A Visit to Sunset Valley: Questions from the Fans

Hi everyone, it’s been a hot minute since I posted here. I’m still working on setting up my TS3 game for the next story in Kass’ series. In the meantime, I have  some fun questions given to me by members of my Freezer Bunnies Reading Circle over on the forums.   I was going to answer everything over on the forums, but then it got a bit carried away so I’m sharing here for all my readers.  I sent my TS3 Simself to be the snoopy reporter and ask questions of this delightful cast.

Disclaimer: The answers are given based on where said reading circle is at in KCLKF (up through  Arc 12 or  chapter 1.33).  Really mild spoilers if you haven’t read that far.  Oh and a bit of breaking-the-fourth-wall humor.  Shout-out to all my reading circle peeps (you’re all mentioned below somewhere). Minor edit… apologies to Duvelina for not crediting her correctly. 

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It’s a beautiful morning in Sunset Valley, Valverde.   The world appears to be peaceful as it is  just after the morning rush hour.  You can hear the low roar of ocean waves crashing against the soft sandy beaches and sweet sounds of swallows as they gather their families for the juicy gossip on the telephone wires.  No, not our gossip. Theirs. You know – like did you hear that  Chirpy McChatterbox was heard making amorous ticking sounds toward Hooty Howlin’ near the movie theater last weekend?  😉

While there are some clouds in sight, the skies are bright and beautiful.  Nothing can beat that tranquil blue!  I pause for a moment to drink in the sites, trying to ignore the Altos hideous Pepto-Bismol pink house on the hill. Tossing my empty paper cup  into the trash, I pop a mint to avoid coffee breath and head toward Central Park in downtown.

Gave my TS3 Simselfie a makeover… and put her in my favorite red plaid shirt. 🙂 Forgive what’s happening to Kass’ necklace here. I have no clue why it bugged out.

I caught up with the star  of The Krazy Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright.  We met on a park bench near the pond. I have to say it is a unique experience chatting with a character I’ve created.

Lizzie:  Hey Kass. Thanks for making time for this.

Kass: Sure. It’s an honor to chat with you, Lizzie.

Lizzie: No, the honor is mine. You’ve really brought my vision to life, and you’ve had some excellent input of your own . You’ve really taken charge of your life.

Kass: (smiles shyly) Wow… really? Um… that’s great to… hear. I haven’t been too sure… about a lotta things lately.

Lizzie: Well, let’s dive right in. Hope you don’t mind the cameras.

Kass: Not at all. I’m kinda used to them by now.

Lizzie: Really? They’re kinda weird for me. (clears throat) Okay… so first question is from ajmkv, writer and host of  the popular competitive reality TV show, Kev & Get It.

Kass:  Wow! He is a KCLKF fan?  Love that show. Ayesh and I watch it almost as religiously as Specific Hospital.

Lizzie: (smirks) I know. I can’t get enough of the juicy juicy drama.

Kass: (tilts head) Really? You strike me as more of a thriller and suspense kind-of gal.

Lizzie: (grins sheepishly) Guilty pleasure. Actually… if I’m being honest… a pleasure, pleasure. Not guilty at all. I also like a good fantasy. You should check out Tales from Camelot. Fantasy mixed with some excellent suspense.

Kass:  (pulls out her phone) Bookmarking it now.

Lizzie: Alright… the questions – ajmkv says, “A lot happened to you in these (most recent) Arcs. Lots of emotion, both negative and positive. Trying to stay positive, what is it that you’re most looking forward to in the next few days?”

Her expression brightens. She looks relieved by the question. Her face lights up with a smile and a flush creeps into her cheeks.

Kass: I… I’m really happy with my new boyfriend. His name is Davis, as you know.  I couldn’t have gotten through what I did recently without him.

Lizzie: He did seem to help out a lot, especially during that harrowing night  at your house.

Kass: Yeah… that mess… (laughs awkwardly) I’m just hoping for some down-time… baseball-free… with Davis.

Lizzie: Next question is from MercuryFoam of the exciting supernatural  thriller, Between 2 Worlds.

Kass: (places hand on her stomach and gasps) Cool! I had no idea so many writers were into my story. And Between 2 Worlds is awesome!

Lizzie: (smiles) I know how much you like crime stories.

Kass: Are you kidding? I have a huge collection back at the house. I don’t have enough bookcases.

Lizzie: Tell me about it.  I think I need a whole room devoted to my behemoth library.

We both laugh lightly, completely at ease with one another. I couldn’t imagine a better person to carry out this story near and dear to my heart.

Lizzie: Actually whoops! Didn’t read my notes correctly.  Sorry about that.  Duvelina asks,  “Do you know what you want to study in college already?”

Kass: (cracks her knuckles) Heh… you’d think I would’ve made up my mind by now, right? I’m a down-to-the-wire kinda girl, you know.

Lizzie: Yes, I do. (points to self) Fatal flaw.

Kass: Yeah. I thought about business like Nonno.  Though flipping houses isn’t exactly what I’m thinking. Maybe something like business… law? I don’t know. (bites lower lip) Is that too ambitious?

Lizzie: Not at all. If you put your mind to it.

Kass: Thanks. I also thought about communications like you, or writing. I think I did pretty good at writing for the school paper. And I guess I could always teach.

Lizzie: Duvelina also asks… wow! I really didn’t read that right. Must not have had enough coffee this morning. Not a morning person.

Kass: Go by the Jolt later. Granny Jade will fix you up.

Lizzie: Thanks. Okay.  Duvelina’s question – “Where do you see yourself in  5 to 10 years? How do you feel about moving away from Sunset Valley for college?”

Kass: (smiles and scrunches her nose) Yeah, everyone’s kinda asking me that now days.  Standard adult question I guess.

Lizzie: Something like that.

Kass: I can definitely answer that last one. I am excited, but also nervous. I’ve wanted to go to Edgewater for the last four years of my life. Nonno is an alumnus and so is Davis. (flushes again) A lot of important people have graduated from there, and the town is home to my favorite Sim National football team.

