#wormville

Personality and skills

Aspiration: Family/Popularity

LTW: 6 children marry (RIP)

Personality points:

Additional traits: Good, Friendly, Hates the Outdoors, Dog Lover

Skills (as of rotation 4, teen):

Hobbies, interests, additional knowledge: Naomi's a very studious person with a creative side to her. Her OTH are Arts and Crafts. She's also interested in sci-fi, fashion and animals. Lately she's been into gardening.

Naomi's got some retail experience working at the Dancing Car, including two bronze badges (sales and cash register).

Genealogy and family

Parents: Felicia Gere, Hannah Devir (+ Beatrice Beldine and Bennett Jilleni, socially)

Siblings (socially): Gina Beldine, Sophia Beldine, Xavier Gere, Ivan Beldine

Cousins: Elphie Celwitch, Kaidan Celwitch, Lee Celwitch, Cyan Celwitch

Notable family dynamics:

Naomi gets along well with Beatrice and sees her as a parent figure, but the two aren't as deeply bonded as she is with Felicia and was with Bennett and Hannah.

Naomi is friends with her siblings, but she's really close with her cousins, especially Lee and Cyan.

Bio and future potential

Naomi is a very gentle and sociable girl who has many friends and virtually no enemies. It's true! Nobody has any cause to dislike Naomi. But that harmony and popularity comes at a price. Naomi is very aware that the reason everybody's neutral to her at worst is because it's hard to dislike someone who doesn't do anything and doesn't stand out in any way. She doesn't know whether that's true, but she's afraid it is. She's checking off the list of achievements and milestones, but it all feels empty. Deep down, she's worried that her being just boring might've impacted her "failure" to keep her mothers together. And then to keep the surviving one by her side. Is it Naomi's fault that everyone keeps leaving? She's the only common denominator, it must be.

Storylines:

Is Naomi's mental health ever going to improve? Is she going to become more sure of her own identity and personhood? Will she stop blaming herself?

Naomi is Felicia's heir, so she should be the next owner of the aforementioned werewolf's house. But Beatrice acts as if the building belonged to her. Naomi doesn't like that, but will she be able to advocate for herself?

Is Naomi's relationship with Resistance going to last, even though she's being dragged to the opposing side of the clan conflict?

Beatrice: "Is it the laundry day today?"

Victor: "What?"

Victor: "No. I elect to dress plainly for the time being to signal grief."

Beatrice: "And what do you signal by coming to my store? Audacity?"

Victor: "I am in need of new formalwear. I could have ordered some online, but I wanted to do a good deed and give to the poor."

Beatrice: "Very funny."

Beatrice: "But I'll treat you like any other customer. Can I help you? What occassion do you need the formalwear for?"

Victor: "Oh, thank you." He smirks. "I mean, don't I have a wedding to attend soon?"

She frowns. "I don't remember inviting you."

Victor: "Yes, the invitation must have gotten lost on the way. How unfortunate. How rude."

Victor: "Luckily, as the ruling head of your clan, I am coming anyway. It would, frankly, be a disgrace not to! An insult and a bastardization of our tradition, don't you think?"

Beatrice: "Zachary won't be happy to see you there. Noone will, actually."

Victor: "I fail to see how is that my problem."

Victor: "Anyway, Zachary should have thought of that before entering my clan."

Victor: "Now, will you be so kind and help me pick something to outshine the groom?"

But before the wedding, there is a different celebration! Little "Ida" grows up into a teenager, announcing a large self-discovery! He's a trans guy, and he chooses the name Ivan to go by from now on. That's the second trans son for Beatrice in a row, so I think she was mentally prepared.

Anyway, Ivan Beldine is a Popularity/Romance Sim, his LTW is to be a Professional Party Guest and his 4th 3t2 trait is Eccentric!

And yes, he's genetically devoid of brows. They just didn't grow on him, and while I could add them manually, I decided to roll with it.

Marlon: "I don't understand. Is Ivan a girl or a boy?"

Percy all tenses up. "He's a guy."

Marlon nods. "I see. But I thought they talked about him as if he was a girl when he was a kid. Ida sounds like a girl's name, too."

Percy: "Yeah. Sometimes it is like that. Everyone thought he was a girl, probably including him at some point, but now he knows that he's not, so he corrected everybody and chose a new name."

Percy: "It's called 'being trans'."

Marlon: "Oh. That's... I see. Can everybody choose their gender, or just some people?"

Percy visibly relaxes again. "Everybody, basically. But it's not, like, a straight-up choice. It's more like... a feeling you get."

Percy: "They feel like what they were really doesn't fit them and that they can only be themselves and be happy as something else."

Marlon keeps nodding. "I see!"

Marlon: "So if I felt like a girl, I could just be a girl."

Percy: "Yeah."

Percy: "Do you feel like a girl?"

Marlon: "No. But I'm thinking about how horrible it would be if I did, and didn't know I could... be trans. My father would've hated it, I think. He wouldn't allow it."

Percy sighs.

Percy: "Your father's a dickhead."

Marlon: "..."

Marlon: "He's not... he's not as bad as I'm making him look-"

Percy sighs again.

Marlon: "I'm sorry for the stupid questions, by the way. I've just never met anybody... trans before."

Percy: "I guess you haven't."

Marlon: "..."

One thing has been weighing on Sophia heavily ever since they made a certain discovery with her father in their (former) clan's ancestral home. She hasn't told anybody yet, not even Verity (who could know more), but today finally, her mother has made the time to go with her to the Temple. A fine opportunity to speak.

Sophia: "Before the Tragedy... the clans Beldine and Jilleni were allies, right?"

Beatrice: "Yes, exactly. We've always stuck together."

Sophia: "..."

Sophia: "You're lying."

Sophia: "I have the contracts from grandfather's generation, the Beldine part and the Jilleni part."

Beatrice: "..."

Beatrice: "Sophia..."

Beatrice: "Listen, the times were different..."

Beatrice: "It's true that we weren't always equals. Jillenis were our vassal clan. For material and political protection, they would supply us with home servants. That's what's in the contracts, right?"

Sophia: "..."

Beatrice: "Has Ben- has your dad seen the contracts, too?"

Sophia: "Yeah... and he was surprised. And hurt."

Beatrice: "Entity..."

Sophia: "But you knew about it."

Beatrice: "My father told me when I was about your age. He told me that the relationship between our family and Bennett's was... unequal."

Beatrice: "But that's not uncommon. We are one of the last surviving wealthy clans, and as ugly as it is, our society has a hierarchy, always had it. Most clans have a history of being beneath us."

Sophia: "But they weren't our designated servants."

Beatrice: "My father and his brother treated Bennett's mother as equal. She was their housemate, and never had to do any chores outside of ordinary."

Sophia: "But... they raised dad as your..."

Beatrice: "No, they didn't. At least not officially. And I never saw him like that. I never thought of your father as my servant."

Sophia: "He told me he hoped you didn't know about it. He worried... that it was all premeditated by your parents to continue the tradition. That he was raised to love you, and to want to... to want to do what you say."

Beatrice: "Ben said that?!"

Sophia just solemly nods.

Beatrice: "..."

Beatrice: "Sophia... listen to me..."

Beatrice: "If he was 'raised to love me', would I be kicked out of the house for loving him back?"

Sophia: "Maybe it shouldn't have been romantic love. And when it was, that was the scandal."

Beatrice: "Maybe. But if I was in on it, if I was using him like that, would I marry him? Would I marry my servant?"

Sophia: "..."

Sophia: "I guess not..."

Beatrice: "Exactly! I knew about the past, but I never planned on continuing the master-servant relationship in the present. I did all I could to make the clan Jilleni equal to the Beldines. I added their blood to ours!"

Sophia: "..."

Beatrice tries to dry her tears. "And to hear my own daughter accuse me of abusing my power!"

Sophia: "I'm so sorry, mom, I didn't mean to-"

Beatrice: "It's okay. I must've been a horrible person, right? I must've been a monster in your and Bennett's eyes so you condemned me so quickly..."

