A Townie Dynasty with Leeway 10.70: Faina Lee, Finished! (Completed 19/06/2018)

[BallerinaHippo]

Maybe Dhruv has (or had) pink bars with Aarohi.  Just a thought.  Either way, he deserved to be kicked out of the club.

Poor Iconica!  If only your game would move Ralph into a house.  Surely there are dozens of empty houses that could be filled.  It must be so frustrating!  Nothing against her future husband.  I'm sure he's great...he's just not Ralph.   

[wa-wa-world]

I mean Ironica could just continue her relationship with Ralph but like in... Secret haha

[PeregrineTook]

The girls are gorgeous!  I feel so sad for poor Iconica.  Of course, she is now in the same situation her father found himself in:  marrying to fill a requirement while the "secondary spouse" lives out-of-house. 
Unru is awesome.  I hope that she ends up living up to the awesomeness I've already attached to her as an uncontrolled household member.  Fingers crossed!

[LenaLJ]

I hope for Iconica that she will find love with her husband to be too. Ralph is a hottie but we need a man and not a hottie to successfull complete this challenge right? (Trying to convince Iconica that it is okay.)

[oshizu]

@reggikko
Iconica has liked Ralph since she was a toddler and so we've been hoping his household might move into the neighborhood, but all we got was a second adult bachelor pear, lol.

@Shewolf13
I agree with you on the life of a Townie Dynasty heir. If anyone, they are the true dynasty drones, taking care of everyone and everything.
It's such a relief after the fifth free day when the teen heir can simply ignore everyone else's need for 13 days, hehe.

@Nindigo
Thanks for stopping by! That pear you spotted at the Shrieking Llama isn't the one who moved into the neighborhood. The pears are everywhere!
I appreciate your support--we're almost at the halfway point in this challenge!

@BallerinaHippo
Before I forget, I want to say that I adore your new hippo pair avator. It makes me smile whenever I see it!
What a great observation! I hadn't considered that Jet's clubmates might have developed pink bars and, of course, I can't check. I've had pretty lousy luck with move-ins since the first generation. The Hayashi family did move into Ye Olde House during the second generation but after that, it's been one pear after another, haha.

@wa-wa-world
Thank you for your support. Iconica is considering all her options. *winks

@PeregrineTook
Thank you! I also love how the twins have aged up! I find them both striking.
I constantly moan about Saanvi but she really loves the family, shows a little love to Scamp each day (Scamp can never get enough, though) and introduced some nice genes into the Lee genetic pool.

@LenaLJ
It's not so much that Ralph is a hottie. Iconica has known Ralph since she was a toddler; she's been attracted to him for most of her life.
And yes, Iconica knows she needs a male sim who lives in a house for this challenge to successfully continue.
When she becomes a young adult in a sim-week, she will embrace the reality of what needs to be done. *sighs
She may not be looking forward to moving to Granada Place, but I am.

[FrancescaFiori]

Dat profile, tho! Their little button noses are so adorable. What an attractive family!
Oh, poor Iconica. She's really got her own Romeo and Juliet tragic love story going on. It's very sweet, but I fear it will all end in tears.
Fortunately, I am distracted from the tragedy by Dhruv being ridiculous and Finn be so dang cute. What a little hottie!

[oshizu]

@FrancescaFiori
Oh, a fan of Finn, are you? Iconica and her sister are so lovely, but Iconica just can't catch a break.
I'm so tempted to make a copy of my dynasty file to check Dhruv's relationship panel!


5.35: Gasping in Granada

Week 23/Saturday

Hey there! Do you want to hear the good news or bad news first?
Iconica: Good news, of course!
Masato Ikeda's two kids with his favorite lady Aaradhya Anand have moved into a house

Iconica: That's terrific news! What could be bad about that?
The older brother and his sister moved into the 20x20 Havisham House.
Iconica: That's not toooo bad, even though it's the smallest lot in Windenburg's Old Town.

