Lovette - Round One
I didn't really do proper house tours or anything like that for all the homes, firstly because most of the houses are terribly sparse and also because their sizes make it difficult to do proper tours, but I did floor plans at least! (When I started out, I built a house for the Lovettes and then I went on to start the Greenes, but I just HATED the Lovette's house so much I trashed the entire thing and started out lmao. In the end, I really like this house a lot more!)
First floor
Second floor. They're simple enough that there will be room for upgrades when the time is necessary - and lmao when they have any money. All the founders homes are on 3x3 lots, but I won't subject that to everyone else!
Because of the layout, I don't even know what to call this! Entryway area where Maeve's desk is set up and the little sitting tv area lmao
All these houses started out with lil teeny kitchens and it simultaneously killed me and gave me some life.
This little cute nook, because Maeve needs to stay on top of everything and keep her mind and psyche in tip top shape, if she's to lead these brave new explorers.
So much simplicity. If you ask Maeve, it's what everysim needs in their lives. (Grover would argue that a little flashiness never hurt anysim.)
Speaking of - first things first, Grover settled himself in to document their arrival to Arcadia and to write of their first day. It would be nice, he thinks, if one day along the line, he has some kids and they have some kids and maybe those kids have some kids, and they could read the journal and remark on how much of a journey it was for them.
They start off their day right with a nice healthy bowl of cereal. It's the time spent together that really matters, okay?
And straight away, Maeve wastes no time checking the paper for an opening in politics. She's successful! ^o^
She goes outside and Delilah St. Claire happens to be passing, so the good future mayor that she is, Maeve stops her and invites her in. It's no secret that Delilah's passion is for politics, but Maeve isn't too worried about a usurper. She hopes that if she and Delilah become close, then the politically-minded St. Claire could be an invaluable companion, to help reign her in and keep her on the right path to what's best for Arcadia.
It's a relief to Grover that Maeve doesn't find Delilah suspicious; he connects so well with her and he'd hate to have to forsake their friendship "for the good of the city" (he rolls so many wants about her, he's borderline obsessed tbh)
While Grover and Delilah hang out, Maeve hits up the bathroom to brush up on her charismatic abilities. Because she has such a bad habit of foot and mouth disease, she knows she needs to be more compelling and convicting in her speech. If the other sims are going to believe that she's good enough to lead them, she needs to prove it!
Rory Ceret happens along by and Grover invites him in, as well. What kind of mayorial family would they be, he thinks, if they didn't interact with the rest of the town? Anyway, he's the sort to dream of a close-knit community. In the future, he hopes for festivals and the such!
Maddox St. Claire gives Maeve a ring. While they have a chat, Rory and Grover have an inevitable discussion over Maeve's town vision. It's not much right now, but Grover reassures Rory that he has nothing to worry about. In no time, there's going to be so much going on with Arcadia. (It might seem that he's talking to reassure himself.)
Grover is one of two sims with aspirations for the education of Arcadia, but it's awfully early to begin thinking of that, so he uses his free time to get some cooking tips. Soon, Maeve is going to be really busy and solid meals will be very important for them as a household. He wants to make sure one of them is looking out for the other, because Maeve is so driven that she'll skip meals if it's necessary to get go after her ambitions.
With that in mind, he tidies up, even though a rather sloppy sim like he doesn't feel as bothered by dishes sitting around. It's only right, to pull his weight around here.
A peaceful evening is enjoyed, with Maeve and Delilah at the chess board, discussing matters of a bank - Delilah seeks to convince Maeve it's right to go ahead and let Maddeleine set to work on the bank of Arcadia, because money will be very tight. Reluctantly, Maeve agrees. Grover and Rory enjoy some relaxing time spent what they enjoy doing best: nothing.
