:|

I'm still alive, I have the pictures for my next chapter, and I'm heavy with child (haha, just kidding. I am pregnant, but I lost a ton of weight at the beginning and now I'm barely gaining it back. Did you know some women get morning sickness their whole pregnancy? I didn't.). Unfortunately, my computer is having power supply issues so I've been hesitant to run my game. Beyond that, I don't know how much I'll be able to play. I'm considering starting a different legacy, but I have no idea.

Honestly, writing for this legacy takes a lot of time. I'm a very slow writer, and I have to write several drafts for each chapter. I have story notes that are just ridiculous. Beyond that, I find it hard to sit for long periods of time, which is what I tend to do when I play/write. I'm sad to say that I might not be very active anymore (or active at all). The Bees might be on semi-permanent hiatus which blows because I really like them. At this point, I don't want to make any promises--I might be back, but it seems unlikely for now. I have a uterus-turd to poop out in April, a house to renovate by March, and work stuff (as always).

By the way, I'm having a girl and my partner won't let me name her Nova. :\

ETA: Thank you, by the way, for the kind words on my last post. I guess it's TMI, but I was actually diagnosed with pre-natal depression and put on anti-depressants. I'm doing much better now.

Short Intermission

I've been kind of holding off on posting this even though it's been eating at me.

I found out a couple of weeks ago I'm pregnant, and it's very unplanned. Just about everyone around me is excited and happy, and I find myself extremely depressed and ambivalent. I feel like my life is ending. I haven't really been able to concentrate on anything except my work (and even then, I'm not doing as good a job as I usually do). I'm also constantly tired, so when I have free time I sleep. As a result, I really haven't been keeping up with blogs or tumblrs (obviously) and I've been finding it very hard to write. I also feel like "what's the point? Future-parasite will eat up all my time and I'll never ever have fun again" (and I think this while crying uncontrollably, even though I rarely cry). Needless to say, the hormones are absolutely wrecking me, and I've found out that prenatal depression is incredibly real. Hopefully it'll go away soon.

Anyway, I really don't want to abandon this blog. I just want to do mindless stuff for awhile. My midwife actually recommended taking some time to really indulge myself in hobbies that might be seen as "timewasters" if it makes me feel better, so I've been playing MMOs that don't really require me to think (believe it or not, I think A LOT while playing the Sims, so whenever I try to play or write I just end up making myself upset). I have my next chapter half-written, and I promise I'll be back soonish.

Anyway, next time one of you questions how your legacy sim got pregnant when they should be smart enough not to, just keep me in mind.

Ch. 2.2: Bread and Circuses

Nova rather likes the ceramic bears that stand guard outside Panem et Circenses. Red light bounces off of them, making them more imposing.

The building used to be a warehouse, so it’s quite large, larger than what Nova would expect for a strip club. The brick walls—once red—had been painted purple, and circus paraphernalia litters both the inside and outside. There is no sign advertising the venue or its services, but it doesn’t matter. Somehow, the intended consumer seems to find his way here.

Ch. 2.1: Supernova

 Although she’s technically an adult now, Nova still enjoys a good puddle-splashing. It’s been raining for days in Sunset Valley, and she’s been cooped up in her tiny, one-bedroom apartment for far too long.

It’s time for adventure.

There had been a job fair at her high school a few days before graduation: police officers, doctors, businesspeople, and journalists had all tried to woo the senior class with promises of low or no-paying internships that would eventually lead to “bigger and better things.” But Nova don’t play that game. She’d rather be like her mom—self-sufficient with a side of kooky.

Ch. 1.28: Bright Star

“Thanks for everything, I guess,” Nova says, “Sorry. That sounded mean—really, thanks. You may want to work on your communication skills though. You’re kind of terrible at human interaction.”

Ch. 1.27: Deus ex Machina

Nova is rarely left wordless.

Ch. 1.26: Lost & Found

Rain lightly bounces off of Nova’s shoulders, creating a misty halo. She delights in it—any sort of inclement weather drives most other sims indoors, leaving her free to jog the streets without any interruption. She doesn’t know what it is about a young woman jogging, but it drives men nuts. She usually wears headphones to drown out the hoots and whistles of drive-by harassers, but she abandons them today in favor of listening to drumming of the rain.

Life is beautiful.