Sophia: "No-"

Beatrice: "Let's go home. You'll give me the contracts. I'll ceremonially tear the Beldine half, freeing the Jillenis from our servitude formally. And then..."

Beatrice: "Then you can let them rest in the Entity and forget they existed."

Anyway. Ivan has no clue about the messy past his sister unraveled. He has a much more normal teenage problems. One day, he brings Winter Devir home from school. They have very solid chemistry! And the Wants start rolling in... First date time!

They go Downtown to enjoy one of the last relatively warm days in a park. They play games and have a lot of fun!

At one point, almost before they say goodbye, Ivan leans in to Winter, hoping to steal a kiss.

He doesn't have to steal what is freely given.

Anyway, fast forward to the wedding! Let's start on this picture of Orfie having dubious thoughts. Luckily, Quinn isn't around to sniff them out.

It's a beautiful backyard ceremony! The bride is wearing blue, the color of her clan. Both clans, Beldine and Devir, have assembled in full – and that means something, given that they're currently the two largest in Wormville. Clan Gere, the werewolves, is also fully present. Genevieve even got an exception from her exile, so she could attend. And last but not least, Cyrus Anora, Ione Anora and Yearning Elaho-Inipp arrive as the brother, the niece and the daughter of the groom respectively, and Cyan Celwitch joins in because he happens to walk by.

May this be a happy union! (Xavier rolls his eyes in the background)

The party might be rated as "Good Time", but that's not what everybody's having.

Nico: "How's it progressing in the woods?"

Genevieve: "Actually, I've never been better. Turns out that telling people to get away from you and letting them do what they want is your best quality as a leader."

Nico chuckles. "Ouch. But I get it. And I'm happy to hear that you've settled in well."

Genevieve: "How's it progressing with you? Any interesting human sacrifices? Or is my husband still the latest?"

Nico: "..."

Nico: "Krystal made a decision. He volunteered. I-"

Genevieve shoves him.

Genevieve: "Entity, you're weak!"

It is at that moment they notice Marlon suddenly running away.

Gina: "Dr Gere, might I have a moment?"

Genevieve: "Of course. You're Gina, right?"

Gina: "Yeah! Nice to meet you!"

Genevieve: "Delighted. I know you've started working for Daily Worm. You and the Hellene girl."

Gina: "Yes... I hope we won't disappoint you!"

Genevieve: "Oh, I'm sure you will. You don't have what it takes - at least you don't. Hellene might have some potential."

Gina: "..."

Gina: "I'm sorry to hear that."

Gina: "Anyway, that's not why I need to talk to you."

Genevieve: "Yeah, I can imagine that. But say it. Prove you have the guts."

Gina: "..."

Genevieve: "C'mon. Be assertive. Say it to my face. I won't leave otherwise."

Gina: "Would you..."

Gina: "Could you..."

Genevieve: "Throw the big bad wolf out. Do it."

Gina: "With all due respect... would you, please... would you mind leaving the party?"

Genevieve: "Ha! You did it! Good girl..."

Genevieve: "Give my congratulations to your mother. Goodbye."

For being disruptive, Genevieve's exemption is cut short. It's okay. It's not the first wedding she's been thrown out, and probably not her last either.

Nico runs after Marlon immediately, finding the boy hiding at the back of the house, pressing his back against the wall. He's shivering.

Nico: "Marlie! Are you okay?"

It takes a while for the teenager to get his bearings. He takes a step away from the wall, lowering his eyes. He just nods.

Marlon: "I'm so sorry."

Nico: "For what? It's okay. Everything is okay."

Marlon: "The lady yelled at you, and I... something..."

Marlon: "Something in me..."

Nico: "You felt like you were in danger. So you ran."

He nods again.

Nico: "Can I hug you?"

He nods again. Nico embraces him.

Nico: "It's alright. It's just an instinct you got from surviving your past. It's not shameful."

Marlon: "But she was yelling at you. Not me."

Marlon: "And I saw her hit you."

Nico: "She wanted to get a reaction out of me. She wouldn't attack me for real."

Marlon: "But I should've defended you, not run away."

Marlon: "I'm a coward."

Nico: "No, you're not. And if you intervened, it would only escalate the situation. You did well by not intervening."

Marlon: "My heart was beating so fast. I thought you'd die."

Marlon: "And I'd be on my own."

Nico keeps petting the boy's hair.

Nico: "It's okay. It was a response of your body you don't control. And as you'll grow older and put more time between you and the Nightmare, it's going to be weaker and weaker. It might disappear."

Marlon: "Really?"

Nico: "Yes."

Nico: "Do you want to go home?"

Marlon: "I don't know..."

Marlon: "No..."

Marlon: "I wanted to talk to Victor."

Nico: "Alright. Let's get back to the party, then."

Nico: "I'm sure the Beldines have thrown Genevieve out in the meantime."

All the drama goes completely past Zachary. He's just got married, and he's celebrating alone, rocking to some tunes by the trash bin.

When the evening falls and the werewolves leave, the party mostly moves inside the house. Yearning stays outside, though, playing the piano on her own. Or, almost on her own.

Yearning: "What are you sitting there for? Creepy geezer."

Victor: "I happen to like your song."

Yearning: "..."

Yearning: "Thanks, I guess."

Victor: "Do you want me to leave?"

Yearning: "I don't give a damn about you."

Victor: "Alright. I may stay and listen, then."

He does and she plays.

Victor: "Have you composed it yourself?"

Yearning: "That's none of your business."

Victor: "I know."

Victor: "I'm right, aren't I? You have."

Yearning: "..."

Yearning: "How did you tell? Is it that shitty?"

Victor: "No, it is unique. I told you I liked it. It must be deeply personal."

Yearning: "Nah, it's just some random bullshit I put together because I was bored."

Victor: "Do you plan on pursuing the art further?"

Yearning: "Dunno. Maybe?"

Yearning: "You sound like you know a lot about it."

Victor: "I only sound like that. I have never actually cared much about music."

Yearning: "..."

The conversation dies, as the girl plays on. The historian listens, lost in thoughts, before he quietly leaves for the indoors.

Later, Nico and his children come out to check on Yearning. Marlon is excited to spend more of his allowance and give her a tip, as he's seen others do. It makes sense they support their cousin. But wait- That's not Winter. Someone doesn't belong in the picture.

Or maybe she actually does.

...

Anyway, in a risky financial move, Beatrice and Zachary opt for going on a honeymoon. A nice vacation can give the family some benefits that might serve as an edge against Victor, after all! Let's go on a family camping trip!

Yearning is invited, but with her also Resistance, both as an additional gesture of goodwill towards her clan, and because she's Naomi's girlfriend. The last spot was offered to Percy Celwitch, being the cousin to Bea's kids and, by now, Sophia's close friend.

Sophia and Yearning immediately bond, talking about a topic they're both strangely attuned to.

The kids get a lot of milleage from the log rolling ponds. Especially Percy, who emerges as the unbeaten log rolling champion.

Did you know that in the vanilla game, elders aren't allowed to woohoo adults in tents due to a coding oversight? Yeah. So before I got the mod to fix it, Zach and Bea had to result to the hammock.

I was hoping that more worms will go and autonomously try axe throwing, because collecting the vacation mementos gives my brain dopamine, but in the end, it was just Yearning. She did it daily, though.

Unlike the Fiera vacation in their round, this one turns out very harmonious, family ties are stengthened and friendships formed!

Percy maxes out his Body skill!

For some reason, my worms start overheating en masse by the end of the vacation, despite it being autumn in the mountains. To save their lives, I end the vacation several hours early. Anyway, for poor Yearning, it ends on being robbed.

The return home was for the best anyway. It got too sad out there. Beatrice rolls a fear of falling out of love with Elphius Celwitch, who died 5 rotations ago. (and he and Bea broke up when they were teenagers, so even much earlier)

But! Onto better things, shall we?

Gina is aging up and going to college!

...with Victor, of all people. Okay.

