Magda found her days finally settling into a new routine now that her children had reached their crawling stage. She would grab naps and bites to eat whenever she could, between caring for her children, and harvesting shat she could before the cold of winter fully settled in. Some days she even managed to get a partial bath in. She found herself missing the walks around the island. More than that she missed sleep, as the twins still wouldn't sleep through the entire night. Magda had managed to trade another painting for some new clothes that were slightly more suited to living on an island with small children, and a simple chest of drawers. She had very carefully stored her silks and satin's in a drawer out of toddler reach and wondered if she'd ever get to wear them again. The stairs creaked as Magda carried Apple up to bed, and Magda once again wondered if it would be better to move their beds down stairs. With the heat of summer gone, and the cool of fall and winter descending it was getting harder to keep both rooms heated. Magda realized that she must miss certain foods, like cheese, far more than she realized if she was painting pictures of them. Much to her dismay perishable foods weren't something she could get imported. Magda carefully surveyed the room. It was close to the kitchen, and if she could get the windows fixed it would keep them warm during the winter. She was confident in her ability to disassemble and reassemble the cribs, it was her own bed she was unsure of. It had taken Magda the better part of a day and half a night, but she had gotten all of their furniture moved downstairs. Even happier was despite the groans and creaks the staircase had held under the heavier weight of the end tables. She'd also managed to sell another painting and the old tv in exchange for new window pains. It had only been enough for the one room, but that was all she was concerned with keeping warm for now. The ships captain eyes had lit up as he had complimented her work, and Magda had felt a small flair of something deep inside. No one had ever genuinely complimented her on anything before. She found herself wanting to create another painting for the captain. More than once Magda wondered why she hadn't ordered a second potty chair, then she would remember the cost of the one and heave a deep silent sigh. As she mopped her thoughts wandered, and she wondered if there was something wrong with her children as they didn't talk or walk yet. As she moped her mind wandered further back into the deep recesses and a hazy memory surfaced of the couple running the orphanage teaching the babies how to walk and talk. Magda felt a flush of embarrassment creep across her face, and found herself grateful after a fashion that she was alone, with no one to witness her embarrassment besides her children who seemed oblivious to anything beyond the xylophone and sorting blocks. After that day she made sure she spent a small portion of each day teaching Apple and Vincenzo how to walk. She found it helped her focus on something more than how alone and isolated she was, or how confined to the house she was now that it was far to cold to spend more than a few minutes at a time outside. When the snow finally arrived it was deeper and colder than anything Magda could remember experiencing before in her life, and she found herself grateful that she'd moved their beds downstairs. She also learned that water pipes don't do well in the deep cold. Hoping it would help she shredded the ghastly pink dress that had seen her through her pregnancy into long strips and wound them around a few critical pipes. As she fought with the frozen toilet, Magda wished she had more of something to insulate the pipes with. The strips from the dress had been just enough for the kitchen sink and part of the pipes that ran to the bathroom. She'd shut off the water to the tub and bathroom sink in an effort to prevent those pipes from breaking. Magda inspected the plants she'd bought inside from the garden almost daily, and found herself wondering why she'd even bothered. They weren't producing anything anymore beside the occasional weeds. Yet every time she considered tossing them she found herself thinking of how soothing it was to tend them even though they weren't producing, and how much they brightened up the small room, and so she kept them inside for the time being. She also hung a small sketch on the wall. In time Apple and Vincenzo learned how to walk, or more accurately toddle around, and so Magda focused her time with them on learning how to talk. Magda found herself longing for the day when they would be steady enough on their feet to take outside. Magda hung her latest painting, a repeat of the cheeses, on the wall and wondered when the scientists would stop by again. It was hard to tell time, but she was fairly sure it had been several months since the last stop. The isolation was eating at her, she could feel her sanity slipping, and not even the twins were enough company on some days, and she would find herself talking to herself. One cold morning as Magda added more branches and twigs to the oven she wondered if the heat was enough to cook on. So far all she'd eaten was raw salads, as she had never cooked anything before in her life. She'd always made herself absent on cooking days at the orphanage, skipped home ec in school, and always gotten someone to buy her meals out after she'd left the orphanage. As she watched the apples in the pan she realized that she didn't even know how to heat up a microwave meal or a noodle cup. Magda stared at the paints on her pallet, she was almost out of painting supplies. She looked at her supplies and then the canvas on the easel, and hoped that one the ship would be by soon, and that someone on board would offer her more than 25 for the finished painting. The spring thaw arrived and so did the ship. There was a new scientist on board who liked Magda's latest painting so much that they paid her 300 for it. Magda turned around and spent the money on more painting supplies and a large play table for the twins, as they were showing signs of being bored with toys she'd previously gotten them. Magda focused on smaller paintings for a while, now that she had a full range of colors to work with again. While she painted the twins happily played with the new blocks talking back and forth to each other with their toddler vocabulary. Months sailed by, as Magda settled into the new routine of tending the once again active garden. Playing with the twins here and there between chores and house maintenance. Painting when she could, and selling the paintings for what she could get. During the hotter months of spring and summer she would move their bedding upstairs, and during the colder months of fall and winter she would move everything back down the stairs. Magda had even replanted the few plants back outside that she'd brought in and traded back the pots. As she stared at her latest painting, which to her was a celebration of her children's growth from infant to child, she knew she would need to use the money for new clothes and full sized beds. Apple and Vincenzo were steadier on their feet and had shown that they could sit at the table like a grown up. As she reviewed her trade list, she added their potty chair and cribs since they didn't need to use them anymore. She also added one of the racks from the kitchen pantry. Magda found herself grateful that she'd already repaired all the holes on the second floor while the twins had still been in their toddle stage, before they'd figured out how to climb up the stairs. She wasn't sure she was ready for this next stage of their life or the fact that with each year they grew she was getting older, but there was no stopping the steady march of time.