Ch. 1.25: Unstable Element

 Where is he? Last he remembered, he was--wait, where had he been? The memory is slipping away. He tries to seize it, but it wiggles away, evading his grasp. All he knows is what’s in front of him.
 
He shivers—he’s cold, frozen straight through to his bones. His marrow has turned to ice. The room is too bright, the florescent lights intensified by the white walls and the metal chambers that are surrounding him. He rubs his face as he steps forward, frosty air billowing around him. He’s not quite sure where he’s going, but he feels like he must walk. The shadowy figure of a man stands in front of him, hazy, impossible to distinguish. The man speaks.

“Mercury,” he says, but everything after that is incomprehensible.

Ch. 1.24: Your Leash is Too Long

So far in his short life, Zenith has failed at pretty much everything he’s tried. He wasn’t very good at ballet—inevitably quitting despite Nova’s protests—and he is always chosen last for any team in P.E. class. He’s failing math, despite Solaris providing weekly tutoring sessions, and Polaris has given up teaching him to drive after weeks of nightly lessons.

But Zenith is really, really talented when it comes to music He excels at every instrument, though he prefers guitar. It gives him a certain ethos among his peers. He may be the dolt who gets F’s on almost every exam, but he's can play more than just "Smoke on the Water."

Ch. 1.23: Happily Ever After

Hooves pound against the ground, reverberating through the valley. Despite the sunny day—beautifully punctuated by a light breeze—there are no birds singing, no animals frolicking. All is silent, save the wind and the beating of the hooves.

A striking young knight rides the white steed, his dark locks falling across his face. His armor is in desperate need of a good shine, and his horse is near exhaustion, but he is determined.

Ch. 1.22: Smile

“We meet again,” Nova drawls, “Knew this day would come sooner or later. Ya done wrong, and as sheriff 'round these parts, I’m gonna be remedyin’ that.”

Silence.

“Don’t try to plead for your life, pilgrim! It ain’t gonna help ya now.”

Nothing.

“Don’t care ‘bout your wife ‘n kids! You’ll pay for you done to me and the other nice folks of this county!”

Ch. 1.21: Aftershocks

 “Oh thank the maker you’re here, Polly. I’m about ready to light myself on fire,” Lyra looks suitably suicidal, “If I have to listen to another goddamn whiny hipster song I am going to lose my fucking shit.”

The coffeehouse is somewhat hipster-esque—gigantic posters are plastered on the walls, beat poetry books line the community library shelves (“Take a book, leave a book!” a nearby sign declares), and the barista is sporting some pretty rancid dreads. Pretty typical coffeehouse stuff, really.

Ch. 1.20: Rawr

“Don’t go too far, Nova!” Solaris calls after his sister, “stay in eyesight!”


“Whaaaa---?! I can’t hear you!” Nova howls into the wind. It’s a total lie, but she ain’t gonna let no punk-ass brother get in the way of her fun. She stares ahead, her gaze fixed on a secluded beach on the horizon. Adventure awaits.

Ch. 1.19: We'll Meet Again

A warehouse—foreboding, reaching up towards the sky. Dried grass surrounds it, swaying slightly in the breeze, and stale water leaks from a rusty pipe. Dead bugs and clumps of brown leaves swirl in the resulting puddle. She swears she can smell rot and dust and maybe even death, but that can’t be possible, not in a dream. Unnerving.

Ch. 1.18: Stranger Danger

“You are so immature,” Elysia complains. Luna, Solaris, Zenith, and Nova have been traipsing around the playroom, generally causing a ruckus. It’s distracting her from her very important magazines—how was she going to find out which member of Sim Direction eats grilled cheese sandwiches for breakfast if her obnoxious siblings wouldn’t be quiet?!

"Seeking the Truth" Private Messages

He settles onto the cold floor of his bedroom and opens his laptop. It was a present, of course. A respectable man wouldn’t purchase a pink laptop, but he’s not going to look a gift-horse in the mouth.  The laptop whirrs to life, the bright screen illuminating the dim room. He mindlessly cycles through all of his usual websites—Simnation news, Simbook, Know Your Simeme—before opening up the Seeking the Truth Wiki: “Your Home for Conspiracies and Apocalypse Preparedness.” He becomes so engrossed in the article of the day (“The Zombie Apocalypse and You”) that he jumps when an IM window pops up on his screen.