Lizzie: (pumps fist in the air) Go Saints!

Kass:   I’m a little worried I’ll miss my friends… and my sisters… (expression sobers) Especially my sisters. I know how much they… uh… need me. But um… (rubs head) Five to ten years. That’s a long way out. I don’t know what I’m gonna have for dinner tomorrow night or where I might be crashing on the weekend. A lot’s going on around here. I don’t know if I can… answer that.   I mean, did you know what you wanted when you were my age?

Lizzie: (stops and thinks for a minute) I had ideas… I  planned on studying communications. I bounced around for a bit in college and came back to communications. No. I guess I didn’t know where I saw myself in five to ten years after college. Sure didn’t expect to be where I am now, but I’m blessed.

Lizzie: I can give you some advice. Don’t be afraid to experiment. To try new things and different things. Find a mentor. Someone who can help you talk through what you want, your interests, the future. Don’t worry too much about the people you leave behind. This is your time. Enjoy your uni years. They go by quick. Sometimes it takes awhile to know what you want.  You’ll figure it out, Kass. I believe in you.

Kass: Thank you.

Lizzie: I couldn’t ask for a better leading lady.

Kass: (puts hand to heart) I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.

Next I headed to Papyrus Memorial Library. Andi was there, studying. She pulled out her earbuds when I arrived.

Lizzie: What are you listening to?

Andi:  Tchaikovsky’s  Waltz of Flowers from The Nutcracker.  (smiles) It helps me concentrate. It’s early, but I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures.

Lizzie: Hey, no judging here. Today’s pretty nice though.

Andi: Really? (looks out the window) I’ve been cooped up in here for awhile. I saved up simos to get a laptop, but our internet at home is snail’s pace so I came here.

Lizzie: You can’t be studying, can you? School’s out.

Andi: Summer school. I’m taking Calc I and II just to get them over with.

Lizzie: (clicks her tongue) Ah. Math!

Andi: It’s not so bad. It’s actually kinda fun.

Lizzie: (laughs) Says you… that’s cool you saved up for a laptop.

Andi: Yeah, the next thing I want to do is save up to visit Liz Ridley’s restaurant in Brindleton Bay. That’ll be a good chunk of moula.

Lizzie:  Oh, she and I share the same name. And yes, I’ve heard her food is to die for!  Okay, hey, the reason I’m here is  your fans have asked some questions.

Andi: You mean someone likes my music?

Lizzie: Sort of. It’s from ajmkv: “What’s it like to be so wise? Tell me your secrets, queen!”

Andi: (throws hands in the air) Uh…. what? I’m not… wise… (blushes deeply) not like… wait… really? Someone said that about me?

Lizzie: (smiles and nods)

Andi: (gasps and gulps) Uh my secrets? I dunno… I’m just me…

Andi: (stands up abruptly and looks at her naked wrist) Uh… (forces a laugh) Would you look at the time? I just remembered I have brunch plans.

Lizzie: What about the question?

Andi: I don’t even know how to answer that.  (quickly gathers her personal items and makes an exit)

Next I managed to catch Ayesha walking out of Sharma Day Spa.

Lizzie: Hey girl!

Ayesha: (turns and grins) Hey Liz, what’s up?

Lizzie: Oh not too much. Staying busy. Working a lot. Trying to keep up with the fans.

Ayesha: Sounds rough. What can I do you for?

Lizzie: Ajmkv would like to know: “WHERE ARE YOU, GIRL? I miss you!” (arches her brows) Ooo… I hope I did that right. I think I was practically screaming.

Ayesha:  (smiles and scrunches her face) Aww I miss you too… wait… who are you?

Lizzie: Ajmkv. He’s one of your fans.

I gave Ayesha a lip piercing in the second story. Honestly, I forgot all about it until I had to transfer over my saved Sims from my old game and I noticed it.

Ayesha: Right…  (strikes a pose)  oh I’ve got so many fans. It’s hard to keep track. And where have I been? (runs hand through her hair)  I just got a lip piercing. What do ya think?

Lizzie: Uh…

Ayesha: So did I like forget to give him my digits or something?

Lizzie: I think he means since Kass is busy with Davis and family drama, and then the  break-in that happened the other night.

Ayesha: Oh my gawd! What break-in? I gotta go call Kass.  Seriously, you holding out on me, Liz?

Lizzie: (winces) Not intentionally.

Ayesha: Oh and if you see my Mama… you never saw (points at her mouth) This! Or my… uh… (looks down) crop top… or ripped jeans… actually… (lifts finger) better say you didn’t see me.

Lizzie: (pretends to zip lips) Your secret is safe with me.  And it looks fab!

Ayesha: (runs away and waves) Thanks, girl! Oh and feel free to give ajmkv my digits. He can call anytime.

I have no idea what my Simself was doing here. And here’s the unedited Molly, River, and Sandi.

Since it was lunchtime, I headed across the street to load up on the greasy goodness of Hogan’s Deep-Fried Diner. Two words. Mozzarella balls. Take it from me. Try the Ranch. Not the marinara.

As I approach Gage, I recognize the two ladies he’s talking to as Molly French and River McIrish. The teen is carrying sweet baby Sandi.

Gage: Yes, and I just got accepted to Northwestern in Windy City.

This version of Gage is wearing glasses. Okay… I learned something new. He usually wears contacts, I guess. 😉

Lizzie: (pumps fist in the air and jumps up and down) Whoo! Whoo! Go  Wiley Wildcats!

Gage: (arches a brow) Uh yeah! Wildcats!

Lizzie: Sorry I’m in a school spirit mood today.

Molly: And you are?

Gage: This is Lizzie. We go way back. She gave me a chance in The Krazy Crazy Life…

Lizzie: Yeah, Gage was the first character to crash my story. And  I let him.

