#silasknightstone

Suzanna was out gathering minerals when she heard someone approach. Finishing off she stood up and dusted herself down. The voice behind her surprised her though.

Faye: Hey boss... can I talk to you

Suzanna: Umm, you want to talk to me?

Faye: Not really. I mean... this job is really important to me. I’ve dreamed of being a scientist since I could walk basically

Suzanna: I know what you mean, it was the same for me

Faye: I got defensive but... I thought about what you said. I did overstep with Shelley. It was unprofessional. I apologised to her

Suzanna: You apologised? That’s great

Faye: I mean, if she had tried to give me commands I would have snapped. She had every right to be mad at me. I let my personal need for success win over the need to be part of the team, it won’t happen again

Suzanna: Does this mean we’re going to be besties now

Faye: Oh heck no. I still think you got your position because you're an alien rather than you have some great talent. But I’m going to try be more of a team player. I can’t promise to like you, ever, but I can promise to do my job and follow your instructions. I hope we can move past the simray testing now

Suzanna: *laughs* Definitely

Back home Suzanna took some time to read while Silas relaxed. Eventually they got talking though and caught up on each others day.

Silas: The substitute said we were a good class. Normally she has to work out of town and teaches disguised but she was able to be in her alien form for our class. She said it felt natural

Suzanna: That’s good

Silas: I’m glad we moved here Mummy, it’s nice

Suzanna: Yeah I like it to

Before bed Silas sat down with Suzanna to learn all he could about his new alien for show and tell.

Silas: If it’s a Red Coral why does it look pink

Suzanna: Things don’t always have fitting names, but in this case it’s genetic

Silas: What does that mean

Suzanna: So female Red Coral are red, and much smaller than this one. The pink ones are boys

Silas: They are? But how can you tell

Suzanna: MRI’s of them show their insides and let us know

Silas: And why does it have the eye stalks

Suzanna: To see. Their home planet has lower gravity and their buoyancy allows them to sort of bounce around. They spend more time in the air than on the ground so they need to see more angles, so more eyes

Silas: They’re not hurt by the gravity here are they

Suzanna: No. Remember how we can read minds? I can tell that he’s not in any pain or discomfort

Silas: I know you found him on Sixam so how’d he get there

Suzanna: With the amount of time they spend in the air it’s easy for them to knock against each other and be propelled upwards. Their planet as far as we can tell is along a well traveled route. When they get too high they’re drawn to the ships and stick to the outsides as they approach other planets such as Earth or Sixam

Silas: And they just fall to the ground

Suzanna: As far as we can tell, they’ve never been found in vessels. They are remarkably sturdy. Think that’s enough for show and tell

Silas: I suppose. I just need to think of a good name

Fitting in a quick workout before bed Suzanna admired her art collection. Today at work she’d collected the last My Sims trophy she needed for a complete collection, and she wondered if she would get a plaque in the mail. She had recieved one for the aliens collection but not the geode collection so she was unsure what the humans counted for rewards. She hadn’t had much time to stargaze with the winter weather but hopefully next rotation.

The next day Suzanna called work to have another vacation day. This time Faye was more civil and promised to share the command duties with Shelley rather than bossing her coworker around. Satisfied with that Suzanna decided to give Pollock a bath, he needed it with his food flying everywhere. Adam spent the morning at the computer working on his next sci fi novel and after cleaning up her son Suzanna headed out to the garden.

While Suzanna tended her plants Pollock played in the snow, enjoying throwing it in the air and declaring he was making it snow.

While Adam headed off to work Suzanna and Pollock had a chill afternoon inside by the thermostat. Seeing Suzanna reading Pollock decided to copy her and set about studying the pages of one of his books. Pollock was excited for Silas to get home but since the older boy had homework to work on Pollock spent his time playing with the ring stack toy.

Once Adam got home the family had dinner.

Suzanna: How was show and tell Starshine?

