Sim in the City XII: Death Comes Knocking
Previously: Phoebe was in the throes of a teenage mood swing, Nico was obsessed with scouting (or just wearing his scouting uniform), and Willow was an adorable but evil toddler. She then grew up into a mischievous little girl with an inappropriate crush, while Zora and Miko attempted to stave off old age with a newfound fitness obsession.
Yes, the title of this post is very spoiler-y, but I figured I should give some advance warning. This is a sad one.
Zora is really having a hard time with the fact that her firstborn has moved out. She keeps wandering into Phoebe's room to admire her old school projects.
Willow: Hey, Mom, now that Phoebe's gone, can I have her room?
Zora: How dare you even humor such nonsense! What if she decides to come back? No, we must leave every inch of this room in its current state in anticipation of her return.
Willow: Geez, I just asked a simple question...
Turns out Zora was right about Phoebe's return, but it's only temporary. She's over to help celebrate Nico's birthday, and, naturally, she's completely inappropriately dressed for a child's party.
Phoebe: Hey, li'l nerd. How's it hanging?
Nico: *tries not to stare directly at his older sister's boobs*
Willow: Oh my God, look at him playing chess in his stupid bow tie! What a freak!
Miko shows up to model her latest fashion concoction at the absolute worst time. Nico can't even hold onto the spotlight while blowing out his own birthday candles.
Oh, great. The fact that he's immediately transformed into a smirking, fedora-wearing, phone-obsessed pubescent doesn't bode well.
Phoebe: Well, that outfit is certainly a choice.
Nico: Come on, sis, you know I look dope as fuck.
Never utter the word "dope" again in your lifetime or I will entirely disown you.
Surprise, it's a two-for-one birthday, complete with re-purposed blue sprinkle cake! Miko isn't so sure she wants to watch as Zora finally reaches elderhood.
Luckily, she's still as cute as ever, a little grayer, sure, but still with that signature gap-toothed smile.
Of course, since Phoebe is no longer around to do it, Nico immediately gets saddled into babysitting duty. He looks absolutely thrilled to be at the park with Willow and her no-good partner in crime, Preston.
Nico: Food! In my mouth! Right now! I need it!
Vendor: Chill, dude, it's literally right in front of you. Just take it and go, please.
While Nico was off preventing his certain starvation, Willow and Preston managed to find a conveniently-placed bucket of water balloons to chuck mercilessly at each other.
Oh, Preston's feeling bold.
And for good reason. He manages a direct hit! Ouch!
This picture doesn't really serve any higher purpose. I just like watching the kids on the playground equipment.
Why is it that literally every single townie child is a pesky, paint-and-flour-throwing troublemaker? This park is meant to be a place for you, and you're just turning it into a filthy dump!
Phoebe: Ugh, this place is a mess! Youths these days have no respect for their surroundings!
While I agree with the sentiment behind what you're saying, you're way too young to be taking up the angry elder generation battle cry. Save that for when you're actually old and gray.
Yay! It's taken a lot of hard work, but Miko is finally the director of her own foundation!
The slow death of the environment can't be put on pause, which means Miko's on the job 24/7. She can't even enjoy a slice of leftover birthday cake without stopping to convince her neighbors to support the cause.
She always makes sure to squeeze in some time to spend with her children, though. I'm not sure how well this whole let's-all-throw-balls-into-the-net-at-once strategy will work, but at least they're having fun.
Nico: Hold on. This lighting is perfect for a workout selfie.
Willow: Ugh, teenagers! I think I liked you better when all you cared about was playing chess.
Willow's such a pro at the monkey bars even Nico has to rip himself away from his phone to admire her skills.
Zora: What's going on here? Why are you letting our daughter teeter on the edge of that death trap?
Miko: Oh, honey, take it easy. She's fine!
Zora: You get down from there right this instant, young lady.
Willow: Okay, okay, I'm coming.
Oh God! What is this? Don't tell me... No, I don't believe it... It can't be...
Unfortunately, I don't think my eyes are playing tricks on me. Miko's time to pass on has truly arrived. I really relate to Zora in this moment, who's already so upset that she immediately dives under the covers for a good cry.