Molly and River laugh awkwardly. They say goodbye. Now’s my chance to ask Gage some questions.

I have no idea why my Simself always looks gigantic. I’m not that tall. Haha.

Gage sneezes.

Lizzie: Ah, bless you. Someone is thinking of you.  Which is perfect… I have questions for you from fans.

Gage:  Sure.

Lizzie: First up from MercuryFoam – “You were determined to get to know your roots better, but when you confessed to Kass, you told her you were alright with staying put and not pursuing your studies in… was it Riverview?”

Gage: (interrupts) No, Windy City! How could you forget?  I’ve only wanted to go to Northwestern my whole life!

Lizzie: Uh… I’m not finished. (continues reading)  “Anyway, what made you suddenly realise your feelings for Kass and I must say it’s surprisingly strong if you could make that comment. So I’d like if you could explain that part too.”

Gage: (blushes) Oh yeah, well, I’ve known Kass for a really long time. She was my first friend in Sunset Valley, and the only kid who was kind to me at church and school. Kid… haha. We’re adults now.

Gage: (lifts hand) I think it was when we went to homecoming together last October. I don’t know. I’d never looked at her that way before, but she was beautiful. And well… (scratches back of head) I think I’ve always cared about her. I just didn’t really realize it until I knew we were both gonna be apart. I do want to meet my family and stuff, but I’d like to have some nice memories with Kass before she leaves and I leave. You know… and I think, we could be really good together. And sometimes people can make long distance work, right?

Lizzie: Next question from ajmkv – “What do you think of Madison? Or you at all interested in her? Or could you be if Kass said no to your advances?”

Gage: (waves arms) Wait… Kass said no?

Lizzie: I didn’t say that. Uh… she hasn’t answered you yet.

Gage: Why would she say no?

Lizzie: Gage, did you miss the question?

Gage: She isn’t going to say no is she?

Lizzie: (sighs and puts hands toward her chest) Gage, focus. The question. Madison???

Ah vanilla Sunset Valley! What wild patterns on that wall at the gym! And the room is so bare and empty.

Unfortunately, Gage wandered off muttering under his breath about calling Kass. Uh oh! I may have lit a fuse too early. It didn’t matter. After that deep-fried lunch, I was in the mood to work off some calories. I headed to 28-Hour Wellness Gym and ran into none other than Davis. He shyly told me he didn’t feel comfortable swimming in the Riviera’s pool so he worked out here at the public gym.

Davis: Hi Lizzie. It’s good to see you.

Kass: Yeah, good to see you too. I have a question for you from ajmkv.

Davis: Is that one of the guys who hangs out in the coffee shop?

Kass: A virtual reading circle actually.

Davis: Okay. Shoot.

Kass: Ajmkv asks – “What about Kass do you like the most so far? We’ve all noticed you staring at her in her swimsuit, at her luscious red hair, and her pretty face, but what would you pick as her best attribute?”

I was so mad! Hearts appeared around Lizzie and Davis. GAH! NO! Not cool. I even have a retuned attraction mod so I know when Sims hearts appear, they “really” like each other. Oh… well… I guess I have a type.  😳 This is even pre-Davis makeover. Haha.

Davis: Oh a gentleman never kisses and tells.

Lizzie: This isn’t about kissing. (suddenly a little flustered***) Who said anything about kissing?

Davis: I think it’s a bit personal,  but I’ll say this… Kass is more than her beauty. She’s a kind and intelligent woman who goes above and beyond for the people she cares about. I really like and admire her for that. And she’s close with her family. It’s really beautiful to watch. I’m not sure about her mom though. She’s… it’s not my place to judge actually.

Lizzie: So her best… attribute? (wondering if it’s hot in here all the sudden – all that pool humidity)

Davis: Definitely the way she takes care of others.

Note the danger! 🤭

I made a quick exit, suddenly feeling weird about shapes randomly appearing above my head. What next? Thought bubbles!

Before heading to the Fullbright-Riviera home, I had one more spot in downtown – Community School for the Gifted. Maybe I could take take a cool dip in the school pool. But before that, I poked my head into the janitor’s closet. Just to take a quick look around.

Lizzie: Ah ha!  Found you!

Clark: (startled, drops hands in lap) Don’t sneak up on a person like that, Liz.

Lizzie: Sorry. Uh hey… ajmkv would like to know – “WHAT ARE YOU DOING, YOU SNEAKY SAUSAGE?” (rubs throat) Oh, that’s hard on the voicebox.  Do you have any water?

Clark: (looks confused) Sneaky? Sau-sage? (crosses arms and spins around on his stool)  No, I’m not even going to dignify that with an answer.

I head over to the Fullbright-Riviera residence. Carina is just getting home from her afternoon shift at the movies. She picked up a second summer job at Wilsonoff Community Theater, saving money for some concert tickets that she and her bestie want to attend.  She motions to the adjacent lounge chair. As I sit down, I notice Cari was kind enough to bring us snacks.

Cari: Andi said you were in town.

Lizzie: Thanks for the soda.

Cari: What? No popcorn!

Lizzie: No… yuck!  No offense. But I hate butter popcorn.

Cari: (sighs) You and Kass both.

Carina took a phone call. How rude, right? A Sim wouldn’t stay where she was supposed to. *face palm*

Lizzie:  Carina, will you get off the phone so I can ask you a question?

Cari: And you’re not gonna believe it, Lisa! We had an INTRUDER! Twice. I thought I would lose my mind, but Kass like tore off after the guy like a mamma bear protecting cubs. I thought she’d break her ankle running down that hill. Oh and Kass’ new guy is really cool. He stayed and made sure we were all okay.

Lizzie: Cari!

Cari: Wait, omg! I didn’t tell you. Yeah, Kass is dating this dish. He’s super hot and…

Lizzie: (clears throat) CARINA!

Cari: (turns around and glares) Oh, gotta go Lisa. Somebody’s in need of something… I know… again.

