Hespa Ventures Out On Her Own

First of all, here's a gratuitous picture of the deceased Austin Powers, making himself at home in the lovely little turret room on the third floor. He had an obsession with that rocking chair, and it spooked practically everyone else in the house, so I decided to build him this little nook.

 
Anyways, going back to the present (and catching up on 6 months' absence from Simplay), I decided to check in on our little group.

Despite Hespa being painfully shy and feeling awkward around strangers, she wished longingly to go to university. After all, her LTW was to have 5 degrees under her belt. Now that was a challenge I was happy to explore (besides, who said that the Wishacy was heir/heiress exclusive?)

Sophie caught her checking her phone, looking at some courses that she fancied.

Sophie: Hope you're going to tell Nessa
Hespa: Oh, she'll be fine with it.
Sophie: I hope so.

Dragon Valley was in the throes of one of its worst winters on record ... ever since record-keeping began the last couple of hundred years ago. And despite the new technology of keeping homes warmer, Hespa couldn't help feeling that she needed to be somewhere a lot warmer. Many times spent in doll form, soggy wet and damp for weeks taught her that one.

Besides, apart from Nessa - who was constantly busy with her singing career now - nothing was keeping Hespa at home any more.

She submitted her application and kept checking the mail on a daily basis, half hoping half wishing she hadn't done this.

Until finally, she was accepted. There had been a bit of a disaster in the university administration concerning the applications. Some students had duplicated their applications and had ended up with two sets of courses, which confused the poor administrators. They mistakenly thought that all classes had been filled.

After a little juggling around, they managed to find a place in Business Studies for Hespa. It wasn't her first choice, but at least she was on her way there!

Nessa was surprised to see a familiar moving van pulling up outside their home. In all the excitement, Hespa had clearly forgotten to tell her bestest friend.

Until now.

With suitcase in hand, she sheepishly told Nessa of her plans. Nessa wasn't too pleased about this, but she couldn't be angry with Hespa. She'd been there through some of the roughest times, when nobody else could be.

Nessa: Um, well ... good luck ... and try not to party too hard.

Hespa threw her a withering glare.

Hespa: Really? You think I'd be out there partying?

She gave a low chuckle before hopping into the van. She turns to see everyone waving her off. Only Nessa stood there, her hands limply at her sides. A small frown on her face.

Nessa: *whispers* Bye ... missing you already ... don't forget to call me.

Even their mother picked up on Nessa's mood.

Shannon: Nessa, she'll be fine.
Nessa: I hope so.

No Love So Enduring

I know I'm skipping back and forth here, but I thought I'd show you this. As I explained earlier, I wanted to try and rotate each Sim within the household, just to make sure that they all have some of their wishes granted.

I'm such a good genie/sim goddess, aren't I?

This time it's the turn of Shannon.

She doesn't want much. She completed her LTW at a very early stage so she simply goes through the motions when it's time for work. She has had fleeting wishes to create a masterpiece of great value and those differ with each fleeting wish. She wants to be friends with Hannah - who by the way, is noticeably absent whenever Shannon tries to call her. She also wants to see William married off. But since both of those Sims are not in the household, they are not under my direct control. So I can see these wishes being completely fruitless.

However, an idea came to me. Since she doesn't really ask for much, and I'm only keeping her needs going, just because. Why not try another angle? And at that moment, I couldn't have timed it better myself, the one Sim that I'd hoped to appear .... did.

The ghost of Austin Powers himself.

He couldn't keep himself away. Something always pulled him to wander the house. And that something - or in this case .... some ONE - was Shannon.

Normally, she'd be fast asleep in bed when he made his nightly hauntings. But as luck would have it, she was wide awake. Insomnia and possible hunger, causing her to wander the house whilst everyone was fast asleep.

She stopped in her tracks as Austin's ghostly form hovered in front of her.

Shannon: Oh, hi there.
Austin: Hi babes, what's up?
Shannon: Can't sleep.
Austin: Aww, why's that? Miss me?

Shannon paused, and sighed, a single tear threatened to spill from one of her pale eyes.

