The Tanakas (B) - Round 11

Starring:

Stella Terrano, Elder Knowledge Sim, 2nd LTW Become Mad Scientist

Mariko Tanaka, Elder Popularity Sim, 2nd LTW Become The Law


~*~*~*~*~

Last round at the Tanaka house, Cosmo headed off to college and the two elder ladies enjoyed some peace and quiet in the house. Stella worked on her business as usual, and life progressed without a hitch. How will they do this round, with their continuing time without Cosmo?

Since Mariko had retired, she had all the time in the world to make friends and be a truly outgoing popularity sim. Frequently, if Stella couldn't find her, Mariko would be outside on the sidewalk, having encountered someone walking by and struck up a conversation with them. Frequently, these visits turned into imprompu house parties, though much more reserved ones than the house parties Cosmo was attending at university.



Mariko, having worked her whole life, was unsatisfied with retirement, though. She longes to get back out there and do some actual work. She didn't want to work forty to sixty hours a week again, but a few hours a week, she thought she really might enjoy.




Stella had the perfect solution. She and her two employees were having a hard time keeping up with business at the store, and another set of hands would greatly improve their ability to manage the crowds. Mariko could even help with the back end of business: crafting the merchandise. After all, they didn't just need all servos and munchiebots. Some of the most popular sellers were the little toy robots that Mariko could make almost right off the bat.




As bright and as quick a learner as she was, Mariko managed to earn her gold robotics badge within a week of helping Stella craft items to populate the store's shelves. Since making the goods was the most tiring part, Stella knew that she could now count on Mari to spell LaShawn when LaShawn tired out.




Once at the store, the new "employee" worked out brilliantly. Stella and Mari managed to tuck away another good review for their business, and to send away much happier customers.




Stella found that Mariko was especially helpful in doing the little things that she herself didn't always have time for while on the sales floor. Mari took care of things like restocking the shelves and keeping the bathrooms clean and making sure that people were directed towards the things they needed if they were confused by the layout of the store.



Even LaShawn was making progress. With Mariko able to give her breaks, LaShawn was able to stay at work longer and earn her gold robotics badge, making her an even more valuable employee. Stella quickly gave her a raise to reflect her improving skills.




Stella even began giving LaShawn some additional responsibilities, to make her a more well-rounded employee. With three employees holding a gold robotics badge, it wasn't quite so imperative that LaShawn be locked up in the back working on constructing merchandise anymore.




Even Stella gained skill in her register skills, finally mastering the art of running that tricky cash register. The business was on top, level ten, with many loyal customers.



The only thing Stella wished for was the opportunity to really shoot her business to the very tippy top. She simply had to come up with some new strategies. So far, all her decisions seemed to be spot on...especially since her latest meant she got to spend all her time at work with her lovely wife.



[[Author's Notes: Thank god for the business in this household because these two, for as much as I love them, are SO boring in elderhood. This is apparently my boring round because all my CAS babies are turning into elders with not much to do in their retirement. The only thing I find really fun as a hobby for elders is gardening because I really love the nature hobby stuff. Anyway. If anyone has any tips for getting those remaining Business Perks, I'd love to hear it. They seem to be stuck in a rut when it comes to perks, and they're already at level ten, so I'm not sure what else I can do. I might read up on it, but any advice is helpful too. This store is my first real foray into OfB. Only one blooper, but it's a cute one...

Blooper:
I wonder if Bitsy's lonely and looking for a companion? ]]

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The Tanakas (A) - Round 11

Starring:

Jiro Tanaka, Adult Romance Sim, 2nd LTW Have 20 Simultaneous Lovers




Linda Tanaka, Adult Pleasure Sim, 2nd LTW Become Professional Party Guest

Homer Tanaka, Teen Family Sim, LTW Raise 20 Puppies or Kittens

~*~*~*~*~

Last time at the Tanaka house, Belle and Sebastian both aged from puppies into adult dogs and quickly made with the mating. Sadly, there were no puppies made on that attempt. The whole family took an interest in the pets, taking care of them and teaching them tricks. Jiro reached the top of the sports career and retired, while Linda mostly spent her time sewing. When Homer wasn't tending to the dogs, he was hanging out with other teens in the neighborhood. Let's see how they fare this time.

Homer took his promise to take care of his dogs very seriously. While Linda or Jiro would take them for a walk once in a while or throw some food in the dog bowls, it was Homer who bathed them, disciplined them, and trained them. He knew he couldn't have pets in college, so he couldn't wait to get back to Rosebud and start breeding even more puppies.