Lizzie: (shakes head)

Cari: What is it? Make it snappy. I’m in demand.

Lizzie: Do you mind answering a question from a reader?

Cari: Make it quick. I got things to do. Namely like have you heard the dish on the Villareals lately?  It may be a work of fiction, but I don’t care. This is juicy stuff.  I, for one, want to know if Hugo is ever going to find out what’s going on with Nelson.

Lizzie: (giggles) I wonder that too, but Cari, focus, girl. Okay… ajmkv would like to know… “Are you upset that you’ve had to take a caretaking role in your household? Buying the groceries and things like that, I mean. Do you wish Kass and/or Andi should help out a little bit more or do you not mind doing these things?”

Cari: (rolls eyes)  Like for reals? I am invaluable around here and I put in soooooo much effort and do I ever get thanked for it? Like no… like never!

Lizzie: Cari that wasn’t the question.

So I asked my real-life sister, whom Carina is based on, which of the Too Good at Goodbye characters she found attractive. I just showed her pictures and she picked Hugo.

Cari: I know, right? So I wish my sisters wouldn’t be so obsessed with their boy toys, but whachagonnado? They’re at that age. (looks at her nails)

Lizzie: (beneath her breath) You’re at that age!

Cari: I guess I have to live vicariously through my magazines. Hugo. He’s got a lot of loving, but man, is he nice to look at!

Lizzie: (looks away thinking about her “weird” connection earlier) Uh….

Cari: Okay, I’ll say this. (straightens in seat) Kass isn’t half bad and she does do stuff… sometimes. (glares) But don’t tell her I said that!

The day and my questions are drawing to a close. Cari told me that her mamma was most likely sleeping all day again, even though it was nearly four in the afternoon.  I hesitated when I heard sniffling.

Lizzie: Amy?

Amy: (muffled) What? Who is it? Go away?

Lizzie: Amy, it’s me. Lizzie. I have some questions from readers for you.

Amy: (gasps) Readers? Is that like some cult thing? Palm readers? Mind readers? Not interested.

Lizzie: No… not a cult. A club. Or a circle. That is…  uh readers… like people who read stories, you know?

Amy: Not now, Lizzie. I’m not decent. Um… and why are they reading about me?

Lizzie: Are you willing to answer their questions?

Amy: Like what?

Lizzie: Let’s start with something light and fun. Mercuryfoam asks: “Sorry for super personal and intrusive question, but am I right to assume Clark the first man you’ve been with since Howard?”

Amy: (straightens immediately)  That is very personal. Yes. He’s the first man I’ve dated since my ex.

Lizzie: Okay, continuing… “Why do you find him attractive? (Besides his accent and guitar playing ofc).”

Amy: What accent? (sighs and rubs her face) I’m getting a headache. Can you hurry this up?

Lizzie: But you didn’t answer the question.

Amy: I don’t know why this is important. I’m tired. I need to get some things done today. Okay uh…  (shakes head) Clark takes good care of me. And my girls. They don’t see that yet, but he does and he will. He’s a good man. They just need to give him a chance.

Lizzie: Not exactly the answer I was looking for, but that’s better than nothing. Okay, next question. ajmkv asks: “What was running through your mind after THAT confrontation with Andi? Was it like your body took over?”

Amy: (softly starts crying)

Lizzie: (sighs and silently leans into the wall) Amy, are you okay?

Amy: (snaps)  I don’t have to justify myself to you! Or to anyone! Oh! (covers her face)

Lizzie: Amy, will you let me in?

Forgive my laziness. I didn’t reset up the Amy’s room like it was before. Nor did I add curtains everywhere. Eek!

After what feels like eternity, Amy opens the door and lets me walk into the bedroom. She explains that it’s very plain right now because she’s redecorating. A minimalist. I guess I hit the set later on in the story. I don’t really pay any attention to the surroundings. I’m more concerned about the woman who is obviously in pain.

Amy: I’m so ashamed. I hit my own daughter. Now they all hate me and they’ll probably never come back. Oh what have I done?

Lizzie: Hey now… it’s okay. Cari is actually out on the porch.

Amy: She is? Oh… don’t let her see me. I’m a terrible mother.

Lizzie: (sighs) I’m not a mother unless you count four cats.

Amy: (peeks out from behind her hand) You have four cats?

No clue what happened to her nightgown there. 😅

Lizzie: (half-smiles and sits on the bed) Yeah, but the point is, I’m not a mother so I don’t fully understand the pressure you’re under, but I know it’s a lot. And I think you’re trying and maybe someone like Clark is…try-ing… to help ease the burden, hmm?

Amy: Yeah, he is pretty helpful. The girls don’t know it yet, but he’s really good with kids. Kind. Patient. A good provider. I… miss… that around here. I feel like I’ve slowly lost myself over the years and he’s helping me come back. And now I just lost it last night when someone violated our home, and I was scared. I wasn’t thinking.

Lizzie: You were concerned and scared last night. I get it.

Amy: (buries her face in her hands) That’s no excuse for violence. My mamma never hit me.

Lizzie: I’m sure the girls will forgive you.

Amy: (whispers) I hope so.

Again… towering Lizzie for the win! Don’t worry. I fixed it after this scene.

Lizzie: It’s gonna be okay, Amy. You’ll work things out with them in time.

Amy: Isn’t that a spoiler?

Lizzie: (smirks and looks at her shoes) Yeah, maybe it is. I don’t care. I think it’s okay to give the readers some hope.

Amy: (hugs herself) Yeah, alright. Hey, you wanna stay for dinner?

Lizzie: What’s for dinner?

Amy: Waffles.

Lizzie: (laughs) Sure, I’ve heard all about Amy’s famous burnt waffles.

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Author Notes: That’s all for now, folks! Thanks for reading. Feel free to send more questions if you like.   What other things would you like to see? Would you like to see more interviews? More of my TS3 Simselfie running around? A sneak peek at my character and townie makeovers? Shorts in the KCLKF world? I’m enjoying messing around in my game.  

