Palmer 3: Round 18

Last round brought a severe case of sibling rivalry to the Palmer house, with Nestle and Starburst having somehow become enemies despite both of them still being toddlers. This was made even worse when Nestle aged up into a child. It also didn't help that Grandpa Marlin passed away from old age at her birthday party. By the end of the week, Starburst had become a child as well, a welcome relief for Candy and Riley.

Hey, guys...shouldn't you both be in bed?

Nestle: I was in bed, until I heard someone making all kinds of noise out here...

Starburst: But I...

Nestle: You know, I bet you won't get anything from Father Winter. He only gives presents to good kids for Winterfest!

Well, I would say that Nestle shouldn't upset her sister but honestly she doesn't seem that upset...

Starburst: I made decorations for the living room!

Great...

Starburst: And now we're going to go see our cousins...

Starburst seems to be holding her own in "Don't Wake the Llama", anyway...where's Nestle and Ocean?

Harbor: They're outside on the swings...

Moat: All they like to do is talk and talk and talk...

I can see that...

Nice going, Candy!

So I take it things are going pretty well on the financial front?

Riley: Well, I don't like to brag, but...we are about to add onto the house.

Really?

Riley: Yeah...I figured it was time to get a real living room. You know, instead of a couch by the stairs.

Riley: What color do you girls think we should paint the new room?

Nestle: Blue!

Starburst: Rainbow!

Nestle: We can't have a rainbow living room, stupid...

Candy: Nestle, be nice!

Because it's not a good idea to fight with your sister on your mom's birthday...

Nestle: I wish you were my little brother. You wouldn't do so much embarrassing stuff...

You know, Nestle...Starburst is an alien...

Nestle: Yeah, so? Ocean's an alien too. She doesn't do all the stuff Starburst does...

Wait, we're doing this now? Everybody's in bed...

Riley: (cough) Let's just do this...

Ok, happy birthday, dear Riley...

Are you sure you're ok with no party?

Riley: Yeah, it's fine...

Riley: Besides, I think we're going to have more than enough celebrations coming up.

Madison: So what do you want Father Winter to bring you?

Nestle: A new little sister...

Aw, come on, Nestle...at least she's not splashing paint all over the walls anymore...

(sigh) Starburst...

Starburst: But it's just...white!

It's snow! It's supposed to be that way!

Let's hope Father Winter appreciates color...

Oh, and it's Candy's birthday, too...good to know.

Nestle: My side is going to be so much better than your side...

Candy: Do we have to make this a contest?

With these two, I think we do...

Riley: Ok, you two stand there while I get the camera...

Nestle: Do we have to be dressed like this?

Starburst: I like them!

Nestle: Of course you do...

I don't think anybody likes this, though...

Starburst: Mama? Does this mean that Father Winter isn't going to come?

Candy: No, no honey...actually, I heard that if your inside tree catches fire then...it's good luck!

Nestle: Really?

Candy: Yeah, yeah...right mysterious voice?

Well, actually I heard that it means you left the lights on too long...but it can be good luck too, I guess...

See? The tree's all fixed...

And just in time for Father Winter to...slowly make his way through the blizzard. Note to self, always put in a fireplace for Winterfest...

Nestle: Father Winter? Is that really you?

Father Winter: Of course! Now, I've got presents for everybody!

Starburst: Even me?

Father Winter: Of course!

Starburst: Hey, maybe catching the tree on fire is good luck!

Father Winter: And now one for you...

Hey, Starburst actually needed a violin for her aspiration! Good job, Father Winter!

Can't leave the parents out, either...

Starburst: I thought you only gave presents to good kids...

Father Winter: Well, I know that sometimes, some kids have to work harder at being good than others. And I think you're working pretty hard...

Aww...

And now that that's taken care of...onto Winterfest itself!

Riley: Ok, girls...come open the rest of your presents!

Aww

What a nice family moment...

Oh, right...Candy's birthday...

Sorry about that, Candy...

Candy: That's ok. I almost forgot too.

At least there's still a party involved...

Merida: Buzz! Long time no see! How's the move going?

Buzz: Almost done! I'll make sure to give you the address...

You want to maybe pass that along to the mysterious voice, too?

All right, looks like everyone's having a good time so far...

Oh, hey, Yuki! 

Candy: You seem surprised....why wouldn't my sister be here too?

I...kind of forget you have one most of the time...

Besides, it's not exactly hard to lose her in the crowd...um, guys? Does it strike anyone else as odd that we're eating Winterfest dinner on the deck?

Riley: Where else are we supposed to eat? Our dining room seats 6 people!

Well, let's get the kids inside at least...and I'm glad Harbor and Moat came dressed for the occasion...

Nestle: Happy Winterfest, Aunt Jessie...

Jessie: Hi, Nestle! Happy Winterfest to you, too...

Speaking of losing people in the crowd...hey, Sadness...

Sadness: Hi...this is a great party, Riley. Thanks for inviting us...

Riley: Of course! It's Winterfest!

Jessie: Hey, Nestle, I've got a present for you...

Wait...you guys can do that?

Jessie: Sure, why not?

Well, it helped Nestle finish her aspiration so I guess we'll let that one go...

And we get to end on a promotion, too...congrats, Candy! But now I've got to be on my way. I'll see you guys in Round 19!