Did I mention the brother's jealous and insane, and the sister's jealous, too?
Iconica: Eh, I didn't want to live there, anyway! This simverse is cursed!


It's Triple Boost Week!
I don't know how focused I'll be on earning satisfaction, but I invite Jasmine over anyway.
On second thought, I should have probably requested Slower Needs Decay…


Week 24/Sunday

I'm trying to finish up my museum contributions as quickly as possible!
That recently-opened vacation spot offers a huge incentive!
I'm 50% done with my museum collection. It won't be worth much, but that's fine.

Unru is so cute! Of course, she is! She's my twin sister!


Tuesday

Last night, I finished all eight portraits but my collection remains half-finished.
I haven't had time to write since yesterday, though, thanks to Gent, who has been very fussy.
And I've been chasing him around all morning.
I've learned Gourmet Cooking just to prepare gourmet fishcake for Gent, but he won't eat it.


When I'm rushing to finish my homework before school, Ralph surprises me by helping out.
Oh no! He's already aged up to a young adult?
His third trait is Foodie, though, which isn't bad at all.

Aarohi, I don't care that you're the mother of my half-brothers.
If I catch you looking at Ralph the wrong way, I'll scratch your eyes out!


Iconica: I had to ban singing as a club activity because Aarohi kept serenading Papa!
While at school, I ban romantic socials for the club, just to be safe.
And chess, too. Chess, definitely!


I haven't worked on my collection at all since last night.
Before and after school, I've been spending all my time on Gent and Scamp.


Wednesday

It's past midnight and we've been waiting for the vet to look at Gent for over an hour.
I'm pretty sure Gent has Squirrel Scratch Fever. 

I do need to reach Veterinarian 8 to be able to make the Age-Down Treats.
So we head home so I can treat Gent myself  (with my currently non-existent Vet skill).


Did I mention that pet care is very time-consuming? *sighs
Plus, I entered a Mean phase yesterday. Things aren't going my way lately.
It's around 5:30 am when I finally complete Gent's Extract Excess Cuteness Surgery.
Thank heavens for my clubmates and Rally the Troops!


I'd thought my novels would grow in value in proportion to my writing experience.
On the contrary, their worth seems to be dropping lower and lower today.
So, after this novel, I'll be turning in my museum portraits and collection.

I only need 2 bestsellers to finish my Best-Selling Author aspiration.
But after this, the only writing I'll be doing for a while is an excuse note.


My museum contribution is not that great, but not too bad, either.
The 10-novel collection totals $4,374; my eight portraits come to $30,122.

My museum contribution's value could be higher if I kept writing and painting, but I don't.
Why? Because we all deserve a vacation.


I call in "sick" with success, then rush home and write an excuse note for Unru.
After I quickly harvest the garden, my little group are all raring to leave on vacation.
Of course, that's when I notice a very blue Gent sitting on the front porch. Aarrgggh!


Thursday

Gent and Scamp are just killing my fun, I tell you!
By the time I've unblocked Gent's kibble chutage then call them both to eat, it's already 10 am.
We need to leave pronto before anything else happens!


I arrive at Selvadorada with Unru, Papa, Mama, Scamp, Ralph, and Finn. I invite my future hubby Mehdi, too.
First thing, I make a beeline for the food stall. What heavenly aromas!

Iconica, go ahead and order the "pastel de camarăo."
Iconica: Wow, they're like shrimp-filled, deep-fried potstickers!

Exactly. That stall seems to be serving Brazilian food.
But "pastel" is a dish spread globally by the Chinese diaspora.
I've tasted a similar dish in Senegal (West Africa), also called "pastel" but with a minced fish stuffing and a spicy-hot tomato sauce.


The vendors in Selvadorada sure are a good-looking bunch.
I wonder if any of them live in houses? Just kidding.

Everyone keeps recommending that we buy Waterfall in a Bottle but I don't see any being sold.
Oh, I see. We need to click them directly on the vendor's table.


Check me out using the Local Introduction on the bartender as if, "Oh yeah, I didn't just arrive here two hours ago."