Introducing Wright Way Travel Adventures!

Travel the right way… in style through the world of Simterra and the beloved home of my Sims.

I’m introducing a limited opportunity, exclusive to my followers and readers! Want to come explore Simterra first hand? Then look no further than Wright Way Travel Agency! That’s right folks – the same mysterious organization that appears in The Krazy Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright. The one with the shady connection to Bella Goth… the Bella Goth. No promises you’ll actually meet Bella. Have the opportunity to visit towns, cities, and worlds featured in a number of my serieses. If you’re lucky, you might even get to rub elbows with characters from my stories.

Learn more at the forums page and my Simterra Tales blog.

And in case you aren’t already following me over there, read about the naming and etymology of Simterra in one of my latest posts!

A Bayless Family Album: Dear David

Hi everyone, I haven’t been writing recently, but I have been playing the game(s). I hope you’re all doing well, and are hanging in there during difficult times. I’m not okay, and I’m okay with admitting that, but I’m better than a lot of people right now. I feel a calm at the moment, which is enabling me to write and share things slowly with my very small, but loyal fan base. Thank you if you are one of them!

Tonight I practiced yoga. I listened to relaxing music. I cooked dinner. I watched my favorite anime. I snuggled with my husband. I played with my cats. And now I’m writing these words to you. And I’m better… for now. I’m better than I was. And that’s progress! 🙂

I wanted to share a bunch of stills from my gameplay – particularly the Bayless family. Hop on over to my Simblr to view all of them. Let me know if you can’t see the images and I’ll come back and edit this post and add them here also.

Probably my favorite of the pictures… little River Bayless on one of her many adventures in the treehouse. She practically lives up there. (These pictures are taken around the years  Feel free to comment there or here as you will or if you’ve got questions about the Bayless family OR the timeline.

I love this unique, dysfunctional family! I hope these pictures bring you a little happiness too, and the family letters.

Dear David

Where in Simterra is São Paten?

Welcome to an informational post. Maybe this will interest you. Maybe I’m just talking to the wind. I’m about to get technical so bear with me. 😛 Remember my Sims stories take place on another planet, Simterra in another star system, the Daleth System.

The most updated version of this post is over on my Simterra Tales blog!

1.92, Pt. 1: Phantom’s Warning (KCLKF)

Friday, June 27, 2415 | Sunset Valley, Valverde

Maybe this was her unlucky dress. Kass swallowed the bad taste in her mouth as she watched Davis and Beau move the piano around for the third time. Tonight, Jamie was indecisive. First, she didn’t want to be on the left side of the stage because of a peculiar draft. Then she complained about a strange lighting from the right side of the stage because of the shadow of the mountains. Then she returned to the left side because it made the most sense to be on Davis’ good side.

Kass puffed an aggravated blast of air up her face, blowing a stray piece of hair from her eyes. She slid down in her seat at the table to her right, stage left because Jamie wanted Kass to hear all the good notes from the keys. Musicians! She wore the same dress she wore the last night she sat in on a Twilight Trio gig, the same night the earthquake happened, the same night she found out her father wasn’t really her dad, and the same night her childhood home was destroyed. Ayesha convinced her to make her own luck and give the dress another try, but she was beginning to think it was a bad idea to have Carina sew the fabric back together.

“I’m gonna go…” she stood up and thumbed over her shoulder.

“You can’t leave!” Jamie exclaimed dramatically and threw out her hands. “I need a woman’s opinion,” she approached. “Do you think my new frames compliment my eyes or will they distract too much from my playing?” she glanced up at the sky and held out a palm. “Oh gawd! It’s raining. I felt a raindrop. Guys, we’ll have to lug this all back inside. I will not have us get electrocuted.”

Davis groaned. Beau slumped against the edge of the keyboard.  Women! Kass thought dramatically and squirmed uncomfortably as she took a step or two back.

“Your glasses look great!” Kass offered two thumbs-up, and sighed as she walked away. “I’ll be back. Restroom break…”

Davis looked up from adjusting his microphone and nodded her exit. She wished he would do more. They were still doing an awkward dance around the issues that surfaced during their day on the beach. They were still dating, but the tension ballooned. She thrust the door open and stepped into the tiled bathroom, wishing she could scream, but it wouldn’t do her any good, except sound all fun as it echoed against the walls.

She was still trying to process her mother’s engagement announcement and the fact that her mamma and Clark were buying a house together. Clark still hadn’t found out anything about her real father. Gage had been busy for the last two days so she hadn’t been able to discuss her situation with him. He was in Starlight Shores looking at a college for Scarlett for a few days. Howard’s test results came back and he wanted to share with her, but she hadn’t been brave enough to call him yet. She had tried to follow Detective Hunter to learn more about his movements, but he had given her the slip and she had to come up with some crazy wild excuse to his partner, Detective Goddard as to why she was hanging around the police station. He mostly laughed and agreed to let her off the hook, if she’d have coffee with him, but when she asked about his connections to the Alto family, he grew cagey and said he needed to finish some work, but he wasn’t taking no for an answer on that coffee. She grimaced. Hank Goddard wasn’t that much older than Davis so she really couldn’t use his age as an excuse, and he wasn’t bad to look at, but she wasn’t really into redheads.

Dampening a paper towel, she mopped her face. She was almost tempted to wash off her lip gloss. While he invited Kass to spend time with him, she felt neglected while Davis spent most of the evening taking orders from Jamie. Why do I even try if he’s studying all night and playing hot gigs with Blonde Beauty? She could almost see the green glint in her eyes. Jamie. Davis had mentioned her a few times before, but now that Kass saw the woman in the flesh, she couldn’t help but feel threatened. How can I compete with a Barbie doll? A toilet flushed behind her, and she jumped. Better get back out there. As she turned, her eyes met with the woman emerging from the stall.

