Studio Ghibli Challenge

Garnet had no intention of being left alone with Ross. “C’mon, Midna.” But the cat simply sat there, tail swishing lazily back and forth. 

“And for a minute, I really thought that cat understood all the crap you tell it.” 

Garnet rolled her eyes. “Shut up. Midna, let’s go.” Midna didn’t move. What reason the silly cat thought the laundromat was the place to be, Garnet couldn’t fathom. 

“Maybe it’s time to get a dog... cats are assholes.” 

“Okay, why do you keep talking?” Garnet snapped irritably. 

“Because I’m pretty sure you’re a captive audience, just like everyone else. Or I’m just a dude standing here with a crazy woman with nothing better to do.”

“This is a laundromat. Maybe wash the ball stink off your clothes?” Garnet was only rewarded with another of his stupid smirks. Determined to make no eye contact she glared at Midna. “Fine. Be a brat.” As soon as Garnet officially opened the door to leave, Midna reluctantly followed, taking her sweet time leaving as her impatient owner held the door open for her. 

“Are you kidding me?!” Garnet snapped. “Does your dick-smelling apartment make you feel the need to be one?”

Syloh half-snorted as he attempted not to laugh, but Ross was unperturbed. He pointed a finger at her, amused. “Look at you waving your claws at me. I honestly didn’t see that coming, what with you having conversations with your creepy, black cat and crying about your missing bag yesterday.” His eyes darted around. “I’m guessing you didn’t find it.”

“No thanks to your welcoming chivalry!”

Ross’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t you blame me for leaving your bag somewhere to get snatched, lady. What kind of moron does that?”

“So… you guys have obviously met, huh?” Syloh cut in awkwardly.

Garnet turned her glare on Syloh. “I should be going. If he’s the kind of person you hang out with, then there’s no reason to keep this conversation going.”

“Wait.. I’m guilty by association?” 

“Women, bro.” Ross sympathized, rubbing the side of his eye irritably. 

Garnet clenched her teeth, her eyes flashing fire in Ross’s direction. “Come on, Midna. Let’s go get you some food.” 

“You see?” Ross waved his hand at her but looked to Syloh for confirmation. “Who talks to their pets like that?”

“Would you-” Syloh began, but paused when the door to the laundromat opened and a man stepped inside, tossing a basket of clothes on the dryer next to Syloh’s.

“Why does it look like you started without me, man?” He said, waving a hand toward Syloh’s laundry basket.

Syloh shrugged. “I waited here for over an hour for you. Halfway through, I figured you weren’t going to show up.”

“I guess my apartment will just smell like a sweaty ball sack for a bit longer.”

Syloh laughed, hard. “God, Ross! Just figure out how to use a damn washer. You don’t need me to hold your hand.” 

Garnet felt herself slowly coming to consciousness in a wave of confusion. At first, it was the awkward feeling of her numb arm and her lazy shift to relieve it. This brought a new sensation to puzzle out; why did it feel like she was sleeping on a rock? With awareness, now, almost completely filling her weary brain, the tiny distance left was covered with a very loud, sudden noise. Startled, Garnet pushed herself up from the stone bench, eyes wild with a lack of understanding. Where the hell am I?

"You know, I thought you were dead.” The voice dragged her gaze over to it's owner who was calmly folding a shirt and placing it into a laundry basket in front of him. Midna was lounging lazily on the dryer he must have just closed, tail twitching and eyes half shut.“ But then, you began to snore really loud. What a relief to hear the bear in you before I dialed nine one one.” He glanced over, then, and his mouth formed a kind smile.

As memories of the previous night came flooding back, Garnet sat up, cheeks growing hot with shame. “Oh, I didn't realize..I..”

"I think everyone snores a little when they drink too much." The stranger tried to assure her.

"No.. I wasn't … passed out.” She crossed her arms over herself tightly. “I..” How do you tell a stranger you had nowhere else to sleep? He must be thinking the worst at this point. Garnet glanced up, noting the concerned crinkle between his brows.“I had an issue with my reservation at a hotel last night and it was too late to book something else.”

