Desert Dreamers V
Previously: The entire family got dragged into Gideon's Granite Falls love affair. While Rafael delighted in following in his father's nature-appreciative footsteps, Ana was deeply disturbed by their distance from civilization. For Fátima, the trip ended in a sudden and mysterious bout of nausea...
Fátima: Okay, so maybe we lost track of a few bills while we were on vacation! Don't worry, I'll get everything sorted out soon, I promise. In the meantime, just bundle up if you get cold!
Ana: You know, suddenly the forest seems like paradise to me...
Once the electricity is restored, Fátima heads straight for the bathroom to confirm what was probably already apparent at the end of the last post: she's definitely pregnant.
Gideon: Another one? But how? We never even talked about this! I thought we were going to wait until we got married!
Fátima: First of all, the women in my family have been extraordinarily fertile for generations now, as far back as anyone can remember. Did I never tell you that? Secondly, who needs marriage? It's an antiquated technicality that we're already managing just fine without!
It doesn't take long for Gideon to accept that this pregnancy is just a thing that is going to happen whether he wants it to or not and go back to his herbalism happy place.
Meanwhile, at drama club, being the contrarian that she is (though she prefers to think of herself as an iconoclast), Ana is clearly going to go with the unconventional option here.
It was a rousing success with everyone who matters! Fuck that stodgy old teacher. He probably hasn't been on a stage bigger than community theater in half a century.
GORGEOUS GRACIE HAS RETURNED, AND ANA IS STILL AT DRAMA CLUB. WHAT DO I DO?!?
Fátima: Hey there! Remember me? You sure look like you could use an escape from these improbable snow flurries. There's a nice cup of hot cocoa with your name on it if you come into my house and wait for my daughter to come home!
Gracie: Oh, what the hell, this is super awkward, but I've got no place better to be.
I think Ana's first friend, Whitney, is pissed to see another redhead angling to become the sole object of her affection.
Ana: Oh, right, you're the one my mom hasn't been able to shut up about for days. How'd she lure you in here anyway?
Gracie: Hot cocoa.
Ana: Ah, yes, that'll do the trick.
Fátima: Oh, it's just so lovely to see you two girls getting along!
Ana: Mom, please, can you let us hang out for five minutes without breathing down our necks?!?
Okay, all parental units have vacated the immediate surroundings. Time for a knockout round of virtual bowling, which is very underrated as a sexy activity, in my opinion.
Just kidding, Fátima's still lurking around the corner like the helicopter parent she is.
Ana: Good god, Mom, get a hobby that doesn't revolve around my love life already, I AM BEGGING YOU!
Fátima: I'm sorry, honey! It's just you look so cute together, I can hardly stand it!
Ana: I'm sorry about my mom being such a freak. We still had fun, though, right?
Gracie: Totally! Speaking of your mom, she kind of already forced me to save your number in my phone, but... should I give you mine?
Ana: YES, OF COURSE! I mean... that would be cool. If you want. No pressure.
Rafael: Ooh, big sis, you have got it bad for that girl!
Ana: What do you know, dweeb? You're, like, five.
I have to admit he does have a point, though, and I think that look on Gracie's face means she's equally smitten.
Ana really is a promising actress. She somehow manages to power through her entire robotics project for school without once letting her annoyance over her mother's inappropriately prying questions show. A truly star-making performance!
Meanwhile, pregnancy means Fátima has an excuse to laze around doing nothing, not that she ever really needed a good reason. Who says this blow-up wading pool is for kids only? It's clearly fun for all ages!
Gideon: Honey, I know the traditions of your home country are important to you, but last time you delivered your own baby I nearly had a heart attack. I must insist we go to the hospital for this one!
Fátima: I really don't think it's necessary, but if it'll make you feel better... *sigh* fine, let's go.
Fátima: Okay, I tried, but can we go back home now? I don't trust a ghost doctor any more than I trust myself... How is he going to deliver a baby without real hands?!?
Is it legal for a hospital to be staffed entirely by ghosts? At the very least, it doesn't inspire much confidence in the patients if everyone who is trying to keep them alive is already, well, dead.
Gideon: I swear to god, if you mess this up, you'll be so tied up in eternal litigation you'll wish your spirit had left earth when it still had the chance.
Luckily, Ghost Doctor (coming this fall on CBS from the creators of Ghost Whisperer) came through, and the end result is a baby girl named Gabriela!
Naturally, Gideon and Fátima immediately drop her off at home to go and make up for all the adventuring they missed out on while Fátima was pregnant. They don't go far this time, just a quick afternoon run to Willow Creek.
Fátima does happen upon this very beautiful and unusual tree, though, which I'm sure appreciates the water, having been neglected since Nico first discovered it a few generations back.
Gideon: Well, it looks like the fish just aren't biting today. What are you up to over here?
Fátima: I think I might have just found us a brand new adventure to go on...
Soon enough, they arrive in the mystical world of Sylvan Glade, where they are rendered speechless by its beauty.
Fátima gets to work trying to catch frogs in the pond, and Gideon resumes one of his favorite hobbies: fishing.
Having little luck with the frogs, Fátima decides to wander off and take in some more of the scenery instead.
Like the other hidden lots, it may not be particularly exciting in terms of gameplay, but I could sit and take screen caps of its majestic views for hours. Sylvan Glade in particular has a very serene, relaxing energy.
Elsewhere, Ana and Gracie are out on their first parent-free date, and Ana's trying out the patented stretch-and-accidentally-place-your-arm-across-her-shoulders move. I'd expect something more sophisticated from an aspiring actress. Do you think Gracie will buy it?
Oh, she definitely bought it.
