Culpepper Pals: Summer 3: Vatore 2

[beanstalk_sims]

Index / Boolprop




Welcome to Dolly's first update after leaving home!

After disagreeing with her mother's rules for a good vampire image, it was decided Dolly would probably benefit from having her own space to figure out who she wants to be on her own. I've been really looking forward to playing her!

Also, just to warn you, this update is pretty long - Dolly had a very productive first season!




Jeez, Dolly, what have you been up to while I've been away? Getting every piercing you possibly could??

A reminder of Dolly's traits:

Dolores "Dolly" Vatore
Serial Romantic - Alluring
Music Lover - Romantic - Loves the Outdoors
Happy Toddler - Creatively Gifted - Physically Gifted - Incredibly Friendly - Responsible - Mediator - Compassionate




Dolly's also not living here alone - as I explained in the Bell update, absolutely everyone has a pet now.

This is Tanner, which I'm pretty sure is Rosie's kitten. I haven't actually checked.




And here's Dolly's apartment! I didn't bother wasting money on a kitchen, although she's not strapped for cash.

There's an outline of a body under the white rug :)




First thing's first, Dolly gets a job as a barista.

Kirby and Caleb had enough cash they were able to set Dolly up pretty comfortably finance-wise, so she'll be able to focus on her real goal - seducing half the men in the neighbourhood. And playing video games, apparently.






Since it's still the daytime, Dolly can't go out and meet new people, so she's kind of stuck with people she already knows.

She met Paolo Rocca last season in the club, drank from him with permission and was starting to seduce him at her birthday party last season. So he kind of knows what he's getting into here.




She needs six more first kisses for her aspiration.

She also makes him her boyfriend, because I'm pretty sure you need to have/have had several partners by the end of the aspiration.




"Dol? Babe? There's no bed in here?"




"Who said anything about a bed?" Dolly asked with a smirk, lifting the lid on the coffin.

"You wanna...woohoo in a coffin?"

Dolly climbed in.




"Don't tell me you're afraid of coffins, Paolo."

He gave her an uneasy smile, but took her hand anyway.




Tanner was upset the entire time. I think he might hate the coffin.

He probably should have moved though...




They nearly squashed him when they tumbled out of the coffin!

"See, Paolo? Coffins aren't scary!"




Paolo left and Max turned up unannounced.

"Mum and Dad got you this place? It's pretty nice."

"I really like it," Dolly grinned to herself, "I definitely feel like I've put my stamp on the place. Anyway, what did you want to talk about?"




"Well, you heard our parents are farmers now, right?" Max said, as they sat on the sofas.

"For real?" Dolly asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Dad literally has a cowboy hat!"

"That is amazing."

The siblings spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, before Max went back to the Spice Market.






After Max left, Dolly got right back onto her aspiration.

She must have met this guy while I was away playing other households. Anyway, he'll do.




Naturally Caleb picked that moment to turn up.

"Don't mind me, I'm just checking the place out."




Kiss number five done and dusted! His name is Tetsu Ikeda, in case you wanted to know.






The rest of the afternoon was spent people watching and waiting for the sun to set so Dolly could leave the house.

I spotted Cassandra Goth taking a nap on a bench, but other than that there wasn't much going on.




Summer evenings are just so light.

And I usually love it, but apparently not when I'm playing a light-sensitive vampire.




It was around 9pm by the time Dolly was able to venture out to the karaoke bar.




First order of business: the karaoke contest.

She lost.




How do you cheer yourself up after losing a karaoke contest? You seduce random guys in the bar, of course.

The vampire allure was very useful for this.




She kissed his hands and apparently that counts for the aspiration?

So Kiss Number 6: Kengo Kobayashi




Dolly then slipped outside for a snack. No sense upsetting the patrons of the bar by drinking inside.




She strolled back in afterwards, ready for round two.




Heather's sim Persephone Irving (from Paraneighbours) was apparently working the bar that night - I'm going to be honest, I'd forgotten I'd slipped Persephone into this save.

"I am not paid enough to deal with horny vampires."

That is very true.






Paka'a Uha becomes boyfriend number 5, before she's even kissed him.




He became Kiss Number 7 shortly afterwards, but it seems a tiny bit backwards doing it that way round. Ah well.

After that, Dolly had to head home - the sun was coming up, and it was time for her first shift as a barista.






