"What should we call this?"...the making of a Sims story
Sul sul, Simmers. It's the holiday season, and it seems like as good a time as any to share my humble attempt at Sims storytelling with all of you. My twelve-year-old daughter, Z, is my Sims bud...
While Marcia Eldridge was learning she was expecting a baby, her teenage son was, almost literally, in another world.
Jamie bolted his breakfast and hurried to the Magic Realm as quickly as he could. Now that school was out, he could dedicate most of his time to learning the art of Spellcasting. The aspiring wizard’s motives were honorable, to be sure. Jamie wanted to help his Mom more than anything. Still, the fact that there were perhaps a dozen other young trainees was turning out to be a wonderful bonus. A cute brunette named Shannon Christiansen introduced herself to Jamie, and the teenage acolytes began chatting amiably. The lesson book on the table in front of Jamie was ignored completely. https://i.imgur.com/zIuX0R4.png Simeon Silversweater watched Jamie and Shannon and shook his head. These kids think Spellcasting is a game. They’re more interested in…whatever they’re doing than learning magic. https://i.imgur.com/nVS5HKO.png The Sage strode across the room to the table where the teens were talking. He took a deep breath before speaking. He wasn’t truly angry with them, and Shannon, at least, was a very promising Spellcaster. Simeon wasn’t sure about Jamie yet. https://i.imgur.com/GNKI3Ya.png “It’s Jamie, isn’t it?” he asked the lad. “Yes, that’s right.” “Jamie, I understand completely why you want to associate with other young Spellcasters. Magic can be a lonely life, and it’s good to know that you’re not traveling the path you’ve chosen alone. However, the path is also a long and difficult one. If you’re going to reach your potential as a Caster–whatever that might be–you need to apply yourself much more diligently to your studies and training.” I’ve heard this before, Jamie said to himself. “Yes, Sir. I understand,” he said out loud. “I’ll see you around,” Shannon smiled sweetly at him, and Jamie felt his cheeks turn red.
Jamie didn’t like hearing that the mastery of magic was “long and difficult.” He needed to learn how to help his Mom sooner than that. He didn’t have months or years. He might not even have weeks. He sighed deeply and clasped his hands behind his head. How am I supposed to do this? He looked around the spacious room, filled with mystical decorations and strange objects, and then his eyes landed on a bookcase. Many of its shelves held weighty-looking volumes. Maybe there’s something in here, Jamie thought. This might be the wizarding version of looking online for a cheat code. He examined the tomes carefully, as if they would reveal their secrets to him the moment he laid eyes on them. https://i.imgur.com/RWUcPBA.png Simeon noticed what Jamie was doing and, again, he shook his head. I should dismiss this boy immediately, he thought. But there’s something about him I like, and I can’t figure out what it is. Again, the Sage approached his wayward student. “Jamie, these tomes do, indeed, contain useful information. You can, in fact, learn spells from them. However, at this early stage of your training, the mysteries these books contain are beyond your understanding.” Jamie’s face fell. “All right. I get it. Then how do I become better?” “You need to devote your time to practicing spells,” Simeon replied. Jamie nodded. “Yes, sir.” He began to wave his arms and practice incantations. He created a few sparkles, and nothing else. This sucks, Jamie thought.
Simeon was watching the boy out of the corner of his eye. Smiling now, he turned back to Jamie. “Young man, even when you become a wizard of incredible power, you will still need to practice in order to keep your skills honed to razor sharpness.” Simeon drew out an impressive, ebony-colored wand. “That wand is sweet,” Jamie thought out loud. “It is indeed.” The Sage’s eyes twinkled. He began to move it through the air, demonstrating a grace and power that enraptured his young student. “Let’s practice together, Jamie.” “Yes, sir.” https://i.imgur.com/a1T9d5D.png Spell training was hard work, and before long, Jamie needed a break. He walked out into the hall, where he met two other trainees, Laurie Flanagan and Savanna Huston. They were about Jamie’s age, but both girls had been training for several months now. Their skills were much more refined than his were, and their growing talent gave them a poise that Jamie lacked. “How is your training going so far?” Savanna asked him. “It’s been fun, but it’s slow,” Jamie admitted. https://i.imgur.com/SgZ0wbM.png “That’s how it was for me at first, too,” said Laurie. “I didn’t start making real progress until I dropped out of school and started training full-time.” “And your classy new wand didn’t hurt, either,” Savanna added. “You have wands?” Jamie inquired, somewhat in awe. "I thought they were for really skilled Spellcasters only." Both girls giggled. “You can get a wand anytime you want one. They sell them in Casters’ Alley.” “Where’s that?” Laurie and Savanna gave Jamie directions to the magical marketplace, and off Jamie went. https://i.imgur.com/Ip7Ew5L.png When Jamie reached Caster’s Alley, he stood for a moment in the street, taking in the atmosphere around him. He felt comfortable here, as comfortable as he did in the streets of San Myshuno. He found the stall that sold wands and approached the Astral Projection Vendor who worked there. His name was Omar Ritchie, and he helped Jamie pick out a Wood Wand. https://i.imgur.com/zYYXfxq.png “This is the right wand for you,” Omar advised him. “It’s got a perfect amount of power for a trainee like yourself.” Jamie frowned. “I don’t want a toy. I need something that will make things happen.” “Don’t worry about that,” Omar assured him. “Practice with this baby, and you’ll be ready for the Dueling Ground in no time.” Jamie’s eyes lit up. Dueling? Sweet! “Plum right I will,” he told Omar. He paid 40 Simoleons for his wand and tucked it away.
