1.22 Dream Team

Dustin dreams about kicking someone's ass. We can only speculate who he is dreaming about.

He probably shouldn't have told Meghan about Moira's visit. She gets stressed enough. But there was enough doubt in him about the whole situation, that he wanted to seek her opinion. This expression is her opinion. “I'll kick his ass!” She vents.

“Well, I don't think the woman really knew what she was talking about. Even if he's different now, he just doesn't seem the type...”

“Don't make excuses for him, Dustin. Loki's been calling both of us. Who knows with what stupid dramatic ideas in his head? Think about it, he shows up again after nearly a decade with no notice, we all get along, and he vanishes but still keeps in contact? Something is definitely going on.”

“Maybe he just misses being in our lives? If he's actually not human now, wouldn't it make sense that he doesn't know how to reach out, or didn't think he could tell us?”

“If he's not human and was keeping it a secret, I'll kick his ass twice. He knows we absolutely love that sort of stuff, so it's not like we wouldn't accept him.”

Dustin mulls this over. “True...”

“Anyways let's make a pact not to open the door for any more weird people. No strangers! No weird Lokis! And No glowy eyed ladies!”

Dustin smiles, always easy to get along with. “Sure.”

“THANK you.” Her relief is unmistakable.

“Of course.”

Dustin's act begins to receive more than city-wide attention, and he finds himself opening for some powerful names in entertainment. He tries not to let it get to his head, but the words of Moira and the weirdness of her visit are all but forgotten in the following weeks.

He fills his days with work to take advantage of his new popularity. He hasn't worked this hard to become lazy now! Late nights become early mornings and some days he doesn't come home until the high noon sun bakes him right into his costume.

Some days he's able to fool even himself. He IS the magic.

(How does one keep these freakin gnomes from taking over their house?! Kind of cool to witness one actually showing up though. The Magician gnome is called 'Christian Boonitz' by the game, is that a reference to the planet?)

Talan Sagar is non impressed. “Son, it's 97 degrees outside. You should get indoors before you spontaneously combust or something.”

“If the heat caused that then it wouldn't be called spontaneous.” The magician replies, his brain hard-wired in the art of smartassery from a young age.

“That's ...a pretty good point.” The scientist acquiesces.

It may be hot, there may be hecklers no matter how famous he's becoming, this is exactly where he wants to be right now. The best kind of work is the kind you can get lost in, and he loves every minute of this.

He snaps his fingers and things that defy every eye and every study appear at his whim. He's never going to share some secrets.

He still spares time for dad things when he gets home.

He's a hard worker, and it lets him coax a little more effort out of the kids too. They see that he wants them to succeed, and are compelled to follow his lead and put in more effort. Hard not to, when he looks at them with such confidence.

Jyoti finally figures this whole legs and feet thing out, and right before her birthday too!

Free to menace the house with her improved mobility, half the time Jyoti just runs from book to book. Operation 'distract the kids with educational toys' is a big success in this way.

Jyoti is now free to really follow her mom everywhere though.

Favorite meal in a favorite chair. They should probably buy a proper dining room set.

Dustin's theories about werewolves. Since everything else they thought was out there, was out there, those have also got to be out there too. Not that he's going to dismiss the idea of pirate fortunes and mummies, either. Despite his promise that Meghan and he could see the world together, they haven't seen much of anything. He dreams that one day they'll have enough money to go on adventures again.

They get into the semantics of what kind of wolves werewolves might be. What if they were red, like fox people? Where would they live? Among the snow-yetis? They could be arctic-fox people that change color!

Meghan is exhausted by planning the most perfect party for Jyoti, and takes a few seconds of rest before guests begin to arrive. Several kids from the neighborhood are supposed to be there, she wants her daughter to get to know her age-mates before the new school year begins.

Dustin did so well at a cafe show they gave him a backdrop. Because tips come in the form of gaudy showpieces that you have pay to keep in storage forever afterwards.

I check in on the extended family and find Eugene and Lize on a date together, flirting in public. Scandalous! And so so cute. They're expected to become elders this year.

And this is Wiggles, Everet's best friend. I'm pretty sure he's glitching out my entire town, so he's annoying even though he's not in my direct playable family.

Secret creepy demon game thing! >:O

Oh yeah and it's time to party!

This obnoxious kid is the first to arrive, and the first thing he does is run into the bedroom and mock Dustin. “Magic ain't real, my daddy tol' me!”

