The MacAvoy ISBI - Generation 3.3!

[tigeranne]

I lied, apparently. There weren't 400 pictures. When the duplicates were deleted, there were exactly 255, so I must have counted the thumbnails. Oh well, it's enough for two sizeable chunks of ISBI. :)

Since we last saw the Macs, Helena has rejoined Alfie and Isabel at the Magpie house, and is living happily with her great love Rowland.



What happened last time? Maybe we should start by summarizing. Well, Thaddeus and Reuben from the Magpie Prettacy-family moved in. Thad had his first noticed birthday ever, when he became old. Reuben and Heather clashed from day 1, despite once having had chemistry. Simon grew up and looked just like Curtis. Nikkie grew up and looked a lot like Jen. Dewey grew up and looked a lot like an aardwark. Then he ran away. Then Leonard ran away. Isabel hung around for days. There were many manly tears. Heather grew old in some grotesque undies. Jen had a daughter named Donna, who had a lot of promise. Curtis started spiralling into Aspiration failure. The police brought Dewey back, but we're still waiting for Leonard.


The update begins with the normal situation around the house: Callan being a douche.


But there is some justice in the world.


And that would be their last fight. I decided that Callan was too much of a hazard to the other pets, so he and Dewey got their own separate pens.


In case you wondered what the house actually looks like. I think it just screams "Orginal Legacy House", don't you?


Here's the other side, facing the Magpie's property. I've downloaded a floorplan for a 5-bedroom house, that I'll try to build for them when the next generation takes over. Yes, I could download a house, but I'd like to try building a nice one myself.


Inside, we find them much like you'd expect. Curtis is weeping the bitter tears of Aspy-failure. Donna's languishing on the floor in her Maxis PJs, hoping for a bottle, probably. The guys are bromancing, and Isabel's hanging around again.


She came home with Brice to watch him gloat. I guess she thinks it's her credit that he's moving up in his career.


And the kids are getting bigger.


Simon: Do you remember when Uncle Thad and Uncle Reuben suddenly just appeared? One day they were just there.


Simon: I think are really Aliens, and teleported here from Jupiter.


Nikkie: They look like Aliens!


Dogs will drink their own pee in real life too. There's a reason I like cats better.


Over at the Magpie house, Isabel hardly ever plays the violin anymore. It must have been the overwhelming nostalgia of being home that got her inspiration going again.


Pointless picture of Simon and Nikkie syncro-sleeping.


Nikkie: GAAAAAAH! UNCLE ALFIE-NIGHTMARE!


Jen, that's not your dog.


Yes, we want Leonard back! BTW, this was my 1000th screencap!


He actually gave them Leo back as promised! :D And the reason he ran away is now locked safely in its pen.


Jennifer: Up you go!


Jennifer: If I let go now, you'll fly all the way into space, HAHA!

Nikkie: Not funny, Moooooooooooom!


Yeah, Nikkie wasn't doing great in school, and Jen was getting tired of the sour letters from Mrs. Swiller (No, she hasn't retired yet), so something needed to be done about Nikkie's fun levels.


Jennifer: Something bothering you, Sprout?

Nikkie: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr


Jennifer: Simon, darling... That's Uncle's wee-wee.


At least I tried to have Jen play with her children. :-/


Reuben: Oh my gosh, that kid is repulsive!


Nikkie: So this is going to make Mrs Swiller stop putting me in the specimen locker? It's really scary in there!

Jennifer: Yep, this is a foolproof plan!


Finally! Her grades could only go up! I could never have played a legacy with the Social Worker enabled. It wouldn't have lasted even two generations.


Leo came back just in time to get old.


Meanwhile, Heather lost it.

Heather: I HATE YOU, CURTIS!

Reuben: OWWWWW! You're always so mean!


Reuben's about to get old. He became an adult on the same day as Louise. I know I've elixired her at least once, but clearly the Macs are a bit ahead of the Magpies at this point.


I didn't bother to have a party for Simon's birthday, but Jen cooked some BLT burgers and they had an outdoor dinner.


Thad celebrated the occasion in his usual manner.


Simon: Oh no! I got fat like Uncle Brice! He did this!

