1.9 Born to Rock

Fairuza takes a different route on her morning jog than usual. It takes her to the edges of the town.

She spots a building that seems older than most. That in and of itself isn't too unusual; there are a few lucky surviving buildings from past eras, and others that have been carefully restored to appear so. She squints at the sign as she passes by.

Druidsdream Alchemickal Supplies.

The faded lettering advertises palm readings, enchantments and elixirs.

"What a load of garbage," Fairuza says to herself, as she keeps running on by.

She knows the lines on her palms don't mean anything. Whoever runs this shop must be some new age pretend-pagan con artist.

Back home, Rock begins his morning with a different ritual: tending to his plants.

What began as a few planters in the kitchen became many planters in the laundry room, each a different bright color so he can remember what's growing in what. It's summertime, the ideal time for encouraging a harvest before cold weather sets in again, but many of these species would not appreciate the temperature drop at night. They'll live longer and produce more if they're kept inside.

After tending to his plants, he tends to his crop of children. Ivy is old enough to get ready for school on her own, but Astral, Epiphany and Lynx are waiting in the nursery to receive their breakfast, have their diapers changed, and be free of the confines of their cribs so they can play with their toys.

Fairuza and Rock are so far in their careers that they're able to take different days off, so their three youngest children don't have to deal with babysitters.

Rock will spend today playing with his toddlers... reading them books, getting them used to the potty chair, helping them to walk, using their toys to help encourage them to talk... that kind of thing. Tomorrow, he'll return to legislative business, and Fairuza will take over in the nursery.

Ivy is a huge help.

When she's not in school she dotes on her sisters, and even helps with Lynx's feeding.

Her parents would feel awkward enlisting her help in looking after the babies, but Ivy volunteered, and seems to enjoy it. Fairuza still thinks her eldest should be hanging out with sims her own age, but what's a parent to do?

Ivy's generosity is the main reason Fairuza has any time for hobbies outside the house.

The sound of crashing waves, the sky that goes on forever, the smell of the grass and the woods... it's so calming, she almost forgets to feel guilty she isn't using this time more productively.

Though she comforts herself with the knowledge that her catches will be useful as garden fertilizer and food. Delicious fried fish... served up with fried potatoes... yum.

She'd love to bring her kids here during the day so she could fish while she watches them, but three is a bit much to have out of the house at one time.

It also violates SimNation safety laws, which dictate there must be one adult present for every baby or toddler sim not on their home lot. What nonsense.

Fairuza longs for the day when her little ones are old enough to accompany her and Rock on nature excursions. Ivy is a lost cause... she'd just put her nose in a book and walk into a tree.

 With Ivy in charge of the house for the night, Rock brings Fairuza to The Green Room, an upscale establishment in the center of town. They offer pricey drinks, fancy meals, and stage entertainment.

"I've seen Ceth Archer and Becky Lack perform," Fairuza brags to the mixologist, certain that tonight's jazz band will be a comparatively dull experience.

The couple makes small talk over their meal. The band arrives halfway through said meal and plays with exceptional skill, but nobody pays much attention to them.

The only acknowledgement to their existence is when Fairuza and Rock get up to slow dance to a soft, romantic melody. "It's nice to be out like this without it being a political engagement," Fairuza whispers.

"Then we'll make it happen more often," Rock promises.

Fairuza's idea of real fun is a little different, though. The following night, with Ivy watching the babies again, Fairuza drags Rock out to The Grind.

The Grind is modeled after a famous Bridgeport club, though the outside is painted up to fit in with the rainbow of buildings surrounding it.

The unapologetic loud partying and grunge music brings Fairuza back to some of her favorite teen memories, following her cousin to one of the bars in Starlight Shores that didn't card.

Unlike The Green Room, The Grind is packed with people, and Rock quickly finds someone to talk politics with.

Fairuza rolls her eyes and wonders if the food here is just as bad as the food at The Foundry was.

Fairuza glances at the menu as she struts towards the bar. The hot wings are advertised as dangerously hot. Good, she thinks to herself, I like to live on the wild side.

She fully expected disappointment, but the hot wings are as hot as promised, and shockingly tasty.

"Awesome!"

After food she returns to the dance floor, where Rock lets her know she was missed.

 They accept an invitation to play pool upstairs.

Fairuza wins, of course.

Not content to dominate just one game tonight, she challenges Rock to a foosball match.

Rock is not very competitive. He participates lazily, reminiscing about their old hometown.

Hey, a photobooth. Why not.

Elected officials shouldn't act this way, Rock!

It's almost closing time before they leave The Grind.

Ivy is already in bed. The other three are sleeping soundly.

Later in the week, Ivy's babysitting means her parents are free to attend mutual friend Brynda Frey's dreadfully dull party together, instead of separately or not at all.

Brynda tries to entertain her guests with music.

"Love... love yeah... it's the best...  ♪"

"Everybody wants love! ♪"

Cringing at Brynda's performance, Fairuza decides to put on a show of her own, with some fantastic kicky ball moves.

No one so much as glances her way.

 These fools do not know talent.

The free babysitting comes to an abrupt halt when Ivy rolls a wish to get a part-time job as a spa clerk.

Her parents are proud of her ambition, but secretly just a little disappointed... and confused! What teen wants a job???

Lynx has aged up to toddler. He strongly resembles Rock, but Fairuza's pouting mouth and spotted cheeks somehow change the entire composition into a very different little face.

Lynx is a difficult toddler, reluctant to be torn away from his toys for any reason.

Fairuza's fish tales do not impress Lynx.

Lynx, Epiphany and Astral share an age stage for only a short time.
 

Astral ages up to child.

She may be young, but she already knows one thing.

She was born to rock and roll.

Or, um, at least to Rock and Fairuza.

Astral leaves the nursery behind, taking up residence in Ivy's bedroom.

"Mom says we're related to Ceth Archer," Astral defends her dreams of artistic stardom.

Ivy smiles and rolls her eyes. "Suuure we are."

"We are! Mom said so!"

"Mom meant you can be whatever you want, but you'll have to work really hard at it if you want to-"

Astral balks at the thought of 'work'. "Nope! I'm just going to be naturally good!"

Despite that declaration, Astral stays up as late as she's allowed to to practice.

Tonight her audience is only her Scary Bears™ collection, but in her mind, they are cheering.







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Etc.: The food at The Foundry was bad because vampires don't usually know how to cook.