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As Magda dug into the soil, placing her weight on her toes to keep her heals from sticking into the ground, she contemplated how her skills with the small saw on the multi tool had improved enough for her to build the crude fence from the dead shrubs that had lined the yard. It wouldn't keep the small crawling critters out, but it would help deter the larger wild animals. Magda was grateful that there didn't seem to be any large predators, just a few wild horses, deer, and the occasional racoon. For the most part the larger animals seemed skittish of her and stayed away, except the occasional deer. In an effort to conserve her limited supply of burnable materials, Magda pushed herself to use body movement for warmth. For once she didn't mind the tacky clothes Vicenzo had given her, as the ill fitting garments worked with her expanding belly. The ill fitting garments had also been handy to wear when she'd crudely fixed the flooring on the second floor in the hall and the drafty room she was using. In the humid heat the drafts helped keep her cool at night, but she had no idea of how the fall or winter would be on the island. There were days when she felt imprisoned by her choices, and hoped that her limited food supply wasn't hurting the child growing within her belly. She'd tried denying her condition but those kicks couldn't be denied, especially when they knocked her small plate of greens off of her belly. A very real baby from a fake marriage would be joining her in the utter isolation of the island for once in the last few years she considered the impact of her choices on someone besides herself. The scientists had been nice enough with trading supplies for her finds, but none of them knew anything about children let alone the birthing process of babies outside of the basics covered by biology classes. Magda allowed herself a moment of self congratulation. The crib in a box had assembled smoother than she had first feared after looking at the thin instruction book and all the parts included. Magda was about to get herself another plate of greens when the first contraction hit. Holy hell waters, the pain that rippled across her belly and low back was worse than anything she'd experienced to date as far as physical pain went. She carefully made her way to her room and alternated between resting on the bed when contractions gripped her and pacing the room. As an extra strong contraction ripped through her tears rushed down her face memories long buried broke free and swirled chaotically in her mind threatening her grip on sanity and reality. Mamma was so pretty, her long blond hair tickled Magda's nose as she reached up giggling. Mamma tossed her high and Magda squealed in delight. Mamma's pretty red dress against the green of the grass and the blue blanket she lounged on. Mamma warned Magda to not wander to far as she tried to toddle after a butterfly. Mamma trying to hide tears as she crumbled the piece of paper the man in uniform had delivered. Mamma's voice cracking as she sung Magda to sleep. Mamma's stiff black dress as they sat on the wooden bench, and the strangers saying papa had been a hero. Mamma's plate untouched, her hair wasn't shiny anymore it was dull and stringy. Mamma's pretty dresses hanging in the closet, Mamma didn't wear them anymore, only the stained stiff black dress. Mamma didn't laugh or sing anymore, Magda didn't understand why they didn't go to the park anymore. Why Mamma cried so hard when she touched Magda's hair. Magda couldn't understand why Mamma didn't wake up, she was hungry and Mamma always got her food when she was hungry. Strangers broke in and Magda cried harder for Mamma to wake up. The strange man in the dark blue uniform had been nice, he'd given her something to eat, someone in a white coat was telling him broken heart syndrome. A lady in a stiff woolen suit introduced Magda to a couple. It was the first time Magda heard the words orphan, no family left, she was four. The memories swirled more. The lunch room at school and the other children making fun of not just Magda, but the others from the orphanage as well. The scowling teacher handing her worn worn supplies, and stating she, and the other orphans, weren't trusted to take the good books home. High school and Lacy's joy at making the cheer team being cut short after learning that there was no money for the uniform. Jacob trying to hide tears after the other kids called him gay and fag, when he'd dressed up with some of the acting class supplies before school. The droop in the directors shoulders after Jacob's lifeless body had been pulled from river. The tear quickly wiped away from Lacy's eye's. Homecoming when Brittany had taunted Magda for even attempting to run for prom royalty. The determination Magda had felt when she decided that she'd show those rich snobs up by becoming wealthier than all of them. The elation when her acting skills had paid off and she'd been admitted into the swanky club and landed her first wealthy boyfriend and moved away from Riverview. The sting of rejection when she had realized that Edgar and Sven had merely used her towards their own ends. Holding her daughter in her arms Magda felt reality snap back into focus, and she pushed her past back into the dark recesses of her mind, no longer locked away behind doors, but no longer a threat to her sanity either. Magda named her Apple and gingerly placed her in the crib as she felt a kick and another contraction. Insanity threatened to crash back down as she realized she was about to have another child. As dawn peaked through the boarded up windows Magda stared down at the little boy wiggling in her arms. At a loss for names she went the only route her exhausted and frazzled brain offered up and named the boy Vincenzo after their father. It had taken about a week, which had felt like forever, but Magda managed to get a second crib dropped off. It's assembly had gone much smoother having had practice assembling Apple's crib. Her clothes still didn't fit right so she continued to wear the pink thing. Magda didn't wandered far from the house, she wanted to be able to hear her children when they woke. She soaked up the little bit of warm sun and harvested what she could from the garden. She wanted to explore for more trade-ables but was worried about her