“Diamonds and Pearls”
Warnings: rich sim problems, baby wanting, secret societies, vomit, frozen sims, and the return of Corleone II.
Previously on The Oceanside Project [LSp01] [MSp01] [Su01] [Wedding] [Fa01]
Sunday, Day 14
“The Negotiator”
There are many things that Vivian Landgraab prides herself on: her luxurious home…
her bright and beautiful children…
and her career as banker and town treasurer of the great city of Oceanside.
She’s even proud of her lovable, goof-ball of a husband Malcolm, Oceanside’s premier politician.
Viv doesn’t mind cleaning, in fact it’s one of her favorite things to do but she would love extra help around the house. With a stressful career managing money, three kids, and keeping their mansion looking decent after their many soirees, Vivian is ready to hire a live-in Nanny.
The children rarely sleep in their cribs anymore. Malcolm believes in letting them freely roam about and nap wherever they see fit. His philosophy is that the less rules they are given helps the children be more independent and think for themselves. Vivian hates seeing her children flopped out in the middle of the floor however. She worries that they will grow up wanting to sleep in dog houses like those Biltmore ruffians.
The hardest by far is potty training the lot of them. Vivian’s best friend, Matisse Troubadour, has already potty trained her child. So have the Goodacres. She cannot have her children trail behind everyone else. The Landgraabs are supposed to be the first and best at everything they do!
With Malcolm home today Vivian is able to stop by her businesses and check on things. Both the bank and the Country Club are a breeze to run, but of course she couldn’t be there all of the time. Maybe it’s time to hire employees there as well.
Malcolm spends most of his time strategizing his rise to the top of the political ladder. Even though he has no opposition, Malcolm plays chess to keep his mind sharp in case of a debate. He also likes to pretend the cool chess pieces are real kings and knights. Vivian looks the other way when he yells out, “Off with their head!” during a game.
Viv sneaks in a quick nap before officially starting her busy day…
however she rarely has enough time to herself. Luckily the children will grow up soon and need less attention. Vivian has already put her foot down to Malcolm — no more children!
As Malcolm practices on the piano — a skill his wife insists he learns — his thoughts turn to the Top Hat Social Club he earned a membership in. Although he thinks it’s really cute for the ladies to wear the Blue Hats, running around town in a top hat is not at all what he was hoping for. He’s read about the secret societies that existed back in SimCity — how they covertly ran everything behind the scenes having a ball as they did it — and feels this club could do the same.
No matter how busy he is Malcolm always has time for his little ones. Even though he’s not a Family Sim he would love to fill his manor with lots of children. What’s the point of having all of this space if it’s not filled to the brim with love! And now that he’s converted to Peteranism his thoughts have been filled with the Watcher’s first commandment: Go Forth and Multiply! Every time he mentions it however, Vivian has shut him down. She’s too busy she says. Three kids are enough.
After spending time with the orphans he knows what will truly make him happy is to expand their family — whether related by blood or adopted.
Malcolm remains silent during breakfast, not at all being his jovial self, lost in his thoughts. Vivian can tell there’s something on his mind but doesn’t want to ask. She has her own agenda, and Malcolm’s wants always seem to steamroll their way through whatever she wanted.
Now was not the time to broach the subject of hiring a nanny.
Right now she had to hurry off to the bank.
*******************************************************************
Vivian arrives at Oceanside Bank & Loan feeling a bit anxious. The end of the first year is coming up which means all of the residents will have to pay their yearly property taxes. She will need another teller to take care of all of the sims that will be stopping by to pay and/or ask for loans. But who, other than herself, would she be able to trust with the town’s money?
Vivian immediately thinks of her fellow Garden Club members. They always look so well-put-together and classy. Exactly the image she needed to portray in her establishment.
She settles on Marilla Robbins, the newest member of the G.C. Vivian thinks Marilla’s sweet face and easy temperament will make the residents feel at ease handing over their hard-earned simoleons.
The first customer of the day is the dashing baker Paragon Barrett. Vivian has yet to visit Baked for a sugary treat — she has to keep an eye on her figure — but has heard it’s doing very well.
Marilla arrives and is quickly assigned the job of teller. She better scoot behind the teller door — the bank is hopping with customers.
As the first customer is ready to go Vivian notices Marilla just standing around not doing anything…
and chews her out!