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: Another Winterfest, and our first tree fire! Pretty exciting week. So, yeah...I kind of forgot that the holiday trees could catch on fire. Nestle and Starburst's relationship has improved somewhat from last round, but it's nowhere near what other sibling relationships look like in this town. I still can't figure out how they managed to hate each other so much as toddlers. And Jessie really did give Nestle a present at the party. I'm pretty sure it was a glitch (the dialogue box said "Father Winter has given Nestle a present") but it was still a sweet moment nonetheless.

Kauker 1: Round 18

Last round, Asteroid was still having a hard time accepting that his parents, Cirrus and Arielle, were really gone. He got along well enough with his sister Universe, her husband Poe, and their triplet daughters, but he still longed for a chance to go home to his alien world. That chance seemed to present itself when he discovered a rocket kit in the yard, and learned that his mom might have been an alien herself. Meanwhile the triplets finally aged up into children, and realized for the first time that they didn't necessarily have to stick to their monochromatic wardrobe...

Hey, guys...what are we doing outside in the middle of the night?

Other than signing up for scouts, that is...

Eclipse: Hey, Asteroid's up too...

Still working on that rocket, huh?

Asteroid: It's almost ready now...

Aurora: Do you really think they won't notice?

Celestial: I'm telling you, it will work...

What will work?

Celestial: If we tell you, will you promise to not tell anyone?

...Does it involve setting anything on fire?

Eclipse: No...

Ok, then. Sure. What's the big secret?

Celestial: We're having everybody over for Harvestfest in a few days, and we're all going to switch colors!

Eclipse: Celestial thinks nobody will know...

Celestial: I know nobody will know. We've all been wearing the same color since we were little! Mysterious voice, you think it will work, right?

Well...seeing as how I still get confused when I see you guys in different colors...

Celestial: See? It will work! Come on, I'll go grab an outfit from Aurora's room...

Asteroid: Hey, Aurora, can I borrow your...wait, what are you doing in here?

Celestial: Um...

Asteroid: Wait...you guys are planning something, aren't you?

Celestial: Come on, Asteroid...please don't tell...

Asteroid: I'll make you little rugrats a deal. You go keep your parents busy while I build my rocket, and I won't tell them about...whatever you guys are doing.

Celestial: Ok! It's a deal!

Celestial: Hey, Dad? Can I tell you some jokes? It's for my Good Deeds badge.

Telling jokes counts as a good deed?

Celestial: Sure...but I have to tell 8 of them to get it...

So, do you have any idea where this rocket is going to take you?

Asteroid: Not really, but I know it's going to be better than here...

Well, can you stick around for one more day at least? I think someone would notice if you were gone for Harvestfest.

Poe: Celestial? It's time to get up, sweetie...

Celestial: Dad, I don't feel good...can I stay home today?

Poe: Oh...um, I guess so...

Somehow you don't look sick to me...

Celestial: Shh! I have to pick out our outfits for tomorrow!

Won't your parents notice you going from room to room?

Celestial: No...Mom's busy cooking.

You're starting now?

Universe: Do you know how many people I have to feed tomorrow?

So I guess you guys are going through with this...

Celestial: Yeah, and remember, you promised...

Don't worry, I won't tell anyone. But can you guys at least give me a clue about who's who?

Celestial: I'm wearing Eclipse's color, Aurora's wearing my colors, and Eclipse is wearing Aurora's colors. 

Got it...

And I guess we'll see how well it works...

Poe: Ok, Eclipse...it's your turn...Eclipse?

Celestial: Huh? Oh, right...um...I thought I heard something outside...

It might have been half the neighborhood coming over for dinner...

Tempera: Happy Harvestfest, Aurora....hey, wait a minute...you're wearing a blue necklace!

Eclipse: Shh! We're trying to see how many of the grown-ups we can trick!

Well, they've seemed to convince Grandma...

Universe: Dinner, everybody!

Hold on, Han's just got to clean up a bit first...

So I see you're back in your pink pajamas...did anybody figure it out?

Aurora: Nope! We fooled everybody...except Tempera...

Well, great. Now, you mind giving these gnomes...something?

Wow, you guys are having a pretty good week...

Wish I could say the same for Asteroid...maybe we should get away from the gnomes for a little while.

Gemini: I can't believe you guys did that!

Eclipse: Did you really not know?

Gemini: I had no idea! Maybe Libra and I should do that next time!

I think by next time you'll be in high school, Gemini...it might be a bit harder to convince people.

Come on, time to head home. It's time for your dad's birthday...

Huh...and your mom's too, apparently. Sorry, Universe.

Universe: It's ok...

All right, well, let's do one of these right at least. Happy birthday,  dear Poe...

I'm assuming you look exactly the same too?

Poe: Pretty much...

Asteroid: So, um...can I go out tonight?

Universe: I guess..where are you planning on going?

Asteroid: Um...just out to meet some friends...

That's a very strange way of saying "going to space"...

Asteroid: I can't believe it...

Asteroid: I'm really here!

Asteroid: I'm...home...

Yeah, um...about that...I've got to be moving along now. Just...promise me you'll come check in with your sister by next round, ok?

A Message From the Mysterious Voice: Man, I love this house. The triplets are so much fun. Having them switch colors for Harvest fest was a blast, although it was kind of confusing for me. I was hoping to have Asteroid run into a new alien on Sixam, but none showed up. He only managed to get there on the last day of the week, though, so maybe next round...