And this is her all grown up! I wanted to keep her shaven head, but on the other hand, I also yearned for a bit of a change, so I decided to give her a tasteful bit of hair on her bald head. Anyway, her 5th trait is Quick Recovery (as in, recovers quicker from diseases). Lucky!

CATCH UP: Beatrice's branch of the Beldine clan (formerly the clan Jilleni) is preparing to strike! Next rotation, Beatrice will face a succession battle against her cousin Victor, deciding the clan's hiearchy, and with it the ownership of the clan's wealth. So this rotation, she does her best to up her chances. Her personal life is in turmoil, though. There's grief, an impending wedding, the werewolf crisis... and that's not to even mention her children aging up and not being exactly enthusiastic about her political moves!

One of her most important possessions, her passion, is Beatrice's clothing store. She works tirelessly, and this rotation, she also takes her two oldest daughters along often to help out. One of them is, after all, presumably going to inherit it one day.

Zachary swings by all the time to see Bea. She thinks it's so sweet of him.

Gina: "It's okay... you're home now, alright?"

Sophia: "You don't have to-"

Gina: "I know you. I can tell when you're not okay. And you haven't been okay ever since you've returned."

Sophia: "..."

Gina: "Or is it because of Mel?"

Sophia: "No, I..."

Sophia: "You were right before. It's Homeland... But I'm fine. I just need to..."

Sophia: "I think I just need to work things through in my own head."

Gina: "Okay... I understand. You must've seen horrible stuff there. And dad..."

Sophia doesn't even react.

Gina: "Just know I'm here if you wanted to talk, okay?"

Sophia: "Okay. Thank you, Gina..."

Sophia: "Welcome to The Stylish Stage. Can I help-"

The teenager stops herself when she recognizes the person she's just approached.

Verity: "Hello, Sophia. How are you holding up?"

Sophia: "You've come from La Fiesta to see me?"

Verity: "Not only that, but yes. Talk natural. People may be watching."

Verity: "Show me a dress."

Sophia starts pretending to be presenting the boutique's wares.

Sophia: "I'm not doing well, but I'm managing. I'll be fine."

Verity: "I see. Well, no shame in that. You've gone through trauma much greater than many here can comprehend."

Sophia: "I don't think it was that bad..."

Verity: "Shush. Don't undersell your pain."

Sophia: "Okay... How are you doing?"

Verity: "I'm still getting my bearings. Your information has been most helpful, though."

Sophia: "What do you even want to do next?"

Verity: "Work on my ultimate goal, of course. Give Deborah and myself a decent life without getting killed again." They smile.

Verity: "I don't need anything from you at the moment, but do be a doll and keep an eye out on the succession battle. For the sake of both of us, I believe."

Sophia: "I... agree. Gina's against it, and so are Naomi and Ida, and I think we don't have much of a chance. But if we won..."

Verity: "Exactly..."

In the meantime, Gina deals with customer complaints.

As I've said, she deals with customer complaints.

Even though the business is doing better than ever, there's still an absolutely obscene amount of work ahead before it makes back the, give or take, 55.000 simoleons Beatrice has invested into it. She's considering raising the prices next round.

As of this one, though, the store ultimately reaches rank 5.

But enough of work! Or, I mean, enough of this type of work. In with the one that Beatrice considers her art.

Unfortunately, scoping the room doesn't do much that night. Lester might be "HOT", but they're also... Lester. It's hard to tell who hates the other more between them and Bea.

Then she encounters Cyrus. It's not a very pleasant meeting, but Beatrice accepts it. She got engaged to his brother, so it feels natural their fling has to end. She's glad she gets to keep Cyrus as a platonic friend, though, even though complications exist on that front, too.

(Like everything concerning the accursed clan war. Or her feud with Victor. Or... that one time she walked into Serenity's house, found Cyrus there, shoved him and left. I still don't understand that one.)

Naomi is really close to her Celwitch cousins. They visit her all the time. With her mom now gone... she sometimes wonders whether she shouldn't move in with them instead.

She really likes Beatrice and her "sisters", but she's terrified of getting swept up in their business. After the former clan Jilleni forcibly fused with the Beldines and decided to attack that clan's main branch, it feels like a lose-lose situation for Naomi.

The house they currently live in should be hers. It belonged to her exiled mom.

But Beatrice is the breadwinner now, and has been for a while. The money that keeps the house afloat, the money that keeps Naomi fed and clothed, is Beatrice's. She knows that Aunt Bea plans to give the house, Naomi's house, away to Victor Beldine and his children in case she wins the succession dispute and will be able to move to the Splat mansion. Naomi is invited to go with them, but... she won't have anything of her own anymore.

But that's not the only problem! Naomi loves Resistance Elaho-Inipp. But if she sticks with Beatrice, she'll be forced to ally herself with Resistance's mortal enemies. She can't be both Resistance's girlfriend and basically a Beldine. Or can she? Beatrice's new husband-to-be is crossing sides for love, too...

It's much food for thought, and it translates to many anxieties.

Sophia tries to counter her anxieties in her own way, and it includes spending more time with the cats. It seems like helping them get their promotions might be the only way to stop her barreling towards an aspiration failure, at least for now. Not to mention the household needs all the financial help it can get.

Naomi: "I wish the werewolves got cured already, so that mom and Xav come back."

Sophia: "..."

Naomi: "I miss them."

Sophia: "Sorry, Naomi."

Sophia: "Can you shut up?!"

Sophia: "I'm sorry about your mom moving a village away. I watched my dad fucking burn."

Naomi: "..."

Naomi: "I'm so sorry, Soph... I didn't realize..."

Sophia: "..."

Sophia: "No, I'm sorry for blowing up at you. Forget I said anything. It's not your fault and not your problem."

Oh-oh. Don't.

On the other hand, why wouldn't she? He's not underage (anymore), and they didn't talk when he was growing up, so it doesn't feel weird to her. There's just the Gina thing... but how much does it matter now? They're on a break anyway! And if uncle Ares could hook up with men half his age, why couldn't Beatrice?

Oh, and he's into her, too...

Sometimes, it takes a lot to beat your own loneliness. Sometimes, it takes effort to feel wanted again. Sometimes, it takes putting yourself out there to feel sexy again, to feel young again, even if just for one evening.

Sometimes, it takes hooking up with your daughter's boyfriend.

Gina: "How's school?"

Cedric: "It's chill! College rocks, actually."

Gina: "Man, I can't wait to go, too!"

Cedric: "Hurry up then, 'kiddo'! Hehe!"

Gina: "Heeey! We're almost the same age!"

She grins. "And go put something on, before mom sees you!"

Cedric: "Yeah, that'd be awkward. Heh."

Gina: "...what?"

Cedric: "Nothing."

Ione gets a major pay raise as her skills improve. She's now on the silver cash register badge!

Beatrice herself gets on gold sales and bronze restocking this round.

Gina doesn't reach any badges yet, but it's not a big deal. She has plenty of time...

She might not be truly reunited with Cedric yet, but that doesn't bother Gina, the social butterfly and collector of hearts, all that much. For example, she's been long curious about Marlon the ex-cultist! She approaches him on their way home from school and invites him to visit her and her sisters for the afternoon.

Marlon is happy to get to know new people. He has no clue that some might be testing the waters to see if he's open to getting to know them really closely. He enjoys Gina being nice to him and having a pleasant conversation. He genuinely wants to befriend her.

Well, Gina wants to "be friends", too.

But even though she knows she could push harder and turn the hangout in the raunchy direction eventually, she doesn't make the attempt. It's not worth the potential rejection - and she realizes, it's not worth the potential acceptance either. They talk a lot and Marlon keeps mentioning Percy Celwitch with such affection and joy, often even unpromted. She'd feel horrible if she contributed to ruining it for them.

Instead of that, she discovers Marlon's shockingly adept in calculus when they later do homework together. He explains it in an... eccentric manner, but very systematically, and it actually helps.

Gina: "Thank you so much!"

Marlon: "It's fun for me."

Gina laughs. "Really? Math?"