naynay: hey...
cottoneyed: holy crap, where have you been, Naomi? I’ve been worried sick. It’s been forever!
naynay: I’ve been busy. ...
cottoneyed: Busy?
naynay has gone idle.
cottoneyed: Naomi, answer me? What do you mean, busy?
naynay is no longer idle.
cottoneyed: Naomi?
naynay has gone idle.
cottoneyed: This is bullshit. I f*cking love you. You can’t ignore me like this.
naynay is no longer idle.
naynay: they came to my house...
cottoneyed: who?? Who came you your house??
naynay: aliens...
cottoneyed: You’ve got to be kidding me. Are you okay?
naynay: i am now....
naynay has sent an attachment:

naynay: that was right after they came.
cottoneyed: Shit. I’ll track those bastards down, skin ‘em alive.
naynay: they’re long gone...
naynay: they came here months ago...i’ve just been too scared to contact anyone...
naynay: they said if I posted on the forums again, they’d lobotomize me...
cottoneyed: Are you okay?
naynay: hunter I’m really scared...
cottoneyed: Do you want me to go to LP?
cottoneyed: I can take care of them. Shit, I bet I can talk to some of the people from the forum. Some of the preppers,* and I keep in contact with them pretty regularly.
naynay: who have you been talking to?
cottoneyed: Well, scowl_face finally got f*cking banned for harassment, but like she’d be any help. Greys is just a kid, so he can’t help, either, though he wants to. But I’ve been in contact with Ptolemy and Skully. They seem smart. I think I can trust them. The rest are sheeple.
naynay: and you can come to LP?
cottoneyed: I’ll be there tomorrow if you need me to.
naynay: could you please? I’d feel so much better if you were here...
naynay: I love you...
cottoneyed: I love you, too. I’ll get my GO bag together. Stay where you are. Do you have a BOL planned?*
naynay: yeah, there’s a warehouse on the outskirts of town....we can go there and not be bothered...unless they already know about it....
naynay: they know everything hunter...i’m so worried...
cottoneyed: Do they know about me?
naynay: they didn’t mention you...
cottoneyed: Then they don’t know everything. I’ll be there by 0500.
naynay: you’re the best….stay safe!!!
cottoneyed: I always do.
cottoneyed has signed off.

***

Author’s Note: Surely you hadn’t forgotten about our dear friend naynay (aka Naomi Nita) from Chapter 12? And cottoneyed from the “Seeking the Truth” forum posts? Good. :D

*Preppers: a survivalist or prepared individual; GO Bag: a preparation bag, “go bag” or “bug out bag”; BOL, "bug out location."

Ch. 1.17: Bee Larvae

“Yeah, this’ll do nicely,” Lyra shields her eyes from the setting sun and scans the horizon, “I can see living here.”

“It certainly is lovely,” Crux agrees, “breathtaking, even.”

“I’ll get a house close to the beach, swim every day and hit up the casino every night—I’ll be living’ the high life. No more of this dry heat, endless sand bullshit.”

“I think the safety and remoteness of this town is more compelling,” Crux wants to hurry this along. Lyra and Crux have been visiting various towns around Simnation for months, investigating demographics and gauging political and social leanings. They’d run into some strange towns during their adventures, as well as some forgettable towns, but this one was different. It’s normal, but eerily so. Everyone had been kind to the duo thus far, and no one questioned their appearance. It seems they found a winner, but Crux is nervous, uneasy. Something feels off—it’s too perfect, too welcome, too accepting.

Ch. 1.16: A Thousand Times

“I’m going to kill him,” Polaris growls to herself, “I’m going to kill him and dump his body in the desert.”

Polaris had gone into labor a little prematurely. Crux had been meticulously planning for the delivery, but his schedule was apparently a couple of days off. He was temporarily out of town with Lyra; before he left, he had promised he would be back in time to help deliver the baby. Liar

Sneak Peek: Sunset Valley Revamp

Hello all! I wanted to give you a preview of what's to come in my legacy while I hammer out my plans for the next few chapters. I've decided to move the Bee's to a new neighborhood, simply because Lucky Palms is starting to annoy me. I really like the layout of Sunset Valley, and I think that SV is a little more versatile. I felt limited in LP since most of the structures are southwestern themed or mid-century modern--I wanted more options. I also got annoyed by how spread out LP is (which is a weird complaint, I know) So, in my free time, I've been revamping SV in CaW. I wanted to make it more of a coastal tourist town, maybe a little like Avalon Village on Catalina Island. This is what I've done so far:

Ch. 1.15: The Birds and the Bees

“I wasn't expecting to have this conversation with you so soon,” Polaris admits, “I thought I could put it off for a while. She’s stalling—this is going to be uncomfortable. The triplets stare at her, wide-eyed.