The following day, Maeve calls up Delilah and invites the family along. She finds that she quite enjoys the atmosphere of many sims in the house; maybe she gets what Grover means about the community aspect of a small town. And anyway, the St. Claire's are an invaluable asset to her as a leader. Between the architect Maddox, the treasurer Maddeleine, and the political insight of Delilah, they're incredibly resourceful, and she wants to keep good with them.
Also, even the most ambitiously driven sim ought to admit that there's nothing wrong with friendship and coming to rely on people - even if just a little bit.
At some point, Milo Meadows finds himself over, as well, which is just as well. The former option for architect Milo makes a good friend to Maeve, and she fondly considers him a part of her developing team.
Grover lets Delilah know that he really, really admires her, and it goes over quite well.
When they say goodbye, they share a hug, and Grover feels quite pleased about this.
Grover's unemployment leaves him with... a lot of free time...
But it also leaves him time to greet and socialize with the neighbors, like Logan Ceret.
Maeve throws back a bowl of cereal and then hurries off for her first day of work. She tries to write off the nervous flutter in her belly as anticipation butterflies.
WHAT THE FUCK FAYE?! IT IS LITERALLY DAY 3. DAY /3/!!!!!! HOW IS THIS ALREADY HAPPENING? NO ONE IS EVEN MAD AT EACH OTHER. /MEAN SIMS/ THEY'RE DAMN /MEAN/
One day I will resize these properly but until then, I am just lazy.
Maeve decides to answer the questions herself. She is, after all, very confident in her abilities. Unfortunately, she's too confident and has to pay for her hubris in the most humiliating of ways and is fired on her very first day...
She returns home dejected. How did she manage to flub up so soon? She's done everything! She's been working on her charisma, charming her neighbors, trying to take care with her social behaviors. All that logic and for what? For her to make such a foolish choice. Who did she think she was kidding, acting like she knew everything?
Logan is sweet, if not a little vapid for Maeve's tastes, and provides her with a much needed moment of distraction.
She even tries to save face with farmer Dempsey Greene, but her bad mood doesn't help, and she finds her true colors creeping out. His blathering bores her, and frankly she's just not in the mood to get along with anyone today. Her mental state isn't up to the challenge.
Her disappointment feels insurmountable. She's supposed to be leading these sims! She's supposed to be good to them, and make them proud! She's supposed to carry a legacy that they will revel in, tell stories of and pride themselves on - but she feels like a phony, trying to play dress up in a role she fears she's not fit for. What do the other sims think? How can she try to lead them when she's such a sham?
She thinks that maybe she'll keep it a secret - nosim has to know that she was fired on the first day...
As if he senses Maeve's internal distress, Rory makes effort to be gentler with her, and she tries to bite back her feelings. It works!
"Our farm is going to become big! We'll have so many eggs, everyone will be coming to Arcadia to buy them, and we're going to have to expand as a city, and you'll be able to run Arcadia just the way you hoped."
A phone call from Maddox also cheers her up.
Maeve decides to just take it one day at a time. She'll wait for another opening and then she'll continue to chase after her dream. It doesn't do to wallow in self pity. In the mean time, she decides to work on some of her skills, to make sure she's much more up to snuff for the next time some kind of difficult incident comes up.
Grover prepares a nice spaghetti dinner, as his way of trying to help Maeve feel better. Logan stays and eats with them, seeming to sense that it's better right now for Maeve to be surrounded by people who believe in her.
Much better!
The next day, Maeve gets right back at it and checks for a new job listing. There's nothing available, but she tries not to let it get her down. Something, she tells herself, will come along soon.
Friendship is really blossoming between Grover and Delilah.
That's not very nice to poor Dallas Greene. :|
WHY ARE YOU GUYS SO MEAN?
The Lovette homestead is quit the social hub!
Since so many neighbors have come to visit, Maeve makes some macaroni and cheese for them. They've all been so supportive, it's the least she can do.
And yet, she decides to sit by herself while she eats. She still needs a little time to herself. Even if she's trying to think positively about being fired, it's still eating away at her.
