jothirteen

Once again, welcome back to yet another update of "Hark(er)! An OWBC". The title is a reference to this, by the way.
Previously: Olive and Fergus went through a fairly rough time with three toddlers running around, but things improved a bit after the triplets became children. Lethe, like her uncle and aunt before her, grew resentful of having to help her Bad Apple sister, Peri, with her homework, and some sibling rivalry developed in the process. Said rivalry was one-sided, though, as Peri proved to be an oddly well-behaved Bad Apple, and a very sweet sim all around. Siblings Phlox and Pomp and Power, meanwhile, stayed contently in their sisters' shadows, happily skilling like the two quiet little nerds they are. Fergus and Olive also welcomed their fifth child, daughter Ruthenium (aka Ruthie). Ruthie had her toddler birthday and Lethe her teen one close to the end of the chapter.
Now...

Olive apparently though toddler training would be a breeze with a singleton after triplets. But it seems Ruthie's just not interested.

Poor Jo (

joandsarah) was caught in a hailstorm while walking by the Harker house. So was Garden Club leader Tiffany Zarubin, but I don't feel sorry for her at all.

And you know why? Not only did she give Olive's garden another average-ish score (still complaining about the flamingos), she also went into the house afterwards and helped herself to Olive's sandwiches. The nerve of this woman, seriously.

Lethe has yet another thing to complain about. She should be careful, too, that dress is lovely but not very appropriate for this weather, she could catch her death in the cold outside.

All aboard the homework train! Destination: misery, now with stops at "why me?" and "absolute frustration"!

Look, it's time for the Harker triplets to start their teen years. It seems like it was only yesterday they were toddlers crawling around the house...

Phlox rolled Knowledge (LTW to max all skills), no surprise there, and randomized as being attracted to males. She's turned on by fitness and brown hair and turned off by hardworking sims.

Pomp, who aged at almost the exact same time as his sister, also rolled Knowledge (LTW to become a Media Magnate). (And yes, I had to foreshadow it in the story beforehand, Phlox and Pomp have seriously acted like Knowledge sims their whole lives.) He randomized as being attracted to male sims, specifically those with red hair and in their swimwear, but not those who happen to have custom hair.

As Peri is fashionably late once again, we have Olive teaching Ruthie one of her skills before the actual transition.

Peri ages up well into the night, and, amazing as she is, she grew up well. She rolled Popularity, which suits her, and randomized as being attracted to male sims (like all of her siblings - there might be some competition here). As I remembered to write them down (unlike what happened with Bruna), you get to know that her turn-ons are brown hair and logic, and she's turned off by great cooks.

Phlox and Pomp get makeovers, and both seem reasonably thrilled. And back to skilling they go again!

Olive congratulates Peri on growing up well - it seems like she's still her mother's favourite.

"Hey, Lethe, we're all teenagers now, isn't that great? I can't wait until we all go to college together, I bet it's a great place to make lots of new and interesting friends!"
"Just...don't talk to me, okay? I might have to do your homework, but that doesn't mean I have to be your friend. You have Phlox and Pomp and Power for that. Or the townies."

Happily oblivious to Lethe's growing bitterness towards Peri, Ruthie becomes a child shortly after the triplets' birthday.

"Why do you talk to me that way, Lethe? I don't get it, I've always been nice to you, and you know the homework thing is not my fault. I've apologized to you for that, and-"

"Save your breath. You're way too nice for your own good, you know that? Well, there's something you need to learn, Peridot: not everyone will love your stupid good girl attitude, and some people will never want to be friends with you, no matter what you do. Alright?"

"Seriously, aunt Bruna, sometimes Peridot is so annoying, I'd rather become part of the Ghost Hunt than to put up with her anymore. You acted miserable about being the Bad Apple, and that actually makes sense, I think I could sort of like her if she was the same way. But she's just so...happy, all the time! It's infuriating."
"Oh, Lethe. That's teenage rebellion at its finest, I know that. Your sister isn't your enemy, and she's not me - she'll act differently about being the Bad Apple. One day, you'll see you were wrong, and you'll understand your siblings can be some of your best friends."
"Hmph. I doubt it."