Shannon: I ... I guess so. It's ... so lonely here.
Austin: I know. I've watched you all from afar. And throwing yourself into your work is not a good substitute for companionship.
Shannon: I know. But everyone's growing up so fast, moving out and doing their thing. It's just so quiet around here.
Austin: So, you haven't found anybody else yet?
Shannon: Nobody comes close to you.
Austin: Ah, that's because you picked the best!

She chuckled at his self confidence.

Shannon: You always helped me to smile.
Austin: That, I did. That ... I did.

She sighed again, then paused to look at him. REALLY look at him.

Shannon: I wonder.
Austin: Wonder .. what? What are you scheming ... woman?
Shannon: What it would be like to kiss you one more time?
Austin: I'd reckon it'd be as awesome as it always has been. Why? Want to try?
Shannon: I'd very much like to.

He rubbed his chin and eyed her playfully.

Austin: Well, you know ... we have to do this properly. You know, in the moonlight and stuff. That's how I got you in the first place.

She nodded her assent and followed him - to a degree, brick walls were a bit of a barrier for living Sims - outside, just under the tree where the playhouse was still standing.

Then without warning, she grabbed him, dipped him down and kissed him fully. She suddenly stopped, her cheeks all flushed.

Shannon: I'm .... I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me.
Austin: That's okay, hey, it wasn't just you. It take two to initiate a kiss!

And with that he returned the kiss with a really tender one. The sun was starting to rise over the horizon, and the townsfolk were stirring, getting ready for the day ahead. This meant that he didn't have much time left.

Austin: Don't forget me babes.
Shannon: I won't.
Austin: But don't keep your heart locked up just for me. I'm pretty sure there are many others out there who would appreciate you too. Just don't be too picky. Yeah?

And then, he was gone.

Ahhh  ... love. Eternal and enduring.

Sophie Steals Blaine's Thunder

Well, hello there Austin, nice to see you around, what's happening in the afterlife? Anything special?

Austin: Well... they don't have a snow cone machine, that's for sure. I miss those terribly.

Don't you miss any of your family?

Austin: Heck, no. They're doing fine without me anyways.

So much for fatherly love huh? Yep, Austin makes one of his rare appearances in the house and makes a beeline towards the snow cone machine.

Speaking of neglecting their duties ... I caught Sophie playing games on the computer!!

Sophie, you've got a Sing a Gram to do.

Sophie: In a minute, I've just got to whup this players' butt first!

Needless to say, she missed her opportunity, because, by the time she'd arrived at her destination - behind the town hall - her target/client had moved on. Shrugging her shoulder, she decided to pitch a spot and start singing for tips. Little did she realise that on the other side is poor Blaine, still fizzing, popping and smoking from all his fried joints!

A couple of curious Sims heard her singing, and decided to take a look.

Before she knew it, a crowd had gathered. The same crowd that had witnessed poor Blaine's literal breakdown!

Back home, Hespa is learning to deal with her newly found life as a real life Sim.

Hespa: I feel pain in my tummy. I believe that is called hunger. So that means everyone is hungry. I shall deal with it by cooking everybody a meal of Autumn Salad!

Before I forget, Hespa's stats are as follows:

Over Emotional
Shy
Hot Headed
Clumsy
Mooch

Music: Country
Food: Key Lime Pie
Colour: Orange

LTW: Be a Major Master - Have Three Diplomas

She starts off with the following skills:

Gardening - 4
Handy - 5

Back to Sophie. Despite the fact that she was starting to feel tired out, and the weather had changed and it was raining, she kept on going. By this time, a large crowd had gathered.

During that time, Blaine had finally recovered and went to investigate where everyone had gone. He wasn't pleased, judging by the look on his face there. Fancy that, Sophie stealing his thunder! He's a HERO by gum. He saved lives!

Switching to home, Hespa is proving to be a bit of a problem and Shannon isn't warming up to her at all. They both needed the toilet - badly. The all in one in the basement is broken and Hespa didn't roll a wish to fix it any time soon. So they both headed for the only functioning toilet in the house. And ran into each other - at the same time.

