Andrea Gets a Measure of the Family Over Chess

After seeing the paparazzi lurking nearby, waiting for a juicy bit of gossip to go straight to the tabloids, Sophie realised that she might have made a monumental mistake in bestowing the flight of Felicity on Andrea.

So, after a little quick thinking, she came up with the ideal solution.

Sophie: Hey, just had a thought. Want us to be an item?
Andrea: For real?
Sophie: Sure. Let's go steady, yeah?
Andrea: That'd be cool.
Sophie: Great! Ah....

Just then, her phone rang. It was her agent. Impeccable timing as always, reminding her that someone needed a celebratory sing a gram and since she's getting pretty good at these, would she mind taking this one up too? After all, the more experience she gets, the better chances she has at climbing up the corporate ladder!

Andrea: What's up?
Sophie: My agent just called.
Andrea: Uh oh, what did he want?
Sophie: She. She wants me to do a gig.
Andrea: Now? Cutting it a bit fine don't you think?
Sophie: Yeah, sorry about that.

There was a pause as Sophie weighed everything up.

Sophie: There's one more thing though.
Andrea: What's that?
Sophie:  Although I hate rushing into things, there's just one thing I want to ask you before I go to this gig.
Andrea: And what's that?
Sophie: Will you marry me?

Andrea: OMG. You serious?

Sophie: Yeah, deadly. Now hurry up, I've got a gig to go to and they don't like to be kept waiting.
Andrea: And there's just one answer.
Sophie: And that is??????
Andrea: Hell yeah!

Sophie: Awesome! Look I'd better dash off.  I'll get home as soon as I'm done. This shouldn't take long. I promise. Why don't you go announce our engagement to everyone inside?
Andrea: Okay. This is weird, it should really be you. But okay, I'll break the news.  But who exactly am I going to bump into?
Sophie: Just my sister, my mom and maybe my sisters' imaginary friend Hespa. She was lucky enough to have been turned into a human. She's a little shy around people so you might see her, might not.

She cast a sideways glance at Pat, who was still standing there. Pat realised that the look she gave him had some significance behind it. He shrugged. He was happy just being an imaginary friend. He'd seen so many of his kind being turned and the aggravation and stress they had to endure on a daily basis? So not going there. No. Way.

Anyways, Sophie dashed off to the gym to perform her sing a gram, whilst Andrea walked into the house. Shannon was sat at the chess table and heard him approach.

Shannon: Andrea? Why don't you come over and join me?

It was a little unorthodox, but he realised that maybe this was their way of getting a measure of him... and vice versa. So he obliged and sat down.

Shannon: Anything you want to tell me?
Andrea: Um, well, you know.... er.... I think Sophie should tell you.
Shannon: So, where is she then? She's been avoiding me a lot lately.
Andrea: At a gig.
Shannon: That's good, at least she's actually doing something instead of moping around the house. Not that I approve of her career choice. She could do so much better, especially now that she has her degree, but, it's her choice.
Andrea: Um, okay. Nice house by the way.
Shannon: Thanks.

He felt a little uncomfortable, but soon settled into quite an intense match and believed that he was actually on a winning streak until Shannon announced that she was tired and headed for bed, leaving him dangling with just three moves left.

He was not happy and almost threw the chess pieces onto the floor when Nessa arrived, clad in her undies of all things! She just didn't care at all as she sidled into the chair recently vacated by her mother.

Nessa: Whoa there mister, what did those pieces do to you?
Andrea: Sorry.

He deliberately took his time resetting the board and avoiding gawping goggle-eyed at a brazen Nessa, sitting in her bra and panties.

Nessa: So, you're my sister's latest squeeze huh?
Andrea: Yeah, she's quite the catch isn't she? What do you mean ... latest squeeze?
Nessa: Nah, just teasing, you two go way back and I like that. It's good to see her happy.
Andrea: She proposed to me.
Nessa: Oh?
Andrea: Yeah, tonight, just now, well sort of. About a couple of hours ago.
Nessa: That's Sophie for you. Doesn't take half measures. We take after our dad. He was adventurous too.