“That's not what your mom says.”

“She loves this trick!”

At least Leon enjoys it. Some people around here can appreciate art!

Jet is still of the age to remain oblivious to the festivity. Grey may be his favorite color, but the neon blue blocks taste the best.

Jyoti wants to be in her crib for once, a little angry that dad is making her leave her favorite toy behind. “My bear!” She says, reaching for it. “I need him!”

“You'll be fine baby, Mister snuggles will be here when you get back, you'll just have a big girl bed next time you come in here.” He reasons as he sets her down and goes to greet more guests.

This kid follows Dustin into the room. “Hey, cheater, show me more of your cheater magic!” The kid taunts, genuinely just trying to stave off boredom.

Dustin isn't doing anything more for this kid right now, so the kid follows the birthday girl around the house in a game of tag. They dash around Leon, who is bringing the party a heaping plates of Philly Cheesesteaks. Leon will have a birthday soon and be considered a young adult.

Lize made it to this party. Maybe we'll have a whole reunion this time?

Also, I forgot about the awesome blue streaks in her hair, but I don't think she passed it on to her kids.

She settles in for some light reading instead of being truly social. But she's got a view of the party room, so why not? She rarely has time to sit by herself, being in the medical profession and all.

“I'm telling you, your mom is like one of my biggest fans.”

The kid is unconvinced. “You don't scare me, mister.”

“I'm not trying to scare you, but people love my magic!”

“Have you seen this before, this is going to AMAZE you.”

“Uh huh.”

“What's your deal kid? Everyone loves this one.”

“Uh huh.”

Cake time! *cue rave music and dancing under neon lights*

Meghan knows that many worries are her overactive imagination, so she looks away when her daughter's age up actually happens. I'd like to think this is wisdom on her part.

Don't worry little girl, I will fix you!

(Creator to the rescue)

Every time a kid ages up in my story I run them through old hair styles. Here is Jyoti with the hairstyle her mother had as a girl.

Though I nearly gave her this one. 

This is the final result. Jyo's favorite color is a brilliant royal blue. She's also something of a tomboy, and prefers things that are comfortable over stylish and that she can be active in. She's not sure about strawberries yet, and her opinions on this cake are pending formal review.

"But seriously kid that's an incredibly hard trick to do. Nobody does it like me. You think I'm gonna give you my secrets? Nope no way no how.”

The kid nods slowly, not sure what kind of response the adult wants. He's actually an adult, right?

Cake was a good call after all. Upon further inspection the party girl finds it to be lacking in no sweetness and full of all promised expectations of sugary enjoyment.

So that's what a birthday is. It's not that bad.

“I know you've been looking at me from across the room the whole day.” Matias Singh claims over forkfulls of cake.

“Maybe I'm just making sure you actually parented a kid in this room. I know we didn't invite you.” Meghan replies without looking up.

“So you'll come hang out sometime?” He asks, eyes oblivious to her bored and glacial expression.

“This is why I have a no strangers policy in my house.”

“Ouch. But I have to chaperone my kid here, like you said.”

“Oh so that brat does belong to you?”

“...it depends. Did he do something?”

Not that Meghan's paying any attention to her kid right now...

Jyoti asks why her father's been talking to some random kid for the entire party. Meghan just rolls her eyes. He can't accept that anyone might night not like him, especially since he's so popular among this age group.

“And like, NOBODY has been able to analyze the footage and prove how I did that. Many people have tried!”

“Uh huh.”

He finally gives up on making the kid a fan and wonders into the party room, where he finds Lize hanging out by herself.

“What are you doing down here, did you lose a contact lens?”

“No, I haven't lost anything. I'm dancing.”

“Oh fun. I'll join you then.”

They do for a while, but then Dustin finally comments on the elephant in the room. Or not in the room as Eugene didn't make it to this party.

“So, an elder in a day huh?”

Lize smirks. “He is absolutely freaking out about it. Mine's not for a few months yet, I get to tease him for a long time.”

“That's not why he didn't come visit though right? I mean, I know he doesn't want to get older, lose his mobility...”

She sighs. “He's working, he's always working. I'm sorry about that Dustin.”

“No it's okay, I'm glad you and Leon could make it at least. Can you believe Jyo grew up this fast?”

“She's an active and bright girl, you should be proud of her.”

He beams. “Thanks. Meghan and I are so fortunate.”