Silas: Really good, everyone was impressed with the Red Coral. It’s funny, my class is half alien right

Adam: Yeah, and your normal teacher

Silas: But some of them hadn’t realised that other types of aliens existed. Small ones that is, they thought it was just us

Pollock: We many Silas

Silas: Yeah we are. But they were interested in your other aliens Mummy, can I take another one next time

Adam: Depends if you look after the Red Coral

Silas: I will. If it can survive a fall from space to the ground I’m sure I can

Suzanna: Technically it didn’t survive the fall as I revived it but close enough

Suzanna got the children to bed and cleaned the dishes while Adam made a final push on his book. The editor agreed that the manuscript was excellent and promised to forward it to the publisher as soon as the physical copy arrived. Heading upstairs Adam found Suzanna reading the book he’d gotten her for Winterfest.

Adam: Are you enjoying it

Suzanna: I am. There’s a gem seed in here that sounds fascinating. Of course it’s been too cold to plant anything

Adam: Not for much longer, the rain out there is melting the snow, we’re past the middle of winter

Suzanna: *sighs* We’ve had a good holiday season though

Adam: We have. Care for one last gift under the covers?

Suzanna: *laughing* I’m not sure if I’m on the naughty or nice list

Adam pulled her close for a deep kiss.

Adam: Why not both? I love you Starlight

Suzanna: You’re my guiding star, always

After woohoo the pair snuggled close and fell asleep to the sound of gentle rain on the roof.

Suzanna walked in to the office where Silas was playing on the computer and Pollock was having fun with one of his toys.

Suzanna: Hey you two

Silas: Hi Mummy

Pollock wandered over and hugged Suzanna’s leg tight.

Suzanna: It’s bedtime for you Pollock. Head to bed and Daddy will read you a story okay?

Silas: What about me

Suzanna: Want to go upstairs and collect your alien?

Smiling Silas shut off the computer and sped up the stairs.

Silas: Oh oh, can I have the squid? Or maybe you could clone the porcupine for me

Suzanna smiled and set down the jar from earlier.

Suzanna: You can have this guy, fresh off Sixam today

Silas stared at the jar. It didn’t escape his notice that the jar had no air holes and the Red Coral inside wasn’t moving

Silas: Mummy, I can’t take a dead alien to show and tell. That’s creepy

Suzanna: He’s only a little dead. Some types of aliens operate on a similar frequency to us and with a little manipulation...

Silas: You’re going to bring it back to life?

Suzanna: That’s the plan. It takes a lot of focus though, you may not be able to do it until you’re an adult

Taking a deep breath and concentrating Suzanna sent out pulses that resounded through the coral, making it twitch. After a short time the light returned to it’s eyes and it began to move.

Silas: Oh wow, we better get an enclosure Mummy!

Silas: Do you think he’s happy in there

Suzanna: He feels happy, yes. Don’t worry, when you’re a teen you should be able to start picking up on his feelings. Now, will that do for show and tell

Silas: *beaming* YES

Suzanna: Good. Now you better get to bed. Would you like me to spray the monster?

Silas: No, I think I’m going to try be it’s friend. Goodnight Mummy, I love you

That job done, Suzanna set about doing some cloning. She’d gotten a new metal on Sixam today, rose gold. Figuring it might have some new elements she wanted to make copies to send to the geo council. Unfortunately the time in her inventory had messed with the calibration and initially she got a crude lump of matter. A few adjustments though and she was able to create several new minerals and gems for her stock.

Adam: You ready for bed

Suzanna: Just let me put the cloning machine away

Adam: Can it clone people

Suzanna: Logically it should be able to but I haven’t tested that

Adam: You should clone Faye and freeze her clone in front of her

Suzanna: You Mr Knightstone are a bad influence

Adam: Maybe but you love it

Suzanna: I do

Giggling the pair got in bed and fooled around.

Silas wasn’t sure why he’d woken up. He felt the clink of simoleons and cheered at the gift from the tooth fairy. Then he heard it. The growling and plopping under his bed, the monster was back! Taking a deep breath, and trying to channel some of his favourite book characters he sat down facing the gap.