children's safety. There were no close by neighbors to call the police if anything happened to Magda, and the memory of hunger and Mamma not waking up haunted her fears. She'd used the last of her credit from an odd gnome she'd unearthed in the garden, with the scientists to get an artists easel, some painting supplies, and the materials needed to fix the doors so the house was now secured from animals wandering in and out on the first floor. Magda stumbled towards the cribs, and tried to remember what sleep was. Thinking there had to be more than this to life. The lack of sleep and constant isolation made everything feel like a story that had happened to someone else. As the twins slowly slept more steadily as they grew bigger, Magda found more clarity through painting. She traded a painting for a shovel, and after a months hard work, managed to move the piping and pump away from the kitchen door and out into the garden. Yes it meant walking further for potable water, but it was worth not having water bugs in the kitchen. She could feel the nip of fall in the air and wondered if the stairs would hold if she tried to shift the furniture downstairs. Magda traded another painting, and got a few small items to keep her growing, and now crawling, babies occupied while she painted and gardened.
As Apple and Vincenzo played with their toys Magda felt a fierce protectiveness growing within her. She wasn't sure how she'd manage, but she was determined that her children would never know the pain, humiliation, or loneliness that she'd experienced after entering the orphanage. On one level she no longer craved the desire to be alone with a large pile of money, but she still found herself craving the nicer things in life that she knew were available. The first few days on the small island were hard on Magda, the isolation wore heavily on her and at first she refused to explore beyond the few safe and accessible rooms of the house. Eventually though she set aside her heels for her flats and started pulling up all of the dry weeds to burn in the stove. From the layer of ash she'd had to clear out, she wasn't the only one who used the oven this way. With no electricity there really was no other option. Another day another wave of nausea and not just nausea, she could no longer deny the her middle was thickening and that her perfectly tailored dress no longer zipped up. Anger and frustration boiled in Magda and she lost it, she screamed at the heavens above until her voice was a raspy shred of a squeak, and when she could no longer get out a squeak she threw her shoes out of frustration before collapsing back on the bed sobbing. Eventually Magda stopped crying and went to fetch her shoes, she'd need them to avoid splinters. To her subdued delight she'd knocked a board loose from the wall, stuffed inside were some very dated fabrics. Magda pulled the fabric out and found a plain shift that could be used as a nightgown, and a ghastly pink thing that would keep the chill of the fog at bay better than her thin silk dress did. Magda was surprised to unearth some plant seedlings trying to sprout under the brambles and weeds. Out of a desire of for something other than the dwindling supply of outdated canned soup. She pumped water and watered all of the struggling plants. Crying and weak from hunger, Magda had run out of soup the night before, she finally payed attention to the loan tree near the house that had greenery on it. Apples! Magda devoured as many as her stomach would hold, their juice dripping down her chin. Never before had such a simple fruit tasted so good to Magda. Sitting under the apple tree savoring one final apple Magda reflected on her short life to this point. Growing up in an orphanage apples such as the ones on this tree had always been on the table, but they'd never been fresh, nothing served at meals had been from fresh. Everything was always withered and on the edge of rotting, and there'd never been enough to fill hungry growing bellies. The couple who ran the orphanage had always done their best to try to bring to cheer to the table, but Magda had always pushed them away. They hadn't been her mamma. A tear leaked out the corner of Magda's eye and trickled down her cheek, over the course of the last 18 years her memory of mamma had become very fuzzy, but she could still remember the loving sweet laughing smile as mamma tossed her in the air and called Magda her sweet joy. Magda jumped up swiftly pushing memories back behind their locked doors she didn't want to remember more, remembering more always brought pain. Throwing on the horrid pink thing Magda pushed herself to explore the rest of the island, it was mostly empty, an abandoned mine with a barely standing shack was the only sign of habitation besides the house she was living in. As she walked the daily light drizzle began, and much to Magda's delight she spotted a ship off in the distance. Despite the rain, Magda hurried in the direction of the ship, skirting past the lizards and other creepy crawlies that lived in abundance on the island. Grabbing a stick with moss on one end she ignored the urge to scream and drop it as a spider crawled across her hand and into the moss wrapped around the middle and waved the stick frantically as if it were a piece of cloth. Movement was that movement? She tightened her grip and waved the mossy stick trying to recreate some of the patterns from when she helped Lacy practice for cheer tryouts. A light blinked in her direction and she suddenly wished she'd paid more attention to Jacob's constant talking about Morse code. Magda made her waving more exaggerated. Just as her arms were growing leaden and she was ready to give up hope, she spotted a boat lowering over the side and rowing towards her. Magda allowed herself a moment of collapse before straightening back up and composing herself. Despite the outdated dress she easily slipped back into her carefully crafted persona of wealth and entitlement that had served her well up until recent events. Magda harvested apples from the tree contemplating her future. The ship was a science vessel, no room for an extra passenger, but they were willing to trade. She'd tried to offer some of her apples, and they'd offered her some of theirs instead. They asked about the island wildlife and if she'd noticed any rocks or minerals of interest.