Mama received her first notice from Grim this morning.
About four hours later, Unru and I receive our "Almost birthday" notices.
Grandpa Garrison is still going strong.
How very strange that Mama and Grandpa are both elders.

By the way, Scamp also aged up to an elder a few minutes ago and I gave him his second Age-Down Treat.
I wonder how many days each treat lasts?


After relocating to the Belomisia Trailhead, I cook a meal for us all.
When I stand to go chat with Mehdi, Ralph follows and kisses me.
It's quite disconcerting, to say the least.

Why can young adult Ralph kiss me when I'm still a teenager?
I, on the other hand, have no romantic options with Ralph.
(Incidentally, I haven't exactly explained to Ralph what happens on Saturday.)


After dinner, Finn jogs off into the distance, heading who knows where.
I pull out that machete I received when we arrived, ready for a little exploring.


In several hours, I reach a clearing where mysterious ruins beckon me onward.
But the hour is too late and I must turn back.
I'm not disappointed. I've enjoyed a rewarding day.
While exploring, I found an avocado tree and black bean bush, harvesting them both.


Friday

We return home briefly to form a smaller group.
This time, it's just my parents, Unru, Mehdi, me, and our furry friends.
I finally understand why Gent and Scamp are so doggone spoiled. Papa, you're to blame!
And I also learn to dance the rumbasim, which looks exactly like the samba to me.


By the time we leave for home at 5 pm, Mehdi and I are good friends.
Just in time for another Spice Festival!

I feel confident that things will go smoothly between Mehdi and I tomorrow.


Saturday

Iconica: I still need five more Vet levels before I can craft Age-Down Treats.
So I give Gent an Age-Down treat just before Unru and I blow out our birthday candles.
This will give me the time to learn to make them before he's an elder again.

But because Gent's still an adult cat, though, he ages down to a kitteh. Awwww, so adorable!
Next, I give him Papa's Age-Up Treat so Gent's an adult once again.
A Day 1 adult, I'm hoping.


After my birthday, I invite over Mehdi who arrives right away.
Even though we are good friends, working up to a proposal takes some time.

But eventually, I can propose, he accepts, and we elope immediately.
Scamp and I move into Granada Place then ask sister Unru to move in as well.
The Granada Place house is now home to five sims and one dog.


How do I begin to explain what happens after I move to Granada Place?
Though I've arrived at Mehdi's home, he's still in my old neighborhood, Windenburg Countryside.
When I summon him home, he returns feeling Very Playful. He's a goofball, remember?

Relieved when his plumbob later turns green again, I prepare to plant the new garden.
Suddenly, I'm blocked from entering Build mode to buy more garden planters.
Why? Because "someone on the lot is dying."  Whaat?!

I'm already a widow after being married only 3 or 4 hours.
Ironically, I snapped that photo of Mehdi during our stay at Selvadorada.
I'd wanted the next heir to be able to paint a portrait of Mehdi as an adult, not an elder.

The moment Grim leaves, I move Gent into the house. Goofball sims are the worst!



Iconica Lee's Starting Stats
Satisfaction: 285 points
Household funds:  $20,445
Skills: L10 Writing/Painting, L9 Handiness, L6 Cooking/Gardening, L4 Photograhy/Selvadoradan Culture
Designated skill: none currently
Aspiration: Best-Selling Author (Tier IV of IV)
Job: Painter

Author's Note

In my 2016 legacy houshold, a cadet bride with the goofball trait died of hysteria on her wedding night and I've avoided goofball sims ever since.
When Iconica moved in, goofball Mehdi had another 4 days until his elder birthday.
I'd reserved this update's 25th image to show Iconica's Eating for Two confetti.
While Iconica and I began placing harvestables in garden planters, I also monitored Mehdi as he shifted from Very Playful to Hysterical then eventually to Very Happy.
I wondered whether to take any screenshots of him but thought he'd be fine since his mood was back in the green.
I repeat, Goofball sims are the worst.
Iconica starts her new life with a -5 point penalty for Mehdi's unnatural death by hysteria.