Silas: Umm, hi there. I’m Silas. Are you... comfy?

Monster: Comfy? Yes. I just like the dark

Silas: Oh not me, I have a fear of it actually

The pair talked for a while and Silas felt like he had befriended the monster.

Silas: Mummy you’ll never guess

Suzanna: You got a visit from the tooth fairy

Silas: Well yeah but- I made friends with the monster under my bed

Suzanna: You did? Oh that’s wonderful Starshine

Silas: I’m going to tell everyone at school about it! Even the humans accept there are monsters under the bed or in the closet. Can we watch Monsters Inc this weekend?

Suzanna: *smiling* Sure, Pollock might be old enough to watch it now

After walking Silas to the school bus Suzanna tended the garden and got the mail. The rose gold had indeed contained a new element for her display and she couldn’t wait to slot it in. She took a moment to enjoy the crisp winter air, to think she’d missed out on snow all those years in Oasis Springs.

Suzanna: Hey Faye, I think I fixed my calibrations

Faye: *scoffs* Not again. Look I have actual work to do

Suzanna: You’re on your lunch break, and it will just take a second, hold still

Faye: Have I ever told you I hate you

Suzanna: Not in those words but it’s implied every day

Faye: Good

Suzanna: I feel like maybe your skin tone has shifted slightly

Faye: Wow, that’s some cutting edge science right there boss

Suzanna: Your sarcasm is noted

Faye: Right well I’m going to get back to my lunch now

Silas did not have a good school day. He didn’t want to explain what happened but he got a very sad moodlet. Luckily for him he’d already arranged to have his friends, and fellow aliens, Tyree and Ruth come over after school. It was too cold to do anything outside so the three took over the living room and started a video game battle.

Ruth: Important question, what are you two bringing for show and tell

Tyree: I found this cool leaf that looks like-

Ruth: Boring! As aliens we have to set the standard in cool stuff. Silas can you bring an alien

Silas: What? We’re aliens

Ruth: I meant from your mum’s collection of critters

Silas: Oh, maybe. She doesn’t really like people touching her science stuff

Ruth: You don’t have to ask her, just bring one

Tyree: Like you would steal from your mum’s

Ruth: I would if they had cool stuff for show and tell

Silas: Maybe I should just borrow a geode, Mummy has a bunch. I think she said the whole collection but she never got a collection plaque? I don’t know

Ruth ends up winning the game leaving the boys annoyed. She and Tyree head home while Silas takes a nap until his mum gets home.

Suzanna had a stressful workday and returns home with a bad headache. After waking up Silas she grabs her dinner, Adam votes they eat in the lounge in front of the TV tonight.

Suzanna: Good day?

Adam: I leveled up my guitar skill and Pollock and I sent a book off

Suzanna: That’s great!

Silas: Mummy... can I... have an alien?

Pollock: We aliens

Silas: I know. I mean one of the ones upstairs

Suzanna: Why? As like a pet?

Silas: Not exactly. I’d like to take one for show and tell. Please

Adam: I don’t think that’s a good idea, but your Mum and I will talk okay

Suzanna: You don’t want to take a crystal? We have plenty of those

Silas: Maybe. If I can’t have an alien

Adam and Suzanna worked in tandem that night getting their sons to bed. Adam read Pollock a story while Suzanna sprayed the monster under the bed for Silas. When they got upstairs they got in their sleepwear.

Suzanna: Why don’t you want him taking an alien

Adam: I don’t want us to be the local weirdos

Suzanna: But Adam you know the alien population ratio is high here, that’s why we came

Adam: I know. I just... we got so much unwanted attention as kids. I don’t want that for him

Suzanna: I know but he seems bright and he’s got friends

Adam: So I need to stop being so protective

Suzanna: I wouldn’t tell you that. But he should to be able to share something he’s excited about

Adam: Would any of them even survive a trip to school and back

Suzanna: The porcupine might. I can check with it tomorrow

Adam: For now would you get on the bed, I’ve missed you today. Let me show you how much

Suzanna: I think I’d rather convince you of my view

Adam: I like the sound of that

Suzanna: *giggles* Close your eyes

The next morning Silas can’t wait for his parents to get to the breakfast table. Bringing an alien was Ruth’s idea but he would like to be able to talk about one, his mum has found so many.