And if Homer was going to get to college and get through it smoothly and painlessly, he knew he had to study hard. Of course, more times than not, he was interrupted by the apparently grouchy ghost of his great grandmother Yuuna, who constantly roamed the house and made trouble.



Linda suspected that Yuuna was feeling neglected, and she had to admit that she hadn't mourned her old friend in a long time. She spent some time at Yuuna's grave in the hopes that her friend would understand that she was still loved and missed.





Life was pretty sedate for the former party animals Linda and Jiro. Jiro had his new secondary aspiration of Knowledge and spent a lot of time studying varying subjects. Linda was enjoying training the dogs to not chew on her sewing projects or jump up on the furniture.




The dogs really seemed to take to her commands, and they were fast learners.




Even Jiro got into the swing of things. He had to admit the little dogs were cute and bright, and it was fun to watch them learn. Retirement was turning out to be all right.




They had other hobbies, of course. Linda turned the tables on all the peeping toms in the neighborhood and started some spying on her own.




Jiro threatened to turn into a genuine boring old fogie, doing the daily crossword puzzle religiously...even if he needed Linda's help with a lot of the words.




And they always made time for one another. They might have been older, but they weren't dessicated, they reasoned.





Unfortunately, the hauntings by Yuuna continued, but Linda wouldn't let them move the grave away. She promised she would give it one more chance before they said goodbye to Yuuna once and for all.


Homer didn't much care either way. After all, he was old enough and finally prepared enough to go to college. He racked up quite a list of scholarships to help pay, even though his parents had plenty of money to send him.





Homer headed off to sim state later that week, happy to be free of the house, even though he would miss his family and his dogs.



Linda was left not only to continue her study of the domestic arts, but to work on figuring out how to make an angry ghost a little less angry.


[[Author's Notes: Not much to say for these guys. I was disappointed that there were no puppies because I wanted Homer to get a head start on his LTW, but oh well. Yuuna is becoming a real pain in my behind, but I'm really curious if mourning the grave more actually does decrease the number of hauntings in the house. We'll see. A few bloopers for you.

Bloopers:
I swear, this is the best dog ever. She always goes way out back to the pine trees to pee. // Hahaha, Jiro, you look so incredibly silly. // Finally, some action around this place! An out of control cleanbot! I must have been bored. ]]

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The Villaloboses (A) - Round 11

Starring:

Vincente Villalobos, Adult Romance Sim, 2nd LTW Become Rock God


~*~*~*~*~

Last round in the Villalobos house, Vinnie enjoyed spending time with various ladies, including his on-again-off-again friend with benefits, Jill Fleig. He also got a job in the music career track again with the hopes of finally achieving his 2nd LTW of becoming a rock god. Pequito aged into an elder dog. We'll see how these three do this round!

Vinnie started off in true Vinnie fashion...with a date and a little public woohoo. He and his date certainly caused a stir in the restaurant, but, wait...Vinnie, who is in there with you?




Oh, it's an old college flame, Vicki Das. Uh-oh, though. Who is that I see in the horrible green and blue outfit standing there watching you exit the photo booth?




That's right. It was Conor Vinci, Vicki's former college love. Conor, always a gentleman (except when he was slapping ex girlfriends) was more offended that Vicki could do that with such a womanizer as Vinnie, more than the fact that she was moving on after their college romance.



It's not very nice to do a gay little dance after your most recent conquest got caught by a former lover, Vinnie.



Oh. That's what you were doing. Well, still, it serves you right having a sore back when you were twisting all around like that, old man.




Vinnie, perhaps in an effort to remind himself how virile he had been in his life, or perhaps due to early-onset dementia, decided to have a hen party, inviting eight of his former flames to all come over for a belated birthday party for himself. He was looking forward to seeing all those beautiful women again.




Of course, it didn't go well. Some of his former loves were really still hanging on. He was shocked. It wasn't like he'd ever proposed to any of them. They'd just had a little bit of fun...right?




He discovered that apparently he hadn't been very clear with his intentions over the years, as his eyes filled with the tears of being slapped.



He also found that he apparently wasn't as thoughtful as he tried to be, and that he probably hurt more women's feelings over the years than he ever meant to. He was sad to know it, but he was too old and too tired to worry about it too much. He had other things on his mind.




He worked very hard to redeem himself from the firing he took last time he tried to become a rock god. It seemed to be paying off. He came home that tonight twirling a finger in the air, preparing happily for his new assignment as a symphony conducter.