“Madison!”

Kass gasped. She frowned as the woman opened her mouth to speak and changed her mind. Her hair had returned to its former bleached blonde hanging round her shoulders. She wore a magenta sundress with a flair at the knee, and long white gloves, an unusual choice. Then again, Ayesha had been wearing leather gloves in summer. Madison’s appeared more dressy.

“Oh my gawd! I thought you were… oh… I am…” she sucked air through her teeth and placed a fist against her forehead, wincing as she glanced in the mirror. “Am I crazy?”

When she turned, Madison still stood before her.

“Where have you been? What happened? Are you okay? How did you…”Kass trailed off, reaching for Madison’s arm, her fingers phasing through transparent matter.

“What the?”

“Kass,” Madison said, her voice hollow and tinny.

Kass’ eyes bugged as she backed into the sink, gripping the edge of the porcelain basin. Madison appeared to be solid, and yet Kass’ hand sliced right through her forearm. Now aware, she noticed Madison did appear to have an otherworldly glow.

“Are… are… are…” she stammered, feeling like an idiot. Pressing her foot into the floor, she mustered courage and spoke again.”You’re not really here, are you?” she managed.

“No, I’m not,” Madison replied.

“Are you… a… a… ghost?” Kass assumed, feeling strange even as she spoke the words.

It wasn’t entirely impossible, but it certainly wasn’t very plausible. She had heard stories… ghost stories… about people who were stuck in the ‘in-between.’ Shells of their former selves. Lost in time and space. Wandering the celestial sands of time above terrestrial plains. She recalled her physics teacher who believed static on the radio belonged to the stars trying to communicate to earthlings. She knew of aliens, other beings out there in the universe, fighting battles like giants in the skies, their ruins of war crashing to the planet. She remembered Ayesha relaying spooky stories around a campfire at summer camp with exaggerated gestures and maniacal faces. It was an odd sensation to feel wind crawling over one’s skin and time standing still all at once. Kass blinked rapidly.

“Don’t fight it,” Madison warned, laying a warm hand against Kass’ back. “I’m here to help you.”

At least it feels warm… Kass wondered what bizarre thing she swallowed. Did Granny Jade finally go off her rocker, putting hallucinogenic additives in the hazelnut creamers?

“Fight… what?” Kass pressed her fingers to her forehead, a headache forming behind her eyes.

“The illusion,” Madison said. “What you see is a phantom… but I’m not a figment of your imagination. My soul is still tethered to this world.”

“What? Souls? Tethered? Huh?” Kass narrowed her eyes. “Are you… real?”

“Of course, I am,” Madison shook her head, her hair moving at an unnaturally slow speed. “But I am in your mind and your mind is projecting what I want you to see.”

“I’m…” Kass dug her nails into the space between the tiles in the wall as she moved even further from the strange sight. “…so confused…” she barely whispered.

“I don’t have long,” Madison replied, glancing over her shoulder.

“And phantoms can use the restroom?” Kass inquired, bewildered.

Madison smirked. “I had to get your attention somehow.”

“Uh… whoa! Wow! I mean… uh… I…” Kass babbled, and then suddenly gained a grip on her thoughts to ask a stream of questions. “Maddy, you’re a telepath? A ghost? A figment of my imagination? What are you? Where are you? Are you okay? Did you die? Did someone…” she bit out the words. “…kill you?”

“I can’t tell you that,” Madison replied.

“What about… the baby… in this state…” Kass pointed to her friend’s stomach. “I’m… whoa!” she dropped her head. “This is crazy. I didn’t eat lunch. I should’ve eaten lunch…” she breathed heavily and gripped her knees.

“My baby will live if… you help me…” Madison said.

“What does… that… even… mean?” Kass gasped, blinking as her eyes began to hurt and water.

“Speak to the law…” Madison’s image began to flicker.

“The law? Call the police?” Kass asked, her face scrunching.

Madison shook her head.

“…the law…a lawyer? Speak to a lawyer?” Kass tried, her voice raising an octave.

She still had that appointment with Butterworth, Honeywell, and Pan later this week, but by then, it might be too late. The only other attorney she knew was…

“Jennifer? Gage’s mom?” Kass repeated.

“Do you remember when we were in choir together?” Madison inquired. “And we were in the alto section, but you didn’t want to be, but the teacher made you stick with it for the semester.”

“Yeah,” Kass frowned, puzzled as to why Madison would recall that particular memory.

“Don’t stick with the altos and stay away from that which is not sea.”

“Huh? That which is not sea?” Kass rubbed her cheeks, trying to decipher the meaning of Madison’s words. “Don’t stick with altos?”

“Theee al-tos,” were the words Madison seemed to say as she shook her arms and phased through the bathroom door.

“Wait!” Kass walked forward and slammed into the solid door. “Ouch!” she cried. “Why stay away from theee… altos?”

She held her nose, her eyes smarting from the pain. Not theee altos? The Altos? Three Altos? her mind began to piece together meaning.  She blinked a few times. As she pushed open the bathroom door, Kass nearly collided with another woman. Holly Alto.

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Author Notes: Thanks for reading. Moving right along with the mystery and the fantastical. Hope you’re enjoying. 

Snow Day Updates – Simterra Receives an Overhaul

Author Notes: I’ve made significant updates to my world since this post, and some of the content below may be outdated or incorrect. To see the most up-to-date information, visit https://simterratales.wordpress.com. 

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Hello readers, today was a snow day for me. Actually, it’s been a snow weekend. Every once in awhile staying in and relaxing is really nice. I try to recharge each weekend, but this weekend was more relaxing than normal.

Then I realized pictures were missing from my KCLKF chapters and some content was translated into Gibberish. I think I used a translation plug-in or something accidentally, and when translating back, I lost some meaning, grammar, sentence-structuring, etc.  Of course, in the next two weeks, this story is the focus on my reading circle.