Adam: Morning sport

Silas: Daddy did you decide

Suzanna: Your dad wants you to take an alien

Silas: REALLY

Adam: Hold on there are some ground rules. Don’t let anybody else touch it, keep it in your sight and listen to your Mum when she tells you all about it

Silas: Huh

Suzanna: If you want to take one we need to go over my notes first. Otherwise you won’t have anything to say other than what colour it is. Show and tell is Friday right? I should have some time after work tomorrow

Silas: Yes, thanks Mummy, thanks Daddy

He happily washes the breakfast dishes and gets ready for the bus.

Adam: Thanks for convincing me. Anytime you want to do that to me again-

Suzanna: Shh, he’ll hear you! Let him be young and innocent a while longer

Silas headed to the road to wait for the bus to come. Rather than just stand and freeze he decided to make some snow angels. Suzanna meanwhile headed to her garden to harvest and care for the plants. Slowly some were evolving into better plants under her care.

Arriving at work Suzanna was confronted by a grey sky and an angry Shelley.

Shelley: Thank the watcher you are here, I need to talk to you

Suzanna: What about

Shelley: When you had your vacation day-

Suzanna: My son was sick

Shelley: And as a mother of a Silas I sympathise but Faye did not

Suzanna: If you’re going to tell me she hates me I’m well aware

Shelley: Doesn’t that piss you off

Suzanna: It comes with the territory of being an alien

Shelley: She was lording it over me all day, barking orders, I have the same rank as her

Suzanna: I’ll talk to her about it

Shelley: I wouldn’t mind if you did more than just talk

Shelley stormed inside and Suzanna groaned. Personal management was her least favourite part of the job. She just wanted to be a scientist tinkering away but no, since she was “the best” she was expected to control the behaviour of others. She set about her usual morning tasks thinking hard, how could she talk to Faye without it becoming a full on confrontation?

Adam wakes up in a good mood. It’s his day off meaning he can take some time to work on his skills. First up though, food for the family. He cooking away but actually thinking about the painting he wants to finish when he feels things get hot. The food caught fire! Smiling through the chaos he took steps to douse the flames and, leaving hot breakfast for his family, heads upstairs to shower.

Suzanna: Good morning Silas

Silas: Morning Mummy

Suzanna: Are you feeling well still? You didn't catch a chill from the snow?

Silas: Yeah I’ll be fine

Silas speed eats his leftover pancakes so that he can do some reading before school. He’s been feeling like mysteries. Suzanna leaves him to clean the dishes and do other chores while a freshly showered Adam sits down. He’s not too sure about Silas reading such a big book when he’s not even eight but Adam read plenty of books he shouldn’t have when he was young. Seems silly to tell him off for curiosity that’s harming no one else.

After he’s finished Adam heads back upstairs to the veranda. He has a set of easels up here, the surrounding views often inspire him. Thinking hard he begins to paint. His day job is critiquing art but he enjoys creating his own works. When he finishes he congratulates himself on another excellent art piece and after some thinking decides to sell it to the local gallery to increase his fame.

Suzanna: Silas if you don’t leave now you’ll miss the bus

Silas: Sorry mum. Can I invite Ruth and Tyree around after school

Suzanna: Sure, I’ll let your dad know. Have a good day

Silas: Bye Mummy, love you

With one son at school Suzanna went to check on the other. Pollock had been having a sleep in but was happy enough to get up and be put in front of food. While he ate Suzanna carried on with her chores, four people made a lot of laundry.

Pollock: MUMMY

Suzanna could hear him from the bedroom and went back to get him out of his high chair. Before she put him down however she gave him a big snuggle.

