Magical Mastersons: A Ginger Spellcaster Family

Having drunk some sakura tea, we did the natural thing for the festival and shared a kiss... right in front of my dad. #awkward (He's the black-haired guy in a white jumper and wine-coloured trousers, which isn't his normal outfit but a situational one).

https://imgur.com/bw9euji.jpg

It also happened to be New Year's Eve, so we had fun watching the countdown back in Britechester.

https://imgur.com/XjWXtbF.jpg

Erytheia and I have been friends since primary school, and I'm so happy that we both feel the same way about each other. We're not planning on marriage or kids until after we've graduated.

https://imgur.com/dc3jRSw.jpg

Sunday happened to be Prank Day, and Erytheia dared her sister to streak! Xanthe isn't shy, so she went off straight away...

https://imgur.com/AymNfaF.jpg

Typical for students, we don't have a huge amount of money. Xanthe's pretty good at painting, though; she's even managed to become a Notable Newcomer solely through selling her work to various collectors.

https://imgur.com/El57i9i.jpg

"So guys... we got the results of our scholarship and university applications..." Erytheia announced.
"Oh man, I'm really nervous all of a sudden," Xanthe panicked.
I opened the envelopes. Sadly, I hadn't made it onto the Distinguished Language and Literature course at UBrite - I'd have to go with the normal degree at Foxbury. Oh well. Naturally, Erytheia and Xanthe had both made it onto the Distinguished Culinary Arts course at UBrite.
(The familiar is Alexander's, called Ribbit).

https://imgur.com/dXd4rfV.jpg

"It's a shame you didn't make it onto the Distinguished degree," Erytheia commented, as we both sat down at the kitchen table to get ahead on preparing for our classes.
"Yeah, it's tough. It's still a degree, though, I'm not hugely bothered."
"Exactly. Plus, if you really fancied it, you could always go back to university in the future and see if you can get a second degree that is distinguished. It's totally normal for people to do more than one degree," Erytheia said. "Plus, I think it's quite fun that we're at different universities. UBrite is better, though."
"Let's not argue about that now," I laughed.

https://imgur.com/u6Uf4xD.jpg

With the twins at class, I decided to have fun and play a computer game. After all, it's healthy to strike a balance between study and relaxation.

https://imgur.com/71rWBdp.jpg

I had chosen three core classes, and one elective. Two of the classes were on writing and the other two were on charisma. I headed off to my very first class feeling pretty excited. I wanted to do the best I could; Erytheia had already told me that it was best if I took careful notes during the class.

https://imgur.com/pGILf2D.jpg

That day also happened to be Easter, and I joined in with the baking. Xanthe had made some brownies, and Erytheia some peanut butter cookies, so I decided to go for simple yet tasty sugar cookies.

https://imgur.com/Dv49t9a.jpg

That evening, the Foxbury Spirit Squad were holding an event at the Pepper's Pub, so I decided to go along.
"Hi, my name's Alexander," I said. "Can I join the Spirit Squad?"
"Sure! What are you studying?"
"Language and Literature," I replied.
"Ah... failed to get onto the distinguished degree at Britechester?"
"Yeah... something like that," I said. "My girlfriend's studying there."
"Ah," said the guy again. "You're not the first to have a romantic partner studying at a different institution. It can make for an interesting relationship dynamic."
"Yeah, it'll be fun," I replied. "Well, I look forward to being part of the Foxbury squad."

https://imgur.com/P8vq6Pt.jpg

After learning the Foxbury Cheer, I decided to head home on my bike. It had been a fun evening.
(I have no idea why he decided to ride his bike indoors...)

https://imgur.com/6a17MEA.jpg

Despite not doing the same subject as the twins, it was still fun to have a study session together and discuss our courses. I told them about joining the Spirit Squad. Xanthe mentioned that she was interested in joining the Art Society, and Erytheia grinned as she told me about her plans to join the Britechester Spirit Squad.
"Don't we have to spend time taunting rival students?" I asked.
"Yeah, well, we don't have to do it to each other," Erytheia said. "And anyway, even if we did, it's not personal."
"No, of course not. The guy I met at the event yesterday said that our situation isn't unusual."

https://imgur.com/zqs5e5z.jpg

Mum popped over that evening.
"Hi Mum, how are you?"
"I'm well, thank you, as is your father," she said. "How is your work going?"
"It's going OK."
"I hope you're working hard," Mum said.
"Yes Mum," I sighed.
"Don't take that tone," Mum said. "I want you to do well in life, that's all."
"Yes Mum. Sorry, Mum."
The funny part was that I'd probably be the same with my own kids in the future, but for now I felt like I was a small child again.

