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Welcome back to the Lakewood BaCC! This is the third instalment of the first week, and this time it's the Curious household's turn, currently only consisting of Pascal Curious. He's a Knowledge sim with the personality 10/5/5/0/5 (Virgo), he likes brown hair and sims who know how to clean, but he isn't fond of facial hair. His OTH appears to be Science. Last time, Pascal finally agreed to become a playable, and he gets to found his own challenge.

Pascal: "It better not be anything horrible."

Well, I suppose it's time to tell you in any case. Does an OWBC sound horrible to you?

Pascal: "... no, actually no. That could be pretty nice, actually. Depends on what bonuses we pick."

Of course. And I plan to pick something I think you'll like. Let's see, first three sets of expansion-specific bonuses. Let's pick... The Base Game, Open for Business and Seasons.

Pascal: "What were those again?"

Each set of bonuses has three different objectives, and each objective gives you points. You only get the points for each set if you manage all three different objectives. The ones chosen are as follows:
 

Base Game
-For obtaining an alien through a legit abduction. (3 Points)
-For going one whole generation, from birth to birth, without getting ANY promotions. (3 Points)
-For having a gnome to guard your flamingos and having your Sims always go to fetch it back. He must be accesible to be stolen, you may not have a sentry bot guard him. Watch for it and don't lose that gnome! (3 Points)
 

Open for Business
-Build a robot army worthy of BoolProp. Every heir and spouse, starting with the founder and ending with the second generation heir, must have a gold talent badge in Robotics. (3 Points, 1 Point for each heir/ess couple)
-For running a business from the founding through to the end of the challenge. Business must be started by founder sometime before their death. (3 Points)
-For creating a servo. (3 Points)
 

Seasons
-Throw a party once every Season of the year. In other words four a Sim year. This can include birthday parties, sports parties, new years parties, etc. Themeing it, roof raising it, or smustling at it is optional but a plus! (3 Points)
-For earning a wishing well. (3 Points)
-For creating a plantsim. (3 Points)
 

Pascal: "Well that really doesn't sound too bad."

That's what I thought. But wait until you hear the other bonuses we'll try to get.

Pascal: "Ok, shoot."

Let me see... I think we'll try: the Boolprop naming scheme (10 points), Boolprop Clubhouse (10 points), Family Scrapbook (10 points), Bug Me Not (10 points), MOAR ALIENS (10 points) and Monster Mash (15 points).

Pascal: "So essentially, we'll be naming the kids a certain way, building and maintaining a community lot business – that one is a real schocker in a BaCC, by the way – taking pictures of everyone and writing novels, collecting bugs, trying to get to meet aliens a lot and essentially trying for the legacy black sheep bonus."

Yes, exactly. Well, what do you think?

Pascal: "I think I like it, especially the aliens part."

I thought you would. So, first you'll need to wait a bit while I get you some kind of a house, and then we'll get started.


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So, Pascal got a small house that he could afford, and first things first, also the three flamingoes required by the rules, and the gnome to guard them, as required by the base game bonus. I don't think I've actually had either before, so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens with them.


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Like others before him, Pascal got his first order of business: dig for treasure. In the beginning, it's simply the quickest way to earn money. Oh, and about that car pool? I'm sorry Pascal, but you can't be an Entertainment Lawyer, that career isn't open yet. You're going to have to quit that job.

Pascal: "That's ok. I'm more sorry that I can't be Ecological Guru. Too bad I never got to go to college."

I know, and I'm sorry. But I'll try to make you otherwise as happy as possible, ok?

Pascal: "Thanks, I appreciate it."


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Pascal's first walkby was Darren Dreamer. Like Regan, Pascal is gay, and apparently he and Darren have one bolt. However, Pascal is already rather invested in another relationship: one with Nervous Subject. They met at the Recreation Center during Lizzie's week.


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In any case, Pascal and Darren came along well, and Darren stayed for lunch.


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Actually, Darren did more than that. While Pascal was busy with all kinds of other things, Darren started a painting. I've seen guests start one before, but this was the first time anyone's stuck to it longer than maybe fifteen minutes.


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As I said, meanwhile Pascal was busy. He wanted a skill point (when would a Knowledge sim not want one?), so he got to study some mechanical.


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And I wanted to move forward with Pascal's personal life, so he got to ask Nervous Subject on a home date.


