An Aside: On Sim Romance

Today I had an extremely eye-opening gaming experience.

I've become active in the Sims 4 forums, reading other Simmers' stories and discussing gameplay and from my discussions with others, my game-play has changed a lot in a very short amount of time. And yet, it wasn't until today that I came to respect my Sims. It may sound strange, seeing as their just pixels and coding, but let me explain.

I first began playing the Sims when I was given TS2 Pets for Christmas but I never became a zealous player. My memories of the TS3 are mostly of spending hours looking for and downloading mods and Custom Contents, creating Sims, decorating houses, beginning playing and ... getting bored. Within minutes. I couldn't understand how certain players could create such intricate and absorbing stories with their Sims. And despite being bored whenever I began game-play, I remained strangely obsessed and drawn to the game to the point that I couldn't play it but I couldn't stay away either. It was, to understate things, frustrating.

So, that explains the reason why I couldn't resist TS4 when it came out, despite my turbulent relationship with the previous games. I tackled this game with more enthusiasm, thinking that with these new emotions I would be more drawn to these little digital people. Nope. No such luck. I got bored almost instantly.

I began reading Sims 4 legacy (and other) stories and then I thought ... why not try to blog my own story? I had attempted legacy stories before, and I always had storylines in my head when playing, but got impatient that things took too long to develop. But thinking a story is not the same as actually writing it down – I of all people (having written some stories and not written many more) should know this. I decided to give it a shot.

Wow. Am I ever a zealous player now.

I became conscious of the biggest mistake of my game-play history: zoomed out, most of the game play spent on number 3. I never took the time to observe Sims expressions, never took the time to appreciate and contemplate the simulation – didn't pause over the cooking animation and I certainly didn't take the time to consider that my Sim could be smart enough to autonomously select a lover on their own.

This brings me to today's game-play experience. I've always been a controlling Simmer and with the Challenge I'm doing right now, a certain amount of control has to be exerted for the objectives to be met. The challenge of relevance today was that my Generation 2 heir (this being CeeCee) had to have a lover, and possibly have a child by that lover.

Being the controlling Simmer that I am, you see, I knew exactly who that lover was going to be the day CeeCee met him: Deandre May. He was such a handsome Sim and he and CeeCee had the Geek trait in common and they became friends so fast. If the challenge didn't require CeeCee to marry someone with a creative trait, I would have had CeeCee seduce him on that first night they met. As it was, I contented myself with befriending him and just waiting for the right moment to strike.

That moment came when Chapter 17 rolled around. CeeCee and Sri had a big fight and she headed over to Cristina's for some comforting. Only, Cristina wasn't there (she went “fishing” haha), only her roommate Deandre. That's when I switched the game control over to Deandre for this part of the game play (so it would look like he was coming on to her and not the other way around).

I had Deandre confess his attraction to CeeCee ... and was met with total rejection. Yikes. I had them talking some more, flirted, and boy did that not go well! I was starting to panic. I didn't have a back up plan and, selfishly, it just had to be Deandre – for me, you see, not CeeCee. CeeCee still has about 11 days of adulthood – plenty of time to meet and seduce someone else. But, my heart was with Deandre. So, I used the cheat to up both of their romantic feelings for the other. And then, to my huge surprise – Deandre was rejected again!!!!

Eventually, CeeCee came around (I switched control back to her to flirt with Deandre and he rejected her as well!) and I finally got my much anticipated affair, but a huge damper had been put on it.

And I realized that Sims are more autonomous than I give them credit for. I hadn't realized that some Sims just don't want to be in a relationship together. Maybe it was different in TS3 when there was no separate bars for friendship and romance, therefore romance always struck me as easy and superficial.

I may have had my way this time, but my eyes have been opened and I won't make the same mistake again next time. Even if I have my heart set on a particular Sim, my heir/spare is the one who has to flirt and woohoo ... and I shouldn't be forcing them on someone they're quite clearly striking a red bar through.

Sorry for the rant, but I had to get this off my chest. I am so glad I have decided to document this legacy – it has revolutionized the Sims for me, in the best of ways. I have never been less bored playing and I know that my Sims will surprise and delight me even more in the future. I can't wait ^^

Chapter 17: A Series of Unfortunate Events

CeeCee is out of the house before Sri wakes up. She goes to the only place – the only people – she can trust with this information: Cristina and Deandre. Cristina is out of the house but Deandre is there, and he immediately sees that his friend is in low spirits.

“What's wrong CeeCee? Talk to me,” he tries to comfort his friend, but it seems hopeless. He steers her to the couch and forces her to sit.

Somehow, the softness of the cushions are too much to bear and the tears begin to flow. CeeCee tells Deandre the terrible secret she has uncovered.

“M-my husband is a cr-cr-criminaaaal,” she wails.