Suzanna: What are you going to do today

Pollock: Not no

Suzanna: Whatever you do you let Daddy work when he needs to okay Moondust

Pollock: Yes Mummy

While Suzanna started tending her garden before her shift the frost slowed her down and she didn’t manage to finish. Going to find Adam she asked if he could finish it, kissed him on the cheek, and sped off to work. Adam went outside and watered some of the plants, although it was a bit tricky to tell what needed a drink in the snow.

Adam checked the machine but the washing was still spinning so he got out his guitar and practiced a few songs. Pollock, who had been reading inside, came out at the sound of music.

Pollock: Daddy play

Adam: Sorry buddy, I need to practice

Pollock: No Daddy. I play. Daddy watch

Adam smiled as Pollock began the task of moving himself down the stairs and jumped in the snow. He was glad Pollock was content to entertain himself.

Eventually the washing was done and Adam hung it up before collecting Pollock to take inside.

Pollock: Why in Daddy

Adam: We were outside for a while, don’t want to get too cold. Can you feel the heater inside

Pollock: Yes. Daddy can play?

Adam: You want to play or you want me to play with you

Pollock: With Daddy

The pair played for a while but Adam wanted to work on his writing so he took Pollock in to the office room with him.

Adam: Alright Pol, stay in here where Daddy can hear you okay

Pollock: Kay Daddy

So while Adam worked on his latest book Pollock happily played with the toys, enjoying scuttling through the tunnel especially.

Pollock: What Daddy do

Adam: Hmm? Oh I’m writing my book

Pollock: Huh?

Adam: It’s a science fiction book called We Came From Sixam

Pollock: Did Daddy

Adam: No Daddy didn’t. Mummy and Daddy came from earth carriers. But when you write books you can make up your own stories. My main character comes from Sixam

Pollock: Oh. Kay

Pollock grabbed his tablet and sat by Adam as he did his final edits. Eventually Adam felt like the book was good enough to go to the publishers. With Pollock escorting him he went to the mailbox and posted off the manuscript. Later in the evening his publisher called to let him know the book had been nominated for an award, very exciting!

Suzanna and Pollock called Adam and Silas out of the office to open some more gifts.

Adam: Pol, what happened to your costume

Pollock: Not know

Suzanna: He wanted to get in his overalls after his bath. We’ve already taken the family photo

With gifts to each other out of the way the family examine what Father Winter has left for them. Pollock gets a Blarfy, Silas gets a model train, Adam got a common gem and Suzanna got a painting. It’s like Father Winter doesn’t know Suzanna is the one collecting gems and Adam is the one who likes fine art, weird.

Pollock: Mummy, can we book

Suzanna: You want a book

Pollock: I lo books

Silas: Can I listen to Mummy

Suzanna: I guess we’re reading a book then. Let’s go in the lounge, it’ll be comfier than the table

The trio move to the lounge and Pollock grabs the spot beside Suzanna.

Suzanna: Okay let’s see. This one is about a train

Pollock: Does train have name

Suzanna: They just call it the engine

Silas: We should call it something cool like... Harold

Suzanna: What do you think Pollock

Pollock: Yes to Silas

So Suzanna reads them the story doing her best to substitute in Harold for engine whenever she can.

After the story Silas jumps online to play with Ruth and Tyree.

Suzanna: Now Pollock, did I see you hit Sydney today

Pollock: No Mummy

Suzanna sighs. She did see it which means it’s likely Pollock is an aggressive toddler. They’ll have to find some way to channel that before he ends up a hot head like Adam.

Suzanna: Want to play for a bit Moondust?

Pollock: Yes Mummy

It seems Suzanna decides the best spot to play is right in front of the TV that Silas is trying to use...

Silas: Do you have to play right there

Suzanna: I would move but I can’t find your brother

Katherine: He’s on your back Suzie. Die, clay, die!

Suzanna: Oh there you are

Pollock: *giggles*

Suzanna: Shall we fly like a rocket ship huh? Zoom

Silas: Stay on the right please Mummy. My character is on the left

At dinner Pollock finally gets his serving of the grand meal while the rest of the household has some fish and chips.