It's not all doom and gloom. Iconica moving out marks the halfway point in this dynasty challenge! Our glass is half full!

[FrancescaFiori]

Oh, Mehdi! We hardly knew ye! That’s a very nice portrait of him, though I’m sure it wasn’t intended as a memorial. Yikes! At least he got to cross Selvadorada off his bucket list.
The hopeless (heartless?) romantic in me wonders how long a suitable mourning period is before Iconica can move in her true love and live happily ever after.

[wa-wa-world]

Woah thats awful! I didn't know death from playfulness could  happen! Poor Medhi he was pretty cute too :/ At least Ralph can move in now? Maybe

Also nice work on getting half way!

[LenaLJ]

A blessing in discuise? Even though its very sad for Mehdi, atleast he died having fun.
Hope his child will somehow resemble him just a bit.

[Shewolf13]

--cringes-- ugh! Goofball sims ARE the worst. In my Wonder Child file, the husband was a goofball. Died two hours after they were married. Poor Iconica! But congrats on being halfway!

[PeregrineTook]

Oh.  My.  GAWSH!  Can't believe Ironica was widowed so quickly!  Good thing she's got her sis there to help her through it...and probably her boytoy Ralph as well  ;=)
Loved the shots of her heroically approaching that overgrown forest with her machete!  She's like the fashion icon version of Lara Croft!

[oshizu]

@FrancescaFiori
Loved your comment about the bucket list!
Yes, at least Mehdi got to experience Selvadorada, a first kiss, woohoo, and marriage.
As for when Ralph can move in, you will soon find out. Iconica's a little too busy, though, for a happily ever after at the moment...

@BallerinaHippo
So...I went back to an old file and checked Dhruv Nair's relationship panel...and you were absolutely right?
He had a romance bar with Aarohi (Jet's baby mama) which wasn't pink at all. He has a red bar about 10% long, hahaha.
I bet the file's from after Dhruv got jealous and slapped her!

@wa-wa-world
There are 3 types of emotional deaths--excessive anger (Enraged), embarrassment (Mortified), and playfulness (Hysterical).
The night Mehdi died, Iconica chose to move in Gent the cat instead. ;-)

@LenaLJ
Mehdi was an non-pollinated adult who was completely unrelated to the Lees.
He was just 4 days from becoming an elder, so he only had 2 sim-weeks to live.
His death by hysteria was unfortunate but Gent (initially) profited from the vacant slot.

@Shewolf13
I'd been keeping my eye on Mehdi after their marriage and really thought he would be okay since his plumbob turned green. Sorry to hear about your wonder child's father.
May I ask why you chose the goofball trait for him?

@PeregrineTook
You and me both. I never even had time to check what his aspiration was.
Haha, my legacy sims were all over the place, dropping queues like flies.
I'm not sure controlling just one sim is better or not.
(Controlling the entire household is definitely easier…maybe?)
By the way, Pippin, you must be in seventh heaven these days. The majority of ongoing TS4 dynasty challenges these days have a redheaded founder.

 

5.36: Picking Up the Pieces

Week 25/Sunday

Never in my wildest dreams had I imagined I'd be widowed on my young adult birthday!
How could I have prevented Mehdi's death by hysteria? (-5 points)
Thinking back, I could have asked him to play chess while burning focusing incense.
Would that have even worked?


Early this morning, I add $60,000 to the household funds. (-1 points)
Then I proceed to remodel Granada Place's interior and backyard to my needs.

Where are my manners! I've yet to introduce you to my new housemates!
Our Gen3 pollinator (Masato Ikeda) begat Brook by pollinating Mehdi's mother Aya.
Brook will never start his Vampire Family aspiration.

Masato then begat Adelynn by pollinating Aya's daughter Yasmin (Mehdi's full sister).
Apparently, Masato believed that Aya and Yasmin were sisters.
Well, Adelynn won't be completing her Angling Ace aspiration, either.