Vivian *in a condescending tone*: You are a teller. You take sims’ money and give sims money. Think we can manage that, hmm?
Marilla *grits teeth*: Uppity bitch…
To say Marilla has had no training what-so-ever is an understatement. Vivian believes in tough love and hopes that by throwing Marilla to the wolves she’ll return leading the pack.
*Looks overwhelmed*
*Doesn’t care*
While Marilla learns the register Viv tries to convince scientist Achilles Brook to invest in platinum bars.
Marilla’s line steadily increases but she’s no closer to getting the hang of the register.
Yasmin: *desperately tries to find another line to wait in*
Ever since Natural Scientist Yasmin Onnen had special cuddles in the hot tub with Marilla, she has been avoiding her like the plague. What will she do now that Marilla works at the only bank in Oceanside?
The customers are pretty ticked-off with the long wait…
but Marilla finally earns her Bronze Register Badge!
Banking hours are soon over and Viv closes for the day.
As Marilla rings up her last customer Vivian beams proudly at her first employee. Marilla kept her cool under pressure and didn’t lose her any stars. Viv pats herself on the back for being such an excellent manager.
Before heading home Viv makes a stop at the Oceanside Country Club.
Even though Vivian loves her Country Club and the ponies, she’s seriously considering giving it back to the community. It’s a lot of upkeep and Viv really doesn’t have the time or desire to do it justice. And having to sit by and watch her friends have their own little social club without her is really starting to break her heart.
But right now she’s still in charge and she needs an employee.
Vivian hires the only unemployed member of the Garden Club, Heaven Gallo. Heaven may not be the sharpest tool in the shed but she can at least serve a cocktail.
Pottery artisan Kent Healey…
and Achilles stop by the stables to ride the ponies.
Marilla joins Viv for a quick dinner and to gossip about her latest conquest.
Marilla: …so then we totes did it in the hot tub while her girlfriend was asleep in the other room! What a wild night!
Even though Vivian does not approve of cheating on any level she likes that Marilla sees what she wants and takes it.
After dinner Vivian heads to the second floor to check on employee Heaven.
Heaven: Weee, I’m riding a horsey!
What’s with these employees not wanting to do their jobs!?
With that Viv has had it! She very politely and elegantly tells everyone to GTFO.
*******************************************************************
Meanwhile… Malcolm is left alone with the children.
The eldest child and heir to the Landgraab empire, Gwyneth Landgraab, worries that her red bird drawing won’t live up to her mother’s high standards.
Tabitha Landgraab inherited her father’s messy gene.
Malcolm M. Landgraab finally wakes in time for lunch.
With all of Vivian’s focus primarily on her businesses the town’s stock market is falling.
As the night begins Malcolm invites over his fellow Social Celebrities, architect Fitz Biltmore and farmer Owen Goodacre, to discuss creating a secret society.
Fitz originally founded the Top Hat Society as a male counterpart for Minka Yomoshoto’s Blue Hat Society. But shy little Fitz never could get his social group off of the ground. Malcolm convinces Fitz to hand the gavel over to him. He’ll arrange all of the activities and take over the day-to-day responsibilities. Fitz will still be the founder but Malcolm will be the Vice President so to speak.
A relieved Fitz gladly agrees. He also agrees to the name change: The Royal Knights of the Llama Brotherhood. Fitz will also construct their lair — I mean lodge — for their secret meetings.
Malcolm lets his bestie Owen in on the conversation with Fitz and he loves the idea. Owen is relieved that he doesn’t have to walk around wearing a dumb top hat. He agrees to come up with a fun secret handshake for them to use.
Afterwards the guys eat and play pool.
But when the guys leave the room Owen breaks down and cries. He loves his family but he worries that with five little kiddos running around the farm he won’t have much time for hanging with the homies.
Satisfied with how his meeting went, Malcolm hops into the hot tub to relax.
Seeing that Malcolm is in a good mood Vivian joins him in the hot tub. Now is her chance to butter him up and mention hiring a Nanny.
Malcolm, however, has his own request.
Malcolm: I know you don’t want to have any more kids but we could adopt! I met the cutest little girl at the orphanage.