She'd showed them the shiny rock she'd picked up earlier and they'd traded her a multi tool pocket knife, and a few mre's. When she described a lizard she'd spotted earlier they got really excited and let her know that they'd compensate her with whatever they could get shipped to their station if she'd trap specimens for them. When she'd pushed for passage they'd explained that her island was so far away from everything that no one would come out for one person for anything less than 50 thousand. With great effort Magda kept her calm and requested a list of what she could get shipped to her through them. Fortunately for Magda the heart pills she'd stolen from Edgar before taking flight had a decent black market value in certain parts of the world. As she contemplated the view out of the taxi window, she wondered if she'd been rash about turning down the offer to stay as a kept mistress. Then she recalled the bruises she'd seen on the woman who'd served the tea, no she'd made the right choice, no amount of money or finery was worth the bruises hiding behind the fine silk & lace on the woman's arm. Thankfully all small towns had libraries, and this one was no exception. A quick browse of the internet showed that Edgar was doing fine, and was newly married to Sven. Magda fumed as suddenly many little things clicked into place, Sven had never been into her at all, she had only been a cover for the two men. A cover who'd no longer been needed when the right for all to partner had been granted to everyone. As Magda stared at the screen she felt her cheeks go hot and then cold. Not once had she ever considered what it would be like to be the one used and duped. She could feel her temper rising, she'd show them. She'd find someone even richer and then she'd flaunt her success in their faces. Yes, she'd show them that Magda Rossi was no ones beard. Magda's Louboutin's clicked on the wooden floor as she stridently made her way, first to the information desk, and then to the reading room where the daily papers and magazines were kept. Magda refused to let herself settle into the worn sofa, who knows who had sat on it before her. She skipped the main headlines, she wasn't worried about world politics or court maneuvers, at least not right now. Right now she needed a new patsy her funds wouldn't hold out to much longer. As she skimmed the fashion section she spotted her perfect opening. "Fashion Designer Vinecenzo D. is in Les Champs for fashion week. He was spotted alone, after a particularly bad break up last month, interviewing prospective models for the upcoming fashion week. When asked he admitted that he was once again available, but added that he was staying away from models this time. He was also hoping to find a traveling companion who was as passionate about fashion and art as he was." The article listed a number for those interested in applying to become his traveling companion. Magda could feel the rush of elation, dumping the paper on a nearby desk she quickly called the number listed, hoping that no one else had already been selected. To travel with the David Vincenzo would be quite the feather in her cap, much more so than Edgar. A male voice answered the phone, and Magda quickly explained that she was calling in response to the article. Her heart almost fell when it was mentioned that there had already been several responses, and soared back up when she was informed that so far none had passed the test. With a deep breath Magda calmly replied with an almost purr that she was more than confident that she would be able to pass the test. Thirty minutes later Magda had an address and a flight number. All those years reading Vogue and insider journals had paid off. As soon as Vincenzo opened his mouth she realized her horrible mistake, this ... this person of questionable style was the Vincenzo she'd spoken to, the Vincenzo of the article, and he was decidedly not the David Vincenzo. She was stuck though, at least for now. The article hadn't been completely wrong, he was a fashion designer, although if his personal styling was an indicator not a great one in Magda's opinion, and he had planned on showing during fashion week. Unfortunately, Vincenzo explained someone had left his racks of clothes outside the tent and they'd not only gotten soaked during a storm but that they'd also been struck by lightening and completely destroyed. Due to the bizarre accident he wasn't going to get to show and had already been removed from the program; however they might as well enjoy the time and check out Les Champs before returning to his home in Twinbrook. It had been a whirl wind of activity the last few day; crepes at the cafe, sight seeing, the museum, and now the winery. Magda's head throbbed, how much had they consumed. She didn't want to share the bed with Vincenzo, but it had been made clear that that room was the only one left for the night. Magda's head throbbed just what had gone on last night, and why was the clerk calling her Mrs. Devlin and congratulating her on their nuptials. There was no way that she would have married this man, just none, she could barely tolerate him. A quick chat with a book clerk sent Magda in a direction she might not have considered if she wasn't feeling desperate. Her attempt at the secret signal got her in trouble with the next clerk. Thankfully Vincenzo opened his