Since last weekend, I started to do some updates on the website, combing through the content to update. I probably didn’t catch everything yet, but I did my best. After doing some thinking, I’ve decided to de-Simifying certain names, nouns, and descriptors in my stories. to add to the realism of another world. The Sims traveled to Simterra, a near-Earth-like world in a faraway galaxy known to the Sims as the Daleth System, orbiting a G-type star known as Sul. You’ll see the Earth referenced as Old World or Eorthe.

KCLKF is the first work to receive an update. My other stories will too, but it’ll take time. In the meantime, I wanted to offer an overview of what to expect and a primer for new words, especially for cultures. I did a good bit of research in the last few months. I won’t bore you with the details, but I came up with reasonable replacement names for things. Some “Sim” words haven’t been changed/edited because I found it to still be fitting for the culture. New chapters moving forward will take into account the following changes also.

1.44, Pt. 2: Girls Day (KCLKF)

Tuesday, June 10, 2415, C.E. | Sunset Valley, Valverde

Kass savored her first bite of shredded chicken enchiladas. She tried to focus on her meal, but found it difficult to avoid thinking about Clark. He said he couldn’t talk and tried to reassure her that he wasn’t under arrest. She wasn’t sure she believed him. Clark waited for her in the stairwell after she finished checking in with Detective Goddard, but she wasn’t having it. Why was her Mamma giving this man the benefit of the doubt? As he slipped out the side door, she caught a glimpse of the man he was with – the same scrawny man she saw in the park that first night she was attempting to locate Andi. Kass thought she had heard two words – “hot rocks.” Was Clark in the illegal diamond business?

“For someone who says she’s starving, you’ve barely touched your food,” Ayesha remarked, returning to the table with an identical enchilada special plate.

“Ah, yeah, I’m just… thinking…” Kass shoveled a spoonful of Hesperian rice into her mouth.

“Girl, you think too much. Your brain goes… whee!” Ayesha grinned, spinning around on the black and chrome high-top chair. “And you forget to listen to your heart… or your something…” she wiggled her eyebrows. “…something, if you know what I mean.”

“Is sex the only thing you can think about?” Kass retorted, her face flushing the color of her hair.

“Yes,” Ayesha laughed. “And I could’ve been referring to your gut.”

“Yeah and my gut tells me something is wrong,” Kass gritted her teeth, setting her fist on the table.

“With Davis?” Ayesha remarked.

“Oh no, I was thinking about…”

“Your Mamma’s boyfriend. Kass, when will you let it go? He probably just had a parking ticket or something.”

“In handcuffs?”

“Well,” Ayesha shrugged, cutting up her food. “No. But maybe he’s got a fetish or something.”

“Gawd!” Kass dropped her head back. “Oh, gawd! I can’t think about that!” she winced, trying not to picture the scenario Ayesha was inevitably envisioning. “He was talking about jewels both times I caught him discussing stuff, and we can’t forget Clara…”

“His mother?” Ayesha offered.

“No. Sweetheart? Definitely not!” Kass grimaced. “I’m going to get some hot sauce.”

“Good, let’s talk about the heat,” Ayesha murmured into her food.

“What about the heat?” Kass tilted her head and rubbed her neck.

“Kass, dah-ling! Can you let it go? For now at least? You haven’t stopped obsessing!” Ayesha rolled her eyes. “I’d like to talk about anything else. Davis, maybe. Now he’s a dish of Bayuk hot sauce,” she licked her lips.

Kass wrinkled her nose.

“You need to get in the game,” Ayesha nudged her friend.

“What game?” Kass narrowed her eyes.

“You know. The woman’s game,” Ayesha said. “Come on. It’s fun, and you’ll have him eating out of the palm of your hand soon. You just show up tonight at the Jolt like that looking super hot…” she moved her finger up and down.

Kass scratched her arm.

“Order a drink from a different barista. Make sure he sees you, but don’t go talk to him first. Let him come to you,” Ayesha motioned toward herself.  “Flirt a little, but not too much. Touch his arm casually,” she demonstrated. “Lean in a little closer and pretend you’re having trouble hearing because of the noise. Ask him to dance, especially since there’s a great little cover band tonight.”

“I don’t know,” Kass began.

“I’ll come up with some excuse to cut out early and you’ll have the evening to yourselves and you can call me if it totally flops, but it won’t… not with you looking like that. It can’t. It’s foolproof,” Ayesha waved her hand dismissively.

“Wow!” Kass said, sarcastically. “Sounds complicated.”

“It’s really not once you learn to tap into your womanly wiles,” Ayesha assured, taking another bite of food.

Kass walked to the counter and asked for a bottle of Sriracha, deliberately avoiding the Bayuk hot sauce. Was it really that easy? Dating could be fun. Not like I have much experience. Kass bit her lower lip, waiting for the waitress to return. Look how it’s turning out for Mamma. A liar. A jewel thief. He carries a gun. And Andi. Trying to be something she’s not. Wearing high heels and padded bras. Kass glared at her reflection in the mirrored background of the bar, past the many bottles of liquid courage. It’s never that simple. 

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Author Notes: More never before seen pictures. Different circumstances than the first go-around, but this one feels more natural. Ayesha’s flirting tips do make me grin just a little. Thanks for reading. 

1.30 Ease (KCLKF)

Sunday, June 8, 2415, C.E. | Sunset Valley, Valverde

“They’re sleeping now,” Kass announced as she descended the staircase and wandered back into the living room.

Despite the fact that they weren’t injured, Kass could tell both Carina and Andromeda were badly shaken up over the incident.  She was grateful things hadn’t escalated with the intruder. Like a mothering hen, she tucked both of her sisters into bed and stayed with them, answering their probing questions about Davis until they fell asleep. Kass sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She could feel a headache forming.