He nods. "The only subject I'm all caught up with already."

Gina: "Still, that's amazing! It must be so overwhelming, trying to catch up from nothing!"

Marlon: "Yes. I won't be doing all subjects at once."

Marlon: "But I want to learn as much as I can while I'm still in Wormville."

Gina: "Wow. That's-"

Gina: "Wait. Won't you be staying forever?"

Marlon: "..."

He suddenly avoids her eyes. Then... he shrugs.

Sophia: "Fuck this! I've already redone the homework three times, and the answers are still wrong!"

Marlon: "I'll help you!"

Gina just watches him slink away in the direction of her sister's voice, leaving her question basically unaswered.

Sophia: "Thanks. I think I'd figure it out eventually, but it would've taken me the whole afternoon without you."

Marlon: "Happy to help."

Marlon: "..."

Sophia: "..."

Marlon: "You were in Homeland, too."

Sophia: "Yeah... I guess I was."

Marlon: "I remember you."

Marlon: "Not much, but..."

Sophia stands up. She looks very tense.

Sophia: "I'm sor-"

Marlon: "Thank you."

Sophia: "What-?"

Marlon: "It was you who stood up for me against Lt Fiera, no?"

Sophia: "..."

Sophia: "Yeah. That was me."

She hopes he can't see her relief. She was terrified he remembered all the other instances when she talked about him. Like when her vote originally almost sentenced him to death. Like when she scolded Melody for having sympathy for him in his earshot.

Sophia: "Well, and I thank you, too, actually!"

She smiles.

Sophia: "For Percy. He was... miserable. But ever since he started hanging out with you, it's like he got his will to live back."

Marlon smiles back. He's blushing.

When Beatrice returns home that day, she invites Marlon to stay for dinner! He also helps Naomi with the same math problems in the meantime. It's an all-around win-win situation. (Except for the Beldines actually still not owning a table to eat the dinner at, but Marlon in particular might see that as normal.)

Entertaining their guest, nobody notices Cedric Anora stopping by to deposit a... DJ booth he bougth for Bea from his very limited allowance. In the morning when she finds it, she doesn't even know it's from him - her clients leave her expensive items as payment at the doorstep all the time. So she sells it, as she would've done with any other client gift.

Cedric, bestie, what did you think Beatrice Beldine would do with a DJ booth?

Ione: "Shoppin' alone already? Nice!"

Marlon: "Is it dangerous?"

Ione: "Nope. I just thought you'd be scared at first."

Marlon: "...making it sound more dangerous."

Ione: "The biggest danger here is spending all your cash, heh!"

Marlon: "..."

He looks disturbed.

Marlon: "I... am actually spending all the 'cash' I have on me. I took... this much."

Ione: "Hm. Lemme look."

Ione: "Nope, that's a normal amount of money for clothes. You're good!"

Ione: "What are you getting?"

Marlon: "Clothes..."

She rolls her eyes. But then she remembers herself, and also remembers she's working, and smiles.

Ione: "Fan of bright colors, hm?"

He smiles back. "Yes!"

Ione: "Nice. I'd go for red, if you want my advice. It'd go well with your complexion and eyes. Though, that depends on what kind of red."

Marlon: "I disagree. Thank you."

Ione: "..."

Ione: "...anyway. That's gonna be three hundred simoleons."

Bringing you a rare autonomy win: A Sim wishing another happy birthday on their actual birthday!

And this is Beatrice aging up! Her 6th 3t2 trait is Ambitious, which in my opinion fits her like a glove. Ambitious, indeed! She aged up in a high aspiration level, too. Hopefully that means she stays around for a while...

Genealogy and family

Parents: General Aranni Fiera, Ashley Fiera

Siblings: Quincy Fiera, Aranni II. Beldine

Spouse: Wynn Fiera (deceased)

Children: Brianna Fiera, Cedric Anora (unacknowledged), Deborah Anora (unacknowledged)

Step-children: Jacqueline Fiera

Niblings: Vincent Fiera, Fabian Beldine, Ulrike Beldine, Friederike Beldine, Gertrude Beldine, Melody Devir, Winter Devir

Simfo (...Sim info)

"In the past, when I did not know him so well, I used to think he had the emotional intelligence of a rock, that he was a brutish, chauvinistic, hypocritical egoist. Honestly, I used to be afraid of him. But nowadays, after all that we have been through, I can see how wrong I was. And by that I mean that I'm no longer afraid of him." - Victor Beldine about Iulius

Aspiration: Popularity/Fortune

LTW: Become the General!

Personality points:

Additional traits: Loner, Diva, Clumsy, Good Kisser, Mean, Dramatic

Skills (as of rotation 4, elder):

If you compare Iulius' skills now to his old profile (fresh out of college), you'll notice that despite being a Fortune Sim, Iulius hasn't really rolled many Wants to improve his skills at all, and throughout his entire adult life, he's only gained 4 skill points in total. When you think you're already perfect...

Life

Childhood:

Iulius was the old General's firstborn and her golden child. The vast majority of his childhood memories are positive, even though his upbringing included tough and rigorous training routine. Both of his parents fostered a sense of superiority in him and encouraged him to impose his will on other children whenever he could.

Career life:

Iulius has been struggling to climb up in the ranks. He was supposed to become a General like his mother, but so far it hasn't happened and it's far from happening, too. It's mostly his poor impulse control, clumsiness and anti-charismatic nature that blocks his advancement, and that in turn is eating away at his self-worth.

Iulius operates a prison. But when I say "operates", what I mean is "lives in it". He hasn't yet had an actual prisoner. Not even once.

Love life:

"I'm realistic. At your age, nobody thinks about anything else than how to get to as many panties as quickly as they can." - Iulius to Fabian Beldine

Mina and Josephine

Iulius has never been in a happy, harmonious relationship with no turmoil. He loved his high school sweetheart Josephine Hanson, but when she cheated on him with Beatrice Beldine, he broke up with her and had a rebound with Mina Anora.

That rebound (while Iulius and Mina were still teenagers) resulted in twins. When Mina confronted Iulius about her pregnancy, he refused fatherhood, worried about his future and terrified of his mother's reaction. That destroyed his relationship with Mina forever, although they both wanted to reconcile later in life, both clearly still having feelings for each other. Mina didn't live to see that day, though.

After college, he made up with Josephine and the pair got engaged. Unfortunatelly, she died in a flu outbreak just before the wedding.

Wynn and Xenia

Single and out of options, Iulius quickly arranged for a marriage of convenience to Wynn Kent [nee Celwitch], who was a widowed single parent similarly desperate for a stable partner. Even though the relationship started out lukewarm, Wynn and Iulius developed feelings for each other eventually. Granted, those feelings weren't equally as strong or passionate on both sides, but it was at least something.

Iulius values fidelity in monogamous relationships highly, but he's always struggled with following through. He had a great chemistry with Wynn's twin sister Xenia, and the two had a long fling. Trying to make Wynn jealous and feel bad for "emotionally cheating on him" with the memory of their first husband, Iulius revealed the affair to them willingly... by kissing Xenia in front of their very eyes. It didn't go well for him, but Wynn forgave him in the end.

Oliver and Cyrus

"Just... be discreet about this..."

Iulius swore to himself (and others) to be faithful, but that didn't last very long. After returning from the Homeland expedition, on which he made a breakthrough that made him a bit more comfortable with his bisexuality, he started stealthily seeing Oliver Devir. They're friends, but the affair between them is of purely sexual nature.

Around the same time, Iulius also stopped resisting his attraction towards Cyrus Anora (who is Oliver's brother, which might be a pattern with Iulius). Nothing but flirting has happened between them as of rotation 4, but something might in the future.

Victor

"The general gets what he wants. And the general wants you."

And finally, there is Iulius' almost life-long secret obsession, Victor Beldine. It's clear from kilometers away that the historian's opinion on Iulius is layered and not entirely positive, and Victor has been known for bickering with Iulius and insulting him at multiple occassions. The crutch of their conflict is Iulius' damaged relationship with his sister Aranni II. (Victor's wife) and his repeated mistreatment of her. Apart from that, they also don't see eye to eye on almost anything, including topics such as politics and parenting.