Adelynn: That Iconica is unbelievable! First, she marries Uncle Mehdi who dies hours later.
Next thing we know, she and her sister have taken over the entire second floor.

Meanwhile, Brook and I are sharing a tiny bedroom in the basement.
The only improvement is that we now sleep in really good beds, twice as comfortable!


Normally, I would ask my clubmates to help me with such a large garden.
Since I'm so behind with points, though, I'm trying to max gardening.

My Grandma Merri and Papa Jet both started their first free day within a day of moving.
I'm going to take so much longer than that! I bet Unru is impatient to start working!

Haha! Scamp wears himself out with all his troublemaking.


How nice that Unru has finally befriended Gent then Scamp today.

That scoundrel Gent ran away this afternoon after getting stuck on the kitchen counters.
It's not enough that the entire household is already grieving Mehdi's untimely death.


Monday

Since yesterday, I've managed to max photography, handiness, and cooking. (+5 points)
Only five points left to go!

I notice that Gent has returned home and is once again stuck on the kitchen counters.
When I move one surface, Gent just jumps onto another.
I help Gent down just like yesterday: by stashing every kitching/dining surface into family inventory.
You know where your bowl is, Gent! *returns the counters, bar stools, fridge, dining table, and chairs to their original places.


It's 9 am and I'm out back grafting some plants when Mehdi phones.
It's the third time he's invited me out since he passed away, so I grudgingly accept.

Grudgingly, because two days have already passed without our first free day.


Of all the places to go for brunch, it has to be La Bovine, the restaurant where Mama dies.


I take a moment to comfort Papa, who is feeling very sad.
Mama was a somewhat clumsy sim, but she was always cheerful and kind-hearted.
Rest in peace, Mama, and know that you will be missed.


Mehdi: Thank you for accepting my invitation, Iconica.
Iconica: I'm sorry for what happened to you, Mehdi. I should have watched you more carefully.

Mehdi: Don't blame yourself, dear. I was careless and now I've made your life harder. Will you forgive me?
Iconica: There's nothing to forgive. I do have one favor to ask, though.
Mehdi: Anything for you.
Iconica (tries to look upbeat): Would you mind terribly if we became just friends?


Mehdi: So, you're pregnant! Second trimester, I assume?
Iconica: Yes and yes.

Mehdi: Pregnancy becomes you, Iconica. You are more beautiful than ever!
Iconica: Gee, it must be the cumulation of Sad +11 moodlets!
My sincere apologies but I seem to have lost my appetite. It's nice seeing you again, Mehdi.


Here's another shot of me in my formal wear outside the Lee Museum.
This outfit's been in my wardrobe since my teen birthday, but I've never worn it until today.

And yes, I'm feeling better now, thank you. Watchette urged me to drink a moodlet solver.
After placing the gravestones of Medhi and Mama, I head back home.


Back home, I find Gent stuck on the kitchen/dining surfaces for the third time in two days.
Since he can't get down, he can't eat or use the litter box, either. I bet that's why he ran away yesterday!

I've already gone through this same thing with Gent this morning,
Probably, Gent didn't run away then because I left soon after to meet Mehdi at La Bovine.

Author's note: I've received permission to move the glitchy Gent back with Jet Lee.
Neither resetting Gent or repairing my game fixed whatever problem he's having.


By evening, I max gardening and really need a break from all this grinding. (7 points)
The masseur giving me a massage is quite striking, don't you agree?


On my way out, I spot one of our simverse's two immortal nannies, working out in her undies!
I bet she'd snatched some of our watcher's custom content which the watcher has since removed.
Serves her right!


Tuesday

I'm back at the Perfect Balance Spa to make a good friend with a certain someone.
Meet Naoki Tanaka, who is neat, a perfectionist, and a dance machine. (8 points)
What a dream boat!

Quick! Someone help me think of a legit reason to add him to my club!