The neighbors stay well into the evening, before Maeve has to turn them all away so she and Grover can get some sleep. She doesn't mind, though; they're good people, she thinks.
Morning comes and Maeve and Grover maintain their comfortable routine.
Maeve hits the classifieds again, and this time she's successful! Her relief is palpable, and even though she's been doing a good job to get through this, she finds herself feeling much, much better than before.
So she and Grover head to City Hall. Her new job won't start until winter, but it's important to convene as a city with the neighbors.
Honesty is an important policy, so she decides to be frank with the residents and admits that it's been a rough first week. But, on the bright side, she notes that no one has died, there's no fires, and everyone is still safe. Though she feels like she might have let down the town, she vows to live up to every one of promises. And maybe, if Faye Meadows can find a way, they can open up a boutique, because winter is going to come and Maeve worries that they might all be too cold in what they've come to town with.
Delilah and Grover listen with rapt attention.
Maeve tries again to connect with treasurer Maddeleine St. Claire.
"Hmm. Doesn't a tennis club sound like a bit much right now? After all, we don't even have a grocery store yet. No one has money; tennis clubs are for the wealthy."
Maeve makes a point to meet with all the residents, to discuss any worries they may have, especially after her recent bout with the firing and all. She also worries about architectural designs, but Logan doesn't to care as much about it as she does.
Unsurprisingly, Grover finds himself out back at the pond. He's one with nature, absolutely zen. Nothing back here can disturb his peace.
Maeve has made it to three best friends and six friends - she's got half the favor of the town! This has put her in much better spirits and she convenes amicably with everyone.
*~artsy shot~*
It's burnt hot dogs for dinner. They politely eat them, though.
Hahaha!!!! City Hall has steadily been gaining stars and apparently makes it to rank one lmao. No one does anything but hangs out, fishes, eats burnt hot dogs and plays the occasional round of Myshuno, but it must work in favor of the community lot lmao
Maeve's in such good spirits that her conversation with Maddox is no longer strictly business related.
~*~besties~*~
Grover is so lazy lmao
Because City Hall somehow, incredibly, reached a star, Maeve picks the Notable Reputation perk. While money sounds like a great bonus, what she needs more than money is reputation and the peoples' belief that she can give what she offers.
She continues to check in with the residents, and even tho she was a terrible gossip earlier, has a really nice conversation with Dallas. So stop gossiping about them, Maeve!
LMAO IT REACHED LEVEL TWO WHAT THE HECKIE?!
This time she said what the hell and picked the money 8-)
Night falls heavy and Maeve says goodbye to everyone.
Grover takes care of the clean up.
Things are really looking up for them, and Maeve feels much more confident about the future.
Winter settles while they sleep and the first snow fall comes to Arcadia. And there we leave the Lovettes for their very first round!
Some notes!
Originally I'd given Maeve a small loan and used Monique's computer for it but man I just don't wanna use that? I didn't want to have computers ~unlocked~ yet, so I think I'm just going to use the loan jar, pay off the remaining loan and then get rid of the computer! I know the loan jar doesn't require loans be repaid, but it seems easier and I'll just ensure that it happens.
I couldn't believe she got fired ON THE FIRST DAY! But it really fit her narrative so it was easy to roll with lmao. Grover is a family sim and he's obsessed!!! with wanting a family!!! It kills me!!! I want him to give me something more to work with!
I feel like my first week with these sims isn't like, the craziest, but I've been really enjoying playing their first rounds and getting to know them better. Before I began playing, I'd written up personality bios for everyone, but nearly all of them had to be amended since once we got into game, they all began to show who they really are lmao. I'm enjoying getting to know them better, though. It's really hard trying not to be as controlling as I always am and I'm still struggling, but I'm really trying to follow what they want. But DANGIT GROVER UR KILLING ME!!!!!!
Thank you guys for reading *^*