mouth, and the clerk with a pained sympathetic look nodded towards a spiral stair. Magda pleaded her case only to be told that nothing could be done while they were still in Les Champs. The man gave her a thin slip of paper with an address in Twinbrook. As Magda climbed the stairs, she missed the ghostly whisper cautioning her to be careful what she asked for. It was late at night when they finally arrived back in Twinbrook. Magda looked apprehensively around as the taxi passed what appeared to be the good part of town and headed towards what looked distinctively like the bad part and a swamp at that. One look at her new home, and Magda swore to herself that there was no way in helz that she would stay her longer than the 24 hours it would take to get an annulment. The plan for an annulment had been a bust, now no matter how much it creep-ed her out she needed to follow up on that address, but how with Vincenzo following her like a lost puppy exclaiming how he couldn't believe his luck to be married to such a gorgeous woman. Magda pulled up the address on her phones gps, the gym ... really, oh what a stroke of luck for her. Magda should have realized that something was up when Vincenzo had been hesitant to go out in public, but she was to focused on herself to see, yet again, the warning signs of impending doom. Dealing with mystics was nerve wracking, and what had he meant when he had intoned as sown shall be reaped. A very nervous Vincenzo had dragged her from the gym before she could give the treadmill a whirl, he sounded like a deranged mad man muttering under his breath about racket's. As Magda watched her light dinner swirl down the toilet she heard male voices shouting, and one whimpering. The men were angry, something about thousands lost and repayment was expected. The simpering voice was begging for mercy ... my wife's purse ... Not enough the angry voice declared luckily for you the Lancaster woman likes your work. Magda wanted to run out and grab back her purse as it dawned on her that Vincenzo was the simpering voice, but another wave of nausea sent her instead flying back to the toilet. Could this day get any worse Magda wondered to herself as she wearily climbed the stairs. Yes. Yes the day could indeed get worse, a condemned sign was tacked to the door of the shack. As she sat on the edge of the rickety bed staring at the disaster left by whomever had spirited Vincenzo away she was wondering how the next day would fair when she spotted a manila envelope sticking out of the up turned drawers. Cautiously opening it, hoping it wasn't even worse news, she noted the post mark was from during their time in Les Champs. "Regarding our wager, you were right, and so as promised I pass onto you the deed to our families estate in the islands." Enclosed along with the brief note was a worn property deed and a travel voucher. Magda was so excited by this small turn of good fortune that she missed the one way travel stamped on the lower corner. It took several days of rough travel to reach her newest destination. During which time Magda caught a news report of a man being arrested for pretending to be a minister in Les Champs, and seeing Vincenzo's and her own names among the list of those scammed. That was a tiny relief she decided, that they hadn't actually been married. Magda also learned that the island was in the colder north not the warmer south she had assumed. She also had more than enough time to worry more and more about her unexplained nausea and the ominous words ... as sown so reaped. The boat pulled up near a beach and a dingy was lowered to the water. Magda gave the captain a quizzical look, surely there was a pier or dock to disembark at. He was quite firm that this was her stop. As she stepped off the dingy onto the beach the sailor was already pushing back off towards the ship, and was calling back that they would sail by once in awhile to see how she was fairing. Her heels sinking into the ground, Magda slowly made her way up the hill towards the line of trees, surely a road and people would be on the other side. Magda's throat went dry and her heart skipped a beat as she stared at the run down building in front of her. A very quick circle of the property made her realize that not only was there no road, there were no other people either. She was completely alone on a deserted island with nothing for shelter but a rundown house. Taking a deep breath she stepped through the door to survey her new home, and almost ran back out as insects and mice scurried away from her. Magda grimaced as the stairs ominously creaked as she climbed them. After her short tour she counted herself lucky the roof was intact, and someone had left a few cans of outdated soup in the cupboard along with some batteries. Magda cringed inwardly as she tried to clean up in the decrepit sink, as the only programs the radio or rusty tv could get where children's programs. Magda sat on the edge of the bath wondering if she'd died and was being punished . She barely swallowed the last cold greasy bite when her stomach rolled, and she prayed to the heavens that she wouldn't have to hug the filthy rusted thing that was the toilet and loose the only edible bit of nourishment around. As the master has decided it is done, will she learn, though? The woman whispered into the night before rowing back to the waiting ship.
