Mesa Vista - my BaCC for fun: Week 3, Part 1(a)
Hi, and welcome back to my Build a City Challenge for fun! Mesa Vista has grown quite a lot in its first two weeks, and as a reminder, its residents now include:
Zach Adams, the founder, and his wife Nikki and their twin sons Ryan and Quincy
Neil Cameron and his roommate Madeleine Mazza
Kerie Ng, her son Noah, and her best friend Brandon London, who had moved in to help with the baby
Diane Shin and her fiancé Stephan Go, whom she had met while vacationing in Takemizu Village
Marie Sims, a former Celebrity Chef who was planning to re-enter the Culinary career by opening up a bakery (pictured above)
Carl Homeless, the hapless victim of my stab at Callista's Homeless Challenge
Nemo and Ciel Outside, owners of Mesa Vista's first clothing store, and their four children: Nicole, Mina, Emily and Neil
(For now the story I'm aiming for is telling what happens in Mesa Vista as a whole, and won't necessarily be in the same order that I played the families.)
Over at the Adams house, Nikki was not only expecting their third child, she was expecting to become Mesa Vista's first Business Tycoon very soon.
Having twin toddlers kept both parents hopping.
But one fine morning found said parents sleeping like babies...
Because it was the day Quincy and Ryan Adams were going to celebrate their birthday.
Happy Birthday, Ryan!
Happy Birthday, Quincy!
Mesa Vista was so close to having a Business District and yet so far... Nikki still had some skilling left to do for her final promotion.
"Quincy sweetie, put it down, that's Mommy's piece."
"Why don't you go play with your toys so I can finish practicing, and we'll play a game for fun later."
"Daddy, we need some new toys, the only ones we got are for babies."
Zach covered the phone with his hand. "Not now, I'm keeping up our friend count for Mommy's job. Go outside and catch some bugs or something."
"Okay, I'm back."
...
"What?"
The boys had been put off by their parents for long enough, and Zach finally gave in to their demands for attention.
"Neil says we aren't the only ones in Mesa Vista having babies."
"Yes! More baby gossip, please."
"Kerie Ng had one," Zach said, believing that if the news came from him he could keep better control over the situation.
"Really? I saw her when I was out shopping the other day and she didn't say anything about a baby."
Zach swallowed. "You never mentioned seeing her."
Nikki frowned. "That's a little strange, isn't it? Especially after I told her we were expecting. In fact, she left without a word right after that."
"And that's all? She just left?"
"Mmhmm. I mean come on, darling, it's the 21st century, why wouldn't she want to share about her baby? I wonder what..?"
Zach suspected one reason and became rather alarmed at the direction Nikki's thoughts could take.
"Er... not everyone is as Family-oriented as you, Nikki."
Yep, better to nip this in the bud right now.
"Which is what I love about you," he continued as he turned suddenly and pushed her down on the bed.
It wasn't long before Zach's diversionary tactic turned into very real passion for him as well as his adoring Nikki...
....
Over at the Shin household...
"What's the matter, honey?" Stephan asked.
Diane sighed. "What happens now, we get jobs, we get married and we start having kids like everyone else?"
"We can run the store for a while."
"That's right, mustn't forget we also have a city to help build."
"I just thought of something better," Stephan said as he contemplated one of the wall hangings. "We can think of it as getting some extra money for a honeymoon."
"That is, if you would like to go to Takemizu again?"
"Stephan, I love that idea!"
Now that they had something to look forward to, Shin's Orient, Diane's tribute to the first time she had spent in Takemizu Village, was opened for business.
"This place is awesome! We can finally get some decent furniture around here!"
"Thanks, Nikki, I hope you find something you like."
The store specialized in some large imported pieces of furniture.
And a small section of accessories, which was plenty to keep the couple busy.
Stephan and Diane were back up to a solid three bolts and Dates kept their motives high enough to stay indefinitely on the lot, even without an Energizer, being that they were quite sufficiently energized by each other.
The only real problem was Shin's Orient was becoming too popular too fast and the happy couple was struggling to keep up with growing demand.
"How's the baby, Kerie?"
"He's fine. Thank goodness for Uncle Brandon."
"... Have you told Zach?"
"I haven't decided yet if I want to. Do you think I should?"
"I already told you what I think. I'm sorry, I'm not trying to sound mean, but I can't help you with this."
"... You look tired. Maybe you should hire someone to help out around here."
"Thanks, that's not a half bad idea."
"Good business advice I've got plenty of. It's the personal stuff I'm not too good at..."
"I can sell you one for very cheap," Diane told the homeless guy she had seen at various locations around Mesa Vista.
"Got no use for no lantern. Look purty, though."
"My favorite is the blue... no, that green one..." Laura Langarek sighed. "It's so hard to choose."
Diane shifted her attention to the teen. "Can I have a word with you?"
"Would you like to work here? It pays 32 simoleons per hour."
"I'll have to quit my job, but sure!"
"Welcome to the team, Laura."
"Why are you bowing to me?"
"Because it's a Takemizu custom. Maybe some day you will be fortunate enough to visit there."
Diane told Laura she would mostly be needed for restocking, a task Laura liked a lot more after she got to choose her own work uniform.
"You did a good job today. Thanks for all your help, Laura."
"That's okay."
"If you don't mind, I would like you to keep an eye on the store while we're in Takemizu on our honeymoon."
"I could do that."
"You can also come to our wedding, if you like."
"Thanks, maybe I will."
Diane groaned silently upon re-entering the store. She did not need this kind drama in her life.
"What do you know about Kerie's baby?"
"Why are you asking me?" Stephan shot back.
"She's your neighbor, you must know something."
"That's Kerie's business, so I would suggest asking her yourself."
"Now look here," Zach growled and poked Stephan, stress overriding caution.
"Stop it, Zach," Diane interrupted shakily.
"What about you, Diane? What do you know?"
"If you still consider me a friend, stop this right now."
"I don't care if you are Diane's friend, I am not going to let you push us around!"
"Let it go, Stephan, we have more than enough money now for our honeymoon, and we have a wedding to plan."
"You heard the lady, we're closing shop. You can leave now."
"I do still consider you a friend, Diane, so I guess Nikki and I will see you at the wedding?" Zach said before departing.
"So, you're really inviting that guy to our wedding?"
"Don't be upset with me, Stephan, I just want to keep the peace, and I don't think crossing Zach Adams is a good idea."
"Okay, sweetheart, I'm not upset with you. I think you have good instincts."
"That's right, I found you, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did," he smiled, his fingers working their magic across her shoulders.
....
**Click here for Part 1(b)**