And yet... Iulius can't stop holding Victor in extremely high regard, craving his company and, well, lusting after him. It was supposed to stay a secret, but once again, Iulius told on himself. Victor turned him down in a rather amicable manner (amicable for Victor's standards, that is), but that didn't erase the soldier's feelings. There's still a lot to work thought...

Family life:

Sisters

Iulius and Quincy always had a relationship of equals, competitive, but not (that) resentful. They were both capable, athletic and a pain to be around, and although that sounds like they should've hated each other out of jealousy, they didn't. That's not to say that their relationship was harmonious. By the end of her life, Quincy's quiet detestation towards her brother who always got rewarded more for simply being born first crystalized and she was determined to challenge Iulius for the position of the clan's head. Unfortunately, she died of unrelated causes before she could do anything.

Aranni II. adored Iulius and used to tail him constantly and parrot his quirks when she was small. He found it annoying, but in general, he paid the child little mind. Having a very large age difference, Iulius felt much more removed from Aranni as compared to their middle sister. As she grew up, they became closer, but never that close. On one hand, Iulius developed strong protective insticts over the family's black sheep, but on the other, he was among the people ready to hurt her, criticizing her constantly and shaming her for her personal choices and lifestyle. He was convinced Aranni was stupid.

Now he's full of rage, vowing to see Aranni's death avenged, not realizing yet that a big part of the anger he feels is actually at himself for being such a shitty brother to her...

Children

Iulius made his choice before even graduating high school that not only did he not want parental responsibility over the twins he fathered, but he didn't want to be associated with them at all. It was an understandable decision given his age and the pressure of his clan, but also one carrying constant emotional ramifications, as you can't just simply choose to ignore somebody's existence in a community as small as Wormville. Cedric and Deborah grew up basically right under Iulius' nose. He has no choice but to see them on the street daily and try his hardest to prevent himself from thinking about what could've been.

His situation with Brianna was in many ways the exact opposite. Iulius was elated when she was born. He wanted an heir so much and she is everything he wished for. He loves her with his entire heart, but it's true he isn't entirely capable of doing so without projecting onto her a lot and exercising a large degree of control over her life. He also actively wants Brianna to surpass him, but at the same time, he's terrified of that happening.

And last but unfortunately also least, there's Jacqueline. Iulius doesn't hate or dislike her, he just doesn't like her either. He refused to bond with her on principle. She's his late spouse's child from their first marriage. Iulius used to look down on her father, and he finds it below him to raise his child. He will continue providing for Jacqueline materially until she's fully grown up, and he doesn't see himself as intentionally going out of his way to hurt her, but she is a stranger freeloading in his house to him.

As of rotation 4, iulius doesn't have any grandchildren yet, but he'd love to get some from Brianna eventually - not sooner than she's of age, done with her education and married to someone prospective, though.

Opinions:

"A blood cultist? An animal? I don't see a difference."

supports the Beldines

supports isolationism and is vary of outsiders

sees value in gendered aesthetics, strives for absolute masculinity

supports harsh penalties, such as imprisonment, torture or death for breaking the rules of the cult or following the blood gods

dislikes the supernatural, especially werewolves and vampires

is very loyal to the Church

thinks the Daily Worm should be regulated

Hobbies:

It's no surprise that Iulius loves working out and playing sports.

What might be a surprise, though, is that he's secretly extremely talented when it comes to visual arts, and he paints a lot, despite never telling anybody.

He likes arcades a lot.

Vices:

the older he is, the more he drinks (used to avoid alcohol on principle in the past, but he's falling into it)

spends a lot of time on the internet on forums for lonely and radicalized men

Regrets:

not attempting to connect with Cedric and Deborah when it still felt plausible to him

often being cruel to Aranni

not supporting Mina and not repairing their relationship before she died

cheating on Wynn

Trivia:

Iulius only pretends to be a serious Sim, and is actually full of mischief. He feels like he can't allow himself to engage in it aside from mocking others.

He's a horrible dancer.

He's got enemies from all walks of life. Beatrice Beldine, Krystal Celwitch, Hannah Devir, Genevieve Gere, Lester Elaho-Inipp and more were united basically only by their shared hatred towards Iulius.

On the other hand, he's got unlikely friends in Felicia and Oliver Devir. He treats them both with a lot more courtesy than he does anyone else.

Iulius' Popularity aspiration has a very strong controlling character. He wants power over people. He's actually not sociable at all! He has a very low social battery and prefers solitude most of the time.

He's a horrible liar, too. He often tries to manipulate others to grow his own social capital, but it very rarely works out for him.

Iulius' early character concept was inspired by the Strangetown premade Tank Grunt. Nowadays, Iulius isn't that reminiscent of Tank anymore, but I still consider him a bit of a hidden homage.

More quotes

"I've never apologized for anything before, this is hard!"

"I'm not that kind of man. The kind to fall in love with another, especially his brother in law."

"You should make up your mind. It'll help me decide whether I'm gonna kill you or not."

"Exactly. If there's a cultist in this building, it's our duty and pleasure to kill it."

"You better have a good reason for following me to this bathroom."

"Fine! Have it your way, both of you. I won't touch the cultist. You can princess-carry him all the way home and pronounce him the king of Wormville, for all I care!"

"Mister Victor, has anybody ever taken your broom and forced it down your throat?"

"Try that and I'll make you disappear in the dungeon. I'll find a reason to justify it to the priest. And I'll guarantee you, after a year or two down there... your face won't be this pretty anymore..."

"I will tear the bread from my mouth for the health and training of our youth!"

“I don't care about the whys. I care about keeping Wormville safe.”

Personality and skills

Aspiration: Popularity/Pleasure

LTW: Be in every club and have a best friend there

Personality points:

Additional traits: Brave, Neurotic, Technophobe, Light Sleeper

Skills (as of rotation 4, teen):

Hobbies, interests, additional knowledge: Vincent has a broad range of interests! He's into sci-fi, sports, fashion, travel and food. He's a terrible cook so far, but it's a lot of fun for him. (cuisine is his OTH) Many would add that another notable hobby of his is being a confused, inappropriate doofus and appearing in public in his underwear, but I don't think he would've described himself as that.

Vincent doesn't have any badges yet.

Genealogy and family

Parents: Quincy Fiera, Xenia Celwitch

Siblings: Melody Devir, Winter Devir

Cousins: Brianna Fiera, Jacqueline Fiera, Fabian Beldine, Ulrike Beldine, Friederike Beldine, Gertrude Beldine

Cousins (biologically only): Cedric Anora, Deborah Anora

Cousins (socially only): Henrique Beldine, Marlon Devir

Notable family dynamics:

Vincent is an orphan. He lost both of his mothers at once and it turned his world upside down.

Both his aunt Aranni and his uncle Iulius have helped him materially and financially, but with Aranni being dead now, too, Iulius has become Vincent's only eligible guardian and while the boy hasn't grown too critical yet, he's already a bit wary of his uncle's radical ways.

Vincent gets along well with Nico Devir, who isn't his blood relative, but as his mother's boyfriend, he was around when Vincent was small, and the boy sees him as a partial parental figure. Nico keeps in frequent contact.

Visiting Nico is hard for Vincent, though, because of Melody - Nico's daughter, Vincent's half-sister, and also his bully. Vincent understands why Melody hates him, but he thinks it's unfair and concludes she's an asshole. He hopes she WON'T become the next Priestess, but it's really probable she will.

Vincent has amicable relationships with his cousins on the Beldine side of the family, although with the exception of Fabian (whom Vinnie really looks up to), they're not very notable bonds. He also secretly finds Henrique really cute (2 bolts), but even though they're not blood-related, it would be a taboo to try anything, and Vincent knows it.

Vincent really likes Jacqueline. They bond over complaining about Brianna. He doesn't feel entirely safe around her, though, because she has a tendency to bully him, too, when convenient, and also because of her relationship with Melody.