Unfortunately, sad news came that night. Death came, but not for Vinnie. Poor, loyal Pequito, who had been the adored puppy of the long-gone Santiago, had to go to puppy heaven.



Vinnie and Alegra were both devastated. They'd both lost a companion and a friend, and the house seemed a little quieter without the shaggy old dog around.



They both definitely sensed that Pequito wasn't completely gone though. It was just a feeling around the house sometimes at night, but it was there.


Despite his depression over losing Pequito, Vinnie did manage to finally reach the top of his career, after so many years. It felt like a relief more than anything. He'd finally achieved his goal, and now he could stop worrying and relax into his elderhood.




He had no desire to retire yet, though. After all, after working so long to become a rock god, he was going to enjoy it and all its perks for a while yet.






After all, there were LOTS of perks.



[[Author's Notes: I was so sad to see Pequito go. It was sort of like losing one last bit of Santiago. Vinnie's pretty boring. So boring, in fact, that I decided to throw a party with a ton of exes just to liven things up. With the exception of that single slapfest and the sad denial of a kiss, NOTHING of interest happened. At least no fights. One interesting thing was that women were hitting on Vinnie, and he was constantly turning him down. Maybe he's used up all his sex drive. :p A few bloopers.

Bloopers:
Vinnie: How dare you flirt with me!? How inappropriate! Why, I should take you over my knee, young lady! // The only thing that resulted of the party. :( ]]

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The Clearys (A) - Round 11

Starring:

Colm Cleary, Elder Popularity Sim, LTW Have 20 Simultaneous Best Friends

Neal Cleary, Adult Knowledge Sim, 2nd LTW Become Chief of Staff

Michelle Cleary, Elder Fortune Sim, LTW Become Business Tycoon

Tessa Ramirez, Adult Knowledge Sim, LTW Become Pretidigitator

Tallulah Cleary, Toddler Knowledge Sim, LTW Grow-Up Well

~*~*~*~*~

Last round at the Cleary house, Neal and Tessa rejoined Neal's parents and their infant daughter Tallulah in the family home. The house got a remodel, Neal and Tessa tied the knot in a very beautiful ceremony, and Tallulah aged well into a toddler. Aisling made herself a pest and got moved to the Rosebud Cemetery, while Michelle and Neal had unusual experiences of their own: being abducted by aliens. Colm continued to make loads of friends and take the most tender care of his new granddaughter. Let's see how they do this round.



On the heels of his promotion to Media Magnate, Neal was feeling on top of the world. So on top that he managed to take up a new favorite interest. It might not have seemed like a reasonable "hobby" to most people, but Neal stood by his intense love of grilled cheese.




His mood was so good, in fact, that he continued to make great decisions at work. It was amazing what progress and achievement could do for a sim's sense of self. He felt confident and on top of the world, especially now that his latest bonus was enough to practically pay for Tallulah's entire college tuition.




Tessa was working hard too, when at home and at work. She hadn't been quite as studious as Neal had in college, and she was paying for it now that she was back home. Her skill set wasn't as strong as it needed to be, but she made up for her slacking off in college by working hard whenever she wasn't tending Tallulah to build up her knowledge base.



As for Tallulah, she was the happiest little girl around. With a set of parents and a set of grandparents who all adored her, she never lacked for attention and love. Colm was particularly doting on his little granddaughter, spending a great amount of time teaching her things, playing with her, and even doing basic caretaking tasks like bathing and feeding her. Having that beautiful little girl around was Colm's greatest joy these days.



Neal, perhaps because of all the excitement he'd been having at work lately, was feeling a bit under the weather. But he chalked it up to bad sushi from the business lunch he'd had earlier that day and went on with his business. After all, there was something very important he had to do.




It was his little girl's birthday! Tallulah was finally ready to become a bit more independent as a child, leaving those toddling days behind.




She grew up into a very perky young lady who seemed to delight in the changes to her body. And what little girl wouldn't be happy with the changes? After all, now she could reach the snack drawer.




Tallulah got a little makeover, and she was a wonderful combination of her parents' traits. They could never deny her, that was for sure. With Tessa's eyes and nose and Neal's cheeks and mouth, she was one darn pretty combination of features.




Tessa was in awe at the beautiful little thing she and Neal had created, and Neal dreaded the day she became a teenager. He figured he'd better buy a gun and start learning to polish it immediately.