Adam: Silas are you alright? You look a bit pale

Silas: My stomach doesn’t feel good

Suzanna: Ethelyn was saying she felt sick, maybe he got the bug off her

Adam: Yeah that would- Pollock! Do you have to spill so much. Try to eat over your plate

Pollock: I do

Silas: Mummy can I stay home from school tomorrow

Suzanna: I’m not sure the mod lets you do that

Silas: Can’t you let me do that

Adam: Silas we both have work tomorrow and your brother will be going to daycare. There’ll be no one here to watch you so you’ll have to go to school

Pollock: *thinking to himself* I made a pretty mess

While Adam and Suzanna take care of the dishes the boys nap on the couches, not quite ready for Winterfest to end.

Adam: Did we do Winterfest right then

Suzanna: There is one more thing... mistletoe

Adam: And it’s a tradition to kiss under it?

Suzanna: Yep. Can’t remember why but it is

Adam: Humans and their nonsense. Come on then Starlight

The two kiss and feel their hearts flutter. It's one of those times they both feel grateful to have found each other on this lump of rock.

Suzanna: Think we could have a quick jaunt upstairs before the boys wake up from their naps

Adam: Oh absolutely

Heading back downstairs Adam starts a TV workout while Suzanna shepherds the kids to bed. Pollock is keen for another story so Suzanna reads to him while Silas falls asleep quickly with his tummy bug. Once Pollock is snoring Suzanna tucks her two sons in and is about to leave the room when she remembers the monster under the bed. She’s not too sure if Silas needs to see her spray it but she gives a precautionary spray just in case.

After completing his column before work Adam was taking some time to play his guitar while Silas used his mum’s computer to play arithmetic attack.

Silas: Have you written any songs dad

Adam: Have I? Ah, no, no. You need to be super good to write songs. That's why I like art, anyone can have a go at painting

Silas: What’s 4 times 2

Adam: Son you won’t learn if I tell you

Silas: Can’t you give me a hint

Adam: What’s 4 plus 4

In the bathroom Pollock is making a right mess...

Suzanna: I’m not sure how the puddle ended up quite so far from the potty... the glitches in this game I tell you

Pollock: Mummy I make... pud del

Suzanna: Yeah you did make a puddle! Next time we’ll try get it in the potty though okay

Pollock: I make... not pud del

Suzanna: Don’t worry Moondust, you’ll learn

Pollock toddles over and throws his arms up for a hug. Laughing Suzanna pulls him close.

Suzanna: What should we do now

Pollock: Mummy I... ap... na...

Suzanna: Nap?

Pollock: YES

Suzanna: Okay but kisses first

Suzanna heads out to tend the garden which needs some desperate attention. The trees are mostly okay but...

Suzanna: Stupid plants reverting bug... and actual flying bugs as well... seriously?

There are a lot of bugs to spray and most things need watering. Luckily Suzanna has high enough gardening skill to bust out a weed vaccum though!

After his nap Pollock feels energised and starts searching through the toy box for something to play with. He’s busy with a triceratops when Silas comes to find him having had enough of the computer.

Pollock: SILAS

The toddler rushes over and hugs his brother.

Silas: Did you learn my name huh?

Silas: Do you know your name

Pollock: I... I... Moo du

Silas: Nope *pulls funny face*

Pollock: *giggling*

Silas: You’re Pollock remember? That’s what Daddy calls you

Pollock: I Pol?

Silas: Close enough

The two boys play for a bit, with Pollock showing off some of his favourites, before they move to the lounge. Silas spends some time with his doctor playset and Pollock tries to stack some blocks. When Adam gets back from work he passes them and says hello before heading to the kitchen to make dinner.