Bio and future potential

If Vincent didn't look the way he does, it would be hard to believe he is a Fiera. Everyone else in his clan is so intense, while Vinnie is just a sociable, easy-going guy. He's very stand-up, too, and a people-pleaser. Only a very few understand that his calm is a coping mechanism, and that it might not last forever. Apart from that, you're very likely to find Vincent sweettalking someone, anyone, really. He's a romantic at heart, but also very fickle, and he's determined to search for his fated love until he finds them. Or, at least so he says to himself, while he's enjoying all the attention and fun dates.

Storylines:

Next to Brianna, Vincent is another contender for the position of the General of gen 2, and he knows it. On one hand, he's going along with it, because he's... well, he's not miserable imagining himself as a soldier, so he might as well be one for the rest of his life, right? And it's definitely better to be the one calling the shots that the one working under her. On the other hand, he knows that Brianna will fight with everything she has to secure that position for herself, and she has... a lot. Vincent would've made an interesting General, though.

Vincent owns a house, the Celwitch Towers. He's just not living in it, because it would be really hard and inconvenient for him to live alone as a teen unsupported. In the future, he might sell the property to Jackie, or live with her as housemates. That is. Ehm. If she doesn't marry his biggest bully...

Personality and skills

Aspiration: Family/Knowledge

LTW: Become the General!

Personality points:

Additional traits: Absent-minded*, Daredevil, Loner, Workaholic

*I might exchange that for something that fits the way I write her more.

Skills (at the end of rotation 4, teen):

Genealogy and family

Hobbies, interests and additional knowledge: Some would say that Brianna's biggest hobby would be fitness, and while that's technically true (it's her OTH), it's not by far the only thing she's passionate about. She enjoys nature, reading and watching sci-fi and listening to many music genres, especially experimental stuff and screamo. She's also big into basketball, but you would've probably guessed it. She's extremely uninterested in fashion, despite putting a lot of her time into it, she does it out of a sense of duty. Also, despite being the Cop of her generation, Brianna is very uninterested in crime. Don't tell her anything about crime.

She has zero retail or creative badges and doesn't drive yet, but she wants to start working on her licence soon. She brawls very well, though, and knows her protein shakes.

Oh yeah, and she has the power to teleport once a day. She hasn't explored it yet, because she's scared it could turn out to be magic (gross), but it is sure to be a huge annoyance to all her enemies in the future.

Parents: Iulius Fiera, Wynn Fiera

Siblings: Jacqueline Fiera

Siblings (biologically only): Cedric Anora, Deborah Anora

Cousins: Fabian Beldine, Ulrike Beldine, Gertrude Beldine, Friederike Beldine, Melody Devir, Winter Devir, Vincent Fiera

Cousins (socially only): Henrique Beldine, Marlon Devir

Notable family dynamics:

Brianna considers her father the most important person in her life, and maybe the most important person ever. She will do anything to prove herself to him and stay in his good graces.

Brianna used to mind having a half-sister. When she was a child, she felt like Jacqueline was a threat looming over her, ready to siphon her parents' love away by the virtue of being older and thus bigger and better in everything. Nowadays, Brianna doesn't feel that way anymore, and she considers her conflicts with Jacqueline a teasing rivalry. She has a way higher LTR with her than vice-versa.

Brianna doesn't like her cousin Friederike, but that dislike isn't very deep. They had what Brianna considers a "misunderstanding", and after she was able to defeat Friederike in combat and put her in her place, she's willing to let it go.

Brianna doesn't get along very well with her cousin Vincent either. She considers him a snivelling baby, but doesn't deny he has his decent moments.

As far as the rest of her cousins go, Brianna has a lukewarm relationship with all of them. She likes Melody the best, and she realizes it's convenient to like Melody, but they aren't even real friends.

Bio and future potential

Brianna is a girl well aware of her "purpose". She's the true bearer of the Fiera power and responsibility, born to keep the order in Wormville. One day, she will do that, but until that day comes, she'll at least "lead by example". Brianna is perfectionism incarnate, and she knows that her beloved father wouldn't accept anything less anyway. And that's okay! She can take it. And when she can't... well, there are more than enough losers around her she can destress on.

Storylines:

Brianna tries desperately to carry the legacy of General Aranni I., her grandmother. Even her aesthetics of pastels and enjoyment of high femme style outside of her uniform are inspired by how her grandma used to present when off duty. Her father might've accidentally put that thought in her head, as he's been hoping for his daughter to continue in his mother's footsteps ever since Bria was born. That can't end too well. Will Brianna ever see it?

Brianna acts like someone who's popular, or at the very least she speaks that way. She understands "the importance of fostering a community" and "networking", so she tries to "work people", but the truth is, she only has 2 genuine friends (Quinn and Cyan, but Quinn is hardly "genuine"), and the rest of her peers either openly dislike her or pretend to like her out of fear. But will Brianna ever see it?

Speaking of her lackluster social life, Brianna has been in love with Quinn Hanson since she can remember, but not only does he not return her feelings in the slightest, Quinn makes sure to always leave her with just enough hope to prevent her from getting over him, hoping to use her (and her future power as the settlement's chief of security) in his schemes. Will Brianna ever see it?

So. Who is in the travel party?

It's Iulius, of course, and his carefully vetted bunch of (mostly) teenagers.

He invites Brianna, his only (acknowledged) biological child, and every biological kid of each of his late sisters. That means Winter, Melody, and Vincent for Quincy, and Fabian, Ulrike, Friederike, and Gertrude for Aranni.

Jacqueline, Henrique and Marlon all get left at home for lacking connections to the Fiera bloodline.

Not only is that a jerk move, but 6 out of these 9 Sims have only 2 Nice Points or fewer (most of them has 0). This is not going to end well. Or...?

Could sharing some tasty tea bring them together?

Ulrike: "Maybe I should get a job..."

Brianna: "Yeah, you should! You could join the military teen program!"

Vincent: "If you want to. You don't have to."

Melody: "I think you should enjoy that you don't need to have a job."

Ulrike: "It's not about money. It's about the experience!"

Brianna nods. "Labor builds character."

Vincent: "..."

Melody: "Hm... It's like I'm talking to bugs."

Bria is the only one to roll the Want to make an oblation to the wishing well.

Her accompanying wish is...

Whatever it was, it was not to be pelted by a hail of coins, but it will do!

Is that a ninja?

The mysterious stranger asks the teen a question. She answers. As a reward for her quick thinking, she gets to hear a secret.

Bria decides to keep her new power to herself for now.

In the meantime, Fabian tries really hard to talk anyone into playing mahjong with him for money, but nobody wants anything but a friendly match. He plays anyway.

Some Sims get to strengthen their bonds on this vacation. Vincent and Winter get closer with Fabian, Gertrude with Ulrike, Ulrike with Vincent, and I'm afraid that might be it as positive relationship developments go.

I know that might've sounded ominous, so be assured that in the evening, the kids have a good time sitting around the hotel, sharing some more tea.

Drinking so much tea might not be the best idea ever, though, because it has consequences. Pictured: 4 Sims anxiously quequing in front of an occupied bathroom, the only bathroom available. There are more Sims off camera.

Iulius ends up having to pay for more suites just to open the access to more toilets.

It's good though that the Fieras at least make themselves at home so fast! They're already comfortable having shouting matches in the hotel commons (while in their underwear).

Of course, drinking tea and fighting isn't the only activity the young worms do. Iulius also takes them on guided tours. Though, one time he stays behind, entrusting the teens into Fabian's hands...

...Fabian has them sneak into a forbidden sacred forest.

I must point out that it's also the only successful tour they take. All others end with them somehow colliding with itchy ivy.

Scratchy.

Vinnie in particular would probably be better off if he didn't insist on adventuring in his undies.

Melody is quick to pin the blame for the ivy on Frieda, at least.

Itchy or not, Vinnie is dreaming of experiencing a fleeting holiday romance, and luckily for him, he hits it off with a local girl!