Vivian is shocked. She would never bring a non-Landgraab child into her home! But if she didn’t give in she might never get her Nanny…
Vivian: Malcolm, what if we try for another baby? But if I get pregnant again we’re going to need to hire a Nanny full-time.
Malcolm: DEAL!
Owen: Don’t mind me. Just getting a little jelly. I’m not watching you two woohoo at all…
Uh-huh.
They didn’t conceive but they each got what they wanted: a promise of a baby for Malcolm and a promise of a Nanny for Vivian. Everyone wins.
While Malcolm giggles like a school girl with Owen…
Viv relishes in the fact that she won’t have to deal with pooping toddlers soon. First thing in the morning she’ll make a list of perspective Nannies to interview.
After the guests leave a little stink monster interrupts Malcolm’s piano practice.
Malcolm absolutely agrees with Vivian — they need a Nanny to deal with this crap!
Bitsy goofs off a bit before bed.
There’s no rest for Mommy.
Malcolm finishes his piano practice and turns in for the night.
Monday, Day 15
“The Motivator”
Vivian serves a nutritious fruit parfait to begin the day.
Currently a Lobbyist Malcolm hopes the new skills he learned earns a promotion.
~Snazzy tie~
Malcolm missed out on breakfast because he was running late. Too bad, thought Vivian, she wanted to go over the budget to remodel the gym and turn it into the Nanny’s room. Doesn’t matter, she’ll just use some of the city’s funds.
Gwyneth can’t stay away from the art table. We might have a little Picasso on our hands.
Little Malcolm scribbles and chews his way to a creativity skill point.
After tending to the girls…
Vivian is down for the count.
And so is Malcolm.
Way to go, Malcolm!!
Malcolm: I still get woohoo for promotions, right? *Big Smile*
Ugh, yes you horny toad!
A quick shower rids Malcolm of all of that sleazy Lobbyist smell. He’s a Campaign Manager now!
Now fully focused on the market Vivian earns back almost all of the money she lost yesterday.
Doctor Minka Yomoshoto makes a special appearance to remind us how much she hates Brodie Mason.
While Malcolm practices his speech Vivian grabs dinner and listens in. She always has good advice for Malcolm on what the people need to hear.
Malcolm: …and if I am elected I will pass a bill to ban the use of soda in the woohoo. It is a dangerous and ineffective method of birth control and can lead to horrible flatulence.
Gwyneth is finally potty trained!
Vivian celebrates by… cleaning the shower.
*Neat sims are weird*
Gwyneth: It’s an honor to finally be potty trained. Soon you too, dear brother, will join the no diaper club!
After leaving the kids to find their own beds for the night, Viv and Malcolm celebrate.
*Chimes*
Tuesday, Day 16
“The Nanny”
Gwyneth: …must… be… perfect… for Mommy…
Malcolm wakes up in a great mood. He got a promotion, he got promotion woohoo, he might have another baby on the way, and it’s his day off. Score!
Malcolm starts the day trying to potty train Mini Malcolm.
Mini Malcolm, however, is having a tough time.
Good girl, Gwynie!
Oh, Malcolm!
Although it may be sunny, it’s cold in Oceanside in the Winter. Poor mailman Lars Shadow should invest in pants and a long sleeved shirt before doing his rounds.
Before Vivian can finish her fruit parfait breakfast…
Vivian: Whoosh, that was a close one…
Vivian: *upchucks two more times*
Goodness gracious! Poor Viv!
Being an old pro at this now Vivian knows she’s preggo. She doesn’t have to call her two-faced, sometimey best friend Dr. Minka to confirm it…
instead she calls all of the non-residents over to interview for the desperately needed Nanny position.
Vivian worries that she won’t be able to find a decent caregiver out of this motley crew. She barely knows most of these sims. Now she’s not so sure about letting strangers into her expensive and luxurious home.
As she grabs a salad to calm her nerves…
two potential Nannies, Lars and Music and Dancer Edwina Goddard, head for sexy times in the hot tub.
Inside Princess Gwyneth conducts her own interview.
Gwyneth: Hey, Blondie, pick me up!
Heaven: *In baby voice* Hey little one, have you seen that movie, Concussion?
Wait, what?
Heaven: BAM! Right through the ceiling!
WHAT THE HELL!!!??
Heaven: Shake, shake, shake! I’m going to shake you till you puke!!