Hespa: Do you mind, I need that toilet
Shannon: I was here first
Hespa: No you weren't, I was
Shannon: May I remind you that I am OLDER than you, and it is common courtesy for younger Sims to give their elders a priority
Hespa: I didn't know you were an elder
Shannon: Don't be cheeky, it's a figure of speech, now let me in first
Hespa: No, and how do you know I'm not older than you? After all, I've been trapped inside the body of a doll for centuries for all you know.

Neither one was prepared to budge and I feared that there'd be a couple of puddles of pee. But Shannon beat Hespa to it, much to the disdain of the newly created Sim. Shannon also, out of sheer spite, deliberately took her time in leaving the bathroom, forcing Hespa to angrily shoo her outside!

Sophie, in the meantime, was still in full swing, her confidence boosting at every minute spent singing. So much so that several things happened at once. She became friends with several celebrities - earning her an instant 2* star celeb status. And the majority of the male population in that crowd, started farting hearts for her.

Sweet .... but also a little creepy. But what can I say? This is Sims. Anything can happen!

Chapter Seventy Five - Surrounded By Estrogen

I have an announcement to make.
William moved out.

Well, he was forcibly relocated elsewhere since he wasn't the official heir and now lives under the same roof as the merman Cortney Hendren that he has suddenly developed a crush on. I hope he is happy there.

That means that there are just us girls here, all under the same roof. Each of them giving Shannon a severe run for her money and poor Blaine, the only male there, completely surrounded by estrogen!!

And each and every one of them started vying for Shannon's attention!
Vanessa was the first one to end up with a nasty vicious mood swing.
At the same time, she wanted to learn to drive.
Not a good thing.

Mom, stop watching tv and teach me to drive! Urgh, parents.

It's too dangerous, the roads are still slippery.
But I want to drive... NOW! Why can't I get what I want???? *cries*

Seriously, her mood switched so quickly, it was hard to keep up!

Shannon finally obliged, but the lesson was cut short when Vanessa freaked out as the car hit a patch of black ice and skidded.

Well, she DID warn her!!

Sophie decided to suck up to her mom for some reason. I think she escaped her mother's wrath when she went to work late.... again!!!

Although, by the looks of things, whatever Shannon was telling her. .... it was B.O.R.I.N.G.!!

Vanessa and Sophie strengthened their relationship by playing pillow fights together, and giving one another big hugs.... awwwww

Besides, Vanessa was still seriously stressed out over her driving lesson. So it was only fair for the two of them to have fun and de-stress at the same time!

Hannah played a trick on her mother. It was a wish she'd had for ages. She lured her mother down to the basement before playing her trick.
So poor Shannon was the victim of 'Chattering Teeth!'

Thankfully, she was in a good mood and took it well!

Fairies. Mischievous lot aren't they?
Betcha wish you'd voted for Wills right about now huh?

I did a little makeover in Shannon's bedroom and decided that a more 'naturale' look was in order, since the majority of Sims in the household are fairies.

Austin decided to make one of his usual rounds and headed straight for the kitchen to make himself a snow cone!!!

Blueberry, yum!

Sophie grabbed an elixir she'd been hoarding in her secret stash and took a great big gulp. Apparently it only works when she's napping, or asleep.

PHOTOGRAPHY?
What dumb skill is that?
*sigh*.

Vanessa takes after her dad. She has no problem parading herself in front of Blaine... in her underwear. Maybe one of her traits should have been Inappropriate?

Can you teach me to drive Blaine?
*Blaine ogles Vanessa*
HEY! PERV!
O-kay, on one condition.
Sure.
Put some clothes on. Don't want your mom getting mad at me.

Sooo, Mom, whatcha think of Hannah's cooking?
Mmmm, tastes good. Why?

Oh, I heard her cussing at the cooker this morning and waving her hand over the pan, whilst she was cooking those pancakes, that's all.
Ah right. Still, they're not bad.
Meh, I think I'll stick with salad.

*phone rings interrupting their conversation.*
Shannon also showed that she had a more playful side to her. She rolled a wish to create a fairy trap, so I got her to plant one in the bathroom.

.... it's just a matter of time.......

Chapter Seventy - John Burb Is A Secret Pyromaniac

Winter arrived and with it, the harshest snowfall in Dragon Valley history.
Austin made one of many appearances.

