Challenge 001: Drabble: Welcome

[strangetomato]

This is my entry for the first weekly challenge at the simstorytellerscommunity. If you're not already a member of that community, you should go take a look. I'm one of the new moderators, and we've been reviving the community. The weekly challenge is one of our new features, and it's a great opportunity for storytellers to experiment. The challenges are usually pretty small and manageable, so it's easy to participate. If you make stories, or would like to give it a try, we'd love you to join in.

I took this challenge as an opportunity to try out a story idea that I've been considering for a short sim story. I've been thinking about crossovers between the Maxis neighbourhoods for a while, and thenwaywardgaze mentioned in a comment about something that she had done in a combined hood, and it was exactly the sort of thing that I was interested in writing a story about. So, after checking to see if it was cool that I take her idea and run with it, I set to work on a 4-5 part story. This drabble is a little teaser for that story, which will take place in Pleasantview, in an alternate reality to Strangetown, Here We Come. You'll understand why when you read it. I'll give more details on that story later, when I have it all set up.

The Sim Storytellers challenge this week was to create a 100 word drabble, using only one in-game pic, with "welcome" as the prompt.

CHALLENGE 001:  Drabble:  Welcome

Prompt:  Welcome
Word Count:  100
Pic Count:  1
Expires:  4/8/08






“I knew you’d end up sick.”

She had crept up on him while he was stealthily puking his guts up, away from the noisy crowd. When he didn’t respond, she continued.

“Tough day, huh?” It was the most he had ever heard Lilith speak. “Our parents are a match made in hell, but it’s not all bad. I did end up with one decent step-brother.” He quietly burned with the embarrassment of having vomited in front of her.

He was a mess.

“Well, don’t talk to me, then.” She turned to walk away, then added, “Welcome to the family, Ripp.”

Comments

[madame-ugly.livejournal.com]

I'm anxiously awaiting this tale, mostly to see how you deal with having a self-imposed limit.

Tsk, tsk. Teens consumming alcohol. *acts morally superior then busts out laughing*

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to it too. It'll be nice to be able to say "The End" after a handful of installments. I know exactly where this one is going, and how it's going to get there, which is nice for a change.

Yeah, kids these days... *snicker*

[amaryssobellus.livejournal.com]

Very interesting. You got my attention. Please, please continue...

Something I've been meaning to ask you, is how do you clean up your photos? They just look extra sharp.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thanks. This will definitely see the light of day as a 4-5 part story. It's something to do when I need time to think about the Strangetown story.

I have to give my graphics card all the credit for that, since I don't do any touching up after I take them, unless it is to adjust the brightness and contrast for a teaser image. I'm lucky to have a really good graphics card.

[simplode.livejournal.com]

Oooh, very nice! I'm looking forward to the rest of the story.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I'm still working through some of the details of the plot, and then I just have to play it all out. The best part is, I get to start the story with a wedding (it's a reverse comedy, I guess).

[80sfiend.livejournal.com]

Oooh this is good! :) I love Lilith! She's so awesome. :D And so is Ripp. :)

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thank you. I love Lilith too. I have a soft spot for the family rebel, I guess. And well, you know how I feel about Ripp, so I'm excited to go in a different direction with him. Two dysfunctional families are better than one, right? ;)

[redqueenofevil.livejournal.com]

YAY! Lilith is my favorite Maxis Pleasantview character. Combine her with Ripp, and it should be a fine ride (roller coaster, whatever you want to call it). Looking forward to part two.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Lilith is one of my favourites too. I think there's a lot of potential for drama with this set-up, considering all of the baggage that each family brings. The Grunts go from have no sisters to having identical twin step-sisters (with pretty red hair).

Well, you'll get part one first, actually. This is just a little preview of that. We'll get to see more of the wedding in the opener.

[waywardgaze.livejournal.com]

Ooo, this is gonna be a fun one :)

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I hope so. ;)

[muslemura.livejournal.com]

I admit it, I squealed a little when I read that last scentence *grins* I've always enjoyed seeing other's take on the Pleasents since I've never managed to play them in an interesting way myself :)

It'll be fun to see the Grunts and the Pleasents together - I seem to remember Ripp having a vivid 'twin dream'? Dysfunctionality, here we come? Wonderful teaser, looking forward to more!!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Great. *grin* That's exactly what I was hoping for when I wrote it that way.

The Pleasants were always one of my favourite families to play, since I do enjoy how much of a mess they are. They're usually the first family I go to when I install or reset the game. I often try to juggle both of Daniel's relationships (and I've even moved Kaylynn in as a live-in lover *snicker*), but I'll be playing it out as intended with this story. The cheating spouse theme makes for a nice icebreaker for Buzz and Mary-Sue. ;)

I love the idea of combining these two families (and there's just enough room to fit them all into the Pleasant's house, though it might be a tight squeeze). Could all the various dysfunctional family issues cancel each other out, or will they all add up to one big heap of trouble? That twin dream gives you a good idea of how my mind works with these things.

[simpathology.livejournal.com]

Ooooh, crossover! I think it's pretty clear where I stand on crossovers (hah! half my stories are indicators!) so I'm really looking forward to seeing more in this alternate reality.

And, wow. Mary-Sue and Buzz, huh? Not a match I'd have seen coming, so Lilith's assessment if probably on the money!

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Do you like crossovers? I never noticed... *wink* It's always fun to mix things up a little.

It was such a perfect match to me. They were paired off in a combined hood, based on chemistry, I assume, since they're pretty similar, and have compatible aspirations (the whole family does, really! :P). But in-game dynamics aside, they're a PERFECT match, based on their backstories. Or yes, for some of their children, a match made in the depth of fiery hell. *evil grin*

I can't imagine that Buzz and Daniel would get along very well either... Oh, such fun!

[hathakleen.livejournal.com]

Eep, now I feel almost like I cheated because I wrote something for the challenge too and I have a line exactly the same as you. It's not much, but oh well.

I like it, although it is a bit strange for me to wrap my head around :)

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

Was it the "Welcome to the family" line? It's not exactly the most novel of phrases, so I surely don't mind. (I don't mind anyway, really. We were just sharing a brain cell, I guess.)

When are you posting your entry to the challenge? I just went to check for a link and I didn't see one. I want to read it!

Strange is good, right? ;) I'm still wrapping my head around it too.

[hathakleen.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's "welcome to the family". I kind of expected I wouldn't be the only one using that line, actually. :D

My entry is up now! And yes, strange is good. I'm excited to see this story.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

It's a good, solid line, I think. The familiarity of it was part of the draw for me. It gets tossed around at things like weddings, and such.

I read your drabble. Very nice! I left more comments with the entry...

[realandgritty.livejournal.com]

I wonder why he got so sick? Did he drink too much? Who poisoned the food?? heh. I love speculation.

[strange-tomato.livejournal.com]

He got drunk at the wedding. His father's re-marriage was all a bit too much for him, so he found a way to sneak some drinks from the bar, and he overdid it.

That's the thing about drabbles, isn't it? They're so concise that there's always some little detail that isn't included that leaves you wondering. I really like writing them.

[realandgritty.livejournal.com]

I see. I like that bit of fill in the blanks.