Unluckily for him, she would still slightly prefer Fabian. But he's way too old for her.

Or maybe Brianna?

But she's too busy yelling at Friederike all the time.

Even though Frieda finds herself more often on the receiving side of various harrassment this time, she can also dish it. Here she is, proud of a job well-done after making Winter cry.

A perfect gossip topic, you two. Very sensitive. No notes.

Brianna: "Listen. If you want people to tolerate you, you have to try a little."

Friederike: "I don't know. You guys have been awful. Why don't you try?"

Brianna: "I'm trying right now. I'm helping you, because I feel sorry for you."

Friederike: "If you want to help me, just leave me alone!"

Brianna: "What? I'm not doing anything to you!"

Friederike: "Mel and you keep f- messing with me!"

Brianna acts shocked. "Hey, Mel!" she yells.

Brianna: "We're only teasing Frieda, right? It's just fun!"

Melody shouts back from off-screen: "Of course!"

Brianna: "See? Don't be such a baby! Loosen up!"

Friederike: "..."

Brianna: "You know what? Put that burger down. You've had enough anyway. Maybe even a bit too much, right?" She laughs.

Brianna: "I'll teach you some martial exercises, so you can lose that fat!"

Brianna stands up. So does Frieda - she wants to exit this nasty conversation. But the Fiera heiress doesn't plan on letting her go.

As they brawl, Melody intervenes. But she doesn't help the younger girl. Instead of that, she holds her for Brianna.

Brianna: "Get lost! Mel! I've got her! RIGHT?!"

Friederike screams.

Friederike: "FABIAN!"

Her brother is at the other side of the hotel, he doesn't hear her.

Brianna: "He doesn't give a damn!"

But Ulrike does. Or, at least, her baby sister's voice attracts her attention.

Friederike: "-RIKE! HELP!"

Ulrike: "Hey! Leave her alone!"

Brianna speaks, holding Friederike in a chokehold. "Chill! We're not doing anything to her! I'm just training her and she's having a tantrum about it!"

Frieda is gagging, gasping for air. Ulrike stares at her in horror. Then she looks at Bria. Then at Melody, standing in between her and the pair.

She could just throw herself in and try to free her sister with her fists. She'd damage her relationships with her cousins, though...

Ulrike turns around and runs away, as Frieda screeches her name.

When Ulrike returns with Iulius in tow, they're too late. The "sparring match" has ended. Friederike is breathing heavily kneeling over Brianna, who is lying on her back, shielding her freshly bruised face with her arms. Melody sits on the bed nearby and scrolls on her phone.

Iulius: "WHAT THE HELL!"

Iulius: "CEASE! NOW!"

They do. They cease.

Frieda stands up, letting Brianna go.

She straightens herself. "She started it. For your information."

Iulius: "I don't give a rat's ass about who started it!"

Brianna finally gets back on her feet as well. She walks to her father, head held low.

Brianna: "Sorry..."

He regards her sternly and shakes his head.

Iulius: "Go wash yourself."

If you think that was enough bullying and violence for one post, you're about to be disappointed. The moment Iulius leaves again, Vincent breathes a bit too loudly and Melody punches him. Hilariously, her attack ends exactly the same way as Brianna's, with the victim ultimately overpowering her.

Seems like the Fiera training has done Vinnie good.

Melody tries to keep Brianna on her side, hoping to have a loyal General in her one day. But when she witnessed Friederike turn the tide on her, she didn't lift a finger to support her. Bria wanted the fight, so it was only fitting she got beaten. Plus, taking Frieda's triumph away from her after she managed to outmaneuver Brianna Fiera would be just needlessly cruel.

She doesn't have a similar rationalization for losing to Vincent. She just wanted to wipe that stupid smirk off his face, and she paid for it with her pride. Maybe it was fitting even in her case.

In the middle of it all, Melody reflects on somebody back home in Wormville. There's almost no way her and Jackie are gonna last, but she finds herself hoping for a miracle anyway. The thought of Jacqueline deciding not to forgive and leaving her, is... scary.

...

Over the rest of the vacation, everyone tries to somehow forget the "incident". Frieda tails her siblings, hoping for their protection. Vincent keeps by Iulius' side for the same reason. He can't not notice that his uncle has been treating his daughter differently. And that she's been staring daggers at Friederike, barely saying a word to anyone...

Until the tensions boil over again. Brianna stops Friederike in her step. It's an evening at a restaurant. Almost everyone's around, and all are watching.

The remaining Beldines move to support their sister, but Iulius blocks them from it.

Iulius: "Leave them to it!"

He looks over his shoulder at the girls already brawling again.

Iulius: "This is how you solve conflicts! You let natural hierarchy arise!"

It's not important who agrees. The only thing that matters is who is willing to stand up to Iulius Fiera. And... that's nobody.

By the way, note the thought bubbles in the screenshot. If they truly signify who do the Sims root for, you'll see that nobody wants Brianna to win, except for Vincent's temporary girlfriend. Nobody, and that includes her father.

But she does. Fueled by determination to redeem herself in her father's eyes, to make up for the embarrassment she caused them both, fueled by the rage she feels towards herself, there was no chance Brianna wouldn't defeat Friederike in the rematch.

She turns towards her father and smiles.

He returns her smile.

After Iulius proudly pats his daughter on her back, they leave the restaurant. Back at the hotel, he jovially challenges Bria and Vinnie to some kicky ball.

Vincent has lost his clothes again.

Frieda has had enough.

She splits from the group and elects to autonomously rest her bones in the hot spring, where four unknown adult men keep her company.

(Melody hovers on the dry ground, quequing mean interactions at Frieda, but being unable to reach her.)

(The strangers start talking about... public sex?)

...I think we've all had enough, actually. This is the right cue to check out of the hotel immediately and click the "end vacation" button.

Marlon: "The orange is like fire."

Marlon: "But the machine is cold."

Cyan: "Ever heard of oranges? The fruit?"

Marlon: "Yes."

Marlon: "But it doesn't just sell orange flavor."

Cyan: "That doesn't matter, it's advertising. Do you like soda?"

Marlon: "Never had it."

Marlon: "Which one do you like?"

Cyan: "I... I don't like any. It's too sweet for me."

Marlon just nods. "I want to try them all."

Cyan shrugs. "Cool."

The ex-cultist smiles. He lowers his voice. "Vending machine fun..."

After recovering a bit from the incident with Quinn, Bria joins Melody and Marlon outside. Melody has been explaining the rules of basketball to her brother, and Brianna, the captain of her school's basketball team, happily takes over.

The death wish she held towards Melody has been apparently long forgotten.

In the meantime, Vinnie has invited Ed for a chess date.

Vincent: "Uncle's been talking about taking us on another vacation. Have you been anywhere yet?"

Edward: "I'm an Anora. Take a guess, jackass."

Vincent: "Sorry! I didn't think of that. Well, vacations aren't important anyway!"

Despite that faux-pas, Vincent manages to save it after all. Edward gets his first kiss. He tries to pretend like it was no big deal, but the crush flag in his relationship panel says something different...

Ed visits Vinnie at home, but he ends up fighting Wynn the whole time instead.

He also makes the devastating discovery that the guy he likes is fond of using the toilet with the door wide open.

But of course, living with uncle Iulius isn't just about dates, parties and shitting in the open. The aging military man promised Vincent he'd train him, and so he does, like it or not. Luckily, Vinnie is indifferent to it at worst.

Brianna and Jacqueline don't get along perfectly, no. But when the young scientist has no choice but to attend a school dance, her sister comes to the rescue and lets her borrow her dress!

By the way, Jackie goes there, platonically, with Percy. She's way too proud to invite Melody.

Back to Vincent for a moment, he doesn't actually get along with Iulius badly. It's the opposite, in fact! They're not awfully close, but Vinnie is thankful to his uncle for letting him stay in his house and providing for him financially. He also feels a degree of admiration towards Iulius. And Iulius... he likes the boy. He doesn't see much of Quincy in him, which is a shame, but nobody's perfect.