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Clearly, there was some interest in the air.


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The date commenced the usual way. Pascal and Nervous seemed to be getting along quite well.


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They also didn't bother Darren, who was very keen on his painting. For the first time ever, a visitor completed a painting in my game! Well, thanks Darren!

Darren: "You're welcome. You're just going to sell it, aren't you?"

Yeah, Pascal needs the money, sorry. But if it makes you feel better, you made me like you!

Darren: "Thanks, I guess. I think I should go home now."


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While Pascal was fixing spaghetti for dinner, something happened that was definitely interesting. His boyfriend stole his garden gnome!

At this point, I was rather amused.


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Well, the date went on and it was clear that these two really liked each other. And I liked them together.


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All in all, the date was definitely a success.


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See? Nervous thinks so too.


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The next day I was less than amused about Nervous' theft. I googled around and found that stealing the gnome back is an autonomous-only action. And no matter how much I hoped he would, Pascal wasn't doing it. Did I just lose nine points (the points for the gnome plus all the other base game bonus points) because I goofed and chose a silly set of bonuses? Drat. Plus, it felt all the worse because if I lost those points regardless, it wouldn't kind of even make sense to try to get them.

Oh well. I decided to wait and see, and Pascal spent most of his day digging for treasure. He, like everyone and their granny, needed to buy a community lot. As much for the OWBC as for the BaCC.


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In the evening, we checked his inventory. Apparently he already had some stuff when he moved in, too. We were tempted to keep the karaoke machine, but in the end, decided to sell that for the good of the business too.

Pascal: "I kinda liked the karaoke machine."

Yeah, me too. Maybe later?


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Wednesday morning, it was time for action. Pascal invited Nervous over, and greeted him rather enthusiastically.


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Pascal: "Nervous, I've waited forever to ask. Would you live together with me here, have a family together?"

Nervous: "Of course, Pascal, I thought you'd never ask!"


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Nervous Subject moves in, bringing with him a nice sum of money. (Great, I think you can afford to buy a community lot now!) He's a Family sim with the personality 10/1/10/2/2 (Virgo). His LTW is to Raise 20 Puppies or Kittens. (Gah...) He likes fat sims with red hair, but not particularly black hair. His OTH is Sports.

Nervous: "What was that about my LTW? You mean you're not doing it?"

Yeah, I don't think so. I don't want to turn the house into a puppy mill, and I'm not particularly fond of breeding pets anyway.

Nervous: "Is it because I stole that gnome?"

No, of course not! Look, Pascal's not going to get his LTW either, that one is impossible. So I'll try to make you both happy otherwise, ok?

Nervous: "*sigh* I guess that's fair. Maybe if I make up for that gnome thing?"

Nervous, I'm sorry but I don't think so. And the gnome thing is water under the bridge. I was hoping it'd be in your inventory, but apparently it's not.


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At this point I'm quite sure we'll never see that poor gnome again. Or those points. I'm not sure what to do points-wise, I still hope to at least try the rest of the base game bonuses, but am undecided. Well, in any case I bought a replacement gnome. Might as well see how many gnomes we go through during the challenge, right? Oh, and notice how we have six flamingoes now. Three for Pascal, three for Nervous.


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While Nervous takes care of his needs, Pascal gets on the phone. There's a business waiting with his name on it, so there's no time to waste.


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Before we head there, however, there's something else to take care of.


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Nervous needed some aspiration, and I was happy to indulge.


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The newly engaged happy couple heads to the third business in Lakewood, Curious Gadgets.

Pascal: "Gadgets? What are we selling, then?"


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Well, gadgets of all kinds, of course. We'll start with some basic electronics and once you have time, there's a robotics bench waiting for you in the back room, too. How do you like it?

Pascal: "It's grey. I like grey."

I thought you would.


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We interrupt our regularly scheduled program for some adorable shy sim flirting.


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But then we set to work, to sell electronics. Lakewood needs a place for the residents to buy their gadgets, after all.


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Things start off quite well. We start gaining stars, and Pascal and Nervous start learning. The notable thing in this picture? The first ever blue shopping bag in Lakewood – Mortimer bought $$ worth of electronics!


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And Regan's to thank for the last star needed to get to level 2. Thanks, Regan!

Regan: "No problem."


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The reporter liked the place too; we got both a good review and a Best of the Best Award.

