Coitus interruptus

I won't go into great storytelling mode today. Instead, I shall just summarize what has been going on since the last update.

Back home in Dragon Valley, Hespa is finding it really difficult juggling her job, lack of sleep and running away from Bonehilda. After one particularly gruelling day, she collapses in a heap in a snow drift.

So Boney had to be taken care of and is now exiled back in her hut until she is needed once more (probably never, but still..... )

In the meantime, Drea is trying his hardest to fit into the family. He attempts a little cooking. Mainly autumn salad (inappropriate for the time of year) because that's the safest option he could go for, without burning the place down!

It's also a great opportunity to get to know Hespa better.

Drea: Whatcha doing Sophie?
Sophie: Sneaking.

Drea: You know, you don't have to do that.
Sophie: I know, but I'm kinda stuck with it.

Hespa: *munches salad*
Drea: Salad good Hespa?
Hespa: *nods*.

The castle/house/family home is currently undergoing a few changes and is still a work in progress until I am completely satisfied with how it looks. Walls have been taken down, roofs removed and extra levels added.

It's starting to look more like a castle now. Oh, they have plenty of money, there's no worries there. I just wanted to tweak slightly to see how it looks. Hence the lack of windows on the upper level turret.

Haven't a clue who broke the dishwasher, but it was irking Sophie somewhat, so she decided to 'fairy repair' it.

Drea thinks that's kinda 'hot'. Seeing a girl getting her hands dirty. Between them they start flirting outrageously. Right in front of poor Pat.

Pat: Ugh, get a room guys.

Things start getting a little intense .... So Drea proposes a Woo Hoo (or at least a Try For Baby)....

.... in the tent ....

.... in mid Winter!

Drea: Hurry up there. I'm getting tired!
Sophie: The zip is a little stiff Drea.

Upstairs, Hespa had the right idea. I installed a stove/fire in her bedroom because she was complaining of the cold. So .... just before retiring to bed, she lit it to keep the room nice and warm. Although I'm not sure about the whole idea of actually standing INSIDE this thing as she is lighting it!

.... it was a good idea at the time ....

Because of the renovations, I had Nessa and Hespa share a room. They have a bunk bed between them. So whilst Hespa is fast asleep, Nessa decided that it is time to change careers. Working at the bookstore wasn't fulfilling enough. It was high time she followed in her sister's footsteps and try out her dream career as a Singer.

Just when Sophie and Drea were getting 'busy', they were interrupted by an 'important' phone call. Sophie was NOT amused.

Sophie: You are calling me ... NOW? You want ... what? Can't it wait?

Apparently she's got to go do a Sing a Gram right now. Because someone 'needed cheering up'.
So now they have a case of coitus interruptus.

That good idea I had earlier? Re: the stove/fire?

Not so good.

The bugger threw a spark out onto the rug and started a fire. And it took hold ..... FAST!

Poor Pat got caught right in the middle of it, causing Sophie no end of panic. Yes, that IF doll had been the bane of her life, but he'd been there when she needed him most of all. It would be a great gaping hole in her life if anything happened to him. (although, I have to admit, I was secretly wishing that something WOULD happen to him, get him out of her life once and for all .. but those dolls are virtually indestructible)

She was so convincing that he was in dire peril that she'd managed to get everyone involved in putting out the fire.

Poor Hespa, after a panic attack. Pulled herself together to call the fire service. By the time they arrived, the household had gotten everything under control

.... or so they thought ....

Poor Nessa didn't realise that her undies were on fire until she felt the flames licking at her skin.

In a panic, she shot into the bathroom to have a shower and put out the flames!

And in this whole mess ....

... Sophie, so chewed up about the whole incident ...
... promptly vomited.

Yep. There's no end of drama with this family, I can tell you.

There Are Things That A Plumbot or Simbot Are Useful For

Sophie got home, to find there'd been a few developments around the place. Gone were Blaine, J1NX1E, S0NNY EM and BL4IN3. They'd had a bit of a chat and decided that 8 Sims - be they Fae, human, IF and Bots - was a little too much.

Besides, they'd seen how Sophie was around Andrea, and realised that someone must move out to let him in and start the next generation.

They couldn't agree on who should sacrifice their comfy position....
... so they all left, en masse.

This left a house of females only, who had to survive without a male presence for the first time ever. And it was tough. Especially when dealing with the beehive.

Poor Sophie got stung badly, because the bees had been terribly neglected, starved and overflowing with honey.

See? This is where Plumbots and Simbots come in handy. Their metal bodies are resistant to bee stings!

Still sore from the stings, Sophie retired to bed. Pat, as her unofficial 'protector' joined her in doll form. Just to make sure that those nasty bees couldn't get to her!

Aww, he DOES have a nice side after all! I just wish he'd show it a little more often.