Wynn gets fired, BUT they manage to steal... a stove "when nobody was looking". That proves that the local underworld is really stupid, because Wynn's current job was being a thief, and, well, they're obviously a prodigy.

Despite this feat of supersim strength and dexterity, getting fired really does a number on their Aspiration level.

It comes at the worst possible moment, too, because Iulius already ventures out to Krystal's to buy two birthday cakes. Both him and Wynn are about to enter elderhood.

The entire family (minus Beatrice's half the clan Beldine) and the few remaining friends the Fieras have assemble for the birthday party.

Henrique: "No, dad's sure the kid's either hers or Yearning's."

Friederike: "It must be Yearning's! Serenity's an old hag!"

Henrique: "But somebody would've noticed if Yearning was. You know. Eating for two."

Friederike: "Oh. That's true. Maybe she used magic to hide her gut!"

Henrique: "But Ulrike says that she's a novice and can't do much magic yet."

Friederike: "Hey, what if dad's wrong? What if there's no baby? It could've been..."

Friederike: "A ghost of the guy he killed!"

Since it's his last moments before the dreaded grow up milestone, Iulius works on fulfilling some of his minor Wants. For example, his dream of electrocuting Jackie...

And this is him aged up! It's the chest out kind of elderhood for now, as he's trying to emphasize that he's still buff, despite everything.

I have my traits set up so that elders earn a 6th one! In Iulius' case, it's... Dramatic. I don't think the randomizer has ever been this spot-on.

Wynn follows suit. Their last trait is Clumsy, which I take as a reflection of their own low self-esteem and mounting regrets about their life.

Given that Melody is family, she's at the party, too.

Melody: "Hey... I wanna talk."

Jacqueline: "Talk to my ball!"

Melody sighs.

Winter: "Eh... Have you tried the cake yet? It's so good!"

Victor: "Attention, please!"

Victor: "It is time for a toast! It is unclear how I earned the honor to give a speech on the Lieutenant's big day, but he's asked me for it, so I will deliver. I wrote it five minutes before leaving the house. I hope you will like it!"

Victor: "So..."

He clears his throat.

Victor: "What can a Sim even say about Iulius Fiera? Like him or hate him, he is the rock of our community."

Iulius conjures a small smile and sips his champagne.

Victor: "In the past, when I did not know him so well, I used to think he had the emotional intelligence of a rock, that he was a brutish, chauvinistic, hypocritical egoist. Honestly, I used to be afraid of him."

Iulius stops smiling.

Victor: "But nowadays, after all that we have been through, I can see how wrong I was. And by that I mean that I'm no longer afraid of him."

Iulius just stares. Jackie tries not to giggle.

Victor: "...or so I would say if it was the opposite day! Lighten up, old friend! And you, forgive me, really are old tonight. May you stay that way for many more seasons!"

Victor laughs, Iulius chuckles.

Victor: "You were always there when push came to shove, and I couldn't have asked for a more reliable brother in law. And given that it is your birthday, I will not talk about your qualities as an actual brother. Thank you for your friendship!"

Victor: "I think I have said enough. Gentleworms, raise your glass to the future General!"

Felicia: "To Iulius!"

Oliver: "To Iulius!"

Brianna: "To father!"

Victor: "And I am giving the floor to whoever is going to give a speech for Wynn."

...turns out, nobody's there to give a speech for Wynn. Awkward. Oh well.

I don't know, Melody, maybe you should've listened to your sister and have the cake instead of... the spoiled grilled cheese. Although, I presume that if somebody's gonna pick the cheese, it is you.

The party is still going when Wynn notices a strange light outside. It leads them to the roof of the garage. There they find a magic lamp. They know how valuable, dangerous and relatively rare these are - but they don't feel any excitement. They're tired. There's nothing bargaining with supernatural forces could achieve but trouble and grief. The genie's simply got nothing Wynn wants. They return inside.

The first elder birthday in Wormville is a bummer of a party.

Iulius is unhappy to age up, although he managed to do so in high Aspiration, because he's running out of time to achieve his life goal.

Wynn is unhappy with their life, and aged up in red (both in dress and in the aspiration panel), because they've been fired and they feel underappreciated at home. The party ends right as they watch their husband flirt with Oliver Devir, which they take with quiet resignation.

The guests from gen 1 aren't in the spirit to enjoy the party either – not only are they reminded of their own elderhood approaching fast, but it just comes at such a difficult time. Victor is deep in grief, Oliver's marriage is falling apart, Felicia struggles with her lycanthropy and Nico is both grieving his friend and tired.

The kids don't raise the party's rating either. They're depressed, too, and Melody keeps letting her steam off on Vincent, which actively drags the score down.

I think "snoozer" might've been a more generous rating than the party deserved. But! They have already scheduled a family vacation for the next day, so hopefully that turns out better!

However still that night, soon after everyone leaves, Brianna wants to go run the training course, and discovers her parent's lamp. Far less jaded, she makes a wish!

(we'll roll for consequences as soon as her wish comes to fruition)

Iulius, frustrated and anxious about his failures, also rolls the Want to make a wish. However, he has his own lamp he inherited from his mother.

What he really wants is power, but that's not an option. So he wishes for the next closest thing - money. (his consequences roll coming next rotation after he collects all the money bags)

And last but not least, Jackie rolls the Want as well. She's known her wish even before she's learned about the lamp. It's simple. It's obvious. And she's willing to risk it all for it.

What Ulrike Beldine, Yearning Elaho-Inipp and Květen Devir have in them from birth, she wants, too!

She's certain it worked. She feels the same, but still somewhat different. There's no way back. It doesn't matter whom the Fieras were about to choose as their clan witch at the next council, they have HER now!

For the first time this round, Jackie's invigorated. Fuck Melody. Fuck Hellene. Fuck Brianna. She doesn't need them! It doesn't matter! Melody hurt her and Hellene almost broke her. To her peers, she's a bigger laughing stock than ever before. But! So what?! She's a WITCH now! She has magic, she has her telescope, and life's great.

If only poor Jackie knew how short lived her euphoria was destined to be...

Wynn suddenly feels unwell.

They walk to the fridge, take out a bag of chips. Their knees feel weak. They put the chips on the counter and lean against it. Rapid spikes of pain in their ribcage make their head spin. They want to call out for help, but one half of their face is numb and they're confused, they cannot let out a coherent sentence.

When the children run in, it's too late anyway. Wynn's old heart gave way under the stress. They're gone.

Wynn leaves as the first member of gen 1 to die of natural causes at old age. Yet because they still succumbed to poor health and have not reached their Time, they don't produce any inheritance.

They died dissatisfied and mournful, and yet... when their ghost looks into their daughter's eyes for the last time, it seems like they're at peace with how they lived and what legacy they left behind after all.

(This is a mod. It makes your game much sadder, but I love the concept! Based on a random chance, but also different factors of wellbeing and satisfaction in life, elder Sims might die prematurely, or live longer than expected. Wynn had the odds stacked against them, given that they were just experiencing a low point in their life.)

Brianna bottles her grief up. Vincent isn't impacted that strongly, since he didn't know Wynn that well. Iulius slept through the tragedy, and when he finds out in the morning, he's going to storm out to his gym and stay there as long as possible.

And Jackie... Jacqueline realizes she's all alone. She can't take it. She doesn't want to... And there's only one person she can think of that she feels safe confiding in. She calls her.

Melody comes over immediately.

Well, it's not quite the General yet, but Iulius is slowly but surely clawing his way to the top! Hopefully. I mean, he's been lv 6 before, and then fell to lv 4. He's never been higher. Maybe finally next rotation?

Anyway, the time has come for the promised vacation! One would say that Wynn's tragic and sudden death would prevent the family from vacationing right the next day, but... the flight tickets and the hotel booking weren't refundable, so they're going ANYWAY!

Welcome to Takemizu Village! Please, leave your grief at the door.

The vacation is getting its own part, but I presume it's going to be fairly short.