Weird Science V
Previously: The combined Jang/Srivastava households celebrated Winterfest, during which Nadia was stunned by the unexpected revelation that Erika has a daughter named Mandy as the result of a brief past fling. Luckily, she welcomed Mandy with open arms, and all of a sudden, the three of them are an unconventional little family.
On Nadia's work task list today: invent a satellite dish advanced enough to make extraterrestrial contact.
Yes, abduct us! Please! I'm begging you! Alien abduction is one of the things I miss most from the Sims 2, since they seem so much rarer in this game. So bring it on, aliens! Whisk us away!
Coworker: Can you please put that away?!? It gives me the heebie-jeebies. We shouldn't upset the natural order of things.
Nadia: What kind of hack scientist are you? It's all about upsetting the natural order of things, man!
Okay, admittedly, that wasn't a super exciting day since she didn't end up getting abducted or anything cool like that, but she did get a promotion, so let's celebrate that.
Meanwhile, back at home, both Gideon and Mandy seem to be digging whatever Erika is working on right now, so maybe it's about time she sends her first song out into the world at large...
Keep your fingers crossed it's a hit, everybody!
I'm inclined to believe this guy is a poor imitation of a music producer due to his awkwardly-implemented slang and general "hello fellow kids" demeanor, but since there's not much to lose at this point, I guess Erika will give him a shot and see how it works out.
The next morning, Nadia whips out the air horn to celebrate both her wife's contract with a real live record label and the fact that it's New Year's Eve.
The three of them decide to head over to Nadia's parents' house for a day of wholesome family celebration.
Did I say wholesome? Because the day's definitely going to include a lot of drinking. I must have forgotten about that.
However, it also includes ice cream for those who are still too young to imbibe, which Mandy is totally stoked about.
Poor Madeline not only had to work on New Year's Eve, but comes home to find her new almost step-granddaughter making an absolute mess of her front yard. Someone must have gone a little overboard on the ice cream and is now in the grips of a massive sugar high.
Nadia pretends to discipline Mandy for show, but, really, she's secretly impressed at her rebellion since it reminds her of her own attempts to shirk her mom's dumb rules when she was a kid.
It's all good, though. One massive ice cream cone later, and Madeline's forgotten all about Mandy's misbehavior.
A couple hours later, it's time to drop Mandy back at home with her babysitter, Gideon, and head out for an adults-only cocktail hour, where Madeline is suddenly completely in her element.
Nadia, on the other hand, is really rethinking her decision to grab not one but two alcoholic beverages. She has her motherly duties to think about now, after all.
Everyone can agree, though, that dancing like a bunch of nerds regardless of being in public is always a good idea.
I'm a bit concerned that Madeline has found her home among the barhops and will now spend her twilight years nursing warm beers in the middle of the day with her new best friends.
Man, this New Year's Eve countdown show is wild! They've got ghosts and skeletons out there taking selfies and having hot and heavy make-out sessions with each other. I want to be where they are!
I think I managed to get everyone in the shot for once (even the cat)! Actually, on closer examination, Shawn is missing, but I think he just wandered off to bed because he's old and easily exhausted now.
Look at Elliot and Madeline ringing in the New Year with their own midnight kiss. They're still so adorable together after all these years.
The next morning, Elliot invites Nadia out for breakfast bright and early despite the fact that he is clearly still tired and possibly hungover from the night before.
Elliot: Whew, I just don't think I can do this! I've got to get home and take a nice long nap immediately.
Nadia: That's cool, Dad... I guess I'll just pay for this breakfast that was entirely your idea. You know, I would have liked to sleep in, too!
Since Elliot jumped ship, Nadia takes advantage of the quiet morning to do some fishing while contemplating her latest inventions. The fish weren't biting, but a breakthrough or two was had.
Later, Elliot is rested enough to make up for his earlier escape with a game of chess. Erika knows absolutely nothing about the game, but she's excited to be appointed referee anyway. This could get heated.
Geez, who knew chess could be such a draw. All of a sudden, everyone in their immediate vicinity is riveted.
Dirk Dreamer, barely recognizable without his kooky hat, is pissed off that nobody wants to watch his fascinating one-man chess tournament. Why are the commoners all flocking to a couple of nobodies instead of a renowned tech wiz and self-proclaimed chess master?!?
Erika: I call foul, sir! I don't know the rules of this game at all, and even I know that you can't just insert yourself into an ongoing match for free publicity!
All that chess has worked Nadia up into a very frisky mood, if you know what I mean. Good thing there's this conveniently located bush for her and Erika to hide away from prying eyes...
Whatever they got up to in there, it must have been good. Erika celebrates with a leftover New Year's cocktail... which she apparently just had stuffed inside her pocket or something?
Okay, Tayler, we'll come check out your "crazy" party at the Ruins, but that doesn't mean you're free to steal Nadia away from Erika when she isn't looking, okay?
Erika: You know, I was prepared to hate, but this party is pretty darn lit!
Shit. Well, that puts a damper on things. I guess it isn't wholly unexpected considering how desperate Elliot has been to spend time with Nadia over the past few days, but it's still very upsetting news.
Nadia: *through tears* DJ, slow it down so everyone can raise their phones in the air for my dead dad!
As if the night could get any worse, she then goes and sets herself aflame instead of the bonfire.
Erika: I was wondering where you disappeared to. Babe, what's wrong?
Nadia: We were just with him. How can my dad just be... dead?
Erika: It's okay. I've got you. We'll get through this together, okay?
Upon arriving back home, Nadia noticed some strange bubble-like lights pulsing on and off in the front yard. No, they couldn't possibly be...
Indeed, the aliens have finally arrived to beam Nadia aboard their UFO for a glimpse of their mysterious technology.