He still finds it fit to insult her at every opportunity, no matter how nice she is to him. Especially when he breaks the hot tub without any good reason.

Pat: Wasn't me.
Sophie: Aw c'mon, there was nobody else near there.
Pat: Ness was outside.
Sophie: Yeah, playing on the water slide ... with Hespa.

Pat: Urgh, that goody two shoes. Hate her already.
Sophie: At least she's doing something around the house and not being a royal pain in the butt.
Pat: Blah.
Sophie: Besides, what were you doing there in the first place? You know, once you got wet, you'd have a hard time drying out.
Pat: Because I wanted to.

It was true, Hespa wanted to get a job, since the income had dropped considerably from Blaine's pension. So she scoured the local paper to see what they had on offer. One of her wishes was to join the Business career, making coffees. Well.... it's a start! She also wanted to enrol in college, but first things first!

Shannon was mighty proud of her adopted daughter. Even though the atmosphere was still a little awkward between them.

Shannon: I'm so happy you're fitting in here.
Hespa: Um.... thanks.... aren't you going to answer your phone?
Shannon: Meh, it can wait.
Hespa: No, seriously, you really should answer your phone. It could be important!

Oh god, how I hate that Loner trait. It makes relationships REALLY difficult indeedy. The only one that Hespa truly trusted, was Nessa.

Plus, since the Bots were no longer around to keep house, and everyone else was so busy, it was time to bring Bonehilda back.

Much to Hespa's dismay and horror.
Especially when she walked into her bedroom to chat online.

Poor Hespa couldn't get out of the room fast enough!

To calm her nerves - and keep out of the way of Boney - she decided to fix the hot tub.

Another good reason why Pat despises her so much. She's making him look bad (not that he had any problems in that area!)

EDIT:

I realised I couldn't move Andrea in if there was a full house of 8 Sims, so I decided to move all the Bots together. That way they'll be all together.

Introducing ... Sparkle Fae

Before retiring to bed, Vanessa decided to try out the old keyboard in the basement. She, like her sister, aspired to be a Vocal Legend, so she thought she'd try her luck with tickling the old ivories. She gained another skill point. At this point in time, I was beginning to wonder if the public had made a terrible choice for heiress. But, since I've been lumbered with Sophie, I've got to play the hand that I've been dealt.

 Speaking of Sophie, she was so desperate to get onto that corporate ladder of hers that she took it upon herself to drive to the nearest venue - in the pouring rain - to try and beg for an agent.

Sadly the agent was nowhere to be seen and the venue was closed due to localised flooding. She just needed to wait one more day and check the paper and computer again.

The poor paper girl had barely taken the paper out of her satchel when Sophie dashed outside and grabbed it from her. Quickly scanning through the classifieds, she finally found what she was looking for.... a Sing a Gram girl.

This meant that she had to have a stage name. So she chose Sparkle Fae. Yeah, not very original, but it's the best she could come up with!

She needed to practice really hard, so she picked on poor Pat, who was bemused and tickled that Sophie was giving him any attention. J1NX1E chose to ignore everyone and took over Boney's usual duties - since she was STILL playing on the hopscotch court several days later. Nessa was being entertained by Hespa. Theirs is a really strong relationship indeed!

Taking a break, she decided to drink from the chocolate fountain. Although I'm not so sure she should do that. It is starting to look a little green and rank smelling.

The second time, however, didn't quite turn out as planned, as she tripped over the balloon machine and fell on her butt. HARD! Right in front of everyone! How embarrassing!

Nonplussed, she continued with her routine, trying her hardest to perfect it. Even performing in the back garden to most of her family! her voice wasn't too bad actually, as she belted out a number or two.

She got a phone call from the agency. If she practiced hard enough, she MIGHT, just might get herself a gig. But in the meantime, can she do a couple of sing a grams.

She'd never tried actual people and the idea of her actually performing in front of strangers - or clients as they were supposed to be called - turned her stomach. So much so that she bolted for the bathroom and vomited.

I'd say it was that rotten chocolate, but, what can I say? The girl is really nervous.
I just hope that she doesn't mess up during her performances because I'd really like to see her succeed. I really do!

Chapter Seventy Seven -The IF Dolls

They'd all but been forgotten. Gathering dust in the corner of everyone's backpacks. The Imaginary Friend dolls. All except Hannah's,  Buddy, who was stuck at the top of the stairs, facing the wall as if in disgrace. He/she will never grow up and will remain a doll for all eternity.

But, those IF dolls wouldn't take things lying down and wanted to come out to play, so I obliged and out popped Sophie's IF Pat and Vanessa's IF Hespa. Out to cause mischief .... or in some cases ... a little more 'stalkerish/obsessive love', as we will soon find out.