"You don't know how lucky you are, Börje - your kids actually get along well. I'm starting to think Lethe and Peri never will."
"Give it time, Olive, they're still young, after all. Maybe college will change things."

"So, Ruthie, did you like your birthday party?"

"I..." *sob* "Not really, Mom...you know, just after I grew up, I was in my room and I had an accident. It was so embarrassing, it ruined the whole day for me!"
"Aww, sweetie, don't be so sad about it, that happens sometimes. I bet nobody noticed, too. Here, have a sandwich, you'll feel better afterwards."
"Okay, thanks Mom."

"Oh wow, I don't remember Reese being that handsome in life- wait, what the hell am I saying? Crazy talk, that's what. Maybe Ruthie was right, this party really wasn't a good one."

Ruthie eventually got over it, though, at least long enough to get a makeover. And she's already a bit overweight from all those grilled cheese sandwiches. Sims are so lucky, if Olive and her family were actual people, they would all have had heart attacks by now (or would be on the verge of having them).

There is also some OWBC progress, as Fergus calls over Contessa Stephanie Morrison, who has recently become his best friend...

...and joins the ranks of the creatures of the night. Alright, another item crossed off the OWBC to-do list.

"Bleh! Wait, so I have to do this all the time now to scare people?"

"No, only if you want to. The way I see it, every vampire has his - or her - own thing. You just need to figure out what's yours. Good luck, Fergus, and remember to avoid the sun."

"I suddenly have the feeling me and my husband are closer to having incompatible lifestyles...oh well, it was probably nothing."

And what does Fergus do as a vampire? He rocks out. He and Oil are both obsessed with that career reward, she keeps using it every time she's at the Harker house. I just hope Fergus doesn't feel like using it during the day, I don't need more Harker disasters.

He gets a cool purple coffin to join the still-cool purple bedroom (formerly a nursery).
(For those of you wondering: I have a sim with the last name Harker who became a vampire, no Dracula references then? Well, readers, I might have to disappoint you, as I don't feel like I'm up to the task. Maybe in a future chapter?)

"Okay, I think I get it- wait, Pomp, wasn't Dad supposed to be teaching me this, anyway?"
"Ruthie, Dad's a vampire now, which is awesome, but means we'll be seeing even less of him after coming on from school. You should be prepared to have him ignore your A+s, so that you aren't disappointed later on. At least he has an excuse now."

Olive gets started on her novel, and Lethe does what she does best. I'm afraid your mother's novel has priority, kid. At least Olive will have some new material now.

Following on her sister's footsteps, Lethe gets sprayed by the skunk. She probably inherited the Harker bad luck as well.

And it's almost certain that she'll find a way to blame Peri for this, somehow.

"Lethe, me and Pomp were wondering...could you chill out about Peri just a bit? We don't want to have our college years become absolute hell because of your rivalry. Which exists entirely on your side, by the way."

"Mind your own business, sister dear..."

"...as you can see, there are more than enough reasons to complain about our fool of a sister."
*sigh* "At least I tried."

Peri sleeps through the whole conversation, and also through the whole night. Then she goes and grabs a bowl of mac and cheese as if she hadn't just slept in the kitchen with her face in a bowl. Nocturnal, I tell you.

"Aww, Pomp was right about my A+ being ignored! Bummer. Maybe I should go and talk to the plants like Mom does, they might listen."

"You keep it up, guys, you rock!"

*page flipping*
"Thanks, Peri!"
*resume skilling*

"I want a date. I need to, actually, because I might be heiress and that's required, but my aspiration isn't doing so good, too, so it'll be a plus. Try to make it worth it."
"Worth it? You didn't even give me a hundred simoleons, girl. You can bet I'll make it worth it."

And it seems Lethe's date is downtownie Sean Harris.

"I hope you don't mind me saying this, but you're way too old for me. That matchmaker screwed up."
"I heard that usually happens when you give her as little money as you can."

"Smart mouth, too? Just lovely..."
"I figured we could still talk, this not being an actual date. And I was just trying to warn you."

