Recently a large group of kids had aged up into teens, this caused some of the smaller classes of younger children to merge. Marcus was hoping he would be in the same class as the werewolf triplets, his Mothers were both best friends with their Mum, but she was always working to hard to bring them over.
When the triplets got on the bus, Casey Errant-Jonas sat next to him. "You're in my seat. Swap.", she said. Marcus wasn't sure if it was a question or a statement, but he happily swapped. He was sitting next to a werewolf, how cool!
Lilly had just locked up the junkyard for the day, and had brought home several boxes of old books to sort during the week. The Fairy was working in the garden when Venice got home from work. Lilli had just finished telling a Wolfs-bane plant how tall and handsome it would grow to be, once Lilli got rid of the weeds holding it back. Lilli raced inside to see her lover, her feet hardly touching the ground. "Is that the new work uniform?,has Manny finally started outsourcing the uniform designs?" Lilli chirped enquiringly.
"Funny you should ask!", Venice laughed, looking up from playing tug of war with Bull. With each new promotion, Manny the boss, insists on a new uniform that he designs himself. Manny is a great businessman, but his designer skills are terrible. "I went to try on the new uniform this morning, it was so short, I'd have to shave before I left the house, and I don't just mean my legs!", Venice explained.
Venice repeated to Lilli what she had told Manny, "This outfit looks like some 'Simpop schoolgirl fantasy hooker outfit', with a few black studded belts thrown over one shoulder. I'm a rock icon Manny, I'm not putting up with this uniform crap anymore, I wear what I like, or I go find another label".
"I'm glad he backed down, I love the new look!" Lilli trilled. "So am I sweety.", Venice replied, "I have several engagements with local schools, and didn't relish the idea of flashing my undies at all the kids every time I moved!
"Mum!!', Marcus yelled, "Muuum!!! Boney's falled down the stairs again!". Venice groaned and looked at Lilli, who just rolled her eyes. Venice sighed, "After all the problems getting her chamber down to the basement, it looks like we have to pull it all apart again, and bring it back up here."
Venice was nearly at the top of her career, 'Simphony Of Destruction', her band were starting to get air time overseas, and their latest album, 'Masters Of Puppetry', had been number one on the Simnation Top 50 for three weeks, when the first song from the album 'Welcome Home (Simitarium)' had been knocked from its top spot on the song chart, it was replaced with another song from the same album. 'The Glitches That Should Not Be', had been sitting at number one for a week now.
Venice started working out more often, Lilli, being a fairy was going to outlive her by a long shot, and she wanted to be with her soulmate for as long as she could. That and how tired she was after playing concerts pushed Venice to attain perfect fitness and health.
Because of all the late nights at work,sometimes not even getting home until 2AM, Venice also resolved to spend more time with her son.
The money kept rolling in, and Venice decided to put in a glass and steel catwalk over the pool. Bob the builder came and had the job done in no time. "That's a brilliant design, I think I might do one similar at my house!", Bob enthused.
Marcus continued to be deeply interested in the supernatural. He had three werewolf girls in his class, and there was a friendly teen ghost girl at his school. Marcus had also met a few fairies around Elba, and he had met an old lady who claimed to be a witch, but couldn't prove it, because she was so senile that she could never remember were her wand was.
Marcus knew zombies weren't really supernatural creatures, and that it was just an illness, all that was left on his list was a Vampire, he didn't care if it was tall, dark, and spooky, or if it was shiny and sparkly, he just had to meet one! Lilli and Venice eventually tired of hearing about Vampires and took their son to 'The Red Velvet Lounge', a suspected vampire hangout.
The dressed in their finest, and got ready to make a family night of it. When they arrived, the human bar maid was complaining about the new sound system. All of the speakers had been mounted, but nobody had bothered to wire them up. Lilli, sensing that the barmaid didn't know a spanner from a hammer offered to do the job for free. Lilliana's decision was also heavily influenced by the fact that Venice owed her a dance or two!
