this: you can do better than Bella Goth."

"You know who she is?"

"Everyone does, genius. Why do you think she wants you to keep it quiet?"




Before David could reply, Bella had come out of the sea and joined them. She smiled casually at Casey.

"David? Who is this?"

"This is my good friend Casey. She's just dropping by for a catch up."

"David, honey, why don't you go get us something to eat? I'll be up there in a moment."

Feeling uneasy, and exchanging a glance, David headed up to the shack.




With David out of earshot, Bella looked Casey up and down, "I don't know who you are, but you are not going to tell anyone I was here, got it?"

Casey said nothing, but raised an eyebrow.

"Who do you think you are, judging me?"




"Relax," Casey said, with a laugh, "It's none of my business if you cheat on your husband."

"Excuse me?!"

Bella scowled.




"David!" she called up to the shack, "I am going home! Don't invite me back until this thing is gone."

"It was nice meeting you!" Casey said, cheerfully.




The afternoon was a lot more relaxing after Bella left.

David spent it beach combing, while Casey swam in the ocean.




Later that night, after Casey had left, Venus Lockheart dropped by. I can't remember if David knew who she was, but it was nice seeing them interact.

Venus lives with her girlfriend Kaylie nearby.




David and Venus bonded over sand castles, and were good friends by the time she left.




While David went to bed, I watched Frankie running around.

He runs a LOT for such an old dog!




Early the next morning, and David's up to cause trouble apparently.

Blame it on his Evil trait.






He calms down after a swim in the ocean.

Is there a better way to start a morning?






I decide to have David work from home for the day, so it's off to the beach!

To spread conservation awareness, but even so. I wish my job could take me to places like that.




After completing all his tasks, David takes a nap in someone else's boat.

As you do.




David napping in a stranger's boat wasn't the weirdest thing going on at the beach that day.




Back on his own beach - imagine having a private beach - David starts fishing to make some cash.

Despite that small cash boost from Norah and Miko, and having a job, funds are still pretty tight for David.




After catching a few things, Casey drops by.

"Hey loser! I take it none of your conquests wanted to hang out?"

David smiled and shook his head.




"Maybe I prefer hanging out with you?" David said, as Casey took a seat next to Frankie.

"Sure," Casey said, sarcastically, but she was smiling.

"I'll prove it," David said. Casey got to her feet as he came over.




"I got you a little something."

"David...seriously?"

"Seriously. Open it."




"David! Is this..."

"The Heart of Sulani," He finished, "It is."

"Should you really be giving this away?"

"I want you to have it," He said, simply.

"It's beautiful..."




She then went inside to cry over the fish on David's wall. As you do.

David followed inside, and watched it, totally perplexed.




Once she was done crying, they sat down.

"What, are you a mermaid or something?" He joked, hoping to cheer her up. She didn't smile.

"And what if I was?"




"Oh," David was surprised, "I mean, it doesn't matter to me. Mermaids are totally fine with me."

"Are you sure?" Now Casey smiled, "You know that makes me part fish, right?"

"I still think you're hot," David informed her.

"Oh yeah?"




Casey smirked at him.

"Yeah!" He insisted, "And just think, if we fell deeply in love and had kids, they'd be half mermaid!"

"Kids?" She laughed.




"Cool your jets, David, we just met," She smiled, "Keep trying, though."

"Oh, I will," He promised. He opened his mouth to speak again, only he was interrupted by his phone going off.




"Oli! Yes, it's nice to speak to you, too. Uh huh. Yeah. No, I don't think so. Listen, can I call you back? I've got company."




By the time David had managed to hang up on Oli, Casey had slipped out onto the porch. David pulled her into a hug.

"I need to go," She said.

"Okay. But come back soon, okay?"




* * *




David had a casual night at home after Casey left, happy to spend the evening with Frankie. Who slept through the whole thing, apparently.




Morning arrives, and once again David starts his day off with a swim.




And it's off to the library in Willow Creek again for some research!

I can't remember exactly when it happened during the rotation, but David was promoted a couple of times - he was a Nature Historian by the end of winter.




Camilla ignored him the entire time he was there, which was a little unusual - she instigated their first conversation.

I guess she's a little mad he never called her back.




Miko invited herself over that evening.

David hasn't really had any family over this rotation, I wanted to wait until his house was a little bigger. But I guess Miko was concerned that she hadn't heard from her son.




She brought him a house-warming gift, too!

It was a My Sims statue, which David promptly sold.




And it's a good thing he did, because Frankie required vet treatment the following day.

David had to miss the first couple of hours of work in order to get Frankie treated.




Also Frankie had to have the cone of shame, because that's all David could afford.




The day passed uneventfully, with David at work. And he wasn't at home for long, either, as he was immediately invited out by Casey.






She invited him to the Romance Festival <3

Which looked really nice in the snow! Playing in Sulani, you kind of forget it's winter and everywhere else has snow on the ground.






I think he really likes her <3




"Casey...I feel a little silly asking this...like a kid or something, but will you be my girlfriend?"

"You want me to be your girlfriend? How many other girls have you asked?"

"None, ever," David said, truthfully, "You're the only one."

"David..." Casey smiled, "Of course I'll be your girlfriend!"




And that is where winter ended for David Titan-Ojo.




He had a pretty productive season, I think! Three woohoos, two promotions and a new girlfriend!

I have got Eco Lifestyle running again, and so far (touch wood) things have been totally fine. So let's hope it stays that way!

Next update we're back in the city, to see what David's twin Oli gets up to with his first season alone!