"Ah, you must be a tourist, then. Not quite the first impression you must have hoped for.”

Garnet stood, ignoring the unpleasant aches and pains from sleeping on such a hard surface.. “No. Not quite.”

"I'm Syloh, by the way.”

"I’m Garnet.”

"Nice to meet you, Garnet.” He smiled again, the expression warming his pale blue eyes.

Garnet was bone weary from head to toe, yet it took a lot longer for her mind to exhaust itself. All of her worries and the trials of her first day played in her head, strangling all of the optimism right out of her soul until she felt like there was nothing left but her fears. It was like drowning. 

Garnet had heard the line “out of body experience” many times in movies or books; tonight was the first time she got to feel the sensation first hand. As the last streaks of pink and orange left the sky and shadows stretched until their icy tendrils claimed the majority of the city, Garnet felt as though she were watching herself walking from somewhere far away. Despite the hour, the city only seemed to become busier than before, buzzing with action and intensity. No one noticed the girl stumbling in shock from one sidewalk to another, her silly cat padding wearily at her feet. When Midna finally meow-ed in defeat, Garnet picked her up, tucking her cold paws up against the warmth of her own body. And on she trudged, having no idea where she was or where she would end up. 

She couldn’t be sure what time it was by the time she finally came across the empty laundromat, the sign shining above the double doors reading ‘Twenty-Four-Seven’. What she was sure of, however, was when she opened the door, delicious heat fell over her, luring her into its embrace like a siren call. Inside, the building was quiet aside from the obnoxious elevator-type music playing quietly over the speakers. She was alone. 

“Looks like this is where we will crash tonight, Midna. It’s not the nice hotel we had planned on, but.. right now, it’s the most luxurious thing I’ve ever seen.” 

“We are going to be fine, Midna. I'll figure something out, I promise.”

But things weren’t looking very ‘fine’. With each passing hour, that statement began to look more and more like a lie to comfort herself. No matter where she looked or who she asked, she came up empty handed and with only 48 dollars and twenty-seven cents left to her name, Garnet's confidence was slowly, but surely, trickling from her desperately grasping fingers. 

Midna meow-ed, green-yellow eyes looking up at her expectantly. She was hungry. “I’m sorry. I’ll get you some food as soon as I find somewhere to get it, okay?” The cat simply meow-ed again, determined to have her human understand that her growling stomach could not wait.

Stepping off the bus, Garnet was in awe. Never had she seen anything so big as the buildings that surrounded her, their towering height blocking out nearly all the sky from view. The world seemed to hum, the concrete ground beneath her throbbing to a pulse of life she had yet to fully witness as she squeezed Midna close to her pounding heart. Garnet had finally done it! So many nights she had spent dreaming of a world so big and so full and here she was!

“We did it, Midna! We made it to San Myshuno!” 

“You talk to that cat… a lot.” A masculine voice, deep and drawling cut through her excitement and she turned to lock eyes with the man she had remembered waiting at the bus stop near her. 

“Well, I have no one else to talk to, I guess.” Garnet said, shrugging. 

“You’re going to be one of those crazy cat ladies, mark me.” The stranger said, not bothering to hide the fact that his eyes were trailing up her figure from toes to chest. 

“Even in San Myshuno, you manage to act exactly the same as any guy I’ve heard back home.” Garnet muttered, setting Midna down as she spoke. That’s when she realized her bag was missing. “Wait..” She glanced around, her breath catching in her lungs. “I swear I brought it off the bus.. Where is it?” 

“Where is what?” 

“My bag! Where did it go!?” Garnet’s gaze scanned the concrete clearing, panic starting to settle within her twisting guts. 

“Yeah.. you really shouldn’t let go of anything you don’t want to lose here.” The man said, his tone hinting an obvious amusement. “Thief bait move. Well… good luck finding your stuff, Cat Lady.” 

“Just one more ride, Midna.” 