Brice: Hee hee hee, he's just like me, ain't he?!


Curtis: Now, son... You're about to embark on the treacherous path towards manhood. Make a wish, and choose it wisely.


Simon: I wish to be nothing like Uncle Brice. Or Uncle Jon. Or Thad & Reuben.


Simon: And not like Dad.


Ooops. Big surprise...


OH WHAT JOY, HE ROLLED FORTUNE! He likes charismatic blondes, but will switch them out for a newer model when the first grey hair appears on their heads.


Remember I said that one of the super-neglected kids I test-tubed Aylatani with grew up better than Jen's children? I wasn't joking! For all I love Jen, she's been one of my worst Sim-mothers ever. I think she ranks about up there with Milena Atherton.


Reuben: Look at that anarchist! That juvenile perp! That... scallywag!


Curtis: BOOO HOOO HOOO! MY BABY BOY HAS BECOME A TEENAGED DELINQUENT!

Simon: They're all disappointed. Job well done, me! :)


I thought he should just keep the outfit. No business suit for this guy.


Donna's birthday was later the same night.


Jennifer: Don't disappoint us now, kid. Pfffoooh!


Yeah. Potty-training kinda didn't happen.


She looks nothing like Jen, which is good. Not that I don't like Jen's looks, but I don't want a clone heir, even if looks don't really matter for the goals in an ISBI. I think she's got Jen's eyes, though, so she's not a Curtis-clone either.

Donna is at this point the strongest candidate for heir.


Thaddeus: Good morning, brother Brice! :D I know it's not always easy to keep it in your bladder, and we all pee ourselves now and then, but it's a very nice gesture to clean it up again. Have a splendid day! :)

Brice: You. Are. Not. My. Brother.


They really do all pee themselves, and not only "now and then". There are three toilets in the house, but nobody's willing to walk upstairs to relieve the water-pressure. Well, apart from Jen, because I make her.


I love Leonard so much, it's not even mentally healthy. :) So I have decided that this will be a cats-only house in the future.

In reality I'm far less tolerant about pets on kitchen counters.


Chocolate pancakes for breakfast? Life is gooood. :)


Callan's old. I don't care.


Ooh, chance card! :) I say make the Wedding Soup for a wedding! The Italians are pretty fond of traditions, I believe.


Any points are good since he can't skill up on his own. Also, I guess this means that the Sim world has Jews and Italians, and that the state of Louisiana exists there as well.


Nikkie was one of those kids who just aren't very good at entertaining themselves. There's a whole playground outside, but she always preferred the toybox.


Nikkie: I let you hug me out of a sense of obligation, since you are infact my long-suffering failure of a dad. But I don't hug back, okay?


She's in that awkward stage right before teenhood.


Then Heather snapped.


Heather: Beaten by an elderly woman! How will you face people, Reuben?

Reuben: I won't.




Such a crazy kid. :D


Simon: Don't worry, Uncle Reuben. It really can't get any worse. Your own mother has never given a shit about you. Your twin starved to death. Your sister banished you from your home to make room for her own kids. You're hella ugly. You live with a woman who hates you, and violently takes out her aggro on you every day. You're in constant Aspiration Failure, which makes you tragic on the same level as my old man. You're incontinent. You never had a single grade above D- in school. Your brother lies to your face. Yeah, there's nowhere to go but up from here, because you're not at the bottom, you are the bottom, dude! And that makes me feel so much better about myself!

Reuben: At least... I'm not fat?

Simon: Pfff, I'm NOT fat. I just have really big abs!

Jennifer: Feed me!

Actually, Jen... That's your own job.


Jennifer: BTW, I'm having another baby! :D


Poor Reuben, really.


Jennifer: What was that about? I'm not kissable to you anymore?


Not sure what happened there, but they did make a kid in the end. Jen wanted to have one last little one, and I thought why not.


And Reuben had a miserable birthday.


Reuben: I can't believe Mom sent me Grandpa's old duds as my birthday-present! Just wait until she gets old!


Leonard: I can has..?

Jennifer: No. Kibble!


Jennifer: Oh noes, the Morning Disease!


Reuben wasn't allowed to retire, because at work he got fed and reminded to use the toilet once a day. I figured it was best to keep his boss happy.