Zora: You heartless bastard! I will not let you do this to my poor innocent children. Not today!
Sadly, because the Grim Reaper is indeed a heartless bastard, Zora's pleas for just one more day with her beloved fall on deaf ears.
Fuck, death seems extra depressing in this game. I don't ever remember it feeling this intense.
Make it stop, please! If you're going to take her, just do it! I can't stand another second of watching everyone cry visible tears while Miko's lifeless body goes cold on the floor.
These poor kids, having to witness their mom's actual soul being sucked from her body. They're never going to recover.
Oh, Phoebe, I'm not sure why you're wearing a strange hat and glasses I've never seen you in before, but you're so sweet!
This is about to be the saddest breakfast ever, isn't it?
Willow: Really? You expect me to eat at a time like this? I'll just be over here wallowing in misery in this mud puddle.
Phoebe: Come on, girl! Pull yourself together! Your family needs you!
Zora: I just worry about how the children are taking this, you know? They're too young to experience such heartache.
When Zora leaves for a bathroom break, it's time for sibling hugs all around.
Ugh, Willow's sad little face is breaking me! No game is supposed to make me this sad.
Nico: And this is the last selfie I took before Mom died.
Phoebe: It would be nicer if it were a picture of her... Oh, who am I kidding? She would have loved it!
That's right, ladies. Drink the pain away. Sometimes you need to be strong for the children, but sometimes you just need to wash the sadness down with a strong glass of Merlot.
Miko's urn gets a prime position right next to Zora's prized music award, the perfect spot for Zora to stop and mourn in front of it literally every hour of the day.
So Miko died on the eve of Spooky Day, and the family had already put out this big bowl of candy for trick-or-treaters. Needless to say, though, they're not really in the holiday spirit anymore.
Darth Vader: Hey, I'm here for the candy.
Willow: Take it.
Darth Vader: Don't I have to say trick or treat?
Willow: Just take it and go.
This imitation Darth Vader may be scared by the fake severed hand in the bowl of candy, but it's just a cheap, unimpressive party trick to a girl who has literally stared Death in the face. Happy Spooky Day, y'all.
Yes, the title of this post is very spoiler-y, but I figured I should give some advance warning. This is a sad one.
Zora is really having a hard time with the fact that her firstborn has moved out. She keeps wandering into Phoebe's room to admire her old school projects.
Willow: Hey, Mom, now that Phoebe's gone, can I have her room?
Zora: How dare you even humor such nonsense! What if she decides to come back? No, we must leave every inch of this room in its current state in anticipation of her return.
Willow: Geez, I just asked a simple question...
Turns out Zora was right about Phoebe's return, but it's only temporary. She's over to help celebrate Nico's birthday, and, naturally, she's completely inappropriately dressed for a child's party.
Phoebe: Hey, li'l nerd. How's it hanging?
Nico: *tries not to stare directly at his older sister's boobs*
Willow: Oh my God, look at him playing chess in his stupid bow tie! What a freak!
Miko shows up to model her latest fashion concoction at the absolute worst time. Nico can't even hold onto the spotlight while blowing out his own birthday candles.
Oh, great. The fact that he's immediately transformed into a smirking, fedora-wearing, phone-obsessed pubescent doesn't bode well.
Phoebe: Well, that outfit is certainly a choice.
Nico: Come on, sis, you know I look dope as fuck.
Never utter the word "dope" again in your lifetime or I will entirely disown you.
Surprise, it's a two-for-one birthday, complete with re-purposed blue sprinkle cake! Miko isn't so sure she wants to watch as Zora finally reaches elderhood.
Luckily, she's still as cute as ever, a little grayer, sure, but still with that signature gap-toothed smile.
Of course, since Phoebe is no longer around to do it, Nico immediately gets saddled into babysitting duty. He looks absolutely thrilled to be at the park with Willow and her no-good partner in crime, Preston.
Nico: Food! In my mouth! Right now! I need it!