I think we're lucky to have this guy as a reporter. So far, he's liked every business in town!


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We head back home, and we find that with the load of hacks I have, apparently just about the only thing that sims actually buy while uncontrollable is groceries. Both Pascal and Nervous had a couple of loads from when they visited Regan's store, and every time we come from a community lot, they race to the fridge with their baskets.


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Pascal needed a bit of a break to take care of his needs, so meanwhile Nervous got to help the finances by digging. We were starting to be in a pretty good situation thanks to the store, but a bit more would never hurt. Besides, there was something important that we needed to buy.


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That is, a big telescope. If we want to win the MOAR ALIENS bonus, we'd better get to attracting UFOs pronto. Since we're doing the regular version of the bonus and not the extreme version (which basically forbids all other forms of abduction than basic stargazing) and Pascal is a Knowledge sim, of course he cashes in on his aspiration perks and summons aliens. No luck tonight, though.


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Meanwhile, Nervous got to work on another bonus by trying to hunt bugs in the dark.

Nervous: "So I'm supposed to be a Bug Nut? I'm not even that interested in Nature you know."

Yep. And no you aren't, yet. Pascal doesn't have time for everything, so please help me out here.


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Nervous: "Beeeeeeesssss!!!"

Whoops. Well that didn't start out too well. Zero bugs found, and chased by bees. Oh well. I suppose we better work on that Nature enthusiasm a bit first.


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The next day, we decided it was time for the big wedding. Friends from all around the neighborhood were invited. Also, since we are attempting the Seasons bonuses and one of them states that there must be a party at least once per season, this counts for the party of the first Fall.


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Sorry, Cornwall. In this universe, Regan's into ladies and also taken.


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Not that Cornwall is that picky, it seems.

Anyway, time to get married!


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So married they got, and since I was quick about it, basically went for the ceremony as soon as the sims started arriving, most guests actually made it to watch. Nervous Subject became Nervous Curious.


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Oh, and in case you were wondering, that wasn't Oberon thinking Oberon is hot in one of the pictures. John just happened to stand conveniently behind him. I know it tricked me for a bit.


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Now let's see, who didn't make it for the ceremony? Oh, just my other playables it seems. I'm guessing Lizzie must be hungry, but what's your excuse Regan?

Regan: "I'm keeping Lizzie company. And also, cookies."

Fair enough.


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Hey, that's not fair enough! *sigh* The second gnome apparently lasted roughly the same time as the first.


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I'll have to deal with that later. First, we have a party at hand. Pascal is apparently a nice feeder, unlike Lizzie.


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All the elements of a good party are there. There's cake...


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... there's inappropriate flirting (fortunately with no consequences)...


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... and there's bad smustling! Apparently John was the only one who wasn't into it.


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All in all, it was a roof raiser. Congratulations, guys!

The rules say: "Themeing it, roof raising it, or smustling at it is optional but a plus!" Let's see. Roof raising, check. Smustling, check. All that is missing is a theme, or maybe "wedding" counts as one? Anyway, the first party is officially done.


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After the guests are out the door, the young couple finally has some time for themselves, and guess how they decide to spend it?

We're of course hoping for a second generation to make an appearence here. I gave in and installed Twojeff's Pregnancy for All Genders hack for this challenge, seeing that two of the three founding families so far include a same sex couple. I suppose I'll just have to put the gay sims in Alphabetia on birth control, as there biological children for same sex couples are supposed to be rare according to the plot. I just hope I remember to do that...

Anyway, no lullaby as of yet. But when evening fell, things were about to get really interesting.


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As it happens, this was Pascal's second night out summoning the aliens. And almost off the bat, they were summoned. MOAR ALIENS, here we come!


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Pascal: "Aaaaareeee youuu suuuureeee iiiiiit's saaaaafeeee?!?"

Of course it is, silly, I'll see you soon. Why are you worrying now, anyway? I've seen you, every time I tell you to summon aliens, you do the "yes" arm pump thing at me.

Pascal: "If youuuu sayyy sooo... *lets go*"


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While Pascal was gone, Nervous got to start on a garden.

Nervous: "Why is that, anyway? I hear there's a grocery store in town and sooner or later we'll be able to buy all the fresh groceries we want from there."

Well you see Nervous, one of the Seasons bonus objectives is to get a wishing well, and another one is to get a plantsim, so we might as well get started.