“So you are pregnant?” Solaris breaks the silence, “you’re going to have a baby?”

“Yes, I’m pregnant. Probably just a few weeks along, but you’re going to have a little brother or sister.” Or both, she shudders at the thought of having another set of triplets.

Ch. 1.14: Crux-Pollynation

Polaris wakes up early in the morning, before the sun has even risen. Her nausea has been replaced by ravenous hunger. She opens the fridge door, but is quickly overwhelmed by the smell of rotten food—some leftovers have gone bad. She spins around and rushes to the bathroom.

Ch. 1.13: Routine

 Spooky Day quickly approaches, and Polaris and the Bee Brood prepare for it by carving jack-o’-lanterns. Luna grimaces as she scoops the guts out of a pumpkin.

“What, too gross?” Polaris laughs.

“This is the definition of gross, mom. Why are we doing this?”

“Because tomorrow’s Spooky Day! We have to get in the spirit, Lulu,” Polaris wants to give her children normal, human experiences.

“It’s icky. And what’s the point,” Luna mumbles, “someone is just going to smash them.”

Ch 1.12: F*ck Honey; Use Violence

Crux fakes a yawn as he emerges from his room. “What is it, Lyra? You startled me awake.”

“Yeah, I don’t think we woke you,” Lyra scoffs. Crux blushes.

“We’re sorry to interrupt you and Polaris. I know you were enjoying yourselves,” Lily smiles, “but Lyra and I discovered something.”

“A big fucking problem,” Lyra clarifies, “we discovered a big fucking problem.”

“You keep using that word…”

“Seriously, Crux. This is some grave shit.”

Ch. 1.11: Try a Little Tenderness

While the triplets were staying at Luke’s loft, Crux invites Polaris to have dinner with him at his home. It’s a cool night, and clouds cast a hazy shadow over the desert. Crux’s house is two-stories and contemporary; Polaris is suitably impressed. The interior is largely monochromatic, with the occasional hint of color. Unseasonable rain drums against the many windows, producing an uneven tempo that echoes through the cavernous house.

"Seeking the Truth" Forum Post #698

Posted on "Seeking the Truth," subforum "Paranormal Sightings."

Subject: alien anchor baby??? 

naynay: omg guys...i have a huge sighting, but first some background...

...i live in lucky palms, and recently this guy moved next door to me. no huge deal...he looks like a douche, but he doesn't bother me...

...anyway, i was looking outside right now and i saw this guy outside with some kids. i don't know maybe they're his but one of them is BLUE and she has orange hair. there is an alien kid in my neighborhood!! first the library, now my next door neighbor's house....i'm not safe here!!

Greys: Calm down, naynay. Are you sure that's what you saw? Maybe you're still wound up from your other sighting.

cottoneyed: Shit, they're breeding here? That's fucked up.

scowl_face: Pics or GTFO.

cptkirk69: hahaha, pics or gtfo! yeah! tit pics! rofl

Ptolemy: Yes, post a picture.

Greys: Don't do anything crazy, naynay. That said, a picture would be nice.

naynay: sorry i was gone for so long. i had to dig out my old camera....luckily douchey neighbor has a bunch of big windows in his house. i got a picture of him and the kid...sorry it's blurry...i had to take it from far away and zoom in on my computer...

cptkirk69: lol, thats teal, not blue.

scowl_face: Fake. You're pathological, naynay. You need help.

Ptolemy: Insane--I cannot believe this.

Greys: This is phenomenal, naynay. There are other kids, right? What do they look like?

naynay: like normal kids, really...scowl_face, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all....

cottoneyed: Repulsive. Abominations like that should be terminated.

cptkirk69: gingers are repulsive, lmfao. terminate the gingers!!!1

scowl_face:  You're repulsive, cottoneyed. I don't know why you're obsessing over this. You guys need to grow up.

cottoneyed: Hey fucktard, ALIENS ARE INVADING. You're the one that needs to grow up, pussy.

cptkirk69: in befor the lock

diminati: normally i lurk, but it seems pretty screwed up to post a picture of a kid and post it on a forum. even if that kid is a freak. also, she is teal not blue. btw, anchor baby is an offensive term.

cottoneyed: No one cares, hippie.

naynay: i'm trying to find the truth....that's the point of this forum....

plzdontabductmeagain: I just wanted to thank you for your bravery, naynay. You're a true asset to our cause. BTW, she looks green to me. The aliens who abducted me were greyish green.