Apparently she went to work in her dark form, which is a Look.

You'd buy coffee from her, right?




Dolly changes out of her uniform but keeps her dark form in place, and invites Paka'a over.

You see where this is going, right?




Why is the coffin kind of see-through??




Well Paka'a clearly had a good time!

Unfortunately for him, she never called him again.






Rainy afternoons spent painting and petting your cat <3






The girls were invited over in the late afternoon, apparently to watch Dolly play blic blok




Also despite all the romances and drinking from sims, Dolly somehow has a good reputation - and got a phone call about a job. I had no real reason to say no, so I had Dolly go for it.

She's now level 5 in the writing career! While have 0 writing skills!






Thankfully the rain means Dolly can head out earlier tonight, but it's also not exactly rooftop bar weather.

Why did I send her there? I have no idea.






The rain did clear up for a little while.

Right in time for everyone to gather in the same spot, where Dolly happened to be drinking from someone.




Afterwards, she sat down next to Diego Lobo and used the flirty introduction on him...




...which was probably a waste as she immediately followed it up by trying to enthuse him about violin music. For someone usually in control around guys, Dolly has zero chill around Diego Lobo.

"...and I honestly just thought it was the best thing I'd ever heard, ever!"

"Who are you again?"

"Oh! I'm Dolly Vatore!"

"Dolly?"

"It's short for Dolores," Dolly pulled a face, "No one calls me that, not even my parents."




"Dolores," he repeated, softly, moving closer, "I like that name."

"No one calls me that," she said again, and then hesitated for a moment, "Though I kind of like the way it sounds when you say it."

"Tell me about yourself, Dolores."






Not bad, considering her first conversation with him was about violin music.

And she hasn't even got her vampire allure switched on.




For some reason, they hopped into the water to exchange numbers.

Diego watched her for a moment, "Well, I hope your phone is waterproof."




She managed to score a kiss out of him before heading home.

Kiss Number 8: Diego Lobo




Back in the Fashion District, it's still a dark and stormy night, and yet the vendors haven't given up hopes of selling their wares.

Maybe go home. I don't think getting struck by lightning is worth it, personally.




In fact, maybe no one should work the night shift in Dolly's neighbourhood.




Dolly then headed back inside to work on her writing skill for work aaaaand the power went out.

Which shouldn't really be a problem for a laptop if it's not on charge, but you know.




I held my breath the whole time she repaired it - she has no handiness skill really - but it worked out okay.




Diego Lobo was invited over when it was finally a socially acceptable hour to call someone.

Also I saw Heather give this suit to Diego on her tumblr once and it is just perfect for him. He's also a spellcaster because of that same post. Apparently I had no original ideas of my own that week!




"Dolores, I wish to ask you something."

"Sure," she replied, sitting next to him, "What's up?"

"Why are you in your dark form?"




"You know vampires have dark forms," she watched him for a moment, "You're not one of us, are you?"

Diego shook his head, "No, I'm...of a different occult persuasion. But I know things. I have lived in the city a long time, I have seen vampires switching between forms before."

Dolly smiled, "Well, it's for aesthetic reasons, mainly. I want to look the part."

"The part?"

"The part of the evil vampire, Diego. The one who drinks the plasma of the innocent."




"I must admit I haven't known you long, Dolores, but you do not strike me as evil."

Dolly shrugged, but said nothing.

"I want to see the real you."




"The real me kind of...ruins the whole sexy vampire illusion I've got going on."

"Dolores, the first words you said to me were about violin music, and yet I'm still here."

"Right. Okay. Fine. No dark form."




She stood up and transformed without hesitating, and sat down next to him without a word.




"Happy?" She asked him, "I don't think anyone would take me seriously like this."

"Why not?"

"I'm a creature of the night, Diego, and my favourite colour is pink."

"I don't understand."




"Think of other vampires. Take Vlad, for example. He looks the part. He looks dangerous. He looks like what he is."

Diego said nothing, letting her continue.

"No one would take me seriously like this."




"I like you like this," Diego said, softly.

"You're just saying that," Dolly smiled, "Because you wanna woohoo in the coffin with me."

"No, that's not why I said it."

"So do you want to woohoo in the coffin? Even though I don't look like a vampire at the moment?"




"Well, I will admit I am intrigued."

"What, a man of your...how did you put it? Occult persuasion? Has never had coffin woohoo?"