In the meantime, at the gym, Sophie had just finished a successful sing a gram and was packing up getting ready to go home, when a gruff voice growled behind her.

Werewolf: Mind if I take a piccie?
Sophie: Sure, okay.
Werewolf: Awesome! My friends are going to go nuts when they find out I met you!
Sophie: Would you like an autograph too?
Werewolf: Nah, the pic will be fine.

When he was finished, she rushed straight home, hoping wildly that Andrea would still be there. And thankfully he was. She pulled him to one side.

Sophie: Let's do it.
Andrea: Do what?
Sophie: Get married. Here. Now.

Andrea: Seriously? What about all those fancy arrangements and stuff you girls like to do to have the perfect wedding?
Sophie: They cost money. Besides, I'm marrying you not everyone else.

He shrugged his shoulders.

Andrea: Only if you are certain.

Sophie: I am.

And so, beneath a Full Moon, with zombies popping up all over the place, Sophie and Andrea exchanged rings and vows and got married in a private ceremony. With only Pat as the witness.

Pat: Well this sucks.

Sophie Bestows a Special Gift

Sophie invited Andrea over because there was something she REALLY wanted to do. She'd heard about this. Maybe she'd read about it at college ... or school .... or whatever. But she'd never actually seen this in person.

But it was something she wanted to do.

Naturally, she was actively discouraged by Pat, who chose this moment to lurk around and pretend to be her 'conscience'.

Pat: You sure about this?
Sophie: I am, so go away.
Pat: You do realise that you're putting yourself in a prickly position.
Sophie: Pat, I can handle it, now go away.
Pat: sorry, no can do. But to let you know, I'll be here just in case.

Andrea arrived and he was fairly excited to see Sophie.

Andrea: Hey, how's things?
Sophie: Good.
Andrea: Sooo, you wanted to see me?

Sophie: Well, it kinda is important.
Andrea: Not as important as you.

Awwwwwww, gotta love this guy, he's so sweet!

Andrea: Sooo, what is it? What's the big news? Are we time travelling?
Sophie: Um, no.
Andrea: Aw, I kinda thought it was, since we're standing here, outside your time portal.
Sophie: Nope, this is something much bigger than that. Well, sort of.
Andrea: I'm intrigued, what can possibly be bigger than time travel?

Sophie chuckled slightly and rubbed the back of her neck. It was a nervous gesture that she'd inherited from her late father. He was pretty good at doing that when he needed to approach a delicate topic.

Sophie: Well, I'm not sure whether it's 'big' or not, but apparently, to us Fae, it's a HUGE thing.
Andrea: Well, whatever it is, I'm pretty sure I'll appreciate it.

She paused, glancing across at Pat, who was shaking his head solemnly, trying his hardest to discourage her. But she was having none of it.

Sophie: See, the thing is .... as you know, I'm of Fae blood and there's one special power that I can do. I can bestow a special gift to you. It's called the Flight of Felicity. But with that, I must have complete trust in whoever I bestow this gift to. It's not an easy gift to give, many Fae have met sticky ends when they've tried it. Which is why it is highly discouraged.
Andrea: And you trust me with this? What does it do?
Sophie: It gives you temporary Fae powers.... or at least it's supposed to. I haven't actually seen what it does.
Andrea: So, you don't know if it works or not.
Sophie: Well .... no. But I'm willing to give it a try. Just hold still.

With that, she launched herself in the air and flung some fairy dust over Andrea. He glowed pink briefly.

Sophie: So, how do you feel?
Andrea: Not that different really.

She felt slightly disappointed that it wasn't as spectacular as she'd expected. But then magical fairy dust sparkles started erupting around him.

Andrea: So, how long does it last?
Sophie: Not sure.
Andrea: Hm, okay. It was ... a nice gift though. Although are you sure you're supposed to do that? You Fae are a highly secretive lot.

She giggled.

Sophie: Well, I'm not sure, but I'm pretty certain that the cat's out of the bag.