Ptolemy: Indeed. Great work.

diminati: no, this is not great work. you're a stalker.

scowl_face: I agree with diminati. You need mental help. All of you do.

Greys: Hey everyone, let's calm down and talk rationally

naynay: i really didnt mean anything bad by this...im sorry if i offended anyone.

cottoneyed: don't be sorry, naynay. these mofos are just jealous.

[Mod] Skully: Hey guys, I guess I need remind you that you should not take pictures of private residences and post them here. While we value the discoveries naynay has made for this community, it's important to respect people's privacy. I'm locking this thread and flagging it for deletion.

Ch 1.10: On Human Bonding

Luke had called Polly and requested that she bring the triplets over that weekend. He had just bought a new house (“A loft,” he bragged), and he wanted to celebrate with the kids.

He waits at the front door anxiously. It’s been awhile since he had seen the triplets. Worries of being a bad father plague him—he didn’t want to be like his father. When he sees them walking up the pier towards his house, he rushes out the front door.

“Ahoy!” He yells. It sounded less dorky in his head. Elysia and Solaris continue to walk at a snail’s pace, but Luna takes off running towards him.

“Daddy!” She yelled.

He smiles as he kneels down, arms outstretched. He hadn’t realized how much she had grown. He wraps his arms around her and picked her up. “I missed you,” she says through a wide grin.

Elysia and Solaris looked less than excited to see him. Solaris was doubtful of any sort of change: he predicts that his father will spend this weekend with them, and then promptly forget about any sort of parental responsibility. Elysia, on the other hand, is annoyed because anytime she peers into her sister’s head, all she can ‘hear’ is an ongoing performance of “99 Bottles of Nectar on the Wall.” She has the suspicion that Luna was trying to keep something from her, and she is frustrated that it’s actually working.

"Seeking the Truth" Forum Post #517

Posted on "Seeking the Truth," subforum "Paranormal Sightings."

Subject: alien at the library???

naynay: check out this thing at the library....he's been coming here every day....this is seriously freaking me out, guys. could this be the beginning of the end???

cptkirk69: fuk, the alien invasin happenin alredy, lol. maybe theyll cancel midterms, lol.

scowl_face: fake.

Ptolemy: Where did you take this picture?

naynay: library in lucky palms. this been a lot of weird stuff going on recently. lights in the sky, strange people...i'm worried....

Greys: Be careful, naynay. It's only so long before SSS gets involved. You don't want to be in the crossfire.

cottoneyed: Shit, he looks just like some guy I saw in Riverview. He was with two fugly-ass "females". I cant believe people dont notice everything thats happening! And everyone calls me a psycho...fucking sheeple. I cant wait til the invasion--culling of the herd!

naynay: should i follow him?

Greys: No, definitely not!

cptkirk69: lol, dooooo iiiiit.

cottoneyed: Wait for reinforcements.

naynay: he left already....some purple chick came and picked him up....this is too weird, guys....i've said it before, and i'll say it again: we need to prepare for the invasion.

cottoneyed: You can come stay in Riverview with me if anything happens. I'll pm you the coordinates.

Greys: Stay vigilant, naynay.

naynay: thanks, guys...i'll let you know if i see him again.

***

Author's Note: I know, this is not really an update. I'm just playing around with some alternate methods of exposition, so I don't have to jam exposition into dialogue.

Ch. 1.9: Fidelity

“Mom broke up with Luke,” Elysia says. She doesn’t call him “dad,” or “daddy,” or anything else a child typically calls a father. Why would she?

“Shut up, Elly,” Luna grumbles, “you big fat liar.” It’s true—Elysia was prone to lying, but she made sure to weave in the occasional truth.

The girls are trying to complete their homework last minute after a wild weekend of tag and pillow fights. As usual, Solaris finished his homework at lightning speed, leaving the Luna and Elysia to work on their own. He doesn’t offer any help as they struggle.

“Really, they broke up,” Elysia insists. They hardly ever see their father anyway, but she feels like Solaris and Luna should be taking this more seriously. Their parents are no longer together—they should probably get busy developing psychological scars or something.