"The opportunity had not yet come up."

"Come on then, I'll educate you."






* * *




And that's when Tanner and I noticed the rat.

Pretty sure Diego is a snob. I wonder how he feels about rats.




He didn't immediately spot it, when the two of them fell out of the coffin laughing.

"You can cross that off your bucket list now," Dolly grinned.

"Incredible."




"Uhhh...Diego how do you feel about mice?"

"I'm not keen, I must admit. Why."

"No reason. Keep your eyes on me, okay?" Dolly said, helping him up, "Look at me, don't look at the floor."

"Dolores?"




Diego went home after that, so Dolly could deal with the rodent problem. And also the roaches that had turned up in the other room.

Is it weird I missed playing a sim in a crummy apartment?




Tanner also grew up that afternoon.

I love him.

Tanner Vatore
Mischievous - Affectionate - Frisky




Kirby also dropped by during the afternoon, just for a quick catch up <3




As Dolly was getting ready to head out for the night - she was already in her dark form - she got a call from Diego, asking her on a date.

Despite a total of 5 boyfriends and 8 kisses, this is the first time someone has asked Dolly out!




Of course I had her say yes!

It almost seems like Diego actually wants to know her, unlike the other guys she's romanced.




"Is a coffee shop okay?" He asked suddenly, as they sat down together, "I wasn't really sure what would be a good location...I did not want to choose a restaurant..."

"A coffee shop is good," Dolly replied, with a smile. She took a sip of her coffee.




"I can't actually eat food," she told him, "So a restaurant probably would have sucked."

"Is that all vampires?" Diego asked.

"No. My Dad, he's really into cooking. He's retained the ability to eat. But my Mum, my aunt and me...none of us can eat. We get ill."




"You know," she said, suddenly, "It's very thoughtful of you. Not just to invite me out, no one does that, but to also put a lot of consideration into where we go."

"Well, I like to think I was raised how to properly wine and dine a lady."

"And the proper way in this circumstance is neither wine or dine."

"Exactly."




A moment of comfortable silence passed as Dolly slid closer to Diego.

"You know," she said, gently placing her hands on him, "I feel like I can be myself around you."

"Good," he said, with a smile.




* * *




And then this guy stomped over angrily to kill the mood.

"I don't have a date, so you're not allowed one either!"

Diego left after that.




With Diego gone, Dolly switched on the vampire allure, ready to make progress with her aspiration.

I think at this point I was convinced she and Diego had a deeper connection than I'd expected and wanted to act on it...so was essentially speed-running the last of the her serial romantic aspiration. Sims sure do love to mess with your plans!




This is Cameron Fletcher by the way.

According to my notes he is Kiss Number 9 and Boyfriend Number 6.




Dolly heads back to the Fashion District, and helps herself to a midnight snack from the food stands.

I definitely think I would turn down the night shift if I worked there.






She then sets about attracting kiss number 10, the last one I need for this stage of the aspiration - and apparently she gets a choice, the guys are willingly lining up.




Kiss Number 10: Shingo Yoshida!




He immediately flew away, which Dolly seems pretty mad about.




Unfortunately, having 10 first kisses doesn't clean the apartment for you.






Dolly then heads to work all day.

In her dark form, because I forgot. Maybe she'll scare them into promoting her.




Shingo is then invited over to be Boyfriend Number 7




Again, she will never call him after this.






Dolly changes out of her dark form and out to the park - where Diego is waiting. She needs three gold dates now, and there's only one guy on her mind at the moment.




"So you were seeing other people?"

"Yeah," Dolly squirmed a little, "Several, actually. But I'm not doing that anymore."

"I suppose we were never...officially together."

"No, but I want to be, Diego. I don't want to spend every night chasing someone new. Not anymore."

"Dolores..."






"I want to be your one and only, Dolores. I do not want to share you with half of the city."

"I'm not dating half the city," Dolly laughed, then stopped when she saw the serious expression on his face, "I promise, I won't. It's just me and you now."

He offered her a rose, "Alright then, Dolores. I'm all yours."




And with that, Diego becomes Boyfriend Number 8 - the last boyfriend she needs for the aspiration!

Just two more gold dates to go!




Pretty sure that telescope has only ever been used for woohoo.

Maybe someday someone will actually want to stargaze here.




Morning is just starting to arrive when Dolly slips out for breakfast at the food stands.