Unfortunately, she was in no state to take notes on what she witnessed. In fact, she barely remembers it. All she wants to do now is crawl into bed and stay there until she's dragged back into the real world kicking and screaming.
On Nadia's work task list today: invent a satellite dish advanced enough to make extraterrestrial contact.
Yes, abduct us! Please! I'm begging you! Alien abduction is one of the things I miss most from the Sims 2, since they seem so much rarer in this game. So bring it on, aliens! Whisk us away!
Coworker: Can you please put that away?!? It gives me the heebie-jeebies. We shouldn't upset the natural order of things.
Nadia: What kind of hack scientist are you? It's all about upsetting the natural order of things, man!
Okay, admittedly, that wasn't a super exciting day since she didn't end up getting abducted or anything cool like that, but she did get a promotion, so let's celebrate that.
Meanwhile, back at home, both Gideon and Mandy seem to be digging whatever Erika is working on right now, so maybe it's about time she sends her first song out into the world at large...
Keep your fingers crossed it's a hit, everybody!
I'm inclined to believe this guy is a poor imitation of a music producer due to his awkwardly-implemented slang and general "hello fellow kids" demeanor, but since there's not much to lose at this point, I guess Erika will give him a shot and see how it works out.
The next morning, Nadia whips out the air horn to celebrate both her wife's contract with a real live record label and the fact that it's New Year's Eve.
The three of them decide to head over to Nadia's parents' house for a day of wholesome family celebration.
Did I say wholesome? Because the day's definitely going to include a lot of drinking. I must have forgotten about that.
However, it also includes ice cream for those who are still too young to imbibe, which Mandy is totally stoked about.
Poor Madeline not only had to work on New Year's Eve, but comes home to find her new almost step-granddaughter making an absolute mess of her front yard. Someone must have gone a little overboard on the ice cream and is now in the grips of a massive sugar high.
Nadia pretends to discipline Mandy for show, but, really, she's secretly impressed at her rebellion since it reminds her of her own attempts to shirk her mom's dumb rules when she was a kid.
It's all good, though. One massive ice cream cone later, and Madeline's forgotten all about Mandy's misbehavior.
A couple hours later, it's time to drop Mandy back at home with her babysitter, Gideon, and head out for an adults-only cocktail hour, where Madeline is suddenly completely in her element.
Nadia, on the other hand, is really rethinking her decision to grab not one but two alcoholic beverages. She has her motherly duties to think about now, after all.
Everyone can agree, though, that dancing like a bunch of nerds regardless of being in public is always a good idea.
I'm a bit concerned that Madeline has found her home among the barhops and will now spend her twilight years nursing warm beers in the middle of the day with her new best friends.
Man, this New Year's Eve countdown show is wild! They've got ghosts and skeletons out there taking selfies and having hot and heavy make-out sessions with each other. I want to be where they are!
I think I managed to get everyone in the shot for once (even the cat)! Actually, on closer examination, Shawn is missing, but I think he just wandered off to bed because he's old and easily exhausted now.
Look at Elliot and Madeline ringing in the New Year with their own midnight kiss. They're still so adorable together after all these years.
The next morning, Elliot invites Nadia out for breakfast bright and early despite the fact that he is clearly still tired and possibly hungover from the night before.
Elliot: Whew, I just don't think I can do this! I've got to get home and take a nice long nap immediately.
Nadia: That's cool, Dad... I guess I'll just pay for this breakfast that was entirely your idea. You know, I would have liked to sleep in, too!
Since Elliot jumped ship, Nadia takes advantage of the quiet morning to do some fishing while contemplating her latest inventions. The fish weren't biting, but a breakthrough or two was had.
Later, Elliot is rested enough to make up for his earlier escape with a game of chess. Erika knows absolutely nothing about the game, but she's excited to be appointed referee anyway. This could get heated.
Geez, who knew chess could be such a draw. All of a sudden, everyone in their immediate vicinity is riveted.
Dirk Dreamer, barely recognizable without his kooky hat, is pissed off that nobody wants to watch his fascinating one-man chess tournament. Why are the commoners all flocking to a couple of nobodies instead of a renowned tech wiz and self-proclaimed chess master?!?
Erika: I call foul, sir! I don't know the rules of this game at all, and even I know that you can't just insert yourself into an ongoing match for free publicity!
All that chess has worked Nadia up into a very frisky mood, if you know what I mean. Good thing there's this conveniently located bush for her and Erika to hide away from prying eyes...
Whatever they got up to in there, it must have been good. Erika celebrates with a leftover New Year's cocktail... which she apparently just had stuffed inside her pocket or something?
Okay, Tayler, we'll come check out your "crazy" party at the Ruins, but that doesn't mean you're free to steal Nadia away from Erika when she isn't looking, okay?
Erika: You know, I was prepared to hate, but this party is pretty darn lit!
Shit. Well, that puts a damper on things. I guess it isn't wholly unexpected considering how desperate Elliot has been to spend time with Nadia over the past few days, but it's still very upsetting news.
Nadia: *through tears* DJ, slow it down so everyone can raise their phones in the air for my dead dad!
As if the night could get any worse, she then goes and sets herself aflame instead of the bonfire.
Erika: I was wondering where you disappeared to. Babe, what's wrong?
Nadia: We were just with him. How can my dad just be... dead?
Erika: It's okay. I've got you. We'll get through this together, okay?
Upon arriving back home, Nadia noticed some strange bubble-like lights pulsing on and off in the front yard. No, they couldn't possibly be...
Indeed, the aliens have finally arrived to beam Nadia aboard their UFO for a glimpse of their mysterious technology.
Unfortunately, she was in no state to take notes on what she witnessed. In fact, she barely remembers it. All she wants to do now is crawl into bed and stay there until she's dragged back into the real world kicking and screaming.