Hello there, did you miss me?

Hi Austin, how's the afterlife?
I see the swimming pool hasn't frozen over. Besides, the afterlife is pretty .... meh

Really? How so?
Boring  ... miss my family too much, thought I'd pop in and check on them.
Ah I see.
Are you looking after them properly?

 *blinks* who me?
Sooo, what you doing now?
My favourite spot.

And that's what he did, parked his butt in his favourite spot ... namely the rocking chair in the basement. Nobody had the heart to get rid of it and rightly so. He looks so peaceful there.

Because of the heavy snow, school was cancelled. So Hannah made her way to the park to strum her guitar.
You won't get much money if the snow is covering your jar.
She ignored me and kept on playing.

 She then tried her hand at making a snowman.

Whilst Vanessa sat waist deep in the snow, playing with her IF doll. I forget their names, since they only bring them out occasionally. 

You are going to get a seriously frost bitten butt there young lady!
Annnd like her sister, she completely ignores me!!

Shannon has an admirer. None other than that merman that appeared a few updates back. Cortney Hendren.
She acknowledged his existence.

But that was it.
He in the meantime thought she was one hot looking fairy.

Shannon rolled a wish to make a Snow Angel, so I let her get on with it.

But for some reason it reminded her too much of Austin, and she burst into tears shortly afterwards.

She needed a break. A vacation. Somewhere .... different. Besides, she'd had a wish to travel to Egypt locked for a while now. So .... dialling the travel agents, she made resevations to go to Al SimHara.

Even after she'd arrived at Base Camp, she realised that she and Austin had planned to go here together in the future, and it made her sad.
She's having a really bad time of it....

To cheer herself up, she decided to donate 100 Simoleans to one of many charities.
What a nice fairy!

Another wish she rolled  was to visit the Sphinx.

It's sheer size took her breath away.
But she decided that just looking at it, wasn't enough. She wanted to tour the tombs inside.

And was faced with a wall of fire!!!

It didn't stop her as she wandered in further and found the trapdoor/latch thingy that shut off the flames.

Adrenaline was coursing through her veins as she went further and further, deeper and deeper into the belly of the beast.

The room of mysterious pools intrigued her as one by one she dived into them to explore the depths.

The full moon descended, and with it, came the arrival of mummies.

Not one.
Not even two.

But THREE of them!!!
They were harmless enough, wandering around aimlesssly, so she managed to brazenly walk past them and into the other tombs and rooms.

After spending the night there (she desperately wanted to explore even further) Shannon had to make her way back to Base Camp because the signal on her phone was pretty weak. She called home to see how everyone was, whilst behind her, a tourist and a local got into a fist fight.
I'm guessing it had something to do with haggling the prices there.

Although it looks as though she was being nasty to this local vendor, in fact it's the opposite. I decided to try out the Shaka Bra gesture. It looks weird ....

 Shannon finally got home, just in time for a double celebration.
Yep.
It was birthday time for the twins. No parties, no cake they just wanted to celebrate quietly together as a family unit.

And boy did they grow up into a pair of stunning teenagers. (although I did give the two of them a makeover a little later on)

Because of both of their indifferent studies at school, the game chose their traits this time and I waited with bated breath, just to see what it threw at me.

I was actually pleasantly surprised as Sophie got the Great Kisser trait.

Whereas Vanessa got the Daredevil trait!!
The minute they grew up, the llama mascot arrived on cue.
So Vanessa grabbed the opportunity to chat to him.

Wanna go to the movies with me?
Uh, don't you think you are a little young?
Hey don't patronize me, I can't help it if that's what's in my speech bubble.
I'll give it a miss. Maybe later, when you are old enough to stay out after 10pm.

In the meantime, right across town, Blaine was busy putting out a large house fire.
Methinks that John Burb is a secret pyromaniac, since it's always his house that is on fire all the time.
Seriously John, you've got to either get the electrics checked out, or stop playing with matches!!

The task was, Blaine needed to put out the flames AND rescue TWO people. Note: TWO people. 

Sadly, in this case, it only ended up as one person, since John decided to expire there and then - NOT from the flames, but from old age.

That gave this rescue/emergency mission a category F.