Yep, that's right a prelude to the prelude. No worries it will all make sense shortly. In game locations: Ea - Twinbrook & Les Champs Rflong - Flame Island, a tiny world with only one residential lot and a few commercial lots The house: Tudor Revival 20x30 4 bedroom, 2 bath tudor home for a renovacy. A gift for SamelaRita from JessaBeans. No 3rd Party CC or CaP. As noted above in the description created by simmer JessaBeans as part of the gift exchange. I've made a few minor adjustments, in the manner of missing floors/ceiling, and a few other minor details. That only added to the lovely abandoned building that JessaBeans had created. The cast of characters: As created by simmer AlphaFen
Andy surveyed his crude shelter. This wasn't what he had planned on when he had signed up to work for passage on the shipping boat. He had wanted to hire a boat outright, but he'd only had a small fraction of the fee for a passenger liner. So instead he had used the last of his funds to bribe the captain of the fishing boat. They were on their fourth night out to sea when the storm had hit, if he hadn't been such a light sleeper he might have suffered the same fate as the rest of the crew and have been lost to Davey Jones locker. During his first day* he found the remains of an abandoned mine building. The way the sands shifted under his feet he wondered if the mine was sinking or if the wind was piling the sand on top. He had already noted that the road wobbled when traveled on, and that the sand had pooled on top of it in places. It was encouraging to discover that the large pond, or was it a small lake, near his shelter was fresh water not salty sea water as he had feared. He spent the better part of the day fishing, and rejoiced when he managed to catch a minnow. It had taken a fair bit of work, but he managed to excavate a fire pit and a few chairs. On the third try he finally got the chair set up so it didn't sink under his weight. As he grilled his tiny minnow, he contemplated his future. His initial reaction to being stranded was hoping to be rescued. As the first day had drifted past he had noticed a fair bit of wildlife, which was interesting given the lack of vegetation beyond a few straggles of grass. His fire managed to attract attention on the 6th night. He greeted the officer who'd come to investigate, and found himself saying something he hadn't ever dreamed he'd say that very first day. "No I don't need to be rescued." The officer looked so shocked that Andy almost took it back, but he'd had six days to explore the small island and had started to see how this could be the best adventure of his life, provided he could arrange supply and income sources. He also would need to figure out how to find someone to partner with to raise a family. After a lengthy conversation he managed to convince the officer that he wasn't insane, and that he had a solid plan. Andy waited with baited breath, while the officer stepped away for a private radio conversation with the mainland. The long pauses were the hardest. After what felt like hours the officer came back to Andy. Andy could tell from the way the officer was struggling to compose his expression to neutral, that he was going to like the response. "You must be the luckiest man alive right now. The original project backers have been trying to figure out how to recoup their investment on this island. One of them has strong ties to the science community, and was very interested in your observations regarding wildlife." By the middle of his second week on the island Andy had a few plants planted, a toilet and sink, his own fire pit, and a proper bed. As a bonus news of his adventure was spreading on the mainland and tabloid reporter's were coming out to investigate. If anything about him was making the news they weren't telling him. By the end of the third week he'd managed to provide enough specimens for trade to build himself a small basic shelter. He didn't have any power yet, or proper plumbing. For water he was hauling a few buckets of water every day from the small lake, for power he was hoping to get some solar panels eventually, or a windmill. All in all things were looking up, and the red head had made it clear that she was making up reasons to get her boss to keep sending her out to the island. Which had Andy wondering if she might be "the one". As to getting more people to the island, Andy had decided that a reliable food source would be the main key. He had his eye on a section of land just past the totem pole that might make for a good community garden and grocer. *I'm not using game time for this bit of story line
First the sim: Andy Andrews Traits: Charismatic, Lucky, Adventurous, Light Sleeper, Rebellious He comes in two download options. Andy as a Solo Sim Andy Andrews was on an impromptu adventure when the fishing boat he'd hired got caught in a bad storm. He awoke to find himself the lone survivor on an empty island. At first he wanted to get off, but as the days went by he changed his mind. Now he's on a mission to convince others to stay and build a town. - To Pair with Mine Island - By Mmdrgntobldrgn If you use this version of Andy for a renovation or homeless challenge you'll need to tce his funds to zero. Andy with no funds in a very crude shelter. With this version of Andy, depending on where you place him & his lot you might not need to zero his funds. An abandoned island that some miner's were hoping to mine on. The mines backers pulled out when they realized there was no bedrock under the sand. Mine Island is empty and has about 25 lots. Twelve of the lots are residential, and 13 are community. One lot is designated as a big park, a few lots have the beautiful vista buffers & a slightly higher cost. I've included all the base spawners, there are no dive lots or houseboat lots. "Hey, that's not cake or waffles." "Have you tasted how good the food that Tom cooks is." "Well he does use the best produce possible." "It's not just the produce love, Tom is an exceptional cook." "Well I guess that's one way to bond with