Deandre is at a loss for words. He doesn't know what to say to cheer CeeCee up. He had always felt that Sri wasn't the man for CeeCee, but he had refrained from speaking up because Sri was a friend. Still, he would never have thought Sri capable of this.

He edges in closer to CeeCee and puts and arm around her, hugs her close. “There, there,” he says because really, what else is there to say? He pushes her hair out of her face, wipes the tears from her eyes and suddenly, her eyes are looking into his, her face closer than it had ever been before and before he knows what he's doing (something really stupid, a distant, nearly mute voice warns him), he's closing that gap.

This can't be good....

**

CeeCee doesn't know what to do when it was all over, so she flees. Her emotions are overpowering and conflicting: she feels guilty for betraying her wedding vows, grief for having been betrayed by her husband, and devastated for having possibly ruined her friendship with her best friend. She knows that it was a mistake – Deandre has always been dear to her, but she had never before wanted him that way. She doesn't blame him at all for what has happened – she wanted it just as much as he did. But it had been a perverse kind of desire, a need for physical consoling, a physical reassurance for her grief, not love.

Back home, CeeCee doesn't know what to do. She knows she can't confront Sri about what she has seen, what she knows. It's too soon, she's still too emotionally conflicted and she's scared of being easily manipulated – after all, if Sri's capable of being a criminal, how can she know what he's not capable of?

The mess in the living room is gone and CeeCee heads straight to bed, Sri doesn't head off to work until much later and she doesn't want to see him today.

**

The next few days pass without incident. CeeCee loses herself in her music and Sri keeps badgering people. He has finally completed 25 mischievous interactions, but he still needs 2 more people to dislike him to complete the first milestone of his aspiration. Unfortunately (for him), his pranks mostly make people laugh instead of angry.

Alba ages up. Poor girl had her social, fun and energy bar right down to the red zone.

That's when I realized that she didn't have her own bedroom, oops!

(hopefully CeeCee got soundproof walls for her studio or else Alba may be showing up to school cranky and/or exhausted...)

And on the same day that Alba ages up, CeeCee discovers something terrible – she is eating for two!!!!

**

To end this drama-filled chapter on a more lighthearted note, here's a glitch(?) that I just found HILARIOUS!

(Sri peeing and texting with both hands at the same time!!! Hahah this just killed me, I had to share!)

Chapter 16: Days Go By

Now that their child has been born, life is very different at the Rose/Parott household. Or, well, it's different for one spouse, not so much the other!

CeeCee still spends most of her time practicing her music. She hqs finally mastered the piano and is working her way through the last level of the violin. After that, she'll only have 4 levels of guitar left to complete and she'll have mastered all three instruments. That being the case, the duty of taking care of Alba falls for the most part on Sri.

He really is adorable – he'll go rock or cuddle her autonomously too. They've already become Good Friends.

Poor Alba probably wants to get to know her mommy too, though, because she spends so much time crying! Especially at night, she wakes them up at least 3 or 4 times, hahaha. Oh, the joys of parenthood.

I took this one picture just because it's so funny having these two Music Lovers having the same thought bubble...

Hehehe oh the irony :p

In the meantime, life continues as normal. For the time being, CeeCee and Sri have agreed on a tentative truce. It's rocky at best, but things are  holding up for the most part. They try and have meals together whenever possible

Then, CeeCee shuts herself up in her studio until she has to go to work and Sri heads outside to attempt to level up in the Mischief Skill, something he needs to get promoted at work (why would a secret agent need the mischief skill? CeeCee ponders absently as she works on her new song Simm(er)ing).

Look how sorry Sri feels for having made this poor man cry, haha.

Sri's not always too successful in his attempts to be mischievous. He met this Mean elderly the other day and came home with the embarrassed moodlet – none of his tricks fooled the old man! I guess Sri is still just an amateur.

CeeCee still manages to make time for her friends (even though she doesn't for her own daughter, what's up with that CeeCee?). Deandre comes over for a little boogy time

And Cristina stops by for the latest gossip.

“Did you hear the Rattlesnake Bar got robbed the other night?”

“Gosh darn delinquents! What has this town come to?” CeeCee seethes.

Sri's sister (yes, Sri has a sister!) stops by as well, but Sri is too busy being mean to random passerbys to invite her in.

(wow they look nothing alike...)

Days go by. CeeCee plays music and licenses songs; Sri takes care of Alba and bullies the neighbors. Then, one evening, around 3am CeeCee hears Sri crashing around and cursing in the living room. Thankfully, he stops the ruckus before waking Alba and gets in bed. After a good hour of tossing and turning CeeCee sighs – she's been definitely woken up and she can't fall back asleep. She steals out of bed for a drink of water and some late night/early morning practice (with her morning owl trait this is one of the best times of day for her to practice now). In the living room, some clutter catches her eye. Wondering what Sri left lying around, she heads over to clean it up.