Her poor cat had not been amused by their prior train ride and the imprisonment that went along with it, practically leaping off the train with a disdain that would have been amusing if Garnet had not been so busy looking for the local bus stop.

“One ticket to San Myshuno, please.” 

The receptionist peered over at her and then, promptly, looked downward. “Is that a cat?”

Garnet followed her gaze. Midna caught the movement and locked eyes with her curiously. “Yes? Are pets not allowed on the train?”

“Not without a carrier. We can provide one for a fee. Also,” She stamped a few papers as she spoke. “Pets are an additional ticket per animal.”

“Right.” Garnet said, picturing her poor cat trapped inside a crate. She had never put her in one before. “How much?”

With transactions made and tickets in hand, Garnet sat on a nearby bench, settling in for a long wait. Midna curled up gratefully at her feet, no doubt feeling weary after an, already, long afternoon. Rain began to pelt the station’s roof, thunder cutting through the gentle pattering like a giant bowling ball tossed down the lane. 

“Excuse me. Ma’am...?” Garnet jerked awake with no realization of having dozed off, the receptionist hovering over her. “Your train just arrived. You’d better hurry downstairs.” 

“Oh!” Garnet scrambled out of her seat, nearly stepping on poor Midna in her haste. Picking up her bag and making sure her tickets were in her hand, she hurried down the stairs into the empty boarding area. The train itself was very industrial looking, most of it’s ugly orange paint peeling off and graffiti marking it’s exterior in various places. As far as she could tell, there was only a single guest car for customers, the rest were left for live-stock being transported. Garnet thought she heard a cow mooing softly before it’s head appeared out of the glassless window, lips smacking together on a fresh bite of hay.

It was an hour of slow, miserable walking to get to Brindleton Bay’s little seaside town and another half an hour or so before someone finally took pity on her and pulled to a stop a few feet away. Perhaps it was the thunder just beginning to roll overhead… Still, her aching feet and the ill approaching weather could not shake the excitement still fluttering like elated butterflies in the pit of her stomach. 

Garnet relieved the weight of her bag from one hand into the other and hurried to close the distance between herself and the motionless car.

As Garnet stepped out onto the cobbled stones of the walkway, Midna close at her heels, a breeze heavy with the scent of rain and ocean washed over her. She breathed in, savoring the aroma. Soon, she would be in the city of San Myshuno and surely the air would smell very different there...

“Garnet?”

She turned to face her sister who was jogging over. Most likely she was coming from the greenhouse in the back. “It’s time, Estelle.” 

“Already? I thought..” 

“I can’t wait out the month. I’m sorry..” Garnet tried not to feel guilty; she had been dreaming of this moment for so long. Still, she couldn’t help the rushing sadness that threatened to undo her. 

Estelle glanced down at Midna. “I’m guessing you’ll be leaving then, too? You always did like Garnet better.” The cat didn’t acknowledge the voice directed at her, she just stared into the surrounding woods, waiting. “Well, I guess I can’t stop you now that you’re all ready to go.” Estelle sniffed, pulling her sister into a tight hug that made it difficult for Garnet to breathe.

“You can always visit. Your plants will be fine without you for a weekend.” Garnet said with a hoarse voice, fighting tears and squeezing her older sister back.

“You know I’m not a fan of the city, Garnet.” By the time she pulled away, there were tears shimmering against her freckled cheeks. “You had better call me. All the time. I mean it!”

Garnet nodded, wiping her eyes. “As soon as I get there. Love you.” And, before she could have her mind changed for her by the emotions spilling between them, Garnet grabbed her bag and headed for the path she knew would lead to the little town below the hill they settled upon. Midna followed, the bell on her collar tinkling lightly as she moved.

“Love you, too.” Estelle whispered, for the first time feeling very alone. 

“Garnet.. Please!” Her mother’s voice cracked, desperate.

“Mom.. for the last time.. I’m eighteen! I can’t spend one more second imprisoned in this house listening to endless futures I will never have!”