Isn't the bright girl in question still a bit young to be playing grand theft auto?

“It's just a game mom.”

“That computer is for work, not games. Unless the game your playing is chess.”

“That's not fair!”

“Life's not fair, and don't ignore your guests Jyo.”

“Fiiine.” She whines.

“Bye Lize, glad you could make it! Give my regards to the old man!” Dustin calls after her.

“Hah.” She responds as she leaves. “I will.”

(I'm going to go ahead and assume that Lize wears medieval clothing because she reads all day and is probably a history nut. She looks awesome in it, so it passes my "very high" sim dressing standards.)

Jyoti takes a quick nap after the party and then is immediately up and working out. She has the energy to run all over the yard, but it's 'too dark outside'.

Her bed is wedged awkwardly into the nursery. She'll get to spend the first several years of her childhood next to a toddling younger brother and his 3 am screamfests. Whose idea was this?

Meghan puts Jet to bed a bit earlier than he'd like and he responds by pooing himself. Loudly.

Dustin just stares at his son for a few seconds, trying not to admire the timing of this horrible event and the smells that now linger in the room. “I thought we told you that goes in the potty?”

His son replies by shoving his hand in his diaper to play with it.

“No, don't!” Dustin yells as Meghan makes a safe getaway, trying not to laugh.

Dustin is having second thoughts about fatherhood for once. “You keep your hands out of your poopy pants.” He tells his son darkly.

“Poopy poopy!” Jet uses his first words (that they've ever heard at least). It's super effective. Not really though. And mom had enough time to get away so it's Dustin's turn by rule of discovery to handle the resulting mess.

Sure that Dustin will now wake up too late to play for enough tips before his show, Meghan gets onto the computer and wastes no time hacking a few more simoleans into the family funds.

“Clean up your laundry!” he tells his daughter as she heads for the shower. He sighs when she doesn't hear him. Is this house really that big?

Having cleaned up his son and his son's energetic mess in the crib, he turns to focus on the boy's growling stomach. “I can't stick the cake in the blender, but I promise it'll be something good.” He says.

Then he finally manages to escape the craziness of the house for a little soccer time. Maybe he is super dad, after all.

Jet, still stuck in the high chair, could think of a list of things that could be going better. If he could only articulate it!

Jyoti starts school in the fall.

Meghan decides to make waffles. Dustin pauses longer than he has to and hovers near the kitchen to watch her. (I know, I'm worried too)

How?!

I-I mean, good work... (pretty sure she hasn't a single cooking skill point)

The days are quiet with the eldest away at school, so Dustin takes some time to bond with his son.

Meghan does not know how to box. But she can hit stuff.

Jyo's first day of school is apparently exhausting. Arts and crafts used to be fun, and now it's all 'stay in the lines', fold on the dotted'! Who listens to that crap?

Dustin gets a gig at a big, impressive event center.

This is how he chooses to go to work. Apparently they can't afford to hire security here?

“Try not to focus on what I have in my right hand.”

“Focus on what I have in my left.”

“Now try to imagine that you didn't give me this opportunity.”

He gets this job too. Of course he does. The man in the yellow hat is 'more than happy' to have him perform at this esteemed venue.

Jyoti in her peter pan sleepwear <3

She has a great sense of humor, like her dad. She can't wait until he gets home so she can tell him this great joke about pondscum she heard in class today!

The family is all in one place for once.

“Dad, can you help me with my homework? I don't want to get it wrong it's still my first week.”

He gets up after a minute and reaches out. “Of course we can. You have it with you?”

“Only half of it. The rest is online. Something about, saving the planet? My teachers are so weird.”

"Well dad to the rescue! I bet I can make it disappear! Give it here!”

She giggles, “Dad no. I'm supposed to do the work not make it work go away!”

“I'll karate chop it like this and this and this!” He makes chopping motions in the air. Ever since that free martial arts lesson he's become somewhat insufferable around the house.

“HYOOOOOOO” He really gets into it with dramatic breathing.

“Da~d stop!” She says giggling, gathering class materials. “I have to do this...”

“Homework is a scourge that must be cleansed. We must gather it all and throw it into the eternal flame deep in the heart of-”

“Daaaaad....”

“You asked for help and I'm trying to help you.”

“My way was more fun.” He says, finally sitting down beside her.

“Maybe, but I have to figure this part out. I don't understand it.”