Vendor: Chill, dude, it's literally right in front of you. Just take it and go, please.
While Nico was off preventing his certain starvation, Willow and Preston managed to find a conveniently-placed bucket of water balloons to chuck mercilessly at each other.
Oh, Preston's feeling bold.
And for good reason. He manages a direct hit! Ouch!
This picture doesn't really serve any higher purpose. I just like watching the kids on the playground equipment.
Why is it that literally every single townie child is a pesky, paint-and-flour-throwing troublemaker? This park is meant to be a place for you, and you're just turning it into a filthy dump!
Phoebe: Ugh, this place is a mess! Youths these days have no respect for their surroundings!
While I agree with the sentiment behind what you're saying, you're way too young to be taking up the angry elder generation battle cry. Save that for when you're actually old and gray.
Yay! It's taken a lot of hard work, but Miko is finally the director of her own foundation!
The slow death of the environment can't be put on pause, which means Miko's on the job 24/7. She can't even enjoy a slice of leftover birthday cake without stopping to convince her neighbors to support the cause.
She always makes sure to squeeze in some time to spend with her children, though. I'm not sure how well this whole let's-all-throw-balls-into-the-net-at-once strategy will work, but at least they're having fun.
Nico: Hold on. This lighting is perfect for a workout selfie.
Willow: Ugh, teenagers! I think I liked you better when all you cared about was playing chess.
Willow's such a pro at the monkey bars even Nico has to rip himself away from his phone to admire her skills.
Zora: What's going on here? Why are you letting our daughter teeter on the edge of that death trap?
Miko: Oh, honey, take it easy. She's fine!
Zora: You get down from there right this instant, young lady.
Willow: Okay, okay, I'm coming.
Oh God! What is this? Don't tell me... No, I don't believe it... It can't be...
Unfortunately, I don't think my eyes are playing tricks on me. Miko's time to pass on has truly arrived. I really relate to Zora in this moment, who's already so upset that she immediately dives under the covers for a good cry.
Zora: You heartless bastard! I will not let you do this to my poor innocent children. Not today!
Sadly, because the Grim Reaper is indeed a heartless bastard, Zora's pleas for just one more day with her beloved fall on deaf ears.
Fuck, death seems extra depressing in this game. I don't ever remember it feeling this intense.
Make it stop, please! If you're going to take her, just do it! I can't stand another second of watching everyone cry visible tears while Miko's lifeless body goes cold on the floor.
These poor kids, having to witness their mom's actual soul being sucked from her body. They're never going to recover.
Oh, Phoebe, I'm not sure why you're wearing a strange hat and glasses I've never seen you in before, but you're so sweet!
This is about to be the saddest breakfast ever, isn't it?
Willow: Really? You expect me to eat at a time like this? I'll just be over here wallowing in misery in this mud puddle.
Phoebe: Come on, girl! Pull yourself together! Your family needs you!
Zora: I just worry about how the children are taking this, you know? They're too young to experience such heartache.
When Zora leaves for a bathroom break, it's time for sibling hugs all around.
Ugh, Willow's sad little face is breaking me! No game is supposed to make me this sad.
Nico: And this is the last selfie I took before Mom died.
Phoebe: It would be nicer if it were a picture of her... Oh, who am I kidding? She would have loved it!
That's right, ladies. Drink the pain away. Sometimes you need to be strong for the children, but sometimes you just need to wash the sadness down with a strong glass of Merlot.
Miko's urn gets a prime position right next to Zora's prized music award, the perfect spot for Zora to stop and mourn in front of it literally every hour of the day.
So Miko died on the eve of Spooky Day, and the family had already put out this big bowl of candy for trick-or-treaters. Needless to say, though, they're not really in the holiday spirit anymore.
Darth Vader: Hey, I'm here for the candy.
Willow: Take it.
Darth Vader: Don't I have to say trick or treat?
Willow: Just take it and go.
This imitation Darth Vader may be scared by the fake severed hand in the bowl of candy, but it's just a cheap, unimpressive party trick to a girl who has literally stared Death in the face. Happy Spooky Day, y'all.