Gwyneth: *laughs hysterically*
GET THIS WOMAN AWAY FROM THIS CHILD!!
Gwyneth: *groggily* Will you be my Mommy?
Heaven: Nope!
The Oceanside Cat Burglar, Rowena De Hommel, starts a game of pool hoping to swindle some poor sucker out of their simoleons.
Poor Garden Clubber Tiara Hough must have been out in the cold too long! Vivian won’t want to hire someone who’s not smart enough not to freeze to death!
Tiara: Wait, I thought this was an interview to work in the bank. I don’t want to be a Nanny!
Heaven: Here you go, little one. You can splash around in the toilet water. It will be awesome!
Please don’t hire her…
Vivian begins the interviews with newsie Frankie Cloak.
Vivian: What would you do if one child tried to take a bottle away from another child?
Frankie: I would put them in jail for stealing. That’s the right answer, isn’t it?
Moving on… Viv turns her attention to business reviewer Beckett Graham.
Vivian: What kind of relationship do you think should occur between caregivers and the children they watch?
Beckett: I think a caregiver should be friends with the children they watch but still find a way to discipline them when the time comes.
Wait, that… sounded like… an intelligent answer!
I guess the hot tub wasn’t hot enough!
Vivian corners Heaven at the bar — shocking — and has a decent conversation with her. Heaven stresses educational play as a great way for children to learn which impresses Vivian… and Lars.
Frankie: W-why is the scary blue lady staring at me?
Vivian begins to interview Rowena when she’s interrupted.
Rowena: Dahrling, children are boring. They just lay there and cry. Someone should just age them up to adults. It’s ridiculous, dahrling, ridiculous.
While Viv interviews all of the NPCs Malcolm has been practicing his inaugural address in the kitchen mirror.
Vivian and Tiara get along great but Tiara makes it known that she’s happy working at the Crimson Crab.
Next up is Edwina.
Vivian: I just found out that I’m having another baby. Would you be able to take care of four children at one time.
Edwina: *thinks* Why is she talking to me about babies? I only came here to woohoo with Lars in the hot tub.
With his new promotion Malcolm changes his attire. Gone are the jeans and the blazer that no longer fits his current robust shape. A button sleeve shirt and plain trousers make him look like “a man of the people.”
Damn you Vivian! You had one job!
Beckett takes his stellar moves to the dance floor.
The crowd loves him.
Malcolm: Let’s get this party started!
*Starts banging out Twinkle Twinkle Little Star*
Both Beckett and Vivian giggle at Malcolm’s crude piano playing. Since when did Vivian start liking Beckett?
Kent Healey!! WTF did the Landgraabs ever do to you?
Kent: Anywhere the Garden Club Mafia goes I will be there bringing the pain!
Oh, OK *rolls eyes*
Vivian: Good job babe. Yeah! *gigglesnort*
Lars: When will it end!!
Rowena: Hisssssss!
Heaven: I’m leaving just in the nick of time!
As she cleans up Vivian goes over the many interviews she had with the NPCs. After much deliberation only one candidate seems to be the man for the job…
Heaven Gallo! This blonde haired, green eyed beauty is a Family/Pleasure 4-4-4-7-6 Aquarius. Super interested in Politics and the Paranormal, she also enjoys spending time outside observing nature. Her dream man is a bad cook that walks around only wearing a hat and chonies. And she hopes when she grows old she will have at least six little grand kids tugging at her coattails. Heaven is an unstable, conservative, nurturing, childish, kleptomaniac. The perfect choice don’t you think?
Heaven excitedly blends her stuff with Vivian’s existing furniture in the attic bedroom.
She finally has a place to display her Snowflake Day memorabilia!
Of course Viv still needs a place to workout so Heaven’s new room is not all that private, but it’s better than living in the NPC cave!
She even brought a friend — Hey! Isn’t that Corleone II??
Heaven: Her name is Snowflake now.
Rocky is going to kill you if he ever finds out you stole his bird!
The NPCs might not approve of Malcolm’s piano skills but he at least has one fan 🙂
With Heaven here, thought Vivian, she could finally relax and take care of herself. Everything was coming together.
Heaven: UGH! THIS IS SO GROSS! Can’t we train them on the toilet like the cats?
No, it doesn’t work like that in this game.
Malcolm gains another fan!