Suzanna: Alright, dinner time Moondust

Silas: Mummy you have to call him Pollock or he won’t learn his name

Suzanna: I’m sure that’s not true, Daddy calls him Pollock

Pollock: I Pol

Suzanna: Ah ha, there we go

Silas: Yes but I taught him that

Silas: Will he eat what we eat yet

Suzanna: Soon. Applesauce for now

It soon became apparent that Pollock was now a messy eater. Very messy. Throws food on floor unintentionally messy.

Suzanna: How did that get-

Pollock: Yum yum

Suzanna: *sighs* I suppose you are eating at least

The good thing about a day at home? Suzanna could normally fit in a workout. She hadn’t been able to run with the heavy snow but in the afternoon it cleared up. She had rung Ethelyn and convinced her to come and keep an eye on her sons, since it was the other alien who had passed along the bug. Suzanna was growing to like Chestnut Ridge. As well as the strong alien population the vistas were beautiful, and looked incredible covered in snow. She felt herself get the self discovery pop up and urged the watcher to choose yes, she was an active sim now!

When Silas had finished his piano practice he returned to his spot on the computer. It was his childhood ambition to max his mental skill and he wanted to get some practice in. Pol had picked up his tablet and followed his older brother. He was happily chatting away while Silas listened to his stories and theories about the human world.

Adam had a pretty slow day at work. Normally the winter months would see an influx of art to critique with sims trapped indoors but with the holiday season most artists were taking time off to be with their loved ones. After he finished his very brief list of tasks and done some self appointed research he’d headed to the office lounge. There he met Alexander and the two spent the afternoon discussing the latest festival turnouts and playing paper football. When he got back home Suzanna was busy in the basement but he heard laughing coming from the office.

Adam: I think too much fun is being had in here

Pollock: *almost dying of laughter*

Silas: Ah phooey, I was just doing my Donald Duck impression

Adam: Not bad son

Silas: Daddy, do you think we’re better at voices because we have to put on human voices?

Adam: That sounds dangerously close to a biology question and you know your Mummy is the one to ask for that. Come on, dinner time

The family grouped up in the dining room and Adam got a plate especially for Pollock so he could eat the same as them.

Adam: Are you feeling better now Silas

Silas: Yes Daddy, the stomach bug is all gone

Suzanna: Did you have a good day at work

Adam: Honestly me and this guy called Alexander were the only ones in the whole office, it was weird. He seems okay for a human, although he tried to ask me what my salary was about a dozen times. I think he’s a bit money obsessed

After Suzanna had given Pollock a bath and put him to bed Silas came and asked if they could make a snowpal.

Suzanna: I don’t know, you’ve only just gotten over your bug

Silas: I’ll wrap up warm, I promise

In the end Suzanna relented and the pair headed out the front door to a nice patch of snow.

Silas: Mummy did you make snowpals when you were my age

Suzanna: I’ve never been your age, I came into the world as a young adult with a backstory

Silas: *blinks in confusion* ...Mummy did you make snowpals when you were my age

The pair have managed to get a three level snowman by the time Adam comes outside.

Adam: Looking good

Silas: Daddy, Mummy has been telling me all about the watcher and mods

Suzanna: Just as concepts, not truths. I said it’s what I believe

Silas: What do you believe Daddy

Adam: That this world is far to complex to have been created by just one person, and if someone was deliberate about it then they did a bad job not leaving an alien colony on Sixam

Suzanna: But you can choose to believe what you like about how we came to be Silas

Adam: Indeed. It’s what feels right to you

Silas: I think I need to think about it more, but not now, because we made a snowpal!

Adam: And a very fine one it is to. Hey Silas do you think you could take a quick photo of your Mummy and I

Suzanna: Oh Adam I’m hardly dressed to impress

Adam: You always impress me, no matter what you're wearing, now come and smile that beautiful smile

Silas: Can we have a snowball fight Daddy

Adam: Sure, but no ice balls

Suzanna: I’d be careful Silas, your Daddy can have a short fuse

Adam: I’ll try to breathe. You don’t want to play

Suzanna: Definitely not. It’s much safer for me to lie here and make snow angels

The snowball fight was short. Silas’s third snowball hit Adam square in the eye and he called foul. He still gave his son a hug before sending him to bed though.