Despite being a Friday night, the place remained dead, the few visitors all being human, who stayed for a short while, then left, most likely for 'Varg's Tavern'. Marcus didn't know it, but the total supernatural population made up around five percent of the towns total, and that Vampires where outnumbered by every other individual supernatural life state type. Marcus stayed up late building a big block castle for some imaginary Vampires to live in.
Meanwhile, Lilli and Venice went down into the basement to test out a recently acquired massage table. They both decided it was going to need a lot of testing!
Time passed swiftly, life was good. Dozer and Bull made it their lifetime wish to be under foot as often as possible. Marcus worked hard in school, maintaining A's and being on the honor roll. Lilli looked after the house, the garden, the junkyard, and the dogs. Lilli also made sure Venice remembered to eat regularly. Venice worked tirelessly to become a global Rock Legend.
Eventually the pups grew up, Gypsy was a proud mother, and quickly taught her children how to drag home collectibles for their humans.
As pups, Bull had been the trouble maker who was always chewing things. Now that the duo had matured it was Bull, the larger of the two, who was the more calmer and intelligent of the two. If dog's had class clowns, that title would have gone to Dozer.
To celebrate Venice impending 'Rock Super Mega Stardom', Lilli decided to build Venice a guitar collection, easily finding a space in the expansive house. They didn't need to sell every collectible these days, they where quite wealthy. Lilliana decided that for every new guitar that she added to Venice collection, that Venice was required to write a new song for Lilli, and serenade her with the new guitar.
Venice was thrilled with the idea, and decided that the second guitar required two songs, the third guitar, three songs, and so on. Before long Venice was writing more songs for her soulmate than her career. Both her love life and her career benefited from this.
"Hi Mum, Hi Mumtoo", Marcus greeted Venice and Lilliana, one day after school. Marcus had started calling Lilli 'Mum' recently, much to her delight, although when Venice and Lilli were together, Marcus referred to Lilli by the nickname 'Mumtoo', to avoid confusion.
"Is it okay if I have four girlfriends when I grow up?", Marcus asked innocently, sitting down next to Venice at the kitchen table. Venice sprayed the table with coffee, Lil grabbed a sponge and watched Venice reaction with delight.
"That's an..unusual, and unexpected question..", Venice replied carefully, fishing for more information.
Marcus explained, "I live in one really big house, I have two really great Mums, I have three very nice dogs, and there are four girls at school, that I'm best friends with, Alycia, Bernadette, Casey, and Elsa. I can see the pattern Mum, but I don't understand how it works.", "The older kids at school are always talking about dating, and I'd like to understand more about it before it happens, si I don't embarrass myself."
"Okay, that makes sense." Venice replied slowly, trying to gather her thoughts. Lilli just leaned against the fridge, grinning with amusement at Venice rare temporary loss of confidence.
"It is technically possible to have four girlfriends at once, I suppose.". Venice struggled with morals and phraseology before continuing. "Most girlfriends or boyfriends don't like sharing their girlfriends or boyfriends with other people.. as boyfriends or girlfriends." Venice hoped that she had spoken it as clear, and as technically correct, as it had sounded in her head.
Seeing the slight look of confusion on Marcus face, Lilli finally stepped in to help, "Marcus, before your mother and I married, we dated, but its the same back then as now.". "When your mother and I where girlfriends, if I had brought another girl home, and said to V, this is our new girlfriend, it would have made her mad at me", Lilli clarified, "Because your mum wouldn't necessarily love the new girl, and the new girl might not love your mum, even if I loved them both."
"Aaah, I think I get it!.",Marcus explained, "So being in a relationship is a bit like a favorite toy, Its okay when people look at Lillibear, Its okay when people talk to Lillibear, but I get real mad when anyone touches Lillibear?, Is that right?"
"YES" said Venice and Lilli together, ready to change the subject.
Earlier on Marcus ' Teen-up' day, Venice called the Errant-Jonas family, and all the kids from school that Marcus was friends with to invite them to a party. She also told some of her friends from her music career, and that they were welcome to bring their children.