them, even if they don't know you're there." "Funny, it still makes me tired." "And stinky, ugh go shower or something." laughing "Okay." "What is that she's working on? It doesn't look like the usual homework." "I'll see if I can focus." "It's an application of some kind." "It's interesting how we can only get images from David and Mark if they shared the experience." "Like homework in the park." "Are they discussing plans or school assignments?" "Your guess is good as mine, I think we missed the start of the conversation." "I'm not sure how I feel about them turning the loft into a workout area." "Well at least they added another bathroom." "It's so tiny, though." "I guess Tom asked Luke to be conservative with space use. Somehow I thought you'd be more interested in what they did down stairs." "Well, yes the floors and walls are nice." "Just not what you would have done?" "You know, I don't know anymore." "Tom's garden has really grown." "Are those specialty seeds he's planting?" "I think they are, nice catch." "What on earth is she wearing?!" "I'm going to guess the latest fashion in workout clothes?" "Why are there suitcases by the door?" "It's so quite with Tom and Abigail, I wonder where they went?" "Not sure, but they both had passports so I don't think it was university." Abigail and Tom share their travel stories We arrived in Shang Sim La, early enough that we just dropped our bags off at the hostel. I went to the scholars garden for my placement exams. And I went to the international growers exchange farm, where I had permission to work. After my exam I learned my placement, and was informed of my proper belt level. The master farmer was impressed with my knowledge base, and got special permission for me to catch enough Koi fish to stock a private pond here. I spent the rest of my trip farming and fishing, and earned back the cost of our travel fare. I spent my days practicing, especially after I lost my first sparing match. I did win my second one though. I also had to learn how the proper form for meditating. Getting into the zone has interesting benefits. Which brings me to my goodbye's. Iv'e been accepted into a specialized program for martial arts and can't have any distractions while I'm training. I'll come by for visit's when I'm in town. "She's leaving!?!" "Love, we knew the day would come eventually, and she said she'll be back for visits." "It's not a big pond." "It doesn't need to be for Koi, I've heard how hard it is to get them, Tom must have really impressed his supervisor." "Wow, not just visiting, she asked Luke to drill her." "Despite the workout outfit she is really serious about her goals." "Look they've made it regular training sessions when she's in town." "And look at Tom helping his brother with homework." "So soon?" "It's not really all that soon Lucy love." "Love, I'm tired aren't you?" "Yes, I am. I can't say I'm surprised to see Luke reenlist, or David leave for the artist's colony given the hours he spends sculpting." "Should we worry about Mark taking our ashes into work with him at the science center?" "I don't think so, I'm ready for a long sleep. Coming love?" "Yes." End notes and thoughts The scene in 1.4 where Luke chased the burglar half way across the island. He did that spontaneously! I'd never had a sim chase a burglar off lot before, and had to include it because it was such an unusual twist in the game mechanics. I had hoped to have Tom married off, he unfortunately wasn't having much luck on the romance front and the one sim whom he truly connected with is chained to a consignment job, and is possibly pregnant. On the romance front, I'm not sure what was up, they all had plenty of friends, and plenty of mutual attractions but none of them paired off, not even at prom, which was a first for me. They all got 'friend zoned', lol. I had also hoped that Mark?David, shh I can't keep the twins straight, would get the oh my ghost opportunity with his science job. I was hoping to resurrect Lucy & Cass, ah well. For whatever reason, I had trouble finding collectibles to sell on legacy island, and none of the family achieved enough points to get the collection finder. In terms of renovation goals this one is a fail, in terms of both the challenge goals and my personal goals for the game. Here is the final look of the lot. And for anyone considering Rflon'gs legacy island 3 it is fun, lot's of places to go, I just didn't get it explored properly. Some of her lot's have little gems tucked away that I didn't discover until late, like the science center.
"Maybe having Luke raise the kids wasn't such a good idea." "Why do you say that Lucy?" "None of them seem interested in having a family, or settling down." "Lucy love, their young yet. At their age I wasn't interested in kids or family yet either, and in some ways I wasn't until I met you." "Me, really?!" "Yes you! That first day we met all I could think of was how gorgeous your eyes were, and what beautiful babies you'd have. Why do you think I kept coming home on leave with Luke, I mean sure he's one of my best friends but I had other places I could have gone too." sniffling "Oh Lucy don't cry, shh love." "Look see, I don't think you have to much to worry about." giggle "Look Luke is trying to make himself scarce." "Yeah well he did the same when the base held formal functions that included single women as dance partners." "Interesting, he looked up all of the science classes." "That is odd, especially as his personality leans a bit more towards a less legitimate profession." "You mean how he always seems to have stuff he shouldn't." "Yes, like how he lifted Lucy's necklace off of her while they danced." "At least he always returns everything, maybe science will give him a more legal challenge." "Well those are some cramped rooms. Not what I had in mind for them at all." "It was interesting to see the twins reassemble their bunk after Luke had taken so much time and effort to safely split the frame and stabilize it." "I thought he looked ready to explode." "He sure did, he must have