https://imgur.com/9FgRYiP.jpg

Erytheia and I headed over to the Stargazer Lounge in San Myshuno for a date on Love Day.
"Ahhh, this massage is amazing," Erytheia said. "If you fail your degree you could always get a job at a spa."
"Nah, I'd have to massage people's gross feet then," I laughed. "I'll stick to being an author."

https://imgur.com/SzHYTS5.jpg

Erytheia spotted her father working as the lounge's entertainer for the evening, and went over to chat whilst I grabbed a plate of snacks at the bar.

https://imgur.com/y4olr94.jpg

It had been lightly drizzling in San Myshuno, so it was nice to get back to dry weather in Britechester.
"Hey, you know what would be the perfect end to this evening..." I said.
"Oooh, perfect!" Erytheia winked.
We headed up to our bedroom...

https://imgur.com/YMSm0p4.jpg

The next day, Erytheia headed over to the Britechester Quad to join the Britechester Spirit Corps. She learnt the Britechester Cheer and also managed to get a selfie with Darby the Dragon, Britechester's mascot.

https://imgur.com/zQTRVSS.jpg
https://imgur.com/C1AA1iB.jpg

Just a screenshot of the lovely couple sleeping beneath their respective university posters!

https://imgur.com/PvxvCP9.jpg

The term was nearly over, so it was high time that I got going on my term paper. Luckily there were no classes over the weekend so I had plenty of time to get it done. I wanted to do well in my first term.

https://imgur.com/zxo5Vu1.jpg

Cool to have the spellcasters doing a degree as well. (Wonder if there's a spell to plagiarise papers or cheat? : P ) So glad they have a good cook- they won't be living off pack noodles at least! Darby the Dragon is so cool; the lobster gives me nightmares XD

A couple of hours later, I sat next to Erytheia, who was eating a sandwich. Good, she can't be feeling too bad.
"Hey, are you OK? Was it you being sick earlier?" I asked.
"Yeah, it was," she said. "I was just really nervous. Thanks for being concerned."
"Well, he is your boyfriend," Xanthe said from the computer, where she was working on a (very last minute) term paper. "If he wasn't concerned, that would make him a bit mean."
"Yeah, good point. But concentrate on your paper! You've only got a couple of hours left!" Erytheia warned.

https://imgur.com/rtrNSRn.jpg

That evening, I summoned my familiar Ribbit and worked on my magic. I managed to learn the Scruberoo spell, as I'd wanted.

https://imgur.com/Fzr35MG.jpg

At 6pm, I got a notification on my phone to tell me that results had been released.
Wow, they managed to mark those exams pretty quickly! I thought.
I was surprised to learn that I had received A+ on all my courses.
"Hey, how did you do?" I asked Erytheia.
"Two A+s, an A- and a B," she replied.
"Oh, right. That's still pretty good."
"Yeah, I'm not disappointed," she replied. "I could definitely have prepared more for that course. Still, it's over now, and time to think ahead to our next term."
Again, we all chose to complete three core classes and one elective. I chose a parenting class, Erytheia chose a painting one, and Xanthe (who'd achieved three A+s and one A) chose a mixology class.

https://imgur.com/8Jzq8UV.jpg

The next morning, I had an opportunity to use the Scruberoo spell. I muttered the incantation and instantly felt much cleaner. Ah, such a useful spell. Having a bath was nice and relaxing, but Scruberoo would be handy when I didn't have much time.

https://imgur.com/18BL7u3.jpg

That day happened to be Summer Festival day - and appropriately hot - so we all dressed accordingly. Whilst Erytheia was practising her painting skill, and I was working on some homework, the lights went off.
"Ugh, we forgot to pay the bills on time!" Erytheia groaned. "That's one part of adulthood I never really thought about."
After a couple of minutes, though, the lights came back on.
"Ah, good old Xanthe," Erytheia said, turning back to her easel.

https://imgur.com/yuYxA3r.jpg

That evening, once classes were done, I celebrated the day by barbecuing some elote and playing with the water sprinkler.

https://imgur.com/rjNQXxL.jpg
https://imgur.com/vlnxhEG.jpg

The next day, the weather was still hot, so I decided to challenge Erytheia to a water balloon fight.

https://imgur.com/ENJPltx.jpg

The gravestone is actually of the old Masterson family cat, Coco. Erytheia had been invited to the family home in San Myshuno, and when she got there I was surprised to see Coco's urn there, as I thought urns/tombstones didn't appear unless the Sim or pet died on screen. Erytheia decided to take it back to Britechester for now. I'm planning to build a cemetery lot somewhere, where I'll be able to put the tombstone permanently.