She nodded to the paparazzi who'd suddenly appeared and was eavesdropping nearby.

Andrea: Ooops.

It Happened Over Mandarin Sorbet

For a few days, Nessa felt troubled. Something was definitely on her mind, which was why she was slightly reluctant to ditch her job at the bookstore (or was it the spa? Can't remember) to pursue her dream of joining the Singer career.

Was it because she didn't want to overshadow her sister Sophie?
Or was it that she saw first hand, just how difficult it was to get up that corporate ladder and she just didn't have the strength to pitch forward - feet first - into a possibly long and arduous career.

One thing was certain. Something was definitely up with Nessa.

And she came to a momentous decision, whilst sitting pigging out on a large tub of Mandarin Sorbet that they kept tucked in the freezer for such occasions.

After she'd finished, she pulled out her phone and looked at the College Packs that were littered over the front lawn.

She had a decision to make.

But what? So many choices. Leave home. College. Time travel. Go on vacation. Own her own resort. Start her career. Own a share in a local business. Change careers.

Taking a deep breath, she carefully pressed the numbers and dialled. And in next to no time, everything had been sorted out.

Her adventure was about to begin.....

Was she sure she'd made this decision?

She'd soon find out when she got there.

This .... Is Seriously Twisted!

Whilst Sophie is struggling to make ends meet and running around the town with her sing a grams, Nessa suddenly fancied the idea of being in the music industry too. Not as a serious singer. She has a lousy voice. But maybe perhaps, an instrumentalist. After all, this was kinda/sorta her LTW (actually it was exactly the same as her twin sister Sophie but let's not split hairs shall we?)

So, after a fun session with the water slide, she decides to pluck a futuristic looking guitar from her backpack - you can see where this is going? No? Well ... read on and thee shalt be illuminated!

Where was I? Oh, yes. Nessa playing her guitar ... in her rather skimpy swimsuit .... coming up to the end of Autumn, when leaves are already falling and the temperature starting to plummet.

As she played, she mused about the idea of her and Sophie hooking up as a group and playing gigs together. Shame the game just won't allow that at the Simfests. Oh well. She's pretty good, as she bounced up to level 4 in next to no time! Maybe I should get them together, somehow?

Anyways, there she was, alone, quietly playing her guitar sans an audience.

In the meantime, Sophie got a call from ....

.... wait for it ....

.... still here? ...

.... none other than BLAINE!

Yep, that old Simbot himself! Apparently he got himself a job - not a clue what mind you, and a promotion to boot. So his work colleagues got together and decided to send him a sing a gram to celebrate the occasion.

Sophie jumped at the chance. After all, gigs were drying up for some reason and she desperately needed the money - as I'd explained before. So she said yes, happily. She expected to be sent to a home address, but instead, she was told to meet him outside City Hall.

Hmm. Strange.

What was even stranger, was that when she arrived, there was a full blown protest going on....

... and the instigator of this protest?

... wait for it ...

... seriously, you'll never believe it ....

.... J1NX1E!!

Yep. She was protesting extremely loudly about the sheer lack of computers in and around the town!
This, coming from a Plumbot .... from the FUTURE!?!?!?!?

In a medieval town of all things?!?!?!?!

That is so twisted.

O-kay. I believe I've just about seen everything here. I have screwed up Dragon Valley once and for all, and do I care? Nope. Tis my game and my town to play how I want.

Sooooo ..... NYAH!

Anywho. Going back on track. Despite the loud protests, Sophie managed to get Blaine's attention and delivered her sing a gram without any mishaps at all! No deflated balloons, no tripping over her feet.  Despite the fact that she was exhausted beyond measure.

It takes some skill ... and an extremely powerful voice to rise about the shouts and yells of an angry crowd, baying for blood ... or in this case .... computers!

Edit: 

I am so glad I returned to Sims 3. Oh how I have missed the nutty randomness that is it's appeal. Seriously. They're going to have to really pull something spectacular out of the bag to tempt me back to 4, I can tell you! But, yeah. That was what I found when I sent Sophie over to do her sing a gram!

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.