It had been one of those days, nothing was going right for Vanessa, but it took her by surprise when her old IF doll decided to grow up in front of her eyes! Pleased didn't quite describe the joy she had in seeing someone she could finally relate to.

"You feel funny ..... like ... woolly and squidgy and stuff."
"Well, I AM only in your imagination, what did you expect?"

"Well, flesh ... and bone and skin and stuff, that sort of thing."
"I can be like that, but that's in the future. For now, I'm here for you... yeah?"
"Yeah!"

Admittedly, she had her sisters, but they just didn't understand, not even her twin to whom she was closest.

Shannon was a little worried, but kept her opinions to herself. She'd heard about these dolls with special powers. Heck, she even felt a tingling sensation whenever she put her children to bed as babies and toddlers, and the dolls were simply sat in the corner of the cribs.

So it was no surprise when she spotted Vanessa playing pillow fights and apparently dancing on her own.

"Want to introduce us?" she said nonchalantly.

Vanessa blushed, made excuses, saying she was tired out from work and went to bed. Shannon didn't intend to follow her daughter but the washing machine was down in the basement and the only access was through the girls' bedroom. And the laundry desperately needed doing.

Besides, Boney was busy with a new obsession. playing hopscotch.

At least she wasn't hogging the beds reading .... or getting tanked up from the bar any more!

"Night mom."
"Night sweetie, don't forget, I'd like to meet your new friend."
"Yeah yeah, I will soon enough okay? Night."

...... *whispers* Night Nessa.....
*whispers* Night Hespa

Sophie, however, was having quite a different time with her IF toy. Growing up alone at the top of the stairs with nobody to witness it's transformation, it lingered and hovered everywhere watching Sophie's every move.

Vanessa had brought home one of her school buddies, he kinda tagged along really, Rigoberto Luke. I think he wanted to check out their mock castle (is proud of my building skills here)

However, Vanessa had to run off to work, leaving him alone with Sophie.

"I hope he doesn't see the dirty pots on the table..... I hope he.... DRAT!"

"Um, how long has that been there?"
"Dunno, our maid's a little side tracked at the moment. Lets do our homework."

And so they did, with Pat lingering close by.

Pat: Tell him you like fishing.
Sophie: *whispers* why would I want to say that?
Pat: Just ask him
Sophie: So..... umm..... Rigo, you like fishing? I like fishing.

....
Pat: See? He's a baddun.
Sophie: Shh, he's just doing his homework, and concentrating, that's all. Just leave it will ya?
Pat: I'm watching him.

Not a good start.

Sophie: Homework's done, lets kick back and dance together
Rigo:  Um, okay, just to let you know I'm not that good.
Sophie: S'ok, neither am I.
Rigo: I can feel a presence.
Sophie: Might be my dad, he visits occasionally.
Rigo: Um, no.... this one feels ..... weird.
Pat: I'm watching you Rigo.

Pat: There's a funny smell.
Sophie: I think its that dirty plate.
Pat: No, it's him, he stinks.
Sophie: No he doesn't, he has a nice smell.

Sophie: Sooooo ..... ummmmm ...... any plans for the future? As in career?
Rigo: I always wanted to conduct an orchestra!

See? He's into music, just like you!

Pat: Psst, Sophie, I don't like him.
Shush Pat, I think he's cute.

Rigo: I like you Sophie, you're fun.
Pat: I DON'T like him, tell him to go away
Sophie: Shush Pat, I'm dealing with this.

He's got funny hair, he looks like Legolas!
Pat! That's silly, well, yeah, you're right though.... *snigger*

That Pat is going to be trouble, I can see it coming.

Unfortunately, Rigo had to go home before he broke curfew, so Sophie didn't get the chance to find out more about him. I'm hoping that he'll take her to the Prom. That would be nice.

Hannah, in the meantime after coming home from school, decided to head down in the basement and try making some potions.....

.... it didn't end well.

Instead of heading for a shower, she sought out solace in her mother who was sitting watching TV.
 "Are you going to shower?"
"In a minute mom, chillax, it's no biggie."
"*sigh* you are just like your dad."
"Really? You think so?"
"Yeah, he was quite a character too. Didn't care what people thought. Did his own thing."
"Cool."

"Still thinking about taking up music?"
 "Yeah .... death music. You know .... for funerals and stuff? I think that'll be fun." O_o

Strange girl. And definitely a chip off the old block for that matter. Austin would be proud!

Afterwards, Shannon decided to take a nap, only to be interrupted by the radio on full blast and Sophie dancing along.

WILL YOU TURN THAT THING OFF???

It was Pat, mom, he did it.

Yeah, riiiiight.

An outtake of Rigo sitting in Austin's rocking chair .... or is it more like a torture chair??????? Poor kid, looks as though either his legs are getting chopped off, or the chair is absorbing him into the upholstery!