“And what’s wrong with having a future here? Near your family?” Her mother cried, her eyes shining.

“Nothing, except that it’s not mine. Why can’t you understand this?”

Her mother hesitated, words threatening to spill forth. It was too bad, however, that her mother was even more stubborn than she was. Silence filled the room, yet emotion screamed and raged like a caged beast between them.

“Always the same answer.” Garnet sighed. “I love you, Mom. I’ll let you know when I get there safely.” Turning her back on her mother, Garnet left, gritting her teeth against her name being whispered as though she would never come back home.

Generation One: Kiki’s Delivery Service (Berrified Color: Cherry Red)

You’ve spent your entire life living in the countryside and crave the energy of a bustling city. The catch is that the big city is expensive, and you’ve only got the clothes on your back and your beloved cat. How will this work out?! Maybe that weird kid you keep running into could help you out…

Traits: Ambitious (roll/pick rest)

Aspiration: City Native

Start in San Myshuno

You must live in a studio apartment with three negative lot traits, and you cannot move or change said lot traits. Any positive lot traits are banned.

You must start with a cat in your household

Max your cooking, baking, and handiness skills

Attend all city festivals, and I do mean all of them, unless something more important (I.E. work/parenting) gets in the way.

You can have two kids maximum.

Generation Two: Whisper of the Heart (Berrified Color: Yellow)

Living in the city isn’t for everyone. Growing up in a horrible studio apartment has made you pretty jaded, but hey, your writing skills are amazing!

Now if only that stupid jerk would leave you alone…

Traits: Creative, Gloomy (roll/pick rest)

Aspiration: Bestselling Author

Stay in San Myshuno, but you can move if you wish.

Max your writing, violin, and cooking skills

Marry someone who you start out having a poor relationship with, but repair said relationship with.

Max out writer career

Have at least one child, three maximum.

Generation Three: Spirited Away (Berrified Color: White or  Light Grey)

Oh no, a family vacation went terribly wrong, and you’ve been separated from your family, and you’re trapped in…well, whatever this place is. Maybe if you work for this grouchy old lady, you can go home?

Traits: Good (roll/pick rest)

Aspiration: Soulmate

Move to Forgotten Hollow as a child, and live with a family of vampires.

Do not contact your family in San Myshuno until you’re a young adult

Change your name when you move to Forgotten Hollow, and if you remember your heir’s original name off the top of your head without writing it down, looking it up on your blog, or from any mnemonic devices, you can return to San Myshuno!

However, if you CAN’T remember your heir’s original name, you must transform them into a vampire and keep them in Forgotten Hollow.

Max your handiness, cooking, gardening, and vampire lore skills.

Marry the vampire closest to your age (who you may or may not have had an encounter with when you were younger…) once you become a young adult.

Must have at least four children, all of whom are vampires.

Generation Four: Ponyo (Berrified Color: Fuchsia)

You’re not quite human, but you wish with all your heart that you were! Your rebellious spirit led you to a seaside town, and possibly to the love of your life. Hopefully your parents won’t follow you…

Traits: Self-Assured, Childish (roll/pick rest)

Aspiration: Friend of the World

Move to Brindleton Bay.

Cure your vampirism!

Marry the first (single) person you meet in your new town, but only after you really get to know them.

Max your cooking, charisma, mischief, and gardening skills.

Your spouse must master the fishing skill.

You can only have three children. No more, no less.

Generation Five: From Up on Poppy Hill (Berrified Color: Ocean Blue)

One of your parents died when you were young, which has always weighed on you. You hope that if you keep raising the flags every morning, they’ll come home. Doing this on top of taking care of your siblings and your grandparents’ bed and breakfast running is taking its toll on you.

Will your life ever become interesting?

Traits: Family-Oriented (pick/roll rest)

Aspiration: Super Parent

Stay in Brindleton Bay.

Max your parenting, cooking, gardening, handiness, and fishing skills.

Have at least 8 sims in your household, and have the majority of them not be related to you.