I think I say this about every new couple, but these two are my OTP now, there is no one more perfect. I don't care how awkward their initial introduction was. In fact, Fátima may just be an oracle because this is absolutely destiny.
Fátima: Okay, so maybe we lost track of a few bills while we were on vacation! Don't worry, I'll get everything sorted out soon, I promise. In the meantime, just bundle up if you get cold!
Ana: You know, suddenly the forest seems like paradise to me...
Once the electricity is restored, Fátima heads straight for the bathroom to confirm what was probably already apparent at the end of the last post: she's definitely pregnant.
Gideon: Another one? But how? We never even talked about this! I thought we were going to wait until we got married!
Fátima: First of all, the women in my family have been extraordinarily fertile for generations now, as far back as anyone can remember. Did I never tell you that? Secondly, who needs marriage? It's an antiquated technicality that we're already managing just fine without!
It doesn't take long for Gideon to accept that this pregnancy is just a thing that is going to happen whether he wants it to or not and go back to his herbalism happy place.
Meanwhile, at drama club, being the contrarian that she is (though she prefers to think of herself as an iconoclast), Ana is clearly going to go with the unconventional option here.
It was a rousing success with everyone who matters! Fuck that stodgy old teacher. He probably hasn't been on a stage bigger than community theater in half a century.
GORGEOUS GRACIE HAS RETURNED, AND ANA IS STILL AT DRAMA CLUB. WHAT DO I DO?!?
Fátima: Hey there! Remember me? You sure look like you could use an escape from these improbable snow flurries. There's a nice cup of hot cocoa with your name on it if you come into my house and wait for my daughter to come home!
Gracie: Oh, what the hell, this is super awkward, but I've got no place better to be.
I think Ana's first friend, Whitney, is pissed to see another redhead angling to become the sole object of her affection.
Ana: Oh, right, you're the one my mom hasn't been able to shut up about for days. How'd she lure you in here anyway?
Gracie: Hot cocoa.
Ana: Ah, yes, that'll do the trick.
Fátima: Oh, it's just so lovely to see you two girls getting along!
Ana: Mom, please, can you let us hang out for five minutes without breathing down our necks?!?
Okay, all parental units have vacated the immediate surroundings. Time for a knockout round of virtual bowling, which is very underrated as a sexy activity, in my opinion.
Just kidding, Fátima's still lurking around the corner like the helicopter parent she is.
Ana: Good god, Mom, get a hobby that doesn't revolve around my love life already, I AM BEGGING YOU!
Fátima: I'm sorry, honey! It's just you look so cute together, I can hardly stand it!
Ana: I'm sorry about my mom being such a freak. We still had fun, though, right?
Gracie: Totally! Speaking of your mom, she kind of already forced me to save your number in my phone, but... should I give you mine?
Ana: YES, OF COURSE! I mean... that would be cool. If you want. No pressure.
Rafael: Ooh, big sis, you have got it bad for that girl!
Ana: What do you know, dweeb? You're, like, five.
I have to admit he does have a point, though, and I think that look on Gracie's face means she's equally smitten.
Ana really is a promising actress. She somehow manages to power through her entire robotics project for school without once letting her annoyance over her mother's inappropriately prying questions show. A truly star-making performance!
Meanwhile, pregnancy means Fátima has an excuse to laze around doing nothing, not that she ever really needed a good reason. Who says this blow-up wading pool is for kids only? It's clearly fun for all ages!
Gideon: Honey, I know the traditions of your home country are important to you, but last time you delivered your own baby I nearly had a heart attack. I must insist we go to the hospital for this one!
Fátima: I really don't think it's necessary, but if it'll make you feel better... *sigh* fine, let's go.
Fátima: Okay, I tried, but can we go back home now? I don't trust a ghost doctor any more than I trust myself... How is he going to deliver a baby without real hands?!?
Is it legal for a hospital to be staffed entirely by ghosts? At the very least, it doesn't inspire much confidence in the patients if everyone who is trying to keep them alive is already, well, dead.
Gideon: I swear to god, if you mess this up, you'll be so tied up in eternal litigation you'll wish your spirit had left earth when it still had the chance.
Luckily, Ghost Doctor (coming this fall on CBS from the creators of Ghost Whisperer) came through, and the end result is a baby girl named Gabriela!
Naturally, Gideon and Fátima immediately drop her off at home to go and make up for all the adventuring they missed out on while Fátima was pregnant. They don't go far this time, just a quick afternoon run to Willow Creek.
Fátima does happen upon this very beautiful and unusual tree, though, which I'm sure appreciates the water, having been neglected since Nico first discovered it a few generations back.
Gideon: Well, it looks like the fish just aren't biting today. What are you up to over here?
Fátima: I think I might have just found us a brand new adventure to go on...
Soon enough, they arrive in the mystical world of Sylvan Glade, where they are rendered speechless by its beauty.
Fátima gets to work trying to catch frogs in the pond, and Gideon resumes one of his favorite hobbies: fishing.
Having little luck with the frogs, Fátima decides to wander off and take in some more of the scenery instead.
Like the other hidden lots, it may not be particularly exciting in terms of gameplay, but I could sit and take screen caps of its majestic views for hours. Sylvan Glade in particular has a very serene, relaxing energy.
Elsewhere, Ana and Gracie are out on their first parent-free date, and Ana's trying out the patented stretch-and-accidentally-place-your-arm-across-her-shoulders move. I'd expect something more sophisticated from an aspiring actress. Do you think Gracie will buy it?
Oh, she definitely bought it.
I think I say this about every new couple, but these two are my OTP now, there is no one more perfect. I don't care how awkward their initial introduction was. In fact, Fátima may just be an oracle because this is absolutely destiny.