There, in her living room, is a map of Oasis Spring. Binoculars, rope, tape and a walkie talkie keep it from rolling back up. A building is circled and labeled by a big red fat X, a pair of scissors stabbed down its center. CeeCee feels her breath catch in her throat, her heart constrict. The building is the Rattlesnake bar.

Chapter 15: Meeting the Twins

Well into her third trimester, CeeCee decides it's finally time to pay Cristina and Deandre a visit.

Unfortunately, I had waited too long and could no longer “share the big news” with them (unsurprisingly, I mean CeeCee's huge), but I could get Cristina to feel the baby.

She seemed a bit freaked out at first (remember, she Hates Children)

but she handled the situation quite well and was very supportive...

...as this autonomous hug suggests

Now whose place might this be, that CeeCee's 'aknockknocking at?

CeeCee meets Alexa

and Prince

They're Cedric's twin! That's right, apparently Anna was expecting, but you'd never have guessed it from the wedding photos. Apparently she's just one of those Sims who don't show (even when she's carrying twins), lucky thing.

Here's Cedric hugging his son … how adorable! For an Insane Sim, I think Cedric's ridiculously emotionally-stable! I guess he just found the right woman to keep him in check, hehehe ^^

When CeeCee gets home, Sri is finally up. He gets home late because of his 'work' so they don't get to spend much time together. CeeCee's usually at work by the time he gets up and by the time she returns, he's already gone. Today is CeeCee's day off though and it looks like he's been waiting for her. He asks her to sit down with him. He looks very contrite.

“I'm really sorry for the way I spoke to you the other day,” he begins, hesitating – CeeCee's not going to let his apology be easy – she fixes him with a hard glare.

“Work has been very stressful. I come back exhausted and we can never spend any time together. And I know what you want to know, but you have to trust me when I say it's best if you didn't… not for now. I want you safe...”

CeeCee slowly relents. He sounds so loving and sincere she can't help but give him the benefit of the doubt.

She wants to ask questions – what does he mean by safe? What kind of job could he possibly have that would put her in any danger? - but she decides to leave that for another time. She can't help her mind from wandering though. Maybe he's a federal agent working undercover, or maybe he's a spy.

In either case, they make up...for the moment. CeeCee knows this conversation doesn't solve all of their problems, but attempting to solve everything in the same evening could be as disastrous as pretending nothing is wrong. A balance of the two is what they need.

Eventually, Sri heads off to work and CeeCee heads off to bed, alone again. She's actually in labor in this picture, but the poor thing was too exhausted to do anything! Her energy bar was worse than red hahaha.

And here's a picture of their new bundle of joy – Alba Rose!

(Sri was actually there when she had Alba, but he slept through the whole thing).

Chapter 14: Trouble in Paradise

This chapter begins with a bump – a baby bump.

It turns out that CeeCee's misfortune in the last chapter was not from a bad batch of cake. Oh, and it wasn't a misfortune after all, well ... not entirely.

Now that CeeCee knows she's eating for two, she's taken a moment to reevaluate her life. She thought she was fulfilled and satisfied with what she had accomplished, but she suddenly realizes that she has so much left to do. She wants to master the piano, the violin and the guitar. She wants to reach the top Charisma level. She wants to receive tips on all the community lots and, eventually, she also yearns to complete her life aspiration. With these major accomplishments hovering in the distance, seemingly so close and yet still unnattained, CeeCee wonders... I'm happy to become a mother, but will I have the time to be a good one?

You see, to CeeCee, there is no doubt in her mind as to what takes priority in her life, even if this may seem callous to others.

After some consideration, CeeCee decides to tell Sri right away. After all, it'ss doubtful he'll believe she put on 20lbs overnight.

“What do you mean you're pregnant? What did we do wrong?” Sri yells over breakfast

“Wouldn't most people think they did something right?” CeeCee snaps back, rather disappointed with her husband's reaction.

**

The days wore on. Sri leaves the house in the evening to go to work, although he dodesn't tell CeeCee exactly what he does or where he's going. Recalling her husband's secret desire to alienate everyone, CeeCee is a bit worried.

To take her mind off of it, she practises a lot – although it isn't as easy now with a stomach that weighs a tone, and she has to take frequent breaks to pause (and drink coffee, man that energy bar depletes quickly! In other news, I also bought her the “Morning Sim” and the “Night Owl” traits with her reward points to get her levelling those skills up faster. She still has enough points left over for a Youth Potion, just in case.)

She also goes to town to play for tips.

And at the same time has a lovely chat with her nephew. He at least seemes overjoyed to hear he'ss going to be a big cousin

"Can I borrow his toys?"

Still, for all the distraction in the world, CeeCee knows she'll have to confront Sri sooner or later about his work. She does so a few days later in the afternoon after he has finally dragged himself out of bed.