Selena Errant-Jonas didn't need to convince two of her daughters, Bernadette and Casey to attend, but Alycia was being stubborn, and mumbled some excuse about 'celabrating getting older, and closer to meeting the Grim was stupid.', but she promised to show up later for the cake. Chastity Hunter-Watson also showed up early with some of her children. Elsa Collins arrived driving her fathers expensive new sports car. By the time the music was thumping and the cake was out, Alycia had arrived, and was circling the cake like a vulture. Only one friend was missing.
The party had started to spread through the house, 'luckily I remembered to lock the doors to contain the party to one floor.' Venice thought to herself. Venice had locked the doors to both the upstairs living area, and the downstairs basement.
Lawrence Lum called Marcus by mobile phone for the third time. "Heya Marky, I couldn't remember if it was left, or right at the town center, I'm at some beach!" Marcus gave his friend another new set of directions.
"This is cool hanging out with you on your birthday!", Casey called out as she thundered across the sky on her unicorn. Marcus tried to keep on his recycled garbage powered jet bike.
"Potatohead, me and scaredy-pants have our birthdays tommorow!", announced Casey, dismounting the tired unicorn. "We won't get a cool party like this if we get one, mum says too many bills to pay, and we'll probably have to share a cake too", Casey added, trying not to sound sad.
Marcus had been practicing making muffins to kill time before his party started, he still had a fresh one in his pocket, so he carefully pulled it out.
The thought of one of his very best friends not getting a cake or party for her birthday, made him sad, so he offered it to Casey. "I thought you're mum might not have the time or money, so I made you a cake!", Marcus improvised. "Thank you Marcus", Casey beamed, showing one of her rare, but pretty smiles.
Marcus had opened all of his presents, writing down who gave him what, so he could write thank you letters later. Lilli had given him a stack of books, mostly about art, although there was also a Simlish translation of a Fae book on 'Supernatural Creatures, And Where To Find Them.' Gypsy had given him her second favorite chew toy, which he had slipped back into the dogs toy box, hoping she wouldn't notice. Venice had given him a set of keys. When he looked over at the garage, Venice told him that it was being painted, and should be here in a few days.
Lawrence still hadn't arrived, but it was getting late, so Venice announced it was time for the cake, and several of the guests made a beeline for the cake.
Blowing out the candles, he grabbed the first slice and jumped onto a stool at the bar. All day I've been waiting for you little cake!
Marcus thanked the last of the guests for coming to his party, Venice and Lilli headed upstairs to bed. Marcus was putting away his presents, and went to the door to call the dogs inside for the night, when Lawrence finally arrived, out of breath."I've missed out again, haven't I, I'm so unlucky!" Lawrence sniffled unhappily. "Cheer up buddy", Marcus encouraged, "I thought this might happen to you, so I saved you a bit of cake!".
"Safe travels home!", Marcus called out as Lawrence left for home, "Watch out for the Curfew Cops!". Marcus locked the dogs in, and strolled across the floor, climbing the stairs to his room. Elba had repealed its teen curfew laws many years ago, but the under teen curfew was still enforced. As Marcus put his head on the pillow to sleep, he thought 'Was that a siren in the distance', and drifted off to pleasant dreams.
Oh, the troubles I've had with pets, since starting this challenge!
Recently I had to build up 20k pet points, to buy young again pet potion, not east with cat or dog,
after some freak time warp glitch that caused half my household to age span reset, and I wanted Gypsy to have her pups before being an elder.
I have pups set to a 7 day lifespan. Bull aged up nicely, Dozer had 3 days to go..., so for story purposes, I aged Dozer up. then when I checked against Gypsy, she was about four sim days older than the pups... Excuse me EA, mathemagics???
Also pups don't have Heterochromea ... You can select it in create-a-pet, but it won't show until adult.. 'Not happy, Jan!'
Bull was born with 10 in hunting, Dozer with 7, meaning bull couldn't get the 3k or 5k reward for maxing the skill, at I time when Im trying to frantically get the special pet bath.
Also when Dozer aged up, he was 1/4 as wide as the other two dogs. I decided right from the start Dozer was going to be skinnier than Bull, so you could tell them apart easier with my crappy low-res screenies. Hello again EA! Dozer is Husky x Malamute, not anorexic Greyhound x Stick Figure!