Join/form a club in high school, and work for it to succeed. (For bonus points, build a grungy old clubhouse and fix it up as the club gets more successful!)

Marry someone you meet in high school who has similar genetics to you, but isn’t related by blood.

Have at least two kids, but more than two are encouraged!

Generation Six: Arrietty (Berrified Color: Light Green)

The world is a mysterious place, do you think you know all of its secrets just yet?

Traits: Kleptomaniac (pick/roll rest)

Aspiration: The Curator

Adopt a very fat cat.

Attend every flea market that happens during this generation and buy at least five things every time.

Find every possible collectible in the game.

Steal at least 10,000 Simoleans’ worth of goods from your neighbors’ homes.

Buy the most expensive dollhouse in the game at the beginning of the generation, and do not sell it until the generation is over.

Max your handiness, cooking, and mischief skills.

For bonus points, use cheats to scale down your sims and their objects!

Have two children. No more, no less. This will make sense in the next generation.

Generation Seven: My Neighbor Totoro (Berrified Color: Dark Grey)

You’ve been living in harmony with nature for almost four generations now, but there’s still secrets hiding around every corner!

Traits: Childish (pick/roll rest)

Aspiration: Freelance Botanist

Max your gardening, mischief, and cooking skills.

Grow every plant in the game.

Discover all secret worlds.

Have one of the two children this generation “go missing” by having them move out for at least a week, and do not contact them. If you find them on a community lot, you’ve “found” them and can add them back into the household!

Have at least two children.

Generation Eight: Princess Mononoke (Berrified Color: Dark Red)

Your family hasn’t split up much, for good reason. After a terrible curse comes over you, you have to go out on your own to save yourself and your entire family.

Traits: Self-Assured, Athletic (pick/roll rest)

Aspiration: Outdoor Enthusiast

Move out of your family home to the neighborhood of your choosing (NOT San Myshuno, though)

Max your herbalism, logic, and handiness skills.

Travel to Granite Falls at least five times, and meet your spouse there.

Discover the secret neighborhood in Granite Falls

Have your spouse max out their painting skill, and reach the top of the painter career.

Adopt two large wolf-like dogs.

Have at least one child.

Generation Nine: Castle in the Sky (Berrified Color: Peach)

Life is good. You’ve got a decent job, and your family is out of the woods from all that “supernatural” stuff. It can’t exist, right?

RIGHT?!

Traits: Loner, Ambitious (roll/pick rest)

Aspiration: Nerd Brain

Max your handiness, logic, and cooking skills.

Move back to San Myshuno, and live in the same crappy apartment the founder lived in, but it’s become much more worn down over the years. (If possible, add the “Needs TLC” trait to it.)

Stay below level 5 at your job.

Meet a sim at a festival who seems to be normal, but has…something very strange about them. This is your spouse.

Have at least five children. The youngest is your heir.

Generation Ten: Howl’s Moving Castle (Berrified Color: Orange)

Tacky hat shops; they’re the thing that everyone takes for granted. You’ve lived in San Myshuno for your whole life, and you’ve taken the back seat to your older, “prettier” siblings.There’s talk about a wizard living on the edge of town, but that’s just hogwash, isn’t it?

…Wait, did someone just come in the front door? Didn’t you lock that a few minutes ago?

Traits: Creative, Family Oriented, Dog Lover

Aspiration: Renaissance Sim

Buy a business and convert it into a “tacky” hat shop.

Change your heir into an elder once they age up to YA, then age them backwards until they reach teen. (I.E. When they’re within a few days of dying of old age, change them to an adult. Then when they’re about to age up to an elder again, change them to a young adult, and so on. Once they age “down” to a teen, let them age naturally again.)

Adopt an “ugly” small dog.

Have an unrelated child live in your household, and move them out once they age up to YA.

Have an unrelated old woman live in your household until she dies.

Marry a “wizard” who you start the generation with a poor relationship with.

Max your painting, woodworking, and cooking skills.

Have a child after becoming a YA naturally.

Once your last child becomes a YA, you complete the challenge!