“Hmm. Parts of a sentence.” He observes her work. So which is the action word?”

“The verb.” She recites dutifully. “To do, like doing or done. Some of it I get, but the adverb part, how can it be a verb and not one? Why call it adVERB then?”

“Because it adds onto a verb?” He answers, kind of unsure himself.

“So like, 'Here I sit, stupidly doing my homework when I could be having so much more fun outside.' Is that a good sentence for this example?”

Dustin shrugs. “I don't see any problem with it.”

“So, if I'm 'stupidly' doing my homework, that's the adverb right?”

Dustin shrugs. “Yes?” He hasn't had to do homework in so flipping long it's not even funny anymore.

The homework doing dream team right here.

Dustin's going to make sure he sees how this paper is scored because he wants to know if he was right or not.

“Well the bus just left, looks like it's us and Jet again. Another day in paradise.” Meghan likes to say things in ways that make her sound sarcastic, in case she needs to actually be sarcastic later on.

Dustin doesn't say anything at first, trying to focus on not overfeeding the increasing bowls of specimens.

Until he looks up and quickly discovers he can feed the critters and appreciate his wife's lack of a whole outfit at the same time. “Nice. Don't you worry, I'll be done with these guys soon and then you'll have all my attention.” He tells her as he watches her cross the room towards him.

“I'm not jealous of the fish, Dustin. Quit being weird.”

“Weird is how I was born, and weird is how I will die.”

“See like that, that's a weird thing to say.”

“Which is why you love me. I'm never boring.” He claims easily.

She says nothing and walks past him.

She came down here to go the bathroom, but he can wait for her to finish up. Opportunities to spend time with Meghan are so rare.

Although he's pretty in shape, maybe a workout before his show tonight? He wonders if Meghan would join him. She really has gotten into working out lately. He is also possibly sporting a 'casually sexy pose' here. Only he really knows.

“Now that you mention it we don't spend a lot of time alone together, do we?” She asks, finally noticing that he's waiting for her specifically, and not to use the facilities or something.

Dustin looks like he got caught in some embarrassing memory. Well, they get their alone time, at least.

Then Dustin takes over for a while so Meghan can hunt down more specimens. The research she's been doing on insects seems to have the most potential and so that's the direction she's been taking her experiments lately. Of course this leads her to leave the house more often as bugs aren't readily for sale in the same way as plants and fish are.

The specimens she finds in this season are larger too, they've had an entire summer to grow fat and healthy. She feels no reservation about taking them from the wild at this point.

*moosh*

The butterfly may not agree with her opinions on the matter, though.

Jyoti quickly discovers that doing her homework alone is just as hard as doing it with her father's aid. But if she juuust gets this next paper done, she's allowed to go bake more and she loves baking! She had to write a hundred words about how she feels about school, but 'School makes me do a lot of work', is only like eight words! How will she ever find the other ones she needs?!

The baker's station was a gift from her father for her birthday. Her mom had gotten her the cute red iguana in the other room, which was a boy, but she named him Tammy before she new that.

“If you finish your homework on time I'll let you eat this cake for dinner.”

“No thanks dad I want to make my own cake.”

Then we can go outside and play tag when you're done?” He tries again. He gets really stir crazy on days that he doesn't have a show.

“I like how school is different from home.' That's seven more words!”

“I like how at home they let me have cake for dinner, even if sometimes I'm snooty and I refuse it.” Her dad provides a helpful option.

“I'm not snooty!”

“If you say so shortstack.”

“I do say so. Did you hear the door just now?”

“Your homework will get done faster when you actually try to do it.” He offers as a response.

“Shit.”

“Dad!” Jyoti crosses her eyes to explain her displeasure of him swearing. “You said... you said...”

“Nothing. I said nothing. Finish your homework in your room, okay?”

“There's nobody at the door.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

16% of this blog pictures of my sims making out.

Dustin spent most of the party trying to convince this kid who booed him to like him or his work. I'm not even sure he stopped performing tricks to cheer.

Okay. The dumb hearts are starting to bother me now. Someone mentioned that they have a mod that makes heart-farting more rare? I'd like that to happen (or not happen). >.>

I didn't invite Moira over that time, so her visit and her staring in the window legitimately creeped me out in game. I know there's a kind of sim who will actually look in windows (I forget what trait has that ability?) and it can be really freaky if they're not a member of your active family. Which it was.