Nervous: "You're not planning to make me one, are you?"

No I don't think so. I suppose it could be tempting for a Family sim like you, since having kids is so quick and simple, but in this challenge, they don't count for the pregnancies required, plus you're already quite busy. We're mostly doing this so that your Nature enthusiasm would go up and you'd hopefully have better luck catching bugs. Wait, what's that in your queue?


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Nervous: "Something I thought you'd like."

You're stealing back the gnome that Regan took!

Nervous: "Yes, and not only that."

You... now you have it in your queue twice!

Nervous: "Indeed." *exits lot*


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And to my astonishment, Nervous indeed exited the lot twice, each time returning with a gnome. First the one Regan took, and then the one he took himself. The original gnome.

I could kiss you right now, Nervous!

Nervous: "No biggie. Though you could have Pascal kiss me, I wouldn't mind that."

You're awesome, you know that right?

Nervous: "I suppose I do now. I felt bad about taking the gnome, since it made you unhappy. Pascal thought it would be nice to get it back for you, too."
 

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So we have our original gnome back, and the base game bonuses are not (yet) lost! Yay!

I don't know why Pascal never went after the gnome but Nervous did. Maybe only mean sims will steal them back? Well, if that's the case, Nervous and his descendants probably have us covered for the immediate future.


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While we were having this lovely little heart to heart with Nervous, it was time for Pascal to come back home.



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You alright there, Pascal?

Pascal: "Yeah, I'm ok. I only remember the head alien telling me they were going to do a little experiment and it wouldn't be anything to worry about. It was interesting to meet them, although a bit of a shock to realize it really happened."

I see. Then it's all good. And I just heard a lullaby, too.

Pascal: "Then I suppose we know their experiment was genetic in nature. Although, seeing the challenge rules, we knew that."

Yes, we knew that.


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Pascal: "Honey, I'm pregnant. From the alien abduction, I mean."

Nervous: "Yeah, I guessed as much. So even though we haven't had luck yet, we'll be having a baby soon. A green one."

Pascal: "Yes. Are you okay with it?"

Nervous: "Come on Pascal, you know me. And besides, I'm a Family sim, I love babies!"

Pascal: "Well then all's good. Great! What are you doing, anyway?"

Nervous: "Seeing if there'd happen to be an opening in Business. Doesn't seem that way, though."

Yeah, we're getting close to having five community lots, so all we'd need for our first Business District would be a Business Tycoon. But oh well. That will happen sooner or later. And on the plus side, if the two of you don't have jobs at all, it's easy to avoid promotions for that one base game bonus.

Speaking of jobs, when I was re-reading the rules I noticed that I'd unlocked a career without noticing, during the very first update no less. According to the rules, the Medical career is unlocked when the town acquires a university. So, if anyone happens to want a job in Medical, they can. Hooray!


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Despite Pascal's pregnancy, we decide to go in and work on the store some more. Nervous did quite well, earning his Silver Sales Badge. Also all that selling has started to give him a good reputation. Vidcund here would have liked to set him up for a blind date, but you know, he's already married and all that.

Nervous: "Yeah, that was a bit awkward."

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Nervous also mans the cash register most of the time, and this gained him a Silver Badge on that too.

 


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Meanwhile, Pascal mostly restocks, because he wants a Bronze Badge in that. Somehow he's having a harder time with that than Nervous with the other tasks. Maybe it's the pregnancy needs drop.


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Thanks to Kent Capp, we were able to reach level 3 for the business.



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Pascal did eventually get that Bronze Badge, which put him in gold and would have allowed him to energize. The only problem was that he was too tired for that and would just step right out of the energizer. So we had to go back home.


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While Pascal slept, Nervous tried collecting bugs again. This time he was luckier and caught several, the first being the Polka Beetle. That was also luckier than their try for baby later that day. Still no lullaby. *sigh*


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But we did get a phone call from Olive, and she gave us the household item discount benefit. Well, that'll definitely be useful both at home and at the business.


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During the night, Pascal started showing.


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And in the morning, he was starved.

Nervous: "Honey, you don't need to eat directly from the fridge, I just made pancakes."

Pascal: "They weren't ready yet. So... hungry..."


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With everyone's needs taken care of, we headed into the store for another short session. As long as Pascal's needs would allow.


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We managed to get to level 4. Thanks, Darren!