Jamie liked the idea of Dueling. He figured it might be a good way to fast-track his skill development. Plus, it sounded like fun. When he returned to Magic HQ, he drew out his new wand like he’d watched Simeon do. He practiced the movements he’d been working on…and to his delight, he felt much more assertive and formidable. “THERE we go!” he declared, clearly pleased with himself. Not far away, Savanna was working at a cauldron, learning to craft a new Potion. Jamie’s exclamation caught her attention, and she watched him for a moment. I’m not so sure about this…she thought. https://i.imgur.com/O8rU6d8.png Jamie, however, was very sure about this. He practiced for a few more minutes, twirling his wand with great flourishes. Enough of this. Now it’s Dueling time, he told himself. He put his wand away and looked around, in search of his first opponent. He decided against taking on Savanna, whom he’d rather date than Duel. The only other wizards in sight were Sages, and he knew better than to challenge them. He strode into the foyer to see who was around.
The first person Jamie spotted was a young man with dark, wavy hair. Jamie didn’t remember seeing him around the headquarters. He looked like he might be a few years older. When he saw Jamie, he lifted his hand in greeting. “Hi. I’m Jamie Eldridge.” “Matteo DiGirolamo. Pleased to meet you.” Jamie and Matteo chatted for a moment before Jamie cut to the chase. “I’m looking for someone to Duel with. What do you say, Matteo?” The older fellow smiled. “I haven’t seen you around before. How long did you say you’ve been training as a Spellcaster?” Jamie hesitated for a moment. He was still the newest of newbies. Still, he had a dope new wand… “I’m pretty new around here, but I’m ready. How about you?” Matteo smiled. He remembered being inexperienced, eager, and a bit foolhardy, too. “OK, Jamie…if you insist…” Jamie nodded. “Let’s do this!” https://i.imgur.com/1WA1s7K.png
Jamie led the way, until it dawned on him that he had no idea where the Dueling Ground was. He let Matteo catch up with him and lead the way. Matteo smiled, amused by the younger Spellcaster’s bravado, When they reached the Dueling Ground, Matteo drew Jamie aside. https://i.imgur.com/f0GbJ6R.png “Listen, Jamie. Are you really sure you want to do this? I’ve been training for months, and…well, this isn’t my first Duel.” Implicit in his statement was his recognition that this was undoubtedly Jamie’s first. Jamie didn’t hesitate. ‘Yeah. I’m really sure. Let’s go.”
The two Spellcasters took their stances, perhaps fifteen feet apart. Jamie waited for Matteo to take out a wand, and he was surprised when Matteo made no move to do so. Dude doesn’t even use a wand? Jamie thought, his confidence growing further. Matteo deliberately waited before he cast his first spell. It won’t hurt to let the kid take the first shot, he thought. And, to Matteo’s surprise, Jamie managed to make his first shot a good one. Matteo took a step back and ducked his head. He threw up his arms to deflect the spell. https://i.imgur.com/sSgm2Yg.png “Yes!” Jamie exclaimed. This isn’t hard at all! Matteo took a moment to collect himself. Jamie's spell had hit him a bit harder than he'd anticipated. "Not bad, Youngblood. Now it's game on,” he challenged. Matteo counterattacked. The two Casters’ spells met in midair, creating a brilliant ball of energy that crackled in the still air of the evening. https://i.imgur.com/3E3NQh3.png And then Matteo took Jamie to school. https://i.imgur.com/PqSn0M9.png https://i.imgur.com/IubMLTk.png https://i.imgur.com/HXPeCdS.png https://i.imgur.com/CMdezMN.png
After a moment, Matteo helped Jamie to his feet. He shook hands with him. “Good Duel, Youngblood.” “Thanks, Matteo. I’ll see you around.” “See you.” After Matteo left, Jamie stayed at the Dueling Ground for a few minutes. His head ached a bit, and he felt a bit wobbly, but otherwise he was none the worse for his first Duel. https://i.imgur.com/6SONuWY.png That was cool as plum.
