The Greyheart Project - Part 2
Lair: It's so good to meet you, Ikore, now that you're not just a soulless demon baby in the crib. You are a very special boy indeed, and with any luck you will grow up to do great things…
Lair: …like taking over cooking from your father before he burns our house down.
Taking his mother's words to heart, Ikore starts the long process of learning as many skills as he can fit in between school and the endless homework assignment.
Ikore: It's just so hard, you know?
Athe: Oh yes, poor you. Having your every wish fulfilled, and being all our parents ever talk about. What a hardship.
Ikore: You don't understand the constant pressure. I can never bring home a bad grade. I barely get enough sleep to function. My every waking hour is spent studying or practicing. I don't get to spend even a single hour vegging on the couch.
Athe: I understand that everyone is constantly praising and encouraging you. If I want even a scrap of attention, I have to follow Mom or Dad around and beg them to notice that I am even alive. You have drawing tables, game boards, science experiments, musical instruments. Anything you want and they can save up enough money to buy for you. When I fall asleep on that couch, no one even thinks to wake me and send me to bed.
Ikore: I didn't ask for any of this! To be the first born, or a bonafide science experiment. They don't buy me things I want, they just buy things and then stare at me until I use them. I would change places with you in a heartbeat, if I could.
Athe: All right, cool your tits. I don't want to fight. You are the only person in this house who even talks to me.
Despite the parental induced rivalry, the twins do spend the majority of their time with each other.
The closer he gets to his birthday, the more anxious Ikore gets. Even as hard as he works, he can't shake the feeling that it's not enough. That his best may never be enough to make his parents proud. All the time and simoleans that went into this experiment could all be for nothing.
Ikore: Hey, dad, you'd still love me if I didn't get good grades, right? Just because I'm your son?
Kroo: Why wouldn't you get good grades? Did you do your homework? What about the extra credit work? Why don't you complete your brother's homework as well? It won't hurt to get extra practice in.
Ikore: Yeah…
Lair: What's all this about, honey? You know we believe in you. You can accomplish anything.
Ikore: But what if I can't?
Lair: Don't be silly. There is no reason why you can't make the honour roll. You are destined for greatness. You'll be a mathematical prodigy. And a creative visionary like me. A paragon of athleticism like your father. You just need to apply yourself more.
Ikore: Right. I bet that'll solve everything. *mutters under breath* Not.
Ikore isn't the only one who has been working hard. The Greyheart family finally has the funds to put down some wall paper and carpeting, making their house look no longer quite so much like a prison.
Ikore's entire childhood is spent pretty much living off health potions so he'll have more time to pursue other interests.
The twins' birthday party is very inappropriately held at the local bar.
Ikore pretends that all the random strangers there are people who came especially to see and congratulate him, and not just happened to be there to blow some steam off after work.
The twins become teenagers, still looking pretty much identical other than the difference in eye colour.
Score: 64 Points
A/N: I only realised until after this update was played that I had my game camera set not to take photos of the UI, so I have no documented evidence of Ikore's skills. He achieved his A grade 6 days before aging up. Ended childhood with 3 traits. Scored the following skills points:
Mental: 10
Social: 7
Creativity: 4
Motor: 2
Logic: 1
Video Gaming: 1
I am pretty sure I am running behind point wise. I should probably have done a practice run before I started playing this challenge, so I would have a better grasp on strategy. Oh well. Live and learn.