“Sri we need to talk. I am your wife and I have the right to know where you go every night. You say it's work, but how am I to believe you when you leave in the evening and don't get home until midnight at the earliest. I demand a little respect.”

Sri does not like being attacked in such a way.

“How dare you talk to me of respect. I bring home money every night, don't I? All you do is fiddle around with some strings and call yourself a hardworking woman. My work is physical and dangerous. I don't have to answer to you.”

“Yes you do! We're married, Sri and--”

“End of discussion.” Sri says emphatically, and stomps out of the room.

CeeCee sighs. Sri is not the person she thought he was. Maybe they've rushed into things after all ... Oh, what has she gotten herself into?  

Chapter 13: The Big Day

This chapter begins with two surprises – one for CeeCee and one for myself.

My surprise was that I discovered that Candice and Reid had passed away! That was why I wasn't able to invite them to CeeCee's birthday party! I didn't think anything of it at the time because I also wasn't able to invite Cassandra's husband or son (and they're not dead) but then I was browsing through CeeCee's social panel marveling at how many dead people she knew when I saw Candice and Reid! So, yes, a very sad day for me. I would say it's a sad day for CeeCee as well, but she's blissfully unaware that her parents have both passed away! Oh, the limits of the game :p

CeeCee's surprise, on the other hand, has to do with her lovely betrothed's aspirations … he wants to be a public enemy. I literally did a double take when I saw this. Sri is a Cheerful Lazy Music Lover for crying out loud; yet he wants to be “disliked by 3 sims” and “perform 25 mean or mischievous interactions”!!! My first thought was 'uh-oh' but thankfully he has only had whims to “be friendly with CeeCee”. Still, their life as couple didn't start on the best foot when CeeCee looked out the window and saw her husband-to-be (autonomously) being mean to his neighbors.

These girls can sure stand up for themselves, though.

Anyway, Sri isn't horrible in his heart because he immediately wished to apologize to the woman he'd just insulted. Well, either he isn't horrible or he's actually seriously bipolar. I guess only time will reveal which.

In the meantime, I caught my first glitch on camera, woo x)

(his center whim is “to be angry” - but Sri, you're a cheerful person ... maybe bipolar it is...)

CeeCee and Sri celebrated their first night together in the same house.

(Wow, I'm definitely going to be editing your appearance soon, Sri!)

Soon it was time for that Big Event! CeeCee and Sri set everything up in the backyard. They agreed that they would make an event out of it instead of eloping. Besides, ever since CeeCee discovered that her parents had died she vowed that she would spend more time with all of her family, not just Cristina.

The celebration starts off well – everyone is dancing and having a good time and the mixologist is entertaining those who care to watch with some fancy drink tricks (aka: just me really)

Although Daendre is a mutual friend of CeeCee and Sri's, he seems the least pleased to be here..I wonder if he's upset that CeeCee's marrying someone else, or if he just thinks her drink looks gross.

Speaking of drinks … maybe CeeCee shouldn't hang out with Cassandra too much., she might rub off on her...

Time for the ceremony to start. CeeCee and Sri got changed and called for everyone to take a seat.

There's CeeCee throwing a dirty look to a few guests still crowded around the stereo with their backs to the ceremony, haha

Finally everyone settled down and the couple exchanged their vows

“I promise to love and cherish you … and to restrict my practicing hours from 7am to 10pm to ensure our love endures forever.”

Awww.

I missed the exchange of rings because I was so caught up in their exchange of vows, but I did manage to catch a picture of CeeCee's ring before it disappeared off her finger (it sucks that they don't stay). Kind of ruins it that CeeCee already had a ring on her ring finger, haha. I promise she wasn't already previously married, just bad observational skills on my part.

“You may now kiss the bride” (says the nonexistent priest)

CeeCee cuts the wedding cake and then shares it with Sri!!!! Can you tell this was my first time throwing a wedding party? Yeah, it was positively adorable, I loved it so much!

It didn't take long for everyone else to grab a piece. Man every time CeeCee calls her friends or family over for cake they just swarm! I swear they don't come over so fast when it's just a meal!

Or maybe it's because it was a wedding? Everyone had their first bite at the exactly same time too. I was so surprised I missed the moment to take a picture, but it was really neat!

As the party winds dowm to a close, CeeCee spens some one on one time with her little brother.

“Married life is great, you'll see. Although best to establish boundaries right now. Anna locks the door to the bathroom when she's in there now. Hahaha.”

Eventually, all the guests leeave and CeeCee and Sri are left on their own again. The couple earned a gold medal for the successful wedding and guests left some nice reward goodies in their inventory, yay!

Despite the successful day, however, CeeCee started feeling off later that day and she dashed off to the bathroom in the middle practice!

Was it something she ate… ?