She'll need to hurry, the sun's coming up.




She spends the day writing for work - her skill is still pretty low - before retiring to her coffin.




And then has a daymare, unfortunately.




And then lost the lottery - but look who one! Akira Kibo!

Sometimes I wonder what will happen to him now. I don't play him, he hasn't aged...will he fall in love with another Culpepper someday? Is he doomed to just sit in the background? Who knows.






Date Night Two.

Dolly and Diego are heading to the karaoke bar.




Unfortunately it was hard to be alone in a bar full of people.

"Lady, please! We're on a date here? Maybe go sit somewhere else?"




The lady did eventually get the hint.




Just a vampire and a spellcaster enthusiastically singing together - with no talent at all.

Diego's really feeling it.




At least they're having a good time.

And the date ended on a gold - one more to go!




Dolly decided to have some plasma before heading home - and went up a vampire rank!

She's immune to the sunlight now!!




Friday was spent at work, and people watching was not very interesting.




Friday night was time for date number three - and Dolly picked the Spice Festival.

Which seems like a bit of an odd choice given the fact she can't eat.




They went into the karaoke bar rather than the festival, although there was no bartender.

It didn't take long for the date meter to go up to gold - she's done it! Dolly completed her aspiration! Her reward trait is Player, although I don't know how useful it will be with her new aspiration - Soulmate! It just felt right.




"Dolores, I've been thinking...we should move in together."

"I don't know if I can fit a bed and a coffin in my apartment, Diego," Dolly said, truthfully, "I suppose we could get one of those couches that folds out."

Diego shook his head, smiling, "No, Dolores, I meant you move in with me. I have a penthouse."

"You do? Since when?!"




Yeah, apparently I moved Diego from Uptown into the Fashion District penthouse and then just forgot about it. I don't know when I did it and I don't remember why I did it.

He had no furniture when I got there. Past!Sam has a lot of explaining to do.




So while I was expecting to move Dolly to Uptown, I actually like this better - the penthouse gives them an outdoor space, and Dolly has the Loves Outdoors trait.

Plus because it was empty I was able to decorate it a little with her in mind as well as Diego. It's still huge, I did not know how to use all the space.




"Can you believe it, Tanner? We've gone from rodents and a murder scene to a penthouse!"

It is kind of crazy. I told you Dolly had a productive week!




There's also a massive kitchen even though only one person here eats.




And despite all of these chairs, Diego still stood up to eat.

Go figure.




All of the chairs are now Tanner's playthings.




<3




Dolly also got one of these ponds - she's had the whim for one several times this week.






There's also a hot tub, naturally. Diego has it all.

Do you think they realise the whole city can see what they're up to on their balcony?




"Diego...how do you feel about inviting my family over? I think it might be time you met them."

"Sounds good to me, Dolores. We'll have them over tonight."




True to his word, the entire Vatore family was invited over that afternoon - including Aunt Lilith and her wife, Candy.

"How did you two meet again?"

"Dolores appeared next to me at a rooftop pool, talking enthusiastically about violin music," Diego explained, "No proper introduction or anything. Just straight onto violins."

"I see..."




"Caleb," Kirby whispered, "I think this man might be richer than us."

Caleb's smile stayed in place as he nodded, "Have you seen the size of this place? It must cost a fortune in lot taxes."




Guys, you have company, maybe don't spend their entire visit making out.




My favourite thing about the entire "meet the family" thing is that Taeko took herself off to the hot tub for a nap.

She does not like socialising or other people in general.




"A plasma pack, Dolly?" Kirby smirked a little, "Are you finally over drinking from other sims?"

Dolly rolled her eyes, "No. I'm just...going to use both. The street is a long way down now."

"Sure," Kirby smiled warmly at her daughter.




And we'll finish the season here, with Diego's new familiar - which the game thought I should name Rasputin. Which I did, because naturally I thought it was hilarious and then got the song stuck in my head.

Diego's traits by the way:

Diego Lobo
Fabulously Wealthy - Business Savvy
Snob - Art Lover - Hot-Headed
Spice Hound

So that's that - Dolly had one heck of a busy season, and things are totally different to how I'd planned!




I absolutely love these two together - I guess they just clicked? I can't wait to come back and visit them next season - they're going to be the Lobo household next season, just to cut down on the number of Vatore households I have.

See you next time, when we visit the Ember family!