She’s always watching…
To no one’s surprise, Cindy Lou Killeen barges in and uses the Landgraab’s stuff.
With the children in the care of the new Nanny, Vivian turns in for the night.
Heaven eats…
cleans…
gardens…
and takes care of the munchkins. Maybe I was wrong about her…
Heaven: That’s right kid, push it out. Really push this time!
Oh dear.
Heaven: Way to go Kiddlet! Wooooooo!!!!
She’s definitely wacky, but at least she cares.
Wednesday, Day 17
“The Lady of Leisure”
NOT COOL KENT HEALEY!
As Lord and Lady Landgraab sleep tight…
Heaven is working hard.
Vivian: I CAN FEEL MY UTERUS EXPANDING!!!
*Pop #1*
Although she didn’t want to have another child, Vivian seems quite happy to be pregnant again.
Vivian: I wonder what my push present is going to be! I could really use more diamonds!
Heaven takes a shower in her swanky new bathroom. Boy will Tiara and Marilla be jealous when they see her new digs!
Viv tidies up the dining room…
then heads outside to battle the roaches. Should you be spraying that stuff in your condition, Missy?
Vivian is the second sim to catch the dreaded Roach Flu!
Feeling lousy Vivian heads straight to bed to rest.
Heaven rises early.
Heaven: I’m ready to sculpt some minds!
I know, darling. It’s a thankless job.
After listening to Vivian hack up a lung this whole morning, Heaven makes her version of comfort soup.
Heaven: *whispers* The secret ingredient is nectar.
That ALWAYS seems to be the secret ingredient!
Malcolm resumes his piano practice… in his chonies. Malcolm, there’s another person living in your house now. You can’t walk around half naked anymore!
Good job, Gwynie!
The Landgraabs are skillin’ up this mug.
Malcolm has been so busy working on his speeches and learning the piano that he forgot his most important rule: greet all passersby. The only way to get voters is to show them what kind of sim you are.
Then Malcolm’s other best buddy, Kendrick Troubadour, walks by and is greeted with a joke about all of the sims turning blue from the cold weather.
More potty training for Little Tabitha…
then a nice, healthy lunch with for Vivian.
Viv is starting to feel better thanks to Heaven’s comfort soup.
Heaven, however, is starting to feel a bit stressed out. She’s never had to look after so many sims before. Maybe being a Nanny wasn’t as fun as she thought it would be.
Heaven does yoga hoping to clear her mind and focus.
Bitsy joins Kendrick on the dance floor! Too cute!
Achilles has an ulterior motive for stopping by the politician’s home. He hopes to convince Malcolm to explore the nearby islands. Achilles believes there are ancient civilizations there that they can trade with. It would be very beneficial for Achilles’ science lab and for Oceanside in general. Malcolm will take it under advisement.
Vivian continues resting to make sure the Roach Flu is completely out of her system.
Achilles takes it upon himself to kill the roaches for good. It’s a good thing he happens to carry extra-strength roach killer around all of the time.
Way to go Mini Malcolm!!!
Malcolm returns to his chess board, plotting the future of Oceanside. Should he find an Adventurer to explore these islands that Achilles spoke of?
See Viv, you could do this job in your sleep!
Excited to have fully potty trained one young’un, Heaven brings Tabitha to the potty hoping to score again.
All three Landgraab kids are potty trained!
A super tired Nanny gives Malcolm his bath…
Then calls it a night.
I’m not sure Malcolm is a match for Achilles’ superior intellect.
Vivian has another bowl of delicious comfort soup.
Vivian: *thinks* Heaven should really sell this. It hits the spot!
Malcolm: Thanks for the game, Achilles. Oh, one other thing… *FARTS*
Kendrick: *Dies laughing*
Me: *Groans*
My game consists of woohoo, farts, and poop. Yep.
Malcolm sends the boys home…
and snuggles with wifey.
Notes: Sorry for the looong wait between updates. Just been busy. 🙂
I really hoped that Tiara would end up being the Nanny but since Heaven walked right in, grabbed a child, and started taking care of her I figured she really wanted the job! Beckett and Bruce were out of the running because Vivian kept heart-farting over them (who knew?).
Heaven of course quit her job at the Country Club in order to be the Nanny.
Thanks for reading!!! ^.^
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