Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Tranquility Creek Holiday Special 2019



Yup, it's that time of year again...




Happy Holidays from Tranquility Creek!

(My apologies that most of the aliens are unrecognizable, but apparently EA decided that 2019 would be the year of permanent disguises. On the plus side, it was also the year that I finally discovered that you can export the household images through Sims 4 Studio, which is why no one is missing an arm or a leg from bad photoshopping this year.)

Thanks for reading, everyone! See you in 2020!

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Bernard 3: Round 20



Last round was a rough one for Corellia Bernard. It started off well enough with her giving birth to her second child, a son named Hoth. While Corellia was thrilled, her boyfriend Austen didn't seem to share her excitement. This became even more apparent when she suggested that they adopt a third child, just like her parents had done. Even though Austen wasn't thrilled with the idea, Chandrilla soon joined the family. This seemed to be the last straw for Austen, as the family returned from Tatooine's birthday family to discover that Austen had decided to "temporarily" move out.


Hey, guys...wow!

Corellia: What?

You guys did some major remodeling since I was here last.

Corellia: Yeah, well, you know. I just figured it was time for a change...


Yeah, well, spring is the time for that I guess.


Chandrilla: Tattoine, wake up...

Tatooine: Ugh... 'Drilla, it's the middle of the night. What do you want?

Chandrilla: I saw-ed a monster...

Tattoine: There's no such things as monsters! Go back to bed...


You were saying?


Corellia: Good morning, sleepyhead...I was starting to think you'd sleep right through school.

Tatooine: It's not my fault! She kept waking me up!

Corellia: She didn't mean it, honey. She's still little. Oh, before I forget, do you mind throwing a load in before school? I've still got to get your brother and sister ready for play group.


You're doing the laundry?

Tatooine: Yeah...I have to do lots of chores since Hoth and 'Drilla are too little.


I guess having only one grown-up in the house has its' drawbacks, huh?

Tatooine: Yeah. I can't wait until Daddy comes home...

Did...your mom tell you he's coming home?

Tatooine: Well, no...but, he's got to someday, right? 

Yeah, um...hey, isn't it time for school?


Corellia: Ok, I want everyone to try to go potty before we start hunting...

Hunting?


Oh, hunting for eggs. That makes more sense...


Huh, not many people do the grand breakfast option.

Corellia: It was easier to cook while they were all sleeping. Tatooine, honey, don't you want to go look for eggs with your brother and sister?

Tatooine: Maybe later...besides, I think I just heard someone outside.


Oh, hey there Trumpet...

Trumpet: Hi! Hey Tatooine, they set up a roller rink over there. Wanna come try it?

Shouldn't you be at home for Egg Fest?

Trumpet: Nah. Everybody's busy helping the little kids hunt for eggs.

Tatooine: My mom is too. Hey, race you to the swing set!


Trumpet: So, your dad's not coming for Egg Fest?

Tatooine: I don't think so. Mom's not even making a big dinner. She just made a big breakfast.

Trumpet: That's too bad. Wanna see if your mom will let you come to our dinner?

Tatooine: She probably won't...


Tatooine: I'm not so sure about this...

Trumpet: Aw, come on.. it's not that hard...


Hoth: Look, Tatooine! Flower Bunny's here!

Chandrilla: Flower bunny! Flower bunny!

Tatooine: Yeah, whatever. I'm going inside...


Oh, good. At least someone is paying attention to the dog.

Chandrilla: Falcon, you're such a smart doggy...

Yeah, he's even managed to figure out how to phase his feet through the rug.


Hey there, Hosnian...

Hosnian: Hey...sorry we couldn't make it yesterday. You know the Lytles...any chance for a family reunion...

Corellia: Oh, that's all right. We did just fine here.

Hosnian: Seriously, though. You doing ok?

Corellia: For the hundredth time, yes! I'm fine...

Hosnian: Ok, well, I was just thinking that I could hang out with the kids for a little while if you wanted a break.