We decided to head over to the Laurel Library for a change of atmosphere. I was surprised at how small it looked; I hoped we'd be able to find somewhere to sit.

https://imgur.com/UqMFWFJ.jpg

Thankfully, the library was pretty empty, and we all sat down to do some work together. It definitely felt like a good place to study; our house was comfortable, but we could be easily distracted.

https://imgur.com/ewdVUvj.jpg

As well as a couple of computers, there were also three research machines. I needed to work on my term paper, but other people always seemed to be sitting there. Finally, I was able to grab a seat, and Erytheia sat down to use a research machine to study for one of her classes.

https://imgur.com/Hvhw04S.jpg

Back at home, I continued to work on my paper when...
"Dang it!" I yelled.
"What?" Xanthe asked.
"I got a blue screen of death," I explained. "And I was working on my term paper. Ugh, I hope it saved..."
Xanthe waved her arms and uttered the Repairio spell. Whoomph! I was soon able to switch on the computer, and was relieved to notice that my work had been saved.
"You need to learn Repairio," Xanthe grinned. "What if Erytheia is out at work one day and you're left home alone?"
"I'm going to learn it, don't worry," I smiled. "But university work is my priority right now."
"Fair enough. I need to go and work on my homework right now."

https://imgur.com/uJSFTTF.jpg

Monday was finals day. After my first exam of the day, which I thought had gone OK, I realised that I should go and deliver my presentation. I felt nervous as I clutched my notes.
You'll be fine, you've done plenty of preparation, I thought.

https://imgur.com/eQT2nzk.jpg

Later that evening...
"So, how did you do, Erytheia?" Xanthe asked.
"All A+s this time," she grinned. "Thank Plumbob for that. I'd have been so annoyed if I'd earned below an A, I put in so much effort."
"Yeah, I understand," Xanthe nodded. "I got all A+s too. How did you do, Alex?" she added.
"Only two A+s for me," I replied. "But the others were As, and I still have a A+ GPA overall."
"Just one term left!" Erytheia grinned. "What elective are you doing this term?"
"I went for a comedy one. I want to try something new."
"Oh cool. Sounds like a laugh, har har har. I'm doing the acting one."

https://imgur.com/bS5F64E.jpg

If you’re not high enough in a certain skill, you can be rejected from the distinguished degree but can do the normal one. I mostly played with the Masterson family before university. I created Alexander (and his family) in CAS in order for him to be a friend and later boyfriend for Erytheia. I moved the family into a lot, and played with them briefly a couple of times, but I was primarily with the Mastersons.
I kind of made up the lawyer guy, he’s not an actual person! I just created him for the narrative.
Alexander does like magic but his priority is his degree right now. After all, he’s only at university for a limited time but he’s got his whole adult life to become a virtuoso Spellcaster. He has actually learned a couple of the other spells in Mischief and Untamed magic, but there’s more opportunity to use Scruberoo and Repairio :D I’ve not explicitly said this, but perhaps when he was a teen he was naturally more interested in Mischief and Untamed magic and thought Practical was a bit boring. But the twins convinced him of the usefulness of Practical magic.

Alexander has actually had three magic duels with Erytheia so far, and won two of them despite being at a lower magic rank than her! :D :D :D

At least I just have to submit a term paper for my acting class rather than do a practical exam, I thought as I sat down at the computer. I wasn't entirely convinced that I was any good at acting. Caroline was over visiting, but of course she couldn't help me out with my paper or it could be regarded as cheating.

https://imgur.com/uMWOGNY.jpg

Neither Erytheia nor I had really dedicated much time to our respective Spirit Squads, but she had at least purchased a t-shirt and jogging bottoms. Aware that this would be her final opportunity to get involved, Erytheia headed over to the UBrite quad for their Game Day celebration.

https://imgur.com/icvhLpd.jpg

I had recently had a few incidents where my spellcasting hadn't succeeded, so I was happy that I was able to fix the coffee machine. No more spending money on a mechanic for me!

https://imgur.com/KSyMdbr.jpg

And... now it was the end of our time at university. That afternoon, Mum showed up.
"Hello, honey!" she said, embracing me. "Your final day of university! Why, it feels like only yesterday you started at primary school."
"I know. Time flies by so fast. It doesn't seem real sometimes."
"It'll feel even less real when you have children of your own... if you want children, of course."
"Oh, I do. You'll get grandchildren at some point."
"I don't feel old enough to be a grandmother," Mum laughed. "But I look forward to it."

https://imgur.com/vxuFKUd.jpg

That evening, once we were all finished, Erytheia cooked us all lobster tortellini.
"Mm, this is amazing," I mumbled.
"Alexander! Don't talk with your mouth full!" Mum scolded, and the twins laughed.

https://imgur.com/69xcrvs.jpg

The next morning was graduation. We all donned our robes and caps and went to our respective stadiums.

https://imgur.com/kffP2Bd.jpg
https://imgur.com/meO65AR.jpg