"So she gets her revenge on me and I still get a lecture from you? I don't think so."
"Oh, you kids these days, thinking your way is always the best one...you make me laugh, really."

"Just stop talking. I'd rather have a proper date instead of having to listen to your-"
"Whoa there, no. You were right the first time, I'm way too old for you. I guess I'll be leaving now,
then."

"...and then the old guy just left. I don't think Lethe was very happy about that."

"Yikes, that seems like a recipe for disaster. I should make sure to give the matchmaker a decent amount of money, I definitely don't want the same thing happening to me."

"What are you doing? Keep your hands off me, townie girl, I barely know you!"

"Your sister is no fun at all."
"That's Lethe to you. Permanently mad at the world, and not even her knows why."

Later that night, Pomp and Power has his required date, in case he gets chosen as heir...

...and the matchmaker gives him llama mascot Frederick Newman.

"Okay, the matchmaker didn't give me an old guy like she did to my sister Lethe, but you're still a bit too old for me. Sorry!"

"That's okay, we townies and NPCs are already used to that happening."
"If it makes you feel any better, I'll go to college soon enough. If we have a nice enough date tonight, I might call you again then, who knows?"
"Sounds like a plan."

Pomp and Frederick spend the remainder of their date chatting and playing catch.

It was an okay date, but Frederick still refuses a hug from Pomp. Not that he's too upset over that, he's back to skilling again as soon as he gets inside.

This? This is a vampire spam pic, to take a look at the new default eyes I installed at this point (I wasn't too happy with the ones I had before). These look good, even if Fergus' fangs are ominously flashing blue in the background.

"So your husband's a vampire now? Cool. A lot has definitely happened since I came over for your wedding that one time..."
"Supernatural sims really are great... Yeah, time passes pretty quickly. You'll get to stay young, Neptune, while I become old and eventually a grandmother. Fergus will get to stay young now, though."

"Well, I wouldn't worry too much about him not aging while you do, Olive. You two might figure something out yet, or Fergus might want to get cured or something. Besides, you don't need to become an elder that soon, you still have elixir."
"You do have a point there, Börje."

Phlox also goes on a date that afternoon...

...and ends up getting vacation townie Damion Wade.
"What's your deal, really? You gave my sister an old man as a date because she didn't give you enough money...but me and my brother did, and you gave us a college student and an adult respectively!"
"You got what you paid for, young lady. You might still enjoy your date, I know your brother did."

"Hey there, I'm Damion. It's fine if you're not too happy about the age difference, that happens sometimes. We can just stay here chatting until time is up."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Phlox. Phlox Harker. I'm sorry about all this...is not that I don't like you - I barely know you, still, but I feel I'm still too young to be romantically involved with someone your age, you know? I might call you again after I get to college, my brother decided to do that with his date too."
"Whatever you decide is fine by me. Your choice."

Phlox and Damion had an otherwise uneventful date, much like Pomp and Frederick.

And Olive had yet another good party to be pleased about.

Peri seemed pretty pleased as well, even the next day. But it doesn't take much to make Peri happy, she has a very sunny disposition.

"It's my birthday soon, maybe I won't be ignored so much anymore! Only Mom, Pomp, and sometimes Peri pay attention to me, do you think Dad might care enough to show up for my birthday?"

"I doubt it, your birthday will probably fall during the day, won't it? He won't be there, unless you want him to turn to ashes over your silly childish whims. God, you're almost as bad as Peridot."

Poor Ruthie grows up before the sun is down that day, as Lethe had predicted, still feeling a bit down over what her sister had told her.

She rolls Pleasure (LTW to have 50 dream dates), randomizes as being attracted to males (yes, that means every single main house gen 2 sim has the same gender preference), and gets creativity and body as her turn-ons and logic as her turn-off.

After giving Ruthie a makeover, keeping white as her main colour, I realize that she looks a lot like Kaylynn Langerak, the maid. Her father has the same face template as Kaylynn, and Ruthie looks very much like him, plus she has the same colouring as Kaylynn: black hair, green eyes and skin #2 (even if Kaylynn is a natural blonde and Ruthie isn't).
Plus, with Kaylynn being always dressed in white in

skellington7d's Fortune and Romance story, there is yet another similarity between the two (and no, that wasn't deliberate, I choose general colour schemes for kids when they are toddlers/children, and Ruthie didn't look much like Kaylynn then).