Corellia: Well, I guess if you really wanted to...


Tatooine: Hey Uncle Hosnian? You know how to play "Captain Hero Conquest", right?

Hosnian: I'm ok at it...

Tatooine: Wanna give me some tips? I can't get past the end of the second level. I've tried everything and the fortress won't open!

Hosnian: Tell you what. Let's finish up that homework, and then we can play.

Tatooine: (sigh) Fine...


Tatooine: There. It's done. Can we play now?


Hosnian: There you go...you almost got it! Now just keep hitting that button until...

Tatooine: I did it! I got through the fortress! Thanks, Uncle Hosnian!

Hosnian: No problem. Hey, how about I ask your mom if I can stop by tomorrow night too? I hear the 3rd level is even harder.


Well, someone's got to keep her occupied while her mom's at play group.


Wow, that's a pretty impressive looking turtle.


And it looks like Hoth has become quite the little social butterfly.


Tatooine: We have to look at constellations for our homework.

Trumpet: I haven't found any. She's found like, six.

Tatooine: Well, you were looking with me. That means we both found them.


Aww...


Well, that's one less decision I have to make in a couple of rounds...


Hoth: Tatooine...do you know where Daddy went?

Tatooine: Oh, you know...he's just busy doing grown-up stuff. He'll be home soon. You'll see.

Hoth: When's "soon"?

Tatooine: I don't know...it's just soon...


Garnet: And then the giant monster poked its head out of the cave, bearing its' long sharp teeth...

Oh, good. Garnet's in charge of story time. This will end well....


Like I said...

Tatooine: Not again....I wish you had gone away instead of Daddy.


Chandrilla: Mama...Tatooine told me to go away...

Corellia: I'm sure she didn't mean it, honey. She's probably just tired. Come on, let's go back to bed. Mommy's better at taking care of monsters anyway.


Looks like Chandrilla is having a harder time making friends than her brother...


Hopefully she'll come out of her shell once she's the only toddler in the family.


Paris: So? Is it true?

Tatooine: Is what true?

Drum: She thinks you and Trumpet like-like each other...

Paris: Well that's what Kiwi said...she said you two are like boyfriend and girlfriend now.

Tatooine: Ew! Gross! No way! He's just my best friend, that's all!


Oh, hey Alderaan. 

Alderaan: Hi, mysterious voice...still rocking that bear hat, Hosnian? You're almost middle-aged...

Hosnian: What? It's a tradition!


Claritin: Guess what? I've chosen both of you to be in my new play...

Pike/Guam: (groan)

Pike: Not another one...

Guam: Do I have to?

Claritin: Of course you have to! You're the only one who's mom is a real actress!

Pike: So why do I have to do it?

Claritin: Um...just because...

Man, I should really start paying more attention to the kids at these parties...


Corellia: So, have you guys gotten those applications in yet?

Thunder: Not yet. We want to let them get their skills up a bit first.

Chimney: Um...can we talk about something else? Please?

Something tells me that all this college talk is starting to get to the teens...


I guess it's just as well. We've got a birthday to get to. Happy Birthday, dear Hoth...


And of course he rolls "cat lover" when the family has a dog...


Well, I'm glad someone's carrying on Hosnian's party hat tradition. But I think a new outfit is in order...maybe an older cousin could help?


Chimney: There you go, little dude. 

Hoth: Thanks, Chimney.

Chimney: Hey, thanks for helping me avoid all the talk about college applications.

Well, as much fun as it is hiding from awkward conversations in a bathroom...I really need to be on my way. I'll see you guys next round.


A Message From the Mysterious Voice: Man, this one took me a long time to write. I'm actually quite a bit ahead in my actual game. (Just a heads up, it's going to be quite some time before we see any university. I think I figured out how I'm going to do it, but it's going to have to wait until I get a bit further into the round.) Anyway, I toyed with whether or not to have Austen make an appearance but ultimately decided against it. Having Hosnian