Davis sat comfortably on the couch, his arm draped over the back as if he belonged on the cover of a men’s magazine. She was glad he stayed. Cari had made her famous hot cocoa with peppermint. Andi had loaded up the mugs with marshmallows. They had played two rounds of cards, initiated by Davis to keep their minds off what had happened. Kass had looked around the table pleased to see her sisters getting along with her potential future boyfriend. Still, she had a hard time focusing on the game.

She wasn’t sure what angered her more – the fact that someone tried to invade their home tonight or the fact that her mamma still hadn’t checked in. At this rate, Kass planned to stay here tonight. She couldn’t imagine leaving her siblings after everything that had happened, and she didn’t care about her mother’s stupid rule about men in the house. She kicked off her shoes and plopped on the couch next to Davis, tucking her legs up under her skirt.

“Good,” Davis responded. “I like your sisters.”

“You said you have siblings,” Kass said, trying to smother a yawn.

“It’s kinda complicated. I was raised with my cousins, and they’re like my family. So Darren and Derek are twins and Dani’s my older sister. Dani lives in Lucky Palms and Darren and Derek followed her and will be starting their second year in university this fall.”

“So you’re the second oldest?” was all Kass’ foggy brain could think to say.

“Yes?” he said slowly, his baby blues twinkling. “What are you going to rub it in that you’re an oldest child and I’m not?”

“No,” Kass waved her hands. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”

“Relax, Kass, I was teasing.”

“Oh,” she bit her lower lip, and laughed awkwardly. “I guess you were. What about your parents?”

It didn’t escape her notice that Davis visibly stiffened. “My dad is a shepherd, believe it or not.”

“Really?” she quirked a brow. “A PK?”

“Preacher’s kid? Yeah, and my aunt teaches music at the high school and she plays piano for the Sunday services. Dani even taught Sunday school classes while she was in college and still living at home. I grew up in a parsonage right behind the church. My brothers and I used to cut across the lawn and climb up the tree to the second story of the church to try and beat my sister to the classroom.”

She noticed he deliberately didn’t mention his mom.  “You were in her class?” she propped her head with her arm, elbow resting on the couch.

“Yeah,” Davis narrowed his eyes with a teasing smile. “And she didn’t give us any special favors. I sang in choir too.”

“Really?” Kass’s eyes widened.

“I hope this doesn’t change your opinion of me,” Davis said.

“No, not at all,” she shook her head.

“I wasn’t sure if you were religious or spiritual or anything for that matter,” he continued. “I didn’t want to presume.”

“We’re Angelican,” came her response.

“Ah…” he said.

“What?” she grinned and tossed a pillow in his direction.

“Nothing,” he caught the pillow to the stomach dramatically. “I know many… good Angelicans.”

She opened her mouth and whacked him with the pillow lightly. “What kind of shepherd is your dad?”

“Edictarian,” Davis replied. “But we don’t need to get into…”

Kass straightened. “Is your family very religious? I mean, do you like… your faith?” she felt dumb for asking.

“I do,” he said. “There was a time in my life where I didn’t, but my faith has kept me grounded. In the tough times, it’s all I had.”

“Oh,” Kass said, dropping her arm by her side.

She didn’t want to pry.

“You hungry?” he asked suddenly. “I know this great Takaharan food place that delivers all night up by the university. Hoshi is the best. He’ll set you up for life if you tell him you love his spring rolls.”

“Starved,” she exclaimed, patting her stomach. “I feel like I haven’t eaten all day.”

He plucked his phone from his pocket with an amused grin. “That’s because you haven’t. It’s only two in the morning. That’s all day so far.”

“I suppose you’re right,” she took back the pillow and straightened the couch.

“Shoot!” he said, frustrated. “Battery’s almost dead.”

“You can use mine,” she offered. “Or there’s a wall phone in the kitchen.”

“You still use those?” he exclaimed.

“Yes, yes,” she laughed.

“I’ll go order us some food,” he said, standing up. “What do you want?”

“Um… spicy tuna rolls? And pork potstickers…and a side of sticky coconut rice. Oh and you know… I’m kinda feeling like egg drop soup too,” she replied and lifted a finger. “Oh wait… how about some crispy wontons?”

“Coming right up,” Davis said.

“Wait… what? That’s too much,” she protested. “Sorry, I can pick like one or two things instead.”

“Nope, you just stay on the couch,” he replied. “And put your feet up and find something good on television, and I’ll go order everything.”

“Service with a smile,” she sighed, and eased back into the couch cushions. “You’re an angel”

Now it was Davis’ turn to blush.

“Um…erm…,” she corrected herself. “Thank you… for everything.”

“Like you said,” he replied. “Now you take it easy.”

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Author Notes: Thanks for reading. No pictures for this chapter, but I wanted to write more about Davis and Kass. I am really enjoying writing their relationship. Have I said that already? Hopefully more of Davis’ personality is shining through this time, and Kass is more likable this go around. I wasn’t sure she was the previous time. I also changed some things about Davis’ back story for… well… you’ll find out more later. 

Recent Edits: 

Made a name change. Added the bit about spring rolls and Hoshi. Edited to add how Davis was raised.

New Cover Reveal

featured from left to right: Andromeda “Andi” Fullbright, Gage Briody, Kassiopeia “Kass” Fullbright, Ayesha Ansari, Davis Lamar, and Carina “Cari” Fullbright

…because I wanted a better one… so here it is. The new cover for The Krazy  Crazy Life of Kassiopeia Fullbright for the first in the series. Thanks for reading and following.

New chapters coming soon!

Remember… when we left off… Kass was stuck in the janitor’s closet with Ayesha, about to be discovered by Clark Sauer, her mamma’s new beau. I’m sure you all want to know what’s going to happen. 🙂

Quick Update

More Kass chapters coming. I promise. Might be a bit. I’ve been binge playing/writing my Simself story, Livin’ A Simmin’ Life. I will take a short hiatus from KCLKF second edition. Thanks for reading along thus far. See you again soon! 🙂