Well, they say it's never too late.


Helena doesn't trust Jen and Curtis' parenting skills, apparently, so she checks up on her grandchildren.


Helloooo, Dan. You'll have to get into the Magpie Legacy at a later generation. It would be epic to have two variations of Rowland running about!


Jolene: Hiiiii, I'm Jolene! I live in the local Nut House! I'm crazy! I'm... believable, right? I mean... I'm not a spy!


There's really not a whole lot of tragedy separating Curtis from Reuben anymore.


Curtis: Wheeee! My baby's adorable and talented!

Quinten: Mr MacAvoy... You do know the baby's still inside your wife's womb?

Curtis: Nonono! We decided I should give birth this time! This is little Lora! Isn't she just sooo bouncy and peachy?


Hello, teenaged Nikkie!


She rolled family. That would be great if she became heir, because she'd get Aspiration points for having kids. As a spare with Family Aspiration she could become either a selfless, useful relative, or a wretched lunatic like Reuben and Curtis.


She did better than Simon, however.


She looks more like Jen the older she gets. Most of the difference is actually in the details on the skin-set. Looks like all she's got from Curtis is her nose and the tip of her chin.


Nikkie: ...so bottom line here, is that now you must do as I say. Ok?

Donna: Pffff no! I'm the heir. You do as I say!


POP!


Jonathan: Ha ha ha ha! Loser!


Look, it's Edgar Allan Avery. :)


Brice is almost as much of a tragedy as Reuben. No wonder they get along so well.


Here lies Elvira! Her beautiful blue eyes, and ability to beat up Callan, will be sorely missed. :(


Keely (by alittlestrange) didn't manage to impress the doctor-lady with her knowledge of Anatomy.


POP! This is the last one, Jen. I promise.


Why couldn't he and Elvira have liked each other? The kittens would have been legendary!


Donna: This isn't fair, Mom! A kid's not supposed to wash the dishes. That's what that machine under the counter is for!


Awww, look at her grumpy face. She did it on her own, so I guess she can't really complain. :)

And now: GENETICS! I wanted to roll the pacifier, to make sure Jen's baby didn't get first-born syndrome. The test subjects were Keely Duckling and Barth Magpie, who had a crush as teens. Here are the results:


Worst possible result.




This looks like Mary Elizabeth with Belina Duckling's (Keely's grandmother) eyes.


The two of them actually have enough normal features between them to produce plain but ordinary children. That's a girl, it's a bit hard to tell.


Simon: It's sooo cool that you have a real enemy! I wish I had one! But when there's so much wrong with a person as with you, that's just kinda bound to happen.


Reuben: Don't listen to him, Oscar! Daddy's not a loser. He's confusing me for his Pa or Uncle Thad!


Heather: Aww, Professor Von Ball! You finally have time for me! I'm so honoured!


On maternity leave, and mostly unable to escape the house, Jen kept the company of the only sane housemate left.


I want this cat in real life.






Since Leo was also really old, and to hopefully start a family of cats, they adopted Lina.


Asking only for the 25% could get him demoted, so it was best to play hardball.


Poo.


So much win.


Nikkie may have escaped Mrs. Swiller, but now she's got Mrs. Hawkesworth breathing down her neck in High School instead.


There is no point to this picture. :D


Awwww, don't worry, Jen. Your baby will be born as soon as you stop crying. :-/




This is the last time Jen will do this, because we're NOT having 5 kids in this house! So enjoy her suffering!


You'd think her wailing would have scared the cat away a long time ago!


Jennifer: Look, Curtis! Our baby, Lora!

Curtis: Jen, I've seen my daughter many times before! When's Quinten gonna cook dinner?


So... it's a girl. Her name is apparently Lora. She's got Curtis' skintone.


Nikkie: Oooh, she became real! Mr Bingley was totally wrong when he said my mind was damaged by watching too many Disney movies as escapism!


Poor Nikkie. She fails so hard at life, and may just have been pushed one step further back in the contest for Heirship. I think a glimpse of her future can be spotted behind her.


Nikkie: Why do I even bother?




Does Jen even know Francine?