Suzanna: I love you in winter light, it brings out your blue

Adam: Well I love you in any light Mrs Knightstone

Suzanna: Flattery will get you everywhere

Adam chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He ran his hand across her cheek and she swooned. When he pulled her in for a kiss she suggested they head upstairs to share their body warmth. Well Adam was not one to turn down a scientific proposal from his wife.

Silas: Daddy please, can’t we just use the simray on the monster

Suzanna: You will not

Adam: Maybe we just need another kind of weapon. Starlight, you remember that anti monster spray you made

Suzanna looks at him questioningly while Silas’s eyes fill with hope.

Suzanna: You can’t-

Adam: Can’t use too much I know. I’ll go grab it, Silas you keep an eye on the monster

An excited Silas scurries upwards while Suzanna doubts that some non scientific approach to a monster could work.

Adam and Silas enter the room and Adam pulls out the anti monster spray.

Silas: Daddy, wait, don’t you think we should give it a warning or something? If I hurt it it’ll just get mad

Adam: Okay. Listen here bro, this lurking behaviour is ratchet. Because it’s so uncool we are going to treat the area with anti monster spray. If you don’t want your... tentacles?

Silas: Tentacles

Adam: If you don’t want your tentacles to shrivel up and fall off I suggest you scram. I’ll give you five seconds

Adam begins to countdown and Silas joins in, still eating his pancakes. After one Adam sprays under the bed and Silas calms down, believing the monster has vanished.

Back at the table Suzanna was relishing her last times with an infant.

Suzanna: Where’s Mummy? Where’s Mummy

Pollock: *giggling* Mummy hi na da

Suzanna: Peek-a-boo!

Pollock bursts into laughter, still loving this game.

Silas: Thank you for killing the monster Daddy

Suzanna: Killing?

Adam: We didn’t kill it! We just told it to scram and added some protection

Silas: But Mummy you kill monsters on the TV

Suzanna: Video game monsters are different

Adam: Come on son, we better start the cake

Silas: Oh can we do chocolate? I’m sure he’ll like chocolate just like me

Pollock: *giggles* Si as me

Adam: So we set the timer for- what are you doing son

Silas: Cooking it with my mind powers

Adam: Sweet but... that’s not how our mind powers work

Silas: How do they work then

Adam: Well most grown aliens can read minds. Tell what someone is feeling, tell who they are as a person, with focus you can read actual thoughts

Silas: When can I do that

Adam: You’d have to be a teen first before it started to develop. Now come on, we didn’t need mind powers, the oven did just fine

The cake is put on the candle and with care the candles are lit. Only thing missing now is Pollock.

Suzanna: Where do you think you’re crawling to now huh? Come on silly

Lifting him up Suzanna carries him over to the table where the family sing a round of happy birthday to Pollock.

Suzanna: Now we blow out the candles. Can you huff and puff Pollock

Pollock: *attempts*

Suzanna: Great job! Mummy will help you get the last few. We blow together okay

When the candles are out Suzanna bounces Pollock as he giggles.

Suzanna: Who is ready for their age up spin? Is it you?

Pollock rolled the charmer trait! Alongside blue from his first age up, black will be another favourite colour! Yes he has long hair, finding alpha male hair cc was hard even before limiting it to toddlers so we’re going with it.

Following the picture the family split up. Adam needs to write an article before his shift about the latest art installation in San Myshuno, so he heads to the at home office. Suzanna picks up Pollock and figures they should start on the potty training. Silas has some homework to do but he wants to relax for the afternoon so he decides to set the table early to save himself time.

Suzanna: Here we are. Let’s get your diaper off then you can sit

Pollock: Huh

Suzanna: It’s time to learn how to use a potty, isn’t it excting

Pollock: *babbles*

Suzanna: Just try Moondust. When you can do it you can move on from diapers

Pollock seems unsure about what to do but Suzanna does her best to encourage him.