It turned out that Neal had more pressing matters to worry about, though. Apparently, the aliens didn't just do some minor experiments on him...they impregnated him with their spawn! He couldn't believe it! He loved children and families, but this was a bit too much. Not only that, his desire to get started in his new chosen career path -- medicine -- would have to be put on hold. He spend an uneasy few weeks with the creature growing inside him.





With her husband home on -- she could hardly believe it -- maternity leave, Tessa became the primary provider in the house after the still-working Michelle. She fulfilled the role with flying colors, finally achieving the promotion she'd always wanted to Prestidigitator. She'd finally made it, and she was famous.



However, now that she'd achieved that lifetime goal, she felt that her youthful desire for fame and fortune was wearing thin and she began to think differently about the world. Her next job would have to be something involving helping people. That was what was really important after all. Maybe a job that could help entire nations.




Colm continued to focus on smaller goals closer to home. Things like having good friends and growing good, healthy food for his family were enough to keep him happy as a clam in his retired years. Well, that and getting some snuggles from Tallulah once in a while.




Neal continued to grow, much to his consternation and worry, but Michelle and Colm tried to soothe him, saying they'd heard of such cases before and that they were sure he would be just fine. Neal wasn't so sure. As a budding doctor-to-be, this pregnancy thing was like a freak show! At this, Tessa tartly reminded him that she was well aware of the strange changes the body could make, and he quieted down, cowed.




Following this discussion, Tessa wandered off to the office, secretly amused, and managed to find a position in the Intelligence career track that she snapped up, despite the serious cut in pay she would have to take from jumping careers. She had barely sent in her application when she heard yelling.




It was her poor, sweet husband in the throes of his first labor pains. She stayed and tried to coach him on what he should do, but mostly he only yelled.




When the baby was first born, he was loath to even touch it, but when the tiny green tyke gave him a tiny smile, his kind heart melted, and he snuggled the baby close. The little boy was a miracle, and Neal was grateful for him.





They decided to name him Phoenix, after his astral heritage, and the tiny alien babe became a part of the family.




Everyone quickly embraced Phoenix, despite his strangeness. His grandparents especially doted on him, in the way all grandparents do over new babies, and all of Neal's worries were allayed. He'd known some alien people in his lifetime, and they seemed perfectly well-adjusted, so he let go of his worries and concentrated on loving his new son.




Tessa concentrated on her new career, working hard to bring home bonuses and to do her part as a strong citizen. The work was fulfilling, though hard, and her family was a joy to come home to after a long day.




With Neal home on maternity leave, even Michelle and Colm got some time to themselves, which they used to their great benefit. Life was good for these two in their sunset years. They had a beautiful family, a warm home, and lots of good news to celebrate.



Neal finally decided that it was time to get back on the horse, metaphorically speaking. He browsed the web for jobs and found one in his chosen career path: medicine. He was a kindhearted man, and like his wife, he wanted to help people...though admittedly he wanted to help them on a more personal level than his dearly beloved. He took a position as an intern and looked forward to learning as much as he could about the profession.



It turned out that his superiors were impressed with his knowledge and his strong work ethic, and he was quickly promoted. Neal had no complaints. He wanted to be the best doctor he could be.




It soon came time for another celebration in the Cleary household: little Phoenix's first birthday. His parents cheered for him in front of the cake, and suddenly, their little boy wasn't quite so little anymore.



Phoenix grew up into an adorable little boy with a somewhat strangely shaped nose but everything else looking perfectly normal.




And his parents had no doubt he would be a great success in life no matter what he looked like. He was as sweet as his father, neat as a pin, and had plenty of energy. They couldn't have been more proud.



Neal came to understand that this strange alien child he'd been so scared of at first was really a blessing to their family. The first time Phoenix ever said "Dada," Neal knew he'd never have traded his little boy for anyone else.


[[Author's Notes: Ahhhh! I love this family! I absolutely cannot WAIT for Tallulah to age into a teen because I think she is going to be my most stunning sim since Imelda. And Phoenix, though he has the pinchy nose, looks like he's going to be a cutie as well! There may be another child or two in the works for this couple; we'll see. I just love this house and this family so much that I want them to breed as much as possible, haha. Only a few bloopers for you.

Bloopers:
What a strange want. Ironic knowing that YOU'LL be the family member. // Hey, Michelle. I know you're getting older, but do you think you could remember to stop watching the Yummy Channel long enough to put Phoenix in his crib? That'd be awesome. ]]

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