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Lizzie: "Just wanted to say congrats on leveling up the store. I'd stay but my bladder's killing me."

Pascal: "I know the feeling."


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We got back home, and while Pascal and Nervous were both inside, this happened. Apparently some sims will show up for the sole purpose of stealing the gnome, like Tybalt here did. That makes the third time it's been stolen, and it's only the first week.

Oh Neeeerrvouuuuss...

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Nervous: "Getting to it."

Thanks, that's nice, uh, mean of you I guess.


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Poor Pascal had a bit of a rough time being pregnant. Trying to run a business is hard when you're hungry all the time and your bladder's the size of a pea. Not to mention the fatigue.


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I meant to get a cute picture, but actually? That looks kinda uncomfortable.

Pascal: "Yeah, I like his hair but not so much when it pokes into my eyes."

Well, anyway. Pascal never got a second bump, but I wasn't too worried because according to the pregnancy scanner, the hours were ticking away normally.


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Pascal: "What's this, we're getting a date?"

Well, you both could use an aspiration boost and this is the easiest way.


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Pascal and Nervous' favorite dating activity? Going outside in winter to lay on the ground in their t-shirts and dicscussing how the clouds look like a piano. No kidding.


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Of course, I had a bit of an ulterior motive. With that smug smile? Of course there was a lullaby.


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After the date, there was a bit of work for Pascal and Nervous to do. Nervous started to work on his bug collection again, except that it was one of those less than lucky times. He ended up being chased by the bees in the snowfall. Poor guy.


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Pascal finished the painting he's been working on. Someone needs to paint portraits here.

Pascal: "Well I wouldn't start painting any portraits yet, not on this skill."

Not to worry, there's time to practice.


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Nervous wanted to learn Fire Safety, and he got to do that. Mostly for the aspiration points, but well, since alarms are not allowed yet, it's probably a good skill to have.


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Well, this was Sunday evening, and our update would already be wrapped up if it wasn't for one thing.


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Late at night, or technically early Monday morning, Pascal went into labor.

Pascal: "AIEEEEEEE!"

Nervous: "Alright, alright, getting up..."


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Fortunately, the pain wasn't for long, and soon enough Pascal was holding a healthy little girl. With the naming scheme in mind, we named her Bonita. Welcome to the family, little one!


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Nervous would maybe have given Bonita a more thorough welcome if his stomach hadn't decided to be upset just then. But it only means she'll be having a brother or sister next week, so I'm sure she understands.


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Pascal: "Who's Daddy's little cutie, who is?"

Bonita: *gurgle*


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With proof of the three additional flamingoes purchased for Bonita, this wraps up the first week in the Curious OWBC! Here come the BaCC stats again:
 

Playable sims: 5 + 2 (Nervous, Bonita) = 7
SM: 7
Population: 49

Households: 3

CAS sims: 0 placed / 7 + 1 (from Curious Gadgets) = 8 earned

Community lots: 3 businesses + 0 free = 3

Businesses:

Lakewood Recreation Center (Lizzie Davidson, level 10)
Yummy! (Regan Capp, level 4)
Curious Gadgets (Pascal Curious, level 4)

Careers:

Business: 1 opening / 0 taken
Medical: Unlocked!

Universities: 1 (privately funded, founded by Lizzie Davidson)
Business districts: 0
Downtown: no

Fires: 0
Burglaries: 0
Electrocutions: 0

Taxes collected from this household: 53,000*0.05 + 20,000*0.05 (for level 4 business) = 3,700 simoleans*
Taxes collected total: 11,400 + 3,700 = 15,100 simoleans at 5% rate

* I round both the net worths and the results so as to make calculations and keeping track of payments easier.


OWBC points tentatively earned this week:

- 3 for obtaining an alien (points dependent of two other base game objectives)

Tentative total so far: 3.


So that's all folks! Thank you for reading, and I hope you'll join us again next time. Until then, happy simming!


Date: 2015-08-02 01:24 pm (UTC)
lauriempress: (Default)
From: [personal profile] lauriempress
Hi, Kat. Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's the mean points. See marrying Nervous in was a good thing!

I enjoyed this too by the way.

Date: 2019-02-09 12:43 am (UTC)
skyburned: Woman in the rain (Default)
From: [personal profile] skyburned
Does the gnome actually do something? Either deco or functional, it seems irresistible. With that bloodline, the human child may be stranger than the alien!

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