Reuben: I can't believe Louise sent me Dad's old PJs!


New kitten, because they are the only happiness and joy to be found in this house. It's that kitten originally named Cymmi, renamed a bit.


It had to happen.


The only rule of Word Bingo: You do not let the boss win.


Well played! And as you can see, Thad has had an elderly make-over.


He brought home... Fred, I think his name is. He's from my first batch of townies. I'm definitely concidering him for Generation 4 husband.


*SIIIIIGH!*


Simon: Look, Lora. This is what you must fight to not become!

Reuben: Huuuuurrrrrrrr...


Then Leonard went to the Rainbow Bridge. Goodbye, old buddy! The best cat to ever grace my TS2 game.




Nikkie: I'm such a rebel. Well done, me!


Now the Apocalypse is near. Brice is being useful.


There is so much fail in this house, that if you laid it out next to each other, it would reach around the Equator 97 times.


alittlestrange's Karis Duckling seems to wonder what sort of family she's been visiting.


Alexandra Atherton. I have never seen her visit anywhere before. :)


Let's avoid having double birthdays, and grow the baby up right away. :)


The only thing that ever interrupts the neverending failing is whenever someone has a birthday. And often it doesn't stop then either, but at least it has a festive theme. Let's see what Lora loos like, shall we? I mean, she's a serious runt, and not really in the race for Heiress, but I can't just count her out either.


Right... Now she'll be able to have Aspiration trouble, like the big kids!


She has no idea what she's in for. Look at her happily shooting into orbit!


..!


Oh Goodnes gosh! She's beautiful!






It was too late at night to bother with the Smart-Milk, but she tried to get some training in.


Jen: OH WOW! Is it supposed to behave like that? I wish I had Mom's mechanical skills! I wish Mom was here! :(


Then there was the whole issue of navigating around the crazy uncle, to give the milk to the kid. Then someone came and snapped Lora off to bed as soon as she had drunk it. D:


Since toddler-training seems impossible in a house with so many bothersome, baby-obsessed people, let's focus on Donna for a bit.


Donna: I wish to be awesome, and brilliant, and beautiful, and amazing, and brave and tall!


Looks like it was Lina's birthday as well!


Not bad! But she needs some colour! She's a ghost like her Mom!


Pleasure Aspiration, hated by many. :( I suppose I could use the reprogrammer thingy to pick a new one. She likes dudes with black hair who wears cologne. I guess she's into Guidos.


Nikkie: Oh no! I just lost all chances of being Heir, and now I've got zits, and my life sucks soooo muuuch!


That's Lina?! WOWZA! She looks terrifying! Epic cat!


But she's a gentle soul, who even gives poor old Reuben the time of the day.


And she apparently like Grape Soda? My cats hated anything carbonated near them, but this is the Sims!


I got this pop-up, and just for the giggles I clicked "yes".


Oh, more oldies incoming.


Ouch! WTF was I THINKING?


Oh no! I just went and ruined Jen's marriage. :(


And here's the Femme Fatale at the heart of it: Regina Jayapalan. x( Brice disapproved of her existance.


At least the two rivals could find common ground in worrying about poor, old Thad having passed out on the lawn as he usually does.


Jen's priorities have always been a bit weird. But to be honest, the ISBI has been a lot more interesting with her in charge than with her more competent mother.


Jonathan decided that his life was a lot more interesting now that he had someone to shove around.


Regina: I didn't mean for it to come to this? Nobody told me he was married!!! I'm not a home-wrecker. I didn't want to ruin these people's lives!

Simon: Yeah, that's why you've always got to ask the whole blind-date FAQ whenever someone wants to set you up! "Is he seeing someone" is #1! You're like 30 years old! How could you now know?

Regina: I don't know! D':


Good idea, I guess.


We'll just end the update with Donna's make-over. I think she's rather pretty, despite having a rather long chin. It's looks like it's definitely Jen's, and she's got Curtis' mouth which sits a bit higher on the face. Well, at least I'm not going to get a SimSecret about making Sims with no chins.

What will happen to Jen and Curtis? Is their marriage beyond the salvaging point? Check back here in a couple of days for the next update. Hope you enjoyed all the Phail!