decided it wasn't worth it." "He even sold our bed and went with a smaller cheaper bed." "Man, that's a surplus barracks bed he's using. Those things are so uncomfortable." "Already, but he only just became a teen." "No he didn't. It just seems like it because we're not here for everything." "Well will you listen to that, he wants to get married, and you were worried that Luke had influenced them against marriage and kids." "Do you think he'll find his ideal woman whose a perfect cook, and doesn't mind living on a working farm." "Don't know, I guess time will tell." "Cass! Come Back! Don't Leave Me!" "Oh Cass, thank heavens." "Sorry love, I had to." "Why?!?" "It's classi ..." "We're Dead! Who the blazes am I going to tell, now spill!" "Sigh, I guess you're right. She, the burglar, was a member of the team I was after when I died." "Cass, our children. Are they safe!" "Yes, I think so. She seemed genuinely surprised to see Luke." "How can we be sure she won't try to hurt them." "Luke lost her but I didn't, she stowed away on a freighter leaving port and seemed very shaken by the encounter." "So our kids are safe." "I believe so, Luke wasn't with me so he doesn't know that she was on the team, I think Tom looking so much like me is part of what spooked her. I know I'd be spooked if someone I thought was dead handed me my ass in a fight." "How handsome he looks." "Yes, he's turned out really well." "I wish they didn't spend so much time away, we hardly see them." True, but they talk about what they're doing. Tom is harvesting produce for a few other farmers besides his garden. Everyone here helps water the garden in the green house. David talks non stop about the sculpture classes at the civic center that houses the library. David is still lifting stuff, but always sends it right back, and Abi has advanced another belt level in martial arts." "It feels so surreal, how fast they're growing up." "No faster than if we were raising them, the only difference is Luke is the one dealling with the booby trapped toilets instead of us." giggling "I think I'm glad we're missing out on that part of life." "They look so happy."
"I'm happy to see them bonding." "He's making waffles?" "Guess he's tired of leftovers. I think he's missing the mess hall food." "What did they do? My house!" "Hush love, it's not ours anymore, remember. Tom expressed an interest in growing a garden, so Luke created a small space for him to grow plants during the coming cold of winter." "They look so harmonious, wish I could play with Abi." "And I wish I could help Tom with his homework." "Oh my goodness, how long did we sleep for this time?" "A week or so I think. I spotted a paper and tried to read the date." "It's a proper green house now. ... Ya know I think I kind of like it." "Yes, and Tom keeps going on about wanting to perfect the plants he grows." "What on earth is Abi talking about? Cass do you have any idea what she means by perfect mind perfect body?" "I think I do, but honestly I've never heard anyone so young talk about it." "Do you think it's a phase or a fad?" "Don't know, we'll have to wait and see." "I don't think I've ever heard of anyone whose made a career out of being physically fit." "Yes you have you just didn't know it." "Alright mr smartie, name one person." "Chuck Norris, Bruce Lee, Steven Segal ..." "Hold it those are actors ... wait, you mean they really knew their martial arts and weren't just stunt people?" "Yep." "And that's what our daughter wants to do?!!" "Yep ... wooah, breathe Lucy breathe!" "Lucy! Breathe!" sobbing "Hush love, they can't stay babies forever, and look chocolate frosting. You can raid the fridge for a slice while they're sleeping." "They got rid of the cribs." "Shh, here don't cry. It made sense to trade them in. Luke's not likely to have kids." Uncle Luke I wish you'd been with us. The pool was so much fun. There was a slide and a slip 'n slide, 'n Abi kept jumping off of the diving board. What did you do? Me, well I went out gathering, and traded some stuff at the exchange. "This is different." "I think it's because they're all thinking about their outing." "I can't figure out what Luke was talking about." "I can, look at what he did with the kitchen space. It's one of the changes I had wanted to do." I really liked doing our homework at the community center. Yeah, I wish we could have stayed later but Abi had that 'cital. Did you see how she leaped and spun, though? Yeah, for a girl our sis is pretty cool, especially 'cause she made the teacher mad by sneaking martial arts moves. "You're not going to loose it on me again are you?" "No, I think I've accepted that they're going to grow up no matter what, but why did she chop her lovely hair off?" "It will be easier for her to take care of short if she's going to be half as busy with fitness as she was before." "Oh." 'n the half pike was the best "Have you noticed that it's only the twins we get the images from." "Yes, it's decidedly an interesting affect." deep laughter "You really miss waffles that much?" "Oh hush, don't distract me I'll burn them." soft giggles "Is Abi pushing herself to hard?" "Luke doesn't seem worried." "But, school, a job, and martial arts classes." "Well if I followed the conversation, as long as she keeps her grades up she's okay, and she took the job to pay for the classes." "Then why didn't Tom get a job to help out?" "Tom sort of has, he does most of the tending on the garden, it's just that he's self employed** with no stipends for his work, other than knowing he did a good job." "Oh where has the time flown?" "See Luke didn't forget them, he respected their request for a no fuss transition day." ** The gardener self employed career, to my knowledge receives no stipends or extra funds outside of a one time bonus mid or 3/4's of the way through. Tom is registered as self employed gardener, he rolled the wish for it, and the only money he gets is from selling produce. Some outtakes from the winter festival, and of Luke dumpster diving. |
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