Right after growing up, Ruthie's off to lose that extra grilled cheese weight.

In the meantime, townie Jacqueline Jackson, whose interactions with Lethe were coldly rejected a few days prior, hangs out in the kitchen, eating Olive's old grilled cheese sandwiches...

...and chats with Peri, who is always glad to meet someone new.

"I just realize that we're all teens now, does that mean one of us is going to be chosen as heir soon? Or will that only happen after we've all gone to college?"
"I think one of you might be chosen before anyone goes to college, yes. That was what happened with your mother, uncle and aunts."

"Peri better not be chosen as heir just because of her "sweetness". Honestly, what a stupid thing to base an important decision on, she'd make a terrible heiress!"
"Oh dear, this is getting worse than I thought. I believe the aftermath of the heir poll won't be pleasant..."

Here is where I'll leave you, and as it has been hinted throughout this chapter, it is now time for the generation 2 heir poll! Available in both LJ and Boolprop flavours! You don't need to vote in both versions, of course, but I won't mind at all if you do, I had a lack of votes last time anyway. ;) Vote wisely!

***

Current challenge stats:

Base Game Bonuses:
-Obtain an alien through a legit abduction
-Go one whole generation - from birth to birth - without getting any promotions
-Have a gnome to guard the flamingos [Glycogen]

Nightlife Bonuses:
-The heir(ess) for every generation must go on a date via gypsy matchmaker and see it through to completion [1st generation: Olive's date with Fergus; ...]
-Every heir(ess) is turned into a Grilled Cheese sim [1st generation: Olive; ...]
-A sim must be turned into a vampire [Fergus]

Seasons Bonuses:
-Throw a party once per season [spring: Nisha and Cody's wedding, Olenna's toddler birthday, 4 house parties (1 at college), Ruthenium's toddler birthday; summer: Börje & Bruna's toddler birthday, 4 house parties (1 at college), Ruthenium's child birthday; autumn: Olive & Oil's toddler birthday, 6 house parties (2 at college); winter: 3 house parties (2 at college), Olive's graduation, Olive and Fergus' wedding]
-Earn a wishing well
-A sim must be turned into a plantsim

Story Bonus:
-Finishing the challenge and posting it online [work in progress]

"Boolprop Naming Scheme" Mini-Challenge:
-First generation: children resulting from the 3 mandatory pregnancies must have names starting with B, O and O respectively [Börje & Bruna, Olive & Oil, Olenna]
-Second generation: children resulting from the 3 mandatory pregnancies must have names starting with L, P and R respectively [Lethe, Peridot & Phlox & Pomp and Power, Ruthenium]
-Third generation: children resulting from the 3 mandatory pregnancies must have names starting with O, P and C respectively

"One Bad Apple" Mini-Challenge:
-Every generation, one child (chosen at birth) must be uncontrollable (they get 8 commands at day from college/adulthood onwards) [1st generation: Bruna; 2nd generation: Peridot; ...]

"Cowforbrains' Ghost Hunt" Mini-Challenge:
-Three sims must die every generation, and every cause of death must be different [1st generation: Dustin (death by starvation), Donna (death by fire), Reese (death by drowning); ...]

"Family Scrapbook" Mini-Challenge:
-Every member of the family must have their picture taken or their portrait painted and hung somewhere around the house [Nisha, Cody, Börje, Bruna, Olive, Oil, Olenna, Dustin, Reese, Donna, Fergus, Lethe, Peridot, Phlox, Pomp and Power, Ruthenium, ...]
-The founder and each one of the 3 heirs/heiresses must write a novel [Nisha, ...]

"Workaholics Anonymous" Super Mini-Challenge:
-Earn all the career rewards available [16 out of 20: 2 earned by Cody, 2 earned by Reese, 2 earned by Börje, 2 earned by Bruna, 1 earned by Donna, 3 earned by Fergus, 2 earned by Olive, 2 earned by Oil]