At home, I become good friends with brother Finn, right before he leaves for high school. (9 points)


I've joined the Painter career solely to get my hands on the Level 4 easel.
Since I earned an A in high school, I don't even bother with Connections.
Before visiting the Well, I complete my daily task.
What I want is a point, not so much a promotion boost. (10 points)

The Well seems lonely since we rarely visit him in this challenge.
"He" gives me a full promotion to Level 4, which I don't mind at all.
But the best news is that our first free day has begun! Hurray!!! 


I encourage Adelynn (Genius, Geek, Goofball) to leave her Politician career for Tech Guru.

Adelynn: I take back what I said about Iconica the other day.
I have my own room, locked to everyone but me, with my very own computer!

Iconica: Unru becomes a Level 4 Scientist and Brook, a Level 1 Scientist.
Brook (Loves the Outdoors, Vegetarian, Genius) has no level 2 skills so, yeah, Scientist.
Having him on the same schedule as Unru will simplify our lives, too.

Also, I've moved in my high-school sweetheart, Ralph, to fill the sixth slot in our household.
I'm hoping for twins, not triplets, and I'd rather not worry about Brook getting abducted.


Sorry, boys! No time for birth certificates on our first free day!
The twins arrive kicking and screaming into the simverse.
Bull Lee is our firstborn and future heir. Deft Lee will be his wingman.


Wednesday

It's so wonderful to have Papa Jet around. After Mama passed away, I added him to my club.
During our free day, he mentored Unru in Handiness and Logic.
With his maxed Parenting, he's been great with our twins.


Ralph maxes Logic and earns our first points for the next free day. (2 points)
That's right, sweetheart, make yourself useful.
Because you know I'm never letting you work on your Serial Romantic aspiration.
Why couldn't your aspiration be Soulmate?

Jet: Huh, Saanvi's aspiration was also Serial Romantic. Are we seeing a pattern here?


Thursday

I've been having Papa and his sons help me with the twins, gardening, and cooking.
It also helps that I'm keeping Ralph home with me.

I'm not being lazy! I've been busy preparing for the twins' toddlerhood.
Also, I need one more Veterinarian level to craft Scamp's Age-Down Treats.


A banner day for promotions between the scientists in the house! (4 points)
As of today, Unru is a Tech Innovator (L5) and Brook, an Apprentice Inventor (L2).

How sweet of Adelynn and Scamp to run out and congratulate them.


Tonight, my twins age up to toddlers and they simply could not be more handsome!
The heir Bull Lee is inquisitive, while the spare Deft Lee is independent.
They have black hair and dark brown eyes, just like me!

And in case you're wondering, I roll all four traits for my sims not long before they're born.


Iconica Lee's current score: 4/10


Free Day #1 (10 points)
Household funds (4): +$30,000 x2
Good friends (2): Naoki Tanaka, Finn Anand
Maxed skills (8 ): Iconica/Photography, Handiness, Cooking, Gardening
Wish well (1): Wish for promotion
Death by unnatural cause (-5): Mehdi Mandir (hysteria)

Author's Note

Gent's not the only cat to get stuck on kitchen counters. There's a thread on EA Answers HQ here.
It is marked FIXED due to a patch hotfix for the cat tree, which didn't resolve the problem with kitchen surfaces.

[FrancescaFiori]

Gent, how could you? And I was so looking forward to more of your adorable antics! That's a horrible glitch, though, and I'm very glad the challenge team allowed him to move back home. At least we've still got Scamp.
And yay! Ralph's here! And already making himself useful by maxing logic. Great job!
Iconica looks stunning in her formal outfit, even with plus 11 (!!) sad moodlets. Oof. If anything ever called for a moodlet solver, that was it.
The babies are so cute with their synchronized crying. The names are amazing, as always.
They are SUCH precious toddlers! I can't wait for the next chapter to see more of them!

[dontmindme]

Congrats on making the best of a bad situation. Iconica is great and I'm glad